I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 317

Chapter 317: Chapter 4 (5)

One day, a mysterious document surfaced throughout the Empire,

Igniting a flurry of rumors.

And those rumors, fueled by gossip and speculation, spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the Empire.

The news eventually reached the Imperial Palace.

“Where did this even come from…?”

-Crumple.

The contents of the document were far from favorable, as far as the Imperial Family was concerned.

“There are many who envy and resent Carsein’s rapid rise to prominence. But this…”

“Yes, brother. As you said, it focuses on Carsein’s true identity.”

For someone who had once been so unremarkable, it was natural for people to question his sudden transformation.

Could such rapid growth and development be possible?

And that question led to another.

The crest of the Wederos Kingdom, a kingdom that had been destroyed years ago.

Was Carsein Bagrand actually a survivor of the Wederos Kingdom? If so, then it would explain everything.

And the only ones who knew the truth were the direct descendants of the Pesselus Imperial Family.

“This is bad. We could have easily suppressed the rumors early on, but for him to disappear now…”

Florence sighed, massaging his temples.

“Brother, just in case… what about the nobles?”

“They’ve already made their move. In their own way.”

The reappearance of a Wederos Kingdom survivor.

The ones who would be most threatened by this news were the established nobles.

“There are those who would make the right decision. The newer noble families, for example. They prioritize progress over tradition and authority. But the problem is… the most powerful figures in the Empire are those who oppose the newer families and the Imperial Family.”

And those in power wouldn't let this opportunity slip away.

“The Bagrand Duchy is currently vulnerable. And Carsein is directly suspected of being connected to the Wederos Kingdom. If he’s captured…”

While she didn’t finish her sentence, Arsienne knew what would happen.

And that’s why she was so frustrated.

“Why… why hasn’t Arina withdrawn the arrest warrant?”

“…I’m just as curious.”

The two siblings turned their gazes towards a specific room.

There was a visitor.

“I’ve come to request permission to use the canals for our investigation. We intend to deploy knights throughout the northern region.”

“…”

-Tap. Tap.

Crown Prince Albert frowned, a flicker of irritation in his golden eyes.

He tapped his fingers impatiently on the table, then turned to Arina, his voice laced with disapproval.

“Lady Arina, I have a question.”

“Please, ask.”

“You’re not just searching for Carsein. You’ve issued an arrest warrant, haven’t you?”

Carsein’s disappearance.

It was understandable that they suspected he had gone north.

But what irritated Albert was the fact that she had issued an arrest warrant, not a search warrant.

Arina’s reply was curt.

“Yes.”

-Thud.

“Yes? Is that all?”

“I assumed you were already aware of the arrest warrant, so I didn’t bother explaining.”

“That’s not what I’m asking.”

Albert’s irritation was barely concealed, and Arina’s response was equally indifferent.

“It’s a disaster of his own making.”

“My Lady.”

“He left the Duchy of his own volition. He’s the one who brought shame upon the Bagrand family with his foolish pride. He deserves to be punished.”

“Lady Arina.”

“I understand. I’ll apprehend him as quickly as possible and resolve this matter. So, regarding the use of the canals—”

-Slam!

“‘He,’ ‘him,’ ‘that boy’… Have you lost your mind?”

“I assure you, I’m perfectly sane, Your Highness.”

“Sane? You’ve issued an arrest warrant for your missing brother, and you’re acting as if you’re going to drag him back by force. And you call yourself sane?”

Albert slammed his hand on the table, his voice rising in anger.

“Do you even consider Carsein your brother? Is that how you treat your own family?”

“Is he acting like family?”

“What?”

“He deceived us all and disappeared, leaving Mother in this state, and forcing Claire to search for him tirelessly. And Flora is sick with worry. Is that how a family member behaves?”

Arina’s blue eyes narrowed, a fire burning within them.

“He tarnished the Bagrand name, claiming he could survive on his own, and now he’s the subject of these ridiculous rumors. Is that how a family member behaves?”

“Hah…”

Albert scoffed, his patience wearing thin.

“So you’re blaming Carsein for this. In that case, I cannot grant your request.”

“Your Highness, it’s not blame, it’s the truth. No matter how much he achieves, it means nothing if he continues to damage my reputation.”

“It’s not about your reputation, it’s about your inferiority complex.”

Arina’s eye twitched.

“I’ve told you this before, haven’t I? Let go of your petty jealousy towards Carsein.”

“…That’s a baseless accusation, Your Highness.”

“So you’re going to harm him now, just because you can’t control your own emotions?”

“It would only be… disciplinary action.”

“Right. Of course. You have no idea what you’re doing. You don’t understand the impact of these rumors on Carsein, the consequences of your actions.”

Albert kicked the door open, his voice cold and dangerous.

“I will not grant your request. Leave.”

Arina, unable to defy a direct order from the Crown Prince, reluctantly stood up and left.

As she left, Albert offered a final warning.

“You will regret this, Lady Arina.”

With her foolish decision, she had tightened the noose around Carsein’s neck.

She had severed their ties, set him on a path of no return.

‘You won’t even be able to punish him, My Lady.’

Because he would be returned to her, a cold, lifeless corpse.

Arina, oblivious to the true meaning of his words, left the Imperial Palace.

“Brother Albert.”

Arsienne and Florence entered the room.

They had come to hear the outcome of his conversation with Arina.

Albert’s barely suppressed anger made them apprehensive.

“…So you couldn’t convince her to withdraw the arrest warrant?”

“No. She refused. But I have a general idea of where he is.”

“Where, brother?”

“The north. She wanted to use the canals, so he hasn’t reached the outer regions yet.”

“The north… at this time of year…”

The siblings’ voices were filled with concern.

Winter was a harsh season throughout the Empire, but the northern regions were particularly brutal.

And for Carsein, hunted by countless enemies…

“I’m deploying the Second and Third Divisions.”

“Brother Albert?!”

“Brother, if you do that, you won’t have enough troops for the monster subjugation…!”

“Finding Carsein is my priority. I’ll handle the monsters myself.”

While it was a risky statement, coming from the Crown Prince, Albert was serious.

“You know what the Wederos Kingdom sacrificed for the Pesselus Empire and the Bagrand Duchy.”

“…”

“…”

“And I won’t stand by and watch a sister try to harm her own brother, even if they’re not related by blood.”

-Ding!

▶ Conditions met. ◀

▶ Arina Bagrand’s affinity settings unlocked. ◀

[A sister who would ■■■■■ ■■■■ ■■■ ■■■ ■■■ ■■■ her own family.]

[Current level: 85%]

***

I emerged from the abandoned mine,

And the world was white.

It was snowing.

A blanket of white covered everything.

The cold snowflakes against my skin brought me back to reality.

And even amidst the falling snow, the status window was clearly visible.

-Ding!

▶ The villagers of Illeor are suspicious of your identity. ◀

▶ Danger level assigned to the entire village. ◀

[Illeor (Restricted)]

This place had been a safe zone.

There had been no risk of being dragged back to the Duchy, no danger whatsoever.

But now, it was no longer safe.

“Hah.”

It was ironic, but I understood.

The reward from the Memorial in the abandoned mine had been a change in the Chapter 4 mechanics.

All episodes would now overlap, even the main episodes.

And the ten or so main episodes that appeared had one thing in common.

They were all targeting me.

Not just the Bagrand Duchy, but everyone.

Noble families, both familiar and unfamiliar, were searching for me.

They were mobilizing their knights, hiring mercenaries, even assassins.

It seemed absurd, but…

Looking down at the village from the hilltop, I saw it was true.

Every single person was marked as an enemy.

There wasn’t a single white affinity box.

Gray boxes, indicating negative affinity, were common, and most were even darker, almost black. They were likely bounty hunters.

And it wasn't just them.

Unfamiliar knights, their faces hidden, carrying weapons…

Their affinity boxes were a chilling shade of red, a color I had never seen before. The situation had become even more dangerous.

“And I have to escape… through them?”

Right. They were all enemies.

To me, Carsein Bagrand.

“Heh.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“So that’s what it meant.”

▶ Episode II: The Path of Independence is in progress. ◀

▶ Survive for the designated period with this status ailment. ◀

The first main episode of Chapter 4 had revealed the answer.

It wasn’t just about surviving the winter.

This entire chapter was about survival.

I had to survive, alone.

The entire world was my enemy.

There was no one to help me.

“Heh heh… This is nothing.”

I laughed, the absurdity of the situation almost comical.

“I’m used to this. I’ve always been alone.”

This was familiar.

-Tap. Tap.

I made my way down the hill, silencing my footsteps, and entered the village.

Illeor. A remote, isolated village in the north. I couldn't stay here long.

I had to find a way to escape.

Unlike when I had arrived, there were now guards at the entrance, making things more difficult, but…

‘The road will be open at night.’

The winters in the north were harsh.

And the nights were even colder.

I had learned something during my stay here.

A unique characteristic of the Illeor field.

At night, all the NPCs disappeared.

That was the blind spot. The cold forced everyone inside, reducing the number of people on the streets.

If I had a helper, I could hide in a building and wait for the right moment, but…

‘I’m alone.’

Hiding in a building would be suicide.

If I was seen, the pursuit would begin immediately. And causing a commotion would trigger a bad ending.

To avoid being discovered, I had to become homeless.

The cold?

I was used to it.

***

An hour passed. Two hours. Three.

With each passing hour, the number of people on the streets dwindled.

The cold intensified.

The sun set, the sky darkening, the snow falling harder, the wind howling.

My vision blurred, my senses dulled.

I bit my lip, drawing blood, to keep myself awake.

‘Three more hours…’

Just a little longer…

-Thud.

Something warm enveloped me from behind.

I froze, a chill running down my spine.

If I had been discovered, I would be dead.

I had to react. I had to draw my sword and defend myself.

…But then,

My dulled senses returned.

The warmth,

It was comforting.

“I’ve been looking for you…”

That voice…

“…Harnie?”

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