The Damn Family Is Back Again

168 – 168. Legal Rights (8)

As I dragged the man’s back collar, all eyes in Shatren Territory focused on me.

“What’s going on here?”

“Is that the person who was in charge of the old Shatren Festival?”

“In the end, they’re doing something…! They said they wouldn’t give orders, but it seems they’re just pretending to be obedient!”

Angry gazes filled with condemnation and criticism.

In Shatren Territory, Carcsein’s reputation was ultimately like this.

In fact, no matter which territory you stepped into, Carcsein’s reputation was already at rock bottom. Therefore, there was no territory that would welcome a guy with a bad reputation like Shatren’s.

That’s why, in this branch, Carcsein’s first mistake became the first trial.

Conflict with the territory’s residents.

That became the choice rush that came back.

– Tingling!

▶The residents of Shatren are bad-mouthing you. What will you do?

“What to do, indeed.”

Looking at it now, this choice is quite vicious.

There’s only one answer, but they’re pretending there are other options…

Receiving the temporary lord’s authority at the symposium was unavoidable. They had hoped their territory wouldn’t be chosen, but there was no way to avoid it.

However, from their perspective, they gained the right to legally pursue me.

The damage to the territory.

Residents opposing the policy.

The oppressive system and authoritarian behavior.

There were countless ways to express discontent. If this discontent accumulated, even if I became the temporary lord, a way to expel me from the territory would emerge.

So, they were waiting for a situation where they could claim Carcsein was being oppressive.

[ 5. Ignore and move on. ]☑

Some of the other choices seemed to have room for rebuttal or explanation, but from the territory’s perspective, they wouldn’t feel that way.

Perhaps they would use this as an excuse to retaliate or threaten, and then try to expel Carcsein from here. I couldn’t fall into such a stupid trap.

I ignored their criticism and headed to one place.

– Tingling!

▶A problem occurred in the village, triggering a 1-week inspection event.◀

“It seems things are proceeding as expected.”

Currently, the townspeople are criticizing me, and it’s unavoidable that problems will arise.

At first, the existence of a traitor will cause confusion, but once the news spreads, the people of Shatren will soon bring this matter to the symposium.

And how to handle this matter…

Originally, it should be done with that item.

◆Suspicious Request

[ Certificate of someone in Shatren territory receiving a request from another territory. ]

Someone in Shatren received a request from another territory to create a deficit.

As a result, Shatren’s support funds were depleted.

These two facts being revealed will allow Karsein to easily clarify the matter. The item that made this clarification possible was the suspicious request given by Ferdi.

Currently, Karsein is directly providing support funds to Shatren, so if the truth is revealed, the matter will be quickly resolved.

Next, the townspeople will start searching for an internal enemy. Due to the cover-up, Ferdi, who had become cold and distant, will eventually lower his head and change his perception of me.

“…It’s only after I’m gone that others will understand the intention behind my actions.”

What a ridiculous and frustrating development.

It was as if a bad memory was about to resurface.

Anyway, that was the story that had progressed in the original game.

However, the future is now in shambles, with Ferdi being revived by my hands, and the item being used up and rendered useless.

“…I might have to take a loss in terms of achievements.”

But I don’t regret saving him at all.

He’s someone who has been protecting his homeland, enduring all sorts of harsh words and criticism, and doing what’s right alone…

Even if I go to Rousmeyer, I won’t have any problems living there.

Just then.

“Lord Karsein!”

Ferdi called out my name and rushed over.

“Oh my, oh my.”

“That kid, isn’t he the thief?”

“Why did you come looking for Lord Karsein?”

As soon as he appeared, the surrounding townspeople started whispering and pointing fingers.

The criticism that Ferdi, the shame of Shatren, was here was enough to make one’s eyes twitch.

“I don’t know why you came, but go back, Ferdi.”

I’m not the only one who thinks he’s pretty bad.

I had let him go before leaving for Rousmeyer, but I didn’t expect to hear such harsh words as I left.

But, as I had feared, Ferdi was strong.

“No, I don’t want to go to Rousmeyer!”

“What?”

“I don’t feel like going. I want to stay here!”

Ferdi said.

This is where I was born and raised.

He said he didn’t want to leave this place, where he had grown comfortable.

And.

“I don’t care what you say! I can take it!”

Suddenly, I let out a ridiculous sound.

What is this kid, who’s only 14 years old, doing, speaking like he’s on the same level as Flora?

It’s pointless to stay here, anyway; I’ll just be seen as a thief, so it’s better to send him to Rusmayeur.

But…

“Your eyes seem to be alive.”

His gaze was filled with determination, stronger than anyone in this territory.

“Are you going to regret it?”

“I’ve already regretted it many times in the past!”

He spoke as if he was going to take a step forward, and I couldn’t help but respond in kind.

Is this really a 14-year-old kid?

Yes. This kid is different from the start.

He’s been trying to do something on his own.

Adults have been deceived and taken advantage of for a long time, but he’s been trying to protect his own path.

If he were just a little older, a little stronger…

If he had learned and accumulated more knowledge…

The Shatren territory wouldn’t have ended up like this.

This kid is the real deal, a model human being who should be on top.

– Tingling!

▶You can designate Ferdi as an agent target.◀

※What is an agent?

[Unlike previous episode assistants, an agent in the Symphony episode has a greater influence and helps with territory management in various ways.]

[An agent can only be designated for NPCs within the territory, and they will unconditionally perform their lord’s tasks without refusal.]

[However, players can only designate three agents. Choose wisely after careful consideration.]

In the end, it’s come to this.

The assistant in the Symphony episode, called an agent, is a target that faithfully carries out my orders in territory-related episodes.

The effect is strong, and even if the intimacy is low, like with the residents of the Ashen Box, if designated as an agent, they will unconditionally obey my orders.

Of course, with such a powerful effect comes a corresponding backlash, so it’s better to use it on a trusted target with sufficient intimacy. That way, their performance ability will increase.

The target has been decided from the start.

Trisha, the daughter of the Shatren village chief.

From the beginning, she was the right person, not showing any hostility towards Karsein.

But…

[ Ferdi ]

[ Blind Faith: 42% ]

Along with his determination, looking at this window, Ferdi won’t back down either.

“I’ll tell you the details later, so let’s go to where I’m staying for now.”

I lowered my voice and whispered, and he seemed to accept it, nodding his head.

“…Really, you trust me?”

“Yes.”

“I’m just a thief who’s stolen several times in the village. I might cause harm to the lord too…”

Tuk.

“You’re the only one who genuinely tried to save this territory. If it’s you, I won’t doubt you.”

“…”

“I’ll finish the remaining tasks and return.”

I know all too well what it means to be suspected.

I know how it feels to be accused of a crime you didn’t commit and receive criticism, even though you’ve done nothing wrong.

So, I could understand the guy’s position to some extent. That’s why I wanted to give him a chance.

-Ding!

▶Ferdi is hired as an agent!◀

[Shatren Territory Agent List]

[1. Ferdi]

[2.]

[3.]

A chance to change his twisted hometown.

-Ding!

▶Hidden Episode. The boy who wanted to protect his only hometown has been cleared.◀

From noble mtl dot com

▶You have successfully triggered a result beyond the choices!◀

▶Reward will be given!◀

■Reward

[A scheduled visit event will automatically proceed.]

▶The scheduled visit event has begun.◀

▶Move to the report area with the enemy found in the territory.◀

“A scheduled visit?”

I don’t have a perfect memory, so I don’t recall every episode or event.

But that sounds familiar.

It was definitely an episode where someone would come to visit.

“Hmm… Well, I won’t know for now.”

Anyway, I had to go to the same place, so I headed to the desired location without hesitation.

***

“Hmm… So, this guy received a request from another territory and caused harm to Shatren, right?”

“That’s correct.”

When I arrived at the report area, two knights were waiting for me, and I handed the guy over to them without hesitation.

The function of dealing with internal enemies within the game still worked without any issues, following the original storyline.

“I understand. We’ll take him in ourselves.”

It was said that the criminal would be handed over to the imperial authorities and receive punishment.

It was the same as the in-game dialogue.

After punishing the guy who caused harm to Shatren, they would reveal information about who was behind him.

Of course, this game wouldn’t leave any traces, but still.

“I can take a breather now.”

When the first week’s report meeting comes up, Shatren’s stagnant situation will undoubtedly be criticized, but if the news of receiving a request from another territory gets out, there won’t be any demerits, even if there’s no significant change.

I turned around, feeling relieved.

“Ah, just a moment. There’s someone who wants to meet you.”

“A meeting?”

During the symposium, we need to obtain permission from the royal family to meet with other nobles. This means someone has been waiting.

“They’ve been waiting for about two hours. The person waiting for you is—”

Clare Bagrand.

The name that came out of the knight’s mouth was none other than the second prince’s name.