Surviving the Game as a Barbarian-Chapter 474: Of Men and Women (1)

After a moment of awkward silence, the Ancient Dragon burst into hearty laughter.

"Haha! I've been waiting! I was so surprised to hear that you were alive! Do you have any idea how shocked I was?"

It was a greeting I had heard countless times since returning to the city. I was getting tired of it.

"Sorry, I should have visited sooner, but I've been busy."

"It seems like you've been through a lot. I know some of what happened, so don't worry too much about it."

Oh, he knew?

I wondered how much he knew...

"Anyway, I'm glad you're safe. My daughter was devastated when she heard you were dead. Ah, should I call her? She'll want to see you."

"After we're done talking."

"Talking...? So you didn't come here just to see me?"

"Didn't Raviyen tell you?"

"My eldest daughter only said you wanted to meet with me. She said I should summon her after you tore the paper."

He didn't seem to be lying.

My trust in Raviyen increased.

So she hadn't told him anything?

"If you didn't come here just to see me... then what is it?"

"Before I tell you, I need your promise."

"A promise?"

"That you won't tell anyone about what we discuss today."

Not even the King.

I added that last part, and the Ancient Dragon's expression hardened slightly. He seemed to understand the gravity of the situation.

But he still agreed.

"I swear on my soul, which is bound to the name 'Pirsealidormus'."

It was a necessary precaution.

I didn't understand the meaning of his long, complicated name, but Dragonkin valued their oaths.

"Alright, now tell me."

It was faster to show him than to explain.

I took out a box from my subspace pocket and opened it.

"That's..."

The Ancient Dragon's eyes narrowed as he saw the heart. It looked like a bumpy tropical fruit, with strange chain-like marks on it.

He must have recognized it.

"A Dragonkin's heart. Is it from the one I'm thinking of?"

"Yes. It's Regal Vagos's heart."

"...So it's true..."

The Ancient Dragon's eyes trembled.

He must have suspected it, but hearing it confirmed was different.

But he quickly regained his composure.

"...I'm a little confused, but let me say this first."

The Ancient Dragon bowed his head.

"Bjorn, son of Yandel, on behalf of my tribe, and as a father... I thank you."

His gesture was sincere.

Even if I hadn't been a Baron or the Barbarian Chieftain, his attitude wouldn't have been different.

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It was a good sign.

It increased the chances of him agreeing to my request.

"...So what happened? I haven't heard anything about the Dragonslayer's death. Did you meet him during the expedition?"

"No, I killed him in Ice Rock."

"During the expedition...?"

"How much do you know about the expedition?"

"Only what's been publicly announced. Raviyen told me not to say anything."

"Then I'll start from there."

I explained what had happened during the expedition. The Ancient Dragon listened intently.

And when I was done...

"You... killed the Rose Knights...?"

That was the key point.

Not the Noark pursuers, not the royal family's betrayal, not even the Dragonslayer's death.

But the fact that we had killed the Rose Knights.

We had defied the royal family.

"Now I understand. Why you were so secretive. And why Raviyen couldn't tell me the truth."

"Don't blame her. I asked her to keep it a secret. That's why I came to see you directly."

"...I understand. And I'm grateful. But..."

He sighed.

"...I'm also afraid."

He was a wise leader.

"What do you want?"

It was time for the main event.

___________________

If I could ask for one thing from the Ancient Dragon, what would it be?

The answer would be different for everyone.

After all, there were countless possibilities.

The Dragonkin, with their long lifespans and small population, were a prosperous race. They could provide me with almost anything I wanted.

But...

"The unconditional support and cooperation of the Dragonkin tribe."

The Ancient Dragon flinched at my request.

"That's impossible."

"I didn't ask for money or treasures."

"I would have preferred that. What you're asking for... could lead to the destruction of our entire tribe."

He said his gratitude was genuine, that he would grant me any other request...

So I activated Barbarian Negotiation Mode.

"Do it! You promised you would do anything!"

"...You haven't changed at all, even after becoming a Baron."

"Do it! Or I won't give you the heart!"

I started acting stubborn, and the Ancient Dragon, initially flustered, quickly adapted and changed his tactics.

"You promised! You said you would do anything!"

"I never promised you a reward! I gave you the Dragon's Blessing in advance, trusting you!"

He was right.

I had received the Dragon's Blessing in exchange for the Dragonslayer's sword. And I had promised to bring him the heart.

"...So you're going back on your word? This is the only way to save your daughter!"

"That's why I'm asking you for a different request! I can't grant you this one, so please ask for something else!"

I finally gave up.

He wouldn't change his mind.

'He wouldn't risk his entire tribe for a single request, no matter how grateful he was.'

It was time for a more reasonable approach.

"Laphir."

"...?"

"You can't agree to my request because of the royal family, right?"

"...I won't deny it. You might not understand yet, but the King is a terrifying figure."

Everyone kept saying the same thing.

I wanted to meet the King and see for myself.

Then I could argue with them.

The Ancient Dragon looked at me and said,

"...If I limit your request to situations where the King isn't involved... I can agree to that. How does that sound?"

It was a significant concession.

It meant he would support me with all his might in any conflict with the Marquis, the Duke, or any other tribe. As long as the King wasn't involved.

There were some conditions regarding military conflict, but...

"If you have a legitimate reason, any attack against you will be considered an attack against me."

I had to think about this.

Negotiation was a delicate balancing act.

But...

'This is probably his final offer.'

This negotiation was different.

He had skipped the usual back-and-forth and offered me the best possible terms.

It wasn't because he didn't know how to negotiate.

It was a gesture of gratitude and goodwill.

'Let's stop here.'

Securing the Dragonkin's support in any conflict that didn't involve the King was already a huge gain.

The original reward was just the Dragon's Blessing.

"...I can't go any further—"

I cut him off and handed him the box.

"That's enough. Take it."

I added,

"And thank you. For listening to my unreasonable request."

"...I didn't expect you to accept so easily."

"I had my reasons. But I'll make sure it doesn't cause you any trouble."

"Don't worry about me. My daughter is involved too."

Ah, Raviyen was his daughter.

That's why the offer was so generous.

"Anyway, now that that's settled, tell me what you've been up to. Did you really work on secret missions for the Marquis, like they said?"

We chatted for a while, catching up on each other's lives.

And after a while...

"Now that you'll be receiving our support, can you do me a favor?"

"A favor...?"

"Can you testify on my behalf at the trial with Count Alminus?"

"Testify... at the trial...?"

"You're the Dragonkin Chieftain, aren't you? It would help my case if you testified on my behalf."

"...My case?"

"Haha! Just kidding!"

He was teasing me.

"Ah, I've been enjoying our conversation, but I have to go now. There's an Elder Council meeting."

"I see."

"Let me know if you're leaving now. I can use Dragon Speech to send you back."

"No, I'll meet with Pen and Raviyen while I'm here."

"Haha, that's good. She'll be happy to see you. It won't take long. You can have tea with my daughters while you wait."

The Ancient Dragon gave me directions to Pen and Raviyen's room, and I headed that way.

Step, step.

The marble floor was cold and smooth beneath my feet.

I turned around before reaching the corner.

"Is there something else?"

"I have one more question."

The Ancient Dragon shrugged.

I stopped and waited for his question.

"If... and this is a hypothetical situation..."

I maintained a respectful distance.

"If you become stronger, and your influence grows..."

"..."

"And if you think you have a chance... of succeeding..."

I omitted the subject, but he understood what I was asking.

"Will you help me?"

The answer came after a long pause.

"...If that happens, I'll consider it."

"I see."

I turned around and continued walking.

Step, step.

That was enough for today.