There’s a saying that you should check soone’s room before marrying them.
A room reveals a lot about its owner.
Whether they prefer luxury or frugality, whether they’re tidy or ssy, what colors they like, what hobbies they have, what their occupation is…
Even without knowing anything about the owner, you can get a rough idea of who they are just by looking at their room.
For example, the reception room I was currently sitting in.
“…….”
It had a stately, luxurious atmosphere.
The furniture and decorations weren’t ostentatious, but they were clearly expensive.
Crunch.
The table was laden with a variety of snacks, more than enough for a single person.
Pour.
A servant stood by the door, refilling my glass whenever it was half empty.
And the pièce de résistance…
‘I’ve never seen a reception room with a dedicated musician.’
A bald musician sat in a corner, playing a soothing lody on a stringed instrunt.
‘He doesn’t seem to have been hired just for today…’
It told a lot about the owner of this room.
‘He’s a rchant, at heart.’
This reception room wasn’t just for show, it was for business.
I could feel it.
He wasn’t just trying to show off his wealth, he was trying to make feel welco.
‘Our appointnt is in five minutes. He’s punctual.’
I crossed my legs and unfolded a newspaper.
It was a random newspaper, but the first page was about .
Well, I guess it would have been the sa with any newspaper.
[The Great Hero Inscribed on the Stone of Honor, Baron Yandel the Giant, Draws His Sword Against the Rebels of the Underworld…!]
The incident at the black market three days ago had finally been made public.
Well, even if Mozelan had tried to keep it quiet, they couldn’t hide the fact that 397 slaves had been freed.
‘But they didn’t ntion that most of the buyers were nobles.’
The article was full of holes, but it still contained so useful information.
For example, the slaves who had been presud dead had regained their identities.
They were currently staying at a temporary shelter provided by Mozelan, and a policy to exempt them from taxes for five years was being prepared.
And there was even an interview.
[…He said, ‘It’s not , but you, who should be regretting this.’]
It was an anonymous interview, but judging by the content, it was probably the young boy from the cage.
‘Oh, the black market is closed? Well, it’s better to lay low in tis like this.’
I finished reading the article, and the servant approached .
“Count Alminus has arrived.”
“I see.”
I folded the newspaper and placed it on the table.
“Let him in.”
It was ti for business.
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「Character’s Fa has increased by 10.」
「Character’s Fa has increased by 10.」
「Character’s Fa has increased by 10…」
「….」
「….」
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“Hahaha!”
“Hehe…”
A vulgar laugh and a refined chuckle echoed through the room.
And a photographer stood next to the table, taking pictures of us.
It was a business transaction.
The price of the A-cut he was about to take was 2.135 billion stones.
“Baron Yandel, can you… can you smile a little more… manlier…?”
“Of course! Hahaha!”
“Count, please look in that direction and smile.”
“Certainly. Hehe! Hehehe…”
Count Alminus had offered to drop the lawsuit in exchange for a photo op.
He said that each photo would be recorded in history.
He was an old man, nearing the end of his life, so he seed to value his legacy more than anything.
At first, I thought it was a ridiculous request…
But then I understood.
I would also be impressed if my grandfather had a picture with Einstein.
“Hahaha!”
“Hehehe…”
Anyway, the photographer kept giving us instructions.
He said our smiles weren’t genuine enough.
He gave a cheap beer and the Count a glass of wine and told us to make a toast.
And…
“Perfect! That’s the one!”
…that was the A-cut.
The Count was satisfied with the photo and gave the photographer a generous bonus.
That concluded our business for the day.
“Hehe, you’ve worked hard, Baron. Why don’t you stay for dinner?”
“I’m not hungry.”
“……?”
Ah, I made a mistake.
“I have soone waiting for at ho. Maybe next ti.”
“Hehe, that’s right… It’s always better to have dinner with your family.”
The Count, ever the businessman, smoothly glossed over my mistake.
And then he made an offer.
“By the way, I heard you did sothing remarkable. You know, rescuing those 397 slaves from the black market.”
“Ah…”
“Your youthful vigor is inspiring. It makes my old blood boil! I’d like to contribute to your good deed…”
He was asking for permission to join the bandwagon.
I was about to refuse…
“Those poor souls… almost 400 of them… they don’t even have a place to live, do they?”
“…So?”
“I can help them. They might be exempt from taxes, but they still need a place to live, don’t they?”
It was a surprising offer.
A house for each of the 400 slaves?
No wonder he was the richest man in the kingdom.
“More heroes are always welco. I won’t refuse your offer.”
I readily accepted.
It might not have been out of pure altruism, but it would be a great help to the forr slaves.
“Don’t worry. You’ll get the credit.”
That concluded our conversation, and I left the mansion.
The next morning, the newspaper’s front page was about us.
[Count Alminus pledges a personal donation of 2 billion stones. When asked why, he says, ‘It’s just a small gesture for an old friend.’]
Along with the photo we had taken yesterday.
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“Ugh, I’ve beco a poster boy…”
I put down the newspaper, feeling a strange sense of self-loathing, and Shabin Emure, the head of the administrative team, rushed into the tent.
And…
“It’s been days since the labyrinth closed! Where have you been?!”
She yelled at .
“Uh…?”
“Here are the docunts. Don’t even think about leaving until you’ve reviewed and signed them all!”
She seed much more aggressive than before.
I assud it was because of work-related stress and chuckled.
“Alright, alright, calm down.”
“….”
“But why are there so many? I delegated most of the authority to you, didn’t I?”
“…This is just the stuff I couldn’t handle without your approval. The tribe’s budget is increasing rapidly, so we need to adjust the monthly budget, and I can’t do that on my own. I had to create temporary approval docunts and make temporary entries in the ledger. I had to do everything twice, even three tis!”
“Oh… I see…?”
How could I escape this?
As I was thinking that, Shabin’s eyes narrowed.
“Don’t even think about running away.”
“…Can’t you just handle this yourself?”
“Ha! Why not?! I can just decide the tribe’s budget, set the land prices, and even give myself a raise!”
She raised her voice, as if she couldn’t believe my suggestion.
I didn’t understand.
She was clearly being sarcastic, but…
“Why not?”
“…………What?”
“Shabin, I trust you. More than anyone.”
“…………?”
“I won’t bla you if you make a mistake. I’ll take full responsibility. I put you in charge because I trust you. That’s what a chieftain does.”
“…….”
“So trust yourself and do it. You’re the expert in this field, just like I’m the expert in the labyrinth. Your decisions will be better than mine.”
Okay, she seed convinced.
It was ti for the final blow.
“And your salary… you can decide that too. Ask for whatever you want.”
“…You’re going to get yourself in trouble.”
“Well, if that’s the value you place on yourself, I won’t deny it.”
She stared at in silence for a long ti.
And after a while…
“…I’ve always thought… I could do a better job than them… but I was scared.”
“Everyone’s scared at first.”
I gave her a reassuring smile, and she clenched her fists, as if making up her mind.
“…I’ll do it. I can’t make any more excuses. I have to prove my worth.”
“Good. I’m counting on you.”
I left the tent, relieved to have escaped the paperwork.
And then I found Ainar and gave her a new task.
“Gather all the warriors in the sanctuary?”
“Yes, I have sothing to tell them.”
I felt bad for the administrative team, who were working day and night… but this was the real reason I had co to the sanctuary.
I needed a bit of a performance.
“I’ll gather them, but there will be a lot of them.”
“A lot?”
“Didn’t you know? Everyone’s building houses these days, so the sanctuary is packed.”
“I heard the third land sale ended, but I didn’t think there would be that many.”
“You can’t build a house alone, can you? They’re all calling their friends and working together.”
Oh, I see.
“Anyway, gather them all! Tell them there will be sothing interesting!”
“Sothing interesting…?”
“You’ll see.”
“Hehehe! You’re up to sothing! I want in!”
Ainar, excited, left to gather the warriors, and I waited at the designated location.
The warriors started arriving one by one.
Most of them were unfamiliar faces.
They were all carrying hamrs, the ones used for hamring nails.
They had just co from building houses.
“It’s the Chieftain!!”
“Oh! The great warrior who was inscribed on the Stone of Honor three tis!!!”
The warriors who had arrived earlier were excited to see . I had been worried they might be angry for being summoned…
“You said there would be sothing interesting!”
“What is it? Why did you call us all here?!”
“Let’s get started!!”
…but it seed like they were also stressed from building houses.
“Wait! I’ll tell you when everyone’s here!”
After about an hour, the entire forest was filled with barbarians.
It was like a festival, with all the noise and commotion.
Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!
The warriors were pounding their chests.
“Bjorn.”
“It’s Chieftain in the sanctuary.”
“…Chieftain, everyone’s here.”
“Really?”
Then it was ti to go.
There was no need for a long speech.
“Follow !”
I didn’t even tell them where we were going, or why.
But they parted like the Red Sea as I started walking, and then they followed .
“Waaaaaaaaaah!”
“Bjorn, son of Yandel!!”
“Let’s go!”
A long procession of barbarians.
We reached the gate connecting the sanctuary to the city, and the guards opened it without a word.
Clatter, clatter.
The heavy gate creaked open.
And just like the day I first woke up in this body, the familiar gray city appeared before .
The paved roads, the stone buildings, the towering spire…
“Let’s go!”
I started walking, and the pedestrians on the street moved to the side, making way for us.
I felt a little bad for disrupting their day…
“Wow! It’s Baron Yandel! Mom, it’s Baron Yandel!”
“I-It’s really him…!”
“Waaaaaaaaaah!”
…but they didn’t seem to mind.
In fact, they seed excited, calling out to their friends and family to co and watch.
Clatter!
Windows opened, and people peeked out, watching our procession.
They all had the sa question.
“Where are they going?”
“I don’t know…”
“Should we call the guards? There are so many of them…”
Indeed, the city guards soon appeared in front of us.
“Greetings, Baron Yandel.”
“Why are you blocking our path?”
“W-We received a report…”
“Are you arresting us? We’re just walking.”
“O-Of course not! No, sir!”
“Then move.”
The guard captain, dumbfounded, stepped aside.
And…
“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!!”
The procession continued, reaching the city center.
And then the knights appeared.
“Greetings, Baron Yandel.”
They were from Mozelan, known for their strict enforcent of the law.
But they wouldn’t touch .
“If you’ll excuse , where are you headed, Baron Yandel?”
“Why should I tell you?”
“We haven’t received any notice about this… event… We’re just confirming.”
Of course, I didn’t have to answer.
“We’re just taking a walk. Mind your own business.”
“…A walk…?”
The knight looked troubled.
If I had been an ordinary citizen, he would have dispersed the crowd and arrested the organizers.
But…
“Are you questioning ?”
I was a Baron of this kingdom.
“Of course not. We’re just concerned. We have to investigate when a large group like this gathers. Please understand.”
“We won’t be leaving Ravigion. Is that a satisfactory answer?”
I told him that we wouldn't be going to Comlby, the comrcial district, or Karnon, the Imperial City.
The knights seed relieved and nodded.
"May we... accompany you?"
"I won't stop you from walking."
"Thank you..."
They couldn't stop , so they decided to follow .
And after a while...
"It's the barbarians!"
"The barbarians are here!!"
The news of our march had spread throughout the city.
The citizens lined the streets, watching us like a parade.
"The Mage Tower...! They're heading towards the Mage Tower!!"
They had finally figured out our destination.
And that only fueled the barbarians' excitent.
"The Mage Tower? We're going to the Mage Tower?!"
"Bjorn, son of Yandel, the great warrior!!!"
"The Chieftain is leading us to a sacred battle!"
"It's ti to carve the flesh from the mages' bones!!"
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"
The warriors' shouts echoed through the streets.
"Th-Those lunatics...!"
"Are they really going to fight the Mage Tower?"
"But why?"
"Hearts! Barbarian hearts! The mages are using them as ingredients for their magic!"
"...This is going to be interesting."
I ignored the commotion and continued walking.
And after a while...
Thud.
I stopped.
The black spire of the Mage Tower lood before us.
A large crowd had gathered in the plaza.
And...
"..."
Hundreds of mages had co out to et us.
"..."
"..."
Silence fell over the plaza as the two groups faced each other. It was so quiet that you could almost hear a pin drop.
An old mage stepped forward.
"I am Wibels Gwyln, the Chief Mage of the Lengman School."
The Chief Mage was like the head disciple in a martial arts novel.
And since the Master of the Lengman School was the Mage Tower Master, this old man was practically the second-in-command.
"And you are...?"
He knew who I was.
Mages loved their formalities.
"...?"
I chuckled.
Giant.
Leader of Clan Anabada.
Chieftain of the Barbarians.
Baron of Lafdonia.
I didn't need those titles.
"Bjorn, son of Yandel."
The old mage sighed and nodded.
"I see. It's an honor to et you, hero. But what brings you to the Mage Tower?"
"I'm here to do what should have been done a long ti ago."
"What should have been done a long ti ago...? I'm afraid I don't understand."
"Then I'll tell you."
I raised my voice so everyone in the plaza could hear.
"I, Bjorn, son of Yandel, demand that the Mage Tower stop using our hearts as ingredients for their magic!"
"...So that's what this is about..."
The old mage muttered, his hand on his forehead, and then he sighed deeply.
He then tried to reason with .
"It's a legitimate research project. Even you, a Baron of the kingdom and the Chieftain of the Barbarians, can't just stop it. If you have any objections, file a formal complaint with the royal family—"
"Be brief."
"...Huh?"
"Keep it short, old man."
He seed offended by the word 'old man'.
"It seems like you can't understand complex sentences, so I'll keep it short."
He glared at , his wrinkled face wrinkling even further.
His voice was cold and hard, unlike his usual gentle tone.
"If we refuse..."
He looked up at with a defiant gaze.
"Then what?"
He asked.
"...!"
"...!"
After a brief pause, I answered.
"It's war."
That was enough.
"...War?!"
"It's war!"
"To arms! To arms!!"
"Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!"
We had endured enough.
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「Character's Approval Rating has increased by 10.」
「Character's Approval Rating has increased by 10.」
「Character's Approval Rating has increased by 10.」
「Character's Approval Rating has increased by 10.」
「Character's Approval Rating… 」
「….」
「….」
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