The Damn Family Is Back Again

Chapter 174

174. Divergent Approaches (6)

‘Is it over?’

With a strike of the gavel, Arsien acknowledged that there was no issue with my policy.

Two obstacles were swiftly overcome.

The first week’s meeting unfolded with reports from the assigned territories, followed by Arsien’s critiques.

Had there been any issues or incorrect information, a warning window would have appeared from the start, offering a chance to choose again, but fortunately, that did not happen.

Arsien’s critique was an extension of this report.

From noble mtl dot come

If there had been doubts about my actions or insufficient information, my policy would have been rejected, but it passed without issue.

‘Phew. Perhaps drawing the map of Chatren’s territory was helpful after all.’

Option 12 was recognized, acknowledging the player’s actions, but I couldn’t relax, leading me to take a somewhat bold risk.

At this point, the player is presented with a choice that questions how well they know their own domain. If I had been lacking information about Chatren, then Arsien’s criticism would have come without restraint.

In short, if it’s lacking, it leads to a big problem.

Therefore, even if it seemed a bit excessive, I had to cover up any shortcomings, and to make it clear that I cared about this domain, I had no choice but to take such impactful actions.

…Of course, when comparing the map obtained from the game with the one I investigated directly, there were quite a few differences, so I had to take my time in between.

Anyway. With this, two gates are finished.

Currently, it’s the first week’s conference room. We’re at the branching point just before setting the main episode.

If I can just get through the upcoming defense time, I should be able to move on to the next episode without much trouble.

“Look at that. They’re already gathering.”

The nobles, veins bulging with indignation, request defense time from Arsien. As expected, those fools don’t want to admit that a commoner like Karsein is above them, the nobility.

I didn’t care much about this scene since I’ve seen it in the game.

However, it was strangely familiar, wasn’t it? Just like the idiots at school who complained about why my grades were so high.

Well, maybe they’re similar after all?

“That’s right. This is nonsensical. If what you’re saying is true, then it’s as if you’ve just stumbled upon it after a few rounds in the field!”

“Considering the dire situation of Chatren, I wonder what future this policy has.”

“It’s a waste of time. Shouldn’t Chatren be striving to restore the soil to regain its former glory as soon as possible? Yet, how does this act improve the quality of the soil?”

“I can’t understand it no matter how much I think about it. Please, open the defense time so we can hear a valid reason…”

Their words felt like I was watching those same fools again.

They hate to admit it. They love to be on top. And they think I’m the only one who’s wrong. Their age isn’t much different from Karsein’s, looking like stubborn high school students.

Should they even be this similar? But Arsien, positioned as the student council president, seemed as annoyed as ever.

I smirked at the sight of the noble heirs and my schoolmates looking oddly similar, waiting for the next choice to appear.

But then.

-Woong.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, a magic formula unfolds from one of the chess pieces, drawing everyone’s attention.

And then, the magic formula engraved itself on the back of my hand with a blue light.

“…!”

“Your Highness!”

“This is my answer.”

…Huh.

Was this how the story was supposed to unfold?

As far as I know… the dialogue about initiating Defense Time and the appearance of choices are supposed to happen simultaneously.”

Just then.

The status window activated.

-Ding!

▶Arsien has bestowed the Pheclos Privilege upon you!◀

▶The first week’s meeting report is completed.◀

▶You have cleared the episode branching point!◀

“What?”

What does that mean?

Defense Time hasn’t even started yet, has it?

As I pondered this, the system message promptly opened another window.

▶Providing the player with insufficient information.◀

※Pheclos Privilege

[ A right that can only be used three times in the Symposium by the Pheclos Empire’s royal family, it is a privilege granted only when the temporary lord’s plan is deemed worthy of an attempt. The one who proceeds with this plan will not go through a separate Defense Time on the day of the meeting report ─── ]

“…”

I watched as the text detailing this significant benefit scrolled by, but what caught my eye was this sentence.

No separate Defense Time on the day.

‘This is actually more akin to a reward, isn’t it?’

Turning my head to check another window, a convincing sentence finally caught my eye.

▶You have proven your high understanding of Chatren by drawing the territory map yourself.◀

▶You have achieved more than the expected results from the choices!◀

▶Additional rewards will follow!◀

So that was it.

Although it hadn’t manifested in the game, such a setting coincidentally matched up, granting me some sort of benefit.

‘No. It’s hard to even consider this a setting.’

I may have realized it belatedly, but I had indeed felt something like this.

I had felt it while observing the nobles’ reports, and even while playing the game; the nobles generally gave poor explanations about the territories they were responsible for.

The size of the territory, its altitude above sea level.

The geological safety of the land, the main organs of the territory’s inhabitants.

Listening to it, there was something subtly off.

It was less of a research report and more a collection of easily ascertainable data. The information was so lacking, it seemed as if it had been simply listed from books or casually inquired about from the domain’s residents.

Shallow and thin.

That was the extent of the noble heirs’ information—shallow and thin.

Perhaps that’s why Arcien favored my side, which had thoroughly and deeply investigated the domain.

‘I’ve thought about it over and over, but this game, being more realistic helps.’

Anyway, having completed my report, I could descend with my shoulders squared in confidence.

Ah. But wouldn’t just confidently descending be a bit…?

“That, that guy…!”

“He’s… mocking us?!”

“That low-born brat…! Does he think he’s won with this?”

Wow. What a definite reaction.

All it took was a slight curl of my lips, and their expressions twisted instantly.

Watching the nobles scream with veins bulging and faces about to pop, they looked no different from those fools who denied reality because their grades were lower than mine.

As I slowly enjoyed their ridiculous display, the affinity window suddenly expanded.

“The one who didn’t even know what was in his own domain has no right to speak, does he?”

“Your, Your Highness…!”

“The same goes for you right next to him. For now, it seems Karsein is the victor.”

“…”

-Ding!

▶Arcien’s affinity has increased!◀

[ Current Value: 35% ]

…Why does the affinity keep rising for doing nothing?

“Just sit down and shut up. It’s the next person’s turn.”

“…Yes.”

“I will make amends…”

Somehow, the princess seems to be in a foul mood…

There’s just no way to know why.

I didn’t particularly hope for it, but still, it was somewhat refreshing.

And thinking of the rising affinity as something positive.

***

After a brief respite, the nobles’ reports resumed.

The last presenter had just returned with a grim expression.

“The first week’s report concludes. Any questions?”

Silence.

It’s quiet.

Understandably so, given the devastating defeat.

“Judging by the silence, it seems no one has questions. With that, I conclude the first week’s report.”

Arcien continued with a cold expression.

“Starting from the second week, as you all know, we will no longer reject the temporary lords’ policies. However, I want this to be clear. I did not wish for plans to proceed without proper investigation. I mean,”

Arcien, who had been scanning the nobles, suddenly fixed his gaze on me.

This woman.

Was that really what she wanted to say, after all that?

“At the very least, a lord should deeply understand their own territory. That’s why the policies proposed in the first week were all rejected.”

Bang!

“Next week, we will also have guest lecturers, so study well and consider how to enrich the empire’s territories. That is all.”

Arcien left the room.

As soon as she departed, the nobles left with groans.

For some reason, they seemed to have taken a harsher beating after my turn. Arcien’s list of deductions was endless, and those who passed without comment were few.

Thus, the nobles were disheartened.

Doomed, they lamented, this symposium is too harsh, how far must we go without the head of the house’s power. They complained.

It seems it’s time for me to leave as well.

Ding!

▶The first week’s meeting report has concluded. The next event will determine the episode to proceed with.◀

▶Before returning to your territory, you must meet with Arina to choose an option.◀

‘Arina’s choice.’

There’s no change, but I had planned to see it through to the end. Fortunately, this branch will follow the game’s development without issue.

Just in case, I was thinking of seeking out Arina first, but she’s already approaching me.

“Not bad at all, Karsein. I didn’t know you were so well-informed about Chatren. To be honest, it was quite surprising. However,”

Arina’s words were clearly meant as praise.

But the twist in her voice was heightened by that last remark.

“I assume you’re well aware that’s the limit for you. If you knew how shattered the land of Chatren is, you’d think rationally in times like these. You know what this means, don’t you?”

It seems like a compliment, but it’s not recognition.

“It’s time to stop being stubborn and choose the right path, Karsein. You may have funds amassed from ruling the Rusmayer territory, but from now on, it’s not something you can handle alone. Use the power of the Bagrand Duchy. This trial will certainly be too much for you alone.”

It’s a call to return to the Bagrand Duchy.

To rely on the duchy and overcome this trial without being stubborn.

That’s what they’re trying to say.

-Don’t overstep and just leave it to us.

Just like the first.

They want me to know my place and come back.

The era and sentences may differ, but the situation is the same, causing unnecessary irritation.

‘Tch. I need to quickly choose an option and get rid of it.’

▶Arina recommends that you return to the Bagrand Duchy. How will you respond?

As I looked at the listed options and confirmed there was a correct answer, I was about to choose it.

But just then.

-Ding!