Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 641

I don’t usually share personal stories, but today I’ll make an exception.

If I gloss over it, they’ll keep bringing it up, and… besides, it involves their daughter (not their real daughter), or a girl they see as one.

‘Misha Kalstein and I are just colleagues.’

At my words, the Clan Leader’s brow furrowed. He stared as if to say, ‘You’re ruining my daughter’s marriage prospects and calling her a colleague?’

The Elf representative’s expression brightened, though briefly.

‘Oh, in that case—’

‘Erwen Fornachi di Tersia is the same.’

My next words instantly hardened the Elf representative’s face.

‘Ho, so you don’t have a partner yet?’

The Dragon Uncle tried to exploit this, but I cut him off.

‘That doesn’t mean I’ll marry your daughter. I’ve never thought of Pen or Lavien as more than friends.’

‘Ah, I understand. The bond between a man and a woman is important. What a shame.’

Surprisingly, the Dragon Uncle agreed.

Then, he asked, ‘May I offer advice?’

‘…Go ahead.’

‘Someone like you might not need a political marriage. You’ve achieved so much on your own.’

‘However,’

The Dragon Uncle paused, sipped his tea, and continued, ‘Ironically, that’s why any marriage you enter will be used politically. Keep that in mind.’

It was such natural advice, it felt like all the talk about marriage had led to this. Perhaps the Dragon Uncle wanted to inform me through the reactions of the Clan Leader and the Elf representative.

With the Noark invasion and the Bipron blockade, the situation is chaotic. The Clan Leader and the Elf representative, who have been through so much, wouldn’t have pushed so hard for their daughter-like children otherwise.

‘Anyway, if you don’t have a partner, visit the temple often. Our youngest daughter wants to see you.’

Hmm… Suddenly, the advice felt impure, but whatever.

‘…Pen is definitely not an option.’

‘Oh, so the older sister is okay?’

‘…’

I stared at him, and the Dragon Uncle laughed, his face serious. ‘Puhahaha! Just kidding. So, don’t bother this friend anymore. Got it?’

The Dragon Uncle laughed, and the stiff atmosphere eased.

‘Is this what they call experience…?’

Even the oldest, the Dragon Uncle, had taken this approach, making it difficult for the Clan Leader and the Elf representative to bring it up again.

‘More importantly, let’s discuss the current situation. What do you all think?’

With this shift, the marriage discussion ended.

‘The current situation, you mean…’

‘You must be referring to the Noark invasion.’

I hoped for new information, but there was nothing significant. The situation here wasn’t much different from Melbes.

‘There’s a rumor that a mage who inherited the Great Sage’s vision is in Noark.’

‘They touched the guardian magic circle without the royal family’s relic, so such rumors are bound to arise.’

‘But I’ve heard it’s likely not just a rumor.’

‘Yes… There was also that magic that instantly teleported tens of thousands of Noark people from the underground fortress.’

As the conversation continued, a few new things came up, but it was just information revealed over time. There didn’t seem to be much difference in information gathering capabilities.

After all, Melbes was formed by nobles from different races. If the leaders knew something, it was natural that they would know it too, and vice versa.

‘Well, it looks like the Dragon Uncle knows something, though.’

Perhaps because that feeling was subtly conveyed, the others tried to probe the Dragon Uncle, but he brushed it off with a blank face.

‘Well, I don’t know anything either. If I find out anything, I’ll let you know.’

Hmm, he definitely knows something. If I ask him later, will he give me a hint? I don’t know, but after that, the meeting continued with pointless conversations and ended.

‘It was a fruitful meeting. Let’s meet again.’

After the meeting, everyone left, but as I reached the entrance, I felt a strange sense of deprivation.

‘…Dumoka, thank you for your hard work.’

‘Lagsian, the carriage is ready.’

‘I will escort you to the holy ground, Clan Leader.’

Not only the dwarves, elves, and beastmen, but even the baron had his soldiers and servants waiting. The dragonkin only had one person.

‘Ahem…!’

The white-haired old dragonkin quickly hid something he was fiddling with as soon as he saw me. It was the same person who had given me a ring puzzle at the Dragon Temple before.

‘Oh, I thought you said you couldn’t get it again?’

As I tried to look at the puzzle, the old dragonkin panicked. ‘T-This is a different item…’

Eh? Why is he talking like this? Ah… Now that I’m a noble and a tribal chief, is it difficult for him to speak casually?

‘May I take a look?’

At my question, the old dragonkin flinched and looked at the Dragon Uncle for help. It’s not like anyone’s bullying him.

‘Now I can’t say anything.’

Before, I had no power, so I didn’t feel guilty, but now I feel like I’m abusing my power.

‘It’s okay. I won’t look, so go quickly.’

‘…Thank you.’

No, thank you for what? Did anyone say they were going to take it?

‘Then we’ll be going. Visit the temple when you have time. You’re always welcome.’

‘I understand.’

I nodded, knowing it wasn’t just a polite remark, and the Dragon Uncle disappeared.

‘Then, see you.’

Ah, that uncle’s dragon language was related to spatial movement. Is there any race as fraudulent as the dragonkin?

‘Then I should get going too…’

I was about to pass through the bustling entrance when I felt a persistent gaze.

‘What’s with him?’

The one looking at me was one of the elves…

‘…Huh?’

The elf man, who had made eye contact, strode towards me and revealed his identity. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Baron Yandel. I am Beleg Shusia di Tersia.’

It was a famous and familiar name.

‘Ah, so you’re the one…’

Beleg Shusia di Tersia. One of the top explorers with a prominent position within the elven race…

‘Erwen’s uncle.’

One of the few ‘family’ members Erwen had left. This was the first time I met him, but I had heard a lot about him from Erwen, and I liked him. After all, he saved Erwen and her sister when the Dragonslayer attacked the elven holy ground. He had also helped Erwen in many ways since then.

‘It’s nice to meet you. I’ve always wanted to see you.’

‘The feeling is mutual.’

‘…Huh?’

I offered a handshake, but I felt a considerable grip. At first, I wondered what was going on. It had been so long since I had experienced something like this.

‘Hmm…’

I pondered for a moment and just waited without putting any strength into my hand. He was grateful to Erwen. Besides, what would I gain from overpowering him?

‘Yes, that’s what an adult does…’

As I stood there, he released his grip, and the handshake ended.

And…

‘It seems the rumors are not to be trusted at all.’

…Huh? Did he become confident because he thought my strength was weak?

I was tilting my head when he said, ‘His behavior is far from hasty, and he doesn’t value meaningless fights, which makes him even more difficult to deal with.’

He suddenly praised me and bowed with a serious face. ‘Thanks to you, I’m less worried. I entrust that child to you.’

I felt bewildered. If I had used my strength and won, this wouldn’t have happened.

However, that feeling was temporary.

‘Then, I’ll be going…’

As I watched him join the group, I was seized by another strange sensation.

‘Beleg Shusia di Tersia…’

Why do I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before?

***

The racial meeting was less fruitful than I thought. It was also full of unexpected discomfort.

‘…Haa, I didn’t really do anything, but I’m so tired.’

Now, the only thing left on my schedule until the next dungeon opens is the royal meeting in two days. Well, since I just finished a long exploration, I’m planning to skip this one…

‘Apart from not going in, I’m still curious…’

How will the political situation change? In my experience, if you go into a dungeon in this kind of situation, something bad always happens.

‘Sigh…’

After pondering on the street, I stopped by the Karnon administrative office and sent a message to the holy ground. I would stay a few more days and attend the royal meeting before returning…

Thud-!

After leaving the office, I took a carriage to Gnome Tree. After all, the Dragon Uncle might know something. He had also given me a silent sign to come anytime.

I decided it would be more productive to have a private meeting than to rest.

‘…If I had known this would happen, I would have asked him to take me with him when we parted earlier…’

Still, as always, I fell asleep snoring, and before I knew it, the carriage arrived, and there were no problems entering the Dragon Holy Ground.

‘We welcome Baron Yandel’s visit.’

Perhaps because the Dragon Uncle had given the word, the dragonkin gatekeeper opened the door without checking my identity.

And…

‘It’s really hard to walk when you’re going on foot.’

After climbing the mountain, I arrived at the Dragon Temple, in the center of the dragonkin’s holy ground.

‘Hmm, I didn’t expect you to come so soon.’

‘Why? You told me to come anytime? Was that just a figure of speech?’

‘To be honest… I thought you would come after the royal meeting was over.’

‘We can’t live as long as you guys. We have to live each day to the fullest.’

‘Living each day to the fullest… That’s a very good saying.’

‘Anyway.’

We weren’t the type for long introductions, and since we had talked enough before, I got straight to the point. ‘So… is there anything you need to tell me? It seemed like you were hinting at something.’

‘Actually, as I said before, I thought you would come after the royal meeting. I was going to give you advice if I heard your thoughts and you asked for it.’

‘…Is something going to happen at the meeting?’

‘It’s not really an incident… But since you’ll hear about it soon, I’ll tell you in advance.’

The Dragon Uncle revealed he knew two things. ‘First, it’s about your marriage.’

‘Marriage…?’

‘The royal family wants to promote a marriage between you and a noblewoman from the human race.’

Why is everyone so interested in my love life?