I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 173

Chapter 173: Diverging Paths (5)

After the successive visits from two, no, three guests, several days flew by.

Contrary to my worries, the status window kept displaying choices similar to the ones I had seen in the game. I decided it was still too early to make any drastic moves and focused on increasing the territory survey progress, limiting my activities to the strawberry fields.

After all, I was prepared.

And so, time passed.

When the first week came to an end…

-Ding!

▶ Week 1 Report Meeting time has arrived. ◀

▶ Proceed to the conference hall. ◀

▶ Penalties may be incurred if you fail to arrive within the designated time. ◀

[ Time limit details provided as a Hidden Episode clear reward. ]

[ Time remaining: 48 minutes, 15 seconds. ]

It was time. Time to accept the next episode.

I crossed my arms, glancing at the two timers displayed on the status window.

‘Hmm… There’s a trigger that activates if I delay.’

One timer displayed 3 hours.

The other, provided as a Hidden Episode reward, showed 48 minutes.

If delaying activated different choices, it was best to minimize variables. It was earlier than I had originally planned, but it seemed like the right time to move.

“Young Master!”

As I was about to leave, Ferdi appeared before me.

His expression was grim, his brow furrowed in worry.

‘I know what he’s thinking.’

He was probably concerned about my progress, or rather, my lack of it. All I had done this past week was inspect the strawberry fields.

I decided to address his concerns first.

“I told you to stop calling me Young Master, Ferdi.”

“…Oh.”

“I’m not a representative of the Bagrand Duchy anymore. You understand what that means, right?”

“Yes. Then… Brother.”

Yes. Brother.

It felt strange, being addressed so casually, especially by someone I had only recently met. But it was better than being called "Young Master," a title that no longer applied.

I nodded, granting him permission to speak.

“Brother, are you… really okay? You’ve been inspecting those fields all week. Are you sure you’re prepared for the symposium?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Well… the Eastern Nobles’ Conference is a meeting of nobles, not just an Imperial test. I heard that lords who mismanage their territories are criticized and their scores are lowered…”

He was surprisingly well-informed.

Ferdi was right.

The Eastern Nobles’ Conference was a meeting of nobles, a chance for them to assess each other, to judge their peers. And the Imperial Family used this opportunity to evaluate their abilities, their potential.

I had to defend my actions, my decisions, against their scrutiny. It was a “defense time,” a period where I had to justify my every move, every policy.

A week had passed.

Which meant, the nobles gathered here had been managing their territories for a week.

And every week, they had to present their progress, to explain their actions, their findings.

They had to demonstrate their abilities, their knowledge, their skills.

And for me…

“You think I’ve been wasting my time inspecting those fields all week?”

“…Is there… something else?”

“You know the answer, Ferdi. There’s been a significant change in this territory.”

He paused, his brow furrowed in thought, and then his eyes widened, a look of realization spreading across his face.

“Ah!”

I placed a finger on my lips, silencing him.

“Shh. Keep it down.”

“Oh… Right!”

I hadn’t been wasting my time.

I had a plan. And I was ready to present it.

***

The conference hall was quiet.

Everyone was prepared.

They knew what would happen if they hadn’t used their time wisely.

The tension in the air was palpable.

“We will now begin the Week 1 Report Meeting. I will choose the order myself, so when your family is called, please come forward and present your report.”

Arsienne announced the start of the meeting.

A heavy silence descended upon the hall, broken only by the occasional nervous cough or the soft rustling of fabric as they shifted in their seats.

And then, the reports began.

And one by one, they crumbled under Arsienne’s scrutiny.

“Your proposed policy is interesting. However,”

-Hum.

“It’s no different from the policies implemented in the past. You’re simply increasing the workload of your citizens, aren’t you?”

“N-No, Your Highness! That’s not my intention! I’m simply trying to improve the living conditions of…”

“The living conditions might improve temporarily, but what happens when they can no longer meet the increased demands? Are you suggesting that the blood and sweat of those working in the mines will only flow for a short period of time?”

The noble, unable to answer her question, lowered his head in shame.

“Points deducted. Next.”

This scene, repeated countless times with different nobles, played out like a broken record.

The order was always the same. Territory report, Arsienne’s question, the noble’s answer, Arsienne’s critique.

There were no opportunities for the other nobles to interject, to offer their own opinions. Arsienne’s sharp intellect and unwavering authority silenced any dissent.

Some had tried to challenge her, to offer alternative solutions, but they had all failed, their arguments easily dismantled by her logic.

An hour passed. Then two.

And then, it was my turn.

“Next, Carsein.”

-Ding!

▶ Week 1 Report has begun. ◀

▶ Your turn has arrived. Shatrain Territory Report begins. ◀

▶ Prepare for a series of choices. Your symposium score may be affected! ◀

Finally.

I took a deep breath and walked towards the stage.

‘She might have criticized me earlier, but… I won’t lose to them.’

‘He’s probably thinking the same thing. How can he possibly overcome that?’

‘It’s pointless. He hasn’t even prepared a proper report.’

Their gazes, filled with disdain, followed my every move.

Their whispers, laced with mockery, reached my ears.

And among them…

Three pairs of eyes were watching me.

‘This feels like a class meeting.’

It was a familiar scene, a scenario I had experienced countless times.

I almost laughed, the absurdity of it all striking me as humorous.

But then, the memory of my family, their expectant gazes, their silent judgment, hardened my resolve.

I wouldn’t let them see me falter.

“Begin your report on Shatrain.”

As Arsienne’s command echoed through the hall, I checked the status window.

[ 1. Mention the strawberry field you personally inspected, focusing on its current condition. ]

[ 2. Display the territory map and explain the information contained in Camilla’s report, focusing on ─── ]

[ 3. Display the territory map and explain the information contained in Harnie’s report, focusing on ─── ]

…

…

The choices appeared, a list of options for my report.

Some were based on my actions, my exploration of the territory. Others were based on the reports I had received.

But…

‘Where’s the choice I used in the game?’

It was strange.

That option, the one that had led to a successful outcome in my previous playthrough, was missing.

‘Damn it. Did the conditions change? Or did I fail to meet them…?!’

The choices were dynamic, ever-changing, influenced by the player’s actions. And the symposium, with its focus on territory management, added another layer of complexity, expanding the range of variables.

If that choice was missing because of a change in the game’s script…

I couldn't simply follow the predetermined path.

But…

‘Just because it’s not there, doesn’t mean I can’t use it.’

If the choices had changed because of a variable, I had to create my own variable.

I couldn't simply ignore the choices, but I could modify them, adapt them to the current situation.

And if I wanted to replicate the choice from the game…

‘There’s only one way!’

-Scratch.

I grabbed a piece of chalk and began drawing on the board.

It felt similar to using a whiteboard and marker.

This way, I could recreate the choice from the game.

“What is he doing?”

“Is he drawing a picture?”

“He’s supposed to be presenting his report…”

“Ha… Haha… Hahaha.”

Their whispers, their mocking laughter, filled the air.

And then, Arsienne’s voice, booming through the hall, silenced them.

“Fools! You truly are a bunch of imbeciles!”

“W-What…?”

“Are… Are you talking about us, Your Highness?”

“Surely, you wouldn’t be referring to us… You’re talking about Carsein, aren’t you…?”

“If you can only see a simple drawing, then you truly are fools. Be quiet and observe. Watch and learn what sets him apart from you.”

Silence.

Arsienne’s command, her sharp rebuke, silenced the nobles.

They couldn't interrupt, couldn't protest.

I wasn't bothered by their mockery, but…

‘This reminds me of the Student Council President.’

There were similarities, strange parallels between this situation and my past.

I took a deep breath and continued drawing.

[ 12. Draw a map of the territory and explain its geographical features. ] ☑

A notification appeared.

I had no intention of explaining anything. I simply needed to draw the map.

But the fact that the choice had been selected meant it was within the acceptable parameters.

“So, what is that?”

Arsienne, a faint smile playing on her lips, asked as I finished drawing.

I answered without hesitation.

“It’s not just a territory map. It’s a detailed map of Shatrain’s internal structure.”

***

At first glance, it seemed strange.

Why bother drawing a map when the territory map was readily available?

He could have simply used the magic device to display the map and given a brief explanation.

But his actions, his decision to draw the map, demonstrated a deeper understanding of the symposium’s purpose.

‘Indeed. You’re different from those other fools.’

During the Week 1 Report, most nobles simply presented their findings, focusing on the territory’s strengths and outlining their proposed policies.

But Carsein was different.

He wasn’t simply explaining the territory’s structure.

He was meticulously detailing every aspect of Shatrain, using the map as a visual aid.

He hadn’t even mentioned his policies, his plans for the territory.

Slowly, methodically, he revealed the information.

The depth and breadth of his knowledge, the sheer volume of data, stood in stark contrast to the other nobles’ superficial reports.

And that’s how she knew.

She understood what had happened, what had changed in Shatrain, the territory that had once belonged to the Imperial Family.

“So, what are your plans for next week?”

Arsienne, a knowing smile on her face, asked.

And Carsein, meeting her expectations, answered,

“I intend to bring in soil samples from other territories and plant the same crops.”

His response was simple, straightforward.

-Bang!

The gavel struck the podium, its sound echoing through the hall.

“Very well. There are no problems with your proposal. Proceed as planned.”

The nobles erupted in a chorus of murmurs.

How had Carsein, the one they had mocked and ridiculed, passed Arsienne’s scrutiny without a single objection?

They couldn't accept it.

Their pride, their arrogance, wouldn't allow it.

And as Arsienne had anticipated…

“Your Highness! We object! We request a Defense Time!”

The nobles, eager to challenge Carsein, demanded a Defense Time, a chance to question his methods, his abilities.

“That’s right! He’s just been inspecting the fields all week! What kind of progress is that?!”

“Considering Shatrain’s current state, I don’t see how his proposal will help.”

“It’s a waste of time! Shatrain needs to focus on restoring its soil, not on planting new crops!”

“How will his actions improve the quality of the soil? It doesn’t make sense!”

“We demand a Defense Time! We need to hear his reasoning!”

“Sigh.”

Arsienne sighed inwardly.

How could they be so obtuse?

They couldn't see the difference, the depth of his knowledge, his understanding of the situation. They were simply looking for an excuse to criticize him, to tear him down.

‘And you, nobles, wasting Carsein’s time with your petty squabbles… that is the true waste of time.’

Normally, she would have granted their request.

But not this time.

She activated a magic inscription embedded in one of the chess pieces on the podium.

“…!”

“Your Highness!”

“This is my answer.”

The Pesselus Privilege.

A magic inscription granted by the Imperial Family, allowing them to override the Defense Time and grant the temporary lord full authority to implement their policies.

It could only be used three times.

And Arsienne, without hesitation, used it on Carsein.

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