episode_0335

I used up all the cards I could.

The only thing that can stop Bagrand is Bagrand.

That’s why the only person who can overcome this situation is Flora.

She’s still young and has many shortcomings, but… I have no choice but to trust and wait. I hope Flora can convince Arina well.

“Doesn’t it seem strange to you, Big Sister? The rumor about Carcein’s brother, no matter how I look at it, it doesn’t make sense.”

“…what?”

“When my brother disappeared, strange rumors started spreading. No matter how I look at it, it’s artificial. There’s no time.”

Flora clenched her hands and continued speaking.

“Do you remember your eldest sister? Before Karsain’s brother disappeared from the dukedom, he was always hanging around the territory. Even so, he participated in the dukedom’s schedule without fail, and it took a long time to earn that money. How could someone like that have planned to rebel against the empire?”

My sisters can do that for me.

No, even if your mother does it for you.

Flora insists that they should just collect the money piled up in that room.

“Maybe my brother was falsely accused. That’s why this place shouldn’t be opened to those people. This is the territory that my brother Karsain managed. If those people pass by, all traces of it will be erased.”

Therefore, in order to assert Karsine’s innocence, this place cannot be given up.

Now that Rusmeyer has been forcibly broken through by the pursuit party and all traces have been erased, the only place that can detect Karsain’s intention to leave home is Chatren.

If one of them plots and covers up the evidence, there’s no way to prove that this is a false accusation or find evidence of innocence. So.

“I don’t think my brother left the Duke’s house because he was a criminal, a sinner, or plotting treason. I’m looking for evidence of that in Chatren. Just give me some time. And those people are the ones who turned their swords on the residents. You can’t let them in!”

The doors to Chatren must not be opened, even more so in order to reveal the reason for leaving the Duke’s house.

This was Flora’s argument.

‘…That’s amazing.’

Arsien’s mouth opened slightly in surprise at the plausible claim.

I’ll find it too!

I can’t just sit still!

Karsane Oraboni has disappeared, so we can’t just wait around!

If she had thrown a tantrum like that, Arina would have just opened the way without looking back, but she had made the reasoning very clear.

The rumor spread along with the disappearance. Along with the truth of this, it proved that if there was a plan at the time of leaving home, there would be a contradiction in terms of time.

It must have been difficult for Karsain to just raise the money in the first place, and he would have had even more time to finish the Duke’s schedule, so he would have been working to the limit.

Not stopping there, he went so far as to claim that it was close to a false accusation or conspiracy, and even went so far as to reasonably infer that the intention of leaving home might be contained in this spiritual land.

This way, since the only evidence will remain in the territory, it will be easy to block entry by outsiders.

They bought time by blocking entry into the territory while trying to determine the truth of the rumor.

They even took the legitimacy of their actions as evidence of their radicalism.

It’s the best, no, the best judgment.

Arsien chuckled at the wisdom that was difficult for a girl of her age to possess.

‘I guess Bagrand is Bagrand after all.’

Even this may just be a whirlwind caused by one man.

anyway.

There’s no need to worry anymore.

Can’t you just leave it on the floor?

I was preparing for the possibility that some weak arguments would come out, but when I actually looked at it, there was no need to get involved. Rather, it would only be a nuisance if I got involved. Arsien could just wait for Arina’s reaction with peace of mind.

however.

The reaction was not at all normal.

“That’s just like that kid. It looks like he’s definitely passed by here.”

Arina looked convinced, and instead of further prohibiting the entry of outsiders, she just sighed and put her hand on her forehead.

“Close the territory and find out if the rumor is true. That’s what you heard.”

“Big sister…?”

“Flora. You seem to have forgotten what kind of guy Karsain is. He is a very cunning guy. He could fool you so innocently.”

“What are you talking about! I’ve never been fooled…!”

“Take Flora to the duke’s house, no. to the Shiren villa. Also, as the duke’s head of household, I command you. Chatren, open the way immediately.”

“Big sister!”

Flora, who sensed the omen of something strange in Arina’s reaction, immediately tried to deny it. However, Arina did not even give Flora a chance to refute.

“He is the one who deceived the princess by teasing her with his tongue despite receiving the favor of the duke’s family. Therefore, from this moment on, Karsain Bagrand will be treated as a wanted person, not a duke.”

“Big sister!”

“Princess!”

Flora and Arsien’s hearts sank.

It went beyond the normal search.

Wanted.

That’s a wanted method used when you want to catch a target at all costs.

This means that even if a wanted person resists, it is permitted to subdue them with force, and that there is no need to take responsibility for any physical problems that may occur.

Clearly, it was an excessive punishment.

It was an order that should not be given to one’s own family.

“Big sister. Why on earth, why on earth…!”

“That’s not your job, it’s mine. And if you give them a way, they might find it quicker. You better give them a way quickly. That way, they can find Carcein a little faster.”

“No. I said no!”

“Miss Flora. Let’s go back now.”

“We will take you comfortably to the villa.”

“…! Let go of this!”

Flora, possessed by evil, struggled and screamed.

“It might not be your fault. You can find out more. The rumors that you’re plotting treason or forming a rebel army with the Westerners might all be fake! The reason you left the Duke’s house might be someone else’s false accusation!”

“False accusation. That’s the same thing. It’s something Carcein always says, although he hasn’t said it recently. He doesn’t even admit to his own mistakes.”

Eventually, Flora couldn’t stand it anymore and started throwing a tantrum.

“The blame was put on me, on my brother! I was jealous that Karsin might take our family away, so I had bad intentions of kicking him out, so I put the blame on my brother!!”

“…This won’t work. I’ve been completely fooled. What are you doing there? Take Flora away quickly.”

“Ever since I was little, I was just bullying you…! I did it without knowing anything. My brother, my brother saved me from Theo and Emma…!”

“Ignore what Flora says. She was too naive to be fooled. Also, keep a close eye on her until she gets caught.”

Flora’s voice fades away.

Even though he was caught by the knights of the family and cried while denying it, the answer he got back was resentment.

“Big sister, I hate you. I really hate you! I hate you the most in the world! If you open that door, I won’t be your sister! I won’t even call you sister anymore─!!!”

Arina’s eyes flinched at the sound of her screaming.

“Flora Youngae is screaming so loudly over there, are you still going to open this door?”

Arsien, who was blocking Arina, asked one last time.

No kidding, this was really my last chance to save my family.

But Arina answers without hesitation.

“Yes. He is now a traitor to the Duke’s family. He has completely destroyed the Bagrand Duke’s family ties. ”

“…ha.”

Arsien was thrilled by the lack of hesitation.

I couldn’t stop him anyway, and even if I did, it would be useless. But I still wanted to say what I had been holding back.

“That choice. You’ll regret it. Princess Arina.”

“That won’t happen.”

“Well. What do you think? I think I’ll definitely regret it.”

“Why?”

“You’ve just missed your last chance.”

Really, that was the last chance.

Arsien readily gave way.

“Okay. Now do as you wish. Since I am an outsider to begin with, I will not pay any more attention to the Duke’s Order.”

“Thank you for your cooperation. If I find it, I will personally kneel down and apologize to Her Highness the Princess for the harm I caused. ”

The door to Chatren, which had been firmly closed, opens.

The residents were unable to do anything when Arina, the head of the household, appeared and had no choice but to open the door.

The road that was blocked up has now opened up…

There were also some that were completely blocked in reverse.

“Now I understand. Why did Albert say that?”

-What Princess Arina has is an inferiority complex. It’s the worst feeling toward her family.

At the time, I couldn’t understand what was being said.

The successor to the Bagrand Dukes.

Even in the Duke’s household, his popularity is skyrocketing.

He who already has enough.

I used to wonder why I felt inferior to Karsene, who didn’t want anything.

But I thought I knew when I saw it in person.

When Flora made her case, not only her sisters but even her mother said that even if she saved up that much money, she would not have the time.

Arina Bagrand was clearly sharpening her sword with a piercing fire burning in her blue eyes.

That’s clearly an inferiority complex.

The worst feelings I ever felt toward my family came true.

Once you have that feeling, you can’t go back.

My family relationship with Karsain was over.

“But you should know that there is one thing you have overlooked.”

What’s amazing about Carcein is that he is a surprisingly strong character.

He is a man of strong body and mind who can create a reversal of public opinion even in the worst territory, whether at home or abroad.

“If you were in the same situation, would you be able to get out?”

Well, those knees are going to collapse.

Either way.

This year’s Yellow Dragon Martial Arts Tournament.

The final that everyone was looking forward to.

At that time, Arsien had clearly seen Karsain’s eyes.

It was a look that clearly said that it wasn’t worth dealing with.

***

The next day.

Claire received some very grim news.

“What are you talking about? Go back to the Duke’s house!”

“I’m sorry. This is an order from Princess Arina.”

“Huh. Why are you looking for me, Sister…! Shouldn’t you be looking for Karcein first?”

“…Excuse me, but please take a look at this.”

I couldn’t ask for the whole story.

Because it might easily become a nuisance.

That alone was enough to make Claire return to the dukedom.

As she returned to the duke’s house, a letter arrived for her immediately.

“There’s something big, little sister. Karsain’s brother… has been designated as a wanted person…”

“…Fuck. What the hell, what the hell is going on…!”

Claire’s hands were trembling.

Claire, who had been looking for Karsane until just a moment ago, couldn’t help but curse.

“Wanted? Are you crazy, Unnie?”

How can you issue an arrest warrant that says it doesn’t matter if your family gets hurt?

Unlike a regular warrant, a warrant doesn’t consider the person’s body.

Moreover, the target is carcein.

There was already a truckload of enemies. Claire felt deep in her bones that there were far more enemies than allies around Carsain.

Actually, any reason would do.

Whether it was because they hated the status of commoners, because they wanted to tarnish the Duke’s family, or because they hated the person called Karsane.

Now that the wanted notice has been issued, there is no way Karsin can return safely. Absolutely not. In the worst case scenario…

Become a cold corpse.

It could have come back like that.

So Claire felt like she was going crazy.

I felt like something was going to explode in my body.

I wanted to go find my sister right now, grab her by the collar, and yell at her to stop issuing warrants.

But that shouldn’t be the case.

『Younger sister, be careful too. Older sister… Older sister is not normal right now. I was forcibly dragged to the Shiren Villa right now. If you try to help your brother, Younger sister will definitely end up like this too…』

Now that his mother is bedridden due to mental illness, all power in Bagrand is concentrated in the hands of the eldest daughter.

If she goes against Arina’s wishes… Claire, who has no power whatsoever, will be pushed out quickly.

“…Am I like this again, I can’t do anything?”

Helpless.

I feel so powerless.

All I can do is wait helplessly?

You survived with Carcein’s help, so you can’t do anything but stand by and do nothing?

“No. That can’t be.”

-Kwak.

Twice, twice not.

Being an older sister who can’t protect her younger sibling is enough once.

Must be remembered.

Karsine will surely have allies too.

Just as there were Camilla and Tasha in Rusmeier, there must be someone in Chatrens and other places who can help Karsane.

Does anyone know?

Who can exert influence in this situation?

If not, then even a place the Duke often visited…

“…A place you frequent?”

Come to think of it.

Karsine often went to the training ground where the 1st Knights Division was located.

At the time, the intention was to train…

That’s not all.

Memories of childhood.

The false accusation made in that training ground.

The link naturally leads to the two knights who were escorting him.

-We will be escorting Miss Claire.

-Because the matter is what it is, it was decided that it would be better to change the key position.

Strangely enough, there were two knights who refused to follow Arina, saying they would take on the role of her escort.

Here, if there is no intention, it would be rather strange.

“Yeah. There are people who will help Karcein.”

Claire called them right away.