The Damn Family Is Back Again - Chapter 355



355. Choice (1)

Heron had certainly said a guest had arrived.

He even emphasized that it was a guest who must be met.

‘But, is this person the guest?’

Marquis Magnuel.

Strictly speaking, he wasn’t someone who should be here.

Someone who could be accepted as a guest.

Because it wasn’t someone who would come looking for Claire.

Rather, it was more appropriate to see them as someone to keep a distance from.

Although he was one of the vassals supporting the Duke of Bagrande, he was not someone to be approached lightly just because he was a vassal.

Even vassals, though they extended their hands to the family, were ultimately people who sought to gain profit and enjoy power, not much different in that regard.

Marquis Magnuel was a person who had aligned himself with Arina to seize that power, and currently held the greatest influence among the vassals.

By the book, it was right to leave this place…

Still, she felt that she shouldn’t hastily leave this place right now.

‘…Heron said it was an important guest.’

A guest. A guest she must meet.

She had to heed Heron’s words, which emphasized such an expression.

‘Yes. It’s not about asking why you’re here.’

She had to change the question. Claire sat down and took a sip of tea.

Then, in a calm voice, she adjusted her question and asked again.

“It doesn’t seem like my sister sent you to me. Why did you come looking for me, Marquis Magnuel?”

“…”

Marquis Magnuel’s eyes widened slightly due to the adjusted question. It was an unexpected look.

Of course it was.

Considering the relationship between Claire and Marquis Magnuel, it couldn’t be said to be very good.

No matter how much he was a vassal of Bagrande, Claire couldn’t be pleased with this situation, as he was someone who had aligned himself with Bagrande.

Moreover, especially in this situation where the succession structure is likely to lean to one side.

‘I thought for sure I would be expelled.’

I have watched Claire for a long time from the position of a retainer.

Claire is a person whose abilities and skills in handling tasks are highly regarded, but her somewhat hasty and hot-tempered nature has been a hindrance.

It was all because of that nature that she ended up aligning with Arina…

But now, she did not expel him, who could be considered an enemy.

No, far from expelling him, she was actually continuing the conversation.

Not only had her hastiness decreased, but she had also come to this place with deeper thought and focus.

‘…You have changed a lot.’

Thanks to that, the words I had prepared to turn Claire’s heart were no longer necessary.

“Please speak comfortably. I did not come here expecting formalities.”

“…I will do so.”

As the ideal flow of conversation approached, the Marquis did not miss it.

“It has been nearly 15 years since I have lived as a retainer of the Duke of Bagland. Do you, Miss Claire, remember how the Magnuel family became retainers of Bagland?”

“…On the surface, it was said to be for construction, but there were two reasons. One was the construction of the fortress to prevent the invasion of beasts, and the other was the contribution to building the tomb of your late father, as I recall.”

“You remember. It must have been a story from when you were quite young.”

“There’s no way I could remember something that happened at such a young age. I looked it up later.”

Claire grumbled as she answered, saying she only came to know it properly three years ago.

But despite her grumbling, she knew it accurately.

It was said that a certain item needed for carrying out the two tasks was the decisive reason.

The Marquis smiled with satisfaction.

“Heh heh. Then there’s no need to explain this either. You must have figured it out to some extent.”

“…”

Though silent, he did not deny it.

It was as the Marquis said.

He had become a vassal of Bagrande by providing financial support.

He had already figured this out through investigation, but there were still a few unsettling parts.

“I knew that an enormous amount of money was spent just to carry out those two tasks at the time. It was an absurd amount of money. The Marquis’ family provided all that money, and although they had to account for the source of the funds…”

Feeling uneasy about mentioning it, he glanced at the Marquis, who nodded as if to continue.

“I judged that, despite the clean source on the surface, it had to be tainted money. I also run a boutique myself and dabble in primary industries to some extent, but that kind of money couldn’t come from there.”

The Marquis smiled bitterly at the confident answer.

“That’s correct. As you deduced, that money is somewhat tainted. The people who were fed up with the record-breaking famine that struck the empire, those who struggled desperately to avoid repeating that year, their cheap labor costs became my greatest strength.”

“…No way, you used those people…!”

“Yes. After all, such laws were not established, and as long as the parties involved remained silent, no one would know. It was easy to create confusion, as it was unlikely to be judged illegal or unlawful, and given the timing, it was perfect for concealing the source.”

Because he didn’t miss that opportunity. Because he shamelessly manipulated the value of labor to gather the money needed to procure the necessary goods.

The Marquis was able to be in this position.

“In order to align with Bagrande, I had to do whatever it took. That was my belief, and I considered it the right path to climb higher. It was the same even after becoming a vassal of Bagrande. I believed without a doubt that this path was my path. That’s why I supported Lady Arina as the heir to the dukedom. She was a candidate who matched well with me.”

Claire had some idea of the dark side of Marquis Magnuel.

But more than that, she couldn’t understand.

“…Why are you telling me this?”

There was no need to inform Claire of this fact.

It might even be a trap. It was something that should not be said.

After taking a sip of tea, the Marquis answered with a gentle gaze.

“…I now think that value system is wrong.”

“What?”

“For the future of Bagrande, it must be so. Isn’t it at the center of chaos? It is also connected to the West, and there are suspicions. Evidence of such circumstances has even emerged.”

Claire soon realized what the Marquis was saying.

“If I help Princess Arina, I could rise to a higher place. I could take the path of success more broadly and for a longer time. I would gain great trust from the one who will ascend to the dukedom, no one else. It would be closer to the ideals I have pursued so far. However…”

The Marquis closed his eyes tightly.

A strained voice came from him.

“I already knew because I met Young Master Carsein. The young master… is not such a person.”

“…”

I agree.

Carsein is not someone who harbors such ambitions.

He never even looked at the dukedom, only thinking of leaving the ducal family.

“This is fundamentally wrong. From the moment the search order was issued, beyond that, to the permission to kill the wanted person, all were wrong judgments. That is not the path Bagrande should take. I can be sure because I have come this far with the dirtiest hands.”

That is, inferiority.

“Every time Lady Arina looked at Young Master Carsein, her eyes changed. And that was no coincidence. Day by day, her feelings for the young master only grew.”

When Carsein achieved something, she did not acknowledge or congratulate him.

When Carsein caused trouble, she was busy scolding and reprimanding him.

He never asked what the reason was.

As if, from the beginning, Karsein was wrong and he was right.

“This is not the right path. This is not the path the Duke of Bagland should walk. As a leader who will ascend to the position of Duke, this is a path you must never take.”

With a complicated heart, the Marquis said so, completely withdrawing his support for Arina at this moment.

-Swish.

“Lady Claire. Shouldn’t the wrong be corrected?”

“Marquis, what are you…?”

“You are also the heir of the Duke’s family. You are the legitimate successor of Bagland. That means, you could be the one I support.”

“Are, are you telling me to formally compete with my sister for the title of Duke?”

“Yes.”

The Marquis did not deny it. Rather, he affirmed it, confirming that the speculation was correct.

‘No way. How can I, how can I compete with my sister…’

She was flustered. She had never thought of such a thing.

Arina was the eldest daughter of Bagland, and Claire was the second daughter. Generally, the eldest leads the family.

But even aside from that, it was not a position Claire could challenge recklessly.

Claire was not prepared at all. Instead of taking lessons to lead the Duke’s family, she chose to support it, and in reality, she was only engaged in magic, which suited her constitution, and boutique business, which matched her taste, rather than mastering both civil and military affairs.

Compared to Arina, she had no intention of inheriting the title of Duke, which made it even more prominent.

‘But… if it’s this way…’

Only then did Claire realize what Camilla had said.

-It’s not a way to find the young master, but there is a key to end the situation where the young master is in danger due to the wanted order.

-…What? What is that?

-You already hold the key, my lady.

The rightful heir’s position is not exclusive to Arina.

She, too, is of the House of Bagrande. She has every right to challenge for the dukedom at any time.

And at this moment, when Claire was drowning in helplessness, unable to do anything, the Marquis of Magnuel presented her with a stepping stone.

A means to save Carsein.

That key was, indeed, her resolve.

‘If that’s the case…’

She must do it.

Absolutely.

*

Complex and difficult discussions ensued.

The topics raised were on a different level from running a boutique and contemplating new outfits.

At this point, after the Marquis of Magnuel had left.

Claire, clutching her head, reflected on the conversations they had.

.

.

.

The story progressed step by step.

Somehow, she ended up joining hands with the marquis who had been Arina’s backer… but at this moment, their objectives aligned.

However, the path to that goal was never smooth.

“This is something that Prince Carsein must also lend a hand in.”

At the mention of needing Carsein’s help, Claire’s expression hardened.

“…Why?”

“Because there needs to be room to sway the opinions of the retainers. Otherwise, it will be difficult to overcome Lady Arina’s power with just Lady Claire’s strength.”

“…”

She understood all too easily the statement that it would be difficult to overcome Arina’s power alone.

“Prince Carsein’s support among the retainers is quite high. Be it martial arts or family affairs, he excels in everything. Because of his impressive achievements, if the two of you join forces to challenge Lady Arina’s power, it should be sufficient.”

Claire had turned her back on the ducal family.

Because she did not show the qualities of a head of the family.

Even in Vagrande, where control was crucial, she often deferred to her sister and focused more on personal endeavors than family business.

Though she could handle magic better than Arina, she had never achieved any public merit with it. When the family was in crisis, she only provided financial support, while Arina, as Isabella’s temporary proxy, handled most of the actual policies.

Martial arts that boast the strength of the head of the family.

Family business that showcases the head’s abilities and strategies.

The two most prominent aspects in the test to ascend to the dukedom were focused on Arina.

Family prestige. Family honor. Family support.

Claire found it difficult to reach Arina in any of these aspects.

In such a situation, challenging Arina, who had completely seized power in Isabella’s absence, for the dukedom seemed impossible after such a long hiatus.

The retainers would never fully support her.

But if there was one person by her side, things would change.

If Karsein were to side with Claire, the opinion of the vassals could be reversed.

No matter how powerful Arinara’s hegemony was, not all the vassals were her supporters.

It was clear that anyone who supported the newly rising comet, Karsein, had etched this into their hearts at least once.

That’s why Karsein’s help was needed.

But, how could that be possible?

It couldn’t be.

It shouldn’t be.

Knowing this all too well, Claire did not back down. No, she couldn’t back down.

“Karsein has endured countless times. What he has endured is a truckload. He was utterly broken and shattered in this house, and now I have to call him here and ask him to help me?”

– Crash!

The documents that were on the table collapsed in a heap.

“If that’s the case, I won’t choose this method. I’d rather find another way to confront my sister than burden him again!”

The organized documents were now a chaotic mess.

But Claire didn’t even glance at the documents, as if she had no intention of picking them up.

No matter what.

I can’t ask Karsein for help again.

But, what should I do?

At this point, where nothing can reach my sister. How can I resist?

Claire lifted her forehead, looking troubled.

“If only there were more forces opposing my sister…!”

…Huh?

“If there are forces opposing my sister…”

They already exist. They’ve been around for a long time.

Why am I only realizing this now?

-Thud!

As she hurriedly closed the door and came out, the knights blocked her path.

“Remember. The lady is also a proud candidate to inherit the duchy.”

‘Yes. This must be the first step.’

An equal competitive relationship.

She did not forget the advice given by the marquis.

“I’m sorry. There was an order from Lady Arina to never let Miss Claire out─”

“Isn’t it the order of the acting duke?”

“…What?”

“It’s not the duke, but the acting duke’s order. My sister isn’t the only one mentioned as the next duke, is she? If not, does that mean my orders are not orders at all?”

“Well…”

“Move.”

Pushing aside the troubled knights, Claire confidently left the mansion.

*

The money that came into her hands from selling the item Claire handed over was more than enough.

From noble mtl dot com

It was enough to hide whenever, wherever, and whatever she did.

“`

Thanks to that, I was able to easily slip in with Harunie.

Before I knew it, the designated period had passed.

The status window indicated that it was time to move to find the fifth treasure.

-Ding!

▶Episode XLIV. The search for the five treasures is in progress.◀

▶Move to the specified location to find the final treasure.◀

Truly, it was not far off.