The banquet held at the Palace of Glory proceeded in an extrely quiet atmosphere.
It was only natural.
All the attendees were heads of their respective families.
They had to be more mindful of their decorum, and most of them were quite old.
‘The majority seem to be in their fifties…’
That thought made chuckle.
I was the guest of honor, and yet I was stuck here feeling awkward and out of place.
Munch, munch.
I chewed on the at, trying to suppress my irritation.
The atmosphere reminded of my school days, when I had to transfer schools frequently.
It was a familiar feeling.
I was a complete outsider in this new group.
“…….”
I felt like a monkey in a zoo.
‘Count Perdehilt, Baron Serpia, Viscount Mulwark… and even Baron Martoine…’
There were a few familiar faces among the nobles who were glancing at from afar, but no one approached .
They used to be so eager to befriend at other banquets. Count Perdehilt had even suggested that I marry his daughter.
‘Well, I can understand their position…’
This was a kingdom of animals.
But it was ruled by reason, not instinct.
Munch, munch.
I pretended to be oblivious, focusing on my food, but I was fully aware of the situation.
This was a form of hazing.
A silent ssage telling not to get any ideas about being on the sa level as them just because I had beco a noble.
But the solution was simple.
Just like the Duke had advised , I could just approach them first. Then they would smile and treat kindly.
As if I were their subordinate.
‘Ugh, what a pain.’
But even choosing who to approach first was a delicate matter.
If I went to the Duke, the nobles from the Marquis’s faction would ignore .
Every action, every word I spoke here would be interpreted politically.
Munch, munch.
But I just kept eating.
There were three reasons.
First, I was hungry.
Second, the food was delicious.
And third…
‘She’s finally here.’
I had no intention of joining the mainstream from the beginning.
“It’s no use waiting.”
I smiled inwardly as I saw the woman approaching .
“No one’s coming.”
White hair, white eyes, and white skin.
Everything about her was white, except for her colorful attire, which reminded of a hanbok, and her rabbit ears.
“Greetings, Baron Yandel. How’s the food?”
“Want so?”
I offered her a piece of at, and she stared at it for a mont before smiling.
“No, thank you. I’m not hungry.”
Geez, she’s picky.
We’re both demi-humans.
Thud.
I put down my plate and wiped my hands.
‘Should I offer to shake her hand?’
I didn’t know, but I wasn’t going to actually do it.
I was a barbarian with manners.
At least when it was beneficial.
“Anyway, it’s nice to et you. I’m Baron Yandel.”
She smiled and introduced herself.
“I’m Baroness Lirivia.”
I already knew her na.
She was the only noble from the White Rabbit tribe.
‘She’s 43 years old and has three children.’
“May I sit down?”
“Of course. I was getting bored.”
She sat down across from .
It was the first ti soone had joined at the eight-seater table.
But there was no applause, only scornful laughter.
“Tsk, look at that.”
“There’s no need to stop them. They’re just associating with their own kind.”
Their voices were loud enough for to hear, so she must have heard them too.
But she didn’t react.
She just smiled and spoke to softly.
“The first head of our family was also a hero, just like you, Baron Yandel. He saved the kingdom from the Iron Wall incident. Have you heard of it?”
“No, I’m afraid I haven’t.”
“It’s okay. It was a long ti ago. It’s just an old story now…”
Her voice was tinged with sadness.
“Two thousand years.”
“…..”
“It’s been two thousand years since the Lirivia family crest was enshrined in the Ark of the Covenant. A long ti, indeed. Long enough for the King’s era, once thought to be eternal, to end, and for a new dawn to arrive.” ṚΆℕố𝐛Εṧ
I could sense what she was trying to say.
“You’ll get used to it, Baron Yandel. Their gazes won’t change, no matter how much ti passes.”
“Oh, really? That’s strange. I don’t see much difference between you and them.”
Especially their eloquence.
“…You’re an interesting person, as rumored.”
Interesting?
We haven’t even gotten to the main topic yet.
“Anyway, you didn’t co here just for small talk, did you?”
“You’re perceptive, as expected. You’re right.”
“Then tell .”
She hesitated for a mont at my blunt question.
That’s why I said there wasn’t much difference between them.
She was a noble, just like them.
She valued decorum and looked down on those who didn’t.
“…I’m not going to say I’m here to help you. We don’t want the Yandel family to be controlled by another faction.”
“Because you’re the first demi-human noble family in 600 years?”
She flinched at my question.
But she quickly regained her composure and t my gaze.
“…And you’re a barbarian. The first one in the history of Lafdonia.”
Her words told that her perception of had changed.
She no longer saw as just a barbarian.
“Just like the Lirivia family has the full support of the beastn, the Yandel family can bring the barbarians into the political arena.”
“Is that all?”
“Of course, we would have supported you even if that wasn’t the case. Every demi-human family is precious.”
“Hmm, I see…”
“Thirty-one families, including the Lirivia family, are supporting you. We’re a minority, but we have enough influence to make our voices heard.”
She continued her explanation, but I just leaned back in my chair, my expression indifferent.
She must have sensed my lack of interest.
“We’re not asking you to join us for a noble cause.”
Right, the desperate one always makes the first move.
“If you join us, you’ll receive our full support.”
“Can you be more specific?”
“For example, we can help you acquire land, build a mansion, and recruit the necessary personnel. We can shorten the decades it would normally take to establish a proper noble family to just a few years.”
Wow, this is a lot of money.
This alone would make up for the fact that I chose the ‘promotion’ as my reward.
“And that’s not all. We’re all in this together.”
She continued.
“If you join us, our enemies will beco your enemies.”
“…..”
“And your enemies will beco our enemies.”
That was the reason I had waited for them instead of approaching the other nobles.
They were precious.
“So, what do you say?”
She asked, and I nodded.
“It’s… not bad.”
“You an—”
“But it’s not enough.”
“…?”
She shouldn’t be surprised.
I could tell there was more to offer.
It would be a sha to settle for this.
______________________
The White Rabbit Baroness’s eyes widened in shock.
But she quickly recovered and asked politely,
“You’re a clever man, Baron Yandel. Can you tell what you want?”
Her words showed how much they wanted .
The lbeth, the alliance of demi-human noble families.
Of course, I needed them too…
‘But they don’t know that.’
If I’m going to sell sothing, I’m going to sell it at the highest price.
That’s the K-Barbarian spirit.
“I’ll continue exploring the labyrinth. I’ll need your support.”
“…Can you give an example?”
“I want you to sponsor my clan. Provide us with high-grade essences, rare Numbered Items, that sort of thing.”
“…That’s difficult. We wouldn’t gain anything from that.”
“What do you an you wouldn’t gain anything? You know this country revolves around the labyrinth.”
“We already have enough influence in the labyrinth.”
Damn, she’s not going to give in easily.
It’s ti to bring out the barbarian.
“Why not?!”
“…Huh?”
“You said you would buy land and build a mansion! This is much cheaper!”
“Um… Baron Yandel? Your voice…”
“Give a reason!!”
I stood up abruptly, and all eyes turned towards us.
She must have felt pressured by the attention.
“Supporting your family and supporting your clan are two different things. The forr will help you establish your political career, while the latter won’t.”
She quickly explained.
But she must have felt like it wasn’t enough.
“But who knows… If you beco indispensable to us… we’ll be willing to give you anything you want.”
“What?! You’re saying I’m useless right now?!”
“No, that’s not what I ant…!”
“Haha! I was just kidding, Baroness Lirivia.”
“…Huh?”
I sat back down, and she stared at , dumbfounded.
Geez, I can’t even joke around.
“You’re telling to prove my worth. That I’m useful for sothing other than being the ‘first barbarian Baron’.”
“Y-yes… ah, yes, that’s right…?”
“Then there’s no problem. It’s easy for .”
“…?”
She looked confused again, and then I heard the nobles whispering.
“I thought they were fighting, but now they’re laughing together?”
“Those half-breeds… they’re just like animals.”
“I wonder what she said to calm him down.”
“Hmm, who knows? I heard he has a thing for beastwon.”
“What? You an…?”
“Ahem, it’s not impossible, is it?”
Their vulgar whispers made the Baroness blush.
I was impressed.
“…Baron Yandel.”
She was worried about causing a scene, even in this situation.
“Just ignore them. You’ll hear a lot worse if you want to enter politics.”
“Why?”
“…Because there’s no other way.”
Her honest answer, filled with the frustration of the oppressed.
She really does look like a herbivore with that expression.
I chuckled and asked,
“You said you were used to it. You don’t seem angry.”
“How can I not be angry? I just endure it, hoping for the day when I won’t have to feel this way anymore.”
“Hope…”
If hope alone could change things, there would be no unhappy people in this world.
So…
“How much do you think it’s worth?”
“…What do you an?”
“If I can make those bastards shut up, even if I can’t fulfill your wish…”
I said,
“How much would it be worth to you?”
Thankfully, she didn’t seem to understand the situation and answered my question honestly.
“Well, I would gladly pay a fortune.”
It was an abstract and subjective answer.
But it was enough.
“Alright, then the deal is done.”
“…Huh?”
“I’ve been analyzing you. The reason you’ve been getting pushed around is because you’re always getting pushed around.”
“W-what do you—”
What do I an?
You need a leader.
Swoosh.
I stood up, cutting her off.
And…
“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!”
I attracted their attention with a war cry.
Step, step.
I marched forward.
“Hey, Baron Yandel!”
I ignored the Baroness’s surprised shout.
Step, step.
It didn’t take long to reach my destination.
The noble who had been badmouthing .
“…What’s going on? You’re being disruptive.”
He didn’t seem to understand the situation.
He even dared to look in the eye.
“Baron Kipriot.”
I hadn’t been formally introduced, but I knew his na. I had morized the crests of all the noble families after deciding to join the political arena.
‘He’s a Baron, his backer isn’t that strong, and he’s the perfect target for an example.’
I said,
“You insulted .”
“Insulted? You an what I said earlier…? Hah! That’s ridiculous. I doubt you even have the honor to be insulted, and even if you did, what are you going to do about it?”
He was trying to act tough, but his rambling betrayed his nervousness.
“If you can’t control your emotions, submit a formal complaint to the council. Ah, I doubt you can even write, though!”
His friends chuckled as he finished his sentence.
They’re like third-rate thugs.
They don’t even know what’s truly vulgar.
“Well, if you have nothing else to say, I’ll—”
I cut him off.
“I challenge you to a duel.”
A duel.
The only way to resolve disputes in Lafdonia’s ancient noble society.
Of course, there had been less than ten duels between titled nobles in the entire history of the kingdom.
Therefore…
“Are you scared? You can choose a representative. Ah, but I’m fighting myself.”
“…Are you serious?”
“Why? Do you want to be joking?”
“…….”
He didn’t answer.
I could understand how he felt.
This situation was humiliating and terrifying. He must be wondering why he was being targeted, when he had just been doing what everyone else was doing.
But…
‘It’s ti for him to learn.’
A barbarian noble had been born.
It was ti to shake things up in the complacent noble society.
Step.
I took a step closer and looked down at him.
“Knight, explorer, mage… it doesn’t matter.”
It was against the rules to hire rcenaries as duel representatives, but…
“It doesn’t have to be soone from your family.”
“…….”
“Bring anyone you want.”
“…….”
“The strongest one you can find.”
He didn’t answer.
“Why? Are you scared?”
I’m not.
I’m confident I can kill anyone he brings.
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