I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 67

Chapter 67: CHAPTER 1 (1)

[ 1. Prove your innocence to Mark and the other uninformed knights. ] ☑
[ 2. Prove Theo Ramstear's guilt. ] ☑
[ 3. Prevent Radiel and Mark's hasty actions during the probationary period. ] ☑
[ 4. Flora's guilt must exceed 70%. ] ☑

▶All clear conditions for Episode V have been met!◀

-Ding!

▶Episode V: Broken Wings Cleared!◀
▶You have proven your innocence in the training ground during the probationary period!◀
▶Training ground Reputation level has been upgraded to Fame!◀
▶The danger levels of all areas in the training ground have changed!◀
[ 1st Knight Squadron Training Ground: Normal ]

As Radiel revealed the culprit's name, the status window overflowed with notifications, and soon, the episode was cleared.

After that, I didn't bother with anything else and simply left the wash area.

No one in their right mind would try to stop me, expecting me to continue training after such a major incident.

This had effectively eliminated many of Carsein's enemies within the training grounds.

Theo Ramstear and his gang were thrown in jail for their hasty attempt to expel me.

The knights who had looked at me with disdain realized there was more to the situation, especially after Mark and Radiel's involvement, and their attitudes shifted.

As for Flora, Emma's powerful backer, she had collapsed on the spot, utterly pale.

With three major threats eliminated due to the episode clear, I could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

‘Still, I need to tie up the loose ends.’

Even after clearing Episode V in the game, there was always a lingering sense of unease.

Although it began and ended with Flora, there were numerous events tied to her actions, making the clear message feel incomplete.

And it was true.

First, even though Carsein’s name was cleared in the training ground, Theo wouldn’t stay quiet after being imprisoned.

He wouldn’t simply accept being sent to the Empire’s most notorious prison. He would demand a trial, and soon.

Second, Emma, locked away in solitary confinement, would soon be released. And her release would coincide perfectly with Theo’s trial, allowing her to corroborate his claims.

As a result, just like in Carsein’s memories, this would lead to a trial.

Which is why I needed to act quickly.

-Clang!

“H-Huh…!”

“You better not move if you don’t want to die.”

The sixth day. I had to exploit this moment, the moment when Emma, driven to madness by the lack of news from Theo, ordered a maid to fetch her ledger.

“Y-Young Master Carsein…! It’s not me! I didn’t do anything…!”

Even without the sword held to her throat, the maid was terrified. It seemed Emma had threatened her somehow.

▶You have discovered Emma's maid in the old storage warehouse!◀
▶You have acquired items!◀

■Inventory■
▶[ Emma’s Secret Ledger ]
▶[ Emma’s Payment Records ]

‘So that’s where the other two were hidden.’

Talk about hiding in plain sight.

In the game, it seemed like the maid simply handed them over, but there was another one hidden on the other side of the bundle she was carrying.

After securing the documents, I lowered my sword and spoke to the maid.

“Go and give these to Emma.”

“W-What?”

“She threatened you, didn’t she? You were forced to come here. Deliver these, and you’ll be fine.”

“Th-Thank you! Thank you, Young Master!”

The tearful maid bowed her head repeatedly before scurrying away.

▶Reputation within the Ducal Manor has increased!◀

“…Why is my reputation going up because of this?”

Regardless, I had secured the most crucial piece of evidence for Episode VI: The Shapel Forest Retrial.

With this evidence and other information gathered through investigation, I could create choices for myself, leading to a trial where I would face two enemies with nowhere left to run.

“Just a little longer.”

I could rest after the trial.

For the sake of concluding Chapter 1.

And for the sake of ensuring that those bastards would pay for their crimes.

Now was the time for action.

***

“…Hmm?”

Flora slowly opened her eyes with a soft groan.

“Where…?”

The ceiling was unfamiliar. But as the sensation of soft blankets registered in her mind, she couldn't help but sit up.

“Did I… faint?”

Clutching the blankets tightly, she looked around the room.

It wasn’t her room, filled with her belongings.

This room was sparsely furnished, prioritizing practicality over decoration, with only the bare necessities.

It was only when she spotted the sandy training grounds through the window that she realized she had fainted there.

And then…naturally…

The memory of what happened just before she collapsed came flooding back.

-Theo Ramstear… he was the one who stabbed me in the back and framed the young master…

“…”

She gripped the blanket so tightly her knuckles turned white.

What had she done?

The lie she had fabricated out of petty emotions now weighed heavily on her.

Her false testimony had tainted someone’s reputation.

And that prejudice, once spread, continued to spread like wildfire.

It had broken him.

It had clipped his wings.

And she had realized, far too late, that she had been defending the true criminal.

“What… What should I do…?”

There used to be someone she could always turn to for advice. Someone who could soothe her anxieties in an instant.

But now… there was no one.

The kind knight who had always reassured her.

The nanny who had cared for her since childhood, telling her to trust no one but her.

Both had become individuals she absolutely could not trust.

And so, there was no one left to guide her, to tell her what to say to Carsein.

She curled up under the blanket, wanting nothing more than to disappear.

But she couldn’t escape.

No matter how tightly she shut her eyes or covered her ears, the memory of her past actions, the way she had tormented Carsein, continued to haunt her.

Just then, a maid entered the room.

Flora snapped irritably.

“Who is it?! Can’t you see I’m—?”

“My apologies, Lady Flora. I didn’t realize you were awake.”

Flora pushed aside the blanket, thinking it might be one of Emma's maids.

However, it wasn’t.

“You’re…?”

“I was instructed to bring you clothes and refreshments until your maids arrive. I apologize for the intrusion.”

The maid bowed politely before backing away.

She was…

Camilla, Carsein’s maid.

“Please excuse me if I have disturbed you. Your maids should be here shortly. I shall take my leave.”

As Camilla turned to leave, Flora found herself calling out.

“W-Wait! Don’t go!”

Her own maids were all close with Emma.

She couldn’t… She absolutely couldn’t call for them.

“Lady Flora?”

Camilla tilted her head inquisitively.

“There are… a few things I wanted to ask you…”

“Please, go ahead.”

Camilla gestured for her to speak, maintaining a respectful demeanor. Unlike the other maids, there was no forced smile on her face. This, strangely enough, made Flora feel more at ease.

“How long… How long have I been here?” she asked.

“According to the knights, you fainted about three hours ago. I’ve just returned from leave, so I’m afraid I don’t have all the details.”

“Is that so…? So… they haven’t called for other maids…?”

“I deemed it inappropriate to wake you while you were resting, so I intended to call for them now that you are awake.”

“I see. If they haven’t been called yet… Could you please… not call for them just yet…?”

“As you wish.”

It seemed word hadn’t reached the main manor yet.

She had some time.

Besides…

‘…Camilla. Yes, maybe… maybe it’s alright to ask her.’

She couldn’t very well ask those who had manipulated her, those who had bribed the knights and orchestrated his downfall.

But this maid…

Perhaps this maid could offer her genuine advice. Advice on what to say to Carsein.

She didn't hesitate for long. Her tightly pursed lips finally parted.

“How… How were you able to earn Carsein’s forgiveness…?”

-Ding!

▶Flora Bagrand’s Affinity Box has been reactivated!◀
[ Current level: 20% ]

***

Theo Ramstear.

He, along with everyone else involved in the incident at the wash area, had been imprisoned.

However, Carsein had made a crucial mistake.

He had gone too far.

While public opinion had shifted in his favor, aside from the matter of his fiancée’s handkerchief, demanding equality and fairness within the training grounds and during the probationary period wouldn’t normally warrant more than a day's detention.

Theo and his cronies were using this point to their advantage, arguing that their punishment—dismissal and imprisonment in the Thulea Mines—was excessive and fueled by malicious intent.

However…

‘Damn it…! What the hell is going on?!’

No matter how much time passed, there was no sign of his sentence being reduced.

Even if they hadn’t heard his arguments directly, any knight in their right mind would know that the punishment was excessive. Were they ignoring it on purpose?

What was supposed to be a single day of detention had already stretched into the second night.

And the official knights, who had previously shown no interest in Carsein, were not only ignoring his pleas for leniency but had even resorted to violence against the imprisoned trainees.

According to the maid Emma had sent…

-The knights… they’re writing a petition to have Sir Theo sent to the Thulea Mines…

It seemed they were determined to make Theo a criminal.

“Are these bastards insane?!”

How could this be happening?

They were all part of the same Knight Squadron!

Theo had been their junior until recently, and in two months, they would have all been official knights, comrades in arms. Were they really willing to tarnish their own honor by branding someone from their own ranks as a criminal?

Theo lashed out at the prison wall in frustration.

The other knights cowered at his outburst.

“What’s all the commotion about?”

Vice-Captain Mark entered the prison.

Unlike Captain Radiel, this man might be reasonable.

Seeing an opportunity, Theo immediately spoke up.

“I demand a trial to dispute Young Master Carsein’s excessive punishment!”

If he stayed silent, he would be sentenced without a chance to defend himself. He had to gamble.

“I understand that I must face consequences for my actions, but I cannot accept being dismissed from the Knight Squadron, let alone being sent to the Thulea Mines. Please request a formal trial from the Duchess!”

He vividly recalled the look on Carsein’s face when he was stripped of his sword after the trial, the fury barely contained.

And after provoking him a few more times, he was banned from even setting foot in the training grounds.

It was the same now.

Provoke him. Push his buttons.

Public opinion might have shifted, but it wasn’t entirely in his favor. All he needed was to paint Carsein as a liar once more, and things would work out just as before.

This opportunity might even allow him to expel Carsein not just from the training grounds, but from the ducal family altogether.

‘And when that happens, you better be ready, Carsein.’

Theo gritted his teeth.

How dare that bastard injure him and humiliate him like this?

He wouldn't let him get away with it.

“Hmm. Very well. I’ll let them know.”

Mark seemed to consider it for a moment before agreeing and leaving the prison.

The trial would proceed without a hitch.

And in the courtroom, the past would work in his favor.

But then, a thought occurred to him, bringing with it a wave of confusion.

‘Why did that bitch Flora side with Carsein?’

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t understand.

The young lady who had always followed his lead, the naive, easily manipulated daughter of the Duke, was suddenly acting against him?

How could she, someone who despised Carsein with a passion, interfere and summon the other official knights?

“H-Hey… Theo. We’re… We’re gonna be okay, right?”

This idiot!

Of course they were not okay!

His question only fueled Theo’s irritation.

-Thwack!

“Gah!”

“You… little…! Shit…!”

Theo didn’t stop until the subordinate who had dared to ask such a stupid question was on the verge of unconsciousness.

***

Three days had passed.

The final ultimatum period for Episode V had ended, and the probationary period went smoothly. If it weren’t for the incident, I would have been promoted to apprentice knight by now.

There was no longer any danger lurking within the training grounds.

However, I couldn’t afford to relax. I had to prepare for the upcoming Episode VI.

After apprehending Emma’s maid and swapping the documents, I needed to gather more evidence to unlock additional choices.

Which is why, once again, I found myself leaving the dormitory…

““We apologize, Young Master Carsein!””

The moment I stepped out, the knights greeted me with a booming chorus, their voices echoing down the hallway.

…Every single one of them was on their knees, heads bowed, hands behind their backs.

“Please punish us for suspecting you!”

““Punish us!””

Led by Mark, they chanted the last part in unison.

What the hell was going on?

I initially thought it was some sort of group hallucination, but as I looked closer, I realized that every single official knight was present.

The sheer absurdity of the situation made my head spin.

But if that wasn’t overwhelming enough, more unexpected guests arrived.

“Young Master, we have been expecting you.”

Heron, the butler, walked towards me, his arms laden with documents, followed by Shaiden, the physician, carrying his medical kit.

Both of them bowed their heads respectfully.

And then…

-Click, click.

The distinct sound of heels echoed through the hallway.

Luxurious purple silk flowed like water with each graceful step.

Finally, the rhythmic clicking stopped.

“I hear there are those who dared to doubt the bond between you and I, my dear Carsein.”

Harnie greeted me with a sweet smile.

Why was she here?

The game was deviating further and further from the original storyline.