I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 258

Chapter 258: Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament (6)

When I arrived at the arena, everything was ready.

The information I had gathered about the two archery events was accurate.

Thanks to that, I was able to quickly assess the situation and formulate a plan.

Arsienne, having finished explaining the rules, snapped her fingers.

“Before we begin, we’ll have a brief token exchange.”

…Huh?

I had been ready to nock an arrow and start the match, but it seemed there was another event.

‘Ah, right…’

[During the archery events of the Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament, it is customary to receive tokens of support from close acquaintances. This not only serves as encouragement but also—]

…Right. There was that custom.

While I hadn’t seen it in the game, I remembered reading about it in the noble etiquette book.

I lowered my bow and decided to wait.

Well, I knew no one would come. Carsein’s reputation wasn't good enough for anyone to offer him a token of support.

But if you asked if I felt lonely, I would say no.

Rather, I preferred it this way. It meant there would be no troublesome choices.

‘Who would even bother giving Carsein a token of support?’

As I waited patiently, someone approached.

And she was…

Quite beautiful.

A woman with striking violet hair and eyes.

“Did you think no one would come? Well, there’s at least one person here for you.”

…Right. There was.

Someone who would support me.

Just like during the sports festivals, I had at least one close friend.

“D-don’t stare at me like that and just hold out your wrist. The token is supposed to be worn on the wrist or arm.”

…Right.

It was customary for one’s fiancée to tie a handkerchief around their wrist as a token of support.

However, I noticed something else.

“Is your hand injured?”

“…!”

Harnie quickly hid her hand behind her back, then hurriedly put on a glove.

“I-it’s not injured!”

“Don’t lie. It’s obviously injured.”

“It’s not!”

“Then take off your glove and show me.”

“…”

See? Injured.

“I-I was cooking…!”

“Cooking?”

…Didn’t the maids handle all the cooking for her?

-Slap!

“Ow!”

“Honestly…! Just hold out your wrist. We don’t have time for this…”

Well, it didn’t really matter.

I dismissed the pointless question and held out my wrist.

“There.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. It’s only natural.”

Harnie smiled sweetly, gently holding my hand, then returned to the spectator stands.

‘…A four-leaf clover.’

The handkerchief was embroidered with a slightly crooked, but clearly painstakingly crafted, four-leaf clover.

So that’s why her hand was injured.

She had been embroidering this?

She was so capable, yet so clumsy at times.

I chuckled, looking at the handkerchief.

-Thump, thump!

“Hmph…!”

Huh?

“…”

Seriously?

The little blonde brat was kicking the ground behind me, a handkerchief clutched in her hand.

“Hmph…! You’re a Bagrand…!”

Flora, after a moment of frustrated stomping, threw the handkerchief at me and turned to leave.

“What’s wrong with her?”

Did she mistake me for one of her sisters?

“What’s wrong with her? You’re always with your fiancée.”

And now she was here.

Claire appeared right after Flora left, scolding me.

“Anyway. Give me your wrist.”

“If you’re going to throw a handkerchief at me, I’ll pass.”

“I’m not going to throw it!”

“Ow!”

Claire smacked my arm.

“I’m here because I figured no one else would be cheering for you!”

“You? Cheering for me?”

What nonsense was she spouting?

A vein throbbed on Claire's forehead at my response.

-Thwack!

“Ow!”

“Honestly, you’re asking for it! Is that any way to talk to your sister, who came here to support you?”

“Ow! Hey! Interfering with participants is prohibited!”

“I’m not participating in this event!”

After several more smacks, Claire picked up the handkerchief Flora had thrown and tied it around my wrist.

She then attached one of her handmade accessories, a token of support, just like the other nobles.

‘Seriously? What’s going on with them today?’

This was completely unexpected.

As I was wondering what had gotten into them…

Claire’s voice, unlike before, was unusually calm.

“You’re… wearing a thumb ring, right? You’ll cut your fingers if you don’t.”

“Of course. Can’t you see?”

“…Right. Well… that’s good. But…”

I waited, expecting her to continue, but she just sighed and smacked my arm again.

“Just… pay attention to Flora sometimes! Don’t just focus on your fiancée!”

Claire turned and walked back to the spectator stands.

“…What was that all about?”

That’s it?

It felt like she had something else to say, but held back.

And she wasn't acting like her usual self.

There was something different about her.

But I shook my head.

“No. Why should I even care?”

There were no choices.

I had been on guard, expecting something to happen, but there was nothing.

That was enough. I didn't need anything else.

-Ding!

▶ The next match will begin. ◀

***

The horn blew again.

Arrows flew, piercing the targets.

Archery required intense concentration, and the results varied wildly.

Some aimed too high, their arrows falling short.

The mana currents in the field disrupted their focus.

Many participants, their breathing ragged, their hands trembling, missed their targets entirely.

The increased difficulty compared to last year.

The complex environment, making it more challenging to control their arrows.

The pressure of competition, the fluctuating emotions.

It was a struggle for many.

However, even amidst the chaos, there was one who remained calm.

-Thwack!

“Ooh…!”

Carsein’s arrows found their mark, one after another.

The spectators were enthralled.

“Didn’t they say the mana currents in the field were supposed to disrupt the participants’ focus?”

“That’s right. The mana flow is the same for everyone, but… how can he be so calm?”

“His chosen position is quite difficult as well. It’s more susceptible to the mana currents.”

“And some of the targets are even moving…”

After a few initial low-scoring shots, every single one of his arrows found its mark.

Some suspected that Carsein’s field was different.

Others questioned the fairness of the competition.

But their doubts were quickly dispelled.

“The mana field for this event was not created by me. The mana concentration was adjusted 15 minutes before the start of the match. By my older brother.”

The one who had adjusted the mana concentration was Arsienne’s older brother.

In other words, Albert Schuhenian Pesselus.

The First Prince, and Crown Prince, of the Empire.

The hero of the Great Unification War, known as the Iron-Blooded War Hero.

The most impartial and just person in the Empire.

No one would dare to question the fairness of a competition overseen by the future Emperor.

Back to the present.

-Thwack!

Carsein’s arrow pierced the center of the most difficult target.

Praise, admiration, applause erupted from the crowd.

“That’s it! That’s my boy!”

“Ahem. Control yourselves. We’re in the presence of the Duchess.”

“Does decorum matter at a time like this?”

“Ahem.”

Despite their words, the vassals all shared the same sentiment.

‘Yes! That’s right! The Bagrands cannot be outdone by other families.’

‘How could the Bagrands, the pinnacle of nobility, be inferior to others?’

‘We should be dominating, just like this!’

Just like the symposium, the Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament was attended by many young nobles.

In such an environment, it was natural for there to be a subtle rivalry between the families. A strong performance from a family’s heir was a source of pride and prestige.

Because of this, Carsein’s performance had inflated the egos of the Bagrand vassals.

Isabella chuckled.

“Don’t mind them and enjoy yourselves. I feel the same way.”

“Ahem. Did you hear that? The Duchess has given us permission—”

-Whoosh!

“Go get ‘em, young master!”

“Look who’s talking.”

“That’s what I wanted to say!”

““Hahahaha!””

The Bagrand vassals, their enthusiasm surpassing even that of the other spectators, began to cheer even louder for Carsein.

But one of the vassals, witnessing this scene, felt a shiver run down his spine.

‘…Good heavens.’

Count Ptoah’s jaw dropped.

He had been puzzled by Carsein’s request for a specific type of bow. He had simply assumed there was a reason and fulfilled the request.

But now, understanding the structure of the bow.

The weight and texture of the arrows.

The various factors at play...

He couldn’t help but feel a chill.

‘The young master… he calculated everything…!’

The trajectory of each arrow, its path to the target.

The precise amount of force required to draw the bow, to release the arrow.

The effect of the wind, the adjustments for height and angle.

Every single detail.

Meticulously calculated.

He had even accounted for the change in mana concentration and flow 15 minutes before the match, adjusting his aim after only three shots.

This wasn’t luck, as those fools claimed.

It was the result of meticulous calculation.

Every single arrow, its flight to the target, had been precisely determined through countless calculations in his mind.

-Gulp.

‘As expected…! My judgment was correct!’

Count Ptoah clenched his fist, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.

***

The target shooting event ended with Carsein’s overwhelming victory.

And the results of the head-to-head match were no different.

In the end, Carsein dominated the archery events.

“…”

Arina, looking at the scoreboard, took a sip of water, her throat dry.

She had criticized him harshly when she had seen his empty waiting room. But now, Carsein was wearing all the necessary equipment.

He hadn’t lacked equipment. He had simply hidden it.

It was common sense not to reveal one’s hand to the opponent.

And she had forgotten such a simple fact.

‘Damn it.’

-Clench.

The glass of ice water trembled in her hand.

Just then, someone approached.

“Lady Arina.”

“…Count Stern.”

“I have something I need to discuss with you.”

“What is it?”

Count Stern paused for a moment, then replied,

“You have sufficient sponsors, my lady. Therefore, while I appreciate the offer, I must decline.”

“I see.”

He wasn't of much use to her, anyway.

She had plenty of other vassals as sponsors.

Arina nodded, accepting his decision.

But then, Count Stern, his face covered in sweat, nervously made a request.

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

Arina’s eyes widened.

-Ding!

▶ Arina’s affinity has decreased. ◀

[Current level: 25%]

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