Chapter 230

The suspicious fertilizer had the power to grow crops that could turn into monsters by feeding on mana.

This is indeed a serious matter and cannot be overlooked.

Arshien narrows her eyes.

She has almost grasped the flow of the situation.

The important thing is whether there’s enough evidence to support this, whether there’s a way to prove it.

As a result, if she fails to prove it, she would inevitably incur a tremendous loss.

However, without any hesitation, she declares permission for the submission of evidence.

“Permission granted for the submission of evidence.”

*Ding!*

▶Episode XI: The Source of Contamination is in progress.◀

▶Conditions have been met.◀

▶From Defense Time, we can catch the real culprit who ruined Shatren.◀

With the announcement of submitting evidence, the previous choices for Defense Time disappeared, and a new window popped up.

Surely, the royal family wouldn’t just let this slide.

“At least my intentions seem to have come through.”

Shatren will take on the role of supplying necessary funds to Carsein after being under his control, similar to how Rusmaier was. Given such an important role, the announcement couldn’t end here without further action. Even without options, her statement could extend the presentation.

“But to stand up in the audience… They must be really desperate.”

When the word ‘fertilizer’ came up, they probably thought about diverting the topic, didn’t they?

Unfortunately, that became their downfall. It would’ve been harder if they hadn’t stood up at all.

*Click, click.*

“Hmm? Was it supposed to be a witness rather than evidence?”

“No, we need a witness to submit the evidence.”

The nobles of the Waglew faction flinched momentarily but regained their arrogant expressions.

Their intentions are obvious; they don’t think this is enough.

They probably thought that since they used means to paralyze Rilfetten’s sense of smell, tracking them down would be impossible.

“The fertilizer that harmed Shatren’s soil was banned and collected from all residents. However, it reappeared in our fields shortly after. This can only mean it was done from outside.”

▶Using an item as evidence!◀

◆Flawed Map of Shatren Territory

When I pulled out the item, Florence smirked.

“So this will be the evidence?”

“Yes. This flawed map proves the connection with the Waglew faction.”

“Go ahead and explain.”

I stepped forward and showed the known map of Shatren again during the Symposium. Next to it, I placed the flawed map, making direct comparison possible. The faces of the Waglew faction turned grim.

“Can anyone tell us how these two maps differ?”

Not only the audience but also other participants pointed to one spot.

I precisely marked it with a dart.

*Bam.*

“You can see how different this spot is. Right? But there is a passage that might look like one path, isn’t there? Because creatures that cause mirages live here, certain paths may not be visible.”

“A mirage… Now that you mention it, I remember hearing something about it.”

“Specific birds living here emit a faint mana to create illusions to hide their nests.”

“Yes. Due to their environment, they can disappear. Considering the shape of the path and the location of the nest, Shatren can observe both paths without issue, but the opposite side wouldn’t have been possible.”

I shifted my gaze towards the Waglew faction.

“If someone came over from the other side of Waglew Mountain, they could easily make that mistake.”

All attention turned to the nobles of the Waglew faction.

Of course, it makes more natural sense that those crossing Waglew Mountain would be affected by mirages rather than when passing through Shatren.

“Then this flawed map…”

“It must belong to the noble who crossed Waglew Mountain.”

“And coincidentally, problems began in Shatren…”

Suddenly, all eyes were on the Waglew faction.

“What nonsense! We never did anything like that!”

“Just guessing and spouting nonsense!”

“You’re the one with a big misunderstanding, trying to frame innocent people!”

A man from the Waglew faction pointed at me and then shouted to Talpon as if it were perfect timing.

“Yeah. They say the Rilfetten tribe is good at sniffing things out, right? Why don’t you check if the scent of the fertilizer has any trace of our territory!”

“Exactly! If they sent someone to meddle, it would leave a scent, right?”

“Hmph. Prove it!”

Foolish lads.

They bit the bait perfectly.

Of course, I knew they manipulated the fertilizer so it wouldn’t have a smell.

But if they hadn’t, I wouldn’t have bothered meddling.

“The fertilizer doesn’t smell, as you said. But the ones you sent did leave a scent.”

“What?!”

“I put a trap along the path indicated by the flawed part of the map. I planted a peculiar-smelling flower from the west. When Talpon stepped on it, he caught the scent perfectly.”

The faces of the nobles from the Waglew faction turned pale.

Talpon, looking quite satisfied, testified.

“That scent followed the exact path through Waglew Mountain and came from your territory beyond the mountain.”

Anyone would think the same now.

I just need to carefully pin a needle in the chest of each culprit.

“By the way, Shatren is currently closed due to my orders. And those who tried to ruin the territory came out during this time. Isn’t that strange?”

Coincidentally, the person contracted from the nearest territory was present.

“Who would be the first to come when rumors spread about the capture of those who blindly trusted the fertilizer and ruined the territory?”

Marf’s gang spread the rumors widely, but the first arrivals were specific.

“This report states that including Marf, thirty-five people secretly bought the fertilizer even while the territory was closed and received payment for their services. Which territory would fit such a position?”

In fact, there was only one.

Before Waglew Mountain was breached, Shatren, which already showed signs of isolation, was influenced only by them.

All darts fell except for one spot.

▶Using my items!◀

“Since Rusmaier is my territory, it can only be you.”

All eyes turned to them.

Even without pointing fingers, many eyes held the answer.

Copies of documents scattered across the conference hall were picked up and read by everyone.

Each document bore the unmistakable seal of the Waglew faction planning to ruin Shatren.

“This…!”

“These are unmistakably seals of the Waglew faction nobles.”

“There are seals on the contracts and requests!”

“…Isn’t the content of the contract or request itself severely flawed?”

“Goodness… How could they do such evil deeds?”

But the most noticeable part was likely the writings about the fertilizer that turned crops into monsters.

The fertilizer that contaminated Shatren’s soil and grew monsters.

Its manufacturing method was revealed to all.

Thus, it was undeniable that the source of contamination originated from the Waglev faction.

‘Now, what should we do?’

Count Retelvik.

You’re one of the top leaders in the Waglew faction.

Can you find a loophole to escape despite all the evidence pointing at you?

Looking at Count Retelvik with a confident expression, the elderly man with a furious expression gritted his teeth and stood up.

“Your Highness! There is one fact unproven here!”

…

‘…Quite clever.’

Count Retelvik, standing up claiming an unproven fact, said,

“While it is proven that someone from the Waglew faction sprayed fertilizer in Shatren, there is no proof that the fertilizer was found in the Waglew faction. If you want to accuse us, shouldn’t you search for and find the fertilizer first?”

Despite all the evidence pointing to the use of fertilizer against Shatren, he drew a line between the most severe crime and the fertilizer.

He wanted to be punished, but not without finding the fertilizer.

That’s his argument.

“But sorry, that’s a waste of effort.”

Though the black market might cut off tails, if the search involves Talpon’s strength, the location of the fertilizer will soon be exposed.

I had secretly brought a flower from the west to ensure future tracking when entering that place.

“Talpon won’t miss that smell. It’s just a delaying tactic.”

One thing to note is that they might attempt a final act of desperation.

If the investigation becomes external, it could result in a bad ending instead of clearing the episode.

There are two conditions I remember:

Either leading a force with inadequate numbers or having Carsein personally enter the scene.

Of course, neither condition is met now.

The royal family seems to be taking this seriously and is sending a sufficient force, so I don’t need to go there myself.

That means I win.

Delaying won’t stop the fertilizer from being found. It’s far from a bad ending, and the evidence will be found quickly.

Now, I can relax.

Soon, Defense Time ended, and the royal family gathered the knight order to move with the Rilfetten tribe members.

Suspects Count Retelvik and the Waglew faction were confined in a separate room, and the 21st Eastern Nobles’ Meeting raced toward its conclusion.

“Everyone must realize from this symposium how difficult it is to cultivate a territory without the help of the head of the family. You who will become the pillars supporting this country—”

Princess Arshien continued her speech.

Then, my status window displayed a satisfying message.

*Ding!*

▶Episode XI: Cleared the Source of Contamination!◀

▶The 21st Eastern Nobles’ Meeting is concluding.◀

▶Calculating results.◀

…

…

▶Identified all problems in the territory, expelled the internal enemy, and restored Shatren to its former glory.◀

▶Your final score is S Rank.◀

▶Recognition value within the Peselros Empire increases!◀

‘Scored an S Rank, huh? Didn’t know there was such a high rank.’

While I wasn’t aware of the existence of an S Rank…

Still, whatever.

For now, it’s enough that I’m not dead here.

Just as in the game, seeing the scenes I knew would confirm the end of this episode.

But more importantly,

‘I need to focus here.’

While checking the status window, footsteps approached closely, and my family arrived near me.

Isabella.

Flora holding Isabella’s hand, whispering something.

And behind them, Arina.

I wonder where Claire went, but the three of them came to find me.

After some time of pacing around, choosing their words, I answered bluntly.

“As I said, I won’t do anything that would cause problems for the family.”

“Carsein.”

Isabella shook her head as if she wasn’t going to say that name and called out my name.

But I don’t feel like talking.

“I’m tired. I want to go back now.”

“…Really?”

Isabella seemed reluctant but willing to accept it. But the little one next to her didn’t seem to understand.

“Can’t we stay a bit longer? I have something to say.”

Whether you have something to say or not, that’s none of my business.

Moreover, given how they all rushed over, they seem to be here to praise me, which I don’t want at all.

Here, I just need to make up an excuse.

“I don’t want to get punished for overstepping my bounds.”

“…”

Arina’s shoulder twitched.

“What?”

“Acting recklessly, skipping the midterm evaluation, rejecting proposals, and causing worry like this… I have to pay the price.”

“What does that mean…”

“Ask your eldest sister if you don’t understand.”

I replied and left without looking back.

***

“If you’re going to do that, at least say something. Ugh. Making people worry like this.”

Claire muttered discontentedly.

But there’s no real complaint. She walked down the corridor with a light step, seemingly satisfied.

At the presentation, I was worried sick.

Bad rumors were circulating in Shatren, and Carsein didn’t seem to have much of a plan.

But once the presentation started, my worries vanished.

Unlike expected, Carsein’s prepared content was solid and full of substance, and the results were impressive, showing undeniable evidence.

It wasn’t unprepared.

Everything was prepared from start to finish.

“Having completely restored Shatren… This might be the best performance ever at a symposium.”

Then, I should give an appropriate gift.

…Sorry too. There’s a lot to talk about.

Bitter as it is, I wanted to congratulate Carsein this time, seeking forgiveness.

“Let’s hurry back with the gift. We shouldn’t stay too long.”

Claire walked down the hallway with a lighter step.

Right then,

“To succeed in this plan even slightly, we must eliminate Carsein from this very spot.”

A voice that turned Claire’s eyes upside down leaked from a room where the door wasn’t fully closed.