I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 70

Chapter 70: CHAPTER 1 (4)

“You’re speaking out of line. It wasn’t standard training! He wasn’t given special treatment; he trained alongside the other knights, with the same intensity, from the very beginning! How dare you speak without knowing the facts?”
Claire’s outburst silenced the gossiping nobles, forcing them to clear their throats awkwardly.
“He should be receiving all the support he needs, not getting himself injured!”
However, before Claire could continue her tirade, a barrier materialized before her, a warning from Princess Arsienne, amplified by the Judgment Orb’s power.
“Control yourself, Claire Bagrand.”
“But they are making baseless accusations…!”
“It is not your place to refute them. Carsein will handle it.”
“….”
Silenced by the Princess’s reprimand, Claire reluctantly closed her mouth.
But her intervention had been effective.
“The rest of you would do well to remember where you are. This is a courtroom, not a gossip circle.”
The warning was directed not only at Claire but at the instigators in the audience as well.
The room fell silent, the gossipmongers finally intimidated into silence.
“…Damn it.”
Theo’s carefully crafted facade crumbled as he realized his plan was falling apart.
And then…
▶Completion rate increasing!◀
[ Completion Rate: 12% ]
Thanks to Claire’s timely intervention, the completion rate had increased significantly.
‘The choices… They don’t matter anymore.’
Claire had already spoken, diverting the focus away from the initial accusations.
“Carsein, do you wish to refute these claims?”
I replied, opting to hear Theo out first.
“Continue.”
“Y-Yes, Your Highness!”
Theo, struggling to conceal his frustration, continued his argument.
“There were ample reasons to be suspicious. Our actions, the investigation, the confiscation… it was all justified to ensure fairness. Everyone was suspicious! Furthermore—”
As anticipated, both in the game and in this twisted reality, Theo resorted to attacking Carsein’s reputation.
He claimed that Carsein had a history of wrongdoing, that such behavior was to be expected, and that no one in the Knight Squadron believed he was capable of change.
All except for the one detail that shattered their carefully constructed narrative: His fiancée’s handkerchief.
“Oh dear…”
“My word…”
“If we view their actions as a necessary investigation, a preventative measure to ensure the integrity of the Knight Squadron… Then perhaps their actions were justified…”
“Of course… We were completely unaware that he… that he actually had a fiancée…”
Unease rippled through the audience once more.
It was a precarious situation.
Choices appeared, urging me to act.
But it was alright.
Everything was unfolding according to the script, the script I knew so well.
“Carsein. Will you raise an objection?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Princess Arsienne granted me permission without hesitation.
The time for choices had arrived.
[ 1. I am not just a trainee; I am a member of the Bagrand ducal family. ]
“Theo Ramstear, you seem to see me as nothing more than a trainee. But the fact remains that you stole my fiancée’s handkerchief from my pouch. And from that moment onwards, I ceased to be a mere trainee; I became Carsein Bagrand.”
“…!”
“Surely you understand, Theo Ramstear, as the son of Baron Ramstear, as a nobleman yourself, that stealing a fiancée’s handkerchief cannot be excused by such flimsy justifications.”
-Ding!
▶Theo Ramstear's first argument has been refuted!◀
▶Completion rate increased by 7%!◀
Emma, sensing Theo’s faltering defense, jumped to his aid.
“But you must consider the young master’s past actions. Even taking into account his anger over the handkerchief, this is simply the consequence of his own actions.”
“Th-That’s right! As we’ve said before, we all had reason to be suspicious of the young master.”
“He might claim it was about the handkerchief, but he has a long history of misconduct. We believe leniency should be considered in this instance.”
As Harnie had predicted, once I established my position as a nobleman, Theo couldn't continue arguing that I was merely a trainee. Instead, he resorted to attacking my past reputation.
Too bad for him, I had anticipated this move.
“Your Highness, if they were fully aware of my reputation, as they claim, and still chose to steal my belongings, does that warrant leniency?”
“No. It was still theft, and they had no right to touch your belongings without your permission. You have every right to seek justice.”
“In that case, I intend to hold someone accountable for stealing my belongings. And that someone… is her.”
I pointed a finger, directing all eyes towards a pale and trembling Emma.
“You are accusing the Head Maid of stealing your belongings?”
“It was not just any belongings; she stole from the ducal family. While it might seem similar to Theo Ramstear’s case, the Head Maid herself revealed her prejudiced view of me.”
“Hmm… In that case, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to seek punishment right here and now.”
Emma rose to her feet, her voice laced with indignation.
“That’s preposterous! When did I ever steal from the Young Master?!”
“You certainly did. And the evidence is undeniable.”
“W-What?!”
“I present this evidence for the court’s consideration.”
▶Using Emma’s Payment Records as evidence!◀
As I presented the documents, Princess Arsienne gestured to a servant, instructing him to deliver them to her. She scanned them, her brow furrowing in confusion.
“This appears to be a payment record from the Duchy.”
“Indeed. While only two people are authorized to manage such documents, the Head Maid also has access to specific records, including this one.”
“I see. But… Hmm…”
Princess Arsienne hesitated.
At first glance, the document seemed perfectly legitimate.
But there was a flaw.
A flaw I was counting on.
[ 3. Summon Claire Bagrand as a witness. ]
“I request to call a witness. To verify the authenticity of this record, I wish to call Claire Bagrand to the stand.”
“Huh? Me?”
“Hmm…”
Princess Arsienne pondered my request.
It was understandable. After all, Claire had just been reprimanded.
“If you require a witness from the Duchy, perhaps someone else could take her place. Your mother, Duchess Isabella, or your elder sister, Arina Bagrand, could testify instead.”
“That won't do, Your Highness.”
“And why is that?”
“Because they wouldn’t be able to identify the flaw in that record. Only Claire can.”
Both Isabella and Arina sighed in exasperation, failing to grasp my reasoning.
However, I had a plan, and Claire was crucial to its success.
Princess Arsienne, after issuing another warning to Claire, allowed her to take the stand and handed her the document.
“What are your thoughts, Claire?”
“I cannot confirm anything based on this document alone. However… I present this as additional evidence.”
A large chest was brought into the courtroom by the knights.
“Open it.”
The knights nodded and lifted the heavy lid.
-Creak. Thud!
“We have cash, gloves, wrist guards, a pocket watch, a mirror… Even jewelry and other valuables… Quite an assortment.”
“These were all found in the old storage warehouse of the First Knight Squadron. Hidden away in a rather… suspicious location.”
The chest was filled with the items discovered in the warehouse.
Claire, observing the contents, quickly covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes darting back and forth, calculating.
Claire ran a successful boutique. She was sharp, with a keen eye for fashion and an exceptional ability to assess the value of goods. Her boutique was currently the most popular establishment in the Empire.
And with her expertise, she wouldn't miss the discrepancy in the document.
She meticulously examined the items in the chest, comparing them to the records, her expression hardening with each passing moment.
“…Damn it.”
A low curse escaped her lips.
Fortunately, I was the only one who heard it.
Just a single muttered curse? She was holding back quite a bit for someone like Claire.
▶Claire has identified the discrepancy in the document!◀
▶Completion rate increased!◀
[ Current value: 38% ]
After what felt like an eternity, Claire took a deep breath, composing herself.
Her jaw clenched, her fists tightened, her eyes burning with barely suppressed fury. She looked like she wanted to strangle Emma.
“The value of the items in that chest perfectly matches a specific entry in this document.”
“And what entry is that?”
“It’s Carsein’s allowance.”
““What?!””
The courtroom erupted.
The implication was clear.
If Claire was correct, it meant Emma had embezzled Carsein’s allowance, and those funds had ended up in the possession of the knights.
And the fact that the amount matched the record in the ledger was incredibly incriminating.
Emma’s face paled, her composure shattered, while Princess Arsienne let out a humorless chuckle, a mixture of disbelief and amusement.
“W-What does that even mean?! It could be a coincidence!”
Emma, unable to remain silent, blurted out, her words betraying her mounting panic.
Her desperate attempt to defend herself was music to my ears.
“…Has Young Master Carsein ever indulged in extravagant spending?”
“No… In fact, he always wore clothes that… that didn’t quite fit him.”
“He would often appear in public wearing outdated or ill-fitting clothes.”
“I’ve seen Lady Claire scold him for his poor fashion choices.”
“If the reason behind his shabby attire is… embezzlement…”
The audience was filled with nobles. Nobles who had observed Carsein's attire with a critical eye.
And in this instance, they all became witnesses.
“What does any of that have to do with this?! I could have simply distributed the funds amongst the lower-ranking staff! It’s a common practice!”
Bingo.
This activated a specific choice.
“Emma, if the funds you managed ended up in that warehouse, doesn’t it suggest a connection? A collaboration, perhaps? Perhaps to silence certain individuals… or to… persuade them to alter their reports…?”
“W-What are you suggesting?!”
“I request to call Captain Radiel, Vice-Captain Mark, and Sir Carlton, representing the official knights, as witnesses.”
The three knights soon arrived.
As pre-arranged, they testified about the incident at the wash area, revealing the coordinated efforts of the trainee knights.
Furthermore, an investigation into the trainees’ quarters uncovered items far exceeding their salaries, providing further evidence of their illicit activities.
“Y-Your Highness! May we also offer our testimony?!”
“We wish to speak! As servants of the Bagrand Duchy!”
More witnesses stepped forward, emboldened by the unfolding events.
They were the ones whose affinity I had diligently cultivated.
Despite Emma’s furious glare, they stood their ground, and when Princess Arsienne granted them permission to speak, they revealed the existence of hidden ledgers within the ducal manor.
▶Additional event triggered due to high reputation within the Duchy!◀
[ Servant testimonies and evidence acquired. ]
‘…This is the result of raising affinity?’
The evidence I had spent countless hours searching for had been right under my nose all along.
Regardless, with this additional information, Emma’s carefully crafted defenses crumbled.
The Ducal Manor. The training grounds. The embezzled funds.
All the pieces fit perfectly.
“It seems the rumors about the Head Maid’s generosity towards the lower-ranking staff have reached even the Imperial Palace. Who knew it was all fueled by her master’s stolen funds?”
“Y-Your Highness, that is not true! I… I…”
Trapped, with nowhere left to turn, she stammered, desperately searching for a way out.
She needed Flora. Flora’s support was her only hope.
But Flora was nowhere to be seen.
‘Why? Why isn’t she here when I need her the most?! In that case…!’
She turned to Theo, pleading with her eyes, expecting him to help, to repay her past favors.
However…
“Ah, just to clarify, this has nothing to do with me.”
“W-What?”
“Your arguments seemed… similar.”
“There’s a huge difference between similar and identical!”
Theo, without hesitation, severed all ties with Emma.
“I had no idea such things were happening… I will, of course, return everything I received. How unfortunate… To think the Head Maid would stoop to such lows, bribing me with stolen funds… I thought she was simply being kind…”
“Theo Ramstear! How dare you…! You… You betrayed me?!”
“Hmm… Regardless of your claims, Emma Urnen, you swore before the Judgment Orb to tell the truth. And now, your lies have been exposed.”
“No, Your Highness! I… Aaaaargh!”
-Sizzle.
The power of the Judgment Orb surged, branding Emma’s face with a mark that signified her lies.
“Remove this criminal from the courtroom.”
Princess Arsienne ordered the guards to take Emma Urnen, now branded a criminal, away.
▶Emma Urnen’s crimes have been proven!◀
▶You have successfully removed this character from the Duchy!◀
▶Completion rate significantly increased!◀
[ Completion Rate: 50% ]
“No! It’s all a lie! A wicked scheme concocted by that wretch! Your Highness! Your Highness!”
Emma’s cries echoed through the courtroom as she was dragged away, her dignity shattered.
Theo, now alone, cleared his throat.
“Hmm… To think such a deceitful individual was working right under our noses… I thought our arguments were somewhat aligned, but…”
He had successfully distanced himself from Emma. By severing their connection, he hoped to bury the evidence of her bribe, the evidence that linked him to the plot to expel Carsein.
However, he wasn’t off the hook just yet.
“I now present evidence proving that Theo Ramstear is the true culprit behind Radiel’s attack.”
He had just stepped into a trap of his own making.

***

Harnie smiled, observing Carsein as he skillfully dismantled his opponents’ arguments, exploiting their weaknesses with surgical precision.
‘I was prepared to intervene if things got dicey, but it seems he’s doing quite well on his own.’
The truth was, Carsein was in a precarious position.
He couldn't simply dismiss the past incidents as fabricated; there was too much evidence stacked against him. He had to navigate his current ambiguous status as both trainee and nobleman, to defeat his opponents while balancing those two conflicting roles.
He had to gather evidence while lacking allies and resources.
And the very structure of the trial painted him as a powerful figure using his influence to oppress the weak, a narrative easily believed by the noble audience.
Even Harnie’s presence as his fiancée could only offer limited support, unable to address the core issue of his past accusations.
But Carsein, despite the odds stacked against him, hadn’t missed a single detail, a single opportunity Harnie had highlighted.
He had exceeded her expectations, turning every challenge into an advantage.
He had meticulously analyzed his opponents' arguments, identified their flaws, and dismantled their carefully constructed narratives. He had turned challenges into opportunities, turning the tables on them with calculated precision.
And now, he had cornered one of his enemies, weaving a web of evidence that would ensure her downfall.
‘Just how far ahead has he planned all of this?’
She couldn’t help but marvel at his strategic brilliance.
“You claim I am the culprit, Young Master Carsein? But then how do you explain your sword, imbued with your own magical energy…?”
“That’s irrelevant. There was a clear gap in skill between you and Radiel. To even consider the possibility of you landing a blow, she would have had to be caught off guard, distracted… Perhaps protecting someone. And given the location of the wound, on her back, it seems likely she was shielding someone from harm.”
Even Princess Arsienne seemed to have grasped the truth behind the incident.
It was clear that this trial would soon end in Carsein’s victory.
As Harnie smiled, watching him confidently navigate the courtroom, the Marquis addressed her, his voice low and sharp.
“Hmph… It seems our family won’t face any repercussions from this incident. However, you will break off this engagement yourself, Harnie.”
“…Father…”
“He’s nothing more than a commoner. You, despite your… circumstances… are still of noble blood.”
“This is my engagement, Father.”
“Tsk. Instead of spouting such nonsense, you should focus on what benefits our family. Have you achieved anything since that day?”
The Marquis’s voice dripped with disapproval.
“Conceal your origins and live as a true noblewoman. Only then can you, and our family, enjoy a life of privilege and abundance.”
“…”
Harnie had much to say.
But she held her tongue.
‘Despicable…’
The Theresia Marquisate had never truly accepted her as family.