Chapter 100

▶ Extravagance is forbidden! An event is in progress! ◀

▶ Meet and talk to Arina! ◀

[Designated Location: Arina’s office]

After finishing my conversation with Claire, there was no one else I could meet for this event.

I walked towards Arina’s office with a sense of relief.

But oddly, the door was slightly ajar, allowing her voice to seep out.

“The eldest sister… How come?”

The voice unmistakably belonged to Flora, though it sounded more like a plea than usual.

It’s not unusual for Flora to visit Arina, but the situation would be different from how she treats Carsein.

Even if she playfully asks for company, Arina wouldn’t hesitate to agree, as Flora is the beloved youngest daughter of the Duke’s House.

“For now, let me set aside these thoughts.”

It’s important to pay attention to why Flora is here.

Who knows? This might be where a clue to solve the current event emerges. Maybe I should listen.

Arina sighed.

“That’s not too difficult, but Flora… Did you say anything to Carsein? You usually don’t like being with him.”

Since I heard her doubt me earlier, I wasn’t particularly bothered.

But why doesn’t she like being with him?

“Ugh, it’s not like that. I just… want to go with him. That’s all…”

“If that’s the case, couldn’t you go with Claire?”

“That’s… complicated.”

Flora couldn’t fully articulate her thoughts and seemed to be contemplating.

This might be the key to passing through this event.

As I pondered, my status window popped up.

-Beep!

▶ Flora’s !@#%#@! ◀

…

“What’s this? Why does it look so messed up?”

Immediately, the text on my status window changed.

▶ Error Occurred! ◀

▶ The timing to intervene in this branch has not arrived. ◀

▶ I cannot load the choices! ◀

▶ Deciding alternative actions… ◀

“What?! Could it be…?”

I’ve experienced this twice before. It feels like time stops and shifts to another branch.

But this time, despite the status window appearing, nothing around me changed. Time didn’t stop.

-Beep!

▶ Confirmed: Chapter 2 – Episode III is not yet completed! ◀

▶ Confirmed: We have entered an area where major events cannot be ignored! ◀

▶ Calculating results… ◀

▶ Starting two main episodes simultaneously. ◀

▶ To find a more efficient route, I’ll wait for a moment before delivering the result based on the current scene. ◀

“Huh? Two main episodes at once?”

That shouldn’t be possible.

In this game, only one main episode can be active at a time.

Though branching routes exist, splitting into two main episodes isn’t supposed to happen.

“This must mean that this situation is a significant main episode in another route.”

Looking back at previous cases, two episodes merging created new episodes, albeit sub or hidden ones. But having them run separately makes no sense.

Yet, here they were, unfolding before me.

The system presented me with two main episodes.

Meanwhile, the conversation between the sisters continued seamlessly.

“I haven’t been outside for a while. Maybe we could go together. Can we take him as our escort?”

“Hmm? You want to take Carsein with you?”

“Isn’t… that okay?”

“No, it’s not… Well, he is training as a squire, so it’s not impossible.”

Arina fumbled her words, looking troubled.

Of course, it’s not a good idea.

Taking Carsein as an escort is problematic in many ways.

Even if adopted, Carsein is part of the Duke’s House. Taking him as a prince is one thing, but as an escort, it’s as if announcing his lowly status.

Plus, having your younger brother as an escort? That would cause issues even with the knight order.

Surely, this immature child…

“Flora, can’t you tell me why you want to go with Carsein?”

“I can’t.”

“…Not even to me?”

“Yes. Not even to Mother.”

“Hmm…”

Arina looked even more troubled.

Usually, Arina would readily agree to Flora’s requests, but not this time.

“From what I’ve gathered, Flora simply wants to go somewhere with me…”

That’s ridiculous.

This brat who always wanted to leave me, who even refused to ride in a carriage with me, now wants to take me somewhere?

It doesn’t make sense that she’d choose me over Claire, Arina, or Isabella.

“I guess Arina won’t just accept this, so I’ll have to refuse appropriately.”

But I overlooked something.

-Beep!

“What?”

Just then, another episode was hinted at.

“Did you know Flora likes Carsein so much?”

“Huh? Yeah… um…”

“I’ll try, but I need to know more to fully agree.”

“Isn’t… that okay?”

“No. Let’s close this door and talk properly.”

“Oh, okay!”

…

I couldn’t eavesdrop any further. I stepped back. Getting caught would lead to the worst-case scenario.

But I couldn’t give up.

▶ Episode III – The Remnants of Evil is in progress! ◀

▶ Finish talking with Arina and complete the mission! ◀

The episode was already in motion. I needed more information.

-Beep!

“I wish I could hear their conversation.”

▶ Arina’s personal space ◀

▶ Warning: This area is dangerous! ◀

[If you stay too long, penalties will apply.]

Despite the danger, I had to listen.

***

▶ Escaping the danger zone! ◀

“…Maybe I was wrong.”

I risked the penalty to enter the danger zone, but heard nothing.

I thought there might be another spot to eavesdrop, but if not here, then nowhere.

The system must have blocked it entirely. They tried hard to prevent it.

There’s no other choice.

I have to confront them directly to choose options and resolve this.

First, I turned to my status window.

-Beep!

▶ Episode III – The Remnants of Evil is in progress! ◀

▶ Finish talking with Arina and complete the mission! ◀

“Not much has changed.”

Both episodes couldn’t proceed without concluding the conversation with Arina.

I could wait for the right moment, but I intentionally waited on the stairs.

“…”

Soon, Flora appeared coming down the stairs.

Acting natural, I climbed the stairs, and Flora casually asked:

“Why are you here?”

This brat still hasn’t left.

I dodged suspicion by timing my arrival, or she would have yelled at me instantly.

“Don’t worry about it. Claire told me to check on Arina, so here I am. Is there a problem?”

“Little sister…?”

Flora hesitated, but showed no sign of suspecting I overheard their conversation.

“Little sister… Yeah, I guess that makes sense…?”

“What are you mumbling about?”

“Oh, nothing!”

Flora hurried down the stairs, clutching her skirt.

She seemed anxious if I heard something important, but now she seems relieved. Something big must have happened.

“You know, I never expected to get anything useful from you anyway.”

I’ll find out by confronting them.

I acted as if nothing happened and went up the stairs to open Arina’s office door.

“Who’s there? Why don’t you knock first?”

Entering without knocking led to a scolding.

“But why should I knock? You weren’t listening to me anyway.”

“…!”

“When the person involved is right there, you talk like that? And now you’re lecturing me about etiquette?”

Arina, who was complaining about knocking, fell silent.

While I didn’t know what they talked about, it was clear Arina discussed something related to Carsein with Flora.

“Flora wants to take me as an escort? Am I not even considered?”

I brought up what I overheard, trying to act knowledgeable.

“The bait is cast.”

I didn’t hear the whole conversation, only what I knew.

But this teasing approach would surely irritate Arina.

“Don’t speak so freely. You make it sound like wanting to bring you to a tea party is a bad thing.”

Bingo.

A tea party with me included.

The issue is that Flora wants to take Carsein as an escort to the tea party.

Maybe I should have made it sound worse.

Arina sighed and stood up from the table.

“First, sit down. I have something to discuss with you.”

“Okay.”

I sat on the sofa as instructed.

Arina still looked displeased, raising her eyebrows.

“There was a significant expense. I used that money to buy the Rusmaier territory.”

“So what?”

“So what? Do you think that’s the right attitude?”

Arina glared fiercely.

I responded calmly, ready with my prepared argument.

“If you’re going to criticize me for buying the Rusmaier territory as a noble, go ahead. You know the situation there well enough.”

“Are you saying you investigated this yourself?”

“Yes. When I attended a party for my fiancée, I met a servant working there. The servants were furious and almost ruined the party.”

Hearing this, Arina urged me to continue.

“It’s not just that. Rusmaier is isolated and doesn’t collect tolls. Instead, people who pass through have to pay.”

“…Could it be that the other territories united?”

“Exactly. And they faced threats from monsters. No one protected them, and they kept deteriorating.”

I mentioned the extortion fees and the corpses taken by the Modrich family, causing Arina to swallow hard and check some documents.

“…So it’s true. The corpses and tolls were taken by the Modrich family.”

Arina organized the documents neatly to report to the royal family.

The anger in her eyes faded as she realized the severity of the Rusmaier situation, which my presence alone could barely address.

“I understand your intentions as a lord. But Carsein, you caused the decline of a territory before. Don’t forget.”

Here it comes. When discussing Rusmaier, this topic is inevitable.

Carsein can’t escape responsibility for the incident in Sha’tren.

“As a lord, you must fulfill your duties and responsibilities. If you feel inadequate, inform the Duke’s House immediately.”

She must have noticed this already. Given Arina handles finances, it makes sense.

But I won’t tell them.

I shouldn’t, and I don’t want to.

“Let me reiterate. Carsein, stubbornness could lead to a second Sha’tren, tarnishing the Duke’s House’s reputation. If you can’t handle it, inform the Duke’s House—”

“Got it, stop repeating yourself.”

I interrupted, partly annoyed.

Knowing failure means game over, and I’m aware of what happened to them.

Thus, I won’t handle this lightly.

“Why do you only bring it up when problems arise? I came here after resolving issues in Rusmaier and ensuring proper toll collection. Should I listen to this instead?”

I answered sharply.

But perhaps my straightforwardness annoyed Arina.

“You always get irritated at well-meant advice. Every time I see this, I realize you’re unsuited for the nobility’s honor.”

-Thunk.

“But you truly are fortunate. Having such a good younger brother. So, I’m suppressing my anger and giving you one last chance. Take it.”

Arina handed me an invitation card.

I’m sure this is what Flora brought.

“What’s this?”

“It’s an invitation to a tea party with nobles. Recently, Flora seems to follow you. I don’t know why, but she insisted on bringing this.”

“Isn’t a tea party something Flora should attend alone?”

Arina crossed and uncrossed her legs, looking at me like I was a troublemaker.

“As I said, they plan to invite one more person each. Flora specifically wants to go with you to the tea party.”

Arina suggested something.

“The tea party includes many nobles and participants from the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting. Attending could provide valuable advice. So, I’ll decide whether to grant you authority based on your participation.”

My head spun.

Decide my authority based on attending this?

-Beep!

[1. (Waving finger) Eat this! Why would I go to a gathering of those jerks?]

[2. (Leaning on hand) I don’t really care if I go or not. I became the lord of Rusmaier and earned my authority. Why should I ask for your permission?]

[3. (Slamming table) Didn’t Mom tell you? It’s my authority. Give it back if you want it?]

[4. (Sarcastically shrugging shoulders) If that’s it, I’m leaving. I’ll ask Claire for help.]

…

…

Now, I understood everything Flora said.

This brat wants to take me to the tea party.

For some reason, I feel something big will happen there. The episode hints at it too.

Maybe the real purpose is something happening there.

Why does Arina’s advice sound like that of an elder sibling?

“Take care of your younger sibling! Your only younger sibling is worried about you, and you’re so indifferent you can’t even eat her alive?”

This sounds similar.

She’s telling me to take care of Flora, the youngest.

Cold blood started to circulate.

Gross, but I can’t even curse out loud.

“Wow, I’m getting served twice today.”

I thought, but I wasn’t angry. It was just too absurd.

Suppressing my rising anger, I saw the choices.

“Want me to take care of the youngest?”

Sure. I’ll do as she wishes.

The other options were already out of the question, making the answer obvious.

Though reluctant, keeping my cards hidden is best.

So, I chose.

[5. Tea party, huh? Fine, I’ll go. I’ll keep my promise.] ☑

“I’ll go to the tea party.”

Arina wants me to do as she says, for Flora.

I don’t intend to waste time, but I need some time to gather information outside rather than staying in the office and getting upset.

But that’s not my goal.

Whether or not the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting participants are there is irrelevant.

I won’t blindly follow Arina’s advice.

Of course, following her might grant me meeting authority. But I’ve seen it before.

Like my reality and the memorial showed, Carsein won’t be recognized. Even if it were possible, I wouldn’t move for them.

“I don’t care about authority you give.”

I’ll prove my worth directly by Rusmaier.

Not as a Duke’s House Carsein, but as the lord of Rusmaier.

This tea party will serve another purpose.

“Learn a lot and come back. If you return changed, I’ll grant you meeting authority without issue.”

Before I left, Arina advised.

“Learn a lot and come back?”

That’s laughable.

You’d be shocked if you knew what I plan to do at the tea party.

“You can be mad later. I have no intention of returning nicely.”

I said I’d go, but not that I’d avoid trouble.