Chapter 464: Proof (4)

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 464: Proof (4)

The reward you received for defeating Riakis was simple. After the raid, you needed to go back to the hut and crawl inside the flames. Upon doing so, your Spirit Resistance would rise significantly, and then your character would be transported back to the Witch's Forest.

[Achievement Unlocked]

[Condition: Defeat the Lord of Chaos, Riakis.]

[Reward: Your Spirit Resistance permanently increases by +50.]

After reopening the achievement window, you would see that the question marks had been replaced. The fact that you could only get the reward after heading to a designated place made it unique among the other hidden features of Dungeon and Stone. There was also a time limit, so if you tried to come back later, you wouldn't receive the reward.

[Your Spirit Resistance has permanently increased by +50.]

With that simple UI message lacking any explanation or emotion, your character was granted a mysterious power, like you were being blessed by something hidden from the naked eye.

Every time I received this hidden reward, I tried to see if there was anything else I was missing, but my experiments always came up empty. Ultimately, I just figured that I must be overthinking things and there was nothing else hidden here.

[An error has occurred.]

So where the hell am I?

This was clearly not the Witch's Forest.

[Your location cannot be logged. Character log transmission has been temporarily suspended.]

And who was this girl?

Step, step, step.

I was in a grassy field lit by the faint glow of a bonfire. Since the girl in front of me wasn't answering my question, all I could do was search our surroundings for answers.

Eventually, the girl broke the silence. "...Elise Groundia." Her voice rang directly in my head rather than passing through my ears, but surprisingly, she sounded pretty normal otherwise.

"...Shit." However, that name sent goosebumps rippling over my entire body. That was how famous it was. "Ah, I'm sorry for swearing. I'm a barbarian, so sometimes I do that when I get surprised."

I took a deep breath as I studied her. Judging by her expression, she wasn't joking when she said that. But that didn't mean I had to take her statement at face value.

Is she really the Earth Witch?

Even so, I eventually caved and determined that I needed to accept it. There was no particular reason for me to not believe her. Didn't I already know that the witch was alive? Besides, the fact that I'd met this girl under these circumstances was proof enough that she wasn't an ordinary kid.

Yeah, that makes sense. In fact, this is good for me.

If she really was the Witch, this was the perfect opportunity to dig up as much info as I—

"Don't open the Gate of the Abyss."

Huh? What did she just say?

Shaaaaaa!

While I was in a daze, trying to process that, an eerie wind blew by and the field before me began to smudge and fade. I desperately reached my hand out toward the Witch, who I could barely see now.

"...Yandel, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

Instead of the girl, however, my fingertips met Amelia's pissed-off face.

[Your location has been confirmed. Character log transmission has been resumed.]

I was suddenly back in the Witch's Forest. Feeling disturbingly like I had just been possessed or something, I asked my teammates if they'd also experienced something similar when they followed behind me.

"...A field covered in fog? What are you talking about?"

"We just ended up here when we crawled through the fire!"

So they didn't experience the same thing. "I guess I must have just been confused." I couldn't figure out exactly what had happened, so I tabled the experience for now. Amelia shot me a suspicious look, but she didn't ask any questions.

[23:50]

After checking the time, I decided to end our expedition here and spend the remaining time relaxing.

"Hey, Bjorn!"

"Fenelin, stop bothering him and leave him alone. It looks like he has a lot on his mind."

"Oh, okay..."

Thanks to Amelia, I was able to spend a few minutes gathering my thoughts without interruption. The first thing I did was establish that that wasn't just a dream—which meant that the girl I'd met really was the Earth Witch.

"Don't open the Gate of the Abyss."

Why would she tell me that? No, why was I the only one who'd experienced that phenomenon in the first place? It was the same with Auril Gavis as well—everyone seemed to have strange expectations of me.

...Is it because I cleared the original game?

I sighed. Every day, I put my all into getting things done, so why did it seem like the number of things on my plate kept growing?

[The labyrinth is now closed.]

No matter how thoroughly I analyzed the strange experience, I didn't manage to come up with any answers to my many questions before we were sent back.

[You are being transported to Rafdonia.]

The dreary sky over the city was the same as always.

"Wait a minute, isn't that man...?"

"It's Baron Yandel..."

When I returned to Dimension Square, a lot of the adventurers seemed shocked to see me there. I didn't pay them any mind since this had already become the norm for me.

"...Things were really dicey this time."

"Thankfully, none of us died. Let's head back home and rest."

The adventurers who had been at war on the seventh floor looked particularly exhausted, and their equipment wasn't faring all that better either.

Did something happen?

I'd have to look into it later. Thankfully, I could just get the information I needed directly from Versyl now without having to go to the Round Table. The more power I gained, the less need I had for the Round Table in general.

But since that clown bastard and the GM's underling are still there, I should keep participating.

I trudged toward the checkpoint. In the past, I would have rushed over there to get into line faster, but now, there was no need.

"Bjorn! Here! Over here!"

There was a checkpoint set aside for teams made of rank-fours or higher. Usually, the people of this rank were in clans, so luckily for us, there was practically no line. Parties and clans made up of more than ten people had their own separate checkpoints.

[Your location has been confirmed. Character log transmission has been resumed.]

I was suddenly back in the Witch's Forest. Feeling disturbingly like I had just been possessed or something, I asked my teammates if they'd also experienced something similar when they followed behind me.

"...A field covered in fog? What are you talking about?"

"We just ended up here when we crawled through the fire!"

So they didn't experience the same thing. "I guess I must have just been confused." I couldn't figure out exactly what had happened, so I tabled the experience for now. Amelia shot me a suspicious look, but she didn't ask any questions.

[23:50]

After checking the time, I decided to end our expedition here and spend the remaining time relaxing.

"Hey, Bjorn!"

"Fenelin, stop bothering him and leave him alone. It looks like he has a lot on his mind."

"Oh, okay..."

Thanks to Amelia, I was able to spend a few minutes gathering my thoughts without interruption. The first thing I did was establish that that wasn't just a dream—which meant that the girl I'd met really was the Earth Witch.

"Don't open the Gate of the Abyss."

Why would she tell me that? No, why was I the only one who'd experienced that phenomenon in the first place? It was the same with Auril Gavis as well—everyone seemed to have strange expectations of me.

...Is it because I cleared the original game?

I sighed. Every day, I put my all into getting things done, so why did it seem like the number of things on my plate kept growing?

[The labyrinth is now closed.]

No matter how thoroughly I analyzed the strange experience, I didn't manage to come up with any answers to my many questions before we were sent back.

[You are being transported to Rafdonia.]

The dreary sky over the city was the same as always.

"Wait a minute, isn't that man...?"

"It's Baron Yandel..."

When I returned to Dimension Square, a lot of the adventurers seemed shocked to see me there. I didn't pay them any mind since this had already become the norm for me.

"...Things were really dicey this time."

"Thankfully, none of us died. Let's head back home and rest."

The adventurers who had been at war on the seventh floor looked particularly exhausted, and their equipment wasn't faring all that better either.

Did something happen?

I'd have to look into it later. Thankfully, I could just get the information I needed directly from Versyl now without having to go to the Round Table. The more power I gained, the less need I had for the Round Table in general.

But since that clown bastard and the GM's underling are still there, I should keep participating.

I trudged toward the checkpoint. In the past, I would have rushed over there to get into line faster, but now, there was no need.

"Bjorn! Here! Over here!"

There was a checkpoint set aside for teams made of rank-fours or higher. Usually, the people of this rank were in clans, so luckily for us, there was practically no line. Parties and clans made up of more than ten people had their own separate checkpoints.

I should work on raising the clan's rank, especially if I want to lower our wait time even more.

Though the line was admittedly short today, our mana stone profit also wasn't that great, so it didn't take long for us to get through the checkpoint.

"Ainar, are you headed to your inn now?"

"Yeah, I'll see you later!"

After parting ways with Ainar, I headed straight home.

Come to think of it, I have to also take care of the house this month.

I had just come back, intending to get some well-deserved rest after fighting Riakis, yet my mind was already filled with all the work I needed to get done.

"I'm going to wash up first. Make sure to take care of yourselves and get some rest."

"Good work this time."

"Have a good rest, Yandel."

I headed into the bathroom and scrubbed off all the grime I accumulated during our expedition. After cleaning myself, I threw myself onto the bed and let out a sigh.

I needed to fall asleep quickly. I had to get up early tomorrow.

***

The next morning at 6 a.m., I quietly washed up and made my way outside, careful to not wake Amelia or Erwen up.

I yawned.

I was so damn tired.

I went to bed at around 2 p.m., so that means I slept for about fifteen hours...

Since I had just returned from a fifteen-day quest that ended on the third floor, that wasn't that bad, but that didn't change the fact that I was exhausted. My rule of thumb had always been to spend the entire first day after any quest resting.

"It's an honor to serve you today, Baron Yandel."

Soon after I arrived at the carriage platform, I got into a noble carriage and we made our way to the royal capital of Karnon. It had been a while since I'd traveled all the way to the royal capital by carriage. The last time was when I was being given the title of baronet, back when I first met the marquess.

I should sleep on the way.

Comforted by the fact that I wouldn't have to pay the seven hundred thousand stones for this trip myself, I quickly fell asleep.

[13:10]

We arrived a little past noon.

Gurgle.

I quickly stuffed some beef jerky into my mouth to placate my hungry stomach.

As I headed up to the mansion's gates, a guard with rabbit ears quickly approached me. Luckily, he recognized me instantly. "It's an honor to meet you, Baron Yandel," the guard greeted me on behalf of Baroness Lirivia as he led me into the mansion. I was deeply impressed by the show of hospitality.

...So this is the benevolence of a noble.

There were really a lot of little things that went into making a proper noble that was invisible at first glance. Even when I one day bought land and built a mansion under the name Baron Yandel, it would take me a long time to learn all of these things.

"It's been a while, Baron Yandel." After waiting in the room the guard had dropped me off in for a few minutes, I was greeted by the Rabbit Baroness I met at my banquet.

"It's been a while, Baroness Lirivia. You've got a nice house. And the people under you are really nice."

"Haha, you're too kind yourself. Though I must say, you don't seem the slightest bit nervous."

I should work on raising the clan's rank, especially if I want to lower our wait time even more.

Though the line was admittedly short today, our mana stone profit also wasn't that great, so it didn't take long for us to get through the checkpoint.

"Ainar, are you headed to your inn now?"

"Yeah, I'll see you later!"

After parting ways with Ainar, I headed straight home.

Come to think of it, I have to also take care of the house this month.

I had just come back, intending to get some well-deserved rest after fighting Riakis, yet my mind was already filled with all the work I needed to get done.

"I'm going to wash up first. Make sure to take care of yourselves and get some rest."

"Good work this time."

"Have a good rest, Yandel."

I headed into the bathroom and scrubbed off all the grime I accumulated during our expedition. After cleaning myself, I threw myself onto the bed and let out a sigh.

I needed to fall asleep quickly. I had to get up early tomorrow.

***

The next morning at 6 a.m., I quietly washed up and made my way outside, careful to not wake Amelia or Erwen up.

I yawned.

I was so damn tired.

I went to bed at around 2 p.m., so that means I slept for about fifteen hours...

Since I had just returned from a fifteen-day quest that ended on the third floor, that wasn't that bad, but that didn't change the fact that I was exhausted. My rule of thumb had always been to spend the entire first day after any quest resting.

"It's an honor to serve you today, Baron Yandel."

Soon after I arrived at the carriage platform, I got into a noble carriage and we made our way to the royal capital of Karnon. It had been a while since I'd traveled all the way to the royal capital by carriage. The last time was when I was being given the title of baronet, back when I first met the marquess.

I should sleep on the way.

Comforted by the fact that I wouldn't have to pay the seven hundred thousand stones for this trip myself, I quickly fell asleep.

[13:10]

We arrived a little past noon.

Gurgle.

I quickly stuffed some beef jerky into my mouth to placate my hungry stomach.

As I headed up to the mansion's gates, a guard with rabbit ears quickly approached me. Luckily, he recognized me instantly. "It's an honor to meet you, Baron Yandel," the guard greeted me on behalf of Baroness Lirivia as he led me into the mansion. I was deeply impressed by the show of hospitality.

...So this is the benevolence of a noble.

There were really a lot of little things that went into making a proper noble that was invisible at first glance. Even when I one day bought land and built a mansion under the name Baron Yandel, it would take me a long time to learn all of these things.

"It's been a while, Baron Yandel." After waiting in the room the guard had dropped me off in for a few minutes, I was greeted by the Rabbit Baroness I met at my banquet.

"It's been a while, Baroness Lirivia. You've got a nice house. And the people under you are really nice."

"Haha, you're too kind yourself. Though I must say, you don't seem the slightest bit nervous."

"Should I be?"

"No, not at all. In fact, that's great. Honestly, I can't imagine you being nervous, Baron Yandel."

"I get nervous sometimes like anyone else. Usually when my life's at stake."

"When you say things like that, I'm reminded that you really are an adventurer." Having lived in noble circles for some time, the Rabbit Baroness was well-versed in the art of social niceties. Even though I was just answering her like I normally would, she was still able to keep the conversation flowing naturally, and we chatted for some time. "Oh my, is it already that late? As the host of this month's meeting, I should get going. I need to go and greet the other members when they arrive."

"Then where do you want me to meet all of you?"

When I asked after the location of the meeting, she simply tilted her head and laughed. "That's for me to worry about, Baron Yandel. Rest assured, I will have someone come and guide you to the meeting, so please make yourself comfortable here for now."

"...I see. Okay, then. I will see you later."

About half an hour later, the guide the Rabbit Baroness mentioned earlier finally came. "The head of the house is waiting for you." We arrived at a large study. The second I saw it, the first thing that came to mind was the Round Table thanks to the large, round table in the center of the room.

Is there some rule that you're not allowed to have a single meeting in this world without a round table?

I just barely managed to swallow back the laughter that threatened to bubble up my throat. I didn't want their first impression of me to be me cackling maniacally to myself.

I could sense everyone's eyes on me without even having to look around. They must all be curious about the newcomer.

If that's the case, why didn't they just come up and greet me at the ceremony?

Ah, maybe they didn't want to attract attention to themselves. Based on what the Rabbit Baroness told me that day, these guys were a real bunch of herbivores.

"I'm sorry, Baron Yandel, but would you mind standing there for a moment? It won't be long."

"All right."

"Okay, since we've all gathered, let's begin." The Rabbit Baroness sat at the end of the table and, serving as the moderator, began taking us through the itinerary for the day. "The first item on today's agenda is whether or not to accept Baron Yandel into our alliance. As we are a group working toward the equality of all races, we will allow anyone who wishes to have the opportunity to freely voice their opinions before the vote. The decision will be made by the majority, and we all must humbly accept the outcome."

So that's the vibe of this group, huh? No wonder they have a round table—it's so they can all face each other.

"First, I would like to ask Baron Yandel a question." As soon as the meeting began, an elf with a mustache raised his hand and spoke up. His blue hair color gave away the house he hailed from.

"Go ahead."

"First of all, let me introduce myself. I am Baron Heskaira. It is a pleasure to meet a famous hero here of all places."

"I am Baron Yandel. The pleasure's all mine. So, what is it that you want to ask?"

"I heard that not too long ago, you became the chieftain of the barbarians. Is that perhaps true?"

"That is correct." It wasn't like I could hide it, so I quickly nodded my head in confirmation. Everyone already knew, anyway, so their reactions to that news were mild at best. The real question they were interested in was the one that followed.

"Should I be?"

"No, not at all. In fact, that's great. Honestly, I can't imagine you being nervous, Baron Yandel."

"I get nervous sometimes like anyone else. Usually when my life's at stake."

"When you say things like that, I'm reminded that you really are an adventurer." Having lived in noble circles for some time, the Rabbit Baroness was well-versed in the art of social niceties. Even though I was just answering her like ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I normally would, she was still able to keep the conversation flowing naturally, and we chatted for some time. "Oh my, is it already that late? As the host of this month's meeting, I should get going. I need to go and greet the other members when they arrive."

"Then where do you want me to meet all of you?"

When I asked after the location of the meeting, she simply tilted her head and laughed. "That's for me to worry about, Baron Yandel. Rest assured, I will have someone come and guide you to the meeting, so please make yourself comfortable here for now."

"...I see. Okay, then. I will see you later."

About half an hour later, the guide the Rabbit Baroness mentioned earlier finally came. "The head of the house is waiting for you." We arrived at a large study. The second I saw it, the first thing that came to mind was the Round Table thanks to the large, round table in the center of the room.

Is there some rule that you're not allowed to have a single meeting in this world without a round table?

I just barely managed to swallow back the laughter that threatened to bubble up my throat. I didn't want their first impression of me to be me cackling maniacally to myself.

I could sense everyone's eyes on me without even having to look around. They must all be curious about the newcomer.

If that's the case, why didn't they just come up and greet me at the ceremony?

Ah, maybe they didn't want to attract attention to themselves. Based on what the Rabbit Baroness told me that day, these guys were a real bunch of herbivores.

"I'm sorry, Baron Yandel, but would you mind standing there for a moment? It won't be long."

"All right."

"Okay, since we've all gathered, let's begin." The Rabbit Baroness sat at the end of the table and, serving as the moderator, began taking us through the itinerary for the day. "The first item on today's agenda is whether or not to accept Baron Yandel into our alliance. As we are a group working toward the equality of all races, we will allow anyone who wishes to have the opportunity to freely voice their opinions before the vote. The decision will be made by the majority, and we all must humbly accept the outcome."

So that's the vibe of this group, huh? No wonder they have a round table—it's so they can all face each other.

"First, I would like to ask Baron Yandel a question." As soon as the meeting began, an elf with a mustache raised his hand and spoke up. His blue hair color gave away the house he hailed from.

"Go ahead."

"First of all, let me introduce myself. I am Baron Heskaira. It is a pleasure to meet a famous hero here of all places."

"I am Baron Yandel. The pleasure's all mine. So, what is it that you want to ask?"

"I heard that not too long ago, you became the chieftain of the barbarians. Is that perhaps true?"

"That is correct." It wasn't like I could hide it, so I quickly nodded my head in confirmation. Everyone already knew, anyway, so their reactions to that news were mild at best. The real question they were interested in was the one that followed.

"I've heard about the type of person you are, Baron Yandel, so I won't beat around the bush. Why did you do that? Did you perhaps not know about our unspoken rule?"

"No. I was well aware of it."

"Oh?" I'd decided to confidently come clean here, and many of the other members looked intrigued by my response. "Why did you still decide to become chieftain if you knew?"

"Because that unspoken rule didn't benefit me in any way."

"...I can't accept that logic."

"Why is that?"

"We have made concerted efforts to avoid antagonizing the more established families, but in one fell swoop, your actions have squandered years of hard work."

"I know. You've shown every noble there is that you're loyal to the crown, even throwing away your ties to your respective holy lands to do it."

"You knew that, and yet you—"

It was time to make a lasting impression.

"But so what?" I interrupted the Mustachioed Baron. I was sure my behavior was appalling to these silver-spoon aristocrats, but... "Let me ask you, what difference has all of that made?"

I was just a barbarian.

That single question rendered the elf completely speechless. I turned my head to look at the rest of them. This was the perfect time to let them know exactly who they were dealing with.

"You all have to have noticed, right? Even after you all threw aside your homes and distanced yourself from your holy lands, they still haven't accepted you."

Of course, in truth, they didn't cut their respective races off entirely. Instead, they simply acted like they had. Even though none of them were the heads of their tribes, it was obvious that they all still had some kind of relationship with their own people behind the scenes.

The reason why I openly took the chieftain position was because this way, I can get the barbarians more support.

If you wanted to change things, you needed to make a stand. Sitting on your hands waiting for change to just happen was nothing more than a waste of time. Why did these politicians not know that?

"Now, does that answer your question?"

"Yes. At the very least... I now understand the type of person you are."

Good, that was exactly what I was hoping for.

Once he was done, the Rabbit Baroness stopped quietly spectating to move us along. "Then, is there anyone else who would like to comment or has a question to ask Baron Yandel? If not, then let's vote. Those in favor of Baron Yandel joining us, please raise your hand."

The way they held the vote was much different than I had expected. I thought they would do it in secret rather than simply having them raise their hands right in front of each other.

In silence, they all began to raise their hands one by one. Thankfully, things turned out the way I had expected.

"As all thirty-one members are in agreement, Baron Yandel has now been accepted into our alliance."

It was unanimous.

"As of today, Baron Yandel is our ally. His enemies are our enemies, and under no circumstances will we abandon him."

After the Rabbit Baroness was done speaking, everyone clapped. Although they hadn't voiced any complaints, they didn't look particularly happy either. That made sense. This occasion heralded the ascension of the first non-human noble in six hundred years, and it was a barbarian, of all things.

Even if I had pulled down my pants and taken a dump right in front of them, the results of the vote wouldn't have ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠changed. Everyone here had accepted that they were powerless and destined to eternally wait for change to come. Even if I were a senseless mass murderer, they would have been fine with accepting me into the group and waiting until I had a son who hopefully wasn't utterly lacking in humanity.

"Then you may sit down over there, Baron Yandel."

I went to the only empty seat available as the applause concluded. After the Rabbit Baroness gave me a few words of congratulations, the meeting continued.

"The second item on today's agenda is support for Baron Yandel."

This had also already been decided. In fact, it had ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠been decided the moment I agreed to join Melbeth, though we had a much-needed discussion delving into the specifics of how much land I would be buying and how much financial support I would be receiving while doing so.

I'm sure this is the maximum amount of support they can offer...

Thanks to the Rabbit Baroness's hard work, I'd gotten a slightly bigger allotment of funds than I had expected.

Finally, it was time for the next item on the agenda.

"Third on the docket for today is..." The Rabbit Baroness shot me a quick glance, likely to check if I was nervous, before continuing. "...to discuss the possibility of formally supporting Baron Yandel and his clan, Anabada."

"...Clan Anabada? Is that the clan Baron Yandel formed?"

"Yes, that is correct."

Sure enough, they weren't happy about this topic of conversation.

"I understand accepting Baron Yandel into our group and supporting the establishment of his new estate, but this is a completely different issue."

"This isn't about supporting his new estate! This is for his own benefit! This is unprecedented!"

Questions were yelled out and complaints were voiced. However, at the end of it all, it all boiled down to this:

"Why should we do that?"

Was there a good reason to go to all that trouble?

"Yes, well—"

I stood up from my seat, interrupting the Rabbit Baroness as she attempted to answer on my behalf.

I shouldn't leave something like this to someone else.

It was time to prove my own worth.

"I've heard about the type of person you are, Baron Yandel, so I won't beat around the bush. Why did you do that? Did you perhaps not know about our unspoken rule?"

"No. I was well aware of it."

"Oh?" I'd decided to confidently come clean here, and many of the other members looked intrigued by my response. "Why did you still decide to become chieftain if you knew?"

"Because that unspoken rule didn't benefit me in any way."

"...I can't accept that logic."

"Why is that?"

"We have made concerted efforts to avoid antagonizing the more established families, but in one fell swoop, your actions have squandered years of hard work."

"I know. You've shown every noble there is that you're loyal to the crown, even throwing away your ties to your respective holy lands to do it."

"You knew that, and yet you—"

It was time to make a lasting impression.

"But so what?" I interrupted the Mustachioed Baron. I was sure my behavior was appalling to these silver-spoon aristocrats, but... "Let me ask you, what difference has all of that made?"

I was just a barbarian.

That single question rendered the elf completely speechless. I turned my head to look at the rest of them. This was the perfect time to let them know exactly who they were dealing with.

"You all have to have noticed, right? Even after you all threw aside your homes and distanced yourself from your holy lands, they still haven't accepted you."

Of course, in truth, they didn't cut their respective races off entirely. Instead, they simply acted like they had. Even though none of them were the heads of their tribes, it was obvious that they all still had some kind of relationship with their own people behind the scenes.

The reason why I openly took the chieftain position was because this way, I can get the barbarians more support.

If you wanted to change things, you needed to make a stand. Sitting on your hands waiting for change to just happen was nothing more than a waste of time. Why did these politicians not know that?

"Now, does that answer your question?"

"Yes. At the very least... I now understand the type of person you are."

Good, that was exactly what I was hoping for.

Once he was done, the Rabbit Baroness stopped quietly spectating to move us along. "Then, is there anyone else who would like to comment or has a question to ask Baron Yandel? If not, then let's vote. Those in favor of Baron Yandel joining us, please raise your hand."

The way they held the vote was much different than I had expected. I thought they would do it in secret rather than simply having them raise their hands right in front of each other.

In silence, they all began to raise their hands one by one. Thankfully, things turned out the way I had expected.

"As all thirty-one members are in agreement, Baron Yandel has now been accepted into our alliance."

It was unanimous.

"As of today, Baron Yandel is our ally. His enemies are our enemies, and under no circumstances will we abandon him."

After the Rabbit Baroness was done speaking, everyone clapped. Although they hadn't voiced any complaints, they didn't look particularly happy either. That made sense. This occasion heralded the ascension of the first non-human noble in six hundred years, and it was a barbarian, of all things.

Even if I had pulled down my pants and taken a dump right in front of them, the results of the vote wouldn't have changed. Everyone here had accepted that they were powerless and destined to eternally wait for change to come. Even if I were a senseless mass murderer, they would have been fine with accepting me into the group and waiting until I had a son who hopefully wasn't utterly lacking in humanity.

"Then you may sit down over there, Baron Yandel."

I went to the only empty seat available as the applause concluded. After the Rabbit Baroness gave me a few words of congratulations, the meeting continued.

"The second item on today's agenda is support for Baron Yandel."

This had also already been decided. In fact, it had been decided the moment I agreed to join Melbeth, though we had a much-needed discussion delving into the specifics of how much land I would be buying and how much financial support I would be receiving while doing so.

I'm sure this is the maximum amount of support they can offer...

Thanks to the Rabbit Baroness's hard work, I'd gotten a slightly bigger allotment of funds than I had expected.

Finally, it was time for the next item on the agenda.

"Third on the docket for today is..." The Rabbit Baroness shot me a quick glance, likely to check if I was nervous, before continuing. "...to discuss the possibility of formally supporting Baron Yandel and his clan, Anabada."

"...Clan Anabada? Is that the clan Baron Yandel formed?"

"Yes, that is correct."

Sure enough, they weren't happy about this topic of conversation.

"I understand accepting Baron Yandel into our group and supporting the establishment of his new estate, but this is a completely different issue."

"This isn't about supporting his new estate! This is for his own benefit! This is unprecedented!"

Questions were yelled out and complaints were voiced. However, at the end of it all, it all boiled down to this:

"Why should we do that?"

Was there a good reason to go to all that trouble?

"Yes, well—"

I stood up from my ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠seat, interrupting the Rabbit Baroness as she attempted to answer on my behalf.

I shouldn't leave something like this to someone else.

It was time to prove my own worth.