I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 177

Chapter 177: Rock Bottom (1)

A map, suspected to have been created by the Waglu faction.

Florence explained that he had found it dropped by someone in Shatrain.

“I wanted to investigate further, so I stayed hidden, but after Shatrain became so closed off, it wasn’t easy. I couldn't even find the person who dropped it.”

He had wanted to give this information to Carsein as soon as possible.

He had intended to deliver it during the spring outing, but after I had gone back to the hotel alone, he hadn't had another opportunity. Such sensitive information had to be conveyed in person, after all.

Florence patted my shoulder lightly.

“I apologize for not being able to offer more assistance. Please be careful.”

And with those words, he left.

“…He really does remind me of the Vice President.”

He had intervened when Arina had tried to slap me, he had persuaded her to calm down, and he had even apologized, scratching his head sheepishly.

Florence and that senior… they were strangely similar.

[ Florence Qurnen Pesselus ]

[ Affinity: 23% ]

Come to think of it, Arsienne and Florence being siblings also felt similar to the Student Council President and Vice President dynamic.

“…Nah, it’s just my imagination.”

This game was always messing with me.

“Right, enough distractions.”

It was time to face reality.

-Ding!

▶ You have passed an episode branching point. The next episode will be selected automatically based on your choices. ◀

▶ Calculating results… ◀

…

…

▶ Calculation complete! ◀

▶ You have successfully completed Week 1 and entered Week 2. ◀

▶ You can now proceed with your plan. Various sub-episodes and events will be activated, allowing you to gather information and formulate your strategy. ◀

▶ However, be warned! The villagers may resist your efforts! Obstruction and sabotage may occur, depending on your affinity and reputation levels! ◀

The Week 2 events began immediately after Florence left.

It was slightly later than expected, considering the choice I had made with Arina, but the status window was familiar.

▶ Choose an option to proceed with Episode VII or to acquire additional information. ◀

▶ Where will you go?

I knew what to do next, how to start the next episode.

But…

“Hmm…”

◆ Crude Map of Shatrain Territory

[ A crudely drawn map of Shatrain, significantly less detailed than the official territory map. It seems impractical for navigation or planning. ]

Something bothered me.

That crude map.

It was a product of this era, a time when cartography and geography were still underdeveloped.

How could they possibly create accurate maps without proper tools and techniques? It would take years, decades even, for them to develop the knowledge and technology required to create precise, reliable maps. Even with magic, it seemed unlikely they would achieve such accuracy.

That’s why I had suspected it belonged to the Waglu faction. The section depicting Mount Waglu was significantly inaccurate, its boundaries and contours distorted.

And this map contained valuable information.

“An internal enemy… and evidence of external interference…”

I had initially dismissed the internal enemy as a plot device, a way to advance the episode. But the evidence of external interference changed everything.

Carsein had said something strange in the Memorial.

-This… This can’t be allowed to happen.

He had been trying to hide something, to prevent the information from spreading beyond Shatrain. He had even defied the Bagrand Duchy to protect his secret.

Which meant…

[ 3. Carsein’s House in Shatrain. ] ☑

I needed to change my plans.

An internal enemy and external interference…

Were they really just plot devices?

I didn’t think so.

***

“…Sigh.”

Isabella, sitting at her desk, reviewing documents, paused, her hand resting on her forehead.

“I hope he’s doing alright.”

She was worried.

This year’s symposium was different. The family heads couldn’t interfere.

The Imperial Family, determined to assess the young nobles’ abilities, had forbidden any assistance from their families.

So, even though they were her children, she couldn't help but worry.

Her advisors had dismissed her concerns.

-Your daughters are well-educated and experienced. They’ll be fine.

-Indeed, My Lady. There’s no need to worry about them. They’ve learned from the best.

-They’ve been managing the Bagrand territories and even assisting with the vassal territories for years.

-It’s our own children we should be worried about, not yours.

Her eldest daughter, Arina, was already managing a portion of the Duchy’s business.

Her second daughter, Claire, had established a successful boutique, a trendsetter in the world of noble fashion.

And her youngest, Flora, while still young, was learning from her older sisters, her potential undeniable.

They were more than capable of handling a simple territory management test. Her advisors had even joked that they were envious of her, for having such capable daughters.

Of course, they weren't completely unconcerned.

Carsein, her adopted son, was different. He was prone to causing trouble, and the symposium, with its competitive nature and its focus on public image, was a breeding ground for potential conflicts.

But they had a plan for even Carsein. Claire would take over both territories if anything went wrong, preventing any damage to the Duchy’s reputation.

From their perspective, there was no reason to worry.

Some had even praised Carsein for his success with Lusmire, acknowledging his ability to transform a barren wasteland into a thriving territory.

“…Yes, you’re right. My children have grown. They’ll be fine. They have to be.”

-Mother, please use the privilege on Carsein.

She hadn't heard the entire conversation, the Imperial guards having intervened, but those words, Flora’s plea, had lingered in her mind.

The privilege, a special opportunity to use the family’s influence, a chance to help Carsein…

It was a request she couldn’t ignore.

“It’s almost time for the reports.”

The privilege could only be used after the start of Week 2.

She would wait for the Week 1 reports and then make a decision.

-Knock, knock.

“My Lady, a letter has arrived from the Eastern Nobles’ Conference hall.”

“Enter.”

Finally! Isabella, her anxiety growing, stood up and took the letter from Heron.

“Hmm…? Why is the Defense Time section blank?”

She rubbed her eyes, wondering if she had misread something.

Heron, a faint smile playing on his lips, explained.

“It seems Her Highness Arsienne used the Imperial Privilege.”

“The… Pesselus Privilege?”

“Yes.”

Isabella’s eyes widened in surprise.

The Imperial Privilege was far more powerful than any family influence, even the Bagrand Duchy’s.

That’s why the Imperial Family rarely used it. And recently, when the results of the symposium had been less than satisfactory, they had either refrained from using it altogether or had used a weaker version, simply to express their approval or disapproval of a particular policy.

But Carsein had achieved something extraordinary.

Not in the final week, but in the first.

Not after a series of incidents, but in his first report.

The Pesselus Privilege, the most powerful tool at the Imperial Family’s disposal, had been bestowed upon him. And it had been used to bypass the Defense Time, the most challenging part of the symposium.

“To receive the Pesselus Privilege… from Arsienne, no less…”

Heron, sensing her surprise, added,

“It seems Young Master Carsein demonstrated exceptional abilities, impressing even Her Highness.”

Isabella’s lips curved into a smile, her worry replaced by a sense of pride.

“Yes, my son… He’s done well. To achieve such a remarkable result in the first week…”

“Perhaps you should send him a gift, My Lady.”

“A gift…? That’s not allowed during the symposium.”

“Direct interference is prohibited, but a letter of congratulations wouldn't be a problem.”

“…”

A letter of congratulations.

Isabella paused, considering the suggestion, and then a warm smile spread across her face.

It wasn’t the polite, formal smile she had worn earlier. This was a genuine expression of happiness.

“Heron, could you leave us for a moment?”

“Certainly, My Lady.”

“Oh, and please dispose of this.”

She handed Heron the privilege request form she had been clutching, her worry now a distant memory.

-Ding!

▶ Isabella’s Affinity increased due to your exceptional performance in the first week! ◀

[ Isabella Bagrand ]

[ Affinity: 73% ]

▶ This message will not be displayed to the player. ◀

▶ You have achieved an outcome beyond the given choices! ◀

▶ Due to the acquisition of the Pesselus Privilege, the Bagrand Duchy’s privilege event has been postponed. ◀

▶ Trigger activated. A hidden event will occur if the player meets certain conditions! ◀

▶ Clearing this event will significantly improve the villagers’ perception of you! ◀

[ Hidden Event: Proving Your Worth as a Lord II ]

***

The choice presented after the Week 1 Report Meeting, the one involving Arina, was a branching point for the next episode.

That branching point involved a one-day grace period, a single day that separated the current episode from the next.

And what happened during that day…

That single, seemingly insignificant day, held the power to drastically alter the course of the main episode.

Any attempt to use that time “productively,” to trigger a sub-episode, would backfire. Sub-episodes during this period always led to an incident, a conflict that would be exacerbated by the arrival of a family member.

And the worst possible outcome always involved Arina. It would permanently lock me out of that sub-episode.

It was a terrifying thought.

That’s why I had to spend that day alone, avoiding any interactions. I had to trigger the intended main episode.

▶ Episode VII. Shatrain’s Agent in progress. ◀

▶ Recruit two more Agents. ◀

But I couldn’t just waste that entire day doing nothing.

I could use my Agents to gather information, to prepare for the next challenge.

But there was one problem.

Each Agent possessed a unique skill, a specific ability that could be used to assist Carsein in managing his territory.

Those skills, while helpful, weren’t always efficient. If an Agent’s skill wasn’t suited to the task at hand, their effectiveness would be significantly reduced.

I had just recruited Ferdi, and I was worried that his skill might not be useful, but… thankfully, my concerns were unfounded.

[ Shatrain Agent List ]

[ 1. Ferdi ]

▶ Rank: B-

▶ Skill: Informant.

[ Can be sent to Shatrain to gather information for a limited time. ]

The most useful skill in the early stages of the game was the Informant.

It allowed me to gather detailed information about Shatrain, to understand the situation, to identify potential problems and opportunities.

And Ferdi was perfect for this role.

His rank was exceptionally high.

Trisha, the Agent I had used most often in the game, had a C- rank as an Informant. Ferdi’s B- rank was three levels higher.

That’s why I had already sent him to Shatrain.

▶ Agent 1. Ferdi’s skill has been used. ◀

“Brother! I’m back!”

Already?

It had taken Trisha at least three hours to complete the same task.

I couldn’t contain my excitement.

“So, what did you find?”

“It seems like everything went smoothly. There wasn’t much friction with the Lusmire villagers.”

“Really?”

-Ding!

▶ Information obtained from Agent. ◀

[ Shatrain is not hostile towards Lusmire. ]

[ They are unaware that Carsein, the Lord of Lusmire, sent this message. ]

I had been worried that the villagers, resenting Carsein’s status as their temporary lord, might reject any assistance from Lusmire.

But it seemed like that wasn’t the case.

Even with Trisha, the situation hadn’t been much different.

As long as Shatrain wasn’t hostile towards Lusmire, there wouldn’t be any riots, any immediate threats.

Which meant I wouldn’t be attacked, wouldn't have to defend myself.

“Good work. You can…”

“But… there’s something I think you should know.”

Hmm? Was there more?

I nodded, encouraging him to continue.

Ferdi hesitated for a moment, and then spoke.

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

…What?

What the hell was he talking about?

“This… This might sound strange, but…！ The Shatrain villagers… they still believe they can cultivate Shatrain strawberries and grapes…!”

-Ding!

▶ Additional information obtained from Agent. ◀

[ The Shatrain villagers are still attempting to cultivate strawberries and grapes. ]

[ Agricultural ratio imbalance detected! ]

Wait a minute…

“Ferdi, can you tell me more about that?”

I might be able to use this information.

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