Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 635

Royal Council Meeting.

This meeting, attended by the city’s most prominent nobles and, in modern terms, general-level military officers, is where policies that will lead the kingdom are established. It’s essentially the core of noble power.

It goes without saying, but getting in is incredibly difficult.

That’s why Countess Ragna Fefrock previously drew attention in the noble circles. It was unprecedented for a noble family without a foundation to secure a seat at the Royal Council in such a short period.

Well, the Prime Minister was behind it all, after all.

Anyway.

‘I didn’t know there wouldn’t be a single participant from Melbes at the Royal Council.’

Honestly, I thought that Melbes, with its 32 families, would have at least one seat, but I never imagined it wouldn’t be the case. Perhaps this is also a subtle form of interspecies discrimination.

Ah, of course, it was good for me, though.

“……”

“……”

The conference room fell silent at my request for water.

In a situation where everyone was unsure how to react, a noble in the corner spoke up.

“Hey, can someone get some tea? And make it quick, with lots of ice to cool it down.”

His words and actions acknowledged his position as a subordinate.

With that, the situation was clearly settled. After all, the person who spoke was the Head of the Assembly.

“Yes? Ah, yes… Head of the Assembly.”

A baron next to the Head of the Assembly left the conference room, placed a new order with the servants, and returned.

And then…

“Put it over there.”

It was as if the servants had been thoroughly drilled; a tea with ice was placed in front of me in the blink of an eye. It was this era’s version of iced tea. It was quite different from the sweet one I used to have at PC cafes, though.

‘Not bad.’

As I took a big sip, enjoying the aroma and coolness, the Head of the Assembly spoke to me on behalf of everyone.

“Now, then, would you like to speak?”

“Hmm… I’m not sure what to say first, all of a sudden.”

“Then let’s start with this. Baron, is it true that you have obtained the right to attend the Royal Council?”

“It’s true. I was resting in the Holy Land when a letter like this arrived a while ago.”

I took out the letter I had been keeping and showed it to the people, causing their expressions to change once more. Of course, none of them thought I was bluffing…

“It’s real…”

“It has the royal seal on it.”

“Looking at the seat… it’s still at the bottom, though.”

Even so, seeing the evidence with their own eyes was bound to feel a bit different.

“So, is that all you wanted to ask?”

When I rephrased my words in a blunt way, urging them to ask their questions quickly, the Head of the Assembly hesitated for a long time before cautiously speaking.

“Perhaps… did you decide to side with the royal family, Baron?”

“That’s a strange question. What’s there to side with? We are all vassals of the royal family.”

Those were words I didn’t mean at all. But if you ask me like that, that’s all I can say, right?

Soon, the Head of the Assembly realized his mistake and quickly corrected his question.

“…Then, let me ask again. I know it’s a rude question, but…”

“It’s fine, go ahead.”

“Did you meet with the royal family separately after returning to the city and receive any promises?”

Even a clueless person could tell what the Head of the Assembly was worried about with this question. He was worried about the loss of talent. He must have been anxious that I might abandon Melbes and become a confidant of the royal family, the mainstream.

I didn’t know he would express his anxiety so openly in front of everyone.

“…Why do you think that?”

“Even after attending today’s meeting, you did so. You kept postponing the request to pay the commission and hear about the information on the first basement floor.”

Ah, that…

‘They must have seen it that way.’

I don’t have any plans to abandon Melbes and find a new nest. I also like the nature of this group itself. The fact that it’s a group of interspecies people who are subtly discriminated against is also very advantageous for me.

However, the reason I was hesitant to talk about the exploration of the first basement floor was because I didn’t know what kind of deal I might make with the royal family later.

“It seems like there’s been a misunderstanding, so I’ll make it clear here. I have not made any promises with the royal family.”

“Then the Royal Council…?”

“I don’t know. It just arrived without any prior notice.”

That was the truth. There was no separate contact from the Marquis before the letter arrived. And perhaps they believed my words.

“I see…”

“Are your questions resolved?”

“Yes. I was worried at first, but now it seems that even the royal family has acknowledged it.”

“Acknowledged what?”

“That you are already the linchpin of the city’s political situation.”

The gaze of the Head of the Assembly as he looked at me was more than just passionate. It was filled with a fervor I had never seen before. It was a glimpse of his determination not to let me go.

‘It’s a bit burdensome, though…’

Looking at it coldly, it’s a very positive situation. The other 31 families belonging to Melbes are firmly supporting me from behind. That’s the ultimate goal that can be achieved in Melbes—.

“I see.”

But at the same time as those words, the flame of passion in the eyes of the Head of the Assembly went out.

“The questions end here. Baron Mariblack, let’s continue the discussion.”

“Yes? Ah, yes… I understand.”

After that, the facilitator led the conversation at the words of the Head of the Assembly, and everyone exchanged opinions passively while watching the Head of the Assembly and me. However, the Head of the Assembly did not say a word or even glance at me until the end of this meeting.

‘…What is it? Is he trying to play hard to get?’

As someone who had received that intense gaze for a moment, I was in a slightly awkward situation. However, it didn’t take long for me to realize that the Head of the Assembly was deliberately suppressing his emotions.

“Then, with gratitude to the heads of the families who have graced this meeting with their presence, we will conclude this meeting…”

Just as the meeting was completely over and I was about to get up, the Head of the Assembly said,

“Baron, could you stay for a moment?”

“……?”

“The tea from the Mariblack family is quite good.”

A noble way of saying he wanted to talk for a bit.

“Sure, why not.”

After giving an affirmative answer and waiting, the nobles who had participated in the meeting also took the hint, omitted their greetings, and left the hall. And then…

“I will bring the tea again as soon as it’s ready. Please make yourselves comfortable.”

Soon, Baron Mariblack, the owner of the mansion where today’s meeting was held, also left the hall, creating a moment for a private conversation.

“Baron Yandel.”

The gaze of the Head of the Assembly returned to normal. A gaze of intense desire that didn’t make him seem like an old man with graying hair. However, while revealing such emotions without hiding them, his voice was calm.

“What do you think of Melbes, Baron Yandel?”

Well, it’s starting with a feeler.

“I just think it’s a good place. The people are nice too.”

“Even though there was a conflict with Count Goldbeard?”

“How can people not clash when they meet? Everyone lives like that. I don’t particularly dislike the Count because of that incident.”

“Then that’s a relief.”

The Head of the Assembly had taken a feeler, so it was my turn to poke with my toe.

“Head of the Assembly, what about you?”

“……?”

“I meant, what do you think of Melbes?”

At my question, the Head of the Assembly made a face as if he had heard an unexpected question.

“Haha, what do I think of Melbes…”

The Head of the Assembly seemed to be pondering how to answer this for a moment, then gave an honest answer that even a listening person would be taken aback by.

“I think it’s a ragtag bunch.”

“…What?”

A shocking statement that was hard to believe coming from the Head of Melbes.

“Why, were you expecting me to say we can always do it, that we are stronger than anyone when we unite? Something positive like that?”

“It’s not that… I didn’t expect you to answer so honestly.”

“Actually, you are the first person I’ve ever revealed my true feelings to, Baron Yandel. I can’t and shouldn’t say these things to anyone else.”

The face of the Head of the Assembly, who always had a friendly smile, was shadowed for the first time. It seemed he had a lot of stress without me knowing.

“So, what exactly do you mean by a ragtag bunch?”

“It’s just as it sounds, what else could it be? Even after thousands of years, the number of interspecies noble families hasn’t increased, and the traditional families are becoming more powerful day by day. Those who are left have gathered together because they have nowhere else to go, but they are not truly united.”

The Head of the Assembly quickly poured out his suppressed emotions and words as if he was venting.

“Above all, do you know what the biggest difference is between us and other forces? It’s that we don’t have a central figure to rally around.”

“But you are doing that as the Head of the Assembly—.”

“Does it really seem like that to you, Baron?”

Well, I don’t know… He certainly seems to be respected, but… I don’t think all 31 families would follow him as if it were their own business if this old man were to present a vision and try to move forward.

“……”

So, when I just kept my mouth shut, the Head of the Assembly chuckled.

“Even if the solidarity of the families becomes stronger and each force grows, it will not change the fact that we are a ragtag bunch in the current state.”

“Because there is no central figure, as you said earlier?”

“Exactly.”

It’s the same principle as how no matter how many corn kernels there are, they can never become popcorn unless heat is applied. Now I was starting to understand what the Head of the Assembly wanted to say.

“In fact, our Melbes is a very small nest to accommodate Baron Yandel.”

“…Well, I think you’re the only one who thinks that?”

“Haha, everyone knows it in their hearts. They just haven’t admitted it yet because of their personal feelings.”

“That’s not the case, I don’t even have a family estate yet.”

“But you have more retainers than anyone else in this city. The Baron Yandel I see is not a bird looking for a nest. He is a bird building a nest.”

The Head of the Assembly continued to praise me without stopping.

“Baron Yandel is a tribal chief of one race, a Baron by title. He is also one of the most famous explorers in the city, and according to rumors, he is a skilled person who is not lacking even when competing with the strongest in this world.”

Uh… none of that is wrong…

“But it seems that Baron Yandel is underestimating himself too much. If we take away the title, do you think any of the 31 families would have even one of those?”

“…I get it, stop the flattery and say what you want to say.”

“I know it’s ridiculous to say this to a Baron who hasn’t been in Melbes for long. But if I miss this opportunity, I will surely spend thousands of years waiting meaninglessly again.”

The Head of the Assembly looked at me with burning eyes and continued.

“Baron, please become the central figure of our Melbes.”

It was much earlier than expected, but it was the ultimate goal I wanted. Rather than being the tail of a dragon, I would become the head of a snake and grow into an Imugi [a mythical serpent]. That was the reason I ignored the offers from other forces and settled in Melbes in the first place.

However, I needed to ask this first.

“So, Head of the Assembly, what is your wish? What do you want to do with Melbes after raising it?”

It was an important question that needed to be checked first when dealing with people. What is this person’s wish?

Upon hearing my question, the Head of the Assembly let out a hearty laugh and answered immediately without a moment’s hesitation.

“My wish is to one day look at those arrogant human nobles and say, ‘If you’re a weak human, act like one.'”

“……”

“Don’t mess around.”

This old man was more radical than I thought.

***

The Head of the Assembly, who had revealed his extreme and radical tendencies, offered me several things.

“If you accept my proposal, our Melbes, and our Welbate Baron family, will fully support and assist Baron Yandel.”

“I’d like to hear something more concrete than ‘full support’.”

“We will entrust this project to the Yandel Baron family, and we will also help you purchase a family estate and build a mansion.”

“And?”

“If there is a matter of voting, all 31 families will vote in the direction that the Yandel Baron family votes, and if there is anything that hinders what Baron Yandel is trying to do, everyone will work together to remove it.”

Oh, that’s quite reassuring—.

“However, there is one condition.”

Ah, I knew it was too good to be true. I tried to hide my disappointed expression and asked about the condition.

And…

“What is the condition? Tell me.”

“It doesn’t matter who the person is…”

My mind went blank for a moment at the words that followed.

“Get married and have an heir soon.”

…I didn’t expect this kind of condition.