The Damn Family Is Back Again

253. The Yellow Dragon Martial Arts Tournament (1)

—

Let me know if you need anything else!

– Tap.

“Mother. What on earth…”

Startled, Arina nearly dropped her teacup, causing a few drops of tea to spill.

“…Are you serious? To say that I should not interfere with Carseine’s rights at all.”

In response, Isabella calmly replies.

“That’s right. After seeing this situation, I made that decision.”

“Mother. That’s just absurd no matter how you look at it—”

Tap!

As she sets down her teacup, Isabella firmly cuts off Arina’s words.

“Isn’t it absurd that you set conditions for Carseine in the first place?”

“…!”

“You said that if he fell below a certain rank, he should not attend other events held by the family. You even said it would tarnish the family name.”

“…I had no intention of hiding it, Mother. It was just because of last year’s issue.”

“I know. Given your personality, you wouldn’t have thought to conceal something like this.”

The verification of facts was of little concern.

However, this matter could not be overlooked.

“But… how can you come to suspect your own brother? That child is my child too. To you, he is just as much a brother as Claire and Flora! You could have at least investigated whether he truly insulted your fiancée, or even asked him why he threw a punch. Isn’t that right?”

To Isabella, even if he was an adopted child, he was a son who had been officially registered. To Arina, he was still her brother.

Yet, it was utterly shocking that Arina had not harbored even a shred of doubt based on what she had heard and been told.

“I heard he was stabbed last year. I was told he returned covered in blood and couldn’t even remember it. You remember all the other incidents, but when that child came back injured, you didn’t even worry?”

Isabella asked, striking her chest in despair.

“To you… is Carseine not a brother? Is it because he’s not a blood brother?”

“That’s not it! It’s just… I had to separate public and private matters.”

She feared that perhaps Arina harbored some hatred for Carseine. But seeing her respond so vehemently, it was a relief to know that wasn’t the case.

With this, Isabella was able to alleviate her worries, even if just slightly, and spoke again in a calmer tone.

“Then relinquish all of Carseine’s rights and focus on this martial arts tournament. Arina. This is my command to you as the head of the Bagland family.”

“…!”

Understanding the weight of the command, Arina flinched for a moment but then quietly replied that she understood and stepped back.

After sending off her eldest daughter, Isabella immediately picked up her outer coat.

“…”

– Charak.

Isabella picks up and reads the report on last year’s incident that Claire organized.

In her eyes, a blue flame has ignited.

The name of her family is etched into her blue irises.

“You have touched my child, and you have touched the Bagrand.”

The price for this will be steep.

With no agreement in sight.

– Ding!

▶ Isabella’s intimacy level has increased. ◀

[ Current Level: 80% ]

▶ Having achieved the required intimacy level, there will be changes to Isabella’s intimacy settings. ◀

[ ??? : 80% ]

***

The information gathered is substantial.

Perhaps I have even begun to chart a course back to reality.

However.

Despite what I have learned, my heart remains too tangled.

‘To return to my original world… I need Harnié…’

Just one person.

The clue to returning to Earth, to Korea, to my small apartment is tied to just one individual.

If I can just target that person.

Depending on the need, I could stir things up.

I could unilaterally press them, creating a sense of crisis.

I could cast a bait and wait for them to bite before seizing the opportunity.

Collecting information, thoroughly analyzing and calculating the optimal method, and then arriving at the answer—that would be the end of it.

Slowly. Extracting everything I need.

By using them, I would achieve my goal and be able to return.

Yet.

Even with this knowledge, my mind struggles to turn.

“…”

If only it were a completely unknown NPC, it would be so much easier.

If I could pick up clues from passing enemy entities, there would be no need to say more.

If they were complete strangers, I could thoroughly exploit them and gather everything without any issues.

Even if they were those damned family members, it would actually be a thank you. Just with this family alone, I could take advantage of them as much as I wanted.

As for those with power, like Princess Arshien or Prince Florence, I could probably get away with cleverly deceiving them while requesting cooperation.

In the case of Pollux or Talphon, since they know my identity, they might even cooperate with me.

The territory residents? Whether it’s Shatren or Rusmaier, it makes no difference. They wouldn’t forget the help I provided and would actively step up. If it were a maid from the duke’s family with whom I had built some intimacy, I could resolve it with a payment.

After all, once I leave, they are people I will never see again. So I had the confidence to proceed with my plans without any guilt.

However… there was one exception.

– Crack.

My fist clenched tightly.

“I don’t want to deceive Harnié…”

It might sound foolish, but I couldn’t even bring myself to make such a suggestion.

She was such a good person, willing to help even at her own expense.

She doesn’t get swayed by nasty rumors. Unlike those who easily fall for flattery, she maintains a sense of common decency. Even when she gains nothing, she still worries about me.

How could I betray someone like this, or even think of stabbing her in the back?

Especially since she was the only friend I had made in this world, it was even more impossible.

Yeah.

Foolishly, I couldn’t treat her carelessly.

“…”

What on earth should I do… Even inserting the keyword “if” didn’t lead me to any clues.

At that moment, the shadow of a burly man loomed over me, and my body began to sway side to side.

“Karsein. Get a grip.”

“…Ah.”

“To think you’re here looking like that right before the next match. What a situation.”

As I regained my senses, I realized I was inside the arena.

…I had forgotten. I was currently participating in the Huanglong Martial Arts Tournament.

“Not like you at all. To see you making such a foolish face here.”

“…”

No longer called a Yarikin, Pollux now boldly bore the name of Marquis Aiferos.

He asked, seemingly puzzled.

“Is there no answer coming from that extraordinary mind of yours? Is there a headache of a dilemma you’re dealing with?”

…A headache of a dilemma.

Indeed, it is so. It’s a headache of a dilemma to the point where the answer seems out of reach.

“I thought that everything would be resolved and only the martial arts tournament would remain to enjoy, but it seems that’s not the case. However, you should probably pay a bit of attention to that side, right?”

“…”

Pollux pointed toward the audience.

There, among the spectators, was Harnié, who flinched as she looked at me.

“Your fiancée is dressed up so beautifully to cheer for you; you shouldn’t show her a disgraceful side. Well, I don’t know what your dilemma is, but it could be resolved in another way.”

After saying that, Pollux gave my shoulder a light pat and left.

Another way.

Left alone, I glanced once more toward the audience.

“…”

“Hang in there. Karsein.”

…For now, let’s resolve the episode.

▶ Episode II. The one proving their qualifications is in progress. ◀

▶ You have participated in the Hwangryong Martial Arts Tournament. ◀

▶ Achieve a high rank to gain additional benefits. ◀

***

The events of the martial arts tournament, which unfolded according to the game’s progression, felt mostly familiar.

The events that had changed to fit the background and environment of this era were no different than a sports festival if you just changed the frame.

Mana tug-of-war, where you must pull a rope balanced with mana to win.

Mana balloon popping, where you must burst a balloon surrounded by layers of mana as quickly as possible.

Mana penalty running, where you must hold a baton that incurs penalties from mana and pass through an obstacle-filled area to reach the finish line as fast as you can.

And many others. Including sports that incur penalties from mana, it was essentially a sports festival.

Thanks to that, this happened.

“Uh, somehow it turned out like this again… I suspect that Princess Arshien had you practice for this event during the school trip…”

Though it’s written as a knight and princess event, it’s practically just a game of stealing headbands where male and female pairs can use magic attacks.

…I’m somewhat familiar with this since I’ve tried it with the author before.

Matching with her at this timing clouds my mind with confusion.

“Carsein, Carsein?”

“Ah, yes.”

“I’ve been trying to talk to you for a while now. Why didn’t you respond?”

“I’m sorry. I was a bit lost in thought… I’ll focus during the match, so don’t worry.”

“Hmm… Is that so?”

But once the match started, it seemed I couldn’t concentrate well.

Having been familiar with the sports in reality, I started with a significant advantage, as they were merely adapted here.

I easily made my opponent retire and even managed to hit some high points. Dodging attacks with the instincts ingrained in my body wasn’t a problem at all.

However.

“Ca, Carsein! To the left!”

“Ah… Yes!”

“Eek!”

“I-I’m sorry.”

In a different sense, I couldn’t focus.

If I had set my mind to properly leveraging my advantages, I wouldn’t have been so easily swayed, nor would I have found myself in such precarious situations.

In information warfare, I would never fall behind, and I could have moved a step ahead.

If I had analyzed and calculated my moves as usual, I might have secured a more overwhelming victory.

But today, perhaps because my mind was filled with distractions, I made mistakes here and there.

In the end, I made a significant blunder.

“Ugh?!”

“Eek?!”

Due to unnecessary movements, my coordination with Harni broke down. As I wavered from the attacks I needed to defend against, her body tilted and fell away from mine.

It was a disqualification, but only then did I snap back to reality.

The floor was cushioned with soft mats to prevent injuries, but seeing her fall through the air made my adrenaline spike momentarily.

– Thud!

Fortunately, I quickly lowered my stance and caught her falling body, feeling a pang of guilt as I asked,

“Are you okay?”

“Mm… I’m fine. I was a bit startled, but this much is…”

“…”

Damn it.

Where on earth is my head at?

What was I thinking, engaging in distractions during the game? What if I ended up getting hurt?

There was a bit of skin scraped off.

Because I didn’t hold on properly.

“I’m sorry. Harnié.”

Harnié brushed off her clothes and stood up, smiling as if nothing had happened.

“What’s there to apologize for? It happens. It’s not like you got seriously hurt, so there’s no need to think about it so seriously.”

-What’s there to apologize for? It happens. It’s not like you got seriously hurt, so there’s no need to think about it so seriously.

“…”

“Come on, let’s get up. Let’s try to win next time. There’s also a chance for a comeback!”

The way she extended her hand…

It perfectly overlapped with someone else.

Only then did I realize how foolish I had been.

‘…Right. Why on earth am I worrying about such nonsense?’

Putting this person on the same level as others was a mistake in itself.

I don’t have to deceive her.

I don’t have to use her.

As long as I achieve my goal without hurting her, that’s enough.

How did I end up in this state without being able to grasp that one simple thought?

I took Harnié’s hand and stood up, dusting myself off as I spoke.

“From now on, let’s enjoy this properly.”

“Karsein?”

“The calculations are all done. Now, I’m not going to lose a single round; I’ll win them all, so you’ll have to keep up, okay?”

“That’s what I was hoping for!”

Harnié smiled brightly and took my hand.

No need for complicated thoughts.

After all, the main episode is still ahead, and it doesn’t seem like I’ll be allowed to ignore the influence of this chapter.

So, I can stick with Harnié until we leave the Duke of Bragland’s estate.

Even after leaving the Duke of Bragland’s estate, we can still be together.

There’s no need to forcefully separate her.

—

There’s no need to unnecessarily sever the current relationship.

There’s even less reason to look for contracts or other conditions.

Simply put. I can just continue to spend time with Harnié as I have until now.

After that.

“The winner of the mana tug-of-war is His Highness, Prince Karsein of the Bagland Duchy!”

“Ah—! So this is how the match is decided! Prince Karsein of Bagland has become the champion of the mana burst!”

“Is it really right to receive a mana penalty? The movements seem different. He looks far more distinct compared to the other participants!”

We achieved a winning streak.

The synergy with Harnié was perfect.

She understood what I wanted, and I understood what she wanted.

We moved as if our thoughts overlapped.

Any obstructive movements disappeared, and we began to enjoy the competition together.

Before long, time passed.

By the time we had confidently secured our place in the rankings, having dominated the early matches, the first day had completely gone by.

“Ugh—!”

Harnié stretched out, feeling refreshed.

“It seems you had quite a bit of fun?”

“Of course. You did too, didn’t you?”

Indeed.

After shaking off my worries, it was nothing but enjoyment.

Moreover, it didn’t seem like we were the only ones having fun.

The audience cheered so enthusiastically at the unique excitement that it was evident they were already lamenting the end of the match.

I suspect that in the future, there will regularly be martial arts competitions disguised as sports festivals during this time.

“By the way, have you done this kind of thing often?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It just seems like you’re quite familiar with it. How should I put it… The other participants were all fumbling around since it was their first time. But you, Karsein, didn’t seem to have that feeling at all.”

“Uh… Is that so?”

Well, of course.

I had done similar things with Ji-eun during the sports festival…

“Don’t tell me. You practiced with another girl?! If that’s why you’re so familiar…!”

“That, that can’t be true. You’re the first. What seems familiar is because of the math trip. Yes…”

“That might be the case. Ahem.”

I barely survived.

I reflexively answered her question as she narrowed her eyes and approached.

“Tomorrow… we start with archery, right?”

“That’s right. They say we’ll begin with two types of archery, and then the existing martial arts competition events will follow.”

“Then…”

Muttering something, she suddenly bit her lip tightly.

“I have something to prepare for tomorrow, so I’ll head out a bit early today.”

“Is that so? Should I walk you?”

“Oh, no! That’s not allowed!”

…It’s not that she’s refusing, but it’s just not allowed?

“Promise me. You absolutely, absolutely must not come to where I’m staying today, okay?”

“Uh… I understand.”

I don’t know why she’s saying that, but there must be a reason.

Still, I felt I had to say this.

“Harnie.”

“Yes?”

Right before we parted ways at the end of the day, I had one last thing I wanted to say.

Yes. It was also a resolution to shake off my pointless worries from today.

“The first meeting was a contract for our respective purposes, but I want to maintain a good relationship with you until the end.”

She is a special person.

One of the few special people I can call a friend.

So I will maintain a good relationship until the very end.

Even if the time comes for me to leave this place.

“Wha-wha-wha-wha, what are you saying…! You fool, Karsein!”

Harnie suddenly showed a flustered expression and dashed away.

Then she paused for a moment, turned back to me, and said,

“I-I feel the same way…!”

With those words, she ran off again.

—

It was a thought I shared.

I was relieved.

Yet, on the other hand, I felt a bit strange.

I didn’t know when it started, but her kindness had begun to feel somewhat familiar.