The Damn Family Is Back Again

188 – 188. A Step Back (4)

Time flew by.

Except for attending lectures for the main event or main episode, my time was filled with test periods since I brought the seeds.

Following Trisha’s instructions, I planted Chatren strawberries and Chatren grapes myself, and decided to collect data in various ways for comparison.

What factors influence the speed of the crops’ growth.

Conversely, what causes them to grow slowly.

And which factors in this environment seem to be hindrances.

How the crops change depending on these factors.

These were the thoughts that immediately came to mind.

In a world line without setting windows and choices, the knowledge I need to have is as much the laws and settings of this world.

Ultimately, a crop is a crop, isn’t it?

If I approach it realistically and collect data, surely a clue will emerge. And indeed, it did.

As the time for the second week’s report approached.

A new message appeared before me.

▶You have attended the second week’s report meeting.◀

▶A reporting choice occurs.◀

“Next. Karsein of Chatren.”

Arsien sighed deeply and called me, the next person.

The one who reported before me spouted nonsense and was harshly criticized, then left with a face no different from the others, as if he had eaten something bitter.

Now, it was my turn to step onto the podium and start my report.

“Just wait a moment.”

As I was about to ascend the podium, Arsien raised his hand to stop me.

He meticulously reviewed the documents received from the symposium director’s knights.

“Hmm, it seems you’re different from the other nobles this time as well?”

Arsien watched me with a subtle smile on his face.

‘This has a real student council president vibe.’

But then again, there’s probably nothing to look forward to.

I didn’t exactly investigate the fief; I just looked into my own field.

However…

“Stop whispering and listen. If there’s something to learn from that person who surpassed the defense time with the Pessolros Privilege from the first week, shouldn’t you all learn it?”

▶Arsien is filled with anticipation.◀

▶Affinity could increase depending on the outcome.◀

[ Current Value: 38% ]

Having high affinity isn’t too bad… but I can’t quite pinpoint the reason.

…Well, it’s fine.

Seeing those expectant eyes gives off a student council president vibe, making me feel somewhat flustered, but what I need to do now is give a proper report.

“I will begin the report.”

***

Karsein, who announced the start of the report.

He began to draw the map of the fief just like he did a week ago.

As expected. I had anticipated this from the beginning, but he was indeed exceptional.

The other nobles were all busy using magical tools, trying to shorten this precious explanation process with better equipment.

It’s a natural course of action to investigate the fief before moving on to the next plan, yet…

‘What a pitiful sight. Speed isn’t everything after all.’

No matter how much they pretend to fill in the gaps with other things, their future remains unchanged.

To find the real medicinal herbs among the weeds, one must first look at the numerous weeds. Before that, one must examine the trees that catch the eye above them, and then gaze upon the forest thick with trees.

That was the biggest difference between Karsein and the arrogant, power-drunk nobles here.

From the broad to the narrow. Karsein’s conclusions, meticulously investigated one by one, were clean and consistent from start to finish without any contradictions.

“I argued that there is a problem with the farming methods of the residents of the Chatren fief, and this is the evidence.”

Karsein brought out crops of various types.

“The left side is the farming method previously used by the residents of the Chatren fief, and the right side is what I have grown myself. The fact that the left side is of poorer quality proves that there was a problem with the farming method. In reality, the residents were under a big misconception, believing that seeds grow better when clumped together. While clumped crops may withstand drought better, the intertwined roots cause harm, and the crops fail to grow uniformly, resulting in unstable production. Moreover, they become more susceptible to pests, seasonal disasters, and weeds tend to thrive. Especially since Chatren is a region where rain falls abundantly, such farming methods only have disadvantages.”

A clear critique of inadequate information and the connection to the problematic farming methods.

In Chatren, known not for any other domain but its crops, it was discovered through meticulous investigation that the residents’ farming methods were flawed.

After Karsein finished his report, Arcien could not hide his sudden bewilderment.

“It’s troublesome. Now, I have nothing to ask on my part.”

“Perhaps you have something to say, my brother?” He glanced at Prince Florence, but even he just smirked and shook his head.

What more is there to say?

A flawless investigation that could not be criticized. A transparency beyond reproach. An eloquence both measured and graceful.

Karsein’s report was, in every sense, a model answer.

Yet neutrality must be maintained.

As a judge, one must not be seen as biased.

“I understand your argument. I never imagined that Chatren’s farming methods, almost a standard in the empire, had such flaws… But let me ask one thing. Have you identified the cause?”

“It’s still difficult to report that. There are so many factors that it would take at least a bi-weekly report to organize the minimum data.”

“Is that so.”

It can’t be helped. Such a broad investigation has been conducted, but a week is too short a time.

Yet, this man has produced such data.

“Since you’ve proven as much, there’s nothing more to question. However, you haven’t yet explained your next plan.”

That was the limit of questions Arcien could ask.

The final conclusion following this week’s investigation and series of explanations.

The answer to what course of action would be taken in the third week had not yet been revealed.

“What are your plans for the third week?”

To that question, Karsein answered very calmly.

“Except for Rusmayer, I will cut off contact with all other domains and close off Chatren.”

An answer that seemed anything but calm.

***

‘What did I just hear?’

‘He’s going to close off Chatren? Has he lost his mind?’

‘Huh. If he means all domains except Rusmayer… That man, he’s out of his mind.’

In the hall, as if someone had swung a hammer in everyone’s head, an unexpected statement brought silence.

The judges were no exception.

Arcien let out a very light sigh, and Prince Florence’s mouth was slightly agape.

Soon, it was the nobles who broke the silence.

“Your Highness Arsien, I request a Defense Time!”

The question of what plan he had was obvious, but it was clear as day that the nobles would be up in arms.

Absolutely unacceptable.

They would question how such an absurd plan could continue.

They must be desperate to tear down Karsein.

‘After all, it seems they are already prepared on the other side.’

Instead, Arsien turned on the recording magic tool with a smile.

“Proceed.”

From noble mtl dot come

Normally, he would have sighed with a tired expression, but this time, he was actually looking forward to what response would come.

First, a young noble from the middle-lower seats, having received the signal, stood up to deliver the first question of the Defense Time.

“I’ve heard that the Chatren domain is not in a good situation. But instead of continuing exchanges with other domains, you’re planning to completely isolate it?”

“Yes.”

“Speak sense. Your bi-weekly report was just about tilling the fields in Chatren. And now you plan to isolate and ruin Chatren?”

Some of the nobles lifted the corners of their mouths in satisfaction. A sneer spread among them, laced with mockery.

However, Karsein brilliantly countered their ridicule.

“You really must be out of your mind?”

“What did you say?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I told you the farming methods were wrong, yet you haven’t given a thought as to why this plan is necessary. Ah, if your head is empty, that would explain it.”

“Are you belittling me now! In this sacred council chamber, you dare—”

-Bang!

“Continue.”

Viscount Youngsik, flustered, shouted out, but Arsien stopped him. He yelled, seemingly outraged.

“Explain then! Explain why you’re closing off Chatren!”

Karsein dismissed his stupidity with disdain.

“Let me ask you. You host a party and catch a cold. The doctor says someone at the party had a cold and it spread. But if you weren’t sick just the day before and got sick today, who would you suspect first?”

“Obviously… the person who came in today?”

“Why?”

“Because there was no problem with the people there yesterday, so it must be someone who came in today with a… gasp!”

Viscount Youngsik clamped his mouth shut as if realizing something.

“The fact is, there was a problem with the farming methods, but even that didn’t bring back the quality and yield of Chatren strawberries and grapes. No answer as to why they were underperforming. So, what’s left?”

Thunk.

Karsein shook the fertilizer bag he was holding a couple of times right below him.

“These external goods from outside the territory do have an influence. Logically, this is how one should come to a conclusion. That’s why we’re closing off Chatren from the outside. It’s just like looking for someone with a cold.”

“…”

-Bang bang!

“It seems we’ve reached a conclusion. Please, take your seat now. Don’t make it any worse.”

Arsien clicked his tongue, silencing the first defense time’s questioner. Karsein continued to speak.

“And since the opportunity has presented itself, let me say this. The Chatren territory, when you look at the shape of the land, has a wide area of contact with other territories. As such, it’s easy for people from other territories to cross over. Therefore, there’s a significant possibility that outside interference has ruined Chatren. For that reason, I’m thinking of blocking off the passageway through Chatren altogether.”

“Huh…! What kind of absurd talk is that!”

“Don’t you realize how important a strategic point Chatren is!”

“If we can’t use that road, do you know what kind of impact it will have on this symposium…!”

“Be decorous!”

-Bang!

Arsien hammered down again.

“The evidence is already out. In the first week, a request was found sent to one of the residents of Chatren territory, asking them to sabotage. It’s not certain that there was no outside intervention. If not, does that mean among you, there are those who would stand by and watch the plan fail even if there are enemies within?”

The nobles immediately fell silent.

“Hmph. Does anyone else have questions?”

Normally, anyone should be pointing fingers at me and Karsein, but no one continued this defense time.

This was hardly a defense.

It was a unilateral attack by Karsein.

***

-Ding!

▶The second week’s report has ended.◀

▶The suspicious request item has been consumed.◀

▶Defense time has been successfully completed.◀

▶You have achieved a result beyond the choices!◀

[ Defense Rank: A ]

[ There will be no penalties in the third week’s territory management. ]

[ The perception of Chatren territory has slightly increased. ]

The second week’s report has ended.

At first, there was a sense of being at a loss, but their farming methods were indeed old-fashioned. As a modern person, the flaws in their agricultural techniques, which they had learned solely from textbooks, became glaringly apparent to me.

Digging into this part and organizing it, the options didn’t seem particularly threatening. In fact, producing higher quality crops was somewhat within my expectations.

Once I return, I now have one thing to demand from the villagers, so I should make good use of it.

But whether it’s thanks to Trisha or the accumulated data, I’m not sure, but the defense rank shot up remarkably high.

I’ve never seen such a rank before.

And in the A rank, which I’ve never achieved, there was no penalty.

-Ding!

▶You have entered the third week.◀

▶The penalty trigger, ＜Premature Employment＞, has disappeared.◀

▶From now on, accepting a third agent will not lower your agent rank.◀

“Hmm. It’s time to get started on this side too.”

There’s a hidden trigger in accepting the third agent.

Hiring agents too hastily caused friction due to a lack of consensus, leading to an unavoidable penalty of rank reduction.

So, the last third one must wait until the third week begins. It’s not about proceeding to the next episode right away.

▶Selecting the third agent from the list will reveal your destination.

[ 1. Brem ]

[ 2. Trisha ]

[ 3. Eon ]

…

…

Well, this side was decided from the start.

[ 6. Count Lillpeton ]☑

There’s a reason Karsein chose him for the memorial, but realistically, he’s also the person most needed by Chatren.

▶Move to the western part of the Fesselos Empire, to the Count Lillpeton’s house.◀

But not right now; I’ll move after making some preparations.

To more firmly accept him as the third agent.