The Damn Family Is Back Again chapter 128

128. Azure Internal Medicine (5)

“It’s definitely something to be praised for. The recognition and praise of my family should be continuous. But… why do I have to hide it?”

It’s ridiculous.

It’s almost absurd. No, it’s absurd.

If I told the empire’s citizens, they would cheer, but how can I not proudly tell my own family?

However, Carsien’s tone wasn’t joking.

“I think you’ll definitely think it’s ridiculous. But it’s a fact that actually happened.”

-gulp.

Carsien pulled out an old letter.

“The recipient is… Earl Rippleton?”

“I also went to the west in the past. The result was the opposite of what happened with the current Aifelos Marquis.”

“The result was the opposite?”

Carsien chuckled and replied.

“It was during the eastern nobles’ conference. As the lord of the Shatren territory, I found a way, but the clue was in the Rippleton Earl’s family. So, I went to get that Lohea seed. Of course, I got beaten up as soon as I arrived.”

It’s easy to guess why he got beaten up.

The Rippleton Earl’s family, like the Aifelos Marquis’ family, was in a position of being despised by the empire’s citizens.

In their despised position, the conflict was still unresolved, and the opponent was a noble. Among them, if it was Bagran, the anger would be even deeper.

“It doesn’t matter that I got beaten up. In the end, what I wanted was a deal. As long as that deal was successful, it didn’t matter.”

The deal’s content was simple.

Send the Lohea seed to the ducal family in exchange for changing their position.

It was something that those who had been trying to eliminate the evil in the western region since before the empire’s unification had always demanded. It wasn’t an easy thing to resolve.

“So, what happened?”

“The deal was cancelled, as you can see from the letter.”

“What?”

“Earl Rippleton sent me a rotten Lohea seed. Do you know what this means?”

“…A broken promise. A failed trust.”

“Yes. That’s what came with this letter.”

After hearing that, Arsien checked the letter again.

Earl Rippleton was saying to Carsien that he was the same kind of person in the end. Just looking at the rotten seed, it was clear that their relationship had deteriorated.

But.

Isn’t something strange?

Trying to find a way to revive the Shatren territory by heading to the west wasn’t different from the current situation. The deal with the Aifelos Marquis’ family to save the Rusmeier territory wasn’t much different either.

However, the result was the opposite.

The deal with the Rippleton Earl’s family failed, and the deal with the Aifelos Marquis’ family was a great success.

-gulp.

Arsien swallowed a heavy breath.

The contradictions in Carsein’s statements had finally disappeared.

“Are you saying… that you’re trying to say that the direction changed because you hid the truth?”

It couldn’t be.

There was no way that was possible.

Shouldn’t the priority be to acknowledge the mistake and receive criticism and blame from the family, rather than praise?

Arsien denied it repeatedly, insisting that it wasn’t the reason.

However…

“Yes.”

Carsein didn’t deny it.

With a calm expression, devoid of any emotion, he gave a dry answer, “Yes.”

“It was Claire. After being beaten by the nobles and seeing my own reflection, Claire took me to see Dr. Shayden immediately. And after the truth was revealed, I was kicked out.”

And what arrived was this letter and the rotten seed.

Carsein spoke.

“Don’t you understand now? Why I said it’s better to get scolded instead.”

“…”

Arsien was aware that Carsein couldn’t mention the truth about his background.

It was possible that the trauma from the nobles’ machinations had taken effect, and he had given up on his family, who didn’t understand.

In that process, it would be difficult to have the mental strength to boast about what he had done.

So Arsien deliberately made Carsein’s actions known through his own words.

It was more convincing if the words came from Arsien’s mouth, rather than Carsein’s.

Arsien thought that this would bring light to the Bagrand Duke’s family.

The poor family relationships would be restored, and Carsein would receive the compensation and recognition he deserved.

However…

An unexpected obstacle was hidden.

The difference between “being scolded for being discovered” and “being scolded for telling the truth” to the family.

It was just one difference, but it was enormous.

Arsien’s eyes trembled.

He couldn’t deny it. There was a question about whether it was right to reveal Carsein’s actions through his own words.

But…

“No, it’s just bad luck. Your actions are worthy of recognition.”

“Are you going to deny it even after hearing that?”

“Yes.”

He had to deny it.

There was no room for doubt.

The difference between the two incidents was because of one person.

“Yes, this is Claire’s problem. It’s not the young master’s fault.”

What was needed was not criticism and blame, but praise and admiration.

And…

What needed to change was not Carsein, but Claire.

-Ringing!

▶Hidden Episode. The target that needs to change is proceeding.◀

***

Shatren and Rusmeier.

Rilfeton and Iferos.

Past and present.

They told me about the difference, but Arsiene denied it.

However, the conversation didn’t get any longer.

“It’s because there are too many people questioning your attendance at the Eastern Noble Assembly in Bagrand, and I want to cover up your actions as Rusmeier’s lord.”

I was spewing out familiar lines, as if I had returned to the original storyline.

The choices had already been closed, and I had no problem.

“I don’t care. Do as you please.”

“Because of the attention focused on you, it’s possible that you might become a target. Can you really exclude that possibility?”

“Yes.”

“You don’t seem to be afraid. Or, is this the kind of fluctuation that can affect the market of the Pelos Empire?”

Arsiene handed me the attendee’s signet ring from the Eastern Noble Assembly.

I didn’t care and started writing.

It’s inevitable that Carsein will become a target.

That’s the fate of this game.

However, there’s an advantage to this story unfolding a bit faster.

“…Is this written on purpose?”

“Don’t you think it’s necessary to write it like that?”

“Hmm… I guess so.”

Arsiene looked puzzled, flipping through the signet ring and advising me.

“Don’t just highlight your mistakes. You’ve done enough to deserve praise.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

-Clack, clack.

The sound of footsteps faded away with Arsiene.

It seemed I still couldn’t sense what was going on.

[ Attendee: Carsein Bagrand ]

[ Title: Lord of Rusmeier ]

The foundation for Shatren to regain his territory was now complete.

‘…What’s going on?’

I’ve been feeling a strange change since a while ago, but I couldn’t grasp it.

[ Arsiene Riheern Pelos ]

[ Intimacy: 12% → 28% ]

Arsiene had only come to the mansion to appease the nobles’ discontent and had handed me the signet ring.

But why was the intimacy level rising?

‘Maybe it’s because of the choices…’

It’s possible.

No. That’s the most rational thinking.

– Ding!

▶We need to choose where to stay today.

[ 1. Karsein’s room in the Bagrand Duchy ]

[ 2. Rusmayeur Estate ]

[ 3. The Duchy’s outer inn ]

[ 4. Training grounds ]

[ 5. Aipheiros Marquisate ]

The options for where to stay appeared, but this time, it’s not related to intimacy or events.

Staying in Karsein’s room would quickly recover my physical strength and energy. Returning to Rusmayeur would increase intimacy and progress the story.

From noble mtl dot com

At the Duchy’s outer inn, conversations with family members would cease, and the training grounds would provide an opportunity to level up. Aipheiros Marquisate isn’t much different, but it’s a place where I’d spend my physical strength to level up.

I decided to visit the training grounds for a change.

The situation in the Duchy, where I need to break through, is anyway thanks to Arsien, so I thought I’d focus on building up my strength until then.

From my experience fighting Polux, I couldn’t rely on luck.

It’s better to focus on honing my own skills.

***

At the same time.

In the Duchy, the three sisters and Isabella were discussing a topic they couldn’t bring up at the dinner table, now that Arsien was absent.

It was a story they could finally tell.

About Karsein, who had the Kelvia fruit and Kelvia allergy.

The incident at the tea party was gradually being revealed.

“So, who served the food with the Kelvia fruit?”

“It was the Gelgeton Viscount’s estate, Mother.”

“That’s… Gelgeton Viscount’s estate, you say.”

A rare anger flared up in Isabella’s eyes.

“I don’t think a family in the culinary industry would make such a mistake. Arina.”

“I think the same. It’s more likely they did it intentionally.”

“That’s right! How dare they do such a thing to my child!”

Isabella, consumed by anger, called for the butler.

“Cut off all ties with the Gelgeton Viscount’s estate. From now on, we’ll treat them as an enemy family, and those who associate with them will be watched. Bring me all related documents!”

“I’ll follow your orders, milady.”

“I’ll make sure to take thorough revenge on their behalf as well. Don’t worry, Mother.”

“Good. That’s it.”

Isabella, still fuming, pressed her forehead. She was momentarily dizzy.

“Mother, perhaps it would be better to inform them about Karsein’s Kelvia allergy symptoms beforehand.”

“If we reveal this, it’ll become a weakness.”

“On the contrary, that’s exactly why we should reveal it. If someone dares to do the same thing, it’ll be easier to identify them.”

“That makes sense. Then─”

After that, a long conversation took place between the mother and the eldest daughter.

In the midst of discussing ways to punish Gelgeton’s self-authorship and protect Karcein,

Pink hair fell silently.

If it were usual, she would have also chimed in.

She would have criticized Gelgeton’s self-authorship, saying that Karcein did such a thing, and that she had already made it impossible for him to approach the social circle, saying that she had taken care of it.

No. Even if that wasn’t the case, Karcein wouldn’t have been scolded, so it was already a relief.

But Claire was unusually quiet today.

It was strange.

“Little sister, why are you like that? Are you hurt somewhere?”

Flora, who felt strange about Claire’s behavior, gently grasped her sleeve and asked.

“Uh-uh. No, it’s not that, big sister.”

“Then why…?”

“It’s… I got a little tired from running from afar, so that’s why.”

Flora stroked her hair, and Claire had to tell a lie.

It was a suffocating and frustrating feeling.

Even though not a single drop of sweat had formed, this uncomfortable feeling wouldn’t go away.

Moreover, the unpleasant feeling lodged in her chest was indescribable.

How could she respond to this?

It was a situation where no conversation could be heard.

Just then.

The door opened, and the silver-haired girl who had been seen a little while ago reappeared.

“Your Highness, Princess Arsien?”

She, who had finished her conversation with Karcein, looked around and then let out a sigh.

“Didn’t your conversation with Karcein go well?”

“No. It didn’t.”

Arsien, who shook her head firmly in response to Arina’s worried question.

“I’m sorry to break into the conversation, but I wanted to have a brief talk with Claire.”

…Me?

Claire looked up and silently pointed to herself with her index finger.

“It’s not a problem for me, but…”

“Then go ahead. It’s been a while since we’ve met, anyway.”

“We’ll take care of this matter in the meantime. Go ahead.”

“I’m sorry. Claire, can you move for a bit?”

“…Okay. I’ll be back.”

The two people moved to another seat.

In the room where only the two of them were left, Arsien asked Claire in a more serious tone than before.

“What did you talk about with Karcein when you met him at Rusmaye?”

“That… “

-Is that so? You stupid fool.

Claire’s lips, which were about to answer, closed again.

Suddenly, I collapsed, and I was shocked.

I saw it and replied bluntly.

“You must have been angry from the start. You’ve always been like that, no matter what happens.”

“…”

I couldn’t deny it.

Even if it was a concern, the fact was that I had gotten angry.

But Claire shot back confidently, her tone unchanged.

“You can’t even take care of your own body, so it’s no wonder you’re making such a fuss.”

“Ha. Claire.”

“There’s not a single false word. I told you to live a bit more decently, but you just slept for three days straight, worrying about everything and then saying you slept well?”

Is that the end of it?

“I asked the doctor, and it turned out that going to the western region would lead to depression. Geez, didn’t you also go to the west on your own before and get beaten up pretty badly? Do you think that’s something to be proud of?”

To some extent, Claire replied nonchalantly, as if it was her own doing.

Arsien closed his eyes tightly.

It was the same as before. Nothing had changed.

Arsien took a deep breath and responded directly.

“That’s enough, don’t you think?”

“…What?”

“You could’ve asked how the injured person was doing, or how your little brother was doing after what just happened. You could’ve started with that.”

The pink-haired girl’s gaze fell.

Her chest felt even more suffocated.

“You could’ve asked how I’d been doing all this time, or why I went to the western region. You could’ve asked about depression. Why not?”

It felt like something was rising up from the suffocated part of her chest.

A bitter taste began to spread from the back of her throat.

“There were plenty of opportunities. No, to be exact, Karcein gave you plenty of opportunities. If you had just toned down your personality a bit, none of this would’ve happened.”

“What’s going on… what…?”

“Ha.”

Arsien let out a deep sigh and opened his heavy lips.

“Shatren was ruined because of you, Claire, not Karcein.”

– Ding!

▶As a result of Arsien’s assistance, Claire undergoes a change!◀

▶Intimacy increases!◀

[ Claire Bagrand ]

[ Intimacy: 61% → 67% ]