The Damn Family Is Back Again

179. The Bottom (3)

A player who becomes the lord of a territory is inevitably placed in a situation where they cannot exercise the temporary lord’s power over the residents, but if they use the events provided by the system, they can exercise their rights with legitimate criticism.

That’s the Clue and Prove Event.

It’s a system within the game that helps to smoothly progress the episode by using information obtained through territory investigation, rewards from sub-episodes, and clues gained through the abilities of agents to prove the problems within the territory.

However, this proof is not to be taken lightly.

It usually comes with a rush of choices, and a slip-up can not only lower the territory’s perception but also weaken the lord’s power.

If you can’t meticulously gather the clues to prove and logically explain the problems to them, the future holds nothing but a bad ending.

But I’m not such a fool.

“I understand what you’re saying. Our farming methods are flawed, I’ll concede and accept that to some extent.”

-Ding!

▶I made a legitimate critique by synthesizing the given clues.◀

▶The authority to issue commands to the residents has emerged. It ranges from 1 to 10 in intensity, and you cannot issue commands higher than the intensity level.◀

[ Command Intensity: 3 ]

‘With this, I’ve passed the first stage.’

Yet, I still haven’t reached the fundamental problem.

The system hasn’t acknowledged it… but in a way, this could also be seen as a clue.

I tentatively asked Brem.

“Do you have anything else to say to me?”

“There’s nothing.”

With that, Brem cuts off the conversation expressionlessly, as if hiding something.

‘Even at the Memorial, Karsein desperately hid it. I don’t know the content… but it seems troublesome for the Chatren side to disclose this fact too?’

If that’s the case, then we’re not throwing dice here, but placing a sure bet.

Those with something to hide must inevitably give something up to the ones pushing in.

“You’ve lied again in front of me. This can’t just be overlooked.”

▶Using the authority gained from the Clue and Prove Event.◀

▶The command intensity is 3.◀

[ You can partially take over the authority of the fields within the domain. ]

The authority over the fields within the domain.

That’s just perfect.

I spread out the map of the domain, drew a long line across it, and proclaimed as I planted a dart into one side of the land.

“This is a punishment. From today, I will manage one-third of the land owned by Chatren.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“To identify the problems with the current farming methods, a control group is necessary. It’s better that I oversee it directly rather than entrusting it to you.”

“That’s absurd…!”

“It’s our land. Are you saying you’re going to take it away!”

“You’re trying to ruin our land again with such nonsense…!”

“Despite sticking to the methods used for years without any change, if I entrust this land to you in this generation, it’s obvious that a second food shortage crisis will occur.”

At that, the residents once again rose up in unison in protest.

However.

An old man who had been maintaining silence was listening intently to this story.

As if showing a loss by giving up the land was the better option.

“I have kept my promise not to command you using the Seal of Oath until now. But you have only lied to me in return. How can I trust you in such a situation? I deem it a hundred times more sensible for me to manage the land myself.”

“This is robbery. A plunder using the power of a lord, the status of nobility!”

“Correct! To take away the land because you cannot trust the residents. And yet, you call yourself our lord?”

“The symposium scores will definitely be affected! Have you forgotten? Our evaluations are also submitted to the Eastern Nobility Council!”

“Perhaps that would be better.”

“What, what did you say?”

“Even if it means losing points for that category, not having reports of a food shortage in a land where agriculture is key would likely result in a higher score, don’t you think?”

“What are you planning to do with that land…!”

“I’ll plant crops other than vineyards and strawberry fields. There should be no talk of food shortages. A self-sufficient land should never have such issues.”

As expected, the residents rush in furiously.

“You’re not going to plant strawberries and grapes on a third of the vast fields…?”

“You’re telling us…! To give up on Chatren’s two specialties!!”

“It’s the pride of our domain! The two crops we’re most proud of, widely known throughout the empire! You’re saying to discard them?”

“How far will you drag us down! Because of you, we’ve hit rock bottom. This bottom is no different from hell for us…!”

“Ha, damn it.”

A curse slips out, and the residents all show stunned faces.

“The bottom, huh. Ha, haha.”

A hollow laugh escapes me.

“Was that really the bottom for you?”

The sight is so pitiful it chills my blood.

Just like that time. Feeling like I’m watching those fools who didn’t believe me and decided to handle things on their own.

Now, I can’t help but let out a bitter laugh.

“Caught up in past glories, you can’t even discern the reality that’s hit you. Is this what you consider hitting bottom? Blessed ones who’ve never seen the true depths, living on such favored land.”

“What… what do you mean…”

-Ding!

▶The perfect clear condition for the Clue and Prove event has been completed.◀

▶Please choose an option below.◀

It wasn’t intentional.

It was just something I couldn’t bear anymore.

But ironically, that was the correct answer.

It’s the perfect choice indeed.

[P. (slamming the table) I come from a place even lower than the bottom you know. From the real depths of a slum.]

-Bang!

“I come from a place even lower than the bottom you know. From the real depths of a slum.”

The one who had stood up and shouted at the front, swallowed his fear with a gulp, and took a step back.

The rest did the same.

They retreated in unison, some sweating coldly, others glancing around, realizing they had touched a raw nerve.

“Hell, you say. Your life, where you can put down what you own for a while, grow different crops, and take care of all your basic needs—is that what you call the bottom named hell?”

“…”

“You’ve never experienced a living hell. You, who were born blessed and have never sunk to the real bottom, spout such grandiose nonsense?”

No one else opened their mouth.

To those who had experienced the real bottom, to the beggars from the slums where their entire livelihoods were shattered.

And to me, who likewise survived twice through sheer tenacity alone.

The so-called bottom of the Chatren domain was nothing but a deception.

“…So be it.”

“Village chief!”

“Lord Brem!”

“You may manage that land. We’ll hand it over to you. It’s our fault, after all. But please, let this be the end of your interference.”

-Ding!

▶Brem has concluded the matter, and the event cannot proceed any further. The Clue and Prove event is now closed.◀

I wanted to find out more, but it seemed this was as far as it could go.

***

“Let’s conclude the meeting. There’s nothing more to say, right?”

“…”

Despite the declaration of adjournment, the faces of the villagers in the meeting hall were full of dissatisfaction.

As if representing the will of such villagers, Brem raised his hand in the silence.

“What is it.”

“Do not concern yourself with how we use the remaining land. Whatever farming method we employ, that too is our prerogative.”

Hm? Wait a minute.

This is…

“Gr, Grandpa Brem! What are you talking about!”

“Get out of here, Ferdi!”

“How dare you interrupt the adults’ conversation!”

Ferdi ran out with a shocked expression. However, he was soon pushed away by the adults.

“Brother. That, that…!”

Even though he couldn’t finish what he was trying to say and was pushed over by the adults, Ferdi looked at me and pleaded.

“Let’s disperse now.”

“Grandfather! Grandpa Brem!”

“Quiet!”

“…!”

“This place is for adults to talk. A kid like you shouldn’t be here! Go back to where you belong!”

Hearing this, the ‘adults’ gathered here nodded or grumbled in agreement with Brem’s scolding.

But, I felt a strange sense of dissonance.

‘…Should I test it?’

-Swish!

I unsheathed my sword mercilessly towards Brem.

“…”

“Don’t yell at this child. Aren’t you the one who, despite being so knowledgeable about the domain, failed to notice the mold growing in this land?”

Some of the villagers recoiled in fear.

There were not a few who shrieked in terror.

But. This old man… was not like that.

Is that what it was.

“…I didn’t realize that. I’ll be careful.”

-Swish.

With that, Brem bowed his head and left.

After the villagers had left.

Ferdi grabbed my arm, fretting.

“Brother. That’s not it. Grandpa Brem is…!”

“Don’t worry. I can tell you’re different from the people who came with us from Yeongji.”

“Excuse me?”

“That old man. He didn’t use to talk to you like that, did he?”

“That’s right… Grandpa Brem… Even when I would steal and run away, he was the one who would hide me. Today, he wasn’t really going to say that in the end…”

It is said that Ferdi, who met in secret, had actually promised to listen to the lord’s words at the end.

But that promise couldn’t be kept, could it?

Because Ferdi might have been hurt even more if he wasn’t careful.

‘…Not bad, that old man.’

Somehow. It seemed strange that the village chief would let losses in his territory slide, knowing they were happening.

Even as he sent helpless glances my way, his resistance was clumsy enough to feel like he was passing information to me.

‘Besides, that last remark was irritating.’

– “Don’t worry about how we use the remaining land. Whatever farming method we use, that’s our business too.”

That statement, on the surface, carries two meanings.

First, it means to stop interfering with us.

Second, it implies that the existing farming methods don’t seem wrong, so we won’t change them.

It’s a stubborn attitude that insists on keeping secrets about the methods and continuing to use the ones we have.

But, if you interpret it more three-dimensionally…

First, it’s cutting off the tail to stop the conversation, and second, it’s a challenge to prove if there’s a problem with this farming method.

In fact, that method was the most effective one in the game as well.

‘It seems that it wasn’t just this guy who wanted to change Shatren.’

[ Brem Morhawk ]

[ Affinity: 0% ]

There was a reason he was the only one showing a white affinity box.

Such things, I should repay too.

“Ferdi.”

“Yes, brother.”

“Forget that memory for a while. Otherwise, that old man will be in danger this time.”

“Grandpa Brem? Why on earth…!”

“He got angry on purpose, considering you might take the fall. If the villagers find out, it wouldn’t be strange to hear the word ‘stooge.'”

“That can’t be…”

“But soon, that will change too.”

As I stroked the head of the one lost in a sense of loss, I added,

“This territory will soon change at my hands.”

▶The clues provided have been synthesized to lead to proof.◀

▶The event concludes. The results are being tallied.◀

[ 1. Karsein will directly manage one-third of Chatren’s territory from now on. Within areas where effective control has waned, it is possible to issue light directives. ]

[ 2. Due to the power of the Engraving Stone, deeper interference is not possible. ]

[ 3. This matter can no longer be mentioned. ]

Looking at the results, it’s clear that what needed to be secured has been.

A vast one-third of the territory.

With this, it should be possible to identify the problems.

Then, for now, follow what the main episode dictates.

▶Episode VII. The Agent of Chatren is in progress.◀

From noble mtl dot come

▶Please employ the next agent.◀

It’s time to find the second agent.

But then.

▶As a perfect clear reward, a Memorial is provided!◀

▶The Memorial is automatically used!◀

▶In this Memorial, the secret of the guard Dyke is revealed.◀

Ironically, the reward from the perfect clear was shining a light on the very target I was about to employ as an agent.