I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 329

Chapter 329: Alone (12)

Impeccable disguise.

Eloquent speech, perfectly adapted to the local dialect.

Thanks to Harnie’s resourcefulness, Lusmire had become a safe haven.

We had some breathing room.

Lusmire, thanks to the newly built tunnels, had become a bustling trade hub, and I was able to purchase the necessary supplies. And I had the funds to do so.

‘This should be enough.’

■ Inventory ■

[Thick Fur Suit]

[Brown Laorte Hood]

[Soundproof Lock]

[Artifact Maintenance Lubricant]

[Dried Meat]

[Water Canteen]

…

…

While I hadn't received payment for the work in Illeor, and my funds weren't as plentiful as before, this should be enough to handle any emergencies.

As I organized my supplies,

Harnie wrapped a scarf around my neck and asked,

“How is it? Is it comfortable? Is it too tight, or drafty?”

How was it?

It was warm and comfortable.

And my status window displayed:

▶ Cold Resistance increased by 1 level due to equipped scarf. ◀

The cold resistance had restored some of my stats.

A simple scarf, providing cold resistance in this harsh winter, was a valuable asset, especially for someone on the run.

But there was one problem.

I hadn't paid for it.

“Harnie, I can’t repay you.”

“Hmm? And?”

“And? That’s not something you can just ignore.”

Harnie, of all people, should be mindful of her expenses.

“You’re going to be the head of the Theresia Marquisate. You should be saving every penny.”

Resistance, like proficiency, increased in stages, reaching its maximum value before advancing to the next level. And this scarf had increased my cold resistance by an entire level.

In other words, it was an expensive item.

“The previous Marquis’s actions have created countless problems for the Marquisate. People will be demanding compensation. You shouldn’t be spending money on me.”

The cost of dismantling the Marquis’s illegal businesses.

The cost of repairing the damage he had caused and appeasing the people of his territories.

The cost of solidifying her position as the next Marquis.

And the ongoing expenses of managing a noble house.

Considering the debts she had inherited, the principal and the interest, I had to refuse.

But Harnie simply tightened the scarf, as if it were no big deal.

“It’s just a scarf. This is what I earned that money for.”

“Harnie.”

“It’s fine. It’s not a significant expense. I’m steadily repaying my debts, both principal and interest. I can afford this. More importantly,”

She took my hand and pulled me along.

“Wouldn’t it be more suspicious if you were shivering in the cold, dressed like that?”

“…What?”

“We’re pretending to be from the north, remember? We’re supposed to be used to the cold. If you look like you’re freezing, the patrols will notice.”

…She had a point.

Lusmire was on high alert, with patrols searching for the wanted man.

It would be embarrassing to be caught for such a trivial reason. But…

Was she really okay with this?

Seeing my concerned expression, Harnie smiled.

“Don’t worry. I’m managing my finances. I can afford this.”

“Really?”

“Would I be spending money so freely if I wasn’t? I’m a merchant, remember? I know how to manage my finances.”

…That was true.

While not as meticulous as I was, she was still careful with her money.

But even so, there was something I had to say.

Something I needed to tell her.

But…

“Let’s go. I’m wearing an invisibility artifact as well, so I’ll help you choose some new clothes. And I need some new clothes for myself, too, so hurry up!”

She pulled me along, her grip firm, and I couldn’t say anything.

▶ Displaying time remaining. ◀

[17 hours 8 minutes]

▶ The next episode will begin when the timer ends. ◀

▶ This next episode is the final episode of Chapter 4, and clearing it will clear the game. ◀

▶ It is highly recommended that you prepare thoroughly for the final episode, as it is extremely dangerous. ◀

…I might be returning to my world soon.

Which meant all of this, her kindness, her generosity, it would be for nothing. She would be wasting her time and money on me.

So I had to send her back, as soon as possible.

If she was caught helping a wanted man, she would become a target, and even the Bagrands might turn against her.

I had to find a way, any way, to make her leave.

I had to tell her goodbye, tell her to return to the Marquisate.

But…

I couldn’t bring myself to say the words.

Why?

***

“How is it? Does it look good?”

An ordinary outfit, commonly worn by commoner women. I told her it looked good.

“What about this? Does it look strange?”

The skirt revealed her legs, and I noticed how long and slender they were. I told her it looked good.

“Is the color too dark? What do you think?”

The darker shade changed her appearance, but she looked good in it, just like she did in brighter colors. I told her it looked good.

“Is… is this too much? Ahaha…”

A more luxurious dress, more revealing than the other outfits, the fabric clinging to her slender frame. She looked so delicate, so fragile.

But I told her it looked good.

Harnie, claiming she needed new clothes, had been trying on one outfit after another, a fashion show just for me.

And she looked beautiful in everything.

I couldn’t say anything other than “It looks good,” or “You look beautiful.”

And before I knew it, I had been swept away by her enthusiasm.

My worries, the need for disguise and vigilance, had faded into the background.

We were just… enjoying ourselves, shopping, laughing, teasing each other.

The emptiness in my heart, filled by her presence.

Creating new memories, here, in Lusmire.

My mind, completely at ease,

Until the status window’s alarm brought me back to reality.

-Ding!

“…”

Just like yesterday, the time in Lusmire had flown by.

I didn’t have much time left.

▶ Displaying time remaining. ◀

[5 minutes]

“Ah, that was fun. Why is the day so short?”

…Right. It had felt short.

So, it was time to end this.

“Harnie, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“I know what you’re going to say.”

She knew?

“You’re still upset about me stealing a sip of your drink! We shared, that’s enough, isn’t it? Hmph.”

“…That’s not it.”

“Then is it about the last outfit? You didn't like my reaction, did you? You were just teasing me!”

“…That’s not it either.”

“Then… ah, I know! You’re upset that I made you wear that small outfit as revenge!”

I finally understood.

She had been trying to prevent me from speaking.

There had been several opportunities, but she had always changed the subject, interrupting me.

And the topics she had chosen… they had all been things I couldn’t ignore.

As if she had known what I was going to say.

Right. She had known all along.

What I was going to say.

I had to tell her now.

To go back to the Marquisate.

That she was in danger, and I didn’t want her to be involved.

“Honestly, don’t be so petty. I finally get to spend some money, and you’re complaining.”

Even now, she was trying to stop me, changing the subject, deflecting my attempts to speak.

I had to tell her, before she could interrupt me again.

But…

Once again, I couldn’t say the words.

Not because of Harnie, but for a different reason.

“Young Master!”

“Camilla?”

“I apologize for the intrusion, but it’s urgent!”

Camilla, and then Tasha,

Both of them rushed into the room.

“You two need to leave. Now.”

“…What?”

“What’s going on?”

“It seems… the soldiers are trying to force their way into Lusmire.”

Just then, as Camilla’s voice trailed off, a status window appeared.

-Ding!

▶ Someone has revealed your location in Lusmire. ◀

▶ Carsein’s Noblesse Points rapidly decreasing. Reputation plummeting to criminal levels. ◀

▶ Pursuit event activated. ◀

▶ Pursuit speed significantly increased. ◀

▶ Updating time remaining. ◀

[Pursuit Event Activated - Time Remaining]

[5 days]

‘…So this is it.’

I had been expecting this.

I would have been discovered eventually.

There was no such thing as a perfect plan.

Not in this game.

But it seemed there was still a sliver of hope.

“Young Master, they’re targeting Lusmire. We can buy you some time by blocking their entry.”

“We’ll create a distraction. You need to escape to Shatrain. There are no soldiers there.”

Right. I could still escape.

This was actually a better outcome.

I turned to leave,

But Harnie spoke first.

“No. I’m not leaving.”

Of course.

She already knew!

“Harnie, this is different from before. They’ll force their way into the territory. It’s only a matter of time!”

“So?”

“If you help me now, you’ll be considered a criminal!”

“Then you’ll be alone! If I don’t help you, you’ll be completely alone!”

-Grab.

“…Harnie!”

“I’m not leaving. I’m not going anywhere.”

As we argued, Camilla and Tasha urged us to hurry.

“There’s no time! You have to leave now!”

“The horses are ready, Young Master!”

“…”

““Hurry, Young Master!””

Damn it.

If I stayed here any longer, I would be caught!

“Alright, alright! Let’s go to Shatrain!”

“Kyaa!”

It couldn’t be helped.

I would deal with Harnie later.

-Ding!

▶ Pursuit event activated. Proceeding to the next episode automatically. ◀

▶ Episode XLIV: The Five Treasures has begun. ◀

▶ Clearing this episode will clear the game, and the player will return to the real world. ◀

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