Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 652

The highly anticipated fourth day arrived, the day when past efforts would be evaluated.

From the crack of dawn, the stands were packed with residents, buzzing like a swarm of bees.

At the center of the stage, visible from the stands, the buildings constructed by each family over the past three days were covered with huge cloths, fueling people’s curiosity and excitement.

‘Hmm, Baron Yandel’s structure is quite large, isn’t it?’

The representatives or proxies of each family, who were to be judged today, were gathered in one place.

The man sitting to my right spoke to me casually.

‘I’m very much looking forward to it. I wonder what kind of magnificent building those warriors of reversal have created!’

There was no sarcasm or hostility in his words.

It wasn’t that he didn’t see me as a competitor, but rather that he wasn’t particularly invested in this competition itself?

It seemed like he just wanted to connect with me through this opportunity.

‘Since we’ve met like this, it’s fate. Please visit our family sometime. I’ll treat you well then.’

‘…If I have time someday. But Viscount Kiembrorta, haven’t you been here since the first day?’

‘Haha, well, I’ve been so busy with other matters that it’s been difficult to take time out….’

Busy my foot.

It’s just that you weren’t that desperate about it from your perspective.

In fact, besides him, I’ve only seen a representative from another family come to observe once.

Well, it’s not that I don’t understand.

‘Still, my steward said he worked hard, so I’m secretly looking forward to it. Ah, of course, since so many prominent families are participating, I’m not very confident.’

It’s their habit to delegate everything to their subordinates.

So, if they lose in the competition, it won’t be their fault, but because their subordinates didn’t do a good job.

‘Viscount Kiembrorta, you’re too modest. Even so, you can at least say you’ve avoided last place.’

However, perhaps our conversation bothered him, a noble to my left interjected.

So, this guy is….

‘Count Langlestone? Avoided last place? What on earth are you talking about….’

Ah, that’s right. It was him.

He was the only one among the representatives of other families who showed the passion to come to the site.

So, of course, he saw my building too.

‘Why haven’t you heard the news, Viscount? That the Yandel barony built a building that is far from the competition’s theme?’

‘….’

The viscount must have heard about it too, as he just kept his mouth shut with an uncomfortable expression.

Ha, why are there so many people who pick fights even when I’m just standing still?

‘….’

When I just ignored him, the count seemed to lose interest and didn’t say anything more, and the viscount next to him focused on the event with a face that seemed to say that a pointless guy had butted in and ruined the mood.

‘Now, then, let’s reveal the first building that you’ve all been waiting for!’

The explanation of how the judging would be conducted in this competition was over, and the moment to showcase the completed results in front of everyone was just around the corner.

‘Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah—!!!’

Amidst the cheers of the crowd, the covering of the first building was removed, and the professional technician in charge of the construction came out and continued the explanation of the building with the host.

What are the features of this building.

What was intended, and how much attention was paid to even the most detailed parts. They also presented the realistic costs, emphasizing that they had also taken care of the substance.

And….

‘Now, let’s begin the judging!’

Once that process was over, the judging began immediately.

The judging was divided into three main categories.

25% for architectural expert evaluation.

25% for noble judging panel evaluation.

50% for evaluation by 100 randomly selected citizens.

The evaluation of each category was applied based on this ratio, and if one received a perfect score in all categories, they could get 100 points….

‘The total is 71 points!’

The score for the first building was announced.

They had built a magnificent house that was jaw-dropping just to look at, and I had secretly considered them my biggest competitor, but the score was lower than expected.

The reason was very simple.

They didn’t get high scores in the citizen evaluation.

‘I don’t understand! Hey! What didn’t you like about the building I built that you gave it such a score?’

The technician who had overseen the design and construction demanded an explanation in an angry voice, and the citizen voter at the front answered in a flustered manner.

‘Uh… well… it’s a nice building, but… it feels like it’s from a different world than mine… and it’s expensive….’

‘…Ha! That’s ridiculous!’

The technician clicked his tongue as if he was dumbfounded, but he didn’t argue further with the citizens.

He knew it too.

That if he acted up any more in this highly focused state, he could get the glare of his superiors.

Well, what he did just now was already enough to make him look pathetic.

‘Tsk. With the citizen evaluation ratio so high… it’s going to be difficult to have a fair competition.’

Anyway, was the score in front of him shocking? The count, who was next in line, clicked his tongue.

‘What do those lowly people know… I wonder what the chancellor was thinking when he devised this method….’

Well, I think it’s a good method.

The reason for setting the citizen evaluation ratio high was to increase the entertainment element in this competition.

This is the first big event since the incident, isn’t it?

From the royal family’s perspective, appeasing the public sentiment is more important than a fair(?) competition.

‘Anyway, I should tell the marquis later. That he was badmouthing him behind his back.’

Regardless of the complaints from each family, the event continued, and the scores were announced one after another.

The count, who was second in line, presented a practical house with a moderate sense of style and got 76 points.

The barony, who was third in line, got 71 points.

And the viscount, who was fourth in line….

’69 points!’

As he went down to the bottom with the lowest score, the count didn’t miss the opportunity and subtly insulted me while pretending to comfort him.

‘Don’t worry too much. You might still be able to save face in the next turn, wouldn’t you?’

It was as if it was already a foregone conclusion that I was in last place.

As before, I didn’t bother to refute it.

I can prove it with the results.

‘Then, it’s the last turn! The one everyone has been eagerly waiting for! The giant! The building of the Yandel barony!’

‘Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah—!!!’

‘This time, instead of entrusting the introduction to a technician, the baron himself will be doing it… Please welcome him with thunderous applause!’

At the news that I would be going on stage myself, even more fierce cheers and applause poured in, and the count next to me frowned at me as if he were looking at some clown.

‘How did the dignity of a noble come to this….’

It was a look that seemed to say, ‘Why are you working so hard for something like this?’ I’ve realized as I’ve lived that these are the kind of people you should stay away from the most.

They’re the kind of people who can’t give you any positive energy.

‘Hello, Baron! I heard that Baron Yandel’s opinion was strongly reflected in this building, but before the introduction, could you briefly explain it?’

‘I tried to make a house that is closest to happiness.’

‘Oh! Is that so! I’m really looking forward to it. Then, without dragging it out, let’s reveal it right away. Show us!’

Soon, with the host’s shout, the rope was untied, and the building that had been covered with cloth revealed its appearance.

And….

‘Waaaaaaaaaa… ah?’

The cheers stopped for a moment as soon as the building was revealed.

It was understandable.

It was far from the flashy houses that had been shown earlier, even in appearance.

‘Haha…! Well, it’s a building that has a very simple and rustic charm on the outside! However, surprisingly, there are two such buildings! Is this perhaps a strategy that chose quantity over quality?’

‘That’s right.’

‘Ah, that’s what you say! Indeed! Since the results of this competition could lead to taking charge of an entire district of Lavigion, the speed of work seems to be quite important in the judging…!’

What is this host? Why is he so good at shielding me?

Is he my fan?

Or did the marquis deliberately give him separate instructions?

Regardless of such reasonable suspicions, the host continued the event, forcibly raising the tension.

‘Then, I wonder what it’s like inside! Let’s take a look together now! Oh! There are already several doors visible from the first floor! The living room seems to be designed relatively small—.’

‘Sorry, but that’s not the living room, it’s the hallway.’

‘…Yes?’

‘Isn’t it funny to call this a living room in the first place?’

‘Yes, yes… that’s certainly true… Ah, then let’s take a look at the first room now!’

Soon, as the interior was revealed in real-time using a magic crystal for video recording, the thunderous cheers disappeared like snow melting.

‘…Haha! It’s a very small room, isn’t it? The structure is also very unique. Usually, small rooms like this don’t have a bathroom attached… Could you tell us the reason for choosing this structure—.’

‘I’ll explain it all at once later.’

‘….’

Perhaps it was true that he had received instructions from the marquis, as the host was sweating profusely every time I refused his help.

However, perhaps he thought it was already out of his hands.

First floor, second floor, third floor, fourth floor….

While checking every room on every floor one by one, the host no longer tried to force the tension.

Ah, of course, I had to commend him for his will to not give up hope until the very end.

‘Th-then, this time, it’s the second building! I wonder what kind of amazing thing is hidden inside—.’

‘Ah, there’s nothing hidden like that.’

‘Yes…?’

‘It’s a building with the exact same structure, so there’s no need to go inside.’

‘…I-I see.’

As the last hope was mercilessly crushed, the host now completely closed his eyes.

However, even in the midst of that, he did not forget his duty itself.

‘…Then, could we hear the explanation that you said you would give later?’

Listening to the host’s question, I slowly looked around.

The audience seats, where the shock seemed to be great as much as the expectations were high.

The nobles with a ‘I knew it’ reaction.

The host’s gaze, as if begging me not to cause any more trouble….

Tuk, tuk.

It was the perfect atmosphere to give a twist.

Yes, so….

‘This house is small. Even if you live alone, you can’t store a lot of luggage, and it’s difficult to live with a spouse, let alone children.’

‘….’

‘There’s no garden, no terrace to get some fresh air, and the kitchen is too small to cook comfortably.’

I openly revealed the weaknesses to pique interest.

Because if I come out like this, people will naturally have expectations.

What will be said next.

‘But!’

I shouted loudly enough for everyone to hear, even without a voice amplification device.

‘I can say with certainty, this house is the closest to happiness!’

‘…Could you tell us the reason for saying that?’

‘Because there is no such thing as a world where everyone is happy.’

In fact, a society where all members of society are happy has not been achieved even with modern technology.

But, rather, because of that.

‘This house is a house to move towards a happy future!’

I introduced the building we built with a more passionate voice than ever before.

‘A house where you can dream of happiness even if you don’t have anything right now!’

‘….’

‘A house built with the hope that even if everyone can’t be happy, there will at least be a ‘chance’ to be happy in the future.’

A four-story building, with a total of 24 households.

‘It’s called, a Happiness Housing!’

In short, it’s a studio apartment.

***

After the explanation of the concept of Happiness Housing, I began to appeal to myself in earnest.

The realistic unit price and estimated monthly rent.

And how practical the small studio space was actually designed for single-person households, etc.

‘At that price, it’s cheaper than staying long-term at a decent inn, isn’t it?’

‘More than that, it wasn’t a wall… it was a storage cabinet…?’

‘No way! A dining table comes out of the storage cabinet!’

Perhaps it was because the first impression was so bad.

As the advantages were revealed one by one, public opinion quickly reversed.

However….

‘This is a bit unsettling.’

I also initiated the negative strategy that I had prepared in advance.

Because this is also a ‘competition’, isn’t it?

Since I’m the last in line, I can’t actually lower the opponent’s score, but just by changing the perception, I can induce them to give me a good score.

Therefore….

‘How many people do you think will be happy if they go into the building you showed earlier?’

‘…Wouldn’t most of them be happy? I myself would like to live there if I could.’

‘Well. I don’t know, but more than 90% of this city will be unhappy. They’ll be struggling with the monthly rent, and even if they get seriously injured, they’ll have to go to work and earn money. Because they have to pay taxes.’

‘Ah…!’

‘Even look at the structure. How much space is wasted. It’s a characteristic of houses that look good but are uncomfortable to live in. And there’s no storage space, right? These kinds of houses get messy as soon as you have luggage.’

‘….’

‘And what about the maintenance fee? It will cost extra to keep the exterior of the building and the lighting clean, but do you want to live in such a house even while paying such costs? It’s a building that looks like it will break if you just touch it because there are so few pillars?’

As I criticized the previous buildings based on logical grounds, the speed at which public opinion changed accelerated.

‘Indeed… with that kind of architecture, the cost reduction would be significant.’

‘It’s not like it’s a house we’re going to live in anyway.’

‘If they’re lowly people, they might be happy in such a house.’

It seems that the opinions of the noble judging panel have also begun to shift.

‘I did a durability test, and it’s a surprisingly sturdy house.’

‘I looked at the blueprints earlier, and it’s a building that has been built with the basics thoroughly followed.’

‘It won’t collapse even if there’s an earthquake.’

‘If it’s flashy on the outside, there will inevitably be weak points, but there are none in that building.’

‘If it’s managed properly, it will last for a hundred years.’

As public opinion shifted, the architectural experts also began to nod one by one.

However, perhaps they couldn’t just sit idly by and watch this.

‘How much more time are you going to give? Let’s start the judging now!’

At the count’s complaint, the host also came to his senses and proceeded with the final judging.

And….

‘Th-the results are out!’

Finally, the judging scores were combined, and the total score of the Yandel barony was announced.

Although it hasn’t been announced yet.

Thump-!

My heart vibrated pleasantly.

The air was cool, and my mind was peaceful.

A state of composure that was close to perfect, without any anxiety—.

‘With a total of 72 points, it’s 2nd place!’

‘…Huh?’

‘The 1st place in this competition is the Langlestone count family with a total of 76 points! Congratulations…!’

…Damn it.

***

I believe that there is a second place that is more valuable than first place.

Because second place is given the opportunity to understand their shortcomings more clearly than anyone else.

‘I’m sure I was overwhelmingly dominant in the citizen vote, so the problem must have been with the others.’

The nobles and technicians who were on the judging panel.

It was highly likely that my philosophical beliefs did not resonate deeply with them.

These kinds of people are stubborn by nature.

‘2nd place… it seems you did work hard. Although it’s only a 1-point difference from the joint 3rd place.’

‘….’

‘Anyway, the baron’s eloquence was truly amazing. Of course, if things were as simple as just saying them, that would be the world.’

Soon, Count Langlestone scratched my insides and went up to the stage to receive the prize for winning the competition.

I felt like I was going to burst into flames inside, but it wasn’t enough to make me cry.

I had already exceeded my goal, should I say?

‘If it’s 2nd place… there’s nothing more to see.’

I’m sorry to that count who is smiling like a winner, but in the end, the 7th district contract will come to me.

Because the chancellor promised it in the first place.

That even if I only achieve a certain level of performance, enough to not look strange to others, our Yandel barony would be able to take it.

So, in the end, the winner is me….

‘Ha….’

But why is that guy so annoying?

In the first place, why do you call us up here when you only need to put the 1st place on the stage?

While grumbling inwardly, I glared at Count Langlestone, who was standing in front of the marquis, when….

‘Light…?’

A bright light flashed from one spot in the audience.

My instinctive physical reaction was much faster than my head feeling a sense of unease.

Thump-!!

My heart, sensing danger, fluttered greatly first.

‘…Magic.’

Only then did my head recognize the situation.

‘It’s dangerous.’

Not me, but that side.

I don’t know what happened.

‘I have to stop it.’

There was no time to make a long judgment.

The instincts of a shield-baba [a term for someone who is overly protective] took over my body.

「The character has activated [Greed’s Scales].」

「The character’s magic resistance is over 500.」

「All magic damage received is reduced by 50%.」

So, I dashed forward while using skills first.

Kwaaaang-!

The explosion that erupted at the same time as I embraced the target.

Chiiiiik-!

The hot, searing pain that came from behind.

And….

‘…It’s, it’s an ambush!’

With someone’s shout as a starting point, time flowed quickly.

Belatedly, the knights who were nearby gathered and formed an ironclad guard around me, and I also let out a groan that I had been holding back.

‘Ouch….’

It was much more painful than I had expected.

At this, I unknowingly released the arm I was holding, and the marquis, who seemed to have finally come to his senses, looked at me with a dazed look and asked.

‘You….’

No matter how you look at it, it didn’t seem like a line that someone who had just been saved would say.

‘…Why did you save me?’

I didn’t have anything to say either.

‘Uh….’

That’s right.

Why did I stop it?