[{"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-655":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},1328032,1764,"Chapter 655: Event (4)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-655",655,"\u003Cp>The Marquis wasn’t asking if I was a demon—he was stating it as fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to protest, but he wouldn’t give me the chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, you won’t admit it here. You might think it a trap. So just listen until I finish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter what you say, I believe you are a demon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s why, even when you became a noble, you made sure no one found out. If people knew a hero like you was a demon, it would disrupt the citizens’ perception.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the topic I’d discussed before with Amelia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was I able to become a noble without ‘verification’?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Maybe the royal family knew and turned a blind eye. Back then, you were like a hero of the city.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...So this really was the reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A demon must always be the enemy of all residents, and indeed, they are. More terrifying than any monster in the labyrinth, they steal our lives away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis’s voice carried a hidden, deep anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When it was said you died in the labyrinth, I was secretly glad. It was the best outcome for me, the one who must lead this country, if the demon disappeared without being revealed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From here, I knew well what he meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ‘best outcome’ he spoke of was soon overturned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But one interfered. You know who. A brazen one named Ibaekho.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis was blackmailed by Ibaekho to publicly declare that Bjorn Yandel was a ‘demon,’ and then the demon assimilation policy was put on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was such a massive policy that it had not yet been implemented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That one tore open my deepest wound.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Your deepest wound?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My son... Eltora Terserion is already dead. The body that now bears my son’s name is some unknown demon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was genuinely shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because I hadn’t heard the story before, but because I didn’t expect him to confess it so frankly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You really didn’t know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh... I had no idea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, that one used my son’s identity to threaten me. Since I couldn’t deal with my son immediately, I had no choice but to yield to that threat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what exactly did the Marquis want to say now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I kept listening because I didn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t all something I already knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The demon assimilation policy must never be realized. Even if becoming a demon wasn’t their intention, if we accept them... who will relieve the grievances of those whose bodies were taken?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time in today’s conversation, I felt I was seeing the Marquis’s inner self.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When you disappeared and then returned, the reason you could immediately create an excuse was this. Paradoxically, to block that one’s plan, you must not be a demon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’d prepared ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. We fabricated false information behind the scenes, made it seem like you had a real infiltration mission that never existed. We prepared so thoroughly no one could suspect it was fake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now the mystery cleared up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder even heavyweights like Duke Kealurnus believed it without suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I never expected the whole plan had been thoroughly prepared the entire time I was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Originally, the plan was to announce you died during the mission... but you survived, and the plan failed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now I understood all the Marquis’s intentions and clenched my fists tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s why... you sent me to Ice Rock?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis nodded without any change of expression, easily confirming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no point in trying to cover it up now. Yes, that’s why. We thought if you died before reclaiming your name, no problems would arise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could a person be so shameless?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After such an honest conversation, I felt like punching him right in the face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I promised myself to endure.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day, on the cold ice, I swore not to lose control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So... now tell me. Why say all this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s no fool to lose his temper just because I saved him once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure, saving him had some effect, but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There must be a valid reason for this talk—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because it’s confusing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have no reason to save me. You probably wished I’d die. You’re not the type trying to look good to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s definitely true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why did you risk yourself to save me? I couldn’t understand at all. Then I realized it wasn’t just me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis looked at me and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve saved countless people all along. But you never had a reason to save them. Thanks to that, I was able to conclude... no, finally accept this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What was it...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That even if you are a demon, you are a person with the nature of a hero.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hero...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, that didn’t feel very real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just struggled to survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the people around me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Demon or not, you are someone who will bring good to this world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, my personal thoughts aside, I instinctively knew what would come next was the main point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So I offer you a proposal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis said with shining eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stand with us. Truly become a resident of this world and use your power to maintain balance and peace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With such a steady buildup, that powerful and passionate voice...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a force in his words that could lead people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People with such power must keep their minds clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn, I almost got taken in.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are two kinds of people in this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who hear a ‘proposal’ and only imagine the good, building hopeful fantasies, and those who do the opposite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I always want to be the latter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To ask for my power is strange. I’m already doing that enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I answered vaguely and demanded he reveal more cards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forget all this demon nonsense you don’t understand. If you want something, just say it straightforwardly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t seem surprised at my request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just laughed as if he expected it and calmly continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha, of course I have desires.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if you hold my hand now, there is no proof to trust you. I need proof.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait, when did he conclude I was a ‘good demon’?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He flips sides so easily, it’s uncanny—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ibaekho.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air suddenly stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill that one who only seeks to disturb this world’s balance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that was the real purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I could trust you fully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This guy wouldn’t be that easy just because I saved him once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief silence, the Marquis added, as if persuading me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re uneasy, just think of it as a deal. If you take care of Ibaekho, I will be your steadfast patron while you live in this world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, if that actually happens, it’d be reassuring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if I publicly call myself a demon in the city center, the Marquis would have the power to smooth things over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that only makes it more mysterious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No need to mention why the Marquis wants Ibaekho dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But why ask me to do such a thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why not deal with it himself and instead assign me this task?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because you’re the only one who can.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His answer surprised me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To be honest, we tried countless times but all failed. It wasn’t even easy to meet that one. But... maybe with you it’s different. That one seems very interested in you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, you don’t have to decide now, nor tell me if you do. Just remember. The moment you bring back that one’s head, you’ll have nothing to worry about.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please make the right choice. You love this world, don’t you? Unlike the other demons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, the Marquis sipped his now-cold tea, and our conversation fell into a lull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never spoke first again, and the more time passed, the more tangled my thoughts became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What should I say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or what should I ask further?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of that mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what I say, his mind wouldn’t change, and no answer I get would be fully trustworthy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like with the lab chief I met on basement level one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The only way to get truth through others is to believe. So if I go on and on, it’s just wasting time.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[That’s why I said it’s a deal. Who I am doesn’t matter. Whether you accept my proposal or not, that’s your decision alone.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The important thing is always your own judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, I can at least just keep this in mind...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I figured I could treat it as a side quest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No harm in not completing it, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll think about your offer. Though, I’m not a demon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breaking the long silence, I said this, and the Marquis nodded without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do as you please. But now that the favor is done, you can rest easier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...What do you mean? I said I’d think about it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t sleep well without certainty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, you mean about the District 7 °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° construction—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not what I meant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Marquis shrugged and added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I offered the right path. That was my repayment for you saving me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know if you’ll believe it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tch, he really has a knack for making people feel uneasy until the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I’ll be going now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wouldn’t you like to have a meal? It feels awkward to let you leave just like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not very hungry today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt like my head would explode if I ate with the Marquis now, so I fled the mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, riding the carriage the Marquis lent me, I headed to the military station and closed my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been a mentally exhausting day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble, rumble...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage wheels rolled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I tried to clear my mind, drowsiness quickly crept in—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was that? An auditory hallucination?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why did you save the Marquis back then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That clear voice made me snap awake, staring out the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Trying to be friends with the Marquis?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, damn, that startled me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why the hell is this guy here?\u003C\u002Fp>",1680,"2026-06-05T19:33:18.642Z",1,"novelbin.me","b8e612ce30e62f8db61562532bdaec5028599b355a3af8f5e427215eba3a25fd","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-656","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-654",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]