157 – 157. CHAPTER 2 – EPISODE V (4)

At this symposium, the clause that the organizer would not provide direct or indirect assistance to prevent unfair practices was added, which had increased Mother’s worries.

Knowing that, Mother and Claire had come up with a plausible plan to alleviate her concerns. After getting off the carriage, they conveyed the plan to Mother, who readily agreed.

All that needed to be conveyed had been conveyed.

“What’s left is just that guy.”

Carsein was completely unaware of the situation.

It wasn’t strange to ask what Carsein had been doing, considering she had stayed behind in the carriage for a moment and had a separate conversation with the other two.

Even though Flora was by her side, it was possible to suspect something.

It seemed better to respond with an appropriate excuse.

But.

“Looks like the story is over?”

When the carriage door opened, Carsein looked like she didn’t know anything.

She didn’t show any dissatisfaction or suspicion.

If it were in the past, she would have spoken out loudly.

Instead, her quietness was unusual.

“…Could it be that she’s hiding something?”

While Arina was suspicious, Isabella smiled slyly and approached Carsein.

“Yes. I was going to ask what you were talking about… but it seems like Flora asked Carsein to solve a problem.”

“I was waiting, but it was so boring. I just taught him a little.”

“Hehe. So? The pen you’re using now looks old, don’t you want to change it to a good one?”

“It’s fine.”

Isabella responded as planned.

This was the best way to capture Carsein’s attention right now.

As Arina watched the conversation between Carsein and his mother, the suspicious atmosphere that had been building up inside her suddenly dissipated like a brief rain shower.

“Anyway. What did you hear?”

Pretending not to know was too big of a stretch.

If the distance between the carriage and them wasn’t that far, they would have heard the voice, but it was only their mother’s voice, with no other content.

To hear that, they would have to be far away… How far away was the carriage? At that distance, it was impossible to hear with normal hearing.

At least, not without using mana to enhance their hearing.

“If Carsein had used mana, I would have noticed it earlier. This doesn’t make sense.”

Was it possible that Carsein had secretly learned a mana training method that could amplify his senses to a high degree, and could control it so discreetly that it wouldn’t reach Clena or herself?

That was unlikely.

Recently, Carsein’s body had improved, and his physique had become more toned. His health had also changed significantly compared to before, and he had become more diligent with his physical management, but mana wasn’t in that realm.

It was more reasonable to think that Carsein had become more mature and patient as he grew older.

As Isabella seemed to have caught Carsein’s attention, Arina spoke calmly.

“Mother, it’s time to go in soon.”

“Hmm. Has it already become that late?”

“There’s still some time left, but it’s better to go in early.”

Although they were a ducal family, once the test began, they would be separated.

In that case, it was better for the ducal family to gather in one place, discuss the test content, and get settled.

Just then.

“Yes. That would be good—”

“Excuse me, but I’ll stop by another place and then move.”

Carsein raised his hand, interrupting Isabella’s words.

Although the whole family had agreed to enter the meeting room together, Carsein was the only exception.

This could lead to an inconvenient situation.

“Carsein, if you do that, Mother will have to see us off twice. Why don’t you just go with us?”

“Arina.”

Isabella called out to her firstborn, then gently shook her head.

“But, Mother.”

Isabella shook her head again, indicating that she shouldn’t do that.

“It’s not a big deal to leave a seat for the ducal family. Just tell the surrounding nobles to save us a seat.”

“…Yes.”

“Then, Carsein, go ahead. I’ll wait a bit longer.”

Although Isabella would have to see them off twice, she didn’t mind that much.

Kalsein got up, responding curtly that he would return on time.

“Who’s going to take that kind of risk?”

▶Will you move to the conference room with your family?

[1. Yes.]

[2. No.] ☑

***

▶Emergency mission cleared.◀

▶Achievement rate: 53%◀

At first, I focused on raising my proficiency in using mana, since it was a tutorial on how to use it.

As amplifying senses was known to be the most difficult mana technique in the game, it wasn’t easy to amplify my hearing. It required a lot of concentration, and I had to keep focusing.

But my concentration was broken halfway through.

The 53% achievement rate was because I didn’t listen to the conversation until the end.

So, how could I continue to focus?

It was natural for my concentration to break.

In the symposium, I knew there was a rule that if two or more people cooperated, they would be penalized based on their age.

But when I heard that Kalsein was planning to make this test easy by taking advantage of that penalty, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

How ridiculous.

I almost got caught by Flora because I couldn’t hold back my laughter.

It’s good that I can pass this test.

But, am I going to pass my test by cooperating with Ariana’s plan?

“Absolutely not. That’s…”

It’s relying on the power of the ducal family, and receiving your help.

I don’t want to receive help from you people in this damn house.

There may be an easy way out, but I won’t take it.

If it means receiving help from those people who remind me of my real life, I’d rather take a thorny path and not receive help.

So, what should I do?

I had to thoroughly crush Ariana’s plan.

I immediately turned my attention to the status window.

▶You must enter the Eastern Noble Conference Room within the time limit!◀

▶Timer: 35 minutes 41 seconds◀

“There’s about 35 minutes left.”

It was a time that could be considered relatively comfortable.

Since I hadn’t raised my reputation, I couldn’t receive system assistance, but the conference room wasn’t too dangerous, and the other nobles were busy and tense, so they didn’t pay much attention to me.

This situation was the best time to take action freely.

“Yes. I’ll find a way to crush that plan on my own.”

Even if the nobles were busy and tense, there were those who weren’t.

The nobles who had gathered for the spring outing episode didn’t view this symposium pessimistically.

It wouldn’t be difficult to stir up trouble and cause problems if I provoked them.

And, as it happened, there was a trigger in this building.

When Carsein enters a specific region and meets a noble, friction arises. I had an experience where I was captivated by a hidden item and mistakenly lowered my intimacy with Arina and Claire.

Is my intimacy dropping in this situation?

On the contrary, it’s a blessing. I can separate from them.

A choice appears here, and if I make a mistake, Arina will get angry and won’t intervene in Carsein’s test.

Of course, Claire is still there, but I can handle that side on my own.

“Hmm, as long as I’m not affiliated with the Bagrand Duchy, it’s fine, right?”

I had the qualifications to participate in this symposium even without them.

Where are you going to vent your frustration?

▶This area is restricted.◀

[Time Limit: 10 minutes]

***

The conference room, which had been mostly empty, began to fill up with nobles one by one.

Until the duchy arrived, most of the seats were empty, but now that the symposium was about to start, everyone had taken their seats.

“Tsk! When is this kid going to arrive?”

Arina, who had been keeping an eye on the clock in the hall, clicked her tongue.

There were only about three minutes left. Carsein should have arrived by now.

However, Carsein still didn’t show up, leaving the seat reserved for the Bagrand Duchy’s heir empty.

“Hmm, it seems there are still some empty seats.”

“…”

“Why are you like that, Lady Arina?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Before long, someone else took that seat.

What a ridiculous person.

Leaving a seat empty like that, wasting time.

Arina let out a sigh mixed with frustration.

“If it’s going to be like this, I’ll grab his collar and drag him here.”

“Unnie, it’s okay. I’ll designate him as a collaborator, and he’ll learn about it then.”

“…That kid is making both our mother and you suffer.”

“What’s the big deal about that?”

“I can explain it too, along with our big sister and little sister!”

From noble mtl dot com

“What’s the point of that?”

“Ah, I see.”

Although her siblings said it was okay, Arina was extremely dissatisfied with the situation.

She thought she had become more mature.

She had suggested drawing a family portrait during the spring outing to alleviate their mother’s worries, which was a praiseworthy act.

Moreover, the Rusmayre Duchy had done the same. With no noise or commotion, they had achieved great things, and Carsein had reflected on his mistakes in the Shatren Duchy’s affairs.

I heard they had caught a wanted criminal, thinking of the people in their territory. Receiving a letter in the morning and bringing Radiele along was a commendable act.

So, I came up with this plan.

Carsein also had the qualifications to do so.

In this symposium, he could proudly stand with his shoulders straight as a member of the duchy.

Even if I accept him as family, it’s not like I’m going to help him.

“But, how did you mess up again?”

Arina’s thoughts immediately changed.

This guy is just a troublemaker.

Where did he go wrong?

This symposium had many changed rules. Since the imperial family had announced a major change, the existing regulations were expected to be greatly distorted, and if we didn’t prepare in advance and organize our opinions, we would fall behind, no matter how hard we worked.

Thinking about the family’s honor, such a thing should not happen, but I won’t help him until he acknowledges his mistakes.

Just then.

Carsein appeared.

“What, what is he doing there?”

“That kid…!”

Arina couldn’t help but stare with wide eyes.

This was not the seat of the Bagrand Duchy.

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