[{"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-642":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},1328019,1764,"Chapter 642: Strategy (6)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-642",642,"\u003Cp>I don’t have the habit of sharing my story in detail in front of others, but today I bit the bullet and spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I glossed over it, they’d surely keep bringing up this issue...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, after all, it’s also about their daughters (not their biological daughters, but girls like daughters).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Misha Kalstein and I are simply ordinary comrades right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my first words, a wrinkle formed on the patriarch’s forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at me like I was blocking my daughter’s marriage path by calling it just an ordinary partnership.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other hand, the fairy representative’s expression brightened — albeit briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, then—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elwen Fornaci di Tersia is the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing my next words, the fairy representative’s face immediately stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ho, so that means there’s no partner yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seizing the moment, Uncle Dragon tried to slip in his own angle, but I shut that down sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That doesn’t mean I’ll ever be your son-in-law. Whether Pen or Ravien, I’ve never thought of them as a romantic interest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, understood. Affection between men and women is important. That’s unfortunate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprisingly, Uncle Dragon accepted my words easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I offer you some advice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I’m listening.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For someone like you, a political marriage might not be necessary. You have stood alone and achieved so much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sipped his ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ tea, then met my gaze and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Paradoxically, because of that, whoever you make a vow with, your marriage will be used politically. Please keep that in mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like everything about bringing up marriage so far was just a buildup to this natural advice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe Uncle Dragon truly wanted to let me know this through the patriarch’s and fairy representative’s reactions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Noark invasion and Viphron blockade, the times are chaotic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patriarch and fairy rep, having endured much, probably weren’t really pushing that hard for the sake of their daughters—or so I thought—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, if you don’t have a set partner, come visit the temple often. Our youngest daughter wants to see you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm... Suddenly, the advice I just heard started to feel a bit suspect, but anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Pen is definitely out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? So the elder sister’s side is okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I looked at Uncle Dragon with a baffled gaze, he burst into an inappropriate light laugh for his serious face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Puhaha! Just kidding, just kidding. So you guys stop bothering this friend here, got it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Dragon laughed heartily, and the stiff atmosphere noticeably softened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is this what experience looks like...?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the eldest Uncle Dragon acted like this, even the patriarch and fairy rep found it hard to continue speaking...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“More importantly, I want to discuss this situation. What do you all think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a smooth topic change, the talk about my marriage was completely over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This situation...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean the Noark invasion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I opened my ears to catch information I hadn’t heard before, but unfortunately, there was nothing particularly useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not much different from Melves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s a rumor that Noark has a mage who inherited the Great Sage’s vision.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It makes sense such rumors spread since they tampered with the protective magic circle without the royal relic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve heard it’s quite possible that it’s not just nonsense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes... Previously, there was magic that teleported tens of thousands of Noark troops at once from the underground fortress.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though some things were mentioned that I hadn’t heard in Melves, it was just information that became known over time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There didn’t seem to be much difference in intelligence between the two groups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Melves was formed by nobles from various tribes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was natural they knew what the tribe leaders knew, and vice versa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, Uncle Dragon definitely seems to know something.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe because of the way the conversation leaked such feelings, other representatives tried to test Uncle Dragon, but he coolly avoided the situation with an impassive expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I don’t know much either. If I learn anything, I’ll let you know immediately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, he definitely knows something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe if I ask him separately later, he might give me a hint? Who knows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, the meeting continued with unproductive talk and eventually ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was a useful meeting. Let’s meet again next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the meeting was dismissed, everyone stood and left the hall, but approaching the exit, a strange sense of deprivation came over me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Dumocha, thank you for your hard work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ragsian, the carriage is ready.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We will escort you to the sacred place, Patriarch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dwarves, fairies, beastmen, and even the viscount had brought their soldiers and servants to see them off. Oh, and the dragonmen only had one person accompanying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he saw me, the white-haired elderly dragonman quickly hid something he was fiddling with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the same person who had once tested my insight with a ring puzzle at the dragon temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, they said you can’t get that again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I tried to peek at the puzzle hidden behind him with interest, the dragonman jumped in shock and turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Th-this is a different item from that time...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh? Why is his tone like that again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah... Maybe now that I’m a noble and a tribal chief, it’s harder to speak casually like before?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I take a look?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At my question, the dragonman shuddered and sent a pleading look to Uncle Dragon nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hey, no one’s bullying you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Now he can’t say anything.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before, when I had no power or status, I never felt guilty about anything, but now it just feels like I’m bossing people around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough. I won’t look, so just go quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank? Who really said thank you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did anyone threaten to take it away?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well then, we’ll go ahead. Come visit the temple whenever you have time. You’re always welcome.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing he wasn’t just being polite but suggesting a private meeting later, I nodded, and Uncle Dragon coolly disappeared from sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, this guy’s dragon magic is spatial teleportation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is there really any race as overpowered as dragonmen?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Then I should start preparing too...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I was about to leave through the somewhat hectic entrance, I suddenly felt an overwhelmingly persistent gaze from somewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Who is that?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one staring was one of the people brought by the fairy tribe...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...Huh?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fairy man who caught my eyes strode toward me and revealed his identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nice to meet you, Baron Yandel. I am Beleg Shusia di Tersia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A famous yet familiar name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, you’re the one...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beleg Shusia di Tersia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A top-tier explorer with high status among the fairies...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elwen’s maternal uncle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the few ‘family’ Elwen still has.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although this was my first meeting with him, I’d heard a lot about this man from Elwen, so I had some goodwill toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was because when the dragon slayer attacked the fairy sanctuary, this man saved the Fornaci sisters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also helped Elwen in many ways afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Glad to meet you. I’ve wanted to see you someday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Likewise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reached out happily to shake hands, but for some reason, I felt quite a strong grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, I wondered what that was about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it had been ages since anyone squeezed my hand like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hmm...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not knowing what to do, I just waited without tightening my grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was someone Elwen was grateful to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What would I gain by overpowering him anyway?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Yeah, that’s adult behavior...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, I smiled softly and relaxed, and the other side loosened their grip and ended the handshake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As expected, rumors are never to be trusted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s that? Did he become confident because he thought I was weak?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was tilting my head in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your conduct is far from impatient, and you don’t give value to meaningless fights, making you a difficult opponent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, he praised me with a serious face and bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks to that, my worries are lessened. Please take good care of that girl.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a little dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I had squeezed his hand and won, this evaluation wouldn’t have come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the ambiguous feeling lasted only briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well then...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a glance from the fairy representative, he joined his group, and I was struck by another strange sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Beleg Shusia di Tersia...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why do I keep feeling like I’ve seen him somewhere before?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tribal council was less fruitful than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, it was full of an unexpected kind of discomfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...Phew, I didn’t really do anything but I’m so tired.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only schedule left until the next labyrinth opening was the royal meeting in two days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, having just finished a long expedition, I planned to skip this one...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even if I don’t go in, I’m curious...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How will the situation change?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From my experience, bad things always happen when entering the labyrinth at times like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While thinking on the street for a moment, I stopped by Karnon’s administration office and sent a message to the sacred place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I said I’d stay a few more days and even attend the royal meeting before returning...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after leaving the office, I rode a carriage straight to Gnome Tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe Uncle Dragon knows something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had even silently signaled me to come anytime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling it would be more productive to meet Uncle Dragon once than rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...If I’d known, I should have asked to be taken along earlier...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As usual, I soon fell asleep snoring, and the carriage reached its destination without incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the dragon sacred place was uneventful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Welcome, Baron Yandel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragonman guard, apparently tipped off by Uncle Dragon, opened the gate without properly checking my identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Walking here is really tough.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long climb, I finally arrived at the dragon sanctuary, right at the dragon god temple in the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, I didn’t expect you’d come straight here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why? You said come anytime. Was that just talk?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To be honest... I thought you’d come after the royal meeting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We don’t live as long as you do. We must live each day meaningfully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Living each day meaningfully... That’s a really good saying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We weren’t close enough for a long introduction, and we’d already covered the preliminaries in the earlier meeting, so I got straight to the point as soon as we met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So... do you have something to tell me? I got the feeling you might.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As I said earlier, I expected you’d come after the royal meeting. I was going to give advice after hearing your thoughts then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Is something happening at the meeting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not exactly happening... but you’ll soon hear anyway, so I’ll tell you in advance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Dragon first revealed there were two things he knew, then went on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First is about your marriage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marriage...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The royal family wants to promote a marriage between you and a human noblewoman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is everyone so interested in my love life?\u003C\u002Fp>",1824,"2026-06-05T19:33:18.084Z",1,"novelbin.me","94a59c92f51d9dad8db9e6834548013e0c8477d6b2f57e92ec3e001be6652ce7","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-643","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-641",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]