Mod7 Translations

I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 249

Added 2025-01-03 11:06:40 +0000 UTC

Chapter 249: Sponsor Designation (2)

"Why are we still stuck on this old-fashioned etiquette of waiting… Tsk. Anyway, I'm fine, young master."

As expected.

The reaction was different from other nobles.

It wasn't a lie that he had waited a long time.

A considerable amount of time had been spent traveling from the duchy to this venue, and due to another sub-episode interfering along the way, I was late for my appointed meeting with the Viscount.

Judging from the completion rate, it hadn't been an excessive delay, but still, considering the etiquette of noble society that Harnie had taught me, it wouldn't have been strange for a noble to show displeasure.

'But this person doesn't show any such reaction.'

He used the honorific title of 'young master' to address Carsein. That alone was a huge difference.

Many nobles openly refused to use honorifics with him.

Since Carsein's origin was that of a commoner, they tried to downplay it, often referring to him simply by his name, under the pretext that a gathering based on age was prioritized.

Some even went as far as to use informal speech, asserting the precedence of age over status. While addressing him with formal speech was technically correct, they would often indirectly refer to him as 'Sir Carsein,' similar to how one would address a knight.

At worst, there were plenty who didn't bother with honorifics or formal speech at all.

In contrast, Count Ptoah demonstrated his attitude towards me through both his words and actions.

He didn't mind that I was late.

He used the title of 'young master,' acknowledging me as a member of the Bagrand Duchy, instead of just 'master Carsein.'

And despite being much older, he had jumped to his feet in welcome as soon as I arrived.

It was safe to say that there was zero chance of him being hostile.

'Well, I could tell that much from the status window, anyway.'

Thanks to that, I could respond comfortably, just like I had in the game.

I sat him down first, then used a choice to naturally move the conversation along.

[ 3. What did you want to see me about? ]

"What did you want to see me about?"

Count Ptoah swallowed hard.

He needed to be cautious.

Count Ptoah was a man of great discernment. From a fallen noble, a position considered to be at the bottom in noble society, he had risen to become a vassal of the Bagrand Duchy, solely through his keen judgment.

And the fact that he had chosen me meant he had a request.

His face turned serious.

After a moment of clearing his throat, he answered me calmly.

"I would like to become your sponsor, young master."

It was roughly the answer I had expected.

However.

"Is that all?"

I wanted more.

***

At the words "Is that all?" Count Ptoah's lips twitched, as if he was at a loss for words.

'Did… did I do something wrong?'

Carsein's reaction was far from what he had anticipated.

It meant he had done something wrong…

Count Ptoah carefully reviewed his actions.

He had treated Carsein with respect. He had acknowledged him as a member of the Duchy by using the title 'young master,' he had risen from his seat first to show that status was more important than age, and he had sat down after him.

He had done nothing wrong.

Then, was there some other issue?

'There’s no way.'

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't find any fault.

Then why?

Why did it feel like he was about to reject the offer right then and there?

"I'm disappointed. If that's all, then I won't accept this proposal."

"W-wait a moment, young master!"

Frightened, Count Ptoah grabbed Carsein's arm.

"D-did you receive an offer from another sponsor? If… if that's the case…!"

"No other sponsors have approached me. Do you think anyone would want to sponsor me?"

"If it's a matter of the contract… you may adjust the contract as you see fit! I'll give you full authority over the contract, so you can adjust it however you want!"

"What good is full authority over a contract?"

Even so, Carsein showed no interest.

What on earth was the problem?

He was showing all his cards, yet Carsein kept trying to leave.

'I have to stop him, no matter what…'

Count Ptoah's judgment was never wrong.

He was certain that this man would one day become a pillar of the Empire.

But if he couldn't get things started, he wouldn't even have a chance.

Just then, Carsein sighed and asked,

"Hah. Let me ask you again. Is that all?"

"…?"

Another chance, just when he thought he was at a dead end.

Count Ptoah's mind raced.

It was strange.

No matter what card he played, Carsein didn't react.

No, it was as if he wasn't even interested in the first place.

He knew that no other sponsors would approach him, yet he was still pushing away Count Ptoah's offer.

It was a clear contradiction.

'Could it be…'

Count Ptoah swallowed hard, finally grasping Carsein's intention, however faintly.

"I chose the ironworks business even when everyone else was rushing into magitech, artifacts, and engravings. I can proudly say that I know the iron industry better than anyone else in this era."

There was no guarantee.

If he was wrong, then Carsein was simply testing him.

"But I've recently acquired new knowledge. Knowledge that no one else has noticed."

But if he was right…

This young man was giving him a test.

"The farming tools in Shatrain were easily damaged and destroyed. Over time, they rusted and corroded. But that hasn't been the case since you became the lord of the territory."

So he would take the test.

Even if it wasn't a test, he would pursue the faint possibility he had glimpsed.

"Soon after, you revealed that the problem was acidic soil. After the soil was treated, the number of broken farming tools decreased dramatically, as shown in the data. So I ask you, were you already aware of this? Of the conditions that cause iron tools to corrode?"

Still, there was no guarantee.

But he had a faint guess.

That was why he had wanted to meet Carsein.

-Gulp.

Count Ptoah waited for an answer, his nerves on edge.

This statement was merely an answer to why he had sought out Carsein.

But if this had been a test, designed to reveal his intentions…

If it wasn't about showing his cards, but about revealing the reason for his visit.

He hoped for an answer.

A drop of cold sweat trickled down his face and fell to the floor in the silent room.

Then, Carsein chuckled.

"Right. The problem of corroded farming tools was solved by galvanizing them with zinc. This way, the zinc oxidizes instead of the iron, protecting it and maintaining its durability."

"Th-then you…!"

"You guessed correctly. I was testing you."

Count Ptoah's mouth fell open.

‘I-It can’t be…!’

Good heavens.

He felt a chill run down his spine.

It was true. It had all been a test.

"I have a very secretive plan in the works. I need someone who can keep up with me."

Carsein’s intentions were finally revealed, and Count Ptoah finally understood.

‘Hah… A plan, not just a business.’

This young man.

He had thought he was extraordinary from the start.

But he was beyond that.

He couldn’t even fathom the depths of his foresight.

But Count Ptoah wouldn't miss this golden opportunity.

"What can I do for you, young master?"

He wasn't foolish enough to let such a monumental figure slip through his fingers.

***

Originally, accepting Count Ptoah as a sponsor was essential.

In this situation, where it was difficult to secure any sponsor, the Count's offer was a lifeline.

But that was in the game.

I couldn't be satisfied with just that.

I couldn't simply accept him as a sponsor. I needed to use the information from my past life to break the rules of this world and connect it to a business.

I needed to make money faster, to accelerate my escape plan.

And…

I couldn’t just rely on the choices presented to me.

"Then I will prepare the supplies to support you, young master."

"Good."

-Ding!

▶ Count Ptoah has been designated as your sponsor! ◀

▶ The target's affinity is above a certain level. You can receive additional support. ◀

[ Current affinity: 45% ]

With this, the test was over.

As my sponsor, Count Ptoah would send support throughout the tournament.

If he wanted to increase sales for his business… then my ranking was all that mattered.

‘I hadn’t planned on being this strict, but it’s better to aim for a higher ranking to further my plans.’

Now that the sponsor was decided, I had no further business here.

While it was possible to have multiple sponsors, there was no need to increase the risk by adding more people.

I should go back and get some rest.

Just as I was about to leave…

‘…What’s this?’

A bright light emanating from an object on the floor.

A Memorial.

I picked it up and examined it. The contents of the Memorial were brief.

▶ Memorial: Tailor’s Shears acquired. ◀

-You ratted me out!

-What nonsense are you talking about? Who heard you?

During a brief moment away from his family, Carsein had been targeted by some nobles, and he had retaliated with his fists.

Their families had rushed to the scene of the commotion.

Actions that couldn't be proven due to lack of evidence.

Carsein had been forced bt his family to bow his head in apology.

The appearance of this Memorial meant one thing.

I would soon face a similar situation.

But…

“Oh my, she’s really going all out with her outfit today…!”

“She’s obviously trying to seduce the men, right?”

“Even with a fiancé… Well, I guess some things never change.”

“Who knows who she’ll try to bewitch this time.”

I didn’t want to just let this go.

No. It was more accurate to say that I couldn’t let it go.

A group of noblewomen were huddled near a pillar, gossiping.

My eyes followed their gazes.

There, was my fiancée, dressed to the nines.

“Hmph. She’s just a bastard. No matter how much she tries to act sophisticated, she’s still a lowborn from a fallen family who can’t even get proper treatment in her own house.”

A man’s voice, dripping with disdain, joined the noblewomen’s gossip, and it struck a nerve.

“She has no skills, no talent. She’s probably clinging to that commoner from the Bagrand Duchy, hoping to become his puppet wife. Just let her be. Heh heh.”

…In my past life, I had heard similar things about Jieun.

And Jieun…

“…”

Just like now, she had ignored it, pretending not to hear.

Hah. How could things be so similar?

No skills? No talent?

That bastard had no idea how hard she worked.

I couldn’t just let this go.

-Ding!

▶ Warning! Inflicting harm on other nobles may escalate the situation! ◀

“Hey.”

“Huh? What, Carsei… Guh?!”