Surviving as a Barbarian in the Game - Episode 431
431Return of the Lion (2)
A little gloomy sky.
Nevertheless, the sunlight leaks through.
Warmth that pushes away the chill that has seeped into my bones..
A place where there is no shivering cold or hunger..
“now… It feels a little real. really… You came back alive.…….”
As always, the city we returned to after going through hardships gave us a particularly strange feeling..
I'm definitely glad I survived, but my heart is heavy..
Because there are people who couldn't come together.
“little bit more… If only I had held on a little longer…….”
If that were the case.
A few more people might have come together..
“Miss Marrone.”
When Sven Farab, who was next to him, called out his name and warned him, Marone stopped talking to himself and gritted his teeth..
Well, it doesn't end when you return to the city..
It is still too early to be relieved. Maybe something more difficult will unfold in the labyrinth..
but…….
Wow-.
I force myself to swallow even the complaints blooming inside me..
It wasn't just because the place I'm currently in is the mansion where I stayed for a few days before entering the labyrinth, so I had to be careful about what I said..
It's just that it shouldn't be like that..
No matter how high and steep the mountain you have to climb.
Because I had to leave those who fought until the end in the labyrinth just to be here..
“Kaislan, are you okay??”
“Ah, it couldn't be better than this. But I guess I'm the last one?”
Soon, all the members gathered in the reception room as Kaislan, who had been summoned by a priest on a business trip to an empty mansion, returned..
“Instead of just staying here, how about taking a walk? It looks like a nice day today.”
“I hope so too.”
“I hope so?”
“Did you see the drivers in front of the reception room on your way there? Even if I try to go outside for a moment, they block me..”
Wizard Marone let out a dissatisfied voice at Akuraba's explanation..
“under! As if we did something wrong! I came back after completing my mission and was treated like this. Wouldn't it be better to be treated like a hero?!”
“Hey, Miss Marrone.…….”
“what! I said something wrong.?”
Sven Farab caught my eye, but it wasn't something I really needed to stop..
It would be strange if I didn't complain this much..
I told you to do that in the first place..
What's important is the other part..
“Haha, first of all, our expedition team belonged to the military. The journey cannot be considered complete until an official report is made to superiors..”
“Still. I'm from the military too, but this isn't too tight.?”
“Come on, calm down. Aren't we the ones who accomplished the task of breaking the eye of heaven to turn the tide? Once the report is over, it will be time for the long-awaited reward..”
“Hwiyu, is it finally?.”
James Carla responds to Kaislan's words by whistling..
Then the conversation continued naturally..
Snobbish things like expecting a reward or saying what I will ask for..
Of course, these are words that people outside should listen to..
Because the conversation we are having now will completely flow into the ears of high-ranking officials..
“Uncle, I was able to quickly find something to eat somewhere. try this.“
“Ah, thank you.”
As I was eating the meat on Erwen's plate, I thought back on the events that had happened so far..
If there is a mistake, we need to prepare a solution..
‘…Those guys at the checkpoint didn't notice..’
As soon as we returned to the dimensional plaza, we placed our backpacks in dependent subspace..
That's because the equipment to be shown to the royal family and the items that should not be shown were carefully organized and stored separately..
And arrived at the checkpoint.
There I loudly declared that we were the special forces of the royal family and asked the marquis to be called..
It was an intentional action..
‘There were plenty of explorers at the checkpoint, so talk of the special forces had probably spread through the city by now..’
The checkpoint official who made contact with the Marquis seemed helpless at first, but then he detained us, repeating the Marquis' words to 'keep us here'..
and…….
[From now on, we will guide you..]
The author's article arrived less than 30 minutes ago. We were escorted by them to the empty mansion of the imperial capital where the founding ceremony was held..
[We will carry your luggage..]
[us……?]
[These are the Marquis’ instructions. We promise on the honor of our knights that nothing will be missing..]
The backpack containing the loot that was okay to show was also taken away in the process, and after arriving at the mansion, each person was treated one by one by priests called by the knights..
So much time has passed and now.
smart.
Soon a knock was heard and the door opened..
Yeah, it's too late.
Now we have finally decided on the situation to some extent.?
“The Marquis asks to meet you..”
Let’s stay alert from now on.
***
The place we arrived at following the drivers was a reception room similar to the one we were in. One thing that is a little unusual is that the head table is empty.…….
The point is that there is a crystal ball in its place..
‘It's a message stone…….’
It's so absurd it makes me laugh.
It won't be far from here to the Marquis, so what is long-distance communication?.
Well, I guess I know anyway..
The moment our eyes met, he did such a terrible thing to us that I wouldn't have anything to say even if my head was crushed..
[I have urgent business to attend to, so please forgive me for greeting you in this way..]
“Well, I think that might be the case..”
[Hmm, seeing as they don’t use honorifics… … . Looks like the crew already knows?]
A soft voice that sounds as soon as you sit on the sofa.
It wasn't something to hide, so I coolly admitted it..
“Somehow I got caught. I already told you that I am Bjorn Jandel. Oh, of course, it was inevitable because I was working with the royal family..”
[That's a good thing..]
“Isn’t there something I want to say before that??”
At this point, I finished the introduction and got into the main topic..
In a slightly angry voice.
“Now, tell me. Why didn't the rescue team come??”
We continued to discuss what would be a natural reaction during the remaining time..
“There's no way they wouldn't have heard my voice sent to the entire region. What happened??”
[……We're trying to figure out the exact situation..]
“This late, and I'm still trying to figure it out while contacting you through the crystal ball.?”
[First of all, from what I heard, it seems like there were more enemy troops in Deadwood than I expected. So he tried to save him, but he had no choice but to give up..]
The answer I thought would be something like this.
However, I didn't expect this either..
[It looks like you sent a communication to the wide area and Noark also noticed the existence of the rescue team..]
Hey, I say it's my responsibility here too.…….
How thick is this marquis' mug??
“So what was it that you didn't contact me at first? If we had made proper contact from the beginning, that wouldn't have happened, right?!”
[that… It looks like there was some mistake on my son's part..]
“…mistake?”
I ask back as if I heard a word I couldn't hear..
and…….
[I apologize for this on my behalf. sorry—.]
burst into anger.
“Behel—laaaaaaa!”
Not the marquis and the royal family..
Toward the person who was just a chess piece.
“Eltora Terserion!”
[Wait, calm down.—.]
“Yeah, it was all because of him! Because he's incompetent! I accidentally didn't receive our call on time.!”
[So, that's—.]
“marquis! Where is that bastard? Oh, don't say it. Because I think I'll accidentally break his head the moment I find it..”
[…….]
Like someone who couldn't overcome his anger, I smashed the table in front of me with my fist..
And I took a deep breath..
[…Have you calmed down?.]
There was a doubt in the marquis' eyes beyond the crystal ball as he spoke..
Well, it wouldn't be like me to get angry like this..
Although I may be a bit more extreme than the average person, I have always acted based on realistic interests and gains and losses..
therefore…….
“compensation.”
At this point, I shake off my anger and say,.
It's not like the anger hasn't gone away at all..
As if the reason I was so openly angry was because of this..
“Compensation must be properly prepared. As you had hoped, you took on the role of commander of the expedition and succeeded in your mission..”
[ah… Of course. compensation… Yes, of course I should..]
Soon after the Marquis' promise fell away, I moved my head and exchanged glances with the crew..
Then several members nodded as if they had done well..
In things like this, details are important..
[Now, let's leave the topic of compensation for mistakes until later.…….]
“…….”
[Where can I hear it? what happened there.]
Okay, now this part..
After taking a breath, I began the story I had prepared. It took a little longer because the Marquis interjected and asked questions, but it took less than an hour to finish the story..
[You've had a hard time because of my poor son..]
A short comment made by the Marquis after the story was over..
Because it's hard work…….
The part where it ended with that one sentence somehow made blood rush to my head, but I was able to hold it in well..
[I will do my best to ensure that my son receives compensation for his mistakes..]
Soon the Marquis spoke..
[and… I sincerely congratulate you on your return..]
Well, it’s hard to say things you don’t even mean to say.
[Then I'll contact you again.]
Anyway, that's the end of my contact with the Marquis..
“I'll take you to your room..”
Did our story work or not?.
Well, only time will tell..
***
Afterwards, we moved to our respective rooms under the guidance of the drivers..
Soft blanket on a large bed.
Warm sunlight coming through the window.
The room was too much for me, considering the times I slept naked on the ice, but my body, exhausted from 75 days of sleep, showed no signs of falling asleep easily..
Probably the same goes for my colleagues in other rooms..
You might be worried that knights might attack you the moment you fall asleep..
“…….”
Nevertheless, my body, which had started to become increasingly tired from the moment I lay down, soon fell into sleep..
and…….
‘The neck is still intact..’
The next morning, I woke up fine..
Huh, from now on, even in the city, will I have to go to sleep with this feeling of anxiety every day??
There's a long way to go.
‘Well, what can I do? Still, I have to do it.’
Anyway, it was the second day of my return to life..
We got our backpacks back that were stolen the day before..
The Marquis' answer to my question, "If it was going to be like this then, why did you take it away?" was truly impressive..
[Oh my... I guess it was conveyed that way. I just asked you to appraise the loot on your behalf, who must have been exhausted, and convey your intention to purchase it at a higher price than the market price. From now on, I will be very careful not to misinterpret my words..]
It's absurd, but the Marquis actually kept his word..
Only the items that were willing to be sold were purchased at a much higher price than the market price, and we did not miss this opportunity and got rid of all unnecessary items..
Hey, there will be plenty of military funds in the future..
[Oh, and one more thing. Since you showed up at the checkpoint, there is a lot of public interest in the expedition..]
There was some good news while listening.
During the war, a radio message spread throughout the Dark Continent saying, ‘The Eye in the Sky has been destroyed.’.
And the special forces of the royal family appeared in the city..
Is it because these two things came together and the rumor spread quickly?.
[There will be an improvement ceremony in two days..]
“triumphal ceremony?”
[It will be held at the royal palace, and on that day, we will announce your existence, which has been kept secret, in front of the kingdom's nobles and subjects and praise your achievements..]
Well, I expected it, but two days is too fast..
Is it possible to get things done this quickly??
I had my doubts, but soon I understood..
‘Oh, I guess it was already prepared..’
The triumphal ceremony must have been prepared a long time ago..
Just because there are no survivors does not mean that the festival cannot be held..
They probably planned to take the credit for destroying the Eye of the Sky and share the credit among themselves while mourning the annihilated expedition..
[So get ready. I will send you the details of the event and ceremony, so please read them. Oh, of course we will prepare all the costumes ourselves..]
“i get it. I pass that on to the crew as well..”
[As I said before, there is a lot of interest from the public. Although it may be inconvenient, please stay here and hide until then for the sake of a successful victory ceremony. If you have any needs or other requests, please let us know at any time..]
“Ah, then I have a favor to ask of you.…….”
I asked the Marquis for something, and time passed quickly after that..
and so.
“Wow!-!”
“It's a journey of heroes!”
The day of the triumphal ceremony has dawned..
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