I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 277

Chapter 277: The After-Party (5)

Willard Stephan.

He took immense pride in his father being a knight.

His father had returned victorious from countless monster subjugations, and during the Great Unification War, he had been chosen by Crown Prince Albert himself, his name becoming widely known.

The name of Sir Carlton Stephan had spread throughout the Empire.

From the commoners to the knights, even the nobles spoke of his father with respect, as if he were a celebrity.

Being the son of such a renowned knight was a source of great pride for Willard.

It had also been his inspiration.

“You want to become a knight?”

“Yes!”

He had decided to wield a sword.

To become a knight.

“Why do you want to become a knight?”

“I want to be like my father!”

Carlton smiled and ruffled Willard’s hair, readily agreeing to train him.

And so, Willard's training began.

He learned to wield a sword.

He swung it a thousand times, ten thousand times, blisters forming on his hands.

He was struck by the wooden sword again and again, falling and rising, his body covered in bruises.

And yet,

Willard enjoyed the path of a knight.

He clashed swords, sweat dripping down his face, his only goal to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Then, one day,

Carlton, watching Willard tirelessly train, spoke.

“There are virtues a knight must uphold.”

“Really?”

The virtues of a knight.

It wasn’t just about wielding a sword and enduring pain.

A knight’s sword must contain their body and spirit.

They mustn't be swayed by fleeting emotions or empty praise. They must embody their own values and beliefs.

And…

“A knight’s sword must always be wielded with respect.”

Those were the virtues Carlton spoke of.

It was a difficult concept for young Willard to grasp.

Too abstract, too complex.

But Willard decided to remember his father’s words.

It was a knight’s duty.

A virtue that a true knight must never forget.

He believed that one day, as he grew closer to becoming a knight like his father, he would understand.

But…

His faith had been shattered.

“I yield.”

A single sentence.

A bowed head, after a single exchange of blows.

As he grew older, Willard began to understand the virtues his father had spoken of.

To train not just the body, but the mind as well.

To imbue one’s sword with their own values and beliefs, not with greed or desire for wealth.

And…

To always respect one’s opponent and fight with all their might.

But…

To forfeit after a single exchange?

To surrender so easily in a spar, a test of a knight’s pride, wasn’t that a betrayal of a knight’s virtues?

He couldn’t understand.

Perhaps his father wasn’t feeling well.

Perhaps his equipment was faulty.

No, there had to be another reason.

But Willard’s hopes were repeatedly dashed.

“I yield, my lady.”

“I forfeit, my lady.”

“My unskilled blade cannot reach you, my lady.”

Carlton would always forfeit whenever he faced a certain opponent.

Even during the martial arts tournament.

Unable to bear it any longer, Willard had confronted his father.

“Why do you always forfeit, Father?!”

“…Willard.”

“I don’t understand! You always forfeit whenever you face her!”

“…”

“Tell me! Why?!”

Willard’s desperate plea made Carlton close his eyes.

“Because I cannot defeat her, Willard.”

“Father!”

“I’m getting old, and she’s… well, she’s who she is. Just accept it.”

Carlton only forfeited against one person.

Arina Bagrand, the eldest daughter of the Bagrand Duchy.

She was undeniably strong.

She always placed at the top of the rankings in every tournament, known as the next head of the Bagrand family, skilled in both civil and martial arts.

But even if she was strong, did that mean his father was weak?

Weak enough to forfeit without even trying?

Weak enough to be defeated in a single exchange?

‘That’s impossible!’

Willard had trained under his father for decades.

And he was certain.

That even against Arina, his father could put up a good fight.

If he used his full strength, he could even pressure her, push her into a corner.

And yet, he always forfeited against her…

His father’s words, the virtues he had taught him, resurfaced.

“Is it… because she’s Lady Arina?”

“Willard.”

“How can you not even fight her just because she’s a member of the Bagrand family?!”

Willard shouted.

“Is this what it means to train both body and mind?! To imbue your sword with your own values and beliefs, not with greed or desire for wealth?! And…!”

-Clench.

“Is this what it means to be a knight, to respect your opponent?!”

Because she was a Lady?

Because she held a higher rank and status?

Was that really a valid reason to abandon a knight’s virtues and forfeit?

‘That’s absurd!’

They were knights, fighting as equals.

They were supposed to pour their heart and soul into their swords.

To fight with pride, regardless of status or title!

Carlton didn’t answer his question.

“Because… her sword lacks… worth.”

He had simply muttered something incomprehensible.

After that, his father stopped participating in tournaments.

He didn’t compete in any matches.

He simply stayed within the Knight Squadron, training new recruits.

It was as if he had abandoned all the virtues of a knight, choosing defeat, forfeiting against Arina, and giving up his sword.

Willard couldn't understand why his father would give up just because his opponent was Lady Arina.

So he had stubbornly continued to participate in the tournament, despite his lack of skill, hoping to find an answer.

Then, one day,

Willard had attended the martial arts tournament, as usual.

And he had seen his father again.

-Thud!

‘What… just now…!’

From Carsein, of all people.

***

After that day,

Willard had never forgotten the name Carsein Bagrand.

Time passed.

And an opportunity arose.

He had finally met Carsein again, and this time, he wanted to hear his promise.

He hoped Carsein would fight seriously, unlike in the past.

While victory would be ideal, he simply wanted to see him fight, not forfeit.

He wanted to see the virtues his father had seemingly abandoned, restored.

But…

-I forfeit.

Carsein had chosen defeat again.

He couldn’t understand.

It felt as if his father’s beliefs had been shattered, twice.

And his own faith in those virtues had wavered.

He couldn’t hide his disappointment.

So he had come here, to ask Carsein.

“Can you explain why you forfeited in the finals?”

He had promised.

He had told him to watch, to witness his victory.

And he had broken that promise. It was natural for him to be upset.

But Willard had held back his anger, his disappointment.

And as he suppressed his emotions…

“Because Arina isn’t worth fighting.”

Willard stared at Carsein, who had echoed his father’s words.

Not worth fighting.

Did those words have a hidden meaning?

Had his father abandoned his virtues for no reason?

“What… what do you mean?”

He wanted to know.

His father’s true intentions.

Carsein chuckled dryly and replied,

“Arina has an inferiority complex.”

“An inferiority complex…? Towards you?”

“Yes. There were rumors that I might become the next head of the Bagrand Duchy. That alone was enough to upset her. So I forfeited without even drawing my sword.”

He placed his hand on his sword.

“A sword tainted by such a petty inferiority complex… isn’t worth fighting.”

Carsein’s words made Willard recall his father’s words.

-Lady Arina, why do you not imbue your sword with the virtues of a knight?

His father, alone in the training grounds late at night, had muttered those words.

He had looked up at the sky, his voice filled with lament.

“I… I don’t wield a sword fueled by petty jealousy and an inferiority complex. I don’t fight for superiority or victory.”

-Click.

“I wield this sword to protect myself, to stand on my own two feet.”

Willard’s eyes widened, a spark of understanding igniting in his mind.

He felt a chill run down his spine.

“You’re Carlton’s son, aren’t you, Willard?”

“…Yes.”

“Is that the kind of sword Carlton taught you?”

Absolutely not.

‘I see… Father… he didn’t abandon his virtues.’

He hadn’t fought Arina Bagrand,

Because she wasn’t worth fighting.

He had known what beliefs she held.

He had known how foolish her reasons for wielding a sword were.

That’s why he hadn’t fought her.

Because it was worthless.

A sword wielded by someone who didn't respect their opponent.

Willard finally smiled, a sense of relief washing over him.

“Absolutely not!”

The path of the sword his father had taught him wasn't wrong.

***

“Thank you, brother!”

Willard’s face lit up as he ran off.

It was strangely familiar.

Seeing Willard and Carlton, and recalling the backstory I had uncovered in the game…

I couldn’t help but be reminded of my junior and the kendo instructor.

The man who had repeatedly forfeited against my older sister, Willard’s father…

He, too, had been a kendo instructor. And a skilled swordsman who still competed in tournaments.

That’s why I had been able to choose the correct answer, despite knowing nothing about this situation.

“Are you satisfied now?”

The knight, who had been hidden from view, emerged.

And of course, it was a familiar face.

“Yes, Young Master.”

Carlton smiled, a genuine smile this time.

That smile, too, reminded me of the kendo instructor.

Carlton watched Willard leave, then explained what had happened.

Why he had forfeited against Arina.

How his relationship with Willard had deteriorated because of his actions, his betrayal of the virtues he had taught him.

And finally, how Carsein had made the same choice.

There were many similarities.

-Ding!

▶ You have successfully mended the relationship between Willard and Carlton. ◀

▶ A hidden backstory has been revealed! ◀

‘Haha… That was dangerous.’

So Willard’s outburst had been a result of his resentment towards his father.

And the scene where Carlton had drawn his sword against Arina before the bad ending, that was the reason.

…I see. That’s why there had been so many death flags.

“Forgive my impertinence, but… are you truly not interested in the position of successor, Young Master?”

“That’s right.”

“I understand. I’ll be careful not to go against your wishes.”

With that, there shouldn’t be any further problems.

But was it just my imagination?

Carlton seemed slightly disappointed.

“You… have a plan, don’t you, Young Master?”

“I do.”

“May I… be a part of it?”

Carlton bowed his head, and a status window appeared.

This was…

“I can be your sword, Young Master.”

-Ding!

▶ All conditions met. Emergency Event cleared with a Perfect rating. ◀

▶ Carlton’s affinity has surpassed 80%. ◀

▶ High-ranking nobles and influential figures connected to Carlton, including the First Knight Squadron, are now favorably disposed towards you. ◀

▶ Noblesse Points increased! ◀

[Current Points: -77]

I had gained an unexpected advantage.

We continued our conversation.

Carlton mentioned the names of several nobles who could be helpful for my business ventures.

I knew he was a well-known figure, but…

His influence extended beyond the Knight Squadron.

He had quite a few connections. He was more influential than I had realized.

“I’m a bit old now, haha. But back in the day, I fought alongside the Crown Prince during the monster subjugations.”

He had fought alongside the Crown Prince? He was more influential than I had imagined.

‘…Perhaps that’s why Carlton’s training methods were so effective.’

During my training with the Knight Squadron, Carlton’s curriculum had yielded the highest stat gains.

-Dong.

The bell signaling the start of the after-party rang.

“It’s time.”

“My son and I have taken up too much of your time, Young Master. Our apologies.”

“No, don’t apologize.”

Judging by the increase in my Noblesse Points, I had actually benefited greatly from our conversation.

It was time for the episode to begin.

I told Carlton I would be going and left for the after-party venue.

And then, another notification appeared.

-Ding!

▶ Episode V: The After-Party is in progress. ◀

▶ Conditions unlocked due to Emergency Event clear. ◀

▶ The number of potential business partners at the after-party has increased significantly! ◀

“Unexpected benefits are always welcome.”

This was an opportunity to make a lot of money.

***

“Let go of me! What is the meaning of this?!”

“Silence, Marquis.”

“Ugh?!”

-Click!

The guards, treating him like a criminal, bound his wrists with mana-infused shackles.

“Wh-what is this…? Shackles?”

“You are accused of treason against the Empire! You are under arrest!”

“Treason?! Nonsense! What crime have I committed?!”

The Marquis roared, his face red with anger.

“Who dares to accuse me of treason?! Show yourself!”

“The witness is right here.”

“Wh-what…!”

Flowing violet hair.

A face renowned for its beauty.

Impeccable etiquette.

It was Harnie.

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