For a story of a quest to work, it must have a clearly defined goal. Everything that happens in the story is measured against whether it helps or hinders the main character's efforts to attain the goal. The Honorable Barbarian provides these essential qualities but uses them for humorous effect. The goal is a minor one: Find out how the secret escapement of Kuromon clocks works. Eventually, the goal turns out not to have been secret after all. Kerin endures hardships, pain, and fear throughout the novel; almost everything he does lands him in danger except for achieving the goal of his quest.