Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Novel 2025 - Chapter 440
C440: Giant Step (2)
The flickering green light had died down a while ago, but a heavy silence followed.
“……”
“……”
It was like the reaction of a student scolded by a scary teacher.
Seeing grown adults acting that way might normally stir up some sympathy, but for some reason, it only made me more annoyed.
If I’d known it was going to be like this, I should have just stayed at home and slept.
Everyone’s completely out of it.
How lazy have they been about gathering information all this time?
I didn’t drag my tired body here just to listen to this kind of crap.
‘Ugh, more than that, I’m so sleepy I could die…’
Maybe I’m irritable because I’m tired.
No, that must be it.
If I were in a normal state, I wouldn’t be this annoyed, nor would being annoyed make me this emotional.
Tap, tap.
I start thinking seriously.
Should I just end this now, before I waste any more time?
Hmm, it’s a bit regrettable though…
Tap.
After finishing my contemplation, I slowly opened my mouth.
“One more time.”
Yeah, let’s take one more look around.
Who knows what might turn up?
“I’ll give you a chance.”
With that, I looked around. The members whose eyes met mine flinched and began to watch each other.
It was a satisfying sight.
Such an atmosphere means that the members will reveal information they have been holding back…
‘Luckily, no one’s pointing it out.’
They just skipped my turn so naturally.
With just one comment “everything was garbage,” I managed to breeze through a whole round.
‘Thinking this way does make me a bit less annoyed.’
While I was thinking this, one of the members who had been exchanging glances took the initiative.
“……then let’s go in reverse order this round. Pssit.”
It was the clown who, even in this situation, kept looking at me with his characteristic laugh.
I was actually looking forward to it.
I could feel the determination in his voice.
He must have volunteered to go first because he was somewhat confident.
“Before we start, though…”
He quickly scanned the room and spoke,
“I hope no one here plans on sliding by on the bare minimum this time.”
At first, I thought he was targeting me, but it was clear that wasn’t the case.
He was giving a warning.
He would bring out his reserved information, and so should you.
“……”
Unfortunately, no member responded to his warning.
Maybe they took his silence as affirmation?
The clown then placed his hand on the jewel.
And…
“In Noark, they are planning a city invasion.”
As soon as the green light lit up.
“…!”
The pupils of the masked members widened dramatically. I was too tired to react, but I was just as surprised.
Because…
“A city invasion?”
Not a battle within the labyrinth, but a real city invasion.
That means those who went outside are planning to invade Raphdonia.
“…Why?”
The Fox mask, unable to hide her panic, asked the clown.
“You said everything was fine outside, why would Noark need to do that?”
A valid question, and I had been thinking the same.
They went out to the outside world but still forced their way back into the labyrinth to build their strength…
And now they plan to invade the city?
‘Is it because the situation outside is not so good, or is there a need to overthrow the royal family?’
There were many questions, but the clown held back on answering them.
“Well… my turn is over, Pssit.”
Yeah, that‘s enough information to pass the turn.
After that, the clown glanced at me briefly, then leaned back in his chair as if he’d said all he needed to say.
Which meant it was now the Queen’s turn.
“…”
Even though it was her turn, she stayed silent for a while.
She seemed to be lost in thought.
Sensing this, the clown did not miss his chance to provoke her.
“What are you hesitating about? Don’t tell me you plan to gloss over it again this time?”
“……I was just thinking.”
The Queen curtly replied and then placed her hand on the jewel. Whatever the clown said seemed to have pushed her.
‘Nice assist.’
While I mentally gave the clown a gold star, the Queen finally opened her mouth.
“This is something we only recently confirmed.”
But why is the introduction so long—
“The Master of the Round Table is Auril Gavis.”
…What?
***
The one who recruited promising future players and formed this secret gathering.
I’d suspected it.
That old man I saw once, could it be Auril Gavis?
My doubts began back in the past era.
[If you want to add that rule, it seems we’ll need to put more authority into it]
About 22 years ago, I helped that old man build a system similar to the Round Table.
Of course, up to here, it’s merely suspicious, and it could just be a coincidence. It’s not a special idea; anyone could have thought of it.
The truly curious part was something else.
‘Their actions are just the same.’
Auril Gavis created this spiritual world and, indirectly, helped promising individuals grow, just as the Master at the Round Table had done.
“What are you saying? That person… is Auril Gavis?”
The Fox, who seemed to have been particularly loyal to the Master from the beginning, muttered in shock, but the Queen’s response did not change.
“It’s exactly as I said.”
“So, you’re saying he’s the one who brought us into this world…?”
“As far as we’ve been able to confirm, yes.”
Knowing Queen worked with the GM, Fox mask didn’t try to deny it further and clammed up.
Swoosh.
As soon as the green light went out, the Queen removed her hand from the jewel and shot a glance at the clown. As if to say, “How’s that?”
It was kind of funny.
Seeing her check the clown first, it seemed like her pride was quite hurt.
‘Those two actually have good synergy.’
Right, from now on, I should take every chance to pit them against each other.
‘So the Master of the Round Table is Auril Gavys…’
I’d been suspecting it, but it’s still a bit shocking.
Still, I’ll think more about that old man later.
I’m too tired right now, and my brain isn’t working.
‘For now, I’ll just make sure I don’t forget all this new input…’
As I set my new goals, the attention shifted to the next person’s turn.
“Fox, it’s your turn now.”
We had already reached the third turn.
Maybe it was because the first two pieces of information were so shocking?
My mind was foggy, but I was more focused than before.
‘Yes, this is what the Round Table should be like.’
People slack off, then you nudge them and they cough up great intel.
Oh, but hopefully the fox doesn’t go blabbing about the expedition’s intel…
‘…Let’s hope she’s got something else.’
With a mix of worry and anticipation, I watched Fox, and soon she brought up some information. It was about the big clan boycott she’d mentioned earlier. Since no one else seemed to know about it, the jewel glowed green.
But…
“Ms. Fox, are you joking?”
“…If you’re going to do it like this, you may not be able to continue attending these gatherings.”
The clown and the queen, who had just been arguing, now joined forces to object. In the end, the fox mask had to try again.
A truly unfortunate turn of events.
“The leader of the Explorers’ Guild, Iriya Adnerse, is hoping the royal expedition fails and has sent spies to ensure it.”
If it weren’t for this, there wouldn’t have been any information about the expedition at all.
Tsk… a fitting example of reaping what you sow.
‘Well, I guess it’s not something that’ll do major harm.’
I decided to look at it on the bright side.
After all, there’s no guarantee the guild leader is on our side.
And by opening up this information, other members might investigate and come up with new information.
‘Hmm… maybe she even mentioned it with that in mind.’
I let go of my hesitation and focused on the members’ expressions.
The clown seemed to be thinking, ‘Guild Master?’ and the Queen was hard to read.
The goblin cast a worried glance at the fox…
“Lord Adner sent spies…?”
And deer horns, presumably affiliated with the royal family, showed the most alarm.
So, you guys really didn’t know about that, huh.
“Now, the green light is on but…”
The Crescent Moon, who had been quiet throughout the second round, glanced around and started speaking, wondering if anyone would challenge.
But…
“Pssit, well, it’s still quite lacking…”
“She got a green light during her first attempt as well”
Using two pieces of information, Fox barely made the minimum cut for her turn.
So now it’s the Goblin’s turn?
“…Now it’s my turn.”
Please, don’t just bring up something strange.
“Why are you so nervous? Pssit. No one here expects anything from you, anyway.”
“Well, isn’t that just your opinion, clown?”
“Pssit, do you think differently, Queen?”
“ ……Even a squirrel in winter has an acorn hidden in its cheek if you look hard enough.”
It was unclear whether that was a compliment or an insult.
Unsure, the Goblin responded in a strange voice.
“Uh… thank you…?”
He seemed to take it as a compliment.
“Pssit, are you clueless or just spineless? Enough already, just get on with it.”
“Oh, yes… we’ve received a prophecy—”
“…Another prophecy? Why does the Leatlas Church’s goddess have so much to say?”
“T-this isn’t from our church. It’s from the Toberra Church!”
“Huh? Toberra Church?”
“Yes! The Toberra Church. I’m not sure if you know this, but they’re famous for almost never receiving oracles—”
“I don’t need the background. How about you just tell us what the prophecy actually said?”
Prompted by the Clown, the Goblin sighed and went straight to the point.
“The Sage of Eternal Life has returned.”
It was an extremely brief one-line piece of information.
The green light was on, but the reaction was not good.
“…Is that all?”
“Yes… that was the content.”
The Clown laughed as if it was ridiculous, and the Queen asked a further question.
“Was there any commentary or interpretation by the cardinals or high priests? That would help in assessing the value of the information.”
“…There was none. I, I only managed to hear about the prophecy’s content…”
Goblin’s voice carried a clear tone of embarrassment.
It seemed he had not anticipated this kind of situation.
Well, this round was a bit unusual.
Normally, if the word ‘prophecy’ came up, it passed no matter what it was.
‘…Maybe I should lend him a hand.’
If I just leave him alone, who knows what random details he’ll start blurting out.
As soon as I decided that, I cut off the Clown and jumped into the conversation.
“Psiit. It seems everyone feels it’s a bit lacking. Why not try a different—”
“The Sage of Immortality, you say…”
“…Yes?”
A bullshittery only I could pull off at this table.
“Ah, so he’s returned…”
The fifth style, Entertaining Judgment.
“Interesting.”
If I say it’s interesting, what can you all do?
“…!!”
[Dungeon and Stone] is a team game after all.