I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 225

Chapter 225: The Source of the Contamination (7)

I was about to cut him off, expecting another irrelevant tangent, but Talfon’s question caught me off guard.

“That ring and sword can only be used by someone from the Wederos Kingdom. Yet, you suffered from Depeshan Syndrome. Westerners are generally immune to that illness, since they live in mana-corrupted lands.”

“…”

So that’s what he was getting at.

The contradictory reactions. He suspected something didn't add up.

“You’re a good judge of character. You’re right.”

Well, there was no point in hiding it anymore.

“I’m not from the Bagrand Duchy, or the slums. And I’m probably not a survivor of the Wederos Kingdom, either. I’m from a completely different world.”

“I see.”

Talfon let out a low hum.

“Think what you will. You might resent me for deliberately deceiving you, for using Lilpet for my own gain. But I had my reasons.”

“…”

“You don’t have to believe me. But I need to know about the Wederos Kingdom.”

-Thud.

I placed the “Wederos Kingdom Extermination Plan” document on the table.

“You feel like I approached you with ulterior motives, that I tricked you? I understand. But even if you don’t trust me, I’ll find out the truth. Even if I have to resort to… less savory methods.”

There’s no such thing as a free lunch.

No… maybe kindness itself doesn’t exist.

In this world, at least.

Logically, this was the correct approach.

I couldn't expect anyone to help me out of the goodness of their hearts.

Not unless there was something in it for them. A transaction.

Talfon grinned.

“Relax. Did you think I would condemn you for this?”

He closed the document without even looking at it.

“What do you mean?”

“I, no, we, the Lilpet Tribe, owe you a great debt. You saved us from a path of no return. So it doesn’t matter where you’re from. You’re our benefactor, our friend.”

“But I tricked you. I manipulated you.”

“Hmm. I suppose you could see it that way. If you were trying to infiltrate Lilpet, to learn our secrets…”

But despite his words, Talfon didn’t seem suspicious at all.

“The pure mana emanating from you… it can’t be masked by such petty lies. And besides, I’ve observed you. I know what kind of man you are.”

Diligent. Persistent. Courageous and intelligent.

But also reckless and blunt, which made him a bit unpredictable.

That was his honest assessment of me.

“It would have been better if you were a survivor of the Wederos Kingdom. But even if you’re not, I still consider you a friend. Whether you feel the same way… well, that's up to you.”

He extended his hand towards me.

“Carsein, I’m not going to lose a valuable friend over something so trivial.”

He waited.

His gaze met mine, a silent request for me to accept his offer of friendship.

I reluctantly took his hand.

“You’re too trusting, Talfon. You’ll get betrayed if you keep that up.”

“Heh. I’ve been betrayed enough times to know when someone’s being genuine. You know what the Imperial nobles did to us, don’t you? Your fiancée told you, didn't she?”

Ah, right.

He was a Westerner. He had suffered at the hands of the Empire.

“So, let’s get down to business. The Lilpet Tribe, like all Westerners, have always been tasked with eliminating monsters. It’s our duty, our purpose. But eleven years ago, we were overwhelmed.”

“Overwhelmed…?”

“Let me put it this way. Out of twenty tribes, only four survived.”

“…!”

That wasn’t just a defeat.

It was a massacre.

“The monsters were unlike anything we had ever encountered. Twice as strong, and their numbers were overwhelming. We had to band together to survive. Four or five tribes would join forces, just to hold them back.”

But some had faced them alone, he added.

“…The Wederos Kingdom?”

“Yes. The Wederos Kingdom was the strongest among the Westerners who fought against the monsters. They were so powerful, they were a kingdom, not just a tribe.”

“Then why did the Wederos Kingdom fall? It doesn’t make sense.”

He had said it took four or five tribes working together to survive.

But the Wederos Kingdom had faced the monsters alone.

“With that kind of power, they should have been able to survive. There had to be a reason why they fell…”

“You’re right, Carsein.”

“What?”

“There were two reasons why the Wederos Kingdom sacrificed themselves. First, if they had retreated, the monsters would have overrun the Empire. And the Bagrand Duchy was in their path.”

The Bagrand Duchy. The most influential noble family in the Empire, the one that controlled the most territories, the one with the largest population.

“They sacrificed themselves to save the Bagrands. But there was another reason.”

Talfon pointed at me.

“To save you, the youngest prince of the Wederos Kingdom, by sending you to the Bagrand Duchy.”

“…!”

***

I had come here seeking information about the Wederos Kingdom, hoping to uncover the truth.

But the story was far more complicated than I had imagined.

-We can decipher this document. But it will take time.

The results of that investigation wouldn’t be available for a while.

The story Talfon had just told me could be summarized as follows:

Eleven years ago, the West was attacked by a horde of monsters.

Countless Westerners died, and the Wederos Kingdom was destroyed.

And their sacrifice was connected to… the Bagrand Duchy, and Carsein.

“This isn’t just a game setting anymore.”

It wasn’t a setting, it was a backstory.

A major plot point, a hidden history that had shaped the current events.

There was no way I could uncover this through simple investigation…

‘No. I have to investigate this.’

▶ EX Episode: Traces of the Wederos Kingdom is in progress. ◀

▶ Obtain information related to the Wederos Kingdom. ◀

▶ Reaching maximum Completion Rate will grant you a wish. ◀

[ Current Completion Rate: 75% ]

“Ah, that’s cold.”

A cold liquid splashed against my cheek. Startled, I turned to see Harnie grinning mischievously.

“Did I surprise you? Ahaha.”

“…That’s a strange prank.”

“But you looked so serious, I couldn’t resist.”

Harnie offered me a drink.

So that’s what had splashed against my cheek.

“I think I’ll achieve a new high score at this symposium.”

“Is that so?”

“…That’s it? That’s all you have to say?”

“Uh… congratulations?”

She pouted.

“It’s thanks to you! I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this without your help. So you should ask for something in return.”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

I had helped Harnie, yes, but I had benefited far more from our collaboration.

Thanks to the soil samples she had brought, I had easily cleared the Clue and Proof event.

And the information provided by her Plesia Trading Company had been invaluable in another Clue and Proof event.

I had received assistance twice, far more valuable than the little help I had given her in return. And besides, if I really wanted something, I could probably think of something later.

-Splash.

Another splash of cold liquid against my cheek.

“Hey!”

“That’s because I don’t like it when you say that. Think harder. There has to be something you want.”

…Even if she insisted, I couldn't think of anything I wanted.

The symposium was almost over. I had identified the source of the contaminated fertilizer, and all that remained was to prepare for the final evaluation. I could always ask Ferdi for any missing information.

The issue with the villagers’ division was also under control. Dyke and Talfon’s Agent skills were enough to keep them in line. And the soil recovery rate could be adjusted through discussions with Brem and Trisha.

The only thing I really needed was information about the Wederos Kingdom. But Harnie didn't know anything about it, and Talfon hadn't told me everything yet.

And I didn’t want to borrow money from her. That went against my principles. I had to solve this on my own.

‘What could I ask for…’

I pondered, but nothing came to mind.

And then, Harnie offered a suggestion.

“If you can’t think of anything… then… can I choose?”

“Sure.”

“Then…”

She blinked, glancing at me hesitantly, before speaking softly.

“After the symposium… we’ll go on a trip. So… I’ll give you your reward then.”

A reward? After the symposium?

…What could it be?

Was she planning on giving me chocolates, like before?

No, she could have easily given them to me now… And it didn't seem like the kind of reward Harnie would offer.

“Anyway, I’ll see you then! And don’t you dare forget! Or I’ll be angry.”

Harnie, turning away with a playful glare, left me with a promise and a vague sense of anticipation. I had no idea what she was planning, but…

-Ding!

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

▶ Expose and punish those responsible for contaminating Shatrain at the 21st Eastern Nobles' Conference. ◀

▶ Raise Shatrain's development level and achieve a passing score at the symposium. ◀

I couldn't forget.

This was just a side quest. The main episode was still ongoing, and my life was still on the line.

“Summer’s coming.”

Feeling the humid summer air, I picked up the Shatrain territory report.

***

Time passed quickly.

Week 6 came and went. And still, the document remained undeciphered. Talfon was struggling to translate it, asking for more time.

Meanwhile, Shatrain’s soil was slowly recovering.

The villagers, who had seemed divided before, were now united in their efforts to follow my instructions, after learning about the contaminated fertilizer.

I had taken preemptive measures in some of the fields, accelerating the recovery process. All that remained was to wait for the final evaluation.

I spent my free time sparring with Pollux, who was also enjoying a break from his duties.

“…You’ve grown stronger. Unrecognizably so, since awakening your mana.”

Indeed.

Even I was surprised.

I had expected to be able to hold my own against Talfon, since he was part of the test, but I hadn't anticipated being able to spar with Pollux.

■ Carsein Bagrand ■ - 18 years old

Lv. 63

▶ Available SP has been automatically allocated to the ??? stat! ◀

▶ Strength: 6.48

▶ Agility: 7.70

▶ Endurance: 8.00

▶ Stamina: 6.33

▶ Immunity: 1.60

▶ ???: 63%

I hadn't been checking my stats regularly, but my consistent training had clearly paid off.

Of course, Pollux was one of the strongest warriors in the West, so I would still be at a disadvantage in a real fight.

He wasn't an NPC designed to be defeated, after all.

This game, despite its frustrating mechanics, was still a fantasy RPG.

Mana awakening was a key part of the player's growth, a system-designed stepping stone to greater power. And mana proficiency, a measure of the player's control and understanding of mana, was another layer of character development.

But I was reaching my limits.

Despite my rigorous training, my stats weren’t increasing as quickly as before. And while experience was valuable, the growth provided by the game system was undeniable.

I had to prepare for the upcoming challenges in Chapter 3. I had to regain the power I had possessed in the game.

And… I would need that power soon.

There was a reason to keep training, to keep pushing myself.

Pollux nodded as I explained my concerns and then began his explanation.

“First, let’s talk about the West. The Lilpet Tribe’s power is their sense of smell. You know that, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Each Western tribe has a power related to one of the five senses. The Yarik Tribe’s power is their touch, their ability to sense mana through physical contact. The Lilpet Tribe’s is their sense of smell, their ability to discern mana signatures. The Lindel Tribe can hear even the faintest whispers of mana, sounds beyond human comprehension. And so on. We are all tribes that can perceive emotions through mana. But,”

He pointed at his eyes.

“Vision is different. Only one tribe, no, one kingdom, possessed the power of sight.”

Pollux’s finger, which had been pointing at his eyes, now pointed at me.

“The mana threads you see… that’s the power of the Wederos Kingdom.”

The mana threads had appeared after I defeated the Scorpion King.

But only two people had mentioned them.

“Did Talfon tell you?”

“Yes. He probably wasn’t supposed to, but it seemed important. He was the first one to realize I was an outsider.”

So that’s why he hadn’t said anything when we met again. He had been waiting for the right moment.

I had hoped Pollux, being a Westerner, would know more about the Wederos Kingdom.

But I was disappointed.

“It seems you possess the power befitting your predecessor. Hone your skills. We can’t really help you with that. It’s unique to the Wederos Kingdom.”

Pollux patted my shoulder and turned to leave.

The ability to see the flow of mana.

The power of the Wederos Kingdom, their unique visual acuity.

I had no information about this power, so I would have to figure it out on my own.

Days turned into weeks.

Week 7 arrived, and with it…

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

▶ Final evaluation day has arrived! ◀

▶ Expose and punish those responsible for contaminating Shatrain at the 21st Eastern Nobles' Conference. ◀

▶ Raise Shatrain's development level and achieve a passing score at the symposium. ◀

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