Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Novel - Chapter 751
Chapter 751: First Blood (1)
“We have lost track of Baron Yandel……”
A subordinate who had served at his side for decades lowered his head deeply, as if ashamed. The Marquess, however, did not respond with anger. Instead, he closed his eyes and let out a long sigh, as if to gather his emotions.
“I see……”
If asked whether he was angry about the failure, the answer would be no. However, every emotion needs a clear target. For the Marquess, that target was himself. At the same time, it was also the world itself. This world orchestrates all events with invisible threads, as if that was the most entertaining thing.
‘Does the world wish for his survival……?’
He had fired Thunder. No matter what method he used, that barbarian not only blocked it but saved everyone. As a result, he was rendered incapable of combat. According to the report, he looked as if he could die at any moment. So, they thought one more strike would suffice.
But……
“Tell me, what happened?”
“Well……”
Upon listening, it was revealed that an unknown magic circle had activated, and by the time they regained their senses, aside from some stragglers, nearly everyone had disappeared from their sight.
“We are investigating the magic as swiftly as possible—.”
“No need. I already know what it is.”
“……Pardon?”
As the Prime Minister of Rafdonia, the Marquess knew this city better than anyone else. This city was a colossal fortress. Designed to withstand any invasion, it is the largest fortress on earth. Ancient magic permeates this fortress, and some of it still functions perfectly to this day.
“It is a type of summoning magic circle. It forcibly summons everything within a narrow area from a distance.”
Though the Marquess had only received reports, he grasped the situation faster than anyone.
“Then, the culprit must be Baron Wilkins, the commander of the 5th Corps. He would have been granted authority over the ancient magic in District 7 as soon as the wartime state was declared.”
The Marquess continued, as if organizing his thoughts.
“He couldn’t respond to the first strike, but he would have been on guard ever since. He knew we were targeting Baron Yandel. He must have tried to prevent the second strike somehow. However, it would have taken a long time to activate the magic circle……”
He tapped the table with his fingers.
“You mentioned there were stragglers?”
“Yes. Dozens of barbarians on the outskirts did not disappear and remained.”
“Indeed…… He must have hastily activated an unprepared magic circle upon seeing our troops retreat……”
A renewed intensity sparked in the Marquess’ eyes.
“Then, it’s not too late yet.”
“Pardon?”
“The last recorded use of this summoning magic circle was during the Iron Wall Rebellion, for rescue purposes. However, even then, it was used hastily and did not function properly.”
There was no possibility that this record was wrong. All plans had been reviewed hundreds, no, thousands of times by the royal family—.
Knock knock knock-!
Just then, an urgent knock echoed through the room. With the Marquess’ permission, a man entered quickly and bowed.
Eltora Tercerion.
The former commander of the 3rd Corps and the Marquess’ son. Despite their clear blood relation, the Marquess got straight to the point upon seeing his son.
“What is it?”
His attitude was colder than when he dealt with his subordinates. If one looked closely, they might even notice a frown, as if he found his son unpleasant. However, it did not take long for the Marquess’ expression to brighten.
“…News has come that the Divine Spear, Ainar, has been found in Dimensional Square in District 4, causing a disturbance!”
Upon hearing his son’s report, the Marquess smiled. If the summoning magic had worked properly, everyone within the designated area would have been moved to the Royal Capital. But now, it was confirmed that this was not the case.
‘During the Iron Wall Rebellion, there was a big uproar because the rescue targets were scattered randomly across the city, wasn’t there?’
Of course, if Bjorn Yandel had miraculously been moved into Rafdonia territory, there would be no immediate solution.
But……
‘It’s too early to give up.’
It’s the same for that barbarian. If there was even a slim chance, he would tenaciously cling to it and ultimately succeed. There was only one way to capture such a monster.
“Eltora, tell all troops to thoroughly search every area we occupy, even the drawers and wardrobes.”
The only option is to be just as relentless.
***
Have you ever felt the irony of fate?
If someone asked him that, Rotmiller would nod repeatedly and share his experiences.
Losing his parents at a young age. Meeting a benefactor who taught him the skills to survive. Lacking talent and losing people repeatedly in the labyrinth. And on that subject.
Participating in the early chronicles of a man who would be remembered forever as a great hero.
Rotmiller, who grew up in a Reatlas Church orphanage, saw it all as fate.
Meeting people, learning new things, gaining comrades, gaining precious things, realizing new insights, giving up something and gaining something more important in return, discovering unknown emotions…
If a series of coincidences can be called fate, then his entire life was a series of coincidences. Perhaps, even up to this very moment.
“How truly… ironic.”
Rotmiller felt the irony of fate once again. Wasn’t that the case?
An ancient magic weapon fell from the sky, and a man who seemed invincible protected everyone and fell. Enemies poured in from all sides without time to recover, forcing them to flee in disarray.
[Behell—aaaaaaah!!!]
A barbarian with a spear carried the dying hero, and a elf contracted with the Spirit King cleared the way. A beastwoman wielding two swords moved swiftly, rescuing those in danger, while the wizard who became their leader, tirelessly cast their magic, searching for a way to break through.
And……
[The enemies are retreating!]
The persistent enemies who had encircled them receded like the tide.
[It’s Thunder……!]
The moment it appeared in the sky once more.
Swoooosh-!!
Geometric patterns spread on the ground they stood on, emitting a brilliant light. The memories that followed were fragmented. When he came to, he was in front of a goddess statue.
[Teleportation…?]
Looking around, he saw what was practically a ruined temple, and through the broken windows, Noark troops patrolled the streets.
And……
Bjorn Yandel.
The man everyone called a hero lay unconscious on the floor. Thanks to several high-grade potions, he was covered in blood, but there were no major external injuries.
He should wake up soon.
With this hope, Rotmiller waited quietly. But at some point, the situation grew tense. It wasn’t that Yandel’s condition worsened.
[Search everywhere! The Marquess commands to check even behind the wallpaper!]
The soldiers who had been patrolling casually now began searching the surroundings with a clear objective. At this rate, their hiding place would soon be discovered.
[…Yandel! Yandel! Yandel! Are you awake?]
Rotmiller urgently tried to wake Yandel, and fortunately, he awoke from his deep sleep.
But……
[Don’t worry. I can move just fine—.]
For some reason, Yandel began bleeding from every orifice and collapsed again. Rotmiller’s mind went blank.
The soldiers would soon arrive. They had to escape before then. But how……?
Rotmiller didn’t know. He scoured the ruined temple for information.
Their current location was the central branch of the Reatlas Church in District 4. If they followed the main road in front of the temple, they could reach the Royal Capital. If they could get there……
‘We can survive.’
However, there was one problem with this plan.
How would they get there? How could he lead the large barbarian who couldn’t even walk through enemy lines to their destination?
Fortunately, Rotmiller was used to compromising with reality. Instead of seeking a perfect solution, he opted for the best he could manage.
‘First, we need a horse and a cart.’
Rotmiller headed to the stable attached to the temple branch. There was a cart for transporting goods but no horse. It seemed all the horses had been taken a long time ago…
[Neigh-!]
At that moment, like a miracle, he spotted a horse outside the fence. The question of why the horse was there didn’t matter. Perhaps it had escaped the broken fence and luckily avoided capture. What mattered was that he now had a horse and a cart.
“Whoa, easy now……”
Rotmiller, who had experience taking care of horses at the orphanage, calmly grabbed the reins. After securing the horse to the cart, he struggled to lift the heavy barbarian onto it. He arranged Yandel’s body so his feet didn’t stick out, piled some hay over him, and covered everything with a large cloth, making it look like a simple freight cart.
But the real issue was……
Would this work? Could they really make it to their destination safely? If he failed, they would both die. Wouldn’t it be wiser to act to save himself alone?
As his worries prolong, resentment bloomed.
Why me? He has many comrades far more skilled than me. Surely, there were many in the city who would volunteer to help him without a second thought. Yet, in this critical moment when he needs outside help the most, why am I the one by his side?
“This is driving me crazy.”
Words filled with dissatisfaction escaped his mouth. He shook Yandel’s body hoping to wake him, only to despair when he didn’t, cursing his fate and feeling a deep sense of self-loathing at his own pettiness.
“But……”
In the ruins of the temple, Rotmiller, locking eyes with the broken statues of the goddess scattered around, steeled himself once more.
“I have no choice but to try.”
Life sometimes thrusts unexpected challenges upon you. As scary as it may be, it’s a path that must be taken.
Yes, so……
“May the blessing of the twilight star guide us……”
He mounted the horse and set off into the enemy-filled streets. The cart, tied to the horse, trailed behind him…
Clop, clop.
Naturally, his pace was slow. So slow that it felt like even jogging would be faster, let alone a full sprint. It wasn’t even stealthy.
Creak, creak.
The cart wheels creaked as they rolled, and each creak made his heart feel like it was about to burst.
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
With blood rushing to his head, almost making him dizzy, he forced a calm expression. He wasn’t as strong as Yandel’s comrades who followed him on his great journey. He couldn’t fight his way through hundreds of enemies or use extraordinary magic like a wizard to overcome danger.
So……
‘Please……’
All he could do was desperately hope that his ruse would work. That was the best he could do. And his effort seemed to pay off.
The first Norark soldier he encountered only glanced at him without suspicion or questioning. It seemed riding confidently through the streets with a cart didn’t appear odd.
“Phew……”
Executing a plan with the belief it was feasible was one thing, but when it actually worked, he felt completely drained. However, he had only passed one person.
Creak, creeeak—
As slow as his pace was, the road ahead was long and arduous. But it wasn’t a new experience for him. His life had always been this way.
Two people, three people……
After eight years of struggling in the labyrinth, he became a rank 7 explorer.
Four people, five people, six people……
He had started later than most.
While people most entered the labyrinth upon reaching adulthood, he had set foot in it for the first time at the age of 26.
Ten people, twenty people, thirty people…
Because of his late start, he pushed himself to his limits. But he always lagged behind and had to endure the pain of being left behind. So, there was nothing new about this for him.
Moving slowly.
It was something he was already painfully familiar with. Maybe it was the thing he was best at in this world—.
“Hey.”
The 71st Norark soldier he encountered stopped and approached him.
“Which unit are you with? I want to check what’s in the cart.”
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