The Damn Family Is Back Again

230. The Source of Contamination (12)

The suspicious fertilizer possessed the power to nurture crops that fed on magic into monstrous beasts.

This was indeed a grave matter, one that could not be overlooked.

Arshien narrowed her eyes.

She had grasped nearly all the circumstances surrounding the situation.

What mattered now was whether there existed sufficient evidence for such claims—whether there were means to prove it.

If she failed in this endeavor, an immense setback would be inevitable.

Yet, without a trace of hesitation, she declared her permission.

“I grant permission for the submission of evidence.”

– Ding!

▶ Episode XI. The Source of Contamination is currently in progress. ◀

▶ Conditions have been met. ◀

▶ You can now identify the true culprit who has ruined Shatren during Defense Time. ◀

With her declaration of intent to submit evidence, the existing options for Defense Time vanished and a new window appeared before her.

Indeed, such matters would never simply be overlooked by the royal family.

‘For now, it seems things are going according to my plan.’

Shatren would later find itself under the control of Karsein, much like Rusmaier, taking on the role of supplying necessary funds. Given such an important responsibility, this announcement should not have concluded so abruptly; however, even without options, I could extend it through my words.

“But to think they would rise directly from the audience. They must be quite anxious.”

The mention of fertilizer must have prompted them to stand up and attempt to twist the topic.

Regrettably for them, that was their misstep. Had they remained silent, it would have been far more challenging for me.

– Tap, tap.

“Hmm? So you were not just evidence but a witness?”

“No. A witness is needed for submitting evidence.”

The nobles of the Waglou faction flinched momentarily but quickly regained their confident expressions.

It was clear as day what they were thinking.

They likely believed that mere suspicion wouldn’t suffice to implicate them since they had employed means to numb Lillpetten’s senses—there was no way tracking could occur under those circumstances.

“It has been revealed that fertilizer harmful to Shatren’s soil has been banned after persuading the residents and collected in one place. Yet suddenly, just days later, fertilizers were found spread across our fields again. This can only lead us to suspect external interference.”

▶ Using item as evidence! ◀

◆ Flawed Shatren Territory Map

As I pulled out the item, Florence grinned slyly.

“Are you saying that’s going to be used as evidence?”

“Yes. This flawed map will prove its connection directly to the Waglou faction.”

“Well then, explain it.”

I stepped forward and displayed once more the well-known map of Shatren at the symposium. Next to it, I placed the flawed map for direct comparison. As a result, expressions among members of the Waglou faction began hardening once again.

“Could you please explain how the two perspectives differ from your point of view?”

The audience, along with other symposium participants, points to a single location.

I marked that spot precisely with a dart.

– Thud.

“You can see that this place looks quite different, can’t you? However, it’s not that there isn’t a spot where this corridor could appear as one. You see, there are creatures here that create mirages, so certain paths may not be visible.”

“Mirages… now that sounds familiar.”

“A specific species of bird living here emits faint mana to conceal their nests by creating illusions.”

“Yes. Given the environment these birds inhabit, they can easily remain hidden. Considering the shape of the path and the location of their nests, it would be possible to observe both routes without issue in Shatren; however, it likely wasn’t so for those on the opposite side. That’s why…”

I shifted my gaze toward the Waglu faction.

“For those who have crossed over from Waglu Mountain on the other side, it’s entirely plausible they could be misled like this.”

Attention turns sharply toward the nobles of Waglu.

Naturally enough, it makes far more sense for those crossing over from Waglu Mountain to be affected by mirages than for anyone passing through Shatren.

“If that’s the case… then that erroneous perspective belongs to…”

“The nobles who crossed over from Waglu Mountain?”

“And if there’s been an incident in Shatren…”

Suddenly all eyes are fixed on Waglu’s faction.

“W-What nonsense! We’ve never done such a thing!”

“Are you just spouting baseless accusations based solely on speculation?”

“It is you who are under a grand delusion trying to pin crimes onto us innocent ones!”

A man raising his voice from within the Waglu faction points an accusing finger at me. Then he suddenly shouts towards Talphon as if seizing upon an opportunity.

“Right. Those Westerners, the Lilphet tribe, are said to have a keen sense of smell, aren’t they? Why don’t you ask them to sniff out any traces of our territory left in that fertilizer!”

“That’s true! They might think we sent someone to meddle with things if there’s a scent, but without any evidence like that, what can we say?”

“Hmph. Go ahead and prove it!”

Fools.

They’ve taken the bait so easily.

Of course I know how to manipulate the fertilizer so it doesn’t emit any odor.

But if they didn’t know that, they wouldn’t have been caught off guard.

“As you say, there’s no smell from the fertilizer. However, those you sent certainly had a scent.”

“W-what?!”

“I was aware of the flaws in your plan and set a trap along that route. Inside it were flowers from the West that emit a peculiar fragrance; perhaps because they stepped on them, Talphon picked up on this quite well.”

The faces of the nobles from the Waglou faction sitting in the audience turned pale as death.

Talphon seemed rather pleased as he snorted while testifying.

“That scent followed precisely along Shatren’s path and emerged from your territory beyond Waglou Mountain.”

With this revelation, anyone would inevitably arrive at similar conclusions.

All I need to do now is carefully prick each culprit’s heart with my needle one by one right here.

“For your information, Shatren was closed under my orders at that time. And during this period, those who sought to ruin their territories began emerging one after another. Isn’t it fascinating?”

Coincidentally, there was someone contracted from the nearest territory.

“When those fools who blindly trusted such absurd fertilizer were arrested amidst strange rumors about ruining their lands—who do you think was first to come forward?”

The rumors spread wildly thanks to Marf’s gang shouting for dear life; however, specific individuals were identified as being first on scene.

“According to this report, 35 individuals including Marf secretly procured fertilizer even while their territory was closed and received payment for carrying out commissions. Which territory would be most likely positioned appropriately?”

From the very beginning, there is only one.

The only ones who have significantly influenced the reclusive Shatren, even before the Waglur Mountains were breached, are them.

All the darts on the map have fallen away, leaving only one dart in a single location.

▶Using held items!◀

“As long as Lusmaier is my territory, it’s just you all.”

Every gaze in the conference room turns toward them.

Without a single finger pointed in accusation, countless eyes pierce through to them with answers hidden within.

Copies of replicated documents scatter above the conference hall as everyone eagerly picks them up to read.

Each document bore without exception the seal of the Waglur faction’s nobles plotting to ruin Shatren.

“This… this is…!”

“It’s undoubtedly the seal of Waglur faction nobles.”

“It’s not just in contracts; it’s also present in requests!”

“…Isn’t there something fundamentally wrong with both contract and request contents?”

“My goodness… how could they commit such vile acts!”

Yet among all these revelations, what stood out most were undoubtedly phrases related to fertilizers that turn crops into monsters.

Fertilizers that contaminate Shatren’s soil and nurture monstrous growths.

The method for their creation was laid bare for all to see.

In other words, it became utterly undeniable that this source of contamination was birthed from within the hands of the Waglur faction itself.

‘So then. What will you do now?’

Count Retelvic.

You are the highest authority in the Waglou faction.

Do you really think you can find a way to escape while all evidence points to you?

As I looked at Count Retelvic with that self-assured expression, the furious old man bit his lip and stood up.

“Your Highness the Princess! There is an unproven fact here!”

***

‘…You’ve thought this through quite well.’

Count Retelvic, who had risen to mention this unproven fact, said:

“It has been revealed that someone from the Waglou faction spread fertilizer on Shatren, but there is no evidence that this fertilizer was found within the Waglou faction. If you wish to hold someone accountable, wouldn’t it be more appropriate to find the fertilizer through a search first?”

Although all sorts of evidence had emerged pointing towards actions taken against Shatren, he drew a line as if to say it was unrelated to the most serious crime of using fertilizer.

Punish me if you must, but without any fertilizer, I will not accept that guilt. So bring me that fertilizer by searching our territory if necessary.

That’s what he was asserting.

‘I’m sorry, but that’s futile.’

While one might think they could simply cut off ties in an underground market scenario, if we enlist Talpon’s strength for a search operation, it won’t be long before the location of that fertilizer is exposed.

I had already taken measures by secretly bringing flowers from the West when entering there so tracking could be possible later on.

‘There’s no way Talpon won’t catch that scent. It’s merely a matter of buying time.’

One point of caution remains: they might attempt their last desperate struggle from within there.

If things end up requiring external investigation like this, there have been cases where instead of clearing an episode in-game, it resulted in a bad ending instead.

I remember two conditions clearly:

Either setting out with insufficient troops or having Karsein personally step into that place.

Of course, neither condition applies right now.

It seemed that the imperial court was taking this matter seriously and was prepared to send sufficient military forces, so there was no need for me to set foot there myself.

In other words, it was my victory.

Delaying would not prevent me from finding the fertilizer. I had distanced myself from the bad ending of dying there, and I would soon uncover the evidence.

Now, I felt at ease.

Before long, the defense time ended, and the imperial court summoned a knight order to move with the people of the Lilpetten tribe.

Count Retelvic and the Waglu faction, identified as suspects, were confined to a separate chamber as the 21st Eastern Nobility Conference raced toward its conclusion.

“I believe everyone has realized through this symposium just how difficult it is to cultivate a territory without assistance from their heads. You who will become pillars supporting this nation in time—”

Princess Arshien’s speech continued on.

Soon enough, a status window displayed words that satisfied me.

– Ding!

▶ Episode XI. You have cleared the source of contamination! ◀

▶ The 21st Eastern Nobility Conference is concluding. ◀

▶ Calculating results. ◀

…

…

▶ You have pointed out all issues within your territory, expelled internal enemies, and restored Shatren to its former glory. ◀

▶ Your final score is S rank. ◀

▶ Recognition within the Peselos Empire has increased! ◀

‘Usually A rank would be my limit. So A+ wasn’t even maximum?’

I wasn’t sure if an S rank existed…

Still, what does it matter?

The mere fact that I am not dead here is enough for now.

Just like I saw in the game.

I just needed to witness this episode conclude with a scene I was already familiar with.

More than that.

‘I need to focus here.’

As I was looking at the status window, the sound of footsteps approached steadily, and soon my family members arrived near me.

Isabella.

Flora, who was holding Isabella’s hand and babbling something incoherent.

And even Arina standing behind those two.

I had no idea where Claire had gone, but it was those three who came looking for me.

After they hesitated for a while, choosing their words carefully, I responded directly.

“I told you. I won’t do anything that would bring trouble to our family.”

“Carsein.”

Isabella shook her head as if she hadn’t meant to say that and called my name instead.

But honestly, I wasn’t in the mood for conversation.

“I’m tired. I’d like to go down now.”

“…Really?”

Isabella replied somewhat regretfully but seemed willing to let me go after understanding my stance. However, the little one right next to her didn’t seem convinced at all.

“But… can’t you stay a bit longer? There’s something we need to talk about.”

Whether you have something to say or not, that’s none of my business.

Besides, judging by the way you’ve all rushed in here, it seems like you’re here to offer some nauseating praise, which I don’t want at all.

I just need to come up with a decent excuse for this situation.

“I don’t want to be punished for overstepping my bounds.”

“…!”

Arina flinched at my words.

“What?”

“Acting on your own. Skipping the mid-evaluation without a word. Now I have to deal with the consequences of worrying everyone like this.”

“What do you mean…?”

“If you don’t understand, go ask your esteemed older sister.”

With that retort, I left without looking back.

***

“If that’s how it’s going to be, at least say something. Ugh. Is this how you make people worry?”

Claire muttered under her breath in dissatisfaction.

But in truth, she had no real complaints. She was already walking down the hallway with a light step that suggested satisfaction.

It was true that during the presentation there had been mountains of anxiety weighing on me.

Rumors were swirling around Shatren about poor performance, and Karsein didn’t seem to have any solid plans in place.

Yet as soon as the presentation began, all my unease vanished into thin air.

From noble mtl dot com

Contrary to expectations, Karsein’s prepared content was robust and filled with valuable insights; they presented evidence that left us all speechless.

It wasn’t because we hadn’t prepared anything.

It had all been prepared from start to finish.

“I’ve completely restored Shatren… This time, it’s probably going to be the best score in the history of the symposium.”

Then I should give a gift that matches that achievement, right?

…There’s also something I feel sorry about. There must be a lot to say in many ways.

Bitter as it was, I still wanted to congratulate Karsein. This time, more than ever, seeking forgiveness for what had been left unsaid.

“I should hurry back with just the gift. I can’t take too long.”

With that thought, Claire walked down the corridor with lighter steps.

Just then.

“To make this plan succeed even slightly, we must eliminate that scoundrel Karsein right here.”

The sound of Claire’s eyes widening escaped from a private room where the door had not been closed.