The Damn Family Is Back Again

204 – 204. The Wrathful Ones (4)

-Trudge, trudge.

The Chatren residents lead with heavy steps.

Their minds are consumed by a single thought due to an unimaginable situation unfolding.

‘How could such a thing happen?’

‘To think we’d end up fighting with Rusmayer, whom we never expected to fight…’

‘This reaction is unprecedented… no, it was unimaginable.’

That familiar Rusmayer had suddenly turned hostile.

The relationship between Chatren and Rusmayer was like that of the closest companions in human terms. They never forgot the help they had given each other in the past, upheld their loyalty, repaid the kindness, and expected to continue supporting each other in the future.

Despite not dealing with any other domain, Rusmayer was the exception.

Such was the closeness of the two domains.

Yet, today, friction arose for the first time.

The cause of the friction was simple.

-Are you even human?! To insult a lord like that and still call yourself a resident of this land!

It was because they insulted and slandered Karsein in front of them.

It was the first time they saw it.

Rusmayer raging so furiously.

…No. It was more than that.

Rusmayer was angry.

Questioning why they held such prejudices.

And so, some of the Chatren residents were engraving their angry voices back into their minds, at least once.

-You said it earlier. Because a third of Chatren’s territory was taken away, you couldn’t get food supplies and had to buy them from outside.

-Then isn’t it you who don’t know?

-They took the land, but why did they give up its crops? Why would they give them to you when they could have taken everything for themselves?”

-Perhaps they were given food. After all, you’re all so fixated on harvesting strawberries and grapes that you even discard other groceries! It’s not like I’m directly preventing you from overworking yourselves!

-Then why did the young master only seize a third of your lands and not all of them?!

-If he truly intended to ruin your lands, wouldn’t it have been normal to take everything? Are you too foolish to even consider that?!

Could it really be that Karsein has seized the land?

Or is it possible that he did so to prevent the actual overexertion of growing crops, which could lead to a shortage of groceries?

If that’s the case…

‘Really, did the young master do this to help us?’

Digging deeper into that assumption, one is bound to find oddities.

Despite being a temporary lord, Karsein did not oppress the residents.

Currently, during the symposium, some nobles are known to push through plans without considering the state of their domains. This has been the case since ancient times, and their names continue to be mentioned to this day.

But Karsein was different.

From the first day he arrived in the domain, he engraved inscriptions on the rune stones. He did not oppress the residents or force plans upon them. He simply allowed them to act freely.

The same was true for the third of the land he now manages. According to what’s heard there, Karsein only uses a very small portion of the land, having granted permission for the residents to use the rest.

One might wonder if he’s doing nothing as a temporary lord… But then again, is that really the case?

This is speculation, but… there have been instances where he caught spies contracted with other domains and even cleared Ferdi’s false charges. After that, although Chatren’s funds are now depleted, the losses have noticeably decreased.

Moreover, he points out issues with farming methods and soil, showing a deep interest in Chatren.

Problems with seed placement and spacing. He explained the concept of soil pH, theorizing that there are optimal indicators for strawberries and grapes to thrive.

His actions seem to contribute to the development of Chatren.

Upon reflecting on this, doubts about their own actions begin to surface.

‘What if it’s not a lie?’

‘What if he really came to help Chatren?’

‘What if he noticed our overexertion and willingly claimed ownership of the land to provide us with groceries?’

‘What if the closure order wasn’t just arbitrary but had a justifiable reason?’

‘What if, as the Rusmayer domain says, Karsein truly intends to develop Chatren?’

-Gulp.

At that moment, four characters came to mind for the residents.

Ingratitude.

The people here would all be guilty of a terrible deed, having taken advantage of the lord who came to develop Chatren and spoken ill of him.

Unable to overcome this anxiety, a woman timidly spoke up.

“Excuse me… Shouldn’t we follow the lord’s words even now? If it’s true… we might really be in big trouble.”

Let’s follow Karsein’s instructions before it’s too late.

That opinion had leaked out, leaning on fear.

It seemed there were not a few who wanted to express the same sentiment, as they glanced around and coughed awkwardly.

At the lukewarm response, Squad Leader Maph snorted and stepped forward.

“Ma’am, are you scared?”

“Well… if we act a bit quicker, who knows…”

“Ha. Yes, I understand. I know that feeling of unease.”

Maph, after briefly rubbing his face with his palm, abruptly asked,

“So, shall we explain what we’re doing? Shall we confess everything that happens in the fields?”

…

The villagers quieted down instantly.

That couldn’t happen.

“If we do, the truth about the Chatren strawberries and Chatren grapes will be revealed, and no one will seek them anymore. The crops we deemed precious will become something to avoid. And yet, you want us to spill that story with our own lips?”

The secret of Chatren.

The secret of Chatren strawberries and Chatren grapes.

Who could guess?

The fact that the strawberries and grapes grown in this land occasionally mutate.

Anyway, the moment that unknown fact is revealed to the world, this domain will not regain its former glory but will plummet into the abyss.

The voice that we’re nurturing something alongside the crops will surely come out.

“Everyone, don’t be so downhearted. We’ll recover quickly with Rusmayer. Just hold on until next week when the support funds come in.”

Maph said, encouragingly.

The rest, a few powerful men who followed him, said the same.

Let’s slowly resolve the deficit.

Prosperous times will surely come.

After all the efforts, Chatren will regain its former glory.

With spirited voices, they wish for that day and head to their respective places.

But…

From noble mtl dot come

Despite their words, the villagers couldn’t quite hide their anxiety.

“Excuse me.”

“…?”

“I guess… I have something to say.”

Amidst the heavy footsteps continuing through the field, a few from the group lower their voices and carry on with their conversation.

And Ferdie doesn’t miss that precious information.

-Swish. Swish-swish. Swish.

Ferdie puts down the pen. There was a lot of conversation, but a single sentence was enough to write.

“You’re quite late. Ladies and gentlemen.”

Frowning at the gathering of men and women, Ferdie only left his spot after they had dispersed.

-Ding!

▶You have received information from the agent.◀

[ The central field residents are agitated. ]

▶Your recognition within the Chatren estate has increased.◀

▶The recognition score has significantly increased, changing to a reputation grade.◀

▶Your field reputation rank is now displayed!◀

[ Reputation Score: 0 ]

[ Rank: D- ]

***

▶Episode VIII. The Agent of Chatren is in progress.◀

▶Create the third agent to proceed to the next episode.◀

▶Meet Count Lillpeton, Talphon.◀

Inside the rattling carriage, the status window flickers.

It was the same in the game, and it’s the same now.

The third agent needed for Chatren is Talphon.

However, the Lillpeton family belongs to the west.

Unlike when going to the Duke of Aipheros to find Pollux, it won’t be easy this time either, as it took more time, more effort, and more thought to persuade him.

‘Even Talphon has an element of randomness.’

The perceived difficulty is bound to jump several times. It’s a different dimension from persuading Pollux.

I waited without losing the tension.

“Oh my.”

-Clunk!

Is this the beginning?

If this is the start…

“Yikes, I’m sorry. The ground is a bit uneven, so I’ll drive the carriage more carefully.”

-Ding!

[ 1. No. Stop the carriage right here. ]

[ 2. (Lightly tapping the rear pillar) There’s no need to rush. ]

[ 3. It’s a condition issue. Let’s take a short break. ]

As expected, the choices begin with the rattling sound from this side.

Then I must take the initiative from here.

[ 1. No. Stop the carriage right here. ]☑

“No. Stop the carriage right here. Immediately.”

“Karsein? Why all of a sudden…”

“Shh. Stay still.”

Lv. 51

▶Your SP is automatically used on the ??? stat!◀

▶Strength 5.81

▶Agility 7.11

▶Endurance 7.33

▶Vitality 5.40

▶Immunity 1.50

▶??? 51%

‘The stats are sufficient.’

Carefully drawing my sword, I used mana to focus my hearing to concentrate on the sound.

-Click, clack.

I can hear it. The creature’s sound.

This dragging, gurgling noise must be precisely timed to shatter its core.

Yes. It’s when this crackling sound occurs.

-Bang! Slash!

“Aarghh!”

[ Mud Golem ]

[ HP: 0% ]

Startled by the abruptly flung open carriage door, the mud golem split its core in a panic and vanished.

▶You have gained 150 EXP.◀

▶The mud golem’s restraints attached to the carriage are now released.◀

“Huh, what? The ground…”

It has returned to normal. No wonder the coachman is surprised.

“Mud golems… Lurking beneath the surface, they obstruct the paths of humans and attack during the weary night in the west. So this was the reason we stopped?”

“That’s correct.”

The road to the west is fraught with danger.

Devices designed to disrupt the smooth progression of the episode are hidden here and there, and since this route is traveled by carriage, it often results in a jolting ride.

This is evidence that we’ve been circling the same path due to the mud golem, and it must be dealt with swiftly. Once exposed, the creature won’t easily reveal itself again.

And then…

The next choices appear.

[ 1. Take a piece of the mud golem’s core. ]

[ 2. Take the magic stone the mud golem was holding. ]

[ 3. Smear the mud formed from the melting body of the mud golem onto yourself. ]

[ 4. Load the entire carcass of the mud golem onto the carriage. ]

Though the choices may seem random, there’s a reason why Lilpeton despises the imperial citizens.

[ 3. Smear the mud formed from the melting body of the mud golem onto yourself. ]☑

-Squelch, squelch.

“Karsein? Why are you holding that…?”

“Harunie. You should smear this on yourself too.”

“What? But this is just mud.”

Her eyes questioned why one would smear something so visibly and tactilely unpleasant.

But this choice is imperative.

“This will improve your skin. It’s about becoming prettier, isn’t it? If you become prettier, it pleases me too.”

“…!”

She stared at me, dumbfounded, then quickly withdrew her hand.

“I’ll apply it myself! Why would you say something like that… really.”

And with that, she grudgingly smeared the mud onto her own hands.

…Well, regardless, she’s applied it, so does it even matter?

As the coachman was about to be hinted to apply it, he was already happily smearing mud on his hands with a contented smile.

Soon, just as seen in the game, other beasts appeared to interfere, but thanks to the steadily built stats, they were easily dealt with and he moved forward.

And then.

▶You have arrived at the Count’s estate of Lilpeton.◀

▶Warning! The danger level of this field is hazardous.◀

▶Choices and combat may occur, and in the worst case, a dead flag may be raised. Please be cautious in your actions.◀

He was able to reach the Count’s estate of Lilpeton.

***

Not long ago.

Talphone recalled the time he headed to the party, remembering how Claire Vagrand had bowed her head in plea.

In a gathering of nobles, her wish was for him to meet Karsein just once more and persuade him to change his mind.

But that request could not be fulfilled.

Before they could meet secretly at the party, Karsein had already left the place.

Whether it was bad luck or good luck.

In any case, he had nothing to say about the naturally thwarted opportunity.

Just as he was about to return to Lilpeton.

Talphone turned his horse’s head towards Ruthsmire.

Karsein was a forsaken child.

Always ostracized, despised, and subjected to disillusioned gazes, as a Westerner, he could recognize it at a glance.

Claire Vagrand’s plea to help such a man was of no consequence to him.

Whether he was indeed someone worth helping.

Whether he possessed such virtues.

It was out of a desire to confirm this through the estate that he had turned his horse’s head in that direction.

And surprisingly.

Ruthsmire turned out to be an incredibly prosperous estate.

The words of his friend Pollux were not an exaggeration at all.

This barren land had been transformed by that man. It was no overstatement to say so.

The laughter-filled residents of the estate and their staunch trust in their lord. The abundant food and diverse cultural life. The children playing joyfully and the active amount of movement.

They were all steeped in the thick scent of happiness.

“…”

Talphone still cannot forget that smell.

The stench of the Imperials was unmistakably vile, reeking only of foul mana, yet the air in his domain carried a completely different scent.

How could such an aroma emanate from a territory governed by a Phecellos Imperial noble? Especially him, a noble of the Vagrand ducal house.

Could it be true that he was different from the other nobles?

Was it just a false charge in the past, and his desire to join hands with Lilpeton was sincere?

“…That’s too hasty to conclude.”

Only by meeting the man himself can one know for sure.

Lilpetonians, even among Westerners, are a race sensitive to smell.

There’s no easier way to accurately identify someone than by the scent they emit.

And so, he waits.

For that carriage, coming from afar.

But then.

“…Could it be?”

The smell of horses. The smell of the carriage.

Inside, there is one man and one woman.

Yet, between them, a subtly different scent is intermingled.

“Is this the smell of a mud golem?”

It’s certain. There’s no mistaking the scent, and even as the carriage approaches, the other Lilpetonians do not feel any discomfort.

Talphone lets out a hollow laugh.

“Ha. Do they know that the burnt mana scent from the hands of Imperials is a foul stench to us?”

Mana is erased by the same mana or magical power. Mud golems, being magical beasts, can erase it too.

Unless they knew this, they wouldn’t smear it all over themselves, especially on their most foul-smelling hands.

How intriguing.

“That carriage, it’s a guest. Send them straight to me upon arrival.”

-Ding!

▶Talphone’s affinity has increased.◀

[ Current Value: -11% ]