Chapter 92

-Whack!

As I swung the axe, the thick log split in two and fell to the ground with a thud. Probably due to excessive force, it crashed down.

Seeing this, I calmly picked up the scattered firewood and set it back on the stump, scratching my cheek as if to say, “Control over weapon strength is still difficult.”

But at that moment, I didn’t feel like thinking about such things while picking up the pieces of wood.

“…How did this happen?”

Really, how did this happen?

For some reason, before the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting, I ended up dealing with an episode in the Territory of Rusmaier, which was not far off from the main storyline.

In this isolated territory, I had to arrest knights causing trouble and rebuild the village’s trust, one step at a time.

However, the biggest obstacle in handling this episode was time.

No matter how much I investigated, gaining the trust of the villagers who were hurt by nobles wasn’t easy, and even if I showed signs of helping them, they might interpret it as hypocrisy.

So time was needed. Time to make Carsein realize I’m a trustworthy figure.

At this point, Carsein had to gradually show small acts of kindness starting from Remten Village, the central village of Rusmaier, and wait until the villagers noticed and changed their perception.

Even if he dealt with those knights directly, it wouldn’t change the fact that the villagers were on high alert due to past injuries.

In short, it would take steps.

Therefore, I raised Kian’s affinity in the party hall first, then increased the affinity of his friends Melic and Tony, and finally raised Dianna’s affinity, allowing news to reach Remten Village and Rusmaier Territory. At that point, carefully choosing the options presented would be crucial.

Then the villagers would collectively say, “We also need time.”

The scene after this is skipped.

Anyway, Carsein shouldn’t act hastily and should postpone entering the village until the next day. Of course, here, because I chose another option, I wanted to go back myself.

After wasting a few days in total, it became possible to enter Rusmaier. It took that much time to earn the villagers’ recognition to become the lord of Rusmaier.

Thus, now I had to wait for the anger to subside at the Duke’s Mansion and visit again the next day…

“…”

▶Current Location: Remten Village, Rusmaier Territory.◀

If I turn my head slightly, I see this window.

Yes, I am already inside Rusmaier Territory.

In the game, I have never tried progressing with characters like Dianna and Delphina, but I managed to enter anyway.

-Whack!

Although I successfully entered Rusmaier Territory, I am chopping firewood in front of their house.

“Not a bad situation. I saved time and improved reputation, which is now categorized by rank. Although there are still restrictions on movement…”

Still, it bothers me.

Entering without any risk on the first day itself feels odd.

The most concerning thing is that unknown developments could emerge.

Considering the game environment where even minor changes can affect branches and choices, it’s hard to be optimistic.

“The answer is clear. I must investigate this village more thoroughly.”

Even the test hidden in a glass of milk was like that.

More meticulously and thoroughly.

I had to extend my hand to every possible choice here.

“I heard I could stay for a day, and setting up a room as an office shouldn’t be too difficult. During that time, I need to gather all information about this village.”

-Whack! Whack! Whack!

Although not for chopping firewood, I decided to finish this task first.

-Ding!

“Huh?”

▶Emergency Mission!◀

▶The result of chopping firewood will increase your stats and passive skill proficiency!◀

“Wow, really? So, using force counts as exercise and increases stats? Even though I’m wielding an axe instead of a sword?”

“Well, it’s settled if it works out well.”

***

“It seems the weather has warmed up a bit, so now it’s possible to go outside during the day.”

“Compared to this winter, it’s unusually cold… Oh, all the dress codes were covering everything.”

“At least Lady Claire led a new fashion trend. Without her, we might all have caught a cold.”

“That’s true. The continuous duration of the insulation magic also helped a lot, didn’t it?”

“If it weren’t for that, we wouldn’t have been able to attend many parties. Come to think of it, it’s also one of Lady Claire’s creations, isn’t it?”

“Hehehe. Exactly.”

The young ladies gathered and chatted.

Laughing and chatting, they welcomed the approaching spring, reflecting on the past winter.

However, their gazes were all focused on one person.

“…”

The third sibling of the House of Bargrand, who usually enjoyed such gatherings, remained silent, gnawing on their thoughts, making the others quite nervous.

“Don’t you dare upset Lady Flora. It won’t end with just a tea party!”

“But no matter what we say, she doesn’t seem to hear us…”

“There must be a reason! Don’t you all notice anything?”

“I don’t know. What is it? What’s the problem…!”

Trying to keep it from Flora, they debated in silence, eventually reaching a conclusion.

“What did you say? Lady Flora was already in this state when she got off the carriage?”

“Yes, yes. I greeted her when she got off, but… Lady Flora was already in this state.”

“So, she must have been in a bad mood since arriving from the House of Bargrand!”

“Oh my!”

“At last, we understand.”

The young ladies felt relieved, realizing that Flora had been in this state since getting off the carriage.

This means it wasn’t because the tea party was boring, but that she had been in this state since arriving from the House of Bargrand.

Now, what could have caused Flora to be in a bad mood at the House of Bargrand?

Everyone thought, “It’s obvious.”

They recalled one person.

A boy who didn’t fit the dignity of the House of Bargrand.

A commoner, not a noble.

The blemish of the House of Bargrand, whom Flora never considered family—

Carsein Bargrand.

Only he could cause such a situation.

As usual, Flora had always criticized and gossiped about him at the tea party.

It was clear that Carsein was the one who made Flora feel this way.

The other young ladies, who had been watching and waiting, finally spoke to Flora.

“Excuse me, Lady Flora?”

“…Ah, yes?”

“You seem very unhappy today. Usually, you’re quite lively at tea parties.”

“No, it’s not that… Just…”

Flora avoided eye contact and tried to brush it off, but a nearby young lady grabbed her hand.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s not because our tea party wasn’t fun. You’ve had your own worries, haven’t you?”

“That’s right. Lady Flora must have had significant concerns.”

“As a member of the House of Bargrand, you must have deeper worries. Instead, being part of the House of Bargrand makes it even more profound.”

As if to reassure her,

As if to assure her that it wasn’t the tea party’s fault,

They captured Flora’s attention.

The young ladies exchanged glances, signaling each other with their eyes, and grinned.

“In fact, it was a bit boring. There wasn’t much excitement.”

“So, next time, let’s invite one more person each?”

“One more person?”

“Yes. You can invite a friend or someone you know. Anyone, just one person. We’ve been talking among ourselves, so it’s gotten boring, right?”

“Anything can be a topic, and it’s also good for socializing.”

“Socializing…”

Flora murmured, deep in thought.

The public’s view of Carsein hadn’t changed yet.

It was the same here.

He was still considered a commoner and unfit for the House of Bargrand.

And the reason was obvious—he himself.

But the term “socializing” made her think.

“Every time, we’ve only criticized Carsein here. But if I bring him here and say he saved me…? Theo and Emma were the bad guys, right?”

The way people view Carsein could change.

By saying something like this, she could slightly alter their perception of him.

With her own hands, she could reduce Carsein’s infamy.

A glimmer appeared in Flora’s eyes.

“Alright. Next time, everyone should bring one person!”

She hoped that maybe she could start trusting herself a little more.

Full of hope, Flora looked forward to the next tea party.

Without knowing the true intentions behind their proposal.

***

After finishing the firewood chopping, I received a small stat boost and a few drops of sweat.

At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but now that I finished, I felt a bit proud. After all, it will be used as firewood in the village.

But after finishing the task and cooling off, Dianna’s mother approached me, visibly anxious.

“I didn’t mean for you to do all this… I’m sorry! I only asked for enough to warm you up…”

Apparently, due to a lack of help, even asking for firewood made her uneasy. Seeing the neatly arranged firewood that could be used by the entire village, she seemed unsure what to do.

-Ding!

“…Just as I feared.”

An unknown option appeared.

While the content itself didn’t seem too difficult, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this situation might lead to other complications.

First, I needed to make a rational choice. Considering entering the house to avoid danger was also necessary.

So, this option is the correct one.

[1. Consider this as payment.] ☑

“I prepared this small room to use as an office. And considering meals, how does this compare to paying for accommodation and food?”

“But… How can we ask the Lord?”

“We haven’t officially recognized him as the Lord yet. In this case, he’s a guest, and guests should work for what they receive.”

Dianna’s mother waved her hands in protest but suddenly stood up when she heard ‘guest’.

As if being treated like a guest was not entirely satisfactory.

That made sense.

After all, she likely viewed Carsein as the person who helped Dianna and Delphina.

A compromise was needed.

“Alright, give me a small room. Since the wood is already chopped, I’ll share it with the villagers.”

-Ding!

▶Accommodation location confirmed!◀

▶You can recover fatigue and status ailments at this location!◀

She didn’t object to this option either.

Only after seeing the warm bath prepared in the bathroom did I realize there was a reason behind it.

After washing up and coming out, I held a map of the village and headed back outside.

‘I need to learn more about the villagers’ actions.’

Camila’s report on the situation in Rusmaier was meticulous and accurate. While I trusted it, there would surely be differences.

My own choices alone had already brought significant changes, and now the milk was drunk by Delphina instead of Dianna. Considering I would be staying longer, other variables could arise, so understanding the villagers’ movements was essential.

Moreover, comparing Camila’s report with the current situation, I needed to carefully check any discrepancies and their extent.

As I stepped outside, Camila was already standing there.

“Even though I serve as master, I couldn’t tell what strategy you employed.”

Before I could ask when or why she came, Camila said this.

“…What does that mean?”

What strategy couldn’t she sense?

As I pondered this, flames rose from a distant part of the village. Soon, men’s shouts echoed.

“This is all thanks to you, Young Master.”

“Camila, explain further. What do you mean?”

“Rusmaier periodically faces attacks from monsters. Right now.”

“…Monsters?”

I flinched at the word ‘monsters’ and turned my head toward the source of the voices.

Those awkwardly crafted spears from tree branches were raised again, and the men shouted.

Compared to disciplined knights, they looked pitiful, but if this was before battle, their morale was surprisingly high.

Camila smiled.

“When I was in charge of Rusmaier, I never saw them take initiative. Every time, I’d just hope for luck and pray.”

But now, despite facing monsters, they shouted to overcome their fear.

I understood what Camila meant.

These passive, dependent people had taken up arms themselves. This meant they knew what to do.

“At last, they’re on the right path.”

Though I didn’t intend it, I hoped they would make progress.

Of course, it shouldn’t be a futile effort.

“Camila, what’s the direction of the monster attack?”

“Are you planning to face them yourself?”

“Well, just this once. Unnecessary casualties are not good.”

Camila smiled faintly and told me the direction the monsters were coming from.