Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Novel 2025 - Chapter 494
Chapter 494: Declaration of War (5)
There was a saying that went, “Check your partner’s room before getting married.”
In other words, the traces a person left in their room would reflect their true personality. You could not only tell if someone enjoyed fancy things or staying frugal, but also if they were lazy or hardworking. You could find out what colors they preferred, what hobbies they had, what type of job they worked, and more.
Even if you knew nothing of that person going in, you could get a rough sense of what type of person they were just by looking at their room.
One example of that saying in practice was the reception room I was sitting in…
The interior of the room gave off luxurious and pricey vibes. Although the decor wasn’t gaudy or excessive, the few pieces of furniture and decorations that were present were clearly expensive. It was clear at a glance that the items must have cost a fortune.
Munch.
The snacks on the table, prepared just for me, were plentiful too. It was hard to imagine that so many different kinds of delicious treats were prepared for just one person.
Gulp.
There was even a servant who stood at the entrance at all times, pouring my half-empty glass full each time I drank from it, and that wasn’t even the icing on the cake.
This might be the first time I’ve ever seen a musician playing in a reception room.
In the corner of the room was a bald musician, playing relaxing music on a stringed instrument.
He doesn’t act like a new hire brought on specifically for today.
Just looking around this reception room, I could clearly tell what kind of person the owner of this house was.
He has the heart of a merchant.
The reception room told me in no uncertain terms that the owner put hospitality first and foremost, not second to whatever urge they might feel to show off their immense wealth. Well, I just need to relax here a bit longer, and then I’d see just how well he ended up treating me when he arrived.
The meeting time we agreed on is five minutes away. He’s definitely going to come in right on time.
I crossed my legs and opened a random newspaper from a nearby pile, only to find the article on the front page was about me. To be fair, I figured the topic would have been the same regardless of which one I chose.
The great hero recorded on the Stone of Honor, Baron Yandel, has drawn his sword and pointed it at the traitors of the empire, hiding in the underworld…!
It had been three days since my incident at the black market, and now, the story was finally making headlines in the newspapers. There was no way Mozlan didn’t try to keep the story a secret, but it must have been impossible to hide the fact that 397 slaves were set free while everyone was none the wiser.
Though they did leave out the fact that most of the slave purchasers were nobles…
Even though the article was missing a few key details here and there, it still provided a decent overview of the situation. For example, it mentioned how the slaves were able to regain their status as regular citizens and that they were currently staying in a temporary shelter that Mozlan had prepared. A five-year tax exempttion policy had been created to help them as well.
Oh, and there was an interview.
“…he told those guys that he wouldn’t regret it, but they definitely would.”
The interviewee was anonymous, but judging by the statements they gave, it was clearly that kid I met, the one who had been trapped in the cage.
So the black market has completely closed? Well, I guess it makes sense for them to lay low for the time being.
While I was reading through the article, the servant suddenly moved from the entrance and approached me. “Count Alminus has arrived.”
“Is that so?” I closed the newspaper I was reading and put it down on the table.
“Tell him to come in.”
It was time to get to work.
***
[Your Fame has risen by +10.]
[Your Fame has risen by +10.]
[Your Fame has risen by +10.]
[Your Fame has risen…]
[Your Fame has…]
***
“Hahaha”
“Haha…!”
The room was filled with the crude yet hearty laughter of an old man. Next to the table was a photographer who was passionately taking pictures of the two of us.
So this was why he wanted to meet me? To have our picture taken by a photographer who charged 2.135 billion stones for top-of-the-line shots.
“Baron Yandel, just a little more…barbaric… No. Can you try smiling more like a man?”
“Of course! Hahaha!”
“I would appreciate it if you could smile like that while looking over at the count.”
“Of course. Haha! Hahaha…!”
In return for dropping the charges against me, which demanded 2.1 billion stones, Count Alminus agreed to settle things with a friendly photo shoot of us two. It would go on to be a photo preserved through the ages, after all. Since he was an elderly man who didn’t have much time left, all he wanted was a way to be remembered after his death. I assumed he was scheming something behind the scenes, of course. However, after thinking it through, I was convinced that he wasn’t. I mean, it would have been really cool if my grandfather had a personal picture with Einstein.
“Hahahahaha!”
“Haha! Hahaha…!”
Whatever the case, the two of us continued to smile widely and laugh together as the photographer took our pictures. The pictures would tell a story of a friendship that had transcended both age and race. Then the photographer handed me a cheap bottle of beer and a wine glass to the Count to make a toast.
“Perfect! Absolutely perfect!”
That was how we ended up with our shot. The count went over to see the picture himself, excited. Satisfied with the results, he gave the man a hefty bonus.
That was the end of our business together.
“Haha, good work, Your Lordship,” the count beamed. “You must be tired, so have something to eat before leaving.”
“That’s okay. I’m starving.”
Oops, my bad.
“Oh, uh,” I stuttered, “that’s right! I have someone waiting for me at home, so I should head back now. It’s a shame, but we’ll have to share a meal next time.”
“Haha, yes…it’s best to share a meal with your family whenever you can.” Like a grandfather with extraordinary business sense, the count smiled and helped cover my awkward mistake. Before I left, he left me with an abrupt suggestion. “By the way, I saw that you accomplished something quite extraordinary recently. Breaking into the black market to free those 397 slaves.”
“Oh…”
“Your accomplishment sent a surge of passion rushing through my veins for the first time in a while. Which is why I thought it would be prudent to offer my aid to you in this as well…”
I was wondering what he was getting at.
In the end, he was just politely asking if he could get a slice of the cake as well. I went to refuse him, but what he said next inevitably changed my mind. “There are nearly four hundred of them, and they still don’t have a proper place of residence, correct?”
“…Right.”
“If you would allow me, I would like to help them as well. Though they are exempt from taxes, they should still be given a proper residence to start anew.”
I found myself surprised at the offer, astounded that he was willing to prepare a residence for nearly four hundred people.
I guess House Alminus isn’t considered the richest in the kingdom for no reason.
“Of course,” I readily accepted. “This world could use more heroes. Why would I ever refuse?” Even if he didn’t have the purest of intentions, it would still be a great help to the slaves who have been freed.
“Not to worry. I’ll ensure you stay the main character of the escapade in the end.”
With our conversation ended, I left the count’s house. The following morning, there was an article on the front page of the newspaper that took up the entire page.
Count Alminus has pledged to donate two billion stones. When asked why, he said that it was simply to help an old friend—
Alongside the test was the picture we had taken yesterday.
“Hah, he must be enjoying the fame.”
Just as I put down the newspaper with a strange sense of shame, Shavin, the head of the administrative team, burst into my tent. “It’s been so long since the labyrinth closed, yet you decide to come here only now?” she scolded anxiously.
“Y-yeah…?”
“Take these papers first. From now on, don’t even think about going out until you look through and approve all of them!”
Shavin had grown a lot harsher than I remembered. However, it was probably just due to the stress that came from overworking.
I smiled as I decided to look past it. “Alright. I’ll look through them, so don’t be so mad, okay? But why are there so many of these? I delegated most of my power to you already.”
“…They’re all documents that can’t be processed with the power you’ve left to me.
Since our lack of funds keeps growing larger, we’re forced to recalculate the budget on a month-by-month basis. Except, I don’t have the power to do that, and since you weren’t showing up, all we could do was fill out provisional documents of approval and unofficially manage the ledger. A simple process needed to be divided into two or three parts, just because you weren’t here to sign off on it!”
“Oh. Really…?”
How can I get out of this?
Shavin glared at me the moment I had the thought. It was like she could read my mind. “Don’t even think about trying to run from this.”
“…Can’t you just do it for me?”
“Ha! Well, there’s nothing I can’t do! How about I just create the entire budget for the tribe? I’ll even think up the cost of land without your approval and decide my own salary!” she shouted, straining her voice as if I had pushed her too far.
Still, I didn’t understand why she was acting like that. She said she could do all that, so what was the issue? “Then why don’t you?”
“…What?”
“Shavin, I trust you. I don’t know about others, but if it’s you, I fully trust you. I won’t blame you if you make a mistake. I will take full responsibility. The reason I gave you that position is because I trust you to do the job better than anyone else.
And because I’m the chieftain, I have the power to do that.”
Shavin was speechless.
“So try trusting in yourself as well. No matter what anyone says, I know you’re the best at this sort of thing. I’m an expert when it comes to the labyrinth, and your calling is administration. No one will come to a more appropriate decision when it comes to these things than you.”
Alright, judging from her expression, I’m nearly done persuading her. Now it was time to land the final blow.
“So you don’t have to wait for my signature. I trust that you can take care of it on your own. And the same goes for your salary. You’re free to take as much as you feel is right.”
“…But surely you’ll be in trouble then?”
“I don’t think so. If that’s what you say you’re worth, then I won’t disagree.”
Shavin just stared at me without a word, until finally, she broke her silence to say, “…I always thought to myself, ‘I wouldn’t do that if I was in that position. I would have done a better job.’ I always had those thoughts to myself, but at the end of the day, I guess it was because I was just afraid of ever taking up such an important position.”
“Everyone is afraid at first.”
At my words of encouragement, she clenched her fist, seeming to have come to a decision. “…I’ll give it a try. If I don’t at least try after hearing all that, then what’s the point? What excuse could I possibly have? I’m not that type of person.”
“Alright. I’m sure you’ll do well.”
After successfully making my emergency escape, I ran out of the tent without looking back. My stroll led to me cross paths with Ainar, so I gave her a new mission.
“You want me to gather all the warriors in the holy land?”
“Yes. I have something to tell them.”
I did feel sorry for the administrative team who was working around the clock, but the real reason I came today wasn’t for them. Instead, it was time to put on a little show.
“Then I’ll gather them, but it’ll probably be a lot of people.”
“A lot?”
“Didn’t you know? These days, every warrior is staying in the holy land to focus on building up their house.”
“I heard that only the third round of sales was over. There shouldn’t be that many warriors building houses.”
“You can’t build a house by yourself, can you? Everyone’s working together to build their houses. They are calling on their friends and friends of a friend to help.”
Ah, so that’s what was happening.
“Either way, bring them all here! Make sure to tell them that we are going to have some fun!”
“Fun…?”
“You’ll know what I mean when you see it later.”
“Wahoo! You’re planning something again! I don’t know what it is, but let’s do it right away! I’m gonna go all out!” Ainar sped off, filled with excitement, to gather the warriors.
I moved to the gathering place to wait. As time passed, the warriors quickly began to trickle in one by one. Most of them looked out of place today. Instead of weapons, their hands were holding hammers and nails as if they had just come from building a house.
“Chieftain!”
“Ohhh! It’s the great warrior whose name was written on the Stone of Honor!”
The warriors that arrived started to chant in excitement. I was worried they would be angry that I called them here and interrupted their busy schedules.
“I heard we are going to have fun!”
“What’s the fun thing I heard about?!”
“Let’s get to it!”
They must have been mentally drained after focusing on the boring task of building a house.
“Wait! I’ll tell you all when everyone has gathered!”
After about an hour, the entire forest was filled with barbarians. Similar to the festival we had before, all of the warriors began to chant with a fiery passion.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
At some point, the warriors even began to beat on their chests like they were drums.
“Bjorn.”
“When we’re in the holy land, call me Chieftain.”
“…Chieftain, I’ve gathered everyone.”
“I see.” Then it was time to begin.
There was no need for drawn-out speeches in front of these excited warriors.
“Everyone! Follow! Meeeeeeeeee!” I simply yelled out orders, without even telling them where we were headed. However, as soon as I began to walk, the warriors began to follow on their own. Once we reached the open road, everyone was closely following behind.
“Waaaaah!”
“Bjorn, son of Yandel!”
“Let’s goooo!”
Our massive army was 100% barbarian. Once we arrived at the city gates, the warriors standing guard immediately opened it without question or suspicion.
Clang, clang.
The gate began to open with a clunky mechanical sound. Just like the first day I woke up in this body, a familiar grayish city could be seen beyond the gate.
Between the well-maintained roads and stone buildings, a tall spire speared the sky.
“Let’s goooooo!”
As we marched toward our goal, the passersby on the streets began to rush to the sidewalks as if we were a wagon to avoid. I thought I was being a nuisance to them, but my expectations turned out to be wrong.
“Wow! It’s Baron Yandel! You are Baron Yandel, right?”
“Th-that’s right…!”
“Woohoo, wow!”
Surprisingly, the response of the onlookers wasn’t negative, but instead, positive enough that more citizens began to flock along our path to witness the pop-up attraction.
Thud!
Firmly shut windows opened as residents stuck their faces out to watch as we stomped through the streets. The sight of us left them all with the same questions.
“But…where are they going?”
“I know, right…?”
“Shouldn’t we call someone? Is it really okay for such a large group of them to just make a procession like that…?”
It didn’t take long before members of the Public Peace Agency were urgently dispatched, and sent to confront us. “I-it’s an honor to meet you, Baron Yandel.”
“Is there a reason you’re stopping me?”
“I-it’s because…we received…a report and…”
“Are you thinking of arresting me? Even though we’re just walking down the street?”
“N-no! Of course not! We would never do such a thing!”
“Good. Then get out of the way.”
At my order, the captain of the bunch quickly stood out of our way with a mesmerized face.
“Behell—aaaaaaaaah!” I let out a massive yell as we continued our march to the center of the city.
It didn’t take long before the knights finally appeared. “I-it’s an honor to meet you, Baron Yandel.” They were a group of knights from Mozlan, who were notorious for their authoritative reach. However, none of that applied to me now. “Pardon us, but may we ask where you are headed?”
“Why should I answer?”
“We weren’t informed that such an event would take place. Nor was any other organization, which is why we are simply…asking for confirmation.”
I had no reason to give them an honest answer. “I’m just taking a walk, so don’t mind us.”
“…A walk?” The captain of the knights looked perplexed. If I were an ordinary person, they would have questioned me more and forced me to reveal the truth. Or they may have even arrested me for resistant noncompliance.
“I told you we are just taking a walk. Are you doubting me?”
Now I was a baron of this kingdom.
“Of course not. We were just concerned that a group of a thousand barbarians had gathered. I would ask that you kindly consider our position as well.”
“We aren’t going to leave Ravigion. Does that answer your question?”
We would stay out of the business district of Kommelby and the royal capital. After telling them that I had no intention of heading to those locations, the knights nodded with a sigh of relief. “Then…do you mind if we follow?”
“I have no reason to stop you from walking down the street like we are.”
“Thank you…”
In the end, the knights of Mozlan weren’t able to stop me and instead agreed to follow us from the sidelines.
“The barbarians!”
“The barbarians are here!”
As we continued to walk down the streets, news began to spread across the city, sending the residents abuzz. Citizens began to wait along the streets we were walking as if watching a parade. To them, it must have been quite an unusual sight.
“The magic tower…! The barbarians are headed for the magic tower!”
Eventually, they began to notice the direction we were headed. Hearing that, the barbarians following behind me started to become even more excited.
“Magic tower? We’re headed to the magic tower?!”
“The great warrior, Bjorn, son of Yandel!”
“The chieftain is leading us to a sacred battle!”
“It’s time to feast on the flesh of the wizards!”
“Behell—aaaaaaaaah!”
Like a massive army making its way to the battlefield, the cries of the warriors could be heard from miles away. The citizens listened in a panic.
“H-have they l-lost their minds…?!”
“Are they really trying to fight the magic tower?”
“What? But why?”
“Their hearts! It’s because of the barbarian hearts! The wizards are using them as a material for magic!”
“…I don’t know what’s going to happen, but we’re all about to see something incredible.”
No matter what the people around us said, we continued to march forward.
Stomp.
Eventually, I stopped walking. Countless spectators had gathered in the square in front of the towering black spire, including hundreds of wizards who had come to meet us, apparently having heard the news of our march. The confrontation sent a wave of silence over the square that was packed with thousands of people. It was so quiet, you could hear someone gulp at the tension. Then an old wizard stepped forward as the representative of the magic tower.
“I am the chief wizard of the Lengman School, Wilbeth Gwollen.” The chief wizard was similar in rank to a long-term disciple in martial arts. Since the master of the Lengman School was the head of this magic tower, this old man would be the second in charge. “How about you introduce yourself as well?”
Even though he already knew who I was, he still asked. Maybe it was because he was a wizard, but he seemed to like formalities.
“An introduction…” I grinned. Giant, Head of the Anabada Clan, Chieftain of the Barbarians, Baron of Rafdonia—there was no need for me to list any of the titles that I earned. “Bjorn, son of Yandel.”
The old wizard took a deep breath at my brief introduction, then nodded his head.
“I see. It is an honor to meet the hero of whom I had only heard rumor. But what brings you here to the magic tower?”
“I’m here to do what I should have done long ago.”
“Something you should have done long ago… Even though I’m rather old myself, I’m not sure what you speak of.”
“Really? Then I guess I’ll have to tell you myself.” I shouted out loudly so that all the citizens gathered in the square, including the elderly who were half-deaf, could hear me. “I am Bjorn, son of Yandel! And I am demanding that the magic tower stop using our hearts as a material for magic!”
“Was it really…because of that…?” the old man murmured as he placed a hand to his brow, sighing heavily. “This is a legitimate area of research,” he urged in a calm tone. “You may be a baron of this kingdom and the chieftain of the barbarians, but that doesn’t give you the authority to halt our research for the betterment of humankind. If you don’t believe me, then I ask that you formally submit a complaint to the royal family and—”
“Too long!”
“…Pardon?”
“Don’t talk so long, old man.”
Did calling him an old man offend him? “Since it seems the baron doesn’t understand me when I speak ‘too long,’ I’ll keep it short.”
He looked me dead in the eyes as his eyebrows pinched into a glare. He was no longer the patient and benevolent man he appeared to be before. In a harsh voice, he rebuked, “We won’t”
The disrespectful sneer never left his face. It was a childish act, unbefitting of his age.
“So,” asked the old wizard. “what will you do?”
After a brief moment, I firmly replied, “War.”
That one word was more than enough.
“…W-war!”
“It’s waaaaaaaaar!”
“Everyone grab your weapons!”
“Behell—aaaaaaaaah!”
We’ve held it in for long enough, haven’t we?
***
[Your Approval Rating has increased by +10.]
[Your Approval Rating has increased by +10.]
[Your Approval Rating has increased by +10.]
[Your Approval Rating has increased by +10.]
[Your Approval Rating has increased by +10.]
[Your Approval Rating has increased…]
[Your Approval Rating has…]