I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 259

Chapter 259: Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament (7)

“Phew.”

The two archery events were over.

I took a deep breath and glanced at my status window.

-Ding!

▶ Archery events completed. ◀

▶ Points awarded based on ranking. ◀

[Martial Arts Tournament Points: 585]

‘…Still a bit short.’

It wasn’t a bad score, but it wasn’t enough. In the game, I usually surpassed 600 points at this stage.

While the Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament served as the main episode in Chapter 3, if my only goal was to avoid death flags, I could get away with a lower score.

Unlike affinity, which focused on individual relationships, Noblesse Points represented my overall reputation within noble society.

Increasing these points would lead to more business opportunities, better contracts, and ultimately, a positive impact on the Another Plan. This episode provided an opportunity to increase those points.

In other words, the martial arts tournament, despite its appearance, was a chance to accelerate the Another Plan. I couldn’t afford to miss it.

Well, the setting of the game itself reinforced that. If the symposium evaluated a noble’s administrative abilities, then the martial arts tournament evaluated their combat prowess.

Demonstrating both civil and martial skills was the perfect way to increase Noblesse Points.

‘But why…?’

I had a general idea of why my score was lower than usual.

The missing points corresponded to the three arrows I had missed at the beginning.

Unlike the game, the mana concentration had been significantly altered, and the turbulent flow had disrupted the calculations I had relied on in my previous playthroughs.

That’s why I had missed those three shots.

I had to recalculate, adjust my strategy, to account for this change.

And the only person who could have implemented such a change at this stage was…

“For someone who achieved the highest score in the first event, you don’t seem very happy.”

The man with silver hair and golden eyes, who had just presented me with the winner’s bouquet, resembled Arsienne and Florence.

Albert Schuhenian Pesselus.

The Crown Prince of the Empire.

“So, what is your request?”

“My… request?”

“You know it’s tradition for the winner of the archery events to request a reward, don’t you?”

…Was there such a tradition?

“Seriously? You achieved the highest score without even knowing that?”

Albert chuckled, seeing my bewildered expression.

“Anyway, just choose something.”

“Right. We need to move on, so just say it.”

-Ding!

▶ You may request a reward from the Crown Prince. ◀

‘This is obviously a trap.’

While I hadn’t seen this message before, I knew it was a trap.

While it was tradition, and I had won, asking for too much could backfire.

This game wasn't that forgiving.

Given my goal for the Another Plan, making an excessive request would likely lead to a bad ending.

Well, I should keep it simple then.

I had the perfect excuse, thanks to the audience.

***

Harnie didn’t have fond memories of the archery competition.

It was where everything had begun.

The winner, instead of approaching Lady Helly, had come to her.

It was here that the rumor of her stealing Lady Helly’s boyfriend had spread, ruining their friendship.

Having been labeled as a man-stealer, Harnie intended to keep a low profile this time.

While she wanted to cheer for Carsein, her fiancé, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

But…

When the time came, she couldn’t just sit there and do nothing.

She couldn’t take her eyes off Carsein as he shot arrow after arrow.

She was so captivated that she didn’t even mind that he was using a bow, something she had always disliked.

The match ended with Carsein’s final shot finding its mark.

A roar of applause erupted from the crowd as the winner was announced.

‘Oh my.’

Had she been praying?

Harnie’s hands were clasped together. As she unclenched them, the tension seemed to drain from her body.

It was the typical image of a young lady cheering for her lover.

But what was truly captivating was the unwavering gaze she had fixed on him throughout the match, and the soft smile that spread across her lips when he was declared the winner.

Yes, this was love.

Mina, who had been observing her intently, asked, her eyes narrowed like a cat’s,

“The young master is quite skilled, isn’t he?”

“Y-yes? Yes.”

“Is that all? That’s your reaction? Were you even cheering for him?”

“O-of course!”

Harnie exclaimed, startled by the accusation.

“I was worried he might miss… I-I don’t know much about archery, but…”

“Hmm. Really?”

In the past, she would have simply zoned out during archery matches, then excused herself to rest or attend to her work.

The fact that she had been so focused could only be attributed to her burgeoning feelings.

So, Mina decided to nurture those feelings.

“Perhaps it was because of the token you gave him?”

“Wh-what?”

“They say that archers perform better when they have a token of support from their loved ones.”

“W-well…”

Her blushing face was adorable.

“Go congratulate him later. And don’t forget to mention that!”

While it was more of a one-sided infatuation at this point, Harnie’s persistence would surely pay off eventually.

Slowly, just like melting chocolate in one’s mouth,

Harnie’s feelings would reach Carsein, melting his heart.

“Yes. I will.”

Harnie smiled sweetly and stood up.

The award ceremony was about to begin.

It was tradition for the winner of the archery events to have a request granted, so that was likely what was happening now.

But it was strange that Carsein was walking towards her.

Harnie, who had been about to approach Carsein, hesitated, surprised. Carsein reached her, and then…

A scene unfolded that made her want to cover her mouth in surprise.

“I dedicate this victory to my fiancée.”

A moment of stunned silence.

Then, a roar of applause erupted from the crowd.

—Kyaaa!

A man, kneeling before his fiancée, dedicating his victory to her, it was enough to make any woman’s heart melt.

Seeing it with her own eyes…

‘…Our lady has melted.’

The past trauma, the fear of rejection, it all seemed to vanish in that moment.

Instead of melting Carsein’s heart, Harnie’s own heart had melted.

***

Yes, I could have requested a reward from the Crown Prince, but refusing had been the right choice.

-Ding!

▶ Your modest request has prevented a decrease in Noblesse Points. ◀

▶ The tournament will continue. ◀

It was just the first event. There was still a long way to go, and making a greedy request at this stage could have easily led to a bad ending.

Anyway,

Having avoided a potential death flag, the tournament continued.

[Martial Arts Tournament Points: 1228]

With the additional events, I had managed to make up for the lost points.

‘The target score for the second day was 1200, so there shouldn’t be any problems.’

While there was still another day left in the tournament, that was a trap.

There were too many events on the third day that Carsein couldn’t participate in, so I had to secure enough points on the second day. If I didn’t, I would automatically be eliminated on the final day.

That’s why I had focused on accumulating points today.

Anyway, this was it.

I wouldn’t be participating on the third day, and there were no dangerous events.

All I had to do was complete the final event, the arena battle, and the martial arts tournament would be over.

“Ah, I was lost in thought.”

I had been deep in thought, but I had actually come here to buy snacks for Harnie.

I quickly purchased some crepes and drinks and hurried back to her.

Harnie was sitting quietly on a bench.

“I apologize. Did you wait long?”

“No, not really.”

Really? That was a relief.

“B-by the way, when did you practice archery?”

“Ah, that. Radiel helped me. And Talfon.”

“I-I see.”

…She seemed a bit flustered.

It was probably just my imagination. I needed to tell her about tomorrow’s schedule.

“Harnie, shall we take a walk—”

-Crunch.

Huh?

That was mine.

“Mmm. This is good!”

“…?”

What? Why was she eating mine?

I stared at Harnie, puzzled.

“I-it’s a different flavor… I just wanted to try it…”

“…”

Well, I guess that was understandable.

But I had bought it with my own money.

This called for revenge.

-Slurp.

“Huh…?”

“I wanted to try yours, too. Mmm. Delicious.”

Since she had taken a bite of mine, I took a sip of hers.

She had used the excuse of wanting to try a different flavor, so I used the same excuse.

This was perfectly legal. No problem whatsoever!

…But Harnie’s expression changed.

“Um… Is something wrong…?”

“H-how could you…!”

“B-but you took a bite of mine first! So I did the same!”

“You…!”

Uh oh. This looked like the prelude to a backhand spike.

What was the problem? It was perfectly legal! I just did the same thing!

-Slap!

“That’s not the same thing!”

“Ow!”

And so, I was subjected to a barrage of backhand spikes.

After that, well, it was predictable.

“Don’t say anything.”

“B-but it’s not fair…”

“I said don’t say anything!”

There was no room for discussion.

But this felt different from her usual reaction when I made a mistake.

Harnie kept glancing at me, then quickly turning away. And she hadn’t touched her drink since I took a sip.

It seemed she had forgiven me, but I wasn’t sure. I decided to walk with her in silence, just in case there was another issue.

***

The second day of the tournament ended with a festive atmosphere.

Those who hadn’t performed well received words of comfort and encouragement.

Those who had achieved satisfactory results were congratulated.

The streets were abuzz with talk of the tournament.

But Arina, walking alone through the city, clenched her fists.

-However… my connections aren’t very extensive, so… would it be possible for you to introduce me to Young Master Carsein?

Count Stern’s words, spoken after the archery match, wouldn't leave her mind.

He had refused her offer.

And asked to be introduced to Carsein.

While it was perfectly acceptable to request an introduction to another member of the family, it had irritated her for some reason.

“No. I need to focus on tomorrow’s preparations.”

Just as she was trying to dismiss the thought…

She overheard a conversation from a nearby balcony.

“Truly remarkable, isn't it? That trajectory!”

“If he can optimize his equipment like that… perhaps he has the qualities of a successor.”

“Hmm. I believe he’s a suitable candidate for the Bagrand heir.”

“Honestly, the difference in skill was overwhelming. I shouldn’t say this, but… he seems more suited to be the successor… ahem.”

“Considering that absurd upward trajectory, it’s hard to disagree.”

“Haha. But there’s the matter of legitimacy!”

“Right. We can’t ignore that.”

The conversation ended there, but…

They were all vassals of the Bagrand Duchy, the same ones who had been discussing the matter of succession.

Arina slipped into an alley, her hands trembling.

-Ding!

▶ Arina’s affinity has decreased. ◀

[Current level: 20%]

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