episode_0121

The rough sparring ended in an instant.

As if that wasn’t enough, Pollux suddenly requested a conversation and revealed one thing to Harnier.

Karsein was being ruined.

Why did you insist on calling only yourself?

Other than that, how is Karssein being ruined?

Pollux seemed to have vaguely noticed the sparring.

I sympathized.

She also felt that Karssein was falling apart.

When I saw him drastically reducing his sleep time and being so obsessed with work that he didn’t even want to let go, I couldn’t feel at ease.

So Harnier confessed everything to Pollux at this time.

Because I was wondering if I should take some action here.

Then Pollux says:

There is only one way to fix the broken Carcein.

but.

‘What on earth do you mean…?’

I can hardly hide those thoughts.

It’s not that I don’t trust Pollux.

Not only Karssein, but Pollux is also Harnier’s trading partner and ally.

Even if it’s not necessarily for that reason.

As he was my senior in life, he would occasionally give me advice. In many ways.

I actually got a lot of help from it, so there is no doubt about it.

But this time I have no idea.

‘…what on earth does that mean?’

-You just need to be by my side.

I asked him one more time just in case, but he said yes and repeated the same thing.

If you’re by his side, Karssein won’t be broken any further…

Harnier’s face immediately grew angry as he thought about what that meant. Then, before long, he shakes his head and shakes off the thoughts he just had.

“Open, it’s probably just a normal thing to say and just stay together!”

okay. That’s probably what it means.

Without any deep meaning, it probably just means to watch him from the side and see if he is overdoing it and to restrain him appropriately.

“Yes, yes. That’s right. Pollux also said that it was because of his body that he noticed that Karssein was overexerting himself…”

There is no need to think deeply.

Do you eat properly, do you sleep well instead of taking a nap, and do you stay up all night working? This probably means taking care of it as much as possible and preventing your body from being damaged.

but. He is a man full of worries.

I didn’t think I would say anything because it hurt, and it was obvious that I would just ignore it as it was a minor wound.

Didn’t something like that happen just yesterday?

It was a worrying side effect that my body became so cold.

If I had not immediately taken off my clothes and transferred my body temperature due to the rapidly decreased body temperature, something very serious would have happened…

“Gasp…! Oh no! That’s not it!”

Yeah, yeah! Take a good look to make sure it doesn’t hurt! That’s enough!

Harnier, suddenly distracted, takes a deep breath and shakes his head again.

For some reason, I feel a surge of heat, and I try to resolve it by fanning my hands.

But, how could such a strong memory be so easy to disappear?

“Ugh, uh…! You have to forget it. You have to forget it…!!”

I had to walk for a while.

To erase those shameful memories.

***

-Tiring!

▶Episode III. You have cleared the certification as a lord!◀

▶The transaction with the Marquis of Ipherus and Pollux Tutulum has been completed successfully!◀

▶We succeeded in bringing about a result that went beyond the options!◀

‘…It looks like it’s been cleared.’

I thought there were some variables because the sparring with Pollux ended rather abruptly, but it seems the clearing was approved.

But, putting mana in your bare hands and forcing them to stop the sparring…

It was a mysterious part.

Karssein had significantly lower stats than Pollux, so it was impossible to achieve victory.

So, if you have shown enough skill to meet the clear conditions in the game, it ends with an appropriate dialogue. It doesn’t end abruptly and unilaterally like this.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter anyway.’

For now, let’s focus on getting past the episode.

Just looking at the results window clearly shows that Ruthmeyer’s funds have been secured, so there should be no problem with this.

But one thing.

There is work that needs to be done in advance.

‘You won’t be able to return to the factory right away, so you must fill out the documents.’

I will return to Ruthmire’s territory, finish the tunnel work, and stay there to avoid the duke’s family.

Then, as the Eastern Noble Conference gets closer, the family invites Karssein, and this is when the first hurdle comes.

Chatrene Estate is currently not receiving Claire’s support due to my request.

As a result, the lives of the residents of the territory have become more difficult, and I have been reaching out to the Marquis of Aiferos in addition to the Rusmire territory.

This is the perfect situation to get caught.

First, to Arina.

‘Carcein will be pointed out as to why they are doing this when they can’t even be resolved. If this is going to happen, people are asking why Claire’s application was cancelled.’

It varies depending on the level of intimacy and choices, but it can be quite frustrating as several problems arise at once.

If you are not careful here, you will face a bad ending without being able to attend the Eastern Noble Meeting.

And I’m on my way to do a sub-episode to prevent that.

“Hmm? Carcein, what’s going on?”

This time, Pollux easily noticed my pretense of popularity and turned to me and asked.

“If you are here to talk about a deal, we are selecting the people to bring with you. I hope you wait a little longer.”

“That’s okay. Because what I want is the other side.”

“Hmm?”

I handed a document to Pollux, who expressed doubt.

“This is… a transaction statement between noble families?”

“Yes. I want you to write this and send it to me.”

There are three main points to avoid Arina’s dead flag.

One of them is none other than the trading method between noble families.

I am dealing with the Marquis of Ipherus himself, so I must proceed with this transaction neatly and without problems.

The first step to solving that problem is this transaction statement.

“But… Don’t you plan on staying in Ruthmire’s territory for a while?”

“Did Harnier tell you?”

“Yes. I heard it from the Plesia merchant. I heard that since you don’t want to meet your family, you’re staying at Ruthmire’s estate rather than the Duke’s house. But…”

“If you write this and send it to the Duke’s House, the Duke’s House will find out about Karssein and at the same time realize that this transaction was made. Is this what you want to say?”

“…Okay.”

Pollux nodded.

I know.

This statement is actually like announcing to Arina that I am here.

However, when this statement arrives at the Duke’s house, it is Claire, not Arina, who we meet in Ruthmeier.

“Don’t worry. Because I have an idea too.”

“Um… I understand. I will do that.”

-Tiring!

▶Sub episode. Performed transaction statements◀

▶The details of the transaction between Karssein, Ruthmire, and Marquis Iferos will be delivered to the Duke.◀

▶You will talk to one of the family members later.◀

Pollux filled out the transaction statement without saying a word.

He asked the aide right next to him about this and that, and even suggested that I should revise this part.

It didn’t matter.

The second condition for avoiding Arina’s dead flag is not to lie about where I am.

“Hmm… How about helping the territory’s residents with their training while staying in Ruthmire?”

“This clause was added to avoid raising suspicions, so if you find it difficult, you don’t have to.”

“No. It’s not that it’s difficult. It’s just that it’s so strange to get paid.”

While stroking his chin, he brought out an adjustment plan.

“As expected, this clause is aimed at not receiving compensation. Instead, I will extend my sparring schedule with you a little more.”

“With me?”

“Yes. Your swordsmanship is quite unique. Perhaps because it is done based on thorough calculation rather than intuition or gut feeling, the practicality is quite high.”

I put more emphasis on this part, thinking that the Yarik people would probably also be interested.

…Well, I’m good.

As the sparring continues, the stats also increase.

As it is practical training, my skills also improve. There was nothing to hesitate about.

When the adjustments were completed, Pollux rolled up the document and tied it with rope.

“This is the end. It won’t take long for it to be delivered to the Duke’s house.”

“Thank you. I will also send a telegram to the residents of the territory in advance.”

“Thank you is something that can only be said in this area where aggregates are urgently needed. But… Carcein.”

Pollux paused uncharacteristically.

“I want to talk about something else for a moment. Are you okay?”

***

Pollux, who wanted to tell more stories, moved away, and I followed him, thinking that this was also a skipped scene.

He sighed softly, wet his throat with a sip of water, and asked me.

“Do you know that each noble takes a break before the Eastern Noble Meeting?”

“Rest period?”

“Oh… it looks like you don’t know. To explain it simply, since it is also an imperial exam, it gives you time to adjust your physical and mental state.”

A period of time in which each person adjusts to their best condition in their own way, starting from simply resting, such as sleeping or relieving stress.

It is said that this is the break period of the Eastern Noble Assembly.

“…Is that what you meant?”

I did something when I said it was a break, but it doesn’t mean I can’t guess.

The Duke of Vagrand decided to change the portrait in the main hall to one of me. In other words, Pollux’s question was about the next episode.

Thinking about that already makes my head ache, but…

Another thing, I got information.

There is one break scheduled before the meeting and one break after the meeting.

Because I knew this schedule in advance, I was able to prepare.

“It’s scheduled. Perhaps, the family is planning to go out.”

“I see.”

When I mentioned the scheduled schedule, Pollux sighed softly.

and. A rather heavy instruction was received.

“You calculated the distance in Dalian as if it were measured with a ruler. He measured the friction angle of the sword through a sword stroke, read the penetration radius and stride length, and confronted me. But one thing I felt about that sword was that it was a hasty decision.”

“…”

“I advise you. It would be good to have some free time. Otherwise…”

Those last words.

It was very meaningful.