Chapter 91

Here’s the comedic anime-style English translation:

“Barak’s dazed expression speaks instead of the status window.

This is the answer, he says.

Considering all the reactions I got while playing the game, I can now fully understand Barak’s intention behind offering this milk.

“So that’s it. This was a test for me. Quite cleverly done.”

“!!”

Another earthquake occurred in Barak’s pupils.

I made it clear once again that I have no intention of moving from this spot.

“It’s best if you bring it before it gets cold. From here, I command you. Take this milk to Delphina right away.”

I shook my hand back and forth signaling him to go.

Barak swallowed hard and said,

“…As you wish.”

Without even an excuse, he bowed his head and opened the door, heading outside to follow my orders.

Not long after, Barak returned empty-handed and nodded towards the outside.

A few figures entered Barak’s house.

This scene meant it was the answer.

“I will gladly accept the punishment for my rudeness. It was hard to let go of my doubts when I heard you suddenly became the Lord of the Rusmaier territory.”

“Indeed. It must have been strange. Someone claiming they want to be the lord of the Rusmaier territory but doesn’t even know the customs or diseases common in neighboring territories.”

“No, sir. There are very few people who know about this disease. I wonder where you found out about this… It couldn’t have been through investigation since no one from the Bargrand Duke’s House has come here…”

Barak still looked puzzled on how he knew about it.

“If Camila told me, I’d jump for joy.”

Even the fact that Camila, who managed their territory, became a maid in the Bargrand household would surprise them.

In any case.

This test originated from suspicions about the suddenly appointed Lord Carsein.

While it was surely not just suspicion, they tried to question his qualifications as a lord by using this lack of knowledge as an excuse. Having experienced a sudden bad ending due to other choices, I could understand both sides.

“So, is this the end of the test?”

“Yes, but the punishment should only be for me…”

“Alright. I already knew that nearby nobles were using you, so expecting some suspicion was natural.”

“…”

Did I go too far?

Directly hitting the weak point made Barak shut his mouth.

There’s no choice. I’ll have to take control of the conversation again.

“By the way, who are these people?”

“Oh, yes. These are the key young men from the villages responsible for managing the Rusmaier territory.”

The young men bowed in order. They introduced themselves as villagers belonging to the Rusmaier territory.

Bringing them in now.

That’s because Barak had been testing me, as he said.

“I wondered why four village emblems were given to children… I didn’t think you would investigate so thoroughly. Sorry.”

Finally bowing his head, Barak apologized and admitted he hadn’t given up his doubts until just now.

-Ding!

Abandoning the crazy option of “How dare you ignore me now!”

I picked an appropriate response.

“Let’s all sit down. I have something to say too.”

The young men responsible for each village took their seats.

And then, a familiar scene appeared.

“Are you really going to manage our territory?”

A question asking if it was true that Carsein would manage the Rusmaier territory.

That was the first thing.

“Yes. I paid the amount directly to the royal family to get certified as the lord.”

“Wow.”

“Kian was telling the truth…”

“Our Rusmaier territory…”

A faint sigh flowed from them.

Was it a cheer? No, it wasn’t.

“I’m sorry, but we want to keep managing our own affairs regarding administration, Lord Carsein.”

“We wanted someone from another family, but we don’t want more than that.”

“We’ll repay any help with taxes. If you collect taxes, we’ll pay them according to imperial law. So please don’t interfere directly.”

Even though they wanted this situation, the Rusmaier territory doesn’t want Carsein as a lord in another sense.

The reason is simple.

It was obvious enough for me to guess easily.

“We don’t want to become like the Shatren territory.”

The story of how the Shatren territory was ruined by Lord Carsein Bargrand had spread widely to other villages.

Who would want Carsein as their lord after hearing how the prosperous Shatren, known for its rare specialty products, collapsed instantly? Even in hardship, they prefer the lesser evil over the worst.

-Ding!

[1. Insolent fool, are you telling me to step down from the lord position now?!]

[2. Then pay us back the money we spent buying your land. Then I’ll step down.]

[3. You don’t appreciate the help and say such things?! I’ll wait until you repay your debt! Let’s see how you do!]

[4. We won’t end up like Shatren. I came here to help you!]

[5. The Shatren territory fell due to a misunderstanding! Give us one chance. I’ll definitely prove it!]

…

…

…

Seizing the moment, options appeared.

From a direct death flag to vague choices.

Just by reading the content, you can see the level of distrust the Rusmaier people have towards Carsein.

It’s not just distrust, but fear and terror mixed in.

“The correct answer here is option 8. Not only the Modrich count’s house, but information about other families eyeing this land. As compensation, buy a statue symbolizing the Rusmaier territory.”

You can tell from the content that Carsein can’t avoid receiving compensation from the Rusmaier territory.

From these poor villages, from this impoverished and desolate territory.

To snatch compensation from them is the only way to make this choice disappear.

What a wicked choice.

But thinking carefully, there’s a way. Instead of stealing, treat it as purchasing and support the villagers with the money Carsein receives monthly from the duke’s house.

Actually, in the game, I used this method to help the Rusmaier territory and raise their affinity. By creating this scenario, I gained their trust and proved that unlike the Shatren territory, I could save this one.

Gradually advancing through stages to gain the authority to participate in the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting improved the situation of this territory.

However.

“This was the wrong approach.”

I saw their wavering eyes directly.

I saw hopeful gazes yearning for help.

And I see them now too.

“I know well because I’ve yearned for help myself.”

Being excluded even by my family, I can confidently say this.

They just want me to help them.

Worried about the Shatren territory, yet unable to ask for help.

Of course, seeing this realistically is just the game’s setting and might be an exaggerated claim.

[Affinity Level]

[8%, 3%, 6%, 6%]

This isn’t an exaggeration.

Affinity levels had already risen before finishing the episode.

With hopes lingering.

Therefore, I don’t choose option 8.

“Does this mean you’re saying I should protect you unilaterally as the lord? What’s in it for me?”

“Lord, interpreting it that way is too extreme!”

“Moreover, we said we’ll pay taxes!”

“Seems like you’re misunderstanding. I didn’t buy this territory just to collect taxes.”

[7. If you don’t accept me as lord, I won’t protect this territory either.] ☑

“You have two options. Accept me as lord, or let this land’s owner disappear again.”

“What did you say?”

“If we don’t find a better solution in this situation and remain like this, I won’t embrace you either.”

Hearing my firm words, the villagers began to panic.

Yes. Comforting their weak desire to rely on others isn’t a healthy resolution.

What they need is determination.

In this desperate situation, in this crisis, in this hellish ground.

The determination to reach out and climb the steep path themselves.

“Come back at this time tomorrow. Decide for yourselves if you want to revive this village or not. I’ll observe and judge tomorrow.”

I finished speaking and left the village chief’s house.

Affinity levels weren’t that important anymore.

***

After the door closed, a short silence filled the room.

Then a sigh escaped.

Following the sigh, everyone bowed their heads.

With a candid voice, a representative spoke up.

“This isn’t medicine after giving a pill. Just when we thought we finally got a lord to protect us, you suddenly give such extreme orders?”

“That’s impossible. Lord Carsein clearly doesn’t know we can’t survive on our own. Even after saying we’ll pay taxes regularly…”

“But to suddenly pull away like this. Regardless of the investigation, this is too harsh and heartless.”

The village representatives started discussing whether they should immediately seek out Carsein, and Barak quietly spoke up.

“…This is our mistake, not the young master’s.”

“Village Chief Barak?”

“Rusmaier received help unilaterally. The young master has a rightful claim.”

“Even so, we remember the collapse of the Shatren territory! If the territory completely falls, it won’t be recoverable!”

Other young men nodded in agreement.

But Barak shook his head.

“Think carefully. Did the young master ever mention why he came to manage Rusmaier?”

“That’s…”

Everyone fell silent.

They hadn’t even heard why Carsein came to manage this territory. They hadn’t heard what reasons he had for helping or what he hoped for.

“What a rude and foolish attitude. To want help under the young master’s protection like that. Then what’s the difference between us and those arrogant nobles or bandit knights?!”

A series of scolding continued.

A heavy silence filled the room.

-Slap!

Finally, a man snapped out of it and slapped his own cheek.

So hard that red marks remained.

The rest did the same.

Facing the disturbance they caused, they held their heads or bit their lips.

“The young master gave us a chance despite everything.”

“A chance…?”

“Come back at this time tomorrow. Decide for yourselves if you want to revive this village or not.”

Carsein’s voice echoed in the room.

Then, nodding to each other, they opened the doors and began to leave.

“Yes. We need to answer the young master’s question first.”

Recalling Carsein’s voice again, everyone realized what they needed to do.

.

.

.

Meanwhile, on the carriage returning to the duke’s house, a girl approached Carsein panting.

“Young master! Wait a moment! Huff, huff.”

Though I don’t know all about the villagers, her silhouette seemed familiar.

As she got closer, I recognized her.

“That’s… Diana?”

Why she rushed over seeing me, I don’t know.

Still, if something happened in the territory, she might have news. Carsein stopped getting into the carriage and stepped back onto the ground.

“Thank goodness… Phew, I’m out of breath…”

Thinking Carsein would ask about the urgent matter, he noticed she was catching her breath and realized it wasn’t urgent. If something serious happened in the territory, she would have spoken up even in this rush.

So, it’s probably nothing. Waiting for her to catch her breath wouldn’t cause any problems.

“Are you leaving already? It seems you haven’t inspected our village thoroughly yet… Stay a bit longer!”

Stay a bit longer. Carsein felt the same desire.

If he stayed, he could gather more details about each village and the Rusmaier territory. With the episode moved forward, there might be changes from previous information, which he could verify more precisely.

Plus, he could prepare faster for other tasks, saving time and easily eliminating unstable factors.

But now was the time to return. Because as indicated by the danger level, staying longer in this territory was risky.

However.

“…”

Looking at the window that suddenly appeared next to him, Carsein’s eyes widened.

SUCCESS! Option beyond choice triggered special results!

REPUTATION LEVEL IN RUSMAIER TERRITORY RAISED TO REPUTATION LEVEL!

■Reward

[Rement Village area unlocked.]

[Even if warning danger level is maintained, additional special choice won’t appear when staying in Rement Village.]