Barbarian in a Failed Game

It had been about twenty days since they had dealt with the president of the Paradise Bank. In that time, Khan had barely done anything. Most of the events had progressed to a point where they could run smoothly on their own.

The testimonies were already coordinated, and the only variable left was Levant’s archbishop and priest-level cardinal, cardinal Zion. Khan trusted Aries to handle that matter well. It was said that Cardinal Zion was the one who had taken care of her since she was young.

In the game, even during the destruction of the corrupted church by ‘Traitor Leonir’, shion was portrayed as a mere extra who never abandoned his faith. Thanks to Khan, Aries survived and created a connection.

‘Thanks to this, things went more smoothly. Now, the imperial family should be able to handle the rest of the investigation.’

Unless it was an incompetent royal family of a peripheral kingdom, the imperial family should easily be able to paint a plausible picture based on the evidence Khan had scattered around. They would not be able to come up with a perfect conclusion, of course, unless an unforeseen variable Khan couldn’t even imagine occurred.

‘If there is a variable I can think of…’

The one that immediately came to mind was the emperor. From an average player’s perspective, Emperor Friedrick was a hard-to-meet character. At a certain point, a death event would trigger, and by that time, most characters wouldn’t have enough reputation to catch the imperial family’s eye.

Veteran players familiar with the ‘Midland Quest’—like Khan, diehard users—knew Emperor Friedrick well.

‘He’s a troublesome opponent to have.’

Among NPCs, Emperor Friedrick was one of the few named characters known for having exceptionally high AI intelligence. Now that the game had become reality, outsmarting the old emperor in a battle of wits wouldn’t be easy.

Khan wasn’t particularly brilliant. He just knew more about the world’s secrets and had experienced future events through the game.

‘If possible, it’s better to avoid getting involved with the emperor first…’

While he had a strong desire to root out the corruption hidden in the imperial family, he didn’t want to attract the emperor’s attention and hinder his activities. However, all his plans were disrupted by the sudden visit of an official with a curly beard.

“His Majesty has summoned you. Khan, Son of Gordi of Hoarfrost Gorge.”

The emperor had called for him.

***

The conversation with the emperor transpired rather quickly. Even the most prominent nobles of the empire had to go through tiresome and complicated procedures to secure an appointment with Emperor Friedrick.

‘This is essentially a free pass.’

There were no arduous entrance procedures to the palace, which was known for its strict protocols. The goat-bearded official who had come for Khan abruptly took something out of his coat, and upon seeing it, everyone hurriedly made way for them. This fantasy-like reenactment of Moses parting the Red Sea led them to an entirely unexpected place.

“This is…?”

“The bathhouse.”

‘Who doesn’t know that?’

Even a fool could tell from just looking around that this was a bathhouse. What Khan really meant to ask was why he was brought there.

“Before meeting His Majesty, you must clean yourself. I won’t ask you to dress like a court minister. If you don’t know how, the maidservants can help…”

“I’ll do it myself.”

“Alright, then. I have matters to attend to.”

The goat-bearded official, moving swiftly despite his short strides, left the room. Khan, following his instructions, soaked himself in the bath.

It was ironic; medieval people, who didn’t even know how to bathe properly, were telling him to clean himself. But when else would he have an opportunity to use a royal bathhouse?

“Hmm, looks like I’m all clean.”

After about an hour, the goat-bearded official reappeared, nodding in satisfaction. Khan, who enjoyed his bath reminiscent of a modern-day sauna, smiled and returned the nod.

‘The water temperature was somewhat lukewarm, but given the condition of the place, it couldn’t be helped.’

“There are certain protocols for the audience with His Majesty. Normally, we would confiscate your belongings before you enter the palace, but this time, His Majesty has personally granted you special permission to retain them. You should be grateful for His Majesty’s consideration, acknowledging that your kind regards themselves as warriors.”

Well, that’s overwhelmingly generous.

Although Khan didn’t show it outwardly, he knew all too well that having his weapons was merely a formality. The emperor always had that monstrous knight by his side, and within the confines of the imperial palace, assassinating the emperor was impossible.

Even if someone miraculously got past the half-dragon knight, attacking the emperor directly on his throne would be an insurmountable task, even for a transcendent being.

“From here on, mind your words and actions.”

As Khan recalled the game’s settings regarding the palace, the splendid and magnificent palace, which existed beyond the one in the game, came into his view.

“Indeed.”

“His Majesty’s time is invaluable. You won’t be given time to zone out.”

“Well, it’s quite splendid, so I was just having a look around.”

“We can give you a tour after your audience with His Majesty. Hurry up.”

Despite his usual dry demeanor, the goat-bearded official’s mustache twitched, showing he was pleased with Khan’s compliment about his workplace.

Khan’s praise of the imperial palace was neither false nor an exaggeration.

‘It’s even more impressive in person.’

While its scale and grandeur were beyond mere words, what truly impressed Khan was the hidden forces concealed from plain sight. Under the shadows of the palace, ghosts guarded the imperial family silently. The vigilance they emitted was detected through ‘Karyan’s Eyes.’

In other words, without this ability, Khan wouldn’t have known about their hidden locations, let alone their existence.

‘I never realized this in the game because they didn’t appear directly… they’re formidable.’

It was unclear whether their concealment was magical or akin to Alejandro’s natural stealth. However, for them to deceive Khan’s senses meant that even most superhumans would be easily ambushed. One could be stabbed to death by dozens of blades without realizing it.

Furthermore, the emperor’s personal guard, who protected the inner parts of the palace, were the most extravagantly equipped elite forces in the world. Several knights sworn to the emperor’s loyalty and numerous battle mages equivalent to the Magus of the Tower were present.

‘This place is truly an abyss.’

Perhaps this is how a prisoner feels, walking of their own accord to the execution ground. Despite reaching level 33 with experience points earned from capturing Serenil and having an item-boosted strength stat of 77, Khan keenly felt the need to grow stronger.

At least to the level of the top-tier powerhouses—.

“From this point on, my presence is not permitted.”

“I’ll manage.”

“Remember to mind your words and actions. If you want to keep your pride and avoid losing your life, heed my advice.”

Ignoring the repeated warnings that sounded almost like threats from the goat-bearded official, Khan walked slowly down the straight corridor. Even now, the shadows of the imperial family were hiding beyond the walls of the hallway, watching him closely.

If he made any sudden moves, they would burst through the walls and subdue him instantly.

‘…Now, what should I do?’

Honestly, Khan felt that it was premature to meet the emperor. However, since events had unfolded this way, he had no intention of cowering in fear of the emperor’s gaze.

‘I’m not entirely at a disadvantage.’

He was a Reincarnator. While he might have been an ordinary office worker in his original world, in this world, he possessed knowledge surpassing even the emperor’s.

‘I know about the emperor, but the emperor knows little about me. He’s only aware of a few paragraphs about me.’

How much would the imperial intelligence agents have uncovered? At the very least, they would have reported on all the visible events, including those in the border kingdoms. So, what impression would they have of Gordi Khan, the barbarian?

Slowly, Khan’s eyes deepened as he delved into his thoughts.

‘This should be enough for them to grasp.’

—

*

Rumble…

The door opened. The black-gold door, engraved with the crest of the six electoral lords who produced the emperor, was the final barrier to meeting the emperor. It was immovable by ordinary strength and required the combined efforts of several imperial knights. Through this imposing door emerged a colossal figure with ashen skin, unseen on the continent.

“That man…”

“One glance at him tells you he’s an exceptional warrior.”

“Yet, he seems slightly smaller compared to the barbarian we’ve seen before.”

The emperor’s ministers, seated at the lowest level of the dais, exchanged hushed conversations about the imposing barbarian who entered with such assurance.

Behind them, the emperor’s personal guards, as motionless as statues, asserted a formidable presence that bore down on the barbarian.

“Indeed, I don’t sense any mana.”

“Isn’t he the hero who supposedly defeated dragons and demons?”

“Has he perhaps acquired an ancient artifact?”

Directly above the dais where the ministers and personal guards stood, knights loyal to the imperial family and the emperor watched the barbarian. There were only ten of them, but their presence alone would make any adversary feel as if they were facing an impenetrable fortress.

These knights, referred to as ‘Bannerlords’, had reached the pinnacle of knighthood and were the emperor’s most esteemed warriors. But it did not end there.

“……”

“……”

The battle mages, consultants to the imperial mage division and considered superior even to those of the Mage Tower, silently observed. On the next step above the Bannerlords—

“Hoo…”

Conrad, the half-dragon knight and the emperor’s guardian, smiled with a hint of competitive spirit. The overwhelming force within the room, sufficient to conquer the world, was collectively fixated on a single barbarian, preparing to confront him.

In an environment that would chill the spine of even the bravest soul—

“Pay your respects──!”

A man standing on the same level as Sir Conrad, Deon, the chief court minister of the emperor, roared with such volume that it shook the entire chamber, without needing the aid of magic.

“……”

With a languid gaze, the emperor watched the barbarian’s response. What would he do under such an overwhelming amount of attention and pressure?

Khan’s lips curled slightly, excited by the madness of what he was about to do.

“A warrior from Hoarfrost Gorge does not kneel──!!”