Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Novel 2025 - Chapter 361, 362, 363
C361, 362, 363
Chapter 361: Interrogation (3)
In a way, it was like a cliche from a detective novel.
All circumstantial evidence pointed to the culprit, but the most crucial physical evidence was missing.
That was my situation.
‘What kind of gift is this?!’
It might have worked before the prejudice against evil spirits set in.
But now, I needed solid evidence to prove my innocence.
Otherwise, it would only make me look more suspicious.
Like this.
“Say this: I am a woman.”
Raven’s request after ‘Distorted Trust’ malfunctioned.
Her goal was clear.
Although she didn’t know why it was happening, she wanted to figure it out by changing the conditions and experimenting.
Therefore, there was only one thing I could do.
“I…! Ugh, my voice…! It seems like I can’t speak because it’s a lie—”
“Stop messing around!!”
Uh… I wasn’t messing around, I was trying my best.
Is it really this difficult to get past this?
“Just say anything.”
“…I’m really not an evil spirit. Believe me, Raven.”
The second hand stopped again as I repeated the same thing.
But this time, Raven didn’t miss the opportunity.
“I’m a man. What the… it really works.”
Right, so when it malfunctions, it affects everyone, not just me.
Another thing I learned.
Damn it.
Tick, tock.
The disc resumed working as soon as the second hand started moving again.
“I’m a man… hmm, it’s not working now.”
“…….”
“You’re doing something, aren’t you?”
Why is she looking at me so suspiciously?
Well, it was true that I was the cause…
But I had to deny it.
“This is unfair! You brought a defective product and you’re blaming me?!”
“Defective product? Is it normal for it to stop working when you speak?”
It was definitely suspicious.
I would have also been skeptical if I were in her shoes.
But I couldn’t just admit it, could I?
I raised my voice.
“I didn’t do anything!! It’s true! Believe me!!”
If ‘Distorted Trust’ couldn’t distinguish between truth and lies, it meant that the one who shouted the loudest was more likely to win the argument—
“…Just shut up, you’re being loud.”
…but why is she glaring at me?
This is scary.
“…….”
I instinctively shut my mouth, and Raven also stopped talking, lost in thought.
And then…
“…Tell me.”
“Huh?”
“You were about to say something. Just say it.”
“Ah…”
It was like the primordial era, when there was no magic or science.
A time when words were enough to build trust.
‘What a wonderful world.’
“What do you mean you ‘returned’? What were you doing before that?”
“I’ll tell you everything.”
I then explained what had happened on Parune Island after the two of us were left alone.
How we defeated ‘Stormgush’ together.
How the essence dropped.
“So you used that to pull the Lighthouse Keeper towards you…”
“Yes, I combined it with Bion’s [Transcendence].”
“That’s probably true. Continue.”
I also told her about the ‘Fragment of Records’, the treasure the Lord of Noark had, before moving on to the next incident, and Raven surprisingly accepted it easily.
“I’ve heard of it. I didn’t know that was the treasure Drowus stole. The legend says it can change the past, right?”
“It’s not a legend, it’s true. Well, I couldn’t change history, but…”
“……?”
“You’ll understand if you listen.”
How the Fragment of Records activated.
How I woke up in the past twenty years ago.
“…It’s unbelievable, but it does explain why only your equipment was left on the island.”
It seemed like she was starting to get suspicious, but she didn’t interrupt.
And…
“Nibels… Enche?”
Raven tilted her head when I told her about borrowing the identity of ‘Nibels Enche’, whose ID card I obtained after killing the looters on the island.
‘Oh, does she remember?’
I briefly had a glimmer of hope, but reality is reality.
“…That name sounds familiar.”
Well, she was only five back then.
How could she remember?
‘Okay, then next…’
It was time for Dwarkey to make his appearance.
I then told her about how I tried to change his fate, but realized that history would always flow in its original direction, no matter what I did.
“The things I did… they had already happened in the original timeline.”
“There has been research on time since ancient times. It’s the single-dimensional timeline theory.”
“……?”
“Never mind, please continue.”
“Alright.”
I then explained in detail about going down to Noark, spending six months there, and my efforts to save Amelia’s sister.
Ah, of course, I left out anything related to evil spirits.
And…
“I was in Noark when I returned. It was a month before the present. I met Amelia and Erwen, and Erwen believed me.”
“And the reason you didn’t reveal your identity was because you found the royal family’s announcement suspicious… right?”
“Yes. I don’t know if you’ll believe me, though.”
That was the end of my story.
Then what would Raven’s judgment be?
I watched her with a mixture of anticipation and worry, and she said firmly,
“That’s a ridiculous story, like something a child would believe.”
It was a somewhat expected reaction.
She was a mage, not an ordinary person. She was knowledgeable, so it was only natural for her to find my story unbelievable.
But…
“Do you have any proof?”
…I had prepared for this.
Why do you think I haven’t told you about our encounter yet?
This kind of thing works better in a dramatic situation.
“Proof… of course.”
“…?”
“You said the name Nibels Enche sounded familiar, right?”
“Yes, but?”
“Of course it would. We met twenty years ago.”
“…?”
I explained in detail, watching Raven’s confused expression.
Our first meeting at the library.
How I saved her when she was about to get beaten up for electrocuting people.
And how we met every day at the same time and talked about various things.
“That person… was you…?”
Raven’s eyes widened in shock.
“It seems like you finally remember who Nibels Enche was.”
I was relieved.
She might have forgotten his name, but she still remembered him.
_____________________
Raven didn’t say anything for a while.
She just stared at me with confused eyes.
“This is impossible… How can this be…”
“I understand how you feel. But it really happened. You must also remember our conversations.”
“Vaguely. Just that there was someone like that… I was really busy after entering the Magic Tower. And then ‘that incident’ happened…”
“…What incident?”
Raven hesitated at my question and then snapped at me coldly.
“You don’t need to know.”
Damn it, I was so nice to her when she was young.
How did she turn out like this?
Ah, but she was even more rude back then.
At least she was using honorifics now…
“Anyway, do you believe me now?”
Raven didn’t answer and just pursed her lips.
And…
Tick, tock, tick, tock.
The ticking of the disc’s second hand echoed in the silence.
It seemed like less than two minutes were left.
Well, even though it stopped working whenever I spoke, I hadn’t been talking non-stop.
Tick, tock.
As the pointless time passed…
“It doesn’t matter what I want to believe.”
“……?”
“Amelia Rainwales, you answer me. Is his story true?”
Raven, as if belatedly realizing that she could verify it through a third party, shifted her gaze to Amelia.
And…
Tick, tock.
…Amelia’s answer was flawless, even though ‘Distorted Trust’ was active.
“Everything Yandel said is true.”
Right, although I had left out a few truths, the experiences themselves were facts.
“The fact that he and I went to the past twenty years ago, and the things we experienced there, they all happened.”
It was the final blow.
Even if it was hard to believe, there was no way she could deny it now.
‘Okay, I think she’s convinced…’
I was feeling relieved when…
“But…”
…Raven spoke in a strained voice.
“That… doesn’t prove that you’re not an evil spirit…”
“…Huh?”
I couldn’t understand.
Why? Wasn’t this enough to convince her?
Why was she still so persistent?
‘Don’t tell me… there’s another reason why she suspects me, besides the royal family’s announcement…?’
My mouth went dry at that thought.
“Amelia Rainwales.”
“…….”
“I’ll ask you one last question.”
“…Ask away.”
Amelia nodded, and after a brief pause, Raven spoke.
Her voice was firm and unwavering.
“If there’s anything you’re unsure about, or if you don’t know for sure, please just say you don’t know.”
“…….”
“Is Bjorn Yandel an evil spirit?”
Damn it.
______________________
Amelia didn’t answer Raven’s question.
Or rather, she couldn’t.
After all, how could she?
She couldn’t lie in front of that damn Numbered Item.
The only option was silence.
“…….”
A heavy silence fell.
And in that silence…
Tick, tock, tick, tock.
The second hand ticked away.
But it didn’t last long.
Tick.
The second hand stopped, and the light emanating from the disc faded.
The effect of ‘Distorted Trust’ had ended.
But…
“…….”
“…….”
…the suffocating silence continued.
It happened sometimes.
A moment of silence could be a more powerful answer than a thousand words.
“…It doesn’t matter what I say now.”
Amelia finally muttered, but Raven didn’t speak. And she didn’t reactivate ‘Distorted Trust’ and ask the same question again.
She probably didn’t have enough charges.
“Raven…”
“Just… don’t say anything. Please… not now…”
“…….”
Raven looked at me for a long time, standing in front of the cage.
She seemed to be organizing her thoughts.
But could it be that she couldn’t?
“…I’m the Vice-Captain of the 3rd Magic Corps, and I have pride and a sense of responsibility for my role. I would never betray or deceive those who trust and follow me…”
Raven started muttering to herself.
“So… I have to report this. It’s not just treason against the nation, it’s betrayal and deception against those who believe in me…”
It was clear who she was talking to.
Not me, Amelia, or Erwen.
“I, I…”
Herself.
“I can’t do that. No, I can’t…”
Raven clenched her fists as if trying to organize her tangled thoughts.
And then she turned around and walked towards the stairs.
Thud, thud.
She looked precarious.
“Yandel, this is going to be a big problem if you let her go like that.”
Amelia advised me, but I couldn’t hear her.
Of course, I knew.
She would come back with reinforcements next time.
But…
Crack.
What could I say to stop her?
My companion, who had tried to believe me, had finally realized the truth and turned away.
Thump.
My heart ached.
And I had a thought.
If I wasn’t an evil spirit, if I had been born in Bjorn Yandel’s body and met them as an ordinary person…
What would have happened?
‘…That’s bullshit. We wouldn’t have even become companions.’
I dismissed the meaningless thought.
And the guilt I felt towards Raven.
This wasn’t the time for that.
‘I guess we have no choice but to go with Plan B.’
Now that the situation had become this dire, I had to focus on surviving, regardless of my reputation.
It wasn’t just my life that was on the line.
Amelia and Erwen were also my responsibility.
Therefore…
When the troops arrived and the cage opened, I would block their path with [Gigantification] and buy time. And then I would break through the floor and escape into the lake instead of going to the deck.
I could use the water spirit to breathe…
‘And then…’
I was finalizing Plan B when…
Thud.
Raven stopped, and then she slowly turned around.
And…
“Why… did you save me…?”
…she asked, looking at me.
As if she couldn’t understand that one thing.
“…If you hadn’t used [Gigantification], your identity wouldn’t have been revealed. Why… did you still save me? Even at the cost of… that injury.”
‘Right, that’s what she was curious about.’
I couldn’t blame her for asking, but I felt a pang of bitterness.
The old Raven wouldn’t have asked that question.
But it was probably…
‘…because I’m an evil spirit.’
Because I’m an evil spirit.
My sincerity was being doubted, and the time we spent together was being denied.
‘Lee Baekho must have felt this way too.’
I could feel the emotions he must have felt.
A wall around his heart.
A suspicion that words were meaningless.
But…
“Yes, there’s a reason.”
…I still spoke.
“…I knew there was something else—”
I might seem like a monster who stole another person’s body…
Even if everything seemed like a lie…
Even though I shouldn’t be saying this…
“You were in danger, Raven.”
“…?”
“So I saved you.”
That was the only reason.
———————————–
Chapter 362: Interrogation (4)
Arrua Raven turned away.
Until the very moment her gaze left him, that man was looking at her.
With a desolate and pitiful gaze.
“…….”
It felt like a sharp object was piercing her heart.
‘Why is he looking at me like that… I’m the one who was betrayed…’
Evil spirits deceive the entire world.
That’s what she had learned from a young age, and she had witnessed countless examples as she grew up.
That he saved her because she was in danger?
‘…That can’t… be true…’
She shook her head.
Rejecting the cry of her heart, trying to convince herself that it was the answer.
That the man had simply said what she wanted to believe.
That there must have been another reason.
That she couldn’t fall for this.
She took a heavy step forward.
Thud.
With every step she took, memories of their adventures flashed before her eyes.
It started with their first meeting in the Crimson Fortress.
[What the hell is that?! Why is a Vampire in a place like this…?]
[Run if you have time to whine, Dwarf.]
The Vampire who appeared as the guardian in the 1st-floor rift.
The man naturally took the lead and fought valiantly, eventually achieving victory.
But…
‘…That holy water he used at the end… he must have known about it because he’s an evil spirit.’
It was always like this.
Behind every precious memory, there was a version of herself being deceived and manipulated.
How foolish and gullible she must have seemed to him.
Thud.
Of course, she owed him her life for saving her in the Crimson Fortress.
But Raven made a cold judgment.
‘…He didn’t sacrifice himself to save us.’
He would have died if he hadn’t.
That’s why he fought so desperately.
Thud.
The next scene that came to mind was when they were trapped in the 1st-floor Crystal Cave.
The knights and the large clans had used them as pawns and escaped through the dimensional gate.
The day that man became a hero of the city.
[Then what do you want us to do?!]
[I’m telling you one more time—! Everyone stop—!!]
He raised his voice, and the explorers who had been fighting each other joined forces.
And the breakout began.
[Damn it, this is crazy.]
[I… I can’t go any further. I’m sorry.]
Seasoned explorers collapsed, their will to fight broken, but he kept going.
[Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!]
He volunteered for the most dangerous task and fought more desperately than anyone.
But Raven judged,
‘He did that… because he had to… to survive…’
She took another step.
Thud.
With each step away from the cage, memories of him… to be precise, the big and small favors he had done for her, came to mind.
And each time, Raven thought,
‘That wasn’t… that difficult.’
‘It wasn’t something he had to risk his life for.’
‘…I’ve helped him a lot too.’
She was able to dismiss most of them.
But…
[Don’t tell me… you came all the way here for me? Through that fire?]
[I was taking a walk.]
The incident in the Imperial City.
[What… What are you doing? Are you trying to carry the whole boat…?]
[Uwaaaaaaaaah!!!]
The time he fought the enemy alone on Parune Island after sending his companions away on the boat.
And just recently…
[Your… your b-back…!]
The time he shielded her from the magic attack with his body.
‘But… he did that for himself…?’
Raven soon realized.
That she was in denial.
‘That can’t… be true…’
The memory was vivid, despite the chaos.
He had been in excruciating pain, his veins bulging, but he held her carefully, protecting her from his thrashing body.
There was no point in deceiving herself anymore.
She had tried to deny it countless times.
[You were in danger, Raven. So I saved you.]
Those words… were undoubtedly true.
______________________
Creak.
The door at the end of the passage closed.
“She’s gone.”
“Yeah…”
It meant that Raven had left for good, and we had to give up on her returning to release us—
“Evil spirit.”
Huh?
I looked to the side, and Erwen was staring at me with a lowered head.
“…You’re an evil spirit?”
Right, so that’s why she was so quiet.
She must have been shocked.
Well, I could understand why she was upset.
It probably seemed like I didn’t tell her because I didn’t trust her.
“Erwen, calm down. I’ll explain—”
“That woman knew, but I didn’t.”
“That, that’s—”
“I said I could understand everything. I did…!! Why did you lie to me?! Did you not trust me? What do I have to do to make you trust me?!”
Wow, I’ve never seen her this angry…
I glanced at Amelia for help, but she just shrugged and avoided my gaze.
She was telling me to clean up my own mess.
‘Well, at least she doesn’t seem to care that I’m an evil spirit…’
I felt a pang of relief and gratitude, as well as a hint of dizziness, at Erwen’s murderous aura, having just seen Raven leave because she couldn’t accept it.
But that was a separate issue.
‘How do I calm her down…?’
It didn’t take long to decide.
“What about Raven?! She… she knew, but she didn’t tell me! That that woman was dangerous! That she even protected you, revealing her identity—!”
Thud.
“……?”
I grabbed her wrist before she could have a seizure.
And…
“Erwen, you would have done the same if you were in her shoes.”
I spoke sincerely.
After all, I would have done the same thing, even if it was Erwen instead of Raven.
But did she find it hard to believe?
“Li, liar… you didn’t even tell me… You thought… that woman was more trustworthy than me…?”
“What…? Why would you think that?”
“Because… I, I’m like this… I absorbed those essences… and now I’m treated like a crazy bitch…”
Uh, I didn’t know she was thinking that.
It seemed like she was also struggling with her condition.
“Erwen, that’s not true.”
“Then… why did you hide it from me…?”
Damn it, I told you I would explain.
I sighed inwardly and said,
“Because I wanted to protect you.”
For some reason, Amelia answered for me.
“Recycling, how efficient.”
What the hell is she talking about?
I ignored her and looked at Erwen. She reacted after a brief pause.
“…Hu, huh?”
Her shoulders trembled.
“M, m, me?”
Okay, her voice was calmer now…
I quickly explained, worried that she might misunderstand again.
“You saw it, didn’t you? Raven asking Amelia a question.”
Even Auril Gabis’s gift couldn’t prevent that kind of application.
That’s why I wanted to minimize the number of people who knew.
Of course, it was also for my own sake, but it wasn’t a purely selfish decision.
“If something bad happens because I’m an evil spirit, I wanted to give you a way out. If you didn’t know, you’re a victim, but if you helped me knowing the truth, you’d be considered an accomplice.”
“…….”
“S-so… you’re saying you care about me more than Rainwales…? That, that you hid it from me to… protect me…”
“Uh…”
I unconsciously looked at Amelia.
She chuckled and nodded, as if asking what I was so worried about.
She was telling me to take care of it.
Damn, she’s reliable.
“Right, that’s why I only hid it from you.”
“…As, as expected!”
Erwen clenched her fists, seemingly pleased with my confirmation.
And she straightened her shoulders and looked at Amelia with a triumphant smile.
“…This is annoying.”
Amelia frowned, but Erwen ignored her and turned her attention back to me.
“Mister, thank you for your concern… but please don’t do that again. To leave you behind and escape alone… I wouldn’t want that.”
Erwen glanced at the empty cage where Raven had left.
“I’m different from that ungrateful woman.”
Oh, is that so…?
“So, just trust me! Okay?”
“Okay…”
Amelia then changed the subject.
“But what are we going to do now?”
Ah, right…
We should start preparing.
“First, pack your things.”
“Things?”
“We can’t leave our equipment behind.”
I went to the corner where I had piled up the items I looted from the Lighthouse Keeper and squatted down. I gathered the items, wrapped them in his robe, and tied it into a bundle, then wrapped it around my neck.
The Barbarian Peddler Mode.
I would carry it like this for now and put it in my subspace pocket when I had the chance.
“Tell me what you’re going to do now that you’re done packing. You must have a plan.”
Amelia asked, and I shared Plan B with them.
We waited, not letting our guard down.
And after some time…
Click.
The doorknob at the end of the hallway turned, and the door slowly creaked open.
And…
Thud.
…Raven reappeared.
Alone.
“She’s alone.”
“I wonder what she’s planning… She should have already reported to her superiors by now.”
Amelia and Erwen looked wary, gripping their weapons.
Raven flinched and stopped as she approached.
“Why did you come back alone?”
Raven answered quietly at my question.
“To confirm.”
It was a conversation taking place about seven meters apart.
The distance felt even greater because of the echoing voices.
But…
“Confirm what?”
Raven didn’t answer.
She just resumed walking, closing the distance.
Thud, thud.
Her expression became clearer as she approached.
It was a complex expression, impossible to define with a single emotion.
But one thing was clear.
‘…Don’t tell me, she didn’t report it?’
I asked to confirm, and Raven answered with silence.
Thud, thud.
Her footsteps continued.
It didn’t take long for us to be separated by just the bars of the cage.
“…….”
“…….”
Raven looked at me through the bars, her blue eyes clear, and I met her gaze without saying anything.
After some time…
Clank.
…Raven silently took out a key from her pocket.
What had changed her mind?
Just a while ago, her heart seemed closed off, and nothing I said reached her.
‘Could this be… a trap?’
It was a plausible theory.
She must have reported our combat strength.
She might be pretending to help us for now, worried that we might become hostile on the ship, and planning to arrest us in the city.
Therefore…
“…Why are you doing this?”
I asked directly.
“What you’re doing now… it’s betraying everyone who follows you, just like you said.”
I focused on her eyes as I asked.
She wasn’t a good actress, so she would definitely show it, whether she was telling the truth or lying…
But Raven just chuckled.
“Why are you laughing…?”
It wasn’t a mocking laugh.
It was a bitter, self-deprecating laugh.
Then why?
“It’s just… the situation is similar to before.”
Huh?
“If I didn’t know you were an evil spirit, I wouldn’t have asked that question.”
“Ah…”
I was speechless.
But Raven seemed to have already made up her mind and returned, as there was no hesitation in her actions.
Swoosh.
The key entered the lock.
The iron bars separating me and Raven gleamed in the torchlight, reflecting our images like a mirror.
I suddenly felt embarrassed.
Honestly, I had given up and was thinking about Plan B.
“…My answer is the same.”
“You’ll be in danger if you stay here.”
“So I decided to help you. For now.”
“Therefore…”
Click, the key turned.
And…
“Come out. We need to talk about what to do next.”
The door opened.
———————————————
Chapter 363: Responsibility (1)
We were finally released from the cage and taken to the officer’s cabin.
We needed a secure location for our conversation.
“You can speak comfortably here. This place is designed for secret conversations.”
Oh, if you say so.
“First, I want to hear about the situation. What happened with the ambush?”
I wanted to know what had happened to Orculus’s attack, the information that had been completely blocked while we were trapped.
“Viscount Lamreond perished. He was killed by Ricardo Liuhen Praha, the Traitor, during the retreat.”
My heart sank at the news that our Corps Commander had been assassinated, but the situation itself didn’t seem that dire.
The attacks had stopped as soon as the royal forces retreated to the lake and used the dozens of ships as a fortress.
It had been two hours since then.
“The command believes that the goal of the ambush was to assassinate key figures using the chaos.”
Assassinate key figures…
“That’s definitely a possibility.”
The Blood Knight had muttered this when he saw us:
[Golden Mage, Arrua Raven.]
[One of my targets.]
Raven must have also been on the hit list.
I could roughly picture their strategy.
‘The Corpse Collector would have spread undead everywhere and used them to track down the targets.’
Indeed, the number of undead had increased significantly after our battle with the Blood Knight, and their reinforcements had also arrived soon after.
“Anyway, it’s not that urgent right now. So let’s talk about that first. What are your plans, Yandel?”
Hmm, plans…
‘I have to think about that now…’
I hadn’t expected Auril Gabis’s gift to work like this.
It had made things complicated—
“And…”
Raven trailed off and looked at me.
“Just so you know, I only helped you this time because I had to, I can’t keep doing this.”
…Huh?
So we weren’t companions again…?
Raven avoided my gaze as I looked at her with a betrayed expression.
“It’s no use looking at me like that. I already took a huge risk by not reporting this incident. And I’ve done my part.”
It was a bitter pill to swallow, but I understood.
She couldn’t just leave us to die, but she wasn’t willing to risk everything for us.
Helping an evil spirit in this world was a dangerous act.
It was a guaranteed path to ruin if you were caught.
Therefore…
“Raven, I don’t blame you, so don’t make that expression. I’m actually more grateful that you helped us, even if it was just this once. I’ll try my best to keep your name out of it if something goes wrong.”
I smiled and patted Raven’s shoulder, trying to act like a barbarian.
But then…
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
…she didn’t react, even though she would have usually screamed and glared at me.
She just bit her lip and looked down.
“Why… are you still being… nice to me…?”
Ugh, is she worried about that again?
She’s so sentimental.
I understand.
“You tried to help me, even though you knew everything. That’s enough for me.”
I felt guilty.
She was a successful mage with a bright future ahead of her, and now she was risking everything because of me.
“…….”
“…….”
An awkward silence followed, and Raven, as if regaining her composure, awkwardly returned to the original topic.
“Anyway… what are you going to do now?”
“Well, I don’t think you should hear that.”
“……?”
“You’ll be in trouble if you get involved any further after hearing it. You said this was the last time you would help us, right?”
Raven flinched as I drew the line.
But she also had something to say.
“…You said you would keep my name out of it, but we don’t know what will happen.”
“That’s true.”
“It’s best to avoid getting caught for now. And if that means…”
“…If that means?”
“I’m willing to help. To some extent…”
What the hell, so she was going to help us anyway.
Raven glanced at me with an annoyed expression as I grinned.
“Just tell me. What are you planning to do? You must have a reason for coming to the battlefield in disguise. You knew you would stand out.”
Raven asked, and after some contemplation, I answered.
Honestly, like a barbarian.
“I don’t have one. Not yet.”
“…Huh?”
There’s nothing I can do if I don’t have one.
I hadn’t expected Auril Gabis’s gift to work like this.
I came here because I needed money, but I was planning to lay low.
But it seemed like she didn’t expect this answer at all.
“…You’re saying… you have no plan…?”
Raven stuttered, as if to confirm, and I nodded.
“Yes.”
“…Really? I could be discharged from the military and expelled from the Magic Tower if they find out that I helped you.”
Wow, expelled from the Magic Tower?
She was taking that much risk?
I was once again grateful for her resolve and changed the subject.
“…I’m hungry after being locked up for so long. Can I have some jerky—”
“Don’t change the subject!”
“Th-that’s not what I— I’m really hungry—”
“What are you talking about?! You’re not even a barbarian!!”
Right, this wouldn’t work on her anymore.
“…….”
I felt… a strange mix of emotions.
____________________
“Sigh…”
A sigh echoed through the quiet cabin.
I discreetly munched on the jerky I had taken out.
“Are you… eating right now?”
I told you, I’m hungry.
I’m a barbarian, after all.
I need to constantly replenish my nutrients.
“…Do you want some?”
“No, thank you.”
“…….”
“Damn it, how could anyone not know he’s an evil spirit when he acts like this…”
Raven sighed again, but I decided to take it as a compliment, as if she was saying that I was good at hiding my true nature.
Munch, munch.
Phew, I feel better after eating something.
“Raven, did you know something?”
“…Know what?”
“It seemed like you had a reason to suspect me, even before the royal family’s announcement.”
“Ah, that…”
Raven’s expression darkened.
But she must have decided not to hide it.
“The magic tool that recorded the conversation between Hans Krisen and the dwarf from Noark.”
Ah, she got it.
But why that recorder?
Raven explained as I looked at her questioningly.
“It had a limited number of plays, maybe because they used a cheap core.”
“…So?”
“It could only play 100 times, and there were two plays left, so I started wondering why he had listened to it so many times.”
“…I see.”
I didn’t expect that to be a clue.
It had never even crossed my mind—
“But… there was something even more decisive…”
Huh?
“Misha came to my lab. About 50 days after Yandel died.”
“…What did she say?”
“She said that there would be a rumor going around that Yandel was an evil spirit.”
Could it be because it was about Misha?
My heart suddenly felt cold.
“And?”
“I asked her if it was really just a rumor, since it seemed fishy, considering the recorder incident.”
Misha avoided answering back then.
But ironically, her silence was the most definite answer.
“…Wait, so you’re saying she was the one who spread the rumor?”
Erwen, who had been silent until now, interjected, and Raven nodded after glancing at her awkwardly.
“Probably. I don’t know what her reasons were, though.”
Erwen gritted her teeth at Raven’s confirmation.
“Reasons, my ass. Yeah, that woman… I knew she would do something like that…”
“Calm down, Erwen. No one knows what kind of situation Misha is in.”
“But…! I would never do that, no matter what the situation! Aren’t you angry, mister? She practically betrayed you!”
“That’s why… we don’t know yet.”
Honestly, I was more worried than angry.
After all, I had heard something at the Round Table.
Misha was with Lee Baekho.
And…
[Lee Baekho has the Stone of Resurrection.]
Maybe she had made a deal with him to bring me back to life. Well, it was just my guess, and even if it was true, it didn’t change the fact that her choice had harmed me.
Damn it, what the hell is she doing?
“Seriously! Mister… why are you so… foolish?!”
What is she talking about?
“Whatever, Raven… so you don’t know why the royal family acknowledged the rumor and made an official announcement?”
“No. But… I heard something from Captain Febrosk.”
“What did you hear?”
“He came to me as soon as the announcement was made and said that he was already dead, that no one would ever know the truth. Back then, I thought he was just trying to comfort me…”
“…….”
“But looking back, it was a bit strange. It was like he knew the truth. Maybe we can find something if we investigate him.”
“…Can you look into it when we return to the city?”
“Yes, I can do that…”
Raven nodded readily, contrary to my worries.
Thankfully.
It seemed like this kind of favor was included in ‘to some extent’.
______________________
We then discussed our future plans, and we soon reached a conclusion.
“It’s better to hide your identity for now.”
Now that I knew how ‘Distorted Trust’ worked, I had to be even more careful about revealing myself.
“But… why didn’t it work on you?”
I just brushed off the question about Auril Gabis’s gift.
“Well, I don’t know either. Maybe it’s because of the Fragment of Records.”
It was still a lie, but it couldn’t be helped.
I was the only one who wasn’t affected by ‘Distorted Trust’.
It might seem pointless since they already knew I was an evil spirit, but I didn’t know what might happen in the future.
And that was why I hadn’t told Amelia yet.
‘If I tell her, I’ll have to talk about Auril Gabis.’
Auril Gabis was an enemy of the royal family.
What if they found out that I was an evil spirit who had even received a ‘gift’ from him? It would only make things more difficult.
It would mean I wouldn’t even have a chance to negotiate with them as an evil spirit.
“Well… at least it’s a good thing. If it’s not a one-time occurrence, and it continues to not work, it means you’re safer now.”
“Right, that’s what I’m thinking.”
“But… mister, do we even have to reveal your identity? I like you just the way you are…”
Erwen suggested it, but I wasn’t going to change my goal of clearing my name.
“I won’t be able to get the Spirit Engraving then.”
That’s why I chose to play as a barbarian.
The Spirit Engraving was essential for maximizing the synergy between my essences.
But Erwen couldn’t relate.
“That’s… you can just not get it.”
She asked sadly,
“Why are you so obsessed with becoming stronger…?”
Everyone looked at me.
“Come to think of it, you’ve always been like that… You’re only interested in climbing the tower…”
Raven’s eyes were filled with anxiety, while…
“I heard a rumor. They say you can return to your original world if you reach the top of the labyrinth.”
…Amelia seemed to understand.
But I wasn’t grateful.
Damn it, that would only lead to misunderstandings.
“Don’t tell me… you’re doing this because of that…?”
“…You must have a reason to want to go back so badly. Well, it’s your home…”
“Mister… can’t you just stay here…? I, I’ll be better… I won’t cause any more trouble…”
What the hell is she talking about?
“Erwen, calm down. You’re misunderstanding something.”
Return?
It wasn’t my priority even before, and it was still the same now.
My number one priority had always been survival.
But now that I had met people, explored the labyrinth, and experienced so much, my priority had changed a bit.
It wasn’t just about me surviving anymore.
It was about all of us surviving.
So…
“You’re asking why I’m so obsessed with becoming stronger?”
I continued without hesitation,
“So I can protect you.”
What I had to protect with this shield wasn’t just myself anymore.