I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 226

Chapter 226: The Source of the Contamination (8)

“It’s finally the final presentation.”

Harnie murmured, her voice laced with a strange mix of excitement and apprehension, as the carriage rattled along the familiar road.

Seeing her like this… I couldn't help but tease her a little.

“Are you nervous?”

“Of course, I am.”

“You don’t seem nervous at all when you’re presenting. No mistakes, no trembling in your voice. Aren't you worrying over nothing?”

-Slap!

Harnie lightly swatted my arm.

“Don’t tease me! I’m always worried I’ll mess up! You have no idea how nerve-wracking it is!”

“Really? I’ve never seen you make a single mistake. You’re always so confident and composed. You're worrying for nothing.”

“Stop teasing me!”

“Ow! Why do you think I'm teasing you? I'm just stating the truth.”

“You…”

Teasing her like this was strangely entertaining.

I might have received a few playful slaps, but it was worth it.

‘She’s definitely more relaxed now.’

As I enjoyed my impromptu massage, the carriage came to a stop.

“Young Master, My Lady. We’ve arrived.”

“Let’s go.”

“…Tsk.”

I stepped out of the carriage and escorted Harnie down.

The location, the action… It was all familiar.

This was the conference hall where we had attended lectures and given our weekly reports.

But one thing was different.

-Ding!

▶ It's the final presentation day! ◀

▶ Will you enter the conference hall? ◀

The status window displayed a new message: "Final Presentation Day."

That was the only difference.

But it was a significant one.

It finally hit me.

Seven weeks had passed since the start of the symposium.

In the game, it had felt like just a few scenes, a few cleared episodes, and then, the next chapter.

But here, two whole months had gone by.

In other words, I had been trapped in this game for over six months.

The thought was unsettling.

“What? You’re the one who said I was nervous. Looks like you’re the one who's worried.”

I was lost in thought, staring at the conference hall, when Harnie grinned mischievously.

“The Carsein I know is always confident, always ready to crush the other nobles.”

Was I really that transparent?

Harnie was returning the favor, teasing me with the same words I had used earlier.

…And for some reason, her playful banter, her teasing smile, reminded me of someone else. It brought back memories I had been trying to suppress.

“Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

Putting aside the playful banter, we entered the conference hall.

-Ding!

▶ You have entered the conference hall! ◀

***

“…Phew.”

Claire sighed.

She had lost count of how many times she had sighed today.

It was understandable. Today was the final presentation day.

Any noble, regardless of their rank or status, would be nervous on a day like this.

Family. Connections. Reputation. And the weight of their family name, their noble title.

Their parents, siblings, relatives, key figures from their family, business partners, allies… Everyone would be watching, judging their performance, their every word and action. It was enough to make anyone nervous.

But Claire wasn’t just worried about the presentation. Her own territory, Tarshion, had shown promising results.

“…”

She nervously brushed her pink hair back from her face.

She had arrived at the conference hall much earlier than the others.

Her family wasn’t here yet. Her mother, her sisters… none of them had arrived.

But Claire had come early for a different reason.

“Ugh, where is that boy? Why isn't he here yet…!”

She was waiting for Carsein.

“Why are those rumors spreading…!”

The day before, after finishing her preparations for the report, Claire had some free time. She had considered checking on Carsein, seeing how he was doing, offering her assistance.

She knew she couldn't interfere directly, not after what had happened in the past with Shatrain. But surely, a little eavesdropping wouldn't hurt.

So she had gathered some information about Shatrain.

And what she had heard had been disturbing.

-There are… unsettling rumors circulating about Shatrain.

-Unsettling rumors?

-Well…

Rumors of dissent among the villagers.

Rumors of infighting, despite the lord’s attempts to maintain order.

The rumors, while unsubstantiated, were spreading, and other territories were starting to take notice.

There was no way to help Shatrain directly, not with the lockdown in place.

“What’s he going to do? How is he going to handle this?”

He had been so confident before.

He had even requested a Rest Week, doubling the penalty for his final evaluation.

He had made a bold gamble. And if he failed…

The potential consequences were dire. He could fail the symposium completely.

Claire bit her lip, her worry growing, when she saw them.

Carsein, walking towards the conference hall with his fiancée.

They were still far away, not yet visible to the other nobles.

This was her chance.

Jumping up from her seat, Claire hurried down the stairs towards Carsein.

And then, without hesitation, she grabbed his arm.

“What?”

“Lady Claire?”

“I’m sorry, I need to borrow Carsein for a moment.”

There were too many eyes here. She had to move him, quickly.

***

‘No one followed us. Now…’

Claire led Carsein to a private room and turned to him, her voice sharp.

“What’s going on? Didn’t you prepare for this?”

“What are you talking about? This isn’t a big deal.”

Carsein scoffed, shrugging her off.

“Not a big deal?! There are rumors of infighting among your villagers! They should be working together, not fighting amongst themselves! And you call this ‘not a big deal’?”

Claire’s pink bangs fluttered as she spoke, her frustration evident.

“And it’s not just me. These rumors are spreading! The other nobles are talking about it! Do you understand?”

“I know.”

“You know? And you’re still acting so nonchalant?”

Claire’s voice rose, her disbelief turning into anger.

“You’re going to fail! Arina is furious! Do you think you’ll get off with just a slap this time?!”

No. Absolutely not.

“You could lose everything you’ve gained! Do you understand?!”

He could lose access to certain areas, be forbidden from meeting with other nobles, be forced to ask for permission every time he wanted to leave the Duchy… No, he might not even be granted permission.

As an older sister, she couldn't bear to see that happen.

“This has gone too far. I’ll help you fix this. Just tell me what happened, what your score is…”

-Thwack.

Claire’s hand, which had been resting on his shoulder, fell away.

“I don’t need your help.”

“Wh-What…?”

“You shouldn’t be involved in this. You’ll only make things worse. Even if Arina yells at me…”

“Not be involved?! I…”

The words caught in her throat.

He was right.

It wasn't her place to interfere.

She had already caused enough damage.

She had acted rashly, with good intentions, but her actions had only hindered his progress, had nearly ruined his efforts.

She had no right to interfere now.

-Step, step.

Carsein walked past her, towards the door.

He opened the door and left, his expression unchanged, his words a cold dismissal.

But she had to say this.

“I wasn’t trying to make things worse… I… I just…”

-Clench.

“I just wanted to protect you! You know that, don’t you?!”

The hand that would have slapped him before, now clenched into a fist, her nails digging into her palm.

***

I had expected Claire to follow me, to berate me for my supposed mistakes, to lecture me about my responsibilities. I had even prepared for a drop in her affinity.

But she didn't.

‘Maybe it’s because of that Memorial.’

That must have triggered something in her.

Whatever it was, it was better this way.

I returned to the conference hall, my mind racing.

Harnie had already gone inside, so I would have to find her later.

And then…

“…”

All eyes were on me.

Their gazes, I knew them all too well.

A mixture of condescension, mockery, and anticipation.

Just like in school, their whispers, laced with derision, reached my ears.

“Look at him. Mr. Big Shot.”

“Serves him right. So much for controlling the rumors. Heh heh.”

“Let’s see him try to explain himself now.”

-Ding!

▶ Choices available. ◀

[ 1. (Grabbing the second man by the collar) What do you know? ]

[ 2. (Scoffing) You know nothing but rumors. ]

[ 3. (Calling a guard) These accusations are against protocol. I request that they be addressed. ]

[ 4. Ignore them. ]

Even though I hadn’t encountered these choices before, the answer was obvious.

While Choice 3 seemed like the most appropriate response…

[ 4. Ignore them. ] ☑

‘I’m not going to waste my time on such petty provocations.’

They were deliberately trying to goad me into a reaction.

And if I took the bait, if I responded to their taunts, I would be the one who lost.

I ignored their insults and continued walking towards my seat.

And then, I encountered a familiar obstacle.

“You’ll pay for this, Carsein.”

Arina’s gaze, filled with contempt and loathing, met mine.

-Ding!

▶ Will you respond to Arina’s accusation?

Claire and the nobles had heard the rumors, so it was only natural for Arina to know as well.

The infighting among the Shatrain villagers.

The fact that they only pretended to cooperate while I was present.

I knew about it. I had to, as their lord.

But there was a crucial difference between their knowledge and mine.

[ 4. We’ll see about that. ] ☑

The choice provided by the game was too tame.

Responding like that would make me look like a fool.

“Didn’t I tell you? It’s not over yet.”

“What?”

“It’s the final evaluation. And you’re already planning on punishing me? Before I’ve even given my report?”

“Ha. You truly are delusional.”

Arina clicked her tongue.

“So you’re going to continue this charade? We’ll see how long you can keep up that smug expression.”

You think you know what’s going on?

You think you have me figured out?

You’re wrong.

Those rumors… I started them. The villagers are just pretending to fight. It's all part of my plan.

And I came up with this plan because…

The final evaluation was structured similarly to a Clue and Proof event.

If I could use the same strategies, the same tactics… it would give me a significant advantage.

And that hunch… had turned into a certainty.

This would give me the ammunition I needed to counter their accusations.

-Ding!

▶ The final symposium presentation begins. ◀

“We will now commence the 21st Eastern Nobles' Conference.”

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