I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 337

Chapter 337: Family (7)

The two knights approached,

Their footsteps heavy with a mix of emotions.

The initial joy of reunion was fleeting,

Replaced by a sense of helplessness and guilt.

They saw how I had thinned, the toll of my escape evident in the hollows of my cheeks, and their hearts ached.

They were hesitant, unsure of how to approach me, their minds racing, trying to find the right words.

But their anxiety quickly dissipated.

They saw me, standing there, waiting.

I hadn’t run.

I hadn’t left.

Even though they were Bagrand knights, even though they could have easily apprehended me,

I hadn’t moved.

I had waited patiently.

As if I knew they wouldn’t betray me.

As if I had sensed their true intentions.

And that realization filled them with a warmth that chased away the chill of their guilt.

‘He… trusted us… those powerless knights…’

‘Do you… believe in us, Young Master?’

They reached me, their footsteps faltering.

I hadn’t moved, not even a single step. I hadn’t even shown any intention of escaping.

Radiel and Mark, the two knights, bowed their heads.

“Thank you for trusting us, Young Master.”

I replied curtly,

“I’m… no longer your master… Hah… Never mind. You’re wearing Claire’s boutique insignia. That’s how you… No, this isn’t the time for this. Let’s move.”

I had only responded because of Harnie, who was standing beside me, nudging me impatiently.

But as knights, sworn to serve their lord,

It was the highest compliment.

To be deemed worthy of their master’s trust was enough.

…But then,

-Slap!

A sharp slap, followed by a sigh.

“Ow! Why did you hit me?”

“There’s no need to be so formal.”

“Then what am I supposed to say…?”

“Honestly!”

-Slap!

“Ow!”

“Just go. Seriously…”

“…?”

Radiel and Mark exchanged bewildered glances.

They stared at us, momentarily stunned by this strange exchange.

I clicked my tongue and walked away, and Harnie sighed again, muttering under her breath,

“He could have just said thank you… Why is he so stubborn?”

“…”

“…”

“Don’t you think so? It’s like he’s convinced that no one would ever help him.”

It was true. I often acted that way.

Remembering how I had endured countless insults and humiliations, my expression unchanging, how I had treated them as equals, as fellow knights, without flaunting my status…

It was understandable.

For someone whose own family had betrayed him, it was natural to be wary of others.

For me to trust anyone, even them, was a miracle.

I had always been independent, self-reliant, carrying my burdens alone.

So, for me to place my trust in two former knights… it was a significant change.

And…

The reason for that change…

‘It’s because of the young lady.’

‘It’s because of her.’

Because of Harnie.

They were certain of it.

***

Either way, with people watching, we had to move.

“No one followed us.”

“And there weren’t any suspicious individuals nearby.”

Having found a secluded location, we could finally talk.

“First, there’s something we need to tell you, Young Master. We…”

“You don’t have to tell me who sent you. I already know.”

“What?”

“Claire, right?”

Radiel’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Anyway, I don’t need an explanation.”

I waved my hand dismissively, and they didn't press the matter.

Radiel spoke, getting straight to the point.

“We’re here because there’s something you need to know, Young Master.”

Radiel nodded to Mark, and he handed me something.

“…This is… a wanted poster?”

My face, drawn like a portrait, and below it, the bounty.

A wanted poster.

I was familiar with these.

While it had been a while, I had once hunted down wanted criminals for the reward. And I had even completed a few related sub-episodes to increase my affinity within the Duchy and my territories.

So this wasn’t new. While it was strange to see my own face on a wanted poster… well, considering the situation, it wasn't entirely unexpected.

It was probably just a game mechanic. There was no reason to be upset.

But then,

“Young Master, this isn’t an ordinary wanted poster.”

“What?”

“Normally, a wanted poster lists the suspect’s name, a brief description, and the bounty. But there are different levels.”

Another wanted poster appeared beside the first.

It looked different.

Harnie’s hand trembled as she took the poster, her eyes wide with a growing sense of dread.

“D-don’t tell me… this is…”

“…Yes. It’s a designated manhunt.”

Mark closed his eyes, then continued, his voice heavy,

The atmosphere had shifted. Even I could feel it.

“As you can see, the bounty has increased, but beyond a certain amount, it signifies a change in the level of the warrant. And judging from the current bounty on your head…”

Mark hesitated, then continued,

“It’s a designated manhunt. Which means they don’t care how you’re captured. They can use any means necessary, even excessive force. And that means… those who are after you will be even more dangerous.”

“…”

-Ding!

▶ New information acquired. ◀

▶ Information regarding the player’s reputation decline confirmed. ◀

[Reputation has dropped to Notoriety level due to the designated manhunt.]

▶ Penalty applied due to Notoriety level! ◀

▶ Warning! Combat event notifications disabled. ◀

▶ Increased chance of encountering more dangerous enemies. ◀

▶ Exercise caution to avoid death. ◀

The red warning light in my status window flickered several times, then disappeared, indicating that the danger detection function had been disabled.

So I wouldn't even receive warnings anymore?

I had a feeling I knew why this had happened.

“Arina increased the level of the warrant, didn’t she?”

“…Yes.”

“So the net is closing in. My pursuers will be more ruthless, more dangerous. And those who have been eyeing the bounty on my head will be hiring mercenaries and assassins.”

“…”

Radiel’s lips twitched, but she couldn’t deny it.

“But that’s not the only reason we’re here, Young Master.”

“There’s still a way.”

“And we’re here to tell you about it.”

“What are you planning?”

-Clank. Clank.

Mark removed his armor and handed it to me.

“…You’re going to wear this and infiltrate the Bagrand Duchy.”

“What?”

“You could try hiding in various territories. And we could meet you at designated locations to provide support. But that approach has its limits.”

“With luck, you might be able to last a few days, maybe even a week. But if they find you… you’ll be captured.”

“So we’ve come up with a different plan. Instead of hiding and waiting to be caught, we’ll infiltrate the Duchy. It’s the last place they’ll expect you to be.”

It made sense.

While I had been lucky in Lusmire and Shatrain, wandering around like this would eventually attract attention.

And the cost of maintaining the artifacts, the mana stones that powered them, was a limiting factor. I couldn't keep relying on Harnie's generosity.

If I could infiltrate the Bagrand Duchy…

If I could enter undetected, disguised as one of their knights…

Then the risk of being captured by outsiders would be significantly reduced.

It was the most logical option. And it might even give me a chance to acquire the treasure hidden within the Duchy.

‘Right. This is the answer.’

I would infiltrate the Bagrand Duchy, disguised as Mark, and reach the manor.

And to do that,

There was something I had to do.

I turned to Harnie.

“…You can go back now, Harnie.”

I was grateful for her help, but she couldn’t come with me. No, she shouldn’t.

“You know about designated manhunts… You don’t have to follow me anymore.”

I was a wanted man, the target of a designated manhunt, the most dangerous level.

If she helped me, she would be implicated. Everything she had worked for, her position, her future, even the Theresia Marquisate, could be taken away from her.

I didn't want that to happen.

But…

Things weren’t going according to plan.

“Young Master, I’m afraid the young lady should come with you. No, it’s… necessary.”

“What?”

“…She’s been placed on the wanted list as well. They suspect her of aiding and abetting a fugitive.”

Radiel handed me another wanted poster.

Harnie Theresia.

Her name was on it.

“If she appears at the Theresia Marquisate, the suspicions will likely be dispelled. The problem is… how to get her there.”

“…”

The distance to the Theresia Marquisate.

The countless people we would encounter along the way.

It would be nearly impossible to prove that she hadn’t been helping me.

“But there is a solution. The young lady is… about the same height as Radiel. And while there’s a… difference in… physique, the armor should conceal that.”

“You’re suggesting… Harnie impersonate Radiel?”

The two knights smiled.

“It’s the safest way to avoid detection, Young Master. And it will make it easier for you to travel as well.”

“I often travel with Radiel. It would be less suspicious if the young lady accompanied you, disguised as her.”

“They’re right, Carsein.”

A pair of knights, a man and a woman.

A pair of fugitives, a man and a woman.

Hiding in plain sight.

The solution to the seemingly impossible equation was surprisingly simple.

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