Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Ragna Litaniel Peprok.

The illegitimate daughter of Terserion, the Prime Minister of Lapdonia.

Well, her current used name omits her nurse's name, 'Litaniel,' but anyway.

"Your expression isn't good. I've heard she's quite a beauty."

Sure, I know that.

But that's not the problem now.

More than the awkwardness this ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) marriage proposal will cause between friends.

"Viscountess Peprok is the Prime Minister's illegitimate child."

"I've already confirmed that. The Prime Minister made a strong move. That means your growth has been exceptional."

"So you still think I have to marry her? The moment I do, an invisible leash will be tied around my neck."

"There's no choice. Imagine what would happen when the Prime Minister seriously starts to watch you."

When he said "seriously starts to watch,"

I didn't need to imagine deeply—countless sabotage plots flashed in my mind.

Interference in the reconstruction of District 7.

Consequently, vassals from Viphron would be unable to pay taxes and would be dragged to the gallows en masse as soon as next year begins.

Maybe the Barbarian hearts would again be classified as researchable items.

Also, only our warriors would face stricter checkpoints and could be falsely accused.

"......"

With a serious expression, the chief spoke, trying to persuade me.

"Don't sanctify marriage too much. Bow first, then build your strength afterward."

But even he sounded a bit strange.

Listening to him from the start, I felt a kind of discomfort.

"But you..."

He hesitated briefly, but then, as usual, I bluntly asked.

"Why do you keep trying to persuade me like this?"

"That's because you—"

"So whether I succeed or fail, why are you the one worrying?"

I asked directly why he was meddling, and after a brief pause, he answered.

"I can't help but worry."

"...?"

"Because I need you to fulfill my wish."

It sounded sincere, but understanding it was another matter.

"You need me for your wish?"

I don't know why so many people come looking for me for their own wishes.

Honestly, I'm curious myself.

What exactly do they ultimately want?

"Just be frank. I hate those who only scheme behind the scenes."

"I know your nature. But the time is not right yet. I'll just say one thing—there's a high chance our interests align."

"Is that so? Then I have no choice but to filter what you say."

I replied almost threateningly, but the chief's face remained calm as if letting me do as I please.

"Judge as you will. To me, marrying the viscountess seems a much better choice... but that's just my position. No one can know for sure what will be right looking back from the future."

"......"

"Anyway, it's getting late. If we stay longer, someone will surely take notice. Let's end today's meeting here. I'll contact you again."

Without hesitation, the chief turned his back and left the garden fountain.

Whoosh—

Cold wind blowing, rustling the bushes.

I stared blankly at the fountain, organizing my thoughts.

"Marriage, huh..."

It didn't take long to decide.

No, the decision was basically the same as the one I had already made at the dragon temple.

But...

"Since the viscount made such a strong move..."

To counter it, I would have to prepare a much stronger move myself.

"...Is that really the only way?"

For the first time in a while, I wished tomorrow wouldn't come.

The next morning, one hour before the royal meeting.

Because of the importance of the occasion, I woke early and roughly finished dressing.

Just about to step out—

Knock, knock, knock.

A visitor came early in the morning.

Thinking it might be some peddler or socialite like yesterday, I almost ignored it...

Knock, knock, knock!

The knocking grew louder with pauses.

'Who on earth is it?'

I decided to see who it was, grabbed the door, and opened it wide—there stood an unexpected guest.

"...Hyaak!"

A blue-haired woman let out a strange sound, surprised by the sudden door opening.

Dressed head to toe like 'I'm a noble,' but somehow her sleepy eyes gave off no dignity.

The marriage candidate to be mentioned in the upcoming meeting.

"Ragna...?"

"......!"

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

I roughly understood why.

I felt similarly.

"......"

"......"

It felt strangely hard to meet eyes naturally.

So before the golden moment slipped away, I quickly said something.

"Long time no see, Ragna. I should've visited earlier, but I've been busy with all sorts of things."

"Yes... long time. And it's fine you didn't come. I've heard you've been busy."

"That's good then."

"......"

"...Would you like to come inside?"

I said it because I didn't want her to wait outside, but strangely she jumped back in surprise.

Seeing that reaction oddly...

"Oh, no! It's not like that..."

"Like what then?"

"Just! It would be troublesome if weird rumors spread about us going into the room..."

"Ah... I see."

The awkward silence I had tried to avoid hung between Ragna and me.

Thankfully, this time she was the first to break it.

"Well... actually, I came today because I have something to tell you in advance."

"Something for me?"

"Um..."

Ragna hesitated to speak, trailing off, but I caught the meaning from the mood.

"At the meeting... there might be some unexpected news. Please don't be too surprised. Bjorn Yandel, you and I are nobles, aren't we?"

"But?"

"Here, sometimes things proceed regardless of your own wishes... you know?"

She seemed to find it hard to say, so she rambled a bit.

I wanted to clear things up, but for the sake of what's to come, it's best to pretend I don't know for now.

"So what do you want to say?"

"I-I can't say right now. But my father has started making moves. So no matter what you hear at the meeting, please don't misunderstand..."

"Understood. No matter what is said at the meeting, I won't misunderstand."

"Ah! Of course, I don't mean I dislike it or anything! Got it?"

"Understood."

"Good... then see you later..."

She nodded quickly and vanished from the doorway.

I wondered if she really came alone—her aide, Hyunbyeol, was nowhere to be seen.

'Time to go.'

I checked the time, went out to the hall, and was led by a servant into the palace for the meeting.

'...They don't use a round table here.'

The room held a long rectangular table with almost all seats empty.

That's the tradition of royal meetings here.

Each participant is assigned a number, which tacitly becomes their rank.

And for me...

"This is the seat where Baron Yandel will attend the council today."

The seat furthest from the head seat.

After I sat and waited about two minutes, a noble entered...

Plop.

He sat directly across from me.

He was one rank higher, and after another two minutes, another arrived...

'What nonsense is this...'

They could've come all at once, but entering one by one every two minutes was maddening.

Extreme inefficiency.

'There are 50 total nobles attending...'

That meant the lowest-ranked nobles would have to wait nearly an hour and a half sitting there.

Though that humiliating lowest rank seat might be someone else's envy.

"......"

"......"

Anyway, they started filling the meeting room one by one, but the heavy silence remained.

I even tried to chat with a nearby noble out of boredom, but when I spoke, he jumped in surprise and stared straight ahead, so I gave up.

'Might as well catch some sleep.'

Half nodding off with my neck bent, time passed quickly, and nobles in the twenties started arriving.

And then...

'Who's that?'

Suddenly, a nobleman stopped walking and stared at me intently.

One, two, three, four...

Counting, he seemed to be ranked 27th in this meeting.

He looked at me, then—

"Pft."

He sneered meaninglessly and passed by my side.

Of course, I wasn't going to let that slide.

"Hey, wait a moment."

"...Hey?"

"Ah, sorry. I forgot your name."

"If that's true, then I'm glad to meet you. I'm Count Huytaylor."

"Glad to meet you, Count Huytaylor. But why did you laugh earlier?"

"...Is there a problem? I just smiled because I was happy to see the city's most famous hero."

Interpreted in noble terms, it meant he was glad to see me, who's recently popular, sitting in the lowest rank.

'What? Just an ordinary fool?'

Relieved, I nodded coolly.

"Oh, is that so? Then go ahead."

If he had some sinister scheme, I was ready to probe, but if not, fine.

Not worth the attention.

"Baron Yandel, as your senior, some advice—"

"Ah, I know."

"...You'd better drop that attitude here in the royal meeting. Or you'll get seriously hurt."

I nodded, and Count Humersigi gave me a look as if he'd seen all sorts of crazies before heading back to his seat.

Time passed.

Familiar figures began to appear.

Starting with Viscount Maxiland, the Prime Minister's right hand and ranked 25th.

"......"

He lightly nodded at me as our eyes met, then went to his seat.

Viscountess Ragna Peprok, ranked 21st.

She walked past without meeting my eyes and sat down coldly in 14th place, the chief.

"Glad to see you here."

Count Kaislan, ranked 11th, elder brother of Meland Kaislan and head of a large noble coalition.

"Haha, long time no see, Baron. Heard you've done great things this time too?"

Count Alminus, ranked 6th, an awkward relationship but now bought the title 'old friend' by taking a photo with me.

"And..."

"New holy births are always welcome. Remember there are always other choices."

Duke Kealunus, ranked 3rd, left a meaningful word and passed by after seeing me.

"......"

On the other hand, Marquis Terserion, ranked 2nd, sat haughtily without even a glance.

Oh, and the top-ranked seat is vacant.

That's the king's seat, which even the marquis acting as the king's proxy at events cannot occupy...

'Minus one means there are actually 49 members present.'

By the seating arrangement, Duke Kealunus and the Prime Minister sat facing each other at the head seats...

The marquis on the right rose from his seat.

"First, on behalf of His Majesty Martanux, I sincerely thank you all for attending despite your busy schedules."

With that greeting, the Prime Minister had all the nobles stand, then they all paid respects toward the vacant king's seat.

Like a salute to a national flag in Korea.

Since these are nobles, a stiff introduction followed.

The Noark invasion, the Viphron situation.

Discussing recent incidents and current political state, praising the nobles for their presence.

Celebrating the successful expedition to the labyrinth's first basement floor, saying it is all under Lapdonia's blessing.

After wasting time on unnecessary speeches—

"Now, let's begin with the first agenda item."

Finally, the first royal meeting began.