Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Novel - Chapter 759
Chapter 759: Hostage (4)
Rotmiller is dead. He was trying to save me, driving a cart towards the royal capital, but the enemy’s pursuit became too intense, so he jumped off the cart, didn’t he? Astarota was kind enough to explain that the Noark bastards even took Rotmiller’s head.
But……
‘They still don’t know.’
It was clear that not just Ainar, but even Amelia and Auyen had no clue about this. Well, it seemed like this bastard, Eltora, knew.
“……”
As soon as Rotmiller’s name was mentioned, Eltora stiffened, glancing around nervously without saying a word.
‘What should I do?’
I hesitated for a moment, debating whether or not to mention anything about Rotmiller. The problem was that I was dealing with Ainar. There was a chance, however small, that the shock might drive her to do something reckless……
‘But wouldn’t that be the case even without the shock?’
That thought brought my brief deliberation to an end. Yeah, I should just say it.
“Rotmiller is dead.”
Like a true barbarian, I got straight to the point. There was no need to mention how he jumped off the cart, or how his head ended up as a trophy in the hands of the greedy. Those details wouldn’t change anything. Rotmiller is dead.
Leaving me with a short, urgent final message.
The only thing I need to remember is that fact alone.
“……Huh?”
Ainar flinched. She must have thought that Rotmiller and I had safely crossed over to the capital and were living happily…… Unfortunately, that story didn’t have a happy ending. Yet, contrary to my worries.
“I see… so he’s dead……”
Ainar’s reaction was unexpectedly calm. No, thinking about it, the word ‘unexpected’ felt a bit off. They might have gotten close while they were together at the holy land…..
‘But that’s about it.’
Ainar easily became friends with other barbarians and people, so she had countless friends closer to her than Rotmiller ever was. And that’s why……
“May his soul be guided to where he believes.”
Ainar offered a brief prayer and moved on. For her, ‘death’ was nothing unusual. Barbarians are a race thrown into the cruel world of survival the moment they reach adulthood.
‘…Actually, you don’t even need to be a barbarian.’
In this damned city full of injustices, at least this one thing is fair. Here, everyone is the same. Death is always nearby.
“…He was a decent human, a rarity in these times. It’s unfortunate.”
With that, Ainar concluded her condolences. Auyen, who wasn’t close to Rotmiller, showed no particular reaction. Surprisingly, it was Amelia who reacted more intensely.
“Brown Rotmiller is dead…? He died trying to save you?”
She muttered in disbelief. Her pupils, which usually remained calm, were dilated, and for some reason, her shoulders seemed to be trembling slightly. The reason was simple.
“Are… you okay…?”
Amelia looked at me as if she were watching someone on the verge of making an extreme decision. I shrugged, maintaining a calm expression.
“I’m fine, so don’t worry.”
Amelia gave me a look that said, ‘That can’t be true…’ but she didn’t press further. Besides, I wasn’t lying.
I really am fine. At least for now.
There are too many things that need my attention immediately, and addressing them one by one is my priority. Rotmiller wouldn’t want me to stumble while looking back at the past.
Yeah, so……
Clench-
Facing Rotmiller’s death will have to wait until all of this is over. I’ll inform those who cared for him, conduct his funeral, and only after contemplating how to handle the weighty final words he left behind will I truly realize what I’ve lost. And then, sleepless nights will follow, one after another. How fucking miserable.
Just as it always has been.
“…Don’t overdo it, Yandel.”
Amelia’s worried words went in one ear and out the other. I appreciated her concern, but now was the time to keep looking forward.
“Hmm……”
I looked Eltora up and down as if appraising merchandise. How could I best exploit the fact that he was the Marquess’ son, extracting every last drop of benefit?
As I was pondering, Eltora took the initiative to promote himself.
“Currently, the Noark forces are divided into three main groups: Noark, Orcules, and our Marquess family. However, since my father collapsed, the command of the Marquess’ forces has temporarily been passed to me.”
“So?”
“Just say the word. I have the power to grant your every wish until my father recovers.”
Eltora spoke like a cursed sword whispering to a protagonist in a crisis, and I, as if entranced, voiced my desire.
“Then can I have a private audience with the Marquess? With my hammer in hand?”
“Ah, that might be a bit……”
“……Tch.”
Of course, I knew it wouldn’t be that easy. He was putting on a grand show, and for a moment, I almost believed it might actually happen. But there’s no way we could capture the Marquess so easily.
As I glared at Eltora, who had momentarily raised my hopes, he became flustered and spoke.
“W-Well, there might be a way!”
Either there is a way or there isn’t.
“What do you mean by ‘might be a way’?”
I asked in a casual tone, and Eltora, as if a solution had just occurred to him, cautiously outlined a plan, despite being unsure of its chances of success. I listened without much expectation. However, once I fully grasped the plan.
“…This might actually work?”
As soon as I reached that conclusion, I decided to put the plan into action.
So……
Thud-! Thud-!
With a confident stride, I ascended the stairs that led to the ground floor and headed toward the main entrance—the shattered main entrance, that is. As I stepped forward, warm sunlight poured down on me, and I saw the densely packed Noark troops in the street ahead.
‘This reminds me of the old days.’
Specifically, an adventure from the time when I had nothing but the Corpse Golem and Vampire essences.
Thud-!
As I fully emerged from the entrance, all the troops’ sharp gazes focused on me. Given my experience, there was no need for words. With the resolve of Moses parting the Red Sea, I hoisted Eltora into the air.
And……
“……Prince Tercerion has been taken hostage!”
Without uttering a single word, I managed to convey my intentions to everyone.
***
Thud-! Thud-!
I continued walking down the street while maintaining [Giantization]. Amelia and Auyen were riding on my shoulders……
“Ooh!”
Ainar followed close behind me like a large dog. Well, I could have carried Ainar too if I wanted to, but…… Ainar insisted on walking on her own.
“Why bother? Walking on my own feet is more comfortable!”
Ah, this is how barbarians should be. Anyway.
Thud-! Thud-!
With each step I take, Ainar follows. And behind Ainar, hundreds of Noark troops nervously trailed behind us, like restless dogs.
“…Shouldn’t we be doing something about this?”
“And if his only son dies, will you take responsibility?”
“So, should we just keep following like this?”
“We’ve reported to the higher-ups, so let’s just wait for orders.”
Every now and then, someone would propose a more proactive approach, but those ideas were quickly drowned out by the mainstream opinion that they should just wait for orders from the higher-ups.
“I see some members of Orcules here as well. I’ll describe their appearance, characteristics, and known essences, so memorize them.”
From Amelia’s words, it seemed that not all the forces present was from the Marquess’ faction, but even they refrained from acting rashly. After all, their position wasn’t much different. What if they carelessly made a move and the son of the Marquess, the alliance leader, ended up dead? That would create massive political fallout. That’s why……
Thud-! Thud-!
This bizarre procession continued. It almost looked like an Olympic torch relay. Although I wasn’t carrying a torch, I was carrying Eltora by neck, holding him high, with hundreds of soldiers trailing behind me. Considering that the Olympic torch symbolizes peace, the similarities between Eltora and the torch increased even more.
“Ngh… P-please be a bit gentler……”
Well, the person being carried by the neck was suffering with each thudding step I took. But peace often comes at the expense of someone’s sacrifice.
Thud-! Thud-!
With that thought in mind, I picked up the pace, almost running now. It would take hours to reach the destination at a walking pace.
“…We’re approaching the Marquess’ location!”
“Baron Yandel is holding Prince Tercerion hostage and targeting the Marquess!”
They were beginning to realize my goal, but still, no one tried to stop me. I had anticipated this, but I’m still a bit taken aback.
‘This is actually working.’
This idea had come from the ‘symbol of peace,’ Eltora himself. The structural weakness of Noark’s forces alliance was with its three separate command centers. The fact that these command centers weren’t particularly united. The self-preservation instinct inherent in human nature was especially strong in Noark. Taking all of this into account, I figured that if I simply charged in, there was a good chance no one would try to stop me and so far, that prediction was proving to be correct.
[Yandel is targeting the Marquess!]
[How dare this vile bastard! Please, give us orders……!]
[The Marquess is unconscious and unable to give commands!]
[But surely there’s a temporary authority figure!]
[That hostage is the temporary authority figure?]
[······!!]
[Well, if you want to act on your own, no one will stop you, but the responsibility will be all yours!]
[……]
This absurd situation likely unfolded due to conversations like these. Not to mention the chaos caused by the “massive invasion” launched by the royal capital’s garrison played a role as well—.
“…Huh?”
As I sped down the street, my destination finally came into view in the distance.
“……”
There was a group of people blocking the way. Normally, I would have just used the momentum I had built up to charge through them, but…… Unfortunately, this time, I couldn’t do that. The people in front of me were just too formidable.
Demon Eyes, Roland Banozant. The Vice-Leader of Orcules had personally come. And he wasn’t alone, but with dozens of what seemed to be ‘true’ members of Orcules trailed behind him.
“……”
Instead of making any meaningless shouts, Demon Eyes silently blocked my path and I likewise stopped walking without a word.
And……
Swoosh.
I raised the symbol of peace higher, making sure it was clearly visible. After all, this symbol of peace also had a ‘communication’ feature.
“W-What are you doing! Everyone, step aside……!”
The human symbol of peace, as promised, called for peace, but unfortunately, his words didn’t have any effect on those blocking our way.
“Why should we do that?”
The one who spoke, in place of the Vice-Leader, was a man who looked like his hobbies included reading and had a talent for eloquence.
“A-Are you suggesting we fight among ourselves? I hold full authority over the Marquess’ forces! If I give the word, you’ll be fighting against all the troops behind me!”
“Hmm, I wonder if that’s really the case……”
“…What?”
“The Noark Allied Forces have determined that while Eltora Tercerion indeed held appropriate interim authority, that authority was forfeited upon his capture by the enemy. In accordance with a duly executed agreement……”
Gulp-!
“As of this moment, Eltora Tercerion’s status as a proxy is revoked, and per the terms of the agreement, full authority is now delegated to the Allied Forces until the Marquess regains consciousness.”
The bespectacled man continued in a matter-of-fact tone, then turned to Eltora.
“But out of personal curiosity… Are you really being held hostage, or did you just decide to join the other side?”
“……”
“Oh, no need to answer. It’s irrelevant now.”
Though the symbol of peace seemed deeply shaken by his words, I wasn’t particularly surprised. Without hesitation, I discarded the now-useless symbol and pulled out a new symbol of peace.
Swish.
In the end, peace is something that is seized by the strong.
English