Chapter 116

When Harnier’s expression was noticed, I stepped out of the carriage, and the scenery had completely changed.

Probably while bickering with her, the carriage had nearly reached the Marquis House of Aiferos.

A bleak yet serene feeling. Along with this, a heavy pressure and dryness could be felt.

It wasn’t just my feeling; this status ailment was affecting everything.

▶Status Ailment: Defeshan Syndrome◀

[This syndrome is a special status ailment exclusive to the western region.]

Defeshan Syndrome.

A status ailment that occurs when one first sets foot in the western region.

To inform Carsein, who has only lived in the city center, of the difference in aura here, this mechanism was put into place.

This place is literally a battlefield against monsters, and due to the mana infesting the area, this syndrome develops.

But how could such a game be easy?

Even if it’s just a setting, it can’t be ignored.

The extent of mana-infested land varies, but generally, it’s harmful to people. Those who have contracted this syndrome permanently lose their strength.

Due to this stat loss,

This is the true penalty of Defeshan Syndrome.

Those who are sufficiently strong may not be affected by this penalty, but those with such power have lived in the west for a long time.

The rough and barren aura of this land is something even Carsein, who once lived in a slum, can’t endure. Even with daily training, there’s little change.

Therefore, the longer he stays here, the more stats he will lose.

However,

While this game may lack conscience, it won’t just arbitrarily reduce stats that were painstakingly built up just because he entered.

▶Warning Area!◀

▶Stats decrease gradually as you stay longer!◀

[Time until next drop: 5 hours]

With such a warning displayed, this is what it means.

Until the timer reaches zero, Carsein needs to meet with Marquis Aiferos, make a trade contract, and return to Rusmaier.

Though it seems difficult, it’s a matter of completing it within the time limit.

“There it is.”

[Pollox Tootlum]

[Friendship: 12%]

Friendship has surprisingly gone up.

It doesn’t seem hard to proceed with negotiations with this man standing with his hands behind his back, looking at the distant mountains.

As I approached Pollox, he noticed me and covered his mouth.

“Cough, cough.”

Following a fake cough and averting his eyes,

He looked troubled.

“Why is this?”

Naturally, I tilted my head in confusion, and Pollox coughed again.

“Cough, cough. Sorry for interrupting. I thought the two of you really suited each other… No, that’s not it. It wasn’t intentional. Let me apologize again.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“Hmm? Oh, right. Haha. Yeah, it could be.”

I asked him, confused, and he patted my shoulder.

“Yeah. Some people feel shy about such things when they’re young. It’s not strange to hide it either. I understand.”

What exactly does he understand?

It would be nice if he explained why he’s acting like this…

No, it’s better to ask directly.

“Pollox, I don’t understand what you’re saying. Could you explain it in detail?”

“Eh, eh?”

“It’s because I really don’t know. Before, when you were talking about something only the two of you knew, I thought it might upset the listener.”

Indeed, that’s how it is.

When people talk about things only they know, it naturally makes others feel left out.

…Even though I’m often left out, everyone around me felt the same.

“Um, detailed… Cough, cough.”

Pollox seemed flustered and kept coughing.

“How can I bring up the topic of you two? Let’s not.”

“You two? Come to think of it, you mentioned ‘two people’ before too. Is it about me and Harnier?”

“No, that’s not it… Cough, cough. I didn’t see anything.”

Then, naturally, he must be referring to the conversation in the carriage.

It seems he’s talking about when I collapsed after hitting my head, losing a small amount of HP and falling into a status anomaly.

Not having seen anything clearly indicates something happened.

“Hey, tell me. What happened?”

Pollox started sweating.

“Cough! I don’t know anything. And, I have an fiancée behind me, how can I… Cough.”

“My fiancée behind me?”

Turning my head, I saw Harnier standing there.

…There’s something off about Harnier’s expression.

Since the only person around me who would listen to such questions is Camila, I remember telling her something.

When someone smiles, I feel scared. Why is this?

Camila shook her head in puzzlement, saying she didn’t understand.

Yeah, logically, it should seem odd.

How can someone feel scared when smiling?

But…

She’s right in front of me.

“Didn’t I tell you not to say anything? You went against my wishes?”

Snap!

Huh? My arm was grabbed.

After being grabbed, a sense of crisis began to rise.

Today, I felt an undeniable certainty that I couldn’t avoid it.

Trying to step back…

-Splat!

“Ouch!”

“Aah!”

Already, a red handprint was on my back.

***

While the heat rose from my back, Pollux, who had been making a scene, called the servants to guide us to the Marquis House of Aiferos.

A gray box popped up with the basic friendship level of this area at -5%.

-Ling!

▶Episode III. Proving as a Lord is in progress!◀

▶Go to the Marquis House of Aiferos and conduct a transaction with Pollox Tootlum!◀

▶The amount of funds in Rusmaier depends on the degree of the transaction!◀

It’s not much different.

To revive Rusmaier, which is nothing but Mount Waglew, we need to complete this transaction before the Defeshan Syndrome activates.

That’s why I planned to go to the Marquis House of Aiferos and propose a deal.

“This is… That’s why this statement came up.”

Guided to the Marquis House, it was disappointingly shabby.

But, I couldn’t call it disappointing.

“Your reaction is dull. I expected to hear someone say this is a mansion.”

“…It’s definitely not a mansion. This is the last bastion to fight the monsters.”

“Heh. Not only do you not say what other nobles say, but you immediately recognized it as a bastion. Impressive.”

Pollox laughed, impressed.

-Ling!

▶Choose an option to resolve Pollox’s doubt. ◀

[1. It has the form of a bastion that blocks from inside to outside. That’s why I could notice. But, can you explain more?]

[2. (Looking around) There seems to be some materials? They look a bit lacking. Who did you trade with?]

[3. I already know you received materials from the Royal Family. I also know the quantity is very low. So, let’s trade.]

The options appeared at the expected timing.

The first is the most cautious way to get straight to the point.

The second is pretending to not know, mentioning the connection with the Royal Family, and slowly approaching.

The third is directly jumping to the trade, stating all the facts about the Marquis House of Aiferos.

Each choice affects the time management, friendship management, and recognition level in the area.

Originally, I would have chosen the first one.

Marquis Aiferos is generally wary.

Meeting Pollox beforehand made me react this way; in the game, he would be even more cautious.

After all, a stranger suddenly barged in, especially an imperial noble from the Bargrand Duke House.

If I pushed for a trade immediately without lowering his guard, it would greatly decrease our friendship and make negotiating with the Marquis harder.

So, I needed to approach slowly.

In the process, I would reveal what I knew, regain friendship, and eventually reach the topic of trade.

“Of course, the end result was to face each other with swords.”

But now, there’s no need for that.

I’ve already made contact with Pollox and finished introducing myself.

Despite realizing late that Yarikins are ostracized by the empire.

[Pollox Tootlum]

[Friendship: 12%]

Having raised such a low friendship level in advance made it a smooth path.

[3. I already know you received materials from the Royal Family. I also know the quantity is very low. So, let’s trade.]☑

“I already know you received materials from the Royal Family. I also know the quantity is very low.”

“…Continue.”

As expected, Pollox showed no sign of suspicion.

I felt relieved and continued speaking.

“So, let’s trade. As the lord of Rusmaier, we will support the rubble.”

“Wait. Saying you’re the lord of Rusmaier means… Are you saying you’ll support the rubble from Rusmaier?”

“Yes. Waglew Mountain is a stone mountain. After the trade, the Yarikins will load it onto the carriages themselves.”

Upon hearing this, Pollox smiled doubtfully.

“If we can obtain rubble from a stone mountain, that would be great… I know where Rusmaier is. It will take a long time to reach here.”

That’s right.

It’s not far, but reaching the west takes a lot of time.

“Let’s assume we need to transport the minimum amount required to repair the wall once. How long would it take? Considering the round trip, it would take at least a week. That would significantly reduce the number of people guarding this place. It’s impossible.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

“…What?”

I confidently pointed at my body.

“Why would I be here so quickly if I were busy preparing for the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting?”

“…”

Right. It’s indeed suspicious.

Even if it’s an empty carriage, it’s been only a few days since I met him.

Yet, I’m here so boldly.

“There’s a passage through Waglew Mountain. The villagers dug it themselves, so there’s no need to go around the mountain anymore.”

“A passage… opened.”

“Rusmaier used to be a village of sculptors.”

“Sculptors… Right. If they can work on simple decorations as well as architecture, they can certainly carve a passage through a stone mountain.”

-Ling!

▶Pollox’s doubt is completely resolved.◀

▶Achievement: 99%◀

99%? With such a high achievement rate, the rest is obvious.

After this, we would sign the contract and finalize the transaction.

“The rest is managing penalties.”

“Pollox, you know as well as I am, I’m quite busy due to the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting. So, I’d like to finalize the trade agreement today. What do you think?”

“Hmm… That would require some time to discuss. This isn’t my own land alone.”

He gestured toward the servants he had invited.

Even in this fortress-like mansion, there are people living here.

“This is entrusted to me by the empire, but originally it was the land of the Yarikins. Can I talk with the Yarikins and come back?”

“Take your time.”

I’ll give him ample time to think.

No matter how long it takes, this transaction will be completed perfectly without any bloodshed.

Pollox returned soon after saying he would consult with the Yarikins.

“Alright. Let’s make the trade.”

The dialogue for agreeing to the trade appeared.

However.

No matter how long I waited, the completion screen for the episode didn’t appear.

“But, I have one condition.”

“…Condition?”

The word “condition” suddenly made me uneasy.

And that unease was…

“I want to spar with you. With real swords, not wooden ones.”

It was heading towards the direction I never expected.

-Ling!

▶Episode III. Proving as a Lord is in progress!◀

▶For the final condition to complete the trade, a duel with Pollox is necessary.◀

***

“We don’t have to be enemies, do we? Pollox. Was that just my thought?”

Carsein asked, seemingly dissatisfied with the final condition.

“I don’t intend to be an enemy either.”

“Then why? Why do you want to duel with real swords?”

“…I can’t say it directly. However, if I avoid this duel, I won’t consider trading with you.”

At his words, Carsein wiped his face with his palm, looking frustrated.

“Alright. Then let’s duel right away. I have Defeshan Syndrome, so I can’t stay long.”

“Hmm. If that’s the case, there’s no problem. Here, I can solve Defeshan Syndrome easily by taking herbs in a special way.”

“Hey…!”

Pollox swallowed his “of course” internally.

‘The Merchant Guild of Plesia was right.’

“Can I keep Carsein here for a day to rest?”

At first, it seemed like an odd request.

By just looking at Carsein’s state, one could tell.

On the surface, he looks fine… But, how is he really?

The reason for wanting to spar with Carsein was to assess his condition.

“Don’t think too negatively. I want to properly spar with you. However, if your condition is poor, what’s the point? Take a full day to rest. It’ll be better that way.”

Pollox lightly patted Carsein’s shoulder and said this.

Pollox sighed briefly after passing by Carsein, having lied to him.

“At this rate, I have to lie even about closing the deal… Sigh. I feel guilty for no reason.”