Bjorn Yandel the Barbarian - Chapter 645

Episode 645: Coming out (3)

Melbeth, a union of different races.

Why did they make such a fuss about having the right to attend the royal meeting there?

The reason was clear as soon as the meeting began.

“The first agenda is the invasion of the Noark forces.”

A topic that has been mentioned countless times in various places, including the tribal conference and Melves rally.

However, in the Marquis’ calm words, information that could not be found anywhere else was flowing out.

“Although it came earlier than expected, the invasion took place early this month.”

The royal family was already aware of their invasion.

Of course, this does not mean that the royal family has completely omnipotent abilities.

“As we all know, the extinction plan was not implemented due to unexpected variables.”

Everyone knows what.

Are barbarians not even treated like humans?

“…Extinction plan?”

As I tilted my head and muttered to myself, the Marquis’ words stopped for a moment and all the nobles’ attention focused on me.

The gazes directed at me were all different.

‘Is Malseok talking to himself?’

Some people looked like they couldn’t believe that I, the last person in the ranking, had interrupted the Marquis during a meeting.

‘If you’re such a bastard, you deserve it.’

There were also people who reacted indifferently, as if they knew deep down that this would happen.

Duke of Kealunus, Count Alminus, etc.

Those who have experienced me in some way have no reason to be surprised by this.

Oh, of course the Marquis was included.

“Now that I think about it, Baron Yandel, since this is his first meeting, he might not know about the extermination plan?”

The Marquis casually responds to my self-talk.

At this, one of the eyes that was looking at me became even more round.

It was Count Humasgi, who had passed by laughing at me earlier.

Did you think that the Marquis would yell at me if I did this?

I don’t know, but it’s not something I really need to worry about.

“The annihilation plan was established after receiving information that the Noark faction’s goal was Biffron. “The intention was to drive them there and wipe them out all at once.”

“But that didn’t work out?”

“Unfortunately.”

After saying that, the Marquis immediately took his gaze away from me and looked at the crowd again and continued speaking.

“The variable in this plan started with the mysterious wizard who appeared from the Noark faction.”

It felt like the first day after transferring to a new school, but I was still able to keep up with the progress this time.

‘If there’s a mysterious wizard, there’s no one else but him.’

The same wizard who activated the ancient magic circle in the underground fortress and teleported tens of thousands of people at once, and opened a portal leading to the 7th floor outside the castle walls.

“We have not yet received any information about his identity other than that he is an old man… but the Intelligence Department is speculating that he is the one who touched the guardian magic circle. “He seemed suspiciously skilled in ancient magic.”

Anyway, to summarize the story so far, it is very simple.

The royal family tried to force the Noark guys into Biffron and explode it with one blow, but the mysterious wizard activated a protective magic circle and failed.

“We are currently looking for a way to disarm the protective magic circle from the outside, but no progress is being made right now because a lot of authority has been taken away by that mysterious wizard.”

If something like this were to be revealed in an official manner, it would seem that there would be no way to get into Bflon.

‘Should I view this as the royal family’s incompetence or whether they are great…’

I’m not sure, but one thing is certain.

The royal family are not usually terrible people.

“The Intelligence Department determined that it would be quite possible for the mysterious wizard to activate the already closed dimensional plaza of Biffron. Therefore…”

The Marquis paused for a moment and then opened his mouth.

“I would like to take this opportunity to officially propose the closure of the labyrinth.”

Labyrinth closed.

Considering the structure of the city-state of Lapdonia, this is a very heavy topic.

However, as soon as this topic is mentioned, Duke Kealunus is spoken to as if he had been waiting for it.

“Of course… if we close the labyrinth completely, there won’t be much we can do on the other side.”

The Duke was followed by Count Alminus.

“You have to choose between coming out or starving to death inside.”

It was a completely planned script.

In the first place, this wouldn’t be the first time these people heard this story here.

Originally, public opinion would have been roughly formed like this, and then the decision to ‘close the labyrinth’ would have been made through a near-unanimous vote.

But I am a barbarian with no sense.

“Marquis, I have a question. Can I ask you?”

“…try it.”

“Do we absolutely have to close the labyrinth itself?”

In response to my question, the 27th-ranked Count Humasigi couldn’t bear it and shouted at me.

“Think about it. “If there had been another way, would the Marquis have talked about closing the labyrinth?”

Well, it’s not wrong.

But in the first place, I wasn’t curious about whether there was another way.

I’m curious why this is the only method that works.

“Really?”

Soon, Count Humosgi’s words passed through one ear and he asked the Marquis. The Marquis gave an annoying look in his eyes, but answered kindly.

“The dimensional magic of the labyrinth is more complicated than you can imagine. “I will just explain briefly.”

Although I said it was brief, it was actually a very long and boring story.

But still, let’s organize it easily.

Labyrinth is a server.

The portal is a means of logging in.

However, the problem here is that as long as there is a login method, there is no way for the royal family to control it…

‘So you are saying that the server itself will be closed for a while. If you close the server, you won’t be able to enter even if you have a login method.’

“Do you understand?”

“any. “Thank you for the explanation!”

After my curiosity was resolved, I just watched the process without doing anything else.

Wouldn’t there be a backlash from explorers after the labyrinth was closed?

What should explorers who can’t pay their taxes this year do?

Also, if the labyrinth is closed, how long will it be maintained?

There was time to discuss such details, and in the end, it was resolved through the Marquis’s own words.

“As of today, the labyrinth will be closed, and reopening will be decided at a later meeting. “Anyone present who agrees to this, please flip over the coin.”

What was a little surprising here was that the voting process was conducted completely openly.

In fact, if you think about it, it is natural.

Not only is it not a culture that respects things like anonymity, but secret voting can somehow lead to fraud.

Tuk.

Soon, one by one, the attendees flipped over the golden coins placed in front of their seats to reveal the royal family symbol, and soon the results came out.

Near unanimous agreement.

As a result, for some reason, people’s eyes are drawn to me.

Well, I was the only one opposed.

“Baron Yandel, could you please tell me why you didn’t turn over the coin?”

“Isn’t it clear that it will be difficult for everyone if the labyrinth is closed? “Well, we have good circumstances, so no matter how long the lockdown continues, there will be no problem in making a living!”

“Hmm… So you’re saying you opposed it for the sake of your subjects?”

“If you really have to ask, yes.”

The Marquis probably asked because he was genuinely curious, but nodded coolly after hearing the answer.

And…

“Then let’s move on to the second item.”

Another boring meeting continued.

***

The meeting started in the morning and continued without stopping until the evening.

Although there were breaks in between…

‘What is this hardcore schedule?’

They only gave me time to run errands and come back, but they didn’t give me time to eat or anything.

Is that a long-standing tradition of royal meetings?

“Haha, so on the days when we attend this event, everyone comes out after eating a hearty breakfast.”

“Why on earth did such a tradition arise?”

“If you attend this event, aren’t you people who value time as gold? “As it is a difficult gathering, even if it is a little inconvenient, we will try to minimize wasting time as much as possible.”

Hmm… If that’s the case, I think it would be much more effective if you just leave out the way of speaking in circles and mixing in rhetoric.

To be honest, if the barbarians had gathered together for a royal meeting, we could have finished it all in the morning and gone for lunch.

“It looks like the meeting is about to resume again. “I’ll go in first.”

Soon, Count Alminus, who I had met outside and had a quick chat with, left, and I quickly put a lot of the beef jerky into my mouth and entered the conference room.

And the meeting resumed again.

‘The second was about reconstruction work in Districts 7 and 13, the third was tax-related, and the fourth was the incorporation of evil spirits…’

Oh, by the way, the incorporation of evil spirits was only mentioned, but was dismissed after receiving numerous opposing votes.

“So now it’s the ninth item on the agenda.”

Soon the Marquis, who was leading the meeting, looked around and stopped looking at me.

Glancing to the side, I see Ragna also making a subtle gaze with a somewhat embarrassed expression.

Thanks to this, I was able to recognize it right away.

‘It’s coming.’

The ninth agenda is self-talk.

It’s none other than me and Ragna.

“However, before bringing up the ninth item on the agenda, I would like to first apologize to the attendees. “From now on, we are going to talk about something that may be a bit personal.”

“Hmm, you mean a personal story?”

“If we had to make a distinction, it would be so, but this is also an important matter for the Kingdom of Lapdonia.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to listen to it first.”

After hearing the Marquis’ explanation, Duke Kealunus lowered his head, and since he made such a gesture, there was no one here who could raise any objection.

‘Anyway, that old man probably already knows what’s being said, but he’s acting like that again.’

Duke Kealunus and Marquess of Tercerion.

The relationship between these two is also quite interesting.

Even though it’s a rivalry, it feels like tiki-taka works well with each other when cooperation is needed.

“What are you thinking, Baron Yandel?”

“I didn’t think anything of it.”

“Then from now on, I’d like you to listen a little more. “Because you, Baron, are the ones involved in the conversation going forward.”

“huh? “You mean me?”

As I naturally tilted my head, pretending not to know anything, the Marquis gave me a meaningful look and spoke in his characteristic aristocratic way of speaking.

“Baron Yandel, everyone present will recognize how busy you are and how much you have accomplished.”

“….”

“For the sake of the great royal family of Lapdonia, it cannot but be a great loss for a talented person like you and the head of a family to live alone.”

“…So what do you want to say?”

“Isn’t it time to find a mate and achieve stability? “If it is okay with you, I would like to promote your marriage with Countess Peprock.”

The moment those words were said, the atmosphere in the venue became chaotic for a moment.

“…her!”

“Baron Yandel and Countess Peprock…?”

Now that I see it, it seems that there were quite a few nobles who didn’t know about this marriage talk…

“Isn’t Count Peprock in a similar situation to Baron Yandel? Legally, the two families cannot become one, but if the two families become one through marriage, it will be a great blessing for you and the kingdom.”

“….”

“… is what I think, but what do you think?”

I can feel the pressure in the short question.

Well, it may be that the intention to bring up the marriage discussion in a place like this rather than in private was to put pressure on her.

anyway.

YES and NO.

As always, there are two options:

If you agree to marriage talks, you will be placed under the Marquis’ control and will be controlled in some way.

If you refuse, you will face numerous checks.

But…

“Of course, I’m not asking you to make a decision right away. “Once I get my thoughts together—.”

There was no need to change a decision that had already been made.

Thinking back on it, it’s a bit of a terrible decision, but…

‘Nimiral.’

Still, it has to be done.

“hate!”

“…huh?”

“I will not get married.”

The moment when I stopped talking and confidently expressed my refusal.

“Hmm…”

The Marquis’ eyes narrow slightly.

Are their eyes as if they are thinking about how to torment me from now on for rejecting the offer?

Therefore, I also quickly opened my mouth.

“I will not marry anyone, let alone Countess Peprock.”

This is the number I decided on after much thought.

What the Marquis is wary of is if Baron Yandel achieves rapid growth by actively utilizing the means of ‘marriage’.

The judgment was that it was possible to accept this declaration of singleness.

“I don’t understand at all. “So does that mean you’re going to stay alone forever?”

However, the Marquis did not seem to trust my words.

It was roughly what I expected.

This kind of declaration can be overturned at any time according to one’s heart…

‘Do I really have to do it…’

More definite action is needed.

Such actions were even prepared in advance.

But the problem is that just thinking about it makes me sigh…

‘Okay, let’s do it.’

After finally preparing my mind, I closed my eyes tightly.

And…

“Marquis!”

I shouted with all my might.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in women!”

For some reason.

No, I really don’t know the reason, but anyway.

When I slowly forced myself to open my eyes again when I didn’t want to open them.

“…?”

“…?”

The silence, as if the world had stopped, was weighing heavily on the hall.

***

The stopped time begins to flow again, and looks and words of astonishment are directed at me.

“You’re not interested in women…?”

“No, wait a minute, then it couldn’t be…!”

“That’s disgusting.”

Some people did not even hide their feelings of disgust and showed it clearly.

Well, I understand.

Because we live in a world where homosexuality is considered a sin.

Okay…so…

“I don’t like men!”

To correct the misunderstanding, I took out the doll I had prepared in sub-space and showed it to everyone.

“I love this doll!”

“…to?”

“I’m going to marry this doll!”

“…yes?”

It was something that had to be done.