The Kneeling Barbarian's Plea
“What is the meaning of this, Great Khan? Why kneel before me?”
Her hips twitched. Until moments ago, Great Khan Geum Taeyang had been the picture of unyielding confidence. Even when facing Sword Empress Marianne, the emperor of Darmina’s most revered figure, he had never once yielded in presence. Yet here he was, dropping to one knee with a grave expression. Marianne Nahoja’s composure faltered for an instant.
“I, Geum Taeyang, have a dream,” he said, voice low and steady, paying no mind to her reaction. “I want the human tribes to see the true worth of the barbarians. There are many reasons, but the Mohican tribe’s craft trade is a major part of it.”
He continued with smooth eloquence. “This is not merely for the barbarians’ future. With only six hundred thousand of us, we still possess ancient secrets passed down through generations. These secrets can greatly influence the development of the entire Pangea continent. The Ragnarok tribe’s knowledge is included among them. In short, we must never allow the spiritual and political pillar of the Ragnarok tribe to be publicly humiliated. Doing so would harm both the continent’s peace and its economy.”
Of course, this is just the surface reason I’m giving Marianne. Her true heart will stir for something else.
The dopamine-soaked, gaslighting master that was Geum Taeyang would never offer such an honest plea without a hidden motive. He had buried his real aim beneath the noble words.
Almost no one knows this, but Sword Empress Marianne’s master, Seol Yeon-ah, is actually a barbarian-human half-blood. Just like me.
That was the true thread he was pulling—the deep, hidden bond between the barbarians and Marianne Nahoja that the world had never suspected. The Sword Empress, personally titled by the emperor of Darmina, carried countless mysteries in her appearance, swordsmanship, and origins. Her techniques especially were unlike anything found in medieval Pangea; they had been taught by a mysterious being dwelling in a northern snow cave. Her master’s name was Seol Yeon-ah, a half-blood of barbarian and human descent.
Back when I played the game, I thought the Eastern-style names were just added for flavor because of all the martial arts elements. Turns out I was wrong. One of Seol Yeon-ah’s parents must have come from the mysterious continent across the sea.
Seol Yeon-ah was certainly a name that sparked the imagination. Yet the straightforward barbarian Geum Taeyang had never bothered to dwell on it during his time playing Record of World Conquest. After all, the distant continent had only been mentioned in passing and had no bearing on the missions he needed to clear. Now, however, things were different. Sword Empress Marianne Nahoja herself held far greater importance than she ever had in the game.
“That sounds rather sentimental,” Marianne replied after hearing his conviction, her tone initially negative. Yet her eyes betrayed a subtle tremor.
As expected… her gaze wavers. Marianne has always been favorably disposed toward barbarians because of her master’s origins. She simply kept it hidden due to her position. Now that this barbarian Great Khan speaks with such romantic conviction, she cannot help but be moved.
The head of the Noble Alliance was currently opposing the ambitious Great Khan of the Mohican tribe, yet that stance was more a matter of role than personal inclination. Meanwhile, Geum Taeyang, who knew everything, was deliberately drawing out the Sword Empress’s true feelings that she had long kept buried.
Marianne’s conservative demeanor is nothing but a mask she wears because of her beloved master, Seol Yeon-ah. Twelve years ago, on her deathbed, Seol Yeon-ah had warned Marianne to suppress her emotional nature and remain strictly rational and principled.
“Even so, I cannot withdraw my request,” Geum Taeyang pressed on, sensing her wavering. “If you accept, I will naturally offer proper compensation in return.”
“Compensation…?” Marianne echoed, her expression turning intrigued despite herself. She had already experienced the sheer dopamine-fueled audacity of this man.
“Once the Ragnarok tribe’s trial concludes and our negotiations with the Grace Kingdom’s Noble Alliance are complete, I will visit the Nahoja estate in person and learn the legendary swordsmanship even the emperor of the empire praises.”
The offer was so outrageous and self-assured that Marianne’s face went blank for a moment. Learning the Sword Empress’s techniques—or even sparring with her—was an honor that could only be granted by her side. Even the emperor of Darmina had to request it with utmost courtesy, and most nobles never stood a chance. Yet this barbarian male was speaking as though he were bestowing a favor. It was the sort of behavior that would normally earn him nothing but scorn and laughter.
“That is exceedingly rude,” she said coldly.
“Is it?”
“It is most rude.”
“Even though I am a talent who defeated even Chieftain Cassandra?”
“That is beside the point.”
Yet Marianne was the Sword Empress. Her title was not granted for strength alone, but for the dignity that accompanied it. She composed herself and firmly pointed out his impropriety. Undeterred, the shameless barbarian continued.
“That said, I will still grant the Great Khan’s request.”
“M-Master…!!”
“It is fine, Josephina. We cannot allow the arrival of the Mohican tribe’s Great Khan, who holds quasi-royal guest status, to be overshadowed by the public humiliation of the Ragnarok tribe. I will bear that responsibility.”
“Ugh…”
“Hahaha! Thank you, Sword Empress Marianne!”
Against all expectation, Marianne accepted his request. She rose from her seat.
“Since our discussion appears concluded, this child and I shall take our leave.”
As she turned and walked out of the tent, the corners of her lips curled upward in a faint, almost foolish smile.
“We are sorry, Chieftain Cassandra… We were powerless and allowed you to suffer such humiliation.”
More than a day and a half later, the special transport carriage approached the capital of the Grace Kingdom, Cleopatra. A heavy, gloomy atmosphere filled the carriage. The Ragnarok tribe prisoners expected that the moment they passed through the city gates, public humiliation would begin.
Narsha spoke through tears to her leader, Chieftain Cassandra, who sat with eyes calmly closed. “No. This is due to my own shortcomings as chieftain. Because I was lacking, the sons and daughters of Icarus must suffer. I can endure whatever awaits me, but the thought of the pain you all will face already torments me.”
Cassandra opened her eyes and offered a weary smile, though her heart ached at the sight of her people and the suffering the Ragnarok tribe would endure.
“Huuu… Chieftain!”
“Waaah… Chieftain, Bianca is sorry too…!”
The inside of the carriage became a sea of tears.
“Get out!”
Another hour and a half passed. Judging by the sounds, they had already passed through the gates. The carriage continued a short distance before the iron door opened and the Grace Kingdom escort commander ordered the prisoners to disembark.
“Very well. I will do so.”
With her heart prepared, Cassandra stepped down with a composed expression—only to realize they were inside a secure building rather than on the public street where humiliation was supposed to take place.
“That look on your face… wondering why we are not on the street? May I assume that is what you are thinking?”
With elegant footsteps, Sword Empress Marianne approached the bewildered Cassandra.
“W-Well…”
“You are correct. Public humiliation was originally planned. However, it was canceled several days ago. The reason is that Great Khan Geum Taeyang of the Mohican tribe earnestly requested it of me.”
Marianne explained the situation in a calm tone.
“What?” Cassandra’s eyes widened. “Great Khan Geum Taeyang did?”
“Geum Taeyang did that?”
“W-Why…?”
Narsha and the other prisoners behind her were equally stunned.
“Whatever his reason, Great Khan Geum Taeyang knelt on one knee and begged me. He is a far more sentimental man than I expected. Still, I granted his request because I judged it would ultimately benefit the Grace Kingdom.”
Marianne glanced briefly at the floor, as if recalling the moment he had knelt, then lifted her gaze again.
“Ah…”
Cassandra’s expression grew complicated. Geum Taeyang had knelt to prevent their public humiliation. The other prisoners murmured in shock.
“Impossible! That ruthless man?”
“The one who seemed to have no blood or tears?”
“Chieftain Cassandra and the other prisoners will be taken to the Grace detention facility. However,” Marianne continued, her regal bearing unshaken, “Narsha, Tia, Bianca, and the Amazon commander Ivy Viola will be placed under the direct supervision of Great Khan Geum Taeyang of the Mohican tribe.”
She had listed exactly the women Geum Taeyang had personally trained.
“W-Why only us?”
“What is that man planning now?”
“U-Unnie…!”
The three Narsha sisters reacted with wary tension. In contrast, Ivy, who had become Geum Taeyang’s absolute subordinate, carefully controlled her expression and let out a quiet sigh of relief.
“Wow~ So this is the grand estate of Marquess Camila Jasmine! It really is magnificent.”
Geum Taeyang stepped down from the carriage and admired the grand mansion before him with an enthusiastic reaction. Having arrived in the Grace Kingdom, he would need to handle numerous schedules, so a place to stay was essential. In the tug-of-war between Nadia and Jasmine, Jasmine had won. The decisive factor was that too many eyes watched the palace where Princess Nadia resided.
“As you know, Kyle is absent, and the other siblings have all departed for other kingdoms on business. Please make yourselves comfortable.”
“Thank you. I will not refuse such generous hospitality.”
The Camila ducal house possessed a rather free-spirited nature. Its members tended to travel and showcase their talents rather than remain confined at home. Camila herself had ended up as head of the house simply because she stayed in more often than the others. Perhaps the audacious Geum Taeyang had already absorbed that free-spirited atmosphere.
“Now then, from this moment on, you lot are my slaves.”
Geum Taeyang bestowed the status of slaves upon Ivy Viola and the three Narsha sisters.