Chapter 157

This time at the symposium, the head of the family added a clause that they could not directly or indirectly assist in any way to prevent misconduct, which greatly increased Mother’s concern.

That’s why Claire and I planned something convincing to make Mother worry less. After getting off the carriage, we told her about our plan, and she gladly agreed.

All the stories have been conveyed now.

‘Only this one’s left.’

Carsein, who wasn’t aware of the situation at all.

Since he was asked to stay a little longer in the carriage, and the three of us had a talk separately, it’s not odd to ask what he did after coming back.

Even if I put Flora beside him… there’s still a chance of suspicion.

It seemed better to dodge the question with an appropriate excuse.

However,

“Did you finish your story already?”

When I opened the carriage door, Carsein seemed to know nothing about it.

He neither complained nor suspected anything.

Back in the old days, he would have blurted out his voice immediately.

Being quiet was unusual.

‘Could it be… he overheard something?’

While Ariana was suspicious, Isabella approached Carsein quietly with a smile.

“Well, I was going to ask what you were talking about… but it turns out Flora asked you to solve a problem.”

“I got bored waiting, so I helped a bit.”

“Hehe. Is that so? Your writing tools look quite old. Should I change them for better ones?”

“That’s enough.”

Isabella responded as expected, which was the best way to grab Carsein’s attention now.

Watching their conversation, the suspicious aura rising from Ariana subsided quickly, like a sudden light rain.

‘Well, what could he have heard?’

Pretending not to know after hearing was too far-fetched.

The voices might have reached when close to the carriage, but only Mother’s voice. No other details were included.

To hear more, you’d need to get closer to the pillar… how far away is the carriage? At that distance, normal hearing wouldn’t catch it.

‘Even if Carsein used mana to enhance his hearing, Claire or I would’ve noticed by now. That’s impossible.’

Carsein secretly mastering a mana training method and finely adjusting his senses to avoid detection is unlikely.

Although he’s gotten healthier and stronger lately, and the young ladies have started inviting him with invitations, mana is a different domain.

It’s much more plausible that Carsein has grown mature and patient.

Seeing Isabella had grabbed Carsein’s attention, Ariana calmly said,

“Mother, it’s probably time to go in.”

“Hmm. Has the time come already?”

“There’s still some time, but it’s better to go in early.”

Though the Duke’s House is one family, during the test, everyone splits up.

If that’s the case, it’s better to gather in one place and discuss the test content.

Just then,

“Alright, that’s a good idea─”

“Sorry, but I’ll visit another location before moving.”

Carsein raised his hand, interrupting Isabella.

Everyone was informed beforehand to enter the conference hall together, so no objections arose, except for Carsein.

This could lead to an awkward situation.

“Carsein, if you do that, Mother will have to say goodbye to us twice. Why don’t you come with us?”

“Ariana.”

Isabella warned her first daughter and shook her head slightly.

“But, Mother.”

Isabella shook her head again, meaning ‘No’.

“The Duke’s House can spare one seat. Just tell the surrounding nobles to keep it open.”

“…Yes.”

“Then, Carsein, go ahead. I’ll wait a little longer here.”

Despite having to say goodbye twice, Isabella didn’t mind much.

Carsein left with a brief reply about returning on time.

‘Who would fall for such a trick?’

▶ Shall we move to the conference hall with the family?

[ 1. Yes. ]

[ 2. No. ]☑

***

▶ You have cleared the emergency mission. ◀

▶ Achievement Level: 53% ◀

At first, the tutorial was about mana usage, so I focused on increasing proficiency.

Amplifying senses is considered one of the hardest mana techniques, so enhancing hearing was difficult. It required intense concentration.

But my focus broke midway.

The vague achievement level of 53% was due to not fully eavesdropping on the conversation.

How could I maintain focus?

It naturally dissipated.

I thought that cooperation penalties for those aged two or more would apply during the symposium, but hearing that Ariana’s plan was to manipulate cooperation for the test made me laugh involuntarily.

It was ridiculous.

Laughing aloud almost gave me away to Flora.

Passing the test is good, but relying on others’ help for cooperation?

“It’s absolutely unacceptable. That.”

Using the Duke’s power and accepting help?

I don’t want any help from this damn family.

Although the easy path was clear, I wouldn’t take it.

Rather than receiving help from these family members, who remind me of my past, I’d choose the thorny path.

So, what should I do?

I needed to thoroughly break it.

Ariana’s plan.

I immediately shifted my gaze to the status window.

▶ You must enter the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting within the time limit! ◀

▶ Timer: 35 minutes 41 seconds ◀

“There’s about 35 minutes left.”

It was enough time.

I couldn’t rely on reputation for system support, but the conference hall had low threat levels, and the other nobles were busy and tense, reducing interest in me.

This was the perfect condition for free action time.

“Right. There are plenty of ways to completely ruin this plan.”

Even if the nobles were busy and tense, there are always exceptions.

Those gathered for the spring outing episode didn’t view the symposium pessimistically.

If I stirred things up and caused trouble, it wouldn’t be hard.

There’s a trigger in this building.

Meeting a certain noble in a specific area causes friction. I once entered an area lured by a hidden item, causing Ariana and Claire’s affinity to drop.

A drop in affinity now?

It’s actually beneficial. It allows me to distance myself from them.

Choices appear here, and choosing incorrectly makes Ariana angry and stop interfering with Carsein’s test.

Of course, Claire is still around, but I can handle that.

“Sure. As long as I’m not part of the Bargrand family.”

I qualified to participate in this symposium without them.

Why not go and cause some trouble?

▶ This area is a restricted zone. ◀

[ Restriction Time: 10 minutes ]

***

As nobles began filling the seats in the nearly empty conference hall,

When the Duke’s House arrived, most seats were empty, but now, with the symposium about to start, everyone had taken their seats.

“Tsk! When is this kid coming?”

Ariana clicked her tongue, watching the clock in the hall. Only about 3 minutes remained. Carsein should have arrived by now.

But Carsein showed no sign of sitting in the reserved seat for the next member of the Bargrand family.

“Hm, hm. There is a seat available.”

“…”

“Why, Miss Ariana?”

“…Nothing.”

Finally, someone else took the seat.

Pathetic kid.

Leaving a seat open, only to waste time like this.

Ariana sighed with irritation.

“If this continues, I’ll drag him here by force.”

“Big sister, it’s okay. I’ll tell him everything when I’m designated as a collaborator.”

“…This kid is making both Mother and you suffer.”

“It’s fine. What suffering is that?”

“I can explain to big sister and little sister too!”

“Is that so?”

“Sigh. Fine.”

Even though the younger sisters said it was fine, Ariana was very displeased with the situation.

She thought he had grown more responsible.

She praised him for suggesting drawing the family portrait to ease Mother’s worries during the spring outing. That was commendable.

Also, the Rusmaier territory. Without constant disputes and with such insight, achieving success was natural.

Hearing he caught a wanted criminal for the sake of the residents and brought Radiel along with a letter in the morning deserved praise.

That’s why she made this plan.

Carsein deserved it.

He had earned the right to stand proudly as a member of the Duke’s House in this symposium.

Considering him as part of the family justified offering help.

‘But, why does he have to cause trouble again?’

Ariana’s thoughts changed quickly.

He’s just a troublemaker.

Let him experience some hardship.

This symposium had many new regulations. With the royal family announcing major changes, existing rules were set to be drastically altered. Not preparing and organizing opinions beforehand could leave even the Duke’s House behind.

Considering the family’s honor, such a thing shouldn’t happen, but she wouldn’t help until he realized his mistake himself.

Just then,

Carsein appeared.

“Why is he here?”

“That brat…”

Ariana couldn’t help but widen her eyes.

That’s not the Bargrand family’s seat.