I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 210

Chapter 210: Those Who Rage (10)

The time for testing Carsein, for peering into his inner world, was over.

Now, all that remained for Talfon and the Lilpet Tribe was to settle their past grievances and forge an alliance with Shatrain's lord.

Exhausted from their duel, they couldn't return to Shatrain immediately. They planned to inform Carsein of the results once he woke up, and then proceed at his convenience.

But a day passed, and instead of Carsein, it was Harnie who came to see Talfon.

“Carsein hasn’t woken up?”

“No…”

Harnie nodded anxiously.

“I’ve been watching over him, but he’s still asleep. He hasn’t moved since I put him to bed.”

“Hmm… He shouldn’t be that injured.”

They had both fought with all their might, so there were cuts, bruises, and scrapes. The remnants of sword qi and torn clothing grazed against his skin, marking him with the scars of battle.

However, none of his injuries were serious.

Talfon, who had fought him firsthand, knew this better than anyone.

Even though Carsein’s body was covered in wounds, none of them were severe enough to warrant a day-long slumber. He himself, the one who had been defeated, was perfectly fine.

Still…

“I should check on him, just in case.”

There was no reason to doubt his fiancée’s words.

Especially since she had been the one watching over him.

Talfon promised Harnie that he would check on Carsein and, if necessary, personally escort him back to Shatrain. He then headed towards Carsein's room.

He opened the door and entered. Just as Harnie had said, there was no sign of Carsein having moved.

But Talfon had a suspicion.

“Harnie, you said you’re Carsein’s fiancée, correct?”

“That’s right.”

“As his fiancée, you must spend a lot of time together. So, I have a question. Has he ever suffered from Depeshan Syndrome?”

“How did you…?”

“Hmm. I see.”

He had been wondering why Carsein’s mana had been so faint, why his awakening had been delayed.

“How did you treat him when he first experienced the syndrome?”

“I made him a medicinal tea.”

“A tea? Then any accumulated fatigue would have been released as well. How did he react afterwards?”

“He fell asleep, just like today. And he slept soundly…”

As expected.

Those who lived in the West had already adapted to the corrupted land, so they weren't affected.

But the corrupted land of the West generally had a negative impact on outsiders.

That's why they had to take measures to resist the corruption, to prevent their mana from being drained. And it seemed like Carsein’s constitution was making him particularly susceptible.

But that wasn’t all.

“But it wasn’t just fatigue. He was also extremely cold.”

“What? You don’t mean…!”

“Yes. He experienced the aftereffects of Depeshan Syndrome.”

The aftereffects of Depeshan Syndrome?

‘So it’s not just a unique constitution, it’s an extremely rare one.’

Normally, when exposed to the corrupted lands of the West, the body would develop a natural defense mechanism. A resistance to the corruption would develop with sufficient rest.

Mild side effects like fatigue, drowsiness, and weakness were common…

But experiencing a full-blown relapse was unusual.

“Then it will happen again.”

“What?”

“I could smell his mana leaking as I entered the room. It seems like his resistance has weakened, and the corruption is affecting him again.”

“Then what should we do…?”

“You must have taken appropriate measures when he first experienced the syndrome. Didn't you give him that tea?”

…Appropriate measures?

Well…

“It’s usually a difficult situation, but since you’re his fiancée, it shouldn't be a problem. It’s simple. Just repeat what you did before. Who treats him first is crucial.”

“…”

Harnie hesitated, fidgeting with her dress, and then asked,

“I-Is there… no other way…?”

“No.”

“Are you… sure…?”

“Yes. With his constitution, Carsein can’t overcome Depeshan Syndrome on his own. And in his case, only the person who helped him during his first episode can help him recover.”

Harnie flinched.

“I can smell his mana leaking. If this continues, the aftereffects will manifest soon. It’s best to take preemptive measures. Now.”

“Oh…”

“Why are you hesitating? I still remember how worried you were when you brought him here.”

“Th-That’s not it! It’s…”

There was a very important reason.

A reason she was too embarrassed to say out loud!

“Well, I'm sure you’ll do what’s necessary. The important thing is to replicate the conditions as closely as possible, from the initial symptoms to the full relapse. Remember that.”

Oblivious to Harnie’s inner turmoil, Talfon spoke casually and left the room. Harnie’s face flushed crimson.

‘I-I have to do that again?’

She understood that she had to take preemptive measures.

But he didn't have to be so nonchalant about it.

To replicate the conditions…

…meant she had to embrace him again, skin to skin!

Harnie’s face burned.

But… she had to do it.

-Click.

She locked the door and drew the curtains.

Now, they were alone. There were no prying eyes.

-Rustle.

She undressed.

Fighting back her embarrassment, she slowly removed her outer garments, her shoulders and back exposed.

“Ahh…”

The thought of having to do this again filled her with shame.

The blush on her face deepened, spreading down her neck.

Later, when Carsein woke up, she would have to explain this to him.

She would have to tell him…

“Ugh! This isn’t the time to be thinking about that!”

Harnie shook her head, trying to banish the thought.

She had to focus on Carsein’s recovery.

“Underwear…”

Talfon had said it was important to replicate the conditions as closely as possible.

That meant… she had to remove it.

With a final rustle of fabric, she was naked.

Her bare skin, exposed to the cool air, sent shivers down her spine. She glanced at Carsein, still asleep on the bed.

He wouldn’t wake up now, would he?

A strange mix of embarrassment and anticipation filled her as she carefully approached the bed, shielding her breasts with one hand.

Carsein lay motionless, his breathing slow and even.

“…He said to replicate the conditions as closely as possible, didn’t he?”

She slowly lifted the blanket and slipped into bed beside him, her body pressed against his, her skin tingling where it touched his.

She was mortified, but she had done the same thing before.

She would stay like this, sharing her warmth with him, until he recovered.

-Thump. Thump.

Her heart pounded in her chest.

What if he woke up?

But for some reason…

Despite her embarrassment, she felt a strange sense of relief.

I don’t understand this feeling.

Harnie, just like she had done that other night, fell asleep beside Carsein.

***

‘Depeshan Syndrome.’

Talfon pondered, his arms crossed.

In the mana-infested lands of the West, various illnesses could manifest as the body tried to adapt. Depeshan Syndrome was one of those illnesses, a rare affliction.

Conversely, those who had lived in the West their entire lives were generally immune.

That’s what had convinced Talfon.

“This is unexpected. For you to come all this way, with such an urgent request.”

Pollux had come to see him.

They exchanged a fist bump, the traditional Western greeting. Their bond was as strong as ever.

There was no need for small talk.

Pollux was the one who had brought Claire and changed Talfon’s mind. He already knew what Talfon was going to ask.

“So, what did you think? After meeting him?”

Of course, he was referring to Carsein.

Talfon shook his head.

“I was wrong. You were right, and so was his… sister. After meeting him in person, I realized I had made a mistake.”

“Heh. I knew it. He’s more than qualified, isn’t he?”

“Indeed. To slay the Scorpion King alone… Tsk. Even the Lilpet Tribe wouldn’t attempt such a reckless feat.”

“What? Hahahaha!”

Pollux laughed heartily.

“So, what’s happening with Carsein?”

“We’ve agreed to an alliance. He needs some rest right now, though.”

“Rest?”

“He collapsed after our duel and slept for an entire day. I asked around, and it seems he has a severe case of Depeshan Syndrome. Level 3 or higher.”

Pollux’s expression hardened.

“That’s dangerous. Level 3 or higher…”

“Yes. At that level, he needs outside help, but only mana from the person who helped him during his first episode is effective. If it’s anyone else, he won't recover and will eventually succumb to the recurring relapses. But there was no need to worry.”

“Oh, I see.”

The first person to help him had been his fiancée, Harnie.

And engaged couples rarely spent time apart.

“So that’s why it happened. Heh heh. Those two are meant to be together.”

“In any case, I’ve agreed to an alliance with Carsein. I’ll probably head to Shatrain tomorrow and continue working with him there.”

“So that’s what you came all this way to tell me?”

Pollux stroked his chin and chuckled.

“No. That’s not why I’m here, Pollux.”

“Oh?”

“First, there’s something… strange about his scent.”

At the mention of scent, Pollux’s expression turned serious.

The Lilpet Tribe’s sense of smell.

He must have been referring to Carsein’s mana signature.

“What did you find?”

“During our duel, I was overwhelmed by the scent of loneliness and pain. But… there was nothing else. No other emotions.”

“…Yes. He felt… cold. Like he was trapped in a glacier.”

“So you fought him as well.”

“I did.”

He remembered. He had fought Carsein in the West.

Perhaps the Ipheros were even better at reading people than the Lilpet, who relied on scent. They gained information through combat, through physical contact.

“Carsein is broken. He’s losing his emotions, consumed by… logic.”

“Hmm. So that’s why there were no other emotions behind that scent of loneliness and pain.”

“If left unchecked, it could be dangerous. But it seems like his fiancée will be able to help him.”

“I see.”

That made sense.

Being close to someone could awaken dormant emotions. And they seemed like a good match.

“Now, for the second thing.”

“…What is it?”

“He definitely smells like the Wederos Kingdom. But… he contracted Depeshan Syndrome.”

“…! That’s… odd…”

“Westerners are immune to Depeshan Syndrome. It only affects Imperials. It’s a contradiction for him, a survivor of the Wederos Kingdom, to be afflicted with the syndrome.”

What did that mean?

That was the real reason for Talfon's visit.

“He smells… different. Like an outsider. Like that prophet from years ago.”

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