Chapter 128

‘A truly praiseworthy event. The family’s recognition and praise should follow. But… Should I hide this instead?’

‘That’s absurd.’

‘It’s almost a paradox. No, it really is a paradox.’

‘Even if the Empire’s people were to know about it, they would cheer. How could one not proudly tell their own family such news?’

However, Carsein was not joking.

“You probably think it’s absurd, but it’s actually something that happened.”

*Flip.*

Carsein pulled out an old letter.

“The recipient… was Count Rilfetten?”

“In the past, I had been to the West before. It ended up with the opposite result compared to now with Marquis Aiferos.”

“Opposite result?”

Carsein chuckled as he answered.

“It was during the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting. As the caretaker of Shatren Territory, I found a solution. The key was in the House of Rilfetten. So, I went there to get those Rohia seeds. Of course, I got beaten up right away.”

I can guess why he got beaten up.

The House of Rilfetten, like the House of Aiferos, is looked down upon by the Empire’s people, which means they’re still in a state where conflicts aren’t resolved, especially against nobles, particularly from the House of Bargrand.

“It didn’t matter that I got beaten up. What mattered was the deal. As long as the deal went through, it didn’t matter.”

The deal was simple.

They would send Rohia seeds to the Duke’s Mansion in exchange for changing their position within the Empire.

It was something that had been demanded by those who had been fighting monsters in the West since before the Empire’s unification. It wasn’t easily solved though.

“So, what happened?”

“The deal fell through as you can see with this letter.”

“What?”

“Count Rilfetten warned me and sent me rotten Rohia seeds. Do you understand what that means?”

“…It means broken promises and shattered trust.”

“Yes. That’s what came with this letter.”

Arshien checked the letter again after hearing that.

Count Rilfetten had told Carsein that he was no different from the rest, evidenced by sending rotten seeds, indicating a worsening relationship.

But.

Isn’t something off?

Seeking a way to revive Shatren Territory by going West was no different from now. The trade with Marquis Aiferos for saving Rusmaier Territory was also similar.

Yet, the results were opposite.

The deal with the House of Rilfetten failed, while with Marquis Aiferos, it was a huge success.

Arshien swallowed hard.

All the contradictions in Carsein’s statements suddenly made sense.

“Could it be… that you want to say the outcome diverged because the truth was hidden?”

No.

That couldn’t be it.

Surely, revealing the truth wouldn’t warrant blame and criticism over praise from the family.

Arshien denied it repeatedly.

Absolutely, it couldn’t be for this reason.

But.

“Yes.”

Carsein didn’t deny it.

With a flat expression, he simply replied, “Yes.”

“It was Claire. After she saw me beaten up by nobles, she immediately took me to Doctor Sheiden. And once the treatment revealed my trip to the West, she left the house.”

This letter and rotten seeds arrived soon after.

Carsein continued.

“Now do you understand why I said being scolded might have been better?”

“…”

Arshien knew Carsein’s background made it impossible to mention certain facts directly.

Trauma from the nobles’ covert actions could have caused this, and not getting acknowledged by his family might have led to resignation.

In such a situation, it’s hard to boast about achievements with mental strength remaining.

So, Arshien wanted this fact to be revealed by someone else.

If it came from her, it would carry more weight and seemed appropriate.

She thought it would bring sunlight into the House of Bargrand.

With improved family relations, Carsein would receive deserved recognition and rewards.

But.

An unexpected obstacle lay hidden.

The difference between being caught and telling the truth oneself.

Just one difference, but it was enormous.

Arshien’s eyes trembled.

She couldn’t deny it. She wondered if it was right to reveal Carsein’s actions herself.

But.

“No. It was just bad luck. His deeds deserve recognition.”

“Even after hearing that, you still refuse?”

“Yes.”

She had to deny it.

There shouldn’t be any doubt.

The difference between the two events lies in one person.

“Yes. This is Claire’s issue. Not the prince’s fault.”

The man should receive praise and commendation, not criticism.

And.

What needs to change is Claire, not Carsein.

*Ding!*

▶Hidden Episode. The target of change is progressing.◀

***

Shatren and Rusmaier.

Rilfetten and Aiferos.

Past and present.

Arshien denied these differences.

But, the conversation didn’t prolong.

“There were too many who questioned whether you should attend the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting. They wanted to cover it up by revealing your actions in Rusmaier.”

Instead, it returned to the familiar narrative.

The choice screen had just disappeared.

Switching back to writing this scene didn’t pose a problem.

“I don’t mind. Do as you wish.”

“Your attention could make you a target. Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Seems you’re not afraid. No, this level of action is necessary to cause significant changes in the Peselros Empire’s market.”

Arshien presented the engraved document of the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting attendees.

Without hesitation, I started writing.

Being targeted by Carsein was unavoidable.

It was his destiny in the game’s progression.

But, benefiting from the story advancing faster was a positive point.

“…Did you purposely write it this way?”

“You need to understand by seeing it this way.”

“Hmm… Yeah, I guess so.”

Arshien looked puzzled at the document, then advised me.

“Don’t overly highlight your mistakes. You’ve done enough to deserve praise.”

“I’ll remember that.”

*Click click.*

As Arshien walked away, her footsteps echoed.

It seems she didn’t notice that yet.

[Participant: Carsein Bargrand]

[Qualification: Lord of Rusmaier]

The groundwork for reclaiming Shatren Territory was complete.

‘But, what’s this?’

A strange change occurred, making it hard to grasp.

[Arshien Reihern Peselros]

[Friendship Level: 12% → 28%]

Arshien only visited the Duke’s Mansion to calm the nobles’ complaints and asked me to take the document.

Yet, friendship increased here?

‘Maybe because of the choices?’

That makes sense.

-Ding!

▶Choose where to stay today.

[1. Carsein’s room in the Duke’s Mansion]

[2. Rusmaier Territory]

[3. Outside inn near the Duke’s Mansion]

[4. Training Hall]

[5. Marquis House of Aiferos]

The choice screen appeared, but unlike previous ones, this wasn’t related to friendship or events.

Staying in Carsein’s room would quickly restore energy and stamina, returning to Rusmaier would raise friendship and progress work.

At the outside inn, conversations with family would disappear; at the Training Hall, time to improve stats would be given. Staying at Marquis House of Aiferos was similar, but here, energy would be consumed to boost stats.

I decided to visit the Training Hall.

Since I couldn’t avoid being targeted by Carsein anyway, I planned to improve my strength until then.

From my experience fighting Pollux, stats weren’t reliable.

Improving my own skills would be much better.

***

At the same time.

In the Duke’s Mansion, the three sisters and Isabella brought up topics they couldn’t discuss earlier at the dining table.

Now that Arshien was absent.

It became a topic they could finally discuss openly.

Carsein with Kelbia allergy and Kelbia fruit.

Details of what happened at the tea party were gradually coming to light.

“Where did they serve food with Kelbia fruit?”

“Gelgetten Viscount House. Mother.”

“…Gelgetten Viscount House.”

Uncommon anger flashed in Isabella’s eyes.

“I believe a culinary family wouldn’t make such a mistake. Arina.”

“Same here. Instead, it seems they deliberately aimed for it.”

“Yes! How dare they do such a thing to my son!”

Isabella, enraged, called the butler.

“Cut all ties with the Gelgetten Viscount House. From now on, we will consider them enemies. Watch anyone who associates with them. Bring all related documents!”

“As you command, Madam.”

“I’ll ensure thorough retaliation. Don’t worry, Mother.”

“Phew. Alright.”

Isabella rubbed her forehead, dizzy momentarily.

“Mother, before that, wouldn’t it be best to warn others about Carsein’s Kelbia allergy?”

“If we tell, it could become a weakness.”

“On the contrary, that’s why we should tell. If someone dares to repeat such an act, it would be easier to identify them.”

“Good point. Then—”

A lengthy discussion followed between mother and eldest daughter.

While discussing retribution against the Gelgetten Viscount House and ways to protect Carsein.

Pink hair fluttered down.

Normally, she would have joined in.

Critiquing the Gelgetten Viscount House for what they did to Carsein and mentioning how she had already prevented social circle interference.

Or, even if not, she would have felt relieved that Carsein hadn’t been punished.

But Claire was unusually quiet today.

“Little sister, why so quiet? Are you sick?”

Flora, noticing Claire’s unusual behavior, gently held her sleeve.

“No, I’m fine. Why are you asking?”

“That’s… I got tired from rushing here. That’s all.”

Flora stroked Claire’s hair, forcing a lie.

Her heart felt heavy and stifling, despite no sweat.

An inexplicable discomfort settled in her chest, indescribable.

What could she say?

Nothing seemed to reach her ears.

Just then.

The door opened, and the silver-haired girl seen earlier reappeared.

“Princess Arshien?”

After her conversation with Carsein, she looked around the room, sighing.

“Was your conversation with Carsein not going well?”

“No, it wasn’t.”

Arshien firmly shook her head at Ariana’s concerned question.

“I’m sorry for disrupting the conversation in the Duke’s mansion, but I wanted to talk to Claire for a moment.”

“…Me?”

Claire raised her head, silently pointing at herself with her index finger.

“It’s fine with me…”

“Then go ahead. It’s been a while since we’ve met.”

“We’ll finish this before you return. Go ahead.”

“Sorry, Claire. Let’s move elsewhere.”

“…Okay. I’ll go.”

The two moved away.

Left alone in the room, Arshien asked Claire more seriously than before.

“When you met Carsein in Rusmaier, what did you talk about first?”

“Well…”

“Are you awake yet? You stubborn fool.”

Claire’s mouth closed again before she could answer.

She had collapsed unexpectedly, startling everyone.

She snapped in response.

“Probably, you’d start with complaints. You always do that no matter what happens.”

“…”

She couldn’t deny it.

Even if it was worry, she had indeed complained.

But Claire snorted and retorted defiantly.

“You don’t manage your health properly, so that’s natural.”

“Ah, Claire.”

“You’re right. I just wanted you to behave normally. You’ve been sleeping for three days straight, worrying me, and now you act like nothing happened.”

Is that all?

“The doctor said you contracted Defeshan Syndrome when you went to the West. Seriously, you used to go to the West recklessly and come back beaten up. Does that look good?”

Claire answered coolly, acknowledging some responsibility.

Arshien squeezed her eyes shut.

Nothing had changed. It was the same as before.

Taking a deep breath, Arshien spoke bluntly.

“You could have asked if he was okay.”

“What?”

“You could have asked how he collapsed first.”

Pink hair fluttered down again.

Her chest felt even heavier.

“Even if not, you could have asked how he’s been. Why did he go to the West? How did he contract Defeshan Syndrome? Right?”

Something rose from her chest to her throat, a bitter taste forming.

“You had plenty of opportunities. Or rather, Carsein gave you chances. If you had toned down your personality a bit, none of this would have happened.”

“None of this… What…?”

“Sigh.”

Arshien sighed deeply, then spoke heavily.

“Shatren was ruined because of you, Claire.”

*Ding!*

▶Supporter Arshien causes change in Claire!◀

▶Friendship increases!◀

[Claire Bargrand]

[Friendship Level: 61% → 67%]