episode_0212

When looking at the Chatrene territory from afar, it was a very ordinary agricultural-based land that did not show much difference.

A field carefully selected using farming tools. A river that clearly reflects the ground. An environment with sufficient humidity for crops to grow.

Needless to say, this land was very fertile and good.

However, when he entered the territory, Talpon immediately had to give up that thought.

The earth always smells like dirt.

The smell of soil, which contains the scent of nature, has its own unique smell anytime and anywhere.

The smell of the soil varies depending on how it was managed, what the soil is made of, and what is growing on it, but it does not hide the smell of nature.

But that wasn’t the case here.

In this land… the natural smell, the fragrant earthy scent, had completely disappeared.

What even replaced this natural earthy scent was a strange odor.

As soon as I set foot on this land, there was a foul smell.

“That smell…! This is a smell that shouldn’t come from a place like this!”

Each land may have a different smell.

However, this is not described as a smell.

stink.

It feels like a familiar stench not only to Talpon but also to the entire Lilpeten tribe.

The reason is… simple.

West.

Land eroded by demonic energy.

This is because the terrible odor I smelled while removing the magical beast there was that very smell.

So, this kind of smell should not have come from ordinary farmland.

Unless it is eroded like the land in the West.

“This is it!”

Talpon explored the most foul-smelling place in the territory.

Eventually, when he discovered the field that was presumed to be the source, he didn’t just get off his horse, he almost jumped off.

“After. Phew. Well, it’s calmed down!”

“Let’s deal with it quickly!”

“Holy shit!”

Here, the residents of Chatelaine, who managed the fields, were gathered together, holding farming tools.

And in the center… unidentifiable smoke rises.

Smoke was rising, and the stench irritated Talpon’s nose. That was definitely the cause.

“You idiots. Are you guys out of your mind!”

Like an animal.

He approached the residents and shouted.

The residents turned their heads in surprise at the loud sound of the phone.

“Wow, I’m surprised. I thought someone came.”

“Where have the guys who were watching gone?”

“But… that person. Isn’t there something a little different?”

“Oh my… they are barbarians from the West!”

When they realized late that he was a Westerner, they were shocked and thrust their farming tools at Talpon.

“I can’t turn it off right away!”

“Westerners…!”

“Where are you going? These barbarians!”

“That crazy lord is determined to ruin our land. Now they’ve even brought in barbarians?”

There is no way the threats from those weak villagers would work against them, who have defeated countless demonic beasts.

-Tup!

“Uh, what?!”

A middle-aged man who was threatening with a farming tool was caught in one of Talpon’s hands. Even without applying much force, he fell to the ground like a shabby piece of luggage.

Meanwhile, Talpon saw a cloud of smoke rising and bit down on it.

‘It smells the same as the smell inside the sack I saw at the entrance to the territory. That doesn’t mean…!’

These crazy people were ruining the land with their own hands and blaming others.

Talpon, who could not stand it, grabbed the collar of the attacking man and pushed him away.

“Uh, what?!”

Inside the territory, the leader of the action, Maf, who was known to use quite a bit of force, was pushed out as if he were a very young child.

“You guys, immediately dig up all the land that it went into! You idiots!”

He was caught in such a bad way that he was hung on without any help due to Talpon’s strength and size. Meanwhile, the residents try to fight back with farming tools, but the Lilpeten tribesmen come and subdue them all.

“The barbarian…!”

“What do you say you know!”

“The only way to restore the land that Karssein ruined is that fertilizer!”

“Stupid guys. That is not a way to get it back!”

“What?”

“On the contrary, it will destroy your land!”

The odor from the strawberry fields and vineyards is the same as what was in the bag.

Something inside it must be eating away at this land.

Not only Talpon but the entire Lilpeten tribe knows that fact.

“You guys are destroying your land with your own hands. What’s in there isn’t fertilizer or anything!”

however.

“Hmph. I guess that lord told you to say that, right?”

“This guy and that guy. You’re so anxious to stop using fertilizer!”

“This is a high-quality fertilizer made from very rare ingredients. What do you know to say such nonsense?”

“You’ll have to prepare yourself when it’s over! Because the news that you barbarians tried to ruin our Shatrene under the instigation of Karssein will spread throughout the country!”

These stupid residents are still stubborn.

“An incompetent lord is trying to ruin our land again!”

“I was wondering why they brought in the barbarians. As expected, that lord thinks the same way!”

“We will inform the symposium organizers and get them kicked out this time!”

“I will definitely see what that liar says!”

Next, as words that could not be ignored began to come out of their mouths, Talpon’s eyes widened.

“Everyone in this territory knows! It’s been like this ever since that Karssein guy came and touched our land!”

“You don’t know, right? Crop quality, yield, and our lives! Everything has changed!”

“That incompetent lord who did nothing ruined it!”

What an absurd thing to say.

What right do you guys have to blame Karssein for doing something like this?

“Lying is common, and Shatrene ended up like this because she passed on her mistakes to others and framed her! How can a scum like that who deceives people be the lord of a territory?!”

“He must be the worst lord who has no interest in our land!”

“We don’t need people like that!”

There were certainly misunderstandings and misguided stubbornness, but Talpon clearly remembers those times.

Carcein was desperate.

He suddenly came to the west, and although his body was covered in wounds, he was only looking for a way to save Yeongji.

however.

You guys are such a lord.

To a guy who was sincere from head to toe.

Were you being framed like this?

-Tiring!

▶Agent trigger, is activated.◀

▶The intimacy of Lilpeten tribesmen, including Talpon, has increased.◀

[ Talpon: 51% ]

“You guys don’t deserve such an undeserved lordship.”

These things are nothing but obstacles.

Should I beat you up so badly that you can’t even come here?

Should I break off my hand or arm so I can’t do anything?

Or at all…

“I said it clearly. Do not bring in any outside items from Chatelaine except for Ruthmayer.”

As Karssein walked towards him, Talpon guessed his intention and took a step back.

“Geo, sword?”

“What are you doing…”

“You who have trampled even my minimal consideration have no rights from now on.”

Deep.

“Aaaagh—!!”

Maf’s thigh was pierced deeply, and a scream echoed through the field.

“A complete closure order will be issued in Chatelaine from now on.”

***

After a scream echoed through the field.

The residents trembled and retreated.

Of course, their land is important, but they are more afraid of losing their lives.

That was sort of solved.

now.

▶You caused injury to the residents of Chatrene!◀

▶The penalty reduces the familiarity of residents and reputation in the field!◀

It was time to receive a penalty for breaking the taboo.

An immutable law that arises when you own a territory.

If harm is done to residents, the player will inevitably lose intimacy, recognition, or reputation.

In a word, it is a taboo that must not be done.

There would be no problem in specifying it that way.

“…There must be a reason for moving so violently, right? Carcein.”

Talpon asked me vaguely as I was looking at the status window.

Unlike him, I pulled out my sword and even inflicted direct harm to the residents rather than threatening them. It will be obvious that the Shatren side will come with great opposition in the near future.

but.

“Of course.”

I also have a plan prepared.

In any case, it is necessary to set an example during development.

“Why don’t you tell me.”

“Hmm. First of all, those guys will probably deny it even if you point out that the fertilizer is wrong. No matter how much you try to claim based on what you smelled, they will still claim that it is a ridiculous lie.”

“But it’s real! Inside that bag, there is a smell that is reminiscent of eroded land!”

“I know. I will never doubt you, a member of the Lilpeten tribe.”

Talpon calmed down his excitement when I added that I had also issued a closure order because I suspected fertilizer.

“However, even if a complete shutdown order is issued, it is difficult to put it into practice.”

“Why?”

“There are some inciting people within Shatren. Perhaps, just a guess, but we need to uproot them to be able to point out the problem with fertilizer.”

“Then shouldn’t we use our hands?”

“Unfortunately, those guys have already closed their ears. It feels like this is the last hope for those guys.”

“They are truly stupid.”

Talpon clenched his fists.

Since you seem to have a vague idea, you can continue with this explanation.

“So we need solid evidence first.”

“Solid evidence?”

The option is not showing up, but even if it was, I would have chosen this method.

“Talphone. Your sense of smell will be able to distinguish between people who went outside a few days ago. Right?”

“Of course. The smell of mana that everyone remembers even after months, not just days. Even if it’s not me, it’s easy to tell the difference.”

Only then did Talpon laugh.

“Indeed, you meant to capture such evidence.”

There is no better way to catch the enemies within.

“I told the guards in advance. Unlike the residents you saw earlier, they will communicate well with you, so don’t worry and go visit them.”

With this, you will be able to use all three of Talpon’s performance abilities.

The next Clue & Prove event will be soon.

***

After sending the phone call, I sat down at the table again.

-We investigated with Ruthmeier, but they said there were a lot of strange things in the trash can.

Soon, the guards, including Dyke and Freakt, came.

They pointed out suspicious parts in Chatlaine’s trash can.

“I understand the problem with disused agricultural equipment and fertilizers, but is this also related?”

◆Top of wood

[A piece of wood with something cut out of it. ]

It looked identical to the piece of wood I found in the field a few weeks ago, so I brought it to see if it might be a clue.

It still felt very foreign to this field.

A few days later.

I called together the residents of Chattren.

▶Clue and Prove event is underway!◀

This time it’s not the village hall.

In front of the village hall. All the residents were gathered together.

“What did you call me for again this time?”

Action leader Marf asked with a dissatisfied face.

Without hesitation, I sent a signal to Talpon.

-Tuk.

“You.”

“What? What is it?”

“You. And you.”

“Why are you doing this!”

One by one.

The Lilpeten people pointed their fingers at the residents of Shatren and pushed them away, separating them.

And the last one.

“You.”

“Well, what is it?”

“Go out there.”

It was the action leader Marf.

Maf tried to retort with a confused look, but he was blocked by Talpon’s huge size, so he swallowed his saliva and walked out on his own.

“Carsein. This is the end.”

All of the people selected by Talpon were drawn outside one line.

“What is this?!”

“Are you planning to punish innocent people?!”

“Put. He said he was fine and fell asleep.”

“What?!”

-Sure.

▶Use agent abilities.◀

[The guards, including Dyke, aim their weapons at the designated residents. ]

[ Talpon and other members of the Lilpeten tribe all aim their weapons at the designated residents. ]

-chuck!

When the signal was given, they all took up arms and surrounded the square.

“The real culprits who are trying to ruin Chatrene must all be separated and punished. So that normal people don’t feel unfair.”