Chapter 204

-Clunk, clunk.

The heavy footsteps lead by the residents of Shatren.

Imagining the unimaginable situation, their minds were filled with one thought.

‘How could such a thing happen?’

‘I never thought I would fight Rusmaier, who I believed there would be no conflict with…’

‘This reaction is unprecedented… No, I couldn’t even imagine it.’

That familiar Rusmaier suddenly changed.

In terms of human relations, the relationship between Shatren and Rusmaier was akin to inseparable friends. They repaid the favor of past assistance with loyalty, and they expected to continue helping each other.

Despite not trading with most territories, Rusmaier was an exception. Their relationship was so close.

But today, for the first time, a friction occurred.

The cause was simple.

“Are you people still human?! To insult the lord in such a way, and you’re still calling yourselves residents of this land!”

They were reacting because he had insulted and gossiped about Carsein in front of them.

Carsein had never shown such rage before.

…No, it was beyond that.

Rusmaier was angry.

Angry at why they held such prejudice.

This made some of the Shatren residents replay the scene in their heads once more.

“Didn’t you say earlier that because you lost 1/3 of your territory, you had to buy food supplies from outside?”

“Then aren’t you the ones who don’t understand?!”

“The reason we gave you the crops from that land, when we could have taken it all, was what?!”

“Perhaps we gave you the food because you were only focused on harvesting strawberries and grapes and threw away your food resources!”

“Then why did Lord take only 1/3 of your land and not all of it?!”

“If you truly wanted to ruin our land, taking everything would have been fine, wouldn’t it? Can’t you even think of that?!”

Is it really true that Carsein took the land?

Or was he trying to prevent the shortage of food resources by limiting crop production?

If that’s the case…

‘Did Lord truly come to help us?’

Delving deeper into this hypothesis would reveal many inconsistencies.

Despite being the temporary lord, Carsein did not oppress the residents.

Currently, during the symposium, a few nobles insist on pushing plans regardless of the territory’s situation. This has happened in the past and continues to this day.

However, Carsein was different.

From the moment he arrived, he engraved stones, not oppressing or forcing plans upon the residents, but allowing them to act freely.

Even in the place managing 1/3 of the land, Carsein used only a small portion and allowed the rest to be used by the residents.

It might seem like he’s doing nothing as a temporary lord, but…

There are examples of him exposing spies from other territories and solving problems like Ferdie’s false accusations. Afterward, while the funds of Shatren were depleted, losses visibly decreased.

Moreover, he pointed out issues with farming methods and soil conditions, showing deep concern for Shatren.

He discussed seed placement, spacing issues, and explained how soil pH affects strawberry and grape growth, indicating ideal conditions for these crops.

These actions seemed to contribute positively to Shatren’s development.

Realizing this, they began questioning their own actions.

‘If this isn’t a lie?’

‘If he truly came to help Shatren?’

‘If he noticed the risk and willingly shared food resources and land rights?’

‘If the lockdown wasn’t arbitrary but for a valid reason?’

‘If Carsein truly wants to develop Shatren, as the Rusmaier side claims?’

“Gulp.”

At that moment, four words flashed through their minds.

‘Betrayal and ingratitude.’

Everyone here betrayed and slandered the lord who came to develop Shatren.

One woman, unable to bear the anxiety, spoke up.

“Um… Shouldn’t we follow the lord’s words now? If it’s true… We might be in big trouble.”

She suggested following Carsein’s instructions before it was too late.

Others, sharing similar thoughts, glanced around nervously and coughed.

Seeing the lukewarm response, Marf, the action leader, snorted.

“Auntie, are you scared?”

“That’s… Maybe if we act quickly…”

“Huh. I understand. I know how you feel.”

After wiping his face with his hand, Marf asked,

“So should we explain what we’re doing? Should we reveal everything about what’s happening in the fields?”

“…”

The residents immediately quieted down.

That couldn’t happen.

“If we do, the truth about Shatren strawberries and grapes will be revealed, and no one will want them anymore. They’ll become something people avoid. Why would we bring this up now?”

The secret of Shatren.

The secret of Shatren strawberries and grapes.

Who could have guessed?

That the strawberries and grapes grown here sometimes mutate.

And if this secret were exposed, the territory would fall from grace rather than regain its former glory.

A voice said they were raising something else along with the crops.

“Hey, don’t get so depressed. We’ll recover from this with Rusmaier soon. Just hold on until next week when support money arrives.”

Marf encouraged them with his voice.

Several powerful men also agreed.

Let’s start by addressing the deficit slowly.

A boom period will surely come.

With effort, Shatren will reclaim its former glory.

With renewed energy, they headed to their respective places, hoping for better days.

But…

Though they tried to hide it, the residents couldn’t shake off their unease.

“Um.”

“…”

“I think…”

As some of the group continued their hushed conversation, walking back from the fields, Ferdie didn’t miss the valuable information.

-Scratch, scratch, scratch.

Ferdie put down her pen. Despite much discussion, only one sentence was enough to write down.

“It’s been a while. Aunties, Uncles.”

Ferdie, with a stern look, waited until everyone dispersed before leaving.

*ding*

▶Information received from agent.◀

[Shatren residents are in turmoil.]

▶Recognition in Shatren territory increases.◀

▶Recognition level rises significantly, changing to reputation grade.◀

▶Field reputation rank displayed!◀

[Reputation value: 0]

[Rank: D-]

***

▶Episode VIII: Agent of Shatren in progress.◀

▶Need to create third agent to proceed to next episode.◀

▶Meet Count Rilfetten, Talpon.◀

In the jostling carriage, the status window flickered.

Just like in the game, now.

The third agent needed for Shatren is Talpon.

However, the Rilfetten family is located in the west.

Unlike when finding Pollox and going to the House of Aiferos, convincing him this time would require much more time, effort, and contemplation.

‘Especially since Talpon has a random element.’

The difficulty would be several times higher than when persuading Pollox.

I waited without losing my tension.

“Oh my.”

*Klunk!*

Here we go.

“Ah, sorry. The ground is a bit uneven, so I’ll drive the carriage more carefully.”

*ding*

[1. No. Stop the carriage right here.]

[2. (Gently tapping the rear pillar) It’s not urgent.]

[3. Condition problem. Let’s take a break.]

As expected, the choice started with the sound of the carriage moving.

I need to make the first move.

[1. No. Stop the carriage right here.]☑

“No. Stop the carriage right here. Now.”

“Carsein? Why suddenly…”

“Hush. Stay still.”

Lv. 51

▶SP automatically used on ??? stat!◀

▶Strength 5.81

▶Agility 7.11

▶Endurance 7.33

▶Health 5.40

▶Immunity 1.50

▶??? 51%

‘Stats are sufficient.’

Carefully drawing my sword, I concentrated mana on my hearing.

*Grind, drag.*

I hear it. The sound of it.

This sound, dragging something and making a slurping noise, needs to be disrupted at the exact timing.

Yes. Right when it makes that thud-thud sound.

*Bam! Bang!*

“Grgh!”

[ Mud Golem ]

[ HP: 0% ]

The mud golem, surprised by the suddenly opened carriage door, shattered instantly.

▶Gained 150 EXP.◀

▶Mud Golem’s bondage from the carriage is released.◀

“Huh? The ground…”

Back to normal. The coachman must be surprised.

“Mud Golem… hides in the ground to obstruct humans’ path and attacks tired travelers in the west. That’s why you stopped, right?”

“Yes.”

The road to the west is perilous.

Mechanisms to hinder smooth episode progression are hidden everywhere, and this route involves a carriage, which causes frequent bumps.

Meeting the mud golem indicates the same route is repeated, so it needs quick handling. Once exposed, it won’t easily show itself again.

Next choice:

[1. Take the pieces of the mud golem’s core.]

[2. Take the mana stone the mud golem holds.]

[3. Rub mud from the melted body of the mud golem onto yourself.]

[4. Load the entire body of the mud golem onto the carriage.]

Unexpected choices, but understandable given Rilfetten’s dislike for imperial/nobles.

[3. Rub mud from the melted body of the mud golem onto yourself.]☑

*Scrape, scrape.*

“Carsein? Why do you have that in your hand…”

“Harnier. You should apply this too.”

“What? This is mud.”

A look suggesting why she’d want to apply something unpleasant.

But this choice must be made.

“This improves your skin. Makes you beautiful, doesn’t it? If you look good, I feel good too.”

“…”

She stared blankly at me and then snatched her hand away.

“I’ll do it myself! Why say such things… Really.”

She grumbled and applied the mud to her own hand.

…Well, as long as it’s done, it’s fine.

I tried hinting to the coachman to apply it, but he was already smiling and applying it himself.

Eventually, monsters appeared as usual in the game, but with accumulated stats, I handled them effortlessly.

And.

▶Arrived at Rilfetten Manor.◀

▶Warning! Danger level in this field is high.◀

▶Choices and battles may occur; worst case scenario, a Dead Flag may be generated. Proceed with caution.◀

We arrived at Rilfetten Manor.

***

Not long ago.

Talpon remembered heading to the party hall after Claire Bargrand bowed her head in request.

In the gathering of nobles, she wished for Carsein to reconsider and meet him again.

But he couldn’t grant that wish.

Before they could meet secretly, Carsein left the party hall first.

Whether it was bad luck or good fortune, naturally, that opportunity was lost.

On the verge of returning to Rilfetten,

Talpon turned towards Rusmaier.

Carsein was a rejected child.

An outcast, despised and looked down upon by westerners.

Clearly visible to him.

Helping Carsein, as requested by Claire Bargrand, was irrelevant.

He wanted to see if he was someone worthy of helping,

someone with the qualities to be trusted.

So he turned towards Rusmaier.

Surprisingly,

Rusmaier was a very prosperous territory.

Pollox’s words were not exaggerated.

This barren land had transformed under that man’s influence.

Residents exuded happiness and trust in their lord. There was plenty of food and vibrant cultural life. Children played joyfully, and there was active engagement.

The scent of happiness permeated.

“…”

Talpon still couldn’t forget that smell.

The stench of the empire’s nobles was clearly foul and dirty mana, but the territories he ruled smelled differently.

How could a territory governed by a noble of the Peselros Empire have such a different scent?

Was he truly different from other nobles?

Was his sincerity genuine when he wanted to work with Rilfetten?

“…Can’t jump to conclusions yet.”

Everything depends on meeting him personally.

Rilfetten is sensitive to smells among western tribes.

There is no better way to accurately judge someone than by their scent.

So he waits.

For the carriage coming from afar.

But.

“…Is this possible?”

The scent of the horses, the scent of the carriage.

Inside were a man and a woman.

And a subtle mix of different scents was noticeable between them.

“Is this… the scent of a mud golem?”

Sure enough. It’s unmistakable. And despite the carriage approaching, none of the other Rilfetten residents feel repulsed.

Talpon chuckled.

“Huh. Do you know that the mana scent from the empire feels like a foul odor to us?”

Mana can mask other mana or magic. Since a mud golem is a type of beast, its scent can be masked.

If he didn’t know that, he wouldn’t smear it all over himself, especially on his hands.

Interesting.

“That carriage is carrying guests. Send them to me immediately upon arrival.”

*dong*

▶Affinity with Talpon increases.◀

[Current value: -11%]