The Damn Family Is Back Again

213 – 213. The Furious Ones (13)

“What, what are you talking about!”

“To think we ruined Chatren. Such nonsense!”

“You’re the very culprit who ruined Chatren!”

At my words, the villagers bristled with anger and charged at me.

▶Clue & Prove Event has been activated!◀

▶You have designated an internal enemy!◀

[ Number of internal enemies found ]

[ 35/35 ]

▶You must prove that the designated villagers are internal enemies.◀

Chatren includes internal enemies according to the game system.

As the title of Episode IX suggests, the goal this time is to eliminate those internal enemies.

The designation itself was aided by Talphone, but now the real challenge begins.

If you fail to prove the internal enemies, the consequences are invariably the same. With failure, your standing plummets to the abyss, and you face a bad ending.

But I can provide that proof, as much as needed.

“Everyone must remember. Just a few days ago, I imposed a total lockdown on Chatren.”

“…”

As if they couldn’t possibly be unaware.

Their eyes seemed to say it all.

A policy that prevented any of Chatren’s residents from leaving, and conversely, prevented anyone from the outside from entering.

Due to the total lockdown, the villagers were too scared to even move, as if they might be struck by a sword.

“But even under this total lockdown, there were those bold enough to move. Those guys right there.”

Then the encircled 35 villagers protested.

“Stop talking nonsense!”

“Are you just taking it out on innocent people?!”

“How can you prove we went outside…!”

At that moment, the faces of the traitorous group darkened significantly.

It’s quite easy to tell, actually.

▶Using the agent’s ability.◀

[ 3. Talphone ]

“All of these people have gone outside Chatren. This is not only a matter of honor for our Count Lilpeton but also a matter of life and death for the entire Lilpeton tribe.”

“…!”

Lilpeton is called a “wild dog” in the empire, a bad nickname. Known as savages who can smell everything, their noses could never lie in such matters.

“The scent coming from them is twofold. One is from outside of Chatren, having crossed some mountain. The other is.”

▶Using information obtained from the agent.◀

[ All the internal enemies had smuggled in bags of high-quality fertilizer from outside. ]☑

“It’s the stench of this fertilizer that’s thoroughly permeated their bodies.”

The sharp noses of the Lilpeton tribe cannot be fooled. Their actions, proven through scent, began to change the skeptical glances of the villagers.

“You folks…”

“Hey, isn’t it obvious when you think about it!”

By now, they couldn’t deny it.

“We can’t just stay cooped up like pigs in a sty!”

“We have to do something to save this domain, can’t just sit idly by, can we?!”

“I don’t want to starve to death under an incompetent lord, it’s only natural!”

It’s time to confront them head-on.

Even if they went out, what’s wrong with that? They’ll have to argue.

From noble mtl dot come

But you see.

I was waiting for that.

I was waiting for them to brazenly admit they had gone out.

“You must remember the spy from another domain that Ferdi found a few weeks ago. What if these guys did the same thing?”

“What, what do you mean?”

“The incident where they were told to embezzle Chatren’s support funds from another domain?”

“Yes. All these guys carried out a request from another domain. And that was none other than to spread fertilizer on the fields of Chatren.”

As I explained, they all started to panic.

“They received a request? Like traitors?”

“It’s a lie! We don’t know anything about that!”

“Getting a down payment from another domain…?”

“Nonsense!”

“Weren’t we supposed to prevent the fertilizer from coming in?”

“We don’t know! That guy is making it all up!”

“Well. Whether it’s made up or not, this should confirm it.”

-Flap!

All sorts of documents were scattered over the residents.

The content read.

“Chatren estate’s fertilizer contract…?”

“You people…!”

“What is this…?”

“Weren’t we always farming the same way?”

“That, that’s…!”

“What is the meaning of this! Explain!”

It was a contract that Talphon and the entire Lilpeton Count’s family found through scent, clearly proving their lies.

“It’s not just that, residents.”

Seizing the moment, Talphon spoke up. He and the tribal people brought boxes from somewhere.

Inside were envelopes, each containing a small amount of fertilizer.

“These are from their homes. Not a single one was missed, all hidden away.”

“And. This was also very meticulously hidden.”

Next to them, Dyke and the guards stepped forward.

Items of wealth that didn’t belong in poor Chatren were laid out: trinkets and jewels.

All conditions were met.

Those who moved despite the estate’s lockdown.

The contract and envelopes of fertilizer from their homes.

Jewels, trinkets, and other valuable items.

Claims and evidence matched perfectly, and the moment of truth arrived.

“Fertilizer… jewels… and trinkets.”

“These insane fools!!”

“Trying to save themselves, taking money and committing such acts?!”

This was the end.

“You, youuu…! Even divine punishment isn’t enough for you!!”

“Explain… we’ll explain! So… aaargh!”

-Thud!

A large stone struck Marph in the eye.

-Ding!

▶Proof of the incident has been organized!◀

[ The 35 traitors were those who, upon receiving a request from another domain, scattered fertilizer over the fields of Chatren. ]

▶Episode IX. The internal enemy has been cleared.◀

▶Successfully proved without any penalty through the Clue and Prove event.◀

▶A reward will be given.◀

■Rewards

▶The intimacy with the residents will increase.◀

[ Overall 10% ]

▶Your reputation rank within the Chatren field will rise.◀

[ Current Score: 80 ]

[ Rank: C ]

▶Having reached Rank C, the residents of Chatren begin to heed your words.◀

***

The 35 sinners were restrained on the spot.

The guards and the Rilpeton tribe of Talphon directly intervened to help detain them.

Afterward, the traitors were stoned by the enraged residents. The sense of betrayal towards those who had once worked alongside them to revive the domain, only to selfishly accept tasks for their own gain, was indescribable.

Those with the intent to ruin Chatren were driven out.

Yet, one greater problem remained.

‘In the end… everything was correct.’

‘Not a single thing was wrong…?’

‘Really, all the efforts for our domain…’

Karsein.

The interim lord of Chatren, he was innocent.

He worked solely for Chatren.

He solved problems they didn’t even know existed without a single mistake.

And now, he had even eliminated the greatest threat, the enemy within.

To such a man, Chatren had continued to offer nothing but cold suspicion and distrust.

The signs were clearly there.

The guards, angered, stopped the insults hurled at Karsein.

And for the first time, Rusmayer and Karsein were embroiled in a dispute over derogatory remarks aimed at them.

Even the Count of Lilpeton from the west lashed out at Chatren in anger.

And then…

“Consider changing your perspective. Master Karsein has always been working hard for our domain. Where exactly was the flaw in his argument when you look at it objectively?”

“Do you really think Karsein is ruining this land?”

“Anyone can see he’s someone who cares deeply about our domain!”

Following Trisha, it was Ferdi, and even Brem, the village chief, gave such an indication.

Yet, it went unnoticed.

There were plenty of opportunities.

But all those opportunities had flown away.

The suspicion persisted until the end, until today.

“I’ll leave the decision to you, but I hope the same thing doesn’t happen here again.”

“…!”

That goes without saying. Now that we’ve recognized a spy from an external domain, no one would dare do the same.

But…

After going this far.

After securing the chance to properly persuade the villagers.

To say that no orders will be given?

-Thud, thud.

Watching the back of his head as he walked away, the villagers felt as if they were suffocating.

In the end, what was forged was the worst kind of relationship.

People of the domain who couldn’t trust their lord.

And to think, it was a relationship born out of their own stubbornness.

To raise arms against someone who had taken care of this land twice over.

It was impossible to face Karsein with open eyes.

‘What have we… done…’

Ingratitude.

Those four letters were hammered into their hearts like a stake.

***

After that day, Episode IX was cleared.

Finally, my reputation had risen enough that the villagers would listen to my arguments.

Perhaps from now on, nothing I do in the territory will be interfered with.

But not everything is over yet.

▶Episode X. Transition in progress.◀

▶Identify and resolve the issues of Chatren.◀

▶If the achievement level falls below a certain threshold, you will face a bad ending based on the symposium score.◀

Driving out internal enemies is a necessary procedure, but that alone won’t change the perception within the Chatren territory or grant authority, let alone develop the territory.

In other words, while it’s true that internal enemies have been removed, the result is insignificant in terms of improving the symposium score.

The moment you become complacent, a bad ending will come due to insufficient scores.

Therefore, the next thing I must do is revive this territory, raise the symposium score, and develop Chatren as much as possible to make it a land independent of the ducal house.

That is the way for me to survive, to break free from the ducal house, and to escape this game.

Most of the necessary conditions are nearly met.

Having pointed out and proven the residents’ mistakes one after another, I have now gained sufficient rights. Some lands can be used autonomously, making investigation not difficult.

Most of the lacking information is brought by Ferdi and Trisha. Ferdi keeps me updated on the movements within the territory, and Trisha on agricultural information.

The manpower was also sufficient.

Including the guards, the Talphon and Lilpeton tribes, there was almost no need to borrow the hands of the people of the territory.

However, there was still one stumbling block.

“You mean we can’t get the Roha seeds?”

“That’s right.”

The method that Karsein had intended to use in the past was no longer viable.

“Roha seeds, like Chatren strawberries or Chatren grapes, have the characteristic of not growing unless in a specific environment. Moreover, if the timing isn’t right, they won’t grow at all.”

“Don’t tell me, they only grow in Lilpeton?”

“That’s correct. And they only grow in rare sections, so we generally don’t cultivate them unless it’s not the season for raising horses.”

It was a crop that was quite tricky to grow.

Because of this, the original plan was slightly shaken.

‘This is a variable.’

It’s obvious. The game’s settings have been added to now.

“Do you know what properties the Roha seeds have?”

“I’m sorry. We don’t know that much either. Except that it’s excellent fodder when raising horses…”

Well, that figures.

The one who recognized its true value was none other than Karsein.

It was information he had gleaned from old guides and books, so one might think it’d be fine to just search through them… but that’s impossible.

▶Due to the restrictions imposed by Arina in the past, information related to the Roha seed is limited.◀

It’s precisely because of the constraints set by Arina of the past.

“Young master. The carriage is ready.”

And just when the fifth week’s report was about to start.

If there’s a restriction, then it must be lifted. Right now, information on the Roha seed is the most crucial for clearing this episode.

“I’ve prepared a separate horse for you to ride. Let’s hurry.”

“Karsein.”

“Why?”

“…Just wait a moment.”

The fifth week’s report isn’t that urgent, but this time, I wanted to go a bit earlier to make time for a conversation with Arina.

‘No. There must be a reason he’s asking to wait.’

Currently, Talphon is not only an agent of Chatren but also one of my most reliable allies. He must have caught wind of something.

As Talphon suggested, I waited, and soon understood why.

…So this is why he asked to wait.

“My lord.”

Breim bows respectfully.

In my previous life, people of his age would be the ones bowing to me like that.

But here he is, bowing.

At a 90-degree angle, to someone much younger like me.

“I apologize for brazenly presenting myself before you. But… please, could you lend an ear to this old man’s voice, just this once.”

-Ding!

▶A hidden episode is triggered. The Apology of Chatren commences.◀