Bjorn Yandel the Barbarian

The illegitimate son of Marquis Terserion, Prime Minister of Lapdonia.

Well, the name I actually use now is missing the nanny’s name, ‘Litanyel’, but anyway.

“You don’t look good, do you? “I heard she’s quite a beauty.”

Well, you know what.

But that’s not the problem now.

It’s more than just saying that this marriage talk is causing unnecessary discomfort between friends.

“Countess Peprock is the Prime Minister’s illegitimate daughter.”

“If that’s the case, I’ve already confirmed it. The Prime Minister made a strong statement. That means your growth rate is unrivaled.”

“Are you still saying that I have to get married? “Isn’t it clear that there will be an invisible leash around my neck the moment I get married?”

“Isn’t there a choice? “Imagine what will happen when the prime minister puts you in check in earnest.”

It was time to keep a check….

Without even having to imagine much, numerous sabotage operations were pictured in my mind.

The reconstruction work in District 7 is being disrupted.

Accordingly, the vassals from Bifron could not pay taxes and were executed in droves as soon as the next year.

Maybe the heart of the barbarians will be changed into a researchable item again.

Also, the inspection will be strengthened only for our warriors, and they may be falsely accused.

“….”

As soon as I had a serious expression on my face, the village chief spoke as if persuading me.

“Don’t take marriage too seriously. “Wouldn’t it be better to bend down first and then increase your strength?”

But this one is also kind of funny.

Should I say that if I listen to what you said earlier, I feel a bit out of place?

“But you…”

Although he hesitated for a moment, he just asked in the old-fashioned way he always did.

“Why are you trying to persuade me from earlier?”

“That’s it, you—.”

“So, why are you worried about whether I’m wrong or not?”

When asked directly what the reason for his behavior was, the village chief took a moment before opening his mouth.

“Well, you have no choice but to worry.”

“…?”

“Because I need you to make my wish come true.”

At first glance, the words seemed sincere, but understanding them was another matter.

“You need me for your wish?”

I don’t know why there are so many people looking for me for their own wishes.

Honestly, I’m a bit curious too.

What does he ultimately want?

“Just say it openly. “I hate people who just talk behind the scenes.”

“I know you have that kind of personality. But it’s not time yet. “But let me tell you just one thing: it is highly likely that you and I have similar interests.”

“Is that so? “Then I guess I have no choice but to listen to your opinion through filters?”

He soon spoke as if threatening, but the village chief had a calm expression as if he could do whatever he wanted.

“Use your judgment. It seems to me that marrying the Countess would be a much better choice… but isn’t that ultimately my position? “No one can know what the correct answer will be when looking back in the future.”

“….”

“It’s later than that. I’m sure I’ll attract someone’s attention later, so let’s just end today’s meeting here. “I will contact you again.”

Afterwards, the village chief immediately turned his back and left the garden fountain without any hesitation.

Ssssssssssssss-!

Bushes blowing in the cold wind.

In the meantime, I absentmindedly looked at the fountain and gathered my thoughts.

‘It’s marriage…’

It didn’t take long to make the decision.

No, in the first place, the decision itself was the same as the one made at the Dragon Temple.

But…

‘The Marquis made such strong moves…’

In order to counter, I had no choice but to prepare much stronger moves.

‘…Is that really the only way?’

For the first time in a long time, I didn’t want tomorrow to come.

***

An hour before the royal meeting the next morning.

Since I had a seat, I woke up early and finished grooming myself.

And I was thinking of going out soon.

Knock knock.

Visitors came early in the morning.

Like yesterday, I was tempted to ignore him because I thought he was a petty merchant or a socialite….

Knock knock.

Knock knock!

As time goes by, the knocking sound gets louder.

‘Who the hell are you?’

I wanted to see his face, so I pulled the door open and there was a completely unexpected guest standing in front of me.

“…Sigh!”

When the door suddenly opens, a blue-haired woman makes a strange sound as if she is surprised.

He was dressed from head to toe as if to say, ‘I am a nobleman,’ but for some reason, his sleepy eyes gave no sense of dignity at all.

A person to be discussed in a future meeting.

“Ragna…?”

“…!”

As soon as their eyes met, Ragna’s shoulders trembled and he suddenly averted his gaze.

I felt like I knew why it was like that.

Well, I felt the same way.

“….”

“….”

For some reason, it is difficult to make eye contact naturally.

So I quickly said something before I missed the golden time.

“It’s been a while, Ragna. I should have gone to see it a long time ago. “I have a lot of things to do these days.”

“Yes… it’s been a while. And if you didn’t come to see it… that’s okay. “I know from the news that you’ve been busy.”

“If that’s the case, I’m glad.”

“….”

“…Would you like to come inside first?”

I brought this up because I kept leaving it outside, but for some reason, Ragna got so surprised and took a step back.

And let’s look at that behavior strangely…

“Oh no! That’s not what it means…”

“What does that mean?”

“It’s all just! If you go into a room and start a strange rumor, you’ll be in trouble…”

“Ah… Is that true too?”

In the end, the awkward silence that I tried to avoid at all costs lingered between me and Ragna.

However, thankfully, this time Ragna opened his mouth first.

“Well… Actually, the reason I came today is because I have something to tell you in advance.”

“What do you want to say to me?”

“That’s…”

Ragna trailed off as if his mouth couldn’t fall off easily, and through that atmosphere, I was able to sense what he was trying to say.

“At this meeting… something a little unexpected will come up, so I don’t want you to be too surprised. Bjorn Yandel, aren’t you and I nobles?”

“however?”

“If you’re in this position, things can happen regardless of your will… you know that, right?”

The words are long-winded for no reason, perhaps because it is difficult for me to get the words out.

I wanted to clear things up, but for the sake of future plans, it was best to pretend not to notice for now.

“So what do you want to say?”

“I can’t tell you right now. But my father was doing something about it. So, I don’t want you to misunderstand whatever I hear at the meeting…”

“I understand. “I don’t know what will be said at the meeting, but I will never misunderstand.”

“ah! Of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t like it! Do you understand?”

“i get it.”

“Yes… then I’m glad. See you later…”

He nodded and Ragnar quickly disappeared in front of the door.

Hyeonbyeol, one of Ragna’s limbs, was not seen, as if he had really secretly come alone.

‘I guess I’ll have to go soon.’

After checking the time, I went out into the hallway and, guided by the attendant, entered the palace where the meeting was to be held.

‘…they don’t use round tables here.’

When we arrived, there was a very long rectangular table in the room, but almost all of the seats were empty.

Well, this is the tradition of royal meetings.

Each participant is given a number, and that number becomes that participant’s implicit ranking.

And in my case…

“This is where Baron Yandel will look at state affairs today.”

The last seat furthest from the head of the table.

Soon after I sat down and waited for about 2 minutes, the door opened and another nobleman came in…

boom.

Take a seat right across from me.

He was a nobleman with a higher rank than me, and after waiting there for another 2 minutes, one person came in…

‘What kind of bullshit is this…’

I thought they could just all come in at once. When I see people coming in one by one every two minutes, I feel like I’m going to explode.

Should we say this is the height of inefficiency?

‘The total number of people in the royal meeting is 50 people….’

In this case, it is calculated that the last person will have to sit in a chair and wait for almost an hour and a half.

Well, even this humiliating last seat may be an envy for some people.

“….”

“….”

Anyway, people began to fill the conference room one by one, but no matter how many people were filled, there was a heavy silence.

I was so bored that I tried talking to the nobleman next to me, but when I spoke to him, he looked startled and just stared straight ahead, so I gave up on chatting.

‘I should just get some sleep.’

As I half-broken my neck and dozed off, time passed quickly and before I knew it, nobles from the 20th division began to enter.

And….

‘What is this guy again?’

When I suddenly came to my senses, I saw a noble man who had stopped walking and was staring at me.

One, two, three, four….

When I counted the numbers, I think he was ranked 27th in this meeting….

He looked at where I was sitting and at me.

“Foot.”

He passed by me, spitting out meaningless ridicule.

Of course, I wasn’t the one to just tolerate it.

“Hey wait a minute.”

“…hey?”

“Oh, sorry. “I can’t remember what the name is.”

“You really could do that. Nice to meet you. “Other than Count Hutaylor.”

“Nice to meet you, Count Hutaylor. “But why did you laugh just now?”

“…Is there a problem? “Are you just smiling because it feels good to see the city’s most famous hero?”

If we interpret words and actions in noble language, it means that it was nice to see me, who is famous and popular these days, in the last place here.

‘What, you were just an ordinary idiot?’

With my doubts resolved, I nodded coolly.

“Oh really? “Then go.”

I tried to find out if he was hiding something nefarious or was just a guy, but as long as it wasn’t like that, it was okay.

It’s a waste to even pay attention to it.

“As Baron Yandel, I would like to give you some advice—.”

“Oh, I understand.”

“…That kind of attitude would be best left out of this royal council. Otherwise, you will get seriously hurt.”

Immediately after nodding and picking his ears with his hand, Count Humasigi gave a look as if he wanted to see all the crazy people and headed towards his seat.

And how long has it been?

Slowly, familiar characters appear.

Starting with the 25th-ranked Viscount Maxiland, the Prime Minister’s left arm, whom we met at a tribal conference not long ago.

“….”

When my eyes met, the 21st Countess Ragnar Peprock just nodded and headed to her seat.

plod trudge.

On the other hand, the 14th-ranked village chief sat bluntly in his seat without making eye contact with me.

“It’s so nice to see you here.”

The 11th Count Kaislan, Meland Kaislan’s older brother and the head of a rather large noble association.

“Haha, long time no see, Baron. I heard the news. “I heard you did a great job this time too, right?”

Although we had an uncomfortable relationship, Count Alminus took 6th place, took pictures with me, and now paid for the title of ‘Old Friend’.

And…

“The emergence of a new divinity is always welcome. “Remember there are always other options.”

As soon as he saw me, Duke Kealunus passed by leaving meaningful words.

“….”

On the contrary, even the second-ranking Prime Minister, the Marquis Terserion, sat haughtily in his seat without even making eye contact.

Oh, by the way, the top position is vacant.

Well, that’s the king’s seat, and even the marquis, who acts as the king’s representative in all kinds of events, couldn’t sit in that seat…

‘If you exclude one seat, the total number of people is actually 49.’

Oh, by the way, the Duke of Kealunus and the Prime Minister were sitting facing each other at the head of the table…

The Marquis, who was sitting to the right of the head of the table, stood up.

“First of all, on behalf of His Majesty Martanux, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you who attended despite your busy schedule.”

Starting with such a greeting, the Prime Minister naturally made all the nobles stand up and then, as everyone knows, he went to the empty seat and showed his courtesy.

In Korea, it is a ceremony similar to saluting the national flag.

However, as the nobles gathered, the stiff introduction continued for a long time.

Noark invasion, Bifron incident, etc.

He talks about recent events, discusses the current situation, and praises the nobles in attendance, saying he feels confident because of them.

They congratulate themselves on the successful completion of the exploration of the first underground floor and say that all of this is the blessing of Lafdonia.

After wasting time talking about unnecessary things for a long time.

“Now then, let’s talk about the first item.”

Finally, the first royal meeting began.