Surviving The Game As A Barbarian Episode 95

Episode 95 Barbarian Trophy (2)

Tearing into meat, gulping down drinks.

My dirty hands are roughly wiped on the tablecloth.

The reason for this is simple.

‘This is what Baron Martoin wants, and anyway, it’s good for me too’

I’m currently at the Count’s banquet hall.

At a gathering like this, it’s only fitting to act like a barbarian.

The more savage the rumors, the better.

They’ll act as a shield if anyone ever suspects me of being an evil spirit.

“Excuse me, may I touch your forearm?”

“Do as you like.”

“Kyaa! I really did it!”

While I was enjoying the banquet as a barbarian, curious nobles came up to me and started chatting.

It feels like I’m working as a mascot.

“Hey there, could you give us another shout like before?”

“Bethel—raaaaaa!!”

“Hahaha, truly exhilarating!”

As I showed a professional attitude, having been commissioned by the Baron, more and more people began to gather.

Among them were the knights.

There were three of them, and all three of them had a sour look on their faces.

They were jealous of the attention I was receiving and the kindness I was being shown.

“It seems more appropriate to call him ‘Little Clown’ rather than ‘Little Balkan.’

“I thought he was called that because he had a small dick in the first place?”

“I guess warrior pride is a thing of the past, when you’re walking around farting like that.”

I pretend not to hear them.

It’s beneath me to care about ‘apprentice knights’ with mere third-floor explorer level strength…

Creating a dispute would gain me nothing.

“Hahaha, were you here?”

Soon, Baron Martoin returned, after I had entertained the nobles.

He looked around and laughed in genuine delight.

“Sorry to interrupt the mood. I have someone to introduce, so I’ll take him away now.”

“Ah…!”

The Baron led me to an indoor banquet hall within the mansion.

The atmosphere was different from the outdoor area.

There, a band played lively music, and young men and women danced in the garden, but here…

‘Is this a real gathering of the nobility?’

Quiet, serene music filled the air.

Those seated at tables conversed, maintaining their dignity and composure.

“Come this way.”

Following the Baron, I looked around. About two hundred people were enjoying the banquet in the hall.

Most were either direct relatives of Baron Martoin, like his young sons, or socially prominent individuals like bank presidents or guild leaders.

“Many of the people I’m about to greet are of higher rank than me. so please refrain from being rude.”

After that, I followed the Baron around to meet various titled nobles.

“Baron Martoin! Long time no see……. Who is this gentleman?”

“‘He’s the little Balkan, perhaps you’ve heard of him, Viscount, he’s famous among explorers these days.”

“Oh, him? I’ve heard of him. But how did he come to follow you?”

Instead of answering, the Baron gestured towards me, signaling me to recite my prepared lines.

“When I was in trouble, the Baron helped me. As thanks, I decided to protect him for a while.”

“Hahaha! To hear such words from a strong-looking Barbarian, I’m envious!”

“It’s nothing. I told him several times there’s no need, but…”

The Baron glanced at me again, trailing off.

“…A warrior never forgets a favor.”

“Ha! Truly, a sincere and honorable belief. You said your name was Bjorn, son of Jandel? I’ll remember your name.”

Thirteen such conversations followed.

There were only thirteen titled nobles, excluding the Count who hosted the banquet.

Indeed, even a noble with the smallest fiefdom in this city is a rare entity in the game.

‘It seems I’ve inadvertently made an impression on the nobles.’

Normally, attending such a banquet would require significantly raising my fame.

But I decided to be cautious.

If I wasn’t worthy enough to visit this place, it means I don’t have the power to protect myself if I fall out of favor with the titled nobility.

“Well, now that the greetings are over, rest by my side until the Count arrives.”

After the round of greetings, I stood quietly by the Baron’s side, dutifully playing my role as a trophy.

Was it because the Baron was by my side?

Or did the earlier warning take effect?

“…Tsk.”

I wasn’t sure, but the butler clicked his tongue and turned his head, no longer nitpicking as before.

Is this what being a Barbarian is like?

‘I should have done this sooner.’

After that, things were much more comfortable.

Baron Martoin never made the first move.

People flocked to me, hoping to catch a glimpse of my face, and I only had to show some tricks when the Baron wished.

“Wow!”

“Indeed, he truly lives up to the name ‘Little Balkan’, Baron!”

Bending a prepared steel rod with bare hands, arm-wrestling, and the like.

It was during such a time.

I saw a familiar face in the crowd.

“The star that shines in the twilight will guide us. Pleased to meet you. Baron Martoin, and…”

“I am Bjorn, son of Jandel.”

“Haha, my apologies, Lord Jandel, I’m not good with names.”

Upon revealing my name, the paladin in white armor smiled amiably.

He was the one I met after completing the sewer request.

Late at night, I briefly met him while delivering Elisha Behenk’s body.

His name was definitely…

“Are you acquainted with Commander Krobitz?”

Paal Krobitz.

That was certainly his name.

But…

‘…Commander? Him?’

Surprised by the Baron’s words, I looked at him, and the man sheepishly scratched the back of his head.

“Although I am unworthy, I’ve been fortunate enough to serve as the commander of the 3rd Paladin Division.”

“I see…”

I was quite taken aback.

I never thought about it because he came to pick up a body late at night.

Commander of the Paladin Division?

Doesn’t that mean he’s a monster with strength beyond a level 8 explorer?

“If you ever need support, please visit our order. As I said before, our order will not forget the service of Lord Jandel and will always remember it.”

Well, at the time, I thought it was just empty words.

But now, a man holding the position of commander saying this makes me think I should visit someday.

You never know.

Although it’s too much for now, if I build more connections, they might even send a priest to join my team later.

“Hmm, a service? Commander Krobitz, what do you mean by that?”

The Baron interjected with a curious voice in the midst of the conversation.

His eyes were full of curiosity.

Indeed, it’s hard to imagine a Barbarian rendering services to the order.

“Ah, I haven’t explained that to you.”

Krovitz looked not only at the baron, but at the people around him, and told the story as if he were reading a children’s book.

In summary, it was a simple story.

About my discovery of a priest of Carui in the labyrinth.

Not only that, but also finding and defeating that wicked woman hiding in the sewers.

That was all there was to the story, but Krobitz had a good way of telling it.

“Ha! I’ve heard about it. A minion of the evil deity appeared. But I never imagined it was this man who defeated it.”

“Little Balkan, Bjorn, son of Jandel. Truly born with the destiny of a hero…”

When he finished, the Baron and those around him expressed their amazement.

“A precious connection bestowed by the stars. Our order also treasures the bond with Lord Jandel. Ah, I must go now, I have other matters to attend to…”

Krobitz, having glorified me until the end, left due to some business.

And then…

“So, you’re much more impressive than I thought?”

The Baron’s gaze softened as he looked at me.

「Your character’s fame points have increased by +10.」
「Your character’s fame points have increased by +10…」
「…」

“Oh ho, such an event occurred?”

“Commander Krobitz, known for his discernment, said such things, he must indeed be someone destined for greatness.”has

Krovitz’s story had spread like wildfire among the nobles. When

The Count made his entrance, and the banquet officially began.

“Count Ferdehilt has arrived!”

From the staircase connecting to the second floor, a man descends with an imposing presence, all eyes on him.

By his side is a teenage daughter, perhaps the real star of this event.

“I thank everyone for coming to celebrate my daughter Arabella’s birthday. We have prepared various entertainments, so leave your worries behind and enjoy!”

With the Count’s words, the music became more dynamic, and the previously quiet hall started to buzz with energy.

The hushed voices grew louder, and unrestrained laughter echoed here and there.

Naturally, the mellow intoxication was kicking in – everyone had been sipping on their drinks.

“Young lady, may I have the honor of kissing your hand?”

The youngsters, each with their chosen partner, went outside to dance, while the older guests sat, enjoying the clown’ shows and having candid conversations.

Then it was time.

“Let’s go now.”

The Baron stood up, a hint of tension in his demeanor.

When I inquired about our destination, the Baron replied,

“You haven’t met the Count yet, have you? When I mentioned you earlier, he expressed a strong desire to meet you.”

The expression on the Baron’s face was markedly different from when we were greeting the other nobles – like he was facing his direct superior.

‘The Count, huh…’

I felt a surge of nervousness, but the Count turned out to be quite a hearty man and very friendly towards me.

“Ha ha! So, it’s you? I’ve wanted to meet you in person.”

The Count, upon seeing me, stood up and even extended his hand for a handshake.

“Pleased to meet you!”

I responded to the handshake in a Barbarian-like manner, but internally I couldn’t shake off a sense of strangeness.

Bjorn, the son of Jandel, the Little Balkan.

I’m aware that I’ve become quite famous lately.

But…

‘For the Count to go this far?’

If you ask me, definitely not.

It doesn’t feel right, especially since in this vast city, there aren’t even a hundred nobles with the status of a Count.

He’s incomparable even to the regional leaders of the explorers’ guild I met before.

A true power-holder, practically omnipotent.

In the game, events involving Counts or higher-ranking big shots wouldn’t occur until the very late stages.

And yet…

“You are bigger than I expected? Shouldn’t you be called ‘Big Balkan’ instead of Little? Ha ha!”

The Count praised me as if he wanted to win my favor..

“But what about that weapon? I heard you used a mace.”

He continued to make subtle references to things that he wouldn’t have noticed if he hadn’t been paying attention.

‘Why?’

I couldn’t understand.

Surely, if he wished, he could command explorers of the highest tiers, levels 7 and 8, with ease…

Why then is he interested in me?

‘Shit, this is making me uneasy…’

Some might be thrilled to have a big shot like the Count take interest in them, but not me.

Especially since I’ve been anxiously anticipating some imminent trouble.

‘…What could go wrong?’

My learned anxiety began to naturally assume the worst scenarios related to the Count.

“Suddenly, looking at you reminds me of something interesting.”

The Count looks at me, clapping his hands in agreement.

Then he makes an unexpected suggestion.

“There will be a match among the apprentice knights later. Would you like to participate?”

“…Wouldn’t the knights dislike that?”

“I’ll take care of that. What do you say?”

“I’ll think about it…”

I gave a non-committal response.

It would be less trouble for me to make my intentions known through the Baron later than to refuse him to his face.

“Hmm, well then. Do as you please.”

The Count then seemed to lose interest in me and started talking about other matters with the Baron.

Light conversation, like praising each other’s children and blessing the future of their families.

“Ha ha, I’ve kept you for a long conversation. Go enjoy the banquet.”

“Yes.”

After leaving the Count’s side and returning to my original table, the Baron immediately approached me.

“So… what about that earlier matter?”

“That earlier matter…?”

“The match!”

So that was it.

I had withheld my answer, saying I was thinking about it.

It seemed more thoughtful to delay, even if I planned to refuse.

“Think it over. This might be beneficial for you.”

As expected, the Baron tried to persuade me, talking about the benefits of participating in the tournament.

The promise of a separate reward of 2 million stones just for participating, a good opportunity to enhance my fame.

And the tournament’s grand prize, a 7000 numbered item.

“What? Garphas’s Necklace?”

“…Why so surprised? Is it something you know?”

The Baron, not an explorer, was puzzled by my reaction.

Luckily so, because if he had been an explorer, my reaction would have seemed even more suspicious.

“Hmm, I heard from Sir Elta that it’s not such an attractive item.”

No.7777 Garphas’s Necklace.

An item that only drops in the 5th floor rift, with an almost atrocious drop rate, making it extremely difficult to obtain.

In many ways, it was an item similar to the Seri’s Ring of Frost Spirits.

A low item number.

Unique but not significantly valuable effects for explorers.

Rare, yet often treated as a dud due to these characteristics.

And…

‘The hidden special event it triggers.’

My contemplation was brief.

The foreboding feeling that something was about to happen?

The resolve to lay low for a while?

I smirked.

What does that matter?

Being careful and calculating gains and losses is one thing, but it doesn’t mean I should be an idiot and not do what you need to do.

That would be missing the point.

“Okay.”

“Huh? What did you just say?”

“I’ll participate in the Count’s match.”

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