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I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 131
🕑 Added 2024-09-30 13:43:00 +0000 UTCChapter 131: Spring Outing (1)
Several days had passed since I last visited the training grounds.
Confined to the Duchy, I had no choice but to spend my time here, sweating alongside the other knights, clashing swords, and honing my skills.
And my stats…
Lv. 41
▶ Available SP has been automatically allocated to the ??? stat! ◀
▶ Strength: 5.58
▶ Agility: 6.92
▶ Endurance: 7.03
▶ Stamina: 5.02
▶ Immunity: 1.45
▶ ???: 41%
All four basic stats had exceeded 5, making me significantly stronger than the average person. I could handle most tasks with ease. Even taking down low-level monsters didn’t require much effort. My range of activities with Carlton within the squadron had expanded considerably.
Of course, I was still average, maybe even slightly below average, compared to the other knights.
Those three fools who had blocked the road to Lusmire were easy to deal with, but I was still no match for the true warriors of the Ipheros Marquisate.
Realistically, I wasn't ready to leave the Duchy. I needed to reach their level of skill, to be able to protect myself.
But it wasn’t bad. My stamina and endurance had increased, expanding my range of activities and ensuring I wouldn’t collapse in the next episode.
And as my stats steadily rose, a letter arrived.
From Barak, the village head of Lusmire.
“Oh?”
It seemed like everything was going according to plan.
『 The nobles have started complaining about the tunnel, claiming we’ve encroached on their territory. 』
The tunnel cut directly through Mount Waglu, extending across its entire length.
And parts of the mountain fell within their territories. The original hiking trails, the ones that had been abandoned, had belonged to them.
Their claims weren't entirely unfounded.
『 But their demands are unreasonable. They want us to hand over half the tunnel. And then, there were fights between thugs and mercenaries, disrupting the peace. 』
He reported that the nobles were accusing me of being incompetent, claiming I couldn't even maintain order within the tunnel.
And since I wasn’t there, they were probably furious.
『 They even complained about the presence of the Yaricans, claiming they’re a threat. Those men are here for the trade agreement! 』
They were deliberately creating problems, stirring up trouble to justify their demands for control over the tunnel.
And they were using the Yaricans’ presence to escalate the situation.
However, the rest of the letter was reassuring.
『 But then, two knights arrived. From the Bagrand Duchy’s First Knight Squadron… 』
The territory dispute? Easily resolved. 95% of Mount Waglu belonged to Lusmire, and they backed down after I cited an old treaty regarding land ownership.
The thugs and mercenaries disrupting the peace?
I had instructed Radiel and Mark to draw their swords, to use force if necessary. They were knights of the Bagrand Duchy, and anyone who dared threaten my territory would face their wrath. I had even authorized them to create a blacklist, banning those who caused trouble from entering the tunnel.
And the Yaricans?
Their presence was justified by the trade agreement with the Ipheros Marquisate, and they were allowed to stay in Lusmire for a certain period of time to oversee the transportation of the rocks.
I had also contacted Pollux, urging him to ensure the Yaricans behaved themselves.
And finally, the nobles’ attempts to question my authority…
『 Sir Radiel held up the cufflink and said, “Are you defying my lord’s orders?” They were speechless! I even threatened to raise their toll fees! It felt amazing, hahaha. 』
“He sounds thrilled.”
Barak seemed to have enjoyed putting those nobles in their place.
The villagers, relieved and reassured by the knights’ presence, had slept soundly that night.
And the Yaricans, as those nobles left, had discreetly flipped them off.
He claimed their expressions had been priceless.
“It’s good to hear that everything’s under control.”
The situation had unfolded exactly as it had in the game.
No one would dare threaten Lusmire now.
There might be some minor skirmishes with monsters, but that was manageable. And under the protection of the Bagrand Duchy, Lusmire would continue to be a valuable source of income.
However, it wasn’t enough.
The revenue generated from Lusmire wouldn’t be enough to repay the debt I owed to the Duchy.
The cost of living at the Bagrand estate, the damages I had incurred, the allowance I had received… it all added up to an astronomical sum.
And in this era, it would be even worse.
Lusmire alone wasn’t enough.
Just like my part-time job earnings wouldn't have been enough to cover my debts in my previous life.
▶ Sub-Episode: Return Date in progress. ◀
▶ Choose your return date. ◀
[ 1. Today. ]
[ 2. Tomorrow. ]
[ 3. Two days from now. ]
This sub-episode was triggered by my conversation with Claire, allowing me to choose my return date.
Delaying my return would minimize conflict with the family, but the situation in Lusmire, the nobles’ attempts to disrupt the trade, meant that I would be forced to return on the last day, triggering the Late Return Event.
But I wasn’t concerned.
There had been no communication from the Duchy since my encounter with Claire, except for a single letter from Isabella, expressing her hope for my safe return.
“It’s time to go back. Back to the Duchy.”
It was time to trigger the next episode.
***
-Ding!
The familiar notification sound greeted me as I stepped into the Duchy.
The Return Event.
I ignored it and continued walking.
And then, as I reached the entrance of the mansion…
-Thud.
A book fell to the floor.
“…!”
The owner of the book was a young girl with golden hair.
‘So this Return Event starts with Flora.’
The Late Return Penalty, combined with the Leaving Duchy Penalty and the Staying Out Overnight Penalty, meant a significant drop in affinity.
If I messed up this interaction with Flora, the first step in this event, things could get complicated. I needed to at least fulfill one of her requests.
Perhaps I should pick up the book and hand it to her.
“I-I can get that…!”
As I reached for the book, Flora scrambled to pick it up, her eyes wide with panic.
What? Was she telling me not to touch her book?
And then, her eyes lit up, as if a brilliant idea had just occurred to her.
“Um… could you… help me with my studies?”
“Studies?”
“…Yes. Shaiden said math is essential for… quantification, but I’m not very good at it…”
“What?”
I had been expecting a demand, a request triggered by the penalties, but she wanted me to tutor her?
I was speechless.
“Is… Is that a problem?”
She asked, her voice small.
It was absurd, but Flora always had a request for me when I returned.
It wasn’t exactly a penalty, but fulfilling her request would probably prevent further complications.
“I can help you solve a few problems.”
“Really?!”
Considering her personality, similar to my youngest sister, she would probably ignore my explanation anyway.
But, even if she pretended to listen, it would still count as fulfilling her request.
She opened her book and pointed to a problem. It was a simple middle school level math problem, easy for someone who had endured the hell of college entrance exams.
Explaining it was easy.
I wasn’t sure if she truly understood, but my solution was correct.
This should clear the first penalty.
“Hmm, you really are good at math.”
A voice, sharp and familiar, interrupted our conversation.
A woman with a fiery red ponytail strode towards us, her steps confident and her gaze unwavering.
Arina.
The eldest of the Bagrand sisters.
I had already fulfilled Flora's request, so I was ready to leave.
“Why don’t you help her a little more? It’s nice to see you bonding with your sister.”
“You didn’t tell me to come back to tutor Flora.”
“Tsk, you’re always in such a hurry. Fine, let’s go.”
She clicked her tongue, leading the way up the stairs.
As I followed Arina, I felt a tug on my sleeve.
Flora was holding onto it, her eyes wide and pleading.
“Are you… mad at me?”
“What?”
“N-Never mind!”
She released my sleeve and ran ahead, disappearing up the stairs.
‘What’s with her? Why is she acting so strange?’
Well, it didn't matter.
I had cleared the first penalty.
***
I followed Arina to Isabella’s office and sat down on the sofa as instructed.
Isabella placed a framed photograph she had been holding on her desk and sat down next to Arina, her gaze fixed on me.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were using those funds to purchase Lusmire?”
-Ding!
▶ Sub-Episode: Return Date cleared. ◀
▶ The main episode branch will be determined based on your choice. ◀
▶ Isabella is inquiring about Lusmire. How will you respond?
[ 1. (Calmly) I didn’t think it was necessary to inform you. ]
[ 2. (Indifferently) Even if I had told you, I doubt you would have approved. ]
[ 3. (Lowering my head) I thought you might try to intervene. There were… complications that required me to handle this matter personally. I apologize. ]
Finally.
This choice would determine the direction of the main episode.
Responding too negatively would be an admission of guilt, shortening the episode’s duration. Being too positive would make them complacent, extending the timeline.
I needed to control the pace, to find the right balance.
This option seemed like the best choice.
[ 1. (Calmly) I didn’t think it was necessary to inform you. ]☑
“I didn’t think it was necessary to inform you.”
“…Why not? I might not have scolded you. Your intentions were good, weren’t they?”
“It was still an expenditure. And it was a personal one.”
Arina sighed, her expression softening slightly.
“You’re being too formal. I would have understood.”
“As stated in the Imperial certificate, Lusmire doesn't belong to the Bagrand Duchy. It’s Carsein Bagrand’s territory.”
“And?”
“I wasn’t acting as a representative of the Bagrand Duchy. It was a personal endeavor. And therefore, I deserve to be reprimanded.”
Yes, I had to maintain this boundary.
A personal expenditure. Not a Duchy affair.
That was the safest approach.
Arina, sensing her mother’s disappointment, glared at me before changing the subject.
“Mother, let’s drop it. I wasn’t planning on scolding him anyway.”
“Very well.”
Isabella smiled, willingly moving on.
“Arsienne told us about your endeavors. It seems you’ll be able to participate in this year’s Eastern Nobles' Conference without any obstacles.”
“Of course. Lusmire’s prosperity alone is impressive, but you even provided the West with building materials and improved their efficiency. They can’t possibly question your capabilities.”
“I’m proud of you, Carsein.”
Her praise didn’t affect me.
The choices offered only silence as a response, so I remained quiet.
“Then, we should celebrate Carsein’s achievements during this year’s symposium break, shouldn't we?”
As Pollux had mentioned earlier, they were discussing the rest period before the Conference.
They had decided to have a family outing to see the cherry blossoms, and they had even hired a painter to create a new family portrait.
“What do you think, Carsein? Sound good?”
-Ding!
[ 1. Yes, I’m fine with that. ]
[ 2. No, I’d rather spend my free time exploring on my own. ]
[ 3. I didn't get to enjoy myself at the Snowflake Festival. I want to have fun this time. ]
Option 3 meant indulging in the festivities, maximizing Carsein’s stamina and maintaining a neutral relationship with the family.
I could experience various activities, from visiting hot springs and beaches to attending balls.
Option 2 would grant me more free time, but it would also lower their affinity.
I could use that time to prepare for the Conference, to acquire necessary items, to complete certain sub-episodes, or even to visit Shatrain and manage the villagers’ affinity, but the benefits weren't significant.
And rejecting the break altogether, returning to the training grounds, wasn't an appealing option either.
The best choice was option 1.
A neutral response, a simple agreement to participate in their outing.
After all, the second penalty was still looming.
“It’s settled then. Carsein’s on board, so let’s plan a family outing.”
“When should we go?”
“Carsein, when are you free? We want to make sure you’re well-rested for the Conference, so you choose.”
“…”
“Carsein?”
Why wasn’t I being prompted with a choice?
The next line should have triggered the second penalty…
“Didn’t Claire already decide?”
“Oh, that?”
Arina chuckled.
“She said it would be better for you to choose, since she upset you. She wouldn’t tell me what happened, though.”
“I heard the same thing.”
…What?
I quickly checked the status window, and instead of the expected Return Penalty notification…
…a different message appeared.
▶ You are now able to choose the date for the spring outing, thanks to Helper Claire's intervention. ◀
