I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 111

Chapter 111: The House of Ipheros (4)

Pollux stared at the offered hand, his brow furrowed in confusion.

‘An Imperial… offering me help?’

Impossible.

No Imperial citizen held any fondness for Yaricans.

But the hand wasn’t clenched into a fist. It held no weapon, and there was no threat in its gesture.

Just a calloused palm, bearing the marks of countless hours of training.

‘…He’s trained with a sword.’

Though not as rigorously as a Yarican, his dedication was undeniable.

Still, the question lingered.

“Why are you helping me? You know I’m a Yarican.”

“To be honest, I don’t know much about Yaricans.”

“…What? My tattoos are clearly visible. How can you not know?”

“I just don’t.”

Pollux was taken aback.

“You asked why I’m helping you? All I see is a group of men ganging up on someone who isn't fighting back. That kind of behavior pisses me off.”

“…You’re a strange one.”

“Think what you want. But…”

-Thud.

“…If you stay down there, they’ll just keep throwing bottles at you.”

Carsein muttered as he effortlessly caught a bottle hurled in Pollux’s direction.

The other patrons, growing increasingly restless, began yelling at Carsein.

“Hey, knight! Why are you helping a Yarican?!”

“Every Imperial citizen knows what those barbarians are like!”

“They’re the reason monsters roam the Pesselus Empire! Why would you defend those parasites clinging to the edges of our land?!”

This was it.

Those words, those accusations, were bound to make him back down.

Pollux turned away from the offered hand.

“Leave, Imperial. You’ll only get caught in the crossfire if you defend me.”

It was always the same.

No matter what they said or did, Yaricans would never be accepted by the Empire. His role was to endure their anger, to serve as their punching bag, and then disappear when the time was right.

He had expected this. He was resigned to his fate.

But Carsein didn’t budge.

“I don’t know what happened, but letting them walk all over you isn’t the answer.”

He grasped Pollux’s hand firmly and pulled him up, his movements swift and decisive.

Caught off guard, Pollux stumbled to his feet, bewildered.

“What… What do you mean…?”

“Take it from someone who’s been there. Just get out of here and we can talk. Staying here will only make things worse.”

With that, Carsein headed towards the tavern entrance.

No one dared challenge him after witnessing his strength. Those who had intended to attack Pollux could only glare at him, their anger simmering.

As Pollux followed Carsein, he noticed a woman with purple hair standing behind him.

Recognition dawned.

‘That woman… she’s the one who’s been helping the Yaricans…’

Her name was…

Harnie Theresia.

The fact that she was talking to Carsein, engaging in conversation, meant his help wasn’t a calculated act, a means to an end.

Pollux watched them for a moment, his gaze lingering on Carsein, before finally stepping out of the tavern.

***

He admitted it was a bit impulsive.

Harnie had simply asked him to help the man. She hadn’t requested anything further.

Calling him out for passively enduring their abuse, forcefully pulling him up…

Those were his own decisions, driven by a sense of discomfort at witnessing such blatant injustice.

Harnie approached as he stepped out of the tavern.

She glanced inside, confirming that the fight was over.

“Is the situation inside... resolved?”

“Yes.”

The street was quiet now. Only moments ago, it had been filled with the sounds of shattering glass, crashing furniture, and angry shouts.

It was probably thanks to Harnie's intervention.

It was time to ask the question that had been nagging him.

“So… who was that man? Why was he just letting them beat him up?”

He was a strange one.

He was clearly strong, capable of fighting back, yet he remained passive.

He didn’t react when the other patrons hurled insults, bottles, and even plates at him.

His resignation, his refusal to accept help, was baffling.

But Harnie would know.

She was the one who had asked him to intervene.

Her lips parted, her eyes filled with sympathy, as she answered.

“He’s from the House of Ipheros. He’s doing… very important work for the Empire.”

“The House of Ipheros…? Aren’t they from the West?”

“Yes, Pollux is from the West.”

“But those men in the tavern… they called him, no, they called Pollux a Yarican.”

“That’s because…”

“The Empire still sees us as the Yarican Tribe. They don’t accept us as Imperial citizens, even though we were granted the title of Marquis of Ipheros.”

Pollux stepped out of the tavern, finishing Harnie’s sentence.

-Clink. Clink.

Blood-stained shards of glass fell from his clothes, remnants of the bottles that had been shattered against him.

“So that’s why you defended me, a Yarican, instead of those Imperials… You really didn’t know, did you? Head of the Plesia Trading Company.”

“I told you to stop calling me that.”

“…”

Pollux chuckled and extended his hand.

“My name is Pollux Tutulum. Chieftain of the Yarican Tribe. And… this might sound strange, but… I am also the Marquis of Ipheros.”

My eyes widened in surprise.

‘He… He’s the Marquis of Ipheros?’

His appearance had never been described in the game. He always wore formal attire during negotiations, just like any other noble, so there was no visual information about him. And his real name was never revealed.

‘I was supposed to meet him eventually, as part of the episode, but I didn’t expect to run into him like this.’

A surge of anticipation coursed through me.

This imposing figure…

This battle-hardened warrior…

This character, who, according to the game’s script, I was destined to clash with…

…was standing right before me.

“That’s quite a look you’re giving me. But standing here like this is making me feel awkward. Introduce yourself, boy.”

I understood instinctively.

He wanted a proper introduction.

Right. This wasn't the planned encounter dictated by the episode.

“My name is Carsein Bagrand. I’m the adopted son of the Bagrand Duchy.”

“Adopted son?”

“I told you inside, didn’t I? I know what it’s like to be… different.”

He had revealed his true identity, so I decided to be upfront as well.

Pollux grasped my hand, a chuckle rumbling in his chest.

“So that’s it. You’ve been through a lot yourself.”

“You could say that. It’s actually how Harnie and I met.”

My brow furrowed, a familiar feeling of frustration rising.

Not only was he not accepted as a noble, despite his status, he wasn’t even seen as a proper citizen of the Empire.

He was ostracized, subjected to violence simply for being a Yarican.

And Pollux seemed to accept this treatment as normal. That was what bothered me.

“Carsein Bagrand… I’ll remember that. But I have a question for you, if you don’t mind.”

“Sure, what is it?”

“…You said you’re the adopted son of the Bagrands, right?”

“Yes.”

It wasn’t my choice, but it was true.

“So… were you… a citizen of the Wederos Kingdom?”

“…What?”

“If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be able to wear that ring. But you’re wearing it, aren’t you? And there don’t seem to be any adverse effects.”

I had heard this before.

An old man in Lusmire had said something similar…

‘The problem is, I don’t have an answer.’

Even before entering the game, I had tried to uncover Carsein’s origins, but his past remained a mystery.

There were no clues, no leads. And even the Memorials hadn’t revealed his birthplace.

All I knew was that he had been raised in poverty.

I had no choice but to deflect the question.

But before I could speak…

Harnie intervened.

“I know what you’re thinking, Pollux, but you’re wrong.”

“Why? You know about the legends of the Wederos Kingdom as well, don’t you, Harnie?”

“Yes, and that’s why I know this isn’t the real thing. It’s probably a fake.”

“A fake?”

Pollux tilted his head, confused, and Harnie sighed.

“He won this ring at the Snowflake Festival. It was a prize. It can’t be the real thing.”

“…I see. Well, I suppose such a valuable artifact wouldn’t be given away as a prize at a festival.”

“Not only that, the ring seems to react only to my fiancé. If it were genuine, it should have responded to me as well. But there’s no reaction with my ring at all, which makes it clear this can't be the real thing”

“There’s no reaction. It’s as if it’s… empty.”

“Exactly.”

The intensity in Pollux’s eyes faded, replaced by a hint of disappointment. He had gotten his hopes up for nothing.

“Tsk, I suppose legends are just legends. I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up.”

“Ahaha…”

“Hey, are you two going to keep whispering secrets?”

I couldn’t help but interject. Their cryptic conversation was frustrating.

“I mean, come on, fill me in! I need to know what’s going on!”

Pollux chuckled.

“My apologies. It seems I was being rude, interrupting such a… passionate couple. ”

“W-What? What are you…?”

“Judging by Harnie’s reaction, I hit the nail on the head, didn't I? And the… atmosphere between you two… it reminded me of… well, let’s just say I was oblivious and apologize for interrupting your… date.”

“P-Pollux!”

He had just said the one thing Harnie hated the most.

…It seemed like ignoring it was the best course of action.

***

After their encounter with Pollux, Harnie and Carsein walked back towards the stable where they had left their horse. However, Pollux’s words kept replaying in her mind, making it impossible for her to speak.

-My apologies. It seems I was being rude, interrupting such a… passionate couple.

She had met Pollux as the Head of the Plesia Trading Company. However the topic of their engagement, which was arranged through a contract, had never come up.

That had led to a huge misunderstanding.

-Personally, I think you two are a great match. A fine gentleman and lady, perfectly suited for each other. Hahaha!

Pollux's enthusiastic thumbs-up and well wishes only made the situation more awkward.

“Harnie.”

“Y-Yes?!”

“We need to get going.”

“Oh…”

Lost in her thoughts, she hadn't even realized they had reached the stable.

“Sorry, I was… distracted.”

She took Carsein’s hand and climbed onto the saddle. She hoped the ride would help her clear her head.

But then…

Carsein mounted the horse behind her.

“W-What… What are you doing?”

“We’re riding together, of course.”

“What?! But I…”

She had planned on riding alone.

She was about to protest, but Carsein’s logic was undeniable.

“It’s a waste of money to rent two horses. And besides, you can’t ride in that dress.”

“…Oh.”

Right. She was wearing a dress.

A dress her father had given her, hoping she would find a new fiancé.

It wasn’t exactly riding attire.

“I know it’s not ideal, but please bear with me. It’s too late to rent another horse.”

She understood his reasoning, but her heart wouldn’t stop pounding.

She tried to calm down, but it was no use.

“I’ve given you enough time. Are you ready?”

“W-What? Y-Yes!”

“Then please… lean against me.”

There was no other way.

She was flustered, her heart racing, but she had no choice but to lean against him.

-Neigh!

Her heart pounded as she fanned herself frantically, trying to cool the heat rising in her cheeks.

‘Why… Why did he have to say those things…?!’

-He’s a good man. Don’t let him go.

Pollux’s words echoed in her mind, fueling her embarrassment.

Why did he have to say those things?!

She stole a glance at Carsein.

He seemed to sense her discomfort, but his expression was unreadable.

This wasn’t the time for lighthearted banter.

Harnie leaned against him, averting her gaze, hoping her heart would stop racing.

It was all Pollux’s fault.