The Damn Family Is Back Again

231. I Wanted to ■■■ ■■■■■ ■■■ ■■ (1)

‘How on earth did this happen?’

The nobles of the Waglulu faction still couldn’t believe this situation.

‘I thought it was over once he was forced to choose Shatren with the lowest score…!’

‘Shatren is an agriculture-based territory. There’s no way he could achieve good results unless he restored its soil; I was sure he would self-destruct…!’

‘He even handed out money to residents and incited division without any issue. Even if he took on the same territory twice, nothing would change!’

‘He accelerated premiumization by using that Maph scoundrel and ruined Shatren… How could this happen…!’

In their minds, they expected this symposium would become Karsein’s grave.

Starting from taking on Shatren again, there was no way he could overcome discord with residents or come up with a method to revive an agriculture-based territory; such thoughts were beyond that foolish commoner’s comprehension.

Hadn’t they already played their hands?

After receiving several reports in succession about the peak, and even acquiring the Peselros Privilege, it all meant little if the final outcome did not materialize.

Once the final results settled, that would be that.

Yet, he had accomplished everything.

Despite previous precedents of ruin in the territory, he resolved conflicts with the residents.

He identified and eliminated spies hidden among them and gathered evidence to bring them to justice.

By purifying the soil, he pinpointed issues within the Shatren territory and stabilized prices for Shatren strawberries and grapes.

Even up to this point, it was an inconceivable feat.

Absolutely impossible events had unfolded before their eyes.

‘But how on earth did he figure out about that fertilizer!’

No matter how hard they thought about it, there was no way to deduce or trace back to how he came by such knowledge.

It felt as though something beyond reason had invaded their minds; members of the Wagleu faction were left blank-headed as they were led away.

-Clang!

“Step inside.”

The guards who brought them here commanded them to enter a prison covered with iron bars.

With a metallic sound echoing around them as they stood before those iron-barred cells, reality began to sink in at last.

From now on, they would be known not by their noble family names but solely by their identities as criminals.

In this moment of realization, Count Letelvic frowned deeply.

“Isn’t there some mistake? A prison?”

“What other place should you be if not here? You are the ones who caused trouble.”

“That’s absurd! The fertilizer hasn’t even been found yet; why should we have to enter a cell like common criminals?”

“Well, the nature of the crime is quite severe, and evidence will soon emerge.”

“Perhaps you should step inside quickly then. Unless you wish to be kicked in from this very spot.”

Count Retelvik bristled at the guards’ aggressive demeanor.

It was an incredibly insulting remark.

The threat of being kicked in was a humiliation hard to endure.

Yet, there was no choice.

How could one deny such a thing?

With the truth laid bare by Karsein, all they could do now was wait for the fertilizer to be found so that their sentences might be reduced.

Just then—

A hissing sound filled the air as thick smoke began to rise.

“What…?! What is this…!”

“Cough! What kind of nonsense is this…!”

– Pwoosh!

The surroundings fell eerily silent in an instant.

Two guards who had been coughing and covering their mouths suddenly had their abdomens pierced cleanly through.

They collapsed heavily to the ground—two adults transformed into corpses in mere moments—as green, sharp tendrils emerged from their bodies, spreading a scent of blood into the air.

The nobles watching turned their heads back in shock at the sight before them.

There was only one person capable of wielding such magic. The very individual who had developed it.

“Th-this way, Count Retelvik.”

“What have you done now?!”

“I know full well what you’ve done.”

You know full well, do you?

The nobles cast the same look toward Count Retelvik.

“Count, have you lost your mind!”

“If we commit such an act, we will be defying the imperial decree!”

“The charges won’t lessen; they’ll only increase!”

Thud!

Count Retelvik glared and thrust his cane down forcefully.

“So, are you suggesting we accept our fates as they are? A death sentence is all but certain!”

“W-what did you say?”

“A death sentence. If it’s merely for reaping benefits from your territory, it won’t go that far!”

“Moreover, there’s no way to find the hidden fertilizer. Once the black market is swiftly shut down, there will be no way to trace it!”

“You fools. Do you really think that fertilizer won’t be discovered?”

With a sigh of exasperation, the old man surveyed the factional nobles with disdain.

“Has that wretched thing ever left any part of our work untouched? Was there ever a predictable element in this mess?”

“T-that is…”

“The very fact that you’ve tried to mend relations with those residents who ruined your territory was an error in itself. The idea of investigating and managing soil makes no sense at all; similarly, those spies planted by Lillfetten must have already fled one by one.”

Then Count Retelvik raised his voice further.

“Up until now, that wretched thing has mobilized every variable possible to sabotage our efforts. The discovery of that fertilizer is merely a matter of time! And yet you’re thinking about going into prison and calmly reducing your sentence?”

It’s only a matter of time before we’re discovered.

I still don’t understand what kind of idea could have sprung from that creature’s head, but there’s no doubt it had something to do with the preparations I made.

“I definitely took those western wild dogs earlier.”

I don’t know how he managed to counter the power of scent, but this wasn’t the time to ponder that.

The smoke had finally cleared.

Count Retelvik rummaged through their pockets and pulled out the key to the private chamber where two guards were stationed.

“First, we need to move. Follow me.”

“Is there… is there any sharp plan from you, Count?”

“If we move now, we’ll truly be defying imperial orders. There’s no way back… Ugh!”

He aimed his cane at the nobles.

“Do you wish to die by his hand or mine?”

“Count!”

“We don’t have time; follow quietly. Unless you want to end up like those creatures.”

The nobles of the Waglou faction followed Count Retelvik in fear.

They were terrified by his threats and his mad call for weighing against the imperial family, yet they found themselves strangely accepting it as well.

“Yes. We can’t just sit here doing nothing.”

“The moment the imperial family discovers the fertilizer, there’s no escaping it.”

“Sitting idle won’t solve anything either. He will come for our heads…”

“If even that power he’s been secretly researching has been brought out here, then perhaps it’s best we play all our cards now.”

“We need to find a way out—any way at all!”

Before long, they arrived at the private chamber where the guards were stationed, and their demeanor shifted as they delved into the heart of the matter.

“Count.”

“What is it?”

“To ensure that plan comes to fruition, we must eliminate that b*stard Karsein right here and now.”

“I don’t know what tricks he’s been up to, but we need to act quickly and take his head off, don’t you think?”

“We must leave no traces behind if possible, but given how things have turned out, we need to cut off his breath. If it aligns with His Excellency’s wishes!”

Only then did Count Letelvic let out a faint chuckle.

It’s about time.

This should have been done much earlier.

If one seeks a way out, action should have been taken like this from the start.

Though it may be late in the game… there are still last resorts left. With their forces dwindling now was the best opportunity.

“Alright. Let’s use that against him—”

-BOOM!

At that moment, the door of the private chamber burst open.

Amidst swirling pink hair, piercing blue eyes locked onto them.

“You little b*stards. How dare you lay a hand on anyone.”

“T-that’s…!”

“Isn’t that Claire Bagrand!”

“Enough! We can’t wait for charges or judgments.”

Whirring—

At first glance, the magic circle was imbued with considerable power.

Claire’s rage-fueled magic engulfed the room where the Waglul faction gathered.

“The price for touching my brother will be steep. You b*stards.”

With her fierce voice, an explosion filled the air around them.

***

The symposium had come to an end.

Some were steeped in despair, while others basked in joy. Yet another group resolved to prepare for what lay ahead, casting wistful glances at what had passed.

The young noble heirs were divided by the grueling exams and their reactions. Their demeanor was reminiscent of a school setting.

“Tsk. Why am I feeling this way?”

This wasn’t something that should have crossed my mind.

-Tap.

“Ah.”

“Really. It’s beyond imagination, isn’t it?”

Harnié had approached without me noticing and pressed a cold drink against my cheek with a smile.

“I knew you were planning something, but I didn’t expect it to be this intense.”

“…That’s too much praise.”

“Too much praise? Did you not see everyone else’s expressions? They all looked like they couldn’t believe what they were witnessing.”

I too had been so shocked that I covered my mouth with both hands in disbelief at one point.

Suddenly serious, Harnié asked in a low voice,

“…What did your family say this time?”

“You came to ask about that, didn’t you?”

“Well, I have to confirm it, don’t I?”

Harnier pouted her lips as if it were obvious.

Well, I suppose it’s fine to say this.

Besides, there are things I want to ask too.

“There was nothing on your end. I stepped away from the situation.”

“Is that so? That’s a relief.”

“And what about you?”

“Huh?”

“You found yourself in a situation where you’d have something to say to your family—Harnier, you’re in the same boat.”

Harnier hesitated for a moment before clearing her throat twice and responding.

“The Marquis and Belian haven’t said anything to me. It seems they were looking for any excuse to push for a divorce or something like that, but given my grades and yours, they couldn’t really say such things.”

“Is that so?”

So far, that’s good news.

“So… I’m asking again.”

“Yes?”

“Do you… really not want anything from me? This feels like such a big matter…”

I asked while avoiding her gaze, but there was no helping it on my part.

“I can’t think of anything specific.”

“…Really?”

“Just do it the way you want.”

I thought about answering that, but Harnié took a step back first.

“Then I need some time to prepare… Please give me a little while.”

Preparation. I didn’t know what she intended to offer, but I decided to set those thoughts aside.

I still wasn’t used to this kind of thing.

“Oh! And don’t forget! Got it?”

…Even on the way back in the carriage, she reminded me not to forget.

I hoped it wouldn’t be too much pressure.

***

The symposium was over.

The time spent with family was also finished.

With my last conversation with Harnié concluded, I finally found a moment of respite after such a long time.

Entering my room, I collapsed onto the bed, exhausted.

“…It’s finally over.”

Originally, Chapter 2 ended with the criminals’ desperate struggle.

In the game as well, there would often be an uproar following the revelation of the symposium’s results.

But this time, I had witnessed it all with my own eyes.

That neither condition applied at all.

So it’s truly over now.

Chapter 2—long and winding—has come to an end.

I closed my eyes for a moment, savoring a brief moment of freedom.

…No. To be precise, that was what I intended to do.

– Knock, knock.

“Hey, Karsein.”

Flora had come to bother me again.

‘Of course.’

This game would never let me off that easily.

Just when I thought it was all over, something like this always popped up.

“I told you I’m tired; why are you here?”

“It won’t take much time! Besides, I’m all alone…”

As the little one said, this time Flora was indeed by herself.

As I rolled my eyes and prepared to tell her to come in, she held out a small vial toward me.

“Um… I came to deliver this.”

“What is it?”

“It’s an allergy relief potion for Kelvia. I—I made it myself!”

“Why are you giving me that?”

At that, Flora flinched slightly and replied,

“Well… there’s a custom where the winner gets a gift after the symposium. So… someone might give you Kelvia fruit…”

Hah. Unbelievable.

A custom of giving gifts? That wasn’t even in the game.

‘…This is pretty good information for a random find.’

In other words, it meant I could have ended up with a pile of gift boxes only to be caught off guard by the Kelbia fruit.

-Ding!

▶You can receive the chief gift from Flora’s symposium.◀

▶Accepting it will increase your intimacy. Will you accept?◀

‘Tch. Was it really necessary to pop up this annoying window?’

Since my intimacy would go up, it’s probably best to accept it for now. It would be absolutely undesirable to not take it and then face some troublesome consequences later.

But…

Why does she keep peeking into my room?

“…Hey. Didn’t little sister come looking for you?”

“Seriously? The fact that Claire is coming to find me is already an error, isn’t it? If she had met the family, there’s no way she’d come here.”

At that, Flora’s eyes widened in surprise.

“You really didn’t meet little sister?”

***

Pitter-patter.

As the smoke cleared and the interior of the room gradually came into view, Claire couldn’t hide her bewilderment.

‘What’s going on? How…!’

That massive flame had surely engulfed this room.

With that kind of firepower, it should have been more than enough to subdue everyone inside in an instant.

Yet…

They stood there, perfectly still.

With something leading the way.

“Hmph. Since it’s already come in, there’s nothing to be done. We’ll have to eliminate it from this year.”

What is that…?

“Cl-claire Young-ae…”

Something that seemed bizarrely intertwined with both human and plant was calling Claire’s name.