Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Novel 2026 - Chapter 553
Chapter 553: Deja Vu (2)
A royal decree had been made. Officially, there was no way this was made by the bedridden king, so instead, it had to be a royal decree made under the supervision of the prime minister.
Even in that case, there was only one choice left to me.
“…I accept the royal decree.”
Unless I was about to kill every witness here and go out to lie that I didn’t receive such a notice, there was no way I could refuse.
“The palace will remember your loyalty, Baron Yandel.”
Jerome’s smooth smile was annoying, but I tried to think positively about the turn of events.
Joining the expedition group and being ordered around by that guy? It meant that within Basement Floor 1, my freedoms would be restricted and that I would not be able to stop him even if he did something detrimental to us. Unlike my current state in which I held all the power, I would need to pick up loot under a set ratio and try to scrounge whatever I could.
But we’ll be able to do whatever we need to with this much manpower.
In reality, it was like I had gotten a cheat…
At least for the foreseeable future, we wouldn’t encounter any situations while adventuring in Basement Floor 1 where we’d get into a problem because we lacked power. Be it the uncleared Library Island, the mysterious Tree Island, or even Giant Island, with that huge giant still on it—with this many people, we had a chance.
To summarize, our chances of escaping from this floor to return to the city had increased dramatically.
“Alright, then I wish to trade our information first. Do you perhaps have a journal? I hear that adventurers write in journals and such to record everything they have experienced.”
I sighed. He was just going to use me for everything I had. As we were in an age where information was gold, this group felt more like a band of thieves than an army sent by the palace. “Before I share my information, I want to discuss the loot on the floor.”
I wanted to discuss this part before we continued.
“Hmm, the loot?”
“Yeah. The royal decree said that I needed to explore under your command, but there was nothing that said we needed to treat you in a certain way.”
“That is definitely true. But do not worry. Our expedition group is not after those small gains. The palace has also told us to be very reasonable with you, Your Lordship.”
“But I still want to make things clear before we continue.”
“The command of the adventurers under your command will remain with you. Also, aside from one exception, any gains you obtain through this expedition will be yours to keep.”
I would maintain my position and my loot wouldn’t be touched by them. It was a relief to hear in this unfortunate situation, but one phrase made me uneasy. “One exception…?”
“The expedition this time is for the palace, and to procure a brighter tomorrow for the nation.
Essences, equipment, materials, and special magic items will be left to you. But if it is something that has never existed in this world before, we will take it for research purposes.”
Meaning, any new discoveries would be taken by them. When I first heard that, I thought they were no different from bandits, but Jerome proficiently used the carrot and stick method.
“However, I will also let you maintain the objects you have gained up to this point… How about it?”
I mean, that much is obvious, so I have no idea why he’s making it sound like something profound.
Was it because he had a long career as a commander? I nearly felt relieved after hearing what he said. “I’ll take you up on that.”
“Then that’s good—”
I quickly stopped him from naturally stopping the discussion. “But one more thing.”
“I will listen. Speak.”
“I want to have a share of the first discoveries as well.”
“That is impossible.”
“Even if my contribution is overwhelming?”
“Even so.”
Damn, then I guess that wasn’t going to work. Seeing how he was more stern than I expected him to be, trying to argue this even further would only be a waste of time.
Well, I wasn’t planning on stopping there even if that was true.
“Then if it’s a second discovery, give me priority.”
“Priority…”
“Yeah. If it’s for research purposes, don’t you only need one? And you also said that you didn’t care about the small gains.”
“Hmm… Could I discuss this with the deputy commander for a moment?”
When I nodded, Jerome went to his subordinate and began discussing it with him. About five minutes passed before Jerome waved his hands, and the wizard there released the sound isolation magic and I could hear his voice once again.
“If your role in the discovery is significant, Baron Yandel, I am thinking of letting you have priority to those drops. How about it?”
“Then who will decide if my contribution is great enough?”
“Well…”
“Then let’s set a proper standard for it rather than leaving it vague like that,” I said. “Exactly three, not counting the ones I gain with my own power. Give me priority exactly three times.”
Jerome glanced at his deputy commander at my words.
I guess he fills the role of Jerome’s personal advisor.
I wouldn’t know, but he seemed to conclude that the matter wasn’t something that needed to be discussed this much.
“Alright. On gains that are not the first discovery, we will give priority to Baron Yandel exactly three times,” Jerome agreed, reaching out for a handshake.
I accepted it. “I’ll be in your care until we return to the city.”
“Likewise.”
And with that, an uncomfortable alliance was formed.
***
After the loot distribution discussion was over, the thirty-eight adventurers under the command of our Anabada Clan were integrated into the palace’s army. Our official designation was temporary Squad 4 of the First Expedition Group. Compared to the other three squads who were made up of sixty people each, we were small in number, but it couldn’t be helped, as this was the only way for me to maintain my authority.
Maybe that was why, but Jerome didn’t try to redistribute the numbers into the other squads. I also didn’t ask him to do so.
In any case, after our group was integrated, we began to officially share our information.
“Sir Versilus, go and check the research.”
“Certainly… It’s been a while, Lady Emblut.”
“Ah, yes… Hello…”
“Is your master well?”
“I mean… Probably…?”
“Haha, now that I think about it, I guess I should have been the one to share some news. Since we’ve exchanged greetings, can I have the research? I’ll ask a few questions after I read through everything, so you just need to answer them.”
“…It’s all here.”
The highest-ranking wizard from the expedition group approached our group’s wizard trio and took their hard-earned research.
“Alright, then let’s have a talk as well, Your Lordship. What happened while you were here?”
I told Jerome about the characteristics of the floor and described the islands we’d been to during our time here. The thing Jerome seemed most interested in was the rainy season.
“That is an interesting phenomenon. Monsters falling from the sky?”
“But don’t worry too much about it. There are a few places on the floor you can use to avoid it.”
We had three places that were confirmed to be safe areas. Library island, which was confirmed by Hamsick to be safe; the cave on the giant island that the Hektz Clan had used for their hideout; and finally, the village that was under the control of the village chief.
“Commander.”
“Haha, you don’t have to call me by my title. Just call me by my family name.”
“Saintred…there is one more thing you should know.” I thought over this for a bit, but I shared the information about the village chief with Jerome as well.
“You mean…the Dragon Knight Cornelius Bruingrid?”
“That’s what we’re thinking the entity is.”
I had assumed that his identity could be an unpredictable variable to the army of the palace, but they would need to know at some point in the future. Since the exit was on that island, we would need to get past the village to get out.
“Is there anything you know about him? After spending some time with him, there are too many things I have questions about.” I concluded that maybe I could obtain some information from Jerome and gave him all the details I could, but unfortunately, he didn’t know anything more than me.
“A monster who calls himself an ally of Gabrielius…quite suspicious.” Unlike his lack of knowledge, his drive was excellent. “I believe that it will be best for the expedition to head first to that island.”
“…You’re going to him first?”
“Because he’s suspicious, yes. And since you said we could converse with him, it will be most wise for us to capture him and try to drag information out of him through interrogation.”
Uh… That is true…
I had nothing I could say because he said it like it was the most obvious thing.
Thinking about it now, he wasn’t particularly wrong either.
…With this much power, I think we’ll be fine if we go there now.
Even a stupid plan would work if done by someone powerful enough. That was a fact that I knew better than anyone.
But…why do I feel like this isn’t going to work?
I decided to persuade him otherwise. “Since we don’t have to be hasty in how we move, how about we explore the other islands first?”
“Hmm?”
“We think that the exit is on that island, but it seems we need to fulfill a condition if we want to open it. It won’t be too late for us to go to that island after we fulfill the necessary conditions.”
My plan was for us to go through the easy areas first to scout out how competent this expedition group was before going to Chief Island. Our military strength would most likely be enough, but history had taught me that pure military might wasn’t everything.
“I want to ask if there is a need to go about it in such a roundabout way, but I am not in a position to ignore your words when you were here much earlier than us. Understood. We will do as you suggest, Your Lordship.”
Alright, he got persuaded pretty easily.
“Then where do you think we should go first?” Jerome finished.
I didn’t even need to think before answering. “The library. Library Island will be the best.”
I hadn’t gotten the experience from the highest-ranking monsters yet.
***
After we settled on our destination, we went out to the beach of Stone Island to summon our boats. There were a total of four summoned vessels, and each squad had its own boat.
Also, during this process, there was a bit of a member exchange.
“From what Sir Versilus said, he would need a bit more time to receive all the results of your research. So asking in that sense, could we have those three wizards board our boat? Ah, of course, the empty spots will be supported by other wizards.”
“…Sure.”
With that, the wizard trio got on a different boat, and three other wizards came on our boat to fill our numbers.
“It’s…been a while?”
I ended up seeing a familiar face I never expected. “Raven…? Why are you here…?”
“What do you mean why? I received an order from above to join the expedition group.”
“Right…you’re a soldier.”
“But did you not see me back then? You kept looking in my direction during your conversation before so I thought you recognized me.”
“I was just looking around in general.”
“Ah…I see.” Raven awkwardly twisted her hair a little around her finger.
I found myself baffled. There were over a hundred and eighty people here, so why did she think I would see her? Also, she was short so it was even more difficult to notice.
“In any case, it’s good to see you, but get on the boat,” I said. “We’ll talk on the way.”
Raven and two new wizards did as I asked, and then Ainar, who had gotten on the boat before us, quickly ran up.
“Aruru! It’s Aruru! Aruru!”
“Ack! L-let go! It hurts!”
“Oh, sorry!”
After Ainar recomposed herself and let go, Raven straightened out her creased uniform and let out a sigh. “Ms. Fenelin…is still the same.”
“At least on the outside.”
“Outside…?”
“She ate an essence, and there was a problem… You’ll notice it in the future.”
“Really?”
As we talked, I received news from Auyen that the commander’s boat gave us the signal to set out, and we quickly began our voyage.
Splash!
And so, the Anabada boat sailed at the front with the three other vessels following behind us. Although our boat wasn’t that bad, I couldn’t help but compare it to the other three boats. Perhaps it was just the size difference? Even though they had sixty people on their boats, their deck didn’t look packed.
“We meet again.”
“Yes. Hello, Ms. Raines.”
With Raven’s appearance, the other members who knew her approached her to greet her.
Amelia’s tone was pretty businesslike.
“It’s been a while…”
“Ah, yes. It has…”
There was a lot of awkward silence with Erwen.
Well, it wasn’t as bad as Missha.
“Hello…”
“Ah, yes… Hello, Ms. Missha…”
I sighed inwardly. The very sight of them frustrated me. They had seemed so close in the past.
“I heard from Mr. Yandel…but this is the first time we’re meeting, right?” Arua asked politely.
“Yeah… Sorry about that time… About me just…disappearing without saying anything…”
“N-No…! You must’ve had a reason to do so, Ms. Missha.”
She didn’t even fight like she had with Erwen when the team disbanded, so I couldn’t understand why they were being so awkward.
Actually, I guess that’s exactly why they’re even more awkward?
Hmm, that could be the case. Raven didn’t even know where Missha was in the meantime. That, and the mood made it difficult for her to ask that as well.
“In any case, it’s a relief to see that everyone is fine. I was a little worried when news of you all was cut off after you came down to Basement Floor 1.”
“A little worried?” I said jokingly. “That’s a bit sad to hear.”
“…What are you even saying?” Raven asked, sounding disgusted. She usually just completely ignored what I said and carried on. Judging by the tone of her voice, she must have been a little stressed today. “More importantly, did you know?”
“Know what?”
“It’s Sir Kaislan. The one that was in the same group with you before.”
“Kaislan? What about him? Did he cause a stir on the outside or something?”
“No. He’s in the expedition group this time as well. Looks like you didn’t see him either.”
Oh… That was a completely unexpected piece of news. I didn’t expect to see another welcome face.
Kaislan is trustworthy.
Plus, considering his status, he would have a leading role. The possibility of me gaining information about what the expedition group was scheming increased through him.
“What about Lilith Marrone? Isn’t she a military wizard as well?”
“I didn’t see her coming. Oh, but he is here!”
“Who?”
When I made my curiosity known, Raven continued with her favorite pastime of explaining things. “Sir Sven Parav. The paladin of Reatlas Church.”
Heh, I didn’t expect him either.
“What is it?” she asked innocently. “Do you perhaps not remember him? You were part of the same group at one point.”
“No…I do. I remember him.”
Paladin Sven Parav. The goblin mask by another name. His outstanding characteristic was that he had an unbelievably accurate gut feeling. Even during the Ice Rock adventure, he showcased his intuition multiple times. He didn’t even enter the labyrinth during the Berzak incident because he used his gut feeling as an excuse to step out.
“Raven, do you have anything to say about him? Like if he refused the summon or he got a stomachache on the day he got ready to come down here.”
I had asked just in case, but the reply I got from Raven startled me.
“Huh? How do you know that he got a stomach ache?”
…Is this real?
I suddenly had a very bad feeling about this.
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