I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 356

Chapter 356: Choice (2)

The information about the fifth and final treasure, as usual, was a chain of notes, each leading to the next.

It was a cumbersome process, but necessary to protect the treasure from falling into the wrong hands, the hands of the "demon" they spoke of.

And now, I was nearing the end of this chain.

-Ding!

▶ Arrived at the designated location. Item acquired. ◀

◆ Karn Bagrand’s Note #36

『Under the crimson glow of the Twilight Moon, when a sliver of light appears between the horizon and the setting sun, the treasure will reveal itself in the place where the oldest flowers of this world bloom.』

The date, time, and location of the treasure were finally revealed.

The Twilight Moon referred to the current month, January.

The sliver of light between the horizon and the setting sun meant sunset.

And the oldest flowers of this world referred to the ancient tree at the heart of the continent, not within the Empire.

But I couldn't just go there yet.

Because of the following lines:

『However, be warned. If artificial light or magic stones interfere, the treasure will remain hidden. Even if you manage to retrieve it, it will be powerless. If this happens, it’s best to return the following day. It has a built-in magical failsafe.』

Outside interference would render the treasure inert.

In other words, I couldn't be pursued.

The status window reiterated this warning.

▶ You have obtained the final piece of information required to find the fifth treasure. All conditions must be met to acquire the treasure! ◀

All conditions must be met.

Still, I was almost there.

Once I found this treasure, I could return to reality.

But…

I couldn’t help but look back.

So much had happened.

Leaving the Duchy at the end of Chapter 3.

Facing the unknown, alone.

Overcoming countless obstacles.

I had persevered, fueled by my own determination.

I was alone, as always.

It wasn't unusual for the world to turn its back on me.

I had to solve my own problems, forge my own path.

Otherwise, I wouldn't survive. I would crumble, turning into a pile of ash.

Being alone didn’t change anything. Surviving on my own was my reality. I thought I could handle it.

But…

Realistically, could I have done it alone?

There had always been a helping hand.

When I was escaping, hiding, conserving my strength, resting, or even just eating…

There had always been someone there.

So many people had helped me.

Tasha, Camilla.

The people of Lusmire.

The agents, including Ferdi and Dyke.

The people of Shatrain.

Radiel, Mark.

Carlton and the First Knight Division.

They had bought me time, provided me with what I needed, hidden me, trusted me despite the bounty on my head, and even risked their lives to protect me.

…Could I have truly done it alone?

Could I have survived without them?

I couldn’t deny it.

…And even though I didn't want to admit it…

Flora.

Isabella.

Claire.

The family I had considered strangers had helped me, easing my burden at crucial moments.

And…

-Click.

“This is a bustling city. The wanted posters are still up, but no one seems to be actively searching for you.”

And finally, there was her.

The one who had been by my side all this time.

I had survived thanks to Harnie.

“But… why do you look so troubled?”

“…”

Yes, there was something I needed to say to her.

Before returning to reality, I had to express my gratitude to the person I owed the most.

I stood up and embraced her without a word.

“C-Carsein?”

Harnie was startled by the sudden embrace.

I held her close, intending to express my gratitude.

But…

I couldn’t speak.

I wanted to thank her, but the words wouldn’t come.

I had to show my appreciation for her unwavering support, for risking everything to help me.

I had to at least say goodbye, reveal everything I had been hiding…

But why?

Why couldn’t I speak?

“Um… Carsein…?”

My lips felt frozen.

My tongue felt numb.

My vocal cords were paralyzed.

As if the muscles, the organs, the very mechanisms responsible for speech had ceased to function.

How was this possible?

It was absurd.

Why couldn’t I utter a few simple words?

Harnie gently stroked my back.

“Are you hugging me because you’re cold? You’re so warm…”

She said I was warm.

…Her touch made me say something unexpected.

“Let’s… stay like this for a while.”

“W-what?”

“I just… want to stay like this for a bit, Harnie.”

“You just… want to hug me…?”

She mumbled, her voice trembling, but she continued to stroke my back.

It was warm.

Soft and comforting.

I felt like I was melting in her embrace.

Her warmth was soothing.

Her scent cleared my mind.

Her touch erased all my worries.

Lost in the sensation, I held her tighter.

We stayed like that for minutes, maybe even tens of minutes.

I wasted more precious time.

…Normally, I would have berated myself.

I had wasted valuable time.

I should have used this time to speak, to express my gratitude.

I should have been planning, strategizing.

But…

I didn't.

I couldn’t bring myself to.

***

Night had fallen.

I still hadn’t said those words to Harnie.

Not during dinner.

Not after we washed up.

Not while I was chopping wood and rekindling the fire.

Not even as we prepared for bed.

“…”

I couldn’t sleep.

Even though I needed to rest, to prepare for tomorrow.

Why?

It was just a few simple words.

I had to say goodbye to Harnie. It was the least I could do.

I had so much to say to her. I wanted to thank her for helping me, for trusting me.

But I couldn’t even begin.

It was frustrating.

This shouldn’t be happening.

It felt as if my body was refusing to cooperate.

I lay there, eyes closed, unable to sleep.

…And then…

Something made my eyes snap open.

Long, soft hair tickled my skin.

My hair wasn’t long or soft.

Slender, delicate fingers brushed against my face. I could feel her palm, soft and warm.

My fingers weren’t slender or delicate. My palms were calloused from training.

I felt her breath, soft and shallow.

It wasn’t my breath.

And then…

Something touched my lips.

A sweet taste spread through my mouth.

I knew what it was.

The series of unfamiliar sensations made my eyes fly open.

“…Harnie.”

“Were you… awake?”

She pulled away slightly, her violet eyes wide with surprise.

She sat up and turned her head, covering her lips with her hand.

I had suspected it.

And I was right.

It was Harnie’s lips that had touched mine.

But…

This made me realize something.

Whenever I slept next to Harnie, my sleep patterns changed, so it was likely the time I usually fell asleep.

Which meant she had been doing this every night.

…And it was true.

Whenever I woke up, there was a faint, sweet taste in my mouth.

Just like now.

But why?

Why had she kissed me?

I sat up, needing to ask.

“…I want to know why, Harnie.”

“…Why what?”

“Why you did that while I was sleeping.”

I knew she didn’t mean to harm me.

So, there had to be a reason.

Harnie was intelligent.

She wouldn’t do something meaningless.

So, there had to be a reason behind her actions.

Otherwise…

It was just a kiss.

‘Maybe there’s a… magical reason? Like… Depeshan Syndrome or something?'

Maybe it was a way to transfer mana more easily.

A way to unravel my tangled mana.

There had to be something.

I waited for her to speak.

But instead of a clear explanation, she gave me a vague answer.

“…Could you… not say anything?”

Don’t say anything.

She usually said that when she was angry.

Or when I had done something wrong.

Or when she was deeply embarrassed.

But… this wasn’t one of those times.

Her reaction was different.

“I won’t deny it. I… just… please don’t ask.”

“…”

It was a plea.

A desperate plea.

So, I couldn’t ask any further.

“I’m sorry for waking you. I’ll… sleep separately tonight.”

“Harnie, that’s not what I…”

She pulled her blanket over herself and moved away.

That was it.

She had just… kissed me?

For no reason?

“…”

No, there had to be a reason.

I moved closer and embraced her from behind.

She didn’t say anything, even though I had startled her.

I must have done something wrong.

That’s why she didn’t want me to ask.

Feeling guilty, I held her tighter.

As if her touch was a trigger, I finally drifted off to sleep.

***

It was a paradoxical act.

She couldn't say the words "I love you" because she loved him. Because she loved him too much.

So, every night, she waited for him to fall asleep and then kissed him secretly.

She loved him in silence, preparing to let him go when the time came.

But… he had caught her.

She hadn't wanted him to know.

She hadn't wanted him to know, especially since he would be leaving soon.

Carsein had discovered her secret.

She couldn't tell him the truth.

She could only ask him to pretend he hadn’t seen anything.

And this kind-hearted man had granted her request.

‘This is… for the best.’

This was the price she had to pay for crossing the line, for failing to control her feelings.

Tomorrow… she would have to say goodbye to Carsein.

Because it was their last day together, she couldn’t be greedy.

‘Yes. This is good.’

She could bear the pain of separation.

As long as he didn't have to.

She had to calm her racing heart.

Tomorrow, she would wake up and let him go.

She closed her eyes, trying to fall asleep.

-Embrace.

“…!”

A sudden embrace from behind made her heart skip a beat.

‘Oh no.’

This was bad.

She had finally made up her mind to let him go.

But she was wavering.

Consumed by the desire to hold onto him.

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