Chapter 159

The hidden episode was completed, and the main episode began.

From then on, the game’s storyline started to unfold in real-time.

—

Princess Arshien was explaining the new and added regulations during the 21st Eastern Nobles’ Meeting, demanding stricter and more detailed ratings of the nobles’ performances.

Due to this, worried murmurs started to rise among the nobles.

“Isn’t it too much that so many things have changed?”

“It’s not just the changes; even the new rules and removed clauses make it impossible to use the old methods.”

“Then do we have to carve out new land? And on top of that, we can’t even rely on the head of the family’s power starting from this Eastern Nobles’ Meeting?”

“Even so, it seems like the royal family is making unreasonable demands. With such ways to produce results, it’s too…”

*Bam!*

In response to this dissatisfaction, Arshien hammered the table, demanding silence.

“This meeting’s topic is about devising ways to make the lives of Imperial citizens more prosperous. Yet, you’re still picking failed methods and planning to spend another year like the past, keeping the future stagnant!”

*Bam!*

Arshien slammed her fist.

At the same time, a magical tool emitted light, spreading an imperial map in the air, with neatly arranged data appearing above the conference hall.

“What a remarkable thing. While trading volume increases year by year, production and supply volumes remain stagnant. We tried changing systems and policies, but they only showed temporary effects and couldn’t exert influence. This is the result of focusing solely on passing the royal family’s tests with those illusions! Will you still leave those regulations as they are?”

Following this, Arshien raised her voice and delivered a highly critical speech.

“You nobles are truly shameless. Eating off the sweat and blood of the imperial citizens, now you fear showing failures before the royal family!”

The nobles who were about to complain shut their mouths, creating a tense atmosphere.

Indeed, a royal is a royal. Her charisma overflowed. Each word carried weight.

After silencing the nobles, she returned to her calm voice.

“What you’ve shown so far was nothing more than a facade to maintain a shallow ranking. It was no management at all. The lives of the imperial citizens haven’t improved since then. So this time, prove it properly. Show me whether you deserve to be called nobles!”

Arshien continued her speech.

From then on, she began detailing the points of attention, deduction factors, and prohibited matters for the new systems in the conference hall.

I wondered if there would be any differences from the game scenario…

There weren’t many.

Managing one territory per person. During the territory management period, acting as a temporary lord and performing all administrative tasks, including collaboration deduction factors and valid score ranges.

All of these matched exactly what I knew from the game texts.

“I conclude the explanation for the 21st Eastern Nobles’ Meeting. Take your time to carefully consider which territory to choose and deeply ponder the strategy.”

Arshien’s speech ended with the sound of a hammer.

The nobles were thrown into confusion, unsure which territory to choose.

But this also meant that I had the same territory selection time…

*Bzzz!*

This also meant that the episode progression time had come.

▶Episode V. A non-repeating past is ongoing.◀

▶Arina will soon arrive.◀

‘I thought I was moving onto a hidden episode. Guess that’s not happening.’

Well, there was no other way.

—

▶Since the hidden episode has been cleared, no choices will appear, and you won’t be expelled from the conference hall.◀

Even now, the status window warned that I could be expelled if I answered incorrectly, but this sentence replaced the warning message.

There was zero risk of being expelled.

Not having choices was fine; I could just pick an appropriate response.

While I was organizing my words to tell Arina, Arshien, who had finished her speech and descended from the podium, approached me.

“Hmm. Looks like you didn’t reach any prior agreement? Arina Young Lady is rushing down here like this.”

“Yes, well. Probably to scold me. As expected, she’ll ask if I plan to drag down the honor of the Bargrand family.”

Arshien paused after hearing this.

“I can help.”

“Excuse me?”

“You participated in this symposium not as a member of the Bargrand family, but with the authority of the Lord of Rusmaier. If your intention was the Shatren Territory, I can serve as a witness.”

Ah, I see.

“Your Highness doesn’t need to go through such trouble.”

“…His Royal Highness?”

“As a Lord of Rusmaier, not a member of the Bargrand family, I participated. That’s correct. And yes, it was for the Shatren Territory. But, I don’t need proof of that.”

“What do you mean? If this continues, your eldest sister might angrily kick you out.”

“Well, I won’t be expelled from this conference hall, so there’s no need to worry.”

There was no need for proof. After all, I was already recognized as a burden by that family.

All I needed to do was claim that I made the best agreement possible for the family.

A red ponytail was suddenly right in front of me. Even though Arshien was in front, I couldn’t hide my expression, and I knew what she was thinking.

“Carsein.”

“Do you have something to say to me?” Arina’s eyes said.

Ignoring her, I confidently responded.

“I haven’t done anything wrong.”

Seeing me frown, Arina spoke first to Arshien.

“Apologies, Princess Arshien. Since it’s a matter of the house, could you give us a moment if you have something to say to Carsein?”

“There’s no need. Just say it here.”

“…Carsein!”

“But I don’t think of it as a matter of the house.”

“Ugh, in front of Princess Arshien, Carsein.”

Arina rubbed her forehead, emphasizing her point.

“Let’s move to another spot. Hurry up.”

“Why? You’re going to nag about burying the Bargrand family’s honor in the dirt anyway.”

“…”

In the silence, Arina’s blue eyes glared fiercely.

Her eyes demanded immediate obedience.

Laughing at Arina, I replied.

“I have no reason to stay away from where I messed up Shatren Territory.”

*Bzzz!*

Suddenly, two alarms rang.

—

As soon as Shatren Territory was mentioned, Arina flinched and turned her head.

“…What are you saying?”

“Shatren Territory faced the worst famine. Since my touch, the once abundant land has declined and shows no signs of recovery. Then, when grades were given, I should be at the bottom, right?”

Continuing, Carsein shrugged his shoulders as if nothing was wrong.

“The Bargrand family has always produced results during the symposium every year. You, Claire, and Flora always deserve those spots. But I’m not like them.”

“…”

“I’m the only one who received the worst grade. It’s mine alone to bear, not the Bargrand family’s. To avoid tarnishing the family name, I must be here. So I was there as a Lord of Rusmaier, owning that territory, accepting last year’s failure.”

There was no response.

It was a logical argument.

“The best agreement. I wasn’t part of the Bargrand family, but as a Lord of Rusmaier, I took the lowest position for a chance. Then, the Bargrand family’s name remains untainted, and I’ll experience the hardships of the world, growing as you suggested. Isn’t that fine?”

At the same time, Carsein confessed to today’s incident, further strengthening his argument.

Yes, everything he said was true.

Carsein lacked the talent for this symposium.

Being at the bottom was reasonable given his performance.

If Carsein accepted his grade and acted as a Lord of Rusmaier without affecting the Bargrand family, Claire wouldn’t have to collaborate with him, and her burden would be lifted.

This was a perfect agreement, with no damage to the family.

However, this uncomfortable logic gave Arina déjà vu.

She knew exactly what would happen to Carsein if she listened.

“You’ll definitely be restrained by other nobles.”

“That’s my fault too. Even if they restrain me, I have to accept it, right?”

“Those at the bottom don’t get to choose territories first.”

“If you perform well, you earn extra points. Unlike previous systems, there are more ways to gain points. Everything balances out, so there’s no problem.”

“But with only the authority of a Lord of Rusmaier, compared to other nobles, you can’t benefit from the Bargrand family’s power! You’ll start at a disadvantage in negotiations, agreements, and deals!”

“Actually, that’s good. Then I can proceed alone without harming the Bargrand family!”

Grr.

How could he counterattack point by point like that?

Arina gritted her teeth.

“Why are you willing to suffer so much? I just wanted you to realize your shortcomings and learn from them, not endure unnecessary hardships!”

I hoped he’d gradually fill in the gaps in knowledge as he matured, not endure such absurd hardships. Absolutely not.

Despite pouring out my heart, Carsein remained firm.

“This isn’t an unnecessary burden. It’s my creation.”

As soon as he said that, heat surged through my body.

My insides felt like they were flipping.

So, unable to hold back any longer, Arina shouted.

“Do whatever you want!”

Arshien, who was right next to her, watched, but Arina was so enraged that she seemed to forget.

Still,

As Arina walked back to her seat, she glanced at Carsein again.

“…Stupid child!”

*Bzzz!*

▶Arina’s affinity has increased!◀

[Current level: 45%]

—

Seeing Arina leave without proper etiquette in front of a royal, one might have noticed, but that wasn’t important to Arshien right then.

Sighing deeply, Arshien asked.

“…Is this the answer you were hoping for?”

“Yes. Isn’t it the best answer?”

“How disappointing. How could you make such an ignorant choice? This means Prince will have to pass this symposium’s test alone, without anyone’s help.”

“It’s perfectly reasonable to pass on my own. Without causing any harm to others.”

“I doubt your ability, but Shatren is in a much worse state than before. Do you know how many people are targeting your downfall at this symposium? Can you really turn around Shatren without the help of the Bargrand family and while rejecting the help of your sisters?”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m prepared for that.”

“Alright.”

Arshien shook her head and returned to her seat.

Meanwhile,

*Thud.*

Claire, who had been eavesdropping on Arina and Carsein’s conversation behind a corner, lost her balance.