Bjorn Yandel the Barbarian

All the stands are filled with residents who gather like bees in the morning.

At the center of the stage, which can be seen from the audience, the buildings built by each family over the course of three days are covered with a huge cloth, stimulating people’s curiosity and curiosity.

“Hmm, isn’t Baron Yandel’s building really big?”

This is a gathering of people who have acted as representatives or agents of each family being evaluated today.

The man sitting to my right quietly talks to me.

“I’m really looking forward to it. “What kind of amazing building did those warriors who fought back create?”

There is no hint of sarcasm or hostility in the words.

It’s not that they don’t even consider me a competitor, it’s just that I’m not that hung up on this contest itself.

It seemed like he just wanted to use this opportunity to make friends with me.

“It was fate that we met like this, so please come visit my family sometime later. “I will treat you properly then.”

“…sometime when I have time. But Viscount Chiembrotta, you haven’t come here since the first day?”

“Haha, since I’m so busy with business, it’s hard to set aside time…”

What is busy?

I guess it just wasn’t that earnest on your part.

In fact, it was only once that I saw the representative of another family come out and observe in person.

Well, it’s not that I don’t understand.

“Still, I’m secretly looking forward to it since our Commander-in-Chief said we worked hard. Oh, of course, I’m not very confident because so many prominent families participated.”

These people have a habit of leaving everything to their subordinates.

Therefore, if you lose a contest, it will not be your fault, but because the people under you did not do well.

“Viscount Chiembrotta is also humble. “No matter what, we can say that we have avoided last place.”

But the nobleman on my left, who seemed to be bothered by the sight of the two of us having a conversation, intervened.

So this guy…

“Earl Wangleston? “What do you mean by avoiding last place?”

Oh right. It was this.

Among the other family representatives, he was the only one who showed passion to come to the site.

So of course I saw my building too.

“Why haven’t you heard any news from the Viscount? “Baron Yandel built a building that is completely different from the subject of the exam?”

“….”

The viscount must have heard what was said, but he kept his mouth shut and made an uncomfortable expression.

Ha, really, why are there so many people who start a fight even if they just sit still?

“….”

As I just continued to ignore him, the Count seemed to have lost interest and didn’t say anything more, and the Viscount next to me was focused on the event with a look on his face as if he had been annoyed by some unnecessary person.

“Okay, then, let’s unveil the first building you’ve been looking forward to right now!”

The explanation of how the judging process was carried out in this contest was already over, and the moment to present the finished product in front of people was just around the corner.

“Waaaaaaaa!”

Soon, amid the cheers of the people, the first building’s screen is removed, and the professional engineer in charge of the construction comes out and plays tiki-taka with the host and continues to explain the building.

What are the characteristics of this building?

What was your intention, and how much attention was paid to every detail. In addition, it presents realistic costs and appeals that it has also taken care of substance.

and….

“Then let the judging begin now!”

Once that process is completed, screening will proceed immediately.

The review could be broadly divided into three categories.

25% evaluation by architectural experts.

Noble Jury Evaluation 25%.

50% evaluation by 100 randomly selected citizens.

The evaluation of each item is based on this ratio, and if you get a perfect score in all items, you can get 100 points…

“A total of 71 points!”

The score for the first building is out.

He built a house so luxurious that it was jaw-dropping just to look at it, and although he was considered his biggest competitor, his score was lower than expected.

It was a very simple reason.

I didn’t get a high score in the citizen evaluation.

“I don’t understand! Hey! “What was it about the building I built that you didn’t like so much that you gave it that score?”

When the engineer who was in charge of the design and construction began to argue with an angry voice, the citizen voter in front responded in confusion.

“Uh… it’s a nice building… but it seems like it’s from a country that’s too far away from me… so it’s expensive…”

“…under! “That’s not even funny!”

The engineer clicked his tongue as if it was absurd, but did not question the citizens further.

I know this too.

If you act fussier when all the attention is focused like this, you could end up getting glares from your superiors.

Well, it looks ugly enough just by doing it now.

“Tsk. “If the citizen evaluation rate is that high… it must be difficult to have fair competition.”

Anyway, was the previous score shocking? The Count, who is about to take his second turn, clicks his tongue.

“What do such lowly people know…. What was the Prime Minister thinking when he came up with this method…?”

Well, I think it’s a good approach.

The reason the citizen evaluation ratio was set high was probably to increase the entertainment factor in this contest.

Isn’t this the first big event since the situation broke out?

From the royal family’s perspective, appeasing public sentiment is more important than holding a fair(?) contest.

‘Anyway, I’ll have to tell the Marquis when I see him later. ‘He was gossiping behind my back.’

Regardless of each family’s complaints, the event continued and scores were awarded one after another.

The count, who was second in line, presented a house with practical elegance that was a moderate compromise with reality, scoring 76 points.

Writer Nam, who was third, scored 71 points.

And the Viscount, who was fourth in line…

“It’s 69 points!”

As I reached my lowest score and came down to last place, the Count did not miss the opportunity and turned to me, pretending to comfort me.

“Don’t worry too much. Still, won’t you be able to save face next time it’s your turn?”

A remark as if it was already an established fact that I was in last place.

As before, there was no need to refute it.

All you have to do is prove it with results.

“Then it’s your last turn! The one everyone has been waiting for! giant! “It’s Baron Yandel’s building!”

“Waaaaaa!”

“What’s special about this time is that the baron himself will do the introduction instead of entrusting it to a technician… Please welcome us with a round of applause!”

When I heard that I was going to go on stage myself, the cheers and cheers got even louder, and the Count next to me frowned at me as if I was a clown.

“How did the dignity of nobility come to this point?…”

The look in their eyes as if they were asking why they were working so hard. This is something I have felt in my life, and it is the type of person I should stay away from the most.

They are the type that cannot receive positive energy.

“Hello, Baron! I heard that Baron Yandel’s opinion was strongly put into this building. Could you briefly explain it before the introduction?”

“I tried to create a home that was closest to happiness.”

“oh! Is that so! I’m really looking forward to it. Then, without further ado, I will reveal it right away. “Let me show you!”

Soon, with a shout from the host, the string was undone and the building that had been covered with cloth was revealed.

and….

“Waaaaa… Ah?”

As soon as the building is revealed, the cheers stop.

It’s worth it.

The exterior was a far cry from the flashy houses shown earlier.

“haha…! First of all, it is a very simple building on the outside, but it exudes a rustic style! However, surprisingly, there are as many as two such buildings! “Is this a strategy of choosing quantity over quality?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, you say so! surely! “As a result of this contest, you may be able to take charge of an entire section of Labigion, so I think work speed will be quite important in the judging…!”

what. Who is this moderator? Why do you shield so well?

Are you by any chance my fan?

Or did the Marquis give a separate order on purpose?

Regardless of such reasonable doubts arising, the host continued to proceed with the event by forcibly raising the tension.

“If you do that, what will it be like inside?” From now on, let’s take a look together! oh! I can already see several visitors from the first floor! “It looks like the living room was designed to be relatively narrow.”

“I’m sorry, but it’s the hallway, not the living room.”

“…yes?”

“Isn’t it funny that we even call this a living room in the first place?”

“Yes, yes… that’s definitely true… Ah, then let’s take a look at the first room!”

Soon, the interior was revealed in real time using a video recording crystal ball, and the thunderous cheers disappeared like melting snow.

“…haha! It’s a very small room, isn’t it? The structure is also very unique. Usually, a small room like this doesn’t have a bathroom… Could you tell me why this structure was chosen?”

“I will explain it later.”

“….”

Perhaps it was because he had received instructions from the Marquis, but the host broke into a sweat every time I refused to offer help.

However, he thought it was already out of his hands.

1st floor, 2nd floor, 3rd floor, 4th floor…

While checking every room on every floor one by one, the host no longer forcibly raised the tension.

Oh, of course, the will to not give up hope until the end was praiseworthy.

“Well, then this is the second building! “I wonder if there’s something surprising hidden inside.”

“Oh, there’s nothing hidden.”

“yes…?”

“It means there is no need to go in because it is a building with the exact same structure.”

“…I see, I see.”

The presenter closes his eyes tightly as even his last hope is cruelly trampled.

However, in the meantime, he did not forget his mission itself.

“…Then can I listen to the explanation you said you would give later?”

While listening to the host’s questions, I slowly looked around.

The audience looked as shocked as their expectations were high.

The nobles reacted as if they knew that would happen.

The moderator’s gaze seems to be asking us to please stop causing more accidents…

Tuk-tuk.

It was just the right atmosphere to give a twist.

Yeah, so…

“This house is narrow. “Even if you live alone, you can’t accumulate a lot of luggage, and it’s difficult to live with a spouse, let alone a child.”

“….”

“There is no garden or terrace to get some fresh air, and the kitchen is cramped, so it’s inconvenient to cook.”

It arouses interest by showing off weaknesses.

Well, if it comes out like this, people will naturally have expectations.

What will happen next?

“but!”

I shouted loud enough for everyone to hear even without a voice amplification device.

“I can assure you, this house is the closest to happiness!”

“…Can I hear the reason why you said that?”

“Because there is no such thing as a world where everyone is happy.”

In fact, a society in which all members of society are happy has not been achieved even with modern technology.

But, rather, that’s why.

“This house is a house for moving towards a happy future!”

I introduced the building we built in a more passionate voice than ever before.

“A house where you can dream of happiness even if you don’t have anything right now!”

“….”

“A house built in the hope that even if not everyone can be happy, there will be at least an ‘opportunity’ to be happy in the future.”

It is a 4-story building with as many as 24 households.

“It’s called Happy House!”

To put it simply, it is a studio apartment.

***

After explaining the concept of a happy house, I began my self-appeal in earnest.

Realistic unit price and estimated monthly rent.

And how practical the small-looking studio space was actually designed for single-person households.

“At that price, it’s cheaper than staying long-term at a decent inn, right?”

“It wasn’t a wall… it was a storage cabinet…?”

“Unbelievable! “A dining table comes out of a cabinet!”

Maybe it’s because my first impression was so bad.

As the advantages are revealed one by one, public opinion quickly reverses.

however….

‘I’m a little uneasy about this.’

I also launched the negative strategy I had prepared in advance.

Well, this is definitely a ‘competition’, right?

Since it is the last turn, you cannot actually reduce the opponent’s score, but you can induce them to give you a good score just by changing their perception.

thus….

“How many people do you think will be happy if they enter the building I showed you earlier?”

“…Wouldn’t most people be happy? “I feel like I want to live there, too.”

“well. I don’t know, but more than 90% of this city is probably unhappy. You will struggle to pay the rent every month, and even if you get seriously injured somewhere, you will have to force yourself to go to work and earn money. “Because I have to pay taxes.”

“ah…!”

“Even look at the structure. What a waste of space. This is a characteristic of houses that look nice but are uncomfortable to live in. Besides, there is no storage space, right? “These houses become messy as soon as they have luggage.”

“….”

“And what about management fees? It would cost additional money to keep the exterior of the building clean, the lighting, etc., but would you want to live in a house like that and pay those costs? “It’s a building that doesn’t have a few pillars so it looks like it might break if you hit it?”

As the previous buildings were criticized based on logical grounds, the speed at which public opinion changed accelerated.

“I’m sure… with a building like that, the cost savings would be significant.”

“It’s not our place to live anyway.”

“If it’s about lowly things, you might be happy in a house like that.”

It seems that the public opinion of the noble judges has already begun to move.

“I did a durability test, and this house is stronger than I imagined.”

“I looked at the blueprint earlier, and it will be a building where the basics have been thoroughly maintained.”

“It won’t collapse even if there’s an earthquake.”

“If it’s extravagant on the outside, it’s bound to have some weak points, but that building doesn’t have that.”

“If managed properly, it will last for a hundred years.”

As public opinion moves, architectural experts also begin to nod their heads one by one.

However, couldn’t we just sit back and watch this happen?

“How much time are you giving me? “Now let’s start judging!”

The host also came to his senses after hearing the count’s complaint and proceeded with the final screening.

and….

“Okay, the results are in!”

Finally, the judges’ scores were added up and Baron Yandel’s total score came out.

Although it hasn’t been announced yet.

Exciting-!

My heart vibrates happily.

The air is cool, and my mind is peaceful.

A state of almost perfect composure where you don’t feel any anxiety.

“We are in second place with a total of 72 points!”

“…huh?”

“The first place in this contest is the Earl of Wangleston, who received a total of 76 points! “I sincerely congratulate you…!”

…nimiral.

***

I believe that second place is more valuable than first place.

That’s because second place gives you the opportunity to understand your shortcomings more clearly than anyone else.

‘I think I was clearly overwhelming in the citizen vote, but it seems like the rest were the problem.’

Nobles and engineers served as judges.

There was a high possibility that my philosophical beliefs did not resonate deeply with these people.

These people are naturally stubborn.

“I came in second place… I guess I did my best. “Although we are only 1 point away from tied for 3rd place.”

“….”

“Anyway, the Baron’s speech was truly surprising. Of course, if he simply did what he said, he would be the world.”

Soon, Count Wangleston goes up to the stage, scratching my heart, and wins the prize money for winning first place in the contest.

I felt like I was burning inside, but it wasn’t enough to make me shed tears.

Should I say that the goal has already been exceeded?

‘If you’re in second place… there’s nothing more to look at.’

I feel sorry for that count who is smiling like a winner, but in the end, the order for District 7 will fall to me.

Because the Prime Minister promised in the first place.

As long as you achieve a certain level of success that won’t seem strange to others, I will let Baron Yandel take it.

So, in the end, the winner is me…

“under….”

But why is that guy so obnoxious?

In the first place, you can just send first place to the podium. Why are you calling us too?

At that time, I was muttering to myself and glaring at the Earl of Wangleston who was standing in front of the Marquis.

‘light…?’

A large light flashes in one part of the audience.

His instinctive physical reaction was much quicker than the sense of discomfort in his head.

Exciting-!!

The heart that senses a threat begins to flutter loudly.

‘…Magic.’

Only then does the mind perceive the situation.

‘Dangerous.’

Not me, that one.

I don’t know what happened.

‘It must be stopped.’

There was no time to make long judgments.

Shield Baba’s instinct took control of his body.

“The character casted [Scale of Greed].”

“The character’s magic power is over 500.”

“All magical damage received is reduced by 50%.”

Therefore, first use the skill and dash forward.

Kwaaaaaaaaaaaa!

An explosion that erupted as soon as the target was embraced.

Cheeeeeeeek-!

A hot pain radiating from the back.

and….

“…It’s a surprise attack!”

Time passes quickly starting with someone’s shout.

Belatedly, the knights around me gathered around me and formed a tight security guard around me, and I also let out a moan that I had been suppressing.

“Ah-oh….”

The pain was much greater than I expected.

As a result, I unknowingly released the arm I was holding, and only then did the Marquis seem to come to his senses, looking at me with blank eyes and asking.

“you….”

Just looking at the cancer, it doesn’t seem like something a person whose life was saved would say.

“…Why did you save me?”

I didn’t really have anything to say either.

“uh….”

I know.

Why did I block this?