“…”
I am currently riding in a carriage to submit my fifth-week report.
Usually at this time, I would decide on the contents for the meeting hall, but now I’m lost in different thoughts.
“Ha ha.”
“Why are you laughing?”
“I just thought how nice my fiancé is.”
“…”
Suddenly saying something out of nowhere.
…Could it be about that?
“Even if you say it coldly, you don’t plan to punish the good person, do you?”
“Well, I can’t say for sure.”
“Oh? Ha ha.”
I turned my head away in silence.
Trying not to remember, but… thinking again while looking at the window.
Before getting into the carriage, Brêm came to find me.
An old man who had worked in the company for a long time.
Despite being much older, he bowed his head to me, a young person, and pleaded.
Could I listen to what he has to say just once?
Seeing his appearance made me frown slightly, as I thought “Is it possible?”
Though I didn’t want to recall it, the old memories came anyway.
When I was excluded by my family and helped with work in the company, I had experienced all sorts of contempt from the workers.
No matter what I did, they doubted me.
No matter what I said, they didn’t believe me.
Even when I said something right, instead of accepting it, they ignored me.
Yes, just like in Shatren Territory.
Even though I stood above them, I was treated no differently than the way Carsein was treated in Shatren.
Then one day,
The importance of the relationship between the Yunghe and textiles was proven.
When I provided proof and their wrongdoing was revealed, no one could blame me.
After everything was exposed, those who spread false information were fired.
Just like in Shatren, the wrongdoers were separated.
But that evening,
An old man found me, avoiding others’ eyes.
He was an old man who had worked in the company for a long time.
He was called ‘the Captain’ among the workers of this department.
As soon as he saw me, he immediately bowed his head.
“Our sins are too many. But, couldn’t you overlook just me?”
He wanted to sacrifice himself, pleading that he was powerless to lead the misguided people back on track.
“Couldn’t you show mercy by taking this old man’s life?”
It reminded me of Brêm completely.
“Tsk.”
What a disgusting experience to have here too.
I knew both Brêm and the old man called ‘Captain’ had secretly helped me.
I also knew that they tried to persuade the dissenters one by one and actually changed the minds of many people.
Moreover, they created appropriate conditions to make the evidence more solid.
I knew there were those who did wrong separately.
If the same punishment was given, someone might feel unjust.
“I won’t kill you for that reason.”
Punishment should be received by those who committed the crime.
Just like the old man called ‘Captain’ and Brêm, innocent people shouldn’t suffer.
That was an unbreakable rule for me, who had been wrongly accused.
“Ding!”
“Hidden Episode. You’ve cleared the Apology of Shatren.”
“Your favor towards the residents of Shatren, who were friendly to Carsein, has been forgiven.”
“The penalty caused by pressuring the residents is offset.”
[Offset Rate: 100%]
[Complete offset, removing the tyrant penalty of the Lord]
[In the 5th week report, a whistleblowing document within the territory will not arise, thus avoiding attack during Defense Time.]
“Brêm’s affinity has increased.”
[Current Value: 75%]
“Please, let this old man help the Young Master.”
Damn.
***
The 5th week report has begun.
“This…!”
“It’s not even a D+… No, maybe a C-?”
“To think I’d see such lustrous colors here again…”
The quality of the Shatren strawberries and grapes improved significantly, and the nobles’ eyes widened as if they would pop out.
It was enough to shock the nobles.
These were rare items that hadn’t been seen in months, now coming out of my hands.
I finished my report by explaining the differences between the strawberries and grapes grown directly versus those from other fields and suggesting improvements.
Then,
The time the nobles were waiting for arrived.
“…Next is Defense Time.”
Arshien showed signs of fatigue.
“Yes, I’ll start first.”
“Tsk. Go ahead.”
Of course, Arshien clicked her tongue.
“Defense Time has started.”
“You must choose the correct option to avoid penalties.”
“First, if we follow the report, it sounds like the only things planted in Shatren were strawberries and grapes. Is that correct?”
This is a typical question.
[2. Yes.]☑
“That’s correct.”
“Hmm. So you skipped the most important mid-term evaluation and brought only the results? Interesting.”
This is also a typical question.
[2. Yes.]☑
“That’s correct.”
“Hmm. Then wouldn’t the direction be off? Shatren Territory is based on agriculture. Wouldn’t solving the problems on that land be the right approach?”
“There is some merit in that. If two weeks were spent solely on growing crops… it might be considered insufficient.”
“Just using better fertilizer to bring these strawberries and grapes wouldn’t be considered a significant achievement, right?”
“Questions about the results have arisen. Choose your answer.”
[1. (Ear-muffling) It seems like the one who swallowed saliva just now shouldn’t speak.]
[2. There are achievements. We confirmed a spy within Shatren.]
[3. (Calling Talpon) This matter includes the establishment of diplomatic relations with Count Rilfetten of the Western Empire. Helping maintain the front lines is also part of it, so how can it not be considered an achievement?]
…
…
This sharp criticism looks like it, but the moment I chose this option, I secured a win.
“Surely all three of you pointed out that I didn’t achieve anything, right?”
“!”
“Yes!”
It’s so kind of you to say that. Now you can’t back down. You fools.
“Princess Arshien. I want to call someone forward.”
“Granted.”
Arshien replied with a satisfied look.
I called out loudly from this spot.
“Talpon!”
“Talpon?”
“Who is that?”
“Did you bring a resident from your territory?”
Yes, go ahead and talk all you want.
You won’t have much time left to mock us.
*Bam.*
Opening the door, a large figure appeared.
“No, that person…!”
“He’s from the West!”
“Isn’t he Count Rilfetten, who has the worst relations with the nobility…?”
The nobles began to murmur.
It’s natural for them to make all kinds of arrogant remarks in a sacred conference hall, but no one would dare do so in front of the royal family.
Well, there might be other reasons.
Meanwhile, Talpon walked confidently forward.
“This man is Count Talpon of the West, Rilfetten. He recently established diplomatic relations with Shatren.”
“What?!”
“You mean to say you established diplomatic relations with Rilfetten?!”
The faces of the young lords who were pushing me during Defense Time turned pale.
[3. (Calling Talpon) This matter includes the establishment of diplomatic relations with Count Rilfetten of the Western Empire. Helping maintain the front lines is also part of it, so how can it not be considered an achievement?]☑
“This matter includes the establishment of diplomatic relations with Count Rilfetten of the Western Empire. Helping maintain the front lines is also part of it, so how can it not be considered an achievement?”
The West plays a crucial role in blocking monsters entering the empire.
Therefore, helping families in the West would provide additional points in the symposium score.
So, to claim there was no achievement despite performing such an important task?
It’s laughable, especially considering Princess Arshien’s harsh words.
“How ridiculous to make such nonsensical criticisms. Do you have any more pointless remarks?”
“Ugh…!”
“…”
“All three of you will be penalized. Even in Defense Time, you overstepped the line. Avoiding territories near the West, yet praising those who directly establish relations with the West.”
The nobles closed their mouths with humiliating expressions.
Talpon smiled as if relieved, facing the nobles.
“Does anyone else wish to object?”
This is the end of Defense Time.
Now is the time to act.
“Princess. I have a proposal for this session.”
“What is it?”
“As I mentioned before, the data of Shatren Territory cannot be organized every week. It takes quite some time.”
“Yes, I agree.”
Prince Florence nodded in agreement.
“So, I want to skip all lectures and weekly reports, and present everything on the final presentation day.”
In the game, you could continue the conversation at this timing to execute this dialogue.
Here, since the prompt didn’t appear, I had to seize the timing myself, which wasn’t difficult.
“Hmm… That’s a reasonable suggestion.”
“But it wouldn’t be fair. I can’t give you special treatment.”
I know well what could happen if the outcome isn’t favorable.
Whether in the game or here, it would be a bad ending.
But it’s fine.
“Then, what if I accept double the penalty points?”
“Ha.”
“Hahahaha.”
Arshien gasped as if losing her composure, and Florence laughed right there.
“Carsein, are you willing to take double the penalty points for the final presentation?”
“Yes.”
“Are you that confident?”
Arshien asked me again, confirming.
Confident?
Of course,
“On the day of the final presentation, Shatren will show its dazzling transformation.”
Isn’t that obvious?
***
“Finished the 5th week report.”
“The proposal postpones all lectures and weekly reports. The schedule is canceled.”
“Warning! You must complete 80% development by the final presentation!”
[Failure: Lowest score in the symposium]
“Warning! The penalty points on the day of the final presentation will be doubled!”
Although warnings popped up, they weren’t a problem.
After all, to meet the development requirement, Shatren needs to solve the problem; preparing for the penalty points is just as important.
“More importantly… I need to meet Ariana.”
I need to find her to resolve the restrictions on the Rohya seeds.
Ariana always stays around the conference hall for a certain time after the report ends, so she’ll be easy to find.
────!
“Hmm?”
While passing through the second-floor corridor, I heard voices somewhere.
Maybe it’s Ariana’s voice, so I strengthened my hearing.
“This time, the guys are late, huh?”
“Yeah. It’s already this time.”
“They haven’t sent a letter or news. What are they doing? They’ll just pile up fertilizers for the black market!”
…
Fertilizers?
“Alright. Maybe they’ll come today. Oh, don’t forget to bring the sky-blue button?”
“Of course.”
The word ‘fertilizer’ was heard, but ‘Shatren Territory’ wasn’t clearly mentioned, nor was there certainty in identifying the traitors without a letter or news.
But.
“Sky-blue button… Oh, the black market?”
■Possessed Items■
◆Sky-blue Button
[A button with two horse illustrations on a sky-blue background.]
This incident.
I felt that the episodes in the game might not be the whole story.
I wanted to hear more of the story, but it wasn’t possible.
“What are you doing here, Carsein?”
During that time, Ariana appeared just in time.
I slowly retracted my mana to avoid being detected.
[Ariana Bargrand]
[Affinity: 33%]
“Quite a drop.”
It’s understandable. She must have been very upset when I declared Rest Week in front of her mother during the fourth-week midterm.
And just now, I triggered a trigger, so it’s clear she’s here to give me a piece of her mind.
“Let’s get straight to the point. You know your crimes well, right?”
Crime.
At the mere mention of it, a chill ran through my body.
“I can’t stand seeing the Bargrand Duke House smeared any further. So, write your name here and send it to the royal court.”
Ariana handed me a provisional document to renounce the temporary rights of the lord, to be used when giving up on this symposium.
Damn.
Her intentions are clear.
“Trying to handle this now to avoid a big failure and criticism on the day of the final presentation?”
What a joke.
It feels like something is off.
Why would I foolishly ask for a restriction to be lifted from such a woman?
Yes. I don’t need to beg my family. Especially not to the eldest daughter.
I’ll seize it myself and solve it alone.
I won’t rely on my family for help.
I’ll spit out everything I got from that house and proudly walk out.
This is also one of my principles.
*Bam*
“Alright. If you had written this cleanly from the beginning, how much easier─”
*Ziiik, Ziiik*
In front of me, the document is torn apart, and Ariana’s eyes roll.
“…What are you doing, Carsein?”
Ariana’s blue eyes became more prominent.
![[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come](https://i3.wp.com/darkmtl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737407792-8993-TS-The-end-of-magical-girls-has-come.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come")
