I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 49

Chapter 49: Troublemaker at the Training Grounds (2)

He waited.

Making a choice at this point would be a mistake.

“You might think this is disrespectful, but we’re following Lady Arina’s orders. We need to know why you’re here, young master. You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

Isabella, blinded by her illness, had showered him with rewards, hoping to appease him, but Arina hadn't forgotten his transgressions. She had taken drastic measures.

It was essentially a ban from the training grounds. The knights could refuse him entry, even if he had a reason. His access had been revoked.

That’s why this knight was being so blatant.

He was telling him to get lost.

‘Well, he’s not wrong.’

Carsein had injured someone at the training grounds. That fact remained unchanged.

But…

That was just the surface.

The knights’ gazes, cold and hostile, were fixed on him. He scanned the crowd, searching for a familiar name.

‘There he is.’

A name with fewer gray stripes than the others.

His affinity was slightly higher.

[Mark Redelstein]
[Affinity: -25%]

Still, it was -25%.

If he couldn’t raise it to a positive number, his time at the training grounds would be short-lived.

He would die, of course.

It was a difficult situation, but the key to overcoming it was that knight with his arms crossed, staring at him intently.

“If you have no business here, please leave. We don’t want you here, young master.”

The knight gestured, and two others approached.

It was obvious what they were going to do.

They were going to drag him out.

“Don’t take it personally. We’re just following Lady Arina’s orders.”

—Ding!

▶The knights are trying to drag Carsein out. How will you respond?◀

[1. (Struggle) Let go of me! How dare you touch me?!]
[2. About Arina’s orders… Did you receive them properly?]
[3. (Pull out the permit) I have permission!]
…
…

The choices were cruel, as always.

It was time to weigh the risks and rewards.

This decision would drastically change the course of Episode V.

Option 1 was a guaranteed bad ending.

But he had to carefully consider the other options.

‘I tried them all in the game. Option 3 was the least risky, but…’

Seeing their expressions, he knew it wasn't the right choice.

To use the Duchess’s permit and claim he had the right to be there…

Would that really work?

…No, it wouldn’t.

He needed to establish dominance.

[6. Who is your master?]

“Who is your master?”

He chose the riskiest option.

***

The training grounds, usually filled with the sounds of clashing steel and the heat of exertion, fell silent.

The adopted son of the Bagrand family, the one they had hoped would never return…

He was back.

‘Carsein Bagrand…’

Mark gritted his teeth as he watched him approach.

One of the knights stepped forward.

“What brings the esteemed young master to the training grounds?”

Carsein was immediately cornered.

It was because of Arina’s orders.

Mark’s mind drifted to the past.

—No, Mark.

—What?

—He’s not… He’s not that kind of person…!

‘Why am I hearing Radiel’s voice?’

He shook his head, trying to erase the memory.

But Radiel’s voice echoed in his mind.

—He would never hurt me. He doesn’t deserve this!

—Are you kidding me? After what he did to you, Captain?

—Please, Mark, at least you… help him. Please?

“…”

He looked at Carsein.

He would be expelled, of course.

Arina’s orders gave the knights the right to refuse him entry.

He should just stand there, watching him get dragged out, and join the others in mocking him.

But…

—Mark, please.

Radiel’s pleading eyes appeared before him.

‘…I can authorize his use of the training grounds.’

Radiel wouldn't object to this.

Mark uncrossed his arms and started towards Carsein.

At that moment…

“Who is your master?”

Carsein shouted, his voice strong and unwavering.

***

The knights hesitated, taken aback by his question. Carsein pressed on,

“Answer me. Any one of you. Who is your master?”

“The Bagrand family, of course.”

The knight who had ordered them to drag him out answered, his voice firm.

Mark felt a surge of unease.

‘Could he be… planning to use his status to intimidate us?’

Foolish.

Mark sighed inwardly.

If he tried to use the family’s power against them, they would never allow him to use the training grounds.

They were bound by the rules of the training grounds.

Rule #1 of the Training Grounds:

This is a training ground for knights who are dedicated to serving the Bagrand family.

This rule was further elaborated with two additional clauses.

Rule #1, Clause 1:

Social status is irrelevant in the training grounds. We are all here to serve the Bagrand family.

Rule #1, Clause 2:

Anyone who uses their social status to intimidate others will be expelled. This includes members of the Bagrand family.

Carsein was walking right into a trap.

‘Ha… Why did Radiel…?’

Mark sighed, rubbing his face.

He was deliberately getting himself expelled. How could he trust someone like that?

‘Radiel, you were wrong.’

He hadn't changed.

He was still the same person who had injured you.

Mark decided to abandon his attempt to help him. He turned to leave.

“So which order will you follow? Arina’s ban or the Duchess’s permit?”

“What?”

“What are you talking about…?”

“Read it. I’ll give it to you since you wouldn’t believe me if I read it myself.”

Confusion spread among the knights, and Carsein handed them a document.

The knight who took the document gulped, his eyes darting between Carsein and the paper. He looked bewildered.

“What are you waiting for? Read it out loud.”

The knight, his face contorted in a grimace, started reading.

The document, signed and sealed by Isabella Bagrand herself, granted Carsein temporary access to the training grounds.

The knights murmured among themselves as they realized the implications.

“That’s impossible. Really?”

“It has to be fake. The Duchess would never allow this.”

“Check the seal! Hurry!”

But the document was genuine.

The Duchess’s handwriting and the seal, reserved for the head of the Bagrand family, clearly authorized Carsein’s use of the training grounds.

Two orders clashed.

Arina’s ban on Carsein’s access to the training grounds.

Isabella’s permit granting him access.

They were caught in a dilemma.

But the answer came easily.

“…There have been rumors that the young master has been behaving himself lately. It seems they’re true.”

“M-Mark.”

Mark stepped forward, pushing his way through the crowd.

The first question hadn't been about his status.

It was about their loyalty. Who would they obey when two Bagrand orders clashed?

Mark turned to the knights and said,

“We are knights who have sworn to serve the Bagrand family. The Duchess’s order is a Bagrand order. Why are you questioning it?”

The knights wanted to expel Carsein.

But they needed a reason.

And Carsein had none.

‘I allowed my emotions to cloud my judgment. I need to reflect on my actions.’

Mark realized his mistake and apologized to Carsein.

“I apologize, young master. It seems the first knight squadron allowed their personal feelings to influence their judgment. We shouldn’t have tried to expel you without a valid reason. If you wish to punish us, I, as the vice-captain, will accept any consequences.”

He knelt, his head bowed.

The knights exchanged uneasy glances.

Mark was going to be reprimanded again.

He wouldn’t escape punishment this time.

But they didn't understand Mark’s true intentions.

He had challenged Carsein, hoping to expose his hypocrisy and find a reason to expel him.

But Carsein, instead of reacting angrily, told him to stand.

And then…

“I hope this doesn’t happen again, Vice-Captain.”

He placed his hand on Mark’s shoulder.

Mark, who had set a trap for Carsein, could no longer justify expelling him.

More than that… he realized he shouldn't expel him.

‘You have a purpose.’

Carsein seemed to have seen through his intentions, because he asked,

“But you’re curious about why I’m here, aren’t you?”

“…Yes, young master. We need to file a report.”

“I’m here for my health.”

“Your health?”

“Yes. I realized my health was deteriorating from being confined to the mansion. So I came here. Mother gave me permission for the same reason.”

Revenge? No, for his health?

Mark was dumbfounded.

Carsein continued, ignoring his reaction,

“Of course, I won’t break any rules.”

“Do you mean…”

“The knights who serve the Bagrand family… they would be the best teachers, wouldn't they? I’ll train with you.”

He was going to stay at the training grounds for a while.

“…Are you serious?”

“Why would I lie?”

The knights murmured among themselves, their suspicions still lingering.

But for Mark, it was a different story.

—Can you teach me that too?

The young master had been like this as a child.

He never used his status to demand anything.

He simply asked to be taught, just like everyone else.

He had to ask about his intentions, to understand his goals, before judging him. He could always question his motives later.

Maybe that’s why Radiel had never blamed Carsein.

‘I should give him a chance.’

Mark, his heart heavy, accepted Carsein.

“Very well. But be prepared for a rigorous training regimen.”

He hadn’t forgiven him, not yet.

***

Mark assigned him a small room.

“You requested to be treated like a regular knight, young master, so you’ll be staying in a trainee’s room. Is that alright with you?”

Of course it was.

It was a bit dusty, probably because it hadn’t been used in a while.

It was just a simple room, nothing compared to the luxury of the annex, but he didn't need a spacious room.

‘A bigger room just means more cleaning.’

He finished cleaning and checked the status window.

▶Access to the restricted training grounds has been granted!◀
▶The time limit has been lifted!◀
▶Certain characters’ affinity has increased!◀
[Mark Redelstein: -10%]

“Crisis averted.”

He had chosen the path of persuading the vice-captain, and it had worked.

There were still many gray boxes, but Mark was the vice-captain of the first knight squadron. He wouldn't cause any trouble.

“And Emma will hear about this.”

She would be panicking.

He had accused her of embezzlement and manipulating the ledgers, and now he had moved to the training grounds.

This news would reach her, and her anxiety would soon manifest.

“Ha…”

Carsein sighed and unpacked his belongings. He looked at the item he had prepared.

His training would begin tomorrow.

The knights would surely try to expel him.

He had to be prepared.

But…

“Not yet.”

He muttered, putting the item back in his bag.

He would use it when the time was right.

Not just to change the atmosphere…

He would use it to gain a decisive advantage.

He unpacked his belongings and went to bed early.