Chapter 220: Ruler (4)

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 220: Ruler (4)

Team Apple Narak's wizard, Raven, was standing with the rest of her teammates in a nearby passageway. The reason for this was simple. When the assault against the knights stopped, she had tried to get to her team's leader, but thanks to the thousands of people packed so tightly together, she couldn't even think to get through the crowd.

"Miss Ainar, I hope you can help me. I can't see well from here." As someone far below the average height even for women at 4'9", Raven sat atop Ainar's shoulders and watched the events in the center of the square unfold. Although it was too far to hear, that was no problem. That could be fixed with magic.

"What arrre they saying?"

"It's almost over. I think they're agreeing to break off into groups of three hundred and pave the way." Raven relayed what was happening in the center to her teammates in real time. Many other teams here were doing the same. They each had at least one person with magic or enhanced hearing.

"And Bjorrrn? What's Bjorn saying?"

"Ah, well... I think he's trying to get over here before he does anything else. Oh, a wizard started talking to him. I think Mr. Yandel is trying to form a team."

"Oh, I see..." Missha nodded worriedly at Raven's words. Raven could understand why.

"We are going north!"

"Is there anyone who wants to come with me?"

Numerous clans and teams were already crying out for comrades. That included famous and well-known adventurers, and even leaders of clans with great reputations. Three of those groups had already formed an alliance as well.

However, Raven tried to stay upbeat. "What are you all worried about? You all know Mr. Yandel is second to none when it comes to fame. Even if it takes some time, we'll be able to find three hundred people."

Her behavior was definitely out of character. Normally, she analyzed the situation with cold logic and only ever told the truth.

Mr. Yandel would have done something like this, though.

She had learned something from following that barbarian around. A leader could not always act as they pleased.

"Huh?" Raven suddenly, involuntarily froze.

"What's wrrrong? Did something else happen?"

"The wizard just said he wants to follow Mr. Yandel."

"Wow, really? You said he's a rrreally great wizard, right?"

"Yes, but..." Raven was stunned. This was good news, but she felt uneasy not knowing the reason behind his decision.

Someone like that could definitely join an even better group...

Why did a wizard like him want to join them? She couldn't figure it out. This time she decided to be honest with her teammates and ask their opinions.

"Hmm, that wizard said that people will come together for Yandel? I think I know what he means."

"You do?"

"Yandel... that guy is special. You know that too, Raven."

"I do?" Raven said, confused.

In response, Ainar let out a loud shout. "Bjorn, son of Yandel is a great warrior!"

A Great Warrior... For some reason, hearing that made her recall the events of the Bloody Citadel. Fewer than ten barbarians had officially received that title from the king since ancient times. But back then, as she watched that two-month-old barbarian adventurer sleep like the dead after finishing all his hard work, she had had the thought that that title might indeed be his one day.

"Isn't that why you joined his team too?"

"...That's right." Raven nodded readily. Urikfried wasn't wrong. If she hadn't sensed anything special about that barbarian, she wouldn't have joined this team in the first place.

"He has a strange ability to pull people in."

As the conversation with her team ended, Raven turned around to look toward Yandel again. It hadn't been too long since she'd last checked on him, and yet...

"If it's all right, I'd like to travel with you."

"I believe you'll be able to save the most lives."

"Haha, in times like these, steadfast people like you are the most reliable people out there. Take us with you too."

Before she knew it, numerous adventurers were following behind him as he walked. But was it because of what Urikfried said? The sight no longer seemed strange to her, and she did not doubt the intentions of the wizard who had been the first to tag along.

"It wasn't... just me."

There were some people in this world whose backs just made you want to follow them.

"Didn't I tell you? I knew people would gather around you. A wizard's intuition is usually right."

Most of them left great footprints behind.

***

I had expected it to take at least an hour or two. Even if the cream of the crop had escaped through the dimension gate, there were still adventurers here who were more impressive than me. I thought that I would have to do my best ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to compete with them to build my troops up to the level I wanted.

It's probably because of this man.

The wizard Kyle possessed both knowledge and power, and the charisma of a natural leader. The tides turned when he joined me. Then, rank-three adventurer Melter Fend brought his entire clan under my command, and this created a buzz. It was like how people started hoarding certain products when nonsensical rumors went around that there would be a shortage. Even if they didn't think of doing so themselves, they started to think that maybe they should when others started to do it.

"Behelaaah!"

"The hope of the barbarians!"

"Follow the great warrior!"

I ignored the cries of the fired-up barbarians and pushed forward. I was experiencing something I'd never felt before.

"Please take us with you! We won't slow you down!"

Was this how a superstar felt when he arrived at an airport? Every time I took a step, a new team, clan, or even individuals approached and asked me for my approval. So I raised the bar for one simple reason. According to the basic economic principle of supply and demand, I was now the one with the power in this exchange.

"Tell me your role and rank."

"Rank five. I'm alone now, but I was once my team's protector." A protector was the warrior who stood at the forefront. Rank five should be skilled enough as well.

"Your name?"

"Pell Akabird."

Pass.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Bjorn, son of Yandel. Come with me." As I moved, I was strict about only choosing the people I needed.

Almost all the priests left through the dimension gate, so I don't see any.

That was too bad, but it couldn't be helped. I just had to fill up the slots with as many warriors and wizards as possible. Oh, and a knight would be even better.

"Isn't that why you joined his team too?"

"...That's right." Raven nodded readily. Urikfried wasn't wrong. If she hadn't sensed anything special about that barbarian, she wouldn't have joined this team in the first place.

"He has a strange ability to pull people in."

As the conversation with her team ended, Raven turned around to look toward Yandel again. It hadn't been too long since she'd last checked on him, and yet...

"If it's all right, I'd like to travel with you."

"I believe you'll be able to save the most lives."

"Haha, in times like these, steadfast people like you are the most reliable people out there. Take us with you too."

Before she knew it, numerous adventurers were following behind him as he walked. But was it because of what Urikfried said? The sight no longer seemed strange to her, and she did not doubt the intentions of the wizard who had been the first to tag along.

"It wasn't... just me."

There were some people in this world whose backs just made you want to follow them.

"Didn't I tell you? I knew people would gather around you. A wizard's intuition is usually right."

Most of them left great footprints behind.

***

I had expected it to take at least an hour or two. Even if the cream of the crop had escaped through the dimension gate, there were still adventurers here who were more impressive than me. I thought that I would have to do my best to compete with them to build my troops up to the level I wanted.

It's probably because of this man.

The wizard Kyle possessed both knowledge and power, and the charisma of a natural leader. The tides turned when he joined me. Then, rank-three adventurer Melter Fend brought his entire clan under my command, and this created a buzz. It was like how people started hoarding certain products when nonsensical rumors went around that there would be a shortage. Even if they didn't think of doing so themselves, they started to think that maybe they should when others started to do it.

"Behelaaah!"

"The hope of the barbarians!"

"Follow the great warrior!"

I ignored the cries of the fired-up barbarians and pushed forward. I was experiencing something I'd never felt before.

"Please take us with you! We won't slow you down!"

Was this how a superstar felt when he arrived at an airport? Every time I took a step, a new team, clan, or even individuals approached and asked me for my approval. So I raised the bar for one simple reason. According to the basic economic principle of supply and demand, I was now the one with the power in this exchange.

"Tell me your role and rank."

"Rank five. I'm alone now, but I was once my team's protector." A protector was the warrior who stood at the forefront. Rank five should be skilled enough as well.

"Your name?"

"Pell Akabird."

Pass.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Bjorn, son of Yandel. Come with me." As I moved, I was strict about only choosing the people I needed.

Almost all the priests left through the dimension gate, so I don't see any.

That was too bad, but it couldn't be helped. I just had to fill up the slots with as many warriors and wizards as possible. Oh, and a knight would be even better.

From time to time, I ran into people I was acquainted with. "Carls Erimor."

"Is there space for me and my colleagues, perhaps? Three apprentice knights and one official knight."

"To think you were abandoned too."

"I suppose apprentice knights aren't that high on the food chain."

Erimor, a knight of Baron Martoin's whom I had met at the count's home, had a good personality and was once an adventurer, so he should be able to pull his own weight. Plus, there was a knight who could use an aura with him too.

"Follow me."

"Thanks."

One step, then another. Each time I stepped forward, the number behind me grew. Just the barbarians who decided to follow me alone were enough to exceed our quota of three hundred, but I continued to bring more people into the fold.

We'll just need to divide ourselves into groups of three hundred if we have to.

If we traveled along the same route, we could help each other out in an emergency. I hadn't expected to reach a number where that was actually possible, though.

Okay, this is going well.

I continued to advance like that and spotted a familiar face even in this crowd of people.

"Takelan."

The man was standing alone. He didn't seek out a team like last time, nor did he show any desire to create one. Perhaps he had given up on everything. When our eyes met, he avoided my gaze. It was clear he wanted me to pass him by, but I was a barbarian who had to do what I wanted to do.

So I approached him and said, "Follow me." I didn't know why I did it. The words just came out of me. "Come on, if you want to live."

"You think... I want to live?" he muttered like he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Lena was my wife." So she was. "Why should I live?"

"Because someone needs to deliver the news," I replied.

Those were just empty words. Even at that last moment before ending their own life, everyone yearned for survival in a deep, dark corner of their heart. Although Takelan had lost all his teammates, he had followed us until the bitter end. Was there really a reason for that? Well, I wasn't sure.

"Yes, I forgot about that..."

However, when they had a reason, it was easier for people to pick themselves back up and move forward.

"If you've come back to your senses, come with me."

"...Why are you helping me like this? You won't need me now."

I gave my honest, selfish answer. "If you survive, that'll ease my mind at least a little bit."

Using others to relieve my feelings of guilt; in a way, I was just like the captain of the Third Royal Guard. The only difference was that I was well aware of how cowardly I was.

I didn't know what he thought about that statement, but after that, Takelan stepped behind me and joined our team.

That took longer than I intended.

I continued to lead the group. Before long, I spotted one of my teammates near a passageway. "Bjorn!"

As soon as I was within range, Missha and Ainar greeted me enthusiastically. I pushed them aside and spoke to Raven. "Raven, did anything happen here?"

"No..."

"Good. Did you hear what we said inside?"

"Yes, I heard..."

From time to time, I ran into people I was acquainted with. "Carls Erimor."

"Is there space for me and my colleagues, perhaps? Three apprentice knights and one official knight."

"To think you were abandoned too."

"I suppose apprentice knights aren't that high on the food chain."

Erimor, a knight of Baron Martoin's whom I had met at the count's home, had a good personality and was once an adventurer, so he should be able to pull his own weight. Plus, there was a knight who could use an aura with him too.

"Follow me."

"Thanks."

One step, then another. Each time I stepped forward, the number behind me grew. Just the barbarians who decided to follow me alone were enough to exceed our quota of three hundred, but I continued to bring more people into the fold.

We'll just need to divide ourselves into groups of three hundred if we have to.

If we traveled along the same route, we could help each other out in an emergency. I hadn't expected to reach a number where that was actually possible, though.

Okay, this is going ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠well.

I continued to advance like that and spotted a familiar face even in this crowd of people.

"Takelan."

The man was standing alone. He didn't seek out a team like last time, nor did he show any desire to create one. Perhaps he had given up on everything. When our eyes met, he avoided my gaze. It was clear he wanted me to pass him by, but I was a barbarian who had to do what I wanted to do.

So I approached him and said, "Follow me." I didn't know why I did it. The words just came out of me. "Come on, if you want to live."

"You think... I want to live?" he muttered like he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Lena was my wife." So she was. "Why should I live?"

"Because someone needs to deliver the news," I replied.

Those were just empty words. Even at that last moment before ending their own life, everyone yearned for survival in a deep, dark corner of their heart. Although Takelan had lost all his teammates, he had followed us until the bitter end. Was there really a reason for that? Well, I wasn't sure.

"Yes, I forgot about that..."

However, when they had a reason, it was easier for people to pick themselves back up and move forward.

"If you've come back to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠your senses, come with me."

"...Why are you helping me like this? You won't need me now."

I gave my honest, selfish answer. "If you survive, that'll ease my mind at least a little bit."

Using others to relieve my feelings of guilt; in a way, I was just like the captain of the Third Royal Guard. The only difference was that I was well aware of how cowardly I was.

I didn't know what he thought about that statement, but after that, Takelan stepped behind me and joined our team.

That took longer than I intended.

I continued to lead the group. Before long, I spotted one of my teammates near a passageway. "Bjorn!"

As soon as I was within range, Missha and Ainar greeted me enthusiastically. I pushed them aside and spoke to Raven. "Raven, did anything happen here?"

"No..."

"Good. Did you hear what we said inside?"

"Yes, I heard..."

Okay, so I wouldn't have to repeat all of that. "But why do you keep averting your eyes?"

"What? I'm not doing that. See, look!"

Hmm, is that so?

For some weird reason, it seemed like she was uncomfortable. Oh, was it because of all the people gathered behind me? Well, even I had to admit Barbarian Captain Mode was sick.

My teasing brought her back to her normal self. "Anyway, with this many people... we can probably just figure out the numbers and leave right away. You did a good job. We were running out of time."

Running out of time. She wasn't wrong. But before that, there was just one thing I had left to do—something that might be the most critical thing for surviving this crisis.

***

Kyle Pevrosk, a rank-three battle mage known as the Iron Sorcerer, let out a hearty laugh as he observed his new leader.

I was wondering what he was doing...

The more he watched him, the stranger this man became. After gathering all these people, the first thing he made them do was introduce themselves.

"Your name?" He approached each person and asked for their name, then after hearing it, shook hands briefly. "Nice to meet you. I'm Bjorn, son of Yandel."

Some even asked the barbarian, "Why are you asking for names when there is no time?"

The answer they got in return was truly a spectacle. "There are still many people whose names I don't know."

"But why does that—"

"It is important to me. So don't interrupt me."

The barbarian continued to ask everyone for their names like he was conducting some kind of sacred ceremony. Most considered the exercise pointless. The same went for Melter Fend, the head of the Nartel Clan, who had his own years of experience and insight under his belt.

"...Could there be some kind of a hidden meaning?"

Kyle laughed at that question. "Melter Fend, why did you decide to follow him?"

"That's..." Fend hesitated before opening his mouth. "To be honest, I figured there was a reason why you chose him, Sir Kyle."

"Yes, that can be one of your reasons. But that can't be the only one. You have people you're responsible for."

"...You know about what happened?"

"I heard about it in passing. You refused the captain of the Royal Guard, saying you couldn't leave behind your fellow clan members, right?"

"This is kind of embarrassing."

"Nothing to be embarrassed about. I think it's a sign of loyalty. But to rally those members simply to blindly follow the decisions of another... Even I can't accept reasoning like that."

Fend laughed sheepishly, then chose his words more carefully this time. "This might sound strange, but I got the feeling that somehow, standing behind that man might be the safest thing I could do..."

"Followed your intuition, huh?"

"It's quite common in this industry. After all, this is a place where you die without luck."

"I am not criticizing you. I believe the other people here aren't all that different from you."

"Excuse me?" Fend tilted his head, but Kyle's next statement was equally cryptic.

"Just watch. Whether this was all pointless or not, we'll soon find out."

With that, the two observed the barbarian without much conversation. He was still taking turns asking for names one by one.

"...Hans?"

"No, Hanvus."

"Oh, is that so? Nice to meet you! It'll be short, but I hope we work well together."

"I should be saying that to you!"

It was the process of asking names and exchanging brief greetings, that was all, but something was very different than it had been at the beginning.

"Nice to meet you, Teterudra. That axe is nice."

"Haha, that's the highest compliment you can pay a dwarf."

"Please take care of the rear later."

"Don't worry about a thing."

The tension loosened more and more. In the face of a battle where their survival was entirely up in the air, the thorns around these people's hearts went slack.

"Wait, why are you skipping me?"

"Didn't I already ask you when we first met? Davers, right?"

"Ha, you remember all of that?"

"We're comrades who have to fight together."

Only then did Fend realize what had caused this change. That barbarian was easily earning the trust of all these people just by asking their names.

"Bjorn, son of Yandel. Are you really going to hear out the names of all these people?"

"Is there a problem?"

"Just as I thought, you're a stubborn guy. I am Humble Albertine. Let's grab a drink if we get out of here."

"Humble Albertine, I'll remember it."

"I can't miss out on an opportunity like that. Me too! Let me join!"

Not to mention this wasn't just building up trust between the two people speaking. These brief exchanges were heard by the people around them too.

"We're... no longer strangers."

Fend was genuinely astonished. Although they had to work as a group for now, these people had all been strangers until moments ago, but now they knew each other's names and faces. Just by hearing these short conversations, they could understand to some extent what kind of people the others were too based on the way each person connected with that barbarian. And, like a spider's web, these snippets tangled together and intertwined to form a bond.

"Bjorn Yandel, he... did he really plan all this...?"

"No, I don't think so."

"But it wouldn't make sense otherwise."

"What wouldn't?"

"...People don't normally do things like this without a reason."

Kyle chuckled. Certainly, that was usually the case—the things this barbarian was doing here would normally result in a completely different outcome. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠"Don't try to apply logic here. If you've studied history, you should know. Every era is bound to have people like him."

Taking action ordinary people couldn't understand and getting results was why these people were considered great.

***

The long introductions were over. The moment the group of one thousand was split into three under Kyle's direction, I let out a roar containing all my respect for the protection my ancestral gods provided me. "Behelaaah!"

"Haha... My friend, why did you shout this time? The other barbarians are following you already."

Oh, sorry about that, but... I can't help it. To think there wasn't a single Hans among all these people.

Was this not a miracle from the ancestors themselves?