Chapter 205

▶The affinity with Talpon has increased.◀

‘This is going as expected.’

The Rilfetten House is known as the Rilfetten Tribe.

They are people from the West with an extremely sensitive nose among their five senses.

One might think it’s not unusual for someone to have a sensitive nose. Indeed, among the five senses, the sense of smell in humans is very sensitive and easily fatigued.

But they are different.

Even though it’s a fantasy setting, they can smell the scent of their target from much farther than just body odor, and they can distinguish one person from another by their sense of smell alone.

Despite being called barbarians by the empire because they are akin to dogs, the true value of the Rilfetten Tribe lies in their ability to smell mana.

It may seem strange, but in this game world, all living beings possess a certain amount of mana. The difference lies in whether or not they can exert it.

This means that just as each person has unique DNA, mana also has a unique scent.

If this rule applies, the Rilfetten Tribe’s sense of smell could be considered a powerful weapon.

There’s nothing better for catching criminals.

“Harnei. Do you know if the gem hanging on your choker is a continuous-type?”

“Yes. Because it has a special magic circle designed to protect me, it consumes a little bit of my mana.”

“…”

I thought about asking her to turn it off for a moment.

I know it’s a bit unreasonable to ask her not to use her only protective equipment.

But even if I cover my hands with the scent of the mud golem, if mana is emitted, it might still be detected by the Rilfetten Tribe, possibly making them feel even the slightest bit of mana as a foul odor.

‘No. But this is not right.’

Even if it’s dangerous, I can’t make her bear the risk when I’m the one who should take the danger.

I shouldn’t turn off the gem; I should send her somewhere else.

“Harnei. I’ll handle this from here on my own. Stay at the House of Aiferos. It would be more comfortable for you to spend the night there.”

Harnei narrowed her eyes and asked immediately.

“So, you were going to ask me to turn it off now.”

“Ah…”

“Why didn’t you say so? That’s not a big deal.”

Not a big deal?

It doesn’t seem like it at all.

A quick look around shows this place is filled with members of the Rilfetten Tribe, making it unsuitable for her to be here.

“My safety isn’t what you should worry about.”

“Oh.”

-Ssshhh.

Before I could finish speaking, the light from the gem disappeared. This was the only safety device Harnei had to prevent various poisons and drugs from affecting her. It was turned off at this moment.

Harnei, having recovered the mana from the gem, immediately narrowed her eyes and approached me sharply.

“You’re in the West. Nobles aren’t around, so you don’t need to worry about such things. Are you worried about a little thing like this?”

Indeed, she might be right. Beautiful women like her wouldn’t be left alone in the empire, but here, they’re just on high alert.

But she is still from the empire.

“There’s a problem with my family.”

“Family?”

“The Rilfetten Tribe is often treated like barbarians by most nobles, especially those with higher status.”

Just look at the background where Carsein’s hostile feelings towards the House of Bargrand intensified because he’s from the House of Bargrand.

He was beaten up badly as soon as he set foot here.

Likewise, Harnei is also at great risk in the Rilfetten Tribe.

“Even the House of Teresia, which greatly excludes Westerners, won’t be an exception. Even if the fact that you are the head of the Merchant Guild of Plesia becomes known among them, it will still be dangerous.”

Harnei refused my persuasion several times before finally being persuaded.

“Ugh. What if I fall and you collapse again? You’d probably lie there with your legs stretched out.”

“…”

My past experience of carrying me after I collapsed silenced me.

I have no words for this.

What a system.

“I’ll be watching you closely, so don’t even think about it. And… there’s no point in separating anyway.”

“Huh?”

“It’s dangerous, but… you can protect me, right?”

“Ah…”

“Anyway! This method is best for both of us! So let’s get moving!”

While saying this, she gently nudged my back.

I wasn’t sure if this was right, but trying to persuade her further seemed futile.

“What business do you have with me, Imperial?”

▶The Rilfetten Tribes block your path. Choose an option.

[1. Ask one of the Rilfetten Tribes to tell Talpon you came to meet him.]

[2. Intimidate them while they’re on guard.]

[3. Ignore them and walk past.]

[4. Wait for Talpon to come.]

First, choose option 3—

‘No. Hold on.’

Why is there no option 5?

If it was the route where I met the Mud Golem, there should be five options at this timing.

Looking closely at the option window, I was surprised to find that there was no Dead Flag.

It’s not that one answer is missing, but a Dead Flag is missing.

What is this…

“Hey, just let them in.”

“Huh?”

“The chief said to let them in since the carriage arrived.”

“Hmm. If the chief said so… let them in.”

Surprise after surprise.

What?

Are they letting us in so easily?

▶The choice window automatically closes.◀

▶You can enter without interference from guards by meeting the conditions.◀

‘…This usually doesn’t happen. What’s going on?’

There shouldn’t be such an event before meeting Talpon…

“Why are you standing there, Carsein?”

“Oh, yes. We should go in.”

Though my head is full of questions, I must move forward.

However, as I was heading toward Talpon’s room, the status window popped up, and I finally understood why.

▶Due to Claire’s protection, the vigilance in Rilfetten has eased.◀

▶Due to Isabella’s protection, recognition in the Rilfetten field has slightly increased.◀

▶With the support of both, Talpon’s affinity has risen.◀

[Talpon]

[Affinity: -11%]

“…Seriously.”

***

Although the ridiculous truth has been revealed, it doesn’t matter.

The story remains the same. Despite the smooth progression of events, nothing is broken.

The reason I came here is to persuade Talpon.

“Have you come?”

-Ting!

▶The meeting with Talpon has been successful.◀

▶A dedicated episode starts to accept Talpon as your third agent.◀

As soon as I opened the door, Talpon’s voice and a system message appeared. This is where it begins.

“No need for introductions. Sit down first.”

I immediately scanned the option window and chose one.

[2. No way.]

“No way. We need to introduce ourselves formally.”

“I already know who you are.”

“But I don’t know anything about you.”

Although it may seem trivial, from Carsein’s perspective, he hasn’t even heard Talpon’s name properly.

If I awkwardly investigate him using in-game knowledge, it would lead to a bad ending.

And it’s not just that.

It’s also a way to emphasize my position.

“Fine, let’s do it. Where do we start?”

-Ting!

[1. Do you need a more detailed introduction?]

[2. Yes.]

[3. Is it because the House of Bargrand’s name isn’t attached?]

[4. I’m not here in the identity you know.] ☑

“I’m not here in the identity you know.”

This option allows Carsein to draw a line with the House of Bargrand.

It makes it clear that he’s visiting for reasons other than being a noble, which might resonate with Talpon’s deep-seated hostility towards nobles from the Peselros Empire.

And this choice naturally leads to an increase in affinity.

“…I see. That’s why you wanted to introduce yourself.”

▶Talpon’s affinity has increased.◀

[Current level: -9%]

It would be nice if there were some excuse to soften the blow.

Even if it’s not Tasha…

“This is Harnei. She participated in the 21st Eastern Nobles’ Meeting and is my fiancée, helping each other.”

By explaining this much, it clearly states that we didn’t come to the West as nobles.

Talpon, who was rolling his eyes toward Harnei, accepted it without much suspicion when he saw Harnei perform a Western-style greeting. He then crossed his arms and briefly introduced himself.

“Let’s not waste time. What brings you here?”

-Ting!

▶You must answer Talpon’s request!◀

We’ve entered the main topic.

From here, I need to raise the affinity by at least 19%.

Due to the high randomness, memorizing the options is endless.

In short, I have to rely entirely on my analytical skills and judgment.

‘Again, no choices appear.’

This time, the game system can’t even receive input.

But I have a plan.

“Remember the proposal you made to me in the past?”

“Hmm. I tend to forget proposals made with Imperials.”

You’re the one who remembers it clearly, aren’t you?

Then I have to respond.

“You asked me to bring about a change in perception in Rilfetten. You may not remember, but I clearly do.”

“…So, what are you getting at?”

Is this about the conversation that came up?

“This time, I came to truly change the perception of Rilfetten.”

“Hmph. It’s impossible. Isn’t it the same as wanting to get Rohia seeds from us as in the past?”

Though he seems displeased, he didn’t outright reject the straightforward proposal.

If that’s the case… it might be worth a try.

“Now, Rilfetten is struggling to rebuild its front lines after returning from the western front due to many wounded soldiers. Instead of that, why not use this time to work together?”

Talpon narrowed his eyes fiercely.

“…How did you know that?”

“It’s stranger not to know.”

Just as I was trying to answer without arousing suspicion, Harnei stepped forward.

“The Merchant Guild of Plesia… that’s what they call it.”

“Not information brokers, but individuals who can directly visit the West. Both of us.”

“…Both of us?”

“The House of Aiferos has a particularly close relationship with us, whether it’s the Merchant Guild of Plesia or the Territory of Rusmaier.”

This situation isn’t as bad as I thought.

Since there’s no witness when I speak, I can’t completely dispel the doubts.

But if the one who knows more about the West than me steps forward…

The argument just gained more weight.

As soon as Harnei explained the reason, the system window appeared.

▶Talpon’s suspicion is lifted.◀

“Tsk. I overlooked that.”

Harnei winked at me slightly.

This is really helpful. It’s a big help in answering such a tricky question.

Now, it’s easier to get to the point.

“The only thing I ask from Rilfetten is manpower.”

“Manpower?”

“Yeah. The Shatren Territory doesn’t listen to my orders right now. That’s why I need external manpower, which is why I came to you.”

And now, the conclusion.

“If you help Shatren and change the perception of Rilfetten, news will spread that we’re the first to establish relations with Imperials. With our support, reclaiming your old lands wouldn’t be impossible.”

“…”

“I won’t force you. Whether you take this opportunity is up to you.”

Will you refuse my offer and miss the chance, or will you recover that land faster?

After a moment of contemplation, Talpon stood up and said,

“There are three conditions.”

Three conditions.

At least I feel some tension knowing it’s not two.

“What are they?”

“First, put all the details of the symposium engraving stone into my side.”

“Because you can shake the contract? Alright. What’s next?”

At that moment, Talpon planted his weapon on the ground and said to me,

“There’s a place called Urome. There’s a monster called the Scorpion King there. I want you to handle it personally and return.”

I already knew about this.

The Scorpion King is a strong monster from the West that often harasses the Rilfetten Tribe.

This condition is necessary to steadily train stats.

“And then?”

“And finally,”

-Swoosh.

“After defeating the Scorpion King, fight with me at full strength.”

“…What?”

“Why are you talking about fighting… with me?”

“There’s something peculiar about this creature.”

“Peculiar?”

“A scent different from that of the Peselros Empire. In fact, a scent that can’t exist in the empire. Therefore, I can’t trust it.”

“…”

“In your sword dance, in your body, in your mana. I’ll check every scent and make a decision. If I can’t confirm it, I won’t accept your proposal. If you don’t agree to this last condition, I won’t either.”

This is a new story.

I know they’re sensitive to scents, but… testing like this?

‘But there’s no other way.’

-Ting!

▶Would you like to add the agent acquisition episode as a sub-episode?◀

[1. Hand over the engraving stone and entrust the contract and engraving to him.]

[2. Defeat the Scorpion King in the Urome region. (0/1)]

[3. Achieve 80% completion in combat with Talpon.]

“Let’s do that.”

I don’t know why these conditions are piled up, but…

For now, I’ll accept.

▶The agent acquisition episode has been added as a sub-episode!◀

***

-Click.

Watching Carsein and Harnei leave, Talpon sat back down and fiddled with the engraving stone.

“Everyone has a unique scent, but…”

He couldn’t help but suspect it.

He still remembers the scent.

“I smelled the scent of the Kingdom of Wederos from you. If you are truly a survivor of the Kingdom of Wederos… you’ll have to prove it to me, Carsein.”