Chapter 183

Shaken awake, Harnier found herself flustered upon seeing Carsein asleep before her.

Cross-legged?

Not just lying down, but sleeping with his body under hers…

No way…

Did she actually hold him while sleeping?

The warmth felt when she woke up and pressed against her head matched the temperature now, so she must have done just that.

Her adapted eyes saw Carsein’s face right in front of her, and seeing his sleeping face and chest lightly touch her body made her face flush.

It looked like a scene from a passionate romance.

Two lovers holding each other as they sleep, truly in love.

But they’re fake lovers.

They’re only connected by a contract, pretending to be lovers for their own goals.

Normally, she should push him away and scream, but right now, Harnier has no such thoughts.

Though he leaned against the bedhead as he slept, her body was on the bed.

He made sure she could sleep comfortably by giving her the only bed and even pushed a pillow over for her.

The blanket was also similarly arranged, and the light that had been on was turned off to make it easier for her to fall asleep.

And… his shoes were neatly taken off, just like in a dream.

Screaming? No way. She’s too grateful for all this consideration.

Her heart races with gratitude.

What a dream. And now this, immediately after waking up…

What a jerk.

Just like in the dream.

This moment too.

How am I supposed to react to this?

He keeps giving me these feelings, endlessly.

She can’t endure it with just a thank you.

As she touched Carsein’s hand, she felt a different texture than skin.

This…

A ring from the Kingdom of Wederos, which she knew well, worn as a prize and shared between them.

“…”

Currently, this ring is perfect for their act. Though it was obtained by chance, it serves as a mere couple ring to fool others.

Seeing it, strangely, made her feel a bit uncomfortable.

It will need to come off eventually.

Since it binds them falsely as engaged, once they meet real lovers, it will be removed.

After all, it’s just a contract relationship.

They help each other and achieve their goals, then part ways.

So when that time comes, she should let go.

Why do I feel this way?

Why don’t I want to take off the ring?

Why, why do I feel like this?

“…”

Harnier, troubled, held her racing heart.

Listening to its beat, she reached an ambiguous conclusion.

I find him annoying.

That’s why I feel this longing to stay with him.

Actually, Carsein is a good person.

Losing him would be too painful—no, unbearable.

So, like when she first came here, she feels the same way again.

“…Can we spend more time together?”

Harnier’s escape plan was set to be completed before winter. That means… the time to part ways is approaching.

Is there a way not to separate?

There might be.

With her leadership of the Merchant Guild of Plesia, she could receive more support.

Once she finishes handling affairs at the Marquis House, she might find a way to directly or indirectly help Carsein.

“No. Maybe…”

If she drastically changes direction…

Yeah, that might work.

-Thump, thump.

Following the rhythm of her heart, her white fingers gently brushed Carsein’s arm.

The distance closed again, and warmth returned through his embrace.

Holding her racing heart, Harnier closed her eyes again.

Neither dreams nor reality.

These moments won’t be forgotten.

So, for now, she’ll close her eyes and think more in Carsein’s embrace.

***

When she woke up to the morning light, she realized with a start that she had overslept.

And.

On the table was a handwritten letter from Harnier.

“Haha, really…”

She couldn’t find words for the first line.

“From now on, please don’t make any strange excuses? You sleep so well. Today I’m going to visit the territory briefly, but from now on, I’ll keep watching you!”

Even though she wasn’t there, she seemed to stand right in front of her.

Surely, she would nag in the same tone, hands on her hips, saying the same things. If she said something wrong, the Oath Gem conversation might come up too.

Fortunately, she didn’t seem to misunderstand much when she woke up in bed, though she wasn’t completely clear.

“Cough. It seems there’s no misunderstanding about hugging.”

“I’m grateful for the bed. The blanket and pillow too… Also, the arm… Ah, anyway! Thanks for letting me sleep well!”

Of course, instead of getting angry, the thank you made her feel awkward and embarrassed again.

“But what’s with the arm? And why is the handwriting so crooked here?”

Harnier’s handwriting was usually very neat, so this seemed out of character.

Checking the rest, it seemed normal, probably just her mood.

The letter continued with content about why she had to leave the territory for a bit.

“A letter from Mina arrived. There’s a situation in my territory where a grain inspection needs to be conducted, so I need to be away for a while. It seems the Marquis is putting pressure…”

Though it’s due to the grain inspection, it’s essentially pressure from the Marquis.

Since she managed to avoid danger, she’ll return when the time comes, so there’s no need to worry.

But if she pushes herself too hard, he’ll get angry.

The memo ended there.

“…I’ll get scolded if I stay out late again.”

There was no choice.

Since she gave no indication of when she’d return, she needed to be extra careful now.

Next to Harnier’s letter was another memo.

This one was written by Ferdy.

“Brother was right. The residents planted strawberries and grapes on all remaining land with the money they had, instead of other crops.”

▶Agent received information.◀

[Residents of the Shatren Territory, who lost authority over their land, planted strawberries and grapes on all fields previously used for other crops.]

“So, I expected this.”

Previously, when they took the land’s authority, Shatren didn’t give in. So this time, they went as far as dividing ownership of the land… but it didn’t change much. They focused solely on producing strawberries and grapes.

So, this message appears:

▶Crop management is now possible.◀

▶Entering the field UI shows options to plant crops if you have authority.◀

▶Specify which crops to plant in each map.◀

From this point, she can directly plant and change crops in the territory.

This means direct intervention is possible, and if there’s negative impact, it directly affects her grades.

Now, she needs to solve problems one by one in Shatren.

For example, soon the residents will face a secondary food shortage. Planting strawberries and grapes blindly led them to use support funds from the House of Bargrand to buy grain, but this process involves passing through traps set by bands of thieves and monsters in certain areas.

These traps are spread throughout Shatren, causing partial grain loss and food shortages.

This happened too many times to remove. It occurred in the game and when she tried to solve it herself.

“So, planting crops will secure some affinity.”

Today’s task is to go to the field she can manage and order the residents to grow agricultural products in Shatren.

However, something bothers her.

“The sub episode where I accept Daike as an agent. The main episode advances when all agents are utilized. All other screens appear properly… But why isn’t this one showing up?”

The screen that hasn’t appeared yet.

Though it may not be that useful, it’s unsettling not seeing a familiar screen.

…Should I wait a bit longer?

-Knock knock.

“Carsein! People are here!”

▶Manageable territory residents have arrived.◀

Harnier snapped back to reality hearing Ferdy’s voice and the system message.

Oh right, I overslept.

At this time, the residents of the territory she manages would come asking what to plant in the territory.

First, she needs to address this.

“I’ll be right out.”

***

Days passed.

This season, it’s about time to harvest Shatren strawberries from other fields too.

Entering the peak season, Daike believed he could get Shatren strawberries by now.

Daike’s colleagues’ footsteps approached as they returned from trading places with the strawberries and grapes.

Daike instinctively stood up, hoping desperately.

-Gulp.

“Please…!”

Swallowing saliva, he hoped this time they had strawberries in their hands.

“Look!”

“What do they have?”

“It’s strawberries! Shatren strawberries!!”

When the figures became clear.

In his colleague’s hand was a strawberry. They had succeeded in purchasing it.

“Finally!”

Finally, he could cure his younger sister’s illness.

After a long time staying in Shatren, Daike believed his turn had come.

But…

Daike’s expression hardened when he saw the strawberry.

“Wait. Isn’t it a bit small?”

“So what if it’s small? Where did you get it?”

“Yeah. We need to give it to Daike’s group first! Here, take it!”

“Your younger sister can finally be cured!”

No, this was a low-grade strawberry.

One that couldn’t be used for Helketa I disease medicine.

“…Frict.”

“Huh?”

“Who waited next longest after me here?”

“That’s true, but why?”

Daike held out the strawberry to Frict.

“Why are you hesitating?”

“…I can’t use this. For Helketa I, at least D-grade or higher is needed.”

“What? How can that be…!”

“You use it. Someone in your family showed initial symptoms. At this stage, even an E-grade might show effects.”

Daike handed the strawberry to Frict and slowly walked away, dejected.

“Hey, Daike! Try this one.”

“Yeah! Who knows!”

“We all saved up our money carefully…! Your money is the most, right?”

“If it doesn’t work, there’s another harvest in two days. We don’t know the grade of those strawberries, but… maybe using multiple ones will help, right?”

Despite this, Daike shook his head.

Knowing this wouldn’t work, he felt the best option was to pass the strawberry to someone who needed it.

And today, another letter arrived.

Urgently requesting medicine to be made.

The letter stated a better grade of strawberries was needed.

While uncertain, if it’s true, a D+ grade might be necessary.

But prices had risen.

Prices, expected to drop, had gone up again.

“Damn…! How did we save that money? The guards collected every penny barely! That’s just an E-grade…”

Despair reached Daike.

Was there truly no way to save his sister?

Then, a man’s voice drifted by.

“I’ll give you a few days. You can confirm if prices rise or not. However, if you change your mind, come to the place written there anytime.”

“…”

Come to think of it.

His statement was correct.

Unlike him, who doubted prices would fall, the man was confident they would rise, and he mentioned purchase time would shorten. Notes had graphs and statistics, matching his claims.

Getting the result right through thorough research…

-Gulp.

Yes, maybe there’s a way.

Carsein Bargrand.

She needed to find him.