The Damn Family Is Back Again

217 – Turning Point (4)

-Ding!

▶Sub Episode. You can proceed with the truth about Chatren.◀

▶If you switch places with Brem to continue this conversation, you accept the episode.◀

▶Would you like to move?

[ 1. Yes. ]

[ 2. No. ]

With Brem’s suggestion, one choice appeared before me.

It was a choice about whether to undertake this sub-episode or not.

‘Another variable?’

In a scene devoid of any information, even choices exist.

It’s standard not to accept.

Following the characteristics of Chapter 2, sub-episodes usually lead to the main episodes.

Taking an uninformed route in such a situation… it’s obvious that problems will arise, changing the content of the main episode.

But.

“Let’s not do that.”

Compared to the original game, too much had already changed.

▶Sub Episode. Proceeding with the truth about Chatren.◀

***

Brem took a deep breath as he moved to the central hall.

As expected, wasn’t it?

He didn’t directly say that the wooden stump was a mutant’s corpse. It was ‘known’ to be the corpse of a mutant.

That meant this story was information that shouldn’t leak to the other residents.

‘I was right.’

This game still makes one’s tongue wag.

Sub-episodes sometimes provide hints in these minor dialogues, and annoyingly, if you don’t catch them, the hints are completely lost.

Had I not noticed here, I would have missed out on valuable information.

“Let me answer a bit more directly. That is not actually a mutant.”

“It’s not a mutant?”

“Yes. The existence of mutants isn’t even known to the public… but to drop such a wooden stump means…”

“Indeed. It’s quite different from the plants people commonly know.”

Of course.

“That’s a demonic creature, isn’t it?”

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

The surprise was fleeting. Brem nodded his head bitterly.

The status window blatantly labeled it as an enemy entity, and with names like Red Mandrenia and Purple Mandrenia, this truth was undeniable.

It wasn’t a mutant crop; it was a demonic creature that attacked people.

“The reason?”

“The soil of Shatren is rich with mana. That’s why we can cultivate Shatren strawberries and grapes. These two crops can only grow by absorbing magic.”

“So, you’re saying… this crop became a demonic creature by absorbing too much magic. And the seeds of these two fruits are essentially seeds that grow demonic creatures, right?”

“…That’s correct.”

Now the clues unravel easily.

Why they had hidden something so tightly.

“However, Shatren strawberries and Shatren grapes are like the symbols of our territory. These two crops, with their long history, have been an inseparable lifeline.”

“You must have hoped that this information would never reach the public.”

“Yes. There were voices among the residents to cover up this fact. The reason we dealt with the demonic creatures in secret every time they appeared, secretly removed the tree stumps, refused internal patrols by the guards, and didn’t inform the young master was all the same.”

So that was the reason for the change of place.

The residents would have been up in arms if they had revealed this to the lord.

“…However, young master.”

-Thud.

“Brem?”

“The fact that I didn’t convey this matter sooner and that it led to a bigger problem… it’s all my responsibility.”

Brem quietly stood up and then prostrated himself on the floor.

“I’m sorry, young master. My power was too weak, and I couldn’t convey this from the beginning. I wanted to tell you about the problem with the fertilizer… but ever since Maph and those corrupted by money took control, I’ve been powerless.”

Brem continued to apologize, saying he was heartbroken for not having spoken up until now, his head touching the ground.

“Upon investigation, it seems Maph… has been taking money from nobles of other territories in exchange for revealing Shatren’s secret for a long time. And recently, Maph said that the secret of Shatren must already be spreading among the nobles.”

“…!”

I can somewhat see the future.

The picture naturally forms.

People retching. Those protesting for hiding such a fact and selling this. And the nobles who paid a hefty sum and even made reservations, now turning their blades towards Shatren.

What was believed to be fruit, if rumors spread that it actually feeds on mana to grow, no one would show any kindness.

“I tried to stop the Maph creature by any means… but failed. If this old man had been wiser. If I had been more sagacious, surely this truth would have reached you, young master. You tried desperately to help us… but I, as the village chief…! We, the foolish…!”

Brem, who had been spewing anger, soon returned to his original, composed voice and pleaded.

“Please, take my life.”

-Ding!

▶You have noticed the origin of the Chatren strawberries and Chatren grapes.◀

▶Sub-episode. The Truth of Chatren has been completed.◀

▶Due to Maph’s accusation, the truth about Chatren spreads among the public.◀

▶Episode branch change detected.◀

▶With significant influence, the clear conditions for Main Episode X have changed.◀

▶The rumor spread about Chatren is being measured for achievement.◀

[Achievement: -25%]

▶Warning! If the achievement rate does not exceed 70%, the symposium score may plummet.◀

So that’s what happened.

This sub-episode seems to indeed affect the main episode.

It appears to be a sub-episode that reveals the behind-the-scenes story of Brem, who, despite being the village chief of Chatren, was powerless.

But the rumors about Chatren were bound to surface someday. I’ve experienced such rumors spreading and causing trouble in the game, so finding it early is rather fortunate.

“Get up now. It’s not too late for you.”

“Young master. If you dispose of me, there might still be a chance.”

“Brem.”

“If I alone concealed this fact, there would be no blame on you!”

…Damn it.

This is why I hate being someone’s superior.

The worker once called the foreman bore all the blame and was dismissed. His lonely figure from behind… I still can’t forget it.

It’s similar to that time, no. I won’t repeat the same mistake.

“It doesn’t matter if this becomes known to the world. If only that can be proven, isn’t it fine?”

“…Yes?”

As if that’s possible.

That’s the expression.

Well. We’ll have to wait and see.

“Thalphone. You’ve heard everything, haven’t you?”

“Yes.”

Thalphone enters as the hall’s door opens. Brem’s eyes widen in surprise.

“I wondered why the scent of demons was emanating from the territory. But I never suspected there was a reason for it.”

“…”

“However, that’s not the only strange thing, village chief.”

Yes. That’s not strange at all.

“What do you mean…?”

“Our existence proves that it’s harmless, doesn’t it?”

Thalphone points to himself. Brem tilts his head, still not understanding.

“I’m sorry. I don’t understand what you’re saying at all.”

“Never mind. Just don’t get distracted and watch closely tomorrow.”

Humans are not so frail.

Such rumors can be easily quelled.

***

The next day.

A very noisy day began.

“Open this now! Won’t you open it?!”

“Shouldn’t the lord explain himself!”

“We should get double, no, triple compensation considering our bodies!”

People who heard rumors from outside have gathered, enough to fill several trucks, and are protesting. From nobles to those living comfortably, dissatisfaction did not discriminate by age or gender.

If a closure order hadn’t been issued for the territory, they would have stormed in and ravaged the fields by now.

Yet, they dare not enter because the imposing Thalphone and the Lirpeton tribe guard every corner like an iron fortress.

“Karsein…”

Harnie grasps my coat with a worried expression.

“It’s alright. There won’t be any trouble.”

“…If you need help, just say so.”

“Yes?”

“You remember the artifact we didn’t use last time?”

Hmm… Is that what this conversation is about?

“Don’t worry. This time, it will be completely different, I’ll show you a perfect solution.”

With that response, he gently released Harunie’s hand.

-Ding!

▶Due to the rumors spread by Maph, dissatisfaction has surged!◀

▶If not addressed, the development level may decrease.◀

▶You must persuade the rampaging outsiders with appropriate remarks.◀

The status window popped up just in time. It seems the choices still don’t appear, as it’s part of the territory management.

It was time to step forward.

“Hey! Over there, over there!!”

“The Lord of Chatren has appeared!”

“To disguise the demons as fruit…! Ugh, just thinking about it…!”

“You’re not going to shamelessly say that nothing happened, are you?!”

“We don’t know what could have happened to us after eating that. You’ll have to spit out all the money you’ve taken so far.”

So that’s what they meant by a drop in development level.

So, if I don’t explain properly, I have to compensate?

Easy.

Convincing these fools is all it takes.

I have nothing to lose.

“I’ve explained it all, yet you still don’t understand. I’ll ask just once. Are all of you confident you won’t regret this?”

“What?!”

“After speaking so recklessly, doubting Chatren to this extent, you should take responsibility for your own words, shouldn’t you?”

One nobleman raised his hand.

“What do you mean by ‘responsibility’?”

“It’s simple. You’ll be blacklisted in Chatren.”

“…What.”

“Why? It means you couldn’t understand even though it was clearly communicated through the residents and guards that there was no problem at all, so as a consequence, you shouldn’t be able to touch Chatren’s fruit ever again, right?”

I positioned a giant scroll for signatures in front of them.

“You can still sign here if you want compensation. But be prepared. By insulting Chatren, which has no issues, you’ve essentially challenged me, the lord. This matter will not be overlooked.”

-Ding!

▶The outsiders shrink back.◀

▶Achievement level is rising.◀

[ Current Achievement Level: -20% ]

As I make a bold move, I notice people visibly flinching.

“Could it be… there’s really no problem at all?”

“I can’t believe the lord would be so confident… Besides, why, the rumors have already spread.”

“I actually feel the same. We came here not even knowing if it’s real…”

Indeed, this is how you must assert yourself.

After all, they don’t have any solid evidence that something is wrong on their end. Conversely, if I plant the idea that I can explain things well, they quickly change their minds.

But, it’s not always 100% effective.

“Hmph! As if anyone would cower because of that!”

“You’ve got to be kidding. I’ll sign whatever you want!”

“Prepare yourself, because I’ll get back at you several times over!”

There will always be fools who can’t bend their pride, no matter where you go.

Soon, the list on the signing scroll was organized.

Compared to the number of people gathered, the count had noticeably decreased.

The thought of never being able to touch Chatren’s specialty again must be intimidating, huh?

‘The ones who backed down are mostly from the commoner class, the common folk.’

Just as Brem said.

Only now do I realize that the commoners, unlike the nobles who always pay a hefty sum, truly knew the real taste of the fruit.

‘Well. That worked out nicely.’

The fact that most of the targets to be thoroughly crushed were nobles was a boon for me. They will become potential customers after all.

“Talphone.”

“Hmm. Is it time for me to step in?”

“Yes.”

Go ahead and flatten those fools’ noses.

Whispering so, Talphone smirked and headed to the right. There, a smoked barbecue had been roasting over a fire for some time.

He tore into the deliciously cooked meat, and then, with juices dripping, he savored a succulent piece.

Gulp.

It seemed like such a sound would echo in the throats of the onlookers.

“What, what are you doing?”

“Isn’t this the place to prove that the fruits of Chartres haven’t gone bad?!”

“Am I supposed to just watch you drool over that tantalizing meat?”

“What nonsense. It’s all part of the proof.”

Talphone turned his head as if he had been waiting, replying,

“What I just ate is a boar-type magical beast that only exists in the West.”

“What, what?!”

The hall was instantly turned upside down.