Originally classified as part of the city area of ‘Lavigion,’ it has now been designated a no-entry zone, and even the dimensional plaza there has disappeared.

In fact, this place was once considered as a possible escape route.

Once we crossed into Viphron, going from Viphron to District 4 was one option.

“But there’s an active protective magic circle in Viphron, so crossing the walls by normal means is impossible.”

“That’s not a problem. Using a secret passage in the sewers, we can enter inside even with the magic circle active.”

“There’s something like that...?”

“Yes. I was exiled for twenty days once, and happened to find out about it then.”

Incidentally, it was Amelia who told me about that passage.

“Oh! That time! I remember now! I was really worried back then...”

Anyway, despite knowing a way to Viphron, this route was ultimately not chosen.

The sewers were crawling with troops.

So it was judged better to target the city walls instead.

If we were to break through the sewers, it would be more rational to head straight into the city without passing through Viphron.

Above all, there were problems with Viphron itself.

“Vip-Viphron, you say?”

“...Going there feels too unsettling.”

“We don’t even have an antidote right now!”

To carry out the escape plan, troops were needed, but most explorers found Viphron extremely uncomfortable.

Well, even I would probably feel that way if asked to enter a radioactive area without protective gear.

‘...It’s not like there’s no witch’s poison here either.’

Though I knew outside the walls was fine, as a noble I couldn’t say that to them.

There’s a clear difference between rumors spreading and an official noble stating it.

‘...Well, come to think of it, it’s probably not entirely untrue.’

Outside is fine.

But in Viphron, people get sick and die every day from the witch’s poison.

So how did this happen?

‘The royal family must be poisoning or spraying it.’

For those reasons, the simple plan to go through Viphron was withdrawn.

But now the situation was different.

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaaah!!”

Shouting battle cries, we dashed through the sewers.

The low ceiling prevented using [Giant Form], so we couldn’t go all out, but it didn’t bother us much.

The terrain affected the enemies just the same.

Kraaaang!

They couldn’t use destructive magic or psychic powers fearing the collapsed terrain.

Also, it wasn’t an open area, so we didn’t need to block dozens of attacks at once.

For a shield barbarian with some level of training, it was quite manageable...

Still, it felt a bit unfair.

‘They said they wouldn’t stop us going to Viphron.’

Was that promise only for the troops stationed at the walls? Or did the communication between them fail, and the message never got through?

I didn’t know, but the troops in the sewers relentlessly attacked us as soon as we descended.

“D-Don’t stop us, just back off! Keep your distance!”

“Aaaah!”

I took it upon myself to clear the way to the secret passage, but losses still occurred.

The situation was similar to the crystal cave on the 1st floor.

The sewer’s labyrinthine tunnels were like ant nests, with attacks from flanks and rear, causing casualties among those following.

The current members weren’t elite single fighters like during Ice Rock.

Lower-level explorers operating below the 3rd floor had almost no chance of surviving such large-scale combat on their own.

Thump—

I felt like smoking a cigarette, though I never did in life.

‘...How many have died?’

There can be no sacrifice-free path.

That’s ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) how brutal this world is.

Though knowing this better than anyone, decisions like this always weigh heavy on the heart.

It’s all the fault of the Noark bastards.

I bear no blame.

Still, I can’t help but think.

‘...If I had just climbed the walls when the way was open, some people might not have had to die.’

Of course, I don’t regret my decision.

I just feel I must live harder from now on.

If I were a bigger person, I wouldn’t have had to give up anything.

Yeah, so...

Crunch—

I pushed forward with my shield against my shoulder.

Though it was something I’d repeated many times through countless hardships, this time it felt different.

Was it too easy?

“...What is this!”

“Fall back! Fall back...!!”

With Aegis’s barrier, there was no way to stop me in the narrow corridor.

Because the moment the guard succeeds, a barbarian rushing in with no damage taken is unstoppable.

“Yandel! Stop!”

I only ended my sprint after hearing Amelia’s shout.

“We’ve arrived.”

I hadn’t realized it while bursting through.

After reaching the secret passage entrance leading to Viphron, it got much easier.

There were no troops waiting in the passage, and no pursuers followed, as if they gave up.

Thanks to that, we slowed down and moved more comfortably...

“How’s the damage so far?”

I heard the report from Versil, who managed personnel overall.

Of course, even Versil didn’t know the exact numbers.

But...

“Looks like most casualties are among explorers below rank 7. We tried to assign them safer places, but...”

“I see.”

“Still, thanks to Yandel opening the way, the damage was limited to this.”

Just from the estimated figures, a bitter feeling welled up.

I should be numb to this by now.

Maybe it’s menopause, but I increasingly don’t see these numbers as mere numbers.

“...Yandel, what are you thinking?”

“Nothing.”

“...”

Anyway, after moving along the secret passage for a while, we reached the sewer area of Viphron.

And then...

“Yandel, people.”

As soon as we entered the sewer area, we met unfamiliar figures.

Fortunately, they weren’t Noark troops...

“B-Boss?”

Surprisingly, they were people I knew.

“Boss? You don’t mean—?”

I immediately reached out, grabbed a head of hair, and pulled off a wig to reveal a man with a familiar jellyfish cut.

His name was...

“...Jingjing?”

“Yes, yes! It’s me! Jingkasar Peljain! Your faithful right hand!”

Right hand or not, I didn’t know his real name well.

He was the one who tended to me when I stayed in Viphron years ago.

Though it was good to see him, it was still...

“So what have you been doing here alone?”

“Well... the atmosphere felt bad. I was looking for a way to escape Viphron.”

Well, he knew about the secret passage thanks to me.

I told him to stay ready and live properly, but he hadn’t come until now due to busy circumstances.

Anyway, now that things had happened, he was looking for a way out alone...

“Left your subordinates behind and came alone?”

I frowned in disdain, and Jingjing hurriedly defended himself.

“No, no way! I’ve changed a lot since then!”

Hmm, really?

He did seem sharper than before...

“What would I do surviving alone? I don’t have much time left... I was planning to find the passage, get out, and check on things!”

“Oh, so that’s how you’ve changed...”

“...What? So what’s changed...?”

“Forget it. I have some questions, so answer them.”

Meeting a local in the sewers, I quickly checked the city situation.

Maybe the Noark bastards had invaded this area already.

But...

“Noark... you mean? Ah, is this whole chaos caused by them?”

Jingjing didn’t even realize the current situation was due to Noark.

The royal family hadn’t told him anything?

“Well... suddenly there was a commotion; soldiers locked the checkpoint doors and told us to wait, then no contact. But we heard sounds of fighting near the walls... The residents were very anxious.”

Even for Viphron, that was harsh.

It’s war, but could they not at least say it was war?

“So that’s why you said you were going out to get news, not escape.”

“Yes... I didn’t know it was so bad outside. No-Noark invaded? How serious is it?”

“The 7th and 13th districts were taken by them. We barely escaped the 7th.”

“Th-That...!”

Jingjing’s mouth dropped at the news of two districts falling, but there was no time to wait for him to recover.

“Follow me for now. We’ll talk on the way.”

While moving, Jingjing told me what he knew.

From any suspicious newcomers to how the city had changed since I left.

“Viphron, you say...? Ah! Following your orders, all supplies entering the distribution center are shared equally. No difference between adults or children.”

“Good.”

“The atmosphere has changed a lot too. If there are leftover goods at the distribution center, everyone asks the guards to exchange them for books...”

“Exchange for books?”

“Yes... Even if not books, they teach children whatever skills they have without holding back.”

“Why?”

“...At least the children should be able to live in the city. As for us, there’s not much time left...”

At those words, I stopped and looked at Jingjing.

“...What’s your name?”

“Ji-Jingkasar Peljain.”

“Jingkasar Peljain. You’ve changed a lot too.”

He flinched slightly at having his name called for the first time and gave a self-deprecating smile.

“How many years has it been...”

“Yeah.”

“Yes... Even the boss has changed. You recently became a baron... Ah, here! This leads directly to the plaza!”

After exiting to the surface via a shortcut the local knew, Viphron appeared familiar yet somehow strange.

“...This place changed a lot.”

Much cleaner, perhaps?

The closed dimensional plaza here used to be a ruin when I last came.

“It’s thanks to everyone’s hard work...”

Jingjing said, but it was clear he had worked the hardest.

“Peljain-nim!”

“Wow! It’s Peljain-ssi!”

“Uncle!! ...Huh?”

Children playing in the plaza greeted Jingjing warmly as soon as they saw him.

That lasted until they noticed me and the hundreds of explorers from the 7th district behind me.

“Don’t be afraid! This is Bjorn, son of Yandel, the giant baron!”

Huh?

“Waaah, really?”

“The giant baron! The giant baron!!”

“Waaaah!”

For some reason, hearing my name excited the children even more, and they ran up to me.

It wasn’t unfamiliar.

City children liked both ‘big things’ and ‘explorers.’ Wherever I went after gaining fame, I received such attention.

But...

“Giant Baron! Thank you!”

I think that was the first time I’d heard such words.

“Thank you...?”

Hearing my mumble, Jingjing looked awkward.

“I told the children a lot about you, boss. That you’re the hero who saved the city...”

“You did something pointless.”

“Children need hope. Besides, it’s not a lie, right?”

“...?”

“Viphron changed like this because of you, boss.”

“...Ahem.”

He’s changed, but now just flatters a lot.

He wasn’t like this before.

“All units, halt!”

Having arrived at our destination, I began reorganizing.

The wounded were laid in the plaza to be treated by the clergy, and those able were asked to investigate the surroundings.

And then...

“Peljain, you come with me.”

I took only Jingjing with me toward the checkpoint in District 4.

Since it wasn’t occupied like the 7th or 13th, I thought we might contact the city through here.

But...

“...No one’s here.”

What was going on?

No response even when shouting and pounding the walls.

Even revealing my name and identity, no reaction.

“This checkpoint has long been closed...”

“I know it’s closed.”

“Then why is it like this...?”

Given the situation, I supposed no one was stationed here normally, but under these circumstances, it would be strange if it was completely unmanned.

“Hoo...”

This was quite troublesome.

I’d expected to get out safely to the city or make contact via this checkpoint.

But all such hopes were dashed.

‘There are so many parts I just don’t understand.’

Why did the royal family simply neglect this area?

If I were commander, I’d have activated this checkpoint and deployed troops to Viphron, extending the front line around the 7th and 13th districts.

‘...And what about those Noark bastards?’

They didn’t station troops in Viphron at all despite holding the 7th district.

It’s as if the royal family was confident no attack would come from that direction.

“...”

But the more questions grew, one thing became certain.

Viphron hid a secret I did not know.

Yeah, so...

Tap, tap.

It’s time to find out what it is.