Chapter 144

“Ruismayer got help from Shatren?”

Tasha brought me here.

Up until this point, it can be seen as necessary to show this scene.

Then, it could be vaguely guessed that there must be some kind of relationship between Ruismayer and Shatren, these two territories.

But for Ruismayer to receive help from Shatren…

‘It’s not like such things don’t happen.’

I already knew that we shouldn’t just leave this situation as it is, but now, not knowing about it makes the unaware side even more dangerous.

Behind-the-scenes stories between the two territories.

These could potentially act as big variables blocking my way ahead.

“Keep talking.”

She started speaking without hesitation.

“As you know, Ruismayer is a territory with quite severe isolation. It has no resources, and its manpower is insufficient. Beast attacks occur frequently, and it is located next to the harsh Mount Waglew. Perhaps, poverty was an inevitable condition.”

What more is there to say?

It’s safe to say it was placed in the worst conditions.

“Even if the village where sculptors gather earns money through sculptures and uses that money to improve the situation within the territory, it wasn’t easy either. In the end, they had to abandon the work of sculpting.”

This fits the phrase “one misfortune after another.”

With these conditions and artificial poverty added, there was nothing left but to give up on their current work.

“But, Sir Young Master, Ruismayer didn’t last long despite those conditions, did it?”

“What do you mean?”

I asked, startled.

“As you know, Ruismayer has nothing. Even though they knew how to sculpt, they gave it up, so there were no sources of income before Sir Carsein became the Lord. How could they endure such a long period?”

Come to think of it…

It is indeed strange.

Before I arrived, Ruismayer should have been swallowed up without any problem.

How did they manage until they met Kian at the party hall?

Even enduring the situation with material conditions, financial status, and manpower problems is commendable.

No, it shouldn’t have come to that.

Without a new source of funds, Ruismayer would inevitably face a major trial in the form of winter.

Just like the children I saw stealing bread and fleeing, the most pressing issue was the food problem.

If there is one way to endure this huge gap…

“Winter after winter, Shatren supported them with food, right?”

Food supply from another territory.

That’s all there is.

No, while it’s called a supply, it’s essentially one-sided support.

The key is what kind of opportunity allows for such support…

I already know the answer.

“Shatren once sold their specialty products. Does this mean they overlooked the children stealing food and fleeing, even when traders passing through Ruismayer showed them?”

Tasha did not deny it and handed me the organized ledger.

“I fully trust your judgment, Sir Young Master. If it takes time, I don’t mind covering any losses with my salary.”

*Ding!*

▶Detected the secret relationship between Ruismayer and Shatren.◀

▶As the Lord of Ruismayer, you can take action.◀

▶Opening exclusive choices.◀

I understand the situation.

Even if I stop them here, the same situation will repeat itself.

Ruismayer does not betray Shatren’s kindness.

Even if they had to deceive me as the Lord, it means their bond is strong enough to warrant such actions.

Tasha, considering that the dissatisfaction of the residents might arise from my decision as the Lord, wanted to meet me directly to convey this fact and ask me to overlook the situation, even if it meant using her own salary.

But…

This feels unnatural.

“The real intention isn’t that, Tasha.”

“…”

“If I cover the loss with my salary by giving your pay to them, the situation won’t improve at all. In fact, it might get worse, right?”

Ruismayer was once managed by House Deol.

So, Tasha must have had a vague idea of the relationship between Ruismayer and Shatren.

Perhaps she knows more about Ruismayer than I do. But she wouldn’t have come just to make this request.

“Sir Young Master’s insight is undeniable.”

Tasha smiled faintly and admitted my point without hesitation.

“You’re right. I came to find you because I thought you might use this to slightly reduce the bad reputation of Shatren.”

“As the Lord of Ruismayer, am I supposed to pretend not to know and calm their anger?”

“Yes, Sir Young Master. Leave the rest to me; I’ll handle it well.”

She presented specific matters and pleaded with me during the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting to entrust her with this matter.

Tasha can handle Ruismayer well and also resolve this issue flexibly.

And she might have the chance to solve the issue of my own disgrace regarding Shatren.

If I were to confront her, I could prevent this topic from coming up during the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting.

However, I firmly rejected Tasha’s plea.

“No, that won’t do.”

“…Excuse me?”

Tasha asked with a puzzled expression.

“You seemed to want me to use this as an opportunity to alleviate Shatren’s bad reputation, right?”

“…Yes, that’s true.”

“It’s not a bad proposal. If we proceed like this, we can avoid pressure at the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting and ease Shatren’s anger somewhat. But this is a seriously flawed approach.”

“Then, how do you plan to resolve this, Sir Young Master?”

[3. Tasha, just maintain the current situation.]

“Maintain the current situation. Leave everything as it is without disturbing it. Tell the residents to continue living as usual.”

“Then, the loss… Are you going to bear it yourself, Sir Young Master?”

“Yes, that’s the only way to gain legitimacy.”

The opportunity has come.

But this is not just about reducing Shatren’s bad reputation.

We need to establish a solid foundation.

The relationship between Shatren and Ruismayer.

The tight bond between the two territories that has continued since the past.

And the new connections that may arise from this.

I will use this as a legitimate reason to solve the fundamental problem.

***

The next day,

After returning to the Duke’s Mansion, I ordered Tasha to maintain the status quo and wrote the document, sending it as a letter from the Lord of Ruismayer, not from the Duke’s family.

The returned letter contained only affirmation of trusting me and agreeing to report occasionally. No other content was included.

That’s enough. There won’t be any more options related to this, so now there’s only one thing to consider.

▶You must attend the party held in the East.◀

While this message might seem trivial, this system message is a window announcing the start of the next episode.

Chapter 2’s main episode.

The signal for the beginning of the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting.

And that party is it.

But.

▶Can you move to the party hall now? Do you wish to move?

[1. Move now.]

[2. Wait a bit longer.]

Never forget.

Chapter 2 starts with a sub-episode and transitions into the main episode.

Considering this, this window seems to connect me to the main episode.

But in reality, it’s not.

Although it’s called a party, in fact, it’s an event for nobles attending the imperial examination.

Which means there are plenty of nobles.

For Carsein, it’s a perfect environment for all sorts of disputes.

A carefully crafted trap disguised as an episode.

This pitfall, aimed at players, can lead to a dead flag if carelessly stepped into.

Of course, there are ways to deal with it.

Didn’t I experience this at Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony? The people I encounter at the ball change depending on the time I arrive.

Locations can be reached safely by avoiding guards, and by wasting time in the terrace, I can avoid meeting other family members.

In other words, the current choices indicate the time of entry to the party.

Just like before, I need to select a specific time frame, reach a certain location, and take specific actions to avoid triggering a dead flag.

Of course, the problem lies in knowing the exact times, identifying safe spots, and figuring out actions to avoid dead flags.

▶Showing all dead flags that will occur before the next sub-episode, based on the perfect clear reward of the previous episode.◀

●Time

[Entering at 2 PM will lead to the episode involving the angry Count Modrich.]

[Entering at 3 PM will lead to the episode ‘Dissonance of the Toll.’ ]

[Entering at 4 PM…]

…

…

●Location

[Displaying the party hall map. Purple and red areas indicate restricted and danger zones respectively, orange areas indicate limited zones, and yellow areas indicate caution zones.]

●Action

[The wineglass on the balcony contains a drug causing stomach pain.]

[Touching the second flower pot in the lobby could trigger an explosion.]

[There is a pin hidden under the third table on the left.]

[Oil is skillfully applied to the right side of the central table, making it slippery.]

[Approaching the woman sleeping in front of the second curtain could result in being mistaken for a pervert.]

[Sleeping pills are added to the third room, so be cautious.]

[Headaches are induced by incense in the seventh room, so stay awake.]

…

…

“…Quite a reward.”

Just looking at this, I can tell which areas to avoid.

Providing much deeper information than existing games, I can choose a safer path and prepare for potential dangers in advance.

Summarizing the time frame and actions, it seems I should enter alone through the back door at 5:15 PM.

If all goes well, I will smoothly receive the sub-episode, complete the schedule at the party hall, and then attend the symposium the next day.

But, there’s something bothering me.

“Why hasn’t there been any contact?”

Before spring outings, I received three letters.

The first was from Tasha of Ruismayer.

The second was from Marquis Aiferos, Pollox.

Those two are resolved.

For the first one, I met Tasha and learned about the relationship between Ruismayer and Shatren.

For the second one, although I wasn’t expecting much, I unexpectedly received additional information.

But there’s no response to the last letter.

“I clearly asked for the time and date to meet…”

Harnier had suggested setting a time and date to meet, but there’s been no contact yet.

Time passed, and today arrived.

“Sir Young Master, I have completed my preparations to go to the party hall.”

There’s no choice.

According to Camila’s report, I need to move to arrive by 5:15 PM.

[1. Move now]☑

“I’m leaving now.”

When she signed the contract, she said problems could make communication difficult.

But she assured me not to worry about the contract.

Still, guessing, it’s likely that issues arose due to this symposium.

I’ll find out what the problem is at the party hall.

I boarded the carriage without worry.

***

“…”

“Miss. This… This isn’t right. You’re openly…”

“Mina.”

Harnier shook her head at the shocked Mina.

“There’s no changing anything by doing this. I have no choice but to move forward.”

“…”

“Don’t worry too much. I’ve been through this many times.”

“Harnier Miss…”

“I’ll be back.”

Though she says it’s fine, it doesn’t feel fine at all.

Mina’s expression is filled with concern.

There’s nothing I can do about it.

Only one hope remains.

“Please, may Sir Carsein help us…”

Carsein’s help.