I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 370

Chapter 370: Project Yggdrasil (10)

Thet had eliminated the spy disguised as a vassal, entrusted the incriminating evidence to a trustworthy vassal, alerted Claire to the danger she was in, and planted misinformation within Belian's ranks, causing significant disruption.

The events at the Grand Hall had unfolded perfectly.

And not just there, Harnie thought.

‘But…’

She couldn't shake her unease.

They had finally gained the upper hand.

They were no longer just running and hiding. They had a chance to fight back.

They had gathered information, meticulously analyzed the situation, and investigated Project Yggdrasil. Now, they could go on the offensive, using misinformation to create opportunities.

And yet, she was anxious.

Because of the next step in their plan.

“…”

Carsein’s expression was troubled.

He seemed lost in thought.

‘I have to tell him.’

Harnie made up her mind and embraced him from behind.

“…You can’t do this, Carsein.”

“Harnie?”

“You’ve endured so much. You don’t have to resort to violence, to revenge.”

“…”

“I… I don’t want you to do this. I can… I can do it for you.”

Yes, he had been on the verge of succumbing to darkness many times.

He had been hurt repeatedly by his family.

Those wounds were deep enough to justify a path of vengeance.

She had tried to heal him, to protect him, to break the cycle of hatred, but she hadn't been able to erase his pain completely.

“You’ve done so well, Carsein. You know that revenge isn’t the answer. Lady Flora, Lady Claire, and Duchess Isabella… they all tried to help you. You know that now.”

Carsein had said that someone was heading towards a specific location based on misinformation.

He had set a trap, and he was planning to eliminate them.

But that “someone” could be from Belian’s faction, or… from the Bagrand family.

Yes, he might encounter Arina.

That's why Harnie had to stop him.

She had to prevent him from raising his sword against his family, from succumbing to vengeance.

“I know you’ve been hurt, but… I don’t want your soul to be tainted by this.”

She held him tightly, pleading with him.

“So let me go instead. Please, Carsein.”

She would go in his place.

But… Carsein’s refusal was firm.

“No. I have to go. There’s no other way.”

His resolute tone made Harnie’s heart sink.

She was afraid he was reverting to his old self.

“Carsein, this is my fight! You don’t have to do this!”

She pleaded with him, her voice filled with desperation.

She had to convince him. She couldn't let him kill his family, the people he hated.

But…

Carsein turned around and pulled her into his arms.

“…Huh?”

Harnie looked up at him, confused.

‘…Ah.’

She finally realized.

She had been mistaken.

How could she have been so blind?

He had changed.

The cold aura that had once surrounded him was gone.

The door to his heart, once frozen shut, was now wide open.

His wounds were healing.

The monster of logic hadn’t been resurrected.

“Do you understand now?”

“…”

Harnie nodded slowly.

Carsein wasn’t seeking revenge.

“You… you never intended to…”

“Of course not. Why would I seek revenge now? That’s not why I’m going.”

“Then why…? Why do you have to meet with Acting Duchess Arina?”

Carsein hesitated for a moment, then replied, his expression resolute.

“The status window has been guiding me towards the Bagrands. That’s why I met with Flora, Claire, and Isabella, to resolve their issues. This time… it’s the same.”

“But Lady Arina…”

“I know. Unlike the others, she still harbors resentment towards me. The status window is telling me to trigger a combat event. It wants me to fight her.”

“…That means… there could be bloodshed. You could be hurt, both physically and emotionally.”

“Yes. But there’s a reason I have to meet with her.”

His serious tone made Harnie nod, urging him to continue.

Carsein stepped back slightly and held up three fingers.

“First, the obvious reason. Project Yggdrasil is based within the Bagrand Duchy. It can’t be allowed to fall. So, if I defeat Arina, proving her incompetence, the Duchy will naturally pass to Claire.”

“But you don’t have to fight her. I can expose her incompetence through the territory’s financial records.”

Harnie immediately countered. There were other ways to discredit Arina, to expose her flaws, without resorting to violence.

Carsein didn’t lower his fingers.

“You’re right. I don’t have to fight her. It would be better to wait, to let Arina’s position erode while Claire’s star rises. But we both know…”

“…Because of the spies.”

He lowered his first finger.

“Yes. We can’t afford to wait. If this drags on, Flora, Claire, or Isabella could be targeted. The status window warned me that if any of them die, I’ll get a bad ending.”

“A bad ending…?”

“Which means… I’ll die.”

Her eyes widened.

“So, the status window’s intention all along was to protect your family. To save them from danger. And that’s why Claire, Flora, and Isabella were targeted. But then… why?”

She posed the question to him.

Harnie took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.

“Project Yggdrasil isn't about destroying the Bagrand Duchy. It’s about usurping it. So, they need the Duchy to survive, with someone else in charge, someone they can control, so they can continue their plan. Is that it?”

“Exactly.”

He lowered his second finger.

“The status window assumes that the Bagrand Duchy will survive, passing to another family member. That’s why we’ve been gathering information about Belian’s movements, and the Bagrands’ actions have been the most helpful.”

She understood his explanation, but it raised another question.

“Carsein, this might sound strange, but… can I ask something?”

“Yes.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

She understood the need to protect his family.

She understood the need to preserve the Bagrand Duchy.

But she couldn’t see the connection.

Carsein didn’t answer. He lowered his third finger.

“If the Bagrand Duchy’s survival is a prerequisite, then the true prerequisite has already been established. The status window revealed one of the bad ending conditions a long time ago.”

“What is it?”

“…You.”

“What?”

“Your life… it was listed as a bad ending condition long before my family’s.”

Harnie’s mouth fell open in surprise.

“If I… if I die… you die too?”

“Yes. And the status window also said that if you die after I return to my world, I would have died too.”

“That’s…”

Harnie covered her mouth with her trembling hand.

Carsein gently took her hand in his.

“As you’ve heard, I experienced similar events in my original world. No, they were practically identical. So, I could relate to this situation, but…”

Carsein closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again.

“I realized… there’s no way I can protect you on my own. That’s what the status window was trying to tell me.”

“Could it be…”

“I need the Bagrands’ help, my family’s help, to protect you. That’s what it meant. And… to do that, the Duchy has to pass to Claire.”

He tapped the dart on the table, the one representing Arina.

“With Claire as the Duchess, with Flora and Isabella by your side… you’ll be safe. Safer than anywhere else in the Empire.”

All the pieces clicked into place.

The seemingly disparate events, connected by a thin thread, now formed a clear picture.

Carsein’s actions, the status window’s intentions, his deductions… it all made sense.

That was why he had been so troubled.

“Well, there’s also a personal reason. I have to set things right. And I wouldn’t mind giving Arina a piece of my mind.”

“…”

“You’ll forgive me for that, won’t you?”

Harnie’s voice was soft, almost a whisper.

“You’re going to meet with someone you don’t want to see… for me? Why?”

“I’ve told you countless times. I like…”

-Tug.

She grabbed his collar, stopping him mid-sentence. She wasn’t letting go until he answered.

“…It has something to do with my past. But I’ll tell you later.”

“…”

“It’s a long story. It’s not something I can explain right now.”

“Oh, the time…”

They were running out of time.

Carsein had to prepare for his encounter with Arina.

“Marquis Magnuel gave me this. It will allow me to meet with Claire.”

It was time for them to part ways.

The thought made his chest tighten.

Harnie stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

“Be careful. And don’t come back injured. I’ll nag you if you do.”

“…”

“Carsein?”

“That’s not enough. I’m a bit tired, so… excuse me. I need to recharge.”

“Recharge? What…”

Before she could understand his words…

He pulled her into a tight embrace.

“W-what are you doing?! Why so suddenly…”

“Hmm. Holding you gives me strength. Isn’t that what recharging is all about?”

“That’s not what I…! Let… let go!”

“No. I’m about to face a difficult task. Can’t you at least do this for me?”

“N-no… ugh… what are you…”

Her cheeks flushed.

The warmth of his embrace spread through her body, making her feel strange.

Her heart pounded in her chest, her body trembling.

The tingling sensation in her stomach… she couldn't get used to it.

“Let go! This… this is strange!”

“What’s strange about holding the person you love?”

“That’s what’s strange! Let go! Now…!”

“No. I don’t want to. This moment… it’s heaven.”

His words, his embrace, his relentless teasing… it was too much.

Something within her snapped.

“You… you’re impossible!”

“Ugh!”

Slap!

Another resounding slap echoed through the air.

***

The soldier’s report made Arina’s blood run cold.

-What?! Mother… what happened to Mother?!

Her hands, gripping the reins, were slick with sweat.

-Mother… is she… critical?

She urged her horse to go faster, even though it was already at full gallop.

-I’m on my way. Where is she?

Her teeth clenched.

‘This is all… because of you, Carsein…!’

Her eyes blazing with fury, Arina rode towards the infirmary where Isabella had been admitted.

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