Chapter 863: Terrible News (6)
Strictly speaking, it wasn't an alliance.
From the very beginning, Duke Kealunus had made it clear.
"Full acceptance…?" (Bjorn Yandel)
That the residential areas would be separate.
That they would only explore the Labyrinth together.
That their identities would be thoroughly verified to prevent any criminal activities within the Labyrinth.
No matter what countermeasures were added, the truth remained unchanged.
The points listed before were just steps to soften the blow; Duke Kealunus was aiming for a complete merger.
"Are you out of your mind?" (Bjorn Yandel)
The moment I unconsciously muttered those words, a brief silence fell before the surroundings grew noisy.
Some chastised me for such insolent words to the Chancellor.
Some said that while they wouldn't demand I use honorifics, I should still maintain some courtesy.
There was even one who insulted all non-humans in general.
And another who snickered in a very low voice, saying I must be on edge after my clan’s downfall.
But none of that mattered.
Well, since power had been passed to Duke Kealunus, they were probably just trying to get on his good side.
Normally, I would have taken this opportunity to give them a spicy taste of the Barbarian way.
But…
Thwaaack-!
Now was not the time to bicker with such small fry.
I slammed my fist on the table, using just enough force not to break it, and silence once again descended upon the meeting hall.
"……!"
"!"
Everyone just wore surprised expressions at the sudden event; this time, no one scolded or insulted me.
The reason was simple and primal.
Join Discord
They must have thought they could really get beaten up if they messed around this time.
Anyway, it was quiet now, so I had achieved my goal.
"Say it again, Duke Kealunus. You're going to let those Noark bastards into the city?" (Bjorn Yandel)
Unlike the nobles who were cautiously watching the situation, Duke Kealunus, surprisingly, was not flustered.
As if he had predicted such a situation.
"It is not yet a confirmed matter. I am merely presenting an agenda item for now." (Duke Kealunus)
"Then it's meaningless. There's no way those Noark bastards will do as we say." (Bjorn Yandel)
At my words, Duke Kealunus said nothing and just looked at me, and from his gaze, I realized it too.
"It's already… been settled." (Bjorn Yandel)
As if waiting for my words, the Duke opened his mouth.
"In fact, it was they who contacted us first. They knew that if they missed this opportunity, only ruin awaited them, so they made concessions on many fronts." (Duke Kealunus)
Those concessions were likely the things the Duke had mentioned earlier.
Differentiation of residential areas, identity verification, and stricter punishment for crimes, and so on.
"I am not unaware of your feelings… but for the good of the kingdom, one must sometimes learn to suppress personal emotions." (Duke Kealunus)
"…"
"Furthermore, I, as the Chancellor and a noble who also wishes for the good of the kingdom, am merely presenting a path. If you truly do not approve, you may exercise your right." (Duke Kealunus)
Simply put, he was telling me to use my precious vote.
But from my perspective, it just sounded like mockery.
My vote of opposition wouldn't change the outcome.
The very fact that such an agenda was brought up in an official setting like the Royal Family council meant that all behind-the-scenes agreements had already been made.
"Then, may I continue the discussion?" (Duke Kealunus)
After that, I made my displeasure known by not answering and sitting back down with a thud.
And…
"Attendees who agree with this agenda, please turn over your coins." (Duke Kealunus)
Afterward, each noble attending the Royal Family council exercised their precious right, and with that, the policy direction of Rafdonia was decided.
Bang, bang, bang!
The motion for a complete end to the war with Noark and their full acceptance was passed.
—
After that, there were a few more agenda items.
All of them were related to Noark, and the debates were surprisingly heated.
Just because the direction was the same didn't mean the method of travel would be.
"That level of support is too much! What reason do we have to trust those from Noark? It would be better to support the training of new Explorers instead!" (Noble)
"That is correct. Once the number of Explorers is replenished, we will no longer need the help of such traitors, will we?" (Noble)
"Ahem, I must disagree. Do you truly believe they became traitors of their own free will? Only by minimizing discrimination and providing active support can they be reborn as perfect subjects of Rafdonia…" (Noble)
Duke Kealunus continued to lead the Royal Family council, discussing the details with the attendees, sometimes debating to find a point of agreement.
How much more time passed like that?
"It seems we have mostly wrapped things up. We shall conclude this meeting here." (Duke Kealunus)
At last, the long, long Royal Family council came to an end.
Afterward, I requested a private meeting with Duke Kealunus, but my request was denied on the grounds of fatigue.
It was late at night when I left the Palace of Wisdom.
Thud, thud.
The procession of wagons leaving the palace disappeared, leaving the night street empty.
I walked slowly to clear my head and get some fresh air.
'What will happen from now on…'
After the motion passed, I had sat with my arms crossed and eyes closed in displeasure for the rest of the meeting, but my ears had been open, so I had a firm grasp of the subsequent discussions.
To summarize the important points:
1. Massive support for newbies.
Rafdonia decided to pour all its remaining national power into training new Explorers.
Tax exemptions.
Increased budget for the Explorer’s Guild.
It seemed they were even willing to release the Essences piled up in the royal treasury for promising Explorers, and they decided to send what were essentially 'conscription' orders to each tribe.
One would probably arrive for our Barbarian Tribe soon.
'I've been unwillingly given a spoiler.'
And this wasn't even the end of it.
Though it wasn't officially passed, there was even talk of lowering the Labyrinth entry age, which was only possible upon reaching adulthood, to seventeen…
Well, this one was not likely to pass.
The things mentioned before would also see some changes as meetings continued.
Anyway.
2. Bifron.
To reduce the shock to the city, the Noark Forces would be confined to Bifron for the time being.
They even said they would activate the Dimensional Plaza there so those people would enter from that location?
'Well, if our living spaces overlapped immediately, the backlash would be much stronger.'
But surprisingly, the nobles weren't too worried.
They seemed to think that if they created a favorable public opinion for Noark and constantly spread propaganda, everyone would eventually accept it?
'I can't argue with that.'
Incidentally, the period of confinement in Bifron is undecided and will be shortened or extended depending on how the situation unfolds.
They also plan to open up accessible zones one by one, rather than all at once.
'Well, I don't care about that.'
Since I couldn't stop the integration of Noark, it didn't matter what happened with these parts.
What was most important to me as an Explorer was this.
3. Three months later.
Newbie support, Noark integration.
After all this is done, in three months, the Labyrinth will open.
Simply put, it meant that by then, I too had to finish recruiting members and be ready for the expedition…
"Ah, greetings to Viscount Yandel…!" (Soldier)
As I walked wherever my feet took me, lost in thought, a voice I overheard made me stop.
"Ah." (Bjorn Yandel)
The Hero's Plaza in the Imperial Capital Karnon.
It was also the first Dimensional Plaza in Rafdonia.
To be precise, the Stone of Honor located at its center.
I slowly approached and examined it.
[The great warrior of the Barbarian Tribe, Bjorn Yandel, and his companions have defeated the Lord of Terror, Dreadfear, and opened a hidden area.]
This was the first phrase with my name inscribed on this massive stone tablet.
Back then, it was the first event of its kind in 600 years, so it was a real mess.
The plaza was packed with nobles who came to watch, bustling with people taking commemorative photos, and on top of that, my house was swarmed with people.
But…
'There's no one here…'
Except for the two soldiers guarding the Stone of Honor, not a single person was in sight.
Well, it's night, so is that to be expected?
It has also been two months, and most importantly…
'It's already the third time.'
The interest was bound to be less than back then.
Once when I caught Dreadfear.
[The great warrior of the Barbarian Tribe, Bjorn Yandel, and his companions have entered the Underground First Floor, the Archives.]
Once when I entered the Underground First Floor.
And…
[The great warrior of the Barbarian Tribe, Bjorn Yandel, has unlocked the hidden power of a Lord, and a new island has appeared.]
And once more after consuming the Essence of Tears.
I had already heard what would be written, so it wasn't particularly surprising.
If anything, I felt a bit dazed.
'I think the condition was when he was talking to me and giving me strength and all that…'
Was this something that needed to be recorded on the Stone of Honor?
If someone were to ask me that, I would have to tilt my head.
It didn't feel like I had done anything particularly amazing.
'Anyway, it says a new island has been added, so I should probably explore it once I find it.'
Of course, it wasn't my top priority.
It would be something to stop by if possible along the way; my final goal was the Underground First Floor.
'To do that, I'll need to form a proper team first…?'
Ah, for the record, I still hadn't received a definite answer from Armin.
He was probably taking his time to sort out his thoughts.
Since there was no set date for when the Labyrinth would open.
For that reason, I hadn't pushed him, nor had I actively tried to recruit other members.
But…
'Now I need to hurry a bit.'
Through today's meeting, the opening date of the Labyrinth was decided.
Also, at that time, we would be entering the Labyrinth with the variable known as Noark.
Trustworthy companions were more crucial than ever.
"Now that I think of it, I should go right away." (Bjorn Yandel)
"Pardon?" (Soldier)
"Ah, just talking to myself. Keep up the good work." (Bjorn Yandel)
"It is an honor, Viscount." (Soldier)
After giving a word of greeting to the soldiers working late into the night, I took a military magic circle to a new destination.
Ah, the destination was a place all too familiar to me.
The Mage Tower.
The very place I had come to every day to be a human test subject for Raven, and where I had business for various other reasons afterward.
I had been here countless times, so I didn't get lost.
"Halt! Outsiders are currently forbidden from en—" (Guard)
As I approached the entrance, the guard, who had been speaking his formal lines cautiously, flinched upon recognizing me.
"—tering at this hour. If you have business, you must return after daybreak." (Guard)
Right, you recognize me.
Seeing his attitude become cautious the moment he saw my face confirmed it.
'It would be strange if he didn't recognize me.'
I had once led the entire Barbarian Tribe to storm this place and smash it up.
Am I not the most wanted person here?
Anyway, that's that and this is this.
"Enough, just open the gate." (Bjorn Yandel)
"As I have said, outsiders are currently not allowed to enter." (Guard)
Hey, what's he on about.
Does he think this is my first time here?
"I'm aware that entry is possible at night when one has an invitation." (Bjorn Yandel)
"… That was indeed the case before, but the regulations have since changed." (Guard)
"Oh?" (Bjorn Yandel)
I didn't know that.
Well, it was an understandable story.
War, refugees, riots…
In these turbulent times, you have to lock your gates tight.
"I am truly sorry that there is nothing I can do for you. Please, return after daybreak…" (Guard)
For some reason, the guard who should have been showing a stern attitude was almost begging me, and I couldn't help but ponder for a moment.
'Coming back is a hassle.'
But if I just ignore him and go in, this guard will be in trouble.
I can already see him getting chewed out later.
In these tough economic times, if this guard loses his job, he won't be able to fulfill his duty as the head of his household.
'He was polite, too.'
So, what would be the best course of action?
As a K-Barbarian who knows propriety and courtesy, I seriously contemplated this issue and soon came to an answer.
"Ah." (Bjorn Yandel)
If the problem is that I can't go in,
"Then I'll just make the other person come out." (Bjorn Yandel)
Once a decision is made, there's no reason to hesitate.
Just as there is no hesitation in the sword of a master who has reached the state of 'mind is the sword'.
The moment my heart was moved, I shouted.
"Come out—!!!!" (Bjorn Yandel)
The one who made me come all the way to this Mage Tower.
"Urben Havelion—!!!!" (Bjorn Yandel)
The community of Evil Spirits.
The Master of the Ghost Busters.
Commonly known as GM.
"If you don't come out, I'm coming in—!!!!!" (Bjorn Yandel)
Hiding in a room all day is bad for your health.
