Episode 630: Abandoned City (3)
Biffron is an abandoned city.
It was originally the 14th district of Ravigion, a residential area with a dimensional plaza, but a long time ago, the protective magic circle that blocked the witch’s poison broke down, and the entire district was closed.
And….
‘It became a concentration camp.’
The royal family probably thought it was a waste to throw away one city district, so they separated out 14 districts and renamed it ‘Biffron’, making it a city for other purposes.
A dreamer who dreams of revolution.
A thinker with an enterprising mindset.
Or people who are dissatisfied with the city system itself, etc.
The royal family imprisoned all such ‘reactionaries’ in Biffron and, as a result, was able to reap much greater benefits than simply hanging them.
But…
‘The royal family must be in a state of uncertainty right now.’
This was proven when the Noark guys left the castle walls.
There is no such thing as a witch’s poison that melts your body the moment you leave.
Well, since it is difficult for ordinary citizens to access information, they only perceive this as a ghost story.
anyway.
“Huh…”
That’s all I know about Bifron right now.
So why has Beefron become so important?
Because it is a politically important city for the royal family?
So are you planning to use that in Noark as well?
That was the first thought that came to mind at first, but the longer I thought about it, the more it seemed like it wasn’t the case.
That’s because I can’t explain it.
If that were the case, the royal family would have tried to protect it somehow, such as by sending troops to Bifron.
It’s not like there are only idiots in the royal family, and there’s no way they couldn’t do what I thought.
‘…If you investigate, something will come out.’
In that sense, the investigation into Bifron continued even after leaving the checkpoint.
A search party was formed to look around the city to see if there were any legends or similar passed down to the residents.
Also….
Sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssswwb though…!
I also climbed up the castle walls, which I had not been able to check before because of the knights.
I happened to be with my colleagues.
“Wow…”
“It’s different from the outside I’ve imagined since I was a child. I thought it would be a land full of darkness…”
“Ugh. “Something… it looks very peaceful…”
To say that the outside world seen from the high castle wall was spectacular is not enough.
The lush bushes and mountain valleys hinted that nature full of vitality extends beyond the invisible horizon.
“Shall we just jump out of here?”
“what…?”
“Just like that. I was wondering if it would matter if I went out there. Whether it’s Noark or the royal family…”
I didn’t think it was nonsense.
Actually, I had a similar impulse as soon as I saw underneath that wall.
What would happen if I really just went out there?
Unless you’re going to go back to the original world anyway.
Isn’t that really one way?
Then, there is no reason to be so anxious to get to the gate of the abyss, and there is no need to become tenaciously strong because I am afraid of the royal family who is watching me with their eyes wide open.
Losing something in order to move forward.
Everything would be gone.
As those feelings bloomed, I slowly shook my head.
“Probably not.”
“yes?”
“Because the protection magic circle is probably working.”
“yes? But Bifron clearly said that the magic circle was broken…”
“How can you believe what Wanga said?”
When I told him to shoot an arrow outside, Erwen pulled the string with a nervous expression.
And…
Kak-!
Eventually, the flying arrow hits the air with a loud sound and falls.
“As expected, he was fine.”
“…Iknow, right.”
Erwen was disappointed by that fact, but naturally asked me.
“But if I shoot harder, wouldn’t there be an opening?”
“I don’t mind trying, but it probably won’t work. “The guardian magic circle is the legacy of the last great sage, Gabrielius.”
Besides, I didn’t say anything.
There is no guarantee that going out in the first place will lead to the life I want.
Isn’t he like that too?
Why did the Noark bastards who left the castle walls come back to this city?
There must have been some good reason for that.
And not only that…
‘Running away isn’t for me.’
As I live the life of a barbarian, my body and mind have all been affected.
I don’t want to run away and hide like the slash-and-burn farmers of the Middle Ages.
No, to be exact….
‘It’s better to turn everything over.’
It would be much better to have no reason to run away.
If I were to destroy everything and become king, there would be no reason to build a house and live in the middle of nowhere, right?
I wonder if it’s realistically possible, but…
‘Hmm… Is there anything that can’t be done?’
When I see these thoughts, I feel like I have become a true barbarian.
***
It’s the second day since I started researching a city called ‘Bifron’ in various directions.
By chance, I ran into an old friend.
“You’ve grown a lot.”
“hello. “Baron.”
The day I was exiled to Biffron, a ten-year-old boy boldly approached me and asked for 100 stone to be my guide.
The kid had already become a fresh-faced boy.
So much so that I didn’t even recognize him until he came and said hello first.
“You were eleven at the time, right?”
“You remember that….”
“They also said that the only person who can prove his or her qualifications is fourteen.”
“yes. you’re right.”
“But why are you still here?”
In response to my question, the guy chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.
“I failed. “I prove my worth.”
“…I see.”
“I guess I just didn’t have enough time. “There’s no way there was a lack of effort.”
“So are you looking to try again?”
“You really don’t know, Baron. You can only prove your qualifications once, at the age of fourteen. “If you don’t get out then, you will be deprived of opportunities for the rest of your life.”
Rather, I had a hard time finding anything to say as he spoke so calmly.
Should I say I feel a little sad?
Ah, I guess I just have to be honest about how I feel.
“That’s a shame.”
“no. “I think things are better now.”
“…?”
“These days, I’m helping other younger siblings pass their qualifications. “So that they can get out.”
“Isn’t it unfair?”
In response to my question, the guy just smiled, thanked me for remembering that he really just came to say hello, and left.
Is it time to go educate my younger siblings?
Just in case, I asked if there were any ghost stories or mysterious places in Bifron, but I was told there were no.
‘There’s really nothing…’
As the investigation continues, I become a little more impatient.
To be honest, I thought that if I decided to search the city, I would find something.
“What about contact with the outside world of Bersil? Is it still difficult?”
“yes. It’s not easy. When you look at the result of the guardian magic circle itself, it seems close to a dimensional disconnection phenomenon…”
“I see.”
“The only way is to communicate through physical means, but no matter how many times I wave the flag on the castle wall, they won’t listen. For some reason, the houses near the walls have been completely emptied and there are no people on the streets. “It was as if everyone had evacuated.”
“It’s an evacuation…”
As time passes, I become more curious about the situation outside than the situation inside.
There is no way to get news after this.
Even if the community hadn’t been shut down, we would have prepared various things while waiting for that time.
One day, two days, three days…
Time passed without much success, and the explorers who followed me to Biffron also became accustomed to this place.
Since they could not sleep in the square, they slept in the people’s houses, so in return they repaired their shabby houses, gave them things from outside, and the priests treated the sick.
As such exchanges continue, even those who initially disliked the local residents as if they were sick with the plague are gradually disappearing.
For someone like me, who once ruled Biffron, it was a very nice sight.
But…
my heart beats –
as this peaceful time continues, I start to feel somewhat uneasy.
There is no progress in the investigation.
In such a situation, since neither the royal family nor Noark are taking any action, should I say that only strange thoughts arise?
Sigh.
Soon I got out of bed, put on my coat and went out. My body was sore and I couldn’t sleep even if I closed my eyes, so I was thinking of going for a walk.
plod trudge.
Even though Bifron was relatively clean, the streets at night were different from other areas.
First of all, even if it’s dark, it’s still too dark.
It was one of the unavoidable characteristics of the nightlife as Biffron was overwhelmingly lacking in resources.
‘Well, it’s still nice because it has charm and is quiet.’
As I continued walking along the night streets, I arrived at a place where the outer wall was located.
I didn’t really mean to come here.
I thought about turning back at this point, but I was curious about what the outside of the castle walls looked like at night, so I climbed up to the top of the walls.
Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much!
The refreshing night air blows.
However, the night view from the castle wall was completely different from what I expected.
“I can’t see anything.”
Only dark darkness spreads below.
When I look down, it feels like something is going to jump out of it and pull me in.
‘…the sky is just black.’
I must have chosen the wrong day, so the stars are barely visible.
So, I was just about to get some fresh air and then turn around to go home.
Tuk. Sёarch* The Nôvel(F)ire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
I felt a presence behind me.
It’s so clear that even the nerves of a dull barbarian won’t confuse it.
Swish.
When I turned my back, an unidentified person covered with a hood was standing on the castle wall like a ghost.
“Baron Yandel, listen.”
There was no need to ask who the other person was.
Because at that moment the wind blew strong.
Ssssssssssssss-!
Light armor with gaping hood.
A dagger strapped to a belt.
And even being a woman.
“What is the Rose Order doing here?”
When I asked the question vaguely, the woman took out a rolled up scroll from her bosom and unfolded it.
“It’s the king’s name.”
Hey, what’s going on this night?
***
The content of the king’s command delivered by a member of the Rose Knights, who suddenly came at night when the moon was not fully up, was very simple.
So, to sum it up….
“We’re going to temporarily open a checkpoint in Area 4, so get out of there quickly, right?”
“My job is to deliver.”
“That’s hard to say.”
I tried jokingly, but the woman didn’t respond and just kept quiet.
Are you the type of person who doesn’t have any conversations outside of work?
Well, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a way.
“But isn’t it your job to convey the king’s words well? So please answer me. The scroll said to bring me and the resident explorers from District 7…”
“What do you want to ask?”
“Do we not have to take the residents of Biffron with us?”
“Positive.”
“Why?”
“That’s a strange question. “They don’t have permission to enter the living area in the first place.”
“What if you say you’ll take me with you?”
“Such an assumption is meaningless. As I said just now, they do not have permission to enter.”
Simply put, it means that we will prevent it at all costs.
And the problem is that this opponent is not the type that can be used as force.
“Or are you planning to rebel against the king’s orders?”
“No way. “I was just asking because I was curious.”
“Then that’s it. “Please lead the explorers from Area 7 to the checkpoint at the time written.”
Afterwards, I tried asking other questions, but it was difficult to get a proper answer.
“Why is the Area 4 checkpoint still closed? “We could have taken the Biffron and attacked Areas 7 and 13.”
“I don’t know.”
“Since when did you know we were in Biffron?”
“I don’t know.”
“It looks like Noark is trying to play something with Biffron. Does the royal family know about it?
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know everything?”
I was annoyed and spoke sarcastically, and the woman laughed.
However, I did not get tired and asked again.
“Then what is your name? “You don’t even know my name, right?”
“I don’t know.”
Huh… this guy is really strong too.
Sensing that this was a formidable opponent, I spoke a little more provocatively.
“What happens if I don’t go to the checkpoint at the appointed time? Oh, I’m not saying you’re breaking the king’s command, but you never know. “Something might come up and I won’t be able to go.”
The woman had no particular reaction to my words.
I just thought about it for a bit…
“Do you see that star over there?”
I stretched out my index finger and pointed at the night sky.
“…however?”
“If you look down from there, we will probably look that small too. Even if the target is you, the so-called giant Baron.”
What on earth does this woman want to say?
I frowned, pretending not to know anything, but in fact, I think I know roughly. From the royal family’s point of view, I guess I am just a small being.
“I mean there is only one thing the Baron needs to know. “To lead the people to the checkpoint on time and at the appointed time without breaking the king’s orders.”
A normal person would have curled his tail at words that drew a line like that, but like a barbarian, I tilted my head.
“…So what happens if I can’t go?”
Just as you can’t communicate with me, I’m not the type of person you can communicate with either.
He soon got tired of my persistence or was just amazed. The woman looked at me intently and spoke coldly.
“You should come. Even for your own sake.”
Overbearing words that don’t explain anything.
However, I was able to feel it intuitively through those last words.
Although I can’t really provide any evidence for it.
“You guys….”
“….”
“Are you really planning to blow up the entire Biffron?”
Usually, these premonitions turn out to be correct.