The Damn Family Is Back Again - Chapter 373



373. Yggdrasil Project (13)

─, ──! ─!

With Arina’s fierce strikes, a chilling tearing sound splits the air.

Her gaze, it was only ever once.

Whether it was the ruined hospital or the blood slicking her blade.

A second glance never fell.

The conversation, too, was only once.

A voice saturated with rage.

Not a question, but a declaration of vengeance.

“For someone who’s just learned the sword, you’re putting up quite a fight.”

“…”

“Yeah. You shouldn’t fall so easily. If you die too quickly, you’ll never avenge Mother!”

This creature before her, only given a modicum of respect, was a pitch-black commoner through and through. At the same time, a black-haired beast so irredeemable that he would return kindness with malice.

He would be thoroughly punished.

He would be thoroughly beaten down, mercilessly trampled.

Somehow, she would keep him alive, make him taste hell.

Arina gnashed her teeth, swinging her sword again and again.

-Clang!

A footstep, dislodged and falling. An opening.

“You haven’t changed. That clumsy footwork of yours!”

A leg swinging back, ready to kick her side and drive her into the ground.

The power behind it was genuinely fearsome.

An ordinary person would’ve been sent flying, no question.

But Karsein didn’t slam into the earth.

-Craaack.

“…!”

A momentary shift in balance. He’d slipped inside her leading leg, closing off the space she needed to kick.

Rather,

‘Tch!’

She was the one being pushed back by Karsein’s direct charge.

Arina took a step back.

The blow was glancing, so the fight could go on.

She started to brace for another attack, but Karsein’s tight lips parted.

“Back then, you always tried to kick my side when my leg went astray like that. Remember?”

“Ha. You trying to say you won’t fall for it twice?”

“No. I’m saying I could have done this even then.”

“What? You could’ve done *this* back then? Hahahaha.”

She was dumbfounded.

A hollow laugh escaped her.

“It wasn’t a miss. I created an opening.”

“You gonna spew out any old lie you can think of just ’cause you’re about to die? Think that’ll make me flinch? Pathetic.”

“Then I guess I gotta show you twice.”

-Clang! Tzzz.

Karsein charges.

Perfect, I thought.

“Your attacks are still pathetic. Weak, and your sword aura’s sloppy.”

-Clang!

Arina lightly deflects the attack, seizing the initiative.

Reversing her stance, she loads up with mana and ruthlessly hammers down on Karsein’s blade.

“You can’t even handle a mana drain fight, that’s why you’re using so little, isn’t it? And you’re gonna show me twice with that level? Figures, all that comes out of your mouth is lies!”

In an instant, the control over attack and defense had switched.

No hits landed, but draining his strength like this, he’ll collapse soon.

And as she continued to press the attack.

Another opening appeared.

“There you go with your elbow sticking out again.”

Nothing’s changed.

Whether it was the past or now, he can’t break his bad habits.

But then.

-Tzrk.

Twisting his blade, he pushed the edge inwards, broke into my stance, and shoved Arina with his shoulder.

Arina’s shoes grind harshly against the ground once more.

And Arina is pushed back again.

‘What just happened?’

No. What happened isn’t the important thing.

It was hard to believe that Karsein, not only blocked it, but was able to counterattack.

“It’s the same with this too. You’re the one who created an opening, not just by blocking, but by giving me a chance, and I just didn’t move then.”

“Shut that mouth of yours.”

Arina, teeth grinding, charges again.

-Clang, Cling!

No way.

There’s no way this b*stard can beat me.

There’s just no way!

*

From a soldier to Marquis Magnuel. From Marquis Magnuel to Claire.

Not long after this news was delivered, they sent a carriage, intending to bring Harnier back more safely than any honored guest.

But it wasn’t possible. The capital had many eyes, and not only Bagrand but others were pursuing Harnier as well, so they had to be exceptionally careful.

Because of this, it took some time.

They had to check and change Harnier’s clothes, and disguise those escorting her to shake off suspicion.

“Stop here. I will bring the guest myself.”

“Yes, Marquis.”

When the carriage arrived, the Marquis was there to greet them himself.

Having dismissed all onlookers, the Marquis bowed his head deeply to Harnier as she stepped down from the carriage.

“You must have suffered sitting in that carriage for so long.”

“No, it must have all been for a reason, right?”

The distance itself wasn’t far.

By carriage, it shouldn’t have taken more than 30 minutes to reach their destination.

But, inconveniently, the carriage had circled around for hours.

They’d invented phantom schedules, ordered the servants to dress her in new clothes, buy attire, and bring her jewelry and snacks, which they then gave to Harnier.

Only after all that could the carriage reach its destination.

An itinerary that resembled a long journey.

The stuffiness of having to sit glued to her seat the whole time, her body must have ached quite a bit.

But Harnier didn’t utter a single complaint.

“There was a spy amongst your people, wasn’t there? I understand. If we’d been found out, it could have messed everything up. Besides, my name is on a wanted list too, so I know that disguising my identity like this is the only option. A veil, a dress in the style of a woman in her mid-to-late thirties, and light earrings… I suppose I look like a wealthy widow who’s lost her husband?”

With that answer, there was no need for a lengthy explanation. If it had been someone else, there would have been mountains of things to explain.

The Marquis let out a dumbfounded laugh.

“Indeed. It seems it wasn’t just one side that was extraordinary, but rather, birds of a feather flock together.”

“Huh?”

“I mean you suit each other. You and that Duke Karsein.”

“Wh-what are you suddenly talking about!”

*Hwaak.*

A blush bloomed on Harnié’s face, a flush of heat.

“As a partner, aren’t I making the most ideal choices for you? Hmm. Thinking about it now, you two really are quite the match.”

“P-partner? We’re not… we haven’t gotten that far yet…”

Such a fresh and naive reaction.

This peerless beauty, who always wore an iron mask and never once showed a smile, was blushing.

It seemed enough to melt even the hard and cold Karsein.

Still, aside from being well-suited, it felt like the woman was perhaps a bit more deeply invested than the man.

‘Anyway, it’s a relief that she understood these measures.’

The Marquis returned to the main subject.

“Since you understood everything else, I’ll make this brief. From now on, you will stay by the side of Princess Claire. Being by her side, you won’t have to worry about too many assassins coming after you. However, if you just stay here doing nothing, it’ll be suspicious.”

“…I’ll need to be somewhat active then.”

The Marquis nodded.

“Moreover, given the current situation, the vassals frequent this place. If you don’t shake off their suspicions with appropriate activity, they will quickly see through your disguise.”

Especially within the Grand Duchy of Bagrand.

A spy had emerged from within the vassals. They even used the power of a demonic beast to wear a human face.

“…So, there could still be a traitor within the family, so you want to coordinate our stories beforehand.”

“Precisely. There, you will be in disguise as a widow, Countess Dolores. I can pull some strings for this one time, but I don’t know about the next. Since you’ve been granted permission to continuously stay here, you need to put on a good act, and since you’ll need practice, at the villa I’m staying at—“

“No. That won’t be necessary.”

Harnié, who had been listening intently, suddenly interrupted the Marquis.

“A wealthy investor. A widow who recently bought land. A woman with a sharp edge, with other men always eyeing her inheritance. Isn’t that who I am supposed to be?”

“…”

“Doesn’t seem particularly difficult. To protect my husband’s inheritance, my back should always be ramrod straight. My gaze sharp. My waist shouldn’t bend, and my movements should be watchful. I’m rather confident in this area, so practice isn’t really necessary.”

Observing the way Harnié enumerated the characteristics of Countess Dolores, the Marquis realized something.

He nodded, understanding Harnié’s self-assurance.

“I’ll take you to meet Princess Claire right away.”

Having finished the explanation, the Marquis took the lead.

*

“A guest has arrived, Miss Claire.”

“Let them in.”

The doors immediately opened.

Seeing the noblewoman enter, Claire, who had been wearing a complicated expression, rushed towards her.

She knew best that the guest wasn’t Countess Dolores.

After all, she had given all the orders.

There was so much to say.

So many questions to ask.

She was itching to hear everything.

The person who had been closest to Carsein was now right in front of her.

“Shall we sit down first?”

“Yes.”

But Claire calmly led her to a seat and got straight to the point.

“When I heard the news, I was pretty damn surprised. For Carsein to send you to me, asking for protection… what the hell happened?”

Claire had only heard the request to protect Harnier, not the full story. She needed to know that first.

Harnier, who had been observing Claire’s attitude, took off her veil and answered,

“…Carsein said, he has no way to keep me safe by his side.”

“He can’t keep you safe?”

“Yeah. He said he can’t protect me alone.”

Harnier explained the complicated story from the past few days, bit by bit.

“So, Carsein couldn’t find a way to keep me safe, so he decided to send me to you, to protect me. He thought that in Bagrand, and with you, Lady Claire, that I would be safe.”

“…”

“Carsein knew. He knew that you helped out at the Duchy, and elsewhere. That’s why he said what he did. That’s why he said thank you. He wouldn’t have sent me here if he didn’t trust you.”

Claire bit her lip, a surge of emotion hitting her.

For Carsein, of all people, to ask *her* to protect Harnier…

At first, she’d even asked if she’d heard wrong.

Because there was no way Carsein would do that.

Considering the resentment he held for Bagrand, he would never send his own people there.

Not to mention the resentment he held for *her*. The wounds he’d inflicted, after all that time, ran deep.

Yet, he trusted *her*.

He was asking for help from someone who was practically his enemy, not family.

Sending the person he cherished, the person he loved most.

‘Ha. I never… I never would have thought this would happen.’

A mix of unease and exhilaration bubbled in Claire, a feeling she barely contained.

But the more it swelled, the more composed she had to be.

“Harnier’s young lady is in danger… you said it’s because of that Yggdrasil Project? And simultaneously, their goal is to seize Bagrand as well.”

“That’s right.”

Then they couldn’t just stand idly by.

‘What can I do? What should I do?’

What those b*stards want is the Dukedom.

But destroying it isn’t their goal.

What they want to perpetuate is Arina’s system. That means…

‘…It’s a bit lacking, but there’s no choice. This is a race against time.’

Just as Claire was about to speak, having made her decision.

The door burst open.

Disaster. This news needed to be delivered in utmost secrecy. If someone had overheard, they’d have to take immediate action.

But… the person who opened the door wasn’t very big.

“Flora. How did you get in here…!”

After a moment, Flora looked around, then went *oof* as she stood on her toes to shut the door. She then scurried over and placed something on the table between them.

“This is…!”

“From the family…!”

“I… I don’t really know, so I’ll ask you, young lady. With this, does my big sister get more of the shares? Right?”

“…Yes.”

“So, is it true then, that Little Sister could rise to the position of Head of the Clan?”

From noble mtl dot com

Flora, with her bright, round eyes, looked back and forth between Harnier and Claire.

Harnier nodded, confirming it.

Now, she was not lacking.

*

Dozens of times. No, hundreds of strikes had exchanged.

There was no thought of being pushed back any further; she launched a one-sided assault.

Crushed down by force.

Crushed down by skill.

Crushed down by the difference in mana.

Because she held the advantage in every single aspect.

Because she wouldn’t be second to anything.

But.

‘Why.’

– *Pshht!*

‘Why…!’

– *Whirr! Clang!*

‘Why the hell!’

– *Shhwwak.*

‘How can you stop it all, all of it!’

It was genuine.

Not like before, all half-assed.

She’d stopped holding back ages ago, knowing she couldn’t afford to die easily.

But why?

Why wasn’t he falling?

Why was he still so damn intact!

“…Kuh!”

*Swhish*

Again, Arina was pushed back in the clash.

Sweat droplets fell to the ground.

Not just the ground, either.

Arina’s entire body was soaked.

Her hair clung to her skin, irritatingly obstructing her vision, and her ponytail was slowly unraveling.

That was how fiercely she’d been fighting.

And yet, even with this relentless pressure, nothing changed.

She just kept getting pushed back.

Kept being dislodged.

Either she couldn’t connect, or she let it slip and then got hit back.

As a result. Arina hadn’t landed a single effective blow.

‘Am I…going to lose?’

To this b*stard?

To this lowly commoner?

To a piece of trash who just brings shame to the family?

Me, the rightful heir of Vagrand?

“You’re probably thinking that again, aren’t you? That you’d lose to someone like me.”

A stinging humiliation pierced him to the core.

“You always think you’re right. You think what you see is the truth. So, tell me just one thing.”

Is he going to start spouting more nonsense again?

I mustn’t get dragged into this. I need to grab my sword and fight again…

“Do you remember the day I gave you that hair tie?”

“…What?”

“Ah. I guess you don’t even remember having a hair tie, do you?”

He couldn’t answer.

No, he *couldn’t* answer.

‘When… was it?’

– *Ting!*