With an air similar to the one he had at the Round Table, I looked at him as if I were ready to rip out his throat at any moment. But this wasn't a chat room that just connected our minds. Right now, we were here in the flesh, which meant this was more than enough.
I continued looking at him, completely devoid of fear.
Yes, that's how it should be. How could he, a noble by birth, have experienced something like this before?
Silence took over the room when he did not respond. Obsessed as they were by the scandal, the other nobles silently observed our interaction from a safe distance. If they really considered my status to be inferior to theirs, they would have already come running to help him.
Indeed, barbarians are incredibly OP.
If I had been an elf, a dwarf, or a beastman, some of them would surely have criticized me for my horrible manners. At the very least, they would have assumed that they could reason with me. But what could they say to a barbarian?
The answer was nothing at all.
It was difficult to act without data to back you up. In other words, they were wary of stepping forward and potentially adding fuel to the fire.
«...Is it really okay to leave them alone?». Some expressed concern, but all turned away as soon as our eyes met.
It's not that he was going to attack all the nobles just because we looked each other in the eyes, that would defy common sense. But they couldn't be sure of it. After all, did common sense apply to a barbarian who was quick to demand a duel after hearing an insult?
«It's time for you to answer me». I took another step forward when Baron Kypriot tried to put some space between us. «Don't you want to duel?».
Hearing that, the other nobles who had been chatting with him moments before slowly backed away. In the end, the baron realized that he had no choice but to fix this mess himself.
It didn't take him long to make a decision. «...Set a date». He did not reach this decision because he was confident in his ability to win. It was simply the only option available to him. How could he refuse a duel with someone of another race - someone he considered uneducated and inferior - in front of so many people? That was no different from a death sentence in the world of nobility, where reputation was his soul.
«Since you want to set a date, that must mean you don't have the guts to fight me yourself».
«...One always uses a separate sword to kill beasts.»
Although he put it eloquently, all it meant was that he was afraid to fight me. Instead, he would appoint someone to fight on his behalf.
«That's not a problem. But you should have several people prepared just in case».
«...Several people?»
What was that clueless look? Did you really think this would end after just one round? «Oh, didn't you notice? Starting today, I'm going to challenge you to duel every day. Until I feel that the honor you spat on has been restored».
A mad dog won't let you go once it has sank its teeth into you.
«...What?» If he was going to act like that when someone caught his attention, he should have been careful what he said to begin with. Well, maybe it was just in his nature to be an arrogant jerk. In that case, I would have to calm him down. «Are you... sure you can handle that?»
What I was really trying to ask was if I really had to go that far. Well, from this guy's point of view, it must have felt like lightning had just struck him on a sunny day.
«You ask strange questions. I can bear it?» I spoke clearly so everyone could hear me. «Do I look like someone who cares about those things?».
If you don't want to be bitten in the future, you better be careful from now on.
***
Anyway, with that, the duel became official. All that was left now was to set a date.
«I should be free this week. Because? Do you need more time to find someone?»
«No. It will be enough time».
Was he adapting little by little? The baron no longer behaved like a jester nor did he drag his feet when answering me. He must have done the math in his head.
Do you see this as an opportunity?
I was a savage who clearly didn't know my place at all and had dared to act so atrociously in public. All he had to do was accept the duel, win with grace, and be the hero who preserved the dignity of the aristocracy. It was a reasonably plausible result.
Of course, that wouldn't happen.
He will probably use his connections and reputation to recruit different people to fight for him.
I couldn't honestly say that I could predict what level my opponent would have. Still, he was sure. No captain of the Royal Guard would be willing to fall so low as to represent a baron in a duel, and he knew for a fact that he could defeat anyone less powerful than him.
Unfortunately, however, someone suddenly interrupted before we could get to work. «Now, now, enough of that».
Duke Kealunus.
He walked through the crowd, which parted like the Red Sea as it approached, and then patted me on the shoulder as if I were calming a petulant child. «Isn't it a great day? Why don't we leave it like this? After all, we are all pillars that build this kingdom, right?».
The duke's political intentions at that time were crystal clear. When no one else was willing to intervene, he would bravely step forward and manage to temper the savage's fury before it could overflow. By doing so, Duke Kealunus' status before the other nobles would increase.
Do you want to play friends?
Friendships tend to fall apart when only one party enjoys all the benefits while the other makes all the sacrifices. If he wanted something from me, he would naturally have to give up something in return.
«Baron Kypriot insulted me». The corners of the duke's lips twisted at my stubborn retort, but I kept going despite what I might feel about it. «He called me a mutt, just like a wild beast».
Technically, it had been the person next to him who had said it, but it didn't matter.
«I was having a conversation with Baroness Lirivia too, and they basically called her a prostitute just because she's of a different race. And when I confronted him about it, he only mocked me, questioning whether I even had enough honor to offend me in the first place».
They even called me illiterate, but I thought that would be being picky, so I left out that part.
«Now, Duke Kealunus, that is what Baron Kypriot did to me on this good day that you mentioned». After reiterating my reasons for demanding a duel in front of everyone, I asked: «Is there any reason why I should endure all that?».
The duke's gaze wandered towards the baron. It seemed like he had been watching from a distance, but he didn't know the exact details and reason for the commotion until now.
The duke laughed and clicked his tongue as he looked at the baron. He seemed to regret his unsuccessful attempt to mediate, but since he was already involved, he now had two options. He could simply retreat without achieving anything despite his lofty intervention, or...
«It seems that Baron Kypriot has made a mistake, then.»
He might as well give me something.
The duke's trial was swift and decisive. «Let me make you a promise. There will be no such mistakes in the future. Not just here and now, but any time in the future either». This was a promise made in the name of Duke Kealunus. «Isn't that right, Baron Kypriot?»
The baron shuddered and quickly blurted out: «Y-Yes... of course, Your Highness».
Obviously, they were nothing more than empty words spoken to escape the mess he was in. Still, it was most likely that neither the baron nor any of the other nobles present would attempt anything similar after today. That was the weight of a promise from the duke. If this happened again, it would be like tarnishing the duke's name.
It's a shame there is no mourning, but... I'm sure another opportunity will present itself in the future.
I quickly made a decision. After all, the duke himself had been willing to back down here.
«Now, was that enough to ease your anger a little?»
If he rejected his olive branch, it would be no different than deliberately causing trouble.
«I haven't even heard an apology from Baron Kypriot himself, however. And even if he decides to apologize, that doesn't change the fact that he has disrespected my name. However...» It was time to put things in their place. «I'm going to leave this here.»
Ugh... With that, all the nobles let out a sigh of relief.
But it wasn't over yet. «It was a friend's request, after all. Not just anyone».
Everyone's eyes widened at my final comment.
It was understandable. After all, calling the duke a friend meant that we were equal in a friendly relationship.
The moment the words left my mouth, the entire room fell silent.
A barbarian, friend of a duke?
A tense silence took over the room as everyone waited for some kind of clarification.
In the silence, the duke's mouth frowned before quickly regaining his warm smile. «I'm glad to hear it». His brief response neither confirmed nor denied our status as «friends», but even that was enough for my prestige as a new member of the Real Club to skyrocket.
I ended up making an unexpected profit.
The duke would surely have done all the necessary political calculations in his head before answering me. After all, he had already made a vow to me on behalf of his house to cover up another nobleman's misstep. In the end, he had to decide what raising my reputation would benefit him as well.
«Well, I must return to my ducal duties. I'll get in touch later. Oh, and congratulations on becoming a baron».
After promising to meet me later in front of everyone, the duke left.
Going that far makes things a little problematic...
Still, I couldn't argue with the results. I could already feel a drastic change in the looks of everyone watching me.
«...I guess he didn't become a noble by sheer luck.»
«His change of status was approved so easily... Was it because the duke supported him?».
Curiosity began to appear in his eyes. It was a good sign. After all that, I ended up attracting quite a bit of attention. Now, not even the marquis would be able to do something inappropriate.
After warning Baron Kypriot that next time would not be so reasonable, I returned to my seat. Baroness Rabbit froze on the table, looking at me blankly. «There's no reason for you to get up and say hello... Baroness Lirivia?». I asked him, waving my hand in front of his face.
He finally woke up and leaned towards me. «Why would you do something like that?», he hissed in my ear. «His Excellency even had to intervene. If things had gotten more out of control, you would have gotten into quite a mess».
I guess she wasn't one to subscribe to the tank's philosophy of jumping into things headlong. Still, shouldn't he be praising or thanking me right now?
«Everything ended well, however. The duke's promise alone will not end their discrimination, but at least they will no longer insult you behind your back».
This is what you've been dreaming of.
Baroness Rabbit seemed bewildered. «Did you really... do all that just for that one reason...?».
«Do I need any other reason?»
«That was too reckless. If the duke had not gone ahead, things could have gone much worse. All of Melbeth's houses together couldn't have done anything to...!»
Your response left me a little disappointed. Did I think all my achievements were pure luck? «I can't say I agree with that».
«...It goes without saying, but I hold you in very high esteem, Baron Yandel. However, the same cannot be said for all of Melbeth's houses. All eyes are on you, judging whether you are worthy of joining our ranks. If others end up deciding that you are not worthy because of this, then...»
«Enough.» What a meaningless warning. That wasn't even what he meant. «This has nothing to do with Melbeth.»
«...Sorry?»
«The same goes for the duke. Even if he hadn't intervened, the outcome wouldn't have changed».
Baroness Rabbit didn't seem to understand what he was saying, so I kindly explained it to her. «You said it yourself, right? You told me to make myself indispensable to you. That's why I asked for a duel. You need at least one person like me to make sure others stay in their lane. Oh, and Baron Kypriot was the perfect target. His house is not particularly notable, and he does not have the guts to back up his big mouth».
«Wait! So... are you saying you took all that into account before acting?».
«More or less». I nodded, surprising Baroness Rabbit.
He could barely catch his breath and asked me another question. «But I don't understand what all this has to do with you becoming someone indispensable to us?».
Ah, that.
«During our talk earlier, what I heard was that you don't think you have a way to change your circumstances.».
At that moment, I realized what this multiracial alliance of nobles was missing, something that only a main tank that had gone through all kinds of trials and tribulations could time.
«However, it's not like you'll never find a way out. There will always be a way forward, whatever situation you find yourself in», I said firmly. «So if you find yourself on a path riddled with enemies you can't get through, that simply means you're missing something: someone to shoot an arrow for you and clear the path later».
Baroness Rabbit remained silent as I finished. However, I noticed it from his expression.
I think my self-promotion has had an effect.
At the end of the day, I was the one who had to decide my own value.
***
After that, I continued my conversation with Baroness Rabbit. He asked me all kinds of questions, so I should have left an impression on him. I felt like a home seller selling dubious home remedies.
«You were right before...» As time went by, his expression changed too. «What good has it been for us to endure their constant slights for so long? All that wasted time... If only we had gone back even a little each time, I'm sure we'd be in a very different position now!»
There was no longer a tame herbivore in front of me. She had become a beast full of determination.
«It's time for Melbeth to change. Don't worry, Baron Yandel. I will personally sponsor your clan and obtain guild approval. At Melbeth we need more people like you».
With that, Baroness Rabbit left the table. As I watched her leave, a thought came to mind: Was she going to hide her teeth or show them now? Perhaps the real difference between a herbivore and a carnivore lies simply in their mentality.
Por eso importa el entorno.
Anyway, was it because it was a rabbit? It was particularly easy to conquer.
The table was empty after he left, and I continued eating my food, which had been on hold for a while. One by one, the other nobles began to approach me to talk to me.
«Baron Yandel, I heard that someone spoke ill of you before. It is only fair that you request a duel after that».
«When I found out what happened, I was totally surprised».
«Tsk, how come people continue to discriminate against other races these days?».
I found it funny how quickly they had changed their minds and stopped seeing me as a simple-minded, lowly barbarian. Still, I pretended not to notice their attitude and continued happily socializing with them. From now on, networking was going to be an advantage for me.
«Haha, thanks to everyone. If you invite me to your house, I'm sure I'll make time to visit you».
«Oh yeah? I heard you haven't made an appearance since the banquet at Count Ferdehilt's house a while ago.»
«Back then, he was just a nobody, but what if we're friends now?».
«...Friends? Ha ha ha! With that desire, you are surely an adventurer. Yes, let's be friends!»
Several people approached me for the same reason, but one of them turned out to be Count Ferdehilt himself. He expressed regret for not being able to marry his daughter to me last time.
«If my daughter saw you now, she would surely be happy. It's a shame. He would have loved it...»
What the hell was he talking about? When he forcibly dragged his daughter in front of me back then, she had been shaking.
«Haha, then I'm leaving. I'll be sure to call you soon, so don't be a stranger!»
Even after Count Ferdehilt said goodbye, I continued to greet and converse friendly with the other nobles.
...¿Hm?
Suddenly, a middle-aged baron approached to shake my hand. As he did so, he gave me a sneaky look, sliding a note into my hand before disappearing into the crowd. A chill ran down my spine.
Don't tell me that bastard...
I was tempted to tear the note to pieces on the spot, but I hurried to the bathroom to read it privately, just in case. When I skimmed it, I was glad I didn't break it.
In three days I will see you at the place where we met.
-Your true friend
I didn't expect this kind of secrecy. Was this some kind of achievement for completing my secondary quest to elevate my status?
...Now I just have to meet the marquis one last time.
I break the note and swallow it with tap water before leaving the bathroom.