[{"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-385":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},1327555,1764,"Chapter 385: We (4)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-385",385,"\u003Cp>Kwaaang-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knights stormed in, smashing the front door while I was taking a nap on the sofa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like a bolt from the blue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in my half-awake state, the knight's words registered in my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lihen Schuitz, you are under arrest for colluding with Noark.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Colluding with Noark...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was probably just an excuse to arrest me. They would investigate me properly once I was in custody.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were too many suspicious things about me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'But they came sooner than I expected.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had attracted attention by associating with Erwen and by getting involved with Raven on the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only a matter of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knights quickly secured the living room and surrounded me, drawing their swords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren't underestimating me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They kept their distance, their gazes fixed on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lihen Schuitz, drop your weapon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight who seemed to be the leader ordered me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in that situation...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Okay...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What should I do?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were no mages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant that they had only sent knights to arrest me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering the knights' reputation in PvP, it was overkill... but it was also good news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant I could break out and escape if I had to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'But then I wouldn't be able to stay in this city...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a last resort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it would conflict with my ultimate goal of reclaiming my identity as Bjorn Yandel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It's time to enter the tiger's den.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would have to contact the royal family eventually to clear my name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it would have been better if I knew their intentions beforehand...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I had learned something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[...The royal family knows the GM's identity.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The GM was practically a spiritual leader for the players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to SoulQueens' information from the Round Table, the royal family knew his identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not only that...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had even suppressed the information to protect him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant they weren't indiscriminately killing all evil spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if my identity as Bjorn Yandel was exposed, and my status as an evil spirit was revealed... there was still room for negotiation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I should at least try to gauge their intentions.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I made up my mind and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll cooperate with the investigation, but can I at least tell my companion before I go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason for this request was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew my companion was Erwen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they refused, it would be a positive sign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would mean they had deliberately waited until Erwen was away, and that they didn't know much about me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you're talking about the Blood Spirit Marquis, there's no need. You can see her when we arrive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader's words stunned me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What? They arrested Erwen too?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then what about Amelia?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, I had to confirm this first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How can I be sure she's there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader answered without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I swear on the name of the Lafdonia royal family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, that means he's not lying...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They even arrested Erwen, whom the fairies treasured?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant the royal family had prepared thoroughly. They had a reason to arrest me and Erwen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Shit...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to resist and run away...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I couldn't leave Erwen behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is your last chance. Lihen Schuitz, drop your weapon. Or you will be charged with treason against the royal family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader issued an ultimatum, and a powerful wave of magic energy, easily detectable even with my barbarian senses, pulsed from outside the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So there was a mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had just been hiding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'These bastards are thorough.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reluctantly lowered my hammer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would have to be extra careful from now on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>__________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Things moved quickly after I surrendered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I put my weapon away as instructed, and the knights confiscated my subspace ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your belongings will be returned to you once your charges are cleared.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader's voice had softened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it wasn't just his tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The treatment I received was far from that of a criminal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We have a carriage waiting for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A carriage awaited me outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't a prisoner transport wagon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a luxurious carriage, fit for a high-ranking noble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get in. We're going to Karnon, the Imperial City.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there was only one escort, the leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other knights were on horseback, escorting the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a level of treatment I had never received, even as Viscount Yandel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clatter, clatter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage started moving smoothly along the paved road, and I cautiously observed the leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is something bothering you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked, and I wanted to say, 'Of course!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an absurd question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I couldn't be rude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked cautiously,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are my charges?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As I said—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't say colluding with Noark. I wouldn't be treated like this if that was the case.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader fell silent and then frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he must have realized that I wouldn't stop asking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can't tell you anything right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You'll find out when we arrive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drew a firm line, ending the conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, I only learned two things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What will happen to me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That will be decided by 'him'.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone important was waiting for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Was anyone else arrested with Erwen?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard she was alone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia was safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We continued our journey in silence, and after about an hour, the carriage stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We were at the 7th District military transfer station.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A facility with teleportation magic circles connected to each district.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was originally built for rapid troop deployment in emergencies, but it was mostly used by nobles for transportation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was my first time here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had the right to use it after receiving the Viscount title, but the cost was exorbitant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I'm using it like this...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We didn't even have to get out of the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We were teleported directly to the military transfer station in the Imperial City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It's not the royal palace.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage entered a large mansion near the royal palace. Thanks to that, I could guess who had ordered my arrest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The family crest was displayed prominently at the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shield with a thorny rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the symbol of the Terserion family, a symbol almost everyone in the city knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For over a decade, the King had rarely appeared in public, and the Prime Minister of Lafdonia, Marquis Terserion, had been handling most of the official duties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The second most powerful person in the kingdom...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had thought it might be a member of the royal family since the knights were wearing the royal family's emblem...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'But this isn't bad either. I'm meeting the second most powerful person in the kingdom.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a surge of anxiety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like entering a tiger's den.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>High risk, high return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I played my cards right, I might be able to solve all my problems with a few words...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if I made a mistake, it could be disastrous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage stopped, and I was surrounded by knights. I was escorted inside, receiving their 'respectful' treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lavishly decorated reception room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Where's Erwen?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly scanned the room and asked, and the leader frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That was a lie.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My head spun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swore on the name of the royal family!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glared at him, and he averted his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I had to bring you here quietly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You'll be in trouble if they find out you lied about the King.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll be fine as long as they don't.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...This guy is flexible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't help but admire him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You would have made a good explorer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can mock me all you want. I was just following my lord's orders.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a way with words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Damn it...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was something I had often done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using the barbarian stereotype to make false oaths and deceive people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an effective method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one would expect a knight, especially one from the Royal Knight Order, to lie about the King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'But...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forget about being deceived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Erwen wasn't arrested, it was actually good news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant she was safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'And it's something I'll have to face eventually.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The important thing wasn't dwelling on my mistakes, but figuring out what to do next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, what happens now? Do I just wait here? For that 'him' you mentioned?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's no need.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight shook his head and placed a crystal ball on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't have to ask what it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's why there weren't any other escorts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were going to use this to communicate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll be leaving then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He told me to activate the crystal ball after he left and then exited the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly scanned the room for any hidden observers and then lifted the carpet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Holy shit.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a magic circle underneath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A complex, geometric pattern, filled with colorful magical circuits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a chill run down my spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Are they going to blow me up if I try to escape?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second most powerful person in the kingdom...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scale was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This entire mansion was practically a giant execution device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...Let's just activate the crystal ball.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was overwhelmed by their thoroughness, but I followed the knight's instructions and pressed the button on the crystal ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swaaaaaaaaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crystal ball lit up and started projecting an image.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a familiar face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Prime Minister of Lafdonia, a high-ranking noble with the title of Marquis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ageny Rotten Terserion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man who had presided over the title bestowal ceremony in the King's stead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It's been a while.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He greeted me in a deep voice, and I froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...Been a while?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a pang of unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it just a mind game?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How much did he know?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swallowed my questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had something more important to think about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What should I say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly made my decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I spoke cautiously and respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Marquis Terserion?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a natural reaction for an explorer who had been suddenly arrested and brought here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You haven't forgotten my face already, have you...? You're quite cunning, unlike them.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis chuckled and then called my name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Viscount Bjorn Yandel.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was my full name, a name I hadn't heard in a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>",1721,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.065Z",1,"novelbin.me","35ae669d3e833294ebf88f1a69ade7c408562fadc501d3c1944f9d0ab06e0e11","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-386","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-384",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]