I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 81

Chapter 81: A Tiny Sprout (3)

The sound of shattering glass coincided with the look of sheer panic on the servant's face.

Well, considering I'd just smashed into him after accusing him of not watching where he was going, he had every right to be surprised.

But I seemed to have found the right target.

[ Kiyan ]
[ Affinity: -35% ]

Below his name was the ash-grey affinity box. The -35% clearly indicated hostility towards Carsein.

However, this Kiyan character didn't just harbor animosity towards Carsein alone.

▶ You have found someone who has infiltrated the party disguised as a servant!◀
[ Be careful! This encounter may lead to unforeseen events within the party! ]

The description appearing below hinted at someone planning to disrupt the party.

And in actuality, that was precisely the case.

This character, Kiyan, would later be caught attempting to sabotage the party. Even while ultimately choosing to take his own life, his final act would be a blatant display of rage towards the aristocracy.

In other words, this wasn't just about one person's hatred for Carsein.

It was about hatred for the nobility as a whole. Anger stemming from past events.

This act of sabotage was another branch in the storyline, a flag signaling the beginning of an episode for the player.

And I intended to resolve it right here, right now.

“You three, follow me.”

I beckoned to Kiyan and two other nearby waiters, who exchanged uneasy glances before reluctantly following behind me.

▶This location is a Warning Zone!◀
[ Be careful as unexpected choices may appear depending on the situation. ]

'A Warning Zone, huh? This should be sufficient.'

For Carsein to venture into a Warning Zone wasn't exactly a wise move for the player.

However, considering the current situation, what would happen?

This was an area used by nobles, and even more specifically, by Carsein Bagrand. It was highly unlikely any other servant would intrude.

The same applied to the nobles. Still reeling from my cheesy display of affection, they wouldn't dare approach me directly unless triggered by something specific.

Therefore, ironically, this place was the most suitable location to have a discreet conversation with these three.

After all, I was simply a young lord reprimanding his servants.

Taking a deep breath, I glanced at the three ash-grey boxes displaying -35% affinity and spoke directly.

“I know why you're here. Stop whatever you're planning, it's for your own good.”
“Young Master, we honestly don't know what you’re─”

I cut him off.

“This lung. You planted them along the road, didn't you? Hoping to frighten the horses, overturn carriages, and cause injuries. Am I wrong?”
“...!”
“And I know you’ve tampered with something within the party venue as well. What better way to disrupt this event than with a carriage crashing into the party after a staged horse incident?”

The servants’ demeanor shifted dramatically.
My words, accurately pinpointing their intentions and blocking their escape route, were met with a flicker of panic in their eyes.

-Ding!

▶Warning! There are individuals with hostile intentions nearby!◀

I knew.
I knew provoking them like this wasn't the safest course of action.

But there was another way.

“Count Modric. It was him, wasn't it?”
“...Excuse me?”
“The man who injured your villagers and then had the audacity to try and punish you for it.”
“How did you...”
“In the East, besides Count Modric, who else would use the road through Lusmire? And who else would be foolish enough to commit such a blatant act?”

The game might have been vague on the details, but I had done my research in preparation for the Eastern Nobles’ Conference.

These people were residents of Lusmire.
A village located within the eastern territories, belonging to no specific house and generally considered an isolated, forgotten land.

Due to its geographical location, Lusmire was practically abandoned.

This small stretch of land had a history of being caught in territorial disputes, and its current designation as a borderland meant it fell under no specific house’s jurisdiction.

While self-sufficiency might be possible, the land held no real value apart from the road leading to this party. With no exploitable resources, poverty was a given for its inhabitants.

And yet, despite offering passage through their only valuable asset, they were subjected to Count Modric’s tyranny. Their anger was understandable.

They had likely sought assistance from surrounding territories, only to be met with indifference from every noble house.

“Why should we get involved? It'll just increase our tax burden.”
"There's no benefit to incorporating such a worthless territory, only financial drain."

In short, they were completely isolated.

“So what? You're going to stop us even after revealing you know everything?”
“Yes.”
“Don't underestimate us. Even if you're the young master of the Bagrand Duchy, the three of us can overpower you!”
“We're already past the point of no return. We came here to seek revenge against these nobles. Even if it costs us our lives, we're not afraid!”

▶The three servants have become hostile. You can now attack and subdue them!◀

Compared to my previous encounters with Bruce and Theo Ramstear, dealing with these three would be relatively easy.

I could subdue them and alert the guards, removing them from the party.

But that wasn't the right way to clear this sub-episode.

“Catch.”
“Huh...?”

-Whoosh!

With a flick of my wrist, a pouch soared through the air, landing squarely in the chest of the servant standing in the middle.

Confused, they cautiously opened it while keeping a wary eye on me.

“W-What is this?!”
“Gold coins?! This many?!”
“...What are you planning?”
“Your priority should be seeking help for the injured villager. Causing a scene here will only make things worse for Lusmire.”
“Are you trying to silence us with money?”
“No. This isn’t hush money. It’s my promise that you won’t be abandoned any longer.”
“What do you...?”

The three servants stared at me, bewildered, then nervously swallowed.

“Lusmire will soon belong to the Bagrand Duchy.”

This was the correct way to clear this sub-episode.
And also, the best way to ensure it wouldn't disrupt the main storyline.

The solution was to purchase the territory of Lusmire beforehand.

***

■ Reward
[ Ivory Twine ]

‘Well, that’s one problem out of the way.’

This twine, crafted from the tough, durable straw unique to the Lusmire region, was a symbol of trust, given only to those deemed worthy by its people.

Possessing this meant that upon my next visit, I wouldn't be met with suspicion.

It was a good harvest.

Moreover, I'd gained valuable insight.

Unlike Chapter 1, Chapter 2 involved activities outside the Ducal Manor, requiring the player to actively seek out and resolve episodes in advance.

Although I'd wondered if it was possible to complete them out of sequence, my question had now been answered.

▶ You have unlocked a main episode branching from the sub-episode!◀
▶ The Lusmire villagers will leave the party without incident!◀
▶ You have successfully triggered an outcome exceeding the given choices!◀
▶ Episode I: Lusmire’s Isolation will be designated as a main episode!◀

‘This confirms it. I’m not bound to clearing the main episodes in the order dictated by the system. I can choose my own sequence.’

I had replayed the game hundreds of times, yet I had only focused on the immediate threats, obsessing over choices and affinity levels.

Looking back, it was almost laughable how I'd never considered this possibility. A classic case of not seeing the forest for the trees.

‘Well, no use dwelling on the past. I have other matters to attend to.’

The situation at the party still required my attention.

Returning with the drinks, I found Harnie clutching her head as if in distress.

“Harnie?”
“Eek!”

I hadn't even spoken loudly, yet she flinched as if startled.

And why did her reaction seem so... predictable?

Pushing aside my apprehension, I cautiously asked,

“...How did it go?”
“W-Well... I’m sorry, Carsein.”

My ominous premonition proved to be accurate.
Harnie avoided my gaze, apologizing profusely.

It seemed even after all her efforts on the terrace, she hadn't found a way to salvage the situation.

‘So, in the end, I have to become the male lead in this medieval drama, don’t I?’

… Damn it.
It seemed I had no other choice.

My only option was to channel the power of K-Drama, drown these nobles in a vat of their own smugness, then make my escape.

As I stepped back into the party, the event was in full swing.
Harnie and I, having become the main attraction, were at the center of everyone’s attention.

This time, it seemed they wouldn’t let go so easily.

A group of noblewomen, fans held delicately before their faces, approached us with thinly veiled malice.

“We understand how deeply you care for Lady Harnie, Young Master Carsein. Which is why we're even more curious.”
“Lady Harnie seemed to be avoiding our previous questions, so we'd appreciate it if you could answer instead. Starting with your first date.”
“Tell us about the location of your first date. We heard it was somewhere unfamiliar to us. Was it a romantic setting?”
“Surely, it must have been a location befitting your status. You wouldn't frequent the same places as commoners, would you?”
“We heard you planned the perfect date itinerary. She said it was one of the happiest days of her life.”

Their questions, though seemingly harmless at first glance, held a hidden barb.
Their smiles didn’t reach their eyes, replaced instead with a calculating glint.

“Please, do enlighten us. After all, we wouldn't want to fall behind the trends set by the esteemed heirs of the Bagrand and Theresia houses, would we?”

They’d effectively trapped me.
By invoking our family names and referring to our relationship as a trendsetter, they’d issued a challenge, demanding a response worthy of our supposed status.

'I thought I could brush them off with some cheesy lines, but it seems I won't even need to bother.'

No, to be more precise, I couldn't afford to let them off so easily.

They likely had their own set of unwritten rules when it came to courtship, specific locations, and activities deemed appropriate for nobles.

Harnie's unfamiliarity with such customs had given them an opening, allowing them to expose her supposed shortcomings while simultaneously setting a trap for me.

However, this actually worked to my advantage, giving me the perfect opportunity to shatter their carefully constructed social norms.

“The Snowflake Festival.”
“Excuse me?”
“You must be joking! The Snowflake Festival?”
“Are you saying you took her to that…commoners' street on your first date?”

Snickers rippled through the group of noblewomen. The men, sensing an opportunity, moved closer, ready to pounce. How dare a gentleman subject his fiancée to such a…commonplace location?

“That wretched street for your first date… how… quaint.”
“We were wondering where you could have possibly taken her, considering how she boasted about it. So it was just that?”
“One could mistake you for a commoner with such pedestrian tastes.”

They laughed, their mockery echoing around us.

“How amusing. So you’re implying that we should all conform to your rigid standards, visiting the same tired locations and following the same predictable routines?”
“W-Well, that’s not… ”
“Shouldn't nobles behave in a manner befitting their station?"

Yes, this was precisely what I'd been aiming for.

They saw me as a commoner, unworthy of their company.
Someone undeserving of their respect, someone to be ostracized and falsely accused.

And that's why I was going to exploit their prejudice, turning their own game against them.

-BAM!

“I've had enough of this disrespect! Do you have any idea who you're speaking to? This is practically a declaration of war against House Bagrand!"

I slammed my hand against the table, my voice ringing with authority.

“W-What? We would never! We’re simply… interested in your relationship…!”
“Then tell me, since when do I, along with my fiancée, answer to the likes of you and follow your pre-approved schedule?!”

Go on, say it again, I dare you.
You bunch of hypocrites.