Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 127

There was a time when I thought all my worries would vanish if I just made a contract with a soul beast. But reality was different. [It’s the Glacial Beast, Skadia.] My father’s cold voice and the way he looked at me, as if I were a stranger, remained unchanged. The only difference was that he didn’t directly criticize me like before. [Have you ever told anyone about this?] [Uh, no…] [Good. For now, let’s keep this between you and me.] It wasn’t a request, but a notification. [Yes, yes…] Misha couldn’t say anything and just nodded, because she had a guilty conscience. She hadn’t made the contract through normal means. She had succeeded by using a strange ring called the Frost Spirit Ring as a trick. If her father knew about this… ‘This kind of treatment is probably to be expected.’ Of course, she didn’t have the courage to ask about it. To her, her father was the most terrifying being of all. So, when her father asked when she would bring that barbarian to the mansion, she said she would. Well, she hadn’t said a word about it to Bjorn. ‘Yeah, this is a problem I have to overcome on my own.’ She had already received a favor that was hard to repay. She shouldn’t burden him any further. She tried to rationalize it that way, but her true feelings, hidden deep inside, were different. ‘I don’t want to be found out.’ She didn’t want her situation to be known. Hikurod, Dwarki, Rotmiller… She didn’t want any of them to know, but especially not Bjorn. She wanted him to think she was doing well. That’s why she visited home often. [I have to go now. I need to stop by my family’s place today.] She tried her best to put on a brave face. The gazes of her siblings, wondering why she visited so often, the contemptuous looks of the servants, and the lonely atmosphere at the dinner table, as if she were left on a deserted island. She faced them head-on. ‘I can’t run away anymore.’ Because she had learned from Bjorn that you can’t gain anything by running away. That’s how a month, two months, and three months passed. [Is that man still not here?] Her father’s urging to bring Bjorn became more intense. She made excuses that he was reluctant, but her father seemed to know it was a lie. It was clear from the conditions he presented. [Bring him within this month. Then I will reconsider your treatment. Do you understand?] In short, it meant that if she revealed her contract with the soul beast within the family, she would be treated as a proper child. She didn’t know why he was so eager to meet Bjorn, but Misha decided to invite Bjorn. She felt a bit bad for using him… ‘I can just repay him by doing better.’ If she did well, she could be more confident in front of Bjorn in the future. Also, if she gained the support of the Kalstein family, it would be helpful for his endeavors. That was a small calculation she had. [Okay.] [……What? Really? Is it true? Wow! No take-backs?] [Okay, what time should I go tomorrow?] Contrary to her worries, Bjorn readily agreed. But her joy was short-lived, and she quickly became anxious. If she went to the mansion, she wouldn’t be able to hide it anymore. What should she do? If Bjorn caused a ruckus there, it would surely become uncontrollable. But… ‘……It’s just my overthinking! Overthinking!’ Misha chuckled and brushed away her anxiety. After all, Bjorn was a warrior who could be passionate but also colder than anyone when the time came. In the holy land of another race. He wouldn’t do such a thing in the middle of a pureblood family. They weren’t even related by blood like family. There was no way he would choose to antagonize the Kalstein family, bearing all those consequences. ‘Yeah, yeah, it doesn’t make sense. What am I to him…’ Misha organized her thoughts like that. Somehow, after acknowledging it, her heart felt a little cold, but dreams and reality were clearly different. She knew that now. “Behel—raaaaaaaaaa!!” Her tail stood straight up at the ear-splittingly ferocious shout. It was only natural. The servant looked like he had no idea what was going on… But she, who had been with him almost constantly, knew. “You clearly have a problem with your head.” That meant he was going to smash his head! *** “Y-you’re crazy! H-h-hold on! Why are you suddenly doing this!” Misha was startled and grabbed my arm, then quickly looked around, checking if anyone else had heard the commotion. Looking at her, I even felt sorry for her. ‘It’s like looking at myself when I was in elementary school.’ Compromise and consideration. Prioritizing others’ feelings and erasing herself. I, too, once thought that was the right thing to do. But… “Why am I doing this? I just wanted to!” “W-what are you talking about!!” I pulled Misha’s arm off me as she was having a fit and said, “Misha, sometimes it’s okay to do what you want.” “U-uh…?” “Why hold back? In the end, it’s all for the benefit of others.” “N-not others, it’s family…” Family, my ass. Now that I think about it, they’re not just others, they’re bastards. I asked again. “So, is that family more important than your life?” Misha shut her mouth tight. Well, she probably knew it in her head. The source of her efforts to visit the family regularly, yearning for a harmonious family, was nothing more than… “……” It was all just lingering attachment. Useless to have. An emotion that was nothing more than a collection of inefficiencies. “Answer me. If you say yes, I’ll stop here.” I confirmed her intention one last time, and Misha didn’t say anything. That was an answer for me. “From now on, just watch. Nothing you’re worried about will happen.” “B-but if you hurt that person—” Yeah, it would be a mess. It wasn’t just about the fine, but I would have to face the wrath of the Kalstein family head, who seemed to value honor. However… “Misha Kalstein, have I ever said something I couldn’t keep?” “……No.” “Right, so trust me.” I didn’t just do things without thinking. The mindless barbarian mode shines when it’s turned on and off depending on the situation. Thud. I left Misha behind and took a step forward. The servant was still arrogant. Therefore. “What were you two talking about? Even if you haven’t learned any manners—” I grabbed the guy’s neck and lifted him up. “Isn’t it you who has no manners?” “C-cough!” “How dare you, a servant of the Kalstein family, act so presumptuously without even recognizing your master?” “T-that’s… !” The guy looked like he was in pain. He also had a look of disbelief. Well, he must be wondering if this is a dream. This isn’t some dark alleyway, and he probably never imagined he’d be treated like this in front of the mansion gate in broad daylight. “L-let go… Cough!” Is it because he lacks imagination? “I-if you do this…” If I do this, something terrible will happen? Pfft. If he knew that, he wouldn’t do this. If he did, it would be right to assume that he had a plan. But he didn’t even know this simple logic. “You, you really have a problem with your head.” I clenched my fist and put just the right amount of force into it. If I killed him, even I would be in a situation that would be hard to handle. “Don’t worry. Most things can be fixed with a beating.” “U-uhh!!” I grabbed the guy’s neck tightly to silence him, then gently rubbed the area that was suitable for hitting. And then, like giving a flick on the forehead, I struck him with just the strength of my wrist. Thwack-! The guy lost all his strength and fainted with just one blow. I checked the injured area while holding his neck like an object. Blood was streaming down from his crushed nose… But this much was necessary to set an example for the future. “……What are you going to do now? If Father finds out, he’ll never let it go.” Misha, who had been watching with an almost resigned look, asked about my future plans. She had stayed still because I told her to trust me, but she didn’t seem comfortable. “You’ll see if you watch.” I lifted the fainted guy with one hand and headed towards the mansion entrance. As I passed through the garden, I saw the surrounding servants. People mowing the lawn or carrying luggage somewhere. “……Hick! Quickly tell Lord Veros!” Some of them ran into the mansion as if they were fleeing, as their gazes focused on me. I followed them and entered through the open door. And… “Stop, Barbarian.” I was surrounded by a dozen beastmen. They were combat personnel, fully armed and with a menacing aura. When I stopped, a bald man who seemed to be the leader opened his mouth. In a tone as if he were giving an order. “Miss Misha Kalstein, can you explain what’s going on? Who is this barbarian, and why is Brante, who should be guarding the main gate, in such a state?” So his name was Brante. “Uh, well…” “Misha, you don’t need to explain.” I threw Brante, who had now served his purpose, among them. And at the same time as they were startled and caught him. “What the hell are you guys doing!!” I shouted loudly enough to make the mansion shake. The beastmen all had blank looks. It was like their minds couldn’t keep up with what was going on. “I came here because your family head invited me. But this bastard insulted me, calling me a deficient barbarian!” Misha tilted her head at my following shout. And she murmured quietly, just loud enough for me to hear. “Uh, did he say that?” She also tends to care about trivial things. If I just insist that he can’t remember because I hit his head, that’s the end of it. “Don’t lie! There’s no way Brante would do such a thing.” After being momentarily flustered by my shout. The bald man retorted as if it was absurd. To me, it was like digging his own grave. A mindless barbarian is immune to logical attacks. “Are you calling me a liar? Are you insulting me too?” As I took a step forward as if I was about to attack, the bald man stepped back. It didn’t seem like he was afraid of fighting. He was probably concerned that I was the family head’s guest. “What is all this commotion!” While the beastmen were at a loss, a man jumped down from the second floor, which was connected to the central staircase. It was a familiar face. Misha’s older brother, whom I had met on the third floor the other day. So, his name was… I don’t remember. No, did I even hear it in the first place? I decided to put aside the trivial things and focus on the present. “To think that you were the guest Father was talking about.” “It’s been a while.” “Enough with the greetings, so what’s going on?” The older brother narrowed his eyes and glared at me. “If you can’t explain properly, even you won’t be able to leave here unscathed.” Wow, his glare is quite fierce. I even saved his life last time. ‘He’s such a pain in the ass.’ I repeated the story of how I was insulted by the gatekeeper Brante, and added some extra details. “If it was just me, I would have endured it. But what the hell is this crazy guy? How dare he insult Misha, who is living off the family?” When I shouted, pointing at the fainted Brante, the older brother’s forehead creased visibly. “I told you to refrain from doing that when outsiders are present.” His reaction was a bit absurd. It was a hastily made-up story, but he just accepted it? Damn, this place is even more messed up than I thought. It must be something that happens on a daily basis. I couldn’t hide my rising disgust and said, “So, you guys knew about this and were condoning it?” “It’s an internal matter of the family. There’s no reason to explain it to you. And you guys, go back to your respective posts.” “Yes, Lord Tailon.” Soon, the older brother dismissed the guards, then turned his head and stared at me again. “Bjorn Yandel, it’s clear that there was a mistake on our side this time, so we won’t make an issue out of it.” “And?” “……If it’s true that he insulted you, we’ll give him a suitable punishment. So be satisfied with that.” “Satisfied…” I trailed off and chuckled. To give a proper education to a rude guy. And further, to make it clear to many people that I’m not someone to be trifled with. That was originally my plan. But… ‘I guess I’ll have to go with Plan B.’ I smiled and approached the older brother. “Do you also have a problem with your head?” Plans always change.