Chapter 160

“Shatren.

A fertile land located at the center of the empire.

While common crops can be grown to some extent, this land has become even more famous for two rare specialty products that cannot be cultivated anywhere else.

These fruits, the Shatren Strawberry and Shatren Grape, have been a regular sight on the plates of imperial nobles and are indispensable in cooking and seasoning.

However, that was in the past.

Once the pinnacle of prosperity, Shatren suffered an unprecedented famine overnight and never recovered. Although the support funds from the House of Bargrand keep the territory running, the internal circulation within the land is in shambles.

So, you want to take over Shatren?

It’s as good as signing up for the lowest score at the Symposium.

‘Got to stop that. There’s no way… I’ll do whatever it takes to prevent it…’

‘Small sister? What do you mean?’

‘Uh, uh?’

‘You said it yourself. You were talking about stopping something…’

Flora tilted her head, puzzled, as she asked Claire, who had been muttering to herself.

‘Did you… also have a bad talk with Carsein?’

‘No! That’s not it.’

Claire stumbled, flustered.

Just now, she had mentioned meeting Carsein, which naturally added to her worry.

‘That… dam. Those who build dams need stronger cloth. I’ve been worrying about getting something sturdy ready.’

‘Hmm. Really?’

To avoid adding more worry to her younger sister, Claire smoothed her blonde hair and smiled.

But deep inside, Claire was still deeply troubled by Carsein.

-Yes. Isn’t that the best answer?

The words ‘best answer’ stung with a persistent unease.

-Shatren is ruined because of me, so why shouldn’t I be there?

-Shatren faced the worst famine. Since my hands touched it, the once rich land hasn’t shown any signs of recovery. So, when ranking, I should be at the bottom, right?

Carsein argued.

He claimed he deserved to sit at the bottom because he was the one who ruined Shatren and thus couldn’t join the ranks of the House of Bargrand.

-The House of Bargrand has always delivered results during the Symposium. You and Claire, Flora, always deserve to be there. But I’m not like that.

-I alone am responsible for the worst performance. It’s my burden, not the House of Bargrand’s. To avoid sullying the family name, I must be here. That’s why I’m here as the Lord of Rusmaier, not as part of the House of Bargrand. I accepted the failure last year.

His reasoning was based on his performance.

Despite being part of the same House of Bargrand, the gap was like heaven and earth. The failure of Shatren had made him deserving of the lowest seat.

And.

-It’s the best agreement.

Carsein repeated, explaining why it was the best agreement.

Not being part of the House of Bargrand means he wouldn’t tarnish the family name.

As the Lord of Rusmaier participating in the Symposium, accepting the worst score for Shatren would make it fitting for him to sit below.

With his own shortcomings, he’s been struggling alone to understand the world.

Without collaboration penalties, others won’t have to bear his burden.

When he reached the conclusion that nothing would happen, the discomfort was almost unbearable.

‘How could that be the best agreement!’

Every time Carsein took such a stance, he either got into trouble or got verbally abused. Recalling those times, Claire lost track of time.

“Clare. Clare?”

“Huh?”

“It’s our turn to pick territories. What’s wrong?”

Realizing the upper-class nobles were already descending the stairs, she snapped out of it.

“Ahaha, sorry sis. Just got lost in thought.”

“You’re acting unlike yourself, maybe nervous?”

“Yeah… probably.”

“Let’s go down. Flora went ahead, and Carsein, that dimwit, will be there anyway.”

“…”

Claire glanced at where Carsein was as she descended the stairs.

Persisting in that seat despite the House of Bargrand’s turn indicated Carsein’s determination to take Shatren.

Even if she approached him for collaboration, he’d likely try to shoulder Shatren alone, just like he told her. This worried her.

-‘I learned it by sending support, but… Shatren is a terrible match for Carsein.’

Though she couldn’t pinpoint the cause of the recurring famines, she knew Carsein harbored intense hatred towards them.

A devastated territory showed no signs of recovery, and while the residents weren’t openly voicing complaints against the House of Bargrand, they were all bitter and angry about their land being ruined.

So much so that rumors said Carsein prayed Shatren wouldn’t get its lord this Symposium, making further explanation unnecessary.

Residents’ ratings, included in the scores, meant choosing Shatren would bring Carsein’s score to zero.

Shatren’s potential for development remained at rock bottom. If the House of Bargrand hadn’t sent support, it would have been abandoned long ago.

Even with bonuses, there’s no sign of real achievements.

Shatren doesn’t have military power, so it can’t gain points in the western conquests.

In trade, tourism, resources, technology, magic, crafting, or any field, Shatren has no presence.

In agriculture alone, without agricultural development, no achievements can be made. To earn points, Shatren needs to be turned back into a farmable land, requiring a complete overhaul.

‘Is that even possible…’

The obvious answer seemed impossible.

“Next, Claire Bargrand. Go into the engraving field and select a territory to engrave on the magic engraving stone.”

“…”

“Claire?”

“Oh, yes. I’ll go now.”

As Arshien asked, Claire’s mind suddenly sparked.

…Select a territory to engrave on the magic engraving stone.

Yes, there is a way.

-Territories are selected in order!

Carsein, being last due to his low ranking, would be the last to engrave. This meant Shatren would remain until then. No noble would dare tackle Shatren’s poor conditions.

Then, the answer came unexpectedly.

If someone else grabbed Shatren before Carsein, or if she preemptively seized it to defuse the situation, wouldn’t that work?

Even if Carsein tried to pick Shatren, he wouldn’t be able to due to the rankings.

‘I’ll take Shatren.’

Claire swallowed hard and activated the engraving stone.

The map of the empire appeared, with territorial boundaries marked.

Shatren is centrally located in the Peselros Empire. One territory adjacent to the House of Bargrand’s border is near a newly created tunnel beside Mount Waglew.

She placed her finger on it, ready to engrave her name.

But just then.

-All of this is for the trial of taking a territory at the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting.

Carsein’s voice stopped her hand.

“Damn!”

-Flutter!

“Claire? Your engraving isn’t done yet.”

“Just a few words. Please proceed with others!”

“Claire!”

Claire passed her turn to the next person and immediately found Carsein.

“Carsein.”

…

Carsein, who was writing in his notebook, didn’t lower it when he saw Claire.

“You came to nag? I figured Arina would tell you.”

“Did you hear about the Shatren situation?”

“What?”

“If you’re designated as the temporary lord of Shatren this Symposium, and people refuse to follow your orders, did you know?”

It was a warning, a dire condition.

Choosing Shatren would drop her score due to resident ratings.

Carsein ignored it and continued writing in his notebook.

“Is that all? Fine, let it be. It’s my karma, what can I do?”

“…”

“You can’t ruin the House of Bargrand with such petty things. Right?”

Claire paused briefly before continuing.

“You might anger the residents. If there’s a riot, it’s your responsibility. Got it?”

“I’ll take my punishment.”

“You could get hurt!”

“Sorry, Claire.”

-Flip.

Carsein closed his notebook.

“I don’t need your help.”

“…”

“Why would I ask for help from the House of Bargrand later? Don’t worry, it won’t come to that.”

“You…”

“Better go. It’s almost time.”

When he opened his notebook again, Arshien signaled it was over.

Claire returned to engrave the territory. On the way back, she glanced at Carsein several times but finally clenched her teeth and returned to her spot.

The map reappeared, and her hand moved toward Shatren.

‘No plan, huh! If that’s the case… better not!’

-Shatren was ruined because of you, Claire.

“…Huh?”

-If you had questioned yourself even once instead of Carsein, Shatren’s shame wouldn’t have happened.

“…”

Her finger, reaching for Shatren, dropped limply.

It was Arshien’s voice, her best friend’s.

Why had she forgotten?

“You foolish girl!”

Smack!

Red handprints appeared on her cheeks.

Claire looked at Shatren and asked herself.

“Would solving it by having Carsein not take Shatren really fix anything?”

No. It wouldn’t.

Shatren wouldn’t be buried just because someone else took it. The residents would still blame Carsein. Even if the support money came from a different person, it wouldn’t matter.

Would that solve everything?

Carsein took the chance of becoming the lord of Rusmaier to revive Shatren. Why did he do that?

Why did he want to take Shatren back, and why as the lord of Rusmaier?

Maybe.

-Click!

[ Tarsion Territory ]

“Never. Never interfere with Carsein!”

That was her answer to her own question.

She had to believe.

Believe that Carsein could handle it alone.

Believe that he could turn Shatren around, a feat that seemed impossible.

In the past, she had let Carsein’s beaten appearance and his venture into the west cloud her judgment, leading to mistakes.

If she intervened again, history would repeat itself.

Truly caring for Carsein meant not letting him fall into the same trap.

First, she had to deceive her older sister and younger sister.

“Small sister? Aren’t you taking longer today?”

“Really? Are you nervous?”

“I had a lot to think about. How to make sure Carsein faces no problems. But I had an idea while thinking. Want to hear it?”

-Ding!

▶This message does not appear to players.◀

▶Claire exclusive hidden episode. Condition 1 for clearing “<Unending Discomfort>” has been met.◀

[ Condition 1: During the Symposium, Claire does not interfere with Carsein’s territory. ☑ ]

▶Reward granted.◀

■Rewards

[ All hindrances and dead flags affecting the House of Bargrand during the Symposium are removed. ]

[ Achievement level increase by 15%! ]

[ Can autonomously participate in all events regardless of the House of Bargrand, without penalty! ]