Surviving the Game as a Barbarian-Chapter 494: Declaration of War (5)
There’s a saying that you should check someone’s room before marrying them.
A room reveals a lot about its owner.
Whether they prefer luxury or frugality, whether they’re tidy or messy, what colors they like, what hobbies they have, what their occupation is…
Even without knowing anything about the owner, you can get a rough idea of who they are just by looking at their room.
For example, the reception room I was currently sitting in.
“…….”
It had a stately, luxurious atmosphere.
The furniture and decorations weren’t ostentatious, but they were clearly expensive.
Crunch.
The table was laden with a variety of snacks, more than enough for a single person.
Pour.
A servant stood by the door, refilling my glass whenever it was half empty.
And the pièce de résistance…
‘I’ve never seen a reception room with a dedicated musician.’
A bald musician sat in a corner, playing a soothing melody on a stringed instrument.
‘He doesn’t seem to have been hired just for today…’
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It told me a lot about the owner of this room.
‘He’s a merchant, at heart.’
This reception room wasn’t just for show, it was for business.
I could feel it.
He wasn’t just trying to show off his wealth, he was trying to make me feel welcome.
‘Our appointment is in five minutes. He’s punctual.’
I crossed my legs and unfolded a newspaper.
It was a random newspaper, but the first page was about me.
Well, I guess it would have been the same with any newspaper.
[The Great Hero Inscribed on the Stone of Honor, Baron Yandel the Giant, Draws His Sword Against the Rebels of the Underworld…!]
The incident at the black market three days ago had finally been made public.
Well, even if Mozelan had tried to keep it quiet, they couldn’t hide the fact that 397 slaves had been freed.
‘But they didn’t mention that most of the buyers were nobles.’
The article was full of holes, but it still contained some useful information.
For example, the slaves who had been presumed dead had regained their identities.
They were currently staying at a temporary shelter provided by Mozelan, and a policy to exempt them from taxes for five years was being prepared.
And there was even an interview.
[…He said, ‘It’s not me, but you, who should be regretting this.’]
It was an anonymous interview, but judging by the content, it was probably the young boy from the cage.
‘Oh, the black market is closed? Well, it’s better to lay low in times like this.’
I finished reading the article, and the servant approached me.
“Count Alminus has arrived.”
“I see.”
I folded the newspaper and placed it on the table.
“Let him in.”
It was time for business.
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「Character’s Fame has increased by +10.」
「Character’s Fame has increased by +10.」
「Character’s Fame has increased by +10…」
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“Hahaha!”
“Hehe…”
A vulgar laugh and a refined chuckle echoed through the room.
And a photographer stood next to the table, taking pictures of us.
It was a business transaction.
The price of the A-cut he was about to take was 2.135 billion stones.
“Baron Yandel, can you… can you smile a little more… manlier…?”
“Of course! Hahaha!”
“Count, please look in that direction and smile.”
“Certainly. Hehe! Hehehe…”
Count Alminus had offered to drop the lawsuit in exchange for a photo op.
He said that each photo would be recorded in history.
He was an old man, nearing the end of his life, so he seemed to value his legacy more than anything.
At first, I thought it was a ridiculous request…
But then I understood.
I would also be impressed if my grandfather had a picture with Einstein.
“Hahaha!”
“Hehehe…”
Anyway, the photographer kept giving us instructions.
He said our smiles weren’t genuine enough.
He gave me a cheap beer and the Count a glass of wine and told us to make a toast.
And…
“Perfect! That’s the one!”
…that was the A-cut.
The Count was satisfied with the photo and gave the photographer a generous bonus.
That concluded our business for the day.
“Hehe, you’ve worked hard, Baron. Why don’t you stay for dinner?”
“I’m not hungry.”
“……?”
Ah, I made a mistake.
“I have someone waiting for me at home. Maybe next time.”
“Hehe, that’s right… It’s always better to have dinner with your family.”
The Count, ever the businessman, smoothly glossed over my mistake.
And then he made an offer.
“By the way, I heard you did something remarkable. You know, rescuing those 397 slaves from the black market.”
“Ah…”
“Your youthful vigor is inspiring. It makes my old blood boil! I’d like to contribute to your good deed…”
He was asking for permission to join the bandwagon.
I was about to refuse…
“Those poor souls… almost 400 of them… they don’t even have a place to live, do they?”
“…So?”
“I can help them. They might be exempt from taxes, but they still need a place to live, don’t they?”
It was a surprising offer.
A house for each of the 400 slaves?
No wonder he was the richest man in the kingdom.
“More heroes are always welcome. I won’t refuse your offer.”
I readily accepted.
It might not have been out of pure altruism, but it would be a great help to the former slaves.
“Don’t worry. You’ll get the credit.”
That concluded our conversation, and I left the mansion.
The next morning, the newspaper’s front page was about us.
[Count Alminus pledges a personal donation of 2 billion stones. When asked why, he says, ‘It’s just a small gesture for an old friend.’]
Along with the photo we had taken yesterday.
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“Ugh, I’ve become a poster boy…”
I put down the newspaper, feeling a strange sense of self-loathing, and Shabin Emure, the head of the administrative team, rushed into the tent.
And…
“It’s been days since the labyrinth closed! Where have you been?!”
She yelled at me.
“Uh…?”
“Here are the documents. Don’t even think about leaving until you’ve reviewed and signed them all!”
She seemed much more aggressive than before.
I assumed it was because of work-related stress and chuckled.
“Alright, alright, calm down.”
“….”
“But why are there so many? I delegated most of the authority to you, didn’t I?”
“…This is just the stuff I couldn’t handle without your approval. The tribe’s budget is increasing rapidly, so we need to adjust the monthly budget, and I can’t do that on my own. I had to create temporary approval documents and make temporary entries in the ledger. I had to do everything twice, even three times!”
“Oh… I see…?”
How could I escape this?
As I was thinking that, Shabin’s eyes narrowed.
“Don’t even think about running away.”
“…Can’t you just handle this yourself?”
“Ha! Why not?! I can just decide the tribe’s budget, set the land prices, and even give myself a raise!”
She raised her voice, as if she couldn’t believe my suggestion.
I didn’t understand.
She was clearly being sarcastic, but…
“Why not?”
“…………What?”
“Shabin, I trust you. More than anyone.”
“…………?”
“I won’t blame you if you make a mistake. I’ll take full responsibility. I put you in charge because I trust you. That’s what a chieftain does.”
“…….”
“So trust yourself and do it. You’re the expert in this field, just like I’m the expert in the labyrinth. Your decisions will be better than mine.”
Okay, she seemed convinced.
It was time for the final blow.
“And your salary… you can decide that too. Ask for whatever you want.”
“…You’re going to get yourself in trouble.”
“Well, if that’s the value you place on yourself, I won’t deny it.”
She stared at me in silence for a long time.
And after a while…
“…I’ve always thought… I could do a better job than them… but I was scared.”
“Everyone’s scared at first.”
I gave her a reassuring smile, and she clenched her fists, as if making up her mind.
“…I’ll do it. I can’t make any more excuses. I have to prove my worth.”
“Good. I’m counting on you.”
I left the tent, relieved to have escaped the paperwork.
And then I found Ainar and gave her a new task.
“Gather all the warriors in the sanctuary?”
“Yes, I have something to tell them.”
I felt bad for the administrative team, who were working day and night… but this was the real reason I had come to the sanctuary.
I needed a bit of a performance.
“I’ll gather them, but there will be a lot of them.”
“A lot?”
“Didn’t you know? Everyone’s building houses these days, so the sanctuary is packed.”
“I heard the third land sale ended, but I didn’t think there would be that many.”
“You can’t build a house alone, can you? They’re all calling their friends and working together.”
Oh, I see.
“Anyway, gather them all! Tell them there will be something interesting!”
“Something interesting…?”
“You’ll see.”
“Hehehe! You’re up to something! I want in!”
Ainar, excited, left to gather the warriors, and I waited at the designated location.
The warriors started arriving one by one.
Most of them were unfamiliar faces.
They were all carrying hammers, the ones used for hammering nails.
They had just come from building houses.
“It’s the Chieftain!!”
“Oh! The great warrior who was inscribed on the Stone of Honor three times!!!”
The warriors who had arrived earlier were excited to see me. I had been worried they might be angry for being summoned…
“You said there would be something interesting!”
“What is it? Why did you call us all here?!”
“Let’s get started!!”
…but it seemed like they were also stressed from building houses.
“Wait! I’ll tell you when everyone’s here!”
After about an hour, the entire forest was filled with barbarians.
It was like a festival, with all the noise and commotion.
Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!
The warriors were pounding their chests.
“Bjorn.”
“It’s Chieftain in the sanctuary.”
“…Chieftain, everyone’s here.”
“Really?”
Then it was time to go.
There was no need for a long speech.
“Follow me!”
I didn’t even tell them where we were going, or why.
But they parted like the Red Sea as I started walking, and then they followed me.
“Waaaaaaaaaah!”
“Bjorn, son of Yandel!!”
“Let’s go!”
A long procession of barbarians.
We reached the gate connecting the sanctuary to the city, and the guards opened it without a word.
Clatter, clatter.
The heavy gate creaked open.
And just like the day I first woke up in this body, the familiar gray city appeared before me.
The paved roads, the stone buildings, the towering spire…
“Let’s go!”
I started walking, and the pedestrians on the street moved to the side, making way for us.
I felt a little bad for disrupting their day…
“Wow! It’s Baron Yandel! Mom, it’s Baron Yandel!”
“I-It’s really him…!”
“Waaaaaaaaaah!”
…but they didn’t seem to mind.
In fact, they seemed excited, calling out to their friends and family to come and watch.
Clatter!
Windows opened, and people peeked out, watching our procession.
They all had the same question.
“Where are they going?”
“I don’t know…”
“Should we call the guards? There are so many of them…”
Indeed, the city guards soon appeared in front of us.
“Greetings, Baron Yandel.”
“Why are you blocking our path?”
“W-We received a report…”
“Are you arresting us? We’re just walking.”
“O-Of course not! No, sir!”
“Then move.”
The guard captain, dumbfounded, stepped aside.
And…
“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!!”
The procession continued, reaching the city center.
And then the knights appeared.
“Greetings, Baron Yandel.”
They were from Mozelan, known for their strict enforcement of the law.
But they wouldn’t touch me.
“If you’ll excuse me, where are you headed, Baron Yandel?”
“Why should I tell you?”
“We haven’t received any notice about this… event… We’re just confirming.”
Of course, I didn’t have to answer.
“We’re just taking a walk. Mind your own business.”
“…A walk…?”
The knight looked troubled.
If I had been an ordinary citizen, he would have dispersed the crowd and arrested the organizers.
But…
“Are you questioning me?”
I was a Baron of this kingdom.
“Of course not. We’re just concerned. We have to investigate when a large group like this gathers. Please understand.”
“We won’t be leaving Ravigion. Is that a satisfactory answer?”
I told him that we wouldn't be going to Commelby, the commercial district, or Karnon, the Imperial City.
The knights seemed relieved and nodded.
"May we... accompany you?"
"I won't stop you from walking."
"Thank you..."
They couldn't stop me, so they decided to follow me.
And after a while...
"It's the barbarians!"
"The barbarians are here!!"
The news of our march had spread throughout the city.
The citizens lined the streets, watching us like a parade.
"The Mage Tower...! They're heading towards the Mage Tower!!"
They had finally figured out our destination.
And that only fueled the barbarians' excitement.
"The Mage Tower? We're going to the Mage Tower?!"
"Bjorn, son of Yandel, the great warrior!!!"
"The Chieftain is leading us to a sacred battle!"
"It's time to carve the flesh from the mages' bones!!"
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"
The warriors' shouts echoed through the streets.
"Th-Those lunatics...!"
"Are they really going to fight the Mage Tower?"
"But why?"
"Hearts! Barbarian hearts! The mages are using them as ingredients for their magic!"
"...This is going to be interesting."
I ignored the commotion and continued walking.
And after a while...
Thud.
I stopped.
The black spire of the Mage Tower loomed before us.
A large crowd had gathered in the plaza.
And...
"..."
Hundreds of mages had come out to meet us.
"..."
"..."
Silence fell over the plaza as the two groups faced each other. It was so quiet that you could almost hear a pin drop.
An old mage stepped forward.
"I am Wibels Gwyln, the Chief Mage of the Lengman School."
The Chief Mage was like the head disciple in a martial arts novel.
And since the Master of the Lengman School was the Mage Tower Master, this old man was practically the second-in-command.
"And you are...?"
He knew who I was.
Mages loved their formalities.
"Me...?"
I chuckled.
Giant.
Leader of Clan Anabada.
Chieftain of the Barbarians.
Baron of Lafdonia.
I didn't need those titles.
"Bjorn, son of Yandel."
The old mage sighed and nodded.
"I see. It's an honor to meet you, hero. But what brings you to the Mage Tower?"
"I'm here to do what should have been done a long time ago."
"What should have been done a long time ago...? I'm afraid I don't understand."
"Then I'll tell you."
I raised my voice so everyone in the plaza could hear.
"I, Bjorn, son of Yandel, demand that the Mage Tower stop using our hearts as ingredients for their magic!"
"...So that's what this is about..."
The old mage muttered, his hand on his forehead, and then he sighed deeply.
He then tried to reason with me.
"It's a legitimate research project. Even you, a Baron of the kingdom and the Chieftain of the Barbarians, can't just stop it. If you have any objections, file a formal complaint with the royal family—"
"Be brief."
"...Huh?"
"Keep it short, old man."
He seemed offended by the word 'old man'.
"It seems like you can't understand complex sentences, so I'll keep it short."
He glared at me, his wrinkled face wrinkling even further.
His voice was cold and hard, unlike his usual gentle tone.
"If we refuse..."
He looked up at me with a defiant gaze.
"Then what?"
He asked.
"...!"
"...!"
After a brief pause, I answered.
"It's war."
That was enough.
"...War?!"
"It's war!"
"To arms! To arms!!"
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"
We had endured enough.
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「Character's Approval Rating has increased by +10.」
「Character's Approval Rating has increased by +10.」
「Character's Approval Rating has increased by +10.」
「Character's Approval Rating has increased by +10.」
「Character's Approval Rating… 」
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