[{"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-636":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},1328013,1764,"Chapter 636: Reconstruction (5)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-636",636,"\u003Cp>Royal Meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this meeting, attended by the city’s top nobles and military officers equivalent to generals in the modern era, policies guiding the kingdom are established.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is, in effect, the core of noble power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, gaining entry is incredibly difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why the reason Countess Ragna Peprock once drew so much attention in the noble circles was precisely this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No noble house without solid backing had ever managed to secure a seat in the royal meeting within such a short time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, ultimately there was a prime minister pulling strings behind the scenes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I never thought Melves would have not a single participant in the royal meeting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, given that Melves consists of 32 noble houses, I assumed at least one seat would be held by them, but apparently not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps this is also an implicit form of discrimination against demi-humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, but for me, that was a good thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my remark about being thirsty, the room quieted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was unsure how to respond, when a noble in the corner spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could someone send out to fetch a cup of tea? Make sure it’s cold with plenty of ice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words and actions admitted his subordinate status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That settled the situation clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the one addressed was the chairman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah? Yes... Chairman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A baron beside the chairman stepped outside to give new orders to the servants and returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Place it over there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servants were evidently rushed so much that in the blink of an eye, a cup of iced tea was placed before me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was iced tea of this era.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quite different from the sweet ones I used to drink in PC cafés.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not bad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a big sip, enjoying the aroma and the chill, when the chairman addressed me directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well then, shall we hear what you have to say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Um... I’m not sure what I should say first all of a sudden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then start with this. Baron, is it true that you have gained the right to attend the royal meeting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is true. I was resting at the holy land, when recently a letter like this flew in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking advantage of the moment, I pulled out the stored letter and showed it to everyone; their expressions stirred once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, none thought I was bluffing...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Truly...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The royal seal is stamped on it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Judging by the seat... it’s still a minor one for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, seeing proof with one’s own eyes inevitably changes the feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, my question is, is this the end of it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I rephrased the prompt in a barbarian manner, urging a quick question, and after some hesitation, the chairman carefully spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps... Baron, have you pledged allegiance to the royal family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A strange question. What’s the difference whether we do or not? We are all subjects of the royal family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was not what I truly thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if asked like that, I had no other answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing his mistake, the chairman quickly corrected the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Then I ask again. I know this is a rude question, but...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead, it’s fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After returning to the city this time, did you meet separately with the royal family and receive any promises?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even an oblivious barbarian could tell what the chairman worried about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He feared a talent drain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was anxious I might abandon Melves and become a loyal subordinate of the royal mainstream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t expect such concern to be voiced openly in front of everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Why did you think that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even after participating in today’s meeting, when you said you wanted the contract payment and to hear information about the underground first floor, you kept postponing it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, that...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘From their point of view, it must have looked like that.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have no plans to abandon Melves or find a new nest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I actually like this group’s nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that it is a gathering of often discriminated demi-human nobles is quite advantageous for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, I kept silent about exploring the underground first floor because I wanted to keep options open for potential deals with the royal family later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since there seems to be some misunderstanding, I’ll say it clearly here. I have made no promises with the royal family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then the royal meeting...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know. It just came without any prior notice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the letter arrived, I had no separate contact from the marquis or anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And did they believe me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Has your curiosity been satisfied?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I was worried at first, but now it seems the royal family simply acknowledges you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Acknowledges what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That Baron is already the spine of the city’s political situation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chairman’s eyes burning as he looked at me were not adequately described as just ‘hot.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a passion I had never seen before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A will not to let me go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A bit overwhelming...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Objectively speaking, it was a very positive situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thirty-one other houses under Melves supporting me strongly behind the scenes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the ultimate goal achievable within Melves—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at that moment, the chairman’s fiery gaze suddenly cooled down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That concludes the questions here. Baron Mariblack, please continue the discussion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes? Ah, yes... understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, the chairman handed over control to the moderator, and everyone exchanged opinions timidly while watching me and the chairman carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, the chairman did not direct any words or glances toward me for the rest of the assembly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...What’s this? Is he playing hard to get?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having briefly felt that intense gaze, I was somewhat uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn’t take long to realize the chairman was consciously restraining his feelings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, I thank all the esteemed family heads who graced this meeting with their presence, and hereby conclude this assembly...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meeting was completely over, and I was about to stand when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baron, could you stay a moment?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A compliment to the Mariblack family’s tea is well deserved.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A noble’s way of politely suggesting a private talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, alright then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I agreed and waited as the nobles attending the assembly discreetly skipped farewells and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We will bring tea again as soon as it is ready. Please make yourselves comfortable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the marquis hosting today’s meeting left the hall, a private room was arranged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baron Yandel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chairman’s gaze returned to its usual self.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not the look of an old man, but one filled with fierce desire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, despite revealing such feelings openly, his voice remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baron Yandel, what do you think about Melves?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, the start was probing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just think it’s a good place. The people are decent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even after the conflict with Count Goldbeard?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can people meet without some clashes? That’s just how things go. I don’t dislike the count just because of that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then that is truly fortunate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After probing from the chairman’s side, it was my turn to test the waters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chairman, what about you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I meant what you think about Melves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chairman looked as if surprised by the unexpected question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh, what I think about Melves...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed to consider how to answer, then gave such a frank reply that even the barbarian listening was taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think it’s a ragtag bunch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unthinkably blunt phrase to come from the chairman of Melves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you expect the usual positive talk like, ‘We can do it, we’re strong if united’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, but I didn’t expect such honesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, you’re the first to hear my true thoughts. I can neither say this to anyone nor should I.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, a shadow crossed the chairman’s usually cheerful face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently, the stress was greater than he let on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, what exactly do you mean by ‘ragtag bunch’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just as it sounds. After thousands of years, demi-human noble houses have not increased, while the orthodox houses grow stronger. We banded together because there was nowhere else to go, but we are not truly united.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chairman quickly poured out suppressed emotions and words like a confession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know what our biggest difference from other factions is? We have no central rallying point.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that’s the case, the one you are now—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you really think so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, well...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is respected and all, but if this old man tried to present a vision and lead forward, I doubt all 31 houses would follow it like their own business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remaining silent, the chairman chuckled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter how much the houses grow closer and stronger, they will remain a ragtag bunch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because of the lack of a central rallying point you mentioned earlier?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how many kernels of ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) corn there are, without heat, they can never pop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was starting to understand what the chairman wanted to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, Melves is probably too small a nest to hold Baron Yandel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Well, I think you’re the only one who thinks that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh, everyone knows it secretly. They just haven’t acknowledged it out of selfishness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even so, I don’t yet own a family estate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you have more retainers than anyone else in this city. From what I’ve seen, Baron Yandel is not a bird looking for a nest. You are a bird that builds nests.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chairman continued to praise me without stopping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baron Yandel is a tribal chief of one race and a baron by title. Also one of the city’s most famous explorers, rumored to be skilled enough to rival the strongest in this world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uh... nothing he said was untrue...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you seem to underestimate yourself too much. Without your title, who among the 31 houses would have what you have?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Enough gilding; say what you want to say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know it’s funny to say this to a baron who joined Melves recently. But if you miss this chance, you’ll spend another thousand years waiting meaninglessly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the chairman’s eyes burned with passion as he looked at me and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baron, become the central rallying point of Melves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was sooner than I expected, but it was my ultimate goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better to be the head of the serpent growing into a dragon’s tail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why I ignored other offers and settled in Melves from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But first, I had to ask this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, chairman, what is your wish? What do you want to do by growing Melves?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crucial question to ask when dealing with someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chairman laughed heartily at my question, then without hesitation answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My wish is that one day I can look at those insolent human-born nobles and say, if you are a weak human, behave like one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t mess around.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This old man was more extreme than I thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chairman grandfather, openly sharing his radical and extreme nature, offered me several proposals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you accept my offer, Melves and our Welbait marquisate will fully support and back Baron Yandel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want specifics rather than just full support.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, you will be entrusted with this contract, and we will assist you in purchasing a family estate and building a mansion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When it comes to voting, all 31 houses will cast their votes where Baron Yandel directs, and if anything obstructs your plans, all will unite to remove those obstacles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, that’s quite reassuring—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“However, there is one condition.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, no wonder they were going all in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried to hide my disappointment and asked about the condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And... what is that condition? Tell me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoever the partner may be...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next words made my head go blank for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marry quickly and produce heirs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...That condition was unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>",1952,"2026-06-05T19:33:18.084Z",1,"novelbin.me","afd8f5104c78cf03092ddba57e06b8e9023f84d58dbe1cbed4d9c4b5330cb171","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-637","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-635",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]