I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 352

Chapter 352: Family (22)

Once again, I felt disoriented, as if I had been struck. But…

‘I don’t have time for this.’

I had to escape.

The manor, which had been quiet just moments ago, was now filled with the clang of steel.

The pursuers had arrived.

They were more relentless than before, their pursuit fueled by the activated event and my plummeting notoriety.

I knew what would happen if I was caught.

▶ Pursuit event activated. ◀

▶ Evade the pursuing enemies! ◀

[Capture will result in a bad ending.]

Death.

The status window made it clear.

While Carlton and the First Knight Division bought me time, I had to escape the manor.

Unlike other areas, I knew the manor’s layout like the back of my hand.

Judging by their movements, the pursuers didn't have this advantage. But there were always exceptions.

-Clang.

“Argh!”

There was no avoiding the enemies who had already infiltrated the manor.

It was impossible for a single division to hold off so many.

I had no choice but to eliminate them.

-Ding!

▶ Eliminated enemy unit: Mercenary. ◀

▶ Pursuit time decreased. ◀

-Ding!

▶ Eliminated enemy unit: Assassin. ◀

▶ Pursuit time decreased. ◀

Every encounter chipped away at the precious time Carlton had bought me. Harnie was also helping, using her magic to hinder the pursuers and support me, but they were just too many.

“There he is!”

“Catch him!”

The net was closing in.

-Thud! Slash!

“Ugh…!”

“Cough…!”

Anticipating my escape route, some of the soldiers had circled back, blocking the main gate.

They were disorganized, their skills lacking.

I could easily dispatch them.

Money, status, rewards, bounties, connections to the Bagrands…

What skills could those driven by such shallow desires possess?

They had sent assassins, even hired mercenaries, but they couldn’t break through my defenses.

I had almost made it.

Just one more section. Once I reached the training grounds, I would be able to escape.

But…

-Whoosh!

“…!”

I barely dodged the arrow, abandoning my plan.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Did you really think you could escape, commoner?”

“Come here, my little treasure.”

The path to the training grounds was blocked.

There were archers, crossbowmen, mages preparing spells, and soldiers wielding various weapons, all waiting to finish me off.

They were all there, as if they had known I would come this way.

‘…Shit.’

They might be weak individually, but I couldn’t fight them all.

They were using swarm tactics, wearing me down, slowly tightening the noose. They weren't in a hurry.

They would stall, drain my strength, and wait for the moment my grip on my sword faltered.

Then, they would strike.

I couldn’t waste any more time.

Especially not with Carlton and the others risking their lives to protect me.

‘There’s no other way. I have to push through!’

I tightened my grip on my sword, preparing to carve a path through them.

Then…

““Argh!””

A loud explosion ripped through their ranks, throwing them into disarray.

“…Could it be…?”

I turned around, and there she was, the one who had cast the spell.

“What are you doing?! Run!”

The fierce expression, the irritated voice…

The flowing pink hair…

It was my second sister, Claire.

***

Claire knew.

That this wouldn’t just go away.

She knew.

That no matter how much she tried to make amends, the wounds wouldn’t heal.

She knew.

That what was done couldn't be undone. Time couldn't be reversed.

The deep scars wouldn't disappear.

These were the scars she had inflicted, the wounds she had deepened.

This was her retribution.

Even if she had deliberately sent her people to the checkpoints, loosening security within the territory…

Even if she had defied Arina and helped him buy time by creating an escape route within the manor…

Even if she had disrupted the security arrangements and provided him with information…

She was the one who had hurt him the most.

Her family. Her younger brother.

But she wanted to protect him.

Just this once, she wanted to protect him.

She wanted to be a good older sister.

Even if she didn’t deserve forgiveness, she wanted him to be safe.

So she blocked the pursuers’ path.

She defied Arina’s orders and protected him.

The trees near the wall burst into flames, creating a barrier.

“Ugh.”

The consecutive spells made her head throb.

But she had bought him enough time. He should be heading towards the training grounds…

But he wasn’t.

He was standing there, staring at her.

Surprised, she shouted,

“Hey! What are you doing?! Run!”

“…”

“Hey, Carsein!”

But he didn’t move.

“Was it all… you?”

“What?”

“Was it you who deliberately loosened security at the checkpoints? Was it you who sent Radiel and Mark to the border and the outposts? Was it you who manipulated the security arrangements within the manor, providing me with information, even guiding me safely through the tomb?”

Claire was speechless, caught off guard by his questions.

She was surprised, and grateful, that he had noticed, but she had to deny it.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Claire.”

“Ugh! It was just a coincidence! The guards at the checkpoints were probably slacking off, and those who found you were just being loyal! As for the manor… I was just stressed, so I lashed out, and…”

“None of your explanations make sense.”

She tried to make excuses, but her words were unconvincing.

Knowing this, she changed the subject.

“Just… run! You don’t have time for this!”

“…Are you going to be alright?”

“…What?”

“After this… are you going to be alright?”

This was a clear act of defiance against the Bagrands.

She had directly disobeyed the acting head of the family, not only letting a dangerous criminal escape, but actively helping him.

There would be consequences.

But Claire didn’t care.

“Yeah. I’ll be fine.”

She didn’t care about the repercussions.

Even if she was ostracized, even if she faced criticism and condemnation, even if she was hurt, or lonely, or in pain…

“…I’m just… paying for my sins.”

She had hurt her family.

She had caused them pain.

She had made their lives more difficult, more lonely.

Compared to that, this was nothing.

Being ostracized by noble society, ruining her reputation and relationships… it was a price she had to pay for her actions.

For her impulsive behavior, for the pain she had caused.

This was her retribution.

It was a small price to pay, compared to what Carsein had endured.

“Oh, right. I have something to return to you.”

Claire slowly approached Carsein and handed him something.

It was the first gift he had ever given her.

A hair clip she had cherished, always keeping it close.

It didn’t suit her status or her fashion sense, considering she was the daughter of a Duke and the owner of a renowned boutique, but she had always worn it.

It was precious to her.

She had chosen it over countless more expensive and extravagant accessories.

Even though it was a simple, inexpensive hair clip, it was the most valuable accessory she owned.

And now, she was returning it to Carsein.

Because it was time.

“…I… I don’t deserve this. I shouldn't have acted like someone worthy of a gift.”

She didn’t deserve it.

It was too much, considering what she had done.

He had to erase all traces of himself from this place, just as he had intended.

She returned the gift, the last remaining vestige of their connection, letting her go.

She also handed him all the jewelry she had, as if telling him to sell it and use the money to survive.

“Ugh… I’m so stupid! I should have prepared some cash… but this should fetch a good price! They’re quite valuable, so even if you sell them separately, it should be enough for food and lodging. Take them all. You’ll need them.”

“…”

“You should go now. I’ll buy you as much time as I can. I should at least act like a proper older sister and protect my younger brother, right? And…”

Turning away from Carsein, she finally said the words she had been wanting to say.

“…I’m sorry, Carsein. For always being a burden. Take care of yourself.”

That was her final farewell.

To the younger brother leaving this prison of a manor. To the person who would no longer be her family.

But Carsein sighed and approached her.

He gently placed the hair clip, the only one she had used, back in her hair.

“Carsein? Why are you…?”

“This hair clip is useless to me. It’s not worth anything, and it won’t help me. Besides… you look better with it.”

“…!”

He was saying she looked better with it… that meant…

Before turning to leave, Carsein placed a hand on her shoulder and said,

“Thank you for helping me, Claire.”

Claire’s tears, which she had been holding back, finally flowed freely.

“Ugh…!”

“Lady Claire, why are you…!”

-Whoosh!

“Argh!”

“…No one touches my younger brother.”

The only thing adorning her now empty, pink hair was the hair clip.

Next Chapter

Index

Previous Chapter