The Damn Family Is Back Again chapter 46

46 – 46. Faded Gift (5)

Only after Heron turned around did he feel a slight sense of relief. Along with the metallic smell in his mouth.

In the bathroom, I looked at myself in the mirror and immediately rinsed my mouth with water and spit it out.

Even though the liquid that came out of my mouth was clearly diluted enough with water, it still had a distinct red color.

“Tsk. Ariana, she really hit you hard.”

I could somewhat understand why Claire told me to get treatment quickly.

When I regained consciousness, it felt like my mouth had exploded and the smell of blood was lingering.

When I first saw myself in the mirror, there were clear traces of blood flowing out of my mouth and then solidifying.

After rinsing several more times, the color of the water finally became a bit murky.

I would have to eat in a different direction for a while.

“It’s not a big deal. It doesn’t really hurt.”

By tomorrow morning, I would probably have a lot of canker sores.

But it didn’t matter. It’s not like I would die from getting slapped on the hand.

The food I had sprayed in the status window went down smoothly, and the dangerous dead flag disappeared without being triggered.

Also, in the introduction to the episode, I properly tied up the foot of one person. That would be quite helpful.

Not dying was already enough, and it was the best thing that could happen to me in terms of progressing in the game.

-Swish.

“Phew.”

As I washed my face with cold water and regained my composure, I organized the development and key points of Episode V in order.

Before Episode V began, due to the influence of Episode IV, Karsein found himself in a situation where he received the attention of his family.

He couldn’t even enjoy the past birthday gifts and the snowflake festival, and despite not causing any accidents, he was met with suspicion and became the center of attention for his entire family.

They tried to take care of me in some way or another.

“If you want something, just say it,” he said.

From Noble mtl dot com

Until Karsein released his foot, I was faced with a considerable reward.

When I first stepped into this episode, I knew nothing and received these rewards. Naturally, I thought there would be no problem.

And then, I died.

The game that I had thought would finally become enjoyable cruelly sentenced Karsein to death.

So, why am I dying this time?

Naturally, I had to find out.

It is a common method for rewards to come in preparation for the next episode, but soon a message appears saying that I will be expelled from the aristocracy and killed.

Interestingly, this bad ending was consistent.

After being expelled from the aristocracy, Karsein is dragged somewhere and buried, and that is how he meets a chilling death.

Only one line of dialogue remains.

“[They’re my family. They’re my family!]”

I had a rough idea of whose dialogue it was.

-What is this? It’s obviously a florine, right?

When playing the game, I could tell it was a florine.

However, although I clearly knew the culprit, it was not easy to obtain clues. I couldn’t quite grasp why Karsein dies in the same way every time this episode comes.

No matter how hard I tried to avoid it, there seemed to be no way. No matter what I did, the bad ending screen appeared before my eyes, and even in the game, I tried my best, but I couldn’t find any differences compared to the other deaths.

However, by carefully examining that line and applying real-life experiences, Karsein was able to survive immediately.

It’s not a matter of intimacy.

It’s not a matter of branching paths or triggering something specific.

This was information obtained about the character named Flora.

At first glance, it seems like Episode IV shines a light on Karsein’s intimacy as he claims innocence to his family little by little…

Only one person.

The one who doesn’t fit in that situation is Flora.

In the case of Isabella and her two sisters, they are in a favorable position to receive attention, but Flora is not.

That was the case even when it became reality.

“The other two would at least listen if you present solid evidence, but that kid has a strong confirmation bias.”

That’s what Flora always says.

– Just because of that, do you think you can become a part of our family?

And if you connect Flora’s line of dialogue from Episode V when she shouts that she is her family, despite getting the bad ending, a truly profound conclusion emerges.

That’s right.

Flora has received the most attention in this family, so she is afraid of losing her place to Karsein.

The gaze of her family.

The gifts from her family.

The attention from her family.

All of that was dangerous to Karsein.

In other words, the hint is Episode IV itself.

All the rewards given were nothing but clever traps.

There was a significant subplot that Karsein had to give up all the rewards he received in order to survive.

“It wasn’t until later that I realized. She wanted to be the one who received the most attention.”

In this aspect, I could understand why I had to endure and be annoyed by the youngest, who received excessive attention at home.

So, I had to incur someone’s hatred.

Just like now.

Anyway.

To summarize:

First, I don’t know if it’s the same for all youngest siblings, but they want more attention than other family members.

Second, Episode V must inevitably avoid triggering someone’s hatred.

Third, I incurred Arina’s hatred to bypass this trigger and now have the opportunity to take the next action by restraining Emma.

And finally.

-Ding dong.

“Open the door, Carsein. It’s me, Flora.”

-Chime!

▶For some reason, Flora has come to find Carsein!◀

▶Resolve the case through a conversation with Flora!◀

[If the case is successfully resolved: Access to the entertainment venue is granted, and Emma and Flora are restrained!]

[If the case fails to be resolved: You will be immobilized for three days to find the culprit in the mansion!]

[Additional rewards may be obtained depending on the achievement rate.]

Along with the progress of the already known status window, the conversation with Flora continues in the subsequent development.

As the final condition to enter the entertainment venue, I must handle Flora, who inevitably comes to find me according to the game’s development.

As for the method, well, I have already planned it.

However, there is something to be cautious about in the subsequent development.

▶ Caution! ◀

▶ The following penalties apply to conversations with Flora. ◀

[1. You cannot introduce other characters related to this incident.]

[2. You cannot avoid the conversation with Flora.]

“It’s because of this penalty.”

Due to this penalty imposed by the game system, the player loses the best opportunity to involve only one person who knows the whole story of the incident and push Flora into a corner.

But it’s not like you can avoid the conversation either. It’s a really nasty situation.

When you ignore the penalty, well, since I died so obviously in the game, that warning window that is now predictable won’t appear again.

One side is a constraint imposed on the player. The other side is prevention of avoidance.

This part reveals why this game has such a damn difficult level.

In reality, I have more variables to consider now.

However, that doesn’t mean I’m scared in this situation.

No. On the contrary, I am confident.

The third person I knew and Flora here are annoyingly the same kind of people.

-Thud.

“…!”

Did she not know that the door could open from this side? Flora took a startled step back.

Beneath her blonde hair, her trembling blue eyes subtly revealed her psychology.

-Ding!

[1. Why are you here? Are you here to start a fight?]

[2. (Silently waits.)]

[3. I know this is your doing, so why don’t you just confess?]

[4. Say what you have to say and leave. I have to move to the annex.]

“From here on out, it’s either a bomb of choices.”

First, I mocked her.

“You’ve come to scratch again?”

“What, scratch?”

“You always do this. You purposely create an incident and make me the one to blame, then mock me. Isn’t it reasonable for me to see it as you coming here to start a fight?”

When I chose option 1, Flora shouted in surprise.

“This, this time I didn’t come here for that!”

-Ring!

[1. If it’s not for that this time, does that mean you’re confessing? Stupid woman.]

[2. Then what is it?]

[3. (Quickly passing through the corridor) Wow. Is your voice really that loud?]

[4. Fine. Come in and let me hear why you came.]

“Then what is it?”

Option 2 here takes a slightly detouring path. Choosing option 4 would end the conversation more quickly, but now is the time to be more cautious.

I already know the answer, but unlike the development I saw in the game, I used a different item, so there may be another choice that appears.

For now, I decided to gather information slowly.

And then, Flora looked at me sharply and hesitated before answering in a hesitant voice.

“I-I’m not the one this time either.”

“…”

“You’ve suspected me multiple times! I-I’m not the culprit! I didn’t even touch your stuff.”

Unbelievable.

She must be afraid of getting scolded after messing with me, huh?

“I-It’s really not me? And… I came here to talk nicely.”

“To talk nicely?”

“Yes!”

As Flora hesitated, she took something round and cylindrical out of her pocket.

It seemed like a familiar image, as the status window displayed what item it was.

It was ointment that I had seen before.

“The certificate that I need to give you this time is torn, so the maids and servants are all being investigated without exception. If you tell my little sister to stop it, I’ll give you this.”

“Hah.”

Asking me to stop Claire’s investigation while giving me ointment?

It felt so familiar and I hated it.

-Thwack!

I forcefully swatted away Flora’s hand.

“…!”

The ointment rolled weakly on the ground.

Flora, who suddenly felt a hand on her back, tightly clenched her own hand and took a step back.

“What, what are you doing? Are you going to tell the sisters about this?”

“Ha, f*ck. Are you telling me to just let it slide? Are you kidding? Do you think I’m that stupid?”

“…!”

“If you’ve done something like this, you should take responsibility. It’s not my fault.”

“Responsibility…?”

The walls of Flora’s mind trembled fiercely.

“It’s because of what you did. I just don’t want to see you doing well. I don’t want to see your sisters and mother paying attention to me. I tore it apart because I couldn’t stand seeing even one thing go well for you.”

“W-what? No! I didn’t do that!”

Flora denies it with a desperate voice.

Too strong a denial eventually becomes an affirmation.

This fool probably doesn’t even know that.

“Because of you, the maids and servants in the conference room are all under suspicion. There’s even a large-scale investigation going on. And, Emma got trapped there because of you. It’s all because of you!”

“So what?”

“W-well, get Emma out. When we got Camilla out, you were the one who talked. And if you use this ointment, the wounds will heal faster…”

Emma is her governess.

She would never do such a thing.

And she herself is not like that either.

Flora was speaking as if this was a natural transaction and a fair exchange.

“And don’t… don’t tell Mom about this, okay? She hates it when I talk about things like this!”

One more drink, and even the characteristic lies of children.

As expected, there’s no one to blame but myself.

-Ding!

“A choice has appeared at the perfect timing.”

I know because I’ve experienced it with my third.

Things like this should be repaid without a doubt.

If not, they’ll keep using this against me in the future.

Just engrave it firmly in that little head of theirs.

What that one document was. What significance it held for Cassein.

And… the fact that I’ve been giving up even the rights that should be naturally enjoyed because of someone else.

“You must have received a lavish birthday gift last year, right?”

“What?”

“Claire received plenty of gifts from people during her coming-of-age ceremony, and Arina also received a lot from her colleagues last year. So I’m asking you too. What did you receive?”

“…”

Flora looked puzzled as if wondering why that topic suddenly came up.

But soon, she realized something and her doubts disappeared.

“I mean, it happened a long time ago. It was a gift I received during the festival while being watched by surveillance.”

“…!”

“But it got torn. Before I even received it, before I could confirm it, it was snatched away by someone else and ended up stimulating Arina instead. Thanks to that, I faced suspicion and even got beaten.”

Gulp.

Flora swallowed a heavy sigh.

I applauded and spoke.

“It’s all thanks to you. You’ve made me suspicious of everything in the mansion, and that’s why things turned out like this.”

Clap clap clap clap clap clap.

“No matter where I go, I’m always the one causing trouble. I’ve become a despicable and filthy person who explodes everything around me. And this time, by deceiving and disregarding the kindness Arina tried to give me, it seems I won’t receive anything anymore.”

Clap clap clap clap.

“But you know what? I’m fine not receiving anything. Even if I continue to be a wretched and dirty person who is ignored by the servants, I’m numb to it now. It’s all thanks to you.”

Clap clap.

“I don’t feel pain. I don’t feel sorry. I don’t feel injustice anymore. That’s why.”

The sound of applause gradually slowed down until both hands finally fell.

“Thank you for falsely accusing me multiple times, Flora. I’m truly grateful.”

With a smiling face, I clearly said to Flora.

[5. The document that had to come to me, that was my birthday present.]

The last choice, ending it all.

But I continued to add something after that.

Perhaps.

From Noble mtl dot com

It was the words I wanted to say to the third person who had been tormenting me persistently.

To make sure they never develop any affection for this family.

To make sure I never lose my vigilance and escape from this house.

To torment me. To torment me again. To let me know that the pain of this harsh world is nothing.

So I was able to gain the strength to live on my own.

Isn’t it truly something to be grateful for?

“…”

Frozen in place, Flora’s complexion gradually turned pale as she expressed her sincere gratitude.

The blond kid who had been silently watching me stumbled back and accidentally bumped into the door.

“Oops!”

And then… with a drop of tear in his eyes, he quickly opened my door and left.

-Ding!

A message appeared, indicating that the follow-up development was complete.

▶Conversation with Flora completed!◀

▶Rewards will be given!◀

■Rewards

▶Receive rewards for completing the incident.

[ Emma will continue to be confined in solitary confinement! ]

[ You will not encounter Flora for the time being. ]

[ Deadline: 3 days ]

▶The level of danger in the mansion will change.

[ Danger Level Change: Danger → Caution ]

…

…

▶Additional rewards will be given based on the achievement level!

[ ??? ]

[Advanced Ointment ver. 2]

“Tsk. Why is this considered a reward? It’s just something that brat threw into my room.”

I probably won’t have any use for it anyway.

Nonetheless, I casually put it in the same drawer as the ones I had received before.

***

“Heuk, heuk…”

-That’s me. It was a gift I received for my birthday a while ago, and it was a reward I obtained while being monitored during the festival.

That was a birthday gift?

The reward that Arina said?

“But…that…”

-But it got torn. Before I even received it, before I could check it, it was snatched away by someone else’s hand and ended up stimulating Arina instead. Thanks to that, I was suspected and even got hit.

“I tore it with my own hands?”

That doesn’t make any sense.

How could that be possible?

-It’s all because of you. Because you made me suspicious of everything in the duke’s estate, this happened.

No, that’s forced.

It can’t be true. It’s just another lie, like always─

-But, even if I don’t receive anything, it’s fine. Even if I remain a pitiful troublemaker, even if I become a lowly and filthy guy who is ignored by the servants, I’m numb to it now. It’s all thanks to you.

“Is it okay…?

Doesn’t matter…?

Being indifferent…?

– Not in pain. Not in sorrow. Not even feeling unjust anymore. So, you know.

Not in pain. Not feeling unjust. Even…

– Thank you for falsely accusing me over and over again, Flora.

That, I’m thankful for?

…

“This is strange. What is it? What in the world…!”

Flora grabbed her racing heart in the hallway.

She ran as if fleeing to her own room. And ran again.

However, Karsein’s voice kept resounding endlessly in her mind.

It was just to protect our family.

Just to protect our family.

Because we understood each other. To protect this duke.

That’s why we tormented Karsein.

“Did I go so far as to make it impossible for her to receive even a birthday gift? Me…?”

Suddenly, Emma’s voice from the isolation cell came to mind involuntarily.

-Miss. Those commoners are your enemies, as well as enemies of the duke. You must expel them without fail!

I have to make sure they don’t gain any rights. Otherwise, they will eventually rise up with their flags!

Really?

Is that true? Emma?

But Karsein, there’s nothing there?

One side of my chest felt so heavy.

My breath was being choked.