Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Novel - Chapter 563
Chapter 563: Destination (3)
Monsters with blue skin, huge eyes, and an average height of ten feet, the mysterious species who called themselves “humans”, were standing on guard with the greenery as a barrier against the real humans.
“So they are the ones Lord Baron talked about…”
“But why are they just standing there like that and not approaching us?”
Their group was so much smaller than our expedition group that even while brandishing their weapons, the monsters held their positions with nervous looks on their faces.
“It’s been a while, Bjorn, son of Yandel.”
During this standoff, the village chief revealed himself from among the monsters.
The other people here were surprised at seeing the chief speak our language for the first time, and I moved past them to face the chief. “Yeah, it’s been a while.”
“Your allies have increased in number.”
“Yeah, it just happened that way.”
He seemed to want to talk for now, so I answered back while scanning our surroundings. The expedition group that had encircled the original entrance was now pushing in, and there was no way he didn’t know this.
So why is he so relaxed?
Watching him give a casual greeting with no sense of urgency just made me even more nervous. However, I hid those emotions to the best of my ability as I said, “So where did you pop up this time? You told me that the village only had one entrance.”
“Don’t feel too bad. I couldn’t share everything about the village to an outsider, could I?”
“Like those corpses in the basement?”
The village chief didn’t answer. He merely looked at me up and down with those freaky eyes before asking me a question.
“Did you know? Those who are quick-witted act like they’re none-the-wiser. I wonder, are you pretending or truly ignorant?”
Well, I didn’t really know, but it was pretty scary to see him say that while glaring at me openly. It was to the point where I nearly swung my hammer on instinct.
“Your Lordship! Step back!” Commander Jerome Saintred demanded, stepping forward from the back.
The village chief’s attention turned to him. “Hmm…who are you?”
“I am Count Jerome Saintred, Captain of the First Knight Order of the Palace. I was given the position of commander for this expedition.”
“The palace…yes, I knew that you guys would come soon enough—”
“Now, it is your turn,” Jerome cut the chief off. In an inquisitorial tone, he asked, “From what I heard, Baron Yandel said that you introduced yourself as the Dragon Knight Cornelius Bruingrid to him. Is this true?”
The chief stared back at him before replying, “Is that so important?”
“It is important. Depending on its veracity, I will decide whether you are an unidentified entity we can communicate with or the ancient traitor who must be killed immediately.”
Ancient traitor? What was this guy talking about now?
While I tilted my head in confusion, the eyes of the chief, who didn’t usually show his emotions, flared with killing intent. It was as if his reverse scale had been poked.
“Execution…you’re quite the jokester.”
“Is that so? That’s odd. My friends always say that I’m not a funny person.”
“Even though so much time has passed, those friends haven’t changed at all. Quite the arrogant bunch. It’s as if they are at the top of the world…”
And then, the village chief continued with a colder voice.
“Then try it. That execution of yours.”
“Well, even if you want it, that execution won’t be carried out in this place.”
“Why? Are you scared, and after coming all—”
“I have a lot of things I need to hear from you first. After we obtain all the information we need through the interrogation, I will personally deliver that execution you deserve.”
The conversation ended in an instant.
It was an electrifying exchange with blasts of information, so much so that I was the baffled one even though I was only spectating.
But it’s good that at least they don’t have a favorable relationship with each other…
When I ran the simulation in my head, there were some instances where these two teamed up against me so this situation wasn’t that bad for me.
“Annihilate them! You can kill all of them other than their leader!”
“Nia Rafdonia!”
But what was this now?
“(Split up and get back down to the village!)”
As soon as the all-out-attack order was given, the monsters fled in all directions.
“Commander! The monsters are running away!”
“Chase them down and kill them! Capture their leader at all costs. You can kill it if you have to!”
Wait, was it right to chase them right now?
Although the question flashed through my mind, it wasn’t as if I could stop the operation here. I had no reason to either.
“No one goes off on their own! Stick close to me!” I ordered Squad Four, then hurriedly joined the others in the chase.
Of course, I only acted like I was chasing the monsters down, and didn’t try my best. I mean, this was suspicious no matter how I looked at it, you know?
“…Yandel. There’s a possibility that this is a trap.”
“I know. They’re trying to lure us somewhere, I’m sure of it.” There was no way Jerome didn’t know this. However, he probably concluded that he couldn’t let the chief go. He was also probably confident that even if there was a trap, he would be able to overpower the monsters.
“What are you going to do?” Amelia asked.
I answered without hesitation. “We’ll separate from the main force as naturally as we can.” It was the clear path forward to ensure our future.
However, it seemed that she didn’t understand why, as an answer returned after a few seconds of silence. “…What do you mean? Separate?”
“It’s as it sounds. While chasing the monsters, we’ll separate from the group as naturally as possible.”
“And after that?”
“We will escape from this island. While chasing after the monsters, we’ll make it look as accidental as possible.”
“Do you…really think that’ll be possible?”
I could tell immediately that she wasn’t asking if the plan would be successful or not. She was asking me if I could handle the aftermath of that plan.
Well, so what…? It’s too risky to keep chasing after them.
Erwen ended up having short hair before I could deal with Jerome, and now that the village chief had appeared, the possibility of something big happening also presented itself. What, was I supposed to just calmly sit here and wait for something to happen?
No, this is right.
With that, I gave myself confidence and hardened my resolve.
This was something that I originally would never have done. By acting out of character, my causality would be severely shaken and the scene that Parav saw could be avoided.
“The chief! It’s the chief!” I shouted. “The chief went that way! Squad Four, follow me!”
I used the perfect time to lead Squad Four away from the main group.
“Pardon? But I definitely saw him go that—”
“Are you saying I’m wrong? Follow me!”
The members of Squad Four who didn’t know my plan looked to be wary of my command, but they thankfully still followed me. We quickly separated from the main group.
“Huh? Lord Baron is going that way…”
“But is there anything there?”
“But he said he saw something…”
The members of Squad Three, the group next to us, shot us all looks that clearly said they were confused about what we were doing and how they should react, but they didn’t try to actively stop us. I mean, who would in their right mind imagine that we would try to use this moment to escape with our full squad?
“He’s heading that way? All forces, change direction!”
…Huh?
“All forces, follow Baron Yandel!”
What the hell? Why were they following me?
The moment I thought I had successfully deviated from the main group, they changed direction to head in mine, causing our squad to become the tip of a spear formation.
“Yandel, what do we do?”
“Act as naturally as possible for now.”
“…Got it.”
Even if we changed directions again here, the main force would continue to follow us.
As I ran while contemplating how things ended up like this, Jerome, who had been moving with Squad 1, instantly caught up next to me. “Your Lordship! I have ordered them to follow your decision for now, but did you really see the monster?”
This was checkmate.
“Uh…”
What could I say here?
While worrying over that question, I continued to ignore his question and simply ran with it. “The village chief, he was definitely heading in that direction—”
“Your Lordship! It’s him! The one we are chasing after is over there!”
I had absolutely no idea how, but the village chief appeared directly in our path, somehow running in the direction I was heading in.
“Wait…” Jerome mused. “Were we perhaps chasing after a bait?”
I focused on running without disturbing the naturally quiet ambiance.
“Hah…! If not for you, we would’ve lost him, Baron Yandel! I will not forget this contribution of yours.”
“…Yeah. Thanks.” I didn’t know if I got lucky because I didn’t need to make an excuse or if I was truly screwed here.
Whatever the case, we saw the chief stop in front of a tree not long after and then move through a gap beneath it.
“There’s a path heading down!”
It seemed that this was another entrance into the village.
“Count Saintred, what do you plan on doing? There is a good possibility that this is a trap.”
“I know, but we cannot let him go here.”
I sighed. Yeah… Yeah, he was always going to go down. Well, fine. I could just send him down there and look for another chance to escape—
“So, Baron Yandel, could you perhaps lead from the front?”
“…Even though we don’t know what might be down there?”
“That is why we need your strength more than ever. You were able to withstand the attacks of a rank one monster by yourself. If you can hold on for a little, our soldiers can follow after you to aid you.”
Jerome’s words were logical. Among all the members of the expedition group, I was the most durable. Sending me into danger first was the most logical decision the commander could make. However…
Ba-dump!
For some reason, my heart started to thump harder when I heard his suggestion.
Simultaneously, the many scenes I saw throughout the day overlaid on each other.
Each one of them was a minuscule thing that could easily be ignored, but…
I still need to check.
With that, I looked directly at Jerome and said, “Sure. I will stay at the front.”
“Oho, that’s great! If you refused, I was concerned about who I would need to send instead—”
“But only if you can allow me to check something beforehand.”
When I cut him off to add a condition, Jerome closed his mouth and stared back at me. He looked like he was telling me to state my terms.
“From what I heard,” I began straightforwardly, “one of the items you brought down with you was Misplaced Trust. Is that true?”
“…It is?” he affirmed, trailing off to encourage me to continue.
“If you can confirm a few things while using that, I will stand at the front and lead us in.”
“I don’t know what you’re trying to verify, but do you have to do that here and now?
We don’t know what sort of scheme that monster is planning down there—”
“Then that’s that. I won’t stand at the front.”
“Even if I am to give you the order with my authority as commander?”
I shrugged in place of my answer and didn’t say anything else.
A moment of silence passed.
“…The air between the two of them is odd. I’m not the only one feeling it, right?”
“Fenelin, Karlsten, Tersia. Ready your hearts.”
“R-ready our hearts?”
“Just do as you’re told.”
A heavy silence fell over us, palpable even to the bystanders. In the middle of that silence, Jerome finally made the decision.
“Fine. Sir Ebost! Bring the Misplaced Trust here! I don’t know what, but it seems the baron wishes to confirm something!”
As soon as the order was given, the deputy commander approached with the item, and I quickly took it and activated it.
Clack.
I sighed. With that, all preparations were complete. Now, no one within a ten-yard radius could lie.
“Is your name Jerome Saintred?”
“It is.”
I first asked a simple question as a test before getting to the main point of concern.
“I will now give you a question, and you only need to answer ‘no’ to my question.”
“That’s simple. Go on.”
While looking into his conflicted eyes, I slowly opened my mouth. “Not today. No, to be precise, excluding the meeting you had just then.”
The commander was quiet.
“Have you met that monster who calls himself Cornelius Bruingrid before?” I asked.
The answer I requested was “no.” However, no matter how much time passed, the answer I desperately wanted never came.
Around the time I slowly began to raise my hammer and shield, the silence finally broke and his low voice echoed out, each word enunciated very carefully.
“How did you know?”
…Damn it.
This guy had met the chief before.
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