The Damn Family Is Back Again

163 – 163. Legal Rights (3)

“What does that have to do with Lord Carsein?”

“Rusmayier’s merchant caravans and trade are a matter of the Shatren territory. It has nothing to do with Lord Carsein!”

The villagers all refuted this, without exception.

No, it wasn’t a refutation, but a deep-seated denial rooted in mistrust.

“What’s Lord Carsein’s business, even if Rusmayier sent support?”

“Sent support? Go ahead and say that. At least Lord Carsein didn’t destroy the territory like you did.”

“But Lord Carsein, how did you ruin our land? Didn’t you trample our dreams and hopes?”

“And on top of that… are you going to destroy this land again? Are you going to trample our last shred of hope?”

But they were too closed off to listen.

Once the territory was ruined by Carsein, they only had a defensive mindset, refusing to let outsiders in, and that mindset led to this situation.

“It’s relevant enough. I’m the lord of Rusmayier.”

“What, what did you say?!”

“Lord of Rusmayier…? What did I just hear?”

“No, that’s a lie! You’re spewing nonsense and trying to deceive us again. How could Lord Carsein be the lord of Rusmayier…!”

The voices denying this were about to flow out, but were cut off immediately.

“Shatren, in the past, didn’t even care when Rusmayier’s merchant caravans came and the children stole food. And this time, the situation is reversed.”

“How… how did you…!”

“If the lord doesn’t know the facts, what can be done? Ah, don’t believe me? Then let’s talk about something else.”

“What did you say…?”

“I’m the one who dug the tunnel in Rusmayier. I did it. I knew Rusmayier was a village of craftsmen, so I used the structure of the Waglu Mountains. That’s why the merchant caravans haven’t come recently.”

“…”

“Is there anything else? Rusmayier’s crops have a unique problem, so the children can’t digest them well, and that’s why they drink milk to supplement their nutrition?”

The other territories might not know this, but Shatren, who had been interacting with Rusmayier for a long time, knew all of this.

Carsein’s words, spoken with a carefree shoulder shrug, contained not a single lie.

Then, Carsein’s claim to be the lord of Rusmayier wasn’t a lie either, and Shatren’s side, who had been receiving help from Rusmayier, couldn’t help but falter.

Carsein had struck a deep chord in those who had revealed their weaknesses.

“And if Rusmayier’s merchant caravans hadn’t come this winter, you would have been in big trouble.”

“What, what are you talking about?”

“It’s no use even trying. In Shatren, we’ve been stuck in the same rut, and even the food supply has become scarce, putting the children in a state of famine. But just in time, the carriage appeared, didn’t it?”

Chuk.

He thrust the dry earth with his sword.

“As the temporary lord of Shatren, it may be hard to believe. But as the lord of Rusmaye, I have proven my right to govern your territory. This is a legitimate right, considering I saved you from the brink of collapse before the symphony began. Do you have any objections?”

“…”

The silence continued.

That winter was indeed a desperate attempt by the people of Shatren.

It was good that they tried to save Shatren, but their hasty decisions only led to more problems, ultimately worsening their situation.

Just then, the Rusmaye carriage arrived, like a breath of spring.

If Rusmaye hadn’t intervened, many would have starved, and some might have even died.

In the silence, Karsein smiled wryly and sheathed his sword.

“I, Karsein, declare myself the temporary lord of Shatren. And from this moment on, I will issue my orders.”

The stone responded to Karsein’s voice, glowing brightly. This command was a protective measure to prevent the lord from oppressing the people within the territory, and it was also a contractual power that would grant the temporary lord additional points through restraint.

“If you don’t follow my policy, that’s fine. I won’t issue any other orders besides this one.”

The residents fell into greater confusion upon hearing his words.

Not following the lord’s words was already an error, but saying that he wouldn’t issue any other orders besides this one was equivalent to allowing the temporary lord to reject the people’s demands.

“Can’t you just accept this much?”

“No. If our territory is destroyed, we can blame the lord. We won’t suffer any losses.”

“I agree. What about you?”

“I don’t care. The fact that we don’t have to follow orders is already a recognition.”

“Instead, let’s just pretend to obey. Ha! We’ll lower our ratings and demand more in return.”

And this command was a small contractual form that applied to the residents as well, so if they disobeyed, they could demand compensation from the temporary lord in return.

But.

Right then.

“No… way!”

“Trisha!”

“Are you okay? Where’s your body…?”

“My body isn’t the issue. I object to that command!”

Trisha, who had been sleeping on Camilla’s lap until a moment ago, rushed over to express her opposition to the command.

“Why, why is there no response…? I clearly stated my opposition…”

“This command is a contract that affects the entire territory. If more than 40% of the residents share the same opinion, it will be upheld.”

“That’s…!”

Trisha immediately turned to appeal to the residents.

“Everyone…! Why did the lord take over our territory again? Think about it again!”

But.

“Huh. What’s the point of that?”

“There’s no rule that says someone who’s already ruined the territory can’t do it again.”

“Hey, you’re just young and naive. We’ve been living in hell since that day! Don’t you know?”

“Trisha, you’re being deceived. I don’t know what you heard, but the lord is trying to deceive you!”

The residents didn’t even pretend to listen to Trisha’s appeal.

As they are people from the same territory, they should be protected, but it’s just that they were deceived by the liar, Carsein.

-Swoong.

“Ah…! It can’t be…!”

The opinions of over 40% of the residents were accepted, and the decision was already made.

“It’s done, and I’ll take my leave.”

Carsein just smiled and turned to leave, without adding another word.

“Trisha.”

“This is the right thing to do. There’s nothing wrong with it.”

Trisha asked, her voice shaking.

“Why… did you save me, sir? My body is fine because of you, sir… why aren’t you listening to me?”

“…You were just deceived. Carsein hasn’t changed, past or present.”

“Have you already forgotten? When was the last time you harvested Shatren strawberries and Shatren grapes?”

“We need to get more from Carsein during this symposium period. If not, we’ll all die.”

“Carsein has been thinking of saving our territory from the start!!”

“Hey!”

“You don’t know anything! You don’t even know that Ferdi and the others stole from the Rusmayeur merchant cart!!”

Trisha, who had shouted, burst into tears and ran out of the village.

And…

“…No way. This can’t be…!”

Someone who had quietly observed the situation wanted to deny reality.

***

– Ding!

You have become the temporary lord of Shatren territory. You have obtained the right to manage the territory through the individual’s command.

You have cleared Episode VI: Hatred’s Target.

■Reward

[You can exercise your authority as a temporary lord.]

[The danger level in the Shatren territory area has decreased according to the district.]

“It seems we’ve passed the first gate with this.”

The choice rush ended, and the reward window appeared.

Looking at the results, it seemed that the temporary lord’s authority had been exercised, and the villagers’ vigilance had been reduced, and at least the danger of being chased away had disappeared.

-Tada-tada-tak.

As I looked at the status window, footsteps approached from this direction.

I thought that someone might be coming to harm Carsein, fueled by anger…

But it didn’t seem necessary.

“Wait a minute!!”

The footsteps sounded surprisingly light.

It was Ferdi.

You have successfully triggered a result beyond the choices!

▶A meeting with a certain individual has been arranged!◀

What’s going on?

Is this a meeting with this person?

The main scene is still far away. That means I’ve slightly deviated from the influence of the choices. I breathed a sigh of relief and turned my body around.

“Huk, huk… Young Master.”

Ferdi, who was catching her breath.

A white box, partially visible above her, caught my eye.

It was distinctly different from the Shatrain Territory’s residents, a white box.

[ Ferdi ]

[ Intimacy Level: 12% ]

‘12%?’

I doubted my eyes for a moment.

Ferdi is clearly an individual who harbors hostility towards Karcein at this point in time.

It shouldn’t be 12%, but -12% would be correct.

“Why did you do that?”

“Hmm?”

“You could have said something. We stole food from the carriage you were on, and even though it was a theft on the surface, you forgave us, saying that we attacked the lord’s carriage… Isn’t that something that wouldn’t even require an apology?”

As expected. Ferdi must have confirmed my identity back then.

From noble mtl dot com

That’s why Trisha appeared in my place.

My first meeting with Ferdi took place in front of the carriage, and her trigger was consumed in that state.

Anyway, if I were to answer this question…

▶Will you answer Ferdi’s question?

[ 1. You’re right. There was no need to do that. Honestly, I feel sorry about it. ]

[ 2. What’s the point of saying that? ]

[ 3. I was going to reveal the loss later, so I could use it to my advantage. ]

[ 4. If I had done that, Trisha would have been in danger, wouldn’t she? ]

[ 5. I won’t answer. ]

‘I have no choice but to choose.’

I calmly checked the status window and didn’t think about it anymore.

[ 2. What’s the point of saying that? ]☑

“What’s the point of saying that?”

“…Yes?”

“What’s the point of saying that to the villagers?”

“That’s…”

“You’ve already helped them, so just trust them this time. If you explain it that way, the villagers will accept it, and you can even get temporary lordship, right?”

“…”

Ferdi was silent, as if I had hit the nail on the head.

I let out a sigh and slightly modified the content of the second choice.

[ 2. I guarantee it wouldn’t have worked out. With that kind of meal expense, wouldn’t the territorial support funds be left over anyway? ]☑

“I guarantee it wouldn’t have worked out. Even if you had stood up in front of those adults who think you’re ruining this territory, you wouldn’t have been able to persuade them.”

“That’s right, if our kids also testified, it would be enough…! With so many witnesses…!”

“If that were the case, we would have been accused of deceiving you all as a group.”

“What, what did you say?”

“I have become the greatest liar in this territory. If I declared that I would change the Shatren territory right now and issued a temporary lord’s decree, what would happen?”

Ferdi tried to say something but fell silent.

He also knew.

“That’s right. You wouldn’t have believed me absolutely. It’s not something that can be changed with just words. You need to see the results with your own eyes to be convinced.”

For them, the only thing that can bring about real change is the transformation of this land.

That’s why I couldn’t give any orders to the territory’s people, and instead, I had to put restrictions on myself to reduce distrust.

Maybe it’s not a problem caused by Carsein.

A little agitation can inflate lies. Maybe, it’s obvious who did it.

So, I could speak confidently, thanks to that kid.

“By the way, I’ve had a similar experience in the ducal family, but the situation never changed.”

“Really, in the ducal family too?”

“Yes. I knew the maid had put too much salt in my food, but I didn’t say anything. Ferdi, if you were in my shoes, what would you do?”

“Uh… call the cook and ask them…”

“You’d be suspected of doubting the chef and the maid right away. And later, I got a warning from Ariana.”

“What, a warning?”

“There was no clear evidence, so I couldn’t prove it. But it happened again and again. Different maids kept putting strange objects in my food, and I knew who did it. Yet, I never proved it. Instead, I just got accused of bullying the maids.”

The people who called me a liar the most weren’t outsiders.

It was the people closest to me.

My family.

“So, sir… how did you do it?”

Ferdi asked, swallowing hard.

I chuckled and replied.

“I ate the soup with too much salt, pretending it was nothing.”

“…!!!”

“It’s not like it would change anything even if I said something. It would just be more distrust towards me. Then, isn’t this the only way?”

I kept eating the soup with too much salt, pretending it was nothing.

It made them think, “Maybe there wasn’t any salt in the soup?”

“I waited until they revealed their weakness. I waited until I could catch them in the act and expose them. I endured and endured.”

And finally, I proved it.

The fact that such things were happening in the ducal family.

“Now do you understand? Why I didn’t say anything?”

“Ah, so… that means you won’t give any orders in the Shatren territory…?”

Ferdi said, his eyes trembling.

“That’s right. I’ll prove it like the soup with too much salt. I’ll keep being called a liar, and I’ll find a way to rise above it without anyone’s help.”

That’s the only way I can make this territory truly mine.

This should be enough.

Ferdi, who originally had hostile feelings towards Carsein, eventually became an ally.

The timing of this had been pushed forward, but it didn’t matter.

– Ding!

▶You have successfully brought about a result beyond your choices!◀

Huh?

“…So, this time, I’m confident I won’t get kicked out?”

“What?”

“Shatren territory is wrong, and our villagers are all weird! You, sir, tried to save our Shatren, and I know all about it! So, can you prove it!!”

– Ding!

▶Ferdi’s intimacy level has rapidly increased, and he has become an ally.◀

▶Intimacy settings have changed.◀

[ Ferdi ]

[ Blind Faith: 38% ]

I was taken aback by the sudden change in intimacy settings, but…

“I… I’ve been stealing to prove that Shatren territory is wrong. I had to, or else there wouldn’t be any counterarguments to say that you, sir, weren’t mistaken!”

“…”

He looked me straight in the eye, unlike before, and said so.

That thievery was a plan to bring Shatren’s problems to the surface, he said.

Is that so.

Why did he, who was an enemy in Shatren territory, become an ally?

He already knew, it seemed.

“That’s right. I’ll prove everything.”

“Promise… you won’t get kicked out this time!”

“Of course not.”

I’ll reward your blind faith with all my might.

Ferdi.

***

I parted ways with Ferdi, who had promised not to get kicked out this time, and he gave me some information.

– I have something to show you. It’s what the lord left behind, so it might be helpful when you see it!

There’s an item that will give credence to the fact that the Shatren territory people made a wrong judgment.

I don’t know what it is, but the system tells me.

■Reward

[ You will receive an item from Ferdi after a certain amount of time has passed. ]

That’s the item.

It’s a reward for choosing this option, they say.

Since it’s an item obtained within the episode, I can use it somehow. I just have to wait patiently.

– Ding!

▶A meeting with a specific character has been arranged!◀

“What’s going on? Has Ferdi arrived already?”

As I turned around, a noble girl with a gaze that seemed out of place was standing there.

Her dress, which didn’t fit in with this place, had a noble air to it.

Her golden hair was tied up in two sections.

The noble girl with the rolled-bang hair was undoubtedly Flora.

Honestly, I never thought I’d meet her in a situation like this.

It’s like the saying goes: even a tiger will come if you call it.

“What are you doing here again?”

Flora asked, taking a deep breath, her tone somewhat annoyed.

“Not…? Karcein. You’re saying I’m in the wrong here…? That’s not it, is it…?”

Ah, was she the one with the problem?

I chuckled and replied, “Isn’t this the situation you wanted?”