Chapter 444: Chapter 444: Party (1) - Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 444: Party (1)

The banquet held inside the Palace of Glory proceeded quietly. This was only natural. All of the attendees were heads of families. They had reputations to uphold, plus everyone was older to begin with.

The majority are in their fifties.

That made me laugh a bit. I couldn't believe I was the star of this banquet, but I was sitting here crying woe is me all by myself.

Munch, munch.

I wolfed down my meal with some annoyance. For someone who moved schools often, this was the exact type of environment that was liable to trigger my PTSD. It was now hitting me that I had just joined a new group with absolutely nothing to defend myself with. I felt like a monkey at the zoo.

Count Ferdehilt, Baron Serpia, Viscount Mülbark... oh? Even Baron Martoin is there.

Some of the lords eyeing me from afar were familiar, but not a single person approached me first. Jeez, and they were all asking to be my friend at the other banquets. Count Ferdehilt had even asked me to marry his daughter.

Well, I can understand where they're coming from.

This was the animal kingdom, after all. Except here, brains ruled rather than brawn.

Munch, munch.

I may have been digging into this food pretending to be none the wiser, but I had a perfect understanding of the situation. This was a kind of hazing process, an unspoken warning for me not to even think about joining their ranks, as they were backed by thousands of years of history. However, there was a simple solution to this issue of being ignored. As the duke advised me earlier, all I had to do was go up and talk to them first. Then they'd smile and treat me kindly, like someone beneath them.

Ugh, don't these bastards ever get tired of all this?

For reference, who I spoke to first would be a big deal. If I went up to the duke I met earlier, the nobles under the marquess, his rival, would start treating me like I was invisible. Everything I did and said here would have political implications.

Munch, munch.

But I just kept eating my meal. There were three reasons for this. First, I was really hungry. Second, this meat was really, really good. And third, I had no intention of joining their little cliques in the first place.

She's finally here.

"I suppose there's no point in waiting. It's not like anyone else is coming over anyway." I glanced at the woman who was approaching me and smiled inwardly. She had pale hair, pale eyes, and pale skin on top of that. Aside from her unique, colorful attire reminiscent of a hanbok, this woman was whiter than snow. Oh, and of course, there were rabbit ears on the top of her head. "Nice to meet you, Baron Yandel. Is this meal to your liking?"

"You want to try some?"

When I picked up a piece of meat and held it out to her, the woman stared at me blankly for a moment before managing to snap out of it and smile. "No, I'm all right. I'm not hungry."

Jeez, so picky. And we're both non-humans.

Tap.

I thought that was enough to give her a clear sense of who I was, so I set the meat back on the plate and settled in to have a conversation. Then I sucked my fingers clean. Suddenly, an intrusive thought popped into my head: would she ‍‍‌‌⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠‌‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠shake my hand if I asked? I couldn't be sure, but I wasn't going to try. I was a well-mannered barbarian. At least when it was beneficial for me to be.

"Anyway, nice to meet you. I'm Baron Yandel."

When I took the initiative to introduce myself first, the woman responded with a friendly smile. "Baroness Lirivia."

I already knew this information, of course. There was only one noble family from the White Rabbit Tribe.

Age forty-three. She has three kids, I think?

"May I sit down for a moment?"

"Of course. I was getting bored."

When I gave her permission, Baroness Lirivia, the Rabbit Baroness, sat in front of me. The eight-seat table I was at had someone else sitting at it for the first time. But no one applauded this monumental occasion. There was only sharp ridicule.

"Tsk, of course."

"Well, there's no reason to stop the lowborns from entertaining each other."

Since that was loud enough to reach my barbarian ears, this rabbit woman had to have heard it too. But she didn't even flinch. The baroness simply smiled like she was used to this treatment and spoke softly. "The founder of our family was a hero like you, Baron Yandel. During the Iron Wall Rebellion, he achieved the great feat of stopping the heretical duke. Have you heard this story?"

"No, sorry. This is my first time hearing it."

"Haha, don't be. It's only natural. Nowadays, it's an old story only known by those who have studied history..." The baroness's voice grew a bit melancholy. "It was as many as two thousand years ago when the Lirivia family's crest was placed in the covenant box. It has been a very long time. The era of a king who was considered immortal had come to an end, and a new dawn had arrived."

I thought I knew what she was getting at.

"So, Baron Yandel, you'll have to get used to it fast. Even time won't change these peoples' minds."

"Oh, really? That's strange. To me, you don't seem all that different to them."

Especially since you have the same flowery, cunning way of speaking.

"...You are as funny as the rumors say."

Ha, funny? I haven't even gotten started yet.

"Anyway, I ‍‍‌‌⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠‌‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠don't think you're here to give me advice, am I right?"

"You are remarkable, as expected. You're right."

"Then tell me."

At my bluntness, the woman paused for a moment. This was why I said she was no different than them. She may have had those ears on her head, but she attended this event on behalf of her family as a full-fledged noblewoman, someone who regarded conversations outside of the realm of propriety as beneath her.

"I wouldn't say I'm not here to help. We don't want you working under another faction."

"Because I'm the first noble from another race to be added to the court in six hundred years?"

The woman flinched at my question but soon took a deep breath. Then she looked me straight in the eyes, her tone shifting. "More importantly, one of barbarian origin. The first ever in Rafdonia's history." With that, I could see that this woman's perception of me as a naïve barbarian had changed, unlike those human nobles watching us. "Just as Lirivia receives the full support of the beastpeople, you can lead the barbarians into politics."

"Is that the only reason?"

"Of course, I would have approached you either way. We're in need of each and every ally we can get."

"Anyway, nice to meet you. I'm Baron Yandel."

When I took the initiative to introduce myself first, the woman responded with a friendly smile. "Baroness Lirivia."

I already knew this information, of course. There was only one noble family from the White Rabbit Tribe.

Age forty-three. She has three kids, I think?

"May I sit down for a moment?"

"Of course. I was getting bored."

When I gave her permission, Baroness Lirivia, the Rabbit Baroness, sat in front of me. The eight-seat table I was at had someone else sitting at it for the first time. But no one applauded this monumental occasion. There was only sharp ridicule.

"Tsk, of course."

"Well, there's no reason to stop the lowborns from entertaining each other."

Since that was loud enough to reach my barbarian ears, this rabbit woman had to have heard it too. But she didn't even flinch. The baroness simply smiled like she was used to this treatment and spoke softly. "The founder of our family was a hero like you, Baron Yandel. During the Iron Wall Rebellion, he achieved the great feat of stopping the heretical duke. Have you heard this story?"

"No, sorry. This is my first time hearing it."

"Haha, don't be. It's only natural. Nowadays, it's an old story only known by those who have studied history..." The baroness's voice grew a bit melancholy. "It was as many as two thousand years ago when the Lirivia family's crest was placed in the covenant box. It has been a very long time. The era of a king who was considered immortal had come to an end, and a new dawn had arrived."

I thought I knew what she was getting at.

"So, Baron Yandel, you'll have to get used to it fast. Even time won't change these peoples' minds."

"Oh, really? That's strange. To me, you don't seem all that different to them."

Especially since you have the same flowery, cunning way of speaking.

"...You are as funny as the rumors say."

Ha, funny? I haven't even gotten started yet.

"Anyway, I don't think you're here to give me advice, am I right?"

"You are remarkable, as expected. You're right."

"Then tell me."

At my bluntness, the woman paused for a moment. This was why I said she was no different than them. She may have had those ears on her head, but she attended this event on behalf of her family as a full-fledged noblewoman, someone who regarded conversations outside of the realm of propriety as beneath her.

"I wouldn't say I'm not here to help. We don't want you working under another faction."

"Because I'm the first noble from another race to be added to the court in six hundred years?"

The woman flinched at my question but soon took a deep breath. Then she looked me straight in the eyes, her tone shifting. "More importantly, one of barbarian origin. The first ever in Rafdonia's history." With that, I could see that this woman's perception of me as a naïve barbarian had changed, unlike those human nobles watching us. "Just as Lirivia receives the full support of the beastpeople, you can lead the barbarians into politics."

"Is that the only reason?"

"Of course, I would have approached you either way. We're in need of each and every ally we can get."

"Hmm, I see..."

"A total of thirty-one families, including Lirivia, are joining forces. Of course, we're still a minority in the government, but it's enough to have a voice." As I propped my chin up in my hand, looking bored by her explanation, the Rabbit Baroness kicked off the negotiations first. "I won't ask you to join us for a higher cause." Beggars couldn't be choosers, after all. "But if you join us, you will receive enormous support in establishing yourself as a nobleman."

"I want you to elaborate on that."

"For example, the decades it would normally take for you to purchase land, build an estate, and hire servants to maintain it will be shortened to just a few years."

Was this what it meant to be an aristocrat? It was a staggering offer already. Even if I took just this, I'd make more than my money's worth for choosing the ennoblement option as a reward instead of the cash.

"Of course, that's not all. We started this alliance to survive," she explained. "If you join us, our enemies will become your enemies. And your enemies will become ours."

This was the reason why I'd waited for her to approach me instead of going to talk to the other nobles. Each person they managed to add to their alliance was invaluable, and they took care of each other accordingly.

"So, what do you think?" She asked me for an answer.

I nodded. "It's certainly... not a bad offer."

"You mean—"

"But it's not enough."

Even if you look at me like that, it won't make a difference. It's clear I can get more out of this—I can't be satisfied with that alone.

The Rabbit Baroness's expression hardened upon hearing my answer, though it soon returned to its original placidity. "Baron Yandel, I'm finding you to be a clever man. If there is anything you wish for, could you be frank and tell me?" she asked politely, refusing to give up.

I could tell just by her question exactly how much this woman—and by extension Melbeth, the alliance of non-human nobles—wanted me. Of course, I desperately wanted to join their group as well, but they didn't know that.

If you're going to sell something, sell it for the highest price you can. That's the philosophy of a K-Barbarian.

"I'm going to continue to enter the labyrinth. I want support for that too."

"Can you give me an example of what you mean by support?"

"I want you to sponsor the clan I'm going to create. High-ranking essences, precious Numbered Items, things like that."

"...That won't be easy. Especially in that it doesn't benefit us."

"Why not? You guys should know. This country begins and ends in the labyrinth."

"If you're trying to say you can get us some influence within the labyrinth, we already have plenty of alternatives."

Tsk, playing hard to get, huh? It seems it's time to bring out the barbarian again.

"Why?!"

"...Sorry?"

"You said you would buy me land and build me a house. This is cheaper than that!"

"Um... Baron Yandel? Please lower your voice..."

"Tell me why!" When I jumped out of my seat, all the nobles turned to look at us. It seemed that served to twist her arm.

"This is different from ‍‍‌‌⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠‌‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠us supporting you as a noble. Becoming independent will help you later when you are active in politics. This is different," the Rabbit Baroness quickly explained. But did she pick up on the fact that her response was lacking? "But you never know... If you become indispensable to us... We won't consider any amount of support we can offer you a waste."

"Hmm, I see..."

"A total of thirty-one families, including Lirivia, are joining forces. Of course, we're still a minority in the government, but it's enough to have a voice." As I propped my chin up in my hand, looking bored by her explanation, the Rabbit Baroness kicked off the negotiations first. "I won't ask you to join us for a higher cause." Beggars couldn't be choosers, after all. "But if you join us, you will receive enormous support in establishing yourself as a nobleman."

"I want you to elaborate on that."

"For example, the decades it would normally take for you to purchase land, build an estate, and hire servants to maintain it will be shortened to just a few years."

Was this what it meant to be an aristocrat? It was a staggering offer already. Even if I took just this, I'd make more than my money's worth for choosing the ennoblement option as a reward instead of the cash.

"Of course, that's not all. We started this alliance to survive," she explained. "If you join us, our enemies will become your enemies. And your enemies will become ours."

This was the reason why I'd waited for her to approach me instead of going to talk to the other nobles. Each person they managed to add to their alliance was invaluable, and they took care of each other accordingly.

"So, what do you think?" She asked me for an answer.

I nodded. "It's certainly... not a bad offer."

"You mean—"

"But it's not enough."

Even if you look at me like that, it won't make a difference. It's clear I can get more out of this—I can't be satisfied with that alone.

The Rabbit Baroness's expression hardened upon hearing my answer, though it soon returned to its original placidity. "Baron Yandel, I'm finding you to be a clever man. If there is anything you wish for, could you be frank and tell me?" she asked politely, refusing to give up.

I could tell just by her question exactly how much this woman—and by extension Melbeth, the alliance of non-human nobles—wanted me. Of course, I desperately wanted to join their group as well, but they didn't know that.

If you're going to sell something, sell it for the highest price you can. That's the philosophy of a K-Barbarian.

"I'm going to continue to enter the labyrinth. I want support for that too."

"Can you give me an example of what you mean by support?"

"I want you to sponsor the clan I'm going to create. High-ranking essences, precious Numbered Items, things like that."

"...That won't be easy. Especially in that it doesn't benefit us."

"Why not? You guys should know. This country begins and ends in the labyrinth."

"If you're trying to say you can get us some influence within the labyrinth, we already have plenty of alternatives."

Tsk, playing hard to get, huh? It seems it's time to bring out the barbarian again.

"Why?!"

"...Sorry?"

"You said you would buy me land and build me a house. This is cheaper than that!"

"Um... Baron Yandel? Please lower your voice..."

"Tell me why!" When I jumped out of my seat, all the nobles turned to look at us. It seemed that served to twist her arm.

"This is different from us supporting you as a noble. Becoming independent will help you later when you are active in politics. This is different," the Rabbit Baroness quickly explained. But did she pick up on the fact that her response was lacking? "But you never know... If you become indispensable to us... We won't consider any amount of support we can offer you a waste."

"What! Then I'm useless to you now?!"

"No, that's not what I meant!"

"Haha! I was only joking, Baroness Lirivia."

"...Eh?" When I laughed and sat back down, the baroness stared blankly into space.

Jeez, it's like I can't even kid around with you.

"To put it simply, it sounds like you want me to prove my worth. That I'm useful in other ways than just as the first barbarian baron."

"Yes... ah, yes. That's right...?"

"Then that's no problem. Because that's way too easy for me."

The woman looked confused by my confident answer, and the nobles around us began to murmur at the turn our conversation had taken.

"I thought they were fighting—now they're laughing again?"

"These mutts... They truly are like beasts."

"Anyway, I wonder what Baroness Lirivia said to calm the barbarian's anger."

"Hmm, you never know. I hear that barbarian has a liking for beastwomen."

"Pardon? You mean..."

"Ahem, it's not out of the realm of possibility, is it?"

Their whispers were crude even to a barbarian like me. Although she'd been on the receiving end of endless ridicule, it seemed the baroness had never heard this kind before, as her face turned red with shame. The sight left an impression.

"...Baron Yandel." Even in this situation, though, it seemed she was worried I might cause a scene. "Just ignore them. You'll have to hear such things countless times if you plan on being active in politics in the future."

"Why?"

"Because there's nothing to be done." It was an honest answer that carried with it all the frustration of an underdog. But the expression on her face as she said it really made her look like an herbivore.

I chuckled. "You said you were used to it. But I guess you still get angry too?"

"How could I not? All I can do is endure their treatment while dreaming of a day when I won't have to feel this misery anymore."

"Dreaming, huh?" If dreams could come true just because you have them, there would be no such thing as unhappiness. "How much would that be worth?"

"What do you mean?"

"I may not be able to fulfill your wish, but I can at least make those bastards running their mouths disappear," I said. "So I'm asking, how much is that worth?"

It seemed the Rabbit Baroness didn't properly understand what I was getting at, because her response was faint. "I don't know. I think that for something like that, I wouldn't regret losing my entire fortune." It was a very abstract and subjective answer, but it was enough for me.

"Okay, then. The deal is over."

"Eh?"

"I've done some digging into you guys too, you know. The reason why people shit on all of you is because you let people shit on you all the time."

"W-What do you mean!?"

What do you think? I mean that what you need is an attack dog.

Slide.

I stood up from my seat, not giving her time to respond. "Behel—aaaaaah!" After attracting aggro with a battle cry, I stomped away.

Step, step.

"B-Baron Yandel!"

I ignored the Rabbit Baroness's panicked cries.

Step, step.

Within a few seconds, I came to a stop in front of the nobleman who was yapping about my supposed preference for beastwomen.

"What's the matter? How noisy." Unfortunately, it seemed this guy still hadn't grasped the situation he was in, seeing as he was glaring at me like this.

"Baron Kypriot." Though he didn't introduce himself, I had no problem calling him by name. After I decided to take the noble route, I memorized all the noble families' crests.

A baron of so-so standing. He'll be a perfect example.

"You insulted me," I declared.

"Insulted? Is this about what I said earlier? Ha! Ridiculous. Not only do I question whether you have any honor to insult in the first place, but even if you do, what are you going to do about it?

Jeez, pretending not to be scared, huh? It's obvious he's running his mouth because he's freaked out.

"If you really can't control your anger, write to the committee. Ah, assuming you can write!" When he finished speaking, the people next to him, who appeared to be his friends, started snickering.

Jeez, these are some third-rate bums. And who's the lowborn one here?

"Now, if you have nothing more to say, I'd like to ask you to move—"

Why would I have nothing to say? I cut him off. "I challenge you to a duel."

Duels were the sole means of conflict resolution in Rafdonia's aristocratic society since ancient times. Of course, the number of times a titled nobleman had directly participated in a duel throughout the nation's long history was less than ten.

"Are you scared?" I asked. "If you are, you can have a proxy. Ah, of course, I'm going to be representing myself in the fight."

"...Are you serious?"

"Why, you want me to be joking?"

He didn't answer my question. It was obvious what the baron was thinking. Not only was this completely unprecedented, but it must have been both insulting and intimidating. All he'd done was act as everyone always did and others were doing the same, so he must have been wondering why he was the only one being targeted like this.

They should be getting it now.

A barbarian had just ascended to noble status. It was time to inject some tension into this overly lax aristocratic court.

Step.

I took another step forward and looked down at him as I spoke. "Knight, adventurer, wizard—doesn't matter." The general rule was that mercenaries were not permitted as representatives for duels, but... "It doesn't have to be someone from your family. Bring anyone. The strongest guy you can get."

There was no answer.

"What, you're not confident?"

Because I am. I'm confident I can kill anyone you put in front of me.

"What! Then I'm useless to you now?!"

"No, that's not what I meant!"

"Haha! I was only joking, Baroness Lirivia."

"...Eh?" When I laughed and sat back down, the baroness stared blankly into space.

Jeez, it's like I can't even kid around with you.

"To put it simply, it sounds like you want me to prove my worth. That I'm useful in other ways than just as the first barbarian baron."

"Yes... ah, yes. That's right...?"

"Then that's no problem. Because that's way too easy for me."

The woman looked confused by my confident answer, and the nobles around us began to murmur at the turn our conversation had taken.

"I thought they were fighting—now they're laughing again?"

"These mutts... They truly are like beasts."

"Anyway, I wonder what Baroness Lirivia said to calm the barbarian's anger."

"Hmm, you never know. I hear that barbarian has a liking for beastwomen."

"Pardon? You mean..."

"Ahem, it's not out of the realm of possibility, is it?"

Their whispers were crude even to a barbarian like me. Although she'd been on the receiving end of endless ridicule, it seemed the baroness had never heard this kind before, as her face turned red with shame. The sight left an impression.

"...Baron Yandel." Even in this situation, though, it seemed she was worried I might cause a scene. "Just ignore them. You'll have to hear such things countless times if you plan on being active in politics in the future."

"Why?"

"Because there's nothing to be done." It was an honest answer that carried with it all the frustration of an underdog. But the expression on her face as she said it really made her look like an herbivore.

I chuckled. "You said you were used to it. But I guess you still get angry too?"

"How could I not? All I can do is endure their treatment while dreaming of a day when I won't have to feel this misery anymore."

"Dreaming, huh?" If dreams could come true just because you have them, there would be no such thing as unhappiness. "How much would that be worth?"

"What do you mean?"

"I may not be able to fulfill your wish, but I can at least make those bastards running their mouths disappear," I said. "So I'm asking, how much is that worth?"

It seemed the Rabbit Baroness didn't properly understand what I was getting at, because her response was faint. "I don't know. I think that for something like that, I wouldn't regret losing my entire fortune." It was a very abstract and subjective answer, but it was enough for me.

"Okay, then. The deal is over."

"Eh?"

"I've done some digging into you guys too, you know. The reason why people shit on all of you is because you let people shit on you all the time."

"W-What do you mean!?"

What do you think? I mean that what you need is an attack dog.

Slide.

I stood up from my seat, not giving her time to respond. "Behel—aaaaaah!" After attracting aggro with a battle cry, I stomped ‍‍‌‌⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠‌‌‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠away.