Surviving as a Barbarian in a Fantasy World

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

It was a confession of feelings.

It was a proposal.

It was, a marriage proposal.

Ketal closed his mouth.

In the still silence, Arkamis's heart beat quickly.

'W-what is this?'

Did he dislike it?

Was he perhaps hesitating to reject her?

Had she proposed too soon?

Should she have built more emotional exchanges first?

Arkamis's head grew complicated.

Trembling, she asked.

"…Do you hate it?"

"No. Not at all."

But Ketal's thoughts weren't that.

"…No."

What he felt first upon hearing Arkamis's words wasn't surprise, joy, or embarrassment.

It was fear, hesitation—and rejection.

'…I felt fear and hesitation?'

A being of fantasy had wished for a deeper bond with him.

The fact itself shocked him.

Why did such feelings arise?

Ketal pondered deeply and soon realized.

He had always wanted the beings of fantasy to accept him.

Not as an outsider, but as one of them.

That was a passive stance—waiting for them.

But Arkamis's confession was different.

Now he had to respond.

He had to take the active stance of stepping closer.

It was not them accepting him—he had to accept them.

And in that fact, Ketal felt instinctive resistance.

Was he ready to walk among them as one of them?

No.

He wasn't.

To him, fantasy was like a brilliant jewel.

Just being beside it, walking alongside it, made him happy beyond measure.

Ketal had unconsciously ranked himself below fantasy.

"…Ha."

Realizing this, Ketal let out a dry laugh.

To admire fantasy so much, yet to feel rejection when fantasy drew closer—what irony.

'So I still haven't completely accepted it, huh.'

"…Ketal?"

Arkamis called nervously.

His face shifted from troubled to refreshed with a smile, his feelings unreadable.

"Arkamis."

"Y-yes?"

"I don't know much about love. Or rather, it has faded for me."

Countless years.

Endless, immeasurable years he lived in the White Wastes, sustaining his spirit only through longing for fantasy.

Other emotions had long since withered.

"Your feelings mean a great deal. But I am not prepared to accept them fully."

"Ah…"

Ketal had refused.

Arkamis's heart sank.

But then his next words widened her eyes.

"So for a time, I may not be able to satisfy you completely. Still, I'll try. I'll try to revive my emotions."

"H-huh?"

"If that is still acceptable… then gladly, I accept."

"…!"

Arkamis's eyes widened as much as possible, then filled with joy.

"Thank you, Ketal!"

"And I thank you."

Arkamis had accepted Ketal as an individual.

That was a blessing.

"Then… is it alright?"

"…Yes. It's alright."

Ketal took her shoulders.

Arkamis slowly stood.

Flustered yet careful, she closed her eyes.

Their bodies overlapped.

* * *

The next morning.

"Hmm."

Ketal opened his eyes in bed.

Beside him lay Arkamis.

"Mmm… Ketal…"

She mumbled in her sleep.

Ketal chuckled softly.

To wake and find someone at his side—there was a curious sense of fulfillment.

'…Family, huh.'

Arkamis had become family.

Realizing that, her brown hair and clear features felt different—closer.

He rose and went to the kitchen.

While preparing food, Arkamis rubbed her eyes and walked over.

"Ketal. You're awake?"

"Yeah. Are you alright?"

"Yes. A little awkward, but fine. Hehe."

Arkamis smiled brightly, full of happiness.

Finally.

She had finally gained a family.

The lifelong wish she had held was fulfilled.

After their meal, someone knocked.

Outside stood Karin.

"Judging by your faces, things went well. Congratulations, Arkamis. Ketal."

"Thanks, but Your Majesty… wasn't it too blatant?"

"You built this house, didn't you?"

"Well, isn't it a good thing? For both of you."

Karin smiled.

Everything had gone to plan.

She asked.

"Congratulations on your bond. Will you hold a ceremony?"

"There's no need, right? Ketal wouldn't want that."

But Ketal shook his head.

"…No. I ask you to arrange it."

"Huh? Really?"

"It's troublesome, yes… but I believe it necessary."

It would be the act of Ketal, as an individual, truly belonging to this world of fantasy.

Karin understood and nodded.

"Very well. Where shall it be held?"

"…The Barkan Territory. That would be fitting."

The land of the first humans he met.

There, the wedding would be proper.

Karin agreed.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Time passed busily.

Many came to offer congratulations.

The first was the Tower Master.

[You, marrying. I thought you'd wander the world alone forever.]

"That wouldn't be so bad, but then I wouldn't have put down roots here."

[Ah, I see.]

The Tower Master understood.

[It's a good thing, to have a place to return to and someone who welcomes you. That's why I built the Tower. Don't neglect her.]

"Thanks. I'll do my best."

[Then truly, congratulations. I sensed you wrestled with this. May this decision give you rest.]

Next came Helia, the Sun God's Saintess.

She looked at Ketal curiously.

"You're… marrying. To a High Elf."

"Yes. Is that a problem?"

"No. Just… not exactly."

With the Empire gone, the Tower, the Sun God's Church, and the Earth Mother's Church were the strongest factions.

Ketal marrying into the elves tipped the balance heavily—the elves would become the most powerful.

'The High Elf Queen outplayed us.'

Helia had intended to recruit Ketal herself, starting with the inquisitor Aquaz.

But she had been preempted.

Still, she set aside her bitterness and sincerely offered.

"Congratulations, Ketal. You deserve happiness. Live as a true member of this world."

"Thank you."

Ketal smiled.

Then came Milena, astonished.

"…So you and Arkamis really are marrying. Honestly, I never expected it."

"Nor did I."

"But… I should cheer for my friend's happiness. Please don't make her grieve."

"You needn't worry. I'll do my best."

"Then congratulations, Ketal. …You know, we've known each other quite a long time."

"That we have."

From first meeting in the White Wastes, to reuniting in the Kingdom of Denian, their ties had continued till now.

Ketal thanked her.

"Thanks. You helped me adjust to the outside world more easily."

"I should be grateful. Without you, I'd have been killed by assassins."

"…That did happen, didn't it."

The assassins had targeted her, and Ketal had eliminated them in advance.

Otherwise she wouldn't be here.

It felt like long ago.

They both laughed.

"Then."

"Let's continue to be good friends."

She bowed and left.

Unexpectedly, the next was Elene.

Ketal's eyes widened.

"Elene?"

"…It has been a while, Ketal. I am Elene Mavlocci Lutein, Queen of Lutein."

The princess who had been replaced by nanotech—now the queen—bowed politely.

"Have you been well?"

"There are troubles, but I've managed. You seem happy."

"I am happy."

Ketal smiled.

"And you?"

"I am not happy."

Her reply was immediate.

She was no longer human.

Perhaps not even Elene anymore.

She was a replacement, a counterfeit.

"But neither am I unhappy."

She had accepted herself.

"Ketal. You once told me: if you can't find an answer, then set a goal. If you succeed enough to deserve your reward, then that will do."

"Ah, I did say that."

"Whether it is a reward or not, as I am now—only as I am now—can I say this to you."

Her clear eyes met his.

"You are of this world. Never doubt it."

"…."

Ketal was struck silent.

A princess no longer human affirmed his existence.

It gave him a strange feeling.

He finally said.

"Thank you. I will remember it."

"May you be happy."

She bowed and left.

Others followed: the first elf he met, Marsilia.

The thief and paladin from his first party.

Sister Heize.

Swordmaster Cain.

And many others.

All the bonds Ketal had made in this world came to bless his marriage.

At last the ceremony began.

In Barkan Territory, Ketal greeted the lord.

"Luke Barkan. Long time."

"…Indeed. The world is full of surprises."

A barbarian who once visited his land was now a hero known across the continent.

Luke stepped aside with a laugh.

"Welcome. Shall you see your bride?"

"Please."

Ketal entered the grand hall, to the bride's chamber.

There, Arkamis awaited in her dress.

She greeted him brightly.

"Ketal! You're here. How do I look?"

She spun, her dress swaying elegantly.

Ketal was overwhelmed, emotions rising.

Without thinking, he embraced her.

Her face flushed red.

"K-Ketal? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm just happy."

This happiness was different from before.

Not just joy at fantasy's beauty—but fulfillment, rootedness.

Happiness like planting one's feet firmly in the earth.

Flustered, Arkamis embraced him back.

"…It's almost time."

"Shall we go?"

Ketal stepped back, extending his hand.

Arkamis took it.

Ketal smiled.

This was no longer fantasy.

This was his world.

Here he would live.

Here he would put down roots.

Here he would build a family.

Here he would raise children.

His bloodline would walk this world.

At last, he would be one of this world.

Ketal, the outsider from Earth, the barbarian of the White Wastes—

had finally, truly, become a member of this world.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]