I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 204

Chapter 204: Those Who Rage (4)

-Trudge, trudge.

The Shatrain villagers dragged their feet, their heads filled with a single thought.

‘How could this happen?’

‘We never thought we’d fight with Lusmire…’

‘This reaction… It’s the first time… No, we never even imagined it.’

The amicable Lusmire had suddenly turned against them.

The relationship between Shatrain and Lusmire had been like an unbreakable friendship. They had helped each other in the past, repaid each other's kindness, and maintained a strong bond of loyalty. They had always believed they would continue to support each other.

Even though Shatrain had ceased trading with most other territories, Lusmire had always been an exception.

That's how close they were.

But today, for the first time, there was friction.

The cause of the friction was simple.

-How dare you?! Insulting our lord like that?! You call yourselves his people?!

They had insulted and slandered Carsein in front of the Lusmire villagers.

It was the first time they had seen Lusmire react so fiercely.

…No, it was more than just fierce.

Lusmire was furious.

Why do you hold such prejudice?

Some of the Shatrain villagers replayed the angry voices in their heads.

-You said you had to buy food from outside because you couldn’t cultivate your own, because he took your land.

-Then you’re the ones who don’t understand!

-Why did he give you the food he cultivated on that land? He could have kept it all for himself!

-He’s trying to prevent you from focusing solely on strawberries and grapes, forcing you to diversify your crops!

-Then why didn’t he take all of your land? Why only one-third?!

-If he really wanted to ruin your territory, he would have taken it all! Are you that stupid?!

Had Carsein really taken their land?

Or was he trying to prevent them from overextending themselves, from running out of food by focusing solely on specialty crops?

If that was true…

‘Was our lord… actually trying to help us?’

If they considered that possibility, several inconsistencies emerged.

Carsein, despite becoming their temporary lord, hadn’t exerted his authority over them.

During the symposium, some nobles, driven by greed or ambition, would implement policies without considering the territory's circumstances. It had happened in the past, and it was still happening now.

But Carsein hadn’t done that.

From the moment he arrived, he had used the inscription stone, relinquishing his authority. He hadn't forced them to follow his plans, hadn't restricted their actions. He had given them the freedom to manage their own affairs.

And even in the fields he controlled, he had only used a small portion of the land, leaving the rest for the villagers to cultivate.

So, was he just playing around, enjoying his position as temporary lord without doing any real work?

That didn’t seem likely.

He had exposed the embezzlement scheme that they had all missed, he had cleared Ferdi’s name. And while Shatrain had used up all of its funds, their losses had been significantly reduced since then.

Furthermore, he had shown a deep interest in improving Shatrain's agriculture, pointing out the flaws in their farming methods and the problems with their soil.

His explanation of the optimal spacing for crops, his introduction of the concept of soil pH, his theory about the existence of an ideal range for strawberry and grape cultivation…

All of his actions pointed towards a genuine desire to improve Shatrain.

Considering all of this, they began to question their own actions.

‘What if… he wasn’t lying?’

‘What if… he really was trying to help?’

‘What if… he took our land and gave us food because he knew we were overextending ourselves?’

‘What if… there was a good reason for the lockdown order?’

‘What if… just like the Lusmire villagers said, Carsein was actually trying to improve Shatrain?’

-Gulp.

A chilling thought crossed their minds.

Ungrateful.

They had been deceiving and slandering the very lord who had come to help them, to improve their lives.

Unable to bear the weight of this realization, one of the women spoke hesitantly,

“Um… Shouldn’t we… follow the lord’s instructions? What if… what if he’s telling the truth…? We could be in big trouble…”

She voiced her fear, suggesting they should follow Carsein’s lead before it was too late.

Several others seemed to share her sentiment, shifting nervously and clearing their throats.

Map, the village enforcer, scoffed at their hesitant reaction.

“What’s wrong? Are you scared?”

“W-Well, if we start now, maybe…”

“Ha. I understand. You’re worried. I know how you feel.”

Map paused, wiping his face with his hand, and then asked abruptly,

“So, are you going to tell him everything? Are you going to explain what we’ve been doing in the fields?”

“…”

The villagers fell silent.

They couldn't do that.

“If we reveal the truth about our strawberries and grapes, no one will buy them! Our prized specialties will become worthless!”

Shatrain’s secret.

The secret of the Shatrain strawberries and Shatrain grapes.

No one could know.

The strawberries and grapes cultivated in this land had a high rate of mutation.

If that secret was revealed, Shatrain would lose its prestige, its reputation. They wouldn't regain their former glory, they would plummet into oblivion.

Because everyone would know that they weren’t just cultivating crops, they were also raising… something else.

“Don’t be so discouraged. We’ll be able to mend our relationship with Lusmire. And the next support payment from the Duchy will arrive next week.”

Map tried to reassure them.

The other influential villagers echoed his words.

Let’s focus on resolving the deficit first.

Prosperity will return eventually.

Shatrain will regain its former glory through hard work.

With renewed determination, they dispersed, each returning to their own tasks, praying for a brighter future.

But…

Despite their brave words, the villagers couldn't shake their unease.

“Hey.”

“…?”

“I’m… I’m worried…”

As they walked back to the fields, some of the villagers spoke in hushed tones.

And Ferdi, hidden nearby, didn’t miss a single word.

-Scribble, scribble, scribble.

Ferdi put down his pen. The conversation was lengthy, but a single sentence was enough.

“You’re late. All of you.”

Ferdi, frowning, approached the villagers, and they dispersed, startled by his sudden appearance.

-Ding!

▶ Information obtained from Agent. ◀

[ Villagers in the central fields are agitated. ]

▶ Shatrain Territory Recognition increased. ◀

▶ Recognition level significantly increased, changing to Reputation Rank. ◀

▶ Field Reputation Rank displayed! ◀

[ Reputation: 0 ]

[ Rank: D- ]

***

▶ Episode VIII. Shatrain’s Agent is in progress. ◀

▶ Recruit the third Agent to proceed to the next episode. ◀

▶ Meet with Count Lilpet, Talfon. ◀

The status window flickered inside the rattling carriage.

It had been the same in the game.

The third Agent I needed for Shatrain was Talfon.

But Count Lilpet's estate was located in the West.

Unlike my visit to the Ipheros Marquisate to meet with Pollux, recruiting Talfon had always been a much more challenging, time-consuming, and thought-provoking endeavor.

‘And Talfon’s reactions are unpredictable.’

The difficulty level was exponentially higher than persuading Pollux.

I waited, my anxiety growing.

“Oh my.”

-Jolt!

Is this it?

If this is the start…

“My apologies. The road is a bit rough. I’ll drive more carefully.”

-Ding!

[ 1. No. Stop the carriage. ]

[ 2. (Lightly tapping the pillar behind him) There’s no need to rush. ]

[ 3. You seem tired. Let’s take a short break. ]

So the choices start with the jolting carriage, as expected.

Then, I had to take the initiative.

[ 1. No. Stop the carriage. ] ☑

“No. Stop the carriage. Now.”

“Carsein? Why…?”

“Shh. Be quiet.”

Lv. 51

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

▶ Strength: 5.81

▶ Agility: 7.11

▶ Endurance: 7.33

▶ Stamina: 5.40

▶ Immunity: 1.50

▶ ???: 51%

‘My stats are high enough.’

I carefully drew my sword and channeled mana into my ears to enhance my hearing.

-Thud, drag.

I could hear it.

The sound of something being dragged across the ground, followed by a gurgling noise. I had to destroy its core at the right moment.

Right. When I heard that sound.

-Thump! Swish!

“Grrr!”

[ Mud Golem ]

[ HP: 0% ]

The Mud Golem, startled by the sudden opening of the carriage door, had its core destroyed in a single blow.

▶ You have gained 1.5 million EXP. ◀

▶ The Mud Golem’s entanglement with the carriage has been removed. ◀

“Oh? The road…”

The road was smooth again. It was no wonder the driver was surprised.

“A Mud Golem… A Western monster that hides in the ground and ambushes travelers at night. Is that why you stopped the carriage?”

“That’s right.”

The road to the West was treacherous.

Obstacles designed to hinder the episode’s progress were hidden everywhere, and because this route was traveled by carriage, jolts and bumps were frequent.

Those jolts were a sign that a Mud Golem was entangled with the carriage, and it had to be dealt with quickly. If you missed the timing, it would burrow underground and disappear.

And…

The next set of choices.

[ 1. Take a piece of the Mud Golem’s core. ]

[ 2. Take the magic stone embedded in the Mud Golem. ]

[ 3. Apply the Mud Golem’s liquefied remains to your body. ]

[ 4. Load the entire Mud Golem carcass onto the carriage. ]

They might seem like random choices, but there was a reason why Lilpet hated Imperials.

[ 3. Apply the Mud Golem’s liquefied remains to your body. ] ☑

-Slather, slather.

“Carsein? Why are you putting that on your…?”

“Harnie. You should put some on, too.”

“What? This is mud.”

She gave me a look that clearly said, ‘Why would I put that disgusting stuff on my skin?’

But this was the correct choice. I had to choose this option.

“It’s good for your skin. It’ll make you even more beautiful. And if you’re beautiful, I’m happy.”

“…!”

Harnie stared at me blankly for a moment, and then snatched the mud from my hand.

“I-I’ll do it myself! Why would you even say that… Honestly.”

Grumbling under her breath, she began applying the mud to her skin.

…Well, as long as she applied it, that was all that mattered.

I was about to offer some to the driver as well, but he was already smiling, happily slathering the mud on his hands.

Soon, just like in the game, other monsters appeared, trying to block our path. But thanks to my high stats, I easily dispatched them and continued our journey.

And finally…

▶ You have arrived at Count Lilpet’s estate. ◀

▶ Warning! This area has a Danger Level rating of “Danger.” ◀

▶ Choices and combat may occur, and in the worst case, a death flag may be triggered. Proceed with caution. ◀

We had arrived at Count Lilpet’s estate.

***

A while ago…

Talfon, remembering Claire Bagrand’s earnest request, had traveled to the party.

She had asked him to meet with Carsein, hoping he would reconsider his judgment.

But that request couldn’t be fulfilled.

Carsein had already left the party before Talfon could even meet him.

Whether it was good luck or bad luck…

There was nothing he could do. The opportunity had been lost.

As he was about to return to Lilpet…

Talfon changed his mind and headed towards Lusmire.

Carsein was an abandoned child.

As a Westerner, someone who had always been ostracized and looked down upon, Talfon could tell.

Claire Bagrand’s request to help Carsein didn't matter.

He wanted to see for himself whether Carsein was worthy of his help.

Whether he possessed the qualities of a true leader.

So, he had turned his horse towards Lusmire.

And to his surprise…

Lusmire was a thriving territory.

His friend Pollux hadn't been exaggerating.

This barren wasteland had been transformed. It was a complete turnaround.

The villagers’ cheerful laughter, their unwavering trust in their lord, the abundance of food, the vibrant culture, the children playing freely, the bustling activity…

The air was thick with the scent of happiness.

“…”

Talfon couldn't forget that scent.

The Imperials usually reeked of mana, a foul, repulsive odor. But Lusmire, a territory governed by an Imperial noble, smelled different.

How could a territory managed by a Pesselus Empire noble, especially one from the Bagrand Duchy, have such a pleasant aroma?

Was Carsein truly different from the other nobles?

Was he truly sincere when he had offered to help Lilpet, despite the past grievances?

“…I can’t judge him based on rumors alone.”

He had to meet Carsein in person.

The Lilpet tribe was particularly sensitive to scents.

There was no better way to judge a person than by their smell.

So, he waited.

For the approaching carriage.

And then…

“…Could this be…?”

The scent of the horse. The scent of the carriage.

And inside, the scent of a man and a woman.

But there was another scent, a faint, unfamiliar odor mingled with theirs.

“Is that… the scent of a Mud Golem?”

He was certain. He couldn't mistake that smell, and the other Lilpet tribesmen, usually repulsed by the scent of Imperial mana, weren't reacting.

Talfon chuckled.

“Ha. So they know that the scent of mana on Imperials is repulsive to us.”

Mana could be neutralized by other mana or magic. Mud Golems were magical creatures, so their scent could be masked.

Unless they knew that, they wouldn’t deliberately apply the liquefied remains of a Mud Golem to their skin, especially to their hands, where the smell would be the strongest.

Interesting.

“There are visitors in that carriage. Escort them to me immediately.”

-Ding!

▶ Talfon’s affinity increased. ◀

[ Current Affinity: -11% ]

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