I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 121

Chapter 121: A Moment of Respite (1)

The fierce duel ended abruptly.

And as if that wasn't jarring enough, Pollux requested a private conversation and revealed something unsettling.

Carsein was broken.

Why had he insisted on speaking with her alone?

How had he noticed Carsein’s brokenness?

It seemed like Pollux had sensed it during their duel.

She understood.

She, too, had noticed the subtle cracks in his facade.

His relentless dedication to work, his extreme sleep deprivation, his inability to relax… It worried her.

So she had confided in Pollux, hoping he could offer some guidance.

And he had.

He claimed to know a way to fix Carsein, a way to help him heal.

But…

‘…What does he mean?’

She couldn’t shake the feeling of unease, the uncertainty that clung to his words.

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Pollux.

He was her ally, a business partner she respected.

And he often offered advice, drawing from his own experiences.

His guidance had been invaluable, so she had no reason to doubt his intentions.

But this time, she couldn't grasp the meaning behind his words.

‘…What is he trying to say?’

-Stay by his side.

She had asked him to clarify, but he had simply repeated those words, his gaze firm, his tone unwavering.

Stay by his side, and Carsein wouldn’t break any further…

Harnie’s cheeks burned as the implications of his words hit her, and she quickly shook her head, trying to banish the thoughts swirling in her mind.

“H-He probably meant to be there for him in a normal way!”

Yes, that’s what he meant.

He simply wanted her to support Carsein, to keep an eye on him, to prevent him from overworking himself.

“Yes, that’s it. Pollux realized Carsein was pushing himself too hard because of his physical condition…”

There was no need to overthink this.

Make sure he was eating properly, sleeping well, not pulling all-nighters. It was about taking care of him, ensuring he didn’t neglect his health.

He was a worrisome man, after all.

He wouldn’t admit to being sick or injured. He would simply push through, ignoring his own needs.

She remembered the incident in the carriage.

His alarmingly cold body temperature, a result of the tea’s side effects…

If she hadn’t acted quickly, removing her clothes and sharing her warmth…

“Gasp! N-No, that’s not what I meant!”

Yes, take care of him, make sure he’s healthy… That’s all!

She took a deep breath, shaking her head, trying to banish the memory.

The warmth, the unsettling intimacy, lingered, refusing to fade.

“Ugh… I need to forget about this. Forget it!”

She needed to walk, to move, to erase those embarrassing images from her mind.

***

-Ding!

▶ Episode III. Proving Your Worth as a Lord cleared!◀

▶ Trade agreement with Marquis Ipheros, Pollux Tutulum, successfully secured!◀

▶ Achieved an unexpected outcome!◀

‘…So it’s finally over.’

I had been worried that Pollux’s abrupt ending to their duel might have triggered some unforeseen complications, but the system had recognized my victory.

But to think he had stopped the duel by grabbing my blade with his bare hand, channeling mana…

It was strange.

Carsein’s stats were significantly lower than Pollux’s. Victory was impossible.

In the game, once I had demonstrated enough skill to meet the episode’s requirements, the duel would end with some generic dialogue, not this unilateral shutdown.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter now.’

I needed to focus on the outcome.

The results window clearly stated that Lusmire had secured the necessary funds. Problem solved.

But there was one more thing I had to do.

‘I can’t go back to the Duchy yet, so I need to prepare.’

I was planning to return to Lusmire, supervise the completion of the tunnel, and then lay low, avoiding the Bagrands.

However the Eastern Nobles' Conference was approaching, and they would summon me eventually.

And that’s when the real challenge would begin.

Shatrain was currently without Claire’s financial support, thanks to my request.

The citizens were struggling, and I was busy managing not only Lusmire, but also dealing with the Ipheros Marquisate.

It was the perfect opportunity for them to criticize me.

Especially Arina.

‘She’ll lecture me about expanding my responsibilities without fulfilling my current ones. She’ll ask why I cancelled Claire’s support.’

Depending on my affinity levels and the choices I made, this could spiral into a major conflict.

If I wasn't careful, I could miss the Eastern Nobles’ Conference altogether and trigger a bad ending.

I was about to embark on a sub-episode to prevent that outcome when…

“Hmm? What’s up, Carsein?”

Pollux, ever perceptive, turned towards me, a questioning look on his face.

“If you’re here to discuss the trade agreement, I’m still finalizing the details with my men. You’ll have to wait a bit longer.”

“That’s fine. I’m here for something else.”

“Hmm?”

I handed him a document.

“This is… a trade agreement between noble families?”

“Yes. I’d like you to sign it and send it to the Duchy.”

There were three key elements to avoiding Arina’s death flag.

And one of them was this official trade agreement.

I was negotiating with Marquis Ipheros himself, and to ensure a smooth and successful outcome, this document was crucial.

“But… you’re planning to stay in Lusmire for a while, aren't you?”

“Did Harnie tell you?”

“Yes, the Head of the Plesia Trading Company mentioned it. She said you didn't want to face your family, so you’d be staying in Lusmire. But…”

“If you send this document to the Duchy, they’ll know I’m alive, and they’ll know about the trade agreement. That’s what you’re trying to say, right?”

“…Yes.”

Pollux nodded.

I knew what this meant.

This document was essentially a declaration of my whereabouts.

But once this document reached the Duchy, it wouldn’t be Arina who came to Lusmire.

It would be Claire.

“Don’t worry. I have a plan.”

“Hmm… Alright, I’ll do it.”

-Ding!

▶ Sub-Episode: Trade Agreement Document Completed. ◀

▶ Details of the trade agreement between Carsein, Lusmire, and the Ipheros Marquisate will be sent to the Bagrand Duchy. ◀

▶ You will encounter a member of your family soon. ◀

Pollux signed the document without another word.

He consulted his advisor, asking for clarifications and even suggesting some revisions.

It didn’t matter.

My second condition for avoiding Arina's death flag was to be honest about my whereabouts.

“Hmm… It says here that you’ll be helping train the villagers in Lusmire while you’re there.”

“I added that clause to deflect suspicion. You can remove it if it bothers you.”

“No, it’s not a problem. It’s just… I find it strange that you’re accepting payment for it.”

He stroked his chin, considering his options.

“Let’s remove the payment clause. Instead… how about we extend the duration of our training sessions?”

“Our training sessions?”

“Yes, your swordsmanship is quite unique. It’s not based on instinct or intuition, it’s all calculated. Very practical.”

He added that the Yaricans would be interested in learning as well.

…I didn’t mind.

More training meant a boost in my stats, and it would also improve my actual combat skills.

Pollux rolled up the document and secured it with twine.

“There. It shouldn’t take long for this to reach the Duchy.”

“Thank you. I’ll send a message to the villagers as well.”

“Don’t mention it. We’re the ones who are desperate for those rocks. But… Carsein…”

He hesitated, a rare moment of uncertainty for the usually confident Marquis.

“There’s something else I wanted to discuss with you.”

***

Pollux led me to a secluded area, and I followed, assuming this was another unscripted scene.

He sighed, taking a sip of water before speaking.

“Do you know about the rest period before the Eastern Nobles’ Conference?”

“Rest period?”

“You… didn’t know? Well, simply put, it’s a period of time allotted for the nobles to prepare themselves, both physically and mentally, for the challenges ahead.”

It was a time to rest, to recover, to de-stress, and to ensure they were in peak condition for the Conference.

“…So that’s what it was.”

I had been curious about the “rest period,” but I hadn't given it much thought.

The Bagrand Duchy had decided to replace the portrait in the main hall with one which had me. Which meant… Pollux’s question was about the next episode.

The thought of it already gave me a headache, but at least…

I had gained another piece of information.

There was a rest period before the Conference, and another one scheduled after it.

This knowledge would give me an advantage, a chance to prepare.

“It’s already been scheduled. It seems like a family outing of sorts.”

“I see.”

Pollux sighed, his expression grim.

And then… he delivered a blow.

“During our duel, you calculated every step, every angle. You analyzed the trajectory of my blade, the distance between us, my reach. But there was one thing… your swordsmanship felt… reckless.”

“…”

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

His last words,

Were ominous.