Chapter 86

From head to toe, a cold shiver ran through me.

The sensation was so cold that I couldn’t even feel the chilly night breeze, which only served to make my rationality stronger.

Although I saw an unpleasant past, I could quickly recall what I needed to do with renewed vigilance.

Yes. I need to escape.

I need to escape from this game and from my cursed family.

All I need to know are those two facts.

Returning to my accommodation at the training hall, I sat down immediately and examined the report on the Shatren Territory that Harnier had given me.

“This is quite detailed. It includes data not only compared to last month but also condensed into monthly units over several years.”

This level of detail reduces the margin of error. It’s easy to see how much the growth rate has dropped and where problems might have arisen within the territory.

And Harnier had pinpointed these issues.

[Shatren Strawberry Production Rate] [Shatren Grape Production Rate]

[Shatren Strawberry Sales Rate] [Shatren Grape Sales Rate]

In the past, the two main crops, which were specialties of the Shatren Territory, were meticulously documented.

“Alright. That’s settled.”

It would be better to investigate these details firsthand within the territory rather than memorizing them now.

Chapter 2 will inevitably lead to the Main Episode, where Carsein will enter the Shatren Territory as part of the natural progression.

And I don’t intend to avoid this development.

By solving this episode, I can obtain the money I need to escape.

While it seems simple, it’s quite important.

If I resolve the Shatren Territory issue, I’ll gain personal property, and I’ll be able to repay the money I’ve received from the Duke’s House.

That means I can cut off any elements that could bind me to the family before I leave.

I put away the Shatren Territory report and took out a book that Heron had given me to read when I was bored.

Actually, this isn’t something you’d read when bored, as it contained agricultural methods related to the territory.

It’s probably correct to say he anticipated the work of the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting and gave it to me.

“And Heron wouldn’t just give me a book.”

Flip.

“Of course.”

A small note slipped between the pages of the book, right before the bookmarked section.

[According to the public notice sent by Princess Arshien to each house, the upcoming Eastern Nobles’ Meeting will completely sever the power of the heads of the families. Please be cautious, Young Master.]

“Hmm… So that’s how it is?”

Depending on which route you take, the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting branches into three paths when you participate.

First, attending with the head of the family, where the entire Duke’s House takes the test.

Second, attending with the head of the family, but each child only receives advice and takes their own tests separately.

Third, no one attends with the head of the family, and the children take the tests alone.

In the first case, Carsein won’t be able to speak and will be disqualified. In the second, Isabella can at least give advice.

But looking at the note Heron sent, it seems we’re taking the third route.

Isabella can neither observe nor advise. Therefore, Carsein must find a way to reclaim the participation rights that Arina has taken.

Originally, this would be the most difficult route since there’s no help, but I felt this was actually better.

“Anyway, it’s better to solve it alone. I’ve already prepared for the Main Episode and must act alone to claim anything.”

Not asking for help, but doing it myself.

That’s my current motto.

-Knock knock-

“Young Master. It’s Camila. May I come in?”

“Come in.”

“Excuse me.”

After bowing, Camila removed her hood to reveal herself.

Probably she brought information related to the Shatren Territory because I asked her to investigate it.

However, since Harner had already provided a detailed report, Camila’s trip seemed unnecessary.

I’ll listen to everything she has to say and apologize for the trouble.

But Camila was hesitating.

“Is there a problem?”

“No, nothing. There’s no problem with what you said, Young Master.”

“Then why are you hesitating?”

“That’s…”

Camila kept glancing behind her, as if something was behind the closed door.

I noticed a golden strand of hair swaying slightly through the barely opened door.

Judging by the situation, Camila seemed to know that someone was peeking through the gap.

‘So that’s what happened.’

I didn’t think she was caught, but Florea must have followed her, and there was no choice but to let her stay.

Rolling my eyes to indicate I noticed, Camila understood and judged correctly.

“Just wait outside. I’ll handle it.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

As I escorted Camila out, I stood in front of the door and spoke directly to the person hiding behind it.

“What do you want now?”

A few strands of blonde hair twitched involuntarily.

***

Florea slowly opened the door and revealed herself.

I thought she would hide or pretend not to know, but instead, she asked directly.

“…Can I come in for a moment?”

Honestly, seeing this little girl wasn’t particularly pleasant…

But I can guess why she came.

I heard what Arina said.

“Come in.”

I told her to come in first.

It was annoying to lose affinity with Arina, and I had something to say too.

Glancing around, Florea entered the room and, unable to find a place to sit, obediently sat on the bed when I told her to.

I guessed that asking her why she came would waste time, so I got straight to the point.

“Arina took away your authority to participate in the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting, right?”

“Huh? Uh, yeah… That’s why I’m here.”

Swallowing her saliva, Florea started.

“Are you really not going to participate in the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting as your sister said?”

“I don’t know. We’ll see.”

Florea flared up and shouted.

“If it’s because I woke you up, I can tell your sister!”

Florea stood up again from the bed and repeated.

“If this happened while I waited, I can tell your sister. Even though I haven’t told Mom yet, I can tell her!”

She seemed to want to say that she could get back the authority to participate in the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting.

But I remained firm.

“Stop. You’d just be in the way.”

“What?”

“Didn’t I say the same thing before? That you’d just be in the way. Don’t you remember?”

I thought I’d remind her, but Florea recalled the incident in the trial room and flared up again.

“I know! Because of Emma and Theo… You think I’m unreliable. But this time, I won’t lie, and I won’t blame it on you. This time, I’ll really…”

Clutching her skirt tightly with both hands, Florea argued differently.

So I couldn’t help but feel irritated.

“It’s not necessary.”

“…”

Florea lowered her head silently, then asked tearfully.

“So, what are you going to do? Are you going to skip the meeting and stay with the Duke’s House?!”

“I never said I wouldn’t participate.”

“What?”

Silver tears glistened and fell to the floor.

“Let me say it again. I don’t plan on getting back my participation rights by accepting your help one by one. That’s something I need to do myself.”

“But! If I help, it’ll be easier!”

Florea, who seemed to have gained hope by realizing I wasn’t going to skip the meeting, rebutted that she could still help.

“Well, I think that might make it harder.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t you know? Arina will ask if I coerced you.”

“!”

“If that happens, I’ll be labeled as trash again for coercing my younger sister to get participation rights.”

The easy path can sometimes become a poison.

If I want to regain the authority taken by Arina, relying on my family’s strength would immediately mark me as a dead end.

So, I’d rather take the longer route.

“…”

Florea’s blue eyes were filled with fierce waves.

I couldn’t tell what was going on in that tiny head, but I no longer wanted to spend more time with Florea.

“Camila.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Take Florea back to the mansion.”

When Camila nodded, Florea bit her lip and sniffled.

“Will you participate in the meeting?”

“Camila.”

“Lady, let’s go back.”

“Just answer this one thing. Then I’ll behave.”

With tears welling up in her eyes, she asked as if she had to confirm this one thing.

Well, I guess it’s fine to say this much.

“I’ll participate.”

“…Okay.”

Florea turned around with a submissive look. Camila lightly bowed her head and followed her out of the room to see her off.

The door closed.

There were no more sobs.

***

Shortly after seeing Florea off, Camila returned.

“Did you take Florea home?”

“Yes, Young Master. She went back without saying much. And she had a message for you. Should I tell you?”

“What is it?”

“She said not to worry and to definitely participate in the meeting. She asked me to tell you again.”

“Doesn’t she have anything else to say?”

Not participating means a bad ending, so I’m not going to miss it.

Well, at least the problem with Florea won’t arise. Since she’s keeping quiet, there’s no need to stop her. It’s good for me.

Then, next is…

▶Episode I: The Isolation of Rusmaier is Underway!◀

▶Influence Rusmaier Territory in any way!◀

This is when I need to resolve this episode.

“Here it is, Young Master.”

Camila handed me the report.

It was a report summarizing the movements of the residents of the Shatren Territory that she had investigated over several days. However, since Harner was more thorough, I decided to abandon the investigation midway and issued the next order.

That was the Rusmaier Territory report.

‘Hmm, why is it…’

It’s quite thick.

Did she gather more information than she did for the Shatren Territory in such a short time?

Even though it was a sudden change, it was notably more extensive.

I haven’t read all of it, but it seems quite detailed.

“I thought you might misunderstand, so let me explain. I didn’t just do a cursory investigation. There were some things I already knew.”

“What do you mean?”

Camila smiled faintly and replied.

“Rusmaier Territory is a place I’m somewhat familiar with.”

“Familiar?”

“The isolated territory doesn’t want anyone to manage it, but they still demand tolls. And this time, they even committed a terrorist act led by a guy named Kian.”

I was surprised.

It was as if I was there at the party hall.

Camila was accurately describing the scene I witnessed.

Such events can only be known if you talk directly with the parties involved.

“Hold on, Rusmaier… Camila. Could it be…!”

“Indeed, Young Master noticed right away.”

As if confirming my guess, Camila smiled affirmatively.

“Since Rusmaier was once managed by House Deol, I knew a lot about it.”

My goodness.

This is really the easy path.