The Damn Family Is Back Again

214 – 214. Turning Point (1)

“…”

I am currently riding in a carriage for the fifth week’s report.

Usually, at this time, I would be preparing what to report at the meeting, but now, I’m lost in a slightly different thought.

“Hehe.”

“Why do you laugh?”

“I was just thinking how wonderful my fiancé truly is.”

“…”

I wondered what kind of out-of-the-blue statement that was.

…Is that what this is about?

“Even if you spoke harshly, you wouldn’t punish a good person, would you?”

“Well, I’m not sure about that.”

“Is that so? Hehe.”

I maintained my silence and abruptly turned my head away.

I tried not to remember… but as I looked out the window, I fell into thought again.

Before boarding the carriage, it was Brem who came to see me.

An elderly man, quite advanced in years.

Yet, he bowed deeply to me, a much younger man, pleading with me.

Asking if I could listen to him just this once.

Seeing him like that, I couldn’t help but furrow my brow in disbelief.

I didn’t want to recall it, but the old memories came flooding back.

When I, shunned by my family, started learning and helping with the company’s work. There was a time when I was utterly disregarded by the workers.

Doubted in everything I did.

Not believed in anything I said.

Even if it was the right thing, they wouldn’t question it, let alone ignore it.

Yes, just like the Chatren estate.

Like the treatment Karsein received in Chatren, I, despite standing above them, was treated as if I was not.

Then one day.

My words about the importance of the relationship between smelting and textiles were proven.

When it was revealed that it was their fault for not following my instructions, with evidence to show, there was no one left who could blame me.

After the whole truth came out, those who had been spouting nonsense were all dismissed.

Just like in Chatren, the wrongdoers were separate.

But that evening.

An old man came to see me, avoiding the eyes of others.

He was an old man who had worked for the company for a long time, with age and experience to his name.

Among the workers in this department, it seems he was nicknamed ‘the Captain.’

And as soon as the old man saw me, he immediately bowed his head…

I am acutely aware of the multitude of sins we have committed. Yet, could you possibly spare me alone?

In his plea, he sought to sacrifice himself, admitting his powerlessness in not being able to lead those who had strayed.

Could you not extend your mercy and spare this old man’s life?

He was the spitting image of Brem.

“…Tsk.”

To think I’d encounter such an unpleasant experience here as well.

I knew that Brem and that old captain had been secretly aiding me.

I was aware of their efforts to persuade the dissenters, changing the minds of many.

They even created the right conditions for more concrete evidence to emerge.

I know there are others who are truly guilty.

From noble mtl dot come

I’m well aware that some would suffer unjustly if punished the same.

‘How could I, knowing this, be the one to strike you down?’

Punishment should be meted out to the guilty.

Good people like the old captain and Brem should not suffer the consequences.

That’s a principle I’ve always upheld, having been falsely accused myself.

-Ding!

▶Hidden Episode. You’ve cleared Chatren’s apology.◀

▶You’ve received forgiveness from the residents of Chatren, including those friendly towards Brem and Karsein.◀

▶The penalty incurred from pressuring the residents has been offset.◀

[ Offset Rate: 100% ]

[ The complete offset has removed the penalty for the lord’s tyranny. ]

[ No internal whistleblowing documents will arise in the 5th-week report, preventing attacks on this issue during Defense Time. ]

▶Brem’s affinity has increased.◀

[ Current Value: 75% ]

Please, allow this old man to assist you, my lord. I beg of you.

…Damn it.

***

The 5th-week report has commenced.

“That, that is…!”

“It’s at least a D+ grade… no, a C- grade?”

“I never thought I’d see that radiant color here again…”

The nobles’ eyes bulged as if they were about to pop out when the improved quality of the Chatren strawberries and Chatren grapes was presented as evidence.

That alone was enough to astonish the aristocracy.

Especially since such a rare grade of goods, scarcely seen in recent months, had come from my hands.

I concluded my report by explaining the differences and improvements of the strawberries and grapes I had grown and harvested myself compared to other fields.

And then.

The moment the nobles had been waiting for arrived.

“…Next is Defense Time.”

Arsien already showed signs of fatigue.

“Yes. I shall start first.”

“…Tch. Begin.”

As if it was expected, Arsien clicked his tongue.

▶Defense Time has begun.◀

▶Choose the correct options to avoid deductions.◀

“Firstly, from your report, it sounds like all you did in Chatren was plant strawberries and grapes. Is my understanding correct?”

This is a question from past exams.

[ 2. Affirm. ]☑

“That’s correct.”

“Ho. So you’re saying you skipped the most crucial period of the midterm evaluation and brought only the results?”

This side, too, is a question from past exams.

[ 2. Affirm. ]☑

“You are right.”

“Hmm. If that’s the case, isn’t the direction a bit off? The Chatren domain is based on agriculture. Shouldn’t you have focused on solving the problems that arose on that land?”

“There’s merit to your point. If growing crops was all that was done in the two-week period… it might indeed be considered insufficient.”

“If you simply used better fertilizer to bring those strawberries and grapes, it might not be seen as an achievement.”

▶Doubts about the results have arisen. Please choose an option.

[ 1. (While digging in one’s ear) It doesn’t seem fitting for someone who just swallowed their saliva to speak. ]

[ 2. It’s not that there were no results. We discovered a spy within Chatren. ]

[ 3. (Summoning Talphon) This matter also involves diplomatic relations with Count Lilpeton in the western empire. This too, strictly speaking, aids in maintaining the front line, so how can it not be considered an achievement? ]

…

It may seem like a pointed critique, but the moment this choice appeared, my victory was certain.

“Surely all three of you pointed out that I haven’t shown any results?”

“…!”

“Yes, that’s right!”

I’m grateful they even admitted it.

You can’t back out now, you fools.

“Princess Arsène, I wish to summon someone.”

“You have my permission.”

Arsène answered with a satisfied expression.

I boldly called out his name in this place.

“Talphone!”

“Talphone?”

“Who is that?”

“Did he bring someone from his own territory?”

Yes, that’s right. Keep talking.

Your time to scoff is running short.

-Thud.

As the door swung open, a man of large stature appeared.

“No, that person is…!”

“He’s from the West!”

“Isn’t that Count Lilpeton, the one who had the biggest feud with the nobility…?”

The nobles began to stir.

It’s only natural to make a fuss about bringing a Westerner into the sacred council chamber, but no one dares to speak out of turn in front of the royal family.

Well, there might be other reasons too.

In the meantime, Talphone strode forward.

“This man is Count Lilpeton of the West. Talphone. The head of a family that recently established diplomatic relations with Chatren.”

“What, what?!”

“Diplomatic relations with Lilpeton?!”

The faces of the young nobles who had been pressing me during defense time turned pale.

[ 3. (Summoning Talphone) “This agenda includes the establishment of diplomatic relations with Count Lilpeton in the western part of the empire. This too, if we’re to be precise, aids in maintaining the frontlines. How can it not be considered an achievement?” ]☑

“This agenda includes the establishment of diplomatic relations with Count Lilpeton in the western part of the empire. This too, if we’re to be precise, aids in maintaining the frontlines. How can it not be considered an achievement?”

The West plays a crucial role in blocking the demonic hordes from entering the empire.

As such, assisting the noble families of the West is an act that warrants extra points in the Symposium’s score.

And yet, to say that the person who carried out this important task did nothing? Such a contradiction cannot exist.

It’s enough to warrant the princess’s sharp criticism.

“Your frivolous criticism is laughable. Have you any more nonsense to spout?”

“Ugh…!”

“…”

“All three of you will receive a deduction. Even during Defense Time, you’ve crossed the line. Those who used to avoid the western territories are now questioning the achievements of someone who has established direct relations with the West.”

The nobles, humiliated, fell silent.

Towards these nobles, Talphone seemed to smirk with a sense of relief.

“Does anyone else wish to raise an objection?”

Is this the end of Defense Time?

Then it’s time for me to step forward.

“Your Highness, I would like to make a suggestion at this moment.”

“What is it?”

“As I’ve mentioned before, the data from the Chatren territory cannot be organized weekly. It requires a considerable amount of time.”

“Indeed. I share that sentiment.”

Prince Florence also nodded in agreement.

“But, as I was saying. I would like to skip all lectures and weekly reports, and present all facts on the final presentation day.”

In the game, one could engage in dialogue one more time at this juncture to carry out this conversation.

Now, without such prompts, I must seize the timing myself, but that’s not too difficult.

“Hmm… You do have a point.”

“However, it wouldn’t be fair. I can’t grant such a privilege to you alone.”

I know all too well what would happen if the results were unfavorable.

Whether in the game or here, it would be a bad ending.

But that’s alright.

“What if I were to double the penalty points I receive?”

“Huh.”

“Puhaha.”

Arsien let out a breath as if his soul had left him, and Florence burst into laughter on the spot.

“Karsein. Are you prepared to double your penalty points with your final presentation?”

“Yes, I am.”

“…Does that mean you’re that confident?”

Arsien asked me once more, seeking confirmation.

Confidence, huh?

Well,

“On the day of the final presentation. I’ll make sure Chatren dazzles everyone with a transformed appearance.”

Isn’t that a given?

***

▶Week 5 report completed.◀

▶Proposals have postponed all lectures and reporting periods. The schedule has disappeared.◀

▶Warning! You must achieve over 80% progress before the final presentation!◀

[ In case of failure: Lowest grade at the symposium ]

▶Warning! The penalty points on the day of the final presentation will double!◀

Warnings popped up, but I couldn’t care less.

After all, to fill the progress, Chatren has no choice but to solve that problem. As for the penalty points, just prepare perfectly, and it’ll be fine.

‘But more importantly… I need to meet Arina.’

Now is the time to lift the restrictions on the Rohea seeds, so I have to find her.

Arina would always linger near the conference hall after the reports, so I should be able to find her. No matter how vast the map, there are plenty of open views, so she should be easy to spot.

─────!

‘Huh?’

As I was passing through the second-floor corridor, I heard a voice from somewhere.

Wondering if that voice could be Arina’s, I enhanced my hearing.

“They’re running a bit late this time, aren’t they?”

“Exactly. They should have been here by now.”

“No letters, no news. What in the world are they doing? At this rate, the black market will be piled up with the fertilizer they use!”

…!

Did they just say, fertilizer?

“Fine. You might come today, right? Oh, and don’t forget to bring that sky-blue horse button, okay?”

“Of course.”

I only heard the word ‘fertilizer,’ not a clear mention of the Chatren estate, and not receiving any letters or news doesn’t 100% confirm those traitors.

But.

“A sky-blue button… Eh, the black market, perhaps?”

■Owned Items■

◆Sky-Blue Button

[A button with a sky-blue background and two horses drawn on it.]

This incident.

I began to think that the episodes within the game I knew might not be everything.

I wanted to hear more of the story, but that wasn’t possible.

“What are you doing here, Karsein?”

It was because Arina had appeared just then.

I slowly retracted my mana so as not to be detected.

[ Arina Vagrand ]

[ Affinity: 33% ]

‘It’s dropped quite a bit.’

Well, it had to. She must have been quite upset about declaring ‘Rest Week’ in front of my mother during the fourth week’s midterm evaluation.

Moreover, I had just triggered one report, so she must have come to give me a piece of her mind.

“Cut to the chase and start with the main point. You know your sins all too well.”

Sins, she says.

At that single word, a chill began to spread throughout my body.

“I can’t stand to see the Vagrand ducal house tarnished any further. So, write your name here and hand it over to the royal family.”

What Arina handed me was a temporary renunciation of lordship rights to be filled out when giving up on this symposium.

Damn it.

The intent was all too clear.

‘So, they want to deal with me here before I fail spectacularly and get ridiculed?’

Such bullshit.

At this point, I feel like I’ve become something else.

To think I came here, foolishly asking this woman to lift the restrictions.

Yes. There’s no need to ask favors from this family. Especially not from the eldest.

I will seize it on my own, solve it on my own.

I won’t take any help from the family.

I’ll spit out everything I received from that damned house and walk out with my head held high.

This is also my iron rule.

-Thump!

“If only you had written it this nicely from the beginning─”

-Rip, rip!

Arina’s eyes roll as the resignation letter is torn up before her.

“…What are you doing now, Karsein.”

Arina’s blue gaze sharpens.