Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

In a gathering crowded with many people, silence always has a reason.

Everyone is either focused on something.

Or it's the somber atmosphere of mourning for a tragic event.

Or else, they are so shocked that no words come out.

"......!"

"......!"

In this case, the silence was the latter.

All the commanders present were visibly flustered by my actions and words.

Yet, none of them spoke rashly, all their gazes fixed on one place.

"......."

Jillen Evost.

The legitimate deputy commander who takes over command in the absence of the expedition leader.

Honestly, I hold this man in high regard.

Even though Count Jerome Saintred's body was possessed by some strange monster, this expedition force still functioned well.

He was the lubricant and engine driving this expedition.

'He was probably planning to officially announce his succession as soon as my speech ended at this meeting.'

Surely, that plan would have proceeded smoothly without any resistance.

If only I hadn't suddenly interrupted.

"......."

Everyone was waiting for his response, but the deputy commander remained silent.

He seemed to be calmly organizing his thoughts...

'No need to give him too much time.'

I looked at the deputy commander and spoke again.

"Surely you don't still not understand what this means?"

When I spoke with a slightly provocative tone, the deputy commander finally replied.

"That is not the case. I fully understand why the baron sat there, and I was thinking about how to convince everyone with words."

"Convince, huh... Sounds like you're saying you don't accept me sitting here?"

At this more provocative question, all the commanders' eyes went wide.

'Is that even ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) a thing to say, you barbarian?'

I wanted to shout that, but none dared because of my title and reputation.

Unfortunately, even my comrades were the same.

"......."

Even Amelia, who I considered my right hand, gave me a look as if saying 'Is this guy really crazy?' and kept her distance—

"Of course."

Then the deputy commander answered my question.

"The baron does not have the qualification to be the commander of this expedition."

"Why not?"

"Because you are the leader of the temporary 4th squad."

Not even officially recognized as a squad leader, only leader of a temporary 4th squad.

"According to the military law established by the royal family, if the highest-ranking officer dies or cannot perform their duties properly, the next highest-ranking officer assumes the duties."

He invoked military law, backing it up with the royal family's authority.

Did I not know that before sitting down?

"So there's no problem then? After the count, the next highest rank is the baron, which is me."

Among all the elites gathered in this expedition, only the count and I had titles.

Why would titled nobles come down to the labyrinth, especially to the still unexplored first basement floor?

Even the original Count Saintred was dragged in because they needed someone to act as general commander.

"......Baron, you should first understand the difference between rank and title."

The deputy commander sighed at me.

His reaction was surprisingly mild.

If it were me, I would have picked up a hammer saying I won't entertain nonsense.

"Rank or title, they're both status, aren't they? Among these, I am the second highest in status after the count."

I argued once more, and the deputy commander calmly explained the difference between rank and title, talked about mercenary rules, and political problems my obstinacy could cause, giving a long lecture on military law.

But...

"So?"

"......Yes?"

"So why can't I be the commander?"

No matter how wise, if you preach to a stubborn fool, it's natural to feel frustrated.

"......."

After a long attempt to persuade, the deputy commander finally shut his mouth. He realized no words could convince me.

"Jillen Evost."

I spoke, watching for the right timing.

It's a bit funny for a newly risen baron from the barbarian clan to say this.

"I won't take orders from someone without a title."

I was done assessing him.

This approach would work better with him.

"And besides."

I said,

"Can you really give me orders?"

"......."

"Really, can you treat me like any other subordinate?"

The deputy commander said nothing.

His stubborn honesty, not even a hollow lie, was somewhat impressive, but not fitting for someone trying to be a commander.

Maybe for an aide, but not a commander.

"......."

"......."

The deputy commander's silence continued.

Only then did I take my eyes off him and look around.

Surprisingly, none of them showed anxiety or worry.

They just held their breath, curious how this would end.

'They don't care who sits in the commander's seat.'

From the deputy commander's viewpoint, it was a forced justification, but from their perspective, it probably didn't feel forced.

A baron's title officially recognized by the royal family.

That fact carried enormous weight in the city of Rafdonia.

Well, though there was another real reason for their reactions.

"Everyone listen."

Feeling the moment was right, I dropped the playful tone and spoke to everyone.

"We are standing at a crossroads."

The crossroads was not about who to choose as commander.

"We can either carry out the royal mission and return to the city in style, or be trapped here forever, never escaping."

The longer we stayed here, everyone had thought about this silently.

I made sure everyone recognized this, then continued.

"But if you trust and follow me—"

No need for long speeches.

"I will definitely get you all home."

I had already shown it through actions.

In the crystal caves where the Abyssal Lord appeared, in the goblin forest, in the Isrock expedition.

Also in this basement first floor.

I was the one who fought hardest against the grade 1 monsters on the library island.

I was the one who broke through all the guardian statues and opened the cracks, entering them myself.

What did the deputy commander do during that?

He refined the expedition's internal affairs, but that was all.

Therefore,

'How long must we remain trapped here?'

For those who began to feel such unease, it was clear who they would see as a 'trustworthy commander.'

"The baron is a smart man. We all know that, including me. What do you want? What must we do to be convinced?"

The deputy commander asked bluntly, and I smiled.

"Gather all the soldiers and vote."

Democratic procedures are always right.

A vote.

A democratic process never fits well in a military hierarchy.

Surprisingly, the deputy commander agreed easily.

'He must have thought there was no other way to stop my obstinacy.'

Of course, he must have had confidence in himself.

Though he had no title, he was still from a noble family and respected by knights.

'Fifty-fifty then...'

His subordinates would all vote for him.

Meanwhile, all the temporary 4th squad members would vote for me.

Both sides would have similar numbers, so it was impossible to clearly decide superiority.

Thus, the overall sentiment of the expedition members was crucial...

"The results are in."

The vote results for the entire expedition came out.

"Close call."

I won by a slim majority.

Apparently, everyone secretly thought a strong leader was needed to escape this place...

It was fortunate for both me and the deputy commander.

No need to prepare plan B for losing.

"Well, now that results are out..."

I naturally sat in the commander's chair and gave my first order.

"Jillen Evost, you are deputy commander. Your duties remain the same. Can you handle it?"

"Yes."

A formal order to show rank to everyone.

Then I smoothly took charge of the meeting.

"Finally, we can talk about the cracks."

I spoke of what had happened inside the cracks.

I didn't go into details, focusing mainly on the 'archbishop's' final fate, which everyone was curious about.

"He... really became Karui's priest...?"

"Wait, so the count died because of the archbishop...?"

The religious members attending the leadership meeting couldn't hide their agitation.

The archbishop's death was grave, but more so because he was the beast who killed the commander.

But...

"Don't worry. We won't blame the Trinitarian Church for this. It was a natural disaster. A dangerous mission, and the archbishop simply died during it."

I relieved their fears about getting blamed.

"Besides, if Count Saintred really died, maybe it would be different, but that's not the case. There won't be any disadvantages for us when we return."

"Then that's a relief..."

These weren't ordinary clergy.

All held prominent positions within the Trinitarian Church.

So they were surprisingly shrewd for religious people.

"Anyway, now let's start the actual meeting. Deputy commander, has the investigation of the room beyond the stone gate finished?"

"Not yet, regarding the statues."

"I hear you've found out about the portal."

"We still need to investigate more, but most opinions say it's a portal that leads outside."

"I see."

"However, it seems wise to postpone using the portal."

"Why?"

"Because it's probably raining heavily outside."

I hadn't calculated the time, but it seemed another rainy season had arrived outside.

"Then we'll stay here and investigate until the rainy season ends."

That ended today's meeting.

"If you're hungry, everyone get out."

At that moment, I said a line I'd wanted to say once in my life, and like a receding tide, everyone left the barracks.

Ah, except one person.

"Deputy commander, do you have anything to say to me?"

More precisely, it was a way to say 'If you have complaints, say them now.'

But when the deputy commander heard that, he chuckled.

"Baron, I am one of those who truly think it's fortunate that you became commander."

"...What?"

It didn't sound like flattery to leech off a new ruler.

"Actually... I voted for you as well."

"Why?"

"Because I know my place. A position responsible for hundreds is not suited for me."

"But weren't you the biggest opponent?"

"Well, I had to come up with an excuse, if we are not to be socially ostracized when we return."

Then the deputy commander respectfully saluted me.

"So please take good care of us from now on. The better you lead the expedition, the fewer responsibilities I will have."

After saying all he wanted, he left a pouch of dried meat before me and exited.

"You said you were hungry."

Though I felt like I'd been played somehow, I popped the dried meat into my mouth and chewed.

'Tastes good.'

This expedition is mine now.

The (true) barbarian corps commander mode was very comfortable.

To be honest, issuing orders through a powerless chief was always annoying.

Now that process was completely gone.

No, not only that.

"Are you going to reorganize the structure...?"

"Yes. Dividing into just four squads with squad leaders doing whatever they want is inefficient."

I could now freely give bold orders that the chief who pretended to be Count Saintred never dared.

"Inefficient... indeed."

"Ah, you should know I'll also be touching the members participating in the leadership meeting."

"Yes..."

Still, the deputy commander was a very useful asset.

No matter what orders I gave, he thought about how to carry them out without complaints.

Though, in a way, that was a flaw.

He never spoke harshly to superiors.

"Really... you've taken the commander's seat."

"Are you sad you can't be deputy commander?"

"I wouldn't even take it if offered."

I wish Amelia would say something sweeter sometimes.

"Be careful. There might be trouble from the royal family later when we return to the city over this."

She always starts with criticism no matter what I say.

Well, that's a good thing.

"Is there anything you want? I can give anything by commander's order—"

"I'll be off then."

"Ah, on your way out, find Raven and call him here!"

"......"

Amelia left the barracks without a word.

But not long after, Raven entered.

"You called for me, commander?"

"Commander? Sit down."

Raven looked at the commander's seat with disbelief, then quickly came and sat beside me.

"So what did you call me for? About the investigation?"

"No, that's a curiosity too... but this time I have a favor to ask."

"Can I just go back like this?"

"No way. It's a commander's order."

"Ugh... I should've written Sir Evost's name and put it in a box."

Too late to regret now.

This expedition was mine already.

"Tell me. What's the favor?"

Looking at the resigned Raven, I secretly took out an item I'd been holding.

"A crown...? What is this?"

"I don't know either. But this appeared when the chief killed the archbishop."

"Not something from a monster?"

"No. That's why it's suspicious and special."

Raven picked up the crown with curious eyes, turning it over and examining it.

"It's not a Numbers item... I've never heard of such a crown. Can I take this? You called me to investigate it anyway."

"Yeah, but don't tell anyone about the crown. Keep the research to yourself."

"Why?"

"It's a secret study only you know about. You're the only one who knows."

I trusted you enough to tell you that.

I deliberately gave off the nuance that Raven was specially trusted.

But...

"Only me...?"

Unfortunately, Raven was smart and quick-witted.

"This is... embezzlement!!"

Panicking and quickly pulling his hand off the crown, fearing being framed as an accomplice.

Of course, there was no real problem.f.re(e) w.e(b)nov el.c.om

"Embezzlement? It's the commander's call."

"Ridiculous!"

"So will you do it or not? A mysterious treasure gained from the basement first floor cracks?"

"...I didn't say I won't."

Raven looked around quickly and at lightning speed shoved the crown into the pocket dimension.