Bjorn Yandel the Barbarian

I was a little surprised

“I have come to fetch you, Baron Yandell.”

Is it because it’s an exhibition?

I didn’t expect that these arrogant royal knights would come out to greet me, let alone ordinary soldiers.

“Please get on the carriage.”

Within a short time, escorted by royal knights, he boarded a carriage and went straight to the ‘Palace of Glory’, which he had already visited several times, to attend the awarding of titles, the triumphal ceremony, and the promotion ceremony.

‘It definitely feels like an exhibition.’

The Palace of Glory that we arrived at was completely different from usual.

I’m not just talking about the atmosphere, I’m really talking about it.

“The identity of Baron Bjorn Yandell has been confirmed.”

Even the background checks conducted upon crossing the gate were several times more thorough, and as soon as you cross the gate and enter, you can see the military camp formed in the wide open space.

Oh, of course it was a little different from a normal military camp.

‘It feels like only officers are gathered here.’

As it is not the front line, communication equipment and such are placed here and there, and in front of them stand soldiers who seem more capable of swinging a pen than a sword.

Also, those soldiers spread out a map and discuss something with serious expressions····

“Command is this way.”

As I entered the Palace of Glory guided by the knights, I began to see familiar faces here and there.

Count Ferdehild

Viscount Mulbark

Count Alminus····

As I watched them greet me from afar, I felt strange again.

Do these people seem more familiar and more frequently seen now than knights, officers, Explorers’ Guild chapter heads, or high-ranking officials?

‘Even with Count Ferdehild, our first meeting was at a banquet hall····’

There, I became a barbarian warrior and fought against knights, and eventually acquired the nickname ‘Knight Crusher’ and the ‘Garpas Necklace’ as loot.

‘That was already several years ago······’

They are now a titled peerage, exempt from common law and punishable only by the ‘Law of Nobility’.

He is also the chieftain of one of the six races that make up the city, and as an explorer he leads a clan.

But why?

‘I think that was the most fun time…’

Back then, when I was living each day by attacking level 6 monsters, watching the 3rd floor’s magical power oversaturation phenomenon together, and engaging in a war of nerves with the explorers I met in the labyrinth.

Whenever I’m having a hard time mentally, I always think of that time.

If others saw it, their position would have improved and their situation would have improved beyond comparison.

“The Commander-in-Chief is currently in a meeting, so would you please wait here for a moment? You are free to stay anywhere within the military headquarters.”

“Okay, then…”

With those words, the driver who had guided me here left, and I spent the remaining time looking around the area to get a feel for the atmosphere.

“Where on earth did you train and how long did you train?”

A smiling white-haired woman approaches with a familiar voice.

“Ah, Baron Lilivia.”

A member of the Melves, a union of nobles of different races, and the most friendly head of the family among them.

Also known as the Rabbit Baron

“How much stronger are you going to get there?”

As I was on good terms with him, I chuckled as I watched the rabbit baron playfully joke around with me rather than formally greeting me.

“How have you been?”

“I was doing well, I was doing well, until this happened.”

“Is that so? Anyway, it was nice meeting you. What’s going on now? Is there anything I should know?”

The rabbit baron thought for a moment, perhaps thinking that my question was a bit off-topic.

“Um… what should I say about this… how much do you know about Baron Yandel?”

“I don’t know much because I came in a hurry. So just pretend you don’t know everything and tell me.”

In response to my words, Baron Rabbit really explained the current situation from beginning to end.

And here, let me just summarize the facts that I first learned······

“They invaded the imperial capital···?”

“It’s not the main force, it’s a small group of elite troops.”

On the day that Bifron’s barrier disappeared, the Noarks who came out formed a special force and entered the imperial capital.

However, there was no significant damage, and it is said that after being discovered once by search forces, no traces were found after that···

“Didn’t you see it when you came here? There were search forces spread out all over the city.”

Well, I definitely saw soldiers.

But at that time, I thought they were just defensive troops.

“It is unknown what the purpose of the intrusion was, but no significant damage has been found so far.”

Anyway, to put it simply, it means that there is a possibility that Noark’s special forces, which have infiltrated the zodiac, are still hiding inside Karnon.

“But don’t worry too much. With that number of troops, they won’t even dare to enter the palace. This place is safe.”

The Rabbit Baron spoke as if he truly believed that.

Of course, if you think about it, it wasn’t a strange belief.

Looking at the number of troops currently deployed in the palace, even if a special force of less than thirty were to invade, it is highly likely that they would be dealt with within a few minutes.

but····

‘I don’t think those kids would think…’

As I don’t know why they infiltrated, I feel unnecessarily anxious.

thus····

‘I think it would be right to think that even the royal palace is not a safe zone.’

Mind setting ends here.

As I continued to listen to the story, I learned many new things.

Well, the Rabbit Baron is also a nobleman by title.

Naturally, there was a lot of advanced information that was difficult for the general public to access.

“We were able to force them back into Bifrons using magic weapons, but the military command believes that they may have planted spies during that gap.”

The fact that the royal family, concerned about spies, is conducting a wide-ranging search operation targeting several areas where refugees are being accommodated.

“I’ve heard rumors that the military headquarters is planning to lead all troops to Bifron and wipe them out.”

Information about future developments, etc.

“You said that the Baron’s clan is currently in District 7? If that’s the case, there could be damage there as well.”

Even those mutterings that can never be overheard

“…What does that mean?”

“Is this something that only the Baron should know?”

“Of course”

Before we even started, the rabbit baron who had already gagged me looked around and lowered his voice to whisper to me.

“Apart from the invasion of Noark, the royal family has now decided that the explorers’ power has grown too large.”

“···what?”

“That’s right. The longer the war that started on the 7th floor of the Dark Continent drags on, the more the explorers noticeably grow.”

Oh, that’s what I mean.

Certainly… I can relate to some extent.

Because the royal family had to ‘reward’ explorers throughout the war.

To survive the turbulent times, small and medium-sized clans merged to form a large force, and they participated in wars like mercenaries, growing rapidly based on the essence and equipment they received.

“Then, the use of the super-strong method of closing the labyrinth wasn’t simply to keep the Noark guys in check.”

“Yes, no one has heard the royal family’s official position, but everyone thinks so.”

“But why is the royal family suppressing the explorer forces?”

I brought out the question I had always had, and the rabbit baron answered like this:

“Isn’t that natural? When any force becomes stronger, its voice gets louder. They want more, and greed always creates blood. To rule this city, absolute power is needed.”

Well, if you look at it politically, it could be true, but I have a gut feeling that it’s not just for that reason.

Explorers become stronger and speak out.

From what I’ve experienced so far, it seems like they’re not trying to control this, but rather are concerned about ‘explorers getting stronger’ themselves.

‘As if trying to prevent reaching the depths of a labyrinth····’

It was when my thoughts, which had been flowing flexibly, reached that point.

Thump-

No, wait a minute

“······”

If what I thought a little while ago is true,

“Look over there, it’s Baron Yandell.”

“The Baron’s appearance means that the clan he leads has also arrived at the front line.”

“That’s really great. Compared to the large clans, they may be small in number, but aren’t they each worth a hundred?”

“There is a saying in the world that if there is an explorer who reaches the 10th floor in thousands of years, it will be Baron Yandell and his colleagues.”

Isn’t this the most dangerous thing our clan has ever seen…?

***

The 3rd Command was hastily constructed in the largest building near the walls of District 7.

dripping·

A stiff-looking knight enters with a knock on the door.

“Commander, urgent news has arrived from the military headquarters.”

“Speak”

After the permission of the man sitting in front of the desk with the large map on it was given, the knight opened the door and came in, slowly opening his mouth to report.

“The first piece of news I received was about the Bifrons eradication operation. Since I was unable to view the documents due to security clearance issues, I think you should check it out yourself, Commander.”

“Okay, then what about the second one?”

“I have received word that Baron Yandel has arrived at military headquarters.”

“···I see·”

The man who received the report from his subordinate seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, then quickly handed over the documents and sent out the article.

and····

Chiiik·

I opened the sealed document and checked the contents first.

Sweeping date, time, troop deployment map, etc.

In war, information is more valuable than anything else and should never be passed on to the enemy.

The man who had been reading through the details froze after checking the troop deployment map.

‘They’re telling us all to die.’

The best of the military will be sent to the rear, and the explorer troops will be sent to the most dangerous front lines.

The layout is so clear that the intention is obvious.

Even at the very end of the document, a one-line sentence was added:

[We would like to inform you in advance that Baron Bjorn Jandel has been incorporated into the Military Command as of now and there are no plans to change his affiliation in the future.]

There was no need to worry about what the higher-ups wanted or whether there was a hidden meaning.

“Huh····”

The man put down his papers and let out a long sigh.

[So do well·]

[······]

[There is no second one·]

Apart from the eerie warning words that the savage left behind, which still linger in my ears,

“I don’t like it”

The instructions from above were so uncomfortable.

Well, no matter what, he is still just one person in the end.

‘What on earth is the royal family thinking…’

The man put down the documents as if he was not satisfied with it and called the subordinate who had left earlier.

“This is a troop deployment map sent down from above. Please quietly notify only the most senior officers of each unit.”

“I, this is····”

The subordinates also saw through the intentions as soon as they saw it and mumbled the words.

It’s not that I don’t understand that feeling.

The man still didn’t like the contents of the documents.

but····

“This is an order from above, so no dissent will be tolerated.”

To live in this city, you can’t just do what you want.

“…Nia Lapdonia!”

Because he is not a savage