Chapter 232: Chapter 232: New Era (2) - Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 232: New Era (2)

There was a very, very, very big reward to be bestowed on me by the king. I hadn't heard the details yet, but my mouth was already watering. But in my experience, moments like these were always the most dangerous. If you received a gift, the unspoken rule was that you would have to return it one day. I had to check if I could accept this in advance.

"What exactly is the reward? And what do I have to do?"

Kyle kindly answered my questions one by one. The specific reward hadn't been determined yet. Besides, I was not the only one receiving something; all the survivors from that day were as well. Apparently, the palace would be inviting us to a feast in celebration.

"What I can say for sure is that there will be a bestowal of rewards and your achievements will be the ones honored as the most valuable."

"I see. Do you have any guesses?"

"I have something in mind, but..." Kyle trailed off, then asked me to take the following list as just his opinion. "The first is a noble title. Of course, the chances of being awarded a title are very slim. Even if you get it, it won't be an inheritable title. And there will be no fief, either."

I wasn't expecting much, anyway. That was how the world of nobles worked. It wasn't something you could become a part of just because you achieved one or two things. If I were to make a guess as to the reward I would be receiving, it would just be an entry into the imperial capital.

"The second is an essence. The palace is said to open even the Gold Soul Repository in situations like this, so you can look forward to that." The Gold Soul Repository was the palace treasure vault where treasures up to rank three essences were stored.

"The third?"

"Equipment."

"The most typical one."

The third guess was high-grade equipment or Numbered Items. The fourth was just money. "It's highly likely that aside from the title, the rest will be distributed according to merit."

I thought I understood what he meant. The people with the fewest achievements would end up with just some money. Those with a few achievements would receive equipment or a rank-five essence.

A rank-three essence based on merit, huh?

That got me drooling more. Rank-three essences were normally farmed starting on floors seven or eight. But I could even choose which one I wanted? That would definitely boost my stunted growth.

"So what does the king want from me? You haven't said that yet."

I hadn't heard the most important piece of information. What did I have to give in return for this gift? Surely, sooner or later, the palace would try to regain the trust of the people by defeating Noark. If they wanted me to enlist in the military and participate in the battle when that moment came, refusing this gift was the right thing to do, no matter how attractive the reward.

"Nothing big. You just have to show that you are on amicable terms with the palace during the reward ceremony. The rest will be taken care of by them."

"...That's an easy yet difficult request."

Kyle grimaced at my answer. "As expected, it seems you don't see them in a very good light."

I responded with silence, and rightfully so, because how could I like them? Without trying to come up with another solution, the palace elites took the easy way out, and all ended up dead.

"But just know that not everything that happened that day was the palace's intention. Even the captains of the Royal Guard each have different values. I'm sure the results would have been different had a different captain been there that day."

Kyle seemed to be trying to defend them, but my feelings of unease did not fall away. Maybe it was that I felt a sense of responsibility. Playing nice with the palace almost felt like betraying those who had fought with me after being abandoned by these people, like I was climbing the social ladder during enemy occupation.

"...What do you think of the palace?" I asked cautiously.

It was a question that could potentially be considered blasphemous. Kyle flinched, then responded with a grin, "To be honest, not that positively."

I didn't think he was saying that just for my benefit. This man wasn't the type to do something like that in the first place. Still, I never thought a rank-three battle mage would say something like that even in private.

"But the palace is a necessary entity to keep this world going. Well, that's probably not something someone who turned their back on the Magic Tower and enlisted for their self-interest should be saying, though."

"Self-interest?"

"You already noticed, didn't you? What kind of relationship I have with Fallen Scholar."

Hmm, yes, but...

"Can I ask you to explain further?"

"He is my master's enemy. One day, he slayed my master, who was his research partner, and completed a forbidden spell."

"So you enlisted in the military for revenge?"

"That's right. As soon as I heard that that man pledged himself to Orcules, I saw a dark road ahead of me. But I couldn't do anything on my own."

In his youth, Kyle decided that he needed help from the military and the palace to seek revenge. So he went under their wing, judging that the enemy of his enemy was his friend.

"So don't think too hard. So what if you don't like them? If there's something you can use them for, it'd be rational to do so."

Kyle's advice was 100 percent correct. Realistically, what would I get by making an enemy of the palace? That went for the other survivors who had negative feelings toward the palace. If you were going to go through all that hardship, at least get something out of it.

"Your expression looks a little better."

"Thanks to you."

"It's getting close to the time for my next appointment. I'll get up now."

"Thank you for coming. I can't send you off with my body in this state, though."

"Haha, did you intend to see me out? It's okay, rest. You'll be busy from now on."

"Busy?"

Kyle, who was heading toward the door, turned around at my question. "You will find out soon." He left with a mysterious smile.

[Your Reputation has increased by +10.]

***

The day after Kyle left, there were visitors—Raven and Mr. Bear.

"If everyone has rested, let's settle the loot."

"Shouldn't you ask how I'm doing first?"

"You clearly look fine. And you're the one who foolishly ground his body into dust, but we have to worry?"

Kyle seemed to be trying to defend them, but my feelings of unease did not fall away. Maybe it was that I felt a sense of responsibility. Playing nice with the palace almost felt like betraying those who had fought with me after being abandoned by these people, like I was climbing the social ladder during enemy occupation.

"...What do you think of the palace?" I asked cautiously.

It was a question that could potentially be considered blasphemous. Kyle flinched, then responded with a grin, "To be honest, not that positively."

I didn't think he was saying that just for my benefit. This man wasn't the type to do something like that in the first place. Still, I never thought a rank-three battle mage would say something like that even in private.

"But the palace is a necessary entity to keep this world going. Well, that's probably not something someone who turned their back on the Magic Tower and enlisted for their self-interest should be saying, though."

"Self-interest?"

"You already noticed, didn't you? What kind of relationship I have with Fallen Scholar."

Hmm, yes, but...

"Can I ask you to explain further?"

"He is my master's enemy. One day, he slayed my master, who was his research partner, and completed a forbidden spell."

"So you enlisted in the military for revenge?"

"That's right. As soon as I heard that that man pledged himself to Orcules, I saw a dark road ahead of me. But I couldn't do anything on my own."

In his youth, Kyle decided that he needed help from the military and the palace to seek revenge. So he went under their wing, judging that the enemy of his enemy was his friend.

"So don't think too hard. So what if you don't like them? If there's something you can use them for, it'd be rational to do so."

Kyle's advice was 100 percent correct. Realistically, what would I get by making an enemy of the palace? That went for the other survivors who had negative feelings toward the palace. If you were going to go through all that hardship, at least get something out of it.

"Your expression looks a little better."

"Thanks to you."

"It's getting close to the time for my next appointment. I'll get up now."

"Thank you for coming. I can't send you off with my body in this state, though."

"Haha, did you intend to see me out? It's okay, rest. You'll be busy from now on."

"Busy?"

Kyle, who was heading toward the door, turned around at my question. "You will find out soon." He left with a mysterious smile.

[Your Reputation has increased by +10.]

***

The day after Kyle left, there were visitors—Raven and Mr. Bear.

"If everyone has rested, let's settle the loot."

"Shouldn't you ask how I'm doing first?"

"You clearly look fine. And you're the one who foolishly ground his body into dust, but we have to worry?"

Uh, is that how that works...?

That hurt my feelings as a tank, but that all disappeared when she continued.

"So please stop getting hurt." Her tone was harsh, but Raven looked embarrassed as she pressed on. "Seriously, what did Miss Karlstein do to deserve this? It seems she's always taking care of you all alone."

"Uh, me? I'm okay... Mm, I do wish he'd stop getting hurrrt, though..."

"Miss Karlstein, your problem is that you are too nice. If we leave this man to his own devices, he'll die prematurely."

"...Anyway, let's get to business. Loot settlement? Did you sell all the equipment?"

"Yes. I was tired as heck but gritted my teeth through it and forced myself to sell it all, so you should thank me."

I was informed that on the first day back from the labyrinth, as soon as the interrogation was over, Raven went to sell the spoils instead of going home. The reason for rushing to sell to the point of straining herself was simple.

"That's because we had to sell it all quickly to earn as much as possible."

Huge losses had been incurred in the overall adventurer population. The fact was that equipment prices would fall since demand had decreased. Besides, 99 percent of the loot from the survivors was equipment apparently, so there would be a surplus.

"Thanks. I hadn't even thought that far ahead."

"...If you could think that far ahead in a situation like that, you would be a superhuman, not a barbarian, Mr. Yandel."

I mean, you could have just answered with "You're welcome."

"Aruru! What do you mean?! Bjorn is a super-barbarian!"

What was this kid saying? Was it because this past expedition was so depressing? I couldn't get used to this everyday chaos.

"Then let's all sit down."

Before the conversation could drag on too long, I stopped them there and sat my teammates on the sofa. The loot settlement began. Thanks to Raven's thorough organization, it didn't take long. All we had to do was hear the details of the settlement and get paid. The payout ended in the blink of an eye and we spent time chatting with each other.

Mr. Bear brought up a new topic. "Oh, I don't know if you've heard since you've been home, Yandel, but you have a new title."

"Oh, really!?"

After Ainar, who was very excited, and Missha, of course, even Raven seemed curious. It seemed the nickname wasn't widely known yet, seeing as Raven didn't know. I guessed information came quickly to a tavern owner.

A new nickname... Am I finally growing out of Little Balkan?

"What is it? Spit it out," demanded Missha.

"Huhu, what do you think it is?" Mr. Bear avoided answering and relished in the attention. Various theories were exchanged among the team, and soon Mr. Bear asked me for my opinion. "You? Yandel, can you think of anything?"

"Well, anything but Big Balkan would be good."

Unsatisfied with my reaction, Mr. Bear pouted and told me my new epithet. "Giant."

"Huh?"

"It's Giant. Your new nickname."

Hmm, that was simpler than I thought. Then was I Giant Bjorn, son of Yandel now?

While I was chuckling at that silly thought, Missha expressed her own opinion. "It suits you. It covers one of Bjorrrn's essences, Giantization, too."

"Yes, that's what I thought as soon as I heard it. Ah! But why did you have that other nickname before? Did you not have an essence then?" Mr. Bear smiled warmly and raised a question.

Uh, is that how that works...?

That hurt my feelings as a tank, but that all disappeared when she continued.

"So please stop getting hurt." Her tone was harsh, but Raven looked embarrassed as she pressed on. "Seriously, what did Miss Karlstein do to deserve this? It seems she's always taking care of you all alone."

"Uh, me? I'm okay... Mm, I do wish he'd stop getting hurrrt, though..."

"Miss Karlstein, your problem is that you are too nice. If we leave this man to his own devices, he'll die prematurely."

"...Anyway, let's get to business. Loot settlement? Did you sell all the equipment?"

"Yes. I was tired as heck but gritted my teeth through it and forced myself to sell it all, ‍‍‌‌⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠‌‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠so you should thank me."

I was informed that on ‍‍‌‌⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠‌‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the first day back from the labyrinth, as soon as the interrogation was over, Raven went to sell the spoils instead of going home. The reason for rushing to sell to the point of straining herself was simple.

"That's because we had to sell it all quickly to earn as much as possible."

Huge losses had been incurred in the overall adventurer population. The fact was that equipment prices would fall since demand had decreased. Besides, 99 percent of the loot from the survivors was equipment apparently, so there would be a surplus.

"Thanks. I hadn't even thought that far ahead."

"...If you could think that far ahead in a situation like that, you would be a superhuman, not a barbarian, Mr. Yandel."

I mean, you could have just answered with "You're welcome."

"Aruru! What do you mean?! Bjorn is a super-barbarian!"

What was this kid saying? Was it because this past expedition was so depressing? I couldn't get used to this everyday chaos.

"Then let's all sit down."

Before the conversation could drag on too long, I stopped them there and sat my teammates on the sofa. The loot settlement began. Thanks to Raven's thorough organization, it didn't take long. All we had to do was hear the details of the settlement and get paid. The payout ended in the blink of an eye and we spent time chatting with each other.

Mr. Bear brought up a new topic. "Oh, I don't know if you've heard since you've been home, Yandel, but you have a new title."

"Oh, really!?"

After Ainar, who was very excited, and Missha, of course, even Raven seemed curious. It seemed the nickname wasn't widely known yet, seeing as Raven didn't know. I guessed information came quickly to a tavern owner.

A new nickname... Am I finally growing out of Little Balkan?

"What is it? Spit it out," demanded Missha.

"Huhu, what do you think it is?" Mr. Bear avoided answering and relished in the attention. Various theories were exchanged among the team, and soon Mr. Bear asked me for my opinion. "You? Yandel, can you think of anything?"

"Well, anything but Big Balkan would be good."

Unsatisfied with my reaction, Mr. Bear pouted and told me my new epithet. "Giant."

"Huh?"

"It's Giant. Your new nickname."

Hmm, that was simpler than I thought. Then was I Giant Bjorn, son of Yandel now?

While I was chuckling at that silly thought, Missha expressed her own opinion. "It suits you. It covers one of Bjorrrn's essences, Giantization, too."

"Yes, that's what I thought as soon as I heard it. Ah! But why did you have that other nickname before? Did you not have an essence then?" Mr. Bear smiled warmly and raised a question.

It was Raven who answered. "No. I heard he had one then, too. Rather, he was much bigger than he is now. Right?"

I nodded. At the time, using the skill of a Vampire, Master of Blood, I borrowed Missha's brother's the Unclean and became 1.5 times bigger than I could get with Giantization now. But in the end, the nickname I got in return was Little Balkan.

Mr. Bear tilted his head in confusion. "Hmm, bigger? Then how did that happen?"

Again, the reply came from Raven. "I think... I know the answer."

"Hm? You do?"

"Yes. Surely... it didn't seem so big in the eyes of the people who were there back then. Mr. Yandel's back."

My face heated up when I heard that, especially because everyone else was seriously convinced.

"His body is smaller, but his back looks bigger now... Yes, that could explain it."

"Yeah, I think I know what you mean."

"Bjorn is a great giant! I'm sure someday he'll leave the biggest mark on this world!"

Ugh, I really wished they wouldn't do things like this. I hastily changed the subject to the conversation I had with Kyle. As it was related to the palace, everyone except Ainar forgot about the nickname Giant and listened with interest.

"A feast in our honor, huh? I wonder how many will attend."

"You are naive, Mr. Urikfried. It'd be quicker to count how many won't be attending."

"What?"

"They may curse the palace behind its back, but who would want to make an enemy of them? Especially when they're even rewarding their hard work."

"S-Still, adventurers have pride. Yandel! Say something!"

"Actually, I agree with Raven."

"...What?"

"If they're not planning to defect to Noark's side, of course they should take what they can get from the palace."

Adventurers never lost out. Not usually to this extent, but most of them were sensitive to losses. Anyway, since we discussed everything there was to discuss, we all ate together and eventually our guests left.

"Then I'll be heading home."

"See you soon. Call me if you need something."

Raven and Mr. Bear left. Ainar went to the holy land and Missha also left to get groceries. The house was suddenly quiet. But before long, I heard a knock.

"Teterud...?"

"Haha! I came because I heard you were still recovering. Can you drink?"

"...Keep it a secret from Missha."

Although it was broad daylight, this was a friendly face, so I let Teterud and his clanmates inside and we had a drink together. Just as that was nearing a close, another visitor arrived.

"Oh, you're here too?"

"Melter Fend."

"Just call me Melter. Long time no see, Bjorn. I wanted to come see you earlier, but I was delayed by the funerals of members of my clan who passed. Oh, can I come in?"

"Of course."

Teterud and his clanmates left after a while for business, so after that, things turned into a private meeting with Melter. The main topic of conversation was the battle with Blue Mane. There was an incredible story behind that.

It was Raven who answered. "No. I heard he had one then, too. Rather, he was much bigger than he is now. Right?"

I nodded. At the time, using the skill of a Vampire, Master of Blood, I borrowed Missha's brother's the Unclean and became 1.5 times bigger than I could get with Giantization now. But in the end, the nickname I got in return was Little Balkan.

Mr. Bear tilted his head in confusion. "Hmm, bigger? Then how did that happen?"

Again, the reply came from Raven. "I think... I know the answer."

"Hm? You do?"

"Yes. Surely... it didn't seem so big in the eyes of the people who were there back then. Mr. Yandel's back."

My face heated up when I heard that, especially because everyone else was seriously convinced.

"His body is smaller, but his back looks bigger now... Yes, that could explain it."

"Yeah, I think I know what you mean."

"Bjorn is a great giant! I'm sure someday he'll leave the biggest mark on this world!"

Ugh, I really wished they wouldn't do things like this. I hastily changed the subject to the conversation I had with Kyle. As it was related to the palace, everyone except Ainar forgot about the nickname Giant and listened with interest.

"A feast in our honor, huh? I wonder how many will attend."

"You are naive, Mr. Urikfried. It'd be quicker to count how many won't be attending."

"What?"

"They may curse the palace behind its back, but who would want to make an enemy of them? Especially when they're even rewarding their hard work."

"S-Still, adventurers have pride. Yandel! Say something!"

"Actually, I agree with Raven."

"...What?"

"If they're not planning to defect to Noark's side, of course they should take what they can get from the palace."

Adventurers never lost out. Not usually to this extent, but most of them were sensitive to losses. Anyway, since we discussed everything there was to discuss, we all ate together and eventually our guests left.

"Then I'll be heading home."

"See you soon. Call me if you need something."

Raven and Mr. Bear left. Ainar went to the holy land and Missha also left to get groceries. The house was suddenly quiet. But before long, I heard a knock.

"Teterud...?"

"Haha! I came because I heard you were still recovering. Can you drink?"

"...Keep it a secret from Missha."

Although it was broad daylight, this was a friendly face, so I let Teterud and his clanmates inside and we had a drink together. Just as that was nearing a close, another visitor arrived.

"Oh, you're here too?"

"Melter Fend."

"Just call me Melter. Long time no see, Bjorn. I wanted to come see you earlier, but I was delayed by the funerals of members of my clan who passed. Oh, can I come in?"

"Of course."

Teterud and his clanmates left after a while for business, so after that, things turned into a private meeting with Melter. The main topic of conversation was the battle with Blue Mane. There was an incredible story behind that.

"You awakened an aura...?"

"Haha, not awakened, exactly. But ‍‍‌‌⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠‌‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I can see the path sometimes and use it a bit."

Melter, a former adventurer and apprentice knight, had manifested an aura during the battle.

Well, it still seems unstable, but a rank-three adventurer who can use an aura?

I could picture Melter's name becoming infamous throughout the city. It probably wouldn't take too long, either. After all, many high-ranking adventurers had died.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Anyway, the visitors didn't end with Melter.

"Yandel! Are you inside!? I heard you can't even walk properly yet!"

The warriors I met that day and adventurers who came to say thank you lined up at my door. We drank. Missha served meals.

"It would have been nice to have Albertine here as well..." At times, we held a moment of silence.

Those weren't the only visitors. Hikurod and Rotmiller came after hearing the news.

"So, you're called the Giant now? How sad the lives of dwarves are. Hahaha!"

Ragna and Administrator Shavin came over for a friendly gathering.

"I see you won't be able to come to the library for a while... I'll bring you some books to read next time."

The chieftain even came all the way over from the holy land.

"I heard you've done a big thing this time. I am proud of you." The chieftain seemed to know about the feast in our honor and offered me a warning. "The king's laughter can be poisonous. Don't get too close to the royal family."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Good. Then, let's drink!"

Such visits continued over several days. There were also several return visits. That was because invitations to the team had been sent out in bulk from the palace not too long ago.

"...Are you going to fight this?"

"We must fight! If we let this pass, they will look down on us forever!"

While some came to talk about fighting back, others offered me serious advice. Ratio-wise, there were a lot more of the latter.

"Set aside your anger for a moment and think rationally."

"You are the one who suffered the most that day. If you want to accept the reward, what can they say?"

"If they cancel the reward ceremony, the dead adventurers will not receive any compensation at all. Think of the bereaved families."

"To say it coldly, this is a great opportunity for you. I hope you don't pass up on it. I'm really saying this for your own good."

My conversations with them brought to mind many things. Now, my choices impacted not only myself but a lot of people. With that sense of responsibility in mind, I listened to each one of their opinions.

That was until Missha finally exploded. "Hey! Tell them to stop coming! Or, no, just meet them somewhere outside of the house!"

Yeah, she was well within her rights to be irritated.

***

On May 10th, a little over a week after the disaster, we woke up early and got ready to head out. Today was the day of the appreciation feast.

"Agh! T-Tighterrr!"

"Y-You'll die, Missha!"

"It's okay, just—hissss!"

As I waited quietly on the sofa, Missha came out of the room wearing the dress Ainar helped her put on. She looked somewhat embarrassed.

"...Uh, i-is it weirrrd?"

"...No, not at all. It suits you."

I was being 100 percent sincere. The fancy dress was totally different from the tight-fitting pants and fluttering everyday skirts she normally wore. Red accented the otherwise white canvas of fabric and it was around knee-length, so she didn't seem to have problems moving her tail. Was this ‍‍‌‌⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠‌‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠out of consideration for beastpeople?

I should thank whoever made it later.

"S-Stop staring."

"Ah, sorry."

"Is that it...?"

"The pin in your hair is pretty," I quickly added.

"Um, what about the necklace?"

"That too."

"Hmm, rrreally?" I guessed I had passed the test because Missha didn't say much after that.

The vibe was awkward so I changed the subject. "Where's Ainar?"

"Oh, right. Ainar! What arrre you doing? Come out!"

"B-But...! I'm embarrassed too! Can't I just wear armor?"

"I told you, you can't wear armorrr or bring weapons into the palace! Come out already. You don't look strange at all!"

In the end, Ainar got dragged out by Missha. She wasn't in a dress but a slim-fit men's suit that fit her perfectly, almost as if it were custom-made.

It looks like a uniform.

The tight-fitting white pants, shirt, and coat coming down to her thighs were made of high-quality fabric. The coat and shirt were full of all kinds of insignias and embroidery, giving them a luxurious feel.

"I-It's strange, isn't it?! Yes! Th-there's no way clothes like this would suit a warrior like m—"

"It suits you well, what's wrong?"

"Ugh, don't make fun of me..." It had been a while since I'd seen her like this.

"I'm not making fun of you. I have similar clothes too." Ainar and I had been gifted similar outfits. The base for mine was navy blue with brown accents like my hair color, and the color arrangement, shape of the embroidery, and other details were much more masculine. Well, the biggest difference was something else, though.

"It's tight." I adjusted my tight-fitting clothes and checked the mirror: Barbarian Tailcoat Mode. In some ways, I looked more intimidating now than I did in armor. Were suits always this muscle-defining? I looked like a gangster.

"Bjorn! There's a carriage outside!"

"Really? Then let's go."

When we finished our preparations and headed outside, the driver who was waiting there greeted us cordially. "Nice to meet you. Mr. Bjorn Yandel, Ms. Missha Karlstein, Ms. Ainar Fenelin. My name is Jack Haynes, and I have the honor of escorting you all to the palace today. If there are any inconveniences, please feel free to pull this rope and let me know at any time."

It really felt like I'd become someone important.

"Wow, so this is a personal carriage..."

"Oooh! Candy! The candy is free!"

As the wheels rolled, the carriage began to move toward the very center of Rafdonia, where the king resided.

"You awakened an aura...?"

"Haha, not awakened, exactly. But I can see the path sometimes and use it a bit."