I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 178

Chapter 178: Rock Bottom (2)

Ferdi hesitated for a moment, but then, with a determined look on his face, he replied,

“Brother, it would be better to show you, rather than explain.”

Indeed, seeing is believing.

A visual demonstration would be far more effective than a verbal explanation. And I had already secured the main episode, having passed the one-day grace period.

It was better to explore the territory than to remain cooped up in my lodgings.

So, I followed Ferdi through the streets of Shatrain.

-Ding!

▶ You have entered a Danger Zone. ◀

▶ If discovered by the villagers, combat is inevitable! ◀

A status window appeared the moment we entered the marketplace, the area where the villagers conducted their trade.

It seemed like this area was populated by villagers with a high level of dissatisfaction.

‘Even if they attack, it’s not a big deal. Their reputation will plummet, and their affinity will drop even further.’

It wasn't a real combat zone, just an area where my HP would gradually decrease due to their harassment. They would throw things, hurl insults, anything to drive me away.

I was prepared for this. I would simply deflect their projectiles with my weapon, avoiding any status ailments, and continue…

“Brother, not that way. This way.”

Ferdi, covering his mouth with his hand, lowered his voice.

“If you go that way, they’ll see you. There’s a hidden path over here.”

He was right. There was a narrow passage behind a large vine, hidden from view.

It was just big enough for a few people to hide. Wait a minute…

As I stepped into the passage, another notification appeared.

-Ding!

▶ You have entered a Caution Zone. ◀

▶ As long as you remain quiet, you will not be discovered. Be mindful of the noise level. ◀

…Interesting.

I hadn’t noticed this in the game. There was a way to avoid conflict with the villagers?

No, it was more accurate to say that Ferdi, with his knowledge of the territory, had found a way. His high rank as an Informant was proving to be invaluable.

As we walked through the hidden passage, Ferdi pointed towards the marketplace.

“Look, they’re meeting with the merchants over there. That’s what I wanted to show you.”

He was right.

The amount of money being offered by the Shatrain villagers was substantial.

But it wasn’t cash. It was a small portion of the funds they had received from the Bagrand Duchy.

“Hmm…”

“This… This could be covered by the Duchy’s support, but… it’s… it’s strange, Brother!”

Ferdi, his hands clasped together, his voice filled with concern, pleaded with me.

“I know, Ferdi.”

“…What?”

-It seems like some of the goods received from Lusmire are being exported.

The money being offered was a small portion of the Duchy’s support. So, Ferdi’s claim that Shatrain was exporting goods seemed strange, almost unbelievable.

‘But… even I find it suspicious.’

Shatrain was a closed-off territory, its relationship with Lusmire a secret. For such a large-scale trade to be conducted in secret, without anyone noticing…

It was definitely suspicious.

And Ferdi, the only one who had noticed the presence of an internal enemy, wouldn’t make such a claim lightly.

“This… This isn’t the first time, is it?”

“No. I didn’t want to worry you, so I didn’t say anything, but… I’ve seen it happen…”

Ferdi held up both hands, his fingers spread wide.

Ten times. At least ten times.

That large sum of money, being exchanged in secret, in this closed-off village…

It was definitely suspicious, even to me.

“What are they using that money for? They’re already receiving support from the Bagrand Duchy.”

Ferdi, sensing my confusion, spoke.

“…That’s why I wanted to show you this, Brother.”

“What?”

I followed his gaze, and saw a group of workers carrying a large container.

“Here it is.”

“Oh…”

“I was worried there wouldn’t be enough, but it seems like they overestimated the amount needed.”

“They gave us extra? Haha.”

The villagers smiled, their faces filled with anticipation.

Shatrain was an agricultural territory.

Their livelihood, their entire existence, revolved around farming. For them to spend such a large sum of money, money obtained through the export of goods and the Duchy’s support, on this…

It was definitely worth investigating.

“What is that?”

“It’s a fertilizer container.”

“Fertilizer?”

“Shatrain has always used high-quality fertilizer to ensure a good harvest. But, after the blight, the number of fertilizer containers being brought in is far more than what the Duchy’s support could cover. It’s much more than before.”

“Hmm.”

The high-quality fertilizer meant they were still trying to cultivate Shatrain strawberries and Shatrain grapes.

But the sheer number of containers… It wasn’t just one or two. Dozens of large containers were being brought in.

They had been exporting goods, using the profits to purchase this fertilizer. Was this it?

If that was the case…

“Ferdi, do you know how much they’re harvesting from the other fields? The ones not used for strawberries and grapes?”

“They’re barely surviving on potatoes, sweet potatoes, and carrots. The other fields…”

“Are being used for Shatrain strawberries and Shatrain grapes. Right?”

“H-How did you…?”

Ferdi’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Shatrain faced a crisis this past winter, didn’t they? They almost starved. What was the reason?”

“Uh… food shortage.”

As expected.

They had foolishly believed that simply expanding the fields would solve the problem.

-Ding!

▶ Information obtained from Agent. ◀

[ Shatrain experienced a food shortage crisis this past winter. ]

It wasn't a strong argument, not on its own.

If I asked the villagers, they would deny it.

But I knew the truth.

Ferdi’s suspicions were correct.

-Ding!

▶ Problem identified within the territory. How will you respond?

[ 5. Summon the key figures to the central hall. ] ☑

“Ferdi, summon the key figures to the central hall.”

“B-Brother?”

“You’re right. This isn’t something I can ignore.”

And for me, this was a rare opportunity.

***

▶ Clue and Proof event activated using the Temporary Lord’s authority! ◀

▶ Completion rate will be measured from this point forward. The Temporary Lord’s authority and influence will increase based on the completion rate. ◀

▶ Choices may appear depending on the situation! ◀

“…”

“…”

The villagers, their faces grim, slowly gathered in the central hall.

One of them, breaking the silence, asked,

“Why did you summon us, Young Master?”

It had begun.

The greyed-out affinity boxes, flickering ominously, made it clear that this wouldn't be a pleasant conversation.

A single misstep could lead to disaster.

-Ding!

▶ How will you respond to the man’s question?

[ 1. (Grabbing him by the collar) You dare question me after selling the goods you obtained from my trading company?! ]

[ 2. (Pointing outside) I heard everything from Ferdi. You’re struggling with a food shortage, and yet you’re wasting your resources on those crops?! ]

[ 3. (Leaning back, a smirk on your face) I’m curious why you’ve been hiding this trade from me. ]

…

…

I would use my knowledge of the game to delay the choices, to save the most impactful one for last.

▶ Using information obtained from Agent! ◀

[ Shatrain experienced a food shortage crisis this past winter. ]

“Shatrain experienced a food shortage crisis this past winter, didn’t you?”

“…!”

The villagers flinched, their faces paling at the mention of the food shortage.

I pressed further, my voice calm and steady.

“Tell me more. Explain why this happened.”

“Well, the blight… the crop failure…”

“Are you saying that a territory known for its agriculture, a territory that relies on farming, experienced a food shortage crisis because of a crop failure? Do you really think that’s a valid excuse?”

The man who had spoken earlier fell silent, his gaze averted.

▶ Villagers’ ability to speak freely has been suppressed. ◀

▶ Completion rate increased! ◀

▶ Using information obtained from Agent! ◀

[ Agricultural ratio imbalance detected! ]

“If you had simply planted different crops, you wouldn’t have faced a food shortage. So why did this happen?”

-Ding!

▶ Villagers’ ability to speak freely has been suppressed. ◀

▶ Completion rate increased! ◀

My two consecutive attacks had silenced them.

But this game wouldn't be so easy.

“Perhaps… this crisis is a result of Shatrain’s decline? A consequence of the blight?”

“That’s not true! We’ve never experienced anything like this before! This food shortage… it’s the first time since… since that incident!”

“Then perhaps it’s the fault of the one who was in charge of Shatrain back then!”

“Even the children’s thievery started after that incident!”

They were clinging to their usual excuse, blaming the past, claiming they were victims of circumstance.

Shatrain always used this tactic.

It was foolish, but predictable.

And that’s why I had waited for this.

“We even reduced our own food rations, saved every penny, just to purchase high-quality fertilizer! We tried everything to revive our crops!”

“We bought the best fertilizer, we put in all our effort, and yet, you don’t even acknowledge our struggles!”

Yes. This was what I had been waiting for.

[ 7. Perhaps the problem lies in your insistence on increasing the production of strawberries and grapes? ] ☑

“You’re lying.”

“…What?”

“You’re facing a food shortage because you’re wasting your resources on strawberries and grapes, aren’t you?”

“…!”

“That’s not dedication, it’s foolishness.”

“What… What did you say?!”

“You’re clinging to the past glory of Shatrain, aren’t you? You’re afraid of becoming just another ordinary territory. That’s why you’re ignoring reality, enduring poverty, wasting your money on fertilizer.”

The villagers erupted in protest.

“We’re not wasting money! We’re trying to save our land!”

“That’s right! We don’t want to give up! We want to revive our specialties, the pride of Shatrain!”

“We’ve been saving every penny, just to buy that fertilizer!”

They spoke in unison, their voices filled with a desperate plea.

But that was their weakness.

“So you’ve expanded the strawberry and grape fields? And you’re using even more fertilizer? And yet, nothing has changed?”

“That… That’s…”

“I’ve heard you’re using the same methods as before. The farming techniques haven’t changed. But why haven’t the crops recovered, even in the fields that weren’t affected by the blight? The fields I didn’t touch?”

“…”

“Have you ever harvested strawberries and grapes of the same quality as before, even after using that fertilizer?”

No one answered.

They had expanded the fields, they had used the best fertilizer, and yet, nothing had changed. Even the fields that weren’t affected by the blight, the fields Carsein hadn’t touched, remained barren. They hadn't been able to replicate the quality of their specialties, not even once.

So, what was the problem?

I closed my eyes for a moment, and then, my voice calm and steady, I spoke.

“…There’s only one thing that hasn’t changed.”

An elderly man, his face etched with wisdom, spoke.

“Our farming methods, our land management. Is that what you’re suggesting, Young Master?”

“Village Head!”

“What are you…!”

“That’s the only thing that hasn’t changed, isn’t it?”

As expected of the Village Head.

Even in the game, he had been the only one who could reason with Carsein.

“You’re right, Brem.”

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