52 – 52. Initiation Period (2)
Throughout the time she tormented Carsein, Flora had never felt anxious.
Or more accurately, she had no reason to be anxious.
A beggar from the slums claiming to be her deceased brother’s substitute? It was absolutely unacceptable and incomprehensible.
Therefore, she firmly denied it several times. How could you be my brother? You’re just a beggar from the streets, nothing more, she adamantly declared.
“Flora, how could you say such things to your brother!”
However, thanks to her mother’s unstable mental state, Flora often found herself in the wrong despite her objections.
The love that had been poured abundantly on the youngest daughter was now being monopolized by that beggar, threatening even Karne’s place.
The mother’s ears remained closed to the words of her two daughters. No matter who spoke, the boy from the slums was truly becoming Karne Bagrandt step by step.
From Noble mtl dot com
Just watch all this unfold before your eyes? It was unbearable.
Who do you think you are, trying to tear our family apart?
Who do you think you are, imitating our brother?
As if we’re at the mercy of the commoners who come rolling in from the outside.
I wanted to voice these words in front of her countless times, but I couldn’t bring myself to say them.
As the swamp of resentment deepened,
One day, Flora happened to overhear the maids’ conversation.
“No. Why should we keep such commoners? It’s one thing if it’s the young ladies, but wasting clothes and blankets on them?”
“What can we do. Everyone probably has similar thoughts. But… what are you doing now?”
“Just. Trying to make the food taste bad or something. Ugh!”
The maid sprinkled a handful of salt extra on Karcein’s meal.
“Hey! What if you get caught!”
“What’s to get caught for? Just keep quiet.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
“Goodness. Are you really going to provoke the lord like this?”
“…Is that even possible?”
The other maid hesitated for a moment, but soon slyly mixed the sauce, aligning with the plan.
Stumbling upon this conversation, Flora realized that there were more people with such thoughts. She also found out that she could secretly spy on Karcein in this way without getting caught.
Isn’t it a perfect plan?
From then on, Flora started tampering with Karcein’s food. She felt a sense of satisfaction seeing him cough because of pepper or gulp down water due to excessive salt, and watching him frown at the spicy and sour taste, unable to achieve his usual arrogance.
And strangely, every time she did this, Karcein would express dissatisfaction, but no evidence would ever surface. Maybe it was working out well?
However, despite her actions, her mother, who was suffering from a mental illness, protected Karcein.
Every time, defending and shouting for that beggar.
The more she resisted, the angrier Flora became. She began to meddle not only with food but with other things. More boldly. More daringly.
She didn’t hesitate to use means to torment.
Then Isabella regained her sanity.
When Flora realized that her mother’s mental illness was healing, leaving no one to shield Karcein anymore, she didn’t miss the chance.
After that, the mansion could return to its original state. Flora could proudly say that she protected her family, this mansion, and Karne’s position while realizing justice.
However,
Lately, doubts started creeping in about her actions.
Accompanied by inexplicable feelings of discomfort.
“Miss Flora? Why the sudden change?”
He was the knight Flora had met a while ago. Walking side by side on the promenade, the knight took off his outer garment and covered Flora.
“If you’re cold, you should say so. What would you do if you caught a cold?”
“…”
She wasn’t cold. The winter’s chill couldn’t penetrate Flora’s not-so-thin clothes, and even the warm shawl covered her from the cold.
In fact, an outer garment like that was unnecessary.
Yet Flora felt relieved.
‘As expected of Sir Theo.’
Theo Ramstair.
A knight belonging to the First Knight Order, currently a squire with not much time left to become a full-fledged knight.
However, there was a reason why Flora trusted him to this extent.
He was the most special person to Flora.
-How is that Miss Flora’s fault? It’s his fault.
Entering the position of a knight of the mansion from a noble family as a viscount’s heir, he had once comforted Flora scolded by her mother,
-Karcein is a disgrace to the nobles. To punish properly, Madam needs to recover quickly.
Every day, Theo deeply empathized with Flora’s troubled heart.
Since then, whenever something upset Flora because of Carcine, she would seek out Theo.
Each word was like a gem.
He would scratch the itchy parts coolly, and eloquently encapsulate Flora’s innermost thoughts, always satisfying her.
And even now, it was the same.
Is he not kindly worrying about his master’s health?
If asked who she trusted after her family, to the point where the nanny and Theo should compete for it, he was someone greatly trusted by Flora.
“If it’s Theo Kyung, he might have the answer.”
As Flora gazed intently at Theo, she finally decided to bring up the thoughts that had been haunting her for hours, if not days.
“Um, Theo Kyung. I have a concern… Would you listen?”
Theo smiled brightly in response.
“Of course.” He said.
Although she had come thinking about that, Flora always felt at ease whenever she met Theo.
Thanks to him, she could finally open up about her worries.
From the old days when Carcine tormented her to the present, even to the existence of some inexplicable emotions.
She continued the consultation, not in detail, but sporadically mentioning everything and finally getting to the point.
“Um, so, I want to know what Theo Kyung thinks. I’m starting to wonder if I’m the one at fault…”
What does he think? What are these feelings and how can they be resolved? In fact, from the beginning, Flora wanted to ask him about this.
In response, Theo gently took Flora’s hand with a twinkle in his eye.
“Miss Flora. It’s not something you’ve done wrong.”
***
The fourth morning approached, crossing over the third day.
Today, despite feeling sore all over, he took comfort in the fact that he had passed the halfway mark of the initiation period.
No. In reality, one could say he had overcome the most challenging time.
Compared to the grueling training of the third day, things would be considerably smoother from today onwards.
▶Under Isabella’s protection, the harassment from the knights decreases!◀
As indicated by the status bar, with Isabella’s attention focused on him, the movement of the knights had significantly slowed down.
Of course, it wasn’t just Isabella.
▶Receive help from family members during the remaining training period!◀
▶As per the choices made, one person will be added each day until a total of three interventions are made by the 6th day!◀
The choice of whom to follow among the knights was somewhat limited, given that it involved utilizing the power of the Baron Grand family, causing a slight decrease in perception.
Due to this risk, Carcine should avoid external activities as much as possible during the training period, but, conversely, he would receive the greatest support during this time.
That support came from the family, as indicated by the progression window.
Mark not only bowed his head, but also preserved the dignity of the knights, making the remaining training period not too difficult.
The third day was Isabella.
The fourth day was Arena.
The fifth day was Claire.
In this manner, one by one, as if rotating, the family members came to see Carcine.
Even if Carcine disliked it and wanted to drive them away.
Even if he wished to assert that Ben Carcine, a fellow knight, had no place here.
Even if someone received orders to expel Carcine.
They could never act recklessly as long as the Baron Grand family’s masters were watching.
“But, how could this game just progress so easily?”
▶On the 6th day, Flora Bargrand will visit the training ground!◀
“If everything was handed to me, the difficulty wouldn’t be at this level.”
Isabella, of course, would do so without question, and if Arena or Claire were to provoke him, they would immediately become allies.
But Flora was an exception.
This naive little one was filled with delusions of harm, even to the point of stealing her own family, and with such a low mental age, she was more likely to become an enemy of Carcine.
Ironically, it was a structure where the front and back were the same.
This is an unchanging scene, even if you change the branch and choose a different path.
Just as Flora marked the beginning of Episode V, Flora also decorates the end of the episode.
With this, one can guess to some extent.
Episode V itself is connected to Flora Bagrand at both the beginning and the end.
A fate that must eventually be faced.
A paradoxical trial imposed on Carsein, who must build intimacy with all families.
It means having to turn the heart of the only remaining person, Flora.
As I cleared this episode and recalled a scene, a bitter smile involuntarily surfaced.
It’s a scene that is truly unpleasant.
“…I could probably use that to my advantage from my perspective.”
Having finished organizing in my mind, I had to start moving slowly.
▶ Prepare water in the canteen for training! ◀
▶ Prepare a towel in the pouch for sweating! ◀
As if indicating that being stuck in the lodging alone is unacceptable, the status window instructed me on the next action.
From now on, just like Carsein in the game faced them, I had to deal with them.
-Thud, thud.
‘Was it time already.’
Leaning against one wall, waiting for the guest to arrive, I readily opened the door.
“Excuse me. Milord. I’ll just… oh.”
As I opened the door, Mark’s voice overlapped with the timing.
Seemingly not expecting the door to open right away, he looked at me with surprise.
Well, it must feel strange for a nobleman like him to be awake early in the morning.
But what can I do?
I go to school, work part-time, and study, so I don’t really have the habit of waking up late.
Well, a choice has presented itself.
I should just write it down here.
“Seeing that you’re calling me Milord instead of Trainee Carsein, it seems you have something important to discuss, right?”
“…Yes. That’s correct.”
Mark didn’t deny it.
As if indicating for us to go outside, he closed the door of the lodging and spoke after clearing his throat.
I already anticipated what he was going to talk about.
“Why didn’t you mention it?”
-Ding!
At the same time as Mark’s question, a choice appeared.
I immediately corrected Mark’s question as if responding to the choice that had appeared.
“Why did you overlook and tolerate the knights harassing me even though my mother came to visit? That’s what you wanted to ask, right?”
“…!”
“It’s nothing. If I mention that, I’ll be kicked out of the training hall. Isn’t that right?”
“You’re wrong. If the Duchess had found out about this, it wouldn’t be you who’d be kicked out, but the knights of the 1st Order who harassed you.”
I chuckled and asked Mark.
“It was only three days ago that I said I would abide by the rules of the training hall. Do you think I would break that declaration and accept going back to being the lord of Bagrand Castle?”
Nonsense.
“Just endure the trivial test. You’re leaving me alone because you also have things you want to know, right?”
“…!”
“After all, you accepting me was more of an opportunity than giving me a chance. Isn’t that right?”
Mark gulped down his saliva.
Although his lips twitched, he didn’t give a neat answer like before.
After taking a deep breath, Mark looked straight into my eyes and said.
It was a somewhat different attitude from before.
“I still can’t forgive you, Milord. No, I can’t. You probably know why.”
“Alright.”
“All the knights of our order remember when Lord Radial was betrayed by you. So!”
Mark clenched his fist tightly.
He squeezed so hard that his hand turned pale.
Continuing his words, he said, “This time, do not even think about running away. You must reveal to me what Radial was so desperate to hide. When the time comes, you will have to explain every detail of that day.”
He expressed his uncontrollable rage towards me without hesitation.
The choice was now whether I would punish Mark at this moment.
But looking at his expression, if I had dared to say such words, I might have ended up cursing the creator with profanity for giving me such a choice.
So, this promise will never be broken.
Even if I were not Karsein Bagrand.
“I promise. When the time comes, I will also reveal the truth of that day to you.”
“…”
Mark finally released the person he was gripping and gradually calmed his anger.
After finishing speaking, Mark took a deep breath and handed me some items. They were things suitable for taking along for a visit.
“After hearing that you visited the training grounds, Radial wishes to see you. You are welcome to visit at least once.”
Leaving those words behind, Mark walked down the corridor, passing by me.
I probably won’t be able to thank him right away. No, perhaps the same goes for other words.
-Ding!
▶ Depending on your choice, a sub-episode will progress, and during that time, Mark’s intimacy will be frozen! ◀
[ Current Level: 2% ]
▶ Sub-episode. Progress with Mark and Radial! ◀
▶ This episode is separate from Episode V, and rewards will be given separately as well! ◀
[ Upon clearing the episode: Mark’s intimacy will increase, and recognition within the order will rise to reputation level. ]
[ Upon failing the episode: – ]
I simply chose the option to proceed with the sub-episode.
***
After finishing the conversation with Mark, I went to fetch water as directed by the progress window.
“It feels like it was around here.”
It would have been nice to have Karsein’s memories. The training grounds, which I had only seen in pixels, were too vast to remember the locations by actually searching for them.
Still, I seemed to have found it fairly well. Trying to recall the background and landmarks as best as I could, I could guess where this area was.
As I reached a place to fill water, I heard knights’ voices around me.
“I feel like my body has gotten too heavy these days.”
“Probably from drinking too much.”
“Well, still, keep up with the training. You, lad.”
I had to be careful.
Even this simple progress, if not done at a specific time, would lead to encountering knights, and if those who received orders from Emma in the training ground instigated, conflicts would arise quickly.
And then, recognition would gradually decline.
In the current situation where I couldn’t receive Mark’s protection due to progressing with the sub-episode, it became quite tricky.
Waiting a bit to delay time, the knights moved away.
Taking advantage of this moment, I quickly filled the water and sprinkled it around nearby.
“Where the heck is it?”
In games, usually a button prompt appears to drink water, but this time, a “use” button popped up.
As I used it, Karsein sprinkled the water around, and I was able to obtain an item.
But… this darn game.
It keeps making that sound every time…
“It’s too wide because it’s reality, not pixels!”
There was no choice.
I had to sprinkle it on all the nearby stone pillars.
That’s how I busily moved around four times.
And then, the key hidden behind a stone pillar revealed itself.
– Ting!
[Item acquired!]
From Noble mtl dot com
“…It’s here!”
Finally, the item acquisition message from the game appeared.
■Inventory■
◆First Knight Brigade Warehouse Key
[Allows entry into the warehouse when used.]