Barbarian in a Failed Game

The Southern Borderland Marquis.

The second son of the Zartua Electorate family.

A capable man overshadowed by a fatal flaw, disqualified from the succession.

That was the man before them.

“What does the great Sword Phantom want from Patrick? This is amusing…! Amusing!”

He was Patrick von Zartua.

Despite his noble lineage and position as a frontier lord, he displayed behavior unfitting of his status. He clapped his hands obnoxiously and burst into loud laughter, resembling a jester more than a noble.

‘This man…’

Yet to Leonir, this seemed like a mask. It wasn’t that the behavior was fake; it was his true nature on display, masking his real intent completely.

‘A tricky type.’

Leonir adjusted his perception of the “Impious Patrick” from mere hearsay to a tangible threat. Even the Emperor’s decree might not easily sway this man.

That’s why, “Yes.”

Leniyar had come. To turn Patrick’s dark nature to their advantage.

“I do have a favor to ask.”

“Puhahahaha!”

Patrick found Leniyar’s straightforward admission amusing, laughing so hard he almost fell out of his chair. His laughter continued for ten seconds until his bodyguard subtly signaled him to stop.

“Heh. Fine… If the great Sword Phantom has a request, I should at least listen. Besides—”

Leonir, standing behind Leniyar, flinched.

The overly jovial demeanor vanished, replaced by a cold, keen look in Patrick’s eyes.

“—you were sent by the Emperor, correct? To deal with the beastfolk?”

How did he know that?

Leonir had to hide his astonishment. The details of the Three Pillars Meeting were highly confidential. The attendees included only the Emperor’s closest aides and Khan’s companions. There were no connections between them and Patrick.

Yet Patrick seemed to know their purpose from the beginning.

“Despite appearances, I am of the Electorate blood. I know the Emperor recently had a secret meeting. Likely, other Electorate families have caught wind of it too.”

He spoke nonchalantly about having spies within the royal court. There was no need to hide it, implying that the Emperor was probably aware and letting it be.

“The Emperor meets with the Three Pillars, and soon after, our esteemed Sword Phantom visits me? The purpose is obvious. And if you want something from me, it has to be related to the beastfolk.”

Moreover—

“Do you think there is anyone else who knows the ruckus of our troops better than I do? Hmph. Don’t look so surprised. What, are you astonished because the man who couldn’t control his lust and became crippled turned out to be unexpectedly exceptional?”

“…… It’s not particularly that, lord Patrick.”

“Really? Yeah… What’s your name again?”

Amid the unpredictable flow of conversation, Leo had to pull himself together. Since Lennyar wasn’t proficient in negotiations, Leo had to take the lead in this meeting.

‘Pull yourself together. Don’t get swayed.’

After all, he was also a member of a noble family. He wasn’t entirely ignorant in the field of politics. Recalling his role, Leo tried to reveal his identity to Patrick.

“Ah, never mind. I roughly know. Blond hair, annoyingly handsome face. And a high-ranking Paladin despite your young age… You belong to the Istantil family, right?”

“…!”

“You shouldn’t be so surprised. Initially, I was the one more surprised. How lightly did you take the Elector family…? You didn’t actually think we’ve done nothing against major powers like the Royal Family and the Three Pillars, did you?”

But Patrick continued to reveal unexpected facts, shaking his opponent and seizing control of the conversation.

Leo realized late. He wasn’t just someone obscured by the derogatory term ‘Impious’ and rumors related to the Sword Demon.

The Royal Family, the Three Pillars, and the Elector. He was part of the major forces that supported and led the Empire. It couldn’t be that the person who competed for the heir position was just an ordinary person.

To be called a monster, one must possess transcendent power. Patrick in front of him also fully qualified to be called a monster.

“Haha… That’s an interesting expression. Now, I like the atmosphere a bit more.”

Patrick licked his lips as if moistening them. Seeing that, Leo felt as if he was caught in a spider web for some reason. A web so tightly knitted that the more he struggled, the harder it was to escape.

“Shall we begin the real conversation now?”

*

“Increase the troops… It sounds like you are preparing for war.”

“You aren’t entirely wrong.”

“The Istantil family has always been a devout ally of the church. Therefore, you’re insensitive to the general physiology of nobles.”

Patrick deliberately flashed an arrogant smile. He loved these moments the most. When he could crush those who thought highly of themselves.

‘The young genius who was undertaking the role of a prospective apostle… Was he considered the future leader of the Paladins?’

Such people usually live knowing how exceptional they are. Patrick couldn’t stand that. In front of a noble Elector family’s bloodline, he couldn’t tolerate lowly beings acting up.

“Even though I’m treated like an outcast, I’m still a member of the Elector family and the southern border marquis responsible for protecting these lands… And now you’re asking to increase the troops that are already excessive compared to other border marquises?”

“His Majesty the Emperor is wary of the movements of beastmen─”

“No. Those scoundrels are not important. If I get more troops, it’s not the Beastmen but the other Electors who will start acting up.”

Don’t you understand that?

Patrick looked at the stiffened Leo with a mocking gaze.

“His Majesty’s decree? Well, fine. It gives me a reason to eagerly expand my private army. But what about after that? Is His Majesty going to provide the increased military expenses? And who is going to deal with the complaints from other Electors? Certainly not me, but our family head would be greatly… greatly displeased. Was this agreed upon?”

It couldn’t be. If it were, a messenger sent by the head of the entire family, not just the Emperor’s decree, would have come to see him.

“It’s a sensitive time. I’m saying this because we’re alone, but everyone is just watching each other over the seat of the next Emperor. In such a situation, if one nail stands out… who will look favorably upon it? Right?”

“……”

“Therefore, if you want me to make a move, come with a suitable reward. While His Majesty’s decree is absolute, I think it’s reasonable to expect some conditions as a southern border marquis and a member of the Elector family.”

“What do you mean by reward?”

“Well. I have plenty of land, so I don’t desire more. Wealth is already overflowing, so it doesn’t attract me. Hmm… Then what would be good… Ah!”

Patrick smiled faintly and looked at Leo, who was enduring the humiliation of being mocked by a cripple who could kill him with a single stroke.

‘That’s enough of a dessert.’

Teasing an innocent Paladin is fun, but the real deal is something else.

“I’ve just thought of a suitable reward. One that will satisfy the family head who will hear complaints from other Electors and also satisfy me for fulfilling His Majesty’s decree at my own expense.”

Sword Demon, Leniyar.

A lowborn, who, despite that, looked at him with contemptuous eyes as he was a candidate for the heir of the Elector family. He approached her with the intent to crush her face, but he ended up crippled for life.

Had it not been for the capabilities of his entire family, he wouldn’t even have been able to walk with crutches, as the Sword Master severed the nerves and muscles of his limbs. Patrick was called ‘Impious’ due to one flaw despite his exceptional abilities.

A relentless determination to achieve what he set his mind on.

And that determination in most cases was used to vent Patrick’s twisted desires.

“If the disciple of the Sword Master were to become a member of our family… I think we could very earnestly carry out His Majesty’s command. Not just reluctantly, but with true sincerity.”

Patrick’s eyes turned to Lennyar.

How could he ignore the moment she, who had merely sat without uttering a word and maintaining her composure, finally showed a reaction? Indeed, how would Lennyar respond? Would she fly into a rage with her explosive temperament? Or would she suppress her emotions to obey the Emperor’s command? Whichever path she chose, it would be an immensely entertaining spectacle for Patrick.

But contrary to Patrick’s expectations, Leniyar displayed no reaction.

“Let’s go. We’ve delivered the decree.”

Without causing a scene or getting angry, she dissolved the meeting with an expressionless face.

It was an added bonus that she left in a flash before Patrick could say anything more.

“Your Grace, should we stop her?”

“No, well… This is refreshing. Let her go.”

“But… Having received His Majesty’s decree, Your Grace cannot simply stand by…”

“Of course, we must obey His Majesty’s command. Go to the administrator and publicize the announcement. We need to make a show of it, don’t we?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Patrick let out a subtle smile as he watched his retainer move on to fulfill their role.

‘So, you’re different from before, you lowborn wench?’

Patrick’s initial shock at her unexpected reaction quickly dissipated. He didn’t believe that unruly woman would back down so easily.

Moreover, since the Emperor was wary of the Beastmen’s movements for whatever reason, he would need the full cooperation of Patrick, the Southern Borderland Marquis.

“I guess we need to send someone to the Imperial Court. If you’re not going to speak, we’ll have to make our move, won’t we?”

Even a formal marriage would suffice. Just that would crush Lennyar’s pride utterly. Conversely, if the Imperial Court rejected Patrick’s demand, that was fine too.

Even if Patrick half-heartedly expanded the troops, the Imperial Court couldn’t aggressively pressure him. Regardless of the outcome, the best results would always be in Patrick’s favor.

‘Anyway, it’s surprising. Is the Emperor’s sharp insight dulling with age, sending that woman of all people?’

It didn’t matter. Patrick raised a glass filled with liquor with a smiling face.

‘Well then, the only thing left is to enjoy.’

*

“However, it doesn’t seem like the Southern Borderland Marquis will accept it quietly.”

“I never expected him to accept it meekly.”

“What? Then why did you send that girl to the Southern Borderland Marquis, especially since their relationship isn’t good?”

“I created a pretext.”

Emperor Friedrick’s penetrating eyes surveyed the continent’s map. And where his gaze stopped was on the southern border. Above it stood a wooden puppet leaning on crutches.

“The land of the Southern Borderland Marquis originally belongs to the Imperial Court.”

After winning the war against the Beastmen, the Imperial Court expelled them and constructed fortresses to confine them to the southern continent. That is the current territory of the Southern Borderland Marquis.

“But because it was difficult to manage, the predecessors handed it over to whole families. It was too far from Levant, the location of the Imperial Court. It probably wasn’t efficient in many ways.”

“I understand that roughly, but what’s the connection to sending the decree to the Sword Demon?”

“If the Borderland Marquis responds tepidly even after receiving the decree and fails to sufficiently fortify the troops, we need to create a reason for his lukewarm response, don’t we?”

Conrad blinked at the Emperor’s words, with a face suggesting he didn’t quite understand. The Emperor continued, scanning the Borderland Marquis territory on the map.

“For example, suppose the fortresses of the Borderland Marquis suddenly get occupied. And it later comes to light. The Emperor had already foreseen the Beastmen’s upheaval and issued a decree for preparations. But it turns out, due to personal grudges, proper preparations weren’t made.”

Of course, hypothesizing about unoccurred events is mere armchair speculation.

‘The Beastmen will inevitably act soon.’

This certainty came from someone who had returned from experiencing the future.

“There would be a great uproar.”

“Indeed, there would be. So much so that the current person responsible for the fort would have to be replaced.”

“Ah…! Could it be, in that position!”

Emperor Friedrick nodded.

“It’s timely. I was already pondering what land to grant him.”

“But… isn’t he unavailable right now? Moreover, there might be some resistance to placing a barbarian as the Borderland Marquis…”

“Who said we’d place him as the Borderland Marquis?”

Yes? Then who—

Conrad asked in confusion, and Emperor Friedrick nudged aside the statue leaning on crutches and placed a dragon statue with blue scales on the Borderland Marquis territory.

“Either way, since we’ve wronged the Sword Demon, she should be tasked with punishing the Borderland Marquis who lost his fortress.”

Emperor Friedrick murmured with a hint of complexity as he gently closed his eyes.

Then, the event flashed vividly in his mind as if he had just experienced it.

The moment when a space-controlling mage and a blue-scaled dragon abruptly invaded the Imperial Court, demanding that the Emperor himself “surrender the land promised to Khan”.

‘This would be unprecedented in the continent’s history. A dragon holding the rank of Borderland Marquis, settling in imperial land with displaced races from Paradise and Gigantis.’