Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 640

The Catkin Clan leader, Albrenev Kalstein.

It’s actually funny that this guy is saying these things.

In the first place, this guy doesn’t have a good father-daughter relationship with Misha, and he’s hated me immensely since way back.

‘But to jump in at this timing…’

Well, does that mean I’ve become valuable enough to be used politically?

I definitely think that’s highly likely, but even so, it wasn’t easy to meet the Clan Leader’s eyes.

No, it wasn’t just the Clan Leader, but also the Dragon Uncle and the Elf representative.

‘Speak.’

‘Is what the Clan Leader said true?’

‘Then do you think I was lying?’

It felt like I was surrounded by three potential fathers-in-law.

Of course, the Dragon Uncle, who didn’t have much of a relationship with his daughters, was a bit better…

The Clan Leader and the Elf representative.

Ha, but why are these two so uncomfortable?

It would be much better to sit on a bed of thorns.

Physically and mentally.

‘……Did I come for nothing?’

Just as I was starting to regret participating in the inter-species meeting, a ray of salvation came from an unexpected place.

‘How about you all restrain yourselves a bit?’

The Dwarf chieftain’s voice was both reproachful and full of dissatisfaction.

‘It’s not that I don’t understand the feelings of a father with a daughter. But anyone would think this is a matchmaking session.’

‘……’

‘Besides, everyone knows this isn’t politically right. Our five races, excluding the humans, have avoided deep exchanges, and through this, we’ve always maintained balance. But if someone starts crossing the line, that line will no longer have any meaning.’

The Dwarf chieftain’s words were flawless in logic and justification.

However…

‘Hmm, I think the line that Dumoka is talking about has already lost its meaning a long time ago.’

The Dragon Uncle didn’t seem to think so, as he immediately started to refute.

‘This friend is already a representative of one race and a titled noble belonging to the royal family. Has there ever been such a case before?’

‘That issue… didn’t the royal family shut it down, saying not to make an issue of it?’

From what I could gather, it seemed that the Dwarf chieftain had complained to the royal family as soon as I became a tribal chief with a title.

‘Well, he’s from the Dwarves, so his mind is probably narrow, which is understandable…’

Still, it’s a natural phenomenon that I feel a bit resentful and want to confiscate his chair, which doesn’t seem necessary—.

‘That’s why it’s meaningless to keep the line anymore. Just the fact that the royal family intervened means the balance has already been broken.’

I suppressed my urge and focused on the conversation that followed.

Because it seemed like an important story at first glance.

‘The royal family doesn’t intend to let our five races harmonize… I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately, but what are the Viscount’s thoughts?’

The Dragon Uncle’s words, which seemed to be directed at the Dwarf chieftain, were now directed at the human representative, Viscount Maxiland.

As if it was a build-up for this question from the start.

‘Haha, how would I know what the royal family is thinking…’

However, Viscount Maxiland slipped away like a loach, letting out a hollow laugh.

It was amazing that he could say such things so brazenly, even though he was there representing the humans…

‘Then does that mean my thoughts are wrong?’

‘It would be best if you considered me a non-existent person at this meeting. Would that be difficult?’

Seeing him speak strongly in these parts, it seemed that Viscount Maxiland was not someone to be taken lightly.

‘Well, that’s why he was sent to this place.’

When the Dragon Uncle didn’t say anything else, the Viscount, who had been serious for a moment, smiled like a fool again and continued.

‘Haha, I’m embarrassed, but isn’t this my first time here? I came today as a learner, so excessive attention is too much for me.’

‘A learner… that’s enough. I understand well enough how the royal family sees us.’

‘……’

The Viscount remained silent as if to say, ‘Think for yourself,’ and with that, this topic was concluded.

And then, back to the original story.

‘Ahem. Still, my opinion hasn’t changed. It’s not right for a tribal chief to marry someone from another race.’

The Dwarf chieftain glanced at the Viscount, who was quietly smiling in the corner, and continued.

‘The balance must be maintained. That’s the only way our other races can show loyalty to the royal family.’

It seemed that the Dwarf chieftain wanted to appeal to the royal family in this situation.

That we Dwarves are not like harmful races.

‘Why is this old man so timid? Is it because he’s not an explorer?’

The Dwarf chieftain was very different from the Dwarves I knew, but as someone who knew the pressure of a responsible position, I couldn’t completely misunderstand his actions.

Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m just going to laugh it off.

‘Then are you saying I should marry someone from my own race?’

‘That would be the best situation, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that. If it’s a normal woman, whether she’s a Beastkin or an Elf, there would be no political concerns.’

In short, Erwen or Misha are not allowed.

‘Political concerns…’

I was listening because it was funny, but it’s getting harder and harder to stay still.

‘Dumoka, I suddenly have a question, is that okay?’

‘Ask anything.’

I looked at the Dwarf chieftain, who was answering like a generous senior, and just asked directly.

‘Why do you keep telling me what to do?’

‘……?’

‘Are you even my superior?’

As I said that, I made a gesture of looking around to match my eye level, which was a bonus.

Of course, from that angle, the Dwarf was far below.

‘……I apologize if I was unpleasant. It was just advice—.’

‘Oh, then I’ll give you some advice too.’

I looked at the Dwarf chieftain, who had a bewildered expression, and said firmly.

‘I am the tribal chief of the Barbarian tribe and a titled Baron of the Lafdonia Kingdom. I am also the master of our Anabada Clan—.’

Actually, he already knows all of this, but…

‘Above all, I am a warrior.’

It didn’t seem like he understood it sincerely, so…

I looked down at the Dwarf chieftain, who seemed to have lost some of his momentum, and continued.

‘So, never again—.’

‘……’

‘Don’t order me around.’

Ah, but if I end it like this, is it really advice?

That thought suddenly occurred to me, so I added the last words, putting a period to the advice.

‘Unless you want to duel with me.’

Yes, this is definitely advice.

‘……’

Not to mention the Dwarf chieftain who has never been to that labyrinth [a dangerous, monster-filled area].

‘……’

Whether it was Clan Leader Kalstein, who had once made me unable to move with just a single killing intent.

Or the Dragon Uncle, the leader of the Dragonkin, who are called the strongest race.

Or even that Elf who is said to be loved by all spirits.

Anyone.

‘Did everyone understand?’

Because I don’t think I’ll lose now.

***

If you think about it from the beginning.

No, there’s no need to just think about it.

I pointedly looked at the Dwarf chieftain, who seemed shocked by my strong wording, and said.

‘Isn’t it funny to say we need to maintain balance now?’

That’s because, until now, the Barbarians were the weakest.

Truly a hopeless survival rate.

Because of that, there was always a shortage of talent, and the available funds were always at rock bottom.

Also, the fact that they had no talent for politics or business by nature was a major reason why the Barbarians were the weakest.

‘I was the first Barbarian to become a noble in the long history of Lafdonia.’

It’s not like they’re discriminating against Barbarians.

It’s a word and thought that I’ve always jokingly grumbled about, but it’s not something that was created out of nothing.

In the days when I, Yandel’s son Bjorn, lived as the weak, in the days when there was nothing.

‘I have personally experienced countless instances of contempt, ridicule, and discrimination against Barbarians in this city.’

‘Our warriors were unable to get normal jobs in the city, and in the labyrinth, they had to fight against looters who were aiming for their hearts.’

‘At the time, we couldn’t even provide our young warriors with proper shoes. All we could provide was a single weapon and seven days’ worth of hardtack [a simple, long-lasting food].’

And the important thing here is.

‘What were you guys doing then? Did you think we needed to maintain balance then?’

‘That’s—.’

‘Probably not.’

I cut off the Dwarf chieftain’s words as he tried to make an excuse.

Because there was no need to listen.

‘If you had, you wouldn’t have so blatantly ignored the request that the previous tribal chief made at this meeting.’

There was a misunderstanding at one point, but the previous tribal chief didn’t just stand by and watch the Barbarian tribe fall apart.

He was lacking in skill, but he also tried his best.

One of those efforts was bringing up the issue of helping to ban the research on the magic tower’s heart for the warriors at this meeting.

‘……Was that it? Is that day’s event what made you hold a grudge against us?’

The Dwarf chieftain now seemed to understand me and continued, as if soothing a child.

‘But that day was unavoidable. We had to avoid conflict between the magic tower and the Barbarians. Even for your Barbarian tribe—.’

What is he talking about?

That’s not what I was trying to say.

‘I think you’ve misunderstood something.’

I cut off the Dwarf chieftain’s words and said it clearly once again.

‘Of course, I know.’

Because I’m not a naive Barbarian.

It wasn’t difficult to look through the records, study history, and find out the hidden backstories after becoming a tribal chief.

‘That you guys, who were supposed to be neutral during the Holy Relic War, secretly supported the Elves behind the scenes.’

‘That you guys secretly met with the mages of the magic tower right before that inter-species meeting.’

‘Even that the beginning of the rumor that made it impossible for Barbarians to have normal jobs in the city a long time ago, was actually from other races.’

I already know everything.

But…

‘Even so, I don’t hold any grudges.’

Not just saying it, but sincerely.

I don’t feel resentful or disappointed that you didn’t help us when we were in trouble, or that you even stabbed us in the back.

‘I just hate it.’

‘……’

‘The two-faced attitude of talking about balance now.’

Yes, so…

‘I hope you won’t say those nonsense words like harmony or balance in front of me again.’

After speaking as if asking for a favor, silence fell.

And I wasn’t uncomfortable with that silence at all.

Is it because I was finally able to say the words that I had always kept in my mind in front of the representatives of each race?

Even this silence felt refreshing.

However…

‘Hmm…’

Unfortunately, that time didn’t last long.

‘Bjorn, son of Yandel, I understand what you mean.’

The Elf representative nodded.

‘I also have no intention of forcing you to marry anyone, and I will support you in whatever choice you make.’

The Dragon Uncle also agreed and took the words.

‘But so…’

Finally, Clan Leader Kalstein asked as if taking the lead.

‘Who are you going to marry?’

Ah, I think I’m going to get indigestion, really.