I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 189

Chapter 189: One Step Away (5)

“Sigh… This meeting is the same as always. The prejudice against Westerners is unbearable.”

One of Pollux’s subordinates shook his head.

“Let’s just go. What’s the point of waiting? The Empire will never accept us, not even in a hundred years, let alone a few decades.”

“…”

“Chief? Aren’t you coming? We’ll be marked by the Imperials if we stay here any longer.”

Even though his subordinate urged him to leave, Pollux remained seated, his arms crossed.

His gaze was fixed on some distant point, his voice a low murmur.

“If that’s true… it could be an opportunity.”

“Chief? Did you say something? I didn’t hear you.”

“Parkan. Is the western front mostly secured?”

“Huh? Yeah, I guess. After reinforcing the walls with that… concrete stuff, we’ve been conserving our strength, focusing on advancing.”

“Hmm.”

Pollux thought about the visitor he had received a few days ago.

A woman with neatly styled pink hair.

Claire Bagrand.

-I’ve heard that the Ipheros Marquisate has a strong presence in the West. I need their help to speak with Count Lilpet.

The relationship between Westerners and the Empire was strained, to say the least.

Pollux had experienced it firsthand, the disdain and hostility directed at him when he had visited a tavern in disguise.

Barbarians.

That was the derogatory term they used for Westerners.

So, for a member of the Bagrand Duchy, the most powerful noble family in the Empire, to seek out a Westerner… it was surprising.

‘I would have refused, normally, but…’

Her last words had been sincere.

-I… I made a mistake. I harmed Carsein. That’s why I can’t help him directly.

Her tone, her demeanor… He had sensed the guilt, the self-reproach, hidden beneath her words.

“Parkan.”

“Yes, Chief.”

“I have to go to Lilpet. Now.”

“Huh? What’s going on?”

“There’s something I have to do.”

Pollux stood up and headed outside, mounting his horse.

***

Carsein had no allies, not really.

He had no friends.

He didn’t have any close acquaintances among the other nobles.

They had always seen him as a target, a source of amusement. They would tease him, provoke him, hoping he would make a mistake, hoping he would cause trouble.

They would then use those incidents to discredit him, to spread rumors, to tarnish his reputation.

So, finding someone who would be willing to help Carsein, to defend him, wasn't an easy task.

But there was one possibility.

One territory.

A territory that had been considered a barren wasteland, a worthless mountain of rocks, until recently. A territory that had been transformed into a bustling trade hub, the center of the Empire’s transportation network.

Lusmire.

Carsein had provided them with building materials, and they had become allies.

But even then, it wasn’t easy.

-I’m afraid I can’t help Carsein.

-Why not?

-The other Western territories might be different, but we’re currently focused on reclaiming our ancestral lands, thanks to the trade agreement with Lusmire.

With Lusmire’s newfound prosperity, the Ipheros Marquisate was reclaiming the lands that had once belonged to the Yarik Tribe.

They couldn’t afford to be distracted, not now. They couldn't help Carsein, not directly. Except for Lusmire, who was their trading partner.

It was a setback.

She had finally found a potential ally, and they couldn't help.

She had to find someone else.

But Claire hadn't given up.

-So, you’re saying… the Ipheros Marquisate can’t help, but the Lilpet County can?

With the Ipheros Marquisate out of the picture, Claire had no other options. She had revealed her true intentions, her desire to contact Count Lilpet, using the Ipheros Marquisate’s influence.

-I need some time to think about it.

Pollux hadn't agreed immediately, despite her honesty.

-Westerners harbor a deep resentment towards the Empire’s nobles. And I’m no different. I’ve been treated like that for years. So, even if I accept your request, I need time to consider it. And there’s no guarantee it will work.

Lilpet had been forced to cede a portion of their territory to the Empire after receiving a warning from the Bagrand Duchy. He added that overcoming Count Lilpet’s resentment, his distrust of the Empire, wouldn't be easy.

He would give her an answer by the Week 2 Report Meeting.

He had asked her not to contact him, not to visit him, until then.

But Pollux hadn’t contacted her, not even after the meeting.

Claire’s shoulders slumped.

“…I thought I could help, even if it was just a little… But even this…?”

She had finally found a potential ally for Carsein…

And then…

-Gallop, gallop.

The sound of approaching hooves.

Claire, her head bowed, looked up, her eyes widening.

A warrior on horseback.

-Neigh!

Pollux’s horse came to a halt beside her.

He reached out his hand.

“Get on.”

“Get on? Why…?”

“My subordinate tells me that… Lilpet… Count Lilpet’s hatred for nobles has intensified. He’s refusing to even receive letters from the Imperial Family.”

“…!”

“This is all I can do. What will you do? Will you try, even if it’s like this? Or will you give up?”

Give up?

Never!

-Grab!

“Good.”

Claire took his hand, and Pollux pulled her onto the horse.

***

“Hmph. Another letter from those hypocritical Imperials.”

-Rip!

“Should I tear this up, Boss?”

The man, waving his hand dismissively, gestured towards the letter.

His subordinate ripped the letter to shreds.

And then, he created a small fire using magic and tossed the pieces into the flames.

-Crackle!

“Good riddance!”

The flames consumed the letter, turning it to ash.

And as if that wasn’t enough, the villagers of Lilpet, fueled by their resentment, intensified the flames, their mana swirling around the fire. They wanted to erase every trace of the Empire, every scent, every memory.

And then…

The hand that was about to add more wood to the fire stopped.

“A visitor.”

Count Lilpet, Talfon, hearing the approaching hoofbeats, murmured to himself.

No outsider would dare to venture into Lilpet, the most remote territory in the West.

They had no visitors, and they had declared their refusal to receive any further communication from the Imperial Family.

So, the rider approaching them had to be a Westerner.

“Step back.”

Talfon dismissed his tribesmen and continued tending to the fire, tossing the carcasses of monsters into the flames.

The sound of hoofbeats ceased.

And then, a familiar face emerged from the shadows.

“It’s been a while, Pollux.”

“Indeed. It’s good to see you, Talfon.”

A fist bump.

A curt greeting, typical of Westerners.

“What brings you here, Marquis of Ipheros? It’s not often we receive visitors from your esteemed family.”

“I’m here about that… proposal I sent you.”

“Proposal?”

“The letter.”

A faint smile played on Talfon’s lips.

“Ah, the letter suggesting we work with Lusmire to improve the perception of Westerners in the Empire.”

“…”

“If that’s what you’re here for, get out. I’m sick of those Imperials.”

He vaguely remembered the letter, having burned countless missives from the nobles and the Imperial Family, but he clearly remembered the name of Lusmire’s lord.

Carsein Bagrand.

He had seen potential in the boy, had agreed to the proposal, but… The Bagrand Duchy had intervened, pressuring him to break his promise.

He couldn't forget the name of the one who had forced him to send those rotten Lohea seeds.

“I’ve already given my answer to the Empire. I returned the territory they had granted me. We no longer have any expectations of the Imperials. If you don’t want to be seen as their pawn, I suggest you leave.”

“I’m not their pawn.”

“And you brought an Imperial with you? To say that to my face?”

He had sensed it, vaguely, when Pollux had arrived.

The scent of perfume, the distinct aroma of oils used by Imperial noblewomen, the unmistakable smell of mana clinging to their clothes…

He knew Pollux had brought an Imperial.

“I brought this Imperial for a reason.”

“Haha. And you brought her? What’s the meaning of this, Pollux? Why would you bring the Second Daughter of the Bagrand Duchy here?”

And not just any Imperial.

The one who had forced Count Lilpet to cede his territory, to sever all ties with the Empire.

Claire Bagrand.

Talfon, realizing who she was, glared at Pollux, despite their shared Western heritage.

But Pollux’s reply was calm, almost indifferent.

“This Imperial has come to apologize, to you and to Lilpet.”

“What?”

Talfon frowned, his disbelief evident.

“You made a promise to a boy, a long time ago, didn’t you, Talfon?”

“What about it?”

“This woman is the one who broke that promise. She’s here to apologize. What will you do?”

Talfon turned towards the room where Claire was waiting.

She was alone. There were no guards, no escorts. She had come to the West, to this remote, dangerous territory, by herself.

In the past, she had arrived with an entourage, her soldiers a clear display of power, her magic a thinly veiled threat.

And now… she had come alone? To a place where she could easily be targeted for revenge?

“I thought there were no decent Imperials left. But I was wrong. I recently met a remarkable young man. He’s the boy you made a promise to, and he’s the one who helped me reinforce Ipheros’ walls.”

“…”

“If it’s a misunderstanding, you can clear it up and send her away. But will you at least listen to her? Just once?”

Talfon placed another log on the fire.

“…I’ll listen. For your sake, Pollux. Just once. But if she tries anything funny, if she says anything I don’t like, I’ll throw her out.”

“Alright.”

Had she come to apologize? Or to threaten him again?

He would find out soon enough.

***

After the report meeting, I planted strawberries and grapes, following the revised farming methods.

It was a competition, in a way.

The same land, the same crops, but different methods.

And the results…

▶ C- grade Shatrain strawberries harvested! ◀

…were a clear victory.

“Wow… These are the best strawberries we’ve seen in years!”

“Ferdi’s right! The color… it’s almost like the ones we used to grow…”

Even the Village Head’s granddaughter was impressed.

The status window confirmed the grade, and I had gained a valuable bargaining chip.

▶ Clue and Proof event available. ◀

‘I could trigger the event now, by pointing out the flaws in their farming methods. But not yet.’

I glanced at Dyke, who was standing nearby, his throat bobbing nervously.

I picked a strawberry and tossed it to him.

“Whoa!”

“Take it.”

“A-Are you sure? You could sell this for a lot of money…”

Normally, a choice window would appear here, but it seemed like this action was considered part of territory management.

‘Well, I am doing this for the reward…’

But I had to say this.

“Nothing is more important than a person’s life, Dyke.”

“…!”

“Helketa I can be cured within a day. I’ll give you two days off. Go and take care of your sister.”

Dyke bowed his head repeatedly.

“Th-Thank you… Thank you so much…”

▶ Provided a necessary item to an Agent. ◀

▶ Affinity increased! ◀

[ Target: Dyke ]

[ Current Affinity: 15% ]

▶ Agent Skill recharged. ◀

▶ Territory Control

[ Can control access to Shatrain for a limited time, depending on rank. External attacks will be negated or weakened. Higher ranks increase the effectiveness and duration. ]

…But…

Did he usually talk this much?

In the game, he would have just bowed his head silently.

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