The Damn Family Is Back Again

208 – 208. The Wrathful Ones (8)

The worry was mountainous.

To take on the Scorpion King alone, with pure strength unaided by any magic tool or artifact.

No matter how much Talphon was testing him, such recklessness was difficult to accept.

But he is a planner. He moves with a clear rationale, supporting his perilous actions with a brilliant mind.

This time was no different.

There must be some basis for it.

Stepping back, he accepted Karsein’s proposal, deeply ingrained with that thought.

However, Karsein faced the Scorpion King alone, receiving wounds here and there, yet he did not use that artifact at all.

Suddenly, fear struck.

It was clear that he was overexerting himself.

It wasn’t a grave injury. It was a matter of life hanging by a thread.

Yet, not using the artifact made it feel like my insides were charring black.

I just went down the hill.

At this point, anything was fine. I just had to prevent his breath from stopping.

And fortunately,

At an incredible timing, Karsein manifested mana and defeated the Scorpion King.

It was truly a relief.

“…”

Looking at Karsein, who lay asleep in bed, Harnie placed her hand over her aching heart and steadied her breath.

It was a terrifying experience.

A fervent wish that it would never happen again took root.

-Swish.

“Don’t… get hurt, okay?”

Harnie held his hand tightly, her worry tinged with a hint of anger.

From noble mtl dot come

This emotion wasn’t just because she would miss Karsein as a person.

It was something else.

It was because of another emotion she felt.

***

-Thud, thud.

The nobles entered the conference room with faces stiff with tension.

Every time the reporting date approached, they always looked as if they had eaten something foul.

Today, they wondered for what reason they would be broken by Princess Arsien.

How should they propose alternatives for the plans that went awry this week?

What excuses should they make for the lack of results?

Such worries came with every reporting date.

But today, their usual stiff expressions and hardened complexions were even more pronounced.

No. It wasn’t just that; there was almost no idle chatter at all.

The fourth-week report, following the first-week announcement of the exam and skipping the second and third weeks, was the midterm evaluation date.

Having spent four weeks, it was now time to start showing some results.

For this reason, a stricter grading than usual was anticipated, and all the family heads attended to observe the meeting.

Not only will the main VIPs attend,

Starting with family, relatives, fiancés, and other acquaintances, the number of spectators will multiply.

In the midst of this, what if one were to be scolded by Arsien or receive deductions?

It would be the end.

It’s okay to fall apart on any other day.

But today, one must not crumble.

By any means necessary, one must prevent any display of disgrace.

If one’s true colors are shown, it’s clear what kind of looks one would receive from the aristocratic society.

“You were here first, Claire.”

“Ah, sister.”

“Sister. Hehe.”

“Ugh, our youngest. Acting spoiled again?”

Claire gently stroked the head of the adorable youngest who burrowed into her embrace.

Watching the two affectionate sisters, Arina chuckled.

“Seeing you so calm while the other nobles are gloomy, sister, you must have prepared well?”

“…Well. It’s so-so. Not quite satisfactory.”

True to her words, Arina hadn’t achieved particularly satisfying results.

Due to the new rules introduced at this symposium, progress was slower without the help of the family heads.

She wasn’t shaken down by Arsien and Florence, but it was clear that the results were not up to par.

“And you? You seem to be in good spirits, Claire. Did you have some success?”

“Um… not much, just a little?”

“What happened?”

“The symposium produced a fabric that’s just right for my boutique business. If I link it to my business, it’ll be much easier, and it could create a new source of income for my territory, which was quite useful.”

“You’re being modest. That’s something worth boasting about.”

“No, I was just lucky.”

In the conference hall, where only footsteps could be heard, the three Bagrand sisters gathered and chatted about this and that.

However, not all of the Bagrand ducal family had arrived yet.

“Claire. Did you get any word from Karsein?”

“Huh? No, he didn’t say anything to me?”

“…Sigh. That fool. Causing trouble again. On a day like this, during the mid-term evaluation, no less.”

Arina clicked her tongue as she checked the time.

The chatter with her siblings had gone on longer than she realized, and before she knew it, less than 10 minutes remained before the start of the report meeting. Her eyes sharpened with the little time left.

Today was not a typical reporting day.

It was a mid-term evaluation day, where nobles from across the nation followed by associates gathered as observers, necessitating extra caution.

‘If I were to be late on such a day…’

It would be an utter disgrace.

It would be no different than smearing the name of the Bagrand Duchy.

Especially on a day when even Mother was coming to watch, such a humiliation was unacceptable.

“Um… Sister. I know what you’re thinking, but there’s still time left.”

“…Claire. Even considering that, we should have arrived by now.”

“Everyone’s busiest today. Even if we, who arrived leisurely, set that aside, Karsein might be… a bit busy.”

“Sigh.”

“It’s not confirmed as being late yet, so let’s wait a bit longer.”

Yes. As Claire said, there was still time.

Even if they hadn’t arrived leisurely, there was still a chance they wouldn’t be late.

Arina waited with her arms crossed, holding onto a sliver of hope.

However, even after the observers and the judges, Arcien and Florence, had entered, Karsein was nowhere to be seen.

“…”

“…”

Claire and Flora began to sneak glances at Arina.

“Ha. It’s my fault for having expectations.”

Arina clicked her tongue again.

“I let it slide during the birthday party because there was some upsetting incident, but this time, I won’t let it go. How dare on the day Mother comes to watch…”

After biting her teeth in frustration, Arina muttered that she would have to firmly correct Karsein’s bad habit after the report was over.

Just then.

Arcien briefly stepped up to the podium.

“Today, for the 4th week, there is an applicant for the Rest Week of the mid-term evaluation.”

The nobles expressed their disbelief that anyone would be foolish enough to apply for Rest Week on such an important day.

‘No way.’

At that moment, Arina had a hunch.

His name, still not revealed, might be called out there.

Though I doubted it, Karsein’s name was clearly spoken by Arcien.

“This foolish boy. Trying to dodge the mid-term report with such a trick? It’s utterly pathetic.”

It’s obviously not a sick leave, and I haven’t heard of any issues related to the ducal family.

“Starting trouble only to end up causing an accident. He must have applied for a rest week as an evasion because he surely achieved no results. He’s going to tarnish the Vagrand name completely. Tsk.”

As I speculated with a scornful tone, Claire suddenly spoke up.

“Maybe there’s a really important matter, and he had to apply because he couldn’t postpone it?”

“What?”

“You know. He’s not sick, and we haven’t heard of any significant issues. This could mean he’s found a clue to solve some problem in Chatren.”

Claire suggested that if she were in Karsein’s shoes at this time, she might have made the same decision.

“It’s not impossible. But…”

Arina sighed and continued.

“You have to consider the gap between you and Karsein. You’re being too optimistic. That guy is more likely to be concocting excuses or schemes in his head than finding answers.”

Claire couldn’t argue anymore as I listed all of Karsein’s past misdeeds.

Qualities, capabilities, judgment.

He’s severely lacking in all of them.

Even with everything, that foolish Karsein couldn’t shake off his nature and hasn’t fulfilled a single duty of nobility.

So, the conclusion is one.

“That vulgar and foolish boy would never have come up with a proper plan.”

***

-Swish!

The beast’s blood sprayed into the air as it fell.

The number of creatures I’ve taken down has already easily surpassed double digits.

-Ding!

▶You have defeated an enemy creature.◀

▶EXP has increased by 250!◀

-Ding!

▶You have defeated an enemy creature.◀

▶EXP has increased by 316!◀

-Ding!

▶You have defeated the target entity.◀

▶EXP has increased by 4,770,000!◀

Lv. 60

▶Owned SP will be automatically used on ??? stat!◀

▶Strength 6.10

▶Agility 7.38

▶Endurance 7.51

▶Health 5.59

▶Immunity 1.55

▶??? 60%

Karsein’s stats had already surpassed level 60.

“…Phew.”

Having neatly dealt with the nearby demons, Karsein wiped the sweat dripping down his chin.

After days of consistently hunting the demons of the west, he had become somewhat accustomed to handling mana.

The mirages and streaks visible to the eye were the flow of mana, and he had felt, hundreds of times over, how mana was consumed during magic use and how to activate the skill known as Wederos Kingdom Swordsmanship.

With proper rest, he had sorted out recovery amounts and times, as well as the body’s recoil from overexertion.

The time to cross swords with Talphon was drawing near.

***

‘…Is he coming?’

His scent was carried from afar.

Karsein. He was approaching.

It had only been a few days since he had defeated the Scorpion King and been given the key to the room.

He had been ready to welcome him whenever he would come looking.

However, it was much sooner than expected.

‘I had assumed he would at least visit once during the Eastern Nobles’ Conference.’

Whether he went to the conference hall to report or whatever, he had considered that, and he had thought the earliest he would meet Karsein again would be next week.

But to think they would cross weapons so soon after just a few days.

Was that why he had been intermittently clearing out the demons in the Lilpeton territory?

‘Well. Whatever the case, it’s good. There’s only one thing I have to do.’

With all my might, I cross swords and take in the lingering essence of mana, understanding everything.

What path has life taken so far?

Whether Lilpeton, as a survivor of the Kingdom of Wederos, is worthy to follow.

And… what kind of person is Karsein.

That’s all I judge.

-Thump.

As Karsein’s footsteps halt, Talphon turns around and asks,

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

His body, calmly affirming, was imbued with the scent of countless trainings and battles.

“Harunie. Step back.”

“What?”

“It seems we’re starting right away. Right here.”

“Hmm.”

Has he sensed it?

I thought his spirit had improved quite a bit, but I didn’t expect it to this extent.

With a worried expression, Harunie leaves, and Talphon immediately picks up his weapon.

“You seem to have caught on, so there’s no need for an explanation. But there’s one thing I want to say.”

“What is it?”

-Swish.

“Fight with the resolve to die. Otherwise, you might actually end up dead.”

With the conversation over, Talphon kicks off the ground and charges.

His first strike splits the earth with a heavy and bizarre sound.