The Damn Family Is Back Again - Chapter 337



337. Family (7)

From noble mtl dot com

The two knights walked with heavy steps.

Their footsteps were filled with a mix of complex emotions.

For the two knights, the moment of joy was fleeting.

Their steps were laden with the weight of helplessness and guilt.

Seeing the slightly emaciated figure compared to when they left, their steps were filled with pity and sorrow.

There was also a cautious aspect, wondering if this approach was too reckless, and a sense of helplessness about how to persuade him.

But the weight of these complex emotions in their steps was soon resolved.

Because in the eyes of the two knights, they saw Carsein standing still, staring.

He did not run away.

He did not leave the spot.

Even though the knight of Bagland was approaching. Even though a chase might ensue here and now, pressing him.

He did not move a single step from that spot.

Very calmly.

Perhaps he had given up, or maybe he was just too tired now…

That was not a face of exhaustion or surrender.

Rather, it seemed to be waiting.

It seemed certain that they would not pursue.

Unlike the other knights, it seemed to have realized early on that there was no intention to chase.

Just that realization made one side of the chest swell with emotion.

‘Us, who were utterly powerless…’

‘Young master, do you trust us?’

Before they knew it, they had arrived in front of Carsein.

Carsein did not take a single step away from them until the end. No, there wasn’t even a hint of such an intention.

The pair of knights, a man and a woman, who had approached right in front of them. Radiel and Mark immediately bowed their heads.

““Thank you for trusting us, young master.””

Carsein responded briefly to this.

“Well, I’m no longer the master you serve… Ha. No. Anyway, that, the Claire Boutique emblem is engraved. Because of that, I understood… Hoo. No, this is not the time to talk about this. Let’s move first.”

It was a reluctant answer, urged by someone poking from right beside him.

As a knight serving his lord,

This was the best response.

Just being someone the master could trust was enough for the two of them.

…But then.

-Slap!

Suddenly, a slapping sound was heard. Then a sigh followed.

“Ah. Why did you hit me? Suddenly.”

“There’s no need to speak so stiffly.”

“Well, then how should I talk…”

“Ugh. Really!”

-Slap!

“Ugh.”

“Just go ahead. Really…”

“…?”

Radiel and Mark, with bewildered eyes.

They were momentarily dazed by the strange scene of Karsein and Harnie bickering.

Karsein clicked his tongue first, and as he stood up, Harnie sighed once more and muttered in dissatisfaction.

“If he could just honestly say thank you. Why is he so stiff?”

“…”

“…”

“Don’t you all think so too? Karsein always seems convinced that no one would help him.”

In fact, it was common for Karsein to act so stiffly.

Thinking of him enduring scoldings without a change in expression, and facing everything as a knight without relying on his status… one would naturally come to know.

Does it seem like someone else would help?

Perhaps that was a natural attitude. Even the Duke of Bagrande, who was family to Karsein, had turned his back on him.

For Karsein to trust someone like this now was close to a miracle.

Not relying on others.

Always trying to solve things alone.

Because that was the way of Karsein, carrying all the burdens by himself.

Therefore, it must have been a significant change for him to trust the two who were once mere bodyguards in the past.

And.

The reason for this change.

‘It’s because of the young lady.’

‘It’s because of the young lady.’

It must be because of Harnie.

That was the certainty he felt.

*

In any case, it would be troublesome if there were listeners or onlookers, so changing the location was essential.

“There was no one following us.”

“There weren’t many who were suspicious either.”

After securing the place, they could finally get to the introduction.

“First, we have something to tell you, young master. We…”

“You don’t need to say who sent you. I already know.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s Claire, isn’t it?”

Radiel’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Anyway, that’s enough explanation from you.”

With that dismissive wave, the two people asked no further questions.

Radiel took the lead and got to the point.

“We came here because there’s something we need to inform you about, young master.”

As Radiel nodded to Mark, signaling him, Mark handed something to me.

“…This looks like my wanted poster?”

A face, drawn like a portrait, and below it, the bounty amount.

A literal wanted poster.

I had a rough idea about this.

Although it’s been a long time, there was a period when I used to catch wanted people for money. Occasionally, I would do it as a side episode to increase my familiarity within the duchy or the territory.

So it wasn’t particularly new to me. It felt strange to see my face on it, but given the situation, I had somewhat expected it.

No doubt, this wanted poster was created because of the game system. So there was no reason to feel wronged.

However, it seemed the situation was unfolding a bit differently from what I had thought.

“Young master. This is not an ordinary wanted poster.”

“What?”

“When a wanted order is issued, the poster usually has the target’s name written in this format, along with a brief description and a bounty. But even if they look similar, there are differences depending on the level.”

Another wanted poster was brought up next to it.

At a glance, it looked quite different.

Harnie, with a serious expression, took the poster and her hands trembled.

“N-no way… This is…”

“…Yes. It’s a wanted notice.”

Mark, who had tightly closed his eyes and then opened them, continued in a troubled voice.

Even at a glance, it was clear that the atmosphere was tense.

“Explain, Mark.”

“…Yes. As you can see, the bounty amount has increased, but it means that the stage has risen beyond a certain amount. And judging by the current bounty on your head…”

Mark closed his eyes tightly and then opened them again as he continued.

“It’s at the wanted stage. In other words, it doesn’t matter how they capture the wanted person, so it’s reached a stage where excessive force is not an issue. If it comes to this… those aiming for your neck will be even more dangerous.”

“…”

-Ding!

▶New information acquired.◀

▶Information related to the player’s reputation drop has been confirmed.◀

[ Due to the wanted notice, the recognition rank has dropped to the infamy stage. ]

▶Penalties are imposed on the player at the infamy rank!◀

▶Warning! From now on, there will be no notifications for combat events.◀

▶The likelihood of encountering more dangerous entities increases.◀

▶Be careful not to lose your life.◀

The red light flashed several times, indicating that the function to detect and convey danger to me had disappeared.

Is it that even the warning window no longer appears?

I had a vague idea of why this was happening.

“Arina seems to have raised the stage of the wanted notice, right?”

“…Yes.”

“The encirclement will tighten faster. The ones chasing me will be more vicious and dangerous. Those who have been eyeing my neck will hire all sorts of mercenaries and hitmen with their money.”

“…”

Radiel, who was licking his lips, couldn’t deny it.

“But that’s not the only news I bring, young master.”

“Indeed. There is a way to escape.”

“That’s why we came to inform you.”

“What are you planning?”

-Click. Click.

Mark took off his armor and handed it to me.

“…You will wear this and head to the Duke of Bagland’s estate.”

“What?”

“You can hide in various territories. If we meet you at the agreed locations, supporting you won’t be a problem. But this method has its limits.”

“If you’re lucky, you might last a few days. No, maybe even a week. But if someone starts tailing you even once… you’ll be caught immediately.”

“So, we came to this conclusion. If you’re going to be caught eventually while buying time outside, why not infiltrate the Duke’s territory where it’s harder for them to enter? It’s like hiding under the lamp where it’s darkest.”

Indeed, it made sense.

It was luck that helped in Rusmire and Shatren. Wandering around villages outside would inevitably raise suspicions.

Considering the cost of magic stones used in artifacts, there were clear limits, and it wasn’t feasible to have Harni bear all the expenses indefinitely.

In that case, if I could completely infiltrate the Duke of Bagland’s territory.

If I could enter unnoticed, wearing Mark’s clothes, the knight of Bagland.

At least the chances of being caught by outsiders would significantly decrease.

It was the best choice when considered coldly. Moreover, entering the Bagrande Duchy might allow us to obtain the treasure needed to open the portal.

‘Yes. This is the answer.’

Following Mark’s advice, entering the Bagrande Duchy and reaching the Duke’s house would be the best option.

And for that.

There was something that needed to be said.

I turned around.

Silently picking up the wanted poster, I spoke to her.

“…You may return now, Harnie.”

I appreciate the help you’ve given me so far, but you don’t need to follow me from here. No, you mustn’t follow me.

“You are well aware of the wanted status… You no longer need to follow me.”

Wanted. I was now at the most dangerous stage of being wanted.

If you helped me, who knows what might happen. The tower of effort you’ve built so far could truly collapse, and you might even lose the Marquisate you barely obtained, falling into utter ruin.

I didn’t want Harnie to face such a fate.

But…

Things don’t go as planned.

“Young Master Karsein. I’m sorry, but I think it would be better if the Lady follows you. No, I believe it’s necessary.”

“What?”

“…The Lady’s name has already been added to the wanted list. There are suspicions that she has been secretly helping you.”

Radiel handed over another wanted poster.

Harnie Teresia.

That name was boldly written on the general wanted poster.

“If you show up at the Teresia Marquisate, the suspicion will probably be cleared. The problem is, how do we get there?”

“…”

The distance to the Teresia Marquisate.

The countless people we will encounter along the way.

The likelihood of them revealing that they did not help me… is almost impossible.

“But there is a way. Your height, hmm… seems similar to mine. As for your figure, one side is quite prominent, but the armor should cover it well.”

“Could it be… for Harnie too?”

The two knights smiled satisfactorily at that guess.

“If you want to find a way out, this side is easier. Young master.”

“I also often accompanied Radiel. Wouldn’t it be better for the lady to avoid suspicion this way?”

“Is that so? Karsein.”

A pair of knights, a pair of fugitives.

The strategy of hiding under the lamp.

The solution to the equation that was so hard to find suddenly became very clear.