Chapter 178

Ferdy paused for a moment but answered with a resolute face.

“Brother. I think it would be better to show you directly where everything is rather than explain.”

“Yeah. Seeing is believing. It’s much better to see than to explain, and now we’ve surely obtained the main episode beyond the grace period of Day 1.”

It’s better to look around occasionally instead of just staying here.

That way, I followed Ferdy to survey the Shatren Territory.

-Ding!

“Stepped into a dangerous area. If caught by the residents, combat will be unavoidable!”

As soon as I stepped into the place where the residents were trading goods, an alert popped up in my status window.

This field seemed to be composed of quite a few disgruntled residents.

“Even if it comes to combat, I’ll just lose recognition… My affinity will drop even further.”

In reality, it’s not combat but HP gradually decreasing. Throwing objects as threats slightly injures Carsein’s body.

This was expected. I’ll try to avoid status ailments by deflecting incoming objects with weapons, and if I keep going…

“Brother. Not that way, this way.”

Ferdy lowered his voice, covering his mouth with his palm.

“If we go that way, we’ll be spotted. There’s a secret path here that these uncles and aunties don’t know about.”

As Ferdy said, a narrow path appeared behind a large vine in the field.

Just enough for a small number of people to hide. Could this be it?

Stepping into this narrow path, another alert sounded along with the status window.

-Ding!

“Stepped into a caution area. Be careful of noise; residents won’t notice you as long as you don’t make loud noises.”

Ah-ha.

I didn’t realize it was possible to avoid friction with residents in the game.

No, rather, I should praise Ferdy who knows this place inside out. The difference in rank really feels different.

Entering the narrow path, Ferdy pointed at where the residents gathered and explained.

“There, do you see them calling merchants over? That’s what I mean.”

As Ferdy said,

The amount of money offered by the Shatren Territory was quite substantial.

However, the cash wasn’t that much. This money probably only accounted for part of the support funds received from the Duke House.

“Hmm…”

“Y-You mean, this could be covered with the support funds from the Bargrand Duke House… But still, something feels off, Brother!”

Ferdy clasped his hands together, appealing, as if he knew it himself.

“I know. Listen, kid.”

“What?”

“Part of what we got from Rusmaier is being exported again.”

This money probably only accounted for part of the support funds received from the Duke House. However, considering that Shatren Territory is exporting goods externally, it seems Ferdy isn’t mistaken.

“But even from my perspective, it raises suspicion.”

In this closed-off Shatren, where even the fact that they helped each other with Rusmaier wasn’t known, it’s suspicious that such transactions were happening secretly.

It’s unlikely that this kid would casually mention that there’s an internal enemy in Shatren.

“It seems this has happened more than once or twice.”

“Yes, Brother. I couldn’t tell you right away because it’s hard to say, but… Just based on what I’ve seen…”

Ferdy spread his fingers wide.

Ten fingers. At least that many times it’s happened.

Such a significant amount of money changing hands was being conducted quietly in this closed village.

Surely, even if it were Ferdy’s eyes, it would be strange to see this.

“Why collect so much money? Even with the support funds from the Bargrand Duke House.”

Seeing my confusion, Ferdy cautiously spoke up.

“…That’s why I wanted to share my thoughts, Brother.”

“Huh?”

Following Ferdy’s gaze, a large barrel was being moved by workers in a big room.

“It’s here as requested.”

“Oh wow.”

“I was wondering if the quantity would be sufficient given the expanded land. Good to know.”

“They filled it generously? Haha.”

The residents smiled confidently, expecting good things.

One thing to remember is that Shatren is a farming territory.

Those who have dedicated their lives to agriculture, cultivating this territory, collecting such large sums of money to buy this must be noteworthy.

“What exactly is that?”

“That’s a fertilizer tank.”

“Fertilizer tank?”

“In Shatren, they’ve always tried to grow crops by purchasing high-quality fertilizers. But since the famine, the number of fertilizer tanks arriving suggests it can’t be solved with the support funds from the Bargrand Duke House. It’s significantly more than before.”

“Hmm.”

From the sound of it, they’re clearly trying to revive Shatren strawberries and grapes.

However, judging from the number of tanks, it’s not just one or two. Considering dozens of large tanks pouring out…

They must have collected money by exporting items from Rusmaier to purchase this high-quality fertilizer.

Then, this means…

“Hey Ferdy, do you know how much the harvest of crops grown on the land reclaimed by Shatren is?”

“We’re currently surviving on potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, etc. Other lands…”

“You’re using it for growing Shatren strawberries and grapes, right?”

“Y-Yes. How did you know…”

Ferdy’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Shatren faced a crisis this winter, didn’t it? It wouldn’t have been manageable without Rusmaier’s help. What caused it?”

“Well… it was due to food shortages.”

Of course.

The residents foolishly thought expanding the land would solve everything.

-Ding!

“Gained information from the Agent!”

[Shatren faced a food shortage crisis this winter.]

The claim itself was factual, albeit incomplete.

If asked, most residents would call it a lie.

But I know.

Ferdy’s speculation was spot-on.

-Ding!

“Identified issues within the territory. How shall I respond?”

[5. Summon key figures to the central hall.] ☑

“Ferdy, gather key figures to the central hall.”

“H-Huh, Brother?”

“This isn’t something to let slide.”

And at the same time, this was a rare opportunity for me.

***

“Activated the temporary Lord’s ability to host a Clue and Prove Event!”

“Measuring achievement level from now on, which increases the authority and effectiveness of the temporary Lord!”

“Choices may arise depending on the situation!”

“…”

“…”

As I waited, people began to gather with uneasy expressions.

In the silence, one man asked:

“What brings us here?”

It’s started.

The gray box wavered as I felt the tension.

If I make a single mistake here, it will lead to disaster.

-Ding!

“How shall I respond to the man’s question?”

[1. (Grabbing his collar) You’re selling items from our merchant guild and asking such questions?]

[2. (Pointing outside) I heard everything from Ferdy outside. Why are you farming so poorly despite struggling with food shortages?]

[3. (Crossing legs, mocking) Why hide such transactions?]

…

…

For now, I’ll hold off on using pre-existing knowledge to choose. It’s better to conclude at the end.

“Using information obtained from the agent!”

[Shatren faced a food shortage crisis this winter.]

“Shatren faced a food shortage crisis this winter.”

“!”

Upon hearing the word “food shortage,” the residents flinched.

I approached them softly.

“I’d like to hear details about why such a crisis occurred.”

“Because there was a poor harvest, naturally…”

“Is it natural for a farming territory famous for its agriculture to face a food shortage crisis?”

The man who had been shouting abruptly closed his mouth.

“Residents’ speech power reduced.”

“Achievement level increased!”

“Using information obtained from the agent!”

[The agricultural ratio is in shambles!]

“The land could have solved the food problem if only other crops were planted. Why then, did you face a food shortage crisis?”

-Ding!

“Residents’ speech power reduced.”

“Achievement level increased!”

With two consecutive attacks, the residents fell silent.

But this game isn’t that easy.

“Perhaps this crisis arose because Shatren Territory suffered a major setback once?”

“We’ve never experienced anything like this. We, Shatren, haven’t struggled with eating until today!”

“Then, wouldn’t the problem lie with the previous Lord?”

“Children were plundering during that time too!”

This unprecedented food crisis traces back to past events, and the current residents feel they are victims of past events.

Shatren Territory always holds this stance stubbornly.

So, I waited for that statement.

“Let me speak! We reduced the number of crops and even cut back on meals to save money. We used that money to buy high-quality fertilizers for various plants!”

“We tried to grow crops by importing high-quality fertilizers from outside. Don’t you understand our efforts?”

There it is.

[7. Perhaps forcing increased harvests of strawberries and grapes is the issue.]

“Lying.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Did you face a food crisis due to forcibly increasing strawberry and grape harvests?”

“!”

“That’s not effort; it’s futile longing.”

“Wh-What are you saying?”

“You can’t break free from the glory of past Shatren. You fear falling, fear becoming a regular territory. So, you ignore the reality, wasting money on fertilizers while living in poverty.”

The residents stood up angrily.

“That’s wasteful spending! We want to save this land!”

“Yes! We don’t want to give up. We don’t want to lose these specialties, our pride!”

“How else would we save up to buy high-quality fertilizers!”

The residents spoke in unison.

But that’s the weakness.

“Yes. You expanded the land for strawberries and grapes. Then, did it improve when you used more fertilizers?”

“W-Well…”

“I heard the methods remained the same. The method of growing crops hasn’t changed. But why didn’t it change when you switched fields from carrots, potatoes, and sweet potatoes to strawberry fields? Those lands weren’t touched.”

“…”

“Then, did you ever produce strawberries and grapes of the same quality as before after applying the fertilizer?”

No one could answer those questions.

Expanding the land didn’t change anything. Even though untouched lands were reclaimed for different crops, nothing changed. The same quality of strawberries and grapes was never produced after applying the fertilizer.

Then, the issue must be something identical to the past.

I opened my eyes slowly, ready to advise.

“…There is only one thing completely identical.”

An elderly man seemed to regain his senses.

“Our farming methods and land management. Are you pointing out that these two are the problems, Lord?”

“Village Chief!”

“What do you mean…”

“It’s the only thing that hasn’t changed.”

Indeed, the village chief is the village chief.

Even in the game, it was like this, but here, at least, communication might work.

“Correct, Brem.”