Surviving the Game as a Barbarian-Chapter 711: Special Force (2)

Among the noble families, there might be a traitor.
This wasn't just idle talk—I meant it seriously.
They say you can understand the depth of water, but not the depths of a person's heart. Among the thousands of noble families, it wouldn't be surprising if at least one harbors ill intent.
“Are you really planning to go to the Marquis’ residence?”
“Yes. It’s possible the Marquis is in collusion.”
Of course, that was just speculation.
The Marquis isn’t insane; he effectively acts as the king’s proxy and the top figure in the kingdom—why would he side with those scoundrels?
The chance is extremely slim.
‘Hmm... but it’s not impossible, right?’
Honestly, I don’t completely rule it out.
There are suspicious things about the Marquis—not just one or two.
He’s hiding something.
So I planned to search his house while I had the chance.
“Um... may I quickly use the restroom?”
Ah, clearly he’s stalling and trying to send a message to someone behind us...
“No.”
“B-But it’s really urgent.”
“Is using the restroom more urgent than saving this country?”
“......”
As expected, no one dares to argue against the ‘nation.’
“Just soil your pants then.”
“......”
That shut down the restroom excuse immediately.
Still, since Mumu showed signs of wanting to stray, I had prepared one countermeasure in advance.
“Raven.”
“Yes?”
“I heard there’s magic that emits a jamming wave to block outside communication. Can that be used during travel?”
“Unless it’s an auxiliary device, it’s limited. About a 3-meter radius.”
“What if we only block outgoing signals, not incoming?”
“Hmm, then it can be used more widely.”
Oh, really?
“Implement it immediately. This mission is top secret.”
Raven quickly cast the magic, and with communication cut off, Mumu’s stiff face forced a tight smile.
“What are you whispering about alone? Let’s go.”
After checking the special unit’s security, we headed straight to the Marquis’ mansion.
I don’t know if it was instinct or what, but without any prompting, Raven stuck right beside Mumu as we moved.
“Um... wouldn’t it be better to stay close to Baron Yandel?”
“No? I’m comfortable here. Why should I go there?”
“......”
Well, just give up and follow already.
People like that rarely last long.
Makes sense—like a lizard, they’re not bothered to hold onto a tail they can spare.
“......”
As Mumu quieted down, other soldiers began whispering among themselves.
The gist was simple.
“Is this really okay?”
“Then you try to stop it.”
“But... Baron, you have a point, right? Since this unit was made by the Prime Minister, we don’t have to worry about the aftermath—”
“No, what nonsense is that! We’re about to ransack the Prime Minister Marquis’ house right now!”
“Oh, right, that’s true.”
“...If this goes wrong, won’t we all be dragged to the tribunal?”
They were very resistant to the idea of breaking into the mansion of the Marquis, the de facto ruler of Raphdonia.
However...
“Still, let’s just go. What can we {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} do?”
“...That’s true.”
They knew the law was distant, but a barbarian close by; so while they murmured anxiously, they took no action.
“Um... Baron Yandel, what brings you here?”
Upon arrival, the Marquis’ butler, now a very familiar figure, eyed me suspiciously.
“I received no prior notice from the Marquis. Unless you arranged a meeting—”
“Today, I am not Bjorn Yandel.”
“...Excuse me?”
“Today, I come as the captain of the Military Command’s ‘Special Search Squad.’”
When I revealed my new status, the butler looked even more bewildered.
Understandably so.
He likely had no idea what a ‘Special Search Squad’ was to begin with...
“Why would the Special Search Squad come here?”
The butler couldn’t imagine.
He must have grown dull-witted serving the mighty Marquis family—one glance from them and even a tiger would bow low.
“Our reason is simple.”
“......”
“We’re here to conduct a search.”
“...What?”
Ignoring the butler’s confusion, I strode inside.
Though the squad hesitated to follow, they soon came after me.
“What are you waiting for? Get in!”
“...Yes.”
The soldiers guarding the mansion hesitated, but given our previous rampage here, they didn’t obstruct strongly.
“B-Baron!”
“Y-You can’t do this here!”
“If the Marquis finds out...”
The soldiers tried to settle the matter through words rather than force.
But if words worked, I wouldn’t be here.
“I am Bjorn Yandel, captain of the Military Command’s Special Search Squad! Step aside! Anyone who blocks us or interferes will be considered traitors collaborating with the Noirark and will be dealt with!”
My bold intrusion left even the soldiers and butler dumbfounded.
Had something really happened?
Was I here because I knew something?
Everyone was stuck, unsure what to do.
‘There are indeed some smart ones.’
Several soldiers with keen judgment rushed to me.
“This is the mansion of Marquis Terserion, Prime Minister of this country!”
“It’s my duty to protect this mansion.”
“Waaaaah!”
They attacked but were promptly knocked out by my quick strikes.
They might wonder why they bothered fighting if it was so futile, but I respected their resolve.
Better to fight and fall than not fight at all.
At least they’d keep their jobs.
Unlike those slackers.
“Uh...”
“Uh...”
With every step I took, they retreated.
Watching them, I thought:
When I leave, dozens here will surely lose their jobs.
Ah, but that’s none of my concern.
Where’s a lifetime job these days?
“W-We really went inside the mansion...”
The squad trembled nervously, worried about what might come next.
Time for me to show leadership.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take responsibility. Nothing will happen to you.”
I’m a hero who keeps every promise.
A warrior who doesn’t know how to lie.
Because of that image, their expressions softened a little.
“From now on, you have one task: follow me and thoroughly search this mansion for anything suspicious.”
“......”
“Come on, let’s search! This isn’t an everyday opportunity!”
After a brief morale boost, we started the search in earnest.
Clang!
I smashed statues with a hammer that might hide Noirark inside.
Crunch.
I ripped off paintings that might conceal them.
“Hm, none here either.”
“Is this really okay?”
“It’s not just okay; it’s how searches work.”
The royal search operatives paled listening to a barbarian lecture on ‘searching,’ but maybe my boldness gave them courage.
“Ah! I don’t care anymore!”
“Tear everything down! Noble houses always have secret passages!”
Like baby birds learning from their mother, the squad threw caution to the wind and followed my lead.
Crash—
Clang.
Scrrrtch.
The Marquis’ mansion quickly turned into a wreck.
The butler who greeted me earlier looked like he’d been struck by lightning watching the destruction.
His reactions were amusing.
“Ugh! How much did that cost...!”
He flinched as if his money was disappearing.
“Stop! There’s nothing behind that painting! Don’t tear it down!”
“That makes it even more suspicious. Tear it down quickly... really nothing?”
“Ahhhhhhh!!”
He screamed in anger.
“I’m finished... I’m done...”
As if sensing his own doom, he muttered to himself.
“Hurry, hurry! No time to be thorough, move quickly!”
From now on, it was a race against time.
Our actions surely reached the Marquis’ ears by now.
So...
First floor, second floor, third floor...
We swiftly and thoroughly devastated the Terserion Marquis’ mansion.
But knowing it was the home of the Marquis and his ancestors made it all the more satisfying.
‘This is pure stress relief.’
“Behel—laaaaaaah!”
I smashed even more enthusiastically, snatching expensive items whenever eyes weren’t on me.
How long had it been?
“Finally found it.”
We arrived at what seemed the Marquis’ study.
I tore off the bookshelf attached to the wall, revealing a hidden iron door.
“Of course there would be a secret room.”
“What now? That door looks pretty solid.”
“Come on.”
Like this was the first time.
[Character No.687 equipped Siege Slayer.]
Quickly swapping weapons, I swung the iron mace at the door repeatedly.
Though the door was thick and dented with every blow, it showed no signs of breaking.
‘This is going to take a while...’
What now?
As I pondered, one search squad member stepped forward.
“Um... may I try?”
Oh, right. We do have knights here.
“Go ahead.”
I stepped aside and the knights channeled their auras to hack at the door.
No matter what metal it was, the door resisted their aura somewhat, but eventually the locking mechanism was cut and the door opened.
“The Prime Minister’s secret chamber...”
I wondered what was hidden below the stairs.
Just as curiosity peaked and I was about to descend—
“Baron, I won’t go in.”
“Me neither.”
Our brave squad members who searched vigorously now balked.
The reason was simple.
“We know the value of our lives.”
“You have to know what not to see to survive.”
Tch, fair enough.
From their point of view, this could feel like a life-or-death matter.
We were about to peer into the Marquis’ secrets.
“Fine. Then I’ll go down alone.”
“...What? Alone?”
Raven seemed to want to follow, but I shook my head to stop him.
On second thought, it seemed best if I went down alone quickly.
So...
“I’ll be quick. Stop anyone who tries to come down.”
With that, I headed down the hidden stairs behind the iron door alone.
The stairs weren’t too long and soon led to a space big enough for a person to live in.
Not knowing how to light it, I pulled a candle from my bag.
Then—
Flame flickering—
The chamber lit up brightly as I activated Barbarian Candle Mode after a long time.
I glanced around, then froze.
Bookshelves flanking both walls.
A small desk and chair for work.
By appearances, it looked like an ordinary secret study...
But...
“Wow, fuck...”
A curse escaped my lips.
Even if there had been secret plans here to kill me, it wouldn’t have been this much.
Why?
Bookshelves, desk, walls, even the ceiling...
“What the hell is all this?”
The walls were plastered with pictures of a woman.
Everywhere.
Like the room of some obsessed stalker.