Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 464

The moment I stood up from my seat, the murmuring family heads fell silent and focused their gazes on me.

Even though we were clearly in the same space, their eyes felt distant, as if there was a wall between us. The bearded baron, meeting my gaze, spoke on behalf of the others.

“It seems Baron Yandel has something to say.”

The meaning behind those words was clear.

They were saying they would listen to what I had to say, but they didn’t expect their opinions to change because of it.

It didn’t seem like the other family heads felt any differently.

‘Seriously, it’s not like I’m doing this just for my own benefit.’

Thirty-one family heads from thirty-one different families.

Among them, the only one I could call an ally was the rabbit baron, who was anxiously watching from the host’s seat.

So, in other words.

‘I just need to persuade fifteen of them.’

Melbes had now become a group of thirty-two families, including mine.

To reach a majority, I needed 17 votes in favor, and I already had my vote and the rabbit baron’s vote secured.

“Um… Baron Yandel?”

I finished organizing my thoughts at the sound of the rabbit baron’s voice, which was tinged with anxiety.

“First, let me say this. This isn’t just for my own selfish desires.”

This was the first point I needed to address to persuade fifteen people.

“This agenda that Baron Riribia brought up is for the benefit of all of Melbes.”

As expected, a rebuttal came immediately.

“How is supporting Baron Yandel and his clan for the benefit of Melbes?”

“Because I’m different from you all.”

“……?”

The mustached baron tilted his head, puzzled.

“The power of a noble comes from their family. But my family is in a situation where we have to find land to settle down.”

As I lowered my posture slightly in front of everyone, the confusion in their eyes grew even more.

Okay, it seems like I have enough momentum now.

“But there isn’t a single noble who truly looks down on me.”

I continued speaking.

“It’s strange, isn’t it? Even Marquis Terserion, who doesn’t meet anyone below a count, and Duke Kealunerus, they all respect me and don’t treat me carelessly.”

“…….”

“What do you think is the reason for that?”

“Well… isn’t it your reputation?”

“Wrong.”

Well, strictly speaking, it wasn’t entirely wrong.

But where did that reputation come from?

“It’s because of my strength.”

Bjorn Yandel, the giant.

A man who became a baron by building up his achievements through his own martial prowess.

“My reputation and status were only obtained because I was strong.”

Therefore.

“This is why you should support me.”

The logic is complete.

“If I become stronger, my status will also rise.”

“……?”

“I have no intention of being satisfied with just a barony.”

Helping me is for the benefit of Melbes.

***

In total, there were thirty-one.

No, now that I’m included, there are a total of thirty-two different-race families united to form the group Melbes.

The biggest weaknesses of this group are two.

One is that they are ostracized and scrutinized by the existing noble society because they are of different races.

And the second is….

‘The highest-ranking one is a count.’

The maximum influence comes from just one count family.

“Help me. Then I will fulfill all your wishes.”

However, perhaps my logic didn’t resonate with them, as the reaction was indifferent.

“We understand Baron Yandel’s ambition, but isn’t this also a privilege for a specific family?”

Well, that’s how it is with other people.

In a society, if you push from behind, someone will pull from above.

‘Still, it seems like a few people were interested in what I said, so that’s good, right?’

I’ve shown enough of my ambition, so it’s time to target a different angle.

“Of course, that’s not the only reason you should support me.”

I continued speaking.

“Melbes hasn’t touched the dungeon-related business yet, right? If you think of it as Melbes supporting a clan, it wouldn’t be a loss.”

Many noble families support explorer clans, and it’s not just for show.

Having a clan under your command means you can exert influence within the dungeon at any time.

Since this entire kingdom relies on a single dungeon, the importance of that influence goes without saying.

Melbes didn’t have such a clan yet.

“I understand what Baron Yandel is trying to say. However, the reason we haven’t touched the dungeon business isn’t because we can’t.”

“Then why is that?”

I pretended not to know the reason, and the mustached baron kindly answered again.

“It’s because it’s obvious that the existing powers will try to check us if we touch the dungeon.”

At least on the surface, it was a similar move to distancing themselves from the holy land.

Not making more enemies than necessary because their power was small.

That was Melbes’ motto.

But….

“But isn’t that already over the moment I joined?”

The moment they accepted me, who was a famous explorer even before becoming a noble in Melbes, that strategy was no longer viable.

However, the mustached baron was not easy to deal with.

“That’s why this topic is even more dangerous. If official support continues, there will be no room for excuses. Outsiders will think we are using Baron Yandel to get involved in the dungeon, and that won’t be good for Baron Yandel either.”

A response that showed their determination not to give even a single bit of personal support.

But if I was going to back down with this, I wouldn’t have even started.

“Are they that scary?”

I asked in a provocative voice.

To change someone’s mind, you need a little stimulation.

The reaction was immediate.

“…That’s a meaningless question.”

“Why is it meaningless?”

“We are simply making rational judgments. That’s what it means to lead a family. It’s a position where you have to take responsibility for your children, and beyond your children, for your family.”

His voice was a bit emotional, but surprisingly, it wasn’t very hostile.

No, it even felt like he was genuinely advising a junior.

Therefore, I needed to shake them up even more.

“To my ears, it just sounds like you’re passing the responsibility onto the next generation.”

“I have no reason to be criticized by you for my judgment.”

In the end, the mustached baron’s voice turned cold.

Well, he was a pretty gentle guy, even though he kept butting in.

I even felt a bit sorry, but I couldn’t help it.

I was acting for my team, and my clan, beyond myself.

“There’s a misunderstanding.”

Anyway, I’ve pushed them enough, so it’s time to pull them back.

“Baron Heskaira, I didn’t mean to criticize you. I just meant that we need to actively increase our power from now on.”

“…….”

“Isn’t that why you brought me in?”

I spoke as if trying to soothe him, but the mustached baron didn’t give any response.

However, a statement came from somewhere else for the first time.

“I think Baron Yandel’s words make sense.”

Baron Bwellyn of the White Wolf tribe.

A man in his 30s, who was considered very young among the family heads.

“We all agreed that we need a change, didn’t we?”

As the rabbit baron had said before, there were many in Melbes who were dissatisfied with the current situation.

So, as soon as the opportunity arose, they came out like this, as if they had been waiting for it.

“Ah, but that doesn’t mean I agree with this agenda. If it were the old days when we hadn’t even settled down properly, maybe. But now, I think it’s worth trying to expand our influence into the dungeon. In this war, everyone else was making achievements, but we had no choice but to just watch.”

Starting with Baron Bwellyn’s words, a full-fledged debate began.

“I agree with that part as well. It was a bit cumbersome to borrow the power of the holy land every time we needed an explorer.”

“But why do we have to do it through Baron Yandel? We could easily create a clan just by gathering explorers from our own tribes.”

“Indeed… I heard that Baron Yandel’s clan is still less than ten people.”

“Yes. I think it would be better to gather talents from each family and create a new one, and then support it together.”

Hmm, this isn’t good.

Before I got further away from the center of the conversation, I quickly intervened.

“You’re only seeing one side of the issue!”

“…Yes?”

“By that time, the war will already be over!”

What was the reason why those who pursued safety were now greedy for the dungeon business?

It’s all because of the war.

Many families had gained enormous profits through the clans they supported. But watching them do that made them feel a little envious—.

‘Oh….’

That’s what it should have been….

“Well, I don’t think it’s a good idea to try to profit from this war.”

“I agree. We need to prepare for when this kind of situation happens again in the future, but that doesn’t mean we should do it right now. Hasty steps always lead to mistakes.”

That’s how nobles are.

The problem is their unique mindset that looks to the future.

How can they achieve anything big with such a relaxed and complacent mindset?

They’ve been like this for thousands of years, so it’s no wonder nothing has changed.

As a K-Barbarian [Korean-style person who values speed and efficiency] who prioritizes ‘quickly, quickly,’ this conversation was truly frustrating.

But….

‘I need to change my strategy.’

There were two options I could present to politicians who looked to the future.

Either appeal to my future value by meeting their needs.

Or, make the future they envision look like a dead end.

Of course, I chose the latter.

“That’s foolish! While you waste time, the families that have been ignoring you will become stronger!”

I grew up seeing and hearing that negative campaigning is the basis of politics.

“Don’t you know just by looking at the chancellor? He’s using the situation of war to grow his family! He’s giving positions where only his people can make achievements!”

“But Baron Yandel, who made achievements this time, isn’t the marquis’s man, is he?”

“I, I’m an exception!”

I brought up a topic that was more than just radical.

“Just look at the chancellor’s son! He has no name or skill, but he became a legion commander during the war, and he’s being recognized for his achievements without doing anything on the battlefield!”

“It’s a bit much to say that Terserion’s young master has no skill….”

“Anyway, it was fortunate that I became a baron this time, but what do you think will happen if the war gets longer? Surely, a few more new noble families will be born, and those families will go directly under the families that supported them!”

“…….”

“Are you just going to watch? This is an opportunity where we can create another family from a different race if we intervene, right?”

I stimulated their desires.

But even so, it wasn’t easy.

“…It can’t be helped. It’s our fault for not preparing for the time.”

“The war was too unusual of an event.”

“To be honest, I don’t even know if this kind of situation will ever happen again. Maybe it’s best to just stay as we are….”

What are these guys, really?

Even the rabbit baron, who couldn’t stand watching my struggle, jumped in to support me, but in the end, he couldn’t completely turn the tide of public opinion, and the vote began.

“We will now begin the vote. Those who agree to the formal support for Baron Yandel and the Anabada clan, please raise your hand to express your opinion.”

The result was obvious.

‘I didn’t expect them to be this conservative.’

In the end, I had no choice but to aim for the next opportunity—.

“I agree.”

While the rabbit baron and I were raising our hands sadly, I heard those words.

It was Baron Bwellyn of the White Wolf tribe.

He was the one who, among the family heads, at least acknowledged the need for ‘change’….

‘……Huh?’

Surprisingly, starting with him, the number of family heads raising their hands gradually increased.

One, two, three, four….

By the time it was time to count, the number of votes in favor had barely exceeded the majority.

“…Seventeen families have voted in favor, and accordingly, the motion for formal support for Baron Yandel and the Anabada clan has been passed.”

The result was so unexpected that even the rabbit baron, who was a native of Melbes, couldn’t hide his bewildered expression.

However, after the vote ended and additional discussions began, my overwhelming emotions melted away.

“We agreed to the support, but we are against using Melbes’ public funds.”

Regardless of whether they voted for or against, everyone placed restrictions on the support for me, and in the end, what I got was too meager.

1. Loans using public funds are possible (with interest and limits).

2. One of the Melbes Merchant Guild’s buildings will be provided as a clan house (at a low price).

3. Melbes-exclusive quests can be accepted.

In the end, the key was number 3.

It meant that if they needed my and my clan’s power, Melbes would make a formal request, and I would be paid accordingly….

‘…Well, starting is half the battle.’

Yeah, let’s be satisfied with this for today.

***

After the meeting held at the rabbit baron’s house, I took the carriage back home. And after getting a good night’s sleep that I couldn’t get yesterday, I left the house again early the next morning.

My schedule is packed this month.

“Ah, Bjorn-nim… you’re here….”

“Good morning, Shabin Emuer.”

“…Is it already morning?”

“…….”

I went straight to the holy land and started my tribal chief duties.

I checked how far the real estate sales plan of the administrative corps, who were working day and night as the deadline approached, had progressed, and I listened to the tasks that required my approval and gave permission.

For reference, the tribal chief’s duties weren’t just this.

“Oh! Bjorn! You’re here!”

“Not Bjorn, tribal chief.”

“…Okay, tribal chief!”

I checked with Ainar how many warriors who had completed their coming-of-age ceremony this time had returned alive, if there were any other issues within the tribe, and what the public opinion was like.

And….

“Me, I’m the second elder…?”

“Don’t you like it?”

“There’s no way! I’ll do it! I’ll do it no matter what! Just give me the order!!”

I appointed Caron, the son of Tarson, a warrior who had been betrayed by his comrade, then saved by me, and awakened to bring about the backpack revolution, as the second elder.

Ainar alone was not enough.

Since a new month had begun, I had to prepare for the coming-of-age ceremony next month, but I didn’t have time to take care of everything myself.

It was also not right to put more burden on the already busy administrative corps.

Anyway, like that, a day, two days.

The busy time passed by in a blur, and a new day began.

July 5th, 157th year of the founding.

It was the day to dig the ground.