Chapter 228

Here’s how the atmosphere in the conference hall remained cold…

After the break, the mood changed a bit.

“Providing new toys to the children in the territory. That alone is significant. If they enjoyed it, then there’s potential for commercialization through the parents who hold the children.”

“Using liquid made from crushed toxic mushrooms that have been purified and rendered harmless as paint. Hmm. Inert resources now have a purpose. This isn’t a trivial achievement.”

“Setting up shelters in major areas to avoid the heat. Yes, during summer, this will definitely increase efficiency. Actually, even in winter, these could serve as rest spots for travelers.”

Though minor or slight, there were people who managed to achieve somewhat valuable results here and there.

The most decisive turning point was made by…

“Instead of making the work clothes for miners thicker, we used the fact that snakes dislike blue. Efficiency improved.”

In a territory where clothing was an issue, Harnier carefully observed the influence color has on animals and managed to not only drive away snakes but also integrate this into the clothing industry.

“The discovery of a new fabric suitable for clothing within the territory. Although it wasn’t widely used before, according to their processing methods, it’s more suited for garments.”

Claire clarified that the territory’s resources could be used for clothing.

“Excellent.”

Listening to such nonsensical reports, having these two step in felt like a breath of fresh air in a bleak future.

The judges could at least use these two as a starting point to ease the hostile atmosphere.

Perhaps due to these two giving courage to those who were cowering,

a few outstanding testers began to stand out among the shattered ones. Though not high scores, they reached above average.

Others who honestly confessed their shortcomings and provided feedback received fairly decent ranks. Some even realized late the lack of prior research and insufficient information.

Finally.

Just before my turn, Arina’s presentation ended.

“Hmm… Dramatic profits weren’t achieved.”

“Was it because of the flood?”

“Yes.”

Arina nodded, regretfully.

“Due to sudden heavy rain causing damage, prioritizing the safety of the residents was the only option.”

“It makes sense when I look at previous reports. That territory was particularly vulnerable to rain.”

“Given the difficult terrain, nothing else could be done.”

Arshien and Florence nodded in agreement.

The result was a B rank.

There were valid reasons, and some profit was made.

Considering the damages, it wasn’t a bad score. She seemed a bit disappointed though.

Actually, only a handful of people scored higher than Arina. This symposium was unusually strict, so there were hardly any top scores.

And oddly enough.

I need to get a score higher than B+.

Is this intentional? Sigh.

“…”

The previous presenter, Arina, glared at me and left.

Well, let’s see how well you do.

That’s the kind of look she had.

Don’t worry.

Even if you don’t worry about it, you’ll do fine.

-Ding!

“The final presentation has begun.”

“You can choose options to guide the direction of your presentation.”

Let’s start light.

[3. Criticize the farming method in Shatren Territory.]

“The residents of Shatren Territory had flawed farming methods, as I mentioned in my previous presentation.”

“I remember. By increasing the number of seeds in one spot, various problems arise, right?”

“Drought resistance is good, but it doesn’t help in rainy conditions. Roots entangle, hindering growth, and nutrients aren’t evenly distributed, leading to issues.”

“That’s correct. But if that were the only problem, the harvest rate wouldn’t have dropped so drastically.”

“So, what was the real issue?”

-Ding!

“Please select the problem from the options.”

While the territory management UI was missing, my actions in the game were still effective.

[5. Soil pH issue] ☑

“Soil management was neglected.”

“Soil management?”

“Yes. For crops to grow, appropriate soil is essential. Without it, no matter what farming method you use, the harvest rate won’t be good.”

“Hmm… I understand your argument, but can you explain it?”

Florence tilted his head, puzzled. Arshien also seemed to agree with the same thought.

Not hard at all.

“Let me show you directly.”

Showing the residents, I just need to repeat it.

***

The pH demonstration continued.

Explaining the concept of pH, Arshien and Florence finally relaxed and smiled.

‘So, soil management means this?’

‘At this rate, we might have to change the entire empire’s farming methods.’

Of course, not everything can be understood.

“I still don’t get it. How does pH relate to crops?”

“There’s no proof that it affects yield.”

Some people subtly try to challenge Carsein with such questions.

But will such weak questions even challenge Carsein?

No way, the two judges were sure of it, so they ignored it.

“Daike, bring the flower pots.”

“Yes!”

As guards Daike and Frict brought flower pots, Arshien and Florence prepared to watch comfortably.

“On the left is the original soil from Shatren Territory, retaining its pH. On the right is soil I improved by raising the pH. I planted Shatren strawberries in both. Can you see the difference between the two pots?”

“Not really.”

“Can’t tell at all.”

“But if we use Pisstella’s rapid growth solution, there will be a noticeable difference.”

“…Carsein, isn’t that solution very expensive?”

“Don’t you have that kind of money? Arshien.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

Pisstella’s rapid growth solution is a magical concoction that creates nutrients for crops.

Priced at 50,000 peseles per 100ml, it’s quite expensive, but Florense had the money.

He divided the solution equally into both pots, and sprouts started growing.

Soon, stems appeared, followed by flowers and eventually a few fresh berries—Shatren strawberries.

However, not both pots showed this.

“Oh wow. There’s a huge difference.”

“Quite a gap.”

Arshien and Florense chimed in.

“Oh no…!”

“How could this happen?”

“We used the same growth solution…”

The nobles had to keep their mouths shut in shock.

Only the pot on the right showed proper growth. The pot on the left, representing the residents of Shatren Territory, didn’t grow properly.

This led to one conclusion.

pH greatly affects crop growth.

And Carsein had thoroughly blocked any escape routes.

-Swish!

“Did you think I might have interfered? Yes, so I prepared this.”

Data scroll.

A graph visually and clearly presenting the relationship between soil pH and crop growth rates.

Moreover, it clearly showed that the closure order in Shatren Territory, the absence of external items, and the lack of support from the House of Bargrand were evident.

Following this,

as he signaled, guards brought boxes and took out the contents.

“What’s this?”

“Shatren strawberries… and Shatren grapes!”

“Not the colors I’ve seen recently… These are…”

“Yes. From the past, the glory days…”

As the nobles stared blankly at the fruits,

Carsein smoothly interjected.

“I’m sorry, but my capabilities were insufficient, so I couldn’t reach further.”

“Incapable…?”

“Yes. My goal was an A+ grade, but I only managed an A. Only ten in total.”

Hearing this, Arshien and Florense covered their mouths, trying not to laugh.

Ridiculous.

It’s miraculous that the territory could produce such grades again.

Previously, the deteriorating crops of Shatren were barely edible, so people paid high prices.

Yet, he revived them and produced A-grade crops, ten in number.

And he showed data suggesting they could consistently produce top grades now.

Incapable?

“…”

The nobles clenched their fists, trembling with humiliation.

An obvious provocation.

An outright deception.

But.

“Does anyone have anything to add? If not, let’s move on.”

With this confidence, no one could refute him anymore.

***

Reviving a failing territory with my own hands,

offering help through cooperation agreements, yet being rejected and stubbornly refusing,

Carsein was acting recklessly without knowing his place.

Seeing someone refuse opportunities despite being given chances made one’s blood boil. It was like history repeating itself.

Even arrogantly saying things like:

“Wait and see. And if I fail miserably as you predicted, go ahead and do whatever you want. Lock me in isolation, make me do only what you want in the mansion, or tear down the Bargrand castle. I don’t care.”

So, I decided to let him go.

Let’s see how well he does.

Surely, he would fail miserably and come back.

He’d ruin the Bargrand name and repeat the same old mistakes.

But Arina left Carsein alone because she believed it was time to fix his attitude once and for all.

If we went back to the old ways,

taking away all rights,

and stopping him from speaking arrogantly again,

locking him in isolation? No problem.

I would call in proper teachers to educate him at the mansion.

I would make him face the consequences of his actions, whether staying in the mansion or not.

Even if his mother came to stop me, I wouldn’t listen.

…

But it was different.

Unlike before.

I expected him to point out ridiculous problems and lie about Shatren again.

But the lies were not lies.

The concept and theory of pH.

Carefully calculated data in the data scroll.

And…

“Incredible…”

A+ grade grapes and strawberries were produced by Carsein.

-It’s not over yet, I said last time, right?

-You haven’t even started your presentation, yet you’re already thinking about punishing me?

Arina had to close her mouth upon hearing Carsein’s voice from somewhere.

-Ding!

“The Dead Flag related to Arina in this episode has disappeared.”

***

Arshien looked satisfied as he glanced at the nobles’ faces.

Attending only four progress meetings?

Running away to avoid mid-term evaluations?

Postponing the final report date to make excuses?

“Can I really say something like that?”

Now, there’s no one who can criticize Carsein.

Who can claim identity or capability to question his qualifications?

Who can speak against him after reviving the worst territories?

“Defense Time? That’s impossible.”

His presentation was perfect.

The ideal result for a lord.

Unlike other presenters and temporary lords,

the results Carsein achieved warranted a perfect score.

“The gap between first and second place this year is… two stages.”

Even one stage apart would show a significant difference, but the gap between Carsein and second place Claire was astronomical.

There’s nothing left to see.

A grand finale to end the symposium.

As Arshien raised the hammer, Carsein spoke.

“Oh, my presentation isn’t finished yet.”

“Hmm?”

“There’s still more.”

Carsein raised his hand to indicate his presentation wasn’t over.

“I feel I should ask this, since I’m a bit inexperienced.”

Another one of those cheeky remarks.

Still, it pleased me to see him deflate the nobles’ noses.

“Go ahead.”

Florence chuckled and gave permission, and Arshien nodded in agreement.

“All of you, have you heard the rumors about fights in Shatren?”

“!”

Why is this topic coming up here?

Directly mentioning a disadvantageous point.

This could lead to Defense Time.

But.

“Wait. Why is this coming up─”

Suddenly, Arshien realized something from Carsein’s expression.

The person involved surely knows.

The nobles would surely infiltrate and attack me with those words.

Yet, he still spoke.

‘…Could it be?’

Is the presentation not over yet?