Coming Out(3)

Why did Melbes freak out when I was given a seat at the royal council? The reason became clear as soon as the meeting began.

“The first agenda item is the invasion by the Noark forces.”

This subject that had already been raised at the inter racial Meeting and at the Melbes assembly.

However, the Marquis’s words contained details that couldn’t be found anywhere else.

“Though it was earlier than predicted, the invasion occurred at the beginning of this month.”

The royal family already knew about the invasion.

Of course, that doesn’t mean they’re omniscient or all-powerful.

“As you’re all aware, the annihilation plan couldn’t be executed due to unexpected variables.”

As we’re all aware? What the hell?

Are Barbarians not even considered people?

“…Extermination plan?”

As I tilted my head and muttered to myself, the Marquis paused, and all the nobles focused their attention on me.

Their expressions varied.

Some had expressions as if they couldn’t believe that the lowest-ranking person like me had interrupted the Marquis’s words during the meeting,

Others seemed unsurprised, as if they had expected it: “Well, he would do something like that.”

Duke Kealunus and Count Alminas showed no particular reaction, probably because they had dealt with me before and weren’t surprised by this kind of behavior.

And the Marquis as well.

“Come to think of it, Baron Yandel, this is your first time attending such a meeting, so it’s understandable you wouldn’t know about the annihilation plan.”

He answered my muttering without hesitation.

At this, one of the eyes looking at me widened even more.

It was Count Hugh—whatever his name was—who had mocked me earlier.

What, did he think the Marquis would yell at me for this?

Who knows, but it’s not something I need to care about.

“The annihilation plan was formulated after we obtained information that the Noark forces’ target was Bifron. The idea was to lure them there and destroy them all at once.”

“But that didn’t go well, did it?”

“Regrettably.”

After saying that, the Marquis averted his gaze from me, and turned to the rest of the nobles.

“The variable that ruined the plan was the mysterious magician who appeared among the Noark forces.”

It was like being the new kid on the first day of school, except now I could actually keep up with what he was saying.

That mysterious mage…it has to be him.

The one who activated the ancient magic circle in the underground fortress and instantly teleported tens of thousands, and who opened the portal outside the city walls linking directly to the seventh floor.

“We’ve yet to learn anything beyond the fact that he’s an old man. But the intelligence bureau suspects he’s also the one who tampered with the protective magic circle. He appears to be suspiciously skilled in ancient magic.”

In short:

The royal family tried to trap the Noark scum in Bifron and blow them up, but they failed because the mysterious mage activated the protective magic circle.

“We’re currently searching for a way to disable the circle externally, but since much of the authority was taken by that mysterious mage, there’s been no progress.”

Since he’s announcing it officially in a place like this, it’s safe to assume that there’s absolutely no way to enter Bifron.

‘Should I consider this royal incompetence, or is the other side just that formidable…’

I’m not sure, but one thing is clear.

The royal family bastards weren’t about to back down.

“The intelligence department judges that it is highly possible that the mysterious mage could also activate the dimensional plaza of Bifron, which is already closed. Therefore…”

The Marquis paused for a moment before speaking.

“I officially propose that we shut down the Labyrinth.”

Closing the Labyrinth.

Considering the structure of this city-state, Raphdonia, it’s an extremely weighty topic.

And the moment the topic came up, Duke Kealunus responded as if he’d been waiting:

“True… if we seal the Labyrinth, they’ll have no other options.”

Next came Count Alminas.

“They’ll either come out on their own or starve inside. Simple choice.”

It was all scripted.

These people obviously weren’t hearing about this for the first time.

Usually, they’d reach a consensus like this, and then nearly unanimously vote to approve shutting down the labyrinth.

But I’m a Barbarian who lacks social sense.

“Marquis, I have a question.”

“…Ask.”

“Is it absolutely necessary to shut down the entire Labyrinth?”

Count “Hum-something” couldn’t hold back and snapped at me.

“Think logically. If there were another way, would the Marquis have brought this up?”

Not wrong.

But I wasn’t asking if alternatives existed.

I wanted to know why this was the only option.

“Dimensional magic concerning the Labyrinth is more complex than you imagine. But I’ll try to summarize.”

He said it would be brief, but the explanation was long and boring.

But if I had to summarize it briefly.

The labyrinth is the server.
The portals are the login method.

The problem: if there’s only a login method, the royal family has no way to control it.

So their solution is to shut down the server itself. If the server is down, even with a login, no one can enter.

“Do you understand?”

“Somewhat. Thanks for explaining!”

With my curiosity satisfied, I stopped interrupting and just listened to their discussions.

Wouldn’t explorers rebel if the labyrinth closed?
What about those who couldn’t pay taxes without it?
How long would the closure last?

Finally, the Marquis concluded:

“From today onwards, the labyrinth will be closed. Its reopening will be decided at a future meeting. All in favor, flip your coins.”

What was surprising was that the voting process was entirely public. Yet the more I thought about it, the more sense it made. In a culture that did not value anonymity, secret ballots would only invite suspicion and backroom denials.

Click.

 

The attendees began flipping the golden coins placed in front of their seats one by one to show the royal family’s emblem, and soon the result came out.

Near-unanimous agreement.

Naturally, people’s gazes turned toward me again.

Because I was the only one who opposed.

“Baron Jandel, may I hear the reason you didn’t flip your coin?”

“If the labyrinth closes, everyone will clearly have a hard time. Well, we’re well-off, so no matter how long it’s closed, it won’t affect our livelihood, but still!”

“Hmm… So you opposed for the sake of the citizens?”

“If I had to say, yes.”

Whether he asked out of genuine curiosity or not, the Marquis just nodded coolly after hearing my answer.

And…

“Then let’s move on to the second agenda item.”

The boring meeting continued.

****

The meeting that started in the morning continued without stopping until evening.

There were break times in between, but…

‘What is this hardcore schedule?’

They only gave enough time to take care of business, and didn’t even provide separate meal breaks.

Apparently, it was a royal tradition.

“Haha, that’s why we all eat a hearty breakfast before attending the royal council.”

“Why does such a tradition even exist?”

“If you’re attending this meeting, your time is priceless. Since it’s difficult to gather everyone, they try to make the most of it, even if it’s inconvenient.”

Hmm… If that’s the case, just ditching all that roundabout, flowery speech would make things much more efficient.

Honestly, if a bunch of Barbarians were running this, we’d be done by lunchtime.

“Oh, looks like the meeting’s resuming. I’ll head back in first.”

Count Alminas left, and I quickly stuffed jerky into my mouth before reentering the hall.

‘The second topic was about the reconstruction projects for Districts 7 and 13, the third was tax-related, and the fourth was the incorporation of the evil spirits….’

Speaking of which, the matter of evil spirits was only brushed over. With so many votes against it, the proposal was rejected almost immediately.

“Now, the ninth agenda.”

The Marquis looked around and then locked eyes with me.

Ragna, who was sitting next to me, looked a bit flustered and cast awkward glances around the room.

Which made it obvious.

It’s here.

The ninth topic was my marriage—specifically, between me and Ragna.

Before we move on to the ninth topic, let me say this for everyone’s benefit: the discussion may be somewhat personal.

“Hmm? Personal, you say?”

“It may seem personal, but this concerns the very future of Raphdonia.”

“In that case, we must hear it out.”

Duke Kealunus nodded, signaling that no one would object now.

As if he didn’t already know what was coming. What an actor.

The dynamic between Duke Kealunus and Marquis Tercerion is interesting.

Rivals, but surprisingly cooperative when needed.

“Baron Jandel, what are you thinking so deeply about?”

“I wasn’t thinking anything.”

“Then I ask you to listen carefully. This directly concerns you.”

“Huh? Me?”

I tilted my head, feigning ignorance. The Marquis gave me a knowing look and spoke in his usual aristocratic tone.

“Baron Jandel, all here would agree that you’ve worked hard and achieved much.”

“……”

“However, for the great Lafdonia and for your house as its head, it is a loss to remain unmarried.”

“So what’s your point?”

“Isn’t it time for you to find a partner and settle down? If you agree, I’d like to propose a union between you and Countess Phefroc.”

The room stirred.

“What?!”

“Baron Jandel and Countess Phefroc…?”

Apparently, quite a few nobles were unaware of this arrangement.

“The Phefroc house is similar to yours in circumstances. Though legally separate, a marriage would be a blessing for both houses and the kingdom.”

“……”

“But that’s my opinion. What do you think?”

The question hung over me like a crushing weight. It wasn’t as though he cared for my opinion—he had raised it deliberately, just to put pressure on me.

Anyway.

YES and NO.

As always, the choices are these two.

If I agree to the marriage discussion, I’ll be under the Marquis’s control and will be regulated in some way.

If I refuse, I’ll face numerous checks.

But…

“Of course, I’m not asking for an immediate decision. Once you’ve gathered your thoughts—”

I never went back on a decision once made.

Even thinking about it again, it’s a bit of a terrifying decision, but…

‘Damn it.’

But it’s something I have to do.

“No!”

“…Huh?”

“I won’t get married.”

The moment I interrupted and expressed my refusal.

“Hmm……”

The Marquis’s eyes narrowed slightly.

It was a look as if he were contemplating how to torture me now that I had refused the proposal.

So I quickly spoke up.

“Not just Countess Phefroc, I won’t marry anyone.”

After much deliberation, I had decided on this countermove.

If the Marquis feared that the Jandel Barony might use marriage to rapidly expand its power, then it was only fair for me to declare my intention to remain single.

“I don’t understand. Are you saying you’ll remain single forever?”

However, the Marquis didn’t seem to trust my words.

I roughly expected this.

After all, a declaration like this can be overturned whenever I change my mind…

‘Do I really have to do it…?’

A more definite action is needed.

I’d already prepared for that.

But even thinking about it made me sigh.

Alright. Let’s do this.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

And then—

“Marquis!”

I shouted at the top of my lungs.

“I’m sorry, but—I’m not interested in women!”

For some reason.

No, it’s not like I don’t know the reason, but anyway.

As I slowly forced my eyes open, I was met with a suffocating stillness, as though the world itself had stopped

***

As time began flowing again, all eyes turned toward me in horror.

“Not interested in women…?”

“No, wait, then could it be…!”

“Disgusting.”

Some didn’t even bother to hide their revulsion.

Well, I understand.

It’s a world where homosexuality is classified as a sin.

Yeah… so that’s why…

“I don’t like men either!”

To correct the misunderstanding, I pulled out the doll I had prepared in my subspace and showed it to everyone.

“I am in love with this doll!”

“……Huh?”

“I will even marry this doll!”

“……What?”

It was something I had to do.

 

 

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