episode_0352

This time, I feel dazed as if I’ve been hit in the head again…

‘This is not the time to be thinking like that.’

I have to run away.

The duke’s residence, which had been quiet until they entered the tomb, was suddenly filled with the friction of weapons.

I don’t know how they knew, but it was because the pursuit party had stormed into the duke’s mansion.

The pursuers are trying to catch me more fiercely than before, and they’ve revealed not only the chase event but also my infamy level.

It’s obvious what will happen the moment you get caught.

▶The chase event has been activated.◀

▶You must run away from the pursuing enemy entities!◀

[If you get caught, the bad ending is confirmed.]

Die.

The status window already shows that.

I had to take advantage of this gap in time between Carlton and the First Knights to escape the dukedom.

Unlike other fields, the paths to the Duke’s Residence are all connected, so you won’t get lost.

Also, judging by the path the pursuers are taking, they don’t have this information. However, there are always exceptions.

-Sreung.

“Eww!”

There was nothing we could do about those who had already entered the duke’s residence.

It would be impossible to stop that many people with just one division.

These things can’t be helped.

Since it is marked as an enemy entity, we have no choice but to deal with it.

-Tiring!

▶Enemy Object: Eliminated the Mercenary.◀

▶Pursuit time is reduced.◀

-Tiring!

▶Enemy Object: Removed the killer.◀

▶Pursuit time is reduced.◀

As I deal with each one, the time goes by, and although Harnie uses magic to tie up their feet or assist me, there are still too many of them.

“There it is!”

“Catch him!”

The siege is slowly closing in.

-Phushu! Phuok!

“Ugh…!”

“Coolook…!”

Some of the returning soldiers block the way forward, perhaps knowing that it would be difficult to get through the main gate.

They were a rabble.

There were so many bad guys that they could have been eliminated in a few rounds.

Money, status, rewards, bounties, connections to Bagrand.

What kind of skills do those who only chase after what they see have?

Although he occasionally sent assassins, assassins, and even hired mercenaries, the foundation he had built up until then never collapsed.

Almost all of it was pierced.

There was only one section left. If only the escape route to the training grounds could be secured, then that would be the end of it.

however.

-Wedge!

“…!”

I had to put that thought aside after barely avoiding the arrow by pulling my body away.

“Where are you running away to?”

“Did you think you could just run away? You commoner.”

“Come here, my treasure.”

At the crossroads leading to the training ground, a pursuit force was clearly positioned.

There were more than one or two. Those holding bows. Those preparing to shoot crossbows. Those preparing magic. Those waiting at the crossroads with various weapons, ready to finish them off.

They all did it, as if they knew I was coming.

‘…Fuck.’

Each one may be weak, but there is no answer to the human wave tactic.

If you try to weaken the group, you can easily weaken it. There was no rush to tighten the siege, as if it would not be too late to do so later.

Stalling time. Slowly releasing the strength. The moment when the strength drains and the weapon in your hand falls to the floor.

It means that you are going to eat it.

There can be no delay.

Moreover, in a situation like now where I didn’t know when those blocking me from behind would break through, I couldn’t afford to waste any more time.

‘I have no choice. I have no choice but to grit my teeth and push through, just like I am doing now!’

At that moment, I was about to open the path by holding the sword again.

““Eww!””

Their camp suddenly collapsed with a loud explosion.

“…This, no way.”

I turned my head just in case, and the person who had cast the spell was standing there.

“What are you doing?! Run quickly!”

A fierce expression and an irritated voice.

Even the fluttering pink hair.

It was definitely the second one.

***

I know.

That it wasn’t going to be covered up like this.

I know.

No matter how much you try to change your mind and do better, the wounds won’t heal.

I know.

What’s done cannot be undone. Time cannot be turned back.

Deeply engraved wounds cannot be erased.

It was this hand that created the wound, made it widen, and dug deeper.

That was the law, the price of sin.

Even if I deliberately send my people to the checkpoint and make the security of the territory lax by conducting lax checkpoints.

Even if I went against my sister’s wishes and hid in the duke’s mansion, I was able to buy some time.

Even if you mess up the layout and try to move it around in the workshop.

My family, my younger sibling.

This hand was the one that was hurt the most.

But I wanted to protect it at least for now.

With these hands. I wanted to protect him just this once.

I wanted to be an older sister who could protect my younger sibling.

I hoped that he would be safe, even if there was no such thing as being worthy of forgiveness.

So he blocks the pursuers’ path.

I will defy Sister Arina’s orders and stop them.

The trees near the wall burst into flames and collapsed in an instant. The burning trees all stood in the way of the intruders.

“Ugh.”

My head is starting to hurt quite a bit, probably because I’ve been using big magic spells in a row.

Still, by now you’ve bought enough time, so you should be heading to the training ground…?

I thought so.

Karsine just stood there.

No. He didn’t even step into the training ground, but instead stared at Claire.

Claire screamed, as if she was really angry.

“Hey! What the hell are you doing? You have to run quickly!”

“…”

“Hey, Carcein!”

Even though I shouted at him and urged him to go quickly, Karsain didn’t move an inch.

“Was it all you?”

“What?”

“You deliberately gave separate orders to make the checkpoints loose, you sent Radiel and Mark to the border and outposts of the Bagrand Duchy, you deliberately diverted soldiers from the dukedom, you deliberately disrupted the deployment to relay information to me, and you even guided me safely out of the tomb. Was that all you? ”

Claire was speechless at Karsain’s question, which detailed every single detail of her actions without exception.

I was surprised and grateful that he knew all that, but I had to deny it.

“I don’t know.”

“Hey, Claire.”

“Oh, sir! It must have been a coincidence! There must have been a few idiots at the checkpoint, and they must have come looking for you because you’re a loyal subject! Duke, I’m…! I was stressed out and angry, so that’s why…”

“What you’re saying. Are you saying that none of it is explained properly?”

I try to make excuses, but nothing I say really explains it.

Since Claire knows best, she changed the subject.

“Ao. C. Run away! We don’t have time for this!”

“…Are you okay?”

“…Huh?”

“After this, are you okay?”

This was clearly a case of going against Baghdad’s orders.

This was a direct violation of the orders of the agent currently leading the Duke’s family, and it was tantamount to helping the family’s most heinous criminal escape, let alone release him.

There may be a huge aftershock.

But Claire didn’t care.

“Yeah. I’m fine.”

As for the aftermath, it’s okay.

Even if I get pointed at later, even if I get all kinds of criticism, I don’t care. Even if it hurts, is hard, is lonely, and is in pain.

“…Now, it’s time to get your karma.”

Fit for the family.

It was harder because of my family.

My days have become more miserable and lonely because of my family’s actions.

Compared to that, this was a nobleman.

Rather than being buried in the aristocratic society and having all of your relationships ruined because of this, it was something that you had to bear, having acted rashly and provided the cause.

I was finally paying the price for the things I had done because I couldn’t control my personality.

So this was karma.

It would be a very light price compared to what Karcein suffered.

“Right. More than that, I have something I need to give you back.”

Claire slowly approaches Carsain and hands him an object.

This was the first gift Karsane gave to Claire.

A hairpin that I have kept with great care and never taken off my body.

A hairpin that never fell off Claire’s head, despite its incongruity with her fashion sense, status, and the fact that she runs the most famous boutique in the empire.

It was that precious and that cherished.

Even though there was an item of incomparable value right in front of me, I chose this hairpin and wore it out.

No matter how cheap and unremarkable the hairpin was, it was the most valuable accessory to her.

Claire took it off my head and handed it to Karsain.

Because it’s time to give back.

“…This kind of thing. I don’t deserve it. I should have done something to deserve it.”

Not qualified.

Even though I received a gift from my younger brother, it was truly an excessive gift considering all the things he had done so far.

So, just as Karsane wanted, all traces of this place had to be erased.

He sends Carcein away, returning even this gift, the last remaining trace.

At the same time, it may not be enough, but he gives it to me as if he is telling me to take off all the trinkets I have and sell them to use them.

“Miss… Why am I so stupid? I should have prepared cash if this was going to happen… But still, if I sell this, I’ll get some money! Since it’s made of fairly valuable items, even if I split it up and sell it, it’ll be enough for accommodation costs. Take all of these too. You’ll need them if you want to settle down somewhere else.”

“…”

“Go ahead. I’ll try to stall for as much time as I can here. This time, you should really protect your little sister one last time, right? And…”

She turned her back on Carcein for the last time.

I bring up what I wanted to say the most.

“…I’m sorry. Karsine. I’m always a nuisance. From now on… stay healthy.”

That was the last greeting Claire could give to her brother, who was leaving the prison called the Duke’s Mansion. To someone who would no longer be her family.

But Karsine approached with a deep sigh.

He approached Claire, who was secretly wiping away tears, and handed her back the only hairpin that wasn’t broken.

“Carcein? Why are you doing this again…”

“This kind of hairpin is useless to me. It doesn’t make any money and it doesn’t help. And by the way, you’d be better off wearing this hairpin.”

“…!”

It’s better to wear this hairpin… That’s…

Karsane, who had returned the hairpin, said as he touched Claire’s shoulder once before passing her by again.

“Thanks for your help, Claire.”

Claire’s tears, which she had been holding back, flow down her cheeks.

“Ugh…!”

“Claire Youngae, why are you like this…!”

-Hwa-reuk!

“Eww!”

“…No one can go. To my brother.”

The only thing left in her empty, pink hair was that hairpin.