I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 369

Chapter 369: Project Yggdrasil (9)

“Gone.” It was a loaded word.

Belian’s confident smile didn’t match the absurdity of his statement.

Who in the Empire didn’t know Veneris?

The prophet’s reputation preceded him.

And yet, Belian was mocking him?

Claiming to know what he would do?

If anyone had overheard him, they would have surely rebuked him.

He claimed Carsein, a man with nowhere to return to, had undoubtedly "gone back," and he specifically mentioned Veneris.

But…

Arkshus didn’t question him.

Belian’s claim that they wouldn’t be discovered? It wasn’t an empty boast.

His declaration that he would destroy the Bagrands? It wasn’t a bluff.

Even his ambition to conquer the Empire…

It was all within reach.

Who would have guessed that this seemingly foolish man possessed such a brilliant, calculating mind?

A mind that never failed.

Yes, that head of his held a vast knowledge.

This man possessed an extraordinary ability.

“May I ask a question?”

“Sure. What is it?”

“How do you know… that they disappear at that specific time?”

“Oh? Were you curious? I thought you weren’t interested.”

“…I want to understand… because it keeps happening.”

“Don’t make excuses. You just want an explanation, because you don’t understand how I know.”

Belian chuckled, pouring wine into a nearby glass, then began his explanation.

“Well, you see, if you analyze people thoroughly, you can learn a lot about them. Take Hemnon, for example. He’s the epitome of arrogance.”

“You’re talking about that fool from the Modric County.”

“Yeah. That guy, he has everything, but he’s surrounded by idiots, so he grew up thinking he was king. So, whenever someone challenged him, he would retaliate. He still holds a grudge against Carsein for humiliating him at his coming-of-age ceremony.”

-Glug. Glug. Glug.

“Anyway, people can be analyzed. You can figure out their motives, their desires. Their core values, their experiences… those things don’t change easily.”

“…”

“But what if… those core values did change?”

“Change?”

“Yes. Veneris changed. As if… the person inside his body had been replaced.”

It was an unrealistic notion.

The mind within a body, changing… how was that possible?

…That’s what one would think.

But Belian didn't sound like he was spouting nonsense.

He swirled the wine in his glass and took a sip.

“Veneris wasn’t always so prominent. He was just a minor noble from a humble family, willing to do anything to climb the social ladder. You know the type.”

“Yes. I’ve seen plenty of those.”

Veneris wasn’t from a wealthy or influential family. He had a wife and a daughter, and he was always struggling to make ends meet.

“He was obsessed with success. He wanted to overcome his humble beginnings and join the upper class.”

Not for any noble purpose.

He simply craved the luxurious lifestyle of the elite.

That was Veneris’s true nature.

The driving force behind his actions.

His core belief, his purpose in life.

“Right. But then… his purpose changed.”

“Changed?”

“Even though Veneris was obsessed with success, he always returned home at night. Even when he had a major opportunity, he always went back to his family.”

“Now that you mention it… Veneris stopped going home altogether.”

“Do you see the difference now?”

-Glug. Glug. Glug.

He poured more wine into his glass.

“So, his family was the key.”

Veneris was married.

He had a wife and a daughter.

Even though he was driven by worldly desires – wealth, status, fame – he had a line he wouldn't cross.

As the head of his household.

As a husband.

As a father.

He had always prioritized his family.

“He always made time for his family, no matter how busy he was. He wouldn’t abandon them, even for a chance to climb the social ladder. That’s why he always returned home. But then… that pattern disappeared…”

Belian smiled and nodded.

The disappearance of that pattern indicated a fundamental change within Veneris.

Such a change didn’t happen overnight.

“No matter how late he worked, he always returned home before dawn to see his family. But then, he stopped. He no longer cared. And it wasn’t just a change in personality or values. It was as if… he was a different person. You know what happened after that, right?”

“Yes. He became the prophet Veneris.”

After that day, Veneris had changed completely.

One day, two days, a week, a month…

He never returned home.

He disappeared from the Empire altogether. His family searched for him, but they couldn't find him.

And then… he reappeared.

Years later, transformed beyond recognition…

He had become the prophet Veneris.

“After his transformation, Veneris focused solely on his prophecies. He gained immense power, fame, everything he had ever desired. But… that wasn’t his true purpose. He was always restless, always yearning for something more. Does that sound like the same person?”

“…”

“No, it doesn’t. Because he was a different person, inside.”

He had gained everything he could ever want.

His ability to see the future had brought him unimaginable power and wealth.

But there was a point where he had crossed a line.

He was a different person.

A different soul inhabiting the same body.

“So, the question is… what was the real Veneris’s motive? The one hiding inside his body?”

Belian explained.

Veneris had always seemed restless.

He would stare into space, muttering strange things.

“He started saying things that didn't make sense, acting in ways that defied logic. And then… he said it himself. He said he had to return to reality.”

Reality. As if this world wasn’t real.

That was the key.

“To Veneris, this world wasn’t real. Even though he was alive, even though he bled and felt the heat and the cold, he had another world, his real world. That’s the only explanation.”

“That’s why you said it was obvious.”

“Of course. Arkshus, if you were so close to achieving your goal, would you give it up and return to a hellish world?”

“That’s absurd.”

“Exactly. You understand, don’t you? You know how much effort I put into manipulating the Bagrand Duchy, using him.”

It made sense.

There was another world.

He was living in this world, but it wasn’t his own.

His goal was to return home.

And there had to be a way, a power, that could make it possible.

If he was so close to achieving his goal…

If his "reality" was within reach…

He wouldn't be able to resist.

So, it was likely that Veneris had disappeared for a period, returning to his own world.

“Well, I think we’ve settled that. So, what did you want to report?”

“I have something for you.”

“Oh? What is it?”

He handed Belian a piece of Yggdrasil’s root. Belian’s eyes lit up.

“It’s a bit early, but… it’s time to eliminate Isabella.”

“Hmm. Isabella is in the infirmary, right?”

Belian quickly processed the information, a sinister smile spreading across his face.

Arkshus Felscrime.

The family annihilator. He had been waiting for this moment.

Isabella was ill.

Carsein was a fugitive.

It was time to end this charade, to deliver the final blow to the crumbling Bagrand family.

“Heheh. A murderer who delights in watching families tear each other apart. You’re a peculiar one, Arkshus.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Fine. This is within acceptable parameters. Make sure the Bagrands’ downfall is… spectacular.”

Arkshus bowed and left.

“He’s a strange one. He’s not even controlled by Yggdrasil, and yet… his desires are so… unique.”

He was a valuable asset, nonetheless.

Belian set down his wine glass and looked out the window, muttering to himself,

“Haah… that kid is causing me so much trouble.”

He had planted Carsein within the Bagrand family, hoping to create internal conflict, but he had ruined everything.

It didn't make sense. He should have been driven by ambition, by a desire to rise above his station. He should have been consumed by revenge, seeking retribution for the injustices he had suffered. He should have crumbled under the pressure.

And yet, Carsein had persevered.

His calculations, which had never failed before, had been thrown off by this single variable.

“How could he possibly endure all of that? Well… I guess this is the end, isn’t it?”

His plans had been disrupted, but the final outcome remained unchanged.

“Yes, you’re no different from the others. You won’t be able to resist the temptation to return to your world, will you?”

Especially not…

…after experiencing it twice.

***

-Ding!

▶ Episode III: Protection Target II, cleared. ◀

▶ Successfully protected the target without any injuries. ◀

▶ Security at the Grand Hall has been weakened! ◀

▶ Danger level at the Grand Hall reduced to <Caution>. ◀

“Carsein, the knights’ positions…”

“…Yes. I have a general idea.”

Meeting Claire directly was too risky. The vassals were everywhere, and he had to consider the possibility that there were more monsters among them.

So, he had sent Marquis Magnuel to deliver the message, but he hadn’t expected this.

As he was planning his escape, the knights started to withdraw.

Claire must have given the order.

It had opened up an escape route.

Isabella would be safe. He had informed Claire, and she would take the necessary precautions.

“…”

Now that Isabella was safe, there were no more escort missions.

But…

He couldn't relax yet.

▶ EX Episode: The True Enemy, continues. ◀

▶ Disrupt Belian Theresia’s Project Yggdrasil. ◀

▶ All conditions must be met to stop Project Yggdrasil! ◀

[1. To protect the Bagrand Duchy—]

[2. To reveal the true identity of the Arboreal Grotesqueries—]

[3. To increase Claire’s support—]

[4. To extend the duration of Flora’s faked death—]

…

…

▶ Providing all UI elements and previously acquired information. ◀

▶ Beware of pursuit events. ◀

This was just the beginning.

“First… this.”

[5. Trigger a combat event with a specific enemy and defeat them.]

▶ The target is currently heading towards a specific location based on misinformation. ◀

[Time remaining:]

[2 hours 16 minutes]

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