Barbarian in a Failed Game

Chapter 037: Draupnir (6)

“Utterly barbaric.”

That was the first thought that came to Count Emil, after being rather unexpectedly insulted. To appear out of nowhere, kill his mage, and then insult him—he, a well-armed noble leading his own private soldiers? Such behavior was unfathomable unless one was out of their mind.

“…First of all,”

However, Emil didn’t rush towards the barbarian in rage or order his soldiers to behead the intruder. He paused for a moment, silently appraising the stone pieces that shattered his mage’s face and the limbs of the barbarian, which appeared as sturdy as tree trunks.

“He seems quite powerful. I wonder how he compares to a Great Warrior of the Black Wing Duke…” Finding an appropriate point of comparison was difficult. The Great Warrior of the Black Wing Duke was a monster who could beat down most knights with a club.

Yet, to consider this insolent barbarian in front of him as an equal seemed somewhat… off.

“I am a glorious knight sworn in allegiance to the heart of Argon, the sharpest sword and shield in defense of the lands granted by our king. You, the crude barbarian, reveal your name before you dare tarnish our honorable names!”

The conclusion he arrived at was simple. Probe a little. Perhaps learn the barbarian’s name, find out why this uncivilized brute targeted him, and if a fight could be avoided, maybe even attempt to negotiate…

“An awful lot of talk.”

“What?”

The count was taken aback by the crude reply, just as a heavy thud resonated, making the already towering barbarian seem like a true giant.

“What madness!”

Clang! Sword enveloped in aura clashed against a single-edged axe.

The strike, though sudden, was not too quick for the guard captain to react to. The power of the axe, coming down from above, wasn’t enough to completely overcome the knight’s aura-enhanced body.

However, the horse Emil was riding wasn’t so fortunate and died instantly with its spine snapped.

“Your grace…!”

Emil’s posture was utterly compromised—a fatal vulnerability, especially against a warrior successful in a surprise attack.

“Let’s see if you can withstand this.”

The barbarian lifted his axe for another strike, a sight Emil witnessed as he gritted his teeth, spreading his aura more broadly across his body for enhancement. Psychological toughening was one of the most basic yet crucial uses of aura, primarily because knights had to fight using their bodies.

“Do not underestimate me─!”

Emil roared, the aura enhancing his physique seemingly amplifying his voice as well, causing distant ears to ring.

“I will not be defeated so easily!”

Indeed, the barbarian in front of him was formidable: he had agility that belied his massive frame and strength enough to dismount Emil, despite his aura-enhanced, armor-clad body.

Yet, Emil never doubted his victory.

Magess wield the mysteries of spells, paladins are fortified with divine power and blessings, and dark mages invoke demons’ power with their dark magic.

And aura?

Aura could become anything.

If the wielder was skilled enough, they could enhance their body, shape aura into a form as massive as siege engines, or even concentrate it to launch at enemies like magic.

It wasn’t outstanding in any specific area, but it could be wielded in any direction. That was the power of aura, something a mere brute of a barbarian could not comprehend.

Employing all his skills in physical enhancement, Emil gripped his sword with both hands and swung upwards. The blue light of aura reached the barbarian’s axe before it could fully swing.

‘I’ve won…!’

At that moment, Emil was convinced of his victory. The barbarian’s axe hadn’t properly swung, but his sword’s thrust was at its maximum power, fueled by even more aura than before.

Even if the barbarian’s physical strength surpassed that of humans, Emil was on the same level now.

At least, that’s what he thought.

‘It seems I’m getting the hang of this…’

Sure enough, there’s nothing quite like a tin can for a punching bag. Khan, concealing his strength, smirked slightly.

Emil sensed something ominous, but it was too late to retreat.

Thus, Emil’s sword and Khan’s axe, swung in an awkward position, collided.

Thunk…Crackling──!

The outcome was immediate and startlingly passionate. Khan’s axe slammed down Count Emil’s sword without the slightest hint of resistance.

There was no chance to withstand it.

As the pressure from the collision made it seem as though his eyes would pop out, Count Emil’s body was pushed down as if hammered into the ground by a mallet.

It was as if something beneath the earth pulled him down.

“…….”

Silence enveloped the arena.

As if on cue, everyone shut their mouth, focusing their gaze on the barbarian who had just slammed a knight of the king’s guard into the ground.

“Damn. That guy is definitely done for.”

Though Ron muttered this in dismay, Khan decided to let it slide, feeling surprisingly good due to his rapidly increased strength being well-managed after all.

It wasn’t like he had killed the man.

“So. I’ve planted your boss in the ground. Now, if anyone wants a taste of revenge, raise your hand.”

“…….”

No response came.

How could they face the barbarian who had struck down a royal guard knight in a single blow? Even with their overwhelming numbers, none of the soldiers were willing to risk their lives for revenge on their employer.

Loyalty is pledged to the living. With their employer dead, what loyalty was there to speak of?

Thud. Thud.

Khan inwardly smirked at the sight.

Just as expected of these medieval folks… Judging by how quickly they kneel, it seems their agility stat is higher than that of the elven assassins.

“Hmm. I wanted to test it on someone a bit weaker…”

Unfortunately, it seems that won’t happen. As Khan reluctantly licked his lips, the sound made the soldiers who had thrown their weapons down and knelt shiver in fear.

“Oh right, there was another tin can.”

“I have no intention of fighting you. Seeing how you are hostile to the Count, you must be a mercenary sent by His Excellency.”

“That may be so, but…”

Khan examined the sturdy-looking tin can from head to toe.

Feeling the chill, the manor knight expressed with his entire body that he truly did not wish to fight Khan. He quickly sheathed his sword and even made a show of throwing off his armor.

In the end, with a lick of his lips, Khan had no choice but to give up.

‘Ah, what a shame.’

Just a bit more and he would have gotten the hang of it.

*

*

*

“Dwarf?”

“Why, why. Is it your first time seeing a dwarf? You monster!”

“Why is this little guy picking a fight. After I spared his life, no less.”

Do you want to be punched? Khan bit back his retort, locking eyes with the dwarf who barely reached his belly.

“I get it now.”

“What do you mean you get it!”

“The equipment from the Broken Anvil. I was wondering why the information window popped up, turns out it’s because they were made by a dwarf.”

“Information window? What nonsense is that…”

“Haha! You keep making no sense, seems like our dwarf friend is tired. Right? Say it’s so!”

Ugh! Ugh! The dwarf, caught in Ron’s grasp, kicked his legs in the air.

“Khan, boss! This friend seems like he needs some rest, but how did you manage to get here so quickly?”

“I came because the problem with the Count was solved and then I lost contact with you.”

“Wait a moment. You mean to say you’ve resolved the issue with His Grace? Barbarian!”

‘These guys sure have a way with words.’

Khan clicked his tongue, observing the dwarf and the tin can that kept riling him up. The thought crossed his mind whether he should just close his eyes and give them a good wallop.

“Haha…! I thought you’d handle it easily, brother. As expected of the Executioner of the North……. Ugh!”

“Don’t bring up that name.”

“You’re the one who mentioned it first!”

It’s always the one who deals the final blow who ends up getting beaten. Khan, mulling over this wisdom gained from social interactions, decided to engage the slightly calmer dwarf in conversation before interrogating the tin can about various matters.

There was something he needed to confirm first.

“Most dwarves should have headed out to sea. What’s keeping you in such a backwater? It doesn’t seem like you’re particularly dedicated to making equipment.”

After all, the item information window went as far as to include “roughly made” in its description, so there had to be truth in that.

Only those dwarves who had the right to their own forge, surpassing even the human blacksmiths known as masters, could make equipment that even shoddily made would show up in an item information window.

“So, what’s the reason for such a master craftsman to be idling away his time in some backwater town?”

That was what Khan was curious about.

“Why? Because I made a promise with that noble’s bastard father, that’s why! That damned human. I never thought he’d dare to swindle me like that…!”

“If you’re caught in an unfair contract, couldn’t you just leave? They wouldn’t dare do anything to you, not with the Dwarven Kingdom watching.”

“Human and dwarves are different. Why would we make promises if we were going to break them so easily? Anyway, since there was no promise that I’d work properly, I’m just working half-heartedly.”

So that was it.

Khan told him to rest before walking towards the tin can buried in the ground himself.

By then, the person had regained consciousness and was struggling.

“Working hard, I see. Do you want to live that badly?”

“You…! Don’t insult me! You can’t kill me anyway!”

Khan’s lips curved up at the can, who seemed certain of his own survival.

“Are you assuming I won’t kill you because you think I fear the royal family’s revenge? Well, I’m just passing through Argon after collecting my money. And the warriors of the Frost Gorge don’t hesitate to kill their foes.”

“…!”

Perhaps reminiscing about the rumors of barbarian, the tin can opened his eyes wide with fear.

“Originally, Count Hefeldt tasked me to kill you. Why wouldn’t I?”

“If you kill me, you won’t escape the kingdom alive! The knights of the royal family will kill you─!”

“Well, I doubt the royal family will take much action now.”

Don’t you know better? The former royal guard. When Khan whispered this so only the Count Emil could hear, Emil visibly flinched through his armor.

“How could you possibly know that?” his eyes seemed to say.

“Perhaps a dark mage in the woods told me?”

“What kind of nonsense…”

“If you don’t understand, that’s fine. Let’s move on to a constructive discussion. About the only way for you to stay alive and keep your life.”

Emil was noticeably shaken by Khan’s words.

Acting as if he was going to kill Emil, only to suddenly offer a way out.

This barbarian, who seemed naught but a simple monster, spoke like a skilled negotiator.

“Weren’t barbarian just beastly figures in human form?”

“All I want is simple. Just tell me where this weapon came from.”

“That is…!”

Yet, what shocked him was not the sudden display of the red sword.

How could he be sane, holding that? They said the curse on it could enchant a mage instantly!

“It seems I can hear your brain racing from here. You shouldn’y be in a position to mull over this.”

“You uncivilized barbarian. I would respect the victor’s right in a fair duel, but how can I trust someone who knows nothing of honor and resorts to ambush?”

At Emil’s loud talking of fair duels and ambushes, Khan let out a scornful laugh.

It was clear what he was thinking.

“Looking for a way to save face now that you see a chance to survive, huh?”

Surely, the nobility had their cunning ways of negotiation, insinuating their loss was due to an ambush…

Whether his words had an effect or not, a glimmer of hope flickered in the eyes of the quickly surrendering soldiers.

Khan wasn’t entirely pleased with their reaction.

However, he decided to play along with Emil’s nonsense.

‘If it gets me the information I want, I can afford to bolster his pride a bit.’

“Battle is just a means to victory. It doesn’t matter what you babble. Our god has decreed it so. Likewise, we detest lies. Our god deems it unbecoming of a warrior.”

“…”

It was a crudely barbaric statement, yet it allowed Count Emil to preserve some dignity even in his abject surrender and defeat.

Khan’s prediction was accurate.

Hearing this, Count Emil fell deep into thought. How much could he trust the barbarian in front of him?

And was it safe to give him the information he wanted? Such thoughts tangled his mind.

But his pondering didn’t last long.

After all, he had more reasons to live than to die.

“…That cursed sword came from a dead mage who brought it. To be exact, it was sent from somewhere he belonged to.”

“There’s a group?”

Certainly not a mage tower. Does the Argon Kingdom have its separate group of mages? That can’t be, they seemed too weak…

Catching on to Khan’s doubt, Count Emil added with uncertainty, along with an unavoidable name.

“He claimed himself a seeker of mysteries. Yes, he definitely called himself a follower of truth…”

“A follower of truth…?”

Why them, again?