The Damn Family Is Back Again

219 – 219. The Source of Contamination (1)

Maph, once the action leader of Chartren, was a mess.

Right after he screamed in terror.

The man who stepped on him smiles slyly and squats in front of the kneeling Maph.

“Hey, hey. Why scream so loudly it hurts my ears? Huh? Lift your head. You should smile.”

To smile while feeling all sorts of pain from crushed hand bones is madness.

But Maph forces himself to lift his head and smiles as best as he can.

Otherwise, I can’t even guarantee what will happen next.

If one knew even a bit about what this man had done in the empire, fear would be the only option.

“I mean, I had plenty of chances to ruin Chatren.”

-Thud.

“With Chatren’s strawberries and grapes becoming premium, the residents’ obsession was inevitably focused on the fertilizer. Since all the blame went to Karsein, I honestly thought no matter what I did, he wouldn’t be able to restore Chatren, you know?”

-Thud.

Marp’s face was humiliatingly crushed under the man’s shoe.

“Even if not, there were plenty of chances to ruin Chatren. But how did it all come to this, and the territory returned to its original state? Huh? Huh?”

Even amidst this, his face was pressed down by the shoe.

In a situation where something had to be said, there was nothing to say.

-Knock knock.

“Excuse me for interrupting, but there’s an urgent report you need to see.”

“A report? Ugh, what a hassle.”

The man, seemingly annoyed, got up to receive the report.

Only then did Marp breathe a sigh of relief, exhaling the breath he had been holding back.

“Whew, whew… Gasp…”

After catching his breath, he clenched his fist and lamented.

“Damn it…!”

How did it come to this?

It was a flawless plan without a single gap.

Chatren was called a land of abundance, but I don’t agree with that. It’s not impoverished, but it’s not exactly a wealthy territory either.

Despite having the conditions to become the best territory, Chatren showed a frustratingly slow growth rate.

I knew exactly why it was so sluggish.

Brem, who maintained the price of the two fruits that were practically Chatren’s specialty, without actively considering the demand and raising the prices. It was because of that old fool.

So, I patiently waited for an opportunity, seeking contact with other territories. Because I had to pull down that old man’s power first.

Then, by chance, I met a man, and a rather tempting offer came.

-We also don’t want that Karsein brat ruling Chatren. Seems like our interests align, what do you say? I’ll pay you a commission, use it to achieve your goal.

Two birds with one stone. No, three birds with one stone.

It was already annoying enough having to serve that troublemaker Karsein as the lord, but if I played my cards right here, I could easily kick him out.

If I could induce the notion that the territory was in the wrong, I could pull that stupid Brem elder from his village chief position and take real power. Finally, I could point Chatren in the direction it should go.

The conditions they offered were not only money but also the potential to premiumize Chatren’s strawberries and grapes. If that happened, they would even gain the nobility’s recognition. Then, this domain would essentially be in my hands. After all, I was the only one who knew the truth.

I eagerly shook hands with them.

I will ruin Chatren by any means necessary.

I will transform it into a land of nobles, making it the domain you desire.

To those backing me, I vowed to become Chatren’s new leader, confidently promising to bring about change.

I secretly spread fertilizer to reduce the harvest and even managed to drive out that little brat who used to hold symposiums.

Having broken the power of the village chief Brem, I steadily increased my faction’s influence in this domain.

Introducing fertilizer, I collected a fee for the service and subtly got the villagers involved in the fertilizer business, earning a tidy sum on the side.

All that was left was the final move to completely take over the domain.

“…Yes. It’s all because of that b*stard!”

That guy who suddenly reappeared.

Not even a noble, just a low-born who got lucky!

“Karsein Bargrand. He ruined all my plans…!”

The secret of the hidden fertilizer was fully exposed.

The circumstances of Chatren’s secret ruin were all revealed by that guy.

The prices of the premiumized crops began to fall again.

“Yes. It’s all his fault. No one else’s but his!”

Karsein Bargrand.

That low-born scum ruined my plans!

As Maph was fuming with anger,

A man who heard the rant approached, whistling.

“Ha. Damn. Can’t you do anything right, Maph?”

“Gulp?!”

“Hey. With that obsession, why didn’t you handle things properly, huh?”

Humiliatingly, his face was pressed against a shoe once again.

“You. You caused a major issue with Chatren’s crops being cursed, didn’t you?”

“…Yes, but…”

“Damn b*stard. If you had kept quiet, maybe it wouldn’t have attracted attention. But by revealing it, you drew attention and even provided an explanation, didn’t you think Chatren would return to normal?”

“…!”

No way.

Did they really manage to clarify that major issue?

‘Impossible.’

That can’t be possible.

How could they so easily accept that what they’ve been consuming is actually poison?!

“Ha, haha. This son of a gun is useless after all. But, that obsession to dominate Chatren might just be useful.”

“Guh?!”

Something entered my mouth.

“Chew it well and swallow. It’s good for you.”

“Wait a minute. What is this…?!”

“You said you wanted to bring down Karsein, right? Give it a try. It suits you very well. Hahahaha!”

What is this? What on earth is this?

My body feels strange… Grrk?!

I can’t speak.

My vision turns a vivid green as the light of the whole world changes.

‘I didn’t want this!!!’

The last thing Maph saw before losing all thought and sensation…

Was the tree branch that had perfectly pierced through his body.

“Tsk. It’s so troublesome that one from the Wederos kingdom survived.”

-Tap tap.

The man dusted off his hands lightly.

“That’s enough for this one. Hey, Count.”

“…Yes.”

“You know you’re in no position to talk, right?”

Count Letelvik bit his lip hard.

“You’re no different from this swine. How could you fail to destroy even one simple domain and let things come to this?”

“…”

“You know that the Wederos kingdom and the western tribes are obstacles for us, right?”

“…This time, I will handle it properly.”

“Oh. So you’re not just going to beg for your life like this one? Good. I’ll give you a chance.”

-Thud.

Deep into the earth, a sword is plunged.

The rippling dense mana bestows a shivering sensation upon Count Letelbik.

“If you fail, you won’t know what will become of you, so you’d better be prepared.”

“…Yes.”

Faced with his chilling smile and pressure, Count Letelbik had no choice but to bow his head.

Before his eyes, a person transformed completely into a different entity.

That future isn’t so far-fetched. Perhaps, with failure, one might just turn into that very figure.

‘Given the circumstances… it’s not the time to be choosy about the means.’

The plans laid to gain Chartren through this endeavor had to be completely scrapped.

***

Time passes, no different from usual.

Chartren has been neutralizing the soil ever since the problem was discovered, everyone working hard.

Two harvests have passed, and today marks the third.

It was time to organize the data and find out the results.

That was the case.

Until just a while ago.

“Who on earth… who used the fertilizer again!”

“Is there someone from another domain who took up the request?”

“Don’t they know that only we will self-destruct!”

“Why did you do such a thing? Why, just why!”

Then, voices rise from the opposing side of the residents.

“You think we used the fertilizer?!”

“In front of the lord, we brought everything out. Even the things you secretly told us to hide, we’ve submitted it all!”

“Or is it you who took up a contrary request?”

The residents are split in half.

A significant problem has arisen in Chartren.

Chartren, which had been drawing a smooth upward graph in both quantity and quality, has once again taken a downward turn.

‘No. More accurately, it has returned to its original state.’

Today, both the strawberry fields and vineyards revealed a common issue.

The harvest has drastically decreased, and the crops have withered en masse.

The reason, as one could guess from the villagers’ conversations, was that the fertilizer had been found again in the fields.

“But to blatantly incite division like this.”

This cannot just be overlooked.

“Enough already. Was it your intention to fight and blame each other in front of me?”

“…!”

“No, that’s not it! We…”

“If it’s going to be like this, no different from when the estate nearly flew away due to Maf’s instigation. If that’s the case, I’d rather not enlist your help.”

“I’m sorry. I was scared and… I wasn’t thinking.”

“I’m sorry for the disgraceful scene, driven by the feeling of being suspected.”

With that, the initial handling is done.

If we start suspecting who took the request and who spread the fertilizer, there will be no end to it.

It’s probably best to assume that someone wants this to happen.

“If anyone dares to suspect someone in this matter, I will personally deal with them. Moreover, if they try to incite division through this, they better be prepared for the consequences.”

It was a strong warning, but necessary measures had to be taken.

After planting the warning among the villagers, I immediately signaled to Talphon.

Talphon, seemingly having something to say as well, readily left his seat.

Having changed locations, we immediately began our discussion.

“About this matter. We can’t help.”

“What?”

“That is, this time, the fertilizers don’t smell.”

They don’t smell?

“Does that mean it’s not the fertilizer we knew?”

“No. That’s not what I mean. I’ve been watching the changes too, and I think that is indeed the fertilizer you identified. However…”

Talphon continued, frowning.

“Perhaps some trick has been used on the fertilizer to remove the smell. That’s my suspicion.”

Removing just the smell.

It seems like an unnecessary measure.

If it’s about spreading fertilizer, it would be easier to persuade the villagers. Like the 35 traitors including Maf, tempting them with more money is the best tactic in this era.

But to remove just the smell of the fertilizer…

“They’re targeting us. To neutralize the power of Talphon and the Lilpeton tribe.”

Moreover, there are schemes to divide the residents.

This is… a matter of a different dimension than the Maph incident. They’re determined to bring down Chatren.

-Ding!

▶You have reached a branching point.◀

▶Proceeding with the main episode.◀

▶Episode XI. The Origin of Contamination begins.◀

▶Find the true culprit and prove their guilt at the symposium.◀

Considering the cunning way they’ve emerged, they won’t be an easy opponent.

Dealing with such checks from the outside is no simple task.

‘But we won’t be taken down so easily.’

After all, I had foreseen this to some extent.

***

As I moved to the location with thoughts aligning with Talphon’s, he furrowed his brows and said to me,

“…Karsein. It seems you are right. There’s a stench.”

Indeed. A flaw in the transmission is a clue for me, who knows the truth.

They didn’t take the newly made mid-mountain trail from the Waglu Mountain but entered Chatren through the rugged straight path. That’s why there’s only one path.

Then they must have surely stepped on a trap laid on this road.

“Here it is. Looks like they stepped right on it.”

By stepping on the trap, a dense scent must have clung to them.

“What are you planning to do next?”

“The ones who directly contaminated Chatren. We need to catch the evidence and prove it.”

“You mean to storm their stronghold? Wait a bit then. I’ve prepared gear to go with the Lilpeton tribe.”

“No, this time I’ll move alone.”

“What? It’s dangerous, Karsein!”

Talphon’s eyes widened.

“Just looking at the number that has moved here, their numbers are not small. To storm in there alone, are you out of your mind?! I acknowledge your skills, but that’s suicidal!”

“I’m not storming in, I’m infiltrating.”

“Infiltrating… you say?”

“Yes. There’s no need to go in and smash things up. In fact, it’s worse if we do.”

After all, there’s a chance the culprits might cut their tails off.

“I’ll only extract the evidence and come back. No need to worry so much.”

“…Hmm. Is that so?”

“Just roughly track the location for me. I’m planning to move tonight.”

Moving at night will inevitably bring a barrage of nagging from my fiancée.

Hmm. For that, I need to get permission.