The Damn Family Is Back Again - Chapter 285



Chapter 285. The Seer of Wederos (4) – Revision Complete

“Miss. A formal candidacy notice has arrived from the Marquis family.”

“Mm. Just leave it there.”

Each day had always been busy, but now Harnié was even more so.

If it were merely about escaping the Marquis family, I wouldn’t be this occupied.

The plan to evade the family’s watchful eyes was already laid out.

I had sown confusion into the affairs of the family, obscuring any trace of contact with the Plesia Trading Company.

In addition, I had prepared escape routes, potential witnesses, and measures against the scrutiny of the noble society and the Marquis family.

Every angle was accounted for.

Yet, I chose not to escape but to infiltrate.

Instead of breaking free from the Marquis family, I decided to remain and consume this lineage whole.

With this perilous decision, everything I had prepared thus far was rendered null.

In other words, it meant I would also rise as a candidate for the head of the Marquis family.

With that audacious declaration, she found herself stepping onto the stage, inheriting all that the former Marquis had left behind.

“Miss. What shall we do about the amount due to the territory by the deadline?”

“You mean the southern territories of the Marquis family?”

“Yes. Given that the Marquis had a history of exploitation and tyranny there, the discontent is quite palpable…”

“Let’s resolve that first.”

“…Are you sure you’re alright with this?”

“I’ve already steeled myself for such matters.”

Indeed.

Even if it was a somewhat reckless and complacent judgment.

Living as the head of the Plesia Trading Company, free from the Marquis family, would undoubtedly be far more comfortable.

Yet, I chose this thorny path of my own volition.

Because there was a man I held dear within my heart.

Thus, she began to delve once more into the affairs of a family she had previously cared little for, her hands moving tirelessly.

Time slipped by, and I lost track of how long I had been working without rest.

As I gently tapped her tense shoulders, Mina flashed a sly smile.

“Surely, if the young master were here, he would have kneaded with both hands by now?”

Hmm. What is there to say?

It is a vivid scene in my mind.

Struggling to support that grand chest, the muscles taut and knotted from the burden of work.

Karsein would certainly not let his lady’s actions go unremarked, urging her to lower her arms.

Thus, the lady blushes.

With her arms still down, receiving a massage, she remains unaware of where her muscles might be loosening, all the while coiled tight.

And.

Even now, the lady who heard those words must surely be feeling happy—

‘…Oh?’

She neither blushes nor makes a fuss. The once-flustered Harnié, who would have worn her embarrassment like a badge, is now eerily quiet.

At this moment, she merely stares blankly into the air, her expression clouded with worry.

Could it be that I’ve misspoken?

Yet, it seemed that the bond between the two had not frayed. For in Harnié’s gaze lay the ring of the Kingdom of Wederos, shared with Karsein.

Noticing my stare too late, Harnié forced a laugh.

“Mina. Could you bring me a sweet sorbet? I’m craving something sugary.”

“…Yes, my lady.”

Mina, responding to Harnié’s request, left the room.

Left alone, Harnié fell into contemplation, shaking her head.

“Focus. Focus! This is where it gets most important.”

With a light tap on her pale cheeks, she grasped her pen once more.

This is no mere prophecy.

Once the decision is made to swallow the Marquisate, there can be no turning back.

The fortunate thing is that Belian does not possess a particularly sharp mind.

There are no significant achievements to his name.

In many ways, he is riddled with flaws that make him unfit for the position of head.

Delving into the countless weaknesses of Belian, Harnié began to pave her path to leadership once more.

“…”

And someone was watching that scene, peering secretly through the window.

“Is there no sign of disturbance around?”

—

Just in case.

Because the same thing might happen again.

So, it was with this thought that Karsein had come to seek her out, wondering if someone was targeting Harnié.

Fortunately, well, there was no one after her.

Just as the time was nearing to return.

Harnié caught my eye as she began to tap my shoulder again.

“…I’ll give your shoulder a proper rub next time.”

*

▶ The grace period has entirely passed. ◀

▶ The episode resumes. ◀

The hallmark of Chapter 3 is that by paying the retained funds, one can evade the interruptions known as schedules and episodes.

But even that has its limits.

▶ Would you like to pay an additional fee to extend the grace period?

[ Consumption Cost: 20 million Pesel ]

“This is a deficit, isn’t it?”

The grace period initially requires a minimal payment, allowing for carefree usage.

Considering the amount that can be earned in the time bought, it’s efficient enough that paying for it doesn’t feel like a waste.

However, if one keeps extending the grace period, the cost begins to pile up, and when it reaches a state like the one above, where it’s perfectly poised for a deficit, one must forcibly stop.

‘Three more days of extension should be enough to hold out.’

So far, I had endured the span of three days through five extensions.

Having earned that much, it was about time I made an appearance.

“Are you returning, young master?”

“Yeah.”

“I shall escort you.”

– Ding!

▶ You have refused to extend the grace period. Proceeding with Episode VI. The Price of the One Who Stands on the High Peak. ◀

▶ Return to the Duke’s residence and fulfill the assigned schedule. ◀

As stated in the message displayed on the status window.

I boarded the carriage returning to the Duke’s residence, momentarily setting aside my life in the territory.

‘From here on, the schedule I will undertake will be proportional to the intimacy level.’

—

—

It is not without reason that the term “interference” is used.

To unravel a bit of the backstory gleaned from a certain sub-episode, the script unfolds alongside specific lines.

– “Isn’t Lord Karsein ultimately part of the Bagland family? It’s a given that he will inherit a portion of the family’s affairs, Duchess.”

In that moment, one of the retainers suggested that Karsein should be taught the ropes.

As the episode progresses, the optimal means to disrupt even another plan begins to take shape.

Here I am, busy enough earning money with my time, yet I must pretend to learn the ways of the ducal house.

And so, I find myself chuckling softly, almost unconsciously.

“Looking at it that way, it’s really not much different from my own reality.”

The eldest had said something like that.

The second was nagging about the need to learn.

And the youngest, needless to say, was fully engrossed in tormenting me, while the ultimate decision-maker, that person…

– “I, too, would like you to learn at least one thing, Min-hyuk.”

That’s what was said.

– *Snap.*

“D-Do, young master?”

“Ah. Don’t mind me, Camilla. I’m just trying to gather my thoughts.”

I really am a fool.

Why do I keep resurrecting such memories?

Let’s return to the game.

“Anyway, for that reason, stepping into the ducal house… yes. I remember now.”

From the moment you step into the ducal house, your family’s intimacy status begins to rise, marked by colors like a traffic light.

If your family’s intimacy status is at its worst, it means you’re not on good terms with three or more of the four, thus you’ll have to lend a hand in the newly expanded factory of the family business.

Of course, you’ll be on the receiving end of some harsh words from those working there, especially since Arina and Claire are bound to mess things up, causing your intimacy to drop further and prolonging the time you must remain there.

If the red is less than three, it means it’s not the worst. Still, it’s bad enough, so you’ll likely find yourself with two yellow lights, which are merely tolerable.

At this point, a time similar to a learning process is allotted, leading to a consumption of time. The difficulty of choices isn’t particularly high, but naturally, managing intimacy requires attention.

If, by a very slim chance, you see even one green circle, it signifies that you’ve managed intimacy exceptionally well. At this time, it becomes a simple observational process with the subject’s assistance.

They’ll explain in detail what they’re doing, and even if you take on some tasks, the failure rate is nonexistent. Just this alone significantly boosts intimacy management and work efficiency, reducing wasted time.

“Well, it’s not like that’ll actually happen, though.”

From day one, I openly paid the taxes of the ducal house, doing things that would surely irk my family, so there’s no way intimacy could be well managed.

It wasn’t just on the first day; it happened four more times.

—

I had no real expectations, given how much trouble I had caused.

If even one of the four was still yellow, it would be a miracle.

▶You have arrived at the Duke’s residence.◀

▶A late return event is occurring.◀

See? I knew it.

The mere fact that the late return event had resurrected in Chapter 3 was already the end of it.

I scoffed and stepped into the main hall.

…But then.

‘Huh?’

There it was. The green light.

“Carsein!”

“You… ugh. Enough.”

“Why are you so late!”

Not one, but three of them.

*

With a bewildered gaze, I glanced around, checking the intimacy window again.

Does this even make sense…?

The light truly didn’t change. The intimacy score was frozen in place.

‘Still, I have no complaints. No, it’s actually a good thing.’

The wasted time would decrease, and the failure rate of my tasks would plummet. At this rate, as long as I didn’t make a huge mistake, I could finish quickly.

However.

“How brazen of you to show your face again, Carsein.”

That one still glowed red; I’d need to tread carefully.

Let’s see.

The options…

-Ding!

▶The options have been invalidated.◀

“Sister. He just got back from work too. He must have been looking after the people of the territory, so is it really necessary to treat him like that?”

“Claire. But this guy is so self-centered—”

“I agree with Claire. Arina.”

“Mother?”

Arina’s expression faltered as she recognized Isabella cutting me off.

“You had no choice but to tend to the fief continuously, did you not? Moreover, you sent a satisfactory sum along with your refusal to the event you were meant to attend. It neither tarnished the family’s prestige nor greatly violated the etiquette of the nobility.”

From noble mtl dot com

“…”

“I understand your inclination to prioritize public matters, but do refrain from it. It does not look well.”

“…Understood.”

Arina replied reluctantly.

It was truly absurd.

—Ding!

▶You have received assistance from Isabella. Choices based on Arina’s actions are now invalid.◀

▶You have received assistance from Claire. Choices based on Arina’s actions are now invalid.◀

Was it just me, with the red light glaring ominously, while everything else passed without a hitch?

Even receiving help from other family members?

‘Still… it’s not such a bad situation, is it?’

The light seems normal.

Since the intimacy hasn’t dropped, no trouble arises.

There’s no impact on the failure rate of tasks.

The time I need to stay hasn’t increased.

There’s no need to undertake additional episodes due to problems arising.

That’s all that matters for now.

To be able to proceed without any incidents, without even a penalty, and to throw away this opportunity would be foolish.

Moreover, knowing Arina’s true nature, having the most bothersome opponent subdued like this is a comfort beyond measure.

I quietly let it pass.

The next choice was to change clothes and take time to tidy myself up.

No need for anything extravagant; just something decent to wear.

I even gave the maids a hint to save time quickly.

This was necessary to avoid losing intimacy.

Having finished what was more akin to a change of clothes than a proper grooming, I descended the corridor, where Flora was anxiously tapping her foot at the bottom of the stairs.

I considered ignoring her and walking past.

—Tap, tap.

“Over there…”

▶A conversation with Flora begins.◀

▶Please choose an option.◀

Someone is speaking to me from this side.

I had no choice. The options had appeared, so I had to engage.

“What is it?”

But the expected response did not come.

Unlike being called, there was a long silence.

‘Here, it’s customary to chatter and ask for favors.’

As I pondered whether I should speak first, confusion swirled within me, wondering if this was the right course as the options flickered away.

“Why didn’t you apply the… medicine I sent to the territory?”

The main point was finally brought forth.