Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

The leader of the Red Cat tribe, Albreynib Kalstein.

Honestly, the fact that this old man is even saying something like this is kind of laughable.

From the start, he's never been on good terms with Misha, and he's hated me intensely for a long time.

"But now, at this timing, he's butting in...?"

Well, maybe I've become strategically useful now?

I thought it was highly likely, but even so, it wasn't easy to meet the patriarch's gaze.

No, it wasn't just the patriarch — Uncle Dragon and the Fairy Representative were the same.

"Speak."

"Is what the patriarch says true?"

"Then are you implying I'm lying?"

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

Of course, Uncle Dragon, who has barely any relationship with his daughters, was a bit easier to deal with...

The patriarch and the fairy representative.

Hah, but why are those two so uncomfortable?

I felt like sitting on a bed of nails would be much better.

Physically and mentally.

"...Did I come here for nothing?"

Just as I was starting to regret joining this tribal council, a ray of salvation came from a completely unexpected place.

"How about everyone restrains themselves a bit?"

The dwarf chief's voice was sharp but full of dissatisfaction.

"I'm not saying I don't understand the feelings of a father with daughters, but someone might think this is a matchmaking meeting."

"......"

"Besides, everyone knows that what's happening here is strategically wrong. Our five tribes, who restrict human interactions, have avoided deep exchanges, and through that, we've always maintained balance. But once someone crosses the line, that line will lose all meaning."

The dwarf chief's sharp words were perfectly sound both logically and morally.

But...

"Hmm, I think the line Dumocha talks about lost its meaning long ago."

Uncle Dragon didn't seem to agree and immediately started to rebut.

"This friend here is already a representative of a tribe and a noble affiliated with the royal family. Has there ever been such a case until now?"

"That issue... didn't the royal family bluntly say not to make a problem of it?"

Apparently, the dwarf chief had been complaining ever since I became a titled tribal chief.

"Well, being a dwarf probably means he's narrow-minded too, so it's understandable..."

Still, I felt a natural urge to seize a chair that seemed utterly unnecessary out of sheer annoyance—

"Therefore, there's no meaning in keeping the line anymore. The balance has already been broken simply because the royal family got involved."

I suppressed my urge and focused on the continuing conversation.

It seemed like an important discussion.

"The royal family no longer intends to let our five tribes unite... That's what I've been thinking a lot lately. What's the viscount's opinion?"

Uncle Dragon's sharp words, which seemed initially directed at the dwarf chief, quickly turned toward Viscount Maxiland, the human representative.

It was like the entire buildup was aimed at this question.

"Haha, how would I know the royal family's thoughts..."

Viscount Maxiland laughed awkwardly and slithered out like an eel.

It was astonishing how shamelessly he said that while attending as the human representative...

"Then does that mean my thoughts are wrong?"

"I think it would be better if you consider me a non-person during this meeting. Would that be difficult?"

Seeing him speak strongly on this point, it was clear Viscount Maxiland wasn't someone to be underestimated.

"Well, that's probably why he was sent to this meeting."

When Uncle Dragon didn't say anything more, the viscount briefly scowled, then resumed smiling foolishly.

"Haha, I'm embarrassed, but this is my first time at a meeting like this. Today, I came as a learner, so please don't pay too much attention."

"A learner... that alone is enough. We can clearly see how the royal family views us."

"......"

The viscount fell silent as if telling us to figure it out ourselves, and that ended the topic.

Returning to the original matter—

"Clears throat. Still, my opinion hasn't changed. It is wrong for the tribal chief to marry an other tribe member."

The dwarf chief glanced at the viscount quietly smiling in the corner and continued.

"Balance must be maintained. That's the only way our tribes can show loyalty to the royal family."

It seemed the dwarf chief wanted to appeal to the royal family especially ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ in a situation like this.

That our dwarves are not some dangerous tribe.

'Why is this old man so timid? Maybe because he's not an explorer?'

The dwarf chief seemed very different from the dwarves I knew, but knowing the burden of responsibility, I couldn't completely blame him.

Of course, that didn't mean I was going to just smile and let it pass.

"So, you're saying I should marry among my own kind?"

"That would be the ideal situation, but it doesn't necessarily mean that. Whether it's beastmen or fairies, if it's an ordinary woman, there'd be no political concerns."

In other words, Elwen or Misha are no-go.

"Political concerns, huh..."

At first I just listened with amusement, but it gradually became hard to stay silent.

"Dumocha, I suddenly got curious, is it okay if I ask?"

"Ask anything you want."

Looking at the dwarf chief who answered like a generous senior, I just asked straightforwardly.

"Why do you keep telling me what to do?"

"...?"

"Are you my superior or something?"

As I said that, I added a gesture scanning around at my eye level.

Of course, the dwarf was way below me from that angle.

"...If I offended you, I apologize. It was just advice—"

"Oh, then I'll give you some advice too."

I cut straight to the point while watching the dwarf chief who looked confused.

"I am the chief of the Barbarians, a baron of the Kingdom of Lapdonia, and the master of the Anabada clan—"

Well, he probably already knew all that.

"Above all, I am a warrior."

It didn't seem like he truly understood.

Looking down at the dwarf chief who seemed somewhat intimidated, I continued as if threatening.

"So never—"

"......"

"Don't order me around."

Ah, but if I ended it there, would that really count as advice?

Suddenly I thought to add one last sentence to finish the advice.

"If you don't want to duel me."

Yeah, that's advice alright.

"......"

That dwarf chief who never even set foot in the labyrinth had nothing to say.

"......"

Whether it was Patriarch Kalstein, who once pinned me down with a single strike,

Or Uncle Dragon, leader of the strongest race, the dragonmen,

Or the fairy who is loved by all spirits.

Anyone.

"Do you all understand now?"

I don't think I'm going to lose.

When I think about it from the start.

No, I don't even have to just think about it.

I looked directly at the dwarf chief, who wore a shocked expression from my strong words, and said.

"Isn't it ridiculous to talk about maintaining balance at this point?"

Because until now, the barbarians were the weakest.

A truly hopeless survival rate.

Because of that, there was always a lack of talent, and useful funds were always at rock bottom.

Also, our inherent lack of talent in politics or business was a major reason barbarians remained the weakest.

"I was the first barbarian noble in Lapdonia's long history."

It's not like barbarians get discriminated against.

It's something I've often joked about, but it wasn't made out of nothing.

Back when everything was barren.

When I, Bjorn, son of Yandel, lived from the weak side.

"I experienced endless contempt, mockery, and discrimination against barbarians living in this city."

"Our warriors could never hold normal jobs inside the city, and in the labyrinth we had to fight off raiders targeting our hearts."

"At that time, we couldn't even give young warriors proper shoes. All we could provide were one weapon and seven days' worth of hardtack."

And here's the important part.

"What about you guys back then? Did you think balance had to be maintained back then?"

"That—"

"Probably not."

I cut off the dwarf chief's excuse.

There was no need to listen.

"If that had been the case, the previous chief wouldn't have ignored the request he made at this very meeting."

There was once a misunderstanding, but the previous chief did not just watch the barbarians decline helplessly.

Though lacking skill, he also tried.

One of his proposals at this meeting was to help forbid the mage tower's heart research for the warriors.

"...Was that really it? Did that day make you harbor grudges against us?"

The dwarf chief's expression softened as if he finally understood and spoke soothingly like to a child.

"But that day couldn't be helped. The conflict between the mage tower and barbarians had to be avoided. For the sake of your barbarians—"

What is he talking about?

That's not what I meant to say.

"I think you misunderstand."

I cut him off and spoke again clearly.

"Of course, I know."

I'm no naive barbarian.

As chief, I looked into records and studied history to uncover the hidden backstory.

"That you secretly supported the fairies behind the scenes while claiming neutrality during the relic war."

"That you secretly met with the mage tower's wizards right before the tribal meeting."

"That the rumor that barbarians couldn't have normal jobs in the city actually originated from the other tribes long ago."

I already knew everything.

But...

"Still, I hold no grudges."

I mean it sincerely.

I'm not resentful or hurt just because you didn't help when we were in trouble or stabbed us in the back.

"I just dislike it."

"......"

"The hypocritical attitude of suddenly talking about balance now."

Yeah, so...

"Please don't ever talk like that in front of me again. That nonsense about harmony and balance."

After I asked politely, silence fell.

And I didn't feel uncomfortable at all in that silence.

Maybe because I finally was able to say aloud what I'd only thought in my mind in front of representatives of all tribes.

On the contrary, even that silence felt refreshingly satisfying.

But...

"Hmm..."

Unfortunately, that time didn't last long.

"Bjorn Yandel's son, I understand your meaning."

The fairy representative nodded.

"I have no intention to force who you must marry, and whatever choice you make, I will support you."

Uncle Dragon also agreed.

"But then..."

At last, Patriarch Kalstein took the lead and asked.

"Then who do you intend to marry?"

Ah, I feel like I'm going to choke for real.