Chapter 94 - Barbarian Trophy (1)

My vision goes dark, then the light slowly returns.

'My room.'

Not Lee Hansoo's room, but Bjorn Jandel's room at the inn. I check the clock. Exactly twelve seconds have passed since I was summoned there.

'So an hour there is a second here.'

The difference in the flow of time itself isn't surprising. The Labyrinth works that way, too. No matter how many days we spend inside, we always return to the city at noon the following day.

'I don't know how it works, but it sure is convenient.'

Still, I should be careful. Put another way, doesn't this mean I'm defenseless for up to twelve seconds? Of course, if there's an emergency, I can simply log out and come straight back, so that shouldn't be a problem...

But what if there isn't an emergency yet? What if something happens in those twelve seconds, in the blink of an eye?

'It'd be hard to react properly.'

Well, I'm not going to stop using the community over something like this. I'm just making sure my subconscious is aware of the risk. That way, if something does happen, I'll be able to make a decision even a little faster.

"Whew..."

I stretch and let out a long breath. A faint weariness hangs over me—not physical fatigue, but mental.

'Well, I was awake for twelve hours.'

I close my eyes, thinking that if I ever notice someone sleeping in only on this particular day, they might be worth suspecting of being a Player. I'm not trying to sleep just yet. I need time to sort out my thoughts.

'Good thing I joined earlier than planned.'

Ghost Busters.

The place was better built and better run than I'd expected. It was more than capable of serving as the source of information I'd hoped for. Thanks to it, I managed to get information about the Dimension collapse.

'Just a rumor, huh...'

That's good news. That much is certain. And yet, an inexplicable sense of anticlimax and unease swells within me.

When I first heard about it, I thought that was it. If it isn't, then what the hell is about to happen?

'... I'll have to be more careful.'

With that thought, I fall asleep.

Time passes, and the next morning arrives—the day I am to fulfill my promise to Baron Martoin.

* * *

"Have a good time, nyah! Make sure you tell me all about it when you get back, nyah!"

With Misha seeing me off, I head out into the street. Several carriage transfers later, I arrive at the Martoin family estate.

"This way. We haven't much time."

The moment I enter the sprawling mansion, I'm whisked off to an ornate room to change. Apparently, my outfit isn't savage enough for today's banquet at the count's estate.

'Fucking hell.'

So this is the sort of thing you experience as a barbarian. Normally, they'd dress someone up for the exact opposite reason.

"Oh my, just look at those muscles..."

With the maids' help, I take off my breastplate and shirt. Then they fit shoulder pads onto my bare torso—one designed with spikes, the other shaped like an animal's skull.

With those on...

"Um, could you lower yourself a little?"

"All right."

Standing on stools, the maids struggle to wrap something around my middle: a championship belt more than one of my handspans wide.

Why the fuck do I have to wear this crap? A single breastplate would protect my entire torso.

"Please raise your arms."

After that, all kinds of fashion accessories masquerading as equipment are added to my body, regardless of my wishes. They're designed for intimidation rather than protection. Their weight is so poorly balanced that every movement is uncomfortable, and the hair the maids have let down keeps falling into my eyes.

But...

'I see what they're going for.'

When I finally look in the mirror, a barbarian warrior stares back at me who looks like he'd wash down chunks of Ogre meat with dragon blood.

A thought suddenly occurs to me. Who cares if it lacks protection or practicality? Fuck, if I approached people looking like this, they'd piss themselves and run.

That's how intimidating it is.

I call it: Display-Model (True) Bar bar ian Mode.

But is even this not enough for that guy?

"Tsk."

A scrawny fellow with a goatee eyes me disapprovingly. Now, what was this bastard's name...?

Right. I haven't heard it yet.

"What's your name?"

The butler bastard frowns at my question and replies curtly, as though he doesn't want to converse with me.

"You will address me as Aide—"

"All right, Butler."

"... Tsk. An ignorant barbarian through and through."

There's a lot to dislike about this butler. What was that saying about people who grew up with nothing being even worse? He constantly speaks to me like I'm beneath him. Even the baron bastard doesn't do that.

Does he think he's somebody important?

'He's just a commoner himself, after all.'

Grumbling inwardly, I follow the butler's orders and even put lifts inside my boots. Their excessive design has brought these plate-armored boots to a whopping seven kilograms. Cramming something else into them makes them sheer agony...

"Now you look somewhat presentable. You were far too small before."

What's this little shit talking about?

'Whew. Just put up with it for one day.'

No wonder he offered a million Stones for a day's work. It really is compensation for my troubles, not just a figure of speech.

Anyway, by the time the rude butler finishes schooling me on every little detail—where I'm supposed to walk, where to stand when the baron speaks to someone else—it's time to leave.

"It's time. Let's go."

I leave the palatial room and head for the front gate. A luxurious carriage is already waiting. The baron, whom I haven't seen once today, is probably inside.

"What are you standing around for? Your place is over there."

I take my place at the very front of the carriage procession. Apparently, I'm supposed to walk out ahead and have everyone follow me.

"This is an important duty. To uphold the dignity of the baron's family, you must keep your eyes forward and your posture..."

The butler bastard keeps nagging me right up until we leave, apparently unable to trust me.

"Move out!"

Before long, the mounted knight directly behind me raises a flag and shouts. I lead the procession at a moderate pace, my footsteps heavy and steady.

Once we're past the front gate, a broad, paved street opens up before me. These are the streets of District 1, the imperial capital of Carnon—a place I normally wouldn't even be allowed to enter with my status.

Even the shops are imposing, and every passerby is elegantly dressed. Far in the distance, the imperial palace makes its presence known, though I can't even see it from where I live.

'Tsk. I need to unlock access to this place soon so I can use the Sky Auction House...'

The butler told me to look straight ahead, but I don't waste this opportunity, taking in the sights as I walk.

Maybe that's why.

"Halt!"

I take a wrong turn, bringing the procession to a stop. The butler bastard rushes over, white-faced, and yells something at me. But I brazenly pick my ear.

Well, who told you to put a barbarian in charge?

* * *

It's about six kilometers from the baron's mansion to the count's estate, where today's banquet is being held. I've crawled farther than that on three limbs before, but...

'Fucking hell.'

I'd overlooked the fact that I'm wearing a full set of equipment that's practically the embodiment of impracticality. Sweat streams down my body. If not for those lifts shoved in at the last minute, this wouldn't be nearly so hard.

"Baron Martoin arrives!"

As I walk along mentally cursing the butler, we finally reach our destination. The moment the count's front gate opens, curious gazes fly at us from every direction. These nobles must be hard to impress, having seen every imaginable spectacle, but apparently even they've never seen a barbarian leading a carriage procession.

"Putting a barbarian at the head! He must have taken inspiration from that anecdote!"

"What an imposing presence. It felt as though a titan were entering."

"Wow, Father! Can't we make our entrance like that next time?"

The nobles gathered in the outdoor banquet area, where a feast is laid out, add their impressions and liven up the atmosphere. Perhaps the response pleases him. As the baron alights from his carriage, he keeps breaking into broad smiles unlike any I've seen on him before.

"I've never drawn so much attention simply by arriving. I'll reward you generously when we return."

He's so pleased that he even promises me a bonus.

"I'm going to pay my respects to the count. Enjoy the banquet in the meantime."

The baron heads inside the mansion with only a few retainers. The knights naturally disperse and mingle with the guests.

Only then do I realize...

"..."

I've been left all alone in this enormous banquet area.

"Oh my, look at the horns on that helmet. How frightening."

"It looks as though it was modeled after the ancient demon Parsheila!"

Suits, tuxedos, backless dresses. Jewelry glitters like rippling water, and knights' armor gleams white.

And in their midst, I'm the only one dressed as a savage.

What am I, a monkey in a zoo?

"Oh, he moved. Where's he going?"

Merely taking a step draws curious remarks from all around. It feels like the PTSD I thought I'd overcome is about to come back.

Just then, a man approaches me.

"Well done."

It's the knight who carried the flag directly behind me.

"You're quite a monster yourself, walking all this way without stopping in that outfit."

The knight, who witnessed my ordeal from closer than anyone, chuckles and pats my shoulder.

"Why don't we go over there and rest together until the baron returns?"

What is this? Is this man a ray of light?

"Sounds good."

I follow him and take an empty seat.

All kinds of delicacies surround us, but I have no appetite. The knight seems to feel the same, simply sitting there and wetting his throat with alcohol. Curiosity prompts me to ask,

"Is it all right for you not to mingle with them?"

"I wouldn't be welcome even if I tried. I used to be an explorer, just like you."

No wonder he alone seemed to have some promise.

"I'm Bjorn, son of Jandel. What's your name?"

"Carls Erimore."

After exchanging brief introductions, we talk.

As I'd felt from the start, Carls is a pretty decent guy. His explorer background makes him easy to talk to, and perhaps that's why he lacks that characteristic arrogance despite being a knight.

That butler bastard should watch him and learn—

"What do you think you're doing? Who said you could sit down?"

The butler, who went inside with the baron, spots me and rushes straight over. He doesn't seem pleased to see me resting.

"Now, Aide. That's enough. I told him to take a short rest."

"... Did you?"

Unable to stand by any longer, Carls speaks up. The butler flinches and lowers his voice.

"If you've finished resting, get up. What will people think if they see a barbarian sitting down to rest?"

"... That he's resting?"

"No, they'll think you're that weak. So stand up. Whatever you may truly be, today you must be a warrior of iron and blood."

Under the butler's prodding, I end up getting up before I've had much of a rest.

'... Fine. Just put up with it for one day.'

Didn't I promise to be something the baron's family could proudly show off, like a trophy? Let's play exactly the role he wants.

Of course, this is far from resignation.

A warrior of iron and blood. A savage of this world, where fists come before the law.

A barbarian.

Right. If that's what I am...

"VEHELLLAAAAAA!!!"

The instant I finish adjusting my mindset, a roar bursts out of me all on its own.

"Wh-what are you doing all of a sudden?!"

The butler scowls—the same man who's been constantly insulting me, asking whether I know how much it cost to have this equipment custom-made, whether I realize how pathetic I looked when I got lost earlier.

Looking at him, I wonder why I've put up with it until now.

Aren't I a barbarian?

"I just felt like it!"

In that spirit, I pick up a piece of meat beside me like a proper barbarian. Is this some kind of tomahawk steak? A bone sticks out of it like a handle.

"Yes, that's exactly what I wanted—"

As I tear into the meat with my bare hands like a savage, the butler nods approvingly.

But...

"...?!"

His expression freezes when he sees me crunching through the bone as well.

Maintaining my dignity as a barbarian warrior, I politely address him.

"Butler, I want to smash your head."

"... What?"

It's the sort of thing he's probably never heard in his life. As he stares at me, doubting his ears, I kindly elaborate.

"For some reason, I feel like it!"

CRUNCH, CRUNCH.

Even as I speak, the bones of some unidentified beast are being ground to pieces in my mouth.

* * *

"Th-that's taking a joke too far."

"A joke?"

I tilt my head as though I have no idea what he means, and the butler turns deathly pale. He seems to have finally realized it.

Whatever else I may be, I'm still a barbarian.

"Did that sound like a joke to you?"

Barbarians are simple and ignorant. And they stay true to their emotions. Of course, the butler might not know how barbarians tick.

But...

'If he's looked into my background, he'll know what happened at the Guild, too.'

Of course, I have an excuse. I had no other choice back then. This is a world where most offenses can be settled with a fine, except for plundering, unpaid taxes, and a few laws involving nobles. I figured that as long as I proved I wasn't a plunderer, I could somehow handle the rest.

But I'm the only one who knows that. To everyone else, I must have looked like a crazy bastard.

"... I-I have work to do, so I'll be going. Y-you stay here and rest."

Perhaps he really did investigate my background. With an awkward expression, the butler hurriedly leaves.

Carls, who's been watching, throws his head back and laughs.

"Hahahaha! I never knew that man could make a face like that!"

For some reason, he seems to approve of what I just did.

"But are your teeth all right?"

"They're fine. They're pretty strong."

It's less an innate ability than a side benefit of my increased Bone Hardness stat. For some reason, my appetite has returned. I start helping myself to food in earnest and wolfing it down.

"Look at that!"

"Oh my, how savage!"

The young noblewomen look at me like I'm some creature they've never encountered before, but it no longer bothers me. What's wrong with looking like a savage? If I can just let go of my shame, there couldn't be a more comfortable role.

"VEHELLLAAAAAA!"

"Why are you shouting again all of a sudden?"

"It's delicious!"

The banquet's refined atmosphere only daunted me for a moment. Now, I begin to truly enjoy the party myself.