The Damn Family Is Back Again

258. Hwangryong Martial Arts Tournament (6)

As she ascended to the arena, everything was ready on this side.

The information about the divided events matched what she had learned beforehand.

Thanks to that, I was able to think quickly without panicking.

After finishing the explanation of the rules, Arshien snapped his fingers.

“Before the match begins, we’ll have a brief moment to distribute tokens.”

…Huh?

Just as I thought it was starting and was about to draw the bowstring, it seemed there was an event like this.

‘Ah, come to think of it…’

[ In the Hwangryong Martial Arts Tournament, there is a custom of receiving tokens from close acquaintances to cheer for them in the archery event. This is not just simple cheering, but at the same time── ]

…Right. There was such a custom.

I may not have seen it in the game, but I think I’ve come across it in the noble etiquette book I read thoroughly.

With my bow set down, I decided to wait a little longer.

Well, I know. No one will come, right? No matter what, Karsein’s reputation isn’t enough to warrant a token of support.

But if you ask me if that makes me lonely, I can confidently say no.

In fact, I prefer that this doesn’t bring up any bothersome choices.

‘Who would come to give Karsein a token of support?’

As I waited with such a relaxed mindset, someone approached.

If there’s a distinguishing feature…

It’s that she’s quite a beautiful person.

With striking violet hair and captivating eyes.

“Did you really think no one would come? What a surprise. There’s at least one person here.”

…Right. There is someone.

Someone who will cheer for me.

Just like during the sports festival, I had one close friend.

“D-Don’t stare so hard, just extend your wrist. The token goes on your wrist or arm, you know.”

…That’s true.

They say it’s customary for your fiancée to tie a handkerchief for you.

However, my eyes are drawn to something else right now.

“Did you hurt your hand?”

“…!”

Noticing that I had caught on, Harnié quickly turned her hand behind her back and hastily put on gloves to hide it.

“I-I’m not hurt or anything!”

“Come on. You’re definitely hurt, so why deny it?”

“I’m telling you, I’m not!”

“Then take off the gloves and show me. Go on.”

“…”

See? You are hurt after all.

“I-I was cooking, okay?!”

“Cooking?”

…Isn’t that something Harnié’s maids usually handle?

– Snap!

“Ugh.”

“Seriously…! Just extend your hand. We’re busy receiving tokens here…”

Tsk… But what does it matter?

I pushed aside the meaningless questions and extended my wrist.

“All done.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. It’s something I should do.”

Harnie smiled sweetly as she took my hand and then returned to the audience.

‘…A four-leaf clover.’

Now I see, the handkerchief had a rather crooked yet evidently painstakingly crafted embroidery on it.

So that’s why.

I was wondering why my hand was hurt. So it was this?

As expected. Even though she’s sharp, she has this subtle clumsiness in situations like this.

Looking at the handkerchief, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

– Thud, thud!

“Ugh…!”

Huh?

“…”

This is ridiculous.

A blonde little girl was behind me, stomping the ground with her shoes. And she was holding a handkerchief that didn’t suit her at all in one hand.

“Ugh…! You’re the Duke of Bagrande…!”

Before long, Flora stomped the ground a few more times and threw the handkerchief in front of me before turning away.

“What’s her problem?”

Did she come here by mistake while looking for her sisters?

“What’s her problem? It’s because you’re always glued to your fiancée.”

What’s with her being here again?

As soon as Flora left, it was none other than Claire who scolded me.

“Seriously. Just give it to me already.”

“If you’re just going to throw the handkerchief too, I’ll pass.”

“Ugh. What do you mean, throw?”

“Ah.”

Claire slapped my arm for no reason.

“I figured you wouldn’t have anyone to cheer for you, so I came.”

“Who, you? Me?”

What kind of nonsense is that?

Seeing my reaction, a vein popped up on Claire’s forehead in the shape of a cross.

-Whack!

“Ouch!”

“Ugh, seriously, you deserve a beating! Huh? Is that how you talk to your sister who’s come to cheer you on?”

“Ouch! Hey! Participants aren’t allowed to interfere with each other!”

“I’m not even participating in this, you jerk!”

Was it around the time I had taken a light beating of five or six hits?

Claire, picking up the handkerchief Flora had thrown, really started to pin a token to my shoulder.

Then, Claire fixed her own accessory, leaving a mark of support like the other nobles.

“Oh my. This is almost like the sun rising in the west.”

Did they all eat something wrong together? Why are they acting like this?

Just as I was feeling bewildered.

Claire, who had changed to a calm tone unlike before, asked me subtly.

“You’re wearing the wrist guard… properly, right? If you don’t wear it, you’ll cut your hand.”

“Come on. You can tell just by looking at it.”

“…Yeah. Well, that’s good. But, you know.”

I waited, thinking she had more to say, but she soon sighed and started hitting me again.

“Just take care of Flora! Don’t just think about your fiancée!”

Claire turned on her heel and headed back to the stands.

“…What the heck?”

After all that buildup, and that’s all she had to say?

It feels like there was something she wanted to say but didn’t.

And it wasn’t just that.

It felt a bit different from the second child I knew.

I felt a strange sensation on the other side as well.

But soon I shook my head.

“No, why would I even think about that?”

No options were particularly emerging.

I was on high alert, prepared for any unforeseen circumstances, yet there was not even a hint of such a mood.

That was enough.

I didn’t need anything else.

– Ding!

▶ The next match is about to begin. ◀

*

The sound of the horn echoed again.

The participants drew their bows, and countless arrows struck the target.

The archery event required considerable concentration, resulting in varying levels of performance.

In their attempt to score a bit higher, some ended up missing entirely.

The presence of the field, which disrupts the flow of mana, creates an environment perfect for unsettling one’s composure.

Participants, sweating profusely and struggling to breathe, often found themselves unable to even hit the target.

The difficulty had increased compared to last year.

A complex array of reasons led to issues with control.

Alongside competitive spirit, their wavering emotions added to the struggle.

For various reasons, everyone was having a hard time.

However, amidst all this, there were those who managed to maintain their composure until the end.

– Thwack!

“oooh…!”

Consistently, arrows found their mark on Karsein’s target.

In the stands, there was no better topic of conversation.

“Didn’t they say that the mana released in the field affects the participants’ psychology?”

“Indeed. There must be a similar flow of mana across the field… yet how is Genji so calm?”

“The position he’s in is quite challenging. It’s a spot that’s more heavily influenced by the mana currents.”

“Not to mention, it’s not a fixed target but a moving one…”

Since showing a few low shots at the beginning, he hasn’t missed a single arrow since.

Some questioned whether it was only the field of Karsein that was different.

Some raised doubts and demanded answers about fairness.

But those doubts quickly extinguished.

“Certainly, the mana field for this event was not set by me. I significantly altered the mana concentration just 15 minutes before the match. It was none other than my older brother.”

The one who changed the mana concentration was none other than Arshien’s elder brother.

In other words, Albert Shuhenian Peselos.

The first prince of this empire and the crown prince.

And he was the vanguard who led the era of imperial unification, known as the war hero of the Iron Blood.

The most just person.

Before him, who was considered a candidate for the next emperor, no one dared to toy with the concept of fairness.

Returning to the present where the match was taking place.

-Whack!

At last, Karsein drove an arrow straight into the center of the most difficult target.

Cheers and gasps. Sounds of admiration and applause followed.

“That’s it! Exactly that!”

“Ah, come now. Isn’t this before the Duchess?”

“Is decorum really a concern in such a splendid sight?”

“Ahem.”

Though they spoke that way, all the retainers around shared the same sentiment.

‘Ahem! That’s true. Bagland must not be overshadowed by other families.’

‘Is it even reasonable for Bagland, standing at the pinnacle of nobility, to be pushed around?’

‘Not only should they not be pushed, but they should overwhelmingly dominate. Just like now!’

As it was at the symposium, the Imperial Dragon Martial Arts Tournament also saw a large participation of noble offspring.

Given that the participants included the children of nobles, it was only natural for a peculiar atmosphere to flow between the families and the nobles. When an outstanding heir from one family could flatten the nose of another’s offspring, the momentum naturally surged.

For this reason, the retainers of Bagland were puffed up with pride at Karsein’s performance.

Isabella chuckled and replied.

“Hehe. Don’t mind it and enjoy. I feel the same way.”

“Hmm, did you all hear? The Duchess has given her permission—”

Suddenly!

“Young Master! Wipe them all out!”

“Do you see this person?”

“I had more to say than you did!”

“Ha ha ha ha!”

The vassals of the Duke of Bagland began to cheer for Karsein with even more fervor than the other spectators.

However, among the vassals watching this scene, one person was feeling a shiver run through his entire body.

‘…Oh my.’

The jaw of Count Ptoah dropped open.

It was he who was feeling the shiver.

At first, he couldn’t understand why Karsein had asked for such a bow to be made. Surely there must have been a reason for Karsein to make such a request. He had thought so and had gone ahead and made it.

But now, knowing the structure of that bow.

Understanding the weight and texture of the arrow.

After considering all the supporting elements, he couldn’t help but feel a chill.

‘The young master… calculated everything…!’

What kind of trajectory would that single arrow need to take to hit the target?

How much power should the bow have, and what force would be needed to launch the arrow?

What about the loss of power due to the wind, and how much would the height and angle be affected?

Each detail was meticulously and carefully considered.

He had calculated everything without missing a single point.

He had even optimized the mana concentration and airflow changes he adjusted just 15 minutes ago, checking it with just three arrows.

This was no mere coincidence, as the fools might chatter.

It was a result determined through thorough calculation.

Everything leading up to the moment that single arrow would hit the target was a continuous computation in his mind.

—Gulp.

‘As expected…! My eyes were not wrong!’

Count Ptoah clenched his fist tightly, a victorious smile spreading across his face.

*

The scoring archery event ended with an overwhelming solo performance by Karsein.

The subsequent event, held in a competitive format, yielded a result that was not much different.

In the end, this event concluded with Karsein’s dominance.

“…”

Arina, glancing at the rankings, took a sip of water to moisten her parched throat.

She had been sharply critical when there was no equipment visible in the waiting room. But now, Karsein was fully equipped.

Right. It wasn’t that there was no equipment; it was hidden.

It’s only natural not to show one’s cards to others.

How had she completely forgotten this obvious fact?

“Damn it.”

– Squeeze.

The cup filled with refreshing ice water trembled slightly.

In the meantime.

Someone had arrived.

“Lady Arina.”

“…Is that Count Stern?”

“Yes. I came to speak with you directly, as I have something urgent to discuss.”

“What is it?”

Count Stern paused for a moment before responding.

“The sponsorship for the lady is currently sufficient. Therefore, while I appreciate the offer, I would like to withdraw.”

“Is that so?”

Well, there wasn’t much he could help with.

The sponsorship was already adequate with the other vassals.

Arina tried to respect Count Stern’s wishes, assuring him it was fine.

However, Count Stern, sweating profusely, made a request as if he were gauging the atmosphere.

“However… my connections are rather limited, so I was wondering if you could possibly introduce me to Lord Karsein.”

At that single remark, Arina’s eyes widened.

– Ding!

▶ Arina’s intimacy level has decreased. ◀

[ Current Level: 25% ]