[{"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-643":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},1328020,1764,"Chapter 643: Coming Out (1)","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-643",643,"\u003Cp>The royal family wants to marry me off to a noblewoman from the human tribe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There can be many interpretations of this move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pure-hearted person might be happy, thinking the royal family finally favors me and wants to support me from now on...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lapir, I want to ask you one thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is the royal family trying to put a leash on me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Dragon didn’t answer easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I don’t really know about that. But... your choice will be a kind of answer from the royal family’s perspective.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you marry a human, it means you bow down and submit...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And if you refuse, it’s the opposite.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I started to understand why Uncle Dragon said that no matter who I marry, the marriage would inevitably be used politically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lapir, is the promise from that time still valid?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you mean the unconditional support and cooperation of the dragon tribe toward you, then yes. It’s still valid. Oh, of course, as I said back then, if the king does not intervene.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But aren’t you thinking too negatively?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I’m just used to assuming the worst first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll have to think about this part more myself. So, I asked Uncle Dragon a few more questions and then ended that topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I don’t even know if the king intervened, nor who the marriage partner is...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, having the heads-up means I can handle the royal meeting calmly without surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So if marriage is the first thing, what’s the second?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked Uncle Dragon about the second piece of news he hadn’t told me, and heard something totally unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The second is the sealing of the labyrinth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Sealing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just as it sounds. I don’t know the reason well either, but it seems the sealing of the labyrinth will be discussed at the royal meeting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So it’s not confirmed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, formally it’s just a topic for discussion, but it seems the decision has already been made internally.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked about the schedule and details of the sealing, but Uncle Dragon didn’t seem to know much more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While standing there uncomfortably lost in thought, Uncle Dragon spoke to me again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since things have come this far, may I give you one more piece of advice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You may anytime.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I nodded, Uncle Dragon repeated exactly what I had said at the tribal council.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are the chief of the Barbarians, a baron of the Kingdom of Lapdonia, and also the master of the rapidly growing Anabada clan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I already knew what he was about to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter how you see yourself, you can no longer live as just one warrior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The warriors of the sacred place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thousands of Viphron residents who became vassals of our clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And my comrades as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have countless people to be responsible for. No matter what you think or do, your marriage cannot be just yours alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, Uncle Dragon was speaking — or rather, gently lecturing me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Make choices for them. Even for your own sake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like a blow to the back of my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Uncle Dragon’s perspective, my postponing marriage probably looked like shirking responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For nobles, political marriages were not optional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To them, love was romanticism, and throughout time, romanticism always meant inefficiency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s all I wanted to say to you. I hope you don’t take it too harshly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not harshly. It’s not wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe I’m a romanticist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or at least less stripped of modern sentiment — though even nowadays, it happens often.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it’s not political marriages among conglomerates, there is a saying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marriage is reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope it helps you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry. It already has.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I meant that sincerely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because now I think I know what I should do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about Ravien?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, that kid doesn’t come to the sacred place much these days. Honestly, I don’t know what or where she’s doing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t you talk often?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll understand once you have children. It’s not like you can have a conversation just because you want one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At some point, unless it’s necessary, conversations just stop. Ravien wasn’t like that when she was younger though...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) Uncle Dragon grumble like that made me laugh somehow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is that how all parents are?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, after my talk with Uncle Dragon, I met Uncle Dragon’s daughter Pen again after a long time, by his suggestion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re here? Thought you’d never come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Knowing my situation, you say that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Glad you came back alive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe because he’s the one who brought me the dragon slayer’s heart?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His prickly attitude has almost disappeared, replaced by warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But... don’t you think I’ve changed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You grew taller, this much!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that I think about it, I did grow a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still a little runt, though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Because the dragon slayer cursed me, my body’s time was frozen...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems that as my body recovers, the growth that had stopped before has resumed...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait a bit. I’ll be like big sister soon too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanting to be like Ravien might be a bit much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After almost a year, I’ve barely grown that much, so I’d probably remain in the runt category.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it’s a bit unfair to say that to a kid who’s now healthy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, yeah. I’ll cheer you on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, since you’re here, tell me some stories.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We spent the time talking about the underground first floor expedition, and stayed overnight at the dragon temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, the three of us—Uncle Dragon, Pen, and I—had breakfast and left early for Karnoon in the Zodiac.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Being a noble is nice.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I arrived a day early at the Palace of Wisdom for the royal meeting, staying in the assigned VIP room, relaxing and eating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, I was trying to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock, knock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as I entered the palace, nobles kept visiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, Baron Yandel, we heard you arrived early. Care for a drink and some conversation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Purely social visits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have a proposal for Baron Yandel. Care to listen? I assure you, it won’t be a loss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A businessman disguised as a peddler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They say you’re looking for a marriage partner...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Child-sellers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What is this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unidentified letter slipped through the door gap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Midnight, garden fountain, come quietly.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The letter only had those three words, no sender’s name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hesitated for a moment but...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How can I ignore a mysterious creepy letter?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So when midnight came, I sneaked out the window and headed to the promised place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fountain at the garden’s labyrinth-like center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting briefly, soon the mysterious sender appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jerome Saintred.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The count and First Royal Knight Commander, known as the Knight of Light and protector of the kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, the ancient hero who took over that body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragon Knight Cornelius Brungreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t expect you to be the one who sent the letter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought it best to meet secretly. Fortunately, no rats followed me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So why did you call me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked directly, and the chief frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you really not know? Or are you saying you don’t intend to keep your promise?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I promised to return the temple relic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quickly, I opened a pocket dimension and took out Karui’s heart, which the chief had entrusted to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m a bit uneasy about this... but it’s a promise.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no choice anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I didn’t give this, who knows what drastic choice the chief would make.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After carefully examining the item and finding no issues, the chief tucked it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, is that the end of your business?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The most important business for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean there’s more?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alert and ready, I stared at the chief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The royal meeting will discuss your marriage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then that’s quick.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what was said, I tried to keep a poker face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Preferably marry that woman. The royal family’s last lifeline to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lifeline...? What the hell are you talking about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Literally that. If you don’t accept their offer, there’s a high chance you and your comrades won’t survive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe because I’ve lived too long as a monster,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As an ordinary barbarian, it’s hard to keep up with this kind of talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please slow down and explain more carefully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The royal family—or rather, the chancellor—worries about your growing power. You can legally have multiple wives, and there are several women suitable for that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha Kalstein, daughter of the Red Cat tribe patriarch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elwen, pure-blooded fairy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Also Uncle Dragon’s daughters.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, I’m no playboy and have zero intention of marrying all of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to those who view marriage purely politically, that’s cause for concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though there’s one contradiction here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand what you mean. But what does marrying a human noble have to do with it? Even if I took another wife afterward—.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s impossible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hesitated as the chief smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Under Lapdonia noble law, even titled nobles can only have one wife in some cases.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did I recall a law I had forgotten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the wives have the same noble title...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You knew. Strictly speaking, it means when the spouse has a higher title... I don’t know why such laws haven’t changed after thousands of years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chief muttered some old-man remarks, but I didn’t hear a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Wait a minute...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s very rare for female nobles in Lapdonia to inherit titles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And among those, female nobles with viscount or higher titles are even rarer...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is there even an unmarried female noble with a higher title than me...?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that I know of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...No, there wasn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, not when I just became a noble and was studying this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time always brings change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-wait a minute...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As of now, there was exactly one such person in Lapdonia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unmarried female noble with a higher title than mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could it be Viscountess Ragna Peprok is my marriage partner?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s correct.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viscount... Is this bastard really crazy?\u003C\u002Fp>",1666,"2026-06-05T19:33:18.084Z",1,"novelbin.me","1602c7ebb603e511b462e1008dc5779c59d7dc421d687a6d4f5f0d617926f127","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-644","surviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-chapter-642",807,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-game-as-a-barbarian-cover.jpg"]