I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 119

Chapter 119: The House of Ipheros (12)

-Could you perhaps… allow Carsein to rest here for a day?

Yesterday, when Harnie relayed that request to Pollux, he couldn't help but wonder why.

The boy had rushed to defend him in that tavern.

He hadn't treated Yaricans and Imperials differently, and despite his strange behavior, Pollux was sure his heart was in the right place.

Especially considering he was a Bagrand, a member of the most powerful noble family in the Pesselus Empire.

There was no reason to delay the negotiations.

But asking him to stay for a day meant postponing the trade agreement.

Pollux hadn’t wanted to take up any more of Carsein's time. He was clearly busy preparing for the Eastern Nobles' Conference and governing Lusmire.

But after meeting Carsein, he understood.

A few exchanged words, a simple pat on the shoulder…

It was enough for him to realize…

Harnie had been right.

‘I managed to delay the negotiation by setting a duel as a condition, but I’m not sure what will happen.’

Pollux sighed.

He had asked Carsein to rest for a day, to recover and face him in optimal condition. It would also give him a chance to observe his sleep patterns and confirm whether he was truly overworking himself. It seemed like the right course of action.

However if Carsein refused to rest, his efforts would be futile.

He might wake up early, insisting he had slept enough, and start training. Or, he might continue to work, ignoring his need for rest.

Whatever the outcome…

…the duel was scheduled for today.

He was heading to Carsein's room to inform him of the time when he noticed a figure standing in the hallway.

Had Carsein already woken up?

Pollux was about to sigh in exasperation when he realized…

…the figure was too small.

He stopped and looked closer. It seemed someone was already visiting Carsein.

‘Oh?’

Pollux chuckled, stroking his chin.

It made sense.

The figure, her face buried in her hands, had purple hair.

Even though she was trying to hide, her elegant aura was unmistakable.

It was Harnie.

‘A young lady visiting a man’s room this early in the morning…’

He nodded approvingly.

They were quite a well-matched pair.

They had similar personalities, and their shared experiences, their reliance on each other, created a bond that could easily blossom into something more.

And he had caught a glimpse of their intimacy in the carriage…

Youthful passion.

It was heartwarming.

The worry that had weighed on his mind lifted, replaced by a sense of amusement.

“So, did you manage to convince him?”

Pollux approached Harnie, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.

“Eek! W-When did you…!”

She jumped, startled, before letting out a sigh of relief.

It wasn’t the person she had been dreading.

“Why are you so surprised? Did you do something terrible to Carsein?”

“What? No, I… I didn’t do anything wrong…”

“Then what? Did your plan fail?”

“W-What plan?”

Her cheeks flushed at the mention of a "plan."

Pollux tilted his head, confused.

“You asked me to convince Carsein to rest, didn’t you?”

That was why Carsein was staying at the Ipheros Marquisate.

Harnie had asked him to postpone the negotiations.

“You wanted him to rest for a day and recover his strength. You were hoping that the Depeshan Syndrome would convince him that he was pushing himself too hard, weren’t you?”

She hadn't explicitly stated her intentions, but Pollux had understood.

The heat in Harnie’s cheeks subsided as she realized he knew.

“I… I managed to convince him. He slept for the entire day after drinking the tea that helps with the Depeshan Syndrome. He finally admitted that he had been overworking himself.”

“Ooh, really? That’s good to hear.”

Pollux nodded, pleased with the outcome.

If Carsein had recovered, he could proceed with the duel, go through the motions, and then finalize the trade agreement.

But there was still one question lingering in his mind.

“But where were you yesterday, Head of the Plesia Trading Company? I couldn't find you anywhere.”

“What? You were looking for me?”

“Well, yes. I was worried. I wanted to check on Carsein, make sure he didn’t have any adverse reactions to the tea. I’m sure you explained everything to him, but I still wanted to see how he was doing.”

“…”

“He could have gotten sick, especially in this weather… But I guess everything’s fine, since you’re standing here, safe and sound. Haha!”

Harnie’s cheeks flushed once again.

Pollux continued, oblivious, but her silence made him pause. He studied her, his eyes widening as he noticed something… strange.

‘Wait… Is she… wearing the same outfit as yesterday?’

She had plenty of clothes.

And she wasn't the type to wear the same outfit twice in a row.

His gaze shifted towards a nearby room, the one Carsein was currently occupying.

He glanced at Harnie.

Then back at the room.

Had she really chosen to wear the same outfit?

…No, that wasn’t it. That couldn't be it.

Judging by the direction she had come from, and the fact that she was facing this way…

…she must have come from that room.

But…

Hadn’t Carsein slept for the entire day?

If Harnie knew that… it meant she had been…

“Ahem! Ahem!”

Pollux cleared his throat, turning away.

“H-Haa! Well, I suppose… it’s possible! Yes, taking care of someone who’s ill is a noble act!”

He turned away, flustered, his words tumbling out in a jumbled mess.

There was no point in denying it. Harnie’s secret was out.

Her face flushed crimson.

“Harnie?”

She opened the door and…

“Why are you… Ugh!”

…punched Carsein in the back, her embarrassment exploding in a burst of violence.

***

Carsein barely had time to process Harnie’s sudden outburst before he was swept away by the awkward breakfast that followed.

He still didn’t understand why he had been punched, but he felt a significant change within his body.

▶ The Western region’s exclusive status ailment: Depeshan Syndrome has been removed!◀

▶ All stat reductions have been negated!◀

A debuff he had never managed to overcome during his previous playthroughs, a persistent ailment that plagued him every time he visited the Ipheros Marquisate, was gone.

His stats were no longer declining.

It seemed insignificant, but the removal of the debuff was a major advantage.

It meant he had a better chance of succeeding in the upcoming duel, of passing Pollux Tutulum's test.

However, this didn’t guarantee victory.

His stats, still lower than he would have liked, wouldn't be enough to overcome Pollux’s experience and strength.

His combat style, honed through countless real battles, was leagues above Carsein's training ground dueling skills.

I had to prepare myself.

To survive.

“Hmm?”

I arrived at the training ground, slightly earlier than the scheduled time for the duel.

Pollux turned, sensing my presence, and I drew my sword, assuming a combat stance.

“Hmm, we still have time. There’s no need to rush. You should warm up a bit more.”

“…”

“You’re still as impatient as ever.”

He saw that I wasn’t backing down, so he, too, drew his sword, pointing it towards me.

“Carsein? There’s no need to jump straight into the duel…!”

“Stand back, Head of the Trading Company.”

“…Pollux.”

“He’s made up his mind. Haven’t you, Carsein?”

“Yes.”

There was no point in delaying the inevitable.

There was only one way to clear this episode.

I had to prove my worth, to show Pollux that I was capable.

“…”

Harnie, resigned, stepped back, and Pollux narrowed his eyes, studying me intently.

“Tell me, Carsein, when did you first pick up a sword?”

When?

It was a difficult question.

Should I answer as ‘me,’ or as ‘Carsein’?

Pollux chuckled, shaking his head.

“Never mind. It was a pointless question. I’ll know soon enough.”

He lunged, his movements swift and fluid.

-Clang!

Our swords clashed, the impact reverberating through my arms.

It was a heavy blow.

Pollux had the clear physical advantage.

Carsein’s body, still underdeveloped, struggled to withstand the force of his attack.

And yet, I didn’t falter.

‘Ooh, he absorbed the impact by stepping back, then used his front foot to regain his balance and push forward.’

Pollux’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of respect in their depths.

He was always serious about duels.

That attack would have sent most opponents flying, but Carsein had neutralized it with impeccable timing and precise footwork.

And then…

-Clang!

…he shifted his stance, turning defense into offense, seeking an opening.

Most swordsmen would have been struggling to defend, but Carsein wasn’t just reacting, he was thinking, planning his next move.

It meant he was taking this duel seriously.

We exchanged a few more blows.

Carsein’s movements were impressive.

Calculated, practical, and efficient.

He deserved praise, but…

“….”

…Pollux’s expression darkened.

The few exchanges they had shared were enough for him to sense something strange. He frowned, his gaze fixed on Carsein’s sword.

‘What is this… this swordsmanship?’

It felt cold, dark, and lonely.

What had this young man gone through?

Why was he so rigid? So empty?