Chapter 202

Week three forces the progression of Flora’s birthday episode, and from here on out, the residents’ dissatisfaction rises and they come to me.

This development was something I had to go through in the game.

Flora’s birthday is always fixed; if you don’t head to the birthday party during that time, it leads directly to a bad ending. Thus, rising dissatisfaction is inevitable as it meets the Clue and Prove event in Chapter 2, which is progressing the symposium.

No matter how hard you try, you can’t avoid it.

You could say this is an inevitable turn of fate.

Anyway, this Clue and Prove event is a gate you must clear.

But honestly, preparing for this in just three days is impossible.

Due to the pattern where events force the player to waste time, one has to prepare much earlier.

Make choices in advance, create data that can be proven, and show it to them. Use the power of the system, I mean.

But I couldn’t use the power of the system.

Even after returning to Shatren right after finishing Flora’s birthday episode, it was the same.

Instead of showing up, only a warning message about increased dissatisfaction appeared in front of me.

It means one thing.

“Find the problems in Shatren purely with your own strength.”

It’s a ridiculous story. Asking residents’ dissatisfaction to be suppressed by Clue and Prove events without the system’s power. It’s like suffocating.

Not being able to use the system’s power even when preparing choices and rebuttals for the event beforehand is essentially leading to a bad ending.

However, even within these three days, an answer could be found.

Modern knowledge is such a powerful weapon.

Even in a fantasy world setting, it holds true.

The soil is still the same dirt.

The laws of modern science apply here too.

“Preparations as ordered, Young Master.”

Camila bowed respectfully in front of me in front of all the residents of Shatren, having completed her preparations.

“Gurgle gurgle.”

Inside a transparent glass bottle, water was boiling.

There was something light inside it.

I decided to explain lightly since it would take some time anyway.

“Hmm. It’ll take some time, so why not ask a question first?”

“A question…?”

“Yes. Do you know what kind of soil strawberries and grapes grow well in?”

The residents of the Shatren territory clicked their tongues.

“We’ve been growing strawberries and grapes in Shatren for decades. How could we not know?!”

“Seems like you didn’t, though.”

“What are you saying?!”

“Judging from the state of the fields, it looks like you don’t know at all what conditions are best for strawberries and grapes.”

My provocation made the residents bristle with anger.

Yet, the words coming out of their mouths were still the same.

Grow in good soil with proper fertilizers and ample water.

In winter protect against frost, in summer against pests, ensuring the plant’s stems and roots aren’t damaged.

They said a lot more.

But, of course, all useless.

Though some minor points on preventing crop damage came up, they completely missed the essence of the question.

“Whack!”

To silence those getting hot under the collar with useless talk, I slammed my scabbard into the ground.

“So you know nothing. There’s no concrete information. Despite my land producing more Grade D or higher Shatren strawberries and grapes, how do you explain this difference? Is it because my land is better?”

“That… That’s not…”

Of course, I couldn’t say that.

The land I took was mainly from the eastern part of Shatren.

Sure, it’s good, but it’s inferior compared to the western and central lands, a fact known to everyone.

“It’s down to luck. Without luck, farming won’t yield enough, you know!”

“Y-Yes!”

“Just a lucky harvest on your land, Young Master. Nothing more, nothing less!”

At this, I smiled contentedly.

“So, you know nothing.”

“…?”

“Camila. Are we done?”

“Yes, Young Master. Just finished.”

“Let’s see if you believe in luck.”

*Ding!*

▶A task to prove has arisen.◀

[The player must explain the differences between their plot and the residents’ plots.]

[Success: One right to claim over Shatren will be granted.]

[Failure: The current closure order on Shatren will be lifted.]

***

pH. Hydrogen ion concentration index.

An index value indicating the presence of hydrogen cations, which act as a measure of acidity or alkalinity in a solution.

Soil also changes crop results based on this value, making this number very important in modern farming.

Some plants, like mugwort, grow across a wide range of pH values, while others, like socora, require a narrow pH range.

That is, crops have an optimal pH. If it’s too high or low, the crops might die.

For instance, strawberries and grapes grow well in slightly acidic soil, which is the case here too.

The challenge is proving and showing this.

They won’t believe unless they see, hear, and smell with their senses.

Given Carsein’s history of ruining the territory and Shatren’s current isolation, mere theory won’t convince them.

So, you have to show it visually.

pH can be shown visually.

How do you show pH?

With modern equipment, you’d use an ion electrode from a pH meter for precise measurements.

Schools usually can’t afford such expensive equipment for simple classes, so they substitute with “indicators.”

“Unbelievable…”

“Really, different colors for different soils?”

They’re looking at two samples.

One from Harrier’s territory, the other from Shatren territory.

There was a clear color change in both soils.

Now, I can explain.

“I gave both bottles the same conditions. Just added a few drops of cabbage juice. But why did this happen?”

The reason is simple.

“Even if the soil is the same, its properties differ. On the right side, where even regular strawberries won’t grow due to high acidity and lack of fertilizer, it’s not a suitable environment for crops.”

Because the pH isn’t ideal. They simply can’t grow well.

The residents gulped down their saliva as they watched the two bottles.

They could guess what would happen next.

“Alright, let’s move on. You clearly stated there’s a difference between my land and yours.”

“…”

“The left is from my field, the right from yours. Let’s check.”

Amidst the gulping sounds, I slowly put on gloves and dropped indicators into each bottle.

And surprisingly…

“How can this be…”

“This red? Our farmland?”

“Even the same soil is so different…”

“If it’s too red, crops won’t grow, right?”

“Is this really according to the data scroll?”

The soil from the residents’ farmland wasn’t ordinary acidic soil; it was much more acidic, appearing reddish.

‘This color is way too intense.’

I took out a homemade item from my pocket and compared it with their glass bottles.

If only there were pH paper tools, but this world doesn’t have them.

So, I spent the last three days creating a tool by subdividing the specific colors corresponding to different pH levels.

Based on several experiments, the soil pH ranges around 2-3. Most crops wouldn’t grow, but the crops here adapt to these conditions.

‘But even so, this raises some questions.’

Their soil wasn’t originally different from the eastern field soil. It was confirmed to be almost identical until recently.

Proving this, the eastern field soil I managed was even more acidic. Meaning, all Shatren’s soil is acidic.

Why is Shatren’s soil all acidic?

This doubt didn’t easily fade away.

*Ding!*

▶Successfully cleared the Clue and Prove event.◀

▶Proved the difference between the residents’ soil and the player’s soil. You now have the right to give one command to the Shatren residents.◀

‘So, it’s time to exercise my rights.’

There’s no denying there are doubts.

Looking back, the Shatren residents seemed oddly fixated on something.

Putting aside my doubts, I exercised my rights properly.

“Then, I’ll make an announcement here. Shatren will now cut off all contact with the outside world.”

“What?!”

“Also, outsiders are forbidden from entering Shatren. All routes will be sealed, and all traders except Rusmaier will be expelled.”

The residents protested fiercely.

“What are we supposed to buy to farm if we can’t leave?!”

“That’s absurd. Revoke it!”

“How can you block everything we need?!”

Sighing involuntarily,

“Your soil is highly acidic. Conversely, mine is much lighter in color. Given the difference in soil, this isn’t luck. It’s not just your farming methods but also soil management that’s flawed. To prevent similar issues, we need to address the root cause.”

“What does that mean?!”

“It’s unrelated!”

“No, it’s related!”

“What…?”

“You’ve been using high-quality fertilizers, which were imported from outside.”

“…”

At this point, the residents’ eyes widened.

“Shatren’s soil couldn’t have changed on its own. My suspicion is the fertilizer. If you want to refute this, you’d have to deny the pH data and experiments I’ve provided. Can you?”

Though stunned, they couldn’t refute it.

***

▶Agent ability activated.◀

[2. Daike]

▶Ability: Controller

[Completely control external contacts to isolate Shatren.]

‘I solved this for now.’

Initially, Daike’s ability is used, so for a while, the only contact possible with Shatren is through Tasha, who manages Rusmaier.

‘But, it’s not enough.’

This pattern of forcing events to consume the player’s time will appear again.

Before that happens, I need to act preemptively.

To properly suppress them and enforce measures, manpower is needed.

“Let’s go, Harrier.”

“Yes.”

*Clop, clop.*

Let’s go.

To Rusmaier.

The agent of the Empire’s west, Talpon, commands the Rusmaier army.