Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 643

Ragna Litaniel Peprock.
The illegitimate child of Marquis Terserion, the Chancellor of Lafdonia.
Well, the name she actually uses now omits ‘Litaniel,’ her nanny’s name, but anyway.

‘You don’t look too good? I heard she’s quite a beauty.’

Well, I know that.

But that’s not the problem right now.

It’s not just that this marriage proposal might create awkwardness between friends.

‘Countess Peprock is the Chancellor’s illegitimate child.’

‘I’ve already confirmed that. The Chancellor made a strong move. It must mean your growth is exceptional.’

‘So, you still think I should go through with this marriage? The moment I do, I’ll have an invisible leash around my neck, won’t I?’

‘You don’t have a choice. Imagine what will happen when the Chancellor starts to actively check you.’

When he starts to check me…

I didn’t need to imagine deeply; countless acts of sabotage flashed through my mind.

Obstruction of the reconstruction of District 7.

Consequently, the vassals from Bipron would be unable to pay taxes and would be executed en masse next year.

Perhaps the Barbarian’s heart might be reclassified as a researchable item.

Also, our warriors might face intensified inspections and be falsely accused of something.

‘……’

As I frowned with a serious expression, the Village Chief spoke as if trying to persuade me.

‘Don’t make marriage too sacred. Just yield for now and build your strength later.’

But he’s a bit funny too.

Listening to him talk, I feel a bit out of place, or something?

‘But you…’

I hesitated for a moment, but then I asked directly, as always.

‘Why are you trying to persuade me so much?’

‘Well, because you—’

‘I mean, why do you care whether I’m doing well or not?’

When I asked directly why he was being nosy, the Village Chief paused for a moment before opening his mouth.

‘Of course, I have to worry.’

‘……?’

‘Because I need you to fulfill my wish.’

It was clear that he was sincere, but understanding it was another matter.

‘You need me for your wish?’

I don’t know why so many guys are looking for me for their wishes.

Honestly, I’m a bit curious too.

What is it that he ultimately wants?

‘Just tell me openly. I hate guys who only scheme behind the scenes.’

‘I know that’s your personality. But it’s not the right time yet. However, I’ll tell you just one thing: you and I are likely to have aligned interests.’

‘Is that so? Then I’ll have to filter your opinions.’

I spoke as if threatening him, but the Village Chief had a calm expression, as if saying, ‘Do as you please.’

‘Do as you see fit. In my opinion, marrying the Countess seems like a much better choice… but that’s just my perspective. No one can know what the right answer will be when looking back from the future.’

‘……’

‘More importantly, it’s getting late. If we stay any longer, we’ll surely attract someone’s attention, so let’s end our meeting here today. I’ll contact you again.’

After that, the Village Chief turned around and left the garden fountain without any hesitation.

Swoosh-!

The rustling of the bushes in the cold wind.

Amidst that, I stared blankly at the fountain, organizing my thoughts.

‘Marriage, huh…’

It didn’t take long to make a decision.

No, the decision itself was the same as the one I made at the Dragon Temple.

But…

‘Since the Marquis has made such a strong move…’

To counter it, I had no choice but to prepare an even stronger move.

‘……Is that really the only way?’

For the first time in a long time, I wished tomorrow wouldn’t come.

***

The next morning, one hour before the royal council meeting.

As it was an important occasion, I woke up early and finished my grooming.

And just as I was about to head out.

Knock knock knock.

A visitor came early in the morning.

I thought about ignoring them, thinking they were some kind of peddler or socialite like yesterday, but…

Knock knock knock.

Knock knock!

The knocks, spaced out, grew louder and louder.

‘Who the heck is it?’

I decided I should see who it was and yanked the door open, and an unexpected guest stood before me.

‘…Hwaak!’

A blue-haired woman made a strange noise, startled by the sudden opening of the door.

She was dressed from head to toe as if saying, ‘I’m a noble,’ but for some reason, she didn’t seem dignified at all, with her sleepy eyes.

The subject of the marriage proposal that would be mentioned at the meeting soon.

‘Ragna…?’

‘……!’

When our eyes met, Ragna flinched and quickly looked away.

I had a rough idea why she was acting like that. I felt the same way.

‘……’

‘……’

It was somehow difficult to make eye contact naturally.

So, before I missed the golden opportunity, I quickly said something.

‘It’s been a while, Ragna. I should have come to see you sooner. I’ve been busy with this and that lately.’

‘Yes… It’s been a while. And it’s… okay that you didn’t come. I heard you’ve been busy.’

‘I’m glad to hear that.’

‘……’

‘……Would you like to come inside?’

I said that because I couldn’t keep her standing outside, but for some reason, Ragna was startled and took a step back.

And when I looked at her strangely…

‘Ah, no! That’s not what I meant…’

‘What do you mean?’

‘J-just! If I go into your room, there might be some strange rumors…’

‘Ah… that’s true, I guess?’

In the end, the awkward silence that we had been trying to avoid lingered between Ragna and me.

However, thankfully, Ragna spoke first this time.

‘Um… the reason I came today is to tell you something in advance.’

‘You have something to tell me?’

‘That is…’

Ragna trailed off, as if she couldn’t easily speak, and I could sense what she was trying to say from the atmosphere.

‘At this meeting… there will be some unexpected news, and I hope you won’t be too surprised. Bjorn Yandel, you and I are nobles, aren’t we?’

‘So?’

‘When you’re in this position, things can happen regardless of your will… you know?’

She was speaking vaguely, as if it was difficult for her to say it herself.

I wanted to clear things up, but it was best to pretend not to know for the sake of the plan I had later.

‘So, what are you trying to say?’

‘I-I can’t tell you right now. But my father has been doing a lot of things. So, no matter what you hear at the meeting, I hope you don’t misunderstand…’

‘I understand. No matter what is said at the meeting, I won’t misunderstand.’

‘Ah! Of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t like it! Do you understand?’

‘I understand.’

‘Yes… I’m glad. I’ll see you later…’

After nodding, Ragna quickly disappeared from the door with hurried steps.

It seemed she had come alone secretly, as her attendant, Hyunbyul, was nowhere to be seen.

‘I should get going.’

After checking the time, I went out into the hallway and was guided by a servant into the palace where the meeting would be held.

‘…They don’t use a round table here.’

Inside the room, there was a very long rectangular table, and most of the seats were empty.

That’s the tradition of the royal council meeting.

All participants are assigned a number, and that number becomes the implicit ranking of the participant.

And in my case…

‘This is where Baron Yandel will be conducting state affairs today.’

The end seat, farthest from the head of the table.

After I sat down, I waited for about two minutes, and then the door opened, and another noble entered…

Thud.

He sat down directly across from me.

He was a noble with a rank one higher than mine, and after waiting another two minutes, another person came in…

‘What a load of crap…’

They could have all come in at once. Seeing them enter one by one every two minutes made me feel like I was going to die of frustration.

Is this the epitome of inefficiency?

‘Since the total number of members in the royal council is 50…’

This means that the lowest-ranking member has to sit on the chair and wait blankly for almost an hour and a half.

Well, even this humiliating lowest-ranking seat would be a coveted position for someone.

‘……’

‘……’

Anyway, the meeting room began to fill up one by one, but there was a heavy silence no matter how many people filled it.

I was so bored that I tried to talk to the noble next to me, but he was startled when I spoke to him and just stared straight ahead, so I gave up on small talk.

‘I should just get some sleep.’

I tilted my head halfway and dozed off, and time passed quickly, and soon the nobles in the 20s began to enter.

And…

‘What’s with this guy?’

When I came to my senses, a noble man was staring intently at me, not even walking.

One, two, three, four…

Counting, it seemed he was the 27th-ranked person in this meeting…

The guy looked at my seat and me, and then.

‘Pfft.’

He let out a meaningless sneer and passed by me.

Of course, I wasn’t going to just stand by.

‘Hey, wait a minute.’

‘……Hey?’

‘Ah, sorry. I can’t remember your name.’

‘You might really be like that. Nice to meet you. I am Count Huteiler.’

‘Nice to meet you, Count Huteiler. But why did you laugh just now?’

‘…Is there a problem? I just laughed because I was happy to see the most famous hero in the city?’

Interpreting his words and actions in noble language, it meant that he was happy to see me, who was famous and doing well these days, in the lowest seat here.

‘What, he was just a normal moron?’

Having solved the mystery, I coolly nodded.

‘Ah, is that so? Then go on.’

I was going to test him if he was hiding some kind of vile scheme, but if not, it was fine.

It was a waste to give him attention.

‘Baron Yandel, as a senior, let me give you some advice—’

‘Ah, I understand.’

‘…It would be best to get rid of that attitude in this royal council meeting. Or you’ll get a big lesson.’

I nodded and picked my ear with my pinky, and Count Huteiler looked at me as if I was a crazy person and headed to his seat.

And how much time had passed?

Familiar faces began to appear.

Starting with Viscount Maxiland, the Chancellor’s left-hand man, who I had met at the tribal council not long ago.

‘……’

Countess Ragna Peprock, the 21st, who made a light bow when our eyes met and headed to her seat.

Thump, thump.

The Village Chief, the 14th, who didn’t even make eye contact with me and sat down at his seat with a sullen expression.

‘It’s a pleasure to see you here.’

Count Kaislan, the 11th, Meland Kaislan’s older brother and the head of a large noble alliance.

‘Haha, it’s been a while, Baron. I’ve heard the news. You’ve been very active again, haven’t you?’

Count Alminus, the 6th, who had an uncomfortable relationship with me but bought the title of ‘old friend’ after taking a picture with me.

And…

‘The emergence of a new star is always welcome. Always remember that there are other options.’

Duke Kealunerus, the 3rd, who left me with a meaningful remark as soon as he saw me.

‘……’

On the other hand, Chancellor Terserion, the 2nd, who didn’t even make eye contact and sat down at his seat with a haughty expression.

Ah, by the way, the 1st-ranked seat is vacant.

That’s the king’s seat, and even the Marquis, who acts as the king’s representative at all kinds of events, couldn’t sit there…

‘If you take out one seat, the total number is actually 49.’

Ah, by the way, Duke Kealunerus and the Chancellor were sitting facing each other based on the head of the table…

The Chancellor, who was sitting on the right side based on the head of the table, stood up from his seat.

‘First of all, on behalf of His Majesty Martanux, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you for attending despite your busy schedules.’

With that greeting, the Chancellor naturally made all the nobles stand up, and then, as everyone knew, they paid their respects to the vacant seat.

A ceremony similar to the salute to the flag in Korea.

However, as it was a gathering of nobles, a long and stiff introduction continued after that.

Talking about recent events such as the Noark invasion and the Bipron incident, discussing the recent political situation, praising the nobles who attended, saying that they were a source of strength.

They also celebrated the successful completion of the exploration of the first basement floor, saying that all of this was thanks to the grace of Lafdonia.

After wasting time with unnecessary talk for a long time.

‘Now, let’s talk about the first agenda.’

Finally, the first royal council meeting began.