Chapter 96

It had been several days since I returned from Rusmaier.

Silence followed my wordless outing and overnights, with Claire stopping me, but that was all.

With the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting coming up soon, even Claire hadn’t visited my room, let alone Arina or Isabella.

Each of us was busy.

As a noble and as a Bargrand.

But for me, an urgent situation had arisen.

If Karsein were to gain control of the territory, it would merely be a message; after choosing the option, no detailed management instructions appeared.

A few buttons and some mental calculations could resolve everything, so there wasn’t much to worry about.

In other words, this scene was not part of the game.

Managing the territory meant facing reality, which made this a period ripe for variables.

“Sigh. I have to solve this myself.”

Even checking documents one by one made my head spin.

Episode III. To prove oneself as a lord, four conditions must be met to clear the episode.

First, defeat the knights of Count Modrich’s house and spread the word of the disturbance among the residents.

Second, free the residents from threats posed by nearby nobles.

These two were already resolved.

But the remaining ones were problematic.

[3. Connect Rusmaier Territory to other territories to ensure sufficient trade.]

Isolated Rusmaier needed new trading partners, naturally leading to a decision to cross over Mount Waglew instead of nearby territories.

This condition required starting a project to build a road through Mount Waglew.

Regardless, if a path were built over the mountain, trade with other territories could easily commence.

However, unlike before when simply selecting an option resolved things, now I had to manage this project.

Moreover,

[4. Revive Rusmaier Territory as a lord before the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting.]

Condition number four, previously considered trivial, now felt like a heavier burden.

[Progress: 9%]

[Citizen’s ability level: 67%]

[Citizen’s complaints: 0%]

…

…

All sorts of numbers were displayed on the status window.

At the bottom:

[Overall Achievement Level: 3%]

This achievement level indicated whether the conditions were met, displayed in single digits.

In short, to meet conditions three and four, I had to succeed in this project and revitalize Rusmaier Territory.

Logically, it seemed impossible.

How could Karsein, who hadn’t received proper training in a noble household, revive a failing territory?

Without any experience or chance to learn, Karsein had only once managed a territory—Shatren—which ended disastrously, tarnishing their reputation as a noble.

Yet, Karsein was supposed to revive Rusmaier?

And before the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting?

Preposterous.

I couldn’t fathom how they succeeded, nor did I know what happened in the game.

But, if successful, it was indeed surprising.

However,

With modern knowledge, one might stand a chance.

“Karsein Young Master.”

Camila arrived.

“Come in.”

“Excuse me.”

Camila was the least burdensome person in Rusmaier and knew the territory best. She was also a maid carrying out my orders.

‘Just by looking at her face, I can tell.’

There was no need to ask how it went. My guess was correct.

Only someone deeply involved with Rusmaier like Camila could look so concerned.

“According to your instruction, Young Master, Mount Waglew has a prominent rocky structure, so the monsters’ territory doesn’t extend deep into it.”

“Of course.”

“The investigation revealed that the monsters mostly stay in the outskirts. They were located near our village. With fences, it looks like we can use them as passages.”

“If they’ve surveyed it, they must have made maps, right?”

“Yes. The citizens who conducted the survey made very thorough ones.”

She handed me three maps.

They depicted the front, side views, and the strength of Mount Waglew.

Seeing those, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Camila, scrap the current road construction plans. Tell the citizens to stop too.”

“Wha—?”

It wasn’t strange for Camila to react this way. Only she knew about the project to build a road through Mount Waglew.

She asked with concern, “Young Master, may I ask why you’re canceling this project? Even if we start now, it will be too late for trade with other territories…”

“I understand your worries. Given the urgency, canceling this project makes it seem like I’m doing something unnecessary. But I’m not. I’m not giving up on Rusmaier.”

“Then… may I ask why you’re canceling it?”

“There isn’t enough time.”

“Time?”

“I became the lord of this territory to attend the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting. If we proceed with this project, we’ll be too late.”

Cancelling the project meant the end for Rusmaier.

Worse, it could become the second Shatren.

The bad reputation could stick to Karsein, leading to an irreversible situation.

But more pressing was time.

‘If I lose the right to attend the meeting, it’s a bad ending.’

Shatren harbored growing resentment toward Karsein.

Death could come anytime, anywhere, under any circumstances.

Even in the game, there were bad endings where villagers killed you.

So, I had to shorten the timeline.

Whatever it took.

“But… I didn’t plan to reveal this yet, but Camila, you can handle it.”

“Huh?”

I drew a line on the map.

Next to it, I showed her the document.

Seeing both, Camila gasped.

“Shh. Got it?”

No further explanation was needed.

***

‘Unbelievable…’

Coming out of Karsein’s room, Camila felt like a large hammer had struck her head.

Planning to cut through Mount Waglew to connect with other territories was not an easy task given Rusmaier’s situation.

It was a well-thought-out choice considering all aspects of Rusmaier.

But cancelling it was unthinkable.

Rusmaier could become the second Shatren, surely leading to Karsein’s downfall.

Despite this, Karsein stuck to their decision.

With solid reasons and unexpected solutions, they presented answers to the difficult task of reducing time.

Dazedly walking down the hallway, Camila kept recalling their conversation.

Suddenly, a voice snapped her attention back.

-Clap!

Tasha clapped her hands in front of Camila, startling her.

“Camila, you’re spacing out.”

“…!”

Her mother, Tasha, scolded her sternly.

“I don’t know what you discussed with the Young Master, but as his personal maid, spacing out like this is unacceptable.”

Even though she was her daughter, Tasha felt the need to reprimand her harshly.

Camila snapped back to reality and bowed her head.

“I apologize. I will behave properly.”

“Good. Don’t cause trouble for the Young Master, Camila.”

“I will remember, Lady Head Maid.”

Regaining her senses, Camila immediately headed out to carry out Karsein’s instructions.

Contrarily, Tasha had to approach Karsein with a worried heart.

Knocking on Karsein’s door, Tasha said,

“Karsein Young Master, I know you’re busy, but you called for me.”

***

Not long after sending Camila, I received a call from Head Maid Tasha.

Actually, I was waiting for her arrival.

▶Event Triggered!◀

▶Luxury Prohibited Event Activated!◀

▶Move to the designated location and complete the choice with the specified character.◀

[Designated Location: Arina’s office]

The event titled “Luxury Prohibited” clearly indicated it was about money.

While not exclusive to Rusmaier, after Chapter 1, Karsein started receiving a substantial amount of money monthly.

However, entering Chapter 2, regardless of which main episode I pursued, this income ceased, triggering this event.

This system constraint ensured players understood that even with a significant sum, penalties would apply.

‘What a paradox. It would be nice to spend freely as a noble, but they’ve blocked that too.’

Still, I had to go.

Ignoring this event was not an option, and to check the penalty details, I had to proceed with the event.

Dressed properly, I saw Tasha bowing respectfully and told her I was going.

“Master? Where are you going?”

“Arena called me, didn’t she?”

“No, Master. It was Lady Arina who summoned you.”

“…Mother?”

I tilted my head.

The usual development was Isabel summoning me.

If Karsein spent the duke’s money, Isabel, handling finances, would notice.

From a game perspective, it fit perfectly to criticize Karsein’s extravagance and present choices.

But here, Isabel was summoning me.

Well, whatever. First, let’s trigger the event and think about it.

“Where should I go?”

“She asked to meet in the courtyard. What about the maids and attendants?”

“Leave them behind.”

One never knew if news of Karsein’s extravagance reached other family members, it could be interpreted negatively either way.

It was best to keep this line intact with Tasha, who was friendly towards Karsein.

Following my instruction, Tasha dismissed the maids and attendants, leaving me alone to find Isabel.

Soon, on the way to the courtyard, a gleaming object appeared.

“What’s a memorial doing here?”

I didn’t know what kind of memorial it was.

But it was necessary, somehow.

-Tingle!

▶Obtained Crumpled Report Memorial!◀

My vision flickered.

The location remained unchanged.

In the same courtyard, a woman was watering plants as a hobby.

It was Isabel.

In a younger era.

***

“Mama!”

A little girl ran toward her mother, hair flying.

“Flora, running like that could hurt you,” Isabel said, smoothing her blonde hair.

“Hehe. I’m fine!”

Isabel smiled and kissed her youngest daughter’s forehead.

“Work hard next time?”

“Yes! Hehe.”

Meanwhile, two sisters approached.

As Isabel looked younger, so did the sisters.

“Oh, our youngest is happier showing off to her mother than to her sisters.”

“Speaking of which, Claire wanted to show off too.”

“Wh-what?!”

-Swish!

“Huh! Big sister!”

“Claire did well in Mrs. Dorothea’s class, achieving such results.”

“How proud I am. Mrs. Dorothea’s class is quite challenging.”

“Oh, really. I didn’t mean to show off…”

Claire crossed her arms and looked away.

Arina and Isabel exchanged subtle smiles.

“Arina, how did you do?”

“Huh?”

“You studied hard too. You should share the praise equally.”

Reluctantly, Arina handed over her report card.

With the most years, her mistakes were fewer.

“Our big sister made almost no mistakes!”

“Wow. You’re showing off like that, but hiding mine? Really.”

“It’s not about that. You should aim for perfection now. It’s about improvement.”

“Modesty is good, but effort should be recognized too, Arina.”

“Yes, Mother. I’ll improve more.”

Arina nodded briefly with satisfaction.

The atmosphere was warm.

Family gathered, revealing their grades, as sunny as the sun itself.

Such warmth filled the courtyard.

But where there’s light, there’s shadow.

In a shaded spot, a boy quietly left unnoticed.

Later, in places unseen,

In hidden corners,

He began digging secretly.

When the boy released his grip, the object fell limply.

Like the others, it was a piece of paper.