The Damn Family Is Back Again

262. July 1st (2)

Hearing the commotion, the nobles began to loiter around.

The eldest daughter of the Bagland Duke family.

It would be odd if there wasn’t a loud noise at the birthday party of Ariina Bagland.

“What’s all this noise about?”

“Well, it seems there’s a problem with the carriage.”

“That carriage over there has come off.”

“Ah, the wheel… Well, it makes sense. With a carriage like that blocking the road.”

—

Nobles, drawn by the commotion, begin to murmur among themselves.

The outcome is all too clear.

“Oh my. It seems to be related to Prince Carsein, doesn’t it?”

“Oh dear. On a family birthday… how unfortunate.”

“To cause such a disturbance on such an important day.”

Well, it’s no different from any other family birthday.

A significant day for the family, a commotion among the nobles.

And at the center of it all, Carsein.

It’s a scene captivating enough to draw countless gazes.

– Ding!

▶ Episode III. Arina’s birthday is in progress. ◀

▶ You have become entangled in the incident of the carriage wheel coming off. ◀

▶ Choices are now available. They may affect your achievements based on the outcome. ◀

Immediately, choices appear. Carsein, involved in this incident, must face yet another trial to navigate this predicament.

‘Choices… Hmm.’

Still the same.

I looked around a bit, but nothing had really changed.

‘So I was properly baited.’

When this scene first unfolded, I had speculated that Carsein would gain enough influence and could blend into noble society to some extent.

And rightly so, as the results from the previous symposium proved I was not mistaken.

The Huanglong Martial Arts Tournament isn’t over yet, but Carsein has already made a significant impression.

Given that, wouldn’t this unreasonable situation provide the conditions to choose a more aggressive option and take more proactive action? I believed there was ample justification for this choice to be viable.

[ 1. (Grabbing a noble by the collar) Hey. What did you just say? Something about the outskirts? Say it again. ]

However.

The moment I chose that option, I was thrown out of the birthday party.

The reason is somewhat questionable, but it can be summed up in one sentence.

‘None other than Arina is the dead trigger for the mid-chapter 3 episode.’

That choice would offend Arina, and once the news spread, I would be unable to pass this episode.

In this process, due to Arina’s influence, the nobles’ reputation would plummet, causing the noble points needed for another plan to hit rock bottom.

Thus, the goal would lead to an impossible outcome, culminating in a bad ending.

—

Just the fact that the player’s designated goal has not been achieved is already a critical blow; is there really more to say? The same could be said in other cases. Provoking Arina’s temper could be seen as the most dangerous point of this quarter.

So, I was able to find the answer.

“Isn’t it only proper to arrive in a decent carriage when coming to a place like this? Because of that, others are suffering too!”

All I had to do was cater to Arina’s tastes.

For instance, she might dislike extravagance.

[ 3. It’s just me attending a birthday party, so is it really necessary to mobilize a large workforce to harass the subordinates and indulge in luxury? ]☑

“It’s just me attending a birthday party, so is it really necessary to mobilize a large workforce to harass the subordinates and indulge in luxury?”

There’s always a reason for arriving in a cheap carriage and creating options.

*

“Anything more to say?”

“Ugh…!”

It wasn’t difficult to counter using the options I had created myself.

There was no need to indulge in luxury to argue that a luxurious carriage should be used to prevent such incidents.

As it was the Duke of Bagrand’s estate and Arina’s birthday party, the rebuttal was that one should display the dignity of nobility through simplicity.

When pointed out that it was the coachman’s fault, I countered by emphasizing the noble spirit of caring for one’s subordinates.

At that, the noble could no longer speak.

– Snap!

Somewhere, the sound of a fan opening could be heard.

It was the young ladies and noblewomen nearby.

“How disgraceful. To call oneself a noble while losing all semblance of dignity.”

“With plenty of time, what’s the harm in waiting a bit longer if it’s not going to take long?”

“Forcing that one coachman to match the wheels is nothing short of ridiculous.”

“What does the Duchess think?”

“…”

Of course, that noblewoman.

It was Isabella.

Isabella, stepping forward, pointed at him with her index finger.

“Bring that person down.”

“D-Duchess…!”

“Those who do not care for their subordinates have no right to attend this party. Furthermore, inform the Duke of Bagrand and the duchy that they are not to enter for a week.”

—

““Yes!””

Well. That makes sense.

The Duke of Bagrand is from a prestigious family where the treatment of servants is better than anywhere else.

– Ding!

▶ You have made an appropriate choice. ◀

▶ You displayed the demeanor of a noble watching over their subordinates. ◀

▶ You showed frugality without indulging in extravagance. ◀

▶ You did not oppress others with the power of your status. ◀

▶ Noblesse points have increased. ◀

[ Current Value: -180 ]

As the noble was dragged out, the commotion quickly subsided.

The troubled coachman, with the help of the guards, managed to properly reattach the wheel that had come off the carriage and bowed his head in gratitude towards me.

After sending him off appropriately and returning, Isabella lightly patted my shoulder.

“If something like this happens again, just chase them away. How could an impertinent fool like that even receive an invitation? Tsk.”

“It’s alright.”

“I’m not alright. Did he not dare to speak of you as some lowly outcast from the fringes? Hearing my son being called such makes my blood boil.”

Isabella lamented that she couldn’t take further action against the man who had audaciously insulted Bagrand.

“More importantly, let’s go inside quickly.”

“Yes.”

With that, I had passed a dangerous flag.

All that remained was to mingle appropriately with the nobles who had come in response to the invitation.

*

– Ding!

▶ You have entered a field with a risk level of caution. ◀

▶ Be aware that specific conversations and actions may trigger options. ◀

Following Isabella inside, the main hall revealed a grand social gathering.

As the status window popped up, it was clear that this was a place filled with nobles.

From elderly gentlemen of advanced age to young debutantes, it was a field that could be quite bothersome for anyone from Carsein.

‘Still, I was rather lucky.’

In this gathering of nobles, the one I encountered was Isabella.

In Flora’s case, it’s practically meaningless since she’s going to meet her friends, and Claire ends up leaving due to a scheduling conflict.

Lastly, there’s the tricky case of Arina, who comes directly upon hearing the commotion… but she rarely shows up. After all, she has a lot to manage as the host of the birthday party.

Anyway, the fact that family members briefly drop by before heading off to check their schedules means that Karsein is left alone here for a while.

However, following Isabella inside is one of the easiest routes to take.

In this environment, where options are ripe for the picking, Isabella was the character who had the least downtime.

In reality, Isabella hardly ever left for long, only occasionally stepping away to wash her hands.

After chatting with Isabella about various things, Flora and Claire happened to arrive and filled the space.

What could I possibly say in a place where the whole family has gathered? Still, since options might arise, I kept my silence as much as possible.

As time passed, I exchanged light greetings with the occasional guests and talked about the martial arts tournament, and before I knew it, time had flown by.

Before long, the moment had arrived.

-Ding!

▶ An issue has occurred during the episode progression. ◀

▶ Karsein, who received the birthday party invitation, sent a letter to Arina expressing his intention to attend, but for some reason, the letter did not arrive properly. ◀

▶ You must meet Arina to clear up the misunderstanding. ◀

The main episode was progressing smoothly.

If it continued like this, clearing the episode wouldn’t be too difficult.

But then again, would this game allow that?

At this timing, unexpected problems tend to arise.

No matter how perfectly one tries to prevent potential issues, avoiding them is impossible.

Anyway, it would be best to move quickly. With all sorts of dead triggers converging on Arina, I needed to take action.

“I have something to take care of, so I’ll be stepping away for a moment.”

“What? The party hasn’t even started yet, and you’re suddenly leaving!”

Flora hurriedly stood up and grabbed my hand.

What’s going on? Why is she acting like this?

“Don’t go, just sit down. There’s still plenty of time until my sister’s birthday party.”

Huh. Could it be that this little brat knows I’m planning to leave the party?

Just like that, on her birthday?

“Are you perhaps thinking of doing what I did…”

…This time, Claire is being a nuisance.

If I hide, I’ll be in trouble, so why is she acting like this?

—

What a ridiculous situation.

As they say, strike while the iron is hot; I need to make sure of this.

“I’m going to meet Arina. I just remembered that I sent a letter earlier, but I haven’t received a reply. She might think I’m not coming, so I’m going to see her in person.”

“Is that… so?”

“If you’re doubtful, you can always ask her later.”

With that, I released Flora’s hand.

*

Having escaped the place filled with crazy women, I belatedly realized that I didn’t know the way.

This isn’t the Duke of Bagland’s residence.

It was merely a venue rented for Arina’s birthday party.

Did I really memorize the layout of a birthday party venue that I would only use once in this unfamiliar area?

“If I’d known this would happen, I should have brought someone else along.”

Ugh. But I can’t just turn back now…

“I have no choice. I’ll have to rely on my memory of the mini-map.”

So, I began to navigate by recalling my memories from the game.

“I’m sure it was from this staircase… right. I moved this way. If I keep walking straight from here…”

Gradually, familiar paths began to emerge.

Even if it’s pixelated, once certain objects start to appear, it means I’m on the right track.

As I walked, I encountered someone.

A noble with a 21% familiarity.

“Oh! Is that you, Prince Karsein!”

“Uh… yes.”

“Wow, I really enjoyed the martial arts tournament. Thanks to you—”

He rambled on and on.

I still had plenty of time to find Arina, so it didn’t matter much… but if I ignored him and something worse happened, I couldn’t just brush him off completely.

“Such talent in martial arts is indeed a necessary quality for a successor. Haha!”

That remark snapped me to attention.

This person.

Upon closer inspection, he’s one of Bagland’s vassals.

I could mention it now, but…

—

‘No. It’s fine. It would be better to present in a place with as many people as possible.’

Besides, bringing it up here might have made the conversation drag on unnecessarily.

As I exchanged casual words, I waited for the right moment to cut him off.

“I’m sorry, but I have to go meet Arina now.”

“Oh dear, oh dear. I’ve taken up your time, haven’t I? My apologies, Confucius.”

“No, well, it’s not that serious.”

…Though that was true.

“I’ll be cheering for you at the martial arts tournament.”

With those words, Gashin left.

Now I can finally head to the room where Arina is.

After walking down the hallway for about two blocks, I came to a familiar door.

Knock, knock. I tapped on the door and introduced myself.

But then.

“Arina. It’s me, Karsein—”

-Click.

The door opened immediately.

The striking red ponytail that caught my eye was, of course, Arina.

…But why is our intimacy at that level?

[ Arina Vagrand ]

[ Intimacy: 5% ]

Seeing the bewildered look on my face, a sharp voice followed.

“What brings you here at such a busy time, Karsein?”

Why is she acting like this?

I didn’t say anything to upset her…

‘No. That’s not what’s important right now.’

The episode comes first.

Misunderstanding. I need to clear that up first.

“The letter didn’t come back. So I came in person—”

“That’s all? Just for that reason?”

“…”

—

If it were any other time, I might have started with a question about why this was happening.

But those words just wouldn’t come out.

A voice that was endlessly lowered.

That gaze, glaring at me with no hint of kindness.

An attitude that seemed to say it wouldn’t even bother to listen, cutting off my words like this.

I knew all too well what that was.

“If you came here to spout that useless nonsense, you might as well turn back right now. If you come again, I’ll throw you out then.”

– If you’re just here to say useless things, then get lost. If you pull that stunt again, I’ll kick you out. Kim Min-hyuk.

It was none other than that first woman who said it.

A chill began to flow through my entire body.

‘Ha, damn it.’

I couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“Hey. Damn it, did I do something wrong─”

In that moment.

My vision began to be bathed in bright light, and time stopped.

– Ding!

▶ Memorial is being activated! ◀