I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 232

Chapter 232: I Wanted To ■■■ ■■■■■ ■■■ ■■ (2)

“You really didn’t see Claire?”

Flora asked again, her small hand clutching my sleeve.

“I told you, I didn’t. Why would she come looking for me?”

My irritated tone seemed to convince her I wasn’t lying, and she finally released her grip.

But her reaction was odd.

“That’s… impossible…” she murmured.

“What?”

“Mother and Arina were there, but Claire wasn’t. She left on her own to come find you.”

“Left on her own?”

“Yes. She only told me, but… she said she was going to give you a present.”

Just like Flora, Claire had apparently left to give me a gift for winning first place in the symposium.

Knowing Claire, she would definitely want to deliver such a gift personally…

“But then why isn’t she here yet?”

A sudden unease washed over me.

A sense of foreboding began to creep into my heart.

And then…

The dreaded sound I had been fearing echoed in my ears.

-Ding!

‘…Damn it!’

The moment I saw the notification, I frantically questioned Flora.

“Which way did Claire go?”

“Um… I don’t really know… We parted ways in the hallway…”

“What about the present she was preparing? Do you have any idea what it was, or where it might be?”

Anything. Tell me anything you know.

Now!

▶ Episode XII: Claire’s Whereabouts has begun. ◀

▶ You must locate the missing Claire. ◀

▶ Warning! Enemy units have appeared. These are dangerous foes, exercise caution to avoid death. ◀

▶ A timer has been activated. Failure to locate Claire within the time limit will result in a bad ending. ◀

▶ Time remaining:

[ 17 minutes 52 seconds ]

Chapter 2 wasn’t over yet.

***

That grotesque figure, a horrifying fusion of human and plant…

Its disturbing appearance had allowed Claire to unleash her magic without hesitation.

But…

“How are they still standing after all that?”

That inferno should have consumed them completely.

She hadn’t lacked mana, and the power of her spells had been substantial.

Yet, those monstrous creatures remained unharmed.

“Ugh…”

Her breath hitched in her chest, and a wave of dizziness washed over her.

It was the natural consequence of expending so much mana, but she couldn’t afford to let them escape.

“My, my. It seems you're tiring, Lady Claire.”

Count Retelvik sneered as Claire clutched her aching head.

“Nevertheless, those were impressive attacks. I’ve heard tales of the Bagrand daughters’ magical talent… If it weren’t for this, it could have been quite dangerous.”

“Shut up…!”

“Oh dear. You’ve expended so much mana, and yet… you must realize by now that it’s futile.”

-Fwoosh!

Another blast of fire erupted, attempting to engulf them, but just like before, it had no effect.

“Heh heh. Spending time with that commoner Carsein seems to have dulled your senses, Lady Claire. How pointless to repeat such a meaningless act.”

Claire gritted her teeth, frustration burning in her chest.

While she had been wasting time, the other nobles had managed to breach the wall.

-Crash!

“It’s open! We’ve created a passage!”

“Let’s go!”

“Go ahead. I still have some unfinished business.”

As the wall crumbled, revealing a newly formed passage, the nobles began to flee.

Did they really think she would let them escape, while she stood here and watched?

Claire gritted her teeth, drawing on the last vestiges of her mana.

“…! Take this.”

“Wha—!”

-Rumble…

Blazing orbs of fire materialized, then shot towards the newly created opening in the wall.

The impacted wall sections crumbled and collapsed, sealing the passage the Waglu faction had created. Claire, her body trembling with exhaustion, erected a wall of fire to further block their escape.

The coppery tang of blood rose in her throat, but Claire ignored it, her eyes blazing.

“Hah… hah… Did you really think… I would let you… escape?”

“Kuh! The passage!”

“That bitch…!”

“I thought she was exhausted… She may be a brat, but she’s still a Bagrand.”

“…It seems Lady Claire has become quite foolish after spending time with that Carsein.”

Claire coughed, blood splattering on the ground. Count Retelvik flinched at her stubborn refusal to give up.

“You’re not going anywhere. I won’t allow it.”

“I was going to make it quick and painless, considering your noble blood… but no more.”

“…!”

The Count's staff pulsed with an eerie light, and a network of thorny vines snaked out from his monstrous form.

-Crack!

The mutated treant lashed out with its vines.

The passage Claire had sealed was torn open once more, and the nobles quickly scrambled through.

“Deal with her, Map,”

Count Retelvik commanded, a cruel smirk twisting his lips.

He cast one last, dismissive glance at Claire before turning to leave. He was the only one left now, facing her.

At his command, the monster’s face shifted, its features rearranging themselves to form a human visage.

Map, Shatrain’s enforcer, stared at the panting Claire before him, a sinister smile spreading across his face.

“Lady Claire…”

***

Vibrant pink hair, a cascade of noble elegance.

Sharp, striking features that commanded attention.

A clear, confident voice that resonated with authority.

Map had always thought the same thing whenever he looked at Claire:

‘Beautiful.’

She, with her noble blood, was always radiant.

Whether she was strolling through Shatrain in a dress of her own design…

Or elegantly perched with her legs crossed, reviewing documents…

Or sharply delivering instructions to the villagers…

She was breathtakingly beautiful.

Watching her, Map had dreamt a dream.

A dream of one day standing by her side.

Of possessing her, a being so beautiful she seemed to have wings, a creature of radiant fire.

He yearned to confess his love.

Not secretly, like leaving flowers at her doorstep, but openly, standing proudly before her.

But it was a foolish dream, a vast and impossible chasm.

The Bagrand Duchy.

The insurmountable wall of social status stood between them.

For a mere commoner like Map to even consider possessing Claire, a noble of the highest standing, was unthinkable.

So he had meticulously crafted a plan.

It would be enough to simply be near her, at first.

He would gradually climb the ranks, inching closer to her.

First, he would seize control of Shatrain from that foolish old Brem.

Then, he would orchestrate Shatrain’s revival, proving his competence.

Once his abilities were recognized, he would consolidate his power in Shatrain and amass wealth.

The wall of social status would be overcome by a castle built from the profits of Shatrain’s precious crops, a fortress fit for nobles.

And then, he would kneel before Claire, presenting her with a bouquet of flowers.

Time would solve everything.

But then…

That beggar brat had appeared.

That lowly street urchin, lucky enough to be taken in by the Bagrand Duchy, had defiled Claire’s side.

No, not taken, defiled.

That impudent fool, overstepping his boundaries, had tarnished her name.

And…

He had begun to ruin Map's plans.

‘That arrogant brat.’

He dared to interfere with his plans. He had removed Map's stepping stones, and for that, he would pay a heavy price.

Eliminating that insignificant Carsein would have been easy. He was even fortunate enough to receive assistance from Claire herself.

But soon, everything went awry.

Because of that brat, who reappeared once more.

-O new pawn of our great Lord, seek out and eliminate Carsein.

Someone had dared to give him such an order. To him, who would one day be Claire's husband? How dare they underestimate him so!

But it didn't matter.

He, too, yearned to tear that brat limb from limb.

Power surged through him.

He felt an overwhelming strength, as if he could rip anything apart. He was confident he could even deflect magic with this newfound power.

Carsein.

This time, he would be the one to inflict pain.

And when he opened his eyes…

That unforgettable pink hair filled his vision.

His future wife.

Claire Bagrand.

“Lady Claire! It’s been so long…! Do… do you recognize me?”

“What?”

“It’s me, Map! From Shatrain!” He greeted her eagerly.

Claire’s eyes narrowed.

“Who?” she asked, her voice laced with disdain.

“What…? Seriously… You don’t recognize me?”

“Who the hell are you?”

“L-Lady Claire?”

Ha… haha.

Of course.

She must be confused.

She simply didn’t know how powerful he had become.

It couldn't be helped. He didn’t have a bouquet, but he would create one.

-Poof!

“…!”

“I… I’ve admired you for a long time, Lady Claire,” he confessed.

“What?”

“Please, accept my love. Heh… heh heh…”

Women loved flowers, didn’t they?

Surely Claire would be no different. If he gave her this, she would definitely be pleased—

-Whoosh!

A burst of flame engulfed the flower before his eyes.

-“What the hell? What’s with the sudden flower?”

“Y-you don’t… like it? Haha… I’ll make another one—”

-Whoosh!

The new flower he created was instantly incinerated.

“Are you fucking with me?” she snarled.

“…Haha… ahahaha…”

Right. Of course.

She must not like this type of flower.

Then he would give her something different. No, this time, he would give her a whole bouquet.

“…!”

“I love you, Lady Claire. This bouquet is a testament to my love.”

He gathered every flower he could think of.

Fragrant flowers, beautiful flowers, pink flowers… he combined them all into a massive bouquet and presented it to her.

Surely…

With this much effort…

His feelings would reach her, wouldn’t they?

Map approached her, his heart filled with hope.

But…

-Fwoosh!

A wall of fire erupted, separating him from Claire, incinerating the bouquet. Map froze, his face contorting in confusion.

“Lady Claire…? Why are you…”

“Love? Don’t make me laugh,” she scoffed.

“…What?”

“What the fuck is wrong with you, you creepy bastard?! For your information, I hate flowers. And I especially hate flowers from you, you asshole!”

“…N-no…!”

Something snapped inside Map’s mind.

And as it shattered, it ignited into a raging inferno, his fury coalescing into thorny vines that erupted from his arms.

“You… dare reject my love…”

“Ugh?!”

-Sizzle!

The wall of fire was instantly consumed by the vines.

A tremor ran through the room as holes erupted in the surrounding walls. One of the tendrils shot out, aimed directly at Claire’s right shoulder.

“You can’t refuse. You’re mine. You’re mine! You don’t have a choice.”

Other vines snaked out, binding her arms and legs.

Claire struggled against the restraints, cursing.

“You crazy… bastard…!”

“I hate doing this to my future wife… but this is your fault! This is all your fault!”

The vines coalesced, forming sharp, pointed thorns that aimed at her legs.

“This might hurt a little, but try to bear with it. I need you to be quiet.”

Map’s face was a mask of chilling determination as the thorns inched closer to Claire’s legs. She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the pain.

But then…

“Ugh?!”

She suddenly fell backwards, landing hard on her backside.

Confused, she opened her eyes. Map’s crazed, distorted face was gone, replaced by…

-Swish!

“Hah. You came all this way for a simple gift.”

“Y-you…!”

Carsein.

Her younger brother stood before her, sword in hand.

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