Chapter 163

“Does that have anything to do with the young master?”

“What dealings the merchant from Rusmaier had with us is a matter of the Shatren Territory. It has nothing to do with young master Carsein!”

The residents all refute this in unison.

Or perhaps, it wasn’t a refutation but rather a deep-rooted denial born out of distrust.

“Even if support was sent from Rusmaier, what could young master say about it?”

“Support? Yes, you can say that. At least he didn’t ruin the territory like the young master did.”

“But how did young master ruin our land! You were going to trample our hopes and dreams without even a thought!”

“Not satisfied, are you? Trying to ruin our land again? Crush our last hope?!”

But they were too closed off.

Once damaged by Carsein, the territory no longer welcomed outsiders, only guarding itself against such situations.

“It’s related. I am the lord of Rusmaier.”

“What did you say?!”

“The lord of Rusmaier…? What did I hear?”

“That’s a lie! You’re making up nonsense again. How could young master be the…!”

But before the voice could deny it, it was cut short.

“Shatren used to send trading carriages to Rusmaier and didn’t complain when kids stole food. This time, the situation was reversed.”

“How did you know that?!”

“If the lord didn’t know, what then? Want me to tell you more? Like how I dug tunnels in Rusmaier? I knew it was a village of sculptors so I used the structure of Mount Waglew. That’s why trading carriages haven’t been frequent lately.”

“…!”

“And there’s more. The crops in Rusmaier cause digestive issues for children, so they drink milk to supplement their nutrition.”

While other territories might not know, Shatren, having traded with Rusmaier for a long time, knows this well.

Carsein’s casual shrug confirmed every word.

If Carsein was truly the lord of Rusmaier, as he claimed, then Shatren, which relied on support from Rusmaier, couldn’t help but hesitate.

Carsein struck back at those who exposed his weaknesses.

“And if Rusmaier’s trading carriages hadn’t come this winter, you would’ve been in big trouble.”

“What are you talking about?”

“It won’t help to deny it. Shatren pushed its limits and ran out of food, putting the children in danger. But then, right when it mattered, the carriage arrived.”

*Thud.*

He drove his sword into the dry ground.

“As a temporary lord of Shatren, it may seem unbelievable, but I proved my right to manage your territory. This is a legal right given by saving you before the symposium began. Any objections?”

Silence.

That winter, Shatren’s overzealous attempts had indeed backfired.

Though trying to save Shatren was commendable, their desperation led them to dig themselves deeper.

Just when the Rusmaier trading carriage arrived, it was like a ray of spring sunshine.

Without Rusmaier, many would have starved and possibly died.

Carsein, smiling cruelly, sheathed his sword.

“I hereby declare myself the temporary lord of Shatren. And right now, I will issue an order.”

The engraving stone lit up in response to Carsein’s voice. This order protected the residents from being tormented by the lord, while also binding the temporary lord to gain additional points through obedience.

“You don’t have to follow my policy. I won’t give any other orders to you.”

Hearing this, the residents fell into greater confusion.

It was already an error to not follow the lord’s words, but to not give any other orders except this one was essentially allowing the residents to reject the temporary lordship.

“Is that okay to tolerate?”

“Yes. Even if our territory falls apart, we can blame the lord. We won’t lose anything.”

“I agree. What about you?”

“Yeah. Even if we don’t follow orders, I’m already accepting it.”

“Try defying more. Hmph! We’ll lower your score and demand more!”

This order, a small contract applied to the residents, meant they could also demand a penalty if they broke it.

Then.

“No…!”

“Trisha!”

“Are you okay? Where does it hurt?!”

“My body isn’t important. I oppose this order!”

Trisha, who had been sleeping on Camila’s lap, rushed forward to oppose the order.

“Why… Why isn’t anyone responding…? I clearly expressed my opposition…”

“This order is a contract attempted on the entire territory. More than 40% of the residents must agree for it to pass.”

“Such…!”

Trisha immediately turned to the residents, pleading.

“Everyone…! Why did young master take on Shatren again? Think about it!”

But.

“Hmph. Is there a reason?”

“There’s no law preventing someone who ruined a territory from coming back to fix it.”

“Listen. You’re young, maybe you don’t understand, but ever since that day, we’ve been living in hell! Do you get it?”

“Trisha. You’ve been fooled. Whatever you heard, young master tricked you!”

The residents ignored Trisha’s plea, believing she was just another victim of the liar, Carsein.

*Swoosh.*

“No…! It can’t be…!”

The engraving stone accepted opinions from more than 40% of the residents, applying the engraving.

“With the temporary lord declaration complete, I’ll return.”

Carsein chuckled and turned away, not adding any more words.

“Trisha.”

“This is right. There’s nothing wrong.”

Trisha, crying, asked:

“Why… Why did young master save me? My body is fine because of young master Carsein… Why won’t you listen to me?”

“…You were fooled. Young master Carsein hasn’t changed.”

“Have you forgotten? When was the last time we harvested Shatren strawberries and grapes?”

“We need to get more from young master during this symposium. Otherwise, everyone will die.”

“Young master only ever wanted to save our territory!”

“Hey!”

“You don’t know anything! You don’t even know that we let kids steal from the carriage young master rode in!”

Trisha, crying, stormed out of the village.

…

“No… It can’t be…!”

Someone quietly watching this scene refused to accept reality.

***

*Ding!*

▶You became the temporary lord of Shatren Territory. You gained the right to manage it through the engraving order.◀

▶Episode VI. Clearing the target of hatred.◀

■Rewards

[You can exercise the rights of a temporary lord.]

[The threat level of Shatren Territory decreases in certain areas.]

‘Looks like I cleared the first hurdle.’

The reward screen appeared after the rush of choices.

Judging by the rewards, it seems I successfully lowered the residents’ guard and reduced the threat level, so at least I won’t be chased away.

*Tada-tada-dak.*

I checked the status window as footsteps approached.

Although filled with anger towards Carsein, it didn’t seem like they came to harm me.

No, it seemed unnecessary.

“Wait a moment!!”

The footsteps sounded light.

It was Ferdy.

▶You successfully triggered results beyond the choice!◀

▶A meeting with a specific person has been arranged!◀

What?

“Breathless… young master.”

Ferdy, catching her breath.

A faint box was visible above her.

A white box, unlike the residents of Shatren.

[Ferdy]

[Friendship level: 12%]

‘12%?’

I blinked in disbelief.

Ferdy clearly showed hostility towards Carsein at this time.

It should be -12%, not 12%.

“Why did you do that?”

“Huh?”

“You could have said we stole food from your carriage. It was technically theft, but if you forgave us for attacking a carriage carrying the lord… wouldn’t you have avoided using the engraving stone?”

Indeed, Ferdy had seen me then.

That’s why Trisha took her place.

Our first meeting happened in front of the carriage, and Ferdy’s trigger was spent.

In response to her question…

▶Do you want to answer Ferdy’s question?

[1. Yes, you’re right. It wasn’t necessary. Frankly, I’m a bit disappointed.]

[2. What good would it do to say it?]

[3. I planned to mention it later to use it somehow.]

[4. If I had mentioned it, I would have warned about Trisha’s danger!]

[5. Don’t answer.]

‘I have to choose.’

I stared indifferently at the status window and didn’t hesitate.

[2. What good would it do to say it?]☑

“What good would it do to say it?”

“…Huh?”

“I’m asking what good it would do to tell the villagers.”

“Well, you’ve already helped us before… This time, believe us once. Isn’t that how you should explain it? Then the villagers might understand and accept you as the temporary lord.”

“…”

Ferdy, struck by the point, remained silent.

I sighed and added to the second option.

[2. I guarantee it wouldn’t have worked. Even meals like that would have been covered by support funds.]☑

“I guarantee it wouldn’t have worked. Even if you had argued before those adults who think this territory is ruined, they wouldn’t have believed you.”

“Then we could have all stood up…! With so many witnesses…!”

“Then they would have accused us of lying together.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m the greatest liar in this territory. If I had declared here that I would change Shatren and announced my appointment as temporary lord, what do you think would have happened?”

Ferdy hesitated, then fell silent.

She knew it too.

“Yeah. They wouldn’t have believed it. Change doesn’t happen just by talking. Only visible results can convince people.”

For the residents to trust, the land needed to change.

So, I had to impose restrictions on myself not to give any orders, reducing distrust.

Becoming a liar wasn’t Carsein’s fault.

With a little manipulation, lies could grow.

Probably, someone else was behind it.

“So, thanks to that kid, I could speak freely.”

“Really? Even in the duke’s house?”

“Yeah. I knew a maid put too much salt in my food, but I didn’t say anything. Ferdy, what would you do if you were in my shoes?”

“Well… I’d call the cook and ask…”

“By doing that, you’d be suspecting the cook and the maid. After that, I got a warning from Arina.”

“A warning…?”

“Without clear evidence, I couldn’t prove it. But the next time, and the time after that, different foods with foreign substances appeared on my table. I knew which maid did it. Yet, I never proved it. Instead, I was blamed for tormenting the maids.”

The most accusations of lying came from those closest to me.

From my family.

“Young master, how did you handle it?”

Ferdy swallowed hard and asked.

I smiled and answered.

“I ate the soup with the salt as if nothing was wrong.”

“…!!!”

“Otherwise, all I’d get is distrust. So, this was the only way, right?”

Eating the salty soup casually each time made others wonder if it really had salt in it.

“Until they revealed their weakness. I endured, waited for them to make a mistake, and caught the evidence.”

And I proved it.

That such incidents happened in the duke’s house.

“Do you understand now? Why I didn’t bring it up?”

“Y-You mean… Then, not giving any orders in Shatren…?”

Ferdy spoke with trembling eyes.

“Yeah. I’ll prove it like the soup with salt. Without anyone’s help, enduring the title of liar, I’ll rise up.”

Only then can I firmly claim this territory as mine.

It’s enough.

Ferdy originally had hostility towards Carsein but gradually turned into an ally.

Though it happened earlier than expected, it didn’t matter.

*Ding!

▶You successfully triggered results beyond the choice!◀

Huh?

“…So, you’re confident you won’t be expelled this time?”

“What?”

“Shatren is wrong. Everyone in our village is wrong! I know you tried to save Shatren! Can you prove it?!”

*Ding!

▶Ferdy’s friendship rapidly increases and turns into an ally.◀

▶Friendship settings have changed.◀

[Ferdy]

[Mindless faith: 38%]

I was momentarily surprised by this sudden change in friendship settings.

“I’ve been stealing to show Shatren is wrong. Only then could it prove young master was right!”

“…”

She faced me without flinching, unlike before.

Her theft was a plan to highlight the problems in Shatren.

That makes sense.

Why would she turn from an enemy to an ally in Shatren?

She already knew.

“Yeah. I’ll prove everything.”

“You promised! This time, don’t get expelled!”

“Of course.”

With your blind faith, I’ll repay you with everything.

Ferdy.

***

After shaking hands with Ferdy, promising not to be expelled, we soon parted ways. She gave me some information.

“There’s something I definitely need to show you. Those things left by young master back then, seeing them might help!”

Something prepared to strengthen the argument that Shatren’s judgment was wrong.

I don’t know what it is, but the system tells me:

■Reward

[You will receive an item from Ferdy after some time.]

It’s an item.

The reward for choosing this option.

Since it’s an item obtained within the episode, it can be used in some way. I just need to wait.

*Ding!

▶A meeting with a specific person has been arranged!◀

‘Huh? Ferdy already came?’

Turning around, I saw a noble girl standing there, her eyes glistening.

Wearing a dress that didn’t fit this place.

Her golden hair tied in two buns.

That noble girl was undoubtedly Flora.

Oh, of course. A meeting with a specific person meant Flora.

As the saying goes, tigers come when called.

“Why are you here again?”

Flora gasped and asked.

“No…? Carsein. You’re still wearing that false accusation here… It’s not true… right…?”

Ah, that was the problem.

I smiled and replied.

“Isn’t this what you wanted?”