[{"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-431":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},1327501,1764,"Chapter 431: The Lion's Return (2)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-431",431,"\u003Cp>The sky was somewhat gloomy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, sunlight still streamed through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warm energy pushed back the chill that had seeped into our very bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no bone-chilling coldness, nor hunger gnawing at our stomachs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now… it’s finally sinking in. We really… made it back alive…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always, returning to the city after a difficult expedition brought strange sensations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We were happy to have survived, yet our hearts felt heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of those who couldn’t come back with us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If only they had endured a little longer…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe a few more could have joined us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss Marone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marone stopped muttering to herself as Sven Parab called her name and gritted her teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning to the city didn’t mean it was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was too early to relax. Things might be even harder here than in the labyrinth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She swallowed her complaints.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just because we were currently in the empty mansion where we had gathered for a few days before entering the labyrinth and had to be careful of what we said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We couldn’t afford to complain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how high and steep the mountains we had to climb were,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had to leave those who fought to the very end behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kaislan, are you feeling alright?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I couldn’t be better. But it seems like I was the last one to return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaislan had been summoned by a priest from the Marquis’s family and had just returned to the drawing room, where the other survivors were gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why don’t we go for a walk? It’s a nice day today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wish we could.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You wish we could?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You saw the knights outside the drawing room, right? They’re stopping us from leaving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marone grumbled at Akuraba’s explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah! It’s like we’re criminals! We risked our lives to complete the mission, and this is how they treat us? Shouldn’t we be treated like heroes?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Um, Miss Marone…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Am I wrong?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sven Parab looked at me nervously, but it wasn’t something I had to intervene in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their complaints were understandable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And besides, I had told them to do this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, we are technically part of the military now. The expedition isn’t officially over until we report to our superiors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even so, this is too much. Even in the military, they wouldn’t treat us like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone, calm down. We achieved a great feat! We destroyed the Sky Eye! And after the reports are done, we’ll be rewarded handsomely!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finally!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>James Kala whistled, his face beaming with anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conversation naturally shifted to rewards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They talked about what they would ask for, how much they expected to receive…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All for the benefit of those listening outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our conversation was being recorded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mister, at least they’re providing us with decent food. Here, try this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took the plate of meat from Erwen and started eating, my mind replaying the events of the past few days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to make sure there weren’t any mistakes in our story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…The checkpoint guards didn’t seem to know anything.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as we returned to the Dimension Plaza, we stored our backpacks in our Bonding subspace pockets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had carefully sorted the items we could show them and the ones we couldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then we arrived at the checkpoint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I declared that we were a royal special forces unit and demanded to speak with the Marquis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was intentional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The checkpoint was crowded with explorers, so the rumors about the special forces unit must have spread by now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The checkpoint official was flustered, but he just kept repeating the Marquis’s orders, telling us to wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[We’ll escort you from here.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knights from the Marquis’s family arrived within 30 minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They escorted us to the empty mansion in the Imperial City, the one where the founding ceremony was held.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[We’ll carry your luggage.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Our luggage…?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It’s the Marquis’s order. We swear on our honor as knights that nothing will be lost.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They even took the backpacks containing the loot we could show them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then we received healing from the priests they summoned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that brings us to the present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock, knock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We hear a knock on the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right, it’s about time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’ve finally finished assessing the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Marquis wishes to see you all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s be careful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>_______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We followed the knights to a reception room similar to the one we had been in before. The only difference was that the seat at the head of the table was empty… Ɍά₦Ổ𝐁Ěs\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a crystal ball was placed there instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A message stone…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was so absurd that I couldn’t help but laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We were so close to the Marquis’s mansion, and yet he was using long-distance communication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, at least he seems to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That he had done something terrible to us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I apologize for greeting you all this way. I have urgent matters to attend to.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, it happens.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hmm, you’re not using honorifics… So the other members know?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice is subtle, but I can sense his curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t bother hiding it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was inevitable. I already told you, I’m Bjorn Yandel. Ah, of course, I’ll just say that I had to hide my identity because I was working with the royal family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I see. That’s good to hear.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But don’t you have something to say first?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cut to the chase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My voice is laced with anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me. Why didn’t the rescue team come?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had discussed this countless times during our journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We knew how to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must have heard my broadcast. What happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…We’re still investigating the situation.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Investigating? You’re telling me you’re still investigating, after all this time? And you’re contacting me through a message stone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It seems like there were more enemies at Deadwood than we anticipated. We tried to rescue you, but we had to give up.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the answer I had expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I didn’t expect this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It seems like Noark realized we were sending a rescue team after you sent that broadcast.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wow, he’s blaming me now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This bastard…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what about the first message? If we had been able to contact you from the beginning, none of this would have happened!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It seems like… my son made a mistake.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…A mistake?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ask again, as if I had misheard him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I apologize. It was my fault.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I explode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not at the Marquis or the royal family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the one who was just a pawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Etlora Terserion!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Calm down—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So it was all his fault! He was incompetent! He didn’t receive our message in time!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[That’s not—]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis! Where is he?! No, don’t tell me. I’ll probably smash his head the moment I see him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…….]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I slam my fist on the table, shattering it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…Are you feeling better now?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis’s eyes are filled with curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, this isn’t like me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m usually more rational, making calculated decisions based on the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Compensation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I calm down and speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if my outburst was just a way to get his attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You better have prepared a generous reward. I did everything you asked. I became the expedition leader, and I completed the mission.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…Of course. I’ll compensate you accordingly.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glance at the other members as the Marquis makes his promise, and some of them nod in approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s all about the details.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Now, we’ll discuss the compensation later…]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…..”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[…Tell me what happened.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right, this is the main event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I take a deep breath and start telling my story. The Marquis interrupts me with questions, so it takes longer than expected, but it’s still over within an hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You went through a lot because of my incompetent son.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s all he has to say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A lot\"?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I feel a surge of anger, but I manage to control it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I’ll make sure you’re compensated for his mistake.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis continues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[And… congratulations on your survival.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He doesn’t mean it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I’ll contact you again.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The call ends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll escort you to your rooms.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did our story work?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, only time will tell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>_______________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’re escorted to our rooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A large bed with a soft, fluffy blanket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warm sunlight streaming through the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s a luxurious room, especially compared to the icy ground we had to sleep on… but I can’t fall asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body is exhausted, but my mind is still racing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other members must be feeling the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’re probably worried that the knights will attack us in our sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…..”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I eventually drift off to sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘My head is still attached to my body.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wake up the next morning, unharmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do I really have to live with this anxiety, even in the city?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is going to be a long journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, it can’t be helped. I have to do it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second day back in the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We receive our backpacks, which were confiscated yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had asked why they took them, and the Marquis’s answer was absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[My, my… Did I not make myself clear? I just wanted my men to assess the loot and offer you a higher price. I’ll make sure they don’t misunderstand my orders again.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He actually kept his promise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bought the items we wanted to sell at a price much higher than the market value, and we sold everything we didn’t need.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wow, we have a lot of money now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[And one more thing. The public is very interested in the expedition force, thanks to your appearance at the checkpoint.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The broadcast about the Sky Eye being destroyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the appearance of the royal special forces unit in the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those two events combined had spread the rumors like wildfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[There will be a victory parade in two days.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A victory parade?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It will be held at the royal palace. We’ll officially announce your existence and commend you for your achievements.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, two days is a bit early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can they really prepare everything that quickly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m suspicious, but I soon understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ah, they were already preparing for it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were already preparing for the victory parade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the expedition force had been wiped out, they could still hold the event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would mourn the fallen heroes and celebrate the destruction of the Sky Eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[So be prepared. I’ll send you the details and the schedule. Ah, and we’ll provide you with the necessary attire.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Okay, I’ll let the others know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The public is very interested. Please stay here until then. If you need anything, let me know.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, then can I ask you a favor…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I made a request, and then time flew by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Waaaaaaaaaaah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the heroes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The day of the victory parade had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>",1804,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","8cf3e50399b4a9e1c4e5bdd0d678cd79f022afb39b82c204e39784b3a88d2676","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-432","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-430",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]