episode_0134

▶Episode IV. Spring outing is in progress.◀

▶Please accompany your family to the main gate of the Duke’s residence.◀

Two days until this window opens.

It was a time of free action where I wanted to try my hand at various things.

The target was, of course, the Chatrene territory.

As a result of changing my appearance by wearing a black hood and wearing commoner’s clothes, they did not recognize me.

I secretly entered the Shatren Territory, but…

The Shatren territory had suffered a major accident, creating a hostile and closed atmosphere for Karssein.

Beyond that, some outsiders even had a suspicion that the person might have been sent by Karssein.

‘Even though the situation was different than I thought, it was so different.’

I had overlooked it all along until I experienced it myself.

When demonic beasts invaded Ruthmire territory, and I simply eliminated those demonic beasts with my own hands.

I came to the realization that if I did not give them weapons and armor and train them, Ruthmayer would not change in the end.

In that case, there was a high possibility that Chattren, like Ruthmeier, would not be able to resolve the issue properly simply by taking actions from the options.

okay. The fact that I had overlooked all along…

The point was that it had to be approached realistically, not like a game.

-Sureuk.

I took out the letters that had been secretly delivered to Camilla with breakfast.

The first arrived from Pollux, Marquis of Aiferus.

『I tried to deliver it to Count Lilpeten, but… well. I’m not sure if there’s an atmosphere of acceptance. I’m sorry.

-Pollux Tutulum.』

“There is no need to be sorry. Should I have told you in advance?”

Since I had nothing to lose this way, it was just a gamble where I had to get my money’s worth.

I didn’t really have any expectations that it would work out anyway.

The second was a letter from Tasha, who was acting as a temporary lord in Rusmire in my place.

『It is said that items were disappearing periodically from Ruthmeyer. I would like to explain this in detail, but it is impossible to convey through a letter, so I would like to meet you in person and tell you.

-Tasha』

“Hmm. Did it happen like that?”

After hearing this letter, I became convinced.

There were times when the quantity of an item changed periodically or the price was set differently.

To put it bluntly, it could be said that the amount of money I received from Ruthmeier was different from what I had calculated. There was a lot of potential for problems to arise. It would be a reasonable choice to take action right here.

However, Tasha said she would like to meet me and explain in detail.

“There is something?”

This is something you have to listen to to understand.

First of all, I sent another letter to Tasha, asking her not to notify me of this loss, but to prepare a separate ledger, one normal and one with the hole in it.

And the last letter.

This is from Harnier.

『I’m sorry for contacting you so suddenly. Did you know that there will be a party before the symposium? Because of that, there are things you need to prepare for. Let’s meet sometime when we have time. we.

-Harnier Theresia.』

“I know there is a party going on. Is there something I need to prepare?”

I do not know.

I’ll have to meet this somehow to find out.

It seems like I got some useful information, but nothing has been decided for sure.

So it was meaningless right now to come up with a plan or make preparations.

-smart.

“Master. The carriage is ready, so please come down.”

“Okay.”

As soon as I opened the door and went out, I saw Heron with his head down.

But now, a bright object directly behind the heron caught my eye.

‘Memorial? here?’

This was not a place in the duke’s residence where there was a separate level of danger, nor was it a place where special items could be contained. At best, it’s the hallway right in front of Karssein’s room.

That’s why the location is a bit ambiguous.

This memorial in the hallway was only slightly visible through a crack.

If it weren’t for the Memorial’s unique bright light, I wouldn’t have known it existed.

‘I can’t see clearly. ‘What is that?’

It’s a square frame shape…?

“…I can’t believe something like this was still left here. young master. I will clean this up.”

Heron, who vaguely noticed where my eyes were rolling, responded like that.

“It was because the ladies were very young and didn’t know much about it. That won’t be the case now.”

The fact that he speaks like that means that even Heron knows what that is.

Then of course you should see it.

“No. Leave it alone.”

“…Young master!”

▶Obtained the broken picture frame memorial.◀

A white steed attacked my entire field of vision.

***

If it snows in winter, cherry blossom petals fall in spring.

A sunny spring was in full swing.

The cherry blossoms blooming beautifully in the warm spring sunlight were beautiful enough to catch the eye of a woman.

“It’s spring…”

Isabella, who walked lightly and received the falling cherry blossom petals in her palm, smiled gently.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to go on an outing with the kids?”

Arina would probably laugh and say that it would be nice as a dependable eldest daughter.

Claire will suggest that we sit down and enjoy the food like commoners.

Flora loved playing outside, but she would gladly accept it, saying that she preferred playing with her sisters.

and.

Not even the last one.

“You liked Carcein too, right? Going on a picnic…”

I have no doubt that Isabella will like it.

He was mentally ill, and the child was not Karn.

After returning to sanity, as if to declare this, the child was given a new name, Karssein.

How many accidents has Karssein caused since then?

If I count the number of times, my head hurts…

“Sometimes it would be good to relieve stress outside.”

Still, he is his child.

Even if you get into all kinds of accidents. Even if I explode into an incident that will make my head pound. Even if there was no blood connection.

The fact that he was Isabella Bagland’s adopted child did not change.

The mother of four children proposes returning to the Duke’s residence. How about going on a picnic after a long time? I asked how it would be to enjoy the spring sunshine with family.

Children respond positively as expected.

As the weather was sunny that day, I suggested that it would be a good idea to call a painter to paint a portrait, and he readily nodded.

That is, until one child’s name was called.

“Mother. I am against it.”

“Me too. Mom.”

Arina and Claire, who seemed like they were going on a picnic together just a moment ago, were adamantly opposed to this.

It’s not that I’m opposed to going on a picnic.

What they opposed.

“There’s no need for a family portrait.”

“It’s okay if you’re just having fun. I also like portraits.”

It was none other than a family portrait.

“Mmm. Can I ask why?”

When Isabella asks that question as if she is wondering, Arina and Claire look at each other to decide what to say.

In the meantime, was my mother frustrated because she couldn’t understand the situation?

The youngest, Flora, could not stand it anymore and shouted as if speaking for the two of them.

“I hate him! I don’t like it! Why would you draw a family portrait with a child who is not even part of your family!!”

“…! Flora!”

“Uh, Mom. Flora made a mistake. Just skip it.”

In my heart, the two sisters felt the same way.

Since Karsein is not from the same family, how can he create a picture of a new family?

That was something he should not have done, even for the sake of his father, who was presumed dead, and Karn.

But how long has it been since the mental illness was recovered?

I deliberately didn’t say it out loud because I thought I might get scolded by my mother, who had been so protective of Karssein until not long ago.

just as expected.

Afterwards, Flora was scolded by Isabella, asking why she said such mean things.

The two sisters, who had to watch Flora’s palms turn red due to their mother holding a cane, had no choice but to direct their anger towards one person.

Young Carcein didn’t even notice it.

“Never say anything like that again. Did you understand?”

“Black, huh.”

“Flora. I have to answer straight.”

Although the sisters came forward and applied ointment to the youngest child’s hands and comforted her, Flora, the youngest sister, never said that she would retract her will.

Only looks of hatred and anger were directed at the boy.

“Madam. I think it would be better to move quickly before the seats fill up.”

“It’s still a bit cold, isn’t it? Because there is a daily temperature difference.”

Heron and Shaden, who realized that the anger was directed only at the boy in the tense atmosphere, hurried Isabella’s steps as if to calm it down.

Isabella agrees to this and quickly gets on the carriage.

Only when the sun rose in the sky did the Duke’s family outing begin.

but.

The fire was still burning inside the duke’s carriage.

Even after the carriage arrived at the outing location, the atmosphere became more subdued.

Isabella immediately called a painter, but thanks to the sisters’ disapproving expressions, the artist who had to paint the portrait had a hard time.

“I need to know what the problem is, so I’ll have to watch from here.”

“Uh, Mom!”

“Mother. What my mother misses is…”

“If this continues, the sun might set. Shouldn’t you all be included in this pretty background?”

Then, when Isabella withdrew, he suffered an even greater disaster.

A portrait was eventually painted. It was a portrait of the siblings except Isabella.

“It’s drawn so beautifully, but I don’t know what the problem was.”

“…”

well. I don’t know what it will be like.

None of the people in the picture were smiling except for one boy.

Even that picture was drawn because Isabella had given direct instructions, such as telling her to show her expression a little or to move her gaze a little more.

“Let’s rest for a bit before proceeding.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

With the declaration of break time, Isabella approached Carcein and held out something.

It was money that was nothing special.

“Why don’t you go and change your mind? If there’s something delicious, I eat it. Got it?”

It’s money.

I remember getting scolded a while ago because of Flora’s lie.

Considering that, it was right to refuse, but I soon changed my mind, remembering what happened during the snow festival.

‘If you do this, you can buy a gift for Claire’s sister!’

At that time, I got many gifts, but everything was taken away by street thugs.

It left me with deep regret that I was only able to protect my eldest older sister’s hair tie.

However, here you can also buy a gift for your second sister. No, do I really need to buy it?

Since it is far from here, you have to walk a bit, but not far away, merchants are setting up shop in a place bustling with commoners. It was almost like a small festival.

Then, like back then, you will be able to get a special gift that you can get as a prize.

I might be able to get more presents from my sister along the way.

The boy cheerfully answered “Yes!” and took the money from his mother.

There is enough time.

Solve a difficult puzzle. Nonsense quiz. Match the mana dart. Distinguish between penalty drinks and real drinks.

From simple mini games, the boy again accumulates a lot of prizes.

‘Is this enough?’

Around the time such a thought occurred in the boy’s head.

“What is it? I wondered why a nobleman was in a place like this.”

“ Wow, I almost wouldn’t have recognized you if you just changed your clothes.”

“As expected, you can’t fool your hometown. There’s no way this guy is of the same status as us. Even if it’s wrong, it’s definitely wrong.”

-Kwasik!

Children of noblemen of the same age began to slowly appear, and soon began to destroy and destroy all the items they had obtained.

“What are you doing!!”

I hurriedly picked up the broken items from the ground, but found nothing sound.

The devastated boy lowers his head.

How can you give something like this as a gift?

Looking at the boy like that, the nobles giggled.

“These kids…!”

“Why? Come on? Where are you going, you bastard?”

“Do you know how to get hurt like last time?”

The boy, overcome with anger because the gift he was giving to his family was ruined, could not hold back and swung his fist.

Instead of cherry blossom petals, dust began to flutter.

The fist filled with anger beat the nobles mercilessly, and in the process, the boy’s entire body was covered in dust.

Of course, there was no coming back from that.

All that happened was that the clothes I had prepared for the spring outing were ruined.

“Gasp, gasp. Let go of this! That bastard today I…!”

“Hey. We have to run away! If I keep doing this, I’ll get caught!”

“What?”

“The boy who was watching said that the duchess and princesses had all returned. Is this really going to cause a big problem?!”

“Chiit…!”

The nobles had no choice but to retreat.

The boy, who had endured against the majority, smiled faintly.

This time too, it was because only one thing was protected.

“Thank goodness. The hairpin that my second sister gave me was fine.”

Where did you keep at least one gift to give to your family?

Holding the hairpin dearly, the boy goes to visit his family.

However, what came back to the boy was not a warm hand.