The Damn Family Is Back Again - Chapter 317



317. CHAPTER 4 (5)

One day, suspicious papers suddenly appeared all over the empire.

The contents inside created rampant rumors.

And those rumors grew rapidly, spreading through people’s breath and eventually covering the entire empire.

The royal family also happened to hear the news.

“Where on earth did this come from…”

-Crinkle.

The content was never positive from the royal family’s perspective.

“There were always plenty of people who were jealous and envious of Carsein’s dramatic changes. But this is…”

“Yes. As you said, brother, it focused on Carsein’s identity.”

For those who had no capabilities, it raised doubts.

Questions about whether such growth and development were possible.

And this question led to another question.

With the emblem of the Wederos Kingdom that disappeared years ago.

They created rumors that Carsein’s true identity was actually a survivor of the Wederos Kingdom. If that were the case, it would make sense.

The only ones who knew this was not a rumor but the truth were the direct royal family of Peselos.

“This is the worst. Rumors can be suppressed quickly in the early stages, but to disappear at this time…”

Florence lamented, holding her forehead.

“Brother. Just in case, the nobles…”

“Yes. They must have already taken action. Each in their own way.”

A survivor of the Wederos Kingdom appeared.

The ones who would be most uncomfortable with that fact were none other than the privileged nobles.

“There are quite a few families that make the right decisions. The emerging nobles have such aspects. Even among the nobility, there are those who focus on development rather than authority. But the problem is that those who hold power in the empire are the ones who check both the emerging nobles and the royal family.”

Such people would not miss this prey.

“The Duke of Bagrand currently has a gap. Prince Carsein is directly suspected of having connections with the Wederos Kingdom. If he is caught…”

Although he didn’t finish his sentence, Arshien could guess the rest.

That’s why it’s even more frustrating.

“Why on earth, is the wanted order not withdrawn? Lady Arina.”

“…I’m more curious about that.”

The siblings gaze intently in one direction.

Currently, there was a guest in the room.

“So, we wish to investigate by spreading the knights through the northern region, and thus, we have come to seek permission to use the canal.”

“…”

-Tap, tap.

Crown Prince Albert frowned as if something was bothering him.

He tapped the table several times and then asked Arina, as if he couldn’t understand.

“Lady. I have a question.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“You issued a wanted notice, not a search, for Lord Carsein, didn’t you?”

The missing Carsein.

It didn’t matter if they guessed he went north.

But what bothered Albert was the fact that a wanted notice was issued instead of a search.

Arina answered expressionlessly.

“Yes.”

-Thud.

“Yes? Is that all?”

“I believed you were already aware that a wanted notice had been issued, so I didn’t bother to explain further.”

“You know very well that I’m not asking for an explanation.”

Albert, who was trying hard to hide his discomfort, asked again, and Arina answered calmly this time as well.

“That foolish man brought this disaster upon himself.”

“Lady.”

“He left the duke’s house on his own, and it was his foolish stubbornness that brought such disgrace to the duke’s house. I believe he deserves to be punished.”

“Lady Arina.”

“I understand. I will capture him as soon as possible to quell this controversy, so please grant permission to use the canal─”

-Bang!

“Every word, that man, that man. Have you really lost your mind?”

“I am perfectly sane, Your Highness.”

“Sane? You issued a wanted notice instead of searching for your missing family member, and you even intend to forcibly bring him back. And you call that sane?”

Albert slammed the table and snapped fiercely.

“Did you ever see Karsein as a younger brother? I’m asking if it’s normal to treat him as if he isn’t even family.”

“Then is he normal?”

“What?”

“Disappearing after deceiving the whole family, making Mother like that, and causing Claire to suffer? Are you saying it’s not his fault that Flora got sick from waiting?”

From noble mtl dot com

Arina didn’t back down, her blue eyes sharp.

“Is it normal for him to disgrace the family name, boast as if he can live alone, but end up causing strange rumors?”

“Huh.”

Albert took a deep breath as if he was overwhelmed.

“So you’re going to blame Karsein for that now. Then I can’t allow it either.”

“Your Highness, it’s not blame, it’s truly his fault. No matter how much he achieves, it means nothing if he tarnishes my reputation like that.”

“It’s not about tarnishing your reputation, it’s about your inferiority complex.”

Arina’s eyes flinched for a moment.

“I’ve told you repeatedly before. Get rid of that inferiority complex towards Karsein.”

“…That’s an assumption, Your Highness.”

“Are you planning to harm him directly because you can’t overcome your inferiority complex?”

“Even if I harm him, it will only be a punishment.”

“Yes, of course. You don’t even know what you’re doing. You don’t know what impact those rumors have on Karsein, or what problems this decision will cause.”

Albert kicked the door violently.

“I won’t give you permission. Leave this place immediately.”

With no room for argument, Arina reluctantly stood up and left.

As Arina walked away, Albert gave her one last piece of advice.

“The lady will definitely regret it.”

That foolish decision strangled Karsein.

Not only did it sever ties, but it also led him down a path of no return.

‘In the worst case, you won’t even be able to punish him. My lady.’

He will return as a cold corpse.

Still not understanding what Albert was saying, Arina left the palace.

“Brother Albert.”

Arsien and Florence came to see him.

Since they had talked with Arina, they must have come to hear his response.

Albert was struggling to suppress his anger, and the siblings could roughly guess the outcome.

“…So, the warrant couldn’t be withdrawn after all?”

“Yes. He didn’t relent. But I have a rough idea of the search range.”

“Where is it, brother?”

“The north. Judging by his attempt to use the canal, he hasn’t reached the front lines yet.”

“The north… especially in this winter season.”

The siblings expressed their concern.

Winter itself is a difficult season for the empire, but the northern winter is on a different level.

Moreover, for Karsein, who would be chased by an unspecified number of people, it would be even more harsh.

“I am sending the entire 2nd and 3rd divisions for the search.”

“Brother Albert?!”

“Brother, if you do that, you won’t have enough troops to clear the monsters…!”

“Right now, finding Karsein before anyone else is the priority. I am not the issue.”

Although the crown prince of a nation was making such a dangerous statement, Albert was sincere.

“You both know, don’t you? What sacrifices the Kingdom of Wederos made for Peselos and Bagrand.”

“…”

“…”

“Moreover, no matter how unrelated by blood, I cannot stand by and watch a sister try to kill her brother with her own hands.”

-Ding!

▶You have achieved the condition.◀

▶Arina Bagrand’s intimacy setting is unlocked.◀

[ Family is ■■■■ ■■■■ ■■■ ■■■ ■■■ ■■■. ]

[ Current value: 85% ]

*

Right after escaping the abandoned mine.

The world had turned completely white.

Snow was falling.

Pure white snow covered the world.

The cold snowflakes touching my skin awakened my reality.

Even as the snowflakes fell, the status window was clearly visible.

-Ding!

▶The residents of Ileor village suspect your identity!◀

▶The danger level of the entire village is designated.◀

[ Ileor (Restricted) ]

Certainly, this place was a safe zone.

In any way, there was no chance of being dragged to the Duke’s house, so the field itself had no danger.

However, this village has become a place where I can no longer walk around freely.

“Ha.”

It’s funny, but I think I know why.

The reward for the memorial encountered in the abandoned mine was the progression method of CHAPTER 4.

All episodes overlap, and even the main episode proceeds in duplicate.

And there was one common point in the main episodes that exceeded ten.

Everyone was targeting me.

Not only the Duke’s house but everyone was targeting me.

Whether they had heard my name or not, noble families were looking for me.

Some moved entire knight orders, some hired a large number of mercenaries, and even called assassins.

It seemed unbelievable.

But the village I looked down on from the hill was really like that.

Every single person was identified as an enemy entity.

There was no white box among the intimacy boxes.

The gray boxes, which meant negative intimacy, were at a normal level, and the most common ones were those with black boxes painted over. They were probably the ones aiming for the bounty.

But, that doesn’t seem to be the end.

People I’ve never seen before, knights or those whose outfits are not clearly visible, walk around carrying weapons.

Their intimacy boxes are red, like fresh blood. Seeing colors I’ve never seen before, it must have become more dangerous.

“And I have to get through them?”

Yes. Everyone is designated as an enemy entity.

To me, Carsein Bagland.

“Pfft.”

I laughed without realizing it.

“So, that’s what it meant.”

▶Episode II. The Path of Solitude is in Progress.◀

▶Survive for the designated period in this abnormal state.◀

The main episode at the top of Chapter 4 reveals the answer.

Winter is not a season.

This chapter itself means it can only be cleared by survival.

In other words, I must survive alone.

I have turned the whole world into my enemy.

There is no one to help me.

“Heh, haha. It’s really nothing.”

A laugh escapes at the trivial conditions.

“I was always like this. Even in reality, I lived alone.”

This was familiar.

-Tap. Tap.

Silently, I arrived at the village.

Illeor. Since this is an isolated area in the north, I shouldn’t stay long.

First, I need to find a way to escape from Illeor.

Unlike when I came here, there are now soldiers conducting inspections, which is a bit annoying… but it’s not impossible to deal with.

‘If I wait until night, the path will open.’

The northern winter is fierce.

It becomes even more biting at night.

There is something I learned while living here for a few days.

The characteristic of the field called Illeor.

When night falls, no NPCs are visible.

That’s the blind spot. As the cold accompanies it, the number of watchful eyes decreases significantly, and the time spent indoors becomes very long.

So, if there were a helper, it would be perfect to hide in a building and come out later.

‘There’s no way I have a helper.’

Entering a building alone is suicidal.

The moment someone sees me, the chase event will come sooner. If I cause a commotion, it will lead straight to a bad ending.

To avoid being caught by someone’s report, I had to forcibly become a homeless person.

The cold?

I’m used to that kind of thing.

*

One hour. Two hours. Three hours.

As time passes, the number of people on the street decreases.

Gradually, the cold sets in.

As the sun sets and the sky darkens, snowflakes are accompanied by a biting wind.

My vision blurs, and even my senses become dull.

I bit my lip hard to draw blood, trying to hold onto my fading consciousness.

‘About three more hours, I guess.’

Just a little longer. Just a little more…

-Thud.

At that moment.

Something wrapped around me from behind.

I felt a chill.

If the pursuer had spotted me, my head would be gone in an instant.

I had to react. I had to grab the sword and cut off their head.

…But.

My dulled senses return.

Thanks to the warm body heat.

“I’ve been looking for you for a long time…”

This voice…

“…Harnie?”