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I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 218
🕑 Added 2024-11-27 02:07:20 +0000 UTCChapter 218: Turning Point (5)
“A boar from the West? So it's monster meat?”
“…It looks too delicious to be monster meat.”
“Are you lying?”
“Hmph.”
Talfon scoffed and whistled sharply.
A few Lilpet tribesmen appeared, carrying a freshly butchered boar carcass, which they placed on a stand.
“Is this proof enough for you Imperials?”
The size and shape matched the portion Talfon had just eaten, except for the missing chunk. Even the distinct hoof shape, unique to the Western Wild Boar, was identical. It was a perfect before-and-after demonstration.
Talfon tore off another piece of meat, chewed it thoughtfully, and then said calmly,
“The Lilpet Tribe, along with all other Westerners, have always eaten what the land provides. And we’ve never had any problems.”
“That’s nonsense!”
The nobles immediately protested.
“Monsters are infused with demonic energy! Eating them will obviously have negative consequences!”
“That’s right! He just ingested demonic energy! There’s no way that’s harmless!”
“Countless people in the Empire suffer from prolonged exposure to demonic energy! Eating monster meat will definitely cause problems!”
They weren't wrong.
My own experience with Depeshan Syndrome in the corrupted lands of the West was proof of mana’s harmful effects on humans.
That's why monster carcasses were usually used for crafting materials, not food. Very few people ate monster meat.
But their logic was flawed.
“You fools. The steaks and barbecue you eat are also from livestock raised on mana-infused land.”
“Wh-What?!”
“Do you think animals and plants are immune to demonic energy, just because humans possess mana?”
Right. It didn't make sense.
In this world, all humans were born with mana, so how could animals and plants be any different?
The answer was clear.
“Only mana-awakened humans can actively use mana. The same applies to pigs. They’re exposed to higher levels of demonic energy, they adapt to the mana-rich environment, and their aggression increases. In other words, as long as it’s properly prepared, the steak you eat and this boar meat are essentially the same. Which means…”
All humans consumed some amount of demonic energy.
That was the conclusion.
I had initially considered it a theory, an unsubstantiated hypothesis.
But I had overlooked one crucial fact.
-Even the carrots and potatoes you eat contain demonic energy. We can smell it.
They were the Lilpet Tribe, Westerners with an exceptional sense of smell, capable of perceiving even mana.
“With the right preparation methods, demonic energy can be neutralized. If you don’t believe me, try it yourselves.”
-Clatter.
Talfon sliced off a piece of the boar meat and placed it on a plate, which he then offered to the nobles.
They gulped, their eyes fixed on the juicy meat.
It looked delicious, but it was from the very boar they had been so wary of.
They hesitated, their apprehension evident. I just needed to give them a little push.
I signaled to Talfon to proceed with the next step.
Kiyan, Trisha, and the other children appeared, rushing towards the barbecue pit.
“Wow! Meat!”
“Mmm… Smells delicious… I’m hungry!”
“Hey! No cutting in line! I’m first!”
“Don’t fight! We won’t get any if you fight!”
The children gathered around the table, plates in hand, lining up. The Lilpet tribesmen served them generous portions of the boar meat.
Beside them, the guards and Shatrain villagers arranged plates of Shatrain strawberries and Shatrain grapes.
The children, their faces beaming, happily devoured the food.
The nobles began to waver.
“So… Shatrain strawberries and grapes… are safe to eat… just like that boar meat…?”
“It’s possible…”
“And look at the children. None of them have awakened their mana.”
“Should we… try it…? We won’t know unless we try…”
Perfect timing.
I offered them one last chance.
“If you admit you were wrong, I’ll waive the penalty. I’ll even remove your names from the blacklist.”
“…Come to think of it… we did sign that…”
“I don’t want to be banned from buying Shatrain strawberries and grapes.”
“This might be our last chance.”
“Young Master, I was wrong. I apologize. It seems I made a mistake.”
One by one, they began to change their minds, their stubbornness crumbling.
And then, one of the nobles slammed his hand on the table, interrupting the others.
-Bang!
“Don’t be fooled! There’s no guarantee it’s safe!”
“As I said before, properly prepared monster meat is perfectly harmless.”
“Hmph! All living beings possess demonic energy? Then how do you explain the difference between us and you Westerners?”
“That’s… that’s right! We’re not Westerners! Demonic energy might affect us differently!”
“You eat that kind of stuff all the time! You must be immune!”
“We’re Imperials! We’re different from you barbarians!”
There were always a few who refused to be swayed.
And significantly…
‘They’re all from the Waglu faction, or affiliated with them.’
This was enough.
I had all the information I needed. It was time to move on to the next stage.
▶ Current Completion Rate: 56%. ◀
I needed to raise the Completion Rate. It was time to end this charade.
I signaled to Talfon, and he stepped aside.
And I took his place.
I sat down, crossing my legs, and looked down at them, my voice calm and steady.
“Let me summarize your argument. Demonic energy is harmful to humans. Even exposure to it can cause problems, so consuming monster meat, which is full of demonic energy, is obviously dangerous. Is that right?”
“That’s right!”
The nobles nodded confidently.
Then, if I could refute their argument, they would be silenced, and the episode would be cleared.
That was easy.
Child’s play.
“Did you know that many of the foods humans eat contain toxins, or can become toxic?”
“…What?”
“Potatoes, for example. They produce a toxin called solanine when they sprout. But if you harvest them at the right time and prepare them properly, they’re perfectly safe to eat.”
“But that’s because you eat them before they become poisonous!”
“And you can just cut off the sprouts! Then you’re not eating the poison!”
“So if there’s a food that humans regularly consume that contains actual poison, then your argument is invalid. Right?”
The nobles laughed at my question.
“HAHAHAHA!”
“That’s absurd! There’s no such thing!”
“Are you saying there are people who eat poison and live to tell the tale?”
Yes. That’s exactly what I expected them to say.
That's why I had used the word “poison.”
I signaled to Dyke and Frikt, who had been waiting nearby, and they brought it in.
“What is that?”
“It’s a food that contains poison. Something you’re all familiar with.”
“That… contains poison?”
The nobles looked at the object, their faces filled with confusion.
And then, as realization dawned, their expressions hardened.
“Alcohol is a poison. Drinking too much can be harmful, even fatal. I’m sure you’ve all experienced a hangover before.”
“…”
“And this isn’t just any alcohol. It’s snake wine.”
The nobles’ faces paled.
According to my information, the Waglu faction enjoyed drinking snake wine.
“Humans can consume snake wine and survive. And yet, you’re claiming that the small amount of demonic energy in Shatrain’s fruit is dangerous? Is that a logical argument?”
Checkmate.
The nobles from the Waglu faction were speechless, unable to offer a rebuttal.
“As promised, I’m adding your names to Shatrain’s blacklist.”
And with that declaration…
-Ding!
▶ Completion Rate increased due to successfully refuting their arguments. ◀
▶ Access to Shatrain restricted for potentially harmful individuals. ◀
[ Current Completion Rate: 100% ]
Another…
Perfect Clear.
▶ Episode X. Turning Point cleared. ◀
▶ Development progress significantly increased due to Perfect Clear. ◀
▶ Special Reward granted! ◀
[ Reward: You will receive assistance once during the next episode if you encounter danger. ]
***
The situation was resolved. The villagers, along with the nobles who had retracted their accusations, began purchasing and consuming the boar meat and Shatrain strawberries and grapes.
Harnie, observing the scene, realized she didn't need to intervene.
‘I prepared these just in case… but it seems unnecessary.’
Cashews and kidney beans also contained toxins.
But humans considered them food. They were perfectly safe to eat as long as they were prepared properly.
She had been planning to use that analogy to argue that Shatrain’s fruit, too, could be safely consumed with the right preparation methods.
‘Snake wine, huh?’
That was a powerful example.
Few poisons were as potent as snake venom.
It was known to be harmful, even fatal, to humans.
And that's why it had been the perfect counterargument.
She had been worried about him, but it seemed like her worries had been unfounded.
He was impressive.
In many ways.
“Tsk. Those idiots.”
“I know, right?”
Harnie walked over to Carsein, who had returned after dismissing the crowd, and linked her arm through his.
“You’re linking arms… because of the nobles?”
“…Yes. That’s right.”
Did he really have to point that out?
She felt her lips pouting slightly.
“Anyway, good work. It seems like you’ve gained quite a few customers. You weren’t planning on blacklisting them all, were you?”
“Of course not. They'll be our most loyal customers from now on. Shatrain’s profits will soar thanks to them.”
Right. That’s what a merchant would think. Harnie's instincts were sharp.
“So, what’s your next plan? Your current progress isn’t enough for the final evaluation.”
“I know. But this isn't everything.”
“What do you mean?”
“Haha. It wouldn’t be fun if I told you everything now, would it?”
“That’s not fair! You’re killing me with suspense! You don’t suspect me of anything, do you?”
“Of course not. I’m just trying to keep things interesting.”
“Can’t you at least give me a hint?”
“No.”
As they bantered playfully…
Harnie looked at Carsein and thought,
‘…I don’t want to tell him about my plan.’
If she asked for his help, he would agree without hesitation.
But she didn't want that. Not this time.
This burden, this new plan to take control of the Theresia Marquisate… it was her responsibility.
***
The incident, which could have resulted in a disastrous loss of revenue, had actually turned into a boon for Shatrain.
The rumors had been dispelled, their products declared safe, and the demand for Shatrain strawberries and grapes had skyrocketed.
Since they were no longer using the corrupted fertilizer, they weren’t operating at a loss. All of their profits were now going towards improving the territory, and a portion was even being saved.
And as time passed…
Shatrain began to change, thanks to Carsein's new policies.
The villagers, seeing the vibrant colors of their newly harvested strawberries and grapes, were ecstatic.
“Ooh…!”
“Finally…！ We’ve finally… regained our former glory…!”
While it wasn't quite the same as their pre-blight golden age, they were getting closer. Tears of joy streamed down their faces.
◆ Shatrain Strawberries
▶ Crop Grade: B-
They had finally broken through the C+ barrier.
They had finally achieved a B- grade, a feat they hadn’t been able to accomplish despite their best efforts.
This was proof that his theory was correct.
Talfon had said that the Mandragoras weren't a result of mutated crops or contaminated soil, but rather, a side effect of the fertilizer.
I had also suspected the fertilizer, and after hearing Talfon’s assessment, I had to investigate.
I used all of my modern knowledge to analyze its composition and its effects on the soil.
And the results were clear: the fertilizer was significantly increasing the soil’s acidity.
Now that I knew the problem, the solution was simple.
Apply lime to neutralize the acidity.
It was time to test my theory.
“Brem. Have there been any more Mandragora sightings?”
“I’ve checked the records for every field… Not a single one.”
“Talfon, what about you?”
“That foul stench is almost gone. The others say the same.”
So it was working.
There were still a few areas left to treat, but the Mandragoras seemed to thrive in acidic soil.
And the cause…
“It was the fertilizer.”
…was the imported fertilizer.
[ Remaining Enemy Units: 790 ]
I remembered seeing that message on the status window.
There had been 2768 monsters lurking within Shatrain.
Now I understood.
That number wasn’t referring to actual monster attacks, but to the crops that were slowly being corrupted, transforming into monsters.
‘But there are still some left.’
It meant the soil hadn’t fully recovered. The pH levels were still slightly off, so I assumed the remaining monsters would disappear once the soil reached the optimal pH.
“Continue applying the lime until I give you further instructions.”
““Yes, Lord Carsein!””
Now, all I had to do was wait, observe the changes, and record the data. I had to trust that time would solve the remaining problems.
‘But is that really all there is to it?’
I didn't think so.
As long as one possibility remained, the threat still existed.
■ Inventory ■
◆ Crude Map of Shatrain Territory
…I had this. Maybe I could use it.
“Talfon, there’s something I need you to do, discreetly.”
“What is it, Carsein?”
There had to be a reason why this map was so inaccurate.
If I could use it to find a trace…
***
A desolate hillside.
A deserted location, far from the village.
-Crack!
“Aaaaagh!!!”
A sickening crunch, followed by a scream, echoed through the air.
“What should I do with you, Map?”
A shadowy figure loomed over Map, his face contorted in pain.
