I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 166

Chapter 166: Legitimate Right (6)

A day had passed.

I had returned to the strawberry fields, following the system's instructions, but…

-Ding!

▶ Strawberry field inspection complete. ◀

▶ Territory survey progress: 6%. ◀

“6%…”

That was a ridiculously low number.

I had spent hours tilling this single field.

It should have been at least 30%, five times higher.

“In the game, I just had to complete these tasks one by one… But in reality, this is exhausting.”

Tilling an entire field with nothing but primitive farming tools, without any help was a nightmare.

I was finally starting to understand why Carsein’s HP and stamina had drained so quickly in the game.

“Well, I can’t just ignore it.”

▶ Currently progressing through Episode VII’s choice branch. ◀

▶ The Main Episode for Week 2 will be determined based on Shatrain’s survey progress. ◀

The system’s message was clear.

Failure to complete the survey would have consequences.

And it wasn't just a suggestion. It was practically an order.

The Eastern Nobles’ Conference was, after all, a conference.

It was a gathering of nobles, tasked with discussing ways to improve the lives of the commoners, to develop their territories, to create a more prosperous and equitable Empire.

And every week, the participants had to present their progress, to explain their actions and their findings.

And for the player…

“It’s all about choices.”

If I failed to demonstrate a thorough understanding of my assigned territory…

The consequences would be severe.

The game had transformed this progress report into a series of choices, a question-and-answer session designed to challenge the player.

Failing to answer those questions, those inquiries from the other nobles, would result in a significant drop in my score, pushing me closer to a bad ending. But if my survey progress was high enough, I would be presented with options, counterarguments, that would allow me to defend my actions and maintain my score.

In short, I had to maximize the survey progress to unlock those choices, to ensure my success in the symposium.

That was the lesson I had learned, through countless retries.

“But… even with the answers, Shatrain’s current state is working against me.”

The temporary lords usually issued minor decrees, simple instructions to the villagers, to expedite the survey process.

But I couldn’t use that strategy.

The villagers were hostile, their resentment towards Carsein so deep, that they would likely sabotage any attempts at cooperation.

I could have issued a decree, but considering the potential for further damage to my reputation, I had used the inscription stone. And even then, there was a high chance they would simply ignore my decree.

My low reputation and their nonexistent affinity made it difficult to interact with them, to guide them, to earn their trust.

But there was another option.

A loophole.

■ Inventory ■

◆ Shatrain Territory Report 1

[ A territory report compiled by Camilla. ]

◆ Shatrain Territory Report 2

[ A territory report compiled by Harnie. ]

I compared the information gathered from the strawberry fields to the reports, and there were similarities, overlaps. The situation was worse than the game’s description, worse than what I had remembered from my previous playthroughs.

“This should be enough for the first week’s questions, but…”

I couldn't be too complacent. There might be unexpected complications. It was best to gather more information, to increase the survey progress.

“What’s this?”

I picked up a strange object, something I had unearthed while tilling the soil.

◆ ???

It had an item description, which meant it was something I could use, but there was no name, no explanation.

I had never encountered this item in the game.

“It looks like… a tree branch… but…”

It didn’t make sense.

This strawberry field wouldn't produce branches this thick or this misshapen. And its texture, its hardness… It felt like a piece of wood that had been deliberately carved and shaped.

There was something strange about this…

I examined it closer, trying to…

-Ding!

“…Right.”

▶ Where do you want to go?

I had other priorities.

It was time to meet with another source of information.

[ 4. Proceed to Zone 4 and meet with Ferdi. ] ☑

***

“Young Master…!”

Ferdi, spotting me, rushed towards me, his eyes wide with excitement.

We were in a secluded alleyway, hidden from the villagers’ prying eyes.

Shatrain was unpredictable, a minefield of potential dangers, so I checked his affinity level, just in case.

[ Blind Faith: 38% ]

His affinity was still high.

It seemed like the territory’s negative influence hadn’t affected him yet.

“I’m sorry for asking you to meet me here. But, I had my reasons.”

He added, his voice barely a whisper, as he led me deeper into the alleyway, towards a wooden door hidden behind a pile of crates.

A secret entrance.

‘So, he’s hiding something… Something he wants to show me.’

No, something Carsein had left behind.

Not me. The Carsein from the past.

The door creaked open, and Ferdi, striking a match, lit a small lamp, illuminating the room.

He pulled out a dusty drawer, its hinges groaning in protest, and then, one by one, he placed the objects on a rickety wooden table.

“These are all… mine?”

“Yes!”

His immediate, unwavering confirmation surprised me.

"Back then, I brought everything the young master had gathered here to this secret base. Not a single thing was left behind, all of it belonged to you!"

“….”

I didn't want to hurt his feelings, but they looked like… junk.

A pile of useless items with vague descriptions, lacking any real detail.

Dusty. Worn. Broken. Shattered.

They were barely even items.

But I examined them carefully, respecting his effort, his dedication. I could sense his message, his silent plea, hidden within these objects.

“Do you think… any of this will be helpful?”

“Hmm…”

One thing was clear.

The books, the notebooks… they were filled with Carsein’s handwriting, the same handwriting I had become accustomed to using. They were definitely his.

And the way the items were arranged, the subtle details revealed his habits, his routines.

But…

They wouldn’t be of much use, not to me. And Ferdi’s message, the one he was trying so desperately to convey…

‘I know they’re the enemy, Ferdi.’

The information I had gathered from the game was enough. These items, these memories, were meaningless.

“Thank you for collecting all of this, but, I don’t think they’ll be of much use.”

“Oh… Is that so? I… I just wanted to help… ”

“You’ve done enough. These records will be helpful.”

They were old, outdated, but they might be useful for the upcoming questions at the symposium.

“Oh, right, I almost forgot!”

“Hmm?”

“One moment!”

Ferdi rummaged through a box, and then, he pulled out something…

I couldn't believe my eyes.

“Here!”

“This is…”

The wooden branch from the strawberry fields.

‘Carsein had this?’

“I’m not sure when, but you brought this here, and you said something strange.”

“…What did I say?”

“You said there’s something wrong with the soil in Shatrain.”

“…!”

***

I examined the items again, the ones Carsein had left behind, and I reread the reports and notes, searching for answers, for clues, for anything that would explain his words, his assessment of Shatrain’s soil.

But there was nothing.

“…Haa…”

◆ ???

Why? Why had he said that, based on a single wooden branch?

I couldn’t find a single piece of evidence, a single clue, to support his claim.

This was all I had.

I needed more information, more data, to understand this.

I turned to leave, to continue my investigation, but then…

“Young Master…”

Ferdi, standing in the doorway, his fists clenched, his head bowed, called out to me, his voice barely a whisper.

And then, I felt their gazes, cold and accusing, piercing through me.

“You asked Ferdi to meet you here, didn’t you?”

“Trying to manipulate another child? What else are you planning to do?”

“You said you wouldn’t issue any more decrees, so you’re resorting to… to threats?!”

Their voices, a chorus of accusation and condemnation, filled the air.

“N-No! I…”

“Be quiet!”

“Mmmph!”

Ferdi struggled, but they held him back, their grip firm.

They were using this opportunity, this chance encounter, to attack me.

‘Well, I didn't expect this to be easy.’

-Ding!

▶ The Shatrain villagers are demanding an explanation. ◀

▶ How will you respond?

The status window, a familiar sight, a reminder of the game’s relentless cruelty, appeared.

The best choice was probably…

[ 3. Trisha collapsed, remember? He’s her friend, so I asked him to deliver the medicine. ]

Trisha was one of the few villagers who didn’t hate Carsein. She was an ally, a potential source of support. And I had saved her life, which would strengthen my argument.

This option would allow me to escape this confrontation, but…

“Be quiet, boy!”

“You’re already in trouble for stealing! Don’t make things worse!”

“That idiot Carsein burdened us with another debt, and now…”

“You’re a thief! You’re the only disgrace in this village! You’re a stain on our honor!”

Ferdi’s future, his fate…

It was bleak.

They were furious, blaming him for the stolen goods, for the debt incurred to Carsein. And the fact that he had tried to help me, to defend me…

He was an orphan, a child with no one to protect him. And he had been labeled a thief, his reputation tarnished.

It seemed like his fate, his role in the episode, was predetermined, unchangeable.

He would be abused, beaten, until…

He would die.

It was a common trope in this game. A minor character, introduced to briefly advance the plot, would reveal a crucial piece of information, a secret that would help the protagonist, and then…

They would be eliminated.

-I’m… I’m just a thief… It doesn’t matter… I’m… I’m a disgrace to this village…

-Thank you… Young Master… No, Lord Carsein… Now, Shatrain will…

The memories, the echoes of his sacrifice…

I gritted my teeth, my anger surging.

A disgrace? He was the only one who had tried to help, the only one who had understood.

‘You don’t deserve this, Ferdi.’

They were punishing him for doing the right thing.

It was infuriating.

My body moved before I could even think, my instincts taking over.

-Thud!

“Ugh?!”

I punched the man, a solid blow to the stomach that sent him sprawling backwards, crashing into a pile of crates.

“H-He… He kicked him?!”

“What… What have you done?!”

I stared at them, my voice cold and steady.

“He’s more of a thief than Ferdi ever was.”

[ 5. (Punching the man in the stomach) You’re a thief too, aren’t you? ] ☑

Next Chapter

Index

Previous Chapter