Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 130

Episode 130: Karlstein (4)

What does the family head truly want from me?

This has been a question that plagued me continuously.

I had a guess, but it was too early to be certain.

Hence, Plan B.

I devised a plan to come out in front of everyone.

It’s the last thing the family head would want in this situation.

‘Um, as the saying goes, a countermeasure is something that stops the other person from doing what they want to do’

The family head wanted to keep Misha’s successful awakening a secret, both internally and externally. So, before Plan B could be initiated, he hastily showed his face.

Following a barbarian-style conversation, I finally heard his unfiltered thoughts.

“I know you’ve used that item.”

The Frost Spirit Ring.

A numbered item that, when activated, allows you to make a contract with the Ice Beast, Skadia.

‘It is not unusual for a tribal chief to know that’

It was a scenario I had already considered.

If he didn’t think ‘that item’ has been used, then there’s no reason to treat Misha as someone else’s child.

However, the family head wasn’t completely sure either.

“That item? What are you talking about?”

A twenty-five-year-old red-furred beast-human.

The chances of naturally contracting with Skadia under these conditions are nearly 0%…

But close to zero and zero are distinctly different.

“Hmm.”

So, that’s why he’s probing.

He has suspicions but no proof.

“Your acting is poor, isn’t it?”

Poor? My ass.

I’ve deceived numerous people up until now.

“What are you saying? Speak clearly.”

“I’m talking about ‘that item’ that allows one to contract with the Ice Beast Skadia. You can’t possibly say you don’t know about it?”

The family head stares at me with a look that says, “Don’t lie to me, I know all about it.

Does he think barbarians are fools?

“There’s such an item? Then why wasn’t it given to Misha?”

“It’s a very valuable item. Of course, I wouldn’t give it to someone who’s not my own child.”

As soon as I heard those words, I instinctively checked on Misha.

As expected, she looked like she was about to cry.

But, I decided to soothe her later,

I continued to play the clueless Barbarian.

“Something valuable? Isn’t that even weirder, how could I possibly have something like that?”

“Maybe, you might have obtained it by chance from that tower you often visit.”

What the fuck.

Does he really know everything?

I stiffened without realizing.

So, to make up for the mistake, I decided to glare at the family head.

“…Have you been investigating me?”

Just a barbarian pissed off at overstepping boundaries.

This should make my earlier action not seem too awkward—

“Didn’t I say? Your acting is poor.”.

‘Fuck You, I believe in my acting skills’

I didn’t flinch and retorted with apparent irritation.

“So what is this item? Why do you keep pestering me about it?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

“What?”

“It’s an item that shouldn’t be disclosed to the outside world. If you admit to it, then I might tell you.”

Huh? What’s this?

There was no contradiction in the family head’s words.

If he was just testing me, it made sense he couldn’t reveal the name of the item.

But…

‘Why does it feel so strange?’

A sense of discomfort was growing.

My instincts, honed from fending off countless bastards who tried to test me, were telling me this.

“Does this item really exist? Or do you have another purpose?”

So, I asked again.

And I observed the family head closely, pouring all my focus into it.

A moment’s hesitation, a change in facial muscles. Where was he looking, what was his voice like?

“Of course. What other purpose could there be?”

I’m no expert, but I watched every second of that short phrase with suspicion.

And then I instinctively realized.

The family head was lying.

“Ha, so this was it.”

Finally, my last doubt was resolved.

There were other ways to probe.

“Speak honestly. If you’re keeping silent because you’re worried about this child, I’ll solve that problem.”

Why would the family head make such contradictory statements?

It all made sense.

If the ‘item’ itself was the goal, not Misha.

‘It’s always about ‘that item.”

Eventually, I was convinced.

The family head knew about the Frost Spirit Ring.

But only halfway.

‘He knows there’s such an item but doesn’t know what it is.’

Finally, the situation became clear in my mind.

The family head had invited me to the mansion.

It didn’t matter to him whether Misha was his biological daughter or not.

He didn’t seem too enthusiastic about his children anyway.

His real goal was elsewhere.

An item that guarantees a contract with a spirit beast.

If, by any chance, I truly knew about this item, he wanted to find out.

After all, to beast-human’s, such information would be invaluable.

So he used Misha’s pitiable situation in front of me, judging it to be my Achilles’ heel.

Likely with the intention of bargaining or blackmailing.

Therefore…

“I swear on my warrior’s honor, I know nothing of such an item.”

I played my trump card.

The very reason my chosen barbarian character shines as the top fraudster, the warrior’s oath.

“……”

A deep confusion was etched in the family head’s eyes.

Seizing the moment before it slipped away, I pressed on with my final move.

“However, I will find out what that item is. So wait.”

Muttering as if holding back anger, I observed the family head’s expression.

A profound disappointment was evident in his gaze.

Man, he’s really the worst at acting.

****

“Forget everything we talked about today.”

With the family head’s declaration, We left the Karlstein estate. Misha had been looking dazed since earlier, and I didn’t bother to start a conversation.

After all, I had plenty to ponder over myself.

‘Sigh, at least it didn’t go to the worst-case scenario.’

There were two reasons I readily accepted the invitation from the Karlstein family.

• Misha’s escape.
• If the family head had intended to place Misha into a large clan, I had to stop it. To think of losing Misha after Erwen and Ainar, and all the effort I put into raising her?
• Just the thought was horrifying.

• Preventing suspicion of being a an evil spirit.

If the family head knew the secrets behind Misha’s awakening, a visit was necessary to cover our tracks properly.

I hadn’t expected him to call me over just for that.

Creeeak.

As we passed through the garden, the gatekeeper who recognized us swung the gates wide open. The bald guy from earlier must have gone off for treatment and rest, as this was a new face.

But did he recognize me?

“Ah, farewell.”

Our eyes meet briefly, and he gives me a quick bow to see me off.

Misha had lived here from childhood to adulthood.

The well-kept garden was vibrant, and the fountain shot streams of water, sparkling brightly.

The mansion itself was no different.

Unlike the inn where I was staying, the architecture was antique and grand.

However…

The sinister malice surrounding the mansion remained unchanged.

Just like the first time I saw it, it felt like looking at a labyrinth filled with monsters.

It hit me all over again.

Yes, she survived here.

Through all those years.

“You’ve had it rough.”

I said, patting her back, and Misha snapped back to reality, shaking her head.

“Ah, no. You’re the one who went through all the trouble…”

Well, that wasn’t quite what I meant.

“Still, you were probably the one who had it the hardest.”

I chuckled and patted her back again.

“Ouch! That hurts, Nyah!”

There, that’s more like her usual self.

“If you’re back to your senses, then lead the way. I don’t know the way back.”

“Ha, seriously… What would you do without me, Nyah?”

“I wouldn’t have come to a place I didn’t know the way to.”

“…Right.”

We walked the streets of Beast-tribe, chatting idly.

Everywhere, there were signs of harmonious life.

“Dad, look, it’s that barbarian from before!”

Families out for a stroll, laughing and chatting joyously.

“Bjorn, let’s eat that, Nyah.”

“Why would you want to eat out all of a sudden?”

“Um, well… because we worked hard today, Nyah?”

Soon, Misha and I stopped by a street vendor to buy some snacks and sat down on a bench in the square. It wouldn’t have been a problem to eat and walk, but…

Taking a break didn’t seem like a bad idea.

“You know, Bjorn.”

“Go ahead.”

“Why haven’t you ever asked?”

“Asked what?”

As we quietly rested, watching the passing beast human’s, Misha brought up a question.

“Aren’t you curious?”

“Curious about what?”

“That… whether I’m really our father’s child…”

So that was what this was about.

I chuckled softly and looked at Misha.

Though she hadn’t done anything wrong, Misha, the one who asked the question, was looking down at the ground, her head hung low.

“I’m not curious.”

“Really? Not at all?”

“Yeah, why would that matter?”

“Wow, you really don’t care about me…”

What is she talking about?

I was about to pat her back but stopped myself.

‘She said it hurts.’

I thought about messing up her hair like in a cartoon, but it felt too cheesy, so I refrained.

My hand, having lost its place, returned to my lap.

I looked elsewhere and spoke to Misha.

We’re supposed to be colleagues, so we should clear up any misunderstandings.

“It’s not that I don’t care, it’s just not important.”

“Huh?”

“Misha Karlstein, a Rank 7 Explorer. That’s who you are. Who your parents are doesn’t matter. The fact that you’re a comrade I can trust and rely on doesn’t change.”

“Wow…”

Misha’s eyes widened as if she heard something amazing.

Then, with a giggle, she looked at me.

“How did you come up with that, Nyah?”

“…Are you picking a fight?”

If that’s the case, then good.

Just as I was about to stand up, thinking we had rested enough, Misha grabbed my arm.

“Bjorn.”

“What?”

“I have a secret to tell you, but it’s just between us?”

“Go on, hurry up.”

“I… am actually a half-breed. My mom told me before she passed away. She said she was really sorry.”

Ah, uh, um…

I pondered over how to react, then decided to just nod.

“…I see.”

“Why aren’t you surprised?”

Because I already knew.

Though I wasn’t aware of these specific details.

“It’s not really important, is it?”

“Ugh, you emotionless barbarian!”

We then got up from our spot.

Leaving the beast-tribe’s sanctuary behind, we entered the city and made our way to the public carriage station.

While buying tickets and waiting for the carriage, Misha suddenly remembered something.

“Ah, right. What about that? You took the warrior’s oath in front of my father earlier. That must have been…”

Misha trailed off.

I was genuinely taken aback.

Perhaps I’d become too comfortable with her, or maybe I had too much on my mind in front of the clan leader to think of it.

“That… was a lie, wasn’t it, Nyah?”

I sighed and nodded in response to Misha’s question.

There was no point in hiding anything when she already knew everything.

The best I could do was to manage the situation as well as possible.

“Yes, it was a lie. You’re more important to me than a warrior’s honor.”

“…Is that true, Nyah?”

“Yes.”

Misha remained silent for a long time afterward.

A period filled with awkwardness followed.

“…”

“…”

Was she possibly thinking something strange?

Feeling suffocated by the silence, I decided it was better to break it myself.

“Ah!”

Misha suddenly stood up, then, uttering something incomprehensible, she said,

“I left something at home, I need to go back, Nyah!”

“…What? The carriage is about to arrive—”

“Go ahead without me!”

And she disappeared like a shot.

…What?

Could it be that I’m in trouble?

Albreniv Karlstein.

Sitting in his study, he flipped through the pages of the book with a somewhat urgent gesture.

Finally, he found the section he was looking for.

[No……]

…able to contract with the Ice Beast Skadia.

Due to the page being completely torn out, only one sentence from the note could be read.

All suspicions started from this book.

[Relics Compendium VI]

This book contains descriptions of hundreds of Numbered items.

The important thing here is that these descriptions are never wrong.

That’s the nature of a Compendium.

A book of truths whose value is beyond debate.

‘If I hadn’t known this, I could have been purely happy.’

When he heard that child had awakened.

To be honest, he was glad.

He thought he no longer had to hide the family’s shame.

[Ice Beast Skadia, huh.]

The contracted spirit beast was the problem.

Could this really be a coincidence?

He couldn’t shake off a certain unease.

So, He tested his child several times, and finally came to a conclusion.

 

The unease he felt couldn’t be dispelled, leading him to test the child several times before arriving at a conclusion.

The child did not awaken naturally.

If his suspicions were correct, she had received help.

Most likely from Bjorn Jandel, that barbarian.

[But, I can’t talk about anything related to Bjorn. I, I’ve sworn an oath to the guardian spirit…]

However, the child refused to talk to him, citing her oath to their guardian spirit.

In an age where traditions have faded, such an oath held no real significance.

The child, who had never been good at rebellion, used that excuse and lied for the first time.

Getting a straight answer seemed unlikely.

[It would be better to dig into that barbarian.]

He shifted his focus to investigating.

Suspicious circumstances continued to emerge.

The barbarian was close to a mage of the Altemion School.

Alluva Raven.

Coincidentally, he remembered her.

A rival he’d met in his quest for another Compendium.

A hypothesis formed.

If that mage had acquired the ‘Relics Compendium’?

And shared its contents with the barbarian?

[That makes much more sense.]

He decided to target the barbarian rather than the bold mage lady. It seemed easier to use his child, given their almost live-in relationship.

But…

‘To think it was a natural awakening.’

The barbarian wasn’t pretending.

His ignorance was genuine, and his concern for the child palpable.

‘Interesting. That worthless bloodline had talent after all.’

As he reached this thought, someone knocked on the door.

It was his advisor, Velos.

“Misha Karlstein requests to see you, my lord.”

“That child? Let her in immediately.”

After a brief wait, the advisor left, and the child entered.

“I… there was something I couldn’t say earlier—”

“Ah, no need to worry about that issue. I’ll keep my promise. No one will think of you as anything but a member of our family.”

Strangely, the child had no reaction.

He impulsively added another sentence.

“From now on, you are my daughter.”

The words the child had longed to hear, filled with both desire and resentment.

Yet the response was the same.

“…Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“I didn’t come here for that…!”

Her disrespectful tone caught him off guard.

This change was unexpected.

Without a chance to adapt, the child confronted him directly.

“Father. No, You’re not even my father. Do you know? In fact, we don’t share a single drop of blood.”

“What?”

He was genuinely surprised.

Not because he didn’t know, but because he never expected it from her.

“Mom told me before she passed. I’m not of Karlstein blood. I wanted to tell you that. Even though I resent you… I also pity you.”

Was it because he had never imagined this scenario?

He wasn’t angry, even at her bold words.

Just curious.

“Why would you do that?”

He knew who Misha’s real father was.

He thought if she died in the Labryinth, all would be solved.

But…

“If you hadn’t said that, I would have genuinely accepted you as a family member.”

Given what she longed for, why reject it?

“Why? Why throw away this opportunity with your own hands?”

As if deeming it unworthy of a response, the child turned her back and headed towards the door.

Perhaps there was a change of heart at the last moment?

She turned her head slightly and said,

“I just… wanted to do that, Nyah!”

To him, it was utterly incomprehensible.