Chapter 238: Awl (3)

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 238: Awl (3)

The moment I said that, Clown took in a deep, sharp breath, revealing a sense of shock that could not by any means be hidden by a mask. His reaction alone confirmed that what I'd said was the truth. But was the announcement itself too shocking?

"Corpse Collector...?" The members urgently turned their disbelieving eyes to one place in particular, where the Round Table's jewel was located. Before long, the jewel began to glow a specific color—a very vivid green.

"...It's true."

Now, everyone's eyes shifted again, not to the jewel that had done its job, but to Clown, whose brain appeared to be malfunctioning. With eyes full of wariness and hostility, Clown did not say anything at all. Of course, it wasn't because their gazes were causing him discomfort. If he were that type of person, he wouldn't have revealed he was from Noark in the first place.

He must be surprised I knew his identity.

I hadn't actually intended to flaunt that fact, either. It would be next to impossible to deduce I was Bjorn Yandel from this piece of information alone, but I had determined that revealing it would just put me at risk.

But to think the cards would fall right into place on their own.

If I had revealed his identity first, Clown might have assumed I obtained that information recently. But now?

"Mr. Crescent Moon said it seemed like Mr. Lion knew all of our identities. I guess that's not the case."

Clown had provoked me and created the perfect setup. No, not only that, but this guy had even revealed that he was from Noark with his own lips. To put it simply, even if his identity was exposed, he was not the kind of person who would leave the gathering.

Well, since it's already known to the whole world that he's a player, his identity won't be as important to him as the other guys'.

Thanks to that, nothing was stopping me. I could still have my Plan B of keeping him by my side to extract information and expose his identity and give him a middle finger. Doing so even came with several additional benefits. Since he had revealed that he was from Noark, the other members would openly expect information from their side from him. In addition, I could solidify Lion's character in front of the other members and leave room for newbie Queen to jump to her own conclusions. This was also a very important aspect for me. The more Lion appeared like a veteran, the harder it would be to associate him with Bjorn Yandel. I'd truly hit the jackpot.

"...A secret chatroom with the Corpse Collector. I'm glad I joined," Queen murmured, ending the brief silence.

"...Pshehe, you got me good." Coming to his senses then, Clown pretended he hadn't lost his composure and faked a laugh.

Goblin hadn't been able to meet Clown's eyes ever since he heard the words "Corpse Collector," and Fox and Deer shot me even warier looks than they were giving Clown.

"...You really know everything."

"Just who are you...?"

Ahhh, nice... That's the stuff.

I tried my best to keep the corners of my mouth fixed in place and ignored their questions as nonchalantly as possible. Thanks to that, everyone's attention shifted to Clown again.

"Now, how does it feel to have your identity exposed, Corpse Collector?" Deer snarled in a way that implied he had a past with Corpse Collector.

But Clown didn't miss a beat. "Pshehe, I don't know. How am I feeling? Only like Mr. Lion is more dangerous than I thought."

"You'll keep pretending to be unshaken until the end, huh."

"Tsk, it takes one to know one. You think I care about the likes of you guys and what you think of me? It's not like I've spent my days hiding myself like all of you."

He wasn't exactly wrong, but did Deer pick up on the nuance hidden in those words? "...You're still going to keep attending the gathering after all this?"

"Of course. Ah, but I hope you don't misunderstand and assume that I'm staying because of you guys. The reason I want to stay is all because of Mr. Lion."

To be honest, this kind of reaction was a bit surprising. I couldn't believe he could still act friendly toward me after the murderous intent incident, followed by my exposing his identity. Was this bastard a punching bag or something? Even while I was inwardly marveling at him, the battle of wills between Deer and Clown continued.

"Anyway, Mr. Deer. You should watch your mouth. What are you going to do if I come looking for you?"

"I don't think there is anything to worry about. I'm not stupid enough to expose my identity wherever I go like you."

"Pshehe, are you sure about that? I already have about four candidates in mind. I'm sure I'll figure it out if I kill them all."

"Pffft, try it if you dare. You think that'll scare me? Not too long ago, you were almost beaten to death by a barbarian. I guess that arrogant personality of yours came out unscathed, though."

"You... do you really want to die?"

Judging by that rave review, the winner was Deer. Clown then pressured him with murderous intent but I guessed they were around the same level, because Deer didn't even flinch.

"Now, now. Stop it. Members should be friendly with each other. No?" Queen stepped in to arbitrate. It was kind of funny. What kind of newbie was she? "Let's do another round instead. I didn't realize it before, but this is so much fun."

I guessed Queen's absurd network was an impressive enough draw because the battle of wills stopped there. But the moment the next round was about to start, Fox forfeited.

"I will stop here." I guessed she had no more information to use. This happened once in a while so it wasn't so strange. Except that instead of leaving the chatroom, Fox went through the door and waited. "I'll wait outside until it's over." This was the first time this had happened since I became a member. "Please make some time for me once this is over. I have something to tell you, Mr. Lion."

Something to tell me, huh? Is this related to her absentmindedness earlier?

"...You might already know it, though."

Fox left with that mysterious statement and the second round started right after.

The first turn was Queen's. She must have liked the system of the gathering because her voice was cheerful as she whipped out her information. "Everyone knows the GM, right? But let's see if you know this. Huhu! This is a common misconception, but this community was not actually created by the GM!" Her tone implied she was sure that this was a free pass, but the light emitted by the jewel was, of course, red. "Eh...?"

"That is information Lion has shared before," Deer informed a startled Queen.

"...Mr. Lion knew about that?" Queen stared at me. It seemed her curiosity about me had grown even more. Well, the same went for me too.

Who is she, really?

This was high-quality information that no one else at this summit had known about before I'd told them.

"You'll keep pretending to be unshaken until the end, huh."

"Tsk, it takes one to know one. You think I care about the likes of you guys and what you think of me? It's not like I've spent my days hiding myself like all of you."

He wasn't exactly wrong, but did Deer pick up on the nuance hidden in those words? "...You're still going to keep attending the gathering after all this?"

"Of course. Ah, but I hope you don't misunderstand and assume that I'm staying because of you guys. The reason I want to stay is all because of Mr. Lion."

To be honest, this kind of reaction was a bit surprising. I couldn't believe he could still act friendly toward me after the murderous intent incident, followed by my exposing his identity. Was this bastard a punching bag or something? Even while I was inwardly marveling at him, the battle of wills between Deer and Clown continued.

"Anyway, Mr. Deer. You should watch your mouth. What are you going to do if I come looking for you?"

"I don't think there is anything to worry about. I'm not stupid enough to expose my identity wherever I go like you."

"Pshehe, are you sure about that? I already have about four candidates in mind. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I'm sure I'll figure it out if I kill them all."

"Pffft, try it if you dare. You think that'll scare me? Not too long ago, you were almost beaten to death by a barbarian. I guess that arrogant personality of yours came out unscathed, though."

"You... do you really want to die?"

Judging by that rave review, the winner was Deer. Clown then pressured him with murderous intent but I guessed they were around the same level, because Deer didn't even flinch.

"Now, now. Stop it. Members should be friendly with each other. No?" Queen stepped in to arbitrate. It was kind of funny. What kind of newbie was she? "Let's do another round instead. I didn't realize it before, but this is so much fun."

I guessed Queen's absurd network was an impressive enough draw because the battle of wills stopped there. But the moment the next round was about to start, Fox forfeited.

"I will stop here." I guessed she had no more information to use. This happened once in a while so it wasn't so strange. Except that ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠instead of leaving the chatroom, Fox went through the door and waited. "I'll wait outside until it's over." This was the first time this had happened since I became a member. "Please make some time for me once this is over. I have something to tell you, Mr. Lion."

Something to tell me, huh? Is this related to her absentmindedness earlier?

"...You might already know it, though."

Fox left with that mysterious statement and the second round started right after.

The first turn was Queen's. She must have liked the system of the gathering because her voice was cheerful as she whipped out her information. "Everyone knows the GM, right? But let's see if you know this. Huhu! This is a common misconception, but this community was not actually created by the GM!" Her tone implied she was sure that this was a free pass, but the light emitted by the jewel was, of course, red. "Eh...?"

"That is information Lion has shared before," Deer informed a startled Queen.

"...Mr. Lion knew about that?" Queen stared at me. It seemed her curiosity about me had grown even more. Well, the same went for me too.

Who is she, really?

This was high-quality information that no one else at this summit had known about before I'd told them.

It could be someone from the moderator team. No, wait...

The moment that thought came to me out of nowhere, although I'd only met her once, a face buried in my subconscious flashed through my mind—the woman who'd acted as a guide and filled me in when I first entered this community.

Come to think of it, her nickname was Soul Queen.

Coincidentally, this woman had chosen a queen mask. Clown said we always chose the mask that most resembled us. Was this really a coincidence? Even though she was also a Caucasian with blonde hair?

Her voice seems similar too. Why didn't I realize it immediately?

The realization was late, but this was actually normal. A person was bound to look totally different without their nose. If it weren't for the fact that she was using the name Queen, my subconscious wouldn't have even thought of Soul Queen.

It's not confirmed yet, but I'd better operate under the assumption that I'm right for now.

While I was in the middle of processing this new possibility, Queen revealed new information and promptly received another disqualification. "Hmm, I guess I should opt for recent information, then. Within a few years, a six-person binding spell will be invented. It'll completely change the structure of quests. How about that? Isn't that amazing—"

Ha, how many people were going to beat that dead horse?

"Eh?" Seeing the red light, Queen looked bewildered. "Are you sure there's nothing wrong with this jewel?"

"Of course not. That is information that has already been mentioned before. Since half a year has passed, there should be about a year and a half left until the binding spell is released to the public."

"Wow, you even know the time frame? This place is really high-level," Queen remarked innocently.

Clown laughed arrogantly. "Pshehe, your level is just ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠too low." He probably wasn't being serious. The presence Queen carried had been unrivaled by any other member thus far.

He must be doing this so that she'll reveal more valuable information.

Goblin had been keeping his mouth shut ever since Clown mentioned the word "level." He knew how to read the room, for once.

"Hmm, this one's a bit sensitive..." Sounding completely unaffected, Queen went for a third try. "The king isn't sick. It was all a lie."

...Huh?

The jewel responded to Queen's words with a green light, which caused even more havoc at the Round Table. The reason was simple: the exact opposite information had been stated several meetings ago by Clown.

"The king of Rafdonia's illness is getting worse."

In a way, this could be said to be the Round Table's key weakness. If the speaker was 100 percent confident in what they were saying, the gem emitted a green light. It did not discern between fact and fiction, but lies and truth. If it weren't for that, people would have been able to use the system to ask about all kinds of information.

"This has become a headache."

"Excuse me? Why is it a headache?"

Deer sighed and explained the situation to Queen. "Hmm, neither one of us has lied, but one of us has it wrong?"

"Exactly."

"Then wouldn't it make sense for my words to hold more weight? Everyone here thinks that the king is sick, but I'm the only one who is convinced it is a lie."

"Pshehe, and where did you hear that nonsense?"

"Hmm, is this your limit, Corpse Collector?"

Clown was triggered by Queen's provocation. "...What did you just say?"

Queen fired back with a witty retort. "Then where did you hear the information, Mr. Clown? I met with the king in person. But you're still surer than I am?"

"...Anyone could say something like that."

"I never thought the Corpse Collector would be so uptight. Here, I'll place my hand on the jewel. Is that good with you?" Queen proceeded to state that she met with the king and the jewel glowed green.

Clown couldn't argue with that. How did this guy end up in this situation? He was getting beaten down from all sides today.

"Another monster like Lion. A player able to contact the king..."

"It's not like that. I just happened to get the chance." Queen, as her mask implied, established a strong first impression from her very first gathering.

"Why are there more and more people like this here?" As a bonus, Goblin was humbled.

"Then enough about this matter. Let's move on to the next! Mr. Goblin, you go!"

"M-Me?"

"Yes!" Queen, with that powerful aura of hers, naturally led the round. Goblin couldn't refuse and obediently went next.

"The Magic Tower discovered a way to penetrate Noark's barrier yesterday. It appears they'll be able to do it at any moment. Oh, thirty High Priests will have to gather to offer a prayer, though."

So, there was finally a way. Perhaps a second punitive expedition would be formed in the near future.

"So he says, Corpse Collector."

"What are you gloating about? Sounds like the temple will withdraw support from the palace, anyway."

"You think a mere religious body can rebel against the king?"

"The palace no longer has him, either."

"Damn it, if I knew you were on their side, I would never have brought that up."

Deer and Clown ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠started bickering again.

"Um... are you not stopping them this time?" Goblin asked Queen pointedly, but she just watched with amusement.

"Why? Now that I'm taking a closer look, this just adds to the fun."

"I-I see?" Thus, even Queen remained a spectator in their battle of wills and the conversation seemed to be nowhere near reaching its end, but surprisingly, the winner was quickly decided.

"Oh, right. Congratulations. I heard you got a new nickname."

"...What do you mean?" Clown reacted like this was news to him.

"Oh, didn't you hear? Your new nickname is Toy Collector."

"Oh my, how vulgar." Queen covered her mouth like she knew exactly what the moniker was referring to, and Deer continued explaining without hiding his amusement.

"Toy Collector. It's because you're like a baby."

"I'm like a baby...?" Clown didn't seem to understand what he meant.

Expecting this, Deer gave an exaggerated tilt of his head. "What? Are you not? Bjorn Yandel has infamously been talking about it every day at drinking parties."

"Th-that bastard...?" Clown's voice shook as he slowly remembered something.

This was the perfect moment to land the finishing blow. "You, you're small." Like the longtime player he was, Deer didn't miss his shot and stabbed the dagger right into his heart.

Crackkk.

The sound of something shattering could be heard from Clown's mouth. I took a moment to offer an internal apology.

Oh, sorry, sorry. I specifically told them to keep that a secret.

"Pfft."

But somehow things had just ended up like this.

It could be someone from the moderator team. No, wait...

The moment that thought came to me out of nowhere, although I'd only met her once, a face buried in my subconscious flashed through my mind—the woman who'd acted as a guide and filled me in when I first entered this community.

Come to think of it, her nickname was Soul Queen.

Coincidentally, this woman had chosen a queen mask. Clown said we always chose the mask that most resembled us. Was this really a coincidence? Even though she was also a Caucasian with blonde hair?

Her voice seems similar too. Why didn't I realize it immediately?

The realization was late, but this was actually normal. A person was bound to look totally different without their nose. If it weren't for the fact that she was using the name Queen, my subconscious wouldn't have even thought of Soul Queen.

It's not confirmed yet, but I'd better operate under the assumption that I'm right for now.

While I was in the middle of processing this new possibility, Queen revealed new information and promptly received another disqualification. "Hmm, I guess I should opt for recent information, then. Within a few years, a six-person binding spell will be invented. It'll completely change the structure of quests. How about that? Isn't that amazing—"

Ha, how many people were going to beat that dead horse?

"Eh?" Seeing the red light, Queen looked bewildered. "Are you sure there's nothing wrong with this jewel?"

"Of course not. That is information that has already been mentioned before. Since half a year has passed, there should be about a year and a half left until the binding spell is released to the public."

"Wow, you even know the time frame? This place is really high-level," Queen remarked innocently.

Clown laughed arrogantly. "Pshehe, your level is just too low." He probably wasn't being serious. The presence Queen carried had been unrivaled by any other member thus far.

He must be doing this so that she'll reveal more valuable information.

Goblin had been keeping his mouth shut ever since Clown mentioned the word "level." He knew how to read the room, for once.

"Hmm, this one's a bit sensitive..." Sounding completely unaffected, Queen went for a third try. "The king isn't sick. It was all a lie."

...Huh?

The jewel responded to Queen's words with a green light, which caused even more havoc at the Round Table. The reason was simple: the exact opposite information had been stated several meetings ago by Clown.

"The king of Rafdonia's illness is getting worse."

In a way, this could be said to be the Round Table's key weakness. If the speaker was 100 percent confident in what they were saying, the gem emitted a green light. It did not discern between fact and fiction, but lies and truth. If it weren't for that, people would have been able to use the system to ask about all kinds of information.

"This has become a headache."

"Excuse me? Why is it a headache?"

Deer sighed and explained the situation to Queen. "Hmm, neither one of us has lied, but one of us has it wrong?"

"Exactly."

"Then wouldn't it make sense for my words to hold more weight? Everyone here thinks that the king is sick, but I'm the only one who is convinced it is a lie."

"Pshehe, and where did you hear that nonsense?"

"Hmm, is this your limit, Corpse Collector?"

Clown was triggered by Queen's provocation. "...What did you just say?"

Queen fired back with a witty retort. "Then where did you hear the information, Mr. Clown? I met with the king in person. But you're still surer than I am?"

"...Anyone could say something like that."

"I never thought the Corpse Collector would be so uptight. Here, I'll place my hand on the jewel. Is that good with you?" Queen proceeded to state that she met with the king and the jewel glowed green.

Clown couldn't argue with that. How did this guy end up in this situation? He was getting beaten down from all sides today.

"Another monster like Lion. A player able to contact the king..."

"It's not like that. I just happened to get the chance." Queen, as her mask implied, established a strong first impression from her very first gathering.

"Why are there more and more people like this here?" As a bonus, Goblin was humbled.

"Then enough about this matter. Let's move on to the next! Mr. Goblin, you go!"

"M-Me?"

"Yes!" Queen, with that powerful aura of hers, naturally led the round. Goblin couldn't refuse and obediently went next.

"The Magic Tower discovered a way to penetrate Noark's barrier yesterday. It appears they'll be able to do it at any moment. Oh, thirty High Priests will have to gather to offer a prayer, though."

So, there was finally a way. Perhaps a second punitive expedition would be formed in the near future.

"So he says, Corpse Collector."

"What are you gloating about? Sounds like the temple will withdraw support from the palace, anyway."

"You think a mere religious body can rebel against the king?"

"The palace no longer has him, either."

"Damn it, if I knew you were on their side, I would never have brought that up."

Deer and Clown started bickering again.

"Um... are you not stopping them this time?" Goblin asked Queen pointedly, but she just watched with amusement.

"Why? Now that I'm taking a closer look, this just adds to the fun."

"I-I see?" Thus, even Queen remained a spectator in their battle of wills and the conversation seemed to be nowhere near reaching its end, but surprisingly, the winner was quickly decided.

"Oh, right. Congratulations. I heard you got a new nickname."

"...What do you mean?" Clown reacted like this was news to him.

"Oh, didn't you hear? Your new nickname is Toy Collector."

"Oh my, how vulgar." Queen covered her mouth like she knew exactly what the moniker was referring to, and Deer continued explaining without hiding his amusement.

"Toy Collector. It's because you're like a baby."

"I'm like a baby...?" Clown didn't seem to understand what he meant.

Expecting this, Deer gave an exaggerated tilt of his head. "What? Are you not? Bjorn Yandel has infamously been talking about it every day at drinking parties."

"Th-that bastard...?" Clown's voice shook as he slowly remembered something.

This was the perfect moment to land the finishing blow. "You, you're small." Like the longtime player he was, Deer didn't miss his shot and stabbed the dagger right into his heart.

Crackkk.

The sound of something shattering could be heard from Clown's mouth. I took a moment to offer an internal apology.

Oh, sorry, sorry. I specifically told them to keep that a secret.

"Pfft."

But somehow things had just ended up like this.