I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 367

Chapter 367: Project Yggdrasil (7)

“Ugh…haah…”

“Are they… are they still chasing us?”

“No! They can’t follow us here. They seem to be weakened by the light.”

“Oh my… I’m exhausted.”

The villagers collapsed to the ground, exhausted.

They had fled in terror, their bodies drenched in sweat.

“What happened? This is Bagrand territory! Why… why are they here?!”

The villagers’ voices were filled with fear and confusion.

“This is the Bagrand duchy! Why are there monsters here?!”

The Aldersia territory belonged to the Bagrand Duchy. The most powerful and wealthiest Duchy in the Empire.

A place where they should have been safe.

A place where monsters shouldn't have been able to appear.

And yet, they were here.

“Did anyone… report the monster attack?”

“The knights… shouldn’t they be here by now?”

“Won’t the Bagrands send reinforcements?”

“…Don’t be absurd!”

The other villagers scoffed at the mention of reinforcements.

“Have you forgotten what’s happening? They’re obsessed with capturing that traitor.”

“All the knights are chasing Carsein. Unless someone volunteers… but who would do that? Capturing him is a one-way ticket to a better life!”

“Those in power are blinded by greed. They don’t care about this territory. Honor? Maybe some of them care. But capturing that criminal will earn them a much greater reward.”

Their frustration and fear turned into anger and resentment.

“Damn it! Is this right? They pulled all the knights away because of their family squabbles! This is outrageous!”

“This is their territory! They should at least send some soldiers!”

“Even if they’re focused on capturing that traitor, they can’t just ignore the situation here…!”

Their anger was directed at the Bagrands.

“What happened? Why did things change so suddenly?”

“I heard Duchess Isabella collapsed… is that why?”

“What?”

“My sister works at the Bagrand manor. She told me the Duchess collapsed…”

The villagers’ expressions changed at the mention of the acting Duchess.

“Girl, tell us more. What happened?”

“I heard the Duchess’s madness relapsed. That’s why the acting head of the family changed.”

“So… this is happening because the acting Duchess changed?”

“Probably… the warrant for Carsein’s arrest was issued around the same time…”

“So it’s all her fault.”

“I knew it! The Duchess wouldn’t have let this happen!”

The villagers’ faces hardened.

They had to ask.

“So who’s the acting Duchess? Who is she?”

The maid’s younger sister gulped and replied,

“…Lady Arina.”

“What…?!”

“Lady Arina…!”

“We thought we were safe because it was still the Bagrands, even with Duchess Isabella ill, but…”

-Thump.

As the villagers’ voices filled with resentment, a loud thud echoed through the air. They turned around, startled.

“There’s another one!”

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine! But… look!”

A young boy, who had just crossed the bridge, pointed back.

“Oh my! There’s another one!”

“We have to help him!”

Another boy, who hadn’t been able to escape, was being chased.

“Just a little further! They can’t enter the light!”

“Hurry!”

“Huff… huff…!”

But there was nothing they could do.

The setting sun cast long shadows, extending the monsters’ reach.

And the boy was exhausted.

He had been running with all his might, but… he was about to be caught.

“Look! The monster is catching up!”

“Run! You have to run!”

-Trip.

The boy stumbled and fell.

“Aaaaaah!”

“No!”

Vines snaked out of the shadows, coiling around him.

It was too late.

He couldn't escape.

He would be dragged into the darkness, swallowed by the shadows.

The villagers closed their eyes, bracing for the inevitable.

But then…

-Thud.

A loud sound, and then… a miracle.

“…What was that?”

“Look! Over there!”

“What happened? The monster…”

“Who cares?! Run!”

The boy, miraculously freed, scrambled across the bridge.

“It seems the heavens are on our side. Everyone survived.”

“Let’s go!”

The villagers of Aldersia, believing they had been blessed by fortune, retreated.

“Is everyone gone?”

In the shadows beneath the bridge…

Carsein emerged.

-Ding!

▶ Episode II: The Aldersia Territory Conflict, cleared. ◀

[Eliminated units: Arboreal Grotesqueries.]

[30/30]

“…That takes care of that.”

The results window appeared.

▶ Level 8 reward granted. ◀

He had been puzzled by this episode.

He didn’t understand its purpose.

“But with this reward… it makes sense.”

He finally understood what he had to do.

“Carsein!”

Harnie rushed towards him, her voice filled with concern.

“I’m sorry! I missed one…”

Because of the one monster she had missed, Carsein had been injured. The wound immediately caught her attention.

“You’re… you’re hurt! Oh no… it’s my fault… I’m so sorry!”

“It’s fine. It’s just a scratch.”

“It’s not just a scratch! Here, let me heal you.”

Despite his nonchalant response, Harnie insisted on treating his wound.

She applied medicine and then tore a piece of her skirt to use as a bandage.

“Does it hurt? Is it too tight?”

“No, it’s fine.”

“I’ll… be more careful next time.”

“I don’t care if I get hurt. As long as you’re safe.”

“W-what…?”

“It’s better this way. I’d rather be hurt than see you get hurt.”

“What are you talking about?! Really…”

Harnie blushed and lightly punched his shoulder.

“We have more important things to worry about! Where are we going now?”

“Ah, right.”

▶ Episode III: Protection Target II, begins. ◀

▶ A meeting of the Bagrand vassals is taking place at the location marked on the minimap. ◀

▶ Protect the designated target. ◀

[Target: ???]

▶ Eliminate the spy within the Bagrand Duchy while protecting the target. ◀

[???: (0/1)]

▶ Caution: If the spy transmits the information they possess, a bad ending will be triggered automatically. ◀

“…It seems our next target, after Flora, is Claire.”

▶ Level 8 information acquired. ◀

[There is a non-human entity among the vassals.]

[It will attempt to leave the meeting and transmit sensitive information. Eliminating it will prevent this.]

[The remains of a vassal who died three months ago are located within the Aldersia territory. Retrieving and using an item from the remains will cause confusion.]

▶ Due to the high information level, the protection target and elimination target have been revealed. ◀

[Protection target: Claire Bagrand.]

[Elimination target: Arboreal Grotesquery (0/1).]

***

“That concludes my proposal. What will you do? Will you stand still, or will you move forward? I will give you time to decide.”

Claire finished her speech.

She would give the vassals time to consider her proposal.

But they didn’t need it.

‘I’ve never felt time move so slowly.’

‘She addressed our concerns perfectly. Our hopes weren't misplaced!’

‘She clearly understands the current situation within the Bagrand Duchy… she’s the ideal candidate.’

‘Lady Claire’s potential was overshadowed by Lady Arina, but… she’s more than capable. How could we have been so blind?!’

The Bagrand Duchy was crumbling.

Arina’s focus on capturing Carsein had led to this crisis.

While she was still handling the Duchy’s affairs, her decisions lacked the meticulousness and efficiency of the past.

This had led to a series of internal problems.

But if they could disrupt this unbalanced power structure…

If they could redistribute Arina’s power…

Then there was hope.

A brighter future for the Bagrand vassals.

Claire was their savior. They had been searching for a way to stop Arina, to prevent the Duchy’s downfall.

The vassals, who had entered the meeting room with grim expressions, were now filled with renewed hope.

They cast their votes, their faces beaming. The results were unanimous, even though the vote was supposed to be secret. It was as if they had all agreed beforehand.

While they would inevitably face opposition from Arina’s supporters, they seemed prepared for the challenge.

Amidst this hopeful atmosphere…

A man, observing the proceedings, narrowed his eyes.

‘The mood has shifted dramatically.’

The vassals, who had been bickering amongst themselves just moments ago, were now united.

They had found a common cause.

‘This can’t be happening.’

The reason was clear.

Claire Bagrand.

Her declaration of candidacy had changed everything.

She had challenged Arina’s authority, disrupting the status quo.

‘I have to inform Lord Belian as soon as the votes are counted.’

He had to tell him that there was a new target to eliminate.

The votes were quickly tallied.

An overwhelming majority in favor.

Not a single vote against.

The results were announced, followed by a thunderous applause.

“The results are unanimous. Lady Claire is hereby granted the authority to intervene in Acting Duchess Arina’s decisions and policies.”

“Then I’ll start by addressing the backlog of neglected proposals. If there are any issues, bring them to my attention immediately.”

““We will obey the commands of the rightful heir.””

Claire, basking in the vassals’ cheers, was about to embark on her new life as the future Duchess.

‘Now’s my chance.’

The man slipped away unnoticed.

His arms transformed into wooden vines, burrowing into the ground.

“Hmm. No one’s watching, right?”

“Right. No one saw you sneak out.”

“…!”

Someone had followed him?

‘…No, it doesn’t matter.’

Nothing had happened yet. As long as he wasn’t discovered, everything would be fine.

“Who are you? I was just getting some fresh air.”

“Who, indeed?”

“How insolent. A Bagrand vassal, lacking in manners?”

He stalled, trying to create an opening.

They could only see his back. He wouldn't be caught off guard.

‘I have to eliminate him quickly…!’

-Slash!

He spun around, intending to strike, but his wooden vines were sliced in two.

And not just that.

‘What?! Why isn’t my power…?!’

His power… it wasn’t working.

The power bestowed upon him by their god.

“Hmm. ‘If Claire Bagrand isn’t eliminated, Arina’s regime may collapse.’ Is that it?”

“You… how did you…!”

“Doesn’t matter.”

-Thud.

The grotesque, human-like face hardened, turning into a piece of wood.

But the spell remained active.

He could still transmit the information.

“What would cause the most confusion? Should I report that everything is proceeding as planned? Or should I fabricate a different situation?”

He pondered the options.

Then, the status window appeared.

“…I see. So that’s why I received this reward.”

[Isabella requires an urgent blood transfusion and is currently being transported. The destination and list of physicians are —]

He quickly transmitted the information.

***

Meanwhile, Arina received news from the Aldersia territory.

“What?! The Aldersia territory has pledged its loyalty to Claire?!”

“We don’t have all the details, but…”

“The citizens are outraged. They’re demanding a change in leadership…”

What was going on?

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