The Damn Family Is Back Again chapter 66

66 – Broken Wings (11)

Silence flowed at the standstill.

In that silence, the knights pondered.

‘What… did he say just now?’

‘What is Karceine? Fiancée?’

‘That handkerchief Teo is holding is from his fiancée?’

And then.

Laughter erupted all at once.

─ hahahahaha!!

“Ha, Sir. Did you just say fiancée?”

Even Theo Ramstair couldn’t hold back his laughter as he clutched his stomach.

Despite just having his throat slashed and blood dripping down.

“Ah, my apologies. Even if you’re lying, you should do it in moderation. No matter how expensive this handkerchief is, what about an engagement, huh? An engagement?”

─hahahahaha!

The scene became a source of amusement again, as the castle’s knights burst into laughter while clutching their bellies.

It was laughable.

That Carsane Bargrand had found an engagement.

It was unbelievable.

It was clearly a lie.

“Oh, yes. Well. It could happen, I suppose. Even a lord like you might be attracted to a woman. Besides the assumption that it must be a lady, you could obtain it through other means.”

Such as blackmail, coercion.

And threats leveraging Bargrand’s duke status.

“Oh, these days even marriages across social classes seem plausible, right? That’s right. Well. Perhaps a maid from somewhere fell head over heels for a lord like you. Of course, if she’s not from the duke’s household, the chances might even be higher on a first encounter.”

“hahahahaha!”

“Snicker. Theo, you rascal.”

The surrounding knights, understanding what Theo was getting at, began interjecting comments here and there.

“Oh, don’t misunderstand. The world is vast, and tastes in romance are quite diverse, aren’t they? Even a lord like you can be charming enough for someone.”

“Indeed. Marriages transcending class boundaries are rare but do exist in reality.”

“Oh. The scandal of Bargrand Duke and a maid. Quite plausible, isn’t it?”

Once again, laughter echoed.

“Yet, if you’re giving away such a handkerchief, you must be quite a high-ranking noble. But still, to claim you received it from an engagement lady?”

Theo sharply questioned, staring at the handkerchief.

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“In the Pheles Empire, there’s no noble who doesn’t know who the Bargrand heir is. But, an engagement lady? Who on earth would present a handkerchief to a lord like you? There are few who would even dare to speak to you in the first place.”

And then rumors swirled.

About Carsane’s character in the Empire. How he was perceived.

A widely-held perception among nobles surfaced.

“While you mentioned an engagement lady, there’s unlikely to be anyone who would accept that. In fact, one might question if all women are included? Even the duke’s maids, there’s hardly anyone who would admire a lord like you.”

Theo added, shaking his head.

It was a straightforward argument, yet a clear observation.

While it could be a handkerchief from an engagement lady, it might be possible for a commoner, but this handkerchief clearly belonged to a noble. Therefore, the engagement lady who supposedly handed it over must be of noble birth.

Hence, the claim of receiving this handkerchief from an engagement lady is a lie.

In this Empire, viewing Bargrand Duke, Carsane Bargrand, as a romantic interest and a woman who could hand over a handkerchief is highly unlikely.

“Thus, the claim of receiving a handkerchief from an engagement lady is contradictory. But, this isn’t the end, is it, Lord?”

Theo Ramstair declared, his voice resolute that the matter wasn’t over yet.

Immediately, knights gathered around, enclosing Carsane.

“Miss Arina said, in any situation, if Lord Carsane harms anyone, he should be disarmed and expelled from the castle immediately. This is also included in the lord’s prohibition.”

Theo calmly replied, pointing his finger at his throat.

Other knights chimed in with their own comments.

“Thrusting a sword at Theo’s throat violates the castle rules.”

“Even if you have permission from the duchess, this is unacceptable.”

“Since we can’t continue the lesson, we now have the right to lawfully expel the lord.”

“It’s outrageous. Truly outrageous. How can the lord be so consistent?”

While not openly laughing like before, their expressions were already smirking, lips curling with suppressed laughter.

“Don’t be too resentful. This is all because of the Lord’s actions.”

As Theo pushed away the sword amidst the knights, he bid his final farewell.

However, this time, instead of a sword, a kick was aimed at his abdomen.

“Thud!”

-Whoosh!

Theo Ramstair, who lay sprawled on the ground, felt the sword thrust at his throat once more.

“Have you finished speaking?”

“Ugh! Aren’t you crossing the line with your actions right now?!”

“It’s you who crossed the line. You insulted me and at the same time insulted my fiancée. Even with solid evidence right in front of you, you still can’t recognize it. Or maybe your eyes collectively failed you?”

“W-what are you saying?!”

Teo interjected abruptly.

“Where is the evidence! If it’s about that handkerchief…!”

“It would be wise to take a closer look at the handkerchief. Teo Ramstaire.”

“The handkerchief…?”

At that moment, Teo’s pupils shook violently.

“It might not have been very visible. The tradition of embroidering one’s family crest on a handkerchief has become quite rare.”

“The crest?”

“What are you talking about? Wasn’t it just an expensive handkerchief?”

No. It wasn’t.

This crest…

“It’s the crest of Viscountess Theresa…!”

It’s unbelievable.

It can’t be true.

It must be a blatant lie.

He thought he could easily brush it off.

However, this time, he couldn’t.

Teo’s complexion turned pale blue.

“What’s going on over there!”

Senior knights came rushing to the scene.

According to Karcein’s memory, it wasn’t yet time for the knights to arrive.

However, it somewhat made sense why they had come early.

Among them, a young girl peeked out from behind, her identity revealed.

“N-nothing serious!”

Are you trying to brush it off like that?

Absolutely not.

I am determined to see this through to the end.

Karcein, unfazed, instructed the official knight in charge of this morning’s training.

“Knight Kaltin.”

“…! Yes, my lord.”

He was clearly different from the others. Having served as an official knight for a long time, he realized at that moment that Karcein was not calling him as a trainee but as a member of the Margrave of Bargrand.

“Beat those who dared to touch my belongings recklessly until dust flies in this place.”

You might think of it as a forced command.

They had just arrived here.

Regardless of whether they touched Karcein’s belongings or not, those individuals might not even know if it belonged to Karcein.

Teo Faegery sneered inwardly at Karcein, but.

-Thwack!

“Ugh?!”

-Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

The official knights began beating them without a single word of retort.

***

▶The official knights witnessed Teo Faegery’s misconduct!◀

▶You have successfully triggered outcomes beyond the choices provided.◀

▶Teo Faegery’s rebuttal has been invalidated.◀

“It’s really getting dusty.”

Even though ‘beaten’ was a choice I made, they are indeed being beaten until dust is flying.

They ruthlessly used their hands and feet to beat them, and some who received blows from the sword were left with swollen, bruised eyes.

Everyone must be filled with questions.

Why on earth?

Why are we the ones in the right?

Thinking the same thing.

“You guys are just squires or apprentices, unlike those people who are full-fledged knights.”

The flaw can be seen as the Snowflake Festival.

The full-fledged knights, upon receiving Isabella’s order that day, quickly set out and must have caused quite a stir within the Order while searching for Carcine.

However, there’s no doubt that everything inside that pouch was from the time of the Snowflake Festival.

Not only did they tamper with Carcine’s belongings, but they also know for sure that they took, burned, or destroyed them.

Hence, they punish severely anyone who dares touch their master’s belongings as a knight of the house.

There is nothing wrong with this command.

“Stop.”

When I declared a halt at the water tap accumulating dust, they immediately ceased their actions. Any objections? It didn’t seem likely.

“As I thought. My expectations were correct.”

The full-fledged knights may harbor ill feelings towards Carcine, but at least they are loyal to the house and do not cross the line. Those who dared to provoke Carcine under Theo’s command were, upon closer inspection, only apprentices, squires, or newly arrived members.

That in itself is riddled with contradictions.

The difference between full-fledged and apprentice within the Order is like night and day, yet Theo did not absorb them.

Even in the past, when driving Carcine out, he did not directly rely on the power of full-fledged knights but used indirect methods to frame him.

And witnessing the scene before their eyes. When they see only those below apprentice rank being roped into factions and unable to freely manipulate full-fledged knights, certainty sets in.

They, too, couldn’t touch him.

It must have been a limitation to manipulate and isolate Carcine using only those beneath him.

So, he somehow aimed to rise as a full-fledged knight.

Unable to touch those above, he touched everyone below, laying the groundwork for his own game.

Knowing that alone was not enough, he reached out to Emma.

Finally, he sought to capture this Order by attracting Flora’s attention.

While the upper water was clear, the lower ones muddied it, turning the training center into such a murky mud pit.

Then, choosing a more daring option poses no problem.

“Carlton.”

“Yes.”

“As Carcine Bargrand, I command you. Dismiss all those who have insulted me and my fiancée from Bargrand. And,”

Swish!

I pointed the sword back at them.

“From this moment, throw them into the Tulea Mines. Inform the royal family that they are to be imprisoned there, never to touch a sword again or set foot outside.”

[5. The highest punishment of Tulea Mines is imposed on the prisoners.]

***

“This is outrageous!”

“Us being thrown into the Tulea Mines! Is that even conceivable?”

“Even dismissal is unacceptable. Please reconsider!”

They protest loudly.

Even dismissal is a severe punishment, but I went further by saying that they would be sent to Tulea Mines, the empire’s largest crime penitentiary.

“Quiet down, you lot!”

“Can’t you move faster?!”

Whether they like it or not, the sinners have no right to speak.

They were dragged away not by mere knights with hollow titles but by the real ones.

However, even the full-fledged knights momentarily hesitated, thinking this order was excessive.

After the sinners were taken away, one knight stepped forward and bowed.

It was the knight named Carlton, whom I had called earlier.

“Milord. While it is fitting for those who dared lay hands on their master’s belongings to receive punishment, sending them to the Tulea Mines seems relatively harsh given the nature of their crimes.”

Carlton spoke with a respectful tone.

“Tulea Mines is the empire’s largest crime penitentiary. Once you enter, you cannot leave, as it is a penitentiary owned by the royal family. It seems difficult to send them there for crimes such as robbery, theft, and insulting nobility alone.”

“So?”

“First, we’ll send the Marquis of Bargrand to prison and deprive him of consciousness for 90 days, creating a deteriorating environment that damages his health. Then, once his sentence is served, we’ll strip him of all authority and send him back to his hometown. How does that sound to you?”

Karlton’s argument, or rather commentary, was entirely valid.

From this scene alone, it seemed that the three sins constituted a limit to dismissal and knighthood revocation.

If there were any objections due to excessive punishment, the full price would fall squarely on Carsane Bargrand.

If news of this spreads among the empire’s nobles, it will undoubtedly lead to other negative consequences.

Indeed, he was not a knight who simply pledged allegiance to the family name. It was merely a matter of placing the wrong successors.

But even I am aware of such things.

[3. What if they committed sins beyond this, sins worthy of being transferred to the Tullea Mines?]

“What if they committed sins beyond this, sins worthy of being transferred to the Tullea Mines?”

“Are you saying… they committed additional sins?”

“Of course.”

A bewildered Karlton asks the surrounding knights if any of them heard anything to confirm. Naturally, there were none.

Then, suddenly, a person interjected into the conversation.

“Proceed as such. It’s as the Master says.”

“Vice Captain Mark?”

“Captain Radiel too?”

Amidst the questioning looks of the knights, the captain and vice-captain appeared.

There seemed to be no need for questions about what had transpired.

“I will ask you all one thing to consider.”

***

“If asked to explain what happened at the fountain, how would you report to me?”

A knight raised his hand.

“We would report that Lord Carsane was being robbed by the squire knights, including Theo Ramstair, and rightfully had his sword drawn in response.”

Other knights nodded in agreement.

It was a concise and easily understandable report.

“Let’s consider this. If that scene hadn’t been witnessed by you, what would have happened?”

“Well… I would have heard about it from others.”

“Right. It would have been heard through someone else’s ears. So, who would be the first to pass on this news?”

“It would likely be the squire knights. Since we, the knights, frequently receive reports from the squires.”

At that, all the knights exchanged knowing glances.

“Come to think of it, those guys just now…”

“They seemed to be squires and apprentices.”

“It’s not just seeming like that. All those who laid hands on the Master’s belongings were just that. No formal knights were involved.”

“Moreover, I recall that after a certain point, there were no longer reports exchanged between formal knights.”

“It’s suspicious. It’s like they’re operating as a group.”

The knights’ expressions grew more serious, as if realizing they were missing something significant.

“It’s just a hypothetical scenario, but if we hadn’t discovered this…”

As the hypothetical scenario floated to the surface.

Radiel spoke up.

“Right. That’s the flaw.”

“Captain…?”

“Isn’t it perfect for pushing someone with already tainted views to become a liar? Since the communication network consists solely of squires and apprentices.”

“Is that possible? Without an informant within the cohort…”

“There was something stashed in the supply warehouse. Probably hidden to avoid being caught if they indulge in excessive luxury compared to their salary.”

-Clatter!

As if waiting for those words, Radiel poured out the box he had been holding onto the ground.

“The evidence is here. In that situation, if someone were to offer the equivalent of 30% of their salary to rush a report, these squire boys who value money over honor would do it without hesitation.”

“…Is this money coming out because such a thing is actually happening here in the training ground?”

“That’s not all.”

“Yes?”

“If that request came from outside rather than from within, what would you do?”

…!

The knights’ faces darkened in an instant.

It’s not just a small amount.

Inside the box spilled a considerable amount of currency and jewelry-studded ornaments.

Among the squires and apprentices, there were no shortage of individuals revealing their greed.

There were even those boasting about buying new items with their sudden influx of salary.

Radiel drove the point home.

“As long as we align our words to keep it from reaching the higher-ups, it shouldn’t be that difficult. Even if it means falsely accusing me with a sword.”

“Y-Yes, Captain!”

“Surely you don’t mean…”

The knights jumped nervously.

Their gazes involuntarily turned towards one person.

“Sir Carsane…,” someone began.

“Did he falsely accuse someone?”

“Was it really Sir Radiel who was attacked?”

Eyes filled with confusion darted around.

In a situation where the evidence was clear, it was not the time to question belief.

The ill will towards Carsane from the apprentices and squires was palpable.

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The fact that money was exchanged for a request was blatantly obvious.

“Who is the culprit?”

Karlton swallowed hard, asking Radiel.

As the victim and witness of the incident, she clearly knew who among the three was the perpetrator.

It was a tense moment.

Regardless of whose name came out of those lips, the knights would not simply let it slide.

But at this moment, the person who seemed most likely to have a heart attack was none other than Flora.

Clutching her clothes tightly, she held her breath, waiting.

Finally, a name came out of Radiel’s mouth.

Feeling as if her breath had been taken away, the girl slumped down in her place.

‘Because of my… helping Theo… Carsane…?’

Something inside her chest burst open with a bang.