Chapter 218

“Wild boars in the west? Then it must be monster meat, right?”

“Even so, it looks too delicious to be true.”

“Are you lying?”

“Hmph.”

Talpon sneered and put his thumb and index finger in his mouth, whistling.

Several members of the Rilfetten Tribe appeared, placing a freshly butchered wild boar on a rack.

“Is this enough proof for you, imperial nobles?”

In size and shape, except for the parts that had been carved out, it was a perfect fit. Even the hooves unique to western boars matched perfectly, making it a before-and-after comparison.

Talpon took another bite of the meat, chewing noisily, then calmly said,

“Not only the Rilfetten Tribe, but all the people in the west have always obtained food suitable for their ecosystem. Yet we haven’t had any problems.”

“Don’t talk nonsense!”

The nobles immediately protested.

“Monsters carry malice within them. Eating such creatures would naturally cause problems!”

“Yes! It means consuming the malice inside the monster. How could there be no problems?!”

“There are plenty of people in the empire who suffer problems simply from prolonged exposure to malice! So, if you directly put it into your stomach, wouldn’t it cause problems?”

Well, this isn’t entirely wrong.

Just by looking at how I suffered from Defeshan Syndrome after living on this cursed land, you can see how harmful malice is to humans.

That’s why most monster carcasses are used for making tools. Few people eat them directly.

But there’s a huge contradiction in this logic.

“Fools. The steaks and barbecues you eat also come from livestock that once contained malice.”

“What?!”

“In this world where everyone has mana, do you think animals and plants don’t have malice?”

Yeah, that doesn’t make sense.

Everyone in this world is born with unique mana. How could animals and plants not possess that power?

This conclusion is quite clear.

“Only awakened humans with mana can use it. The same goes for pigs. They change due to greater exposure to malice and live in environments surrounded by malice, making them more aggressive. In other words, if properly handled, the meat you eat is no different from this wild boar. In other words—”

Humans consume a certain amount of malice through their diet.

This is the conclusion.

At first, it seemed like an unproven theory, a baseless hypothesis.

But at the time, I overlooked one fact.

“The carrots and potatoes you plant also contain malice. We can smell it.”

They have superior senses, able to smell even the scent of mana, which is why they are from the Rilfetten Tribe in the west.

“If you know the proper cooking method, malice will naturally be neutralized. Doubt it? Try eating it.”

Rustle.

Talpon sliced the meat with a knife and placed it on a plate, then offered it to the table where the nobles sat.

Again, the sound of swallowing saliva could be heard from the nobles.

Despite its appearance being appetizing, this was the wild boar they distrusted.

Seeing their contemplative eyes, a gentle push from behind would naturally lead them to take action.

I signaled Talpon to proceed with the next instruction.

Kian and Trisha appeared, followed by other children rushing over.

“Wow! Meat!”

“Eh… The smell… I’m hungry. Want to eat it now!”

“Hey, don’t cut in line. I was here first!”

“Don’t fight! Otherwise, we won’t all get to eat!”

The children gathered around the table, each taking a plate in turn. The Rilfetten Tribe then handed them appropriately sized pieces of meat.

Right beside them, guards and residents of Shatren combined efforts to serve Shatren Strawberries and Shatren Grapes on plates.

The children ate the meat and fruits happily, smiling.

The nobles began to notice.

“Really… Can Shatren Strawberries and Shatren Grapes also be eaten like this meat without any problems?”

“I think so…”

“More importantly, these are children. No one has awakened to mana.”

“Should we try eating them…? We might find out.”

Perfect timing.

I gave them one last piece of advice.

“If you admit defeat and accept your misunderstanding now, I’ll let you off the hook. I won’t even ask for a signature.”

“…Now I remember. That’s what it is.”

“I don’t want to be banned from eating Shatren Strawberries and Shatren Grapes.”

“This might be our last chance.”

“Your Highness, I concede. I must have had the wrong idea.”

One by one, they conceded and wavered.

A noble suddenly stood up, slamming the table.

“Don’t waver! There’s no guarantee that there won’t be any problems!”

“As I said earlier, if malice is properly processed, there won’t be any issues.”

“Huh! All life forms contain malice? Then how do you explain the difference between our bodies and yours?!”

“That’s right! We are not from the west. Problems may arise if we improperly absorb malice!”

“It’s because you’re from the west!”

“After eating this for so long, couldn’t we adapt by now?!”

“We are from the empire. We are not barbarians like you!”

By now, those who continued to protest were inevitable.

And significantly, they are all either part of the Waglew Faction or allied groups.

That’s enough.

I’ve gathered all the information I need. Time to move on.

▶Current Achievement Level is 56%.◀

We need to reach 100%, so it’s time to wrap things up.

I signaled Talpon, who then stepped aside.

And I took his place.

Sitting arrogantly with my legs crossed, I looked down at them and said,

“Let me summarize your argument. Malice is harmful to humans. Just being exposed to malice is harmful to humans, so eating monsters filled with malice would naturally cause problems. Right?”

“Yes!”

The nobles confidently agreed.

If I dismantle this argument, their mouths will automatically close, and the episode will be cleared.

Piece of cake.

“Do you know that many of the foods humans eat contain toxins or potential poisons?”

“…What?”

“For example, potatoes. If green sprouts appear, they become toxic. But if harvested and cooked at the right time, there’s no problem.”

“But that’s before it becomes toxic!”

“If you only eat the non-toxic parts, you won’t ingest poison, right?”

“Then, if there are foods that humans directly ingest that contain poison, wouldn’t your argument be completely wrong?”

The nobles laughed at me.

“Hahaha!”

“Where do you find such things?”

“Can you give an example of someone surviving after eating poison?”

Yeah, these fools would say something like that.

There was a reason I deliberately used the word ‘poison.’

I called for Daike and Frict, who were waiting, to bring something.

“What’s this?”

“It’s food containing poison, something you all know well.”

“This… contains poison?”

The nobles looked confused.

For a moment, but then they froze as if struck by lightning.

“Alcohol is a typical poison for humans. Drinking too much can be harmful and even fatal. Haven’t you experienced hangovers?”

“…”

“Alcohol itself is a poison. And this is snake venom alcohol.”

Suddenly, the nobles’ faces turned pale.

It’s only natural.

According to the information, the Waglew Faction enjoys drinking snake venom alcohol.

“Human beings survive even after drinking snake venom alcohol. But treating the微量的魔力 in Shatren fruits as poison. Is this really a valid argument?”

Checkmate.

The nobles of the Waglew Faction could no longer refute.

“As promised, I’ll blacklist you.”

With this declaration,

*Ding!*

▶Achievement Level increased after thoroughly dismantling your argument.◀

▶An entry ban has been declared against individuals who could potentially cause harm.◀

[Current Achievement Level: 100%]

Another Perfect Clear.

▶Episode X. Cleared the turning point.◀

▶Due to Perfect Clear, Development Level greatly increases. Special rewards given!◀

[Special Reward: During the next episode, if you encounter danger, you can receive help once.]

***

The residents, as well as the nobles who had resolved their misunderstandings, started eating and purchasing wild boar meat and Shatren strawberries. This incident was finally settled.

Harnier, observing this, felt she didn’t need to intervene.

‘Just in case, I prepared something. But it’s all useless now.’

Cashews and kidney beans also contain toxins, but humans eat them because they know how to prepare them properly.

I wanted to support the argument that Shatren’s food, when properly prepared, is safe.

‘Snake venom and alcohol.’

These are some of the most extreme poisons.

It’s no wonder they’re harmful to humans.

That’s why snake venom alcohol was a perfect example to completely refute the nobles’ argument.

Honestly, I wondered if he needed help, but there was no need to worry at all.

He’s a remarkable person.

In every way.

“Tsk. Talking nonsense.”

“Exactly.”

Harnier wrapped her arm around Carsein as he returned, shaking his hands clean.

“Wrapping arms… Ah. Because of the nobles?”

“…Yes. Well, that’s right.”

Does he have to say such things here?

I almost pouted.

“Anyway, you worked hard. Looks like several guests have arrived. Did you never intend to exclude these people from the beginning?”

“Yes. Actually, such people might become regular customers. Sales in Shatren will soon come from them.”

Hmm. That makes sense.

As a merchant, Harnier’s instincts were already pointing in that direction.

“So, what’s the plan going forward? The performance at the Symposium seems a bit lacking.”

“I know. But I have more preparations beyond that.”

“What is it?”

“Hehe. Wouldn’t it be less fun if I told you ahead of time?”

“You’re mean. I’m dying to know. Are you doubting me?”

“No, of course not. I’m keeping it a secret to make it more interesting.”

“Can’t you tell me?”

“No.”

Amidst playful banter,

Harnier suddenly thought to herself.

‘I still don’t want to tell him about this.’

If he asks for help, he’ll surely offer it.

But I hope it doesn’t go that way.

This is all due to the burden created by changing plans to swallow the Marquis House of Teresia.

***

Although there was a risk of damaging the territory’s revenue due to misunderstandings, resolving this situation actually proved beneficial.

Rumors are just rumors, and once the truth was revealed, the backlash made Shatren’s fruits even more popular.

Since they no longer use fertilizers, there was no deficit. Pure sales revenue started flowing into the territory, and some came to me.

Time passed.

With this policy, Shatren began to change dramatically.

Residents marveled at the lustrous colors of the harvested strawberries and grapes.

“Oh…!”

“At last…! At last, we achieved this grade again!”

Though not reaching the peak era, they felt closer to the former glory, shedding tears of joy.

◆Shatren Strawberry

▶Crop Grade: B-

The long-standing C+ barrier had been broken.

Residents had long strived to achieve grades above B-, but couldn’t.

This proves my theory was spot-on.

Talpon said the Mandrenia issue wasn’t about soil or seeds but due to the fertilizer used.

When such a firm stance emerged while I was already suspicious of the fertilizer, I had no choice but to analyze it.

Using modern knowledge, I determined the properties and effects on soil.

The analysis revealed that the fertilizer significantly acidified the soil.

With the problem identified, the solution is simple.

Spray lime-based fertilizer to raise the pH.

Now it’s time to gather data from this experiment.

“Blem. Frequency of Mandrenia occurrences?”

“I checked all the records, but it hasn’t occurred in a single field.”

“Talpon. What about you?”

“Well, the foul smell has mostly disappeared. Others say the same.”

So, it’s confirmed.

Although a few areas remain, Mandrenia thrives in acidic soil, so this is reasonable.

And the cause?

“This fertilizer was the problem.”

It was pointed out as the external fertilizer used.

[Remaining Monster Count: 790]

Once, a message like this appeared in the status window.

There were 2768 monsters lurking in Shatren.

Now it makes sense.

Those numbers didn’t indicate direct attacks but the crops turning into monsters underground.

‘But some remain.’

This means the soil hasn’t fully recovered. Given the slight pH changes, I expect the remaining monsters will disappear once the correct pH is achieved.

“Until further instructions, continue harvesting crops by continuously spraying lime-based fertilizer.”

“Yes, Young Master!”

Only time remains. Document the process, collect statistics, and analyze.

Believe that time will resolve this.

‘Is this truly the end?’

I don’t think so.

Unless all possibilities are eliminated, I must assume the remaining ones still exist.

■Items in Possession■

◆Flawed Shatren Territory Map

…With this, shall I use it?

“Talpon. There’s one thing I’d like you to secretly assist with.”

“What is it, Carsein?”

There’s always a reason for misdrawings.

If traces are left…

***

In a remote mountain slope.

Somewhere无人的地方，什么东西折断了。

“啊啊啊啊！”

伴随着令人毛骨悚然的声音，男子的惨叫声回荡开来。

“马夫，我该拿你怎么办？”

阴影中，马夫那张凌乱不堪的脸露了出来。