Chapter 465: Proof (5)

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 465: Proof (5)

The moment I stood up, everyone quickly shut their mouths as their attention snapped to me. Even though we were all in the same room, their gazes alone spoke of a wall between us.

The Mustachioed Baron met my eyes as he spoke up on the group's behalf. "Baron Yandel seems to have something he wants to say." His message was loud and clear. They would hear me out, but I shouldn't expect them to change their minds. It seemed that all the other houses here were in agreement as well.

I sighed inwardly.

I'm not trying to steal your money so I can live in the lap of luxury.

Gathered here were thirty-one people representing thirty-one noble houses. Of them, the only one I could genuinely consider my ally was the Rabbit Baroness, who was struggling to keep order. Still, that was fine.

I only need to persuade fifteen people.

Including my own, Melbeth was made up of thirty-two houses. To reach a majority vote, I needed seventeen votes, and mine and the Rabbit Baroness's votes were already secured.

"Then... you may speak, Baron Yandel," the Rabbit Baroness said, a tinge of anxiety hidden in her tone.

I finished gathering my thoughts as the words left her mouth. "Let me make one thing clear first: I am not asking this out of greed." That was the first thing I needed to establish if I wanted to have any chance of persuading another fifteen people. "This item that Baroness Lirivia brought to the table is for the sake of the entirety of Melbeth."

It didn't take long for the expected arguments to roll in.

"How does supporting a clan that is directly under you help the entirety of Melbeth?"

"Because I'm different from you all."

The Mustachioed Baron tilted his head at my response.

"A noble's power typically comes from their house. However, my house hasn't even found a piece of land to settle on yet."

I watched as they all leaned forward in their chairs, curious as to what I was going to say. The tide was now turning in my favor.

"And yet, not one single noble out there would dare look down on me," I continued. "Isn't it strange? Marquess Tercerion and Duke Kealunus are both people who are far and away above my rank, yet even they respect me and treat me as someone important. What do you think the reason for that is?"

"Isn't it... fame?"

"Wrong." Well, strictly speaking, he wasn't entirely wrong. But where did fame come from? "It's power."

I was the great barbarian known as Bjorn Yandel, who had become a baron purely thanks to his strength and power.

"I earned my reputation and position purely because I am strong. And that is why you should all support me." With that, I got to the crux of my argument. "If I become stronger, then my position will rise as well. I don't plan on staying a baron for the rest of my life."

In other words: supporting me meant supporting Melbeth.

Thirty-one houses, or rather, thirty-two now that I'd joined, made up Melbeth. This group had two major weaknesses. One was that they were being ostracized and kept in check by the other nobles for being non-human. And two...

Their highest-ranking member is only a count.

The strongest member of the group was a single count.

"Support me. If you do, our wish will come true."

However, though my logic had clearly landed, their reaction was a rather surprising collection of blank stares. Perhaps my argument hadn't been enough to convince them. "I understand your point, but isn't this still unprecedented preferential treatment toward a specific house?"

Well, I knew I would never convince every single one of them. Rejecting change in favor of tradition was a normal response.

Still, a few of them seem to be interested in what I'm saying.

Now that I had tried my best to convince them with pretty words, it was time to try another tactic.

"Of course, that's not the only reason you should support me." I marched forward and continued my pitch. "Right now, Melbeth has no connections to the labyrinth whatsoever. But supporting my clan is our opportunity to get a foothold in the world of adventurers. There's nothing to lose."

Numerous nobles openly supported various adventurers and clans, and they didn't do so just to show off their wealth and power. Having a clan underneath you meant that you could exert your influence in the labyrinth whenever you wanted. The whole kingdom was reliant on that single labyrinth, so its importance went without saying. Yet even now, Melbeth wasn't associated with a single clan.

"I understand what you are trying to say, but the reason we are not involved with the labyrinth isn't because we can't be. We simply chose not to be."

"And why is that?" I asked even though I already knew.

The Mustachioed Baron kindly broke it down for me. "Because if we did, those above us would obviously descend to keep us in check."

On the surface, it was similar to the situation with their holy lands. Melbeth's motto was to sit back and avoid angering those with real power as much as possible.

"Hasn't that changed now that I've joined the group?"

Now that they'd accepted me, someone who became a noble because I was a famous adventurer, into their group, wasn't that all irrelevant?

But it seemed the Mustachioed Baron wasn't willing to back down. "That's why supporting you any further would be dangerous. We already brought you into Melbeth—if we support your clan in any official capacity, then we really won't be able to avoid conflict with the other houses. From their point of view, it would look like we are using you to get our hands on the labyrinth, and that would also harm you as well, Baron Yandel." His answer was firm, indicating his unwillingness to give me even a single stone of support. However, if I was the type to bend to so little pressure, I wouldn't have even tried in the first place.

"Are you that scared of them?" I provoked. To change their minds, I needed to change my approach.

His response came without a moment's hesitation. "That's a pointless question."

"Why do you say that?"

"Everyone here is a rational actor. That's what it means to be the head of a house. We are in a position where we must make decisions that not only affect the present members of our households but future generations as well." Even though he spoke sternly, his tone wasn't hostile. If anything, I got the sense he was giving me sincere advice, but all that meant was that I would have to provoke him more.

"To me, that just sounds like you want to shove your responsibilities onto future generations."

"There's no reason for me to entertain your slander any further," the Mustachioed Baron said, voice now icy. I felt bad. He seemed like a nice old man who was just trying to help me, but right now, I had to do what was best for both my party and my clan.

"There's been a misunderstanding." It was time to change strategies again. "Baron Heskaira, I didn't mean to slander you. I simply meant that now is the time for us to actively build up our strength. Isn't that why you are all interested in me?"

Even though I'd softened my tone, the Mustachioed Baron didn't respond. Instead, for the first time, someone else spoke up.

"I see the logic behind Baron Yandel's words." It was Baron Bwellyn from the White Wolves. At thirty years old and as one of the youngest in his family, he had already become the head of his house. "Haven't we all agreed that something needs to change?"

Well, I knew I would never convince every single one of them. Rejecting change in favor of tradition was a normal response.

Still, a few of them seem to be interested in what I'm saying.

Now that I had tried my best to convince them with pretty words, it was time to try another tactic.

"Of course, that's not the only reason you should support me." I marched forward and continued my pitch. "Right now, Melbeth has no connections to the labyrinth whatsoever. But supporting my clan is our opportunity to get a foothold in the world of adventurers. There's nothing to lose."

Numerous nobles openly supported various adventurers and clans, and they didn't do so just to show ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠off their wealth and power. Having a clan underneath you meant that you could exert your influence in the labyrinth whenever you wanted. The whole kingdom was reliant on that single labyrinth, so its importance went without saying. Yet even now, Melbeth wasn't associated with a single clan.

"I understand what you are trying to say, but the reason we are not involved with the labyrinth isn't because we can't be. We simply chose not to be."

"And why is that?" I asked even though I already knew.

The Mustachioed Baron kindly broke it down for me. "Because if we did, those above us would obviously descend to keep us in check."

On the surface, it was similar to the situation with their holy lands. Melbeth's motto was to sit back and avoid angering those with real power as much as possible.

"Hasn't that changed now that I've joined the group?"

Now that they'd accepted me, someone who became a noble because I was a famous adventurer, into their group, wasn't that all irrelevant?

But it seemed the Mustachioed Baron wasn't willing to back down. "That's why supporting you any further would be dangerous. We already brought you into Melbeth—if we support your clan in any official capacity, then we really won't be able to avoid conflict with the other houses. From their point of view, it would look like we are using you to get our hands on the labyrinth, and that would also harm you as well, Baron Yandel." His answer was firm, indicating his unwillingness to give me even a single stone of support. However, if I was the type to bend to so little pressure, I wouldn't have even tried in the first place.

"Are you that scared of them?" I provoked. To change their minds, I needed to change my approach.

His response came without a moment's hesitation. "That's a pointless question."

"Why do you say that?"

"Everyone here is a rational actor. That's what it means to be the head of a house. We are in a position where we must make decisions that not only affect the present members of our households but future generations as well." Even though he spoke sternly, his tone wasn't hostile. If anything, I got the sense he was giving me sincere advice, but all that meant was that I would have to provoke him more.

"To me, that just sounds like you want to shove your responsibilities onto future generations."

"There's no reason for me to entertain your slander any further," the Mustachioed Baron said, voice now icy. I felt bad. He seemed like a nice old man who was just trying to help me, but right now, I had to do what was best for both my party and my clan.

"There's been a misunderstanding." It was time to change strategies again. "Baron Heskaira, I didn't mean to slander you. I simply meant that now is the time for us to actively build up our strength. Isn't that why you are all interested in me?"

Even though I'd softened my tone, the Mustachioed Baron didn't respond. Instead, for the first time, someone else spoke up.

"I see the logic behind Baron Yandel's words." It was Baron Bwellyn from the White Wolves. At thirty years old and as one of the youngest in his family, he had already become the head of his house. "Haven't we all agreed that something needs to change?"

Just as the Rabbit Baroness told me, many people within Melbeth were unhappy with the current state of affairs. And it seemed the dam holding back the flood was finally cracking.

"That doesn't mean I am fully in favor of supporting Baron Yandel's clan. I just believe that it's about time we make a name for ourselves and expand our influence into the labyrinth. This entire war, all we've done is watch the other houses make great contributions and raise their families' status."

Baron Bwellyn's speech triggered a full-fledged debate.

"I also agree with you. It's a hassle to have to borrow from the holy land every time we need an adventurer."

"But is it necessary to support Baron Yandel? If we were to go and gather our best adventurers from our own races, we would be able to create our own clan in no time."

"That's true... I heard that Baron Yandel's clan doesn't even have ten members yet."

"Yes. Perhaps we could gather talented individuals from our own houses to build and support a clan ourselves."

Shit, this wasn't good. Before I got completely pushed out of the discussion, I hastily intervened. "Why do you all speak of things you don't understand?"

"...Pardon?"

"By the time you do all that, the war will be over!"

What could convince even the most cautious people to get greedy about entering the labyrinth business? The war. Many houses benefited enormously from the war by supporting clans. Watching other houses spread their influence without lifting a single finger must have been painful for them.

Huh...?

Or, that should have been the case, anyway.

"Well, wouldn't it be too hasty of us to try and benefit from this war?"

"I agree. We should work toward preparing for future wars, rather than trying to capitalize on this one. Rushed decision-making always results in major mistakes."

Damn nobles. This was their problem: their narrow-minded focus on the future. How was I supposed to convince them to make major changes when they were so complacent and relaxed? They had been in the exact same position for thousands of years, and yet they'd made absolutely no breakthroughs. As a K-Barbarian who valued expedient work, this conversation was suffocating.

I need to change my approach again.

In dealings with past- and present-blind politicians, there were two strategies I could employ. The first involved catering to them and appealing to their goals of building a better future. That, or I could show them that the decisions they were making now would turn said future into a dumpster fire. So of course I chose the latter.

"Blockheads! While you keep wasting time like this, the houses that look down on you will only continue to gain power and surpass you!"

If there was one thing I knew, it was that politics was always fueled by the negatives.

"Just look at the prime minister! He's taking full advantage of the war to bolster his house's fame! He's giving his own people all the opportunities and credit!"

"But wasn't the one who benefited the most from that you, Baron Yandel? The marquess was the one who vouched for your skills for that mission..."

"I-I am an exception!" I had to quickly shift the focus off of me. "Just look at his own son! He has no name of his own and no skills, yet he is constantly being given opportunities! He was made a commander and reaps the benefits of said position without taking a single step on the battlefield himself!"

Just as the Rabbit Baroness told me, many people within Melbeth were unhappy with the current state of affairs. And it seemed the dam holding back the flood was finally cracking.

"That doesn't mean I am fully in favor of supporting Baron Yandel's clan. I just believe that it's about time we make a name for ourselves and expand our influence into the labyrinth. This entire war, all we've done is watch the other houses make great contributions and raise their families' status."

Baron Bwellyn's speech triggered a full-fledged debate.

"I also agree with you. It's a hassle to have to borrow from the holy land every time we need an adventurer."

"But is it necessary to support Baron Yandel? If we were to go and gather our best adventurers from our own races, we would be able to create our own clan in no time."

"That's true... I heard that Baron Yandel's clan doesn't even have ten members yet."

"Yes. Perhaps we could gather talented individuals from our own houses to build and support a clan ourselves."

Shit, this wasn't good. Before I got completely pushed out of the discussion, I hastily intervened. "Why do you all speak of things you don't understand?"

"...Pardon?"

"By the time you do all that, the war will be over!"

What could convince even the most cautious people to get greedy about entering the labyrinth business? The war. Many houses benefited enormously from the war by supporting clans. Watching other houses spread their influence without lifting a single finger must have been painful for them.

Huh...?

Or, that should have been the case, anyway.

"Well, wouldn't it be too hasty of us to try and benefit from this war?"

"I agree. We should work toward preparing for future wars, rather than trying to capitalize on this one. Rushed decision-making always results in major mistakes."

Damn nobles. This was their problem: their narrow-minded focus on the future. How was I supposed to convince them to make major changes when they were so complacent and relaxed? They had been in the exact same position for thousands of years, and yet they'd made absolutely no breakthroughs. As a K-Barbarian who valued expedient work, this conversation was suffocating.

I need to change my approach again.

In dealings with past- and present-blind politicians, there were two strategies I could employ. The first involved catering to them and appealing to their goals of building a better future. That, or I could show them that the decisions they were making now would turn said future into a dumpster fire. So of course I chose the latter.

"Blockheads! While you keep wasting time like this, the houses that look down on you will only continue to gain power and surpass you!"

If there was one thing I knew, it was that politics was always fueled by the negatives.

"Just look at the prime minister! He's taking full advantage of the war to bolster his house's fame! He's giving his own people all the opportunities and credit!"

"But wasn't the one who benefited the most from that you, Baron Yandel? The marquess was the one who vouched for your skills for that mission..."

"I-I am an exception!" I had to quickly shift the focus off of me. "Just look at his own son! He has no name of his own and no skills, yet he is constantly being given opportunities! He was made a commander and reaps the benefits of said position without taking a single step on the battlefield himself!"

"I wouldn't go so far as to say that the future head of Tercerion has no skills..."

"Anyway, I got lucky and became a baron, but what will happen as the war drags on? I'm sure more new noble houses will be born, and they'll all align themselves with the houses that supported them in the labyrinth! Are you planning to just stand on the sidelines and wait to see if I'm right? If we take action now, we might be able to create another non-human noble that we can bring into Melbeth!"

I did my best to get them fired up, but they were a tough crowd.

"...It can't be helped. It's our fault for not preparing for this war ahead of time."

"This war did come on rather unexpectedly."

"To be honest, it's hard to say whether another war will break out in the future. So perhaps it would be best if we just continue doing what we always have..."

What the hell is with these guys?

The Rabbit Baroness, who was watching me fight a losing battle, quickly joined in and tried to help me. In the end, however, we were unable to fully change anyone's minds before it came time to vote.

"We will now begin the vote. Those in favor of formally supporting Baron Yandel and his clan Anabada, please raise your hands."

The results seemed obvious.

I never imagined they would be this conservative.

I guess I would just have to keep an eye out for the next opportunity—

"I am in favor."

The Rabbit Baroness and I were the only two raising our hands when Baron Bwellyn's hand suddenly joined ours in the air. He was the first of the family heads here to acknowledge a need for change.

...Huh?

Surprisingly, the number of people who began to raise their hands slowly increased.

One, two, three, four...

When it came time to count the votes, the number of people who voted in favor just barely exceeded those who didn't.

"...Th-then, that makes seventeen houses in agreement. As the majority has voted in favor, the motion to formally support Baron Yandel and his clan Anabada has hereby passed."

Even the Rabbit Baroness, who had been a member of Melbeth her entire life, couldn't hide her shock at the outcome. However, after the vote was finalized, further discussions began. Slowly, my ecstatic joy started to melt away.

"While we have agreed to support him, we will not be using Melbeth's official funds to do so."

Regardless of whether they voted yes or no, everyone agreed to restrict the amount of support I'd be given. In the end, I got barely anything out of them except:

One, I was allowed to take out loans using official funds (with interest and limits).

Two, I was given one of Melbeth's empty (cheap) buildings to use as a clan house.

Three, I would have to accept exclusive quests from Melbeth.

In the end, the main thing was number three. If Melbeth needed my clan's help, they could make a request. And we would be paid accordingly, of course.

...The first step is always the hardest.

I decided to just be happy with the progress I'd made today.

***

After the meeting, I rode back home by carriage. The next morning, I was forced to leave the house early once again. This entire month, I would be on an extremely tight schedule.

"Hello, Mr. Bjorn... You're here..."

"Good morning, Shavin."

"...Is it already morning?"

I headed straight to the holy land to take care of my chieftain duties. I checked in on the progress of our real estate plan with the administrative team, who had been working day and night, and heard out any urgent reports and approved anything that required my authorization. Even then, however, that was not the end of my duties as chieftain.

"Oh! Bjorn! You're here!"

"It's not Bjorn. It's Chieftain."

"...Right, Chieftain!"

I had to check with Ainar to see how many of our young warriors who had recently gone through the coming-of-age ceremony had returned alive, not to mention gauge if there were any other issues to address in our tribe.

"I-I'll be the second elder...?"

"You don't want to be?"

"Of course I do! I'll do it! I will do my best! Just tell me what I need to do!"

I appointed Kharon, son of Tarson, as the tribe's second elder. This was the very same warrior who had been betrayed by his teammates in the labyrinth but had luckily been saved by me before anything bad could happen, after which he returned to the tribe and started the Backpack Revolution. Ainar couldn't take care of all the work alone, and with a new month beginning, we had to prepare for the next coming-of-age ceremony. Unfortunately, I didn't have the spare time to manage each one every month, and I didn't want to put any more work on the administrative team, who were already dying.

The next few days flew by until finally, a new dawn brought us to the fifth day of the seventh month of Year 157.

It was real estate day.

"I wouldn't go so far as to say that the future head of Tercerion has no skills..."

"Anyway, I got lucky and became a baron, but what will happen ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as the war drags on? I'm sure more new noble houses will be born, and they'll all align themselves with the houses that supported them in the labyrinth! Are you planning to just stand on the sidelines and wait to see if I'm right? If we take action now, we might be able to create another non-human noble that we can bring into Melbeth!"

I did my best to get them fired up, but they were a tough crowd.

"...It can't be helped. It's our fault for not preparing for this war ahead of time."

"This war did come on rather unexpectedly."

"To be honest, it's hard to say whether another war will break out in the future. So perhaps it would be best if we just continue doing what we always have..."

What the hell is with these guys?

The Rabbit Baroness, who was watching me fight a losing battle, quickly joined in and tried to help me. In the end, however, we were unable to fully change anyone's minds before it came time to vote.

"We will now begin the vote. Those in favor of formally supporting Baron Yandel and his clan Anabada, please raise your hands."

The results seemed obvious.

I never imagined they would be this conservative.

I guess I would just have to keep an eye out for the next opportunity—

"I am in favor."

The Rabbit Baroness and I were the only two raising our hands when Baron Bwellyn's hand suddenly joined ours in the air. He was the first of the family heads here to acknowledge a need for change.

...Huh?

Surprisingly, the number of people who began to raise their hands slowly increased.

One, two, three, four...

When it came time to count the votes, the number of people who voted in favor just barely exceeded those who didn't.

"...Th-then, that makes seventeen houses in agreement. As the majority has voted in favor, the motion to formally support Baron Yandel and his clan Anabada has hereby passed."

Even the Rabbit Baroness, who had been a member of Melbeth her entire life, couldn't hide her shock at the outcome. However, after the vote was finalized, further discussions began. Slowly, my ecstatic joy started to melt away.

"While we have agreed to support him, we will not be using Melbeth's official funds to do so."

Regardless of whether they voted yes or no, everyone agreed to restrict the amount of support I'd be given. In the end, I got barely anything out of them except:

One, I was allowed to take out loans using official funds (with interest and limits).

Two, I was given one of Melbeth's empty (cheap) buildings to use as a clan house.

Three, I would have to accept exclusive quests from Melbeth.

In the end, the main thing was number three. If Melbeth needed my clan's help, they could make a request. And we would be paid ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠accordingly, of course.

...The first step is always the hardest.

I decided to just be happy with the progress I'd made today.

***

After the meeting, I rode back home by carriage. The next morning, I was forced to leave the house early once again. This entire month, I would be on an extremely tight schedule.

"Hello, Mr. Bjorn... You're here..."

"Good morning, Shavin."

"...Is it already morning?"

I headed straight to the holy land to take care of my chieftain duties. I checked in on the progress of our real estate plan with the administrative team, who had been working day and night, and heard out any urgent reports and approved anything that required my authorization. Even then, however, that was not the end of my duties as chieftain.

"Oh! Bjorn! You're here!"

"It's not Bjorn. It's Chieftain."

"...Right, Chieftain!"

I had to check with Ainar to see how many of our young warriors who had recently gone through the coming-of-age ceremony had returned alive, not to mention gauge if there were any other issues to address in our tribe.

"I-I'll be the second elder...?"

"You don't want to be?"

"Of course I do! I'll do it! I will do my best! Just tell me what I need to do!"

I appointed Kharon, son of Tarson, as the tribe's second elder. This was the very same warrior who had been betrayed by his teammates in the labyrinth but had luckily been saved by me before anything bad could happen, after which he returned to the tribe and started the Backpack Revolution. Ainar couldn't take care of all the work alone, and with a new month beginning, we had to prepare for the next coming-of-age ceremony. Unfortunately, I didn't have the spare time to manage each one every month, and I didn't want to put any more work on the administrative team, who were already dying.

The next few ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠days flew by until finally, a new dawn brought us to the fifth day of the seventh month of Year 157.

It was real estate day.