episode_0161

The selection time started from one area on the top floor, continued to the next area, and then went down one floor at a time until it reached the lowest floor, completing the impressions of the attendees.

Last one.

As Karssein walked out of the engraving field, the confused nobles turned their attention to him one by one.

The nobles’ reaction was originally largely mixed.

The first is a group of confusion caused by the vague fear and burden caused by the great change of this symposium. The second group was a confident bunch, as if there was no need to make a big fuss.

But as soon as they see Carcein, their thoughts all agree.

‘okay. Anyway, it’s still better than that guy.’

‘I’m very relieved that there will be one at the bottom.’

‘Even if you don’t get such good results, you just have to show the gap between you and that guy, right?’

Nobles who, both externally and internally, felt relieved that they had one person under them.

They were relieved that at least they wouldn’t be in last place, at least they wouldn’t be in last place.

Isn’t the name of the territory that Karssein automatically received in the end called Chatrene and not any other place?

It was almost impossible to achieve results in a place where there was no development comparable to the Ruthmeier of the past.

“ or more. As of today, the first week of the 21st Symposium begins and the guidance concludes.”

Arsien, who could see the whispering in the silence at a glance, ended this meeting a little quickly, even if it was a little early.

Claire swallowed her saliva and activated the imprint stone she received at the start of the symposium. The engraving stone contained a function that allowed attendees to see the territory chosen by attendees and those who would become temporary lords of adjacent territories.

Among them, there was only one name of the territory and lord she wanted to see.

[Chatrene – Karssein]

‘…So that’s what happened in the end.’

It hasn’t changed.

If he didn’t take Chatrene, no one would touch that territory.

However, there is still work left to do.

“Sister. By any chance, can I go back to the duke’s residence first? I think I need to look after last year’s fiefdom finances at the duke’s residence.”

“Are you already aware of the territory’s finances? You don’t have to be so busy.”

“It’s good to prepare in advance. Even so, the regulations have changed so much that there is a lot to prepare.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“I’ll go. Sister.”

“Huh? Claire!”

Looking at Claire who had suddenly left, Arina let out a sigh.

Well, if you try to get good grades with Karssein, you’re bound to be busy. Considering the deduction for collaboration, the amount of grades Claire has to produce is bound to increase.

Arina had no further doubts because the reason was understandable.

however.

In fact, Claire did not return to the Duke’s residence after saying that.

“…What do you mean? Claire?”

Isabella asked with embarrassed eyes.

A little while ago, she was holding tea with the heads of other families, waiting for her three daughters and son to return, but the first words Claire spoke after moving from her seat brought great confusion to her eyes.

“It’s literally like that. The Shatren Territory… Actually, it ended up like that because of me.”

The Shatren territory was said to have been unable to recover after the famine began due to Karsein.

Claire confessed that she was the cause of the territory.

Even revealing this fact, which I found out too late, was heartbreaking, but I couldn’t keep it hidden.

I am already prepared to be scolded.

But I had to say this.

“So, Mom, please use this Symposium’s Privilege on Karssein.”

***

On the first day of the symposium, I chose a different option than before and acted on it, but in the end, the game progressed as it unfolded, and although there were minor changes such as changing the subtitle to hidden episodes and the unchanging past, there were no major differences.

As soon as I selected the Chatrene Territory, a window popped up saying that Episode V had been cleared.

▶Episode VI. Object of Hate is in progress◀

▶The player must enter the Chatrene territory and declare that he or she has become a temporary lord.◀

A status window announcing the start of a full-fledged Chatren Territory episode.

The first was to announce to the residents of the territory that I had become a temporary lord.

In fact, this may be due not only to the status window, but also to the unique feature of Symposium.

In fact, it is said that all nobles have chosen one territory at the symposium, and there is a custom of visiting them in person and offering a brief greeting to announce that they have chosen this territory.

In short, on the territory side, it is a face-to-face ceremony with the temporary lord. A face-to-face ceremony was held for the nobles who became temporary lords to see the faces of the residents.

The settings in the game can be organized like this.

However, I had not yet issued that temporary permanent residence sentence.

“Master Karssein. I received a letter from Miss Arina.”

I asked when he would come. Has the time come?

This was a necessary event that always came when the time came.

“Give it to me.”

What is the content? It was just as I knew.

『I listened carefully to what you said about admitting your mistake and taking the blame. It’s already been decided and I have no intention of overturning it, but we’ll see how well I do. Karsein. However, I’m sure you haven’t forgotten that you said you wouldn’t bring shame to the family with your words.』

-Kkugit.

‘It’s the same warning as before and now.’

And anyway, this is just a device to add conditions imposed by the game system.

-Tiring!

▶Clear conditions have been added.◀

▶Symposium scores must be above a certain level.◀

▶This agenda must be accomplished regardless of the episode. Failure to achieve this will result in a bad ending.◀

It would be natural, but Carcein should not remain in the bottom tier even in his symposium performance.

The moment you dismiss it as just a performance issue, the game will come to plunge its sword directly into the character’s heart, no matter what the ending.

“Uh… Master.”

“Why.”

“Well… is it okay if you don’t move to the Shatrene Territory?”

As I finished training and was sheathing my sword, Camilla came up to me and asked that question.

In addition to the look in his eyes, he looks very nervous as he holds his hands tightly.

That’s right.

If Arina had been watching me, she might have grabbed me by the collar and pulled me up, asking if I was fooling around again.

I haven’t even set foot in the Shatren territory for two days now.

The temporary permanent residency decision may seem like a simple face-to-face ceremony, but it is the most important step in checking the status of village residents and looking around the situation of the territory.

Since you’re not doing that, it’s worth feeling anxious.

But, will I stay silent and say I’m crazy?

▶The longer the temporary permanent residency decision is delayed, the greater the awareness within the territory and the intimacy of the residents of the territory. If the report is not made before the 1st week reporting date, the residents will riot.◀

As long as something like this existed, there was virtually no way to avoid setting foot in Chatlaine.

“I don’t plan on staying like this, so don’t worry. However, I still need some time.”

“Time…?”

“You’ll know it when you see it.”

Camilla still tilted her head as she looked around.

▶Choose a way to move to Chatelaine.

[ 1. Travel from the Duke of Bagland’s residence in the duke’s carriage. ]

[ 2. Ride a carriage with Claire and get off at Chatelaine. ]

[ 3. Give money and go on a carriage that no one knows about. ]

…

…

A total of 9 options were already presented before my eyes, depending on the perspective and environment, but I ignored them and continued to train my body in the gym.

And after a while.

A person got out of a carriage that suddenly appeared at the training ground.

“Master Karssein. I came to pick you up.”

After seeing that Tasha got off, Camila asked me, covering her mouth in surprise.

“Do, Master… Could it be this time…?”

“Okay. I was waiting for your mother to show up.”

Shatrene territory must not be entered through ordinary means.

Because the hostility toward Karssein was enormous, the risk was focused on quite high, and since it was not a risk arising from battle, it was impossible to alleviate it.

In addition, the recognition score within the territory was also in a very bad situation, so if you made a mistake, you would get a bad ending, and intimacy was also not easy, so the possibility of going straight to the dead flag was quite high.

If so, that anger needs to be tempered.

I need a reason to be confident in my position, and I need to have a decent weapon in hand.

I had to prepare an argument that I could present to them.

By using this legitimate opportunity, the relationship between Ruthmeier and Chattren.

-Tiring!

Options that are displayed again at the same time.

There was one option added there.

[ 10. Travel in Ruthmeyer’s peddler’s wagon. ]

The relationship between Ruthmeyer and Chatelaine.

It wasn’t revealed in the game, but when I think about it at this point, for me, this was the safest way to enter Shatrene.

***

-Multilateral, multifaceted.

“…come!”

At this time, the children react to the sound of the horses’ hooves.

Date, time, location.

Ruthmeier’s carriage passes by at this time and location today.

The children, who knew about this in advance, came out early and were hiding here.

“Guys. You know?”

““Yes!””

The children nod their heads at Ferdi’s instructions.

Today again, I plan to blindfold the adults and quickly rob them at the point where the carriage rests.

After some time, the carriage stopped at the place where Ferdi’s group had predicted.

The men leading the carriage were coming out in cold sweat.

“…Of course. Why is it today?”

“Damn. I can’t not step forward… but I can’t do it the way it was…!”

“Wouldn’t it be better to tell the master the situation? Rather, it would be us, not those guys…”

“Say something that makes sense! If we do that, not only our heads but also the village chief’s heads will fly!”

What on earth are they talking about? I wondered if there was any useful content, but there wasn’t.

Ferdi, who unintentionally overheard the conversation, decided it was no big deal and signaled to the back.

“Now!”

-Beep!

“Ugh?!”

Today’s method was to cover the vision with a flash of light. As a blinding flash of light covered the area around the carriage, the children put on their goggles and started running one by one.

‘this! Why is it today?’

‘The master is riding inside…!’

‘Shit! If you want to catch it, you have to be able to catch it, but then…!”

However, in fact, adults know this fact.

The conversation just now was about what to do about the children who were stealing items from this carriage.

“…Catch it.”

“You…”

“I can’t help it. First, hold on to it and think about it!”

When the leader of the peddler reached that conclusion, the men closed their eyes and began to catch the children one by one.

“Lee, let go of this!”

“Ugh?!”

“Now, I was wrong! I was wrong!!”

Originally, I didn’t catch it even though I could have.

But this time, I had no choice but to catch it.

Soon, Carcein, who had noticed the commotion and had entered the carriage, appeared.

“Master. It seems that the children were hiding and stealing food.”

“…How should I dispose of it?”

When the peddlers asked this question with clenched teeth, Karsein untied the ropes with which the children were tied with his own hands.

“What, what is it? Are we released?”

“It’s time! Run away!!”

The children did not miss this opportunity and ran away before the adults caught them again. They also took all the food they had stolen just a moment ago.

“Do you, master?”

“How can those children…?”

“All the things I brought were food. Even though there were more expensive decorations, they did not take them, and they did not even touch the truly valuable items with crafts or jewels. Ultimately, what they wanted was food. Isn’t it?”

“Well, that is…”

“That may be the reason why only small losses were left in the ledger rather than large losses. Since those children tried to take food, the amount of loss would have been particularly concentrated in that area. If I calculated it, I could figure it all out.”

Only then did the peddlers notice.

The fact that Karssein knows all this.

“Let me explain! That’s just…!”

“Shh.”

I was so scared that I tried to make an excuse, but Carcein put his index finger to his lips to block the other person’s remarks.

“I’m not trying to punish those guys.”

“…Yes?”

“This is something that Shatrene must answer for. So, you guys just need to be quiet.”