Chapter 154

In the party hall, the penalty message for Carsein, who caused an accident, popped up as expected.

Then, the line Arina would say upon hearing this would be:

“Why did you cause another ruckus in the party hall, Carsein?”

The scolding towards Carsein, who was the main culprit for causing a disturbance in the party hall, was about to come.

Of course, game dialogues sometimes slightly vary, but this one didn’t deviate much from the norm.

“But… This one is quite different.”

Something is missing. The question seems right, but it doesn’t feel like it fits the situation.

Firstly, the choices are still displayed…

▶ You need to answer Arina’s question. How do you respond?

[1. (Pretending not to know) What incident are you talking about?]

[2. (Mockingly) If you already knew everything, why ask? Isn’t it obvious I’m here because of the incident?]

[3. (Confidently shrugging) I didn’t do anything wrong.]

‘There should be no information I can gather from this.’

Originally, I would choose option 2.

Choosing that option would lead to a secondary choice, offering a way to reduce affinity and gloss over the problem.

But something was bothering me.

If the dialogue changes slightly by replacing a few words, it wouldn’t be a big deal. But this one has changed too much.

‘Yes. It must be because of the game’s variable input.’

Game developments can twist based on minor actions, and dialogues are no exception. However, in a case where the core point is missing, one shouldn’t hastily reply.

It could be due to information I don’t have, which might alter the current storyline.

To find out the variable, I asked Arina as if testing her out.

“Such an incident?”

The main points were the party hall and the ruckus, with Carsein at its center.

Arina would come to find out about Carsein causing a disturbance in the party hall. Here, I could take some damage and gain information.

Arina fell silent for a moment before speaking.

“You. Even now, you think it’s nothing…”

No. That wasn’t the response.

Though she answered, it wasn’t satisfactory.

She needed to be more specific. What exactly did she mean by “that”? No matter how it was framed, she needed to clarify what she meant.

Only then would the choices appear, letting me understand why she came to me.

To prompt her further, I decided to give her a little bait.

“I’ll take any punishment. Scold me, get angry, I won’t say anything.”

Even if I knew I’d be scolded by Arina, accepting it had always been part of the game.

With such a universal response, I could soon understand why Arina was about to confront me.

I kept silent.

Upon hearing my words, Arina’s eyebrows twitched.

“I don’t understand why you think I’m here to scold or get angry at you.”

“What?”

“…Tsk. Looks like you really don’t know.”

Arina sighed lightly and continued.

“After you danced the second dance in the ballroom, Hellie came straight to me and said that Carsein deliberately messed up his performance on stage to embarrass her.”

This was within expectations.

Helie, or any other noble, distorting the facts to trigger a penalty was common.

However, her next statement was unexpected.

“When I first heard about the friction with the nobles, I thought it was just another incident, but after hearing both sides, the situation seemed different.”

“Both sides?”

“Your personal maid, Camila, and the knight you brought along, Sir Radiel.”

So, it was their actions.

Arina then clarified what orders Camila and Radiel had received from me.

“In any case, I initially planned to ask you about the whole story and punish you if it was true. But after hearing their testimony, I realized Helie was lying. So, you responded correctly and appropriately as a member of the Bargrand family. Not coming to scold you means…”

Under normal circumstances, I should have faced a penalty, but their testimony affected the options.

“Then, what was your reason for coming?”

“To make sure you’re aware of your identity as a Bargrand.”

“What?”

“Helie tried to deceive you. Using the power of the Bargrand family is fine here.”

Use the power of the Bargrand family?

Could it be?

“During times like these, you can use the family’s strength, Carsein. Use the family name firmly. Don’t respond half-heartedly.”

“…”

Arina said I could use the family name.

In all my time playing, I’ve never experienced such a scenario or heard such dialogue.

No. It was beyond that.

She once said never to use the family name, to maintain the family’s dignity and reputation. She insisted that as someone outside the family, I had no right to wield such authority.

Just like that first-year girl who complained about disgracing the family and tarnishing the company’s name.

But now, she’s saying she’ll handle it herself and I can report to her?

“Are you hesitant about reclaiming your authority? If so, I can pass it on. Next time, I’ll handle it in the manner of the Bargrand family.”

It was shocking to hear her offer to handle it herself.

– DING!

“…And yet, there’s another choice.”

Though I didn’t receive a penalty, this choice needed completion.

The headache-inducing choice was:

[5. Got it.]☑

“Got it.”

“Haa. While we’re at it, let me tell you something. I am clear about rewards and punishments. This isn’t about scolding you for doing something wrong, but praising you and returning your authority. Your conduct has been the most noble among all I’ve seen.”

“Did you get it?”

By simply responding, I ended the choice. Arina left with a brief scolding.

Rewards and punishments are clear?

Not about scolding, but praising and returning authority?

Noble conduct leads to the return of authority?

‘That’s hilarious.’

Even if the same situation happens again, I will never use the power of the Bargrand family.

Especially not to Arina.

– DING!

▶Hidden Episode. Cleared Noble Conduct. ◀

▶You can proudly use the name of the Bargrand family. ◀

▶Even if you use the family’s power, penalties can be avoided through adjustments. ◜

A status window popped up from Arina’s retreating back.

The penalty choices were gone, replaced by a hidden episode.

“Even if I wanted to ask for help from the Bargrand family, it would be pointless.”

With my own strength and achievements, I will repay everything and escape from that household.

[Arina Bargrand]

[Affinity Change: 32% → 42%]

***

Gnashing teeth.

The residents pulled out poor-quality plants from the soil with force, only to reveal barren roots.

Seeing the withered roots, a farmer shook his head.

“…Wrong. Another year of failure.”

“The others are the same. No difference from previous harvests.”

Another farmer followed, nodding in agreement. Their hands held dried-up plants.

“Damn it! What’s the problem!”

At the mention of the problem, everyone fell silent.

They didn’t know either, despite living here for decades.

“…Let’s give up. Planting crops continuously only wastes young people’s sweat.”

“Village Chief…”

“We all know, Shatren can’t go back to how it was. It’s too far gone.”

Hearing the village chief’s lament, the residents fell into silence.

Yes, Shatren can’t go back to how it was.

No longer could they rely on the famous Shatren strawberries and grapes.

The residents began expressing anger.

“This is all because of that brat…”

“Yes. It’s Carsein. Since he arrived, our crops have started to wither.”

“He only brings bad harvests… If we had managed ourselves, we could have solved it slowly!”

“If only he hadn’t become our temporary lord!”

The decline of the two specialties coincided with the arrival of a certain boy.

The residents poured out curses and harsh words, blaming the fake Bargrand family for ruining their land.

“Come to think of it, didn’t they say the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting is happening soon?”

“Yeah. I heard it starts tomorrow.”

“It’s said to have a lot to do with managing the territory!”

“Village Chief!”

The village chief nodded at the residents’ whispers.

“Our territory is involved.”

Shatren was also a territory included in the symposium.

“Oh…”

“Please, this time, may a proper leader come.”

“Indeed. Surely, we can restore it!”

“As long as it’s not Carsein!”

“Support funds come every month, so let’s find other ways to use this land!”

Praying for a suitable noble to manage Shatren, they hoped for better leadership.

But…

Trisha, who overheard the adults, clenched her lips tightly.

“Our villagers… They’re all fools. All fools!”

How could they not see?

How hard His Lordship worked!

Shatren wasn’t ruined by Carsein.

On the contrary, to save the territory, Carsein worked tirelessly, getting his hands dirty.

“Please, please help us, His Lordship.”

Once again, she prayed for Carsein to take charge of the territory.

Unlike the others, Trisha prayed for Carsein to take charge.