Surviving the Game As a Barbarian [EN]: Chapter 651

The cheers, which I hadn’t even heard on the day of the victory parade, erupted from all directions like a storm.

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah—!!!”

…Just how many people are there?

No matter where I looked—east, west, south, or north—there were only people, people, and more people. Perhaps because of this, even the barbarians seemed to have tensed their shoulders and lats.

‘I didn’t expect this to become such a big event….’

I had heard from the Marquis that the scale would be quite large, but experiencing it firsthand was a completely different feeling.

‘This is no joke.’

The chaotic international situation and the uncertain future.

Was it because this was a recreational event that arose amidst all of that?

The Marquis’s massive promotion also played a part, but I believe that these factors combined to make this event a huge success.

Well, the event itself is also interesting.

Isn’t that right?

Even I would be interested if those noble families were competing with their construction skills.

“He’s so handsome!! Bjorn Yandel…!!”

“Kyaaaaaaah!”

Still, I didn’t expect it to be such a festive atmosphere, so it feels a bit awkward.

Well, I don’t plan to stand here stiff as a board and just leave.

「The character has activated [Transcendence].」

「The character has activated [Giantification].」

To make sure I was clearly visible even from the distant spectator seats.

I puffed up my body to its fullest and shouted with all my might.

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaaaaaaah—!!!!”

A roar that covered the entire stage, piercing through the noise of tens of thousands of spectators.

As expected, the reaction was explosive.

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah—!!!”

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

“It’s a giant!”

The enthusiastic cheers echoed back.

「The character’s fame has increased by +1.」

「The character’s fame has increased by +1.」

「The character’s fame has increased by +1.」

「The character’s fame has increased by +1…」

「…」

Hmm, I wonder if my fame has increased a bit more with this?

I can’t read the system logs, so I don’t know for sure, but even if my fame doesn’t increase, it doesn’t matter.

Since I’ve become a clown anyway, it wouldn’t be bad to give some proper fan service.

Everyone is going through a difficult time.

They need at least this kind of enjoyment.

“Now, with this, the entry of all the engineers from the Yandel barony is complete!”

As I and the engineers stood in our designated spots, the host naturally began the event.

A brief introduction of the five families, the purpose of this competition, and how this competition would proceed.

‘Please, let it be an easy one….’

After the general explanation, the drawing began immediately.

Each of the five families would draw a lot to determine the test topic for this competition….

“The first box is filled with balls that indicate the number of floors for the building to be constructed today, but I wonder what the result will be…!”

Unfortunately, the number on the ball drawn by Viscount Kiembrota, who went first, was 4.

“4 floors! The number of floors for the building that the engineers will have to build in today’s competition is 4 floors. A very difficult setting right from the start!”

Considering that 5 floors was the maximum, it was as if a 4-star difficulty had been set.

“The second box contains the main materials for the building to be constructed today.”

Stone buildings and wooden buildings. These are the two main categories, but there are quite a few materials if you go into the details.

Bricks, synthetic mud, logs, wooden planks, etc….

“Reinforced stone!”

“Huh…!”

As soon as the material was decided, groans came from everywhere. That’s because reinforced stone is the most difficult material to handle.

First of all, the weight is considerable, and it is difficult to process, making it physically difficult to handle.

However….

‘This might be good for us.’

If a building material unique to this world with properties similar to cement, such as synthetic mud, had come out, it would have been even more difficult.

The barbarians can’t do such delicate work.

Anyway, the drawing continued quickly, and soon the test topic was completely decided.

A 4-story building made of reinforced stone.

“The ball from the third box is… 8!”

The minimum number of windows per floor is 8, and….

“A residential building! It’s a residential building!”

The purpose of the building is residential, not commercial.

And….

“The ball that Baron Yandel will draw contains the artistic theme of the building to be built from now on. For reference, the balls contain characteristics that will be major judging criteria, such as elegance, softness, and imposing… Ah! The ball has just come out!”

The theme of the building is….

“Happiness! It’s happiness!”

…Tsk.

For some reason, a theme that is the furthest from me has come out.

***

The total construction period given for this competition is 3 days.

Considering that a 4-story building is involved, it is a very tight schedule, but….

‘It’s probably necessary to have it that tight for a proper evaluation.’

Since everyone is a professional, if they were given enough time, they would all build a complete building.

Then it would just end up being a place for artistic evaluation.

‘The important thing is how well they can build a plausible building in a short amount of time….’

“First, let’s dig the ground! If it’s a 4-story building, we need to start with the foundation work no matter what we build!”

As soon as the competition started, I had the warriors dig the ground first, and then I gathered with the engineers for a brief discussion.

“It seems like we can modify this blueprint a bit, what do you all think?”

“I think it would be better to base it on this blueprint.”

“The theme is happiness! Wouldn’t it be better to make the room sizes larger even if we reduce the number of rooms?”

A quick discussion about the test content.

Listening from the side, I realized that everyone was fixated on the theme of ‘happiness.’

“Do you think it will be happy just because it’s spacious? It needs to have a comfortable atmosphere!”

“Hey, wouldn’t it be better to create a space structure that everyone would envy rather than that?”

“Let’s decorate the children’s room nicely!”

The happiness that people feel is different for everyone.

Therefore, I felt that their worries were futile.

‘It’s an art score anyway, right?’

In my opinion, it ultimately depends on how you interpret it.

Isn’t there a saying that the most important skill in modern art is persuasion?

And in that sense.

“How about this structure?”

“……Excuse me? Anyone can see that this is far from happiness, isn’t it?”

When I proposed a new structure, the engineers tilted their heads.

However, when I explained the reason for choosing this structure and my artistic interpretation, everyone made a reluctant expression.

It sounded like sophistry, but they somewhat understood it.

“Certainly… even if we don’t get an art score, we might get a high evaluation with that method.”

“In the first place, building a great building isn’t the purpose of this competition.”

“And I heard that the audience’s evaluation will also be included on the last day… maybe we can get a high score then.”

Perhaps it’s because I’m the general manager of this competition?

When I insisted a bit more strongly, the engineers followed the decision, even though they looked like they weren’t sure if it was the right thing to do.

“…Then, shall we finalize the decision to go with this blueprint?”

“Yes, I like it very much.”

After about an hour of discussion and completing the blueprint, the basic work of digging the ground was finished.

“Warriors, start carrying the materials!”

“We will be working on the sewage system!”

“It’s for the competition, so the structure is simple and it will be finished quickly!”

After that, the dwarf engineers started the sewage work, and during that time, the barbarians carried the materials without rest.

As if they were competing with each other, they were passionate.

“He’s carrying two of those big things at once…?”

“Over there! That one is carrying three!”

“That one is even running…?”

“Oh! There! Four! There’s someone carrying four… Ah! He dropped them all….”

Perhaps they were excited by the attention of the crowd, which they were receiving for the first time.

The sound of things crashing was constant due to them overdoing it, but this was roughly what I had expected.

I didn’t particularly intend to point it out.

After all, they wouldn’t be like that for long.

As the construction began in earnest, the crowd, which had been as numerous as a swarm of bees, was noticeably decreasing at a rapid pace.

“They said the completed building will be revealed the day after tomorrow, right?”

“I’ll have to come back then.”

Even if it’s a noble competition, the essence is still a construction site.

“Oh, oh! People are leaving!”

“Is it because we’re not doing well?”

“Five! I’ll try carrying five this time…!! So don’t leave and keep watching!!”

The warriors were overdoing it even more to hold onto the audience, but as the entertainment ran out, most of the audience, who had enjoyed it enough, turned away without regret.

“Ah, ah… e-everyone left…!”

“I, I am not worthy of being a warrior…!”

Sigh, why are they suddenly like this again?

Since the warriors’ motivation had dropped sharply, I had no choice but to intervene in the situation.

“It’s normal for everyone to leave around this time, so don’t worry about it! In the first place, the 2nd and 3rd days were decided to be conducted privately!”

“Oh, so that means they didn’t leave because we weren’t good enough?!”

“Of course! So work hard! When we show the completed building on the morning of the 4th day, the audience will be full again! Are you going to disappoint them?”

“Nooooooooo!”

“Behel—raaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!”

Okay, then the mental care is done for now….

After that, I watched the construction of the other families and also stayed nearby, giving advice whenever there was something to give feedback on in our construction.

But what is this again?

“In all my life, this is the first time I’ve seen barbarians doing construction work.”

“I wonder if it will collapse on the last day.”

I could see the workers from other families whispering in unseen places. Their eyes were full of deep contempt and prejudice towards the barbarians.

“Four!! I succeeded in carrying four at the same time!!”

Fortunately, our barbarians seemed to be focused on their work and didn’t hear them, but….

“Tsk, construction is not just about strength.”

“Haha, don’t be too harsh on them, they’re just uneducated. Aren’t they pitiful if you think about it? They came all the way here because there’s no way to make money in their tribe.”

Listening to them, the level of their remarks was gradually increasing.

However, rather than being angry, I just couldn’t understand them.

‘I don’t know what those boneheads are relying on to act like that.’

What are they going to do if the young warriors hear them and throw their shovels?

Are they actually hiding some kind of strength?

Looking at how they carry the materials, it doesn’t seem like it….

“Ahem!”

When I cleared my throat, the workers who were talking behind my back were startled and returned to their places, and after that, I stood guard to prevent any possible accidents, making sure that other workers didn’t come near.

And so, time passed in an instant….

One day, two days, three days.

“It’s over. Until the judging tomorrow, no one is allowed to touch it any further, and the Marquis has said that if any irregularities are found, they will be immediately disqualified.”

At the moment when the third day turned into midnight, the construction ended precisely, and the workers who had completed the grueling schedule collapsed on the floor.

Our warriors were no different.

They had worked hard for three days without getting proper sleep, and they had achieved results that matched their efforts.

“But… now that it’s late, I wonder if this is really okay.”

“Isn’t it the Baron’s order? Let’s not think about it.”

Well, the dwarf engineers still had doubtful faces.

Anyway.

Swoooooosh-

The sound of a strong wind and the pattering of rain soaked the dusty construction site.

“Everyone has worked hard! It seems like we’ve definitely won over there!”

“I didn’t expect such a low-quality building to come out in such a big competition….”

“Haha! Isn’t that their best?”

I didn’t make any rebuttals to the workers from other families who were mocking the building that contained the efforts of our warriors.

The calm before the storm.

The results will tell whether they are right or we are right.