Bjorn Yandel the Barbarian

[…Are you sorry? What does it mean?]

“….”

[Try to speak. I just don’t understand.]

Thinking that it would be quicker to show in person rather than tell, I took out the items I had acquired while exploring the first basement floor one by one and stacked them in the room.

And…

[Why does it stop suddenly?]

“This is the end.”

[What are you talking about? When I heard the report, I heard that the number of purified water contained in the test tubes was over a hundred.]

Oh, that’s it.

“…It was like that.”

[….]

Only then did the Marquis become speechless as he realized why I had spoken in the past tense earlier.

However, I was still curious about the reason.

[…How on earth did that happen?]

“Marquis, now I see that you were the type of person who valued the process rather than the result?”

[I’m saying this because you could get into real trouble, so don’t answer as a joke.]

Okay, enough of the teasing…

I made up a long list of excuses that I had prepared in advance.

It was uncharacteristic of a barbarian to speak in detail, but it was simple to summarize in one line.

[…There was a need to increase power to escape the city, so it was distributed to area 7 explorers? Those precious essences…?]

“It was like that.”

[Oh my god… It’s so absurd that I can’t even speak.]

“What’s so absurd? “If we had failed to escape the city anyway and were caught by them, everything would have been taken away.”

It’s better than being taken over by cancer enemies, right?

As I muttered those words, the Marquis beyond the video screen opened his mouth and touched his forehead as if he was dizzy.

[This issue… I think we’ll have to deal with it again at the royal council. It’s true that the Baron rescued explorers from District 7. We need to discuss whether the merits or demerits are greater.]

If I were to interpret it, it meant that I needed time to separately investigate whether what I said was true or not.

Well, if you investigate, the testimony that comes out will be the same.

[So, please stay still and don’t cause any trouble until the situation is resolved.]

Anyway, the last comment doesn’t seem to be an aristocratic language, but just a sincere statement…

“I understand. “I’ll stay still, so don’t worry.”

[…I heard what I wanted, but I don’t know why I’m becoming more anxious.]

“Well, Marquis, it could be because you’re narrow-minded.”

[…?]

Oh, was it the right time to sympathize and comfort?

Since that is not my area of expertise, I slowly brought up a new topic.

“ah! So what should the explorers and my vassals in the square do now? Are you going to just let them continue to live in that square?”

[Even if it’s inconvenient, stay there for a while. [The situation will calm down in a few days.]

“It will take a few days…”

Seeing him say this, it seems like he really believes that this whole situation will come to an end in the near future.

Oh, of course, I didn’t mean that he didn’t believe it was me.

Since the second-in-command of the royal family says something like that, it must mean that there is a basis for it.

“i get it. Then we go back and wait for news.”

The day’s conversation ended like that, and time passed quickly as we returned to the square and lived on the streets with other people.

“Did everyone hear? “It seems that Noark released most of the hostages due to pressure from the royal army!”

day.

“I think the Noark forces occupying districts 7 and 13 are being pushed out by the royal army!”

Two days.

“The recapture of District 13 is complete!”

three days.

“The ground dogs were pushed out of District 7 and fled to Biffron!”

“Waaaaaa!”

Four days…

The tense war situation was updated every day, but there was no explosion sound from the Bifron side.

but.

Deddudedddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd~!

The fifth day.

“What! that!”

We were able to recognize it intuitively.

Whatever the royal family’s plans were.

“Be Bifron’s protective magic circle has turned black…!”

Something is clearly going wrong.

***

The final citadel of Lafdonia.

This huge city-state has a protective magic circle, the legacy of the great sage, spread throughout the city.

Since the Witch’s Dokdo was also a lie, there were questions as to whether the Guardian Magic Circle really existed…

‘In the end, it really existed.’

It was proven that the guardian magic circle was real through an arrow shot by Erwen not long ago.

Although it is transparent and cannot be seen with the naked eye, it firmly covers the city and still separates the city from the outside world by the fortress wall.

‘At this point, I think it’s not a protection magic circle, but a confinement magic circle.’

anyway.

This isn’t what’s important.

“What on earth is going on?”

“Do you know anyone?”

“Did it become like that because of the witch’s poison?”

Along with the vibrations transmitted through the ground, the protective magic circle covering Biffron turned black.

Should I say that it looks as if aliens have invaded, placed a dome over a certain area, and imprisoned them?

Of course, there is a possibility that this was the royal family’s original plan.

But…

“Yandel’s movements are unusual.”

For some reason, looking at the atmosphere, I don’t think that’s the case.

“Wait and see. “I will find out.”

Feeling out of place, I requested a private meeting with the Marquis, but the request was declined due to being busy, and it was only a few days later that I finally contacted him.

“You look very gaunt.”

The Marquis beyond the video window, whom I met after a long time, seemed to have been quite busy and had lost several kilograms.

“I guess things didn’t go well?”

[…I can’t tell you the details because they are military secrets, but for now, that’s it.]

“No, tell me at least a little bit. “Suddenly, Biffron was in that state.”

[…Once everything is sorted out, you’ll be able to hear the news. Because you are also a noble of Lafdonia. But let me tell you one thing, the Noark forces won’t come out from there for the time being.]

“Then that’s a good thing….”

To be honest, I’m going crazy because I’m curious about the details, but no matter how much I scratched, it didn’t seem like they would tell me anything, so I gave up.

“So what happens to us? Should I keep staying here?”

[There is no need for that. Even in District 4, normalization is scheduled to begin tomorrow.]

“Does this mean we are free now?”

[That’s right. Area 7 has also been opened, so it won’t be a problem to go there.]

“What about our vassals brought from Biffron? “Is there any problem there?”

[Ah, there was an in-depth discussion on that issue as well… but we decided not to bring it up for now. However, as long as you keep them as vassals.]

“What if they cease to be vassals?”

[He will be executed. It is not a situation where we can send them back to Bifron.]

If they no longer become vassals, they will be executed.

Although such an extreme measure was taken, it was still a cool enough consent that it can hardly be considered a decision made by the conservative royal family.

Well, it doesn’t mean they don’t have ideas.

[Oh, and since they are staying within the city, they will also have to pay taxes in the future.]

Huh… I guess they agreed too easily.

“How much should I pay?”

[It’s the same as ordinary subjects. Minors are also exempt from taxes.]

It was a good news to hear.

Unless it is for the conditions attached to the end.

[Oh, by the way, Bifron residents cannot have any job that requires military education. I’m only telling you because I’m afraid you might be mistaken, but it also includes the explorer occupation.]

To put it simply, it means that you can’t use the strategy of turning talented people into explorers and having the minority take responsibility for the absolute majority.

[As someone who has been prime minister for a long time, can I give you just one piece of advice?]

“Try it.”

[Reduce it. As much as it can be reduced.]

“….”

[What value is there in such useless people?]

It was advice worthy of a prime minister.

This city itself has a tendency to judge that anyone who cannot pay taxes is worthless.

From the perspective of the Marquis, who is in charge of the country’s overall finances, the residents of Bifron will be seen as nothing more than trash.

But…

“Oh, thank you for the advice. “I will listen carefully with one ear.”

It is the Barbarians’ belief that such nonsense is not permitted.

[….]

After a few more words, the Marquis left, saying he was busy, and that was the end of today’s conversation.

After returning to the square, we entered the ruined District 7 with people from District 7 and Bifron residents who had been living on the streets.

‘…I finally came back here like this.’

District 7, who fled to Bifron, continued living as a refugee in District 4, and returned again.

‘They left with a very heavy heart.’

As if the news that the royal army had driven them out was not in vain, the situation in District 7 was so miserable that it could not be compared to the last time we were there.

The ruined buildings along the main street were full of blood stains and traces of battle.

Also, the barracks that seemed to have been used by soldiers were left abandoned and not cleaned out…

“Oh my gosh!” My store…! My store…!!!”

“mother! mother! Here! here! “You’re safe!”

When District 7 was liberated, residents who had evacuated and returned were found everywhere.

“Then I’ll just leave.”

“I too… I was wondering if the house I lived in was okay…”

“Thank you for saving me. “I will never forget this favor until the day I die, Baron!”

After arriving at District 7, the explorers from District 7 naturally dispersed, leaving behind my colleagues and 8,712 Bifron residents.

“…Yandel, where are you going now?”

“I’m going to the Holy Land.”

“Sure… I think you should check there too.”

Amelia said that as if she understood my position, but in fact, there was a different reason for going to the Holy Land.

It’s true that I’m worried about that place, but…

‘First, I have to find a place to sleep tonight.’

If things don’t work out, it’s okay to sleep in District 7, but if you’re going to do that, it’s better to sleep in a sacred place.

Well, that would have been the case….

“Bjorn niiiiiiiim!!!!”

As soon as I arrived at the sacred place, I began to regret that I had come for no reason.

“Why did you come now!!!”

“…A long time. Shavin Emoor. How are you? Let’s leave this first—.”

“I won’t let go! I put it away and won’t come back for a few months!! no! “I can’t let you go even if I die!!”

Shavin, who served as our tribe’s chief administrative officer, seemed to be extremely stressed due to not only taking care of the household alone for several months, but also being trapped in the sacred place when the Noark invasion began.

But…

“I think it would be better to let go and talk for now.”

“…yes? Ah… yes…”

Amelia seemed to come to her senses a little as she forcibly removed her hand, using a businesslike tone.

When it comes to boss battles, it’s kind of a groggy state.

Judging from my experience, it was time to hurry and bury the apple.

“I’m sorry Shavin. “I really didn’t expect to come back this late either.”

“…I know the situation. So I was very worried.”

“I’m sorry for making you worry—.”

When it seemed like we were going into a warm atmosphere, Shavin suddenly cut me off and asked.

“But what are those people behind you?”

Shavin’s eyes were suddenly focused on the 8,712 residents standing awkwardly behind me.

It was quite embarrassing.

“Oh uh um….”

How should I say this?

Ah, let’s start with the topic.

“So what is the condition of the Holy Land? Looking at it, it seems like a lot has changed….”

“While Bjorn was away, a quarter of the sacred site development plan was completed. Thanks to this, we have more funds.”

“Oh, it’s a good thing that you have ample funds.”

Somehow, along the way, roads were paved and buildings were erected.

“So who are these people?”

“We are the residents of Biffron. “He became a vassal of our Yandel family a few days ago.”

“All of those people…?”

I unconsciously lowered my voice as I looked at him as if asking what kind of bullshit this was.

“…There were circumstances for that.”

“….”

Shavin suddenly became silent, perhaps sensing something uneasy, and asked me carefully.

“So why did you bring me here? “Those vassals?”

“Because I have no place to stay. “We plan to let them stay in the sacred place for a while.”

“Wow, I see.”

Soon, Shavin nodded soullessly and asked me back.

“Then what about the land these people will use to live? “What clothes to eat? What’s your budget?”

Oh, you mean that….

In that case, the Minister of Economy will be in charge.

Oh, if I were to roughly paraphrase it this way….

“In that case, the Secretary General of Administration will be in charge.

“…Administrative Secretary General?”

Shavin Emoor tilted his head with an expression as if such a position existed within the tribe.

And…

tuk.

I patted her shoulder and said,

“Yes, Executive Secretary General.”

You just got promoted.