Damn Family

In the arena where fighters clash one-on-one with their weapons, anticipation builds up.

Most participants would be meticulously managing their conditions.

Patrons would be sending their best support to the participants they’ve backed.

Of course, there are exceptions.

Like Arina Bargrand, sponsored by Marquis Magnuel.

She’s already prepared everything.

Her equipment has been finely tuned and her mana control is unmatched.

Condition issues? That’s a joke. She wouldn’t even entertain such talk.

To a perfect candidate for the head of the family, this time feels almost wasted.

Anyway, except for such exceptional individuals, most would be making final checks.

Whether rushing against time, solving problems, or trying to relax under tension.

No matter the method, there isn’t any leisure to use this time elsewhere.

No, more harshly put, anyone doing so would be called insane.

If someone wandered around carelessly at this moment, everyone would point fingers and call them a lost soul.

But then…

“Excuse me, I’d like to have a word with you, Marquis Magnuel.”

There stood that madman in front of him.

Magnuel Marquis clicked his tongue in disbelief.

“What? With how much time left before the tournament starts, why is he wandering around like this?”

There are plenty who wish for more time, even if it were measured in gold.

To meet the patron of a competing participant?

He was truly out of his mind.

“But I can’t just send him away.”

He is still a member of the Bargrand Duke’s House, officially accepted.

Magnuel Marquis gave a formal reply.

“Even if I were to engage in conversation, nothing significant would come out of it.”

Though he came to talk, he shouldn’t readily agree to converse.

The martial arts tournament is in full swing.

Especially with the climax, the arena battles approaching.

Given that he came to meet Arina Bargrand’s patron, it would be odd not to explain first what he came for before ending the conversation.

‘Well, if he can’t grasp that, then conversation is impossible.’

The opponent is none other than Carsein Bargrand.

So, he didn’t expect such an obvious question to be answered.

However.

Magnuel Marquis’s prediction was quickly off the mark.

“I’m not here as a participant of this tournament to meet Arina Bargrand’s patron, but as Carsein Bargrand, to meet you, Marquis Magnuel, as a vassal of the Bargrand Duke’s House.”

“…”

“Talking around it would just waste time. The arena is about to start, right? We need to wrap this up quickly.”

Unexpectedly sharp in understanding his intentions, and responding mentioning the limited time until the arena starts.

Overwhelmed, Marquis swallowed hard.

“…Let’s move to another room.”

As the two moved to a different room, a vacant one where others couldn’t overhear.

Just as Marquis tried to reopen the conversation, Carsein swiftly took control.

“That position to make Arina Bargrand the successor was quite fitting, wasn’t it, Marquis?”

“…I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“Don’t play dumb. Given Arina’s interest in martial arts and her direct involvement in monster hunts, this tournament isn’t just for fun. Considering that, you must have secured your position as a vassal due to being able to produce weapons faster than anyone else.”

His words were too straightforward.

But not a single bit wrong.

Indeed, Marquis Magnuel had secured his position in the Bargrand Duke’s House because of that mine.

Biting his lip, he asked.

“What exactly do you want to say?”

“Don’t worry. I’m not here to undermine you.”

“…What did you say?”

“Carsein, I understand you might think Arina Bargrand should be the successor. It’s understandable given my recent actions aren’t ordinary. But, I’m not a man driven by ambition.”

“What do you mean…?”

Carsein threw a straight punch.

“As far as the Bargrand Duke’s House is concerned, I have no interest in the successor’s seat.”

Marquis Magnuel’s eyes widened.

“Huh, hahaha. That’s a hard pill to swallow. You want me to believe that? That you don’t need the position of the Bargrand Duke?”

“Yes. I don’t need that at all.”

“Huh! That kind of…”

“If possible, I’d even suppress the thought with a spell. Why haven’t they researched such spells?”

“How dare you say such things!”

Marquis gasped, nearly losing his breath.

Contrarily, Carsein calmly laid out his reasons.

“You’re probably pushing the point about my status as a commoner and the legitimacy of the Bargrand Duke’s House. And you could add another point. Along with the financial damage done to the Bargrand Duke’s House and the issue of social skills. In noble society, lacking reputation makes it hard to negotiate or debate.”

That’s true.

Reputation is crucial in noble society.

Even with factions and retainers, one needs to be capable of forming alliances when necessary.

Yet…

Is he really admitting to his weakness?

Regaining composure, Marquis asked.

“Really, you have absolutely no interest in the Bargrand Duke’s seat?”

Carsein replied sharply.

“Yes. I’m someone who should leave the Bargrand Duke’s House.”

“…”

Not just any house, but the Bargrand Duke’s House itself.

The Bargrand Duke’s House, which surpasses even the Peselros Imperial Palace in prestige.

To become its leader, to grab the largest piece of the empire’s power.

Such a position, coveted by all nobles.

He was speaking as if he wanted to kick that position away himself.

‘So he’s serious. I wonder why.’

There was no need to stop a candidate from leaving voluntarily.

But then,

The door burst open with a loud bang.

“Hey. Leaving the Bargrand House? What are you talking about?”

***

“Ah, Princess Claire Bargrand…”

Claire barged in, eyes wide, startling Marquis Magnuel who bowed instinctively.

But Claire ignored Marquis Magnuel, regardless of his reaction.

Leaving?

A person who should leave the Bargrand House?

Her eyes widened.

“Explain yourself. What are you talking about, Carsein? Did this old man tell you that you don’t fit into the Bargrand House? Or did he threaten you?”

No matter the situation, it wouldn’t be odd.

Carsein has faced persecution not just within the Bargrand House.

With his reputation spreading among the nobles, he was considered the worst by the retainers.

Given Marquis Magnuel’s considerable influence, it was plausible.

Whatever the topic, whatever the conversation led to this conclusion, punishing him wouldn’t be difficult.

Claire wished Carsein would speak the truth soon.

But Carsein sighed instead.

“Seriously? Is it so strange for me to leave the Bargrand House?”

“Of course! You’re our family. My younger brother! Why would you need to leave the Bargrand House for anywhere else?”

Claire clenched her fists, enraged.

Sighing again, Carsein said.

“You’re just misunderstanding. Just making assumptions. Is that how you want to handle things?”

“…What?”

“After Arina becomes the head, I’ll naturally have to leave. So, you want me to stay in the Bargrand House forever? Are you serious?”

Running his hand through his hair, Carsein laughed.

“Fine, let’s assume I stay in the Bargrand House. Then, what about my fiancée, Harnier? Should I bring her along too?”

Silence.

Hearing that, she had no words.

“The conversation with the Marquis was about this. I never had any interest in becoming the successor, so I told him not to worry unnecessarily.”

Claire turned to Marquis Magnuel, silently asking if it was true.

“Y-Yes. Prince Carsein came here for this very reason.”

Now that Marquis Magnuel confirmed, there was no point in pressing further.

“Are you satisfied now? Seriously.”

“Hey, hey! Carsein!”

Carsein walked away, as if his words held no value.

The conversation ended there.

“I-I’ll return now, Princess Claire.”

After Marquis Magnuel coughed and left, Claire scratched her head alone.

“Oh, geez. I jumped to conclusions again.”

If she had listened to the entire conversation, this wouldn’t have happened.

Just because she heard Carsein should leave, she got carried away and messed things up.

But…

“Why do I feel so uneasy?”

Some unease wouldn’t go away.

Oddly enough.

– DING!

▶ Conditions met. Hidden Episode for Claire Character, “[Resurgence of Discontent II]” is starting. ◀

▶ Affinity synchronization in progress… ◀

[??? : 93%]

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