I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 92

Chapter 92: The Disgrace of Shatrain (6)

-Thwack!

The ax cleaved through the thick log, splitting it cleanly in two. I’d overestimated my strength, the split log tumbling to the ground with a dull thud.

I would have shrugged, retrieving the errant piece of firewood, placing it back on the chopping block, muttering something about the difficulty of controlling my strength, my fingers idly scratching my cheek.

But as I gathered the scattered logs, my mind was elsewhere, my thoughts consumed by a single, persistent question.

"...How did I end up like this?"

Seriously. How had this become my reality?

The Lusmire episode, a prelude to the Eastern Nobles' Conference, triggered through a series of unintended actions, had unfolded in a manner both familiar and unexpected.

I’d apprehended the rogue knights, punished their transgressions, and earned the trust of the villagers, setting in motion the revitalization of this isolated territory.

However, the greatest obstacle in completing this episode had always been time.

Earning the trust of those scarred by noble cruelty, their hearts hardened against any gesture of kindness, was a delicate dance, a slow and arduous process.

Time, a precious commodity, was required to chip away at their defenses, to demonstrate Carsein's sincerity.

The typical approach involved a series of carefully calculated acts of kindness, starting with the central village, Remten, a slow and steady drip of goodwill, waiting for the villagers’ perceptions to shift.

Even after dealing with the knights, their reign of terror over, the villagers’ deeply ingrained suspicions remained. There was no quick fix, no magic spell to erase a lifetime of pain and mistrust.

It was a multi-step process, a carefully constructed sequence.

Kiyan’s affinity, meticulously cultivated during the party encounter, served as the foundation. His companions, Melic and Tony, their hearts softened through additional interactions, the next layer.

And finally, Dienna’s affinity, raised through a single, carefully chosen action, a catalyst that spread the news to Remten and the surrounding villages.

And then, the inevitable declaration: they needed time to consider his offer, to assess his sincerity.

The scene would then shift, the waiting period hidden, obscured from view.

Carsein, unable to force the issue, would be forced to retreat, to return the next day, his patience tested. Of course, my own actions, my decision to reject their initial request, had accelerated this process.

But regardless of the approach, this episode devoured precious time, several days lost to the slow dance of trust-building. Only after enduring that waiting period, navigating those treacherous waters, could Carsein truly claim Lusmire, his lordship recognized, their perceptions shifted.

The typical solution? Returning to the ducal manor, allowing their anger to subside, then visiting the village the following day.

“...”

▶ Current Location: Remten Village, Lusmire Territory. ◀

A quick glance at my status window confirmed my unexpected reality.

I was already within Lusmire’s borders.

My actions, my decision to help two previously inconsequential characters, Dienna and Delphina, had altered the course of events.

-Thwack!

And yet, here I was, chopping firewood in the backyard of a villager’s home.

‘It’s not a bad situation. I’ve saved time, and my reputation has been upgraded to “Fame,” a significant improvement. While my movement within the territory is still restricted, …’

There was something unsettling about this accelerated progress, this smooth entry into Lusmire without facing the usual challenges.

My greatest fear? The possibility of unforeseen consequences, of hidden triggers I was unaware of. This game, its intricate web of choices and consequences, its sensitivity to even the smallest deviations, couldn’t be trusted.

‘There’s only one solution. I need to gather more information, to thoroughly investigate this village.’

The milk incident, a cleverly disguised test, was a stark reminder of their vigilance, their unwillingness to accept Carsein at face value.

I needed to be meticulous, to anticipate every potential challenge, to map out every possible choice and its corresponding outcome.

‘They offered me a place to stay, and it shouldn't be difficult to secure a small room as a makeshift office. While I’m here, I’ll gather every scrap of information about this village.’

-Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Chopping firewood might not have been my initial objective, but it was a task that needed to be completed.

-Ding!

“Hmm?”

▶ Urgent Mission! ◀
▶ The outcome of your wood chopping will affect your stat gains and Passive Skill proficiency! ◀

“Well, this is ridiculous.”

So even this, a simple act of physical labor, contributed to my stat growth? Swinging an ax, it seemed, was considered a form of combat training, regardless of the weapon.

“…Well, I might as well make the most of it.”

A task worth completing, a bonus to my overall progress.

***

"The weather's finally warming up. It's actually pleasant to be outside during the day.”
“This winter was unusually harsh… Ugh. All the dress codes involved layers upon layers.”
"Thank goodness Lady Claire introduced those innovative fashion trends. We’d all be suffering from colds without them.”
"And the new enchantment technique that extends the duration of heating spells on clothing? Brilliant!”
"Without that, we wouldn’t have been able to attend most of the winter parties. Come to think of it, that was Lady Claire's invention as well, wasn't it?”
“Hohoho. Indeed."

A group of noblewomen, their voices a symphony of lighthearted chatter, gathered for their afternoon tea.

Their laughter, their carefree banter, as they reminisced about the harsh winter, their faces turned towards the warmth of the approaching spring.

However, their gazes, their carefully concealed observations, were focused on a single individual.

“...”

The youngest daughter of House Bagrand, typically the life of such gatherings, sat in silence, her lips pressed into a thin line, her mood a palpable weight in the room. The other women, sensing her displeasure, exchanged anxious glances, their whispers a flurry of speculation.

‘If we upset Lady Flora, this tea party will be over before it even begins!’
‘But she’s completely ignoring us, no matter how hard we try to engage her…’
‘There has to be a reason! Has no one heard anything?’
‘I have no idea. What is it? What could possibly be wrong…!’

Their silent conversation, a frantic attempt to decipher Flora’s mood, fueled by a mixture of curiosity and self-preservation, finally yielded a possible explanation.

‘W-What did you just say? Lady Flora has been like this since she stepped out of the carriage?’
‘Y-Yes. I greeted her as we were disembarking, but… she was already in this… state.’
‘So she was upset before she even arrived here!’
‘Oh my!’
‘Finally, a clue!’

Relief, a collective sigh, rippled through the group as they grasped at this newfound understanding.

She’d been upset from the moment she’d arrived. Which meant her current mood wasn't a reflection of their company, or the lackluster tea party. It stemmed from something that had transpired at the Ducal Manor.

And what, exactly, could have possibly upset her within those hallowed halls?

They all reached the same conclusion, their thoughts echoing a silent ‘It’s obvious, isn't it?’

A single figure came to mind.

The boy who didn’t belong, the one who stained the pristine reputation of House Bagrand. The commoner, the outsider, the one Flora refused to acknowledge as family.

Carsein Bagrand.

Who else could possibly be responsible for her current state?

Flora, a fixture at these gatherings, had always used them as a platform to ridicule him, to dissect his every flaw, to paint him as the villain in her carefully constructed narrative.

Her current mood, her sullen silence, had to be a result of some interaction with Carsein.

The noblewomen, their faces brightening with newfound confidence, shifted their attention towards Flora, their voices a chorus of feigned concern.

“Um… Lady Flora?”
“…Yes?”
“You seem rather… out of sorts today. You’re usually so lively at these tea parties.”
“O-Oh, no, that’s not it… I’m just…”

As Flora attempted to deflect their inquiries, her gaze darting nervously, one of the women, seizing the opportunity, reached for her hand, her voice a soothing balm.

“Don’t worry, dear. We understand. It’s not because of our company, is it?”
“Of course not. We know you have other… concerns.”
“Being a member of the Ducal family, you must face… unique challenges. Perhaps even more so because of your… position.”

Their words, a gentle reassurance, a validation of her unspoken anxieties, effectively captured her attention.

The other women, their eyes twinkling with mischief, exchanged knowing glances, silently confirming their plan.

“To be honest, it has been rather… uneventful today. Perhaps even a tad… boring.”
“How about we each invite an additional guest to our next tea party?”
“A guest…?”
“Yes. A friend, an acquaintance, anyone you wish to introduce. It’s always more lively with new faces, don’t you think?”
“It’ll give us something to talk about. And it’s a wonderful opportunity to expand our social circles.”
“Social… circles…”

Flora, lost in thought, repeated the words, their meaning sinking in.

Public perception of Carsein, despite his recent accomplishments, remained unchanged.

He was still considered a commoner, an outsider, an unsuitable addition to the esteemed lineage of House Bagrand.

And she, Flora, was the architect of his tarnished reputation.

But the mention of expanding her social circle sparked a new thought, a flicker of hope.

‘I’ve always used these gatherings to mock and belittle Carsein. But what if I… What if I invited him and told them about the trial, about how he saved me? About how Emma and Theo were the true villains?’

Perhaps their perception of him would shift, their judgment swayed by her testimony.

She could change the narrative, use her influence to repair the damage she’d inflicted upon his reputation.

A glimmer of light, a spark of hope, illuminated Flora’s eyes.

“Yes, let’s do that! For our next tea party, we’ll each bring a guest!”

Perhaps, just perhaps, this act of kindness, this public display of support, would earn her a sliver of his trust.

Flora, her heart filled with anticipation, eagerly awaited the next tea party.

Oblivious to the true intentions of her so-called friends.

***

The final log split cleanly in two, the task completed. A small stat increase, a reward for my efforts, accompanied by a light sheen of sweat on my brow.

I hadn’t given it much thought while I was working, but now, surveying the neatly stacked pile of firewood, a sense of accomplishment washed over me. It would be put to good use, providing warmth to the villagers during the remaining weeks of winter.

As I wiped the sweat from my brow, Dienna’s mother, her expression a mixture of gratitude and anxiety, approached me.

“I-I didn’t intend to burden you with… all of this… I’m so sorry! I only requested enough for a single fire…”

She’d been worried about imposing, about asking for help with such a mundane task, especially considering the shortage of manpower within the village. The firewood, a necessity, used to heat their homes and cook their meals.

And now, seeing the sheer amount I’d chopped, enough to supply the entire village, she was overwhelmed with guilt.

-Ding!

‘…Right on cue.’

An unforeseen choice, triggered by my actions, a deviation from the expected path.

The content, thankfully, seemed straightforward, but I couldn't shake the feeling that this unexpected turn of events might have unforeseen consequences.

I needed to choose carefully, to navigate this situation with the same level of caution I’d employed within the village head’s home. Returning to that safe haven, seeking refuge from this unexpected encounter, was a tempting option.

But this choice, the most logical solution, appeared before me.

[ 1. Consider it payment. ] ☑

“Think of it as… compensation for the room you’ve provided. And let’s not forget the meals I’ll be consuming. This is simply payment for my lodging and food.”
“B-But… Young Master, how can we… ”
“I’m not truly your lord yet, not until you officially recognize me. So I’m technically a guest, and guests, as you know, have obligations.”
“Don’t say such things, Young Master…”

Dienna’s mother waved her hands dismissively, then bristled at the word ‘guest,’ as if that title diminished the significance of his actions.

I understood her reaction. To her, Carsein was more than a casual visitor. He was the man who’d saved her daughter, the one who’d offered a glimmer of hope to their impoverished village.

A compromise, then, a solution that addressed her concerns.

“Then just provide me with a small room. The firewood is already chopped, so you might as well distribute it amongst the villagers.”

-Ding!

▶ Lodging Acquired! ◀
▶ You may now reduce your Fatigue and Sleep Deprivation levels within this location! ◀

She offered no further resistance, accepting my proposal.

Later, as I soaked in the warm bath she’d prepared, the true purpose of her initial request, her desperate attempt to provide a comfortable stay for their new lord, became clear.

Once I was clean and refreshed, I set out to explore the village, a map clutched in my hand.

‘I need to understand their routines, their way of life.’

Camilla’s report, a detailed account of Lusmire’s circumstances, had been accurate and insightful. But there were bound to be discrepancies, subtle differences that could have a significant impact on the episode’s progression.

My choices alone had already triggered unforeseen events, altering the pre-determined path. Dienna, instead of receiving the milk, had been replaced by Delphina. My presence in the village, another unexpected variable.

Observing the villagers, understanding their routines, their interactions, their unspoken anxieties, was crucial.

And I needed to compare Camilla's information with the current reality, to identify any deviations, any shifts that could potentially lead to unforeseen challenges.

As I stepped outside, Camilla, her expression a mixture of amusement and exasperation, materialized beside me.

“Honestly, Young Master, I serve you, and yet, your strategies… they baffle me.”

Her words, delivered before I could even inquire about her presence, her reason for seeking me out, caught me off guard.

…What did she mean?

Confused, I turned towards the source of a sudden commotion, a plume of smoke rising from the outskirts of the village, followed by a chorus of male voices.

“This is all thanks to you, Young Master!”

“Camilla, explain. What’s going on?”
“Lusmire is… prone to attacks from wild beasts. Typically, around this time of day.”
“…Wild beasts?”

Her words, a stark reminder of the dangers lurking beyond the village walls, sent a shiver down my spine. I turned towards the source of the commotion, my gaze drawn to a group of men, armed with crude spears, their faces grim, their voices raised in a battle cry.

Their weapons, sharpened sticks, paled in comparison to the gleaming swords of trained knights, but their stance, their unity, radiated a raw courage.

Camilla, her lips curving into a knowing smile, offered an explanation.

“During my time as caretaker of Lusmire, I never witnessed such… initiative. They’d simply cower in fear, praying for a miracle, their faces etched with despair.”

And yet, now, facing the imminent threat of a beast attack, their fear had been replaced by a defiant roar, a collective rejection of their previous helplessness.

Camilla’s words, their underlying meaning, resonated within my heart. These villagers, once passive, resigned to their fate, reliant on outside intervention, had taken up arms, their spirits ignited by a newfound sense of agency.

‘They’ve finally taken the first step towards self-reliance.’

My actions, my harsh ultimatum, though initially driven by my own anxieties, had inadvertently sparked a change within them, a shift in perspective I’d secretly hoped for.

Of course, I wasn’t about to let them face those beasts unprepared, their bravery outmatched by a formidable foe.

“Camilla, where will those beasts emerge from?”
“Are you planning to intervene, Young Master?”
“Well, just this once. Unnecessary casualties are… undesirable.”

Camilla, her smile widening, pointed towards a narrow path, a passage leading into the forest, a known entry point for the wild beasts.