Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

I don't have the habit of sharing my story in detail in front of others, but today I bit the bullet and spoke up.

If I glossed over it, they'd surely keep bringing up this issue...

Besides, after all, it's also about their daughters (not their biological daughters, but girls like daughters).

"Misha Kalstein and I are simply ordinary comrades right now."

At my first words, a wrinkle formed on the patriarch's forehead.

He stared at me like I was blocking my daughter's marriage path by calling it just an ordinary partnership.

On the other hand, the fairy representative's expression brightened — albeit briefly.

"Oh, then—"

"Elwen Fornaci di Tersia is the same."

Upon hearing my next words, the fairy representative's face immediately stiffened.

"Ho, so that means there's no partner yet?"

Seizing the moment, Uncle Dragon tried to slip in his own angle, but I shut that down sharply.

"That doesn't mean I'll ever be your son-in-law. Whether Pen or Ravien, I've never thought of them as a romantic interest."

"Ah, understood. Affection between men and women is important. That's unfortunate."

Surprisingly, Uncle Dragon accepted my words easily.

Then he asked,

"May I offer you some advice?"

"...I'm listening."

"For someone like you, a political marriage might not be necessary. You have stood alone and achieved so much."

"But,"

He sipped his ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ tea, then met my gaze and continued.

"Paradoxically, because of that, whoever you make a vow with, your marriage will be used politically. Please keep that in mind."

It felt like everything about bringing up marriage so far was just a buildup to this natural advice.

Maybe Uncle Dragon truly wanted to let me know this through the patriarch's and fairy representative's reactions.

With the Noark invasion and Viphron blockade, the times are chaotic.

The patriarch and fairy rep, having endured much, probably weren't really pushing that hard for the sake of their daughters—or so I thought—

"Anyway, if you don't have a set partner, come visit the temple often. Our youngest daughter wants to see you."

Hmm... Suddenly, the advice I just heard started to feel a bit suspect, but anyway.

"...Pen is definitely out."

"Oh? So the elder sister's side is okay?"

"..."

When I looked at Uncle Dragon with a baffled gaze, he burst into an inappropriate light laugh for his serious face.

"Puhaha! Just kidding, just kidding. So you guys stop bothering this friend here, got it?"

Uncle Dragon laughed heartily, and the stiff atmosphere noticeably softened.

'Is this what experience looks like...?'

Since the eldest Uncle Dragon acted like this, even the patriarch and fairy rep found it hard to continue speaking...

"More importantly, I want to discuss this situation. What do you all think?"

With a smooth topic change, the talk about my marriage was completely over.

"This situation..."

"You mean the Noark invasion."

I opened my ears to catch information I hadn't heard before, but unfortunately, there was nothing particularly useful.

Not much different from Melves.

"There's a rumor that Noark has a mage who inherited the Great Sage's vision."

"It makes sense such rumors spread since they tampered with the protective magic circle without the royal relic."

"I've heard it's quite possible that it's not just nonsense."

"Yes... Previously, there was magic that teleported tens of thousands of Noark troops at once from the underground fortress."

Though some things were mentioned that I hadn't heard in Melves, it was just information that became known over time.

There didn't seem to be much difference in intelligence between the two groups.

After all, Melves was formed by nobles from various tribes.

It was natural they knew what the tribe leaders knew, and vice versa.

'Well, Uncle Dragon definitely seems to know something.'

Maybe because of the way the conversation leaked such feelings, other representatives tried to test Uncle Dragon, but he coolly avoided the situation with an impassive expression.

"Well, I don't know much either. If I learn anything, I'll let you know immediately."

Hmm, he definitely knows something.

Maybe if I ask him separately later, he might give me a hint? Who knows.

After that, the meeting continued with unproductive talk and eventually ended.

"It was a useful meeting. Let's meet again next time."

After the meeting was dismissed, everyone stood and left the hall, but approaching the exit, a strange sense of deprivation came over me.

"...Dumocha, thank you for your hard work."

"Ragsian, the carriage is ready."

"We will escort you to the sacred place, Patriarch."

The dwarves, fairies, beastmen, and even the viscount had brought their soldiers and servants to see them off. Oh, and the dragonmen only had one person accompanying.

"Ahem...!"

As soon as he saw me, the white-haired elderly dragonman quickly hid something he was fiddling with.

That was the same person who had once tested my insight with a ring puzzle at the dragon temple.

"Oh, they said you can't get that again?"

When I tried to peek at the puzzle hidden behind him with interest, the dragonman jumped in shock and turned around.

"Th-this is a different item from that time..."

Huh? Why is his tone like that again?

Ah... Maybe now that I'm a noble and a tribal chief, it's harder to speak casually like before?

"Can I take a look?"

At my question, the dragonman shuddered and sent a pleading look to Uncle Dragon nearby.

Hey, no one's bullying you.

'Now he can't say anything.'

Before, when I had no power or status, I never felt guilty about anything, but now it just feels like I'm bossing people around.

"Enough. I won't look, so just go quickly."

"...Thank you."

Thank? Who really said thank you?

Did anyone threaten to take it away?

"Well then, we'll go ahead. Come visit the temple whenever you have time. You're always welcome."

"I understand."

Realizing he wasn't just being polite but suggesting a private meeting later, I nodded, and Uncle Dragon coolly disappeared from sight.

"Well then."

Ah, this guy's dragon magic is spatial teleportation.

Is there really any race as overpowered as dragonmen?

'Then I should start preparing too...'

Just as I was about to leave through the somewhat hectic entrance, I suddenly felt an overwhelmingly persistent gaze from somewhere.

'Who is that?'

The one staring was one of the people brought by the fairy tribe...

'...Huh?'

The fairy man who caught my eyes strode toward me and revealed his identity.

"Nice to meet you, Baron Yandel. I am Beleg Shusia di Tersia."

A famous yet familiar name.

"Ah, you're the one..."

Beleg Shusia di Tersia.

A top-tier explorer with high status among the fairies...

"Elwen's maternal uncle."

One of the few 'family' Elwen still has.

Although this was my first meeting with him, I'd heard a lot about this man from Elwen, so I had some goodwill toward him.

That was because when the dragon slayer attacked the fairy sanctuary, this man saved the Fornaci sisters.

He also helped Elwen in many ways afterward.

"Glad to meet you. I've wanted to see you someday."

"Likewise."

"...Huh?"

I reached out happily to shake hands, but for some reason, I felt quite a strong grip.

At first, I wondered what that was about.

After all, it had been ages since anyone squeezed my hand like that.

'Hmm...'

Not knowing what to do, I just waited without tightening my grip.

He was someone Elwen was grateful to.

What would I gain by overpowering him anyway?

'Yeah, that's adult behavior...'

With that thought, I smiled softly and relaxed, and the other side loosened their grip and ended the handshake.

And then...

"As expected, rumors are never to be trusted."

...Huh?

What's that? Did he become confident because he thought I was weak?

I was tilting my head in confusion.

"Your conduct is far from impatient, and you don't give value to meaningless fights, making you a difficult opponent."

Suddenly, he praised me with a serious face and bowed.

"Thanks to that, my worries are lessened. Please take good care of that girl."

I felt a little dazed.

If I had squeezed his hand and won, this evaluation wouldn't have come.

But the ambiguous feeling lasted only briefly.

"Well then..."

After a glance from the fairy representative, he joined his group, and I was struck by another strange sensation.

'Beleg Shusia di Tersia...'

Why do I keep feeling like I've seen him somewhere before?

The tribal council was less fruitful than expected.

Also, it was full of an unexpected kind of discomfort.

'...Phew, I didn't really do anything but I'm so tired.'

The only schedule left until the next labyrinth opening was the royal meeting in two days.

Well, having just finished a long expedition, I planned to skip this one...

'Even if I don't go in, I'm curious...'

How will the situation change?

From my experience, bad things always happen when entering the labyrinth at times like this.

"Sigh..."

While thinking on the street for a moment, I stopped by Karnon's administration office and sent a message to the sacred place.

I said I'd stay a few more days and even attend the royal meeting before returning...

Thud!

Soon after leaving the office, I rode a carriage straight to Gnome Tree.

Maybe Uncle Dragon knows something.

He had even silently signaled me to come anytime.

Feeling it would be more productive to meet Uncle Dragon once than rest.

'...If I'd known, I should have asked to be taken along earlier...'

As usual, I soon fell asleep snoring, and the carriage reached its destination without incident.

Entering the dragon sacred place was uneventful.

"Welcome, Baron Yandel."

The dragonman guard, apparently tipped off by Uncle Dragon, opened the gate without properly checking my identity.

And...

'Walking here is really tough.'

After a long climb, I finally arrived at the dragon sanctuary, right at the dragon god temple in the center.

"Hmm, I didn't expect you'd come straight here."

"Why? You said come anytime. Was that just talk?"

"To be honest... I thought you'd come after the royal meeting."

"We don't live as long as you do. We must live each day meaningfully."

"Living each day meaningfully... That's a really good saying."

"Anyway."

We weren't close enough for a long introduction, and we'd already covered the preliminaries in the earlier meeting, so I got straight to the point as soon as we met.

"So... do you have something to tell me? I got the feeling you might."

"As I said earlier, I expected you'd come after the royal meeting. I was going to give advice after hearing your thoughts then."

"...Is something happening at the meeting?"

"Not exactly happening... but you'll soon hear anyway, so I'll tell you in advance."

Uncle Dragon first revealed there were two things he knew, then went on.

"First is about your marriage."

"Marriage...?"

"The royal family wants to promote a marriage between you and a human noblewoman."

Why is everyone so interested in my love life?