[{"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-432":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},1327502,1764,"Chapter 432: The Lion's Return (3)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-432",432,"\u003Cp>The victory parade planned by the Marquis was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It began at the Dimension Plaza in Ravigion, where we had returned, then passed through the commercial city of Commelby before heading toward the Imperial City of Karnon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pa-bam, pa-bam, pa-ba-ba-bam—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A military band in full uniform played a lively tune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump! Thump! Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a carriage adorned with drums, a majestic rhythm echoed throughout the procession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Waaaaaaaaaah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cheers and blessings of the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the middle of the main street, showered with flower petals…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…we marched forward, clad in armor that would never see actual combat, like triumphant warriors returning from a legendary battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Waaaaaaaaaah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people’s faces were bright with joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They destroyed the Sky Eye, right? They’ve accomplished a great feat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This will definitely turn the tide in favor of the royal family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was their biggest obstacle, after all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some explorers clapped their hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Daddy, what’s the Sky Eye?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I’m not sure, but… it must have been something important.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want to be like them someday!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course you can, son. You can achieve anything you set your mind to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A family, with a young son perched on his father’s shoulders, had come out just to witness the festivities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Akuraba! It’s Akuraba!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought she retired. To think we’d hear from her again in a place like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s Meland Kaislan!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh! There’s the Blood Spirit Marquis!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some had joined the crowd just to catch a glimpse of the famous explorers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks to you… my son can finally rest in peace! Thank you… thank you so much…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman, who had probably lost her family to Noark, rushed towards the carriage, tears streaming down her face, and grabbed my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But did they know?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That the original victory parade planned by the Marquis would have featured empty coffins bearing our names.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beeeeeeeep—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The overwhelming crowd was making me dizzy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ringing sound echoed in my ears, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain my forced smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mister…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen gently placed her hand on mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaislan, who was riding in the carriage ahead of us, also looked back at me with concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geez, are they worried I’m going to snap?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Waaaaaaaaaah……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The procession continued, and we reached Commelby after passing through Ravigion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was different from Ravigion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were more explorers, and the attire of the ordinary citizens was more formal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it still couldn’t compare to the Imperial City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clatter, clatter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage wheels rolled on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Waaaaaaaaaah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cheering crowd, the outstretched arms…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t enjoy any of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren’t for the conspiracy behind this expedition…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If all thirty of us had returned alive…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would have been here with us, enjoying this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I would have been able to smile genuinely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another heavy weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clatter, clatter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage continued on, passing through Commelby and entering the Imperial City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main street led straight to the royal palace, its gates wide open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Welcome the heroes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knights lined the entrance, their armor gleaming in the sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A military band played a triumphant tune from the top of the walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I never thought I’d be back here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage finally came to a halt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We were in front of the ‘Palace of Glory’, where my title bestowal ceremony had been held.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Welcome the heroes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The palace gates swung open, and we stepped out of the carriage and entered the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The formation was different from the parade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been riding in the central carriage before, but now I was leading the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Waaaaaaaaaah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cheers that erupted as we entered the palace were slightly subdued compared to the ones on the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, most of the people here were nobles, or high-ranking officials from guilds and trading companies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you waiting for? Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaislan nudged me, impatient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been standing at the entrance, looking around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsk, he’s so pushy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step, step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I walked along the red carpet that led to the empty throne, my eyes scanning the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though there were thousands of people, it was easy to spot them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were the only ones who weren’t celebrating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were mourning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There they are.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Wait! Where are you going?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ignored Kaislan’s protests and walked towards the mourners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaislan didn’t try to stop me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step, step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The procession changed course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The military band, which had been following us, quickly adjusted their formation, their professionalism unwavering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We finally reached them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…..”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They looked up at me, their eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and grief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The families of the fallen explorers, the ones I had asked the Marquis to allow into the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pa-bam, pa-bam, pa-ba-ba-bam—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, that’s annoying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can’t they stop playing that music?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to complain, but the band didn’t seem to notice my displeasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So I walked towards them and snatched their instruments, throwing them to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The music stopped abruptly, and silence fell over the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd stopped cheering, and the only sound was the soft sobs of the mourners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knelt before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry. I couldn’t bring them back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I bowed my head, and the other survivors followed suit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a gesture we should have done in front of the empty throne…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I didn’t care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The King wasn’t even here anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hand gently touched my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How… how did he… how did Ashid die?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Ashid’s wife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He… he was like a mage from a fairy tale. He wasn’t afraid of death, and he saved our lives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t say anything for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She just sobbed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… I see…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a liar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had said his wife was a strong woman…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What am I… what am I supposed to do now…? He was… he was such a good man… How could this…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…..”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Waaaaaaaaaaah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She collapsed to the ground, her grief overwhelming her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then the dam broke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“M-Mckelly Leyaders! What… what happened to him? They just told me he was dead! They didn’t tell me anything else…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Bentis Gerold! He was my father! I didn’t even know he was going on a dangerous mission like this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kala! Tell me! Why… why isn’t Rick here?! Why are you the only one who came back?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They rushed towards us, their voices filled with anger and grief, demanding answers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And we, the survivors, responded like criminals, reciting the fabricated stories we had created.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the crowd…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s going on? Is this part of the ceremony?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow, the royal family really went all out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve never seen such an impressive victory parade!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a bit chaotic, but… well, it’s entertaining.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…watched with amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chaos continued for a while, and then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…We can’t delay this any longer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knights, following the Marquis’s orders, intervened and restored order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ceremony resumed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We returned to the red carpet and walked towards the empty throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis was standing there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He finally decided to show his face. He’s been hiding behind the message stone all this time.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced at him and then knelt on one knee, bowing my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t out of respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just didn’t want to meet his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve walked a long and arduous path, heroes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis recited his lines, ignoring my actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then summarized our journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thirty heroes, bestowed with a sacred mission, had finally returned after overcoming countless trials and tribulations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a lengthy and embellished story, but that was the gist of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a lie, a story we had fabricated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it didn’t even mention the fact that the rescue team never came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even the frigid cold of the north couldn’t extinguish your burning passion. The treacherous rebels couldn’t steal your glory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd applauded as the Marquis praised our achievements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem, ahem… I would like to speak about the meaning of sacrifice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Archbishop of the Tovera Church stepped forward after the Marquis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The balding priest offered his condolences, focusing on the paladins and priests who had suffered the most casualties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beeeeeeeep—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next was the Duke’s family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beeeeeeeep—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the Explorer’s Guild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beeeeeeeep—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who had planned to claim the victory for themselves were now taking turns praising us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clench—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was disgusting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But thankfully, my outburst earlier had shortened the ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The victory parade was finally reaching its climax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May the light of the royal family be with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis’s words were followed by another round of music.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like saluting the flag at a school ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s about three minutes long, if I remember correctly.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I counted to two and then spoke softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just loud enough for the Marquis to hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, Marquis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at me as if I was insane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was probably unthinkable for the main character of the ceremony to be distracted at the most important moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially not in front of all these nobles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve been thinking… what about my title?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must have realized that I might disrupt the ceremony if he didn’t answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis quickly responded, his gaze fixed on the empty throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As I said before, it will take at least two months.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two months…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That was our agreement.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chuckled and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But it feels too long. Can’t you speed things up a bit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis didn’t answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The music had ended, and it was time to resume the ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…..”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glared at me, urging me to be patient, and then continued his praise for the royal family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geez, he should have at least answered my question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now I have no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barbarians don’t understand unless you speak to them forcefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May the light of the royal family be with you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis, after a lengthy speech about the greatness and benevolence of the royal family, finally turned to us and shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the final event of the victory parade, as instructed by the Marquis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Expedition Leader Lihen Schuitz, report!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time for the roll call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I finished this report, our long journey would officially end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Character has cast [Gigantification].」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Size increases proportionally to Strength.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I maximized my size, activating [Transcendence].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wouldn’t recognize me otherwise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thousands of eyes turned to me as my body grew rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dare you use an ability within the palace walls!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is an insult to the royal family!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some were outraged by my actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But others…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…G-gigantification?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bjorn Yandel’s signature skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that… a coincidence?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, he looks familiar…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But he’s dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And he’s an evil spirit…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Marquis…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“······!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stumbled back in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he think I was going to assassinate him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ignored him and looked at the empty throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I speak the truth before the only true monarch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I spoke calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My gaze was fixed on the throne, but my voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, I recited their names.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remembering those who couldn’t be here with us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pike Neldain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Executed for treason in Ice Rock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought it was the right decision back then, but now I regret it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might have been our ally if he truly wanted the expedition to fail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Philip Aintropy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A navigator from Kaislan’s team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He died during a surprise attack while we were waiting for the rescue team in Deadwood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His skull was crushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We hadn’t spoken much, but Kaislan told me later that he was a filial son who took care of his elderly parents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mite Million.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He died instantly during our escape from Deadwood, struck by [Earth Spike].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll probably always wonder…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he have dodged it? Or did he deliberately sacrifice himself?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fiona Aimers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She died from a stray attack while channeling the Multiple Teleportation spell with the other mages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Niaro Cambel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The priest who rushed to help an injured warrior and died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Milburn Naria.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our troll summoner, always polite and respectful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She protected us all, but chose to die alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hope she’s finally home, surrounded by the scent of coffee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Matt Highbury.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A paladin, a tank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had forced him to discard his armor. He died protecting us, pushing himself to the limit, just before reaching the top of the Eye of the Glacier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pasible Eric Colson.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaislan’s subordinate and close friend. Kaislan had shed tears for him, but he had also comforted me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said that his friend’s death wasn’t meaningless because he had died following me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s… the burden I have to carry now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rick Jugsta.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He died fighting Noark after we regrouped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cause of death was [Earth Spike], the same skill that killed Mite Million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bentis Gerold.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bought us time to escape when the Rose Knights attacked from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a man who always talked about romance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He died a warrior’s death, so maybe his romance was real?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Royta Mamender.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strict priest who died supporting us from the clifftop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mckelly Leyaders.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mage from Akuraba’s team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She never woke up after being hit by [Soul Extraction].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Roan Beliaro.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cheerful man whose motto was to live a long and peaceful life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He died during a surprise attack by the Rose Knights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noble paladin who died standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a great man, even in death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsuon Iribun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An archer from the 5th Team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His upper and lower body were torn apart by a monster summoned by the priest from Karui after Sven Parab’s defenses were breached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had asked the priest for one last favor before he died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To sing a song of hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he couldn’t hear it because of the penalty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Puta Rikerburn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fixer for the Keallunus family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A versatile explorer who could fight and guide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t particularly skilled in combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had killed two Rose Knights in a row…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t believe it when I heard about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a heroic feat worthy of being recorded and shown at his funeral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What power!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knights approach me, grabbing my arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they must have realized something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis dismissed them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s finally doing something I like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Periton Eriabos, Benjamin Orman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two had used the paladins’ ultimate skill, the sacrificial spell, to defeat the Evil God’s summon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We would have all died without them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liard Ashid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had used the Awakening spell, just like Dwarkey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only had he inflicted heavy damage on the Evil God’s summon, but he had also killed three Rose Knights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marone had told me, her eyes filled with tears, that she had wanted to do it herself, but Ashid had stopped her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gruold Aldidi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had charged through the enemy lines, sacrificing himself to save me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must have wanted to live too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So many… are dead.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weight of their sacrifice was unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I continued, my voice calm and steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time for the final report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Twenty casualties.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twenty explorers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had all joined this dangerous mission with their own dreams and goals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they had died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the cold, unforgiving wasteland of Ice Rock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Longing for something they could never have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren’t all good people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some had embezzled funds, some had tortured innocent people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some might even say they deserved to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…None of them deserved to die like that.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had survived because of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liris Marone, Bersil Gowland, James Kala, Meland Kaislan…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to say it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For their sake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sven Parab, Ravienniastorous, Emily Raines, Titana Akuraba, Erwen Fornachi di Tersia…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked up at the Marquis before saying my name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was smiling, his eyes filled with a cold amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must have realized that it was too late to stop me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had already activated [Gigantification].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He muttered softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsk, if only you had waited a little longer…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, it would have been better for you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I couldn’t wait any longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to reclaim my name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to take back my power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Proud Viscount of the royal family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I declared in front of thousands of nobles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I, Bjorn, son of Yandel, have returned! The expedition force has completed its mission!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m back.\u003C\u002Fp>",2703,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","4d29c1c36e93436e207d7c09ddc04c9a3fb29ea30cdbe0eccb612ed33a3b288c","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-433","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-431",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]