The Damn Family Is Back Again

205 – 205. The Wrathful Ones (5)

▶Talphone’s affinity has increased.◀

‘First, has it gone as expected?’

They call it the Lilpeton Count’s estate, but formally, it’s the Lilpeton Tribe.

They are Westerners with incredibly sensitive noses, possessing a special power in their sense of smell among the five senses.

One might think it’s common to have a sensitive nose. Indeed, among the human senses, the nose is the most sensitive and easily fatigued.

But they are different.

Even in a fantasy setting, they can smell a person’s scent from afar, and their sense of smell is so acute that they can distinguish individuals from one another.

Because of this trait, the Imperials call them no different from wild dogs, barbarians…

But the true value of the Lilpeton Tribe lies not in smelling other scents but in detecting the scent of mana.

It may seem strange, but in this game world, every living being possesses some degree of mana. Whether one can wield it or not is what differentiates the use of mana.

This means that, just as every person has unique DNA, mana also has its own unique scent.

With such a law in place, the Lilpeton’s sense of smell could be considered a very powerful weapon.

There’s nothing better for catching a criminal.

“Harunie, is the jewel you’re wearing on your choker a persistent type?”

“Yes. It’s engraved with a special magic circle for my protection, so it consumes a bit of my mana.”

“…”

I wondered if I should ask her to turn it off for a moment.

I know it’s a bit of an unreasonable request.

After all, I’m asking her not to use her only protective gear.

But even if I covered my hands with the scent of a mud golem, the slight release of mana might still be perceived as a foul odor by the Lilpeton Tribe.

‘No. That’s not right.’

No matter the danger, I should bear the risk, not impose it on her.

Instead of turning off that jewel, I should send her to another place.

“Harunie, I think I should handle this alone from here on. You’re staying at the Ipheros Count’s estate, right? It would be more comfortable for you to spend the night there.”

Then Harunie narrowed her eyes suddenly and asked.

“You were about to ask me to turn it off, weren’t you?”

“Uh…”

“Why don’t you say it? It’s okay.”

It’s okay…?

It doesn’t seem okay.

Looking around, the place was filled with the Lilpeton Tribe; it wasn’t a place for her to be.

“It’s not my safety I’m worried about, but yours.”

“Ah.”

-Swish.

Before I could finish my sentence, the light from the jewel fades away. The only safety device that had protected Harunie from various poisons and drugs from others was now turned off at this moment.

Having reclaimed the mana from the jewel, Harunie narrowed her eyes and abruptly approached me.

“We’re in the West. There are no nobles here, so you don’t have to worry about that. Do you think it’s dangerous just because of this one thing?”

Well, that might be true. Such a beauty wouldn’t be left alone in the Empire, but here, it’s just full of wariness.

But the fact that we’re imperial citizens remains.

“There’s a problem with the family.”

“The family?”

“The Lilpeton are mostly treated as barbarians by the nobility, but they despise those from higher-ranking families even more.”

The background of Carsein being from the Duke of Bagrand family and therefore facing intensified hostility was evidence enough.

He had started off here by getting thoroughly beaten up as soon as he set foot in this place.

For the same reason, Harunie also faces a significant risk in Lilpeton.

“Even the House of Teresia, which has greatly shunned Westerners, is no exception. Even if the fact that you are the head of the Plesia merchant group spreads among them, the danger remains.”

Harunie was reluctant to accept my suggestion, leading to several arguments afterward.

And then, the decisive blow that led to the failure of persuasion.

“Really. What if I fall and you collapse again? I’ll just lie down with my legs stretched out and sleep well.”

“…”

The story of how I had collapsed and been brought here sealed my lips.

I really have nothing to say.

Damn system.

“I’ll be watching closely, so don’t even think about it. And… it’s not like it’s good for me if we’re separated, you know?”

“Huh?”

From noble mtl dot come

“The danger, I mean… you could just protect me, right?”

“Uh…”

“Anyway! This method is the best for both you and me! So let’s just get walking!”

With that, she gently pushes on my back.

I’m not sure if this is right… but it seemed futile to persuade her further.

“Imperial citizen. What brings you here?”

▶The Lilpeton tribespeople have blocked your way. Please choose an option.

[ 1. Please tell one of the Lilphaton tribe members that I’ve come to meet Talphone. ]

[ 2. They exert pressure on those who are on guard. ]

[ 3. They ignore them and move on. ]

[ 4. They wait for Talphone to arrive. ]

First, the third option—

“No. Wait a moment.”

Why is there one option missing?

If this were the route where I met the Mud Golem, there should definitely be five options at this time.

As I closely observed the choice window, the more surprising thing was the absence of a single dead flag.

Not just one correct answer gone, but a dead flag disappeared?

What in the world…

“Hey. Just let them in.”

“Hm?”

“The chieftain said to let them in. Since the carriage arrived.”

“Hmm. If the chieftain said so… go ahead.”

It’s a series of surprises.

What?

They let me in this easily?

▶The options automatically turn off.◀

▶You meet the conditions to enter without the soldiers’ interference.◀

‘…It’s not supposed to go this smoothly. What’s going on?’

There shouldn’t be an event like this before meeting Talphone…

“What are you doing, not going in, Karsein?”

“Oh, yes. I should go in.”

Despite the myriad of question marks in my head, I had to walk on.

However, it wasn’t long before I was heading to Talphone’s room and the status window popped up. That’s when I finally understood the reason.

▶You receive Claire’s protection, softening the vigilance in Lilphaton.◀

▶You receive Isabella’s protection, slightly increasing your recognition in the Lilphaton field.◀

▶With the protection of both, your intimacy with Talphone has increased.◀

[ Talphone ]

[ Intimacy: -11% ]

…Sigh.

***

The absurd truth has been revealed, but that hardly matters.

The story remains unchanged. Apart from the fact that things have been unusually smooth, nothing is ruined.

After all, my purpose here is to persuade Talphone.

“Have you arrived?”

-Ding!

▶Your meeting with Talphone has been set.◀

▶A special episode to recruit Talphone as the third agent begins.◀

As soon as I opened the door, Talphone’s voice came through, along with the system message. It’s the start, then.

“There’s no need for introductions. Please, take a seat.”

I quickly scanned the choice window and made a selection.

[ 2. That’s not it. ]☑

“That’s not it. Formal introductions are necessary.”

“I already know who you are.”

“Conversely, I know nothing about you.”

It may seem like a trivial greeting, but upon reflection, from Karsein’s perspective, he hasn’t even properly heard the name.

To awkwardly investigate him with the knowledge from the game would be a direct route to a bad ending.

And it’s not just about that.

It’s also a means to firmly imprint my stance.

“You’re quite thorough with the trivialities. Well, go ahead.”

-Ding!

“I am Karsein, the Lord of Rusmayer and the current interim Lord of Chatren at the 21st Eastern Nobility Conference.”

Then Talphone recites the line as if he’s seen it before.

“…Is that all?”

He asks, as if something is missing.

Of course, it would seem strange. I haven’t mentioned the identity of the House of Vagrand.

But this is an intentional choice.

-Ding!

[ 1. Do I need a more detailed introduction? ]

[ 2. Yes. ]

[ 3. Why, is it because it lacks the surname of the Bagrand Ducal Family? ]

[ 4. I am not here as the identity you know me for. ]

“I am not here as the identity you know me for.”

This choice allows Karsein to draw a line, indicating that he is currently detached from the Bagrand Ducal Family.

For him, filled with animosity towards the nobles of the Pesselos Empire, it highlights that he has come for reasons other than his noble status.

And this choice naturally leads to an increase in intimacy.

“…I see. So that’s why you said you needed to introduce yourself.”

▶Talphone’s intimacy has increased.◀

[ Current Value: -9% ]

A bit of an excuse would be nice here.

It’s not Tasha now, but someone else…

“This is Harnie. Likewise, she participated in the 21st Eastern Nobility Conference, and as my fiancée, we are in a supportive relationship.”

With such an explanation, it’s clear that we have not come to the West as nobles.

Talphone, who briefly rolled his eyes towards Harnie, accepts her without any particular suspicion after seeing her perform the Western-style courtesy. He then casually introduces himself and moves on.

“Let’s dispense with the preliminaries. So, what brings you here?”

-Ding!

▶You must respond to Talphone’s inquiry!◀

The conversation has entered the main topic.

From here on, the intimacy must be raised by more than 19%.

Due to the randomness, there seems to be no end to memorizing the choices.

In other words, it’s a stage where I must answer entirely based on my analytical skills and discretion…

‘Even now, it seems the choices do not appear.’

This time, even the game’s system is not available.

Yet, confidence remains.

“Do you remember the proposal you once made to me?”

“Well, I hardly remember any broken proposals with the Imperials.”

You’re implying that you remember it quite clearly.

Then, it’s my turn to respond.

“I asked for a change in perception at Lilpeton. You might not remember, but I remember it clearly.”

“…So. What are you trying to say?”

Was that question about why this topic came up?

“I’ve come this time with the intention of truly changing Lilpeton’s perception.”

“Hmph. That’s preposterous. Isn’t this just like before, wanting to extract the Roha seeds from us?”

He looked displeased, but he didn’t outright reject this direct proposal.

If that’s the case… it might be worth a try.

“Currently, Lilpeton has many injured after returning from the western front, making it difficult to form a new front. Instead, how about using that time to join hands with me.”

Talphone narrowed his eyes fiercely.

“…You. How do you know that?”

“It would be stranger if I didn’t know.”

Just as he was about to give a roundabout answer to avoid suspicion, Harnie stepped forward.

“The head of the Plesia Commerce Guild… was it? The information has spread that far.”

“It’s not the information brokers, but because we both can directly visit the west.”

“…Both of you?”

“The House of Aipheros especially has a close relationship with us, whether it’s the Plesia Commerce Guild or the Rusmayer territory.”

This situation. It’s not as bad as I thought.

I can’t completely dispel suspicion when I answer since there are no witnesses.

But if she, who knows more about the west than I do, steps in?

Then that claim just got a lot more substantial.

As Harnie easily explained the reason, a system window popped up.

▶Talphone’s suspicion dissipates.◀

“Tsk. I overlooked that.”

Harnie gave me a sly smile.

I’m truly grateful. That was a big help for a potentially tricky question.

Now it’s easier to bring up the main point.

“There’s only one thing I ask of Lilpeton. Manpower reinforcement.”

“Manpower reinforcement?”

“Yes. The Chatren territory currently doesn’t heed my command. That’s why I’ve come to you, in need of external manpower.”

And now, the conclusion.

“If you help Chartren and change the perception of Lilfeton, it will be the first time news of an alliance with the Empire will be heard. With our support, reclaiming your ancient lands shouldn’t be too difficult.”

“…!”

“I won’t force you. The decision to seize this opportunity is yours.”

Will you reject my offer and miss this chance?

Or will you restore your lands a bit sooner?

After a moment of contemplation, Talphon rose from his seat and said,

“There are three conditions.”

Three conditions.

The fact that it’s not two adds a certain tension.

“What are they?”

“The first is to inscribe the contents into the symposium seal stone you possess, without omission, on my side.”

“Is it because you can disrupt the contract from your side? Fine. What’s next?”

At that moment, Talphon planted his weapon into the ground and told me,

“There’s a place called Urome region. Go there and personally deal with the beast called Scorpion King.”

I’m aware of this much.

The Scorpion King is a formidable beast from the west that periodically plagues the Lilfeton tribe.

The reason for consistently training one’s stats is because of this condition.

“Alright. And the last?”

“The last is…”

-Swish.

“After you’ve slain the Scorpion King, fight me with all your might.”

…What?

“What are you talking about? Why would I fight with Karsein…”

“This one has a peculiar scent.”

“A scent?”

“It’s different from the Pesselos Empire… no, it’s a scent that can’t originate from the Empire. So, I can’t dispel my doubts.”

“…”

“From your sword dance, your body, your mana. After I’ve confirmed every scent, I’ll consider the proposal. If you don’t accept this last condition, I too will not comply.”

This is completely new to me.

I know the tribe is sensitive to scents… but to test like this?

‘But there’s no way to do it.’

-Ding!

▶Do you want to add a sub-episode episode of the agent’s exclusive episode?◀

[ 1. Pass the seal stone and entrust the contract and seal. ]

[ 2. Defeat the Scorpion King of Urome region. (0/1) ]

[ 3. Achieve 80% or more in the battle with Talphon. ]

“That’s not going to happen.”

I don’t know why these conditions are piling up…

Let’s just accept it for now.

▶The agent’s exclusive episode has been added as a sub-episode!◀

***

-Knock.

As Talphon watched Karcein and Harney leave, he sat back down and began to fiddle with the seal stone.

“Each person has a unique scent, but… this one is suspicious at best.”

He still couldn’t forget that scent.

“You had the scent of the Wedoros kingdom on you. If you’re really a survivor of the Wedoros kingdom, then… you’d better prove it to me. Karcein.”