Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 636

Marry and produce an heir.

As soon as I heard that condition, I couldn’t help but lose my composure. But, thinking about it, it was a condition my grandfather, the Clan Chief, could very well bring up.

‘What Baron Yandel has accomplished in the past few years is something no hero could ever match. That’s something I, and no one else, can deny. However,’

The Clan Chief paused for a moment and snapped his fingers.

‘It could disappear at any time, and it wouldn’t be strange.’

The Yandel barony doesn’t have an heir yet.

In short, the moment I die, our barony will fall into ruin.

Even to my ears, it wasn’t wrong.

After all, I don’t have any children, let alone any relatives.

‘If something were to happen to the Baron right now, the Yandel barony would disappear that very day. Most of the things the Baron owns would be returned to the national treasury.’

For the Clan Chief, who is planning to push me forward in earnest, this was the most concerning part.

Is it a minimum risk management?

It’s true that if something happens to me, all the plans will go awry, but if they can at least maintain the barony, it would be a way to minimize losses for Melbes, where the number of affiliated families is important.

‘……What if I say I don’t plan to get married right away?’

‘Then, unfortunately, this proposal will have to be put on hold. If even this condition cannot be met, it would be impossible for me, no matter who I am, to persuade the other families.’

I tried to probe a little, but a stronger answer than expected came back immediately.

It didn’t feel like a negotiation at all.

‘However, our Welbate viscounty will still support the Baron. However… as I said before, receiving the full support of all of Melbes will be a long way off.’

‘…I see.’

I needed time to think, so I just nodded, and the Clan Chief added, as if coaxing me.

‘Also, the heir doesn’t have to be a Barbarian. Due to the nature of Melbes, it would be better if they weren’t human… but I don’t intend to force that. It’s urgent to avoid the entire barony falling into the hands of the royal family.’

To interpret, it means that the person I choose to marry doesn’t have to be a Barbarian.

‘Ah, of course, it would be the best choice to marry a woman of the same race. The first child needs to inherit the blood properly, so that when there are multiple heirs, there will be less infighting.’

Is it because I know he’s a grandfather who has lived in the aristocracy until his hair turned gray?

Even after hearing these words, instead of thinking he’s being nosy, I first thought that he’s a really rational person.

But……

‘……I’ll take care of that matter myself.’

‘Can I take that as you accepting the proposal?’

‘I meant I’d think about it.’

A very un-Barbarian, evasive way of speaking, with plenty of room to escape at any time.

‘I see.’

However, the Clan Chief seemed satisfied with just that and continued with a smile.

‘If you don’t have a partner, I could introduce you to my granddaughter—.’

Oh, where did this old man come from again?

‘No, thanks.’

‘If you don’t like beastmen, I can find a lady from another family for you…’

‘I said no, didn’t I?’

I sighed as if I was fed up, and the Clan Chief’s eyes became meaningful.

It wasn’t the look of disappointment at a different answer than expected.

‘You have someone, don’t you? Someone you already had in mind when you heard the proposal.’

The Clan Chief then nodded with a kind smile.

‘That’s enough for today.’

……Indeed, you can’t ignore the experience of age.

***

After the marriage talk was settled.

As if waiting for one topic to be finished, the door opened, and a servant brought in tea, and we talked about other topics while drinking tea.

‘Baron, have you checked the status of the Yandel barony that was under construction in District 7?’

‘……I have.’

Even thinking about it again, it was a terrible scene.

The roof was nicely up, and it looked like it was about to be completed at a glance.

If it hadn’t been smashed to pieces, that is.

‘Somehow, the move-in date has been pushed back again……’

When will our Yandel barony be completed?

It feels like it’s going to be a long time again, but I decided to think positively. After all, if it had been completed according to the first design, it would have been very cramped in the current state.

‘Now that it’s like this, it would be better to buy some more land nearby. We have unintentionally increased the number of family members.’

‘I guess so. But wasn’t the promise to buy me land because you knew I needed it in the first place?’

‘Haha, it’s not easy to read Baron Yandel’s mind. I wanted to hear it for sure.’

‘From now on, just ask directly. It’ll be easier for both of us.’

‘Oh, if that’s the case. How much land do you want? In this situation, it seems like you can buy land at a very reasonable price.’

After that, we spent time discussing and coordinating minor details as if we were having a casual chat.

And……

‘Let me know as soon as your thoughts are organized. There are many things to prepare to hold a grand wedding.’

After finishing the private meeting with the Clan Chief, I got into the carriage and headed back to the Holy Land, staring blankly out the window.

‘Marriage……’

It was a topic I had never thought about.

No, to be precise, I had thought about it a few times, but I had always dismissed it, thinking it was not something I could do.

Of course, there was one time when I really thought about it seriously, but……

In the end, it didn’t end well.

‘Haa……’

My head is complicated.

It’s not that my chest is stuffy, but for some reason, I keep sighing.

It’s like I have a big mountain to climb in front of me.

Marriage, marriage, marriage.

The two-letter word that the Clan Chief left me with at an unexpected time keeps lingering in my mind.

Thump.

Even in the swaying carriage.

‘It’s the Chieftain! The Chieftain is back!’

Even in the Holy Land, where I returned to the welcome of the warriors.

‘……So, the Bifron residents have settled in well, and there haven’t been any major problems yet. However, it seems like a waste to leave that much labor idle, so I’m thinking of mobilizing them for various tasks in the Holy Land starting tomorrow. Is that okay?’

Even while listening to the administrative secretary’s report in the office.

And……

‘Hehe, Uncle. Try some more of this.’

‘Thank you.’

‘……How is it? I put a little more lemon juice in it today than usual. Does it suit your taste?’

‘It’s delicious.’

‘You don’t look good. Did something bad happen there?’

‘No, nothing happened.’

Even while having a meal with my colleagues.

The two words, like a thorn stuck in my throat, kept me from concentrating on the conversation.

‘Marriage……’

What am I supposed to do about this?

Is it right to do it, or should I not do it?

I have no intention of having a political marriage, but I keep thinking about it.

‘……!!’

‘……?!!’

‘……??’

If I don’t plan to return to Earth anyway.

So, if I plan to stay and live in this world.

Wouldn’t I eventually have to marry someone someday?

‘So, have children, see grandchildren. If I live a peaceful life like that—.’

Well, maybe that’s not so bad.

‘……It might not be so bad.’

It was when I unknowingly spoke those words out loud.

When I suddenly came to my senses, for some reason, an alien silence had fallen deeply in the room.

‘……’

‘……’

Not everyone was looking at me.

Some were frozen with their spoons in their hands, and some dropped their spoons.

‘……Hiccup!’

Also, someone was hiccuping as if they had choked—.

‘………Oh?’

Even in the midst of all that, someone who was diligently chewing on food swallowed it and let out an unknown exclamation.

And with this as a starting point.

‘Bjorn Yandel.’

‘Huh?’

‘……What did you say just now?’

Time, which had stopped for a moment as if a play button had been pressed, began to flow again.

‘Ma, marriage! You said marriage, didn’t you?!’

The gazes that had gathered on me were now full of questions.

‘You, you also said it wasn’t bad!’

Realizing belatedly that I had been talking to myself, I was at a loss for words, and then Auyen cautiously spoke up.

‘It is certainly time for you to find a partner. No, rather, everyone in the city is wondering why you haven’t. But……’

‘But?’

‘To suddenly bring up such a topic… could it be that you have someone in mind to be your wife?’

Everyone at the same table swallowed hard at the direct question, as if someone was taking the lead.

Well, it’s not something I can’t understand.

No matter how things turn out, we are all in a relationship that is like a community of fate right now.

Yes, so……

‘Now that it’s come to this, it’s better to be honest.’

I put down the spoon I was holding on the table.

And after quietly taking a breath, I talked about the proposal I had heard in Melbes.

Actually, there wasn’t much to say.

Get married and produce an heir quickly.

Then, Melbes will mobilize its entire force to help the Yandel barony.

The marriage partner doesn’t have to be a Barbarian.

A proposal that can be summarized in just a few lines.

However, summarizing the reactions of my colleagues who heard this would not be enough even with dozens of lines.

‘Ah… so, so, that’s, that’s why?’

‘……It’s just a story of an old man being meddlesome.’

‘So, so what are you going to do, Uncle? If you need a partner, then……’

‘Ooh! Bjorn’s son! He must have tremendous talent! I will raise him to be a great warrior!’

‘Ainar, what does that mean?’

‘Yes. I can’t just let it slide. Mr. Ainar is going to raise Uncle’s son?’

‘Huh? What’s the problem? If he’s Bjorn’s son, he’s like my own child.’

‘No, that’s not it……!’

‘Stop it, everyone! It doesn’t seem like he meant it that way!’

‘Haa……’

A situation that is not enough to be described as confusing.

However, the situation was calmed down in a completely unexpected place.

Well… strictly speaking, it wasn’t calm, but rather a temporary lull?

‘So… did you accept that proposal……?’

The moment Amelia asked directly, the room became quiet.

‘……’

‘……’

‘……’

A level of concentration so high that even a recreation instructor who is used to speaking in front of people would not be able to open their mouth easily.

I smiled bitterly and answered honestly this time as well.

‘I decided to think about it for now.’

‘……Th, th, think about it?’

‘Yeah, just think about it.’

‘……But why? Why are you just thinking about it?’

Even thinking about it again, it was a very strange question.

Well, it’s not like Barbarians are hermaphrodites.

‘Well……’

‘……Well?’

‘Wouldn’t I need the other person’s consent too!’

Once again, a strange silence fell on the table at the words I blurted out as if in a fit of anger.

1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds.

How much longer did that silence last?

‘So… does that mean you’re going to ask for consent in the future……?’

‘Uh……’

‘Th, th, this might just be my misunderstanding! But what you said earlier… it sounded like you already had someone in mind—.’

At the same time as Auyen’s question, I jumped up from my seat.

That’s because the life of a warrior has taught me.

A smart warrior must choose the place to fight themselves.

Therefore……

‘I’m full, so I’m getting sleepy!’

‘……Huh?’

‘I’m going to go to bed now!!’

I rushed to my safe room in Barbarian style.

After immediately locking the door and lying on the bed, wrapping myself in the blanket, I felt a little more at ease.

It was a little embarrassing to show my colleagues that I was running away in a hurry, but it couldn’t be helped.

It is a warrior to overcome any adversity.

And even if honesty is a virtue for Barbarians.

How could a K-Barbarian [Korean Barbarian] who has engraved Confucianism in their soul say it?

[You have someone, don’t you? Someone you already had in mind when you heard the proposal.]

No, I can’t tell anyone about this.

‘Let’s get a grip, Hansoo……’

It wasn’t just one person that came to mind.