[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian":3,"chapter-surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-384":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Surviving the Game as a Barbarian",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1327554,1764,"Chapter 384: We (3)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-384",384,"\u003Cp>「The labyrinth is closed.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character is being transferred to Lafdonia.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sunlight of the city after almost two months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having spent the last few days in the dark depths of Atlante, the light felt even brighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Humans need sunlight.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I briefly looked up at the gloomy sky of the city and then headed towards the checkpoint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen was already there, waving at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We joined the line, and Amelia arrived soon after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It took longer than expected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She answered, glancing at the navigator standing awkwardly next to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So he really did wait at the 7th District plaza?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He doesn't lie.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a bit absurd to be so sure after just a few days...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I didn't say anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...But was there any trouble?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"None. He waited patiently for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia sounded proud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she really that happy that he had followed her orders?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The navigator, Auyen Lokrob, seemed to be having a delayed realization...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He forced a smile as soon as our eyes met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a bit pitiful...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then again, he was one of the ones who attacked us first, so it was his own fault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's our turn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We reached the front of the line, exchanged all the magic stones we had gathered for money, and then passed through the checkpoint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then we entered the crowded streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We changed our formation here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia was at the back, with the navigator right in front of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha... I-I won't run away...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You might get lost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've lived in the 7th District for 20 years...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The navigator mumbled, but he didn't stray from the formation until we reached the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This... is it...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three-story detached house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The navigator gasped as we entered the garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he seemed to sense something was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But... why are the windows all...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He trailed off, staring at the boarded-up windows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry about it. It's for security.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, yes...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't say anything more, but his eyes were filled with curiosity and fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of people live in a house like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It seems like he already knows who Erwen is...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would have to confirm it later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We entered the house, and after a brief discussion, we decided to give the navigator one of the spare rooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was in the basement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...The basement? Did we have a basement?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at Erwen, and she blushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I specifically looked for a house with a basement. Just in case...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, is that so?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had heard that rich people have panic rooms...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak, creak, creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I watched as Erwen removed the carpet and activated a hidden mechanism, revealing a staircase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We descended the stairs, and a spacious room, designed as a storage area, appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was completely empty, and at the far end, there was a thick iron door with a lock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen unlocked the door, revealing a room with a large bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were even shackles on the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This... isn't this a prison...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The navigator's face turned pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt the same way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had goosebumps as soon as I saw the basement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it wasn't my problem anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...A prison? It's a normal room.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look, there's even a bathroom and a shower. You can use it all you want, no one else will.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahem, then I'll go upstairs. I'm suddenly feeling a bit sick...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is my heart racing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don't have claustrophobia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly pushed the navigator into the room and closed the door, and Erwen immediately locked it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait! Wait a minute!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The navigator pounded on the door, but we ignored him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll keep the key.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia took the key, and that was the end of the navigator's housing issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would take care of his meals and everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I've been meaning to ask this...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Amelia, is there really such a poison? You said he'll die if he doesn't take the antidote every day. I've never heard of it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded like something out of a martial arts novel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a classic cliche, the evil sect using poison to control their subordinates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it was real, it would be useful in various situations...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Schuitz, you're so naive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's no such poison. Thankfully, he doesn't know much about poisons.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it was a bluff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had a hunch, but I had to confirm...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen suddenly flinched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That poison... it's not real...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sounded disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked her if she needed it for something, but she avoided my gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"J-just in case...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just in case what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to ask, but I knew she wouldn't give me a straight answer, so I let it go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>__________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We all rested in our rooms on the first day back from the labyrinth. And then, from the next day onwards, we were busy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had a lot of loot to process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Erwen, you should come too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? Me? You can handle it—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You won't even do that much for Schuitz?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That's not what I meant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the second day, Erwen and Amelia were constantly out, exchanging the loot for money. I spent most of my time guarding the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've prepared your meals in the basement. Make sure to eat on time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was my daily routine, except for visiting the basement three times a day to deliver meals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But on the third day, we had a visitor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Raven.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was going to come yesterday, but I was busy. Can I come in?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She entered the house and looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where are the others?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They're out, selling the loot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She mumbled, a strange look in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked her if something was wrong, and she shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's nothing. I was just thinking... they're doing the work I used to do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm sorry about that. I didn't have anyone else to ask.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't apologize. It's not your fault. And besides, it's not something you should apologize for.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for saying that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I led her to the living room, and we sat down facing each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We talked about our recent experiences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How was it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It went well. You?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's the same here. This war isn't ending anytime soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt different from when we were companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a distance between us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We hadn't seen each other for almost two months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump, thump, thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tremor came from the basement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What was that sound?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, we had some plumbing work done recently. Don't worry about it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I lied to her about the reason for the noise. I couldn't tell her we were holding someone captive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, Raven didn't seem suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We continued our conversation, and she told me about the recent events in the war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the most important information came at the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, and about what you asked... you know, about the integration proposal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You found out who brought it up?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. It was Viscountess Peprok.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Peprok...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't help but be surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a familiar name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ragna Ritanyel Peprok.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe it was just a coincidence... but I couldn't shake off the feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had checked before, and there was no noble family named Peprok in Lafdonia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Raven, what's the viscountess's full name?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ragna Peprok. That's what I heard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was really her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was missing a middle name, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Do you know her?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe. Can you tell me more about the Peprok family?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They're a minor noble family. They lost their title a while ago, but they were reinstated last year.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What? Then it made sense that I couldn't find them when I checked before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had been reinstated after I left for the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it really be Ragna?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was lost in thought when...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I looked into it because it didn't make sense. How could a minor noble family regain their title and rise to a position where they could participate in the royal council meeting in such a short time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven continued, her voice lowering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The answer was simple. They had a backer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Prime Minister of Lafdonia, Marquis Terserion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My head spun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forget about the Viscountess being Ragna, if Raven's information was correct, it meant that the Viscountess was part of the Prime Minister's faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then... the Prime Minister must be the one who proposed the integration...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I mumbled, and Raven shook her head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, it's not that simple. He actually strongly opposed the proposal, calling it absurd. The other nobles were surprised and quickly dropped the topic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe it was just a performance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Performance...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A staged act. He showed his anger to prevent the other nobles from even considering it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raven looked at me, surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You seem knowledgeable about politics...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not really. I'm just interested in people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it was just speculation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't have enough information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Raven, can you look into Viscountess Peprok?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will. I'm curious too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll be going then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay, be careful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the end of our conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a week later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One sunny afternoon, while Erwen and Amelia were out in the commercial district exchanging the loot for money...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knights bearing the royal family's emblem stormed into the house, smashing the front door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lihen Schuitz, you are under arrest for colluding with Noark.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it was bound to happen.\u003C\u002Fp>",1558,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.065Z",1,"novelbin.me","8bff998de00ca88ce6976885cbe0979a9985b8c694a206161177b98983c0ecaa","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-385","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-383",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]