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I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 236
🕑 Added 2024-12-14 13:35:57 +0000 UTCChapter 236: Hospital Visit (2)
“Mother, I don’t understand. Why?”
Arina asked, bewildered by the instruction.
“If you restore all of his privileges, he’ll just run wild again. Are you telling me to do that, knowing the risks?”
“…Yes.”
“Mother!”
Isabella tapped Carsein’s evaluation notice twice with her index finger.
“This symposium has clearly demonstrated Carsein’s intentions, his plans. There was no falsehood in what he said, despite your repeated attempts to silence him.”
“I won’t argue with the fact that Carsein performed well in the symposium. However, a single success doesn’t excuse everything he’s done.”
Despite Isabella’s warning, Arina pressed on.
“The Eastern Nobles’ Conference has just concluded. The martial arts tournament is coming up. Are you telling me to just stand by and watch if he causes trouble again? Who knows what he’ll do?”
While her concerns were somewhat exaggerated…
Isabella shared them, to a certain extent.
“Yes, the Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament is fast approaching. If he causes another incident, the Bagrands, and those who follow us, will not forgive him.”
“You understand that, don’t you? Then…!”
“You took away Carsein’s privileges, saying you would return them when he proved himself worthy. This symposium has proven that. He’s more than capable.”
“…!”
Arina flinched at the mention of her past actions.
“I believe Carsein has more than proven himself with this. He’s no longer the immature child we once knew. He’s changed.”
Isabella added,
“You were wrong this time, Arina.”
‘Wrong.’
It was the first time her mother had ever said that to her.
As the eldest daughter of the Bagrand Duchy, Arina had never forgotten her responsibilities.
She had begun her studies early, eager to contribute to the family.
She had strived to excel among the nobles, to uphold the family’s honor.
Not only was it her duty as a noble, as a Bagrand, but she had also done it to support her mother.
After losing her father and Karn, her mother had been consumed by grief, to the point of near madness. So Arina had taken it upon herself to learn, to grow, to support her mother, who bore the weight of the Duchy alone.
No, support wasn’t enough.
Arina had younger siblings to protect, and to do that, she had to become a pillar of the Bagrand Duchy.
She had to be perfect.
Capable of leading the family.
That’s why Arina believed she had always chosen the correct path.
And yet, her own mother had told her she was wrong.
Arina suppressed her anger and replied,
“Very well. Then let’s limit it to the Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament.”
“Arina.”
“We need to observe him further, considering his past transgressions.”
The Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament.
Carsein had a colorful history in that arena as well.
“…Is that truly necessary? He’s your brother, too.”
“He’s a Bagrand first.”
She had to separate personal feelings from official matters.
He may have been right this time, but his past actions couldn’t be so easily dismissed.
She had to be stricter, more discerning.
She had to judge him one more time.
“Hah… Very well. Let’s do that.”
Isabella sighed, reluctantly agreeing to the amended condition.
“If he proves himself in the tournament, I’ll concede, and return his privileges.”
“Good. You may leave.”
Arina bowed and turned to leave.
But even as she left, a cold fire burned in her eyes.
‘Was that truly… Carsein’s plan?’
The flawed farming methods.
The soil contamination.
The internal enemies.
The external interference.
The blatant sabotage, the exposure of an entire faction, the acquisition of undeniable proof…
Carsein hadn’t missed a single detail.
He had meticulously investigated and calculated everything.
Even she, or Claire, couldn’t have devised such a plan.
No, even if they combined their efforts, it would have been difficult.
And Carsein had done it alone?
It was hard to believe.
It seemed more likely that his fiancée, the one who had supposedly elevated the Theresia Marquisate's standing, had orchestrated everything.
‘No matter. This martial arts tournament will reveal everything.’
Whether he was truly worthy of the Bagrand name.
Whether his success was simply a stroke of luck.
Whether he had truly matured, as their mother claimed.
The tournament would answer all of her questions.
***
On the first day of his hospitalization, Carsein was confined to his room.
Well, it couldn’t be helped.
With Harnie keeping a close watch, he couldn’t leave the room.
However…
“You’re not thinking of leaving, are you?”
“N-no… I just… needed to stretch.”
She even warned him against stretching.
“Here. Open your mouth.”
“But… my hands aren’t injured…”
“Complete bed rest. Doctor’s orders.”
She spoon-fed him, even though he could eat by himself.
“That’s enough paperwork for now. Go to sleep. I’ll take care of the rest.”
She confiscated his documents after barely two hours, insisting on handling his territorial duties herself.
While he appreciated her concern…
-Hey! Don’t you even think about working! Just stay in bed and rest! You’ll aggravate your injuries!
-Here, open wide.
-Even though it’s exam season, you’re still a patient. I’ve summarized the key points, so just focus on resting.
He couldn't help but be reminded of Jieun, who had visited him in the hospital that time.
‘Even this… is the same.’
He chuckled, watching her.
“Mmm…”
After a full day of attending to his needs, Harnie was finally dozing off.
She had been yawning all day, and now, her eyelids were drooping, her head bobbing slightly.
If he woke her up and told her to go back to her room, she would definitely refuse.
It couldn’t be helped.
“Alright. Carefully now…”
Just like he had done with Jieun…
He carefully lifted her, surprised by how light she was.
He gently placed her on the bed and covered her with a blanket.
“Mmm…”
“There. All done.”
Harnie stirred for a moment, then settled into a comfortable position and fell asleep.
Her soft, even breathing indicated just how exhausted she was.
He watched her for a moment, then sat on the edge of the bed and checked his status window, something he hadn't been able to do until now.
First, the most important thing:
▶ You have acquired Shatrain Territory. You can now exercise your rights as lord of Shatrain. Any issues within the territory will affect your reputation. ◀
“This is the same as the game.”
After the symposium, the player always acquired the territory they had managed.
Previously, I had only been able to manage one territory at a time due to the limited number of territory slots, but after clearing Chapter 2, the other slots were unlocked.
And…
This was the important part.
▶ CHAPTER 3 has not yet begun. ◀
▶ The <Another Plan> system will now be activated. ◀
Chapter 3 was the same as in the game.
One might assume that the next chapter would begin automatically, based on the player’s choices, but that wasn’t the case.
While Chapter 2 had utilized sub-episodes to progress the main episode, Chapter 3 didn't provide any sub-episodes at the beginning.
The player had to choose their own path, define their own objectives. They had to establish their goals before any sub-episodes would appear.
This was the <Another Plan> system, the system that defined Carsein’s objectives.
‘And these objectives weren’t presented as choices. The player had to decide for themselves.’
If Carsein wanted to become a master swordsman, he could simply raise the Swordsmanship gauge to the desired level.
If Carsein wanted to clear his name and improve his reputation to the point of being revered, he could raise the Reputation gauge.
Cooking. Academics. Health. Occupation.
He could choose any goal and raise the corresponding gauge.
But when I first saw this window, I only had one thing in mind.
The feeling I had from the very beginning.
I had set a single objective, driven by my own desires.
▶ You have set your objective for <Another Plan>. ◀
▶ Do you wish to confirm? ◀
[ 1. Yes ] ☑
[ 2. No ]
I maxed out the Money gauge.
And just like in the game, I removed the Bagrand family name, and the objective was set.
▶ Your objective is to amass a certain amount of wealth, repay your debt to the Bagrand Duchy, and leave. ◀
▶ Good luck. ◀
To amass wealth, repay the debt he owed to this family, and escape to freedom.
Just like my own desire, I hoped Carsein could achieve this as well.
‘I set the amount rather high, but it shouldn’t be a problem.’
He would need that much to repay his debt to the Duchy, anyway.
This was the second stage.
The first stage had been acquiring territory and regaining his rights. The next stage was amassing wealth and repaying his debt.
From now on, he would meticulously manage his two territories and accumulate wealth, creating the justification for his departure.
Fortunately, I had attempted this route countless times in the game, so I wasn’t particularly worried.
The only thing to be wary of was the fact that any issues within his territories would directly affect his reputation…
‘But that was the same in real life.’
And I had managed to avoid any scandals.
▶ You have chosen <Territory> as your method of acquiring funds for <Another Plan>. ◀
▶ Stage 1 objective: Acquire 100,000 Pesel. ◀
[Warning! This must be Carsein’s personal funds, not funds belonging to the Bagrand Duchy.]
[Warning! Any issues within your territories may result in a decrease in your funds.]
With this, my objective perfectly aligned with Carsein’s.
Our actions, our futures, were now one and the same.
Just like in real life, I would leave this house.
And to do that…
-Ding!
▶ CHAPTER 3 - Episode I: Family Visits has begun. ◀
▶ You must meet with all members of the Bagrand family. ◀
[Isabella Bagrand 0/1]
[Arina Bagrand 0/1]
[Claire Bagrand 0/1]
[Flora Bagrand 0/1]
I had to clear the episodes, one by one.
I had a lot to do.
But…
“Mmm… Carsein… you need to rest…”
Perhaps I should get some sleep.
I didn't want to be subjected to another round of nagging tomorrow.
***
The next day…
News of my awakening spread through the infirmary.
Harnie expressed her concern, but I had no choice. I needed to clear the episode. I asked her to spread the word, and soon, visitors began to arrive.
The first visitor was Pollux, who was staying nearby.
“Hmm. I heard you were injured, but this is… worse than I imagined.”
Isn’t it?
“See? I told you I was fine, Harnie—”
“If he overexerts himself, beat him senseless. He can’t use mana right now, so even you, Head of the Plesia Trading Company, should be able to handle him.”
“Wh-what…?”
“That’s what Pollux said.”
Harnie flexed her nonexistent biceps, a smug grin on her face.
Wait a minute…
…This wasn’t what I expected.
And it continued with the next visitor.
“This is madness. Head of the Plesia Trading Company, if Carsein tries to overdo it, beat him senseless—”
The other members of the Ipheros Marquisate echoed Pollux’s sentiment.
Then Lilpet, followed by Talfon, shook their heads and repeated the same advice.
Even Camilla, Tasha, Heron, Shaiden, Mark, Radiel, Carlton, and the entire First Knight Squadron said the same thing.
“Hmm. It seems his fiancée will have her work cut out for her.”
“Haha. Keep him tied up. Don’t let him near anything until he’s fully recovered.”
Even Arsienne and Florence chimed in, making it official. There was no escape.
Just as the repetitive advice was starting to give me a complex…
-Knock, knock.
“C-Carsein…”
Finally, someone from the Bagrand Duchy arrived.
‘There she is.’
The first member of the family to visit was… that little brat.
▶ Flora Bagrand has arrived. ◀
▶ Complete the hospital visit conversation. ◀
The conversation would likely follow a similar pattern.
Just like in the game, after the Chapter 2 incident and Carsein’s subsequent hospitalization…
The choices would appear soon enough. I nodded to Harnie and Camilla, signaling them to let Flora in.
Flora hesitated at the doorway, then stopped.
What was she doing?
“Didn’t you come here to talk?”
At my prompting, Flora swallowed hard and entered the room.
“…Are you feeling alright?”
-Ding!
▶ Flora’s affinity has increased. ◀
