The head of the Karlštejn family invited me to his home. As I heard, this lasted about three months.

If so, what could be the reason?

The first thing that came to mind was curiosity;

He just wanted to get to know his daughter's teammate. If Misha was accepted as a member of the family, then this is quite plausible. If, after meeting with me, he decided that I was unreliable, then it is quite possible that he will ask me to release his daughter. It seemed that most of the scions of eminent families were participating in research activities, comfortably nestled in large clans with connections.

"I just need to be patient a little longer."

As it turned out, Misha's situation remained the same. The man she called father kept her awakening a secret and did not even try to improve her position in the family. As soon as I realized this, I felt a shadowy malice emanating from this mansion.

Anger was directed not only at Misha, but also at me.

They called me here, knowing this...

What purpose he pursued and what method he chose was quite clear to me.

He's a much crazier bastard than I imagined.

The head of the Karlštejn family wanted something from me, but instead of politely setting the negotiating table, he created such a situation. Probably, this was part of his calculation.

I was Little Balkan, Bjorn, son of Yandel; a warrior who did not abandon his comrades even against Lord Floor; a barbarian who could be in a romantic relationship with this comrade.

Perhaps he decided that if I, known to the public as such, saw something like this, I would be easy to control. The only one who could change Misha's current situation was the head of the family.

However, based on this, I have made my own judgment.

A frivolous son of a bitch who even uses his daughter to get what he wants. Show me one weakness and I'll be finished.

Plan A wasn't enough. If I stop there, I will remain an ordinary barbarian.

*Top*

I took a step forward and stared at Brother Misha. He was not in the least frightened as he watched me. He just laughed as if it wasn't worth it.

"It's hard to please you.

It seemed like he thought I needed something else and I fussed about it. Well, that wasn't entirely wrong.

"B-Bjorn!" Don't do this!

Mike hurriedly grabbed my wrist, and I stopped.

I had no desire to beat this guy. He was not a servant of the mansion, but one of the direct blood relatives.

Beating him out of ignorance would have been my weakness.

'Behellaaa

So I roared loudly so that I could be heard from anywhere in the mansion.

Senior brother frowned as he looked at my actions.

"What does that mean?"

"I just wanted to do it!"

— ... Abnormal.

No matter what he said, my scream was the catalyst and brought the mansion residents to where we were. The servants dropped their work and watched from the end of the corridor connecting the 1st floor. Looking towards the 2nd floor, I saw young men and women in high-quality casual clothes.

Are they Misha's brothers and sisters?

I didn't know, but they were looking down with curious eyes.

In any case, there are enough witnesses.

The scene was set, so I turned off the Ignorant Barbarian Mode and said to my brother,

— Talon Karlstein.

"Not Talon, it's Taylon.

"You pay attention to little things that are unbecoming of a man.

— ... Shut up. What do you mean?

As if he didn't want to discuss masculinity with me, he asked me what I was getting at.

I asked directly:

– Why does the family treat Misha like this?

"As I said, it's a family affair...

"Is it because Misha is a half-?" A direct blood relative who couldn't even make a contract with a spirit creature?

His bewilderment was short-lived. Talon grinned and looked at Mike. It was a look of contempt: I wonder if she had entrusted all this to someone like me.

"If you know, there's nothing to hide. Yes, what you said is true. So stop paying attention to our family affairs.

Telling me to mind my own business was reasonable. With the exception of us barbarians, genealogy was valued in the general culture. Naturally, they treated Misha as a stranger. If she had inherited her father's blood, then she should have been able to have a Spirit Creature.

In fact, there was not a drop of common blood between them. It seems that her mother, the fourth wife, also had no other children except Misha.

"What if that was your misunderstanding?"

The truth didn't matter. The important thing was that Misha had already woken up and could use this fact as a useful card.

"If Mike makes a contract with a Spirit Creature, will you apologize for your act and accept her into the family?"

"She's already 25, she can't be-...

"Answer me." If you answer, I won't make any more noise.

The brother sighed and clutched his forehead before speaking in an irritated voice.

"Okay, we'll apologize.

"And will you accept her as a family?"

"And that, too.

He replied without hesitation, believing that this could never happen.

I smiled and nodded my head.

"Well, that's all then.

"What, that's it?" He asked in a worried voice, seeing my attitude.

Instead of answering, I turned my gaze to Misha. Now my role was over.

"Misha, show them."

"Uh...?"

When she suddenly found herself in the center of attention, Mike looked around in bewilderment. When our eyes met, Mike lowered her head and muttered:

"But my father...

It is not surprising that it has not yet been released. As expected, her father must have kept his mouth shut. But that's why Misha had to take a step forward. Revealing this fact to everyone would mean that one of her father's cards would disappear.

"Don't worry. Nothing will happen.

— ... He won't forgive me.

"So what?" Just say that you did wrong. This is what families do.

"Bjorn, you're going to bear the brunt of it, too.

"So be it. I'm not afraid.

To her, he was a noble parent, but to me, he was just the leader of the beastmen, and only one of the five.

"What are you so afraid of?" Family is not everything in life. I can do just fine without it.

When I said this, picking my ear, Misha laughed as if I was stupid.

"That's because...!" No, don't think about it. There is no benefit in this.

"Yes, just don't pay attention to the little things. It's good for your mental health.

"Oh, I don't even know what's good and what's bad.

At that moment, I thought the conviction was complete.

"Misha Karlshtein, do what you want at least once. Isn't there a friend who will help you this time?

After that, I didn't say anything else. Time passed, and soon Mike raised her head and slowly looked around. It seems that the situation was quite funny. Many people were just watching from afar.

Mike swallowed and opened her mouth resolutely.

"Me-...

"Enough," a cold voice swept through the large mansion. In response, Misha froze like a stone. When she came to her senses, a middle-aged man was standing in front of her.

"That's it, go away."

According to him, everyone silently left. At this moment, a heavy silence hung in the air. The man's gaze turned to me. Although there was no word of introduction, I knew who he was.

yes, that's that crazy bastard.

Albreniv Karlštejn, the head of the Karlštejn family, who for many generations was the chief of the Red Cats tribe.

"Thank you for accepting my invitation, Bjorn, Yandel's son.

"Thank you for the invitation, Karlštejn.

In the center of the hall on the 2nd floor, where everyone disappeared, we exchanged formal greetings.

"Haha, you seem to be more polite than I thought.

He laughed good-naturedly and came up to me. Instead of shaking hands, he patted me on the shoulder as if he were dealing with someone beneath him.

But what was it?

[You have fallen into a state of [Fear] from [Nightmare Master]].

As if meeting a natural enemy, my body hardened. In addition, a tingling sensation blossomed in my brain, which I felt every time I crossed the line of life and death. I understood why Misha was so afraid of her father.

"But why did you do that?" This is impolite.

The head of the family stifled laughter and whispered.

It was a shitty feeling. In my head, I knew that this was the power of skill, but my body did not obey my words. It felt like my senses were broken. Of course, this did not last long.

[Your Magic Resistance is above a certain level].

[Your Martial Spirit is above a certain level].

[Your Willpower is above a certain level].

[[Fear] canceled.]

Phew, damn, it's finally over.

"Look-...

I immediately removed the arrogant man's hand from my shoulder.

—…

His brows furrowed as if he couldn't understand. Well, if he had foreseen this situation, he would not have uttered these idiotic words now.

"Don't touch someone else's body.

I threw away the hand I was holding on to and said:

"It's impolite.

Respect goes both ways.

***

After a moment's silence, the head of the family spoke.

"It's funny.

I got goosebumps that he could say that without smiling with his mouth or even his eyes.

But I couldn't lose when it came to spirit.

"You have strange taste. I'm not amused at all," I replied calmly and grabbed Misha's hand, which was as hard as a stone statue.

As a result, the man's gaze also shifted to Misha.

"Father-...

"I didn't think you would rebel against me.

"That's not the point-...

"That's enough. You're not important anyway.

Albrenev interrupted her words and looked at me.

"Initially, I planned to talk together after lunch.

Talk, damn it.

He planned to show me how Misha is treated here.

When I stared at him without replying, Karlštejn continued his words.

"But it seems that this is no longer necessary. Rest for a while. I'll call you later.

"I refuse.

"What?" Albrenive's face contorted as I answered without a moment's hesitation.

I just said it bluntly.

"Why should I wait?"

It was stupid to give him time. Although he had no choice but to step forward because of Misha, this situation was not part of his plans.

He must have been about to get his thoughts in order before calling me out again.

"If you have something to say, do it here."

—... Even for a barbarian, this is disrespectful.

"It was you who called this barbarian, beastman.

Didn't he expect to be called "beastman" instead of his name, "chieftain", or "head of the family"? Albrenive's face hardened and radiated murderous energy, not metaphorically, but in reality.

… Can you do it in real life?

I was a little surprised, but she was much weaker than Lisa's. After all, it wasn't the spirit world. There must be a difference in bandwidth.

When I raised my ear as if to say, "Stop fooling around," Albreniv asked, almost genuinely curious:

"Aren't you really afraid of death?"

For me, this was a useless question.

Not to be afraid of death? Can such a person exist in this world?

"Well, I don't know about death. But I'm not afraid of you.

It was sincere. The fact that he was an explorer on the 8th floor, and that if we really fight, would I be crushed? So what? If he kills me, my leader will not stand still either.

"Do you think you can kill me?" This time I just asked directly.

It was absurd. Kill me? The most promising talent among the barbarians of recent times? In the middle of the Beastman Holy Land, where I was invited? The war with the elves of ten years ago would immediately be repeated. Such were the barbarians.

"What?" Hahahaha!

Albreniv tried to pretend to be unfazed, but I could see the deep anger inside. He must have been upset. He didn't like to admit it, but my words were true. He just ignored it with a laugh.

"It was natural that everything went wrong. I never thought you were such a smart guy.

"Thank you for the compliment, but I'd like to get an answer before I get hungry." What do you want to tell me?

Albrenev looked at me for a moment to collect his thoughts, and said:

"I know you used that item.

After that, all doubts were dispelled.

The Frost Spirit Ring was what caused this shit.