[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian":3,"chapter-surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-475":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Surviving the Game as a Barbarian",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1327695,1764,"Chapter 475: Of Men and Women (2)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-475",475,"\u003Cp>The two sisters were together in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pen, the Dragonkin Priestess who had given me the Dragon's Blessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Raviyen, my former expedition teammate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You're here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pen, the Dragonkin girl, glanced at me and then looked away, a pout on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'She's acting like a teenager.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to be understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had heard from her father and Raviyen that she had been depressed after I was declared dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'She kept saying she wanted to hear more stories...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You... heard that...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, I asked what you said.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I lowered my voice, and Pen, slightly intimidated, raised hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-Why?! I just said you look the same!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a blatant lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had clearly heard her say, \"That ugly face...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Penitasauros.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...It's Penitasaurooooos.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I might have forgotten after all these years, so let me remind you. I'm not ugly, I'm manly. Understand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at her, and she finally replied,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right, she knew it all along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that the dominance hierarchy had been established, I turned to Raviyen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's been a while, Raviyen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You two... seem close.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Close? We've only met once before, when I received the blessing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still, you were probably the last outsider she interacted with.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, that was true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not many outsiders visited the Dragon's Temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sat down at the table and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you knew I was coming?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yes. Father told me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"While he was talking to you. I can hear his voice wherever he is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he had some kind of telepathic communication skill, besides Dragon Speech? He was more versatile than I thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did he tell you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just that you were coming, and that he had good news for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, he had added that part too?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's the good news?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pen looked at me expectantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I avoided her gaze, and Raviyen shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't understand the Dragonkin's way of thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why would they entrust such an important moment to an outsider like me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Well, it's not that difficult.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decided not to postpone it any longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I killed the Dragonslayer and brought back his heart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lot had happened, but it could be summarized in a single sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pen looked confused, so I repeated myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's true. I gave the heart to your father, so you'll be able to recover soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Sister?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's true, Pen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after Raviyen's confirmation, Pen still looked confused. It was too sudden, I guess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, she finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to take back my previous assessment of her upbringing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both her and her father were surprisingly polite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made me feel a little awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But even if you recover, things won't change immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I relayed the Ancient Dragon's instructions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My fight with the Dragonslayer was to remain a secret for now. She would have to stay hidden in the temple until the situation calmed down...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And her father had agreed to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm sorry. I know you hate this place—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pen interrupted me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't mind staying here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sounded sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't understand her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don't mind? But you have everything you need here. Food, shelter... you can just play all day—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you talking about? You idiot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Was that not the reason?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pen sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course not. I hate this place. I want to go outside, feel the wind, smell the flowers... but...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She clenched her fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now my father doesn't have to stay here because of me. He can finally go wherever he wants.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her answer surprised me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So that's enough for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Family...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I suddenly felt a pang of curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yandel, thank you for saving my father.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was it like to have a family like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pen excused herself, saying she needed some time alone, and I was left with Raviyen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't a bad outcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had something to ask her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Raviyen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why have you been avoiding me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What... do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been subtle, but she didn't seem to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I decided to be more direct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why didn't you come to the after-party? You don't seem that busy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard Titana Akuraba didn't come either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, that's true.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But she's actually busy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief pause, Raviyen replied,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I was busy too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really? Then I guess I can't blame you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that all you wanted to ask?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sounded more relaxed now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a sip of my tea and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she wasn't fooled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Raviyen, I'm fine, so just tell me the truth. Did you change your mind?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The subject was omitted, but everyone in the room knew what I was talking about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, I haven't.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really? I thought you were trying to distance yourself from us—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because we weren't on the same page from the beginning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not on the same page...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave her a look, and she sighed, finally explaining herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, I'm saddened by the deaths of our comrades. And I'm angry at the Marquis, and the royal family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But that's all. Not everyone is like you, Yandel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So my initial impression hadn't been wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was distancing herself from us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the reason was exactly what I had suspected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No matter how close we became, we were just teammates on a single expedition.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they had been family, it would have been different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they weren't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And therefore...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you're asking me to dedicate my life to revenge... my answer is no.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raviyen had made a rational decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the normal response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if their family had died, most people wouldn't seek revenge against the royal family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see... Thank you for being honest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I'm sorry. But I'm sure there are others who feel the same way. They're just afraid to say it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, that was true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People's emotions were fickle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll keep that in mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That's unexpected. I thought you would accuse me of betrayal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Would that change your mind? If it would, I would have done it a hundred times.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raviyen looked down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had said everything she wanted to say, and the conversation was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She still seemed to have something on her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood how she felt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been in a similar situation before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Raviyen, let me give you some advice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go ahead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If everyone had been as rational as you that day, none of us would have survived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were no right or wrong answers in this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>___________________\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me know if you change your mind. You're always welcome.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to leave the room when Raviyen said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Father is still in a meeting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I awkwardly waited for the Ancient Dragon to return. He eventually used Dragon Speech to teleport me back home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just past noon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mister! You're back!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You're early. I thought you might be late.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia and Erwen were waiting for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It ended sooner than expected. What happened here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pointed at the backyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The overgrown wasteland had been transformed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half of it was now a lush garden, and the other half was a training ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...It just... happened. It looks a little crude, but... we didn't have a choice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We couldn't let one person have it all, so we decided to share.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they had finally reached a compromise after days of arguing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yandel, have you eaten?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I had a few snacks. What about you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not yet!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then let's eat together.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was thinking about going out for lunch, but Auyen was already preparing a meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He cooks...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn't you know? He made dinner last night too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I thought you bought it... Wait, we don't even have a kitchen, do we?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia gave me a look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We turned one of the rooms on the first floor into a kitchen. You didn't even notice?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yandel, you need to pay more attention to your surroundings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't argue with that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn't had a chance to relax at home lately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, I followed Amelia to the first floor, and one of the empty rooms had been converted into a kitchen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome back, Clan Master!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Auyen, dressed in a white chef's uniform, greeted me with a smile. A plate of food was already prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mister, come here. He'll take care of everything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh... really?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Auyen... what was his job, again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Navigator, coachman, and now a chef?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...Is there anything he can't do?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I realized once again that power was everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I wasn't strong, he wouldn't be here cooking for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How is it? Does it suit your taste?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's perfect. Just the right amount of seasoning. And plenty of meat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The ladies instructed me to always prepare extra, just in case you came home hungry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Ladies?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Auyen flinched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had made a mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I didn't say anything and focused on my meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after a while...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Leave it. I'll clean up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Auyen collected the dishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a strange feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being treated like this in my own house... I felt like a real noble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mister, you don't have anything scheduled for today, do you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, I cleared my schedule.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then... would you like to have some tea in my garden?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tersia, I'll have the Black Dragon tea.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ha... you're so shameless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen grumbled, but she still prepared the tea, and we chatted for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The high walls surrounding the house felt comforting, and the afternoon sun was warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a relaxing afternoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'This is nice...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen chattered excitedly, and Amelia occasionally chimed in, arguing with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I just enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Family...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I mumbled unconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a quiet murmur, barely audible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Erwen and Amelia stopped talking and looked at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yandel, what did you just say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, what was that, Mister?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had forgotten their argument and were now focused on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to brush it off, but they were persistent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It wasn't nothing. You said 'family'.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard it too. What did you mean by that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, why did I say that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been thinking about Pen...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed and answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was wondering what it would be like to have a family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an honest answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwen and Amelia didn't say anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence was awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to change the subject when Erwen suddenly spoke, her eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...The left wall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The left wall?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was she talking about?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Someone's watching us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tersia, on the count of three.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn't wait for my instructions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They counted to three and then dashed towards the left wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Eek?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They returned a few seconds later, dragging someone with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is... an unexpected reunion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amelia's tone was strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Erwen's expression was colder than ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahaha...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The captive, pinned to the ground, looked at me and chuckled awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I-It's been a while... Bjorn... Ugh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She winced, as if she had bitten her tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Misha.\u003C\u002Fp>",1846,"2026-06-05T19:32:49.064Z",1,"novelbin.me","13d38b8042dc5f62ec1824e204f757cb28654ac731875eb0a98e1ea1ea825fc2","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-476","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-474",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]