Chapter 174

‘Finished.’

Arshien acknowledged that there were no problems with my policy as she hammered away.

Two obstacles passed in an instant.

The development of the first week’s meeting involves reports on the territory, followed by Arshien’s intellect based on those reports.

If there had been any issues or wrong information, warning windows would have appeared along with the choice screen from the beginning. However, thankfully, such occurrences did not exist.

Arshien’s intellect was an extension of this report. If she had questioned not only the insufficient information but also my actions, my policy might have been rejected, but it smoothly passed without any issues.

‘Huh. Looks like drawing the map of the Shatren Territory really helped.’

Even though the 12th choice popped up and recognized the player’s action, I couldn’t let go of the tension and ended up doing something rather bold.

At this moment, the choices given to the player ask how well they know their own territory. If I had lacked information about Shatren, Arshien’s critique would have hit me hard.

In other words, if I was lacking, big problems would arise. Therefore, even if I was criticized for being overly bold, I had to hide any lack and make sure that my attention to this territory was clearly engraved, which led me to do this impactful act.

…Of course, when comparing the map I got from the game with the one I surveyed directly, there were noticeable differences, so I took my time here and there.

Anyway, these two checkpoints are now over.

Currently, it’s the first-week conference hall, a branching point right before deciding the main episode.

If I can just hold out during the upcoming Defense Time, I should be able to move on to the next episode without major issues.

‘Look at that. They’re already swarming.’

Nobles raise their voices, requesting a Defense Time from Arshien. As expected, those fools don’t want to accept that a commoner like Carsein is above them.

Since this scene was familiar from the game, I didn’t mind much.

However, it was somewhat peculiar for a game. The protests felt like those from students complaining about high grades, similar to when Moriziri and his friends protested.

Actually, could they be similar kinds of people?

“Correct. This is absurd. If it’s as he says, it’s just like saying we only need to go to the fields a few times.”

“If we consider how bad the situation in Shatren is, I don’t see any future in this policy.”

“It’s a waste of time. Shouldn’t Shatren focus on recovering its past glory by improving the soil? How does his action improve the quality of the soil?”

“No matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand it. I hope you will open a Defense Time to provide proper evidence…”

What they’re saying feels like they’re just arguing that I’m wrong. They don’t want to admit it, they love being on top, and they think I’m the one who’s wrong—just like those foolish students.

Even though this is similar, Arshien, who is in the position of the student council president, looks extremely irritated.

I chuckled seeing the nobles and classmates strangely reflected, waiting for the next choice to appear.

Then,

“Hmm.”

“What?”

Suddenly, a chess piece began to display a magic spell, drawing everyone’s attention.

Then the magic spell was engraved onto my palm, emitting blue light.

“…!”

“Your Highness!”

“This is my answer.”

…

Hmm.

Was this the original progression?

‘I remember… the choice screen appears at the same time as the dialogue for initiating the Defense Time.’

Just then,

The status window turned on.

“Ding!”

“Arshien has bestowed the Peselros Privilege upon you!”

“The first-week report is complete.”

“You’ve cleared the episode branching point!”

‘What?’

What does this mean?

The Defense Time hasn’t even started yet.

Thinking this, the system message immediately opened another window.

“Providing additional information to the player.”

[*Peselros Privilege]

[A privilege granted by the Peselros Imperial Family, which can only be used three times at the Symposium. It is granted only when a temporary lord’s plan is deemed worthy. If this plan is executed, the person will not need to go through a separate Defense Time on the same day.]

“…”

I watched the long list of benefits, but the most notable line was:

No separate Defense Time needed on the same day.

‘This seems more like a reward.’

I turned to check another window and finally saw a reasonable message.

“Proved your understanding of Shatren by drawing the territory map yourself.”

“Achieved results beyond the choice options!”

“Additional rewards are coming!”

So that’s how it was.

Though it wasn’t apparent in the game, it seemed like this setting coincidentally worked out to give me some kind of benefit.

‘Actually, it’s hard to call this a setting.’

Although I noticed it late, there was indeed a feeling like this.

While watching the nobles’ reports and playing the game, I noticed that the nobles generally had insufficient explanations of the territories they managed.

How big is the territory? What’s the altitude?

Is the land safe in terms of geology? What are the main organs of the residents?

Listening to it, there was something off.

It felt more like a collection of easily accessible data than a thorough investigation report. It was as if they had just listed what was written in books or asked the residents vaguely.

Shallow and thin.

That’s how shallow and thin the information of those noble children was.

Therefore, Arshien must have sided with me, who had thoroughly investigated the territory.

‘No matter how many times I think about it, this game seems to help if you approach it more realistically.’

Anyway, having finished the report, I could proudly walk down with my shoulders squared.

Oh, walking down proudly is a bit awkward, isn’t it?

“That guy…!”

“He’s laughing at us?!”

“A child of a commoner thinks he won?!”

Wow, the reaction is clear.

Just lifting the corner of my mouth, their expressions instantly distort.

Seeing the nobles yelling with flushed faces, it really feels like those foolish students who denied reality because their grades were lower than mine.

Enjoying their funny plight slowly, suddenly the affinity window expanded.

“Someone who doesn’t even know what’s in their own territory shouldn’t talk.”

“Your Highness!”

“Even you beside me are the same. At this moment, Carsein seems like the winner.”

“…”

“Ding!”

“Affinity with Arshien increases!”

[Current value: 35%]

…What did I do to increase the affinity again?

“Sit quietly. It’s someone else’s turn.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll correct it…”

Why does the princess seem so angry?

There’s no reason for this at all.

Though I didn’t expect it, it was somewhat satisfying.

Increasing affinity is also a good thing.

***

After a brief break, the nobles’ reports resumed.

Currently, the last presenter has just returned with a pained expression.

“I finish the first-week report. Any questions?”

Silence.

It’s probably natural since they were so thoroughly defeated.

“Judging from the silence, there are no further questions. Thus, I conclude the first-week report.”

Arshien continued with a cold expression.

“Starting next week, you all know better than anyone that I won’t reject the temporary lords’ policies anymore. However, please keep in mind that I didn’t want plans to proceed without proper investigation. I…”

Arshien’s eyes momentarily paused on me as she continued her speech.

This woman.

She paused, thinking she’d say something different, but that was exactly what she wanted to say.

“At least, as a lord, you should know your territory more deeply. That’s why all the plans brought in the first week were rejected.”

“Clang!”

“Starting next week, guest lectures will also be held. Study hard and think about how to make the empire’s territories more prosperous. That’s all.”

As Arshien left, the nobles groaned as they left.

For some reason, after my turn, the nobles seemed to suffer even more. Arshien kept listing reasons for deductions, and even those who received no additions barely passed.

Thus, the nobles became gloomy.

They complained about failing, how harsh this symposium was, and how they needed to reach a certain level without the head of the family’s strength.

It’s time for me to leave too.

“Ding!”

“The first-week report is complete. After returning to the territory, you must meet Arina and choose an option.”

‘Ariana’s choice.’

Even though there were changes, I thought I had to see it through until the end. Thankfully, this branch will follow the game’s progression.

Although I considered going to Arina first, she was already approaching me.

“You’re quite capable, Carsein. I didn’t expect you to know so much about Shatren. Honestly, it surprised me. But,”

Ariana’s words were clearly praise, but her final sentence added a twist.

“I’m sure you know your limits. Knowing how ruined Shatren is, you need to think calmly at times like this. You understand what this means, right?”

Even though it sounds like praise, it’s not an acceptance.

“Now is the time to take the right path, Carsein. Although you’ve collected funds while managing the Rusmaier territory, from now on, it’s beyond your control. Use the power of the Bargrand family. With just your strength, this test will surely be tough.”

Return to the Bargrand family.

Don’t be stubborn and rely on the family to pass this test.

In short, she wants to say:

“Don’t overstep your bounds and leave it to us.”

Just like the first one.

She wants to say that I should know my place and return.

Though the sentence and era are different, the situation is the same, which makes me feel annoyed.

‘Sigh. I need to quickly pick an option and get this over with.’

“Arina suggests returning to the Bargrand family. How do you respond?”

Seeing the listed options and confirming the correct answer, I immediately tried to select it.

But just then,

“Ding!”

“Additional rewards are revealed!”

“Memorial automatically activated!”

Another message overlay prevented me from selecting my choice.

‘Did the Memorial activate in this situation?’

For a moment, I panicked and looked around wildly, trying to find the glowing object.

‘That one!’

Nightfall begins.

Before closing my eyes, the location of the Memorial I glimpsed was.

In the trash can.

“Ding!”

“Obtained Torn Plan Memorial!”