I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 90

Chapter 90: The Disgrace of Shatrain (4)

▶ Episode I: Lusmire’s Isolation Cleared! ◀
▶ You have successfully influenced the situation in Lusmire by apprehending the culprit, Tuspel! ◀

The three knights, or rather, the three bandits, had been subdued without much effort.

Perhaps it was due to my superior stats, but their movements had seemed clumsy and ineffective.

Even Tuspel, in a final act of desperation, had attempted to fight back, his sword a blur of futile rage, but he hadn't posed a real threat.

I hadn't noticed it before, observing their pixelated forms on the game screen, but now, engaging in physical combat, the experience felt oddly surreal.

‘Well, it's a good start. The first step towards my ultimate goal.’

Why overthink it?

I'd cleared an episode, a crucial milestone on my path to freedom.

-Ding!

▶ Dienna has been successfully transported to the hospital. ◀
[ Remaining Time Limit: 20 hours 33 minutes ]
▶ You have ample time remaining. Dienna’s recovery has been accelerated, significantly reducing the time required to enter the village! ◀
▶ You have successfully triggered an outcome exceeding the given choices! ◀
▶ Additional rewards will follow! ◀

‘Additional rewards? As if. It’ll just be another string of question marks.’

A wave of cynicism washed over me.

The first time those question marks had disappeared, replaced by something tangible, something beneficial, it had been a game-changer. Camilla’s death trigger, averted, a path to survival opened.

I’d clung to that hope, that possibility of unexpected rewards, but the system, it seemed, had other plans.

Those promised rewards would vanish without a trace, their existence a fleeting illusion. And even when they lingered, a closer examination would reveal nothing of significance, no real deviation from the pre-determined path.

My expectations had dwindled, replaced by a weary resignation. And then…

‘…Wait.’

▶ Access to Remten Village within the Lusmire Territory has been granted! ◀
[ You may now enter Remten Village. ]
[ Danger Level: Warning ]

Those words, replacing the usual string of question marks, replacing uncertainty with a concrete path forward, couldn't be ignored.

Access to Lusmire was typically granted after dealing with the three bandit knights, their reign of terror over.

The waiting period, approximately two days. Dienna, recovering in the hospital, returning to the village with Kiyan and his companions, triggering the unlock, allowing Carsein entry.

But if that time frame could be reduced, if I could enter Lusmire two days ahead of schedule…

‘I’d achieve a higher completion rate. I could even make a trip to Shatrain!’

A significant advantage, regardless of the path I chose.

Lost in my strategic musings, I hadn't noticed the conversation unfolding beside me. Those children, their faces still pale with lingering fear, had seemingly reached a conclusion.

“Thank you, sir. We don’t know how to express our gratitude…”

Dienna, her cheeks regaining their natural color, offered a heartfelt thank you, her voice soft yet sincere. The boys echoed her sentiment, their heads bowing repeatedly, their voices a chorus of gratitude.

“We’re incredibly grateful for your help, but… we have nothing to offer in return…"

-Ding!

▶ This choice has been automatically selected! ◀

[ 1. Then show me around your village. ]

…Unbelievable.

How had things taken such a drastic turn?

The usual progression involved suspicion, distrust directed towards any noble, even after being rescued.

Kiyan’s animosity, quelled through careful manipulation, was the exception. Tony and Melic, their affinity levels now high enough to overcome their initial mistrust, were no longer a threat. But Dienna, a stranger, her heart likely still filled with apprehension…

And yet, she was willingly offering a tour of her village? Today?

“Then show me around your village.”

I couldn’t refuse. This unexpected development had already saved me valuable time.

***

Having achieved two critical milestones, apprehending the culprit and ensuring Dienna's safety, my entry into the village should have been smooth sailing.

But I knew better. I couldn’t afford to relax, not yet.

This episode, the first of Chapter 2, branching off from a seemingly insignificant sub-episode, now demanded my full attention. Failure to resolve it properly would result in dire consequences.

My participation rights, revoked, the Eastern Nobles’ Conference out of reach, my fate sealed, a bad ending looming.

‘And this episode, accelerated through my own actions, defying the pre-determined sequence… It’s bound to trigger a bad ending, even if I manage to alter the course of events.’

-Ding!

▶ Episode II: Rejecting Hands Activated! ◀
▶ Enter Remten Village within the Lusmire territory and alleviate the villagers’ suspicions! ◀

It was beginning.

The moment I set foot on Lusmire soil, Episode II had automatically sprung to life.

There was no room for error.

▶ You have entered a Warning Zone! ◀
[ Be careful! Additional choices may appear during conversations with the villagers! ]

As the carriage door opened, I was met with a wave of hostile gazes, their eyes filled with a mixture of suspicion and resentment.

Their target: me.

‘Considering the backstory, Kiyan won’t be the only one harboring animosity towards me. These villagers, they’re wary of all nobles.’

They wouldn’t forget.

The injustices they’d endured, the exploitation, the casual cruelty inflicted upon them.

It was a story etched into their hearts, a narrative that shaped their perception of the world.

And the system, it never missed an opportunity to exploit such vulnerabilities.

-Ding!

[ 1. (Whistle casually) My, my. Such hostile expressions. ]
[ 2. (Frown) This is unacceptable. A lord graces you with his presence, and you greet him with such coldness? ]
[ 3. (Remain silent.) ]

A selection of choices, each more disastrous than the last. Had I not meticulously raised certain affinity levels, rendering the third choice, silence, a viable option, I’d be facing immediate expulsion from the village.

But thankfully, I was prepared.

“Uncle Barak!”
“Kiyan? What are you doing…?”
“Wait. Is that Tony and Melic? And Dienna?”
“What’s going on? Why are those children emerging from a noble’s carriage?”

The villagers, their faces etched with confusion, stared at the children, their carefully constructed worldview shaken.

I, following the third choice, remained silent, my expression impassive.

“Young Master Carsein has become the lord of our village! Well, of the entire Lusmire territory!”
“And that’s not all! He even lent us his carriage to take Dienna to the hospital!”
“Look at me! I’m completely healed! I’m as good as new!”
“And those knights from Count Modric’s estate, they refused to let us through, even though Dienna was in danger, but Young Master Carsein dealt with them!”
“What…?”

The children, their voices filled with excitement, recounted the day’s events, their tone almost boastful.

And then, the status window reappeared.

▶ The Lusmire villagers’ suspicions are lessening! ◀
[ Danger Level: Caution ]

The usual progression involved a gradual decline in danger levels, from Warning to Restricted, followed by a barrage of choices, each one designed to exploit my vulnerabilities.

Choices related to my noble status, my connection to House Bagrand, my past mistakes.

A relentless assault, designed to break me, to trigger a bad ending. I’d prepared myself, armed with Camilla’s information and my own experience from countless replays, ready to navigate those treacherous waters.

But the initial choices, the ones that typically appeared upon entering the village, didn't materialize. The crucial question, the one that probed Kiyan’s deception, the one that held the potential to unravel everything… it never came. The danger level, instead of dropping to Restricted, had bypassed that stage entirely, landing directly on Caution.

Right then, a man, his expression guarded, approached me.

This was my opportunity.

■ Inventory
◆ Ivory Twine
[ Quantity: 4 ]

I withdrew the four strands of twine I’d acquired, holding them out as a gesture of goodwill.

The man’s eyes widened, his gaze flickering between the twine and my face.

“I can’t deny there’s a certain strategy at play here, but I had no intention of deceiving those children.”

He hesitated for a moment, his expression softening, before speaking.

“… I am Barak, the village head of Remten. If it pleases you, Lord Carsein, shall we continue this conversation elsewhere?”
“Lead the way.”

As expected, the usual questions, the probing inquiries, had been bypassed. I welcomed this unexpected development, this opportunity to move forward without the usual hurdles.

***

We arrived at Barak’s home, a modest dwelling in the heart of Remten, navigating a sea of curious gazes, the villagers observing our every move.

I’d assumed that reaching the village head’s residence would signal the end of their suspicions, a sign of acceptance, a turning point in our relationship.

▶ Episode II: Rejecting Hands in progress! ◀
▶ Enter Remten Village within the Lusmire territory and alleviate the villagers’ suspicions! ◀

But the status window, a constant reminder of the challenges ahead, suggested otherwise. Their wariness, their deep-seated mistrust, hadn't dissipated completely.

Dienna’s recovery, Kiyan’s heartfelt testimony, the detailed account of the day’s events, had softened their stance, but their gazes remained guarded, a flicker of doubt lingering in their eyes.

These villagers, ostracized, marginalized, trapped between the territories of indifferent nobles, had been subjected to a lifetime of scorn and exploitation.

I knew, with a certainty born from my own experiences, that it would take more than a few kind words and a single act of heroism to erase their deeply ingrained mistrust.

-Clatter.

“Considering our village’s financial situation, I cannot offer you fine tea or other such luxuries, Young Master. I have, however, prepared a warm glass of milk. Please, accept this humble offering.”

Barak, his voice a quiet murmur, placed a steaming mug before me.

A simple glass of milk, its warmth a welcome comfort against the lingering chill of winter.

▶ Consuming milk will slightly reduce Cold and Fatigue. ◀

I glanced at the notification, then checked my status window, noting the two active status ailments.

While not at critical levels, they could prove bothersome, requiring my attention. This milk, an opportunity to alleviate those symptoms, a small act of kindness.

But it was a trap, a cleverly disguised test.

▶ Your choices will now affect the episode’s completion rate! ◀
▶ Will you accept the milk offered by Village Head Barak?
[ 1. Accept and drink the milk. ]
[ 2. Refuse the milk. ]

This seemingly insignificant gesture, the first interaction within the village, already triggered a choice, a branching path.

And the system, as always, employed its deceptive tactics. While it mentioned the impact on the episode’s completion rate, it conveniently omitted any mention of failure, of potential consequences.

It no longer bothered to warn me of bad endings.

I pushed the mug aside without hesitation.

[ 2. Refuse the milk. ] ☑

“Milk is a luxury, Barak, a valuable source of nourishment. Save it for the children. It's not meant for me.”
“But surely, as our lord, you deserve a proper welcome, Young Master.”
“This milk is a precious commodity, Barak. Dairy cows are rare in this region, and milk is typically reserved for children. I'm well aware of your village’s circumstances.”

Barak hesitated, his lips parting as if to speak, then closing again. He couldn't deny the truth in my words.

“… As you wish, Young Master. However, the milk has already been warmed. We must find someone to consume it immediately. Who shall I give it to?”

-Ding!

▶ An additional choice has appeared! ◀
▶ Who will you instruct him to give the milk to? ◀
[ 1. Barak ]
[ 2. Dienna ]
[ 3. Kiyan ]
[ 4. Melic ]
[ 5. Tony ]
…
…

Another choice, branching off from the previous one. My decision, the recipient of this warm glass of milk, would directly affect affinity levels.

The first choice, an obvious trap. Barak's affinity, instead of increasing, would plummet.

The next three choices, the three boys, were equally flawed. They wouldn't benefit significantly from consuming the milk.

I’d initially chosen the second option: Dienna.

She was the most vulnerable, the one who’d been teetering on the brink of death. Offering her the milk seemed like the most logical, the most compassionate choice.

It had resulted in an increase in both Dienna’s and the villagers’ affinity, improving my standing within the community.

But this time, that choice felt wrong.

‘Something’s off. Dienna has fully recovered. Why is her name even listed as an option?’

There had to be a reason, a specific individual who truly needed this nourishment.

This choice, it was more than a simple act of kindness. It was an opportunity, a chance to forge a connection, to open a dialogue, to address their unspoken concerns.

‘I can’t miss this. It’s all or nothing!’

I racked my brain, my mind sifting through every piece of information related to Lusmire, every detail Camilla had meticulously compiled in her reports.

‘Statues? Financial aid? The village layout? No, this is different… Something unique to this region… ’

Then, it struck me.

“Most children in Lusmire suffer from nutritional deficiencies, don’t they? There’s a specific ailment, the Lusmire Sickness, that affects children and adolescents. Persistent coughing, fever, prolonged periods of weakness…”

Barak’s gaze sharpened, his interest piqued.

“The cause? A diet consisting primarily of locally grown crops. The adults seem unaffected, suggesting it’s not the food itself, but rather, a unique inability of children to properly absorb certain nutrients.”
“...”
“The typical treatment? Milk. It replenishes those missing nutrients, alleviates the coughing and fever, and miraculously, the children recover quickly, almost as if they were never ill.”

This was it. The missing piece of the puzzle.

Thank you, Camilla.

Your meticulous research had provided me with the key.

“Milk and nutritional deficiencies. The Lusmire Sickness. And yet, you intended to offer this precious resource to me, when there’s a child in this village suffering from persistent coughing?”

This milk, it belonged to her.

“Delphina. Give it to her.”

I spoke her name, ensuring I’d chosen correctly, refusing to let this opportunity slip away.

[ 7. Delphina ] ☑