After leaving the District 7 wall garrison and arriving at Ecliptic Karnon via military magic circle, I barely opened my eyes before spotting a group of knights waiting ahead.

I was a bit surprised.

“We’ve come to escort you, Baron Yandel.”

Could it be because it’s wartime?

Not just ordinary soldiers, but those proud royal knights came out to greet me like this.

“Please, step into the carriage.”

Escorted by the royal knights, I boarded the carriage and headed straight to the “Palace of Glory” where I’ve visited multiple times for title ceremonies and parades.

‘Definitely feels like wartime now.’

The Palace of Glory looked completely different from usual.

Not just the atmosphere, but really.

“Identity of Baron Bjorn Yandel has been confirmed.”

Even the identity check at the gate was several times more thorough, and once inside, I saw the wide open space filled with the lord’s garrison.

Ah, of course, it wasn’t an ordinary garrison.

‘Feels like it’s all officers here.’

Since it’s not the frontline, communication equipment was set up everywhere, and soldiers standing there looked more like pen-wielders than sword-fighters.

Some were spread a map on a table, discussing something seriously...

“This way is the command center.”

Following the knights’ guidance inside the Palace, familiar faces began appearing here and there.

Count Perdehilt.

Viscount Mulbark.

Count Alminus...

Seeing them greeting me from afar felt strange.

I felt like I see these people more often and feel more familiar with them than knights, officers, guild branch leaders, or high officials.

‘Even Count Perdehilt’s first meeting with me was at a banquet...’

Back then, I was a barbarian warrior fighting and brawling with knights, eventually earning the nickname “Knight Crusher” and the “Garfas Necklace” as loot.

‘That was years ago...’

Now I am a titled noble who enjoys immunity from ordinary laws and is punished only by noble laws.

Also, I’m the leader of one of the six races forming the city and lead a clan as an explorer.

But somehow...

‘I think those were the best days...’

Rushing to tackle level 6 monsters, watching the mana overload on the third floor, having tense exchanges with explorers in the labyrinth, and living day to day.

When mentally exhausted, those days always come to mind.

To outsiders, my status and situation must have improved vastly since then.

“The Supreme Commander is holding a meeting now, so please wait here briefly. You’re free to be anywhere within the Military Command.”

“Understood.”

With that, the knight who guided me left, and I planned to casually look around and gauge the atmosphere.

“How long and where exactly did you train?”

A familiar voice accompanied by a laughing White-Tooth woman approached.

“Ah, Baron Lirivia.”

Member of the Melbes, the allied noble races, and my most friendly branch leader.

Known as the Rabbit Baron.

“How much stronger are you planning to get there?”

Since we were somewhat close, she spoke playfully rather than formally, making me chuckle.

“How have you been?”

“Fine, until all this broke out.”

“I see. Anyway, good to see you. What’s going on? Anything I need to know?”

I asked bluntly; the Rabbit Baron hesitated a moment.

“Hmm... how much do you know, Baron Yandel?”

“I rushed here and don’t know much. Just tell me everything as if I know nothing.”

With that, the Rabbit Baron thoroughly explained the current situation from start to finish.

Here’s a summary of what I learned for the first time...

“The enemy actually infiltrated the Ecliptic?”

“Not the main force, but an elite squad.”

When the Befron barrier vanished, Noirark forces went out and formed a special unit that penetrated to the Ecliptic.

But no significant damage occurred, and after being detected once by a patrol, no traces were found.

“Didn’t you notice while coming here? The whole city was covered in patrol units.”

Yeah, I did see soldiers.

But I thought they were just defense troops.

“We don’t know their purpose, but so far, no major damage has been found.”

Basically, it means the Noirark special forces that infiltrated Ecliptic might still be hiding inside Karnon.

“But don’t worry too much. With such a small force, they wouldn’t dare step foot inside the royal palace. This place is safe.”

The Rabbit Baron seemed to genuinely believe that.

And it’s not a strange belief.

Looking at the forces deployed at the palace now, less than thirty special troops trying to invade would likely be wiped out in minutes.

But...

‘Do you think those bastards don’t have a plan...?’

Since we don’t know what they’re aiming for, unease naturally grows.

So...

‘Better to assume even the palace isn’t a safe zone.’

That was the mindset I settled on.

Listening more, I learned many new things.

The Rabbit Baron is a titled noble, after all.

Naturally, she knows high-level info inaccessible to commoners.

“Though they used magical war machines to push them back to Befron, the Military Command suspects they planted spies during that time.”

That the royal family is conducting extensive searches in refugee areas to root out spies.

“I’ve heard rumors that the Military Command is planning a full-scale sweep of Befron with all forces soon.”

Info about the future war situation.

“Your clan is currently in District 7, right? If so, damage could occur there too.”

Even whispers that couldn’t be ignored.

“...What does that mean?”

“This... should only be known by you, Baron.”

The Rabbit Baron glanced around, lowered her voice to a whisper, and said:

“Separately from the Noirark invasion, the royal family feels the explorers’ power has grown too much.”

“...What?”

“You see, the longer the war from the Dark Continent’s 7th floor continues, the more the explorers visibly grow stronger.”

Ah, that explains it.

I could somewhat relate.

During the war, the royal family had to reward explorers.

Small and medium clans merged into larger forces, acting as mercenaries, rapidly growing by using the essences and equipment given.

“So the drastic measure to close the labyrinth wasn’t just to check the Noirark forces.”

“Yes. No one has officially heard the royal family’s stance, but many privately think so.”

“But why would the royal family try to curb explorer power?”

I voiced the question I’d long had, and the Rabbit Baron answered:

“Isn’t it obvious? Any power that grows louder will demand more and greed breeds bloodshed. To rule this city, absolute power is necessary.”

Hmm, politically that makes sense, but I sensed it’s not the full story.

It’s not just about explorers growing stronger and speaking up.

From my experience, it feels like they want to prevent explorers from reaching deep into the labyrinth itself.

‘Like trying to block us from reaching the depths...’

My thoughts flowed smoothly until they stopped there.

Thump—

Wait a minute.

“......”

If what I just thought is true—

“Look, Baron Yandel is here.”

“His appearance means his clan has arrived at the front.”

“Good timing. Though small in numbers compared to big clans, each member is like a hundred men.”

“There’s a saying that if an explorer reaches the 10th floor for the first time in thousands of years, it’ll be Baron Yandel and his comrades.”

Are we the most dangerous clan here...?

The 3rd Command was hastily built inside the largest building near the District 7 wall.

Knock knock.

A knight with a tense expression entered.

“Commander, urgent news arrived from the Military Command.”

“Speak.”

When the man sitting before a large map gave permission, the knight opened the door and began reporting slowly.

“The first report is about the Befron cleanup operation. Due to security clearance, the documents weren’t available, so the commander must review them personally.”

“Understood. What’s next?”

“Notification that Baron Yandel arrived at the Military Command.”

“...I see.”

The man receiving the report pondered briefly, then took the documents and dismissed the knight.

Then—

Creak.

He broke the seal and immediately checked the contents.

Dates, times, troop deployments—information more valuable than anything in war and must never fall into enemy hands.

As he scanned the detailed lists, his expression stiffened.

‘They want us all dead.’

The elite troops sent to the rear, and the explorer forces sent to the most dangerous frontline.

The intent of the ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) deployment was painfully clear.

At the very end of the documents was one short line:

[Effective immediately, Baron Bjorn Yandel is incorporated into the Military Command and will not be reassigned.]

No need to wonder what the higher-ups want or whether there’s a hidden meaning.

“Sigh...”

The man put down the documents and let out a long sigh.

[Do well.]

[...]

[There will be no second chance.]

Those chilling words the barbarian left echoed in my ears.

“I don’t like this.”

The orders from above were very uncomfortable.

After all, he was still a human being.

‘What the hell is the royal family thinking...?’

The man put down the papers displeased and called back the knight.

“This is the deployment plan from the higher-ups. Inform only the senior officers quietly.”

“Uh, this is...”

The junior officer seemed to realize the intent immediately and trailed off.

I could understand his feelings.

The man still disliked the content of the documents.

But...

“These are orders from above. No objections allowed.”

You can’t always do only what you want to survive in this city.

“...Nia Lafdonia!”

Because he’s not a barbarian.