Chapter 169

“Then, take care.”

““Yes.””

*

Arina, who had been keeping an eye on the administrators, selected them and decided to assign them tasks for managing the territory, but they took their tasks without hesitation and returned to their posts.

*

Left alone, Arina held the internal hierarchy of the territory she had meticulously sorted through, and let out a faint sigh, clearly unsatisfied.

*

“The void left by Mother is quite large.”

The organizational chart Arina produced was a temporary one, not the standard one. This meant that the territory was still in an incomplete state and would require more time until it could function properly.

*

“Huh. Whether at the Symposium or governing the territory, the first time was hard, but I thought I learned a lot from being beside Mother.”

In reality, it was far from that.

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She had to figure out how to get a grasp on each territory, what characteristics and conditions they possessed, and how to assess situations and conditions to develop high-growth businesses.

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Arina, who had prepared adequately and learned how to handle these matters, found it was different when she had to do it alone.

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Firstly, it was about a new territory that she had to understand its internal situation, unlike the territories she had already surveyed thoroughly.

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When managing the territory within the Bargrand Duchy alongside her mother, information was plentiful. The status of the territory, the conditions of its residents, environment, geography, and more were all known and understood from a few books and reports.

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However, in the case of the territories designated for the Symposium, everything was new information. Not many people had the knowledge to explain the territory in detail, and it felt like there was a transparent wall between Arina and the territory itself.

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Moreover, despite having investigated the territory beforehand, there was so much she needed to know, and organizing and summarizing this information kept her extremely busy.

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Secondly, she had to gather information on the new territory, select personnel, and establish an internal organizational structure.

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When managing the territory within the Bargrand Duchy alongside her mother, many of the faces were familiar, and she knew their capabilities and suitability for various tasks, making the distribution of roles relatively easy.

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But these were strangers.

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The educational levels of the residents varied greatly, and their knowledge differed not only between men and women but also among the young and old. It was challenging to determine who should be promoted to manager and placed beside her to assist with the territory’s management, even after reading each profile.

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It seemed that it would take some time before proper selection could be made.

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No accidents occurred, but she clearly felt the lack of capability.

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The emptiness left by her mother made Arina realize how much further she had to go.

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“…At least, it’s fortunate that the residents follow me well.”

*

Without a proper reorganization based on the range, depth, age, and experience of knowledge, she couldn’t immediately dive into her duties. But it was a relief that the residents followed her well, ensuring there would be no cases of insubordination or a hostile atmosphere.

*

“…”

*

Arina looked at the calendar.

The first week was almost over.

*

As time passed, it would soon be time to convene in the conference hall for the next round of preparations.

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Thinking that others might be going through similar struggles, her frown deepened.

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“Sigh. Why did Carsein cause me such trouble?”

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What kind of ‘best effort’ is this?

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Even though she wasn’t highly regarded in the territory and was tasked with reviving a previously failed territory, she found herself in a difficult situation.

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Even someone with a good reputation in the territory found herself in a tough spot.

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Considering the current situation where she hasn’t even completed the organizational chart, what would happen to a bad ruler?

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It would be predictable.

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There would be no hope of getting any cooperation or feedback, let alone completing the organizational chart.

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Yet, days passed and no letter arrived, despite the prior warning.

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Arina most disliked Carsein’s attitude.

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If you can’t do anything, why rush into things? When problems escalate, others have to clean up the mess. Even then, he doesn’t seem to learn and continues to insist on his stubbornness, always blaming others for his mistakes.

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“Of course, it’s not that he didn’t make any mistakes…”

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This had happened only a few times recently.

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It was too little evidence to rely on given his past records.

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Anyway, this time would be no different.

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He couldn’t accept the limits of his own abilities and ended up accepting a position at the lowest level, taking Shatren in.

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He really chose the most irritating actions.

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“I did tell Claire, but I guess I’ll have to visit sometime.”

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Arina sighed and returned to her work.

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Now, she had to finish her own tasks first; it was a busy period.

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Fixing Carsein’s mindset would come later.

*

***

*

“There she is.”

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With her flamboyant pink hair that shone as if made of gold, Claire could be spotted from afar.

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However, as the royal guard said, Claire didn’t appear as menacing as expected.

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“I didn’t have anything specific to pass along while waiting.”

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Claire waited for two hours without delivering any message.

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It was surprising.

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Given Claire’s personality, it wouldn’t have been strange for her to come straight to me and complain about wasting time.

*

*

Perhaps she was just following the rules of the Symposium, but in truth, Claire was simply sipping tea leisurely.

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“What her purpose is, I don’t know, but I have no choice.”

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▶ The meeting with Claire, as a reward for the Hidden Episode, has been arranged. ◀

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▶ You must complete the conversation with Claire. ◀

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Since I had no choice but to follow orders,

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“Clunk.”

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“Mama!”

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Startled by the chair falling after accidentally bumping into it, Claire jumped.

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“What are you so startled for? Knock next time! I thought a ghost came!”

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“Why are you suddenly showing up now after barging into my room before?”

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“You…!”

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Claire’s eyebrows twitched, and she blew air out, pushing her bangs up.

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Miracle. This second daughter actually knows how to hold back.

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This means we can communicate.

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I sat on the sofa and spoke calmly.

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“What brings you here?”

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Since she came to find me anyway, I got straight to the point.

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Claire stood up abruptly and started slapping my body with her palm.

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“I came to see if you’re doing well! Why!”

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“If you’re asking, ask! Why hit me?”

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“Shouldn’t you at least say something about your situation? I know how your name is used in Shatren, but you didn’t say anything. Don’t you worry?”

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“Ha. Worry… Ouch!”

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“You can’t hide anything from me, sis.”

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She seemed to be holding back earlier, but now she’s pinching hard!

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Gradually, the force in her hand lessened.

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“…Where’s Flora?”

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“Why are you asking me that?”

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Seeing her indifferent reaction, Claire’s eyes widened.

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“Didn’t Flora come looking for you?”

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“She did come.”

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“But? Then, shouldn’t she be staying here?”

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“If she came to talk, she would have stayed. She left shortly after.”

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“Left… already?”

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“That brat liked Shatren because of the daily fun and delicious fruit. With those gone, why would she stay?”

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Claire grabbed my shoulder urgently, seeming worried.

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“That can’t be… Did she really leave alone?”

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“What?”

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“My territory is on your side, so I came to pick her up. But, if she left first… How could that be? Where is Flora?”

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Hearing that, a chill ran down my spine.

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‘Could it be… like last time?’

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Anxiously, I checked my status window right away.

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If the episode changed, I would surely see the warning sign.

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Thankfully, there was no such warning message in front of my eyes.

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The main episode hadn’t even started, and only the hidden episode window was visible.

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With the main episode branching point yet to be decided, there shouldn’t be any other variables present.

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‘That’s right. There’s no reason for the threat against Flora to activate as a Dead Trigger at this moment.’

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So, why did this situation arise?

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“Umm… Can’t you at least tell me where she went?”

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Seeing Claire so worried, another voice came from behind.

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“Miss Flora is here.”

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A familiar voice.

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I felt relieved hearing her voice.

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On the other hand, Claire turned towards the sound and visibly relaxed.

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“Flora!”

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“Shh. Don’t speak so loudly.”

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“…”

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“She fell asleep exhausted from crying.”

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Flora, fast asleep on Harnier’s back, had tear stains still visible on her face.

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“What’s going on here, Miss Harnier?”

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“Hmm… I’m not sure either. Miss Flora didn’t explain properly.”

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“…Is that so.”

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Claire sighed heavily, looking solemn.

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After a while, she gently picked up Flora and put her on her back. It seemed the matter was resolved. The conversation with Claire had been about finding Flora’s whereabouts.

*

“By the way, Carsein.”

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“Why?”

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“…Never mind. I won’t say.”

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“What?”

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“I forgot! I just forgot!”

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To claim forgetting after saying something, truly unpredictable.

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‘Fine. Go. Just go.’

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Maybe it’s better if she leaves quickly; it would make me feel better too.

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…But thinking that, it feels like a line is added.

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“Take it easy with sister, and do a good job on your first-week report!”

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Only then did Claire close the carriage window.

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You don’t need to tell me that; I’ll manage just fine, so please go…

*

The carriage left.

*

The notification for the reward disappeared, and I could finally relax.

*

“Hmm. Looks like you didn’t sleep well again.”

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“…Ah.”

*

It’s not time to relax yet.