The Damn Family Is Back Again

247. I Need to Make Money (4)

▶ Sub Episode. Isabella’s Call Cleared. ◀

▶ Achievement Rate: 82% ◀

As soon as I stepped out of Isabella’s room, a status window popped up.

Looking at the achievement rate, it was clear that I had cleared it without any issues.

However, I could clearly see that I had missed an opportunity.

The damage that Shatren suffered from the Waglou faction was considerable. The soil, which had been slowly recovering, was once again severely damaged due to the fertilizer that had been spread. It had also deteriorated further while deceiving the Waglou faction through smoke.

In any case, I need money to start producing Shatren’s specialties again. I had missed the chance to secure that money.

Moreover, Isabella was completely unaware that Arina had come to find me. If I could use this to my advantage, I might be able to eliminate unfavorable conditions for myself and manage to get through the Huanglong Martial Arts Tournament without a hitch.

Yet, I had kicked that opportunity away myself.

With the words that I didn’t need it.

Someone might call me foolish for this, but it was my choice.

I didn’t want to rely on this family as I moved forward.

After all, they would just become strangers.

Once I took my leave, I would never see them again.

So, I wanted to make it as clean as possible.

—

So that they can never hold me back.

So that no trace remains.

It was possible to take precautions in advance.

In that regard, this chapter. Chapter 3 was something I really liked in the game.

However, I had a feeling that some kind of variable would suddenly appear after I possessed this body.

“Even now, since I’ve possessed this body, it seems there are no significant constraints.”

If that’s the case, I can be self-sufficient without any issues.

Just like when I started a part-time job and discovered other means of making money, becoming engrossed in that work.

Satisfied with a situation that hadn’t changed much, I walked down the hallway.

And then, I encountered her at a truly remarkable moment.

“…”

The red ponytail comes to a halt.

The blue eyes gaze at me, and her brow slightly furrows.

– Ding!

▶ Complete the conversation with Arina. ◀

Right. The one in front of me was Arina.

It was quite a peculiar situation.

Arina at this timing. The place and timing somehow reminded me of that moment.

‘Then, should I react like I did during the morning greeting?’

I immediately turned to the options menu.

But… none of the choices seemed appealing.

[ 1. (Silently pass by.) ]

[ 2. Don’t get me wrong. You called me because of the symposium gift. ]

[ 3. Is there anything you need? ]

Option 2 makes it seem like Karsein has done something wrong and is retreating.

Option 3… I could gain a piece of information, but I already have that from the game, so it poses no problem. I’ve never been held back by that during retries.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 1.

If I choose option 1, Arina will misunderstand and hold me back. Resolving this misunderstanding will increase intimacy, allowing me to move on without issues.

‘But I don’t want that.’

Looking at the choices that didn’t sit well with me, I thought that this time, I should take the initiative to change the situation.

—

“Are you saying you called me because of the symposium gift? You must be suspicious, right? Arina.”

“What nonsense are you talking about all of a sudden?”

Arina flinched, her brows knitting together as she shot back at me.

And then the choice window refreshed, displaying another option.

I chuckled inwardly and chose that option.

[ 2. (sarcastically) You think I must have misled my mother, right? ]☑

“You’re thinking that seeing me come out of this room means I misled the Duchess, aren’t you?”

Arina’s expression darkened upon hearing this.

She seemed quite uncomfortable.

I responded to her with a playful shrug of my shoulders.

“Don’t worry. I told them I would attend the Yellow Dragon Martial Arts Tournament, and I accepted those terms as they were. I didn’t take the allowance they offered as a symposium gift since it didn’t suit my status. In other words, nothing you’re thinking happened.”

“You…!”

Arina couldn’t hold back and contorted her face.

“Don’t exaggerate. I didn’t ask or even think about such things!”

“Really? I was just worried it might turn out like the morning greeting.”

“The morning greeting…?”

Upon hearing the term ‘morning greeting,’ she pondered for a moment, and then it seemed she recalled that time, as a slight smile appeared on her lips.

That expression was quite charming.

After that, I passed by Arina without looking back.

***

Inside a clothing store.

To avoid receiving customers separately, a sign reading “Close” was hung up, and this place was currently busier than ever.

Whether it was clothing or accessories, and even various cosmetics to enhance beauty.

The staff hired to adorn someone to look prettier than ever had their eyes lit up with excitement.

Inside the fitting room.

Harnie, fully dressed in the attire, opened the curtain and stepped out.

All the staff gasped in admiration.

No, it wasn’t just admiration.

“Oh my…!”

“Ah, this is art. This is decoration!”

“I can’t believe how long I’ve waited for this day.”

It was a scene they had deeply yearned for as well.

The flower, which had always sought simplicity and concealed its splendor, was finally in full bloom at this moment.

Perhaps the reaction of the upper staff was so unfamiliar that Harni hesitantly asked,

“Is this really necessary…? I don’t think we need to go this far…”

At her words, the staff widened their eyes in disbelief.

“Of course it is! Absolutely!”

“It’s not just about going this far; you have to dress up to this extent!”

“You’ve always had to hold back and just observe, haven’t you?”

“If you’re a noble lady, you should have been adorned like this long ago!”

In unison, they denied her with one heart.

Harni, caught off guard by their overwhelming enthusiasm, found herself sweating nervously.

Still, unable to fully grasp it, she asked again,

“But it’s just a martial arts tournament. There’s no need for me to dress up as if I’m going to a fashion show…”

““Lady! That’s not it at all!””

The staff retorted, their eyes blazing with intensity.

They vehemently denied her doubts, insisting that it absolutely could not be so.

Though there were no explanations detailing why it should never be that way, Harni found herself unintentionally agreeing, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

“Um, um. I think this is what I should wear on the day.”

“Is there anything else we need? What else is there?”

“Perfume! The scent can be quite stimulating, you know.”

“Right! Let’s go pick some out! We need to find the right one for you.”

With a heated discussion, the staff rushed out in a flurry.

In the midst of the crowd, Harni finally found a moment to breathe.

“Phew. This is quite exhausting, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. It’s more tiring than I expected. I can’t believe I have to do this on the day itself.”

A moment to breathe? Not at all.

A sigh escaped her lips once more.

From the morning, she had been scrubbed down until her skin shone.

She was bathed in all sorts of herbal remedies, bath additives, and cleansers.

Even changing outfits and accessories as if she were a doll was no small feat.

“Miss. Still, this is quite good. Other noble ladies get even more strict about it, you know? Their clothes are tight, and on top of that, they go on diets.”

“Ugh…”

Harnie shudders, as if she can’t even bear to imagine it.

But there’s always a reason for such rehearsals.

Mina smirks slyly and throws the pitch she hadn’t yet delivered.

“Still, you want to look pretty, don’t you? In front of Lord Karsein.”

“…”

There’s no denial.

Instead, only silence and flushed cheeks remain.

The heat rising from somewhere also has the same effect.

The desire of a woman to look beautiful for the man she has in mind.

The desire of a woman to approach closely, wanting to ensure that her man isn’t taken by other women.

This intense emotion, stemming from romantic feelings, was a powerful source of motivation that could withstand even the tough rehearsals.

“Does it look strange…?”

“Are you really asking that? You’re the prettiest in the world. It wouldn’t be strange at all for all sorts of men to be enchanted by you. And—”

“Th-that’s enough! Just that much!”

Of course, it would still take some time to adjust to this shyness.

Mina clears her throat and emphasizes.

“Ahem. It’s obvious you haven’t forgotten, but since it’s important, I’ll say it once more. Your appearance at the Hwangryong Martial Arts Tournament is the biggest support for your fiancé.”

“Uh-huh. Ah, I know.”

“I’m glad to hear you understand. Then shall we start creating things for real support from now on?”

“Real support…? Isn’t this outfit enough?”

“Ha. You really thought this was all there was?”

“W-well… no… right?”

Whether she truly believed that was all or not, Harnie crossed her fingers and fidgeted.

And Mina let out a deep sigh, pressing her forehead.

‘Well, it makes sense. The lady hadn’t even received a proper proposal, let alone be in a position to be sold off.’

In that situation, there was no time to exchange tokens or confirm romantic feelings.

What she learned was all from the noble etiquette books.

—

The road ahead is still long.

Though my eyes are open, there’s a mountain of things to teach.

Still, there’s one fortunate thing.

—Bang!

“You don’t want to lose Lord Karsein to another woman, do you?”

“Of course not!”

The determination to not let him be taken by another woman is clear.

Jealousy.

This feeling that Harni possesses will become her greatest weapon.

“Then shall we create a token that’s uniquely yours?”

***

—Swish. Swish. Tap.

The elegant strokes of the pen continue with the process of solving, proving, and concluding.

The explanations that support these formulas come through clearly.

How can this all just spring forth in mere seconds?

Watching Karsein derive answers just seconds after she asked a question, Flora couldn’t help but gasp.

“The solution ends here. The rest, you’ll have to review and solve on your own.”

In the meantime, Karsein stood up from his seat.

Flora hurriedly grabbed him.

“W-Wait! Don’t go just yet!”

“I’ve given you all the solutions. Is there really a need for me to stay here?”

“W-Well…”

Flora, at a loss for words, fumbled with her lips.

She wanted to ask for more guidance, but Karsein had already solved every problem. That left her with nothing to say.

“Nothing more, right? I’m leaving.”

In that moment, Karsein stepped outside without even a glance back.

“Uh? Ah, um…!”

—Click.

The door closed, and whether Flora pouted her lips or sent a signal for him to stay a little longer, Karsein simply turned away and went about his own business.

—

As I walked steadily to my office, the time had come to face a new schedule.

“Sir.”

Camilla handed me a letter.

It was an invitation with the bold title: “Hwangryong Martial Arts Tournament.”

But it wasn’t the only letter.

“This one arrived from Count Ptoah. He asked me to reach out to Lord Radiel for assistance, and it found its way to me.”

“Is that so?”

I must not forget.

In Chapter 3, the fact that Another Plan is always in operation.

There are those within the family who are closely watching my movements.

In other words, the vassals of Bagland are the sources of Noblesse Points, so I needed to pay attention to this.

And if I use this well…

It could turn into a source of income. So I had prepared in advance.

“Send it to Count Ptoah.”

I must hold onto the funding source for leaving this house.

—