I had asked about the third option out of curiosity and spite, but my decision had already been made.
I didn't know what the other door offered…
But nothing could be more valuable than my three comrades.
'And I don't think I can defeat him alone…'
I glanced at him, a strange unease washing over me whenever our eyes met.
It felt like looking at a completely different being.
"You've made your decision."
"Yes, I'll be taking this door."
I started walking, and he just watched me, saying nothing.
He seemed to respect my choice.
Step.
I stopped in front of the door and turned to him.
I couldn't just leave without asking.
"What would have happened… if one of us had betrayed the others?"
It was a hidden piece I had never encountered before.
I had managed to clear it, but I was still curious.
Thankfully, he answered readily.
"According to the established order, my avatar would have gained power."
"…So that's how it works."
That's why he had tried so hard to make us betray each other.
I was starting to understand the design of this space.
We had to fight the boss alone in the end, and the difficulty increased if there was a betrayal.
'And if we lost the boss fight, it would have been game over.'
In the game, you would have needed a high level of affinity and trust to clear it this way.
Anyway, it had answered many of my questions.
But I decided to ask one more.
"What… are you?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean."
It wasn't my first time having a conversation with a monster in the labyrinth.
[It's been a while since I've seen a living being. Where did you come from?]
Cambormere, the Vampire Duke of the Blood Citadel.
[Greedy dogs of the Empire! I shall punish you!]
The Knight of the Apocalypse in the White Temple.
[If no one knows the lie… what's the difference from the truth?]
The Doppelganger.
There had been many similar encounters, but they had all felt scripted.
They would lose their minds and attack me after a few lines of dialogue.
But this one was different.
He seemed to have his own will.
'And he said something strange earlier…'
He had said that if there had been a betrayal, his 'avatar' would have gained power.
I couldn't be sure, but I had a hunch.
Just like [Dungeon and Stone] was based on this world…
The labyrinth was also based on something.
I cautiously voiced my theory.
"Are all the monsters in this labyrinth… copies? Are you the original?"
He stared at me in silence.
I felt a surge of anticipation.
It felt like I was about to uncover a hidden secret.
But…
"Perhaps."
He shook his head after a long pause.
"You might find out someday."
That was the end of our conversation.
Thump!
The stone door opened, and I felt a gentle push on my back.
______________________
「You have perfectly overcome the great terror within the labyrinth.」
「No. 12 [Trust] is permanently bound to you.」
「The Nameless Pilgrim will vanish from the labyrinth forever.」
「Special Condition – Distorted Memories permanently deleted.」
「A hidden area has been unlocked.」
「This is the first time this achievement has been accomplished.」
「Your great feat will be recorded on the Stone of Honor for eternity.」
「The labyrinth has closed.」
「Character is being transferred to Lafdonia.」
______________________
A warm light touched my closed eyelids.
I opened my eyes and looked up at the gloomy sky.
"...."
I was back.
I always felt a sense of relief whenever I saw the city sky.
But it didn't last long.
"…It's Bjorn Yandel."
"I heard he was going to slay a Floor Lord… I wonder how it went…"
"Did he really succeed with only five people…?"
The explorers started whispering as they recognized me.
I quickly regained my composure and headed towards the checkpoint.
Amelia was waiting for me.
She had left the raid location to interrogate the captives.
"…I'm glad you're safe. I was worried when you didn't come back before the labyrinth closed."
She let out a sigh of relief as she saw me.
But then her expression turned serious.
"Casualties?"
She didn't know what had happened, so she was more concerned about the casualties than the outcome of the raid.
I could only say this:
"None. Or rather… there won't be any."
"There won't be any…? What do you mean?"
"…It's complicated."
I wanted to see them with my own eyes before I could relax.
"Just wait."
Amelia nodded, even though she was probably curious too.
And after a while…
My teammates started appearing one by one.
Erwen was the first.
"M-Mister…"
She ran towards me and then collapsed to the ground, exhausted.
"This… isn't a dream… is it…?"
"Don't worry. It's reality."
"What… what happened…?"
She had been expecting to die, so she must be confused.
"I'll explain everything later."
Bersil Gowland appeared next.
"Why are you so late? I was worried."
"S-Sorry… I-I don't understand… B-But this… isn't a dream… is it…? I-I died…"
She was also confused.
Amelia tilted her head.
"Died…?"
"As I said, it's complicated. I'll explain everything later."
"…Alright."
I calmed Bersil down, and then, after a long wait…
Ainar finally appeared.
"B-Bjorn…!!!!"
She shouted from afar, her voice echoing through the plaza.
I finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Phew…"
It was finally over.
We had all survived.
"…W-What is this?! Is this a dream?! I-I died—!"
I quickly covered Ainar's mouth with my hand.
"…Mmm! Mmm! Ugh!"
"Be quiet. Everyone's staring."
"...."
"Let's move. I'll explain everything later."
We left the checkpoint and headed towards the street. As always, the area in front of the checkpoint was crowded with explorers' families and friends.
"Bersil, is it okay if we go to your house in Commelby?"
"I don't mind. It's safer to talk there."
"Alright."
We went to the Public Transfer Station and took a carriage for nobles to Commelby.
That was one of the disadvantages of living in the commercial district.
When we were in the 7th District, we could just walk home.
"Clan Master! Welcome back!"
Auyen greeted us as we arrived. The house was filled with the aroma of food.
Had he prepared a meal for us?
"Thank you. But we have something to discuss, so can you go upstairs for a moment?"
"…Of course. Please rest, and call me if you need anything."
After Auyen left, I asked Bersil to activate the Voice Control spell. We started eating and talking.
Well, only Ainar and I were eating.
"Yandel… stop eating and tell us what happened. I was dying of curiosity!"
Right, I had to explain everything.
I swallowed my food and began my story.
"So… we had to sacrifice someone to clear the hidden phase. Even if we defeated the boss alone, we would all be revived."
"Yes, that's right."
I explained everything that had happened, except for my conversation with the Nameless Pilgrim at the end. Amelia looked at me with a strange expression.
"Are you… okay?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"You must have been through a lot."
Ah, that.
I chuckled.
"I'm fine."
I had almost lost it a few times, but…
The outcome was good, so it was fine, right?
Anyway, I had finished my story, so it was my turn to ask questions.
"Amelia, what about you?"
Amelia's face darkened as I asked about the interrogation.
"I couldn't find any evidence. They said they just received a request from the black market. They didn't know who the client was."
"I see…"
It was disappointing, but it wasn't Amelia's fault.
I would deal with Count Alminus later.
But…
"And…"
"…And?"
"I'll tell you later."
Her hesitation made me uneasy.
But she said she would tell me later, so I let it go.
"Erwen, what happened to you?"
"…Ah, me? I'm sorry. I couldn't escape. He kept chasing me, even when I thought I had lost him. It was like he was teleporting."
"Teleporting…"
Maybe he really did have that ability.
Something that activated when we were a certain distance away.
"But it was strange… he kept trying to persuade me until the very end. He said it wasn't too late."
Erwen's story was short, but I could sense the anguish and despair she had felt.
"Erwen, you've been through a lot."
"…It's okay."
Now it was Bersil's turn.
"Bersil Gowland."
"…Yes?"
"I understand why you did it, but… don't ever do that again."
"Okay…"
I just gave her a brief warning.
There was something more important.
"But Ainar…"
"…Huh?"
I cautiously called her name, and Ainar, who had been quietly eating, looked up.
I hesitated.
But I had to ask.
"Do you… remember what I said at the end?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do you remember what I told you?"
To be precise, I was asking if she had heard my confession.
Ainar casually picked up a piece of meat with her fork and said,
"Ah, that…? I think you said something… but I don't remember. I was about to pass out, so I couldn't hear you properly."
Hmm, was she telling the truth?
I observed her expression, but I couldn't find anything suspicious.
It seemed like she really hadn't heard me.
Well, she would have exploded if she had.
"Why? What did I say?"
"Nothing important."
"Really?"
Ainar seemed to have accepted my answer, but the others were making a fuss.
"I think I know what he said."
"Yandel is surprisingly sentimental."
"…Why are you all doing this? It's embarrassing."
I ignored them and continued eating. They finally started eating too, their curiosity satisfied.
We chatted idly as we ate.
And then…
"By the way… Yandel, what's that bracelet? Did you always wear it?"
Bersil's cautious question made me realize something.
"What's this…?"
There was a bracelet on my wrist.
______________________
I was momentarily confused by the unfamiliar item.
Erwen and Amelia also stopped eating and muttered,
"Uh… I didn't say anything because I thought you knew about it…"
"I can't believe he didn't even notice."
Why hadn't I noticed it before?
"Maybe it's the reward…? The one you get for clearing the raid with five people…?"
Bersil made a guess, but it wasn't the reward for a normal five-man clear.
And I had chosen to revive my teammates.
'…Could there be another reward for reviving everyone?'
Hmm… come to think of it, that made sense.
It was a hidden piece that I hadn't discovered even after playing the game for almost ten years.
And the reward was just… survival?
That didn't seem right.
Click.
I took off the bracelet and examined it closely.
I recognized it instantly.
But I wasn't sure, so I handed it to Bersil.
Bersil, who had the 'Special Appraiser' license that even Raven couldn't obtain, identified the item immediately.
"Th-This is… a Double Numbered Item…"
Amelia's eyes sparkled. She loved rare items.
"Wait, a Double Numbered bracelet…?"
There was only one.
No. 12, Trust.
Was it a fixed reward?
It was the perfect item for this hidden piece…
'…A Double Numbered Item as a fixed reward…'
What were the trigger conditions?
If I could figure that out, I could duplicate the item.
As I was thinking that…
Clang, clang.
The bell on the front door rang.
'A visitor at this hour…?'
I stopped eating and opened the door. A group of knights, probably from Mozelan, were standing there.
"Greetings, Baron Yandel."
They greeted me politely. It seemed like they weren't here for anything bad.
I returned their greeting and asked what they wanted.
"…Two hours ago, a new feat was recorded on the Stone of Honor."
A new feat?
What did that have to do with me?
"It was your feat, Baron Yandel."
So the bracelet wasn't the only reward.
I was stunned as I read the inscription on the stone.
[In the 157th year of the New Era, Bjorn Yandel, a great warrior of the Barbarian Tribe, and his companions, defeated Dreadfear, the Lord of Terror, and unlocked a hidden area.]
There was another hidden area?
-x-X-x-
The Stone of Honor.
A massive stone tablet located in the center of Hero's Plaza in Karnon, the Imperial City.
Created alongside the first Dimension Plaza, this tablet was inscribed with the feats of countless heroes throughout history.
'…Was the last one 600 years ago…?'
For reference, these feats weren't recorded by humans.
The monument, created with a forgotten ancient magic, was closely linked to the labyrinth. It automatically recorded any noteworthy achievements within the labyrinth.
'…That's what the lore said, anyway.'
I was a little dumbfounded.
In the game, the Stone of Honor was just a decorative object. It had never been active in the ten years I played.
I thought it was just world-building.
But…
'It's actually functional…'
I arrived at the plaza, escorted by knights, and looked around.
The plaza was cordoned off by the knights, but the surrounding area was packed with onlookers. Most of them were well-dressed, and there were many nobles among them, as expected of Karnon's citizens.
"It's Bjorn Yandel! Baron Bjorn Yandel…!"
"Waaaaaaaaaah!"
I felt like a monkey in a cage.
But I maintained my composure and looked up at the stone tablet.
The inscription at the very top was this:
[Diflun Groundel Gavrilius, the Last Sage, and his companions, vanquished all the monsters in the Crystal Cave and opened a hidden area.]
According to history books, that was the moment the four portals leading to the 2nd floor appeared in the labyrinth.
The other inscriptions were similar.
[Emon Mulmarin, a valiant warrior of the Beastmen Tribe, and his companions, slew the Sea Dragon and discovered a new island.]
A new island had appeared after an explorer defeated a boss monster for the first time.
[Ordel Pikma, the Great Navigator, and his companions, vanquished all the monsters in the Great Ocean and opened a hidden area.]
Two new paths to the 7th floor had appeared after someone cleared the 6th floor.
[Lud El Rimenin, a human explorer, and his companions, reached the Abyss, and the souls of all the Lords awakened.]
The Floor Lords started appearing after someone reached the 10th floor for the first time. And rifts started appearing after the Floor Lords were defeated.
Juggernaut, the Iron Hero.
He was the first to slay a Floor Lord.
Anyway, that wasn't the point.
From a gamer's perspective, the Stone of Honor was like a patch note.
It recorded any major changes in the labyrinth.
Which meant…
[Bjorn Yandel, a great warrior of the Barbarian Tribe, and his companions, defeated Dreadfear, the Lord of Terror, and opened a hidden area.]
…a new area had actually been unlocked.
Was it a good thing, or a bad thing?
I was lost in thought, staring at the tablet…
"Baron Yandel! Can you look this way, please?"
…when a man who looked like a government official called out to me. I instinctively turned my head.
Click!
A flash of light erupted from the recording device in his hand.
"Smile, please! This will be recorded in history books!"
History books…
'Well, this isn't so bad…'
I needed to build a strong support base, and this kind of publicity was beneficial.
I activated [Gigantification] and raised my arms, roaring.
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!"
Another flash of light.
Click!
That should be a good shot.
______________________
「Character's Fame has increased by +10.」
「Character's Fame has increased by +10.」
「Character's Fame has increased by +10…」
「….」
「….」
______________________
Having my name inscribed on the Stone of Honor was a bigger deal than I had anticipated.
I had to pose for countless photos until the royal photographer, whose identity I later learned, was satisfied.
[The one we took earlier is the best!]
And after the photoshoot, I was summoned by a royal scribe and interrogated.
Well, if I hadn't been a noble, it would have been a proper interrogation.
[Ah, so you can't tell me. I see.]
[Experience and knowledge are an explorer's assets. Why should I share them for free?]
[…W-Well, we can't force you, according to labyrinth law… but please reconsider. It's for the good of the kingdom, and our future generations.]
[Well, it seems like the other explorers didn't reveal everything either.]
[Th-That's…]
[I'm hungry. I'll be going now!]
When I finally left the palace, it was evening, and the world around me had changed.
When I first gained fame and earned the title of 'Little Balkan'…
When I made a significant contribution to the Noark War…
When I became a Viscount, and then a Baron…
I had felt like the world had changed overnight, but this was different.
"It's… Bjorn Yandel…!"
People were swarming me just for walking down the street.
They were calling out my name, asking for autographs, and even trying to hug me.
'What the…'
It wasn't like this before.
This was Karnon, the Imperial City.
The upper class citizens of Karnon, who had Imperial citizenship, would look at me with curiosity, but not with reverence. And the nobles, of course, would ignore me.
But now…
"It's the Giant! The Giant!"
"The great Giant who will lead us to a new era…!"
"May Lafdonia prosper!"
Even the high-ranking officials were acting like fanatical fans.
It was understandable, in a way.
There was a difference between having the potential to be a hero…
And actually being one.
"A hero has been born in my lifetime."
Gavrilius, the Last Sage.
Rimenin, the Abyss Seeker.
Pikma, the Great Navigator.
Juggernaut, the Iron Hero.
The names inscribed on the Stone of Honor.
I was now on the same level as those legendary figures.
It was a historic moment.
So I decided to give them a fan service.
"Honey! He… he called our son's name…!"
"He'll grow up to be a great man! I'm sure of it!"
The Barbarian Pope Mode.
The commotion continued until I reached the transfer station, and even after I boarded the carriage, they followed me, shouting and cheering.
I couldn't even take a nap.
And when I finally arrived home…
"Waaaaaaaaaah!!"
A large crowd had gathered in front of the house, as if it was a festival.
It didn't stop until the Mozelan knights arrived and dispersed the crowd.
"Phew… It's finally quiet…"
I collapsed onto the sofa, exhausted, and Erwen, who had been peeking outside through the curtains, approached me.
"They're all gone now."
"I can't believe this. If it's this bad today, how much worse will it be tomorrow?"
"It'll calm down soon. People forget easily."
"Like when they thought I was dead?"
"…Yes."
Erwen sat down across from me, and Auyen brought us tea.
"Ah, thank you."
"You're welcome, Clan Master."
Auyen's voice and demeanor were different from usual.
He had always been polite, but today he seemed… reverent.
"It must be fate that brought us together. I'll do my best to serve you, even if it's just a small contribution."
He was acting like a loyal servant in a hero's party.
It was a little amusing, but I didn't say anything.
"Have a good night."
After Auyen left, Bersil and Amelia entered the room.
"Sorry, I ruined your day off."
"It's fine. I'm glad I stayed. It would have been difficult to come back tomorrow. And I'm tired anyway."
"That's… true."
I still couldn't believe it.
They were calling me a hero, but was it really that big of a deal?
I had just stumbled upon a hidden piece and cleared it on my first try.
Ice Rock had been much more difficult.
And many people had died.
'That was a much more difficult challenge…'
"Anyway, did you get any sleep?"
"No… I couldn't sleep. Don't worry, it was only a 7-day expedition. And we were mostly resting, except for the last day."
Hmm, that was true.
I was usually exhausted after a labyrinth expedition, but I was still relatively fine.
Ainar was the only one who was sleeping soundly.
"So I spent my free time examining this…"
Bersil placed the 'No. 12 Trust' bracelet on the table. I had given it to her before going to Karnon with the knights.
"It's bound to our souls."
"Bound?"
"Yes. But it's a multi-bond. It seems like only I, Frenelin, Tersia, and Yandel can use it."
Bersil demonstrated by trying to put the bracelet on Amelia's wrist. It fell off, as if it didn't fit.
"So only those who participated in the trial can use it."
"Yes, that's the most likely scenario."
"Hmm…"
Bersil looked at me and asked cautiously,
"So… who should use it?"
Trust was a versatile item.
It was useful for any class: tank, damage dealer, mage, priest…
It had three different uses.
1. Immunity to damage from bonded allies.
If a tank used it, they wouldn't take any damage from their allies' AoE attacks.
It solved one of the biggest problems for tanks and allowed for more diverse strategies.
2. Damage increase based on the number of bonded allies.
It significantly boosted a damage dealer's DPS.
3. Doubles the effects of all buffs applied to bonded allies.
It doubled the effectiveness of support skills.
'We can't use the third option…'
So we only had two choices.
Give it to Erwen, who had become an Another Class, to further increase her DPS.
Or I could use it to increase the party's survivability.
'There's no need to think about it.'
A barbarian always chose both.
I decided to use it myself normally, and then give it to Erwen when we needed more DPS.
"I'll also give it to Bersil or Ainar depending on the situation."
My teammates nodded in agreement.
But Amelia's expression was slightly displeased.
It was a subtle change, but I could easily notice it because she usually didn't show any emotions.
"Alright, that's enough for today. Go get some rest. We'll talk more tomorrow. Ah, and Emily, can you stay for a moment?"
Bersil and Erwen, sensing the change in Amelia's expression, left the room without a word.
We were alone.
Amelia sat down on the sofa.
"…I shouldn't have bothered with the interrogation."
She seemed disappointed.
She hadn't received any loot, and her name wasn't inscribed on the Stone of Honor.
I decided to be blunt.
"Look on the bright side. It would have been troublesome if your real name was revealed."
The names of my teammates were inscribed on the Stone of Honor in small letters, like an appendix.
If Amelia's name had been there, her real name would have been revealed.
"I know."
"Really?"
"I'm just… a little disappointed."
"…Huh?"
I tilted my head, and Amelia looked at me and said,
"It means I can't be by your side with my real name."
"Ah…"
Uh, well…
I was speechless, and Amelia, as if she had just been throwing a tantrum, calmly changed the subject.
"Yandel, there's something you should know."
"The thing you said you would tell me later?"
"Yes."
That was actually the reason I had asked her to stay, but her serious expression made me uneasy.
"What is it?"
"There's something wrong with my memory."
"…Huh?"
At first, I thought it was a strange thing to say… but then she explained, and it seemed quite serious.
"After the interrogation, I felt a little dazed. And when I came to, the recording crystal was destroyed. But I don't remember losing consciousness."
"So?"
"I compared the time in my memory with the actual time. There was a discrepancy."
About 10 minutes.
She remembered interrogating the captive for 35 minutes, but 45 minutes had actually passed.
"Could it be a mistake?"
"No."
She was certain, so there must have been something wrong.
"And when I thought about it, there were a few things that felt off in my memory. I had overlooked some details that I would have normally noticed."
"…"
"So I thought it might have been some kind of illusion magic. Maybe someone tampered with my memory."
"And?"
"I don't know. Gowland examined me, but she couldn't find any traces of magic."
Memory manipulation…
Who could have done it?
Did Count Alminus have a mage that powerful?
Or was there a third party involved?
As I was pondering the possibilities, Amelia added,
"And one more thing. The weapons were all clean."
"…Weapons?"
"Yes, even the sword I used to stab you. They were spotless, as if someone had wiped them clean."
That was suspicious.
What had happened?
I was glad Amelia was safe, but I had another problem to deal with.
"They said they received a request from the black market, right? And they didn't know who the client was."
I would start there.
The black market was notorious for its strict security and ruthless enforcers…
But it was still a place where people lived.
"I'll have to pay them a visit."
Someone would talk.
If I applied enough pressure.
-x-X-x-
Two days after the labyrinth closed.
'I slept for a little over 30 hours…'
The last day had been tough, but I hadn't exerted myself too much physically, so I felt relatively refreshed after a long sleep.
Snore—!
I went downstairs, still half-asleep, and saw Ainar sprawled on the sofa, just like I had left her.
'She's a heavy sleeper…'
I went to the kitchen, and a simple meal was already prepared.
Had Auyen prepared it for us, knowing we would be hungry when we woke up?
'…He's more suited to be a butler than a navigator.'
I marveled at his attentiveness and then devoured the food, my stomach growling.
I went to the front door and checked the mailbox. A mountain of letters had arrived while I was asleep.
"What's all this…?"
Most of them were invitations.
They were filled with flowery language and praise, ending with a request to meet.
It reminded me of the past.
I had received similar invitations when I first gained fame.
'…There are quite a few clan applications too.'
I skimmed through the applications, and the applicants were surprisingly high-level. The most impressive one was an explorer who had reached the 9th floor in his prime.
He even had a title.
'It's a shame he's a tank…'
I was planning to expand my clan, but for now, it was just a single team. And we didn't need another tank.
Sven Parab and Kaislan would be the tanks for the 2nd team.
'I should contact him when we're ready for a 3rd team.'
Anyway, I was proud that such a high-level explorer had expressed his interest in joining my clan, even though I hadn't even contacted him.
My first team, Team Misfits, had been a ragtag group of newbies.
'…We didn't have much back then, but it was fun.'
I chuckled and continued sorting through the mail.
Unfortunately, there wasn't a single priest among the applicants.
'So even with this much fame, I still have to recruit a priest through achievements?'
It was ironic.
I had spent so much time and effort to get here, and yet I had never had a priest on my team.
Well, I needed a healer. Potions weren't as effective anymore—
"…Huh?"
I stopped as I saw a familiar crest on a golden wax seal.
'House Alminus…?'
I quickly tore open the envelope and read the letter.
It was a long, formal letter, typical of a noble family.
The gist of it was this:
[I would like to resolve the misunderstanding between us. Please visit me whenever you have time.]
Count Alminus was extending an olive branch.
______________________
"A misunderstanding…"
Why the sudden change of heart?
The only possibility was the Stone of Honor.
He must have realized that it was more beneficial to befriend me now that my influence had grown.
He hadn't cared about the money in the first place. It was all about his pride.
Well, there might be other reasons…
'I'll meet with him later…'
I went back to my room and slept until nightfall. And then, after receiving Amelia's farewell, I climbed over the wall.
"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"
"It's fine. It's easier to move alone."
"Hmm, if you say so."
I wore an iron helmet and moved through the city, avoiding the crowds. I finally stopped in front of a tavern in a back alley of Commelby.
"This place looks like a construction site."
The building was dilapidated, practically falling apart.
The tavern wasn't even open for business, and the sign was rusted and barely hanging on.
Creak—
The interior was even worse than the exterior.
Construction debris and dust covered the floor.
Except for the path leading inwards.
'Look at all those footprints.'
I followed the footprints and found a staircase leading to the basement.
There was a steel door at the bottom of the stairs, but no guards.
It wasn't that kind of place.
'I wonder what's behind this door?'
I had always been curious about it in the game, so I decided to test its durability.
Creak, creak, boom!
The door, along with its hinges, came off the wall.
But there was nothing behind it.
Just a wall.
'That's anticlimactic.'
I was disappointed, but then I noticed a small slot next to where the door had been.
I inserted the magic stone I had prepared and then swiped my ID card.
And then…
Flash!
I was teleported.
You could only enter the black market through teleportation.
That's why there were hundreds of entrances scattered throughout the city.
'I can't believe I'm finally here.'
I was in a small stone room, about the size of a closet.
There was a door leading to a hallway, and the number 217 was written on it.
'Damn, 217… It's going to be a long walk to the main street.'
I was about to open the door when…
Crash!
The door swung open from the other side, and three masked figures entered.
Hmm, there was no welcoming committee in the game.
"What's your business?"
"…Did you damage the door before entering?"
"Ah, that?"
I hadn't expected them to notice, but I answered honestly.
"I was curious what was behind it."
"…You'll have to come with us."
"What if I refuse?"
"I wasn't asking for your opinion. Get him!"
Two of the figures approached me.
I regretted breaking the door.
'I wanted to look around…'
Well, it couldn't be helped. I would have to deal with them first.
Thud.
I pushed them away.
It was a casual gesture, like swatting away flies.
But they didn't attack me. They just backed away, keeping their distance.
"…So you're an explorer."
"You're being informal."
"You're just a nuisance. I'll treat you accordingly."
"Oh, really?"
I scratched my ear with my pinky finger, and he lowered his voice.
"Judging by your size, you're either a barbarian or a beastman. And this is probably your first time here."
"How did you know?"
"If you knew anything about this place, you wouldn't have done something so foolish. Kid."
His words were a little offensive.
Who did he think he was, talking to me like that?
I took off my helmet.
There was no need to hide my identity anymore.
"…A barbarian."
He didn't recognize me.
But it didn't matter.
Whoosh!
He activated his Aura.
But it didn't faze me.
This wasn't the Pilgrim's Cave.
As long as I could use my skills, Aura was meaningless.
Like this.
Whizz!
He thrust his sword forward.
I grabbed the blade with my bare hand.
"······!"
His reaction was predictable.
I could feel his surprise through the trembling blade.
I smirked and pulled.
And…
Crack!
I punched him in the face.
One down.
"…R-Reinforcements!"
The other two tried to run away, but I grabbed them by the scruff of their necks and slammed their heads against the wall.
'They were surprisingly weak.'
I wiped the blood off my hands.
It was a mixture of their blood and mine.
I had a deep cut on my hand from blocking his sword. I hadn't activated [Gigantification], so my Physical Resistance wasn't as high as usual.
But it didn't matter.
It would heal quickly.
"Now, let's see…"
I bent down and removed the first thug's mask. Or rather, I brushed away the shattered fragments.
But I couldn't recognize his face. His nose was broken, and his face was covered in blood.
"…This place is more secure than I thought. I didn't expect them to be this cautious."
He spoke, his voice hoarse,
"B-Bjorn… Yandel…?"
He had finally recognized me.
"W-What are you… doing here…?"
"I have some business to take care of. And I have a few questions for you."
"...."
"Where's the boss…?"
He had passed out.
I dropped him on the floor and stepped out into the hallway. The onlookers flinched and backed away.
They were customers, not staff.
'They won't know anything…'
"Hey! What's going on here?!"
Another thug appeared from around the corner, running towards us.
And…
"W-What the…"
He froze as he saw the open door and the bodies inside.
I felt like a villain in a horror movie.
"…Aaaaah!"
He started backing away, and I grabbed him by the scruff of his neck.
"Where can I find the head of the black market?"
"…I-I can't tell you…"
"You'll die if you don't."
I threatened him, but he just closed his eyes, as if accepting his fate.
"K-Kill me… It's better than… betraying them…"
"Oh, really?"
Crack!
I flicked his forehead, and he collapsed. It seemed like intimidation wouldn't work.
But that was a minor problem.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The alarm bells started ringing.
"Intruder! Intruder alert!"
More thugs appeared, as if they were spawning endlessly.
I roared,
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"
Something would come out of this.
______________________
「Character has cast [Gigantification].」
「Character has used a Transformation ability.」
「[Primordial Cell] reduces Soul Power consumption of the skill by half, and increases the highest stat by 1.5 times.」
______________________
The black market was located somewhere underground.
No one knew its exact location, but it was a well-known fact.
It made sense.
If a building the size of three soccer fields was located above ground, it would have been discovered long ago—
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Damn it, that's annoying.
When will they turn off that alarm?
And where's the main street?
'This place is huge.'
Well, there was an advantage to the building's size.
Unlike the cramped stone room, the hallways were spacious, and I could use [Gigantification] without any problems.
Like this.
Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!
I charged through the hallway, my giant body taking up the entire space. The people I encountered could be divided into two groups.
"R-Run…!"
The customers who were here to shop, terrified by my appearance.
"Stop him…!"
And the thugs who were trying to protect the black market.
I had sensed it when I saw the Aura user earlier, but the thugs were stronger than I expected.
'Their average level is around 4th floor…'
And some of them seemed strong enough to survive on the 6th floor.
Considering their infinite respawn rate, even I would be in danger if I fought them alone.
But I was surprisingly calm.
They couldn't kill me.
Not because of my strength, but because of something else.
"…S-Stop! We have orders to capture you alive…!"
"What?! C-Capture him alive?!"
Right, the higher-ups had finally heard about my arrival.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
I increased my speed, and the thug in front of me shrieked.
"H-How are we supposed to capture that monster alive?!"
He trembled and swung his weapon, but I just charged at him. He desperately changed the trajectory of his attack and slammed his weapon into the wall.
Kwang!
It was an admirable display of loyalty… but also a foolish one.
He wouldn't even scratch me with that attack.
"Hey, Baron Yandel! Stop! The higher-ups want to talk to y—"
What? This is getting interesting.
I had an invincible dodge skill now.
I charged forward, ignoring their attacks.
Kwang! Thud! Clang!
Their weapons couldn't touch me.
It was a whole new world.
I just had to run, and their attacks would miss automatically. It felt like I was a martial arts master who had achieved enlightenment.
"Hahaha!"
I ran even faster, enjoying the feeling.
"Shield wall!"
The thugs started forming a shield wall, trying to stop me.
It was a desperate measure.
If I died, the black market would be shut down.
They might have a reputation for not fearing nobles, but they couldn't afford to offend a Baron.
"I repeat, do not attack!"
The higher-ups knew.
If they harmed a titled noble, they would be destroyed.
Their only option was to kill me discreetly… but I had already encountered countless customers on my way here.
I had plenty of witnesses.
"Hiding behind shields, you cowards!"
"...?!"
"Bring me your leader! I, Bjorn Yandel, will judge you in the name of the royal family!"
"W-We told you! The Chair wants to t-talk—"
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"
I continued to charge through the shield wall.
Their numbers were increasing, and the shield wall was becoming more and more solid. Mages and ability users joined the fight, casting curse magic…
And I was starting to feel the pressure.
Thud.
I stopped and turned around.
The hallway behind me was also filled with thugs.
'Hmm, if I just surrender like this, they'll underestimate me…'
As I was contemplating my next move, a high-ranking thug appeared from behind the shield wall.
"…Baron! Please calm down and let's talk—"
"I have nothing to say to you villains!"
"…But you have nowhere to go!"
Nowhere to go?
They didn't know barbarians.
'Okay, that's it.'
I swung my hammer.
Not at the thugs hiding behind their shields…
But at the wall on my left.
Kwaaang!
If there was no path, I would create one.
-x-X-x-
Kwaaang!
I charged through the hole in the wall, running down the empty passage. And when I reached a dead end, I swung my hammer again.
Kwaaang!
Sometimes, the path was blocked, but it wasn't a big deal.
The building's structure meant there was always a way up or down.
Like this.
Kwang!
I smashed through the ceiling and climbed upstairs, arriving at a strange place.
The lighting was dim, unlike the brightly lit hallways I had been running through.
Dozens of cages lined the narrow passage.
And inside the cages were… people.
Or rather, demi-humans.
They all had the same tattoo in the same spot, regardless of their race.
'Slaves…'
They just stared blankly into space, even after seeing a giant barbarian burst through the ceiling.
It was a strange feeling.
'So slavery still exists…'
Slavery was illegal in Lafdonia.
Criminals used to be legally enslaved, but slavery had been abolished about a hundred years ago.
The most heinous criminals were executed, and those who had been enslaved for minor offenses or debt were granted their freedom.
Of course, most of them died soon after, unable to pay their taxes.
"Hey."
I spoke to a young boy who seemed to have some life left in his eyes.
"...!"
He flinched and pressed himself against the back of the cage.
I ignored his fear and asked,
"How did you end up here?"
One of the thugs who had followed me answered.
"…S-Stop this, Baron Yandel!"
What? What was he going to do?
He couldn't do anything but stand there and watch.
I ignored him and looked at the boy.
The thug's shout seemed to have had an unexpected effect.
"Giant…?"
The boy muttered my title and then approached the bars, his eyes wide.
"They say the Giant is a hero… that he saves people and punishes villains… Is it true?"
"Sort of."
"…Did you come to save us?"
"No."
I answered honestly.
"I just happened to find you. Now tell me. How did you end up here?"
The boy hesitated, glancing at me and the thug, and then he spoke.
"My mother… couldn't pay her debts. So I have to pay them instead."
"What happened to your mother?"
"She… died because she couldn't pay her taxes."
"What about the fairy next to you?"
I glanced at the woman in the same cage, and the boy whispered,
"Riley… she couldn't pay her debts either. Even though she could have, some bad people stopped her. So she was brought here."
"...."
"…She said she would escape and come back for me… but after she was taken away a few times, she stopped talking."
"I see."
So that's why he was the only one who still had some light in his eyes. The others must have been brainwashed.
A person's will could be easily broken.
'I've gathered enough information…'
I turned my gaze towards the thugs.
The one in front flinched, as if he had been caught bullying a weaker kid.
Step.
I took a step forward and asked,
"Do you know…?"
He gulped and raised his shield.
"I haven't killed anyone yet."
I had beaten them up, but I hadn't killed them.
"Why do you think that is?"
"…Because you don't want to make enemies of us. That's what the higher-ups think."
"Really?"
I nodded.
"That's right."
That's why they had been so passive.
They knew I wouldn't kill them unless they attacked me first.
If I had been rampaging through the black market, they would have received different orders. They would have been told to subdue me, even if it meant killing me.
So my plan was to establish dominance and then negotiate with their leader.
But…
"Tell me what you want."
Plan B was Plan B for a reason.
There were always unexpected variables in this world.
Like this.
"We're ready to talk to the Bar—"
I punched him in the jaw before he could finish his sentence.
Crack!
He flew backwards like a baseball, crashing into the wall and collapsing to the ground.
"He's tougher than he looks."
I looked down at him and said,
"I was aiming to kill."
The other thugs flinched. They hadn't expected that.
"W-What do you mean?"
Ah, that?
"You said you didn't want to make an enemy of us, didn't you?"
"Y-Yes, but…"
I raised my hammer, and his expression changed.
"Stop this, Baron. You'll regret it…"
That was a strange thing to say.
"Why would I regret it?"
I swung my hammer down with all my might.
Crack!
He stopped moving.
"You're the ones who should be regretting this."
That's how it works, right?
______________________
"...."
"...."
The conversation was over. The thugs didn't say a word, their eyes fixed on me.
Swoosh.
I took a step forward, and they retreated.
I was waiting for the right moment to charge…
Creak!
…when I heard a sound behind me.
A heavy steel door at the end of the hallway was opening.
Several thugs emerged, escorting a middle-aged man.
"That's enough, Baron Yandel."
"Who are you?"
"I'm Mel, the current head of the Shadow Trading Company."
In other words, he was the owner of the black market.
He gave his subordinates a look.
"How is he doing? Is he still alive?"
"…He's still breathing, Master."
"That's good."
Mel then turned to me and asked,
"Baron Yandel, may I heal my subordinate before we begin our conversation?"
"Do you really think a Baron of Lafdonia would accept a request from a rebel group?"
"Haha, rebel group… You think too lowly of us, Baron."
"Should I think highly of those who break the law?"
"Hmm, is that so?"
He nodded, as if he understood my point, and then he said coldly,
"Everyone, leave."
His subordinates were shocked.
"…Master!"
"It's too dangerous!"
But Mel didn't change his mind.
"I won't say it again."
They didn't dare argue with him and started leaving the hallway.
Step, step.
Mel approached me.
I was confused.
Was he incredibly strong? Or was this just a clone?
Swoosh.
He stopped in front of me and turned his back to me, kneeling down. He pulled out a potion and poured it on the injured thug's face.
Sizzle!
The thug's mangled face bubbled and hissed. His body, which had been motionless, started twitching.
"A high-grade potion."
"Yes, it is."
I didn't understand.
What was going on?
I couldn't figure it out, so I asked him directly.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm saving my subordinate."
"You're risking your life for that?"
"Yes. He's one of my men."
I was speechless.
I had met countless leaders, but this was the first time I had encountered someone like him.
"You're risking your life for a single subordinate?"
"Value is subjective. Just like you changed your mind after seeing those slaves."
"…You're a strange one."
"Shall we move to a more suitable location for a conversation? This place isn't exactly… pleasant."
He turned and walked away, and I followed him, still dumbfounded.
We entered a small room after passing through several doors.
"This is one of the private rooms for our customers. I've dismissed all the customers, so we won't be interrupted."
He sat down at the table in the center of the room.
And then he looked at me expectantly.
I had to ask.
"Aren't you afraid?"
"I am."
"You don't seem afraid."
"But I don't have a choice. If I harm you, my family and this place will be destroyed. I'm not that reckless."
"And this isn't reckless?"
"If I die, that's the end of it. Someone else will take my place. It might take some time, but everything will return to normal. The bottom always collects the filth."
"...."
"Ah, of course, you'll just leave empty-handed after venting your anger."
He was surprisingly bold.
We hadn't talked for long, but I could already tell…
He wasn't someone I could easily intimidate.
But I didn't want to waste any more time.
"So what do you want to say?"
"I think you're the one with something to say. You came here for a reason, didn't you?"
Ah, right.
Damn it, now I didn't know what to say.
I decided to just tell him what I wanted.
"Give me the names of your clients."
That was the main reason I had come here.
[Some mages… are placing requests on the black market.]
Someone was trying to buy barbarian hearts.
[They're also after… your heart…]
Someone had even placed a bounty on my heart.
[I-I swear… I just received a request from the black market… I don't know who the client is…]
And someone had hired the Sawtooth Clan to sabotage our raid.
"So… that's why you came here."
"Just answer the question."
"Giving you the names of our clients is a difficult request."
"So you're refusing?"
"No, I'm a merchant. This will hurt my business, but it's better than making an enemy of you."
"What do you mean?"
"I'll gather the information and send it to you today."
He readily agreed.
It was an unexpected development.
I had thought I would have to negotiate for a long time, even after all the commotion I had caused.
"Is that all?"
"No, one more thing."
"Go ahead."
I made one last request.
"Release the slaves."
I couldn't just leave them here.
"Hmm, you seem to believe in human dignity, Baron Yandel."
"You ask a lot of questions. It was a yes or no question, wasn't it?"
"…Can I think about it for a moment?"
"Sure."
He closed his eyes, as if deep in thought.
He opened them after about three minutes.
"Alright. I'll release all the slaves, and I won't be involved in the slave trade anymore."
"…That was a quick decision."
I tried to sound nonchalant, but he answered readily, as if it wasn't a secret.
"It's a business I've been wanting to quit for a while now."
"You have?"
"There have been too many problems with the buyers. They often mistreat the slaves, and it almost caused a major incident a few times."
He had wanted to quit, but he couldn't find a good excuse. It was a profitable business that had been passed down through generations.
"But now that you're here, Baron Yandel, no one will object. It's a good thing, actually."
"...."
"So, is that all?"
"Yes. I'll leave as soon as I receive the information and the slaves."
"Then I'll have to hurry."
He summoned his subordinates and gave them instructions.
By dawn, I had received the information about the clients and the slaves.
And…
"Mel Asmond."
I asked him before leaving,
"Why are you giving in so easily?"
He just looked at me for a long time.
"So you know about my family, Baron Yandel."
I had cleared the black market episode in the game, so I knew about his family. They had been the rulers of this place for generations.
But…
"That's not what I asked."
He finally answered.
"Heroes always die young. There's no reason for us to get involved."
In other words, he thought I would die soon if I kept acting like this.
'He's an interesting one.'
Mel Asmond, the owner of the black market.
I had a feeling we would meet again.
-x-X-x-
There's a saying that you should check someone's room before marrying them.
A room reveals a lot about its owner.
Whether they prefer luxury or frugality, whether they're tidy or messy, what colors they like, what hobbies they have, what their occupation is…
Even without knowing anything about the owner, you can get a rough idea of who they are just by looking at their room.
For example, the reception room I was currently sitting in.
"...."
It had a stately, luxurious atmosphere.
The furniture and decorations weren't ostentatious, but they were clearly expensive.
Crunch.
The table was laden with a variety of snacks, more than enough for a single person.
Pour.
A servant stood by the door, refilling my glass whenever it was half empty.
And the pièce de résistance…
'I've never seen a reception room with a dedicated musician.'
A bald musician sat in a corner, playing a soothing melody on a stringed instrument.
'He doesn't seem to have been hired just for today…'
It told me a lot about the owner of this room.
'He's a merchant, at heart.'
This reception room wasn't just for show, it was for business.
I could feel it.
He wasn't just trying to show off his wealth, he was trying to make me feel welcome.
'Our appointment is in five minutes. He's punctual.'
I crossed my legs and unfolded a newspaper.
It was a random newspaper, but the first page was about me.
Well, I guess it would have been the same with any newspaper.
[The Great Hero Inscribed on the Stone of Honor, Baron Yandel the Giant, Draws His Sword Against the Rebels of the Underworld…!]
The incident at the black market three days ago had finally been made public.
Well, even if Mozelan had tried to keep it quiet, they couldn't hide the fact that 397 slaves had been freed.
'But they didn't mention that most of the buyers were nobles.'
The article was full of holes, but it still contained some useful information.
For example, the slaves who had been presumed dead had regained their identities.
They were currently staying at a temporary shelter provided by Mozelan, and a policy to exempt them from taxes for five years was being prepared.
And there was even an interview.
[…He said, 'It's not me, but you, who should be regretting this.']
It was an anonymous interview, but judging by the content, it was probably the young boy from the cage.
'Oh, the black market is closed? Well, it's better to lay low in times like this.'
I finished reading the article, and the servant approached me.
"Count Alminus has arrived."
"I see."
I folded the newspaper and placed it on the table.
"Let him in."
It was time for business.
______________________
「Character's Fame has increased by +10.」
「Character's Fame has increased by +10.」
「Character's Fame has increased by +10…」
「….」
「….」
______________________
"Hahaha!"
"Hehe…"
A vulgar laugh and a refined chuckle echoed through the room.
And a photographer stood next to the table, taking pictures of us.
It was a business transaction.
The price of the A-cut he was about to take was 2.135 billion stones.
"Baron Yandel, can you… can you smile a little more… manlier…?"
"Of course! Hahaha!"
"Count, please look in that direction and smile."
"Certainly. Hehe! Hehehe…"
Count Alminus had offered to drop the lawsuit in exchange for a photo op.
He said that each photo would be recorded in history.
He was an old man, nearing the end of his life, so he seemed to value his legacy more than anything.
At first, I thought it was a ridiculous request…
But then I understood.
I would also be impressed if my grandfather had a picture with Einstein.
"Hahaha!"
"Hehehe…"
Anyway, the photographer kept giving us instructions.
He said our smiles weren't genuine enough.
He gave me a cheap beer and the Count a glass of wine and told us to make a toast.
And…
"Perfect! That's the one!"
…that was the A-cut.
The Count was satisfied with the photo and gave the photographer a generous bonus.
That concluded our business for the day.
"Hehe, you've worked hard, Baron. Why don't you stay for dinner?"
"I'm not hungry."
"...?"
Ah, I made a mistake.
"I have someone waiting for me at home. Maybe next time."
"Hehe, that's right… It's always better to have dinner with your family."
The Count, ever the businessman, smoothly glossed over my mistake.
And then he made an offer.
"By the way, I heard you did something remarkable. You know, rescuing those 397 slaves from the black market."
"Ah…"
"Your youthful vigor is inspiring. It makes my old blood boil! I'd like to contribute to your good deed…"
He was asking for permission to join the bandwagon.
I was about to refuse…
"Those poor souls… almost 400 of them… they don't even have a place to live, do they?"
"…So?"
"I can help them. They might be exempt from taxes, but they still need a place to live, don't they?"
It was a surprising offer.
A house for each of the 400 slaves?
No wonder he was the richest man in the kingdom.
"More heroes are always welcome. I won't refuse your offer."
I readily accepted.
It might not have been out of pure altruism, but it would be a great help to the former slaves.
"Don't worry. You'll get the credit."
That concluded our conversation, and I left the mansion.
The next morning, the newspaper's front page was about us.
[Count Alminus pledges a personal donation of 2 billion stones. When asked why, he says, 'It's just a small gesture for an old friend.']
Along with the photo we had taken yesterday.
______________________
"Ugh, I've become a poster boy…"
I put down the newspaper, feeling a strange sense of self-loathing, and Shabin Emure, the head of the administrative team, rushed into the tent.
And…
"It's been days since the labyrinth closed! Where have you been?!"
She yelled at me.
"Uh…?"
"Here are the documents. Don't even think about leaving until you've reviewed and signed them all!"
She seemed much more aggressive than before.
I assumed it was because of work-related stress and chuckled.
"Alright, alright, calm down."
"…."
"But why are there so many? I delegated most of the authority to you, didn't I?"
"…This is just the stuff I couldn't handle without your approval. The tribe's budget is increasing rapidly, so we need to adjust the monthly budget, and I can't do that on my own. I had to create temporary approval documents and make temporary entries in the ledger. I had to do everything twice, even three times!"
"Oh… I see…?"
How could I escape this?
As I was thinking that, Shabin's eyes narrowed.
"Don't even think about running away."
"…Can't you just handle this yourself?"
"Ha! Why not?! I can just decide the tribe's budget, set the land prices, and even give myself a raise!"
She raised her voice, as if she couldn't believe my suggestion.
I didn't understand.
She was clearly being sarcastic, but…
"Why not?"
"...What?"
"Shabin, I trust you. More than anyone."
"...?"
"I won't blame you if you make a mistake. I'll take full responsibility. I put you in charge because I trust you. That's what a chieftain does."
"...."
"So trust yourself and do it. You're the expert in this field, just like I'm the expert in the labyrinth. Your decisions will be better than mine."
Okay, she seemed convinced.
It was time for the final blow.
"And your salary… you can decide that too. Ask for whatever you want."
"…You're going to get yourself in trouble."
"Well, if that's the value you place on yourself, I won't deny it."
She stared at me in silence for a long time.
And after a while…
"…I've always thought… I could do a better job than them… but I was scared."
"Everyone's scared at first."
I gave her a reassuring smile, and she clenched her fists, as if making up her mind.
"…I'll do it. I can't make any more excuses. I have to prove my worth."
"Good. I'm counting on you."
I left the tent, relieved to have escaped the paperwork.
And then I found Ainar and gave her a new task.
"Gather all the warriors in the sanctuary?"
"Yes, I have something to tell them."
I felt bad for the administrative team, who were working day and night… but this was the real reason I had come to the sanctuary.
I needed a bit of a performance.
"I'll gather them, but there will be a lot of them."
"A lot?"
"Didn't you know? Everyone's building houses these days, so the sanctuary is packed."
"I heard the third land sale ended, but I didn't think there would be that many."
"You can't build a house alone, can you? They're all calling their friends and working together."
Oh, I see.
"Anyway, gather them all! Tell them there will be something interesting!"
"Something interesting…?"
"You'll see."
"Hehehe! You're up to something! I want in!"
Ainar, excited, left to gather the warriors, and I waited at the designated location.
The warriors started arriving one by one.
Most of them were unfamiliar faces.
They were all carrying hammers, the ones used for hammering nails.
They had just come from building houses.
"It's the Chieftain!!"
"Oh! The great warrior who was inscribed on the Stone of Honor three times!!!"
The warriors who had arrived earlier were excited to see me. I had been worried they might be angry for being summoned…
"You said there would be something interesting!"
"What is it? Why did you call us all here?!"
"Let's get started!!"
…but it seemed like they were also stressed from building houses.
"Wait! I'll tell you when everyone's here!"
After about an hour, the entire forest was filled with barbarians.
It was like a festival, with all the noise and commotion.
Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!
The warriors were pounding their chests.
"Bjorn."
"It's Chieftain in the sanctuary."
"…Chieftain, everyone's here."
"Really?"
Then it was time to go.
There was no need for a long speech.
"Follow me!"
I didn't even tell them where we were going, or why.
But they parted like the Red Sea as I started walking, and then they followed me.
"Waaaaaaaaaah!"
"Bjorn, son of Yandel!!"
"Let's go!"
A long procession of barbarians.
We reached the gate connecting the sanctuary to the city, and the guards opened it without a word.
Clatter, clatter.
The heavy gate creaked open.
And just like the day I first woke up in this body, the familiar gray city appeared before me.
The paved roads, the stone buildings, the towering spire…
"Let's go!"
I started walking, and the pedestrians on the street moved to the side, making way for us.
I felt a little bad for disrupting their day…
"Wow! It's Baron Yandel! Mom, it's Baron Yandel!"
"I-It's really him…!"
"Waaaaaaaaaah!"
…but they didn't seem to mind.
In fact, they seemed excited, calling out to their friends and family to come and watch.
Clatter!
Windows opened, and people peeked out, watching our procession.
They all had the same question.
"Where are they going?"
"I don't know…"
"Should we call the guards? There are so many of them…"
Indeed, the city guards soon appeared in front of us.
"Greetings, Baron Yandel."
"Why are you blocking our path?"
"W-We received a report…"
"Are you arresting us? We're just walking."
"O-Of course not! No, sir!"
"Then move."
The guard captain, dumbfounded, stepped aside.
And…
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!!"
The procession continued, reaching the city center.
And then the knights appeared.
"Greetings, Baron Yandel."
They were from Mozelan, known for their strict enforcement of the law.
But they wouldn't touch me.
"If you'll excuse me, where are you headed, Baron Yandel?"
"Why should I tell you?"
"We haven't received any notice about this… event… We're just confirming."
Of course, I didn't have to answer.
"We're just taking a walk. Mind your own business."
"…A walk…?"
The knight looked troubled.
If I had been an ordinary citizen, he would have dispersed the crowd and arrested the organizers.
But…
"Are you questioning me?"
I was a Baron of this kingdom.
"Of course not. We're just concerned. We have to investigate when a large group like this gathers. Please understand."
"We won't be leaving Ravigion. Is that a satisfactory answer?"
I told him that we wouldn't be going to Commelby, the commercial district, or Karnon, the Imperial City.
The knights seemed relieved and nodded.
"May we… accompany you?"
"I won't stop you from walking."
"Thank you…"
They couldn't stop me, so they decided to follow me.
And after a while…
"It's the barbarians!"
"The barbarians are here!!"
The news of our march had spread throughout the city.
The citizens lined the streets, watching us like a parade.
"The Mage Tower…! They're heading towards the Mage Tower!!"
They had finally figured out our destination.
And that only fueled the barbarians' excitement.
"The Mage Tower? We're going to the Mage Tower?!"
"Bjorn, son of Yandel, the great warrior!!!"
"The Chieftain is leading us to a sacred battle!"
"It's time to carve the flesh from the mages' bones!!"
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"
The warriors' shouts echoed through the streets.
"Th-Those lunatics…!"
"Are they really going to fight the Mage Tower?"
"But why?"
"Hearts! Barbarian hearts! The mages are using them as ingredients for their magic!"
"…This is going to be interesting."
I ignored the commotion and continued walking.
And after a while…
Thud.
I stopped.
The black spire of the Mage Tower loomed before us.
A large crowd had gathered in the plaza.
And…
"…"
Hundreds of mages had come out to meet us.
"…"
"…"
Silence fell over the plaza as the two groups faced each other. It was so quiet that you could almost hear a pin drop.
An old mage stepped forward.
"I am Wibels Gwyln, the Chief Mage of the Lengman School."
The Chief Mage was like the head disciple in a martial arts novel.
And since the Master of the Lengman School was the Mage Tower Master, this old man was practically the second-in-command.
"And you are…?"
He knew who I was.
Mages loved their formalities.
"Me…?"
I chuckled.
Giant.
Leader of Clan Anabada.
Chieftain of the Barbarians.
Baron of Lafdonia.
I didn't need those titles.
"Bjorn, son of Yandel."
The old mage sighed and nodded.
"I see. It's an honor to meet you, hero. But what brings you to the Mage Tower?"
"I'm here to do what should have been done a long time ago."
"What should have been done a long time ago…? I'm afraid I don't understand."
"Then I'll tell you."
I raised my voice so everyone in the plaza could hear.
"I, Bjorn, son of Yandel, demand that the Mage Tower stop using our hearts as ingredients for their magic!"
"…So that's what this is about…"
The old mage muttered, his hand on his forehead, and then he sighed deeply.
He then tried to reason with me.
"It's a legitimate research project. Even you, a Baron of the kingdom and the Chieftain of the Barbarians, can't just stop it. If you have any objections, file a formal complaint with the royal family—"
"Be brief."
"…Huh?"
"Keep it short, old man."
He seemed offended by the word 'old man'.
"It seems like you can't understand complex sentences, so I'll keep it short."
He glared at me, his wrinkled face wrinkling even further.
His voice was cold and hard, unlike his usual gentle tone.
"If we refuse…"
He looked up at me with a defiant gaze.
"Then what?"
He asked.
"…!"
"…!"
After a brief pause, I answered.
"It's war."
That was enough.
"…War?!"
"It's war!"
"To arms! To arms!!"
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"
We had endured enough.
______________________
「Character's Approval Rating has increased by +10.」
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「….」
「….」
-x-X-x-
A declaration of war that had been brewing for over ten years.
"...!!!"
"...!!!"
Mages, citizens filling the plaza, Mozelan knights… everyone's eyes widened in shock.
Their expressions all said the same thing: 'What did I just hear?'
The old mage, after a moment of stunned silence, finally spoke.
"…That's a heavy joke."
A joke…
Well, denial was a common reaction to shocking news.
I didn't bother answering and waited.
Even barbarians needed time to process this.
About three seconds.
"…W-War…!!"
One of the warriors shouted.
And then the floodgates opened.
"It's war! It's war!"
"To arms! To arms!"
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"
Over a thousand warriors roared in unison, and the mages guarding the Mage Tower flinched.
It was understandable.
Comparing the combat power of a mage and a warrior based on size was absurd…
But the visual impact was undeniable.
"Uwaaaaaaaaaaah!"
"Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo!"
Hundreds of muscular barbarians, their average height over seven feet, were charging towards them.
It was intimidating.
"Old man."
I took a step towards the mages and asked,
"Does it still sound like a joke?"
"...."
The old mage didn't answer. He looked like he was in a daze.
Damn it, I was talking to him.
Step.
I was about to take another step forward when…
"B-Baron Yandel! Y-You can't do this!"
A Mozelan knight rushed towards me, panicking.
He had been stunned by the barbarians' war cries, but he had finally regained his senses and remembered his duty.
"W-War?! You can't declare war! Let's calm down and talk! For the sake of the royal family…!"
His choice of words wasn't bad.
If he had threatened me with the royal family's wrath, the situation would have escalated.
"Talk…?"
"Y-Yes! We can find a compromise! Both the Mage Tower and the barbarians are important pillars of this city! Please reconsider… for the sake of the city…!"
I pretended to consider his plea and then nodded.
"Alright!"
"R-Really?!"
Right, the show of force was enough.
I had no intention of actually attacking the Mage Tower.
I had already attracted enough attention.
If I attacked now, the barbarians would be the villains.
So…
"Lewin Passtolume of the Egatile School!"
I started calling out names.
"Lurendel Lungonerd of the Hulbunt School! Ordwig Verteff of the Altus School! Ellenel Dwainine of the Galatir School!"
The citizens, who had been wondering what I was doing, now listened intently as I called out the names of the mages.
"Tols Ellin of the Evound School! Ukla Trazig of the Ornstalt School! Wiltom School's…"
I listed twenty-one names and then turned to the old mage.
"Old man, do you know who these people are?"
"Of course. They're all promising young mages."
"Wrong."
I shook my head and said firmly,
"They're the mages who placed requests on the black market for barbarian hearts!"
Every war needed a justification.
"Ah! So that's why the barbarians are here…!"
"They must have obtained that information when they rescued the slaves from the black market!"
The citizens nodded, finally understanding my motives. Some even expressed their support.
But…
'This isn't the main course yet.'
The appetizer was just the appetizer.
"Master Lurendel Galinbaret of the Triten School."
I mentioned another name and asked,
"Do you know who he is?"
"...."
The old mage didn't answer. He was probably following his lawyer's advice.
Well, silence wouldn't change the truth.
"He's the one who placed a bounty on my heart."
I dropped the bombshell.
"...!!"
"...!!"
It was different from just placing a request for barbarian hearts.
A living person's heart.
It was practically an assassination request.
"…Gwyln, if this is true, he will be punished, and the Mage Tower will be held responsible."
The Mozelan knight, who had been trying to figure out how to stop me, now turned to the old mage and threatened him.
Mozelan wasn't affiliated with the mages.
They were the protectors of the nobles.
"…Nothing has been confirmed yet. But I promise you, we will thoroughly investigate this matter."
The old mage gave a vague, noncommittal answer, and the Mozelan knight couldn't argue with him.
He acknowledged the gravity of the situation, but he didn't have the authority to make a judgment on the spot.
Of course, I didn't have to hold back.
"The Mage Tower is suspected of colluding with the rebels of the black market. I don't trust your investigation."
"…That's our prerogative, Baron. And besides, you have no proof."
"Proof…"
I had anticipated that response.
I used the ancient barbarian secret technique.
"I swear."
"...?"
"I, Bjorn, son of Yandel, Chieftain of the Barbarian Tribe and Baron of the Lafdonia Kingdom, swear on my honor, and the name of my tribe! Everything I have said here today is true!"
It was just an empty oath.
But it was enough.
It swayed the crowd.
"He's making a public declaration… he must be confident."
"Do you think the Baron would lie?"
"Those filthy mages! They dared to plot against the Baron!"
"Bring them to justice!"
My reputation as a hero, my noble title, my image as an honest and straightforward barbarian… and the justification I had provided… it all combined to turn public opinion in my favor.
"Gwyln, you have to explain yourself. The Baron has made a serious accusation."
"As I said, we will investigate this matter."
"That's your prerogative, but do you really want to do that? You can just summon those mages and ask them directly."
"...."
"I guarantee you, Mozelan will be granted the authority to investigate the Mage Tower by tonight. Plotting to assassinate a noble is a serious crime. Do you really want that?"
If Mozelan was granted the authority to investigate, the Mage Tower would be thoroughly scrutinized.
And they would definitely find something.
But the old mage's decision was…
"We appreciate your concern, but we'll handle this ourselves."
"You're choosing the hard path. It would be so much easier to just summon them and ask."
"...."
The old mage remained silent, and that sealed the deal.
Silence was sometimes the clearest answer.
"Those filthy mages! I knew it!"
"They're trying to protect their own!"
The Mage Tower was now the villain, and the barbarians' anger was justified.
If the old mage had agreed to summon the mages I had accused and punish them, the situation wouldn't have escalated this far…
'He's probably thinking he can smooth things over later, once the initial outrage dies down.'
His mistake gave me an opportunity.
"Citizens of this city, who believe in justice and fair play, listen!"
The crowd, which had been shouting and cursing at the Mage Tower, fell silent.
It was the perfect opportunity to incite them.
"The corrupt mages of the Mage Tower refuse to admit their guilt! They're still trying to protect their own! They can just summon those mages and verify my claims, but they're refusing! Doesn't that prove their guilt?!"
"Yes!"
I reinforced my position.
"They'll probably go back and destroy the evidence, and then come back with fabricated results. We've seen this happen countless times. Haven't we?"
"Yes—!!"
I stirred their anger.
The anger of the common people.
And then…
"But I won't stand idly by and watch this injustice unfold."
I told them.
That I would fight for them.
"I, Bjorn, son of Yandel…!"
I swore on my name.
"Promise you! Justice will be served! In this city, built upon the laws of the Lafdonia Kingdom!"
"Waaaaaaaaaah!"
The crowd roared in approval.
Okay, the mood was set.
The mages wouldn't be able to retaliate with civilians present.
The stage was set.
Therefore…
"Haa…"
I took a deep breath and then shouted with all my might.
"Charge!"
I had been holding back ever since the war with the fairies.
It was time to remind this city…
What barbarians were capable of.
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"
We didn't talk.
______________________
Alex Halo, the Vice-Custodian of the 3rd Magic Corps.
He had just finished his regular report and was about to leave his office when he glanced at his superior.
Her uniform was impeccably ironed, despite the long hours she worked.
Her blue eyes were sharp and alert, despite the exhaustion.
Her small hand gripped a pen…
"What are you doing? Aren't you leaving?"
He flinched at her words and quickly said,
"Y-You've been reading the newspaper a lot lately…"
"Ah… this?"
Her desk was covered in newspapers.
But she avoided his gaze.
As if she was embarrassed.
"It's just… a hobby. It gets boring staying here all day. I need to know what's going on in the world."
"…I see."
But the newspapers on her desk were always about the same person.
"I heard there's been a lot of commotion lately. Baron Yandel's name was inscribed on the Stone of Honor, right?"
"That's right. It was just a joke when we first met… but now he's a true hero."
Her voice sounded wistful.
Alex tilted his head.
"Aren't you happy? He was your former teammate, wasn't he?"
"Former teammate…"
"Ah…"
Alex realized his mistake and fell silent.
He looked at his superior, who was staring out the window with a melancholic expression, and felt a strange sense of unease.
It was an expression he, a mere subordinate, could never understand.
"...."
"...."
She was lost in thought, her chin resting on her hand, and Alex just stared at her profile.
And after a while…
"V-Vice-Captain! Emergency dispatch orders…!"
A soldier burst into the room.
His superior snapped out of her daze and stood up, grabbing her coat.
It was an emergency dispatch order for the 3rd Magic Corps, a unit directly under the royal family's command. It meant something serious was happening in the city.
"Explain."
She walked towards the training grounds, asking the soldier for details, and then she understood.
It could be summarized in a single sentence:
Baron Yandel was marching towards the Mage Tower with his tribe.
"There hasn't been any conflict yet, but they're definitely heading towards the Mage Tower."
"Why? There must be a reason."
"We're investigating. But the Public Security Department has requested military support. There are over a thousand of them."
"I see…"
As expected of a military unit, the entire corps had assembled in the training grounds within minutes of receiving the emergency dispatch orders. They boarded carriages and headed towards the military transfer station.
"Vice-Captain, this is bad. It seems like we're not the only ones being deployed."
Countless military carriages were heading towards the transfer station.
But his superior didn't answer.
She just bit her nails nervously.
"What is he planning this time…"
Alex tried to reassure her.
Baron Yandel was a smart man.
And he had a lot to lose, so he was probably just making a show of force.
There was no need to worry.
It wasn't just empty reassurance, it was his genuine opinion. But his superior's anxious expression didn't change.
"…Alex, you're misunderstanding something. I'm not worried about Baron Yandel."
"Huh…? But… it's the Mage Tower…"
Alex didn't understand.
He had been a mage himself, so he knew how powerful the Mage Tower was.
What was she so worried about?
As he was wondering, she spoke again.
"Do you remember what happened to the Explorer's Guild because of him?"
"Ah, the false accusation incident…"
"Yes. The entire guild branch was destroyed. And the regional manager lost the next election because of it."
"But… the guild and the Mage Tower are different."
The guild was nothing compared to the Mage Tower.
But…
"I used to think so too… that the guild and the Mage Tower were different. That they wouldn't be swayed by a single barbarian…"
"And now… you don't think so?"
Raven nodded without hesitation.
"No. He's not just a barbarian anymore. When he single-handedly destroyed the guild branch, he was just a barbarian who had been an adult for two months. But now…?"
Alex couldn't say anything.
Years had passed, and he had become the leader of a tribe and a Baron of the kingdom.
"And besides… I know him well."
"…?"
"Alex, trust me. If he's doing this, it's not reckless. There's a reason."
Alex still didn't understand, but he didn't argue with his superior.
Clatter, clatter.
The carriage sped through the streets, and they soon arrived at the military transfer station.
Crackle-!
A message arrived through the message stone.
[Conflict! Baron Yandel and the barbarians have entered the Mage Tower! We request immediate support!]
His superior didn't react to the shocking news.
She just sighed deeply.
As if she had been expecting it.