I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 168

Chapter 168: Legitimate Right (8)

As I dragged the man away by the scruff of his neck, the Shatrain villagers’ gazes followed us, their eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity, confusion, and apprehension.

“What’s going on?”

“Isn’t that one of the festival organizers?”

“He’s causing trouble again! I thought he promised not to issue any more orders! And yet, he’s resorting to violence!”

Their whispers, their accusations, their judgment…

This was the reality of Carsein’s reputation in Shatrain.

It was the same in every territory, but in Shatrain, the resentment was palpable, the hatred deeply ingrained. The stain of “Shatrain’s Shame” followed him like a shadow.

And that’s why this branch always started with this confrontation.

A clash with the villagers.

A barrage of choices.

-Ding!

▶ The Shatrain villagers are gossiping about you. How will you respond?

‘How can I respond?’

The choices, while offering a semblance of agency, were essentially a single path, a predetermined outcome.

The villagers couldn't undo the fact that he had been appointed their temporary lord, that their territory had been chosen.

But they could find a way to expel him, to remove him from their land.

Damages incurred.

Unpopular policies.

Abuse of power.

There were countless ways to express their discontent, to fuel the flames of rebellion. And if their dissatisfaction reached a certain threshold, even a temporary lord could be overthrown.

That was why they were waiting, watching, hoping for him to slip up, to make a mistake.

[ 5. Ignore them. ] ☑

Some of the choices offered a chance to defend myself, to offer explanations, but they wouldn’t believe him. They would see it as defiance, a threat, an excuse to expel him.

I wouldn’t fall for their trap.

I ignored their whispers, their accusations, and continued walking, my destination clear, my purpose unwavering.

-Ding!

▶ Due to the incident, the Week 1 Inspection Event has been activated. ◀

‘Right on schedule.’

The villagers were currently focused on his “violent” outburst, but that wouldn’t last.

They would recover from their initial shock and then, swiftly, efficiently, they would present their complaints at the symposium.

And to address their concerns…

I needed that item.

◆ Suspicious Contract

[ A document proving that someone in Shatrain had accepted a request from another territory to sabotage their own village. ]

Another territory had paid someone in Shatrain to cause financial damage.

And Shatrain had used the Duchy’s funds to cover those losses.

This document, the Suspicious Contract, provided the evidence I needed to defend myself, to expose the conspiracy.

And since I was the one currently funding Shatrain, revealing the truth about the embezzlement would quickly silence their accusations.

The villagers would turn their attention to finding the traitor, and Ferdi, his body a cold reminder of their betrayal, would finally be recognized for his loyalty, his sacrifice.

‘…To think they only realize his good intentions after he’s gone.’

The absurdity of it all, the injustice, made me want to scream.

It reminded me of my own past, of my own struggles.

But that was the game’s script.

However, I had saved Ferdi, and the item, used to expose the traitor, was gone.

‘…I guess I’ll have to take a hit on my score.’

But I didn’t regret saving him.

He had been fighting for his home, for his people, enduring insults and accusations, all alone.

He would be fine in Lusmire.

And then…

“Young Master Carsein!”

I heard his voice, calling out to me.

“Oh my…”

“Isn’t that… the thief?”

“Why is he talking to Young Master Carsein?”

The villagers, their whispers filled with disapproval, stared at Ferdi, their gazes accusatory.

“I don’t know why you’re here, but… go back, Ferdi.”

His reputation, while not as tarnished as Carsein’s, was still low.

I had given him permission to stay, to spend his last hours in Shatrain, but…

I hadn't expected him to face this kind of judgment.

But Ferdi, defying their expectations, stood tall, his voice clear and strong.

“I… I don’t want to go to Lusmire!”

“What?”

“I want to stay here! In Shatrain!”

He declared, his gaze unwavering.

This was his home, the only place he had ever known.

And…

“I don’t care what they say!”

He added, his voice filled with a defiance that belied his age.

This boy, just fourteen years old, the same age as Flora…

What was he thinking? He would only be ostracized, labeled a thief, a criminal. Sending him to Lusmire was the kindest, the most logical, solution.

But…

‘He has fire in his eyes.’

A spark, a determination, that burned brighter than any of the other villagers.

“You might regret this, Ferdi.”

“I’ve already regretted it! Countless times!”

His response, his unwavering resolve, surprised me.

He was just a child, and yet…

He was different.

He had tried to fix things on his own, while the adults were too blinded by their greed and fear to see the truth, to fight back.

If he had been older, stronger, wiser…

Shatrain wouldn’t be in this state.

He was the kind of person who deserved to lead.

-Ding!

▶ Ferdi can now be assigned as an Agent. ◀

※ What is an Agent?

[ Unlike typical Helpers in other episodes, Agents have a greater influence within the Symposium episode, offering assistance in various aspects of territory management. ]

[ Agents can only be assigned from among the territory’s NPCs, and they will carry out the lord’s orders without question. ]

[ However, the player can only assign three Agents. Choose wisely. ]

So it had finally appeared.

Agents, powerful allies who could help me navigate the challenges of the symposium, were a valuable asset.

Their loyalty was absolute, their obedience unwavering. Even a villager with the lowest affinity, a greyed-out box filled with resentment, would obey my commands if appointed as an Agent.

However, there was a price to pay for such unwavering loyalty, a potential for backlash. It was best to choose carefully, to select those I could trust, those with a high affinity level. That would maximize their effectiveness, ensure their success.

I had already chosen my first Agent.

Trisha, the Village Head’s daughter, who had never shown any hostility towards Carsein, was the ideal candidate.

But…

[ Ferdi ]

[ Blind Faith: 42% ]

His unwavering loyalty, his determination… He was more than qualified.

“I’ll explain everything later. Just go to my lodgings and wait for me.”

I knelt before him, my voice soft, and he looked up, his eyes filled with tears.

“…You… You really trust me?”

“Yes.”

“But… I’m… I’m a thief. I’ve stolen so many things… I might… I might bring you trouble…”

-Pat.

“You’re the only one who truly fought for this village, Ferdi. I trust you.”

“…”

“Go. I’ll be back soon.”

I knew what it felt like, to be judged, to be condemned, to be blamed for things you didn't do.

I had experienced it countless times.

And I understood Ferdi’s pain, his struggle.

I wanted to give him a chance, a chance to redeem himself.

-Ding!

▶ Ferdi assigned as an Agent! ◀

[ Shatrain Agent List ]

[ 1. Ferdi ]

[ 2. ]

[ 3. ]

A chance to save his home.

-Ding!

▶ Hidden Episode: The Boy Who Tried to Save His Home cleared. ◀

▶ Achieved an unexpected outcome! ◀

▶ Receiving reward! ◀

■ Reward

[ The scheduled visit event has been activated. ]

▶ Scheduled visit event activated. ◀

▶ Take the apprehended traitor to the designated reporting area. ◀

‘A scheduled visit?’

I couldn’t remember every single episode and event, not with this game’s complexity and its ever-changing script.

But this sounded familiar.

It was an event that occurred during one of the main episode branches. A visitor, arriving unexpectedly.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter right now.’

I had a destination, a task to complete.

I walked towards the designated reporting area, following the system’s instructions.

***

“So, you’re saying… this man was… sabotaging Shatrain? For another territory?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Two knights were waiting for me at the reporting area, their expressions grim.

I tossed the traitor towards them, explaining the situation.

The in-game mechanic for reporting and dealing with internal enemies was still active. It was a familiar scene, a part of the original storyline.

“We’ll take him from here.”

They explained that the traitor would be handed over to the Imperial authorities for interrogation and punishment.

The script was being followed, beat for beat.

They assured me that after questioning him, after extracting the necessary information about his accomplices and his motives, they would share their findings.

Of course, this game would never make it that easy.

‘Well, at least this will buy me some time.’

The upcoming weekly report at the symposium would undoubtedly focus on Shatrain’s dismal state, but revealing this act of sabotage, even without concrete evidence, would prevent them from lowering my score.

I sighed, relieved, and turned to leave.

“Ah, wait, someone has requested a meeting with you.”

“A meeting?”

During the symposium, meeting with other nobles required permission from the Imperial Family. Which meant… Someone was waiting for me.

“They’ve been waiting for about two hours. The person who requested this meeting is…”

Claire Bagrand.

It was my second eldest sister.

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