Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 128

Episode 128: Karlstein (2)

She once thought that all she had to do was sign a contract with a spirit beast and all her troubles would disappear.

But the reality was different.

[ Ice Beast Skadia]

His cold voice and judgemental gaze were still the same. He just didn’t throw direct words as before.

[Have you ever told anyone about this?]

[Uh, no…]

[Good, let’s keep it between you and me for now].

It was not a request, but an order.

[Yes, yes…]

Misha couldn’t say much and just nodded.

Because she had something to feel guilty about.

She did not make the contract through normal means. She succeeded in the contract through a trick, using a strange ring called the Frost Spirit Ring.

If her father knew about this…

‘This kind of treatment would be natural, wouldn’t it?’

Of course, she didn’t have the courage to ask.

For her, her father was more terrifying than anything.

So when her father asked if she would bring the barbarian to the manor, she said yes.

Well, she didn’t say this to Bjorn.

‘Yeah, this is a problem I have to solve on my own.’

Hadn’t she already received a favor that was too great to repay?

She couldn’t burden him anymore.

That’s how she rationalized it, but deep down, she had another reason.

‘I don’t want to be caught.’

She didn’t want to reveal her situation.

Hikurod, Dwalki, Rotmiller…

Even if all of them found out, she wanted to appear well-off to Bjorn.

So she visited the house often.

[I have to go now. I need to stop by my paternal home today.]

She forced herself to be strong.

The gaze of her brother questioning why she visited so often, the scornful looks from the servants, and the lonely atmosphere at dinner as if she was left alone on a deserted island.

She faced them head-on.

‘I can’t run away anymore.’

Because she learned from Bjorn.

That running away wouldn’t gain her anything.

And so, one month, two months, three months passed.

[Is that Barbarian still not coming?]

Her father’s urging to bring Bjorn intensified. She claimed he was reluctant, but her father already knew that was a lie.

[Bring him by this month. Then I’ll reconsider your treatment. Understand?]

In other words, he’ll let the family know about her contract with the Spirit Beast and treat her like a proper child.

Why he was so insistent on meeting Bjorn was beyond her.

Why he would go to such lengths to meet with Bjorn was beyond her.

However, Misha decided to invite Bjorn.

Even though she felt like she was taking advantage of him…….

‘I’ll just have to repay him by being better.”

Misha also calculated that it would help his cause if she could win the support of the Karlsteins.

“Alright.”

“…What? Really? For real? Wow! No take-backs?”

“Enough, what time should we go come tomorrow?”

Contrary to her worries, Bjorn readily agreed.

But the joy was short-lived, soon replaced by anxiety.

Once they get to the mansion, she won’t be able to hide it anymore.

What should she do then?

If Bjorn were to cause a scene there, things would definitely spiral out of control.

But…

‘…It’s just overthinking! Overthinking!’

Misha chuckled and brushed away her anxiety.

After all, Bjorn was a warrior who, while hot-headed, could be colder than anyone when needed.

The sanctuary of another race.

In the heart of a pure-blood family, he wouldn’t start trouble.

It’s not like they’re related by blood.

He wouldn’t choose to make an enemy of the Karlstein family, taking on all the risks.

“Yeah, that’s nonsensical. What was I thinking…”

Misha wrapped up her thoughts.

Admitting it made her heart ache a bit, but dreams and reality are distinctly different.

Now she knew that too.

“Behtel—raaaaaaaaa!!”

Her tail stood rigid at the deafening, ferocious roar.

It was a natural reaction.

The servant seemed confused about what was going on…

But she, who had almost lived with him, knew.

“You must have a problem in your head.”

That meant he intended to smash heads!

“Cr, crazy! Don’t do it! Why are you suddenly acting like this, Nyah!”

Misha, startled, grabbed my forearm and quickly looked around, checking if anyone else had heard the commotion.

Watching her, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

It’s like seeing myself in elementary school.

Concessions and consideration. Putting others’ feelings before your own.

I used to think it was a given.

But…

“Why? Because I felt like it!”

“What, what kind of answer is that, Nyah?!”

TL/N- Manhwa is using Nyah

I said, jerking Misha’s grip from my forearm.

“Misha, sometimes it’s okay to do what you want.”

“Uh, okay…?”

“Why hold back? Holding back only ends up benefiting others in the end.”

“I, it’s not others, it’s family…”

Family, what family.

Now that I think about it, it wouldn’t be wrong to call them foes instead of family.

I asked again.

“So, is that family more important than your own life?”

Misha shut her mouth tight.

She probably knew it in her head too.

How all that effort, all those periodic visits to the family home, all that longing for a harmonious home, was nothing more than a sham.

“…”

It was all a waste.

An emotion that’s nothing more than the epitome of inefficiency.

“Answer me. If you say so, I’ll stop here.”

I asked for her decision one last time, and Misha didn’t say anything.

That was an answer to me.

“From now on, just watch. There won’t be any trouble like you’re worried about.”

“But if you hurt that person—”

Yeah, it would be a mess.

It’s not the punishment that’s the problem, it’s the wrath of the supposedly honor-conscious Karlsteins.

But…

“Misha Karlstein, have I ever made a promise I couldn’t keep?”

“There wasn’t, Nyah.”

“Right, so trust me.”

It’s not like I’m acting recklessly without thought.

The unthinking barbarian mode knows when to turn on and off depending on the situation.

I stepped forward, leaving Misha behind.

The servant was still being arrogant.

So…

“What exactly are you two discussing? Even if you’re uneducated in manners—”

I grabbed the servant’s neck and lifted him.

“Isn’t it you who lacks manners?”

“Gu, guck!”

“To act so presumptuously without recognizing the master, as a servant of the Kalstein family.”

“That, that’s…”

He looked pained.

Also, his eyes carried disbelief.

It must feel like a dream to him.

This isn’t a dark alley, and who would imagine being attacked in front of the mansion gate in broad daylight?

“Le, let go… guck!”

Is it because of his lack of imagination?

“If you do this…”

If I do this, there will be trouble?

I smirked.

Someone aware of the consequences wouldn’t do this.

If they did, it means they had thought it through.

And yet, he doesn’t understand this simple principle.

“You really do have a problem in your head.”

I clenched my fist and put just the right amount of strength into it.

After all, killing him would even put me in a difficult situation.

“Don’t worry. Most problems are solved with a good beating.”

“Uh, ugh!!”

I grabbed him by the throat to silence him, then gently rubbed the spot I was about to hit.

Then, as if cracking a chestnut, I struck him with the flick of my wrist.

Thwack!

Just one hit and the guy went limp, knocked out cold.

I held his neck like an object and checked the wound.

Blood trickled down from his crushed nose, but…….

I figured it would set an example.

“…What are you planning to do now? Father won’t just let this go, Nyah.”

Misha, who had been watching almost resignedly, asked me what I was going to do. I told her to trust me, but she didn’t feel comfortable.

“You’ll see.”

I lifted the unconscious man with one hand and headed towards the mansion entrance. As we passed through the garden, I saw other servants.

Some were mowing the lawn, others were carrying things.

“…Eek! Quickly, inform the Lord!”

Their attention sharpened, and a few ran towards the mansion as if fleeing.

I followed them through the open door.

And…

“Halt, Barbarian.”

I was surrounded by about a dozen beastmen.

Armed to the teeth and with a menacing demeanor, the apparent leader, a bald man, spoke as if giving an order.

“Misha Karlstein, can you explain what’s happening here? Who this barbarian is, and why Brante, who should be guarding the main gate, is in such a condition.”

So his name was Brante.

“Uh, that’s…”

“Misha, no need to explain.”

I threw the now useless Brante towards them, and as they were startled and caught him.

“What are you all doing!!”

I shouted loud enough for it to echo through the mansion.

The beastmen all looked bewildered.

Was it because they couldn’t grasp what was happening?

“I was invited here by your Patriarch. And this guy insulted me, calling me a lowly barbarian!”

Misha tilted her head at my shout.

Then she murmured quietly enough for only me to hear.

“Did he really say that?”

She tends to worry about trivial things.

I could just stubbornly insist that I hit him so hard he forgot he ever said it.

“Don’t lie! Brante would never do such a thing.”

My accusation momentarily threw them into confusion.

The bald man retorted as if it was absurd.

To me, it looked like he was digging his own grave.

An ignorant barbarian is immune to logical attacks.

“Are you insulting me by calling me a liar?”

As I stepped forward ready to confront, the bald man stepped back.

Not out of fear for the fight, it seemed.

Probably because he was troubled by the fact that I was a guest of the lord.

“What’s all this commotion!”

While the beastmen were at a loss, a man jumped down from the central staircase connected to the second floor.

A face I remembered.

Misha’s brother, whom I had met on the third floor before.

So, his name was…

I couldn’t remember. Or did I even hear it in the first place?

I decided to leave the trivialities and focus on the present.

“To think, you were the guest my father had invited.”

“Long time no see.”

“Save the greetings, what’s all this about?”

Her brother narrowed his eyes on me.

“If you can’t explain properly, even you won’t be able to leave here unscathed.”

Such Killing intent in his eyes.

And to think I had saved his life before.

‘As always, an annoying brat.’

I repeated the story of being insulted by the gatekeeper Brante, adding some extra details for good measure.

“If it were just me, I might have let it slide. But this lunatic, living off the family’s name and daring to insult Misha as well?”

Pointing at the unconscious Brante, I raised my voice, and wrinkles formed on her brother’s forehead.

“When outsiders are present, one must be cautious.”

His reaction was a bit incredulous.

Was he just going to accept the hastily made-up story?

Shin, this place is even more of a mess than I thought.

It must be a common occurrence here.

I didn’t hide my rising disgust as I spoke.

“So, you all knew and just tolerated this?”

“It’s an internal matter of the family. There’s no reason to explain it to you. And you all, go back to your positions now.”

“Yes, Lord Teylon.”

After dismissing the guards, the brother swiftly turned to look at me again.

“Bjorn Jandel, there was clearly a mistake on our part this time, so we won’t make an issue out of it.”

“And?”

“If it’s true that this man insulted you, we will impose a proper punishment. Let that be enough for you.”

“Enough, huh…”

I let my voice trail off and chuckled.

Teaching a lesson to a rude person.

And to remind everyone that I’m not to be trifled with.

That was my plan all along.

But…

‘It’s time for plan B, I guess.’

I grinned and approached the brother.

“Do you also have a problem in your head?”

Plans always change, after all.