Surviving the Game as a Barbarian Chapter 788: Upgrade (6)

Departing at dawn for the royal capital, Karnohn, I found my investiture ceremony delayed until far later in the day. After all, the festivities weren't centered solely on my advancement today. Eager to figure out when I'd finally escape back home, I etched into my mind the advance schedule sent by the royal family.

'First period... yeah, that's the headmaster's speech, isn't it?'

With all the nobles settled in their seats, Duke Kealurnus—the man assuming the Chancellor role today—approached the podium to deliver his address.

"Nia Lafdonia! Infinite glory and boundless future to this great city!"

He kicked off with a booming salute and cheer, clearly one he'd practiced repeatedly. From what I recalled, Duke Kealurnus had no military background. He typically spoke in a soft, composed manner. His lineage focused on scholars, churning out mages and intellectuals.

'Guess they've got a Chancellor in the family now too.'

His intro packed a punch, but the speech itself followed the standard script.

"The wicked traitors lusted after these eternal walls, yet we stood unyielding..."

He denounced Noark, paid tribute to the deceased, lauded the defenders, and ultimately credited all triumphs to the royal family. This stretched on for roughly an hour, wrapping up the initial phase.

The second phase involved the succession rites.

"Let it be proclaimed. Your fresh blood heralds the destiny of this city!"

Offspring who had claimed their ancestral titles amid the conflict advanced one after another for official validation. Truth be told, this segment dragged tediously—yet it carried a jarring impact.

'So many lost their lives...?'

Close to two hundred successors were gaining their formal inheritance.

"Ah! The hope of House Lumina rises here! I, in the name of Lafdonia's royal family «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t», affirm the succession of Count Metheia Lumina."

"Haha, that young genius has matured into a fine adult. I, on behalf of Lafdonia's royal family..."

Duke Kealurnus hurried the proceedings along with quick, assembly-line confirmations. Even so, it consumed an eternity.

Enduring the monotony was tough, but the surrounding nobles appeared far more engaged.

"Tsk tsk, that pleasure-seeking whelp taking the title... House Bolshe is finished."

"House Verton fares no better. Handing the title to an infant heir by shoving it onto a side-branch illegitimate without a regent—"

"I heard the true heir suffers from some affliction, and that cur exploited it to seize power for himself."

"Scandalous! In turbulent days, such a move is beyond the pale!"

"No point fuming. He'll collapse under his own weight. Most lineages are already severing links with Verton's ventures."

"Indeed. No aristocrat wishes to mingle with a disloyal hound of that sort."

Seasoned nobles, steeped in aristocratic ways their entire lives, kept up a steady stream of remarks—even as the ritual crawled forward. Oddly, they always possessed eerily precise details on rival households' secrets.

"It's all fresh faces now."

"A fresh age dawns..."

"Heaven knows what lies ahead..."

Some aristocrats voiced a mix of nostalgia, optimism, or perhaps mere acceptance. Yet for me...

'No matter the shift in generations, I suspect little will truly alter.'

Even that legendary Socrates griped about the insolence of the young. Ultimately, it boils down to squabbles among the fledglings.

"With that, the succession ceremony draws to a close. A feast awaits, and we invite our honored visitors to partake freely!"

Thus, the second phase—overrunning its allotted time—came to an end, ushering in the midday meal. A royal ensemble played lively tunes throughout the chamber as graceful performers danced.

Not that it elevated the meal's appeal.

"Baron, delighted to make your acquaintance. I'm Metheia Pies. I hope the cuisine meets your—"

"Behell—RAAAAAAH!!!"

"...Ahaha, it seems you're relishing it immensely..."

"Naturally. You wouldn't dream of savoring it in my stead, would you?"

"...Pardon?"

"I'm dining. Leave me be."

Throughout my meal, unfamiliar nobles persistently attempted chats. The majority were freshly titled youths.

'There's a clear divide across generations here...'

Perhaps due to their youth? By custom, established nobles shun ties with a figure like me—a non-human peer. On the other hand, my accumulated prestige might now deter open prejudice.

"Haha, my youthful ally! How fares your spirit? It would've been grand had you joined the revelry—"

In any case, most were novices, though not exclusively. Familiar faces appeared as well—like Count Alminus with his steady “alliance tribute,” and Count Perdehilt, ever eager to wed his daughter to me.

Several prior acquaintances returned for talks, forcing me to halt my eating for short exchanges.

Even the Rabbit Baron made an entrance.

"Long time, Baron Yandel. Or... Viscount now, perhaps?"

"...The rite hasn't occurred yet. In any event, good to see you again, Baron Ririvia."

We traded formal salutes like true aristocrats, and once I hinted at resuming my repast, he wilted visibly before retreating—muttering something quite forlorn.

"Er... Baron? You've skipped recent Melbeth assemblies..."

"Swamped with duties."

"Ah... yet you manage meetings with Count Alminus..."

"What's your point?"

"P-Please don't forsake Melbeth..."

"......"

"T-Then savor your meal...!"

Observing the Rabbit Baron flee in dejection, a peculiar sensation washed over me.

'Melbeth, eh...'

Initially, I aligned with Melbeth for support—to carve out my noble niche. They offered the strongest backing. It succeeded. But these days...

'It resembles that pesky younger kin you can't quite desert.'

Difficult to articulate fully... but as a fellow non-human, I feel compelled to lend aid. I've reaped gains from them, no denying that.

'I ought to show up at the upcoming gathering.'

Mulling this over, the feast concluded, launching the third phase.

Notably, Count Alminus oversaw the third phase, not Duke Kealurnus. It marked the Chancellor's formal induction.

"Yaaawn..."

Belly stuffed and eyelids heavy, I nodded off midway. Eventually, the rite wrapped up, and Duke Kealurnus—now the duly appointed Chancellor—resumed command for the concluding part.

At last, we entered the fourth and final phase.

"This conflict forged myriad legends. But one among them blazed brightest, a beacon in the fray."

He detailed my feats sequentially—the slaying of the Corpse Collector, the clash with the Evil Eyes, culminating in the downfall of the arch-traitor, Marquis Tertherion.

Listening from the wings, I awaited my signal before ascending the platform.

I'd undergone a prior elevation rite, but this version differed greatly. It flowed more efficiently. Previously, rising from Junior Baron to full Baron had integrated me into the elite thousand houses—more an initiation than exaltation.

"...What's taking you? Grab the box."

Oh, yeah.

Jostled back to focus, I adhered to the drilled protocol—seized the container, dropped to one knee, and extended it outward.

Next...

Ssssht.

The Duke stripped away the navy drape over the box, draping a azure one in its place. With that simple act, the ceremony concluded.

Followed by the oration segment.

They'd omitted mention of this bit, but it posed no issue. I sensed Duke Kealurnus's expectant stare, as if anticipating some adulatory words.

'What kind of praise do you seek from a barbarian?'

Brushing it aside, I proclaimed with fervor.

As a barbarian champion, facing a throng of thousands in nobility, only one cry deserved voicing.

"Behell—RAAAAAAAHH!!!"

My bellow echoed across the noble assembly, yet the reaction proved tepid. Or rather, utterly nonchalant.

"There he goes with it again."

"I figured he'd unleash that right when they called for remarks."

"Nothing new by now."

No tongue-clucking arose. No grumbles over savage etiquette. Not a single peer voiced objection.

So why this pang of... letdown?

No clue, and it mattered little.

"...Finished? Kindly descend."

"Understood."

And thus, Viscount Yandel I became.

***

「Character Fame +10.」

「Character Fame +10.」

「Character Fame +10.」

「Character Fame +10...」

「......」

***

Despite ascending from Baron to Viscount, my routine remained unchanged.

The gap between baron and viscount involved perks like expanded personal guard limits—but House Yandel lacked even a single retainer. All I earned was heightened esteem.

'Changes might hit harder at count or marquis ranks?'

Likely so. Rumors held that privileges escalated from count upward. Even so, I doubted seismic shifts. At most, I could forge an alliance akin to Melbeth's.

'Back to the grind.'

Post-ceremony, I plunged into everyday affairs. I joined Melbeth sessions and shared a noon meal with Chancellor Kealurnus, trading heaps of insights.

As Chancellor now, he appeared keen on nurturing our bond. I reciprocated—allying with the Chancellor unlocked elite intelligence.

Such as the labyrinth's activation date, undisclosed even to the Guild. Entry limits for explorers, participating clans, royal involvement—he revealed every detail.

Doubtless to curry my goodwill, yet valuable nonetheless.

"The structural harm within the Sanctuary nears full mending. Come next month, forces will deploy to rebuild Districts 7 and 8."

As ever, Shabin Emure managed Sanctuary matters. She toiled with even greater zeal lately.

"Shabin Emure, are you catching any rest...?"

"No concerns. I grab some shut-eye at dawn."

"......"

Witnessing her relentless drive stirred my unease. But compelling a break seemed misguided.

'Events will balance it eventually...'

At minimum, with Shabin maniacally overseeing internal operations, I stayed free from bureaucratic hassles.

Hence, I channeled every spare moment into outfitting the forthcoming delve. I refined our path and summoned the team repeatedly for practice runs.

In this manner, days flew by swiftly...

"Wow, how much time since our last labyrinth plunge?"

At long last, the appointed day dawned.