Surviving the Game as a Barbarian

Chapter 445: Party (2)

Like unleashing my killing intent at the Round Table, I glared down at him, as if ready to tear his throat out. Even though this wasn’t the community, where minds were linked, it was enough to make him cower.

“…….”

Good.

You’ve never experienced anything like this, have you?

Born with a silver spoon in your mouth, pampered and spoiled.

“…….”

Silence.

The nobles, who loved a good scandal, were watching from afar.

They could have intervened and defended their fellow noble from a vulgar barbarian like me.

If I were a fairy, a dwarf, or a beastman, someone would have stepped forward and criticized my rudeness.

They would have assumed I could understand their words.

But what about a barbarian?

The answer was in this silence.

“…….”

They didn’t know how to react.

They were afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.

“…Should we just leave them alone?”

Someone voiced their concern, but quickly looked away when our eyes met.

It was common sense that I wouldn’t resort to violence in front of so many nobles…

But they couldn’t be sure.

Would a barbarian who challenged someone to a duel over a minor insult understand common sense?

“I’m waiting for your answer.”@@novelbin@@

I took a step closer.

“You don’t want to duel?”

The nobles who had been chatting with him earlier discreetly backed away.

It seemed like he had no choice but to resolve this himself.

“…Name the date.”

It wasn’t a decision made out of confidence.

He just didn’t have any other options.

Refusing a duel from a demi-human he had just insulted in front of everyone? It was social suicide in this society, where reputation was everything.

“So you’re too cowardly to fight me yourself?”

“…There’s a special sword for dealing with beasts.”

He spoke eloquently, but it meant he was going to appoint a representative.

“Fine. But make sure you have several candidates ready.”

“…Several?”

He looked confused.

Did he think it would be over after one duel?

“Ah, you didn’t know? I’m going to keep challenging you to duels until my honor is restored.”

A mad dog doesn’t let go once it bites.

“…What?”

You should have been more careful with your words.

Or you should have had a stronger backer.

Then I would have targeted someone else.

“Are you… sure you can handle this…?”

He was asking if I was really going this far.

He must be feeling like he was struck by lightning out of nowhere.

“That’s a strange question. Handle this?”

I spoke clearly, loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Do I look like someone who cares about that?”

Be careful, or you might be next.

______________________

The duel was set.

Now we just had to decide on the date.

“How about this week?”

“…….”

“Do you need more time to find someone?”

“No, that’s enough time.”

He had finally adapted to the situation.

He must have finished his calculations.

‘Maybe he even sees this as an opportunity?’

A vulgar barbarian who dared to challenge a noble.

And a noble who gracefully accepts the challenge and defends his honor.

It was a good story.

Of course, it wouldn’t happen that way.

‘He’ll probably just use his connections to find a decent knight.’

I couldn’t be sure about the level of his representative.

But I was confident.

There was no way the Captain of the Royal Knights would be a duel representative for a mere Baron.

And I could defeat anyone below that level.

But…

“That’s enough.”

Someone intervened.

‘Duke Keallunus.’

He walked through the parting crowd and patted my shoulder.

As if trying to calm down a child throwing a tantrum.

“It’s a joyous occasion, isn’t it?”

“…….”

“Let’s just forget about this. We’re all pillars of this kingdom, aren’t we?”

His political intentions were clear.

He was stepping in to resolve a situation no one else could handle.

And if I calmed down and backed down after he intervened…

It would boost his reputation among the nobles.

But…

‘Didn’t you say we were friends?’

A friend who only takes and never gives is quickly abandoned.

If you want something from me, you have to give me something in return.

“Baron Kipriot insulted me.”

The Duke’s smile vanished.

I continued,

“He called me a half-breed, a beast.”

Well, technically, it was his friend who said that, but whatever.

“He insulted Baroness Lirivia, calling her a whore just because she’s a beastman. And when I protested, he laughed at me and asked if I even had the honor to be insulted.” Ɍ₳Ɲ𝘰ꞖÈṥ

He had even mocked my literacy skills, but I decided not to mention that.

It would make me seem petty.

“That’s what Baron Kipriot did. On this ‘joyous occasion’ you mentioned.”

I had declared my reasons for challenging him to a duel in front of everyone.

And then I asked,

“Is there any reason why I should forgive him?”

The Duke looked at the Baron.

He hadn’t been aware of the details.

“Tsk.”

He clicked his tongue and then looked back at me. He seemed to regret intervening, but now that he was involved, he only had two options.

To retreat empty-handed, his reputation tarnished.

Or…

“Baron Kipriot made a mistake.”

To offer me something in return.

His decision was swift and decisive.

“I promise you, on my name, that this will never happen again. Not today, not anywhere else.”

A promise made on the name of Duke Keallunus.

“Isn’t that right, Baron Kipriot?”

The Baron, trembling, answered immediately.

“Y-yes… of course, Duke.”

Even I could tell he was being sincere.

He wouldn’t dare repeat his mistake.

And neither would any other noble.

The Duke’s promise carried weight.

If this happened again, it would be a direct insult to his honor.

‘It’s a shame I couldn’t have the duel… but there will be other opportunities.’

I made a quick judgment.

The Duke had backed down.

“So, are you going to calm down now?”

If I refused, it would be a declaration of war.

“I haven’t even received an apology from Baron Kipriot yet. And even if I do, my honor won’t be restored.”

But…

I continued,

“I’ll let it slide.”

“Hmm…”

The nobles gasped.

“It’s my friend’s request.”

“……!”

Their eyes widened in surprise.

______________________

Friend.

A word that signifies a close and equal relationship.

“…..”

The moment I uttered that word, silence fell over the Palace of Glory.

‘A barbarian and a Duke, friends?’

The air was thick with anticipation.

The Duke frowned slightly, and then he smiled warmly.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

He didn’t deny or confirm our friendship.

But it was enough.

It significantly boosted my status.

‘What an unexpected gain.’

Of course, the Duke had made a calculated decision. He had made a promise on his family’s name to resolve a minor incident.

He must have judged that it was better to boost my status than to damage his own reputation.

“Well, I have some official business to attend to, so I’ll be taking my leave. I’ll summon you again soon. And congratulations on your promotion.”

He left after making a promise to meet again in front of everyone.

‘This is making me feel a bit pressured…’

But the outcome was good.

The way they looked at me had changed.

“…He’s not just some lucky barbarian, is he?”

“Could it be that… the Duke was the one who supported his promotion…?”

Their condescending gazes were now filled with curiosity.

It was a good sign.

The more attention I received, the less likely the Marquis would be to act recklessly.

So I just gave Baron Kipriot a warning and returned to my seat.

The White Rabbit Baroness was standing there, staring at me.

“You don’t have to stand up to greet me.”

“…….”

“…Baroness Lirivia?”

She finally snapped out of her daze and approached me.

And then she whispered urgently,

“W-why did you do that…!”

“…….”

“It’s a good thing the Duke intervened! You could have been in serious trouble!”

Geez, this family doesn’t appreciate tanks.

Shouldn’t she be thanking me for my efforts?

“It worked out, didn’t it?”

“…?”

“The Duke’s promise won’t erase all discrimination, but at least they won’t be whispering behind your back anymore.”

Just like you wanted.

Her expression changed.

“You… you did all that just for us?”

“Why would I need another reason?”

“That was too reckless! If the Duke hadn’t intervened, Melbeth wouldn’t have been able to protect you…!”

Her words were a bit hurtful.

It made my efforts seem like pure luck.

“Well, I don’t think that would have happened.”

“…Of course, I value your worth. But not all the families in Melbeth feel the same way. They might have decided that you weren’t worth the risk, considering the potential backlash from the other nobles…”

“Stop.”

She was rambling.

That wasn’t what I meant.

“Melbeth doesn’t matter.”

“…Huh?”

“Neither does the Duke. The outcome wouldn’t have been different even if he hadn’t intervened.”

“…?”

I explained patiently.

“You told me to become indispensable.”

“…….”

“That’s why I challenged him to a duel. They need someone like me to keep them in check. Ah, Baron Kipriot was the perfect target. His family isn’t that influential, and his backer isn’t that strong.”

“Wait! You… you planned all this?”

“Sort of.”

I nodded, and she was speechless.

But she still had one question.

“But how does that make you indispensable?”

Ah, that?

“You said there was no other way when I asked why you were enduring their insults.”

I had seen it then.

What the demi-human nobles lacked.

Something only a seasoned tank could recognize.

“It’s not that there was no other way. There’s always a way.”

I said firmly.

“If you can’t see a path, it’s because…”

“…..”

“…you don’t have someone to clear it for you.”

She didn’t say anything.

But I could tell from her expression.

‘Okay, my self-promotion worked.’

Right, I set my own value.

______________________

We continued our conversation.

She was impressed and asked me countless questions, and I played along, selling myself like a salesman.

And as time passed…

“You’re right…”

Her expression changed.

“What has changed after all these years of enduring their insults? If we had taken even a single step forward… the outcome would have been different!”

The naive herbivore was gone.

Only a determined beast remained.

“It’s time for Melbeth to change. Don’t worry, Baron Yandel. I’ll make sure you get the guild’s support. We need someone like you.”

She left the table.

I watched her leave, and a thought crossed my mind.

To hide your fangs, or to bare them.

Maybe that’s the difference between herbivores and carnivores.

‘This is why environment is so important.’

She’s so easily influenced.

Maybe it’s because she’s a rabbit.

Anyway, she left, and I continued my meal.

And then the nobles started approaching me.

“Baron Yandel, I apologize for my earlier behavior. I heard what happened, and it seems like you had every right to challenge him to a duel.”

“Yes, it was outrageous.”

“Tsk, racism in this day and age.”

They were all trying to make amends now that the Duke had intervened.

It was amusing, but I played along.

Connections were also assets.

“Haha, thank you. I’ll visit your families if you invite me.”

“Oh, really? I heard you haven’t attended any banquets since the one at Count Perdehilt’s mansion.”

“I didn’t know anyone back then. But now we’re friends, aren’t we?”

“…Friends? Hahaha! You’re quite bold for an explorer! Alright, let’s be friends!”

Count Perdehilt was also among those who approached me, and he seemed to regret not having married his daughter to me.

“I’m happy to see you doing so well, but I’m a bit disappointed. My daughter would have been happy…”

His daughter? Please.

She was trembling in fear when she saw me.

“Haha, I’ll be going now. Don’t ignore me when I invite you to my banquet!”

I sent him away, and then I continued greeting the other nobles.

And then…

‘…Huh?’

A middle-aged Baron shook my hand, slipped a note into my palm, and then left.

I felt a chill run down my spine.

‘This bastard…’

I wanted to tear the note to shreds, but I decided to read it first, just in case.

And I was glad I didn’t.

[I’ll be waiting for you in three days, at the place where we first met. —Your true friend.]

Wow, he’s being so secretive.

So I had completed one of the sub-quests for the promotion ceremony?

‘…Now I just have to meet the Marquis.’

I tore up the note, flushed it down the toilet, and then left the bathroom.