I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 94

Chapter 94: The Disgrace of Shatrain (8)

Following Camilla’s lead, we stumbled upon a treasure trove of discarded items, perfect for crafting weapons. Using scrap metal, broken tools, and whatever else we could find, we created a makeshift arsenal, a collection of crude yet effective weapons.

And the moment those weapons were wielded, a transformation occurred. The villagers, their strength amplified, their fear replaced by a newfound confidence, began to push back against the beasts, their attacks landing with a satisfying thud.

-Ding!

▶ Completion Rate Significantly Increased! ◀
[ Current Completion Rate: 76% ]
▶ You have successfully triggered an outcome exceeding the given choices! ◀

I’d anticipated a drop in the completion rate, knowing the villagers would inevitably sustain injuries during this encounter.

But the system, it seemed, approved of my unconventional approach.

▶ Villagers armed with the new weapons have successfully defeated their first beast! ◀
▶ Villagers’ morale significantly boosted! ◀

Their newfound effectiveness, their ability to protect themselves, had swayed the system, the notification a confirmation of my unorthodox strategy.

As expected, my direct involvement wasn't required. These villagers, their lives shaped by hardship, their bodies hardened by a lifetime of struggle, possessed an inner strength that had been dormant, waiting to be unleashed.

Their previous inability to effectively combat the beasts stemmed not from a lack of physical strength, but from a lack of knowledge, a fear that had paralyzed them, rendering them helpless.

And now, as I watched them fight, their movements gaining confidence with each successful strike, a series of notifications appeared.

-Ding!

▶ Episode II: Rejecting Hands Cleared! ◀
▶ Completion Rate Exceeds 80%! ◀
▶ This outcome was previously unattainable! ◀
▶ Hidden conditions met. Rewards granted for exceeding the given choices! ◀
…
…

■ Reward
[ Villagers’ Trust significantly increased. ]
[ Lusmire is now capable of establishing its own defense system. ]
[ Villagers’ Affinity towards Carsein increased. ]
…
…

The list of rewards, expanded, contained several unexpected bonuses.

Lusmire’s newfound ability to defend itself, their trust in Carsein solidified, had been anticipated.

The other rewards, though seemingly minor, further reduced the time required to complete this episode, eliminating the need for additional sub-episodes to raise affinity levels.

‘This means… I can proceed with the next stage of my plan.’

Once Lusmire fell under Carsein's control, its fate intertwined with his, it would no longer be a territory belonging to House Bagrand. It would be his, his personal domain. And that distinction, that shift in ownership, was crucial, time a precious commodity I couldn't afford to waste.

‘Alright, I’ll stay for another day.’

Surely, the system wouldn’t trigger a choice that forced me to leave, not now, not after this remarkable turn of events.

And then, a voice, laced with arrogance, shattered the peaceful atmosphere.

“You insolent fools! You dare greet your lord with such disrespect?!”

-Ding!

The status window reappeared, activated by those unwelcome words.

▶ Episode III: Proving Your Worth as Lord Activated! ◀
▶ Protect and nurture Lusmire, shielding it from the interference of other nobles! ◀

The next stage, a natural progression from the previous episode. My role, solidified, my task clear: protecting Lusmire, my newly acquired territory, from those who sought to exploit it.

But this episode, it wasn’t supposed to trigger yet. Its appearance meant there was an enemy nearby, someone who threatened the village's newfound peace.

‘…Don’t tell me.’

I turned towards the source of the voice, my gaze seeking out the intruder.

“You, in the black hood! Who are you, and what gives you the right to be here?!”

A figure, his finger pointed accusingly at me, stepped forward.

‘He’s here? Now?’

***

I recognized him. Or rather, Carsein did.

Hemnon Modric. His name, etched into my memory from a previous Memorial.

The young noble Carsein had used as an example, a cautionary tale, during Arina Bagrand’s coming-of-age ceremony, delivering a brutal beating that had left Hemnon whimpering in pain. But what was he doing here?

The status window provided the answer.

-Ding!

▶ Hostile Target Detected! ◀
▶ Target: Hemnon Modric ◀

‘Aha. So that’s how it is.’

I was currently in Episode III, tasked with rebuilding Lusmire, my actions shaping its future.

And now, this… pest, his animosity directed towards me, appearing at such a crucial juncture… His motivations were clear.

He didn’t want to see Lusmire prosper, its newfound strength a threat to the established order, its potential for innovation a challenge to the rigid traditions of the aristocracy.

He resented me, the catalyst for this change, the one who’d empowered those he considered beneath him.

I hadn’t encountered this specific branch during my previous playthroughs, but it explained the subtle decrease in Count Modric’s affinity, the invisible hand working against me.

‘I knew I’d have to deal with him eventually.’

And facing an opponent I already knew, someone whose weaknesses Carsein had already exploited, made this confrontation… almost enjoyable.

“Get out of my sight! You dare trespass on my…!”

-Shing! Snip!

“W-What…?!”
“Young Master Hemnon!”
“You dare draw your sword against Young Master Hemnon?!”
“How dare you! How dare you do this to me!”

Oh, what a fitting hairstyle. His knights were bandits in disguise, so this new look… a touch of poetic justice, perhaps?

Hemnon, his face a mask of indignant rage, his voice a high-pitched shriek, resembled an enraged toad.

“Remove your hood! Reveal your face and declare your name! I need to see who I’m dealing with before I decide your punishment!”

I obliged, removing my hood with a flourish.

“Introductions are… unnecessary, Hemnon Modric.”
“Y-You…! Carsein… Bagrand…!”

He recognized me. Excellent. No need for tedious explanations, no time wasted on establishing identities.

“Well, you remember me, I see. But don’t forget this.”
“G-Gah!”

My blade, a sliver of gleaming steel, pressed against his throat, draining the color from his face.

“You accused me of trespassing? You’re the one who’s on my territory, Hemnon. Surely, you’re not that ignorant.”
“Your territory? This is Lusmire. What are you…”

-Snap!

“My territory, officially recognized by the Imperial seal. I’m sure the official notice has reached you by now.”
“Y-You mean… House Bagrand acquired this territory?!”

Hemnon’s eyes bulged, his surprise evident.

He knew I wasn’t lying. The Imperial seal, a mark of undeniable authority.

And then, echoing the words of his knights, a spark of realization, a glimmer of hope, illuminated his eyes.

“Hmm… Wait. It’s not a Bagrand territory. It’s yours, isn’t it?”

The color returned to his face, his fear replaced by a smug arrogance. His eyes, narrowing, transformed into predatory slits. He puffed out his chest, his voice dripping with disdain.

“The Disgrace of Shatrain, a stain on the entire Empire. And you think you’re worthy of being a lord? Hahaha! Preposterous! Another territory ripe for destruction, I see.”

He turned to address the villagers, his voice a mocking sneer.

“You’re all familiar with the Disgrace of Shatrain, aren’t you? A once-prosperous territory, destroyed by a single individual. And you’re willingly accepting this… failure… as your lord? Perhaps you should reconsider.”

His intentions were clear. Invoking the "Disgrace of Shatrain" before the villagers, a deliberate attempt to sow discord, to undermine my authority, to instill fear.

I’d anticipated this tactic, having endured countless similar encounters during my previous playthroughs.

I expected a certain degree of unrest, their faith wavering. I’d simply ignore his taunts, observe their reactions, and wait for the inevitable choice to appear.

That was the plan, until…

“Shut up! You’re nothing but a leech! Pretending to care about our village, when all you ever did was exploit us!”
“And what ‘management’? You were always late, always absent when we needed you!”
“You even stole our resources, demanding outrageous extermination fees! How is that helping us?!”
“And you never even apologized for injuring our people!”

-Ding!

▶ Certain villagers have reached a sufficient Affinity level to offer assistance! ◀
▶ The mention of the “Disgrace of Shatrain” will not affect the Lusmire villagers! ◀

‘…Well, this is unexpected.’

My intervention wasn’t required. They were on my side. Or rather…

‘The entire Lusmire territory is defending me.’

Their unwavering support, a testament to my efforts, their affinity a shield against Hemnon’s insidious words.

This situation… quite favorable, actually.

Kiyan, his companions, and Dienna, their voices a chorus of indignation, silenced Hemnon’s attempt to sow discord. He stammered, his carefully laid plans crumbling before his eyes.

“Y-You insolent…! How dare you speak to me with such disrespect! You, there! Remove those… wretches… from my sight!”
““Yes, sir!””

-Clang!

“Who gave you permission to draw your swords? This is my territory, and I am their lord.”
“G-Gah…!”
“Sheathe your weapons. If you choose violence, I will retaliate.”

While Lusmire was technically under my personal jurisdiction, drawing their swords against the villagers would be a direct challenge to House Bagrand.

They knew this, understood the potential consequences. Hemnon, his face flushed with anger, could only order his knights to stand down.

His initial attempt to incite unrest had failed, his authority challenged, his plan unraveling. He shifted tactics, his focus now directed solely at me, his voice laced with a venomous sweetness.

“Very well. Lusmire is yours, I acknowledge that. Which means we can discuss… compensation.”
“Compensation? For what?”
“I, Hemnon Modric, have been diligently managing this… unclaimed… territory. Even now, I arrived with my knights, prepared to exterminate those beasts. Those villagers might be spewing lies, but I have the documents to prove my involvement!”

He thrust a stack of papers towards me, his demeanor radiating a false confidence. And thanks to his arrogance, his need to justify his actions, I gained access to information I hadn’t encountered during my previous playthroughs.

‘So this bastard has been draining the village dry, stealing their resources, leaving them with nothing?’

He’d taken everything: the extermination fees, the beast carcasses, anything of value. He’d even deliberately stifled their development, isolating them, ensuring their continued reliance on his family.

Lusmire, in my previous playthroughs, had been a barren wasteland, its resources depleted, its people struggling to survive. My early arrival, it seemed, had prevented him from completing his latest heist.

This… I couldn’t let this stand.

-Ding!

‘Oh?’

The system, as if sensing my indignation, presented a timely choice.

“Ahem. Therefore, I believe a compensation fee of 50,000 Pessel is… Gah!”

Before he could finish his sentence, his outrageous demand hanging in the air, I grabbed him by the collar, dragging him from his perch on the carriage, sending him sprawling onto the ground.

“You insolent brat…! How dare you assault someone who’s come to offer assistance!”

[ 1. (Dragging Hemnon to the ground) I’m the one who deserves compensation. ]

“If we’re being technical, I’m the one who’s owed compensation, Hemnon. So get down here, and let’s discuss this… properly.”
“W-What?! ”
“Kiyan!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Gather Melic and Tony and bring those… knights… over here.”

A predatory gleam lit up the boys’ eyes. The villagers, still bewildered by this unexpected turn of events, watched with a mix of curiosity and anticipation as the three knights, their hands bound, were dragged towards us.

Hemnon, his face ashen, his carefully crafted facade crumbling, stared at his knights, their guilt evident in their downcast gazes.

Well, there was no need for restraint now.

-Thud!

“Gah!”

My foot connected with his stomach, a satisfying thud followed by a pained squeal.

“W-What are you doing?! You’re instigating a conflict between our houses!”
“Your knights trespassed on my territory, harassed my villagers. They demanded tolls, blocked their passage, and assaulted them. This isn’t a matter between our houses, Hemnon. This is a direct transgression by your family.”
“I-I knew nothing about this! That was their…! Gah!”
“They’re knights serving House Modric, are they not? They inflicted harm upon my territory, and compensation is due. Or is this… standard operating procedure for House Modric?”

My words, mirroring his earlier accusations, elicited a panicked response. He held up two fingers, his voice trembling.

“G-Gah… F-Fine! I’ll reduce the fee by 20,000 Pessel! Satisfied?!”

-Ding!

▶ 20,000 Pessel deducted from the compensation fee! ◀
▶ You may now choose an additional action. ◀

[ 1. That’s all? Their actions caused far more damage. Reduce it further. ]
[ 2. (Lifting your foot from Hemnon’s stomach) This will suffice. ]
[ 3. Deduct the compensation fee through another method. ]

The correct answer? The third option, of course.

50,000 Pessel was an outrageous demand, and even the remaining 30,000 Pessel was a significant sum. I needed to reduce it further, to avoid completely draining the village’s meager resources.

And the system, as always, had provided the necessary clues.

“How do you explain your knights moonlighting as bandits, Hemnon? Does House Modric employ highwaymen as their guards?”

His face contorted in anger, his carefully constructed facade cracking under the weight of this revelation. His knights, exposed as criminals, a stain on his family’s reputation… He couldn’t let this spread, couldn't allow this scandal to tarnish their name. He needed to silence this… nuisance, and quickly.

He held up two fingers once more, his voice a desperate plea.

“I’ll deduct another 20,000 Pessel! And for the record, I knew nothing about their activities!”

-Ding!

▶ An additional 20,000 Pessel deducted from the compensation fee, bringing the total deduction to 40,000 Pessel! ◀
▶ You may now choose an additional action. ◀

“Is that all, Hemnon?”

The choice reappeared, offering new options. And once again, I selected the third option.

10,000 Pessel wasn't enough.

This wasn’t just about reducing the compensation fee. It was about justice, about making him pay for his crimes, about ensuring Lusmire received proper recompense for the years of exploitation they’d endured.

“W-What else do you want?!”
“Those documents… they detailed your… frequent use of this territory. Surely, you can connect the dots.”
“Frequent use…?”

His eyes widened, his jaw dropping as realization dawned.

He couldn’t deny it. He’d enjoyed free access to Lusmire, while his knights had extorted tolls from the villagers, barring them from using their own land.

The hypocrisy was undeniable.

“But that was the villagers’…!”
“Barak, village head of Lusmire, reporting for duty. We stand with our lord.”
“Gah…!”

The lord and his subjects, united in purpose, had effectively nullified Hemnon’s claim to compensation.

“F-Fine! Consider the compensation… forgiven!”

Hemnon, defeated, surrendered, his carefully constructed facade crumbling.

He waved dismissively at his knights, ordering them to retreat, his escape route clear. The choices, exhausted, had disappeared, suggesting this encounter was over.

But something felt… incomplete. I stepped forward, blocking his path.

“Where do you think you’re going, Hemnon? We’re not done yet.”
“Surely, this is the end! I’ve paid my dues!”
“Don’t be ridiculous. The tolls you’ve collected over the years amount to at least 10,000 Pessel.”
“That’s absurd! Even the most exorbitant tolls wouldn’t reach that amount…! Gah!”

My foot, connecting with his stomach once more, elicited another pained squeal.

“You’re the one who boasted about managing this… treacherous… territory. And yet, you intend to undervalue the tolls collected from its only passable road?”
“A-Alright! Fine! I’ll pay your… inflated… fee!”

Hemnon, writhing in pain, could only comply, his knights scrambling to retrieve a pouch overflowing with gold coins.

It was a fraction of what he’d stolen, but it would provide a much-needed boost to the village’s recovery efforts.

“S-Surely, this is the end?”
“No.”

I pointed towards the ground beneath his feet.

“Today’s toll. Six individuals. You’ll be paying for six.”

Hemnon’s teeth ground together, his anger simmering.

***

He paid, reluctantly, his face contorting with a mixture of rage and humiliation as I informed him that tolls, from now on, would be collected diligently. His own words, his boasting, had trapped him.

His departure, however, left behind a substantial sum, the exorbitant toll fees I’d demanded enough to make the villagers gasp in surprise.

-Ding!

▶ House Modric will no longer interfere with the Lusmire territory! ◀
▶ One of the noble houses oppressing Lusmire has been neutralized! ◀
▶ Two Episode Completion conditions have been met! ◀
[ Remaining Conditions: 2/4 ]

‘Two left.’

Lusmire’s isolation, a consequence of a complex web of factors, extended beyond the beast attacks and the interference of neighboring nobles.

Their financial situation, precarious at best, needed to be addressed, their reliance on outside assistance minimized.

The usual approach involved a series of sub-episodes, carefully crafted tasks designed to earn their trust, to raise affinity levels, to pave the way for a brighter future.

But it seemed those measures were no longer necessary.

“What are our orders, Young Master?”

-Ding!

▶ Lusmire Reputation Level Increased to B Rank! ◀
▶ Villagers will now follow Carsein’s commands. Their efficiency will be determined by the difficulty of the task. ◀

Lusmire, its heart filled with a newfound hope, was ready to follow my lead.