The Damn Family Is Back Again

189 – 189. A Step Back (5)

“Ah, this meeting is the same as always. The disdain for the westerners is just too deep.”

A subordinate next to Pollux shook his head in dismay.

“Let’s just get up. What’s the point of hoping? It would take not decades but centuries for the imperials to see us differently.”

“Chief? Aren’t you getting up? At this rate, we’ll fall out of favor with our imperial fans.”

Even as the question came from right beside him, Pollux remained seated, arms crossed.

His gaze fixed on the void, he muttered to himself.

“If that’s really true… it could be an opportunity.”

“Chief? What did you just say? I didn’t catch that.”

“Parcan. Has our territory on the western front been mostly secured?”

“Yes? Well, yes. Ever since we reinforced the walls with concrete and such, we’ve been conserving strength and advancing.”

“Hmm.”

Hearing this, Pollux recalled a visitor from a few days ago.

The lady who came with her pink hair neatly arranged.

Claire Bagrand, that is.

-I’ve heard that the House of Aiperios holds considerable sway on the western side. I came seeking your help because I need to discuss this matter with the Count of Lilpeton.

The relationship between the westerners and the imperials is not good.

How much they detest each other was evident from the treatment Pollux received at the tavern he visited in disguise.

Barbarians.

The westerners were still being called by such a derogatory nickname.

It was truly astonishing that she would seek out such westerners. All the more so because it was the Bagrand ducal house taking the initiative.

‘I would have refused under normal circumstances…’

That last phrase was heartfelt.

-I’m… I’ve been a hindrance to Karsein. That’s why I can’t help directly.

Biting her lip, her demeanor somewhere between reproachful and self-accusing.

The direction of the reproach was none other than herself, as Pollux faintly realized.

“Parcan.”

“Yes, Chief.”

“I need to make a trip to Lilpeton. We must depart immediately.”

“Eh? All of a sudden?”

“There’s a reason for it.”

Pollux promptly went outside and mounted his horse.

***

No ally of Karsein readily came to mind.

Neither among friends, if any existed.

Nor among the nobles of his age, with whom he had not formed any close bonds.

Instead, they had been the ones to tease Karsein, to lead him into trouble.

There were not a few who schemed to have him punished, and even more who maliciously framed him.

Among such people, was there anyone who would stand by Karsein’s side and help him?

But upon searching, an answer emerged.

A single domain became clear in his mind.

A land that, until recently, had been dismissed as a wasteland with nothing but rocky hills, had soared gloriously to become a hub of the empire’s transportation.

Lusmayer had laid out that answer.

There was someone who, having provided Karsein with aggregate, would become an ally through exchange.

However, even after identifying a candidate, it was not easy.

“I’m sorry, but I cannot help Karsein.”

“Why not?”

“I’m not sure about other western regions, but we are attempting to reclaim our original lands, now that our defenses have been strengthened through collaboration with Lusmayer.”

With Lusmayer’s dazzling rise, the House of Ipheros was trying to reclaim the lands once held by the Yarik tribe.

In the midst of this, they said they could not help Karsein right now, except for the Lusmayer domain, with whom they had an aggregate trade.

It was a disappointment.

The ally Karsein had painstakingly found was, in fact, unable to help.

This meant that a new person had to be sought out.

But Clare did not give up and asked,

“The House of Ipheros cannot help, but does that mean the Count of Lilpeton can?”

With the House of Ipheros unable to intervene, Clare laid bare her true intentions. She wanted to make contact with the Count of Lilpeton, leveraging the high standing of the House of Ipheros in the western side.

“I would appreciate some time to think.”

The Duke of Ipheros did not respond immediately, despite Clare laying out all the facts.

“The westerners have a deep resentment towards the imperial nobility. And I am no different. Having been treated as such, I need time to ponder even if I receive the request. Besides, there’s no guarantee that things will resolve well.”

Lilpeton had previously been warned by the Duke of Bagrand and had returned part of their territory to the empire. The Duke added that it would not be easy to overcome the doubled resentment towards the Count of Lilpeton.

The deadline for a conclusion was the day of the second-week meeting report.

“If I decide to answer, it will be by then. Until that time, do not speak to or seek me out,” he dismissed.

Yet, Pollux did not come even after the meeting had ended.

Claire shook her head.

“…I thought I could be of some help. Is even this not possible?”

Just when she thought she had finally found someone who could aid Karsein.

At that moment.

-Clop, clop.

The sound of a horse galloping drew nearer.

With a heavy heart, Claire had cast her gaze downward, but now she widened her eyes and lifted her head.

Before her stood a warrior astride his horse.

-Neigh!

The horse that Pollux rode came to a halt near Claire.

Pollux, having stopped the horse, reached out his hand to her.

“Get on the horse.”

“Mount it? Why…?”

“From what my subordinate tells me, Count Lillpeton’s disdain for the nobility has only grown stronger. He’s turned his back so firmly now that he won’t even accept letters from the royal family.”

“…!”

“So, this is all I can do for you. What will it be? Will you give this a try, or will you give up?”

Give up?

Such nonsense…!

-Snap!

“Heh. That’s more like it.”

As Claire took his hand, Pollux pulled with strength, lifting her onto the horse.

***

“Hmph. Sending such letters again. Despicable imperial scum.”

-Rip!

“Captain, shall I tear this up?”

A man waved his hand dismissively.

Upon hearing this, the subordinate tore the letter to shreds.

Then, with a spell, he conjured a small campfire and tossed the torn pieces into the flames.

-Crackle, pop!

“It burns well!”

Sparks flew, swiftly turning the imperial letter into a heap of ashes.

Yet, unsatisfied, the people of Lilpeton fueled the flames with their magic, wishing for the letter to leave no trace, no scent to linger in this place.

Just then.

The hand feeding the bonfire halted.

“A guest?”

Count Talphon of Lilpeton murmured to himself, hearing distant voices.

It was unlikely for an outsider to step foot in Lilpeton, the most remote place in the west.

Guests were virtually non-existent, and the deep-seated loathing meant even royal missives were unwelcome.

Thus, the one who came speaking must surely be a fellow westerner.

“Everyone, step back for a moment.”

Talphon, having dismissed his clansmen, continued to feed the bonfire, burning the carcasses of the beasts.

Soon, the voices ceased.

A man with a familiar face approached.

“It’s been a while, Pollux.”

“Yes, it has. Good to see you, Talphon.”

A fist bump.

The blunt greeting of the westerners followed.

“What brings you here from the House of Ipheros?”

“Hmm. I’ve come about that old matter.”

“The old matter?”

“The missive I had sent.”

A bitter smile crossed Talphon’s lips.

“Ah, the one suggesting we join forces with Rusmayer to change the perception of westerners?”

“…”

“If you’ve come to talk about that, leave now. I’m sick of the imperials.”

Though the term ‘missive’ brought to mind recent burnings of noble and royal letters, blurring memories, Talphon clearly remembered the lord of Rusmayer.

Karsein Bargrand.

He had entertained the proposal, seeing potential, but the pressure came from the Bargrand ducal house.

From noble mtl dot come

The promise to Lilpeton was broken, and the rotten seed of Rohea was sent instead. That name, he could not forget.

“I’ve already reclaimed some of the lands the empire granted me. We no longer harbor any expectations for the imperials. If you don’t want to be seen as their lackey, I’d prefer you leave now.”

“I didn’t act as a frontman.”

“Bringing that imperial behind you, are you spouting such nonsense to me?”

When Pollux vaguely took his seat.

The scent of powder applied by imperial noblewomen filled the air. The fragrance of their perfumes also spread, and the distinctive mana smell of the imperials was thickly layered.

It was these scents that vaguely revealed the imperial Pollux had brought.

“There’s a reason I brought this imperial.”

“Ha. To think you brought her to me, of all people. What does this mean, Pollux? Bringing the second duchess of the Bagram family here? What reason could there be to bring that woman here?”

She was not just any imperial.

Count Lilpeton, Talphon, the man who even gave up his imperial-granted lands to withdraw.

She was known as Claire Bagram, the second duchess of Bagram.

Talphon, deducing all these facts, glared at Pollux despite being a fellow westerner.

But Pollux calmly replied.

“This imperial woman has come to ask for forgiveness from you and Lilpeton.”

“What?”

As if it was the most absurd thing he’d heard, Talphon furrowed his brow.

“In the past, you made a promise with a boy, Talphon.”

“What of it?”

“If she’s the very person who broke that promise, and she’s come to apologize, what then?”

Talphon’s head turned back.

In the direction where Claire was.

Looking closely, there were no other knights guarding her. She had come alone. To this western land.

In the past, she had led soldiers and openly exerted pressure. She had even threatened with magic, leaving an indelible impression.

But now, she came here alone? To a place where she might face retribution?

“I too thought there were no more such scoundrels among the imperials. But recently, I met a decent one. He’s the boy you made a promise with, and the very person who built a sturdy wall for Aiperios through a deal with me.”

“…”

“If it’s a misunderstanding, it can be resolved, and if it’s time to chase her away, so be it. Why not listen to her story just once?”

After a moment, Talphon placed the firewood down.

“…For your sake, I’ll listen just this once. If she behaves suspiciously or utters any preposterous claims, I’ll throw her out immediately.”

“Alright.”

Whether she came to apologize or to threaten again.

You’ll understand once you hear it.

***

After the report date had passed, I revised the traditional farming methods and planted strawberries and grapes.

It was practically a duel.

The same land, the same crops, but the methods were different.

And the result was.

▶You’ve harvested C-grade Chatren strawberries!◀

It was my victory.

“Wow… This seems like the best quality among the recent crops.”

“Just like Ferdi said. The color… it reminds me of the ones we used to grow, doesn’t it?”

The village chief’s granddaughter said as much, so that says it all.

The grade was already displayed in the status window, so now I had one justification.

▶You can proceed with the Clue and Prove Event.◀

‘Of course, I could criticize the farming methods and start that event now. But, not just yet.’

I smirked at a guy swallowing his saliva from a distance.

Then I picked a strawberry I had harvested and tossed it to him.

“Whoa!”

“Take it.”

“Is, is it really okay? If you sell this… it could fetch a good amount of money.”

Usually, a choice would appear here, but perhaps as part of the domain management, no choice was given.

‘Well… I do expect a reward for my actions.’

But still, I wanted to say this.

“Nothing is more important than a person’s life. Dyke.”

“…!”

“Hellketa I disease has a healing time of one day. I’ll give you a couple of days off, so make sure you see your brother’s recovery with your own eyes.”

Dyke bowed his head repeatedly on the spot.

“Really… Thank you so much.”

▶You’ve provided an agent with the necessary items.◀

▶Affinity has increased!◀

[ Target: Dyke ]

[ Current Status: 15% ]

▶Agent ability charges have been replenished.◀

▶Territory Control

[ You can control the entry to the Chatren territory for a duration proportional to your rank. External attacks will disappear or be mitigated, with higher ranks resulting in increased effects and longer durations. ]

…But that guy.

Did he usually make such a fuss?

In my memory… In the original game, he just bowed his head without saying such things.