Chapter 168

“Hey there! What’s happening?”

“This situation, what could it be?”

“Goodness, isn’t that one of the old Shahtren Festival organizers?”

“He finally caused trouble…! I thought he’d stay put once he refused orders!”

Eyes filled with anger.

Conversations brimming with criticism and reproach.

This was how Carsein was recognized in Shahtren Territory.

In fact, no matter which territory you stepped into, Carsein’s reputation was always at the bottom. Thus, there wasn’t a single territory that would welcome a disgrace like him.

For this reason, when Carsein made his first mistake, it became the first checkpoint.

Friction with the territory residents.

It turned into a rush of choices coming back.

*Ding!*

“The residents of Shahtren are gossiping about you. What will you do?”

“There’s really no choice.”

Now, looking at this option, it’s quite cruel.

Even though there’s only one answer, they’ve framed it as if other options exist…

Receiving temporary authority over the territory at the Symposium is something I can’t do anything about. Although I wished my territory wouldn’t be chosen, there’s no way to change that now.

But from their perspective, if they gain legal rights to chase me out, that’s another story.

Damage incurred by the territory.

Policies that the residents don’t want.

Behaviors surrounded by savage systems and authoritarianism.

There are countless ways to express dissatisfaction. If such dissatisfaction piles up, even a temporary lord can be driven out of the territory.

So they’re eagerly waiting for a situation where they can claim Carsein committed atrocities.

[5. Ignore and move on.] ☑

While there are a few other choices that allow for rebuttals or explanations, those are only from my perspective. The residents won’t feel the same.

They’ll probably interpret this as an opportunity for revenge or intimidation, aiming to drive Carsein out. I couldn’t fall into such a trap.

I ignored their accusations and headed towards a location.

*Ding!*

“Due to the problem you caused in the village, a sword inspection event occurs in Week 1.”

“So this is proceeding as expected.”

Though the residents are currently criticizing me, problems were bound to arise.

At first, they might be confused by the presence of a traitor, but news spreads quickly, so it won’t take long before the residents of Shahtren bring this matter to the Symposium.

And how they handle this issue…

Originally, it should be handled with that item.

*Strange Request Document*

[A certificate proving someone from Shahtren Territory accepted a request from another territory.]

Someone from another territory asked Shahtren to cause losses.

As a result, Shahtren’s support funds were depleted.

With these two facts revealed, Carsein can easily clear himself. The strange request document, given by Ferdie, makes this possible.

Currently, the support funds are being directly paid by Carsein himself, so revealing this fact would make the issue disappear quickly.

Then the residents would find the internal enemy, and after realizing Ferdie’s unfortunate fate, they would lower their heads and change their perception of him.

“…Only to realize the intention behind someone’s actions after they’re gone.”

What kind of ridiculous development is this?

I couldn’t help but feel annoyed, as bad memories started to surface.

Anyway, this is the story progression from the original game.

However, in this future, my actions have shattered it. The item is now consumed and can’t be used again.

“…Looks like I’ll have to take some losses.”

Still, I have no regrets about saving Ferdie.

He has been enduring all kinds of harsh criticisms and sharp rebukes alone, trying to do what’s right for the territory he was born and raised in.

Even if he goes to Rusmaier, he should be able to get along just fine.

Right then.

“Master Carsein!”

Ferdie ran towards me, calling out my name.

“Oh my.”

“Isn’t that the thief?”

“Why is he looking for Master Carsein?”

As soon as Ferdie appeared, the murmurs among the residents intensified.

An accusation arose, making everyone shudder, asking why the stain of Shahtren was here.

“I don’t know why he’s here, but go back, Ferdie.”

While not as bad as mine, Ferdie’s recognition isn’t great either.

I left him alone because he requested his last moments before going to Rusmaier, but I didn’t expect to hear such gossip.

However, Ferdie turned out to be stronger than I feared.

“I’m not going to Rusmaier!”

“What?”

“I don’t want to go. I want to stay here!”

Ferdie said.

This is where he was born and raised. He wants to stay here, not just because it’s a comfortable place.

And then.

“I’m okay with hearing any amount of that!”

Boldly, he spoke those words aloud.

A mere fourteen-year-old, saying things like this, the same age as little Flora.

Sending him to Rusmaier would be the right thing to do.

But.

“His eyes are quite lively.”

There was determination in his gaze, more intense than anyone else in this territory.

“Will you regret it?”

“I’ve already regretted it many times in the past!”

He answered boldly, as if testing.

Fourteen years old, acting like this.

Yes, this kid is different from the start.

That’s why he tried to do something on his own.

The adults were deceived and fell early, but having the spirit to defend his home on his own means a lot.

If he were a bit older, or bigger,

If he had learned and accumulated knowledge in his head,

Shahtren Territory would never have reached this point.

Such a person should be at the top, setting a good example.

*Ding!*

“You can designate Ferdie as an agent.”

*Agent*

[Unlike regular episode assistants, agents wield greater influence in Symposium episodes, aiding in various aspects of territory management.]

[Agents can only be designated for NPCs within the territory and will unconditionally perform the lord’s tasks.]

[However, players can designate up to three agents. Choose wisely after sufficient consideration.]

So, this came up.

Agents, the assistants called in the Symposium, are those who faithfully perform your commands in territory-related episodes.

Their effect is so strong that even residents with low affinity, represented by gray boxes, will listen to them.

Of course, with such a powerful effect comes backlash. It’s best to use it on a reliable person with high affinity. That way, their execution ability improves.

That target was decided from the beginning.

Trisha, the daughter of the Shahtren village chief.

She, who never showed hostility towards Carsein, was the perfect candidate.

But.

[Ferdie]

[Blind Faith: 42%]

Looking at this gauge alongside Ferdie’s determination, he won’t back down either.

“Let’s talk about the details later. For now, go to where I’m staying.”

Bowing slightly, he looked surprised.

“…Are you really trusting me?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve stolen dozens of times in the village. I might cause trouble for you too…”

Click.

“For the sake of saving this territory, you were the only one who truly tried. Someone like you wouldn’t doubt.”

“…”

“Go. I’ll finish the rest and come back.”

I understand what it feels like to be suspected.

To be blamed and insulted despite doing nothing wrong.

I can somewhat understand how Ferdie felt. So, I wanted to give him a chance.

*Ding!*

“Designating Ferdie as an agent!”

[Shahtren Territory Agent List]

[1. Ferdie]

[2.]

[3.]

A chance to change his twisted hometown.

*Ding!*

“Hidden Episode cleared: A boy who wanted to protect his only hometown.”

“Successfully triggered results beyond the choices!”

“Rewards issued!”

*Rewards*

[An automatic event visit occurs.]

“Automatic event visit completed.”

“Take the internal enemy found in the territory to the reporting area.”

‘An automatic visit?’

My memory has its limits, and I don’t remember every episode or event.

But this sounds familiar.

Definitely, there was an episode where someone visited during the original story progression.

“Hmm… Guess I can’t know for sure right now.”

Since I have to go to the same place anyway, I walked steadily toward the desired location.

***

“Hmm… So this man accepted a request from another territory to cause losses to Shahtren, is that right?”

“That’s correct.”

When we arrived at the reporting area, two knights awaited us. I threw the culprit aside and told them.

The feature of dealing with an internal enemy, present even in the game, worked smoothly without any issues.

“We understand. We’ll take care of this man ourselves.”

Later, it was mentioned that the criminal would be handed over to the royal family and subjected to torture.

Just like in the game, after torturing the man who caused losses to Shahtren, they would reveal information about who sponsored him.

Of course, this game won’t leave traces just because it says so.

“At least I can breathe a sigh of relief now.”

When the report meeting for Week 1 comes up, Shahtren’s stagnant status will surely be criticized. But with the news of accepting requests from other territories, even if there’s no clear change, there won’t be a deduction.

I turned around, relieved.

“Ah, wait. Someone requested a meeting with you.”

“A meeting?”

During the Symposium process, permission from the royal family is required to meet other nobles. This means someone is waiting.

“Waiting for two hours. The person waiting for you is─”

Claire Bargrand.

The name that came out of the knight’s mouth was none other than the second sister’s name.