I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 333

Chapter 333: Family (3)

Blessed with silver hair,

And eyes that shone like gold,

Her presence commanded attention.

Though the youngest, she was still royalty, a member of the Pesselus Imperial Family, holding a position of power, a potential heir to the throne.

At her command to stop, a heavy silence descended, the air thick with tension.

Arsienne looked around, and finally understood.

‘…I see.’

Everyone was searching for Carsein.

And the Imperial Family was no exception. Arsienne, too, had been looking for him.

Then, she had received a strange report from one of the soldiers.

-Your Highness, there’s been an incident in Lusmire.

-Lusmire? What happened?

-I’m not sure of the details, but… it seems there was a conflict between the villagers and some knights.

She had arrived in Lusmire to find a scene of chaos.

People were injured, some with serious wounds, blood staining the ground.

She didn’t know what had happened, but as a princess, as a member of the Imperial Family, she had to intervene. She couldn't ignore the suffering of her people.

-What is this…? Treat the injured first! Immediately!

And then, two women had approached her, their heads bowed.

-Your Highness, please. You have to go to Shatrain. Now.

-We’re fine. We can handle this. Please, go to Shatrain!

Their desperate plea, their insistence that she go to Shatrain, had led her here.

And now, she understood.

‘That maid in Lusmire… she urged me to go to Shatrain… because of this?’

There was no need for further investigation. The scene before her spoke for itself.

The villagers of Shatrain, armed with farming tools, defending their village.

And the knights, their swords drawn, trying to force their way in.

A battle was about to begin.

But it was a one-sided fight.

Trained soldiers, versus farmers. Even if the village guards joined the fight, they wouldn’t stand a chance.

The soldiers had proper weapons and armor, while the villagers had only farming tools, some even wielding makeshift weapons.

It would be a massacre.

A brutal, merciless suppression, leaving only pain and suffering in its wake.

Lusmire had already fallen.

And Shatrain was about to share its fate.

‘But they must know they can’t win.’

And yet, they were still defending the gate.

They were forming a human wall, determined to protect their village.

Their intention was clear.

They were buying time.

Buying time for someone to escape.

‘Buying time… I see.’

If Carsein had been here, it would have been easier. She could have taken him under her protection, claiming he was needed for questioning.

But with the pursuers having arrived first, he must have fled Shatrain.

Arsienne couldn’t help but blame herself for being too late.

‘If that’s the case, then I’ll have to stall for time as well.’

There was no point in pursuing Carsein here. They wouldn’t be able to catch him.

Even if they followed him, they wouldn't know which path he had taken, and while not as complex as Lusmire, Shatrain still had multiple escape routes. Searching every single path would only increase the risk of being discovered.

So, the safest way to protect Carsein was to stall for time here.

Arsienne dismounted her horse and walked towards the villagers. She positioned herself between the two groups, then turned to the knights, her gaze cold and sharp.

“Are you seriously going to point your swords at them, Commander Pergo?”

“Y-Your Highness.”

“They are unarmed farmers, my people. And you’re threatening them with violence?”

Commander Pergo, the leader of the pursuers, retorted,

“As you know, Your Highness, we are searching for Carsein Bagrand. They’re obstructing our investigation.”

The soldiers beside him chimed in.

“Th-that’s right! He’s likely hiding here! This was one of the territories he managed!”

“And they’re refusing to let us pass! They’re clearly hiding something!”

“We’ve already searched Lusmire, and we believe he’s here! We have to investigate!”

“He’s a traitor! We have to apprehend him!”

Arsienne, who had been listening patiently, frowned at the word “traitor.”

“Watch your words. The Imperial Family has never labeled Carsein Bagrand as a rebel or a criminal.”

“B-but…!”

“It’s just a rumor. Are you going to brand someone a criminal based on hearsay?”

Commander Pergo swallowed hard.

But they still had justification.

“We’ll retract our accusations, Your Highness. But we have to investigate this village. We’re acting on the Bagrand Duchy’s arrest warrant.”

They all knew about the arrest warrant, and yet these villagers were protecting him. Their actions were a clear sign of defiance.

And even Arsienne couldn't ignore that.

The arrest warrant, the bounty… it gave everyone in the Empire the right to pursue Carsein.

She had to find a way to stop them.

But it wasn't easy.

If the Imperial Family intervened, they would likely insist on joining the search, creating an opening for Carsein to escape.

And if she stopped them here, she would be directly opposing the Bagrand Duchy’s arrest warrant. Shatrain was Bagrand territory, not under the direct control of the Imperial Family.

‘The only thing I can use is the threat to Shatrain.’

It couldn't be helped. She had to use that as an excuse to stall for time, to block their path.

Just as she was trying to figure out how to phrase it…

An unexpected ally appeared.

“He’s not a criminal!”

A young girl came running towards them, shouting.

“Wh-what?! Lady Flora?!”

“Hmph! Hmph! What did you just say?! You called my brother a criminal?!”

“M-My Lady!”

“Lady Flora!”

“How dare you! My brother is not a criminal!”

The little blonde girl glared at Commander Pergo, her voice filled with righteous indignation.

It was a disrespectful, even childish, outburst.

According to noble etiquette, she should be reprimanded.

And for a member of the Bagrand family to act like this was even more unacceptable.

But it was also an opportunity.

‘Carsein… it seems the villagers aren’t the only ones you’ve influenced.’

Arsienne smiled.

“So Shatrain has a distinguished guest. Commander Pergo, you were about to attack these villagers, without even realizing that a member of the Bagrand family was present?”

“…!”

Flora’s eyes narrowed, and Commander Pergo, remembering the scolding he had received from her earlier, flinched.

“So, Lady Flora, what do you think? They want to search the village. Should we let them pass? Or would you prefer the Imperial Family to handle the investigation?”

Her words carried an unspoken weight.

To those who dared to try to force their way into the village without even realizing a Bagrand was present…

To those who defied the Bagrand Duchy and tried to disrupt the territory with that ridiculous arrest warrant…

To those who dared to threaten the village her brother had worked so hard to protect…

To those who called Carsein a criminal and tried to hunt him down…

It didn't matter what she said.

The answer was clear.

“I won’t let anyone who called my brother a criminal search this village! Your Highness, please conduct the investigation!”

-Ding!

▶ Flora has delayed the pursuers. ◀

▶ Pursuit speed decreased, and tracks erased, increasing the time it will take for the pursuers to arrive. ◀

***

I managed to escape Shatrain.

Just like Lusmire, I had successfully evaded the pursuers.

And this time, it wasn't just an escape.

▶ Kelbia Allergy level decreased! ◀

▶ Level 5 zones reduced to Level 2. ◀

▶ Stat reduction and status ailment effects re-evaluated. ◀

With increased resistance to the Kelbia allergy, the movement restrictions had been significantly reduced.

Thanks to that, I could even hide in the Kelbia-infested urban areas, if necessary.

And if the episode continued like this, I could move freely, concealing my presence. I had analyzed the tracking methods, and as long as I covered my tracks, there wouldn't be any problems.

But there was still one problem.

“…I’m feeling a bit chilly. Judging from the fireplace and chimney, this inn doesn’t use mana stones for heating. We should start a fire.”

Harnie, entering the inn, walked towards the fireplace.

I stopped her.

“…You should go back now, Harnie.”

I couldn't give her a chance to argue.

I had to send her back.

She had helped me for so long,

Harnie…

“If you don’t return to the Marquisate, you might lose everything you’ve worked for.”

This wasn’t a joke.

The status window had clearly warned me.

▶ Carsein’s reputation rank has decreased to Recognition level. ◀

▶ Further decreases may result in a drop to Notoriety level! ◀

My reputation had already dropped to Recognition level.

And below that was Notoriety.

While the people of Lusmire and Shatrain might only scold me, if my reputation dropped to Notoriety, I would be treated like a criminal. And those who helped me would face severe punishment.

“Are you still on about that?”

Harnie put her hands on her hips, her tone indifferent.

“Yes, I might be considered an accomplice and punished. But aren’t you being a bit… inconsiderate? I’m from a Marquisate family as well. I’m not that powerless. I won’t lose everything I’ve built.”

-Clink.

She placed a log in the fireplace and continued,

“It’s true that a single mistake could ruin everything when I was managing the trading company. But the situation is different now, Carsein. Back then, I couldn't use the Marquisate's name, so I was vulnerable. But now, I can officially claim the title. It’s not going to all come crashing down like dominoes. And Belian isn’t a particularly capable leader, so they’ll be even more eager to have me take over.”

-Clink.

-Tap, tap.

She arranged the logs, dusted off her hands, then struck a flint, igniting a small flame. She gently blew on it, nurturing the fire.

Satisfied, she poked me playfully.

“Anyway, I can handle myself. But you can’t, can you?”

“…”

“You wouldn’t even be able to hide here without me. You have no money, you don’t know the local prices, you don’t even know where to find work. How are you going to survive if I leave?”

While I could argue with her other points…

This one was undeniable.

I had no money, no job. I was a wanted man, alone and vulnerable.

And Harnie was my only lifeline.

“I know you don’t like relying on others. I’m the same. But it’s okay to rely on me, in a situation like this.”

Harnie hugged me and added,

“I owe you a debt. Consider this repayment. And even if I suffer a loss, I’m confident I can recover.”

“…”

…Right.

I could trust her.

She would have a plan.

She was intelligent, resourceful.

She always planned meticulously, preparing for every possibility.

And even though she could be clumsy at times, she was dependable when it mattered.

Just like Jieun.

-Pinch.

“Ow.”

“Aren’t you cold? Why aren’t you hugging me?”

…So that’s why she had been pouting.

I opened my arms and embraced her.

“Mmm. Warm.”

And I, too, felt a warmth spread through me.

Next Chapter

Index

Previous Chapter