Political Schemes(5)

The head of the Red Cat tribe, Albrenev Karlstein.

Honestly, it was laughable that this man would even say such things.

From the start, he was never on good terms with Misha as a father, and he had always despised me.

‘But to butt in at this timing…’

Well, he must have seen some political value in taking advantage of the situation.

It was certainly possible, but even so, I found it difficult to look him in the eye.

No, it wasn’t just him. The Dragon Chief and the fairy chief were the same.

“Speak.”

“Is what you’re saying true?”

“Are you accusing me of lying?”

I felt as if I were surrounded by three fathers-in-law.

As for Mr. Dragon, he was bearable enough since I had no personal connection with his daughters. But Albrenev Karlstein and the fairy representative were another matter.

Ha, Why are these two so uncomfortable to deal with?
I’d rather sit on a bed of nails. Both physically and mentally.

…Should I not have come here?

Just as I was starting to regret attending this multi-racial council, an unexpected light of salvation appeared.

“Shouldn’t everyone calm themselves a little?”

The dwarf chief spoke up making his dissatisfaction known to everyone.

“I understand the feelings of a father with a daughter, but anyone watching would think this is a matchmaking meeting.”

“……”

“Aside from the humans, our five races have avoided forging deep ties with one another, and that’s what has preserved our balance and stability. But once someone starts crossing that line, that line will lose all meaning.”

The dwarf elder’s rebuke was flawless, both in logic and justification.

But…

“Hmm. I believe that so-called line lost its meaning a long time ago.”

Mister Dragon didn’t see it that way and immediately countered.

“This young man is already both a racial representative and a titled noble of the royal family. Has there ever been such a case before?”

“That issue was already settled. The royal family told us not to make a fuss.”

Judging by his words, it seemed the dwarf chief had protested to the royal family as soon as I became a titled noble and the tribe chief of the barbarians.

Well, dwarves are known for narrow hearts, so I guess it’s understandable he couldn’t accept it…

Still, I couldn’t help but feel the petty urge to to snatch away his worthless chair all the more.

“That’s why there’s no point in maintaining that line anymore. The fact that the royal family intervened already broke the balance.” Mr. Dragon cut in, breaking into my thoughts

I resisted the urge and focused on the conversation.

It was obvious this was an important topic.

“Lately, I’ve been thinking the royal family doesn’t intend to let the five races remain united. What do you think, Viscount?”

What seemed at first like a rebuke toward the dwarf elder suddenly shifted toward Viscount Maxiland, the human representative.

As though the entire discussion had been a build-up for this question.

“Haha, how could I know what the royal family is thinking…?”

But the viscount simply slipped away with a hollow laugh, like a slippery eel.

It was astonishing that he could utter such brazen words while representing humanity here.

“Then are you saying I’m wrong?”

“For this council, I’d prefer to be treated as if I weren’t here at all. Would that be too difficult?”

Maxiland’s voice suddenly became sharp, making it clear he was not someone to be underestimated.

Well, that’s probably why he was sent to attend this meeting.

When Mr. Dragon said nothing more, the viscount, after a moment of seriousness, went back to his silly laugh.

“Haha, I’m embarrassed. But it’s my first council, I came to learn today, so too much attention feels overwhelming.”

“Learning, eh… That tells me enough. I now understand how the royal family views us.”

“……”

The viscount kept his silence, as if telling everyone to interpret it themselves. With that, the topic closed.

Then, back to the original issue.

“Ehem. My opinion remains the same. It is improper for a tribe leader to marry outside his race.”

The Dwarf Chief glanced at the Viscount, who was quietly chuckling in the corner, and continued.

“The balance must be maintained. It is the only way for us other races to show our loyalty to the royal family.”

It seemed the Dwarf Chief wanted to appeal to the royal family all the more in this situation.

That us dwarves are not like those harmful races.

‘Why is this old man so timid? Could it be because he was never an adventurer?’

He wasn’t like the other dwarves I’d known, but as someone who understood the pressure of responsibility, I couldn’t entirely dismiss his stance either.

Of course, that didn’t mean I’d just smile and let it pass.

“So what you’re saying is, I should only marry within my own race?”

“That would be ideal, but not necessarily required. Even a beast woman or a fairy woman—if she’s an ordinary woman—would pose no political concern.”

In short: no Erwin, no Misha.

“Political concern, huh…”

At first, I just listened because it was funny. However, the more he spoke, the harder it became for me to stay quiet.

“Dumoka, can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

With the dwarf chief responding in a grandfatherly tone, I asked directly:

“Why do you keep telling me what to do?”

“……?”

“Are you my superior or something?”

I lifted my head and glanced around. Naturally, from that angle, the dwarf fell below my line of sight.

“…I apologize if I offended you. It was merely advice—.”
“Oh, then let me give you some advice too.”

Looking at the Dwarf Chief, who wore a puzzled expression, I stated clearly.

“I am the chief of the Barbarian tribe, a titled Baron of the Kingdom of Raphdonia. I am also the leader of clan Anabada—.”

Not that he didn’t already know all this.

“—And above all, I am a warrior.”

He didn’t seem to truly understand, so I made sure to drive it home.

I looked down at the slightly shaken dwarf chief and added:

“So don’t—”

“……”

“Ever try to command me again.”

Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he didn’t fully understand.

“Unless you want to duel me.”

Yep, that should be enough.

“……”

Whether it was the dwarf chief who had never once stepped into the labyrinth…

“……”

Or Karlstein, who once immobilized me with one burst of his killing intent.

Or even the dragon chief, regarded as the strongest of all the tribes.

And the fairy, said to be loved by all spirits—

“Do you all understand me now?”

I don’t think I’ll lose now.

***

When you think about it—

No, you don’t even need to think too hard.

I looked directly at the Dwarf Chief, who wore a seemingly shocked expression at my words, and continued:

“Frankly, isn’t it laughable to talk about maintaining balance now?”

And for good reason. Until now, the Barbarians were the weakest.

A truly desperate survival rate.

Pathetically low survival rates.

Constant lack of talent.

Perpetual poverty.

With no aptitude for politics or business, we were destined to remain as we were.

“In Raphdonia’s long history, I was the first Barbarian ever to become a noble.”

It wasn’t as though discrimination didn’t exist.

I had always half-joked about it, but the truth was undeniable.

Back in the days when we had nothing.

When I, Bjorn, son of Jandel, still lived as one of the weak.

“I endured scorn, ridicule, and discrimination against Barbarians with my own body.”

“In the city, our warriors couldn’t hold ordinary jobs. In the labrynth, we had to fight plunderers who aimed for our hearts.”

“At the time, we couldn’t even give young warriors proper shoes. The only things we could provide were one weapon and seven days’ worth of rock bread.”

And the most important part—

“What about you back then? Did you believe in maintaining balance then too?”

“That is—”

“Probably not.”

I cut him off before he could finish.

There was no need to hear it.

“If you had, you wouldn’t have so blatantly ignored the request the former chief made at this very meeting.”

I’d misjudged him in the past, but the previous chief didn’t just sit back and watch the Barbarian tribe decline.

His resourcefulness was lacking, but he too tried in his own way.

Like when he begged the council to ban the Mage Tower’s research on barbarian hearts.

“…So that was it? That day is why you hold resentment against us?”

The dwarf elder finally looked as though he understood, then spoke as though consoling a child.

“But that day we had no choice. Conflict between the Mage Tower and the Barbarians had to be avoided—for your people’s sake as well.”

What nonsense was he spouting?

“That’s not what I meant.”

I cut him off again, making myself clear.

“Of course I know.”

I wasn’t some naïve Barbarian anymore.

After becoming the tribe chief, I’d studied the records and uncovered the hidden truths.

“I know that during the Relic War, while claiming neutrality, your people secretly supported the fairies.”

“That just before that council, your people met with the Mage Tower’s magicians in secret.”

“That long ago, the rumors that barred Barbarians from holding ordinary jobs in the city actually began with the other races.”

I already knew everything.

And yet—

“I don’t hold resentment.”

I wasn’t saying that for show. It was the truth.

I wasn’t angry or bitter that they hadn’t helped us when we were desperate, nor that they had stabbed us in the back.

“I simply dislike it.”

“……”

“This two-faced attitude of talking about balance now.”

So…

“I’d prefer if you never spout that nonsense about harmony and balance in front of me again.”

After I said that, silence filled the hall.

And I wasn’t uncomfortable with it at all.

Perhaps because I’d finally said aloud what I’d always kept in my heart, in front of the representatives of all races.

Even this silence felt refreshing.

But…

“Hmm…”

Unfortunately, that time didn’t last long.

“Bjorn, son of Jandel. I understand your meaning.”

The fairy representative nodded.

“I also have no intention of forcing you to marry anyone. Whatever choice you make, I will support you.”

Mr. Dragon agreed as well.

“But then…?”

Finally, the head of the Kalstein family spoke up as if taking charge.

“So, who exactly do you intend to marry?”

Ah, I think I’m gonna be sick. For real.

 

 

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