The Damn Family Is Back Again

160 – 160. CHAPTER 2 – EPISODE V (7)

Shatren.

A land with fertile soil, located at the center of the empire.

Although it’s not bad for general farming, it’s famous for its two special products that can’t be grown anywhere else.

It’s the only land where you can cultivate Shatren strawberries and Shatren grapes, rare crops that have always been on the imperial people’s fruit platter or used in cooking and seasoning.

But that’s all in the past.

Shatren, once the best territory, has never recovered from its sudden downfall. Although the Bagrande dukedom provides financial support, the territory’s internal circulation is in a terrible state.

And yet, she’s going to take on Shatren?

It’s like saying she’ll take the lowest score in this symposium.

“I have to stop it. No matter what… I won’t let it happen…”

“What are you talking about, little sister?”

“Huh? What’s going on?”

“You were just saying something about stopping it, weren’t you?”

Flora, who heard Clare’s murmurs, tilted her head and asked.

“Did… did you not get along with Karsein, little sister?”

“No, not at all!”

Claire was flustered and dodged the question.

It was only a moment ago that she had promised to meet Karsein, and now her younger sibling’s face showed a hint of concern.

“… Ah, I see! I was worried about the fabric for the people who block the sound. I need something sturdy, so I was thinking about it.”

“Hmm, okay?”

Claire patted her younger sibling’s hair and smiled to reassure them, trying not to show any more concern on their face.

However, Claire’s mind was still deeply troubled by Karsein.

– Yes, isn’t that the best answer?

The best answer.

Those words brought up an unerasable sense of discomfort.

– I, who ruined the Shatren territory, have no reason not to be there, do I?

– The Shatren territory suffered the worst famine. The land that was once so fertile has been ruined since I touched it, and there’s no sign of recovery. So, if I were to be ranked, I should be at the bottom, right?

Karsein argued.

Since she was the one who ruined the Shatren territory, she couldn’t take the seat of the Bargrand Duchy, which is why she was at the bottom.

– The Bargrand Duchy has always produced results at the symposium every year. You, Claire, and Flo are always there. But I’m not.

– I’m the only one who produced the worst results. It’s not the Bargrand Duchy, but I who should take responsibility. If I don’t want to tarnish the duchy’s name, I should be there. So, I was there as the lord of Rusmay, not as a member of the Bargrand Duchy. I accepted the consequences of last year’s failure.

The basis of her actions was her ranking.

Although they were the same Bargrand Duchy, the gap was like heaven and earth. The ranking she achieved by taking responsibility for the failure of the Shatren territory was the reason she sat at the bottom.

And.

– It’s the best compromise, isn’t it?

Karsein repeated those words, explaining why it was the best compromise.

Since she wasn’t a member of the Bargrand Duchy, she wouldn’t tarnish the family’s name.

As the lord of Rusmay, she participated in the symposium, and as a result, she received the penalty of sitting at the bottom for her worst ranking.

With her insufficient abilities, she would struggle alone and learn about the world.

She wouldn’t even receive a penalty for cooperation, so others wouldn’t need to take on that burden either.

When she reached the conclusion that nothing would happen, she felt like her insides were churning with that uncomfortable feeling.

“That’s ridiculous! How can that be the best compromise?”

Claire would often scold Karsein for her attitude or curse her, and as she recalled those times, she didn’t notice the passing of time.

“Claire, Claire?”

“What?”

“It’s our turn to choose a territory. Why are you like that?”

Coming back to her senses, she saw that the nobles from the upper echelons were being called and slowly making their way down the stairs.

Time had passed so quickly.

“Ahaha, sorry, sister. I was just… thinking.”

“You’re not usually this nervous, are you?”

“Yeah… I guess not.”

“Let’s go down first. Flo has already gone, and Karsein, that foolish kid, will probably be there anyway.”

“…”

As Claire went down the stairs, she glanced at Karsein’s direction.

Even though it’s the turn of the Bagrand Duchy, the fact that they’re holding onto that position is equivalent to the rumors we’ve heard, which means Carcsein is determined to get the Shatren territory.

Perhaps, even if they ask for cooperation, Carcsein will try to take over Shatren alone, just like they said to their sister. That’s why I’m worried.

“I’ve found out while sending support, but… that place is a territory with an extremely bad affinity for Carcsein.”

The reason for the continuous failures is something even Claire couldn’t figure out, but one thing is certain: Carcsein’s hatred towards Shatren is boiling over.

Once a territory is ruined, it’s hard to restore it, and even if the Bagrand Duchy doesn’t directly show dissatisfaction, the territory’s people are overwhelmed with despair and anger, feeling like the land they worked hard on is ruined.

It’s gotten to the point where Carcsein is even praying that they won’t become the lord of Shatren at this symposium, so what more needs to be said?

The evaluation from the territory’s people is also included in the scores, so at the moment Shatren is chosen, one of Carcsein’s score items will converge to 0.

Furthermore, Shatren’s development potential is still at rock bottom. It’s become a worthless land, just like the abandoned land of Rusmaier, and if the Bagrand Duchy hadn’t sent support funds, it would’ve been abandoned a long time ago.

It’s not like they can show any achievements even if they get bonus points.

Shatren doesn’t have any military power, so they can’t even get points from the western region’s conquest.

In any field, whether it’s trade, tourism, resources, technology, magic, or craftsmanship, Shatren doesn’t have any corresponding areas.

In that place, where the only thing they have is agriculture, if they can’t develop agriculturally, they can’t get any scores under the closed conditions, so they need to make it a land that can be cultivated again through common sense and hard work.

“That’s… impossible…”

The answer that comes to mind is obviously no.

“Next, Claire Bagrand. Enter the designated field and choose a territory to inscribe on the magic inscription stone.”

“…”

“Claire?”

“Ah, yes. I’ll go in now.”

At Arsiene’s question, Claire’s mind suddenly sparks.

…Choose a territory to inscribe on the magic inscription stone.

That’s right. There is such a method.

“There’s an order to choosing territories!”

In the inscription stone that uses last year’s ranking, Carcsein is at the bottom, so they’ll be the last to finish the inscription. That means Shatren territory will still be available then. Of course, no noble would dare to take on the bad conditions of Shatren territory.

Then, the answer comes from an unexpected simple place.

What if someone else takes Shatren territory before Carcsein does?

What if they take control of the situation before Carcsein can?

What if Carcsein can’t choose Shatren territory because their ranking is too low?

“That’s it. I’ll just take Shatren territory.”

Claire gulped and activated the inscription stone.

The empire map and the real lines marking the territory boundaries unfold immediately.

Shatren territory is located in the center of the Pesselos Empire, adjacent to the Bagrand Duchy’s border, and there’s a newly formed tunnel next to the Warglu Mountains.

All Claire needs to do is put their finger on it and inscribe their name.

Claire took a deep breath and was about to press their index finger on Shatren territory.

Just then.

-This is all for the eastern nobles’ meeting to take the territory test.

Carcsein’s voice, echoing in their mind, stopped their finger.

“Ah, damn…!”

-Whoosh!

“Claire, it seems like you haven’t inscribed it yet.”

“Just give me a few words, and then we can proceed with the next person!”

“Clair!”

Clair handed over the next person’s turn and immediately approached someone.

“Karcein.”

***

Karcein, who was writing something in his notebook, didn’t put it down even after seeing Clair.

“What’s with the nagging? I thought you’d heard from Arina.”

“Do you know about the Shatren situation?”

“What?”

“If you’re appointed as the temporary lord of Shatren territory at this symposium, do you know about the movement that refuses to obey the order?”

It was a warning-like statement that hinted at unfavorable conditions just by listening to it.

A warning that the score from the territory’s people would plummet if Shatren was chosen.

However, Karcein didn’t care and continued writing in his notebook.

“Did you come all the way here for something like that? What, it’s just a scratch. That’s my karma, what can I do about it?”

“…”

“You can’t just mess with the Bagrand dukedom like that. Right?”

Clair, who had been silent for a moment, continued questioning.

“You might also incur the wrath of the territory’s people. Even if a riot breaks out, that’s your responsibility. You know?”

“I’ll take the punishment, what’s it to you.”

“You might really get hurt because of that!”

“Sorry, Clair.”

-Tuk.

Karcein’s notebook, which had been open, was closed.

“I don’t need it. Your help, that is.”

“…!”

“Why? Do you think I’ll come crawling back to the Bagrand dukedom for help later? Don’t worry, that won’t happen.”

“You…”

“Just go back, okay? It seems like time’s running out anyway.”

When he opened his notebook again, Arshien was also signaling from the side that it was no use.

Clair returned to the territory’s registration, glancing back at Karcein several times during the journey, but ultimately bit his lip and returned.

The empire’s map appeared again, and Clair’s hand pointed towards the Shatren territory.

“It’s just as I thought, no plan at all! If that’s the case… then…!”

From noble mtl dot com

-Shatren was ruined because of you, not Karcein. Clair.

“…Huh?”

-If you had even once doubted yourself instead of Karcein, Shatren’s score might not have dropped.

“…”

The finger that had reached the edge of Shatren’s territory dropped weakly.

It was the voice of an irreplaceable friend, Arshien’s voice.

Yes.

Why had he forgotten that?

“You idiot!”

Bang!

Two red handprints remained on both cheeks.

Claire gazed at the Shatren territory and asked herself.

“Really, can we resolve this by saying Karcein doesn’t manage the Shatren territory?”

No way. That’s not possible.

Even if someone else manages the Shatren territory, the incident won’t be buried.

The people of the territory still resent Karcein. Even if the supporter changes to Karcein, that’s not important.

Then, is that a solution?

Karcein obtained this territory by exchanging it with the land of Rusemeyer. Why did Karcein create such an opportunity?

What’s the reason Karcein took back the Shatren territory, and what’s the reason for becoming the lord of Rusemeyer instead of the Bagrande dukedom?

Maybe…

Perhaps Karcein wants to prove that they’re not the problem by reviving the Rusemeyer territory?

Perhaps Karcein wants to erase the shame of Shatren and prove they’re not wrong?

– Thud!

[ Tarshion Territory ]

“Absolutely. Absolutely don’t interfere with Karcein!”

The answer to her question was clear.

She had to believe.

She had to believe Karcein could do it alone.

She had to believe Karcein would revive the Shatren territory, no matter how absurd it seemed.

In the past, Karcein got defeated and looked like a fool, stuck in the west. If they made the same mistake again, it would only repeat itself.

If she really cared about Karcein, she shouldn’t create a situation where they’d get hurt again due to external interference.

To do that, she had to deceive her sister and younger sister first.

“Little sister? You took a bit longer than usual today, didn’t you?”

“Yeah. I was really nervous?”

“I had a lot of worries. I was thinking about how to make Karcein pass without any problems. But I had some thoughts inside. Want to hear them?”

– Ting!

▶This message does not appear to the player.◀

▶Claire’s exclusive hidden episode. The clear condition 1 of “Unerasable Discomfort” has been satisfied.◀

[ Condition 1: During the symposium period, Claire does not intervene in Karcein’s territory. ☑ ]

▶A reward will be given.◀

■Reward

[ All obstacles and dead flags set by the Bagrande dukedom during the symposium test will disappear. ]

[ The achievement rate will increase by 15% compared to before! ]

[ You can participate in all events freely without any penalties, regardless of the Bagrande dukedom! ]