Political Scheme 1

“Get married and produce an heir.”

The moment I heard that condition, I lost my composure. But, thinking about it from the perspective of the Council Leader, it was a reasonable request.

“What Baron Jandel has accomplished in just a few years is something no hero could rival. Neither I nor anyone else can deny that. However…”

The Council leader snapped his fingers.

“…such things could vanish at any moment.”

House Jandel still has no successor.

Simply put, the moment I die, my house will fall into ruin as a fallen noble house.

Even to my ears, it wasn’t a wrong statement.

Well, that’s because I have no children, let alone any relatives.

“If something were to happen to you now, Baron, House Jandel would disappear that very day. Most of your possessions would be reclaimed by the national treasury.”

For the Council Leader, who was in the process of formulating plans to fully support me, this was inevitably the part he would be most concerned about.

A kind of minimum risk management, perhaps?

If something were to happen to me, all their plans would undoubtedly go awry. However, if the barony could at least be maintained, then, for Melbes, where the number of affiliated families is important, the losses could be reduced by that much.

“…What if I said I have no intention of getting married immediately?”

“Then, unfortunately, this proposal would have to be put on hold. If even a condition of this level cannot be established, then even I would find it difficult to persuade the other families.”

I had been nudging him for a response, but when he finally answered, it was firmer and more final than I had expected. There was no room left for discussion.

“Nonetheless, our Welbeit house will continue to support you. But… as I said, gaining Melbes’s full support will take much longer.”

“I see.”

I needed time to think, so I nodded vaguely. The Council Leader added in a coaxing tone:

“Also, your heir doesn’t have to be a barbarian. Though Melbeth generally prefers non-humans, it’s not something I intend to force. The most important thing is to prevent your house from falling into the hands of the royal family.”

In other words, I can choose a spouse who’s not a barbarian.

“Ah, of course, taking a woman of your own race as a partner is the best choice. That way, the first child will carry on the bloodline properly, and if you have multiple children, it would reduce the chances of conflict over succession.”

Perhaps it’s because he’s lived in the noble society long enough for his hair to turn white? Instead of feeling he was being nosy, I found myself thinking he was just incredibly rational.

But…

“That’s something I’ll decide for myself.”

“Can I take that as your acceptance of the proposal?”

“I said I’d think about it.”

A classic non-committal response, uncharacteristic for a barbarian.

“I see.”

But the council leader seemed satisfied with that and smiled as he continued.

“If you don’t have a partner, I could suggest my granddaughter—”

There he goes again.

“No thanks.”

“If beast people aren’t your type, I could introduce you to a girl from another noble house—”

“I said no, didn’t I?”

I sighed, clearly irritated, and the Council leader’s gaze turned meaningful.

He wasn’t disappointed by my answer, but rather curious.

“So you do have someone in mind. When you heard the proposal, someone already came to mind.”

He nodded with a kind smile.

“That is all for today.”

…As expected, you can’t ignore age and experience.
***

After the marriage talk ended, a servant came in with tea, almost like they had been waiting for that moment, and we moved on to other topics while sipping our drinks.

“Baron, have you perhaps checked on the state of Jandel Barony being constructed in District Seven?”

Even recalling it now, it was a horrific scene.

The roof was nearly complete and looked ready for move-in.

If only it hadn’t been utterly destroyed.

‘I guess the move-in date has been delayed again…’

When will my house ever be completed?

It felt hopeless again, but I tried to look on the bright side. If the original design had been completed, it would’ve been quite cramped by now.

“Given the situation, it might be wise to buy more land nearby. Especially since your house has grown unexpectedly.”

“That’s probably best. But didn’t you already offer to buy land for me, saying that I would need it?”

“Hoho, it’s not easy to read Baron’s thoughts. I just wanted to hear it clearly.”

“Just ask me straight next time. It’ll be easier for both of us that way.”

“Oh, in that case. How much land do you want? Given the current situation, it seems we can purchase land at a very reasonable price.”

From there, the conversation turned casual. And we spent time discussing and adjusting minor details.

And…

“Once you’ve sorted out your thoughts, please let me know as soon as possible. There are many things to prepare if we are to hold a grand wedding.”

After finishing my private meeting with the Council Leader, I boarded the carriage to return to the holy site and stared blankly out the window.

“Marriage…”

It was a topic I had never once thought about.

No, to be precise, I had thought about it a few times, but I ended the thought with ‘how could that be possible for someone like me?’

Once, a long time ago, I had seriously considered it, too.

But in the end, it didn’t conclude well.

“Sigh…”

My head is complicated.

It’s not that my chest feels stuffy, but for some reason, I keep sighing.

It’s like I’m facing a huge mountain I must eventually cross.

Marriage, marriage, marriage.

The one-letter word the Council Leader left me with continued to echo in my mind.

Even on the shaky carriage ride—

“The chief is back! The chief has returned!”

Even at the sanctuary, where I was welcomed by the warriors.

“…The Bifron citizens have settled in well. No major issues so far. But it seems like a waste to let all that manpower go unused, so I was thinking of involving them in various projects around the grounds starting tomorrow. Is that okay?”

Even while listening to the administrative secretary’s report—

“Hehe, mister! Try this too!”

“Thanks.”

“…How is it? I added a bit more lemon juice than usual today. Does it suit your taste?”

“It’s good.”

“You don’t look well. Did something bad happen over there?”

“No.”

Even while eating with my companions—

That one word kept sticking in my throat like a thorn, and I couldn’t concentrate on the conversation.

“Marriage…”

Just how should I handle this?

I had no intention of marrying for political reasons, but I kept thinking about it anyway.

“……!!”

“……?!!”

“……??”

If I’m not planning to return to Earth—

And if I’m going to keep living in this world—

Then eventually, I would have to marry someone, wouldn’t I?

Have children, see my grandchildren… live out my days peacefully…

Yeah, maybe something like that—

“…Wouldn’t be so bad.”

The moment I said that out loud—

I suddenly realized that an awkward silence had descended over the room.

“……”

“……”

Everyone was looking at me.

 

One person sat frozen with their spoon suspended mid-air, while another dropped theirs.

“…Hic!”

Someone else hiccupped as if they had choked on something.

“……….Oh?”

Another person hurriedly swallowed their food and blurted out something I couldn’t make sense of.

That was the trigger.

“Bjorn Jandel.”

“Yeah?”

“…What did you just say?”

It was like someone had pressed the play button after pausing time.

“M-MARRIAGE?! Did you say marriage?!”

All eyes were on me, filled with curiosity and disbelief.

“You also said it wouldn’t be bad!”

Realizing I’d spoken my thoughts aloud, I was at a loss for words.

Then, Auyen cautiously spoke beside me.

“It is true that it’s about time you found a partner. In fact, most people in the city wonder why you haven’t already. But…”

“But?”

“Bringing it up suddenly like this… Does that mean you already have someone in mind?”

At that direct question, everyone at the table swallowed hard.

Well, it wasn’t surprising.

No one knew what the future held, but right now, we were practically bound together as comrades in fate.

Yeah, so…

Might as well tell them honestly at this point.

I placed my spoon down on the table.

I took a quiet breath and shared the proposal I had heard in Melbes.

There wasn’t much to say, really.

Get married and have a child.

Then Melbes would mobilize in full to support House Jandel.

The spouse didn’t need to be a barbarian.

It was a short, simple proposal.

But the reactions from my companions? That would take pages to summarize.

“Ah… s-so that’s what it was?”

“Just an old man overstepping his bounds, it seems.”

“S-So what will you do? If you have to find someone, then…”

“Ooooh! Bjorn’s son?! He’ll definitely have great talent! I’ll raise him to be a mighty warrior!”

“Ainar… what exactly do you mean by that?”

“Yeah. That’s not something you just casually say. You’ll raise his son?”

“What? What’s wrong? Bjorn’s son would practically be like my own.”

“No, I mean…!”

“E-everyone calm down! I don’t think that’s what he meant!”

The situation was beyond chaotic.

But it finally calmed down—or rather, entered a temporary lull—because of a question from an unexpected someone.

“So… have you accepted the proposal?”

Amelia asked bluntly, and the room fell quiet again.

“……”

“……”

“……”

 

Even someone accustomed to public speaking would have a hard time speaking under this much pressure.

I let out a bitter smile and answered honestly again.

“I’ve decided to think about it.”

“T-Think about it?”

“Yeah, just thinking.”

“But why? Why only think about it?”

Come to think of it, it was a rather strange question.

I mean, it’s not like barbarians could reproduce via mitosis.

“Well…!”

“…Well?”

“I’d need the other party’s consent too!”

The words burst out almost reflexively, and once again, a peculiar silence fell over the dining table.

One second, two seconds, three seconds.

How long did that silence last?

“S-so… does that mean you intend to seek consent going forward…?”

“Uh…”

“I—I might be misunderstanding! But the way you spoke just now… it almost sounded as if you already had someone in mind—”

The moment Auyen finished his question, I pushed back my chair and stood up.

And for good reason. My life as a warrior had taught me one thing:

A clever warrior chooses their own battlefield.

Therefore…

“I’m full, so I’m getting sleepy!”

“…Huh?”

“I’m off to bed now!!”

A Barbarian-style retreat to the safety of my room.

After quickly locking the door, lying down on the bed, and wrapping myself tightly in the blanket, I felt a bit more at ease.

It was a little embarrassing to have shown my colleagues such a flustered escape, but there was no helping it.

A warrior is someone who overcomes any adversity.

But even for a Barbarian, who values honesty…

How could a K-Barbarian, with Confucian principles engraved in their soul, possibly say it?

[“You already have someone in mind, don’t you? When you heard the proposal, you already had someone in mind.”]

Ugh, I can never tell this to anyone.

‘Get a grip, Hansu…’

It’s not like only one person came to mind.

 

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