Reconstruction 3

When I jumped to my feet and objected, all the heads of the noble houses turned their attention to me.

“Objection…?”

Even Mariblack, the Viscount hosting and moderating today’s meeting, trailed off in confusion.

It was understandable.

Even though I initially came to report my survival and was bombarded with all sorts of attention and questions, I had answered them all half-heartedly and was dozing off in a corner.

Of course they’d be wondering why I was suddenly doing this.

“What? You told us to raise objections, so I did. Is that a problem?”

“N-no, not at all. In Melbes, we respect the voices of all noble houses.”

“Then great!”

With the moderator’s approval, I confidently voiced my opinion.

“Count Goldbeard’s family is not the right fit for this construction contract!”

“Pardon……?”

Mariblack and the other heads reacted as if I had just said something absurd.

Count Goldbeard is not only one of the thirty-two families and the only Count among them, but he also holds a position akin to vice-leader of Melbes. That alone makes him more than qualified to represent Melbes, and since he owns several construction-related businesses, even I agree that he’s the right person for this job.

But…

“Uh… then, perhaps Baron Jandel, are you taking the position that we should not participate in this construction project bid?”

“No! Of course we’ll participate! It’s a chance to make a fortune, why would we just sit back and watch?”

“Then the reason you opposed this agenda item…”

“The reason’s simple! Count Goldbeard isn’t a bad choice, but I believe there’s someone even more suitable.”

“A more suitable candidate… Who might that be?”

Mariblack asked as though he couldn’t even begin to guess. I shamelessly pointed a thumb at myself.

“Baron Yandel’s house, of course!”

“……”

“……”

What? Why is no one saying anything?

Shouldn’t someone at least ask why I’m so confident?

Left with no choice, I had to do a solo PR pitch. It felt like an elementary schooler campaigning for class president.

“If the Jandel house is in charge of the project, all the Barbarian warriors will pitch in. You may not know it yet, but we Barbarians are even better laborers than Dwarves—”

I was trying hard to make my case when someone cut me off with a mocking laugh.

“Pfft.”

I looked around and saw a dwarf fiddling with his beard while perched on a chair. It was Count Goldbeard himself.

“…What’s so funny?”

“Ah, my apologies. It’s not that I look down on your Barbarians… it’s just that what you said was somewhat amusing.”

“Amusing how?”

When I pressed him with a cold voice, Count Goldbeard seemed momentarily taken aback but then chuckled.

“Whether it’s in construction or anything else, surely barbarians can’t be better than dwarves, right?”

Would you look at this damn racist bastard.

For a moment, my mind went blank with rage, but I forced myself to stay calm.

Losing my temper meant losing my chance.

“Huh? You think we’re not better? Look at our height. Isn’t that obvious proof that Dwarves can’t hold a candle to Barbarians?”

Short height was a sore spot for Dwarves. Well, they seem to rationalize it by saying they have other talents, but the fact that they need to rationalize it shows it’s a weakness to them.

“Haha. If size were everything, wouldn’t there be more noble Barbarians than just you by now?”

He was still smiling, but it was obvious I’d hit a nerve.

Time to dig a little deeper.

“Oh, that’s true. You’ve had plenty to eat and drink for centuries, and yet you’ve never gotten taller.”

“……Heh.”

“Ah, Count, maybe it’s not like that for you? I still sometimes get Goblins and Dwarves mixed up. Wait… maybe you wouldn’t know, since you’ve never been to a labyrinth? You’d see how similar goblins and Dwarves look.”

“……”

“Uh, Baron Yandel? Maybe calm down a little—”

“Calm down? I think it’s Count Goldbeard who needs to calm down. Look, his beard’s trembling.”

“……”

“Speaking of which, why do all Dwarves grow beards? It’s not like it makes them taller—”

Suddenly, the Count slammed his hand on the table and stood up.

“I will not tolerate any more of this insolence!”

Of course, even after standing, he wasn’t much taller.

Tsk tsk. That’s why I say all dwarves should be banned from using chairs.

While I clicked my tongue internally, I looked him in the eye and casually asked:

“So what if you don’t tolerate it?”

“……”

“What are you going to do? Challenge me to a duel?”

Of course, there was only one answer he could give to such an obvious bait.

“…How barbaric.”

Dismissing me by mocking my lack of refinement.

Kinda funny, actually.

“What? Isn’t that why you people brought me in? To charge at other noble bastards when they look down on you?”

“Even then… I opposed you”

“Huh? But the vote was unanimous back then, wasn’t it?”

“That was because an agreement had already been reached before—”

“Ah, so you can’t voice your own opinion if everyone else agrees?”

“……”

“Well, I guess if you’re small, your guts are probably small too—”

Just as I was about to deliver one more jab, a thunderous roar rang out.

“Baron Jandel—!!”

Even I couldn’t talk back to this one.

It was Takuo Welbeit, the Black Bear Grandfather and current leader of Melbes. He also carried the title of viscount. Although I hadn’t spoken with him much, but every time we met, he smiled kindly and only said nice things, so I had a good impression of him.

I heard from the Rabbit Baroness that he is highly respected within Melbes.

He’d never once raised his voice before.

‘Whoa… He’s scary when he’s mad.’

Even Count Goldbeard flinched.

‘He’s always quietly smiling, but when he gets angry, it’s no joke.’

Looking at us both, the black bear grandpa barked like a righteous hero.

“Never forget why we gather here! Unity is our only path to survival!”

Damn, what a voice.

I mean, we’re about the same size since he’s a Black Bear.

“Differences of opinion? Fine! But I will not tolerate infighting! Do I make myself clear?!”

“…I got a bit carried away. My apologies, Chief.”

“And what about you, Baron Jandel?! Why are you silent?!”

“…I’ll behave.”

As I took a step back, the Chief sat back down, calm and gentle as if he’d never been angry.

So…

“Can I continue where I left off?” I asked in an innocent voice.

“Left off…?”

“There was an interruption earlier. I was explaining why Baron Jandel’s house is the best choice for the contract.”

“Ah, right. Go ahead.”

I continued my explanation as though I had prepared a PowerPoint presentation in advance.

I explained why Barbarians were excellent laborers—cost-effective and abundant, and mentioned that I could mobilize all 8,712 residents of Bifron as workers.

“Hm… Are Barbarian warriors really that good at building houses?”

“Not as delicate or sturdy as Dwarves, I admit. But much faster.”

I glanced at Count Goldbeard while saying this, and he coughed awkwardly. Judging by his expression, he didn’t seem to mind the compliment itself…

“Ahem. Our speed isn’t slow either.”

Still, the fact that he felt the need to add that told me he was the kind who just couldn’t stand losing.

“Anyway, I believe this reconstruction project is about quickly restoring a vast area. The royal family itself probably wants that too.”

“That is a correct statement.”

“That’s what I meant. Why I said I was the most optimal candidate for this reconstruction project.”

“Certainly… there is some logic to it…”

After the briefing, people’s reactions were mixed.

It seemed many were quite convinced by my persuasion, but they also seemed doubtful whether my words were true or not.

In fact, someone voiced their doubt.

“But so far, it’s only Baron Jandel’s word. That they have such a talent for construction work.”

“Then why don’t we just have a contest? Bring the Dwarves and Barbarians, have them do some construction work, evaluate the results, and score them. If I lose, I’ll accept the result cleanly.”

Flustered by such a rough-and-ready proposal fit for a barroom brawl, the moderator looked at Count Goldbeard.

His eyes seemed to be asking for his opinion.

And of course, this man-child took the bait.

“Fine! Let’s do it!”

And just like that, a match was set.

***

After the duel was settled, everyone turned to one person:

The Chief, sitting in the corner.

Would he approve of us actually going through with this?

Surprisingly, he was delighted.

“Ha ha ha! This is better! I’ll arrange the event and notify you. But promise—win or lose—you’ll accept the result.”

“I swear on my honor as a warrior.”

“I swear on my hammer.”

Alright, that matter was settled.

Since we’d taken so long on this topic, Viscount Mariblack who was leading the proceedings, continued the assembly.

“That concludes the discussion on construction bidding. Let’s move on.”

To these nobles, the bidding topic wasn’t a major issue. It was just business.

They were already wealthy. We were the ones desperate for opportunities.

Since these families have maintained their noble status for hundreds, or even thousands, of years, they all have plenty of money.

And in that sense…

“The next agenda item is an open discussion regarding the recent Noark invasion incident and the occupation of Bifron.”

As the new topic was introduced, all the family heads stiffened their expressions and straightened their postures.

Their attitudes were incomparably more serious than during the previous project bid agenda.

“As this discussion is about free information sharing and analyzing and deducing situations we are unaware of, I hope everyone will speak freely.”

As the meeting began, the family heads, who had been silently keeping their seats, began voicing their opinions with enthusiastic voices.

“Regarding the Noark invasion incident, there is circumstantial evidence that the royal family knew in advance. This is information obtained from a highly reliable source…”

“Let me preface this by saying this information is unconfirmed. There’s talk that Noark tampered with the protective magic circle in Bifron.”

“Good heavens… How dare those ruffians lay hands on the Great Sage’s legacy…”

With no clear answers, the discussion dragged on, and I continued to get bombarded with questions.

“Baron Jandel, do you know anything?”

“Yes! Weren’t you closest when it happened?”

“You’re the only one who visited both District 7 and Bifron!”

They clearly expected a lot from me.

Unfortunately, I didn’t know much either.

Something was fishy about the royal family and Noark, but I had no evidence.

“I don’t really know.”

I admitted honestly.

They looked disappointed—but not entirely surprised.

Hm… I see…”

“Well, it’s not like the Baron would know everything.”

“I’m sure this will be discussed at the next royal assembly. We’ll have to wait for their version.”

“But we never hear anything real from them. Just scraps.”

“They’ll monopolize the real profits of this mess too…”

As if on cue, the atmosphere turned bitter and frustrated.

Seeing this, I tilted my head and said:

“Uh… I mean, I could tell you in a few days if you want…”

They all looked puzzled.

“…Excuse me? What do you mean, Baron Jandel?”

“Exactly what I said.”

“Haha, you talk as if you’ve been invited to the royal assembly.”

“Oh, I have.”

It wasn’t something I needed to hide, so I answered indifferently. But it seemed like this was something they couldn’t just let slide.

“…….”

“…….”

A brief silence.

“WHAT?!”

“Baron! I-Is that true?!”

“…Good heavens! Someone from Melbes received royal assembly access?!”

The room suddenly erupted in chaos.

“This… isn’t this the first time in nearly 600 years?”

What the hell—how is it that they’ve been unable to do so many things for hundreds of years?

Honestly, it was getting to the point of being absurd…

“Baron! Baron! Tell us! How exactly did you obtain that right?”

“Was it because of the expedition to the first basement floor?”

“No, perhaps it was due to the merit of rescuing the explorers from District 7!”

My warrior’s instinct for competition was telling me this.

“Baron! Say someth—”

“My throat.”

“…Huh?”

“My throat’s suddenly dry. Isn’t there anything cold to drink?”

From this moment on, I was the one in control.

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