I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 307

Chapter 307: As If It Never Happened (4)

Following Camilla’s guidance, I arrived at the designated location, a place hidden from the Duchy's watchful eyes. Those who awaited me there turned their gazes towards me as one.

If even one of them raised their voice, my escape plan would be ruined.

Since the clear condition for Chapter 3 was to escape the Duchy, failure would undoubtedly result in severe penalties and a delay.

But they had no intention of causing trouble.

Their affinity, at 100%, their boxes shining brightly, indicated their silent support.

They waited patiently, lining the path I was about to take.

The notification had already appeared, telling me what I had to do. While I hadn't checked the details yet…

It was obvious.

What I had to do.

I couldn’t misunderstand.

I walked forward, towards them.

“It’s been a while… but I remember the physician saying I wouldn’t survive without the medicine. My life was hanging by a thread. And yet, here I am, alive and well.”

The first person…

Was Tasha.

-Ding!

▶ Hidden condition met. Tasha Deol’s affinity will not decrease below 100%. ◀

▶ This character is eternally loyal to you. ◀

[Tasha Deol]

[Affinity: 100%]

“I will never forget your kindness in providing the Shuhpep root that saved my life.”

▶ Tasha’s affinity settings have changed. ◀

[A final farewell, to my benefactor.]

…Benefactor?

That wasn't true.

I had simply purchased the Shuhpep root because I knew Camilla’s backstory. It had been for my own benefit.

It was the only way to deactivate the death trigger associated with her.

I had made that choice to ensure my own survival.

Yes, it wasn't an act of kindness.

I wasn't capable of such selfless acts.

“There’s no need. I—”

“Young Master, this wasn’t purchased with the Duchy’s funds. It’s a gift from me, personally.”

“…!”

Did she… know?

“Since you despise the Duchy so much, you won't mind accepting this, will you?”

“You… knew?”

I stared at her, bewildered, and Tasha replied respectfully,

“You haven’t used the Duchy’s funds for a while now. I’ve been aware of that, as Head Maid. But that’s not important right now.”

-Slide.

Tasha, her affinity box displaying the same message as Camilla’s, handed me something. An item description appeared.

◆ A-Rank Map

[A high-quality map with minimal margin of error, including detailed topography and river systems.]

“You’ll need a good map if you’re leaving the Duchy. And you won’t have another opportunity like this once you’re gone. But if I may be so bold…”

“…”

“…I simply wish to repay your kindness, to ease my conscience.”

I looked at the old woman, her head bowed respectfully, and accepted the map with a brief word of thanks.

“Thank you, Young Master.”

…Right. I had to think rationally.

This map would be incredibly useful, since I didn’t have access to the minimap.

And this would be my last encounter with Tasha.

I wouldn’t see her again. There was no harm in accepting her gift.

I turned and continued on my path, trying to dismiss the strange feeling that had settled in my heart.

But this wasn’t the end.

It was just the beginning.

-Click!

““We pledge our loyalty to Sir Carsein Bagrand!””

A man and a woman, both wielding swords, grinned and saluted, adopting the knight’s oath pose.

-Ding!

▶ Hidden condition met. Radiel Gruppein’s affinity will not decrease below 100%. ◀

▶ Hidden condition met. Mark Redelstein’s affinity will not decrease below 100%. ◀

▶ These characters are eternally loyal to you. ◀

[Radiel Gruppein]

[Affinity: 100%]

[Mark Redelstein]

[Affinity: 100%]

▶ Radiel and Mark’s affinity settings have changed. ◀

[A final farewell, to our benefactor.]

***

Radiel and Mark were no different from Tasha.

“A swordsman without wrist guards? Unacceptable.”

“And you stand out too much, Young Master, even in commoner’s clothing. You’ll need an artifact to conceal your presence if you don’t want to be discovered.”

■ Inventory ■

◆ A-Rank Wrist Guards

[Reduces stamina consumption while using a sword and slightly increases movement efficiency.]

◆ A-Rank Assassin’s Hood

[Grants stealth in areas with a danger level below Caution, and increases evasion rate in proportion to your stats in areas with a danger level of Caution or higher.]

They handed me the items they had purchased with their own money.

They said I would need to conceal my identity while escaping the Duchy.

Their reasoning was sound.

But they, too, said the same thing.

“This is our last chance. Please, accept these.”

“We wish to repay your kindness, Young Master.”

A final farewell.

A chance to repay their debt.

Their words were vague, their intentions unclear.

…Something felt off, but I accepted their gifts.

I needed those items, and they would be helpful for my escape. It was the logical choice.

But the same scene repeated itself, over and over, as I continued down the path.

“Thank you for saving Lusmire!”

“As the village chief, I’m grateful to have met such a wonderful lord. Thank you, my lord.”

Barak of Lusmire, and Kiyan, Tony, and Melic, whom I had met when I first arrived.

-Ding!

▶ These characters are eternally loyal to you. ◀

▶ Item acquired. ◀

“Thank you, brother!”

“Thank you, older brother!”

“It was an honor to be entrusted with such an important task, even though I’m just a guard.”

“Thank you for saving Shatrain, my lord.”

Ferdi and Trisha. The guards, Dyke and Frikt. And Brem, the village chief of Shatrain.

They all expressed their gratitude, offering me gifts.

…Their affinity boxes all displayed the same message: “Benefactor.”

And then, people without any messages appeared.

While there weren't many of them, just a few representatives from each location, the procession seemed endless.

I walked on, my expression impassive.

I accepted their gifts, my mind elsewhere.

I didn't dwell on their words, their gratitude. I had my own objective to fulfill.

If this were just a game, these scenes wouldn’t even be shown.

Those pixelated sprites wouldn't be able to convey such complex emotions.

But…

Strangely, I didn’t regret it.

I continued walking, and then I saw two familiar figures.

They were likely the ones who had organized this farewell.

“…Why are you doing this?”

“It’s your final journey, isn’t it?”

“You’re not even denying it?”

“There’s no need. It’s the truth.”

“So many people are indebted to you, Young Master. We wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if we just let you leave without a proper farewell.”

“Indeed.”

“…You’re quite brazen.”

“Even so, they will never forget your kindness.”

Heron, the butler, and Shaiden, the physician, chuckled.

“Hah… So, why? Why are you doing this?”

At my question, their expressions turned serious.

They bowed their heads.

…No,

They knelt, their heads touching the ground.

▶ Hidden condition met. Heron’s affinity will not decrease below 100%. ◀

▶ Hidden condition met. Shaiden’s affinity will not decrease below 100%. ◀

[Heron]

[Affinity: 100%]

[Shaiden]

[Affinity: 100%]

▶ These characters are eternally loyal to you. ◀

▶ Hidden Event: The Benefactors’ Gratitude condition met. ◀

▶ Affinity settings changed. ◀

““We offer our eternal gratitude to the one who saved the Bagrand Duchy.””

[A final farewell, to the one who saved the Bagrand Duchy.]

They, too,

Were the same.

…I still couldn’t understand.

The procession finally ended.

Heron and Brem seemed to be the last.

A single horse awaited me.

This was the end.

I walked towards the horse.

Just then,

Someone called out to me.

“Young Master!”

…Right. There was still one person left.

The loyal maid who had silently followed me.

I turned around, and Camilla’s eyes were filled with tears.

“Thank you… for forgiving me… for all my sins…! And…!”

Her voice cracked.

She was struggling to speak, her voice choked with emotion.

But she forced herself to continue.

“It… it was an honor… to serve you, Young Master.”

Camilla had been a truly loyal maid.

She had diligently fulfilled her duties, attending to my every need.

I didn't need to check her status window.

But… as I mounted the horse and took the reins…

“…You’ve worked hard.”

“…!”

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

-Whinny!

I hadn’t intended to say anything. They were practically strangers, after all.

Logically, there was no need for such a sentiment.

But it felt right.

-Don't you think you should at least say thank you?

…Perhaps it was because of a certain woman, a certain influence that had subtly changed me.

-Ding!

▶ You have left the Bagrand Duchy. ◀

▶ Chapter 3 automatically cleared. Chapter 4 will begin shortly. ◀

▶ Episode I: Escape in progress. ◀

▶ Evade the Duchy’s pursuit within the given time. ◀

[If captured, you will be returned to the Duchy, and Chapter 3 will restart.]

▶ The entire First Knight Squadron will remain silent. Pursuit time and range reduced. ◀

▶ 80% of the Duchy’s servants will remain silent. Pursuit time and range reduced. ◀

▶ The people of Lusmire and Shatrain will remain silent. Pursuit time and range reduced. ◀

▶ News of your departure will be delayed due to the influence of Count Ptoah and Carlton. ◀

The pursuit would last for three days. I had three days to escape.

But thanks to their silence, their loyalty, I was able to spend those three days in another city, safe and undisturbed.

***

-Splash.

Claire spat out the water she had been drinking.

“What? You can’t contact Carsein?”

“No, My Lady.”

“But he said he was going to inspect the territories.”

“Yes, but… I don’t know the details…”

“Hah… This makes it impossible to keep Mother occupied…”

Something wasn’t right.

What was going on?

Claire groaned and dismissed the maid.

“He clearly said he was going to inspect the territories.”

He had even changed into commoner’s clothes for his “undercover” inspection.

She had heard him with her own ears, just before they left.

“But why aren’t Lusmire and Shatrain responding to our messages?”

He didn’t have any other territories.

And the maid wasn’t lying. She seemed genuinely confused.

And it was a stretch to think Carsein was deliberately ignoring them…

The lack of communication was unsettling.

“…I have to go back to the Duchy.”

Something was wrong.

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