Chapter 125

“…”

The memorial ended up showing a scene where they tried to prove the weak effects contained in rotten seeds, despite their initial efforts. Carsein, desperate as someone grasping at straws, realized that even these rotten seeds had some effect, albeit very weak.

Despite this, he didn’t give up.

Rheah seeds were known to be effective when spread widely across the soil. Therefore, he thought if this weak power could be applied to a small flowerpot or a single crop, it would be enough.

It was a smart move.

If he could prove this with a hypothesis that a small number of seeds could demonstrate their effect in a limited area, it would resolve misunderstandings on both sides. But…

I already knew the future of that flowerpot.

The memorial flowerpot, which had been destroyed in the main hall by Arina long ago, remained unregenerated until I found it.

It wasn’t enough. Not with just one rotten seed.

“F*ck.”

Claire would have shouted “Are you crazy?” if she heard this, but now all that comes out is bitter laughter and curses.

Carsein, despite taking on this difficult task, tried to find a way out.

It was a perfect solution. By regaining trust from the Shatren territory and resolving the false accusation against the Rilfetten family through trade, they would gain a solid ally.

However, Claire blocked this solution.

Isn’t this what the summary of the memorial is about?

Once again, uncomfortable memories started to come back.

I remember being fired from my part-time job because my second sister discovered my injury from work. This memory still hasn’t faded.

Even though it was a minor injury, she lectured me not to get beaten up anywhere and told the whole family. As a result, my second sister started to match her school dismissal time with mine.

“You see? Nobody comes near me. Look? If there’s any bully, tell me. You stupid bear-like thing.”

But did she understand?

Bullies tend to torment people more when no one can see them. They torment in ways that don’t leave marks.

In the end, my school life didn’t change.

The biggest problem was that my part-time job time was completely gone.

No matter how much I used studying as an excuse, my second sister clung to me like a leech, not letting me have any free time.

I may not know, but I managed to eat decent meals by working part-time.

I didn’t have to worry about getting scolded for not having materials because I couldn’t buy them due to my youngest sibling always stealing my pocket money.

Only then could I stop using damaged stationery.

But those small joys vanished in an instant.

After that, I couldn’t work part-time for a while due to my second sister, so I couldn’t save money.

For a long time after that, I couldn’t find a job because I was being watched, leading to another hellish period.

Though the third sibling tormented me persistently, ironically, my plan to escape from home was delayed entirely because of my second sister.

Even Carsein’s plan was ruined.

Knowing it wouldn’t help to tell the family, he tried to devise a plan somehow. But it all rotted away like the seeds, thanks to Claire.

The coldness hadn’t lasted long, but it felt like ages.

A chill ran down my spine.

Okay, I shouldn’t react emotionally right now.

I turned my gaze towards the ongoing episode.

“Alright, I’ll do whatever you want first.”

Plan change.

My plan to go to Shatren is canceled.

***

Three days passed since arriving in Rusmaier.

After confirming Carsein lying unconscious, Claire lit the fireplace in the room and soon called for someone from the Duke’s house.

Doctor Sheiden.

She asked him to come here to check on Carsein.

The follow-up went smoothly after Sheiden arrived.

However, there’s still something unresolved: Carsein has contracted Defeshan Syndrome.

While it’s known that this disease appears only in the western region, for Carsein to contract it, he needed to go to the western region.

Coincidentally, the timing matched up. The date the transaction statement arrived and the time Carsein showed symptoms of his second phase of Defeshan Syndrome didn’t differ much.

After hearing this from Carsein, I looked at Rusmaier with a sense of déjà vu.

As Carsein said, Rusmaier had changed a lot.

The Rusmaier territory was a place that all nobles avoided, considering it merely a place to pay more taxes. It was expected to be nothing better than a slum.

But it was clear just by looking that this expectation was wrong.

Though it’s a rural area, the living conditions were far better than any slum.

Food was abundant, and smiles were common among the residents. Laughter echoed through the village.

Could it be due to Carsein’s support alone?

Absolutely not.

Just by looking at the food, it’s clear that the amount isn’t something Carsein’s money alone could cover.

The clothes were also clean and well-maintained, not tattered or worn out. The streets were tidy.

Even when problems arose, they handled them systematically, and they were actively trading with passing merchants.

It was impossible for the territory to change this dramatically just with Carsein’s money.

The cause must be—

‘That passage… That big passage.’

Every time I passed through that tunnel-like passage, traders paid a toll. Not just traders, but nobles too. They were absorbed by the artistic carvings inside other passages.

The tolls alone seemed substantial.

There was enough for Carsein’s share and for the Rusmaier residents to live comfortably.

Tourism fees were also considerable.

The pictures that changed depending on the light, angle, and time kept the nobles’ attention.

And the trading partner was mentioned to be the House of Aiferos.

I heard that the recent shortage of construction materials was affecting the beast handlers, but it stopped a few days ago. If they sold the rocks extracted from this tunnel as construction materials, it would make sense. They must have made quite a fortune.

Everything in this territory came into Claire’s view.

The conclusion was immediate.

This territory, once barren like Mount Waglew, underwent such a huge transformation because—

Because of my younger brother becoming the new lord.

The answer could only be Carsein.

“…”

Claire clenched her teeth and headed back to Carsein’s house.

“Fine. I have to admit it. He became capable of managing a territory, whether through studying or learning from others.”

But if she brought him to the Duke’s mansion, she’d likely get scolded by her elder sister.

Her sister, who doesn’t know what happened at the tea party, saw only the transaction statement that appeared out of nowhere.

Even though it was a bit unsettling, the fact that she stayed out overnight so long affected the atmosphere at the Duke’s mansion.

Acting as the Lord of Rusmaier and making deals with nobles without permission.

Continuing the trade without permission.

There are countless reasons for her to get scolded.

Considering all of these points, it seems unlikely that Carsein could avoid her sister’s anger.

“What can I do? I’ll have to make a good excuse.”

Originally, if Carsein met his sister here, he would’ve been dragged to the Duke’s mansion for punishment.

She tried to prevent this and persuade him to return, but seeing how he developed Rusmaier so much, it’s hard to simply ask him to go back.

So, she needs to make a good excuse.

To protect Carsein from her sister’s wrath.

With this determination, Claire entered Carsein’s house.

But in the bedroom, Carsein was already dressed.

Claire grabbed Carsein’s arm and asked.

“Carsein, Sheiden said you should stay in bed! Where are you going with that body?”

“Since you’re going to take me anyway? You probably planned to nag about my absence.”

“Stop it. I didn’t tell you about my overnight trip on purpose. I’ll make up a story.”

Of course, the trade talk will come up, but she just needs to report the results from Rusmaier.

He achieved such great results by studying diligently, so the lack of permission is a minor issue.

She suggested he rest more.

But Carsein stubbornly straightened the blanket.

“I don’t need it.”

“Hey!”

Claire got irritated.

“What are you planning to get scolded for? Let me take care of it. Just rest and come back later! Why are you so inflexible?!”

Claire puffed out her bangs with a breath.

She was stressed.

“Don’t you know what happens if you get caught by your sister? Even though the ban on going out has been lifted, you’re still not allowed to deal with nobles. You’re bound to get scolded! And yet, you’re deliberately trying to get caught?!”

Why would anyone do such a foolish thing?

It’s possible to avoid blame by sharing the burden.

Others did the same. When Claire made mistakes, she relied on her mother or elder sister Arina.

Conversely, when Flora made mistakes, she helped her.

But Carsein showed no sign of doing the same.

“I don’t need it.”

Don’t need it?

Frustrated.

When talking with her mother, it was the same.

When buying the Rusmaier territory, saying it was for a reason would have sufficed instead of being scolded for no reason.

Why go and get scolded for unfinished business?

“F*ck, fine! Go get scolded by your sister and beaten by your mom! See how things go. Stay in your room and do nothing, then get scolded! Stupid thing!”

Driven by anger, she spat out harsh words.

But,

Despite Claire’s heated outburst, Carsein calmly left the room.

His intention to return to the Duke’s mansion hadn’t changed.

“Ugh, seriously!”

Alone, Claire vented her frustration.

“Damn it. She won’t get away with it to my sister…”

Her sister wouldn’t be so easily fooled.

And Carsein, being so stubborn, would likely only mention the trade in the western region, ignoring everything else about Rusmaier.

If she asked for help, she could provide it.

Why does he only talk about his mistakes and exaggerate them to get scolded?

“I can’t understand—”

Just as she was venting, she suddenly remembered Carsein returning from the west.

Unscathed.

Carsein had secretly returned home without being noticed by anyone.

And she had found him.

Realizing this, Claire cautiously turned her head toward the table.

A glass bottle containing blue medicine was visible.

Carsein had taken the medicine, hiding the fact that he went to the west, and it was the same medicine used to recover from Defeshan Syndrome.

It was identical.

Then and now.

Realizing this, Claire felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

“… Could it be? Because of me?”

Last time, he tried to secretly trade but got caught and couldn’t do anything.

At that time, he tried to hide it, but did discovering it make things worse?

Unlike last time, this time he didn’t hide it. Even if his soul was shattered, he would protect the trade if it meant doing so for her sake.

It was an excessive thought, but she couldn’t deny it.

There was no other reason for him to act this way.

“Really… Was it because of me?”

Claire pressed her lips tightly.

If it was true, it was her karma.

Because of that incident, Carsein didn’t boast about his deserved praise and took full responsibility for his mistakes.

As a result, Carsein couldn’t receive even a single commendation.

And indeed, every time, regardless of Flora’s intervention, it was the same.

He was expected to face penalties, and anything he did resulted in accidents.

Even the nobles outside the Duke’s mansion gave him such evaluations.

Every time, it was Claire who approached Carsein, asking if he caused another accident.

Always, Claire Bargrand was the one scolding Carsein.

She bitterly smiled and denied it.

“No, it can’t be. Such a coincidence can’t happen.”

But a question came back to her.

Did she really think so?

“Hey, Carsein!”

Unable to shake off the uneasy feeling, Claire rushed out of the house and shouted, but it was too late.

Carsein had already left on horseback.

“Coachman!”

“Yes, Lady Claire!”

“I’m going to the Duke’s mansion right now. Please go as fast as you can.”

Following Carsein, who had already left for the Duke’s mansion, Claire repeatedly urged the coachman to speed up.

“But, could it be…”

Yet, she couldn’t hide her anxiety.

-DING!

Episode IV cleared. Successfully persuaded Claire! Affinity maintained!

[Current Affinity Level: 61%]

Successfully triggered an outcome beyond choices!

Reward:

[Not disclosed to the player!]

[In the next branch, Carsein receives significant penalty reduction due to protection from a specific individual!]

[A helper will appear in the next episode!]