Chapter 190

Finally.

The Shatren Strawberries I’ve longed for have finally come into my hands.

The last ingredient needed to treat my younger sister’s rare disease. This box of strawberries could easily save someone’s life.

It was the right choice.

Not only waiting for the residents but also taking a gamble on Carsein turned out to be the right decision.

As a result of going home on leave directly from Carsein.

“Sister.”

My younger sister, who had been bedridden and couldn’t get up, stood up as if completely healed and hugged Daike.

“What a relief. Really, truly a relief…”

That day, Daike cried and cried again upon realizing his younger sister had recovered.

A whole day passed.

Daike’s younger sister could now eat and even do light activities.

The doctor, to ensure there were no lingering effects or incomplete recovery, observed her activities for half a day before checking her pulse on her wrist and nodded at Daike with a slight smile.

“It seems she’s almost fully recovered. You can consider her back to normal.”

“Thank you so much.”

“Thank me? All I did was make the medicine.”

The doctor seemed ready to leave, putting on his hat.

“The reason your little one recovered so cleanly is thanks to your hard work.”

“Huh?”

“If you had brought the grade I originally requested, things might have gotten worse. But you brought such high-grade strawberries, so there were no problems.”

“…”

Though the doctor had previously sent a letter asking for an even higher grade of strawberry, he greatly praised Daike for faithfully fulfilling the order and even bringing a higher grade than requested.

After the doctor left,

Daike fell into deep thought.

Helketa I Disease requires high-grade Shatren Strawberries as a core ingredient in the cure. Lower grades are less effective, while higher grades, even if more dangerous, are better. They also affect post-treatment effects.

Yes, that was true.

The reason for his younger sister’s complete recovery was undoubtedly due to the grade of the Shatren Strawberries.

However, this strawberry had a secret.

“C-Grade… I heard this was the best among those harvested this time.”

It wasn’t the best level. It was the highest quality produced since the heyday of Shatren’s production, excluding its prime years.

Other strawberries were still lower grades, and the C-Grade strawberry was just one. It was the only one Daike received directly from Carsein.

But why?

Why would nobles who value human lives over everything else hand this over to him?

After his sister recovered and this crucial fact surfaced in his mind, Daike felt a tightness in his chest.

And a deep doubt arose.

Daike’s vacation time passed quickly as he returned to his daily routine.

It was time to return to his guard duties.

With his sister now awake and likely well taken care of by his family, it was time for him to return to his own place.

“Oh, Daike.”

“You’re back from your leave, right?”

“…Yeah.”

Just back from Shatren and greeting his comrades, the guards’ mood was downcast.

“Did something happen?”

Daike cautiously asked, and one of his comrades sighed deeply in response.

“During your absence, the prices of strawberries and grapes suddenly skyrocketed. Everyone’s going crazy because of this.”

“…”

“Not just that. What kind of jump? It’s not even a jump! It’s more like cheating!”

“Now, suppliers can only accept reservations for low-grade items. Even for low-grade items, you have to reserve them!”

How could fruit prices increase so drastically?

The guards were deeply lamenting.

Daike’s spine tingled.

Prices rising was inevitable, but when he received a notebook from Carsein saying “If the situation changes, come back,” he still had it.

The problem was that the content of the notebook was accurate.

‘If the prices were supposed to rise at this time, I thought something was off… Does that mean he knew all along?’

If that were the case…

“Gulp.”

“Hey, guys. Listen to me for a moment.”

“Huh?”

“…Actually, I didn’t buy the Shatren strawberries from the residents.”

“What do you mean?”

“Is there a black market for Shatren crops?”

“Tell us more!”

Daike began to explain the source of the strawberries carefully.

“I got these strawberries from Lord Carsein.”

“What?!”

“Lord Carsein personally grew them. He generously gave them to me.”

“From the temporary lord of Shatren?”

“That’s absurd. A noble, a member of the Bargrand family, growing crops…”

“There’s more. There are other issues.”

“Yes, indeed. This Shatren…”

His comrades murmured in confusion.

“I can’t explain the details. There’s no guarantee it will happen again this time either. But I think this might be our chance to find the items you need.”

At least that’s what Daike thought.

“So? What are we supposed to do?”

“Frict!”

Amidst the murmuring comrades, Frict spoke up.

“We don’t have time. Guys, everyone came looking for Shatren strawberries and grapes. We even considered leaving in a group recently, didn’t we?”

“…”

The comrades quieted down.

Frict asked Daike again.

“Explain, Daike. What should we do?”

After a deep breath, Daike briefly stated:

“Let’s ask Lord Carsein.”

Carsein was sincere about farming.

He was sincere about cultivating the Shatren territory outside the noble framework, and he seriously pondered how to grow these crops.

No, he was more than just serious.

He poured his time, effort, and dedication into it.

Carsein was a diligent person.

It wasn’t strange that such diligent efforts yielded good strawberries. He even held his books and notes while eating.

And.

He gave away the only high-grade strawberry without any compensation.

Such a person.

Someone who prioritizes human lives over immediate profits.

It might be possible.

***

“Hmm… This is beyond my reach.”

As usual, I planted crops and gathered data.

But unlike the past where progress was made, I’m now approaching my limits.

“There were indeed issues with the farming method. But comparing the quality and yield of the crops, even if the issues were fixed, the improvement would be too small.”

Since the game was pixel-based, these calculations were easy.

I created two fields as a miniature version of the Shatren territory to calculate their data values and tried to predict the drop in harvest during a specific period.

By comparing the fields with and without the problem, I could estimate the extent of the drop and adjust the growth rate accordingly.

But after comparison, the difference was minimal.

This wasn’t just a problem with the farming method.

“The impact must have come from external factors.”

If the harvest rate dropped immediately after Carsein took charge, it’s hard to believe.

On the contrary, it makes more sense that someone attacked from the outside to bring Carsein down.

Like the internal enemy who managed the festival.

“In that case, we must find the culprit… Ah, they must have arrived by now.”

Since the third week started, I wanted to use my agent ability, but for now, Daike’s sister’s condition takes priority.

I purposely gave them some time to ensure things went smoothly, so they should have arrived in Shatren by now.

This is a familiar development.

Using my controller agent ability, I’ll isolate Shatren territory from other regions, block all passageways, and identify the problem.

My rank is B.

I can control access for quite some time, so I’ll delve deeper into the territory. Even if the residents protest, showing them the ranks of the strawberries and grapes from Shatren should silence them.

“Alright. Let’s find the culprit first.”

Now is the time to use my controller agent ability. I decided to go straight to the accommodation where Daike is staying.

But then,

“Huh?”

An unexpected situation occurred.

“Carsein Lord. I have something to discuss with you.”

Daike came to find me first.

I don’t know what situation this is.

I can’t tell what event is unfolding. This could be the starting point of a trigger.

But if there’s one standout piece of information…

[Daike]

[Friendship Level: 20%]

It’s the change in friendship level.

*Ding!*

▶Friendship level with Daike reached 20% in Week 3.◀

▶Character-specific sub-episode “<Guard's Determination>” has automatically started.◀

‘…There was this too?’

Given the wide range of developments, it’s not unusual.

But reaching a friendship level of 20% with Daike in Week 3.

This is truly an outrageous condition. I swear, no matter how many times I try, I wouldn’t have found this.

The clear condition was simple.

Consume Shatren Strawberries and Shatren Grapes.

That’s all.

Even if it means a slight financial loss, it can be resolved immediately. The new crops will fill in.

Whether I clear this or not is my choice, but first, I need to understand what’s happening.

I nodded in agreement.

“Go on.”

“May I ask how many Shatren Strawberries and Grapes you’ve harvested?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“…Because I need more. Much more.”

More needed?

I suppose the treatment for his sister was successful.

The grade of strawberries needed for Helketa I Disease was D-. Even if it was delayed and worsened, a D-grade would suffice. Giving a C- grade, which is two levels higher, shouldn’t be an issue.

‘No, wait a moment.’

This isn’t about his sister.

I turned to my status window to check the sub-episode.

▶To clear this sub-episode, you need Shatren Strawberries and Shatren Grapes.◀

▶Do you accept? [1. Yes] [2. No]◀

Below the acceptance option, the quantity of strawberries and grapes needed is listed.

As expected, quite a lot.

There’s a reason for the financial loss.

But handing these over is necessary to clear the sub-episode…

Right?

“Does another guard need them?”

At Daike’s surprised look, he raised his head abruptly.