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I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 339
🕑 Added 2025-03-08 14:39:34 +0000 UTCChapter 339: Family (9)
Radiel’s armor was ruined. The breastplate, unable to withstand the pressure, had shattered, its fragments scattered across the floor.
And because of that, I had to stand facing the wall, as punishment.
I couldn't speak,
I couldn't ask any questions,
I just had to wait, silently, until Harnie gave me permission to turn around.
That was the price of my carelessness.
…But it was a light punishment, considering the circumstances.
Normally, I would have been subjected to one of her infamous backhand spikes. But she had been surprisingly lenient, perhaps because of the situation.
“Ah, I found it. Here it is.”
After a brief search, Harnie found what she was looking for.
That was a relief. I knew the Bagrand manor well, so I had been able to direct her.
This room contained women’s clothing.
So Harnie was able to find a replacement for the ruined armor.
“But why… Hah… Well, it’s better than nothing.”
Harnie sighed and began to change.
-Clank. Clatter. The sound of metal and fabric echoed through the room as she discarded the ruined armor.
“You can turn around now. I’m decent.”
I turned around. While she had changed, the sharp glint in her eyes indicated that she wasn't entirely pleased.
But…
The outfit she was wearing was beautiful.
It was a maid uniform, the same one worn by the other maids, but…
It looked different on her. Harnie, even in such a simple outfit, was stunning.
“…It suits you.”
“What… what did you say?”
Damn it.
I had spoken without thinking.
“You… you really…! How can you say that so casually…!”
…I was in trouble.
That handprint on my back would probably last a while.
Harnie fanned herself, trying to calm down.
***
“Well, we’ve bought ourselves some time… but the real problem is… what to do next.”
With a change of clothes, Harnie could move freely again.
But it wasn’t entirely good news.
“This is bad. Radiel’s armor is…”
Radiel’s armor had not only concealed Harnie’s identity but had also acted as a pass, allowing her to move freely within the Bagrand Duchy.
With the armor ruined, she couldn’t maintain her disguise.
And without the armor, without the passwords, our plan to infiltrate the Duchy would have to be revised.
‘And to make matters worse, this appeared.’
The status window from earlier.
Its contents were unsettling.
▶ Entered Bagrand Manor Field. ◀
▶ Warning! Soldiers are patrolling the area. Avoid detection to prevent the pursuit event from being triggered. ◀
▶ Acquire the necessary items while avoiding the soldiers. ◀
While I knew there was something I needed in the Bagrand manor, I hadn’t anticipated the heavy security.
The number of soldiers was comparable to the patrols on the Duchy’s borders, and they were on high alert. Why?
But this wasn't the time for complaints.
“It can’t be helped. We can’t use the Radiel and Mark disguises anymore. We’ll have to change our approach.”
“What are you planning?”
“Radiel said she was following Claire’s orders. So it wouldn’t be strange for one of us to be here, delivering a message. And my armor should be enough to conceal one person.”
“So you’re saying… I should pretend to be your maid?”
“Yes. It’s not unusual for a maid to accompany a knight, especially if they’re on an errand.”
While maids usually walked ahead of their masters, those assigned to personal errands often followed behind.
Camilla had done that when Harnie had visited the Duchy. I had remembered that, and it had given me an idea.
But…
The real problem was this.
‘…I have to tell her about the basement…’
How could I explain it?
We were surrounded by soldiers, and we had to escape quickly.
And Harnie, with a wanted poster out for her as well, had to leave the Duchy.
I couldn’t just casually suggest visiting the basement… Not now.
Just then, Harnie cupped my face in her hands, her violet eyes searching mine.
“Just tell me, Carsein.”
“…What?”
“I know about the Eyes of Wederos. Pollux and Talfon told me. Anyway, because of that power, you can see things others can’t. And there’s something… something you want to tell me, isn’t there?”
“…”
“It’s important, isn't it? That’s why you’re hiding it, that worried look on your face…”
She smiled gently and caressed my cheek.
-Squeeze.
“I won’t ask why. I just want to help you. That’s why I’m here. So, tell me.”
Had she read my mind?
Or had I inadvertently given her a clue?
I didn't know.
But she hadn't questioned me. She had sensed that I was hiding something, and she had created a safe space for me to confide in her.
And so, I told her.
“…There’s something hidden in the manor’s basement. I need to go there.”
“Okay. Then let’s go. You’ll have to hide me, though.”
“Right.”
She hadn't questioned me.
She hadn't asked for an explanation.
She had simply accepted my words, ready to follow me, wherever I led her.
‘…Seeing something different…’
While it wasn't in the same way, she was right.
I did see things others couldn't.
Thanks to the power of the Wederos Kingdom.
***
“There he is!”
“Get him!”
The artifacts, their mana depleted, had stopped functioning.
The illusion was gone.
The disguise, the hoods that had concealed their identity, the clothes that had masked their presence, they were now just ordinary clothes.
With their disguise gone, it was only a matter of time before the pursuers caught up.
The knights surrounded them, and while they managed to deflect their initial attacks, creating a small opening, they were trapped.
Arina stepped forward.
“You’re causing so much trouble, Carsein. Do you have any idea how many people are suffering because of you?”
“…”
“Drop your weapon. Otherwise…”
-Unsheathe.
“…you’ll be injured, Carsein.”
She drew her sword, but he didn’t lower his.
Arina scoffed, a look of disgust on her face.
“Hah. You foolish boy. Still so stubborn.”
So, reasoning with him was futile.
Then she would have to try a different approach.
“I didn’t expect Lady Harnie to be involved in this as well. Tell me, what did he say to deceive you? What lies did he use to manipulate you?”
“…”
“Your silence won’t solve anything, My Lady.”
But Harnie didn’t respond.
How could he have manipulated her so thoroughly?
Arina’s eyes narrowed, her fury growing.
“Commander Pergo.”
“Yes, My Lady!”
“Restrain them. I’ll deal with them myself.”
“Yes, My Lady!”
Arina walked towards the two hooded figures, her steps measured, her anger a palpable force in the air.
“Don’t blame me. You brought this upon yourself.”
Her sword, cold and sharp, moved with a deadly grace.
A heavy blow, followed by another, the force of her attacks sending tremors through their swords.
-Clang! Clang!
The difference in their skill was evident. It was a one-sided fight.
Arina scoffed, her attacks growing more ferocious.
“How pathetic. Is this all you’re capable of? After all that arrogance?”
“…Ugh!”
“Struggle all you want. Show me your true colors, your desperation. Why aren’t you using dirty tricks? That’s what you’re good at, isn’t it?”
-Thwack!
Carsein stumbled and fell to his knees, struck by her foot.
“Hah. I gave you an opening, and you can’t even take advantage of it? Or are you trying to hide your true nature, your commoner instincts?”
“…”
“Come on, fight back. I’m holding back, using only one arm. If you can even land a single blow, I’ll let you go. I’ll even help you escape. I don't care if you use dirty tricks.”
The outcome was predetermined.
He wouldn’t have much stamina left, not after fighting so many opponents.
But Arina didn’t stop.
She continued to press her advantage, relentlessly attacking him, using her fists and feet instead of her sword, giving him opportunities to fight back, to retaliate.
And after a series of one-sided exchanges,
Carsein finally collapsed at her feet.
“So this is the extent of your defiance. This is your limit. You’re a lazy, incompetent fool, content with mediocrity. You’ll never achieve anything. All you’re good at is deceiving others with your lies.”
Her anger burned, a furious inferno.
Because of him, her mother was ill, her sisters distraught.
“…You shouldn’t have been found, Carsein. You should have disappeared that day, at the Snowflake Festival, if you were just going to repay our kindness with betrayal. You… you never considered us family, did you?”
Just then,
Someone charged at her, their sword raised.
Arina, caught off guard, reflexively blocked the attack.
-Clang!
“Who are you?”
Arina, her sword crossed with her attacker’s, finally noticed something was amiss.
Harnie couldn’t use a sword. But this woman’s movements were too skilled, too precise.
-Swish!
“Ugh…!”
“…Hah. I’ve been tricked.”
The hood fell away.
And Arina saw her face.
Radiel.
And the one beneath her, of course, was…
Mark Redelstein.
The vice-captain of the First Knight Squadron.
They had been disguised as Carsein and Harnie.
The two knights were quickly apprehended.
Arina, her face a mask of disbelief, asked,
“What is the meaning of this, Sir Radiel, Sir Mark?”
“…”
“You are knights of the Bagrand Duchy. Why have you defied my orders?”
Mark and Radiel’s reply was immediate, their voices firm.
““We’ll accept any punishment.””
“…Hah…”
Arina’s head throbbed.
“Siding with Carsein… You’ll pay for this.”
“We have no regrets. But there’s one thing I want to say.”
“Speak.”
“As someone who has crossed blades with both of you, I can say with absolute certainty that if you had fought seriously in the tournament, you would have lost to Young Master Carsein.”
“Tsk. How dare you.”
Arina, dismissing his words, called for the guards.
“Take them away.”
“Think carefully, Lady Arina! Do you truly know anything about Young Master Carsein?!”
Radiel and Mark shouted as they were dragged away.
Their voices, loud and clear, unwavering.
“…Do I… know anything about Carsein…?”
Did she?
…
-Ding!
[Arina Bagrand: 90%]
[It wasn’t him who ■■■■ the ■■… it was ■■.]
***
▶ You have reached the basement of the Bagrand Manor. ◀
▶ Danger Level of this area: Restricted. ◀
I had finally reached the basement, moving stealthily through the manor, avoiding detection.
The basement.
The place where the key to returning home was hidden.
Harnie gave me a signal.
A nod. It was safe to enter. She would keep watch, and I would signal her when I was ready to leave.
I opened the door without hesitation.
-Click.
The air was thick with dust.
And amidst the dust motes, dancing in the faint light,
Was a shimmering object.
▶ You have discovered <The Late Duke’s Legacy>. ◀
▶ Hidden Memorial effect activated. ◀
