episode_0144

“Did Ruthmeyer get help from Shatrene?”

Tasha brought me here.

It can be seen that the purpose up to that point is to show that scene.

In that case, I could vaguely guess that there would be some kind of relationship between the two fiefdoms of Ruthmire and Chatlaine.

But that’s the one who received help from the Shatrene Territory.

‘It’s not like something like that just happens.’

I knew that I shouldn’t just ignore this situation, but now that it’s like this, it’s actually more dangerous to be unaware.

A behind-the-scenes story that arose between the two territories.

That has the potential to act as a big variable that blocks my path in the future.

“Keep talking.”

She spoke without hesitation.

“As you know well, Ruthmire is a very isolated territory. There are no resources and a lack of manpower. Demonic beasts invade from time to time, and the location is next to a rugged mountain called Mount Waglu. Perhaps, it was an inevitable condition that poverty followed.”

What more can I say?

It is safe to say that we are in the worst conditions.

“It is said that it is a village where sculptors gathered, so they could make money through sculpting and use that money to improve the situation in the territory, but even that was not easy. In the end, they had to let go of the sculpture.”

To make matters worse, it would be more appropriate to say so.

Given these conditions, along with artificial poverty, they would have had no choice but to let go of their existing jobs.

“But, young master. Didn’t Ruthmeier last a very long time for something like that?”

“What does that mean?”

I asked, shocked.

“As you know, Master Ruthmeyer has nothing. Even though I knew how to sculpt, I let it go, so I had no source of income even before I accepted Master Karssein as my lord. But, how was it possible to endure such a long period of time?”

Come to think of it…

It’s definitely strange.

Even before I arrived, it wasn’t surprising that Ruthmaier had been eaten.

When I met Kiyan at the party? How did you survive until that period?

Facing head-on the problems of supplies, funds, and manpower, just holding on was enough.

no. There is no need to go that far.

In Ruthmeyer, which no longer has a source of funds, it inevitably faces the great ordeal of winter.

Just as the children I saw here stole bread and ran away, the biggest problem was food.

If there was only one way to get through this big gap period, what would it be?

“Chatrene provided food support every winter, is this?”

Food supply from other territories.

That’s all there is.

no. They say it is supply, but that is no different from one-sided support.

The key is what is the reason for sending this support…

I already know the answer.

“Chatren also once sold specialty products. Does this mean that peddlers passing through Ruthmeier would steal food in this way and hand it over even when they saw children running away?”

Tasha did not deny it and handed me the ledger she had organized.

“I completely trust your judgment. If it takes time, I won’t mind covering the loss with my salary.”

-Tiring!

▶We captured the secret relationship between Ruthmeier and Shatrene.◀

▶You can take action as the lord of Ruthmire.◀

▶Open exclusive options.◀

I understood what the situation was.

Even if I stop them here, the same situation will repeat itself.

Ruthmeyer does not betray Shatlaine’s grace.

This means that their bond is so strong that they had to do something like this, even if they had to deceive me, the lord.

Tasha, considering that the residents of the territory would be dissatisfied with my choice as a lord, must have met me and tried to convey this fact in person. He also asked them to condone this situation by sacrificing his own salary.

but.

I can’t help but feel uncomfortable about this.

“That may not be the true intention. Tasha.”

“…”

“You already know that even if you give your salary to them to cover my losses, the situation will not improve at all. No, it could actually get more serious. You know better, right?”

Ruthmire is a territory once managed by the Deol family.

So, Tasha must have also vaguely guessed the relationship between Ruthmeyer and Chattren.

Perhaps she knows more about Ruthmeyer than I do. However, there was no way I had come here just to ask for something like this.

“Of course, I can’t ignore your insight.”

Tasha smiled faintly and obediently acknowledged the part I had pinched.

“You are correct. I came here to see if you could use this to lower the notoriety of the Chatrene Territory a little more.”

“The current lord of Ruthmire is me. Are you trying to appease their anger by pretending not to notice this?”

“Yes. If you leave the rest to me, I will be able to solve it well.”

She presented a specific issue and asked me to take up the matter during the Eastern Noble Meeting.

Tasha would be able to deal with Ruthmeier without any problems, and she would be able to handle this issue flexibly as well.

Until I had the opportunity to solve my problem of using Shatren’s figures.

If he was determined and held on to it, he would be able to prevent words from coming out at the Eastern Noble Council in advance.

But I resolutely cut off Tasha’s plea.

“No. That won’t work.”

“…Yes?”

Tasha asked back with a puzzled expression.

“You seem to have hoped that I would use this as an opportunity to wash away the stigma of Shatlaine’s shame. Right?”

“…It’s true.”

“It’s not a bad offer. If we proceed with this, we will have the opportunity to avoid pressure from the Eastern Noble Council. The anger of the Shatren Territory will also be able to calm down to a certain extent. But this is a very wrong method.”

“So, how do you plan to solve this problem…?”

[ 3. Tasha, just keep it this way. ] ☑

“maintain this situation. Just like that, no need to touch it. I tell the residents of the territory to continue living the same life as they do now.”

“So, you are saying that you will bear the loss yourself?”

“Yes. Because only then can there be justification.”

It is true that the opportunity has come.

However, this should not be used simply to alleviate the stigma of Shatrene’s shame.

It must be resolved with a clear cause.

The relationship between Shatrene and Ruthmeier.

The strong bond between the two territories from the past.

And because of this, another connection will be created again.

I will use this as an excuse to completely solve the fundamental problem.

***

next day.

When I returned to the Duke’s residence, I wrote a document ordering Tasha to maintain this situation, and sent it not as a letter from the Duke, but as a letter from the Lord of Ruthmire.

The only letter that came back was an affirmation that I would trust you and an answer that I would post a report occasionally. No other sentences were included.

This is enough. The option related to this will no longer appear, so there is only one thing to worry about now.

▶You must attend a party held in the East.◀

It may be considered an insignificant message, but to me, this system message is a window that foreshadows the next episode.

The main story of Chapter 2.

A signal signaling the start of the Eastern Noble Meeting.

That’s what that party is.

but.

▶You can now move to the party venue. Do you want to move?

[ 1. Move now. ]

[ 2. Wait a little longer. ]

You must never forget it.

Chapter 2 starts with a sub-episode and then moves on to the main episode.

Taking that into account, this window seems like a link that takes me to the main episode…

In reality, that is not the case.

Although it is said to be a party on the surface, it is actually an event for nobles who attend this meeting after being tested by the imperial family.

That means there are a lot of nobles.

For Carcein, this means that the perfect environment for all kinds of disputes has been created.

An elaborate trap disguised as an episode.

This trap lurking towards the player can lead to a dead flag if stepped on carelessly.

Of course, there is no way.

Didn’t you already experience it during Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony? At this ballroom, the characters you meet change depending on the time of day you attend.

As for the location, I was able to follow the path to the terrace without being noticed by the security, and by spending time there, I was able to avoid encountering other families.

In other words, the option that pops up now refers to the party entry time.

This time, you have to select a specific time zone, adjust it, reach a specific location, and destroy dead flags that can occur due to specific actions.

Of course, the problem is how to know the time, where the safe place is, and what actions to take to avoid the dead flag.

▶As a reward for perfect clearing the previous episode, all dead flags that occur before the appearance of the next sub-episode are displayed.◀

●Time

[If you enter at 2 PM, the episode will proceed to the Angry Count Modric episode. ]

[ Entry at 3pm will result in a cacophonous episode of tolls. ]

[If you enter at 4 PM ───]

…

…

●Location

[Displays the party leader map. Purple and red indicate prohibited and dangerous areas respectively, orange indicates restricted areas and yellow indicates caution areas. ]

●Behavior

[The wine glass on the balcony is coated with medicine that causes stomachache. ]

[If you touch the second flower pot in the lobby, it will explode and you will be in trouble. ]

[There is a thumbtack hidden on the third table from the left. ]

[ Oil is cleverly spread on the right side of the center table, so you may fall. ]

[If you touch a woman who is dozing in front of the second curtain, you may be accused of being a pervert. ]

[Be careful because sleeping pills are burned in the third room. ]

[In the 7th room, incense that causes headaches is burned, so be careful not to fall asleep. ]

…

…

“…It’s quite a reward.”

Just by looking at this, you will know where and how to avoid.

It provides much deeper information than the knowledge I had in existing games, so I was able to prepare for danger in advance by choosing a safer path.

This is the result of roughly combining the time period and actions.

I guess I just have to go in through the back door alone at 5:15 p.m.

If this continues, you will receive the sub-episode without any problems, and after completing your schedule at the party, you will be able to start the symposium the next day.

However, there is one thing that bothers me.

“Why can’t I contact you?”

There were a total of three letters I received before the spring outing.

The first is from Ruthmeyer’s Tasha.

The second is from Pollux, Marquis of Aiferus.

Those two have been resolved.

In the first case, I met Tasha and learned about the relationship between Ruthmeyer and Chatrene.

The second time, I wasn’t even expecting it anyway, but one more unexpected piece of information came in.

However, there is no answer to the last letter.

“I definitely asked you to tell me the time and date to meet…”

Harnier asked me to meet him on a date, but I still haven’t heard from him.

As time passed, today has come.

“Master. I’m ready to go to the party.”

I can’t help it.

According to Camilla’s ready report, I need to get moving now to get there by 5:15.

[ 1. Move now ]☑

“I’m going out now.”

At the time of signing the contract, she said that it could be difficult to contact her if a problem arises.

But I said you don’t have to worry about our contract.

However, my guess is that there is a high possibility that problems arose because of this symposium.

You can gradually ask questions at the party about what kind of problem occurred.

I got into the carriage without any worries.

***

“…”

“Lady. This is… not this. To the young lady directly…!”

“Mina.”

Harnier shakes his head at the astonished Mina.

“That doesn’t change anything. I have no choice but to move like this.”

“…”

“Don’t worry too much. Because I have experienced this many times.”

“Lady Harnier…”

“I’ll be back.”

They say it’s okay, but it’s probably not okay at all.

Mina’s expression is full of worry.

Even if I tried, I couldn’t do anything about this.

There is only one hope left.

“Please, Prince Karssein help us…”

It was Karssein’s help.