Surviving as a Useless Bard in a Game

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The campfire seemed to hold its breath, quietly flickering to life.

It was a perfect silence with absolutely no crackling sounds.

The wind peeked shyly over the broken city walls, but upon sensing our mood, quickly turned around and fled.

Of course, that doesn’t mean it actually read the wind. It’s just a metaphor.

“Rather than asking what to do, it feels more constructive to ask what we should do.”

Skylar casually tossed a stone onto the calm surface of the lake.

Rarely did Skylar seem to hesitate while speaking, worried about others’ reactions.

Those present were just as cautious with their words.

I remained tight-lipped as if I had no right to speak, simply ready to go with the flow of the atmosphere.

The direction I wanted to go was toward gathering bodies, and the fewer people involved, the better.

It would be fine to gather the bodies in one place, but the real problem would be after taking down the Mad King.

Yeah. I suspect they will cause internal strife.

Each had their own desires, and becoming a god was a tempting fruit.

Setting aside those who valued others’ lives more than their own, I couldn’t guarantee that no one would claim to be the savior to protect others’ lives.

To put it simply, I couldn’t fully trust these people.

They weren’t family, and they were too ambiguous to be called friends—people I’ve known for less than a month.

Except for Skylar, I had no trustworthy companions at all.

“I know they’re good people,” I thought.

From priests who prioritized others’ healing over their own to ordinary grandfathers who just wanted their families to live in safety.

They were all far removed from selfishness.

I subtly glanced at Skylar.

…Hmm, yeah. He has a bit of a selfish side, though.

Ah, and I almost forgot. That damn gray cat is a person of concern too.

The Emperor wants to keep all bodies under his control. On the other hand, it’s also someone you could predict when and how they might stab you in the back.

“Could be, but…”

She hasn’t attacked the Body Holders yet and has proposed negotiations. Saying if we work for the Empire, she won’t interfere.

Her stance is that as long as they’re under her control, it doesn’t matter if she doesn’t directly use the bodies.

“Not a single word from you.”

Fura muttered in a voice full of discontent.

Still, no echo returned.

Everyone must be racking their brains.

“Let’s just talk straightforwardly.”

In the end, the first to speak up was… me.

Yeah. I know.

Kind of a dumb move.

While everyone was deep in thought, I just jumped in and grabbed attention. Is there any crazier way to act in the world?

I could’ve just blended in with the mainstream atmosphere and let things roll, but now I found myself in the position of leading the mood. I detest being a leader.

Ah, I want to have a position with a lot of power but no responsibility.

“…What is it?”

“Scipio, the Mad King is collecting bodies. Oh, right now, he’s abandoned his territory and people, so he’s not really a king, just a madman. Anyway, that madman will keep aiming for your granddaughter.”

“What are you trying to say? You think I’d tell the folks here that my granddaughter has ears?”

Ah, right.

I haven’t informed Propertyius and Nisha yet.

‘…Though they probably figured out he has aged without needing me to say it.’

There’s a definite difference between shutting up while everyone knows and openly blabbering about it.

For now, I’ll play it chill.

Act as if it was intended.

I’ll appear a little angry, but I’m still holding back. It’s not too late.

Strictly speaking, the leader of this group is Skylar, but the person with real charisma is Scipio.

Although it happened a long time ago, he was everyone’s comrade and leader in the past.

If I convince him, others will follow along like sausages chained together.

“You care more about your granddaughter’s safety than your own. I’m telling you she won’t be safe until we deal with the Mad King.”

“Don’t beat around the bush. Just tell me the plan.”

“First, the ‘ears’—”

“Of course, I refuse the suggestion of giving up her ears.”

“…It’s more efficient for someone who can fight to possess a body.”

“In that case, how about you give me your eyes?”

I fell silent.

It was uncomfortable to trip over my own words.

Seeing my expression stiffen, Scipio chuckled softly.

He nonchalantly moved the conversation along.

“Can’t do it, huh?”

“……”

“Don’t force others to answer questions you can’t answer yourself.”

I had nothing to say.

That recent suggestion was indeed my mistake.

Scipio’s tone began to mix playful teasing with caution, and Fura shot me a discontented look.

The gray cat was watching the situation with an intrigued expression, its gaze transfixed on me through the flickering flames of the campfire.

Let’s think this through again.

Slowly. Calmly.

He’s a man willing to do whatever it takes to protect his granddaughter, but at the same time, he considers her ‘his possession.’ It’s a desire for ownership.

Just like most humans navigating this perilous world, no one willingly hands over their belongings for free without some form of compensation.

“…To catch the Mad King, we need help.”

“So you want me to get to the specifics of that help now?”

“I can’t help you.”

“…What?”

“I’ll be honest. I need help. I don’t want to be collected by that crazy person.”

The best strategy in a situation like this is honesty.

Being straightforward.

Many find this simple truth difficult, but once said, it’s not as hard as they think.

It’s acknowledging plainly.

‘It’s not that I’m offering to help you; I hope you’ll help me instead.’ Someone who can phrase it this way often receives friendly help.

There was curiosity in Scipio’s expression.

He seemed to be willing to listen before deciding.

I could feel his gaze sharpening a bit more.

I took a deep breath.

Originally, my plan was to use Scipio’s granddaughter, who is the least helpful in our group, as bait.

Isn’t that too cold? Isn’t that too dangerous?

Yeah. I’ll admit both.

I’m ready to do whatever it takes to survive.

‘—Or at least I thought so.’

Getting by on someone else’s life isn’t something I can do yet.

I’m still not ready.

I want to survive, but if it means surviving at the cost of someone else’s life, I’d rather keep things a little risky and my conscience clear.

Who would be foolish enough to include dying in their plans?

Plans are always about the best outcomes.

My plan is for everyone I know to survive, and that won’t ever change.

“What exact help do you need?”

“Make me the bait.”

Skylar’s hand landed on my shoulder.

He was still as reckless as ever, past and present.

But, something’s different.

The old Skylar didn’t worry. He considered his own safety and prioritized efficiency.

The Skylar I knew… would not oppose this plan.

Now, Skylar was trying to talk me out of it.

Even though he knows this is the best option.

‘No, perhaps with his intelligence, he’s already come up with a better plan.’

He opened his mouth.

“I’ll oppose it. You know why.”

“…Why?”

“I don’t understand why you’re asking if you know. It’s risky. I’ve never seen a successful plan that used someone else as bait.”

Scipio paused to think, then a small smile surfaced as if he had recalled something.

Maybe sensing a bad omen, Skylar turned his gaze toward him.

The playful old man jumped in late, interrupting our conversation.

“Skylar, there was that one time, wasn’t there?”

“…What?”

“That one.”

“…Wait, if you mention that, I’ll kill you. Seriously.”

“Selina, this rascal Skylar concocted a plan to use himself as bait once upon a time.”

Skylar ignited a scroll.

An explosion occurred.

In the end, the night’s meeting ended without a resolution.

Despite the cheery scenery, I still couldn’t find a smile.

Something told me… Skylar seemed to have feelings for me.

It didn’t feel like friendly emotion, but rather something romantic.

–

Skylar.

Current status.

Sorting through my thoughts and feelings.

And toward you—

–

Sensitive eyes captured others’ emotions without my will.