I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 122

Chapter 122: A Moment of Respite (2)

With the trade agreement finalized, Episode III was complete.

I had taken precautions, completing the necessary sub-episodes, and now all that remained was returning to Lusmire.

As I climbed into the carriage, Pollux’s parting words echoed in my mind.

-Take my advice, Carsein. Allow yourself some time to relax. Otherwise…

“…Your world will be trapped in an eternal winter,” I finished the sentence, recalling his ominous warning.

“Hmm? What does that mean?”

Harnie, sitting across from me, tilted her head, a puzzled expression on her face.

Had she heard?

“It’s nothing. Just something Pollux said.”

“…About your world being trapped in winter?”

Oh, she had heard every word. There was no point in denying it.

“It’s not that important. He was just telling me not to overwork myself.”

It made sense. Of all the seasons, winter was the harshest, the most unforgiving.

Spring, with its gentle warmth and blooming flowers.

Summer, with its long, sun-drenched days and bountiful harvests.

Autumn, with its vibrant colors and a sense of abundance.

Compared to those seasons, winter was a time of cold, bleak landscapes and biting winds.

He had urged me to relax and take a break.

Which meant… He was probably advising me to slow down and pace myself.

“…I suppose that makes sense.”

“You say ‘I suppose…’ Did Pollux tell you something as well?”

“W-What?! No!”

She jumped, her eyes widening in alarm.

“What… What are you talking about?”

“You said ‘I suppose’ like you already knew what he meant. And he did take you aside for a private conversation, didn't he?”

“No… That’s not it! He didn't say anything important! It was just…!”

“Just…?”

“It was…”

She stammered, her cheeks flushing.

“I-It’s none of your business! It wasn’t important…!”

“Hmm… Well, I suppose you’re right.”

What could Pollux possibly tell her about me?

He probably mentioned the engagement, but she had already told me she hadn't revealed the true nature of our contract.

She would have deflected any intrusive questions and come up with a plausible excuse.

“Anyway, if Pollux asks about it, tell him I don’t have time to relax right now.”

That should put his mind at ease.

But instead of relaxing, Harnie’s eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on me.

“Carsein, you have to keep your promise, you know?”

“I know, I know. I promised to sleep for at least three hours in a bed, right?”

“Make sure you do. I’ll be watching.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I had learned my lesson about this body’s limitations.

“But what are you going to do after we get back to Lusmire?”

“What?”

“Well, I might not be returning to the Marquisate anytime soon, but I still need to prepare for the Eastern Nobles’ Conference. I need to plan my next move.”

“Ah, that.”

▶ Sub-Episode: Trade Agreement Document in progress. ◀

▶ The details of the trade agreement between Carsein, Lusmire, and the Ipheros Marquisate have been sent to the Bagrand Duchy. ◀

▶ Claire Bagrand is scheduled to arrive in Lusmire. ◀

This was the first priority.

“I’ll be staying in Lusmire for a few days. I need to supervise the transport of the rocks and fulfill the other conditions of the agreement, like training the villagers.”

“So that’s why Pollux asked about the training… Hmm, I see. And then?”

“We’ll have a visitor. The document has reached the Duchy.”

“…Your family.”

“Yes.”

Since I had completed the sub-episode, it would be Claire who came to Lusmire, not Arina.

I would have to navigate the choices presented, ensuring that Arina wouldn’t get involved.

That way, I could avoid the death flag in the next episode, the one Pollux had referred to as the “rest period.”

“Okay, I got it. But what about after that?”

After that…

It was time to reveal my plan.

“I’m going to… [redacted].”

-Clatter.

Harnie’s pen slipped from her grasp, falling onto the carriage floor.

“Are you crazy?! Why would you…!”

She jumped to her feet, her voice filled with alarm and disbelief.

It was an understandable reaction.

My plan was illogical and reckless.

And with the Eastern Nobles’ Conference approaching, it was even more baffling.

‘But… it’s necessary.’

Chapter 2 involved creating a new episode by taking on a sub-episode.

If I didn't actively seek out these opportunities, Carsein would be doomed to a bad ending.

That’s why most of the sub-episodes involved unconventional actions. Even the Lusmire episode had started with the impulsive decision to purchase their territory.

But Harnie, instead of panicking, calmed herself down and sat back down.

“What are you thinking…?”

If anyone else had heard this plan, they would have called me crazy, tried to stop me, or even physically restrained me.

But she was simply asking for my reasoning, her tone serious, her gaze unwavering.

This was unfamiliar.

“Don’t worry, you won’t be involved. I’ll handle everything.”

It was best to draw a line, to maintain a certain distance.

We were bound by a contract, a temporary agreement. Things could get complicated if we got too close.

But instead of accepting his explanation, Harnie's demeanor shifted.

“So you’re going through with this?”

What? This wasn’t the reaction he had expected.

She crossed her arms, her eyes narrowed.

“You won’t involve me? Well, I’ll be the judge of that.”

“Harnie?”

“I don’t trust you. Remember what happened earlier? You claimed you could function on two hours of sleep, but you collapsed after drinking that tea! You lied!”

“…That’s… true, but this is different.”

“I don’t know. You’ve lied before, so I can’t take your word for it. I’m coming with you. I need to see what’s going on.”

What? Coming with me?

To the place I had just mentioned?

She glared at me, her arms still crossed.

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“…No, but you don’t need to… You have no reason to—”

“I do.”

She placed a finger on my lips, silencing me.

“As your fiancée, I have the right to accompany you. That’s a valid reason, isn’t it?”

She added that our engagement, while temporary, was still an engagement. She couldn’t ignore the possibility of it ending.

Why was she so insistent?

As a merchant, she should understand the concept of risk and reward. This was a pointless endeavor.

-Neigh!

“It seems our carriage has arrived. Shall we continue this conversation later?”

She removed her finger from my lips and gestured towards the carriage, assuming the role of an escort.

…She was so unpredictable.

I sighed, stepping out of the carriage.

***

Three days had passed since I finalized the agreement with Pollux and returned to Lusmire.

A lot had changed.

For starters, we had actual visitors.

“Oh my… What is this…? A giant cave…?”

“It’s a tunnel.”

“And you are…?”

“Melic. I’m one of the guards.”

“And I’m Tony.”

“A tunnel… You mean… we can use this… for a fee?”

““That’s right!””

Mount Waglu was notorious for its treacherous terrain. The only way to cross it was to take a long, arduous detour.

And now, a tunnel?

This strange shortcut sparked curiosity.

And it wasn't just about curiosity.

“Hey, get the map!”

“I’ve got it right here!”

“Right, so the road we used to take… this one, right?”

“Yes, sir. Transporting goods was difficult because of this mountain.”

“But now... there’s a tunnel? Incredible. So the rumors were true?”

The tunnel led directly to their destinations.

The mythical shortcut they had heard whispers about, the one they had dismissed as a mere legend, was real.

“Hey, move it! We’re in a hurry!”

“If you’re not going through, get out of the way!”

“Alright, alright! How much is the toll?”

“Ahem. The toll fee, based on the size of your cargo and the number of people in your party, is…”

In just a few days, hundreds, no, thousands of people had passed through the tunnel.

Word spread quickly, and people flocked to this new route, eager to avoid the treacherous mountain path.

There were no monsters, no bandits, and the bright magic stone lamps illuminated the tunnel even at night, making it accessible at all hours.

And to further entice visitors, the sculptors had placed their artworks throughout the tunnel, transforming it into a unique attraction.

Lusmire had become a bustling hub, a center for trade and tourism.

“Lord Carsein!”

“What… What kind of magic did you use?!”

Melic and Tony rushed towards me, their faces filled with awe and excitement.

“How much did we earn today?”

“Look at this! We can’t even count it all! We’ll have enough to cover the remaining construction costs!”

“And there are so many merchants passing through! We don’t even need to travel to the expensive territories anymore!”

Their excitement was understandable.

Lusmire’s financial situation had improved dramatically in just a few days.

▶ As a reward for achieving an unexpected outcome, Lusmire’s resource count has tripled!◀

▶ Lusmire’s prosperity has increased significantly. Reputation will not drop below A!◀

The status window confirmed it.

The episode’s successful completion was already having a positive impact.

But I couldn’t get complacent.

“You two should get back to training.”

““Yes, Lord Carsein!””

This newfound prosperity came with a price.

I needed the Ipheros Marquisate’s support, their protection.

“Haa!”

“Hup!”

The sounds of battle echoed throughout the village.

Under the guidance of the Yaricans who had stayed behind to help transport the rocks, the villagers were training, honing their skills, preparing to defend their home.

They weren’t just training to fight monsters.

“Whoa…!”

“Hah! You’re down.”

“Kiyan! You can’t make the same mistake twice! Humans, unlike monsters, have intelligence!”

“S-Sorry!”

There was no guarantee that bandits, disguised as travelers, like the three knights from Count Modric’s estate, wouldn’t target their village.

And once the tunnel was complete, others might try to take it by force.

So they were training for both scenarios.

The true enemies of Lusmire were the nobles who surrounded them.

And to survive, they had to be prepared.

And…

So did I.

“It feels like we’re the ones learning from you, Young Master. It’s quite humbling.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m just making sure I don’t get rusty.”

Lv. 33

▶ Available SP has been automatically allocated to the ??? stat!◀

▶ Strength: 5.11

▶ Agility: 6.28

▶ Endurance: 6.37

▶ Stamina: 4.68

▶ Immunity: 1.33

▶ ???: 33%

I glanced at the status window.

My stats weren't increasing as rapidly as before, but my level was steadily rising.

I was making progress.

Even if I left the Duchy, I would be able to defend myself, to survive.

However…

“Hmm… Young Master, would it be alright if I asked for another lesson later?”

“Sure.”

…I couldn’t wait to escape.

***

After the training session, Barak practically dragged me to a building I had never seen before.

It wasn't a room, it was an actual house. Apparently, they had decided to use the remaining funds to build new houses. Barak, furious after my departure, had started construction immediately.

I stepped inside, and was greeted by a cozy, well-furnished room.

And then…

A wave of pain, sharp and debilitating, crashed over me.

“Ugh…?! What…!”

-Ding!

▶ Depeshan Syndrome’s secondary effect activated!◀

…What?