Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 466

The Alminus Count’s family.

They weren’t one of the great families that existed from the moment the Lapdonia royal family was born.

However.

[Alminus Central Exchange]

[Alminus Bank]

Just by seeing that the ‘Alminus Trading Company,’ which owns these institutions, is a Count’s family, you can tell that their influence is not inferior to those great families.

As a sponsor of the Toothed Fang, one of the super-large clans, their influence even reached the labyrinth.

“I didn’t think they’d stay quiet, but I didn’t expect them to go public in Mozlan.”

Amelia chuckled in agreement at my mutter, as if I was talking to myself.

“The Count’s family has more guts than I thought. I didn’t expect them to use this tactic when it’s obvious they tried an unauthorized subjugation.”

“Emily, it’s not your fault, so you don’t need to feel responsible.”

“…Responsible? Why would I feel responsible?”

“Uh…”

I just said it because it felt like the right thing to say…

If not, then never mind.

Feeling a bit awkward, I quickly changed the subject.

“More importantly, the dispatch date was two days ago, why didn’t you come to tell me?”

“I knew you were busy, and there were a few things I needed to check first. If you hadn’t come home today either, I was going to go find you.”

“Check what?”

As if she had been waiting for it, Amelia told me about a few things she had checked over the past two days.

It was quite bad news.

“First of all, it seems they’ve already spread rumors in the tavern.”

The Alminus Count’s family had started a public opinion campaign.

“I can roughly guess, but what are they saying?”

“They’re all slightly different, but in the end, it’s that we used tricks to steal the Floor Ruler they had almost caught. Oh, and for reference, there was also a theory that we might have been the ones who summoned it in the first place.”

“I see…”

“Still, there are quite a few who are refuting that it’s a false rumor. Fortunately, it seems the path you’ve walked so far hasn’t been in vain?”

Right, it’s thanks to the reputation points I’ve been raising from time to time.

I might feel a little proud—.

“But we need to hurry.”

“Huh?”

“I saw them approaching the explorers who received help from you back then. It seems they’re planning to persuade them to give testimonies that are favorable to them.”

“…Persuade? There’s a verification magic, so they can’t give false testimonies, right?”

“Are you perhaps unaware? In Mozlan’s trials, you can exercise the right to remain silent. They’ll probably skip all the unfavorable questions and then give favorable testimonies by only telling parts of the truth.”

“…Hmm, but wouldn’t our side be much more credible?”

“No, according to precedents, that’s not the case. Usually, when testimonies conflict and it’s difficult to distinguish, the trial proceeds by reducing the weight of the testimonies themselves. It’s a common strategy.”

Oh… I see…

“But… how do you know all that?”

“I studied the data for the past two days.”

“……”

Maybe she’s the real genius, not her sister.

While inwardly admiring her, I hurriedly asked Amelia for advice, feeling uneasy.

“So, what do you think I should do?”

“Since it’s a given that a trial will be held, the first thing to do is to find someone among those who received your help who will testify.”

“And?”

“Ask Melbes for help. Since they have a long history, there must have been many such disputes. There must be at least one skilled judge.”

“Oh, and then?”

As I stared at her with expectant eyes, Amelia avoided my gaze, feeling burdened.

“…What I’m good at is investigating, not creating solutions.”

Right, it means she doesn’t have anything else in mind.

“Uncle, is there anything I can help with?”

Erwen, who had been listening intently but hadn’t participated in the conversation, asked.

I was grateful for her concern.

However…

“I’ll tell you first if I need help, so until then, don’t worry about it.”

I’ve done enough of my duties as a tribal chief; now it’s time to fulfill my role as a clan leader.

***

It was my first time leaving work in four days.

My heart was yearning to lie down and roll around, but I immediately left the house and headed to the Mozlan headquarters.

There’s a saying that you should strike while the iron is hot.

Before setting up a full-fledged strategy, I needed to gather information first.

Up to this point, I didn’t have any major complaints.

However, there was one regret.

‘……Why did they have to call me to the headquarters of all places?’

The Mozlan branch where Dwarki was arrested last time was within the 7th district because it was the relevant jurisdiction, but the headquarters, which can be called the main office, is located in the imperial capital, Carnon.

‘……Should I use the military airship platform even if it costs a bit?’

Such a temptation flashed before my eyes, but as the clan leader of Clan Adabada, I finally shook off the temptation.

Right, how much does it cost to ride it once?

If I sleep during the journey, I can minimize the waste of time.

“We sincerely welcome your visit to the headquarters. Baron Yandel, please come this way. I will guide you.”

Soon after arriving at the Mozlan headquarters, the affiliated knights greeted me politely without me even having to state my identity.

Is this what they call a sea change?

Of course, I didn’t come for a good reason this time either, but before, when I went there because of Dwarki, they wouldn’t even let me set foot in the building properly.

Even though it wasn’t even the headquarters, but a branch.

Anyway, that’s not what’s important right now.

“I am Christina Bealon, the chairman of Mozlan.”

The head of Mozlan who greeted me was a middle-aged woman with a refined appearance. She was wearing casual clothes, but since she was affiliated with Mozlan, this lady must also be a knight.

“Bealon? Are you talking about the Bealon Count’s family?”

“Yes. Count Bealon is my older brother.”

“I see. But is it normal for the chairman to do this kind of work?”

“Actually, it’s not usually the case. However, disputes between titled nobles are extremely sensitive matters. I decided to personally attend to you in case there might be any mistakes.”

“Really? Then hurry up and do it. The letter said they would give me the details if I visited.”

“Yes, there’s a limit to what can be discussed in a letter. Ahem, where should I start…”

The lady glanced at me and then began to speak with a cautious look.

However, as expected of someone from a noble family, the introduction was long, and she only got to the main point after going through the process of explaining the contents of the letter in more detail.

“…In such cases, we usually recommend a settlement. Count Alminus has also made a firm promise to lower the requested amount if Baron Yandel agrees. However…”

The lady then glanced up at me.

“I assume you don’t want that, do you?”

Seriously, is that even a question?

“Of course not.”

“Then, in the end, we have no choice but to pass the case to the Royal Court.”

After that, the chairman explained the procedures when the case was passed to the court and what I had to do.

Among them was writing a statement…

“If you wish, I can call the recorder right now.”

I postponed writing the statement until later.

After all, isn’t the statement going to be used in the trial?

It’s right to write it strategically after bringing a lawyer.

Therefore, after leaving the building, I went straight to the Rabbit Baron’s family.

“Baron Yandel…? I haven’t received any word from my mother about your visit.”

It was the Baron’s daughter who greeted me.

Unfortunately, the Rabbit Baron was currently at the royal palace for work.

Since he was said to be returning today, I decided to just wait.

And how much time had passed?

“Baron Yandel, what brings you here? I heard from Minia that you’ve been waiting for half a day…”

“Baron Ririvia, I need your help.”

“Help… you say? Please tell me the details first.”

The Rabbit Baron, who returned around dusk, let out a deep sigh after hearing my story.

“It might be rude to say this, but… Baron Yandel, you really seem like someone who was born in a storm.”

“……”

“First of all, I know a skilled judge, so don’t worry too much. It’ll be impossible today, but you’ll be able to meet him by tomorrow.”

“Thank you for your concern. But do you happen to have a spare room?”

“A spare room, you say…?”

“Isn’t it troublesome to go home and sleep and then come back again tomorrow?”

“…Baron Yandel, you were staying in Lavigion. I understand. I’ll tell someone to prepare a room for you later.”

“Thank you.”

Okay, so accommodation is also settled.

After that, I had dinner with the Rabbit Baron’s family, and then I borrowed a crystal ball to tell Erwen and Amelia that I would be staying out overnight.

And the next morning.

“Nice to meet you, Baron Yandel. I am James Elk.”

From early in the morning, I met with the judge that Ririvia had introduced me to and received consultation.

The judge’s expression was not good after hearing my story.

“…This is quite a troublesome situation. Let me summarize it first. The officially filed charge in Mozlan is ‘a request for distribution of spoils according to contribution,’ is that correct?”

“That’s right.”

Although they are spreading rumors behind my back that I did something trashy, that’s the content of the lawsuit for now.

“In any case, it’s clear that the Toothed Fang made a contribution to this hunt, so they’re asking for their share.”

The basis of the lawsuit was the Labyrinth Disaster Act.

In the event of a disaster, each explorer had a duty to cooperate to overcome the disaster, and disputes over spoils were repeated every time.

Thanks to that, related laws were also in place.

“It’s difficult…”

“…Is it that bad?”

“Yes. The request for distribution according to contribution is a legitimate request under the Labyrinth Act. And seeing that they made this request so confidently, it’s clear that they also have a way to prove their contribution.”

The judge said to me in a subtle voice.

“How about accepting the offer from the Alminus Count’s family? Even if you go to the court, it will end up with you reducing the distribution amount as much as possible, and you might end up with a worse result.”

“…Even though there are circumstances that suggest they summoned the Floor Ruler without permission?”

My voice became blunt without me realizing it.

However, the judge still replied in a business-like tone.

“That’s not important in this case. It’s just a circumstance for now, isn’t it? It will be difficult to prove, and even if you do prove it, it will be a separate case from the distribution.”

In short, it means that even if the Alminus Count’s family pays a fine or serves a prison sentence later, the distribution must be done properly.

“I’m just telling you the facts as they are so that Baron Yandel can make the choice you want, so I hope you don’t take it too harshly.”

Sigh, right, I shouldn’t blame him here.

“James, is there no way to do it?”

“I’ll say it again, I recommend the settlement. If you use the ‘circumstances’ that Baron Yandel mentioned as a weapon, you can reduce the distribution amount much more. The risk you’ll bear is much less.”

“If I don’t care about the risk? Is there really no way?”

Even with my unreasonable question, James did not change his position.

“Yes. This is the best option. You won’t be able to stop the distribution payment in the end. Unless the Alminus Count’s family withdraws the arbitration request they filed with Mozlan.”

Right, that’s how it is.

I ended the legal consultation at this point.

It seemed like I didn’t gain anything, but thanks to James, I was able to grasp the direction for the future.

‘I have to make them withdraw it, huh.’

The point is to make the Alminus Count back down on his own.

In short, I need a bullet to threaten them with.

***

After the legal consultation.

I immediately visited Mozlan and, with the help of the judge, finished writing the statement in the most favorable way for me.

It seems like it’s best not to go to trial, but you never know what might happen.

I have to prepare at least for the worst.

‘They said it would take two or three months for the trial to be held.’

There’s still a lot of time left, so I postponed meeting the Alminus Count directly.

After all, what would change if I went now?

Therefore…

Clang-!

On the way back, I visited the Explorer’s Guild.

And I wrote a subjugation application while being treated by the branch manager, not a regular guide.

[Dreadfear, the Lord of Terror.]

The target of the subjugation was that guy, the Floor Ruler of the first floor.

“…It’s been a while since we’ve seen this subjugation application.”

Of course it would be.

There are many other ways for a 5th-grade clan to be promoted to a 4th-grade clan.

Usually, only those who have been established for a short time but have enough skills and want to be promoted quickly plan to subjugate this guy.

“The subjugation date is right after the next labyrinth opens… I need to send official documents to each branch in a hurry.”

Fortunately, the permission was granted without any problems.

“Do you know? As soon as the official document is posted, there will be a huge uproar.”

Of course I know.

That’s what I’m hoping for.

“The number of participants in the subjugation is five…”

“……”

“If you succeed, it will be the tenth feat after the last Great Sage.”

It was the first bullet to use against the Alminus Count.