I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 63

Chapter 63: Broken Wings (8)

Emma’s instructions had been simple:

Get rid of Carsein at the training ground.

There were no other conditions, no elaborate plans.

It was almost disappointingly easy. So easy, in fact, that the knights she had hired were already daydreaming about what they would spend their reward money on.

For the first two days, they had toyed with him, subtly making his life difficult. On the third day, they even organized a gambling den, using the opportunity to earn some extra money while they bided their time.

However, Isabella’s arrival had thrown a wrench into their plans.

On the fourth day, Arina had shown up.

On the fifth day, it had been Claire.

Theo was starting to panic. He had initially planned to exploit the knights’ “initiation ritual” to get rid of Carsein, but how could he possibly do that with the Duchess and her daughters breathing down his neck?

And Carsein, despite it all, was persevering. He might have collapsed from exhaustion every day, but he hadn’t missed a single training session.

‘Damn it. Someone’s bound to show up tomorrow too.’

As Theo made his way to Emma’s quarters, he braced himself for a tongue-lashing.

He wasn’t wrong. Emma’s eyes were blazing as she addressed him.

“You haven't reported back in three days, so I assume you’ve successfully removed Carsein from the equation.”

Theo hesitated before answering, his voice barely a whisper.

“…Not yet.”

“What?!”

Emma shot up from her chair, her face contorted with rage.

“What do you mean ‘not yet’? How hard is it to get rid of a single peasant?!”

“…”

Theo remained silent, knowing anything he said would only fuel her anger.

“A knight, incapable of disposing of a single boy? Unable to punish a single guilty soul?! Are you even fit to wear that uniform?!”

“Look, it hasn’t even been a full week yet!”

“And what happens when it has? By then, he’ll have endured, he'll have completed all seven days of training!”

If Carsein completed the full seven days, he would officially become an apprentice knight, free to roam the training grounds as he pleased. That was what terrified Emma.

“Don’t tell me… are you betraying me? You think you can cross me and get away with it?!”

“Of course not!”

Theo snapped back, his patience wearing thin.

“Head Maid, calm down! Do you have any idea how difficult it is to… to do anything with those sisters constantly watching? Lady Flora will be there tomorrow. We’ll take care of it then.”

“What?”

“The Duchess visited on the third day. Lady Arina on the fourth. Lady Claire on the fifth. Who’s next in line?”

Theo’s words seemed to placate Emma, if only slightly. He wasn't entirely sure himself, but the prospect of Lady Flora’s visit offered a glimmer of hope.

“…Are you certain? About Lady Flora visiting the training ground?”

“Absolutely. It's all anyone at the manor is talking about.”

It made sense. They hadn't been able to act with the Duchess and the other sisters present.

“So what’s the plan?”

Theo swallowed nervously at Emma’s question.

To be honest, he was running out of options. Claire had either chased away or completely demoralized his usual cronies. He hadn't had time to recruit replacements, and with Bruce’s humiliating defeat, the tide of public opinion was starting to turn.

All he could do now was stall for time, sharing what little he knew.

“I can’t speak for the other two, but with Lady Flora present… well, let’s just say he stands no chance. He brought a bag with him to the barracks. Something he’s quite attached to. I'm sure we can put it to good use.”

“That’s it?”

“Don’t underestimate it. Once we have him riled up, it'll be easy to exaggerate a few things.”

Days of pent-up anxiety and frustration had taken their toll on Emma. A flimsy plan like that wouldn’t be enough to soothe her nerves.

“No. You need to act before then.”

“What?”

“Lady Flora’s presence will work in our favor. Plant something on him. One of the gifts you received. Then call for a duel, a trial by combat. Settle this the knights' way.”

Realization dawned on Theo, and he swallowed hard.

‘She’s right. Lady Flora has been showering us with gifts. We can easily make it look like he stole something… and then challenge him to a duel…’

They could use this to turn the tide of public opinion back in their favor, even if they lost the duel itself.

However, the risks were high. They could fabricate a theft, but with a public duel… failure wasn’t an option.

Emma, misinterpreting his hesitation, leaned forward, her gaze like ice.

“Let me make this clear, Theo Ramstear: if he isn’t dealt with, we’re both finished. I don’t care how you do it, just make sure it’s done by the end of the day. Break his arm, his leg… just get rid of him.”

A shiver ran down Theo’s spine.

Was it really that urgent?

But one look at Emma’s face told him everything he needed to know.

She was serious. If it came down to it, they could easily spin the narrative, shift the blame onto Carsein. But threatening to cripple him… that was a line she wouldn't cross unless absolutely necessary. Unless she had something to hide, something that could be used against her.

“If word gets out about where that money came from… it'll be over for all of us. Do I make myself clear?”

“…Crystal,” Theo mumbled, wiping his sweaty palms on his trousers before practically fleeing the room.

“Aaaagh! That wretched, good-for-nothing…”

Crash!

Emma, in a fit of rage, swept her arm across the table, sending a glass of water flying. Shards of glass rained down on her, a thin line of blood appearing on her cheek as a shard grazed her skin.

But physical pain was the least of her worries.

Squeeze.

She clutched a small, nondescript notebook in her hand, her knuckles turning white.

“We need to get rid of him. This time… for good.”

***

The fifth day came to an end.

It had been exhausting. I might have been getting used to it, but these drills were still too much for Carsein’s body. And as if that wasn’t enough, I’d had to deal with Bruce.

As I completed the last of the day’s exercises, I found myself, once again, drenched in sweat.

And yet… I wasn’t tired. Not really.

“…”

I stared down at my hands.

Calluses. Small, rough patches of skin, testament to hours spent gripping a sword.

They weren't Carsein’s.

They were mine.

“…It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

Looking at those calluses brought back memories.

I used to attend a kendo dojo. Back when I was still naïve.

And foolishly running away from home.

It had been raining that day. A woman had approached me, holding out an umbrella.

She had taken me to the dojo, offering me food and shelter. And like an idiot, I had lied, telling her I wanted to learn swordsmanship, that I didn’t want to go back home…

Gripping a sword again after all this time… it brought it all back. I sighed, glancing up at the sky.

“Thanks, Hyunseong. Yoonji.”

If it hadn't been for them, for the skills they had taught me… I would have been the one lying defeated on that sparring ground.

“But I won. I showed him what happens when you underestimate your opponent.”

Hyunseong, who always told me to never lose to punks, and Yoonji, who  often scolded Hyunseong and taught me techniques I could use legally.

I wondered what they were up to now. It felt good to finally thank them, even if they couldn’t hear me.

Mother and eldest sister had paid them a visit after that incident with the school bully, offering them a hefty sum to never accept me back at the dojo.

I hadn’t seen them since. I had been forbidden from contacting them. Apparently, they had accused them of teaching me how to pick fights, turning me into a delinquent.

It had been years since I had last held a sword.

But now…

“…Here, I can keep going, can’t I?”

I wasn't opposed to the idea. It might not have been the kendo I knew, but it felt right.

And in this world, no one could stop me.

Besides, it wouldn’t hurt to have a way to defend myself.

Ding!

▶You have successfully overcome the challenges of the fifth day!◀
▶Your actions have yielded unexpected results!◀
■Reward:
[ Danger levels within the training ground have been reduced! ]
[ Restricted → Caution, Caution → Normal ]

▶Conditions met! The "Broken Wings" episode will now be divided into two parts!◀
▶Episode V, "Broken Wings (Part One)" has been cleared! Proceeding to Episode V, "Broken Wings (Part Two)"!◀
▶Warning! Unseen threats remain!◀
▶The threat level of certain characters has increased!◀
[ Caution: Theo Ramstear, Bruce Ivan ]
[ Danger: Emma Urnen ]

Notifications flooded my vision as the fifth day came to a close. I had navigated an unfamiliar episode, "Broken Wings," but thankfully, it hadn't deviated too much from what I remembered. If anything, its familiarity had worked in my favor.

It had been another grueling day, but I had persevered. And it was paying off. The knights were starting to see me in a different light.

The gray boxes that had hovered over their heads were fading, replaced by a clean, white slate. My victory against Bruce had earned me their respect.

I had secured a strategic advantage. I had a plan.

Now, all that remained was the final choice.

▶Where would you like to go?
[ 1. Mark’s Office ]
[ 2. Knight Glenn’s Quarters ]
[ 3. The Dining Hall ]
[ 4. The Sparring Arena ]
[ 5. Radiel’s Training Grounds ]
[ 6. Carsein’s Quarters ]

How would I end the fifth day? The system presented me with a choice: to seek out an ally and prepare for what lay ahead.

With the increased threat levels of Bruce, Theo, and Emma, I needed to act quickly.

But there was something off about this.

Why was I limited to a single location? To gather information, to find allies… I needed to be able to move.

‘I won’t be constrained by your choices.’

Instead of selecting a location, I waited.

As I had anticipated, no warning messages popped up. No timers appeared. And then… I spotted them.

“Look, there’s someone over there. Radiel.”

“Young Master? Could that be Young Master Carsein?”

Mark and Radiel hurried towards me.

Perfect. I didn’t need to choose. I could inform them both at the same time.

“Considering my opponent was Bruce, I trust you’re both aware that someone’s been pulling strings at the training ground?”

“Indeed,” Mark replied, his expression grim. “However, we still have a few questions.”

“Such as?”

“You said you were prepared this time, Young Master, but we’re not sure we understand how you plan to clear your name.”

It seemed Radiel had been thorough.

“It’s not safe to talk here. We need to move.”

Mark and Radiel exchanged glances before nodding in agreement.

***

Carsein insisted they relocate, and Mark, though wary, followed.

This wasn’t a conversation to be had out in the open. Discussing such matters within the confines of the Knight Squadron could have unforeseen consequences. They needed a secure location.

But as they followed Carsein, Mark couldn't help but frown.

‘I knew the Duke's secret was somehow connected to all of this, but…’

This wasn’t the way to any of the usual meeting spots.

He lowered his voice, leaning closer to Radiel.

“Radiel, did he tell you anything? In private?”

“Hm?”

“About any of this.”

Radiel shook her head.

“But where is he taking us…?”

They were approaching the old storage warehouse, a dilapidated building abandoned after a recent renovation.

As if confirming his suspicions, Carsein stopped in front of the warehouse and pulled out a key, inserting it into the rusted lock.

Clank!

The door creaked open, revealing the dusty interior. Carsein turned to face them, his expression unreadable.

“Radiel. Wait here.”

“What? But why, Young Master?”

“Because you, out of all of us, are the least likely to keep your composure.”

“…I’m sorry?”

“Inside…” Carsein continued, his voice barely a whisper. “You’ll find what Emma’s been hiding. The proof we need. And I doubt you’ll react rationally.”

“Of course I won’t! We’ll take it straight to the Duchess, to Lady Arina…!”

“Exactly. Which is why you’ll wait here.”

Radiel frowned, her confusion evident.

“This is not enough to get rid of her. Don’t you remember? We’ve been through this. They’ll just twist the narrative, fabricate more lies…”

“…”

“Radiel…”

Mark placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“He’s right. You haven't been yourself lately. Every time her name comes up…”

“What about it…?”

“You look ready to kill someone. Like you’d march into the manor and start swinging that sword of yours.”

Mark had witnessed Radiel’s fury firsthand. He had seen the murderous glint in her eyes as she watched Emma from a distance.

She was volatile, unpredictable. If she had a sword within reach that day…

Radiel, seemingly convinced, took a step back.

“Fine. I’ll wait out here.”

“Thank you, Radiel. I know this must be… difficult for you.”

“Just… hurry back. And promise me you’ll explain everything later?”

“I promise.”

▶Radiel’s anxiety has been appeased!◀
▶You have successfully avoided a death flag!◀

Carsein, after confirming the notification, entered the warehouse, Mark trailing behind.

The interior was dark, cluttered with forgotten supplies. Carsein crouched down, running his hand along the floorboards until he found what he was looking for.

“This… this is…!”

Hidden beneath a loose floorboard was a stash of valuables: jewelry, silver, and numerous pouches filled with gold coins.

“The hardest part about that trial was proving they had actually accepted her bribes. If we had found something like this back then…”

“You’re saying this is… evidence?”

“Of course. They couldn’t exactly deposit the money openly, not with their limited access to funds. This was the only way to hide it.”

They might have suspected something, but no one would have thought to look here, in a dusty, abandoned storage room.

Mark’s fists clenched.

‘So that’s why he didn’t want Radiel to see this.’

“This alone won’t be enough, Young Master,” Mark pointed out. “If anything, it might make things worse. They could easily turn it around, use it against us.”

He was right. Without concrete proof of wrongdoing, Emma would wriggle her way out of it. A slap on the wrist, a temporary suspension… nothing more.

“Exactly. Which is why we’ll give them something they can’t deny.”

“What…?”

“Flora will be here tomorrow. And those who witnessed the trial? They see her as an ally, someone who shares their sentiments.”

“You’re… Young Master!”

Carsein smirked.

“Mark. Let me tell you what you’ll be doing tomorrow.”

Everything was falling into place. The trap had been set. All that remained was for a certain someone to spring it.

Translator Note:

Decided to use ‘Caution Zone’ instead of ‘Warning Zone’ as it is more natural.