The Damn Family Is Back Again chapter 120

120. The Aiperos Family (13)

──!

The intense sword battle continued.

It had already been several, no, several dozen rounds.

Karcein wasn’t holding back, but now Pollux was taking it seriously.

More fiercely. More roughly.

And more deeply.

He was reading the sword that had a broken, crushed inner self.

The physical gap was obvious, with Pollux having the upper hand.

There was no physical advantage that Karcein could rely on, whether it was height, weight, muscle mass, or stride.

Yet, his opponent showed a flawless movement.

His body balance was perfectly tuned, with excellent reflexes that could respond to any variable.

The gap in combat experience was also immense.

How could a boy who had only trained for a few months push back against a seasoned warrior who had fought alongside the demons and the current regime?

It’s not just the fact that he’s holding a sword that’s recent.

The scars and calluses on Karcein’s hands were created over two periods. The remnants of his forced withdrawal in the past and the current marks of his power, which he has been building up for several months.

No matter how hard he tries, he can’t help but fall short in combat experience.

However, he occasionally makes unexpected moves that defy expectations.

He receives attacks with the back of his sword, not the blade, and creates opportunities to counterattack, or he pretends to be attacked and then pushes forward with his full weight. His elegant movements are fundamentally different from those of this country.

Yes, it’s truly remarkable.

He’s not just someone who holds a sword superficially, and he has a strong mentality that doesn’t waver.

Karcein can be evaluated as a remarkable young man who is growing up to have a great future.

However…

Through these sword fights, I got a glimpse of his inner self, and it was breathtaking.

What is the source of that cold, calculated breathing?

Where does that precise, restrained movement come from, without a single mistake?

What is the story behind that sword, which seems to have no flaws, and that expressionless face?

It’s already astonishing just considering these things.

Even if his sword doesn’t contain passion or enthusiasm, it’s fine.

It’s okay if he sometimes crosses the line and shows desire for something.

It’s not strange if he responds emotionally to situations.

But Karcein has none of that.

His sword is one that has lived for over 30 years without ever being seen before.

It’s cold, precise, and dry.

It’s a sword that has been calculated to perfection, without any emotions or desires.

And…

The scars and wounds are filled with scratches and bruises.

The remnants of his past are vividly left behind.

That wounded sword…

Is Karcein’s inner self.

“What the…! How can such a person exist in this world…!”

At such a young age…

Does he have an inner self that has experienced all sorts of hardships and is exhausted?

It’s unbelievable.

I have to know his true identity.

I have to know what made him this way.

Deeper…

I began to face him and his sword.

Then, a wave of loneliness immediately washed over me.

He has endured this loneliness alone, in a place where no one’s hand can reach.

The rain of a person who has turned away from everything falls.

There is no warmth left in him, who seems to have abandoned all hope and is growing cold and distant.

The wind of pain blows.

As if the scars are opening up and the pain is being forgotten, his emotions are becoming numb, leaving only his rationality behind.

Is it okay to just receive wounds and pain without even trying to swim in the midst of loneliness, and ultimately lose all emotions?

Is this the result of thorough calculation, with no room for error?

What’s left if you live like that.

That’s not human.

It’s like a doll!

-Teng!

In the end, Poluk couldn’t hold back and grabbed Karsein’s sword with his bare hands, imbuing them with mana.

“…This is it.”

The intense battle that had been ongoing for several rounds came to an end with Poluk’s single action.

***

Harnee’s anxiety grew.

He wasn’t a warrior who fought with weapons, but even as a spectator, he could sense the atmosphere becoming increasingly intense.

No, it wasn’t intensifying – it was becoming brutal.

-Kang, Kaang!!

“Didn’t we agree to just pretend to fight…?”

The sound was different from before.

The power of Karsein’s sword, directed at Poluk, had also increased – it wasn’t just his imagination.

-By the way, it’s better not to intervene in Karsein’s duel. President Plecia.

-Yes?

-I want to see what’s behind Karsein’s sword. So, please don’t interfere.

Poluk had clearly said that, but…

Wasn’t that a bit too extreme? It seemed so.

As Harnee watched the brutal duel, he began to feel uneasy.

Before long, he made up his mind that this couldn’t go on.

Right then.

-Teng!

Poluk, with his bare hands imbued with mana, blocked Karsein’s sword.

“…This is it.”

As Harnee rushed to stop the two, who seemed to be on the verge of a real fight, Poluk calmly said:

“Karsein, I’d like to sign the trade contract a bit later, is that okay?”

“It doesn’t matter as long as it’s today.”

“Thanks for understanding.”

In an instant, the duel between the two came to an end.

Harnee was left standing there, wondering what had just happened.

Poluk turned to face him.

“I’d like to have a word with you, President Plecia.”

“Yes? Me? Not Karsein?”

“That’s right. It has to be you.”

Although Harnee found it somewhat strange that Poluk wanted to talk to him, he nodded in response to the signal and agreed to the conversation.

Although it was right after the duel, the two of them changed locations.

But I had to hear the important signal, yet Karcein wasn’t here.

As expected, it was a conversation that had to be had without Karcein.

“Hu. I still can’t calm down.”

Polux sighed, rubbing his forehead.

“First, I need to apologize. I got too excited and the duel became too intense. Or, I’m not even sure if I can call it a duel… but I’ve caused you concern.”

“Caused me concern?”

“I almost beat up my fiancé like a punching bag. It’s my fault.”

“Ah… well… that’s true, but…”

Harinee stuttered, belatedly realizing the fact.

Why apologize? It’s only right. If my fiancé gets beaten up without a care, it’s strange.

“It’s okay. Karcein will probably… take it as an experience.”

Probably? It’s more like definitely, but…

Since they’re in a contract marriage, they can’t reveal that, so Harinee had to hide her complicated reaction and make excuses.

She cleared her throat, trying to change the subject.

“But, let’s talk about something else, just between us?”

Then Polux let out a deep sigh.

“Flancia’s CEO. How much do you know about Karcein?”

“If I say I know… how much are you asking?”

“Leaving out the fact that they’re engaged, I mean secrets about that boy.”

Harinee could sense Polux’s serious tone and decided to answer from what she knew.

“…He’s someone who doesn’t sleep for more than two hours. He’s so busy with work that he even divides his sleep time. He’s so tired that he can fall asleep sitting on a chair.”

“What? He does that? I had a hunch when I saw him, but… “

“It’s even worse. He’s a power napper. He gave me his bed, by the way.”

“That’s ridiculous. If he keeps pushing himself like that, his body will eventually break down.”

Polux clicked his tongue.

“…Maybe Karcein doesn’t care if his body breaks down or not.”

“What do you mean?”

“It means he has a goal that’s more important than his body breaking down.”

Paradoxically, Harinee could easily say this because she knew his goal.

“To achieve that, he’d easily give up sleep. That’s how cold and rational Karcein is.”

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For a moment, Harinee saw herself reflected in Karcein’s behavior.

So, she felt empathy and belatedly realized how foolish she was.

But it wasn’t the end.

“However, even if he’s a harsh person, he’s not an evil one. He’s not the kind of person who would bring misfortune and sin to others for his own benefit.”

Karcein prioritizes escaping the ducal family, but he doesn’t use others for his own gain.

That’s the biggest reason Harinee was willing to continue their contract marriage with Karcein.

Pollux nodded in agreement.

“I know. I saw it in that boy’s sword too. It wasn’t a sword that could harm people. But one thing is certain. The fact that he’s like that, it’s not just his body…”

“…That’s right.”

It’s not just his body. I know the reason why his body is like that, and it’s clear that his mind is also broken.

“The reason is─”

Harnee slowly recounted Carcsein’s past.

From being a child picked up from a slum, to how he was treated by the nobles, and what happened in the Bagrand Duchy’s household.

Pollux’s expression turned gloomy, wiping his face.

“Then it’s even more dangerous. The Plecia CEO. He’s already…!”

The Carcsein that Pollux saw was cold, dark, and bitter.

His deeply etched scars were covered with unseen wounds.

And to top it off, he had a mechanical appearance.

“Is this engagement also a form of transaction?”

It seemed like Harnee knew why she stopped talking.

Even though she had beaten her fiancé, the reaction was lukewarm, which was strange, but Pollux somewhat understood the reason.

However, because of that, there was a method worth trying.

And that method had already begun.

“Why, why are you looking at me like that?”

“Don’t you care about your fiancé? I think I’ve caused him a lot of pain.”

“Eh, no, that’s… maybe he’s just treating himself well, and…!”

Yes. This pair really suited each other well.

If emotions didn’t get in the way, it would be easy to handle.

“One more thing. Plecia CEO. Carcsein might get even more broken here. Do you expect that?”

“That’s impossible!”

A straightforward and honest response came back.

“Carcsein is my…! My fiancé! Of course, it’s natural!”

Although the reaction was mixed with the innocence of a pure girl, it was better that way.

“If there’s a way to prevent that, would you try?”

“What’s that?”

It’s quite simple.

“If you’re by his side, that’s enough.”

Carcsein had already been devoured by the monster of reason.

Before everything returns to nothing, if he can stir up some emotions, it’s enough.

Of course, it would feel meaningless, so a very strong emotion needs to sprout…

The strongest one he’s never experienced before still remains.

“Me…?”

“Yes. If you’re by his side, that’s enough.”

Pollux smiled in agreement at Harnee, who was pointing to herself with her finger.

The longer they stick together, the better.

The longer they stick together, the better it is.

As the emotional bud sprouted.

The monster living inside Carsein disappeared.