Chapter 208

Anxiety was as high as a mountain.

Not relying on any magical tools or artifacts, he intended to handle the Scorpion King alone with pure strength.

Even if Talpon had set this test, such recklessness was hard to accept.

But he was a man who made plans. Even when undertaking extremely dangerous tasks, he moved with substantial evidence backing him up, showing his sharp mind.

Just like always, there must be some reason behind this.

Stepping back, he had listened to Carsein’s proposal, deeply believing in that reasoning.

However, Carsein did not use the artifact at all despite fighting the Scorpion King alone and getting injured.

For a moment, fear gripped him.

It was clear he was pushing too hard; it wasn’t a matter of life and death, but he was clearly risking a lot.

Not using the artifact made him feel like his insides were burning.

He rushed down the hill.

Now, whatever happens, he had to stop Carsein from dying.

Fortunately, at the perfect timing, Carsein manifested mana and brought down the Scorpion King.

It truly was a relief.

“…”

Harnier placed her hand over her heart, which felt numb, as she watched Carsein sleeping on the bed, taking deep breaths.

It was a terrifying experience.

She wished it would never happen again.

“…”

“Please… don’t get hurt.”

Harnier tightly grabbed his hand, filled with a mix of worry and anger.

This feeling wasn’t just about being sad to lose Carsein anymore.

There was something else.

Something she felt for him.

***

“Tut-tut.”

The nobles walked into the conference hall with stiff faces. Every day leading up to the report, they always looked like they had eaten something sour.

Today, what reason would make Princess Arshien break it?

How should they present alternatives for the plans that fell through this week?

What excuses should they give for the lack of results?

These worries came every day leading up to the report.

But today, their faces were even more rigid than usual.

No, not only that, almost no small talk was visible.

After the first-week reports that announced the start of the exam, skipping the second and third weeks, the fourth-week report approached, which marked the mid-term evaluation date.

After four weeks, it was time to show some results.

Due to this, the grading would be stricter than usual, and all family heads would attend to oversee the meeting.

Moreover, important guests would be attending.

From family members and relatives to fiancées, observers would increase several times.

If Arshien scolded them or deducted points during this evaluation?

It would be the end.

They could fall apart on other days, but not today.

They had to do anything to prevent showing their flaws.

If their bottom line was exposed, it was obvious how the noble society would view them.

“Already here, Claire.”

“Oh, sis.”

“Hey sis. Hehe.”

“Ugh. Our youngest. Another childish act?”

Claire stroked the head of the cute youngest sibling who burrowed into her chest.

Seeing the two sisters getting along, Arina chuckled.

“Everyone else looks gloomy, but you look calm. Looks like you’ve prepared well, sis?”

“…Well, sort of. Not quite satisfactory.”

As expected, Arina hadn’t achieved satisfactory results.

Due to the new rules at the symposium, she couldn’t receive help from the family heads, causing progress to slow.

Though not thoroughly plundered by Arshien and Florence, it was clear she wasn’t doing well.

“What about you? Your face looks decent. Did you have some success, Claire?”

“Well… not much, but a little?”

“How so?”

“There was a possibility of producing the necessary textiles for my boutique business. Connecting it to my business would make things smoother, so finding a new source of income for the territory was useful.”

“Humble as always. If that’s the case, you should be proud.”

“No, it was just luck.”

The three sisters of the House of Bargrand gathered in the conference hall, chatting despite only hearing footsteps.

But the House of Bargrand wasn’t fully assembled yet.

“Claire, did you receive any message from Carsein?”

“Huh? No, nothing.”

“…Sigh. That idiot. Again, he’s causing trouble. Doing something like this on the mid-term evaluation day too?”

Arina clicked her tongue and checked the time.

She hadn’t noticed the conversation with her siblings was taking longer than expected, but there were only ten minutes left before the report meeting started. Her eyes sharpened as the remaining time dwindled.

Today wasn’t an ordinary reporting day.

With family members and observers gathering for the mid-term evaluation, more caution was needed.

‘If I’m late on a day like this…’

She couldn’t bear the humiliation.

It would be like writing a big black mark on the name of the House of Bargrand.

Especially on a day when Mother herself was coming to watch, it would be unacceptable to be humiliated.

“Hey sis, I know what you’re thinking, but we still have time.”

“…Claire, even considering that, we need to arrive now.”

“It’s the busiest day for everyone. Even if we arrived leisurely, Carsein might be a bit busy.”

“Phew.”

“Let’s wait a bit. It’s not confirmed as being late yet.”

Yes, as Claire said, there was still time.

Even if they didn’t arrive leisurely, there was still a chance they wouldn’t be late.

Arina waited with crossed arms, holding onto a sliver of hope.

But even after the observers and Arshien and Florence entered to conduct the review, Carsein did not appear.

“…”

“…”

Claire and Flora subtly glanced at Arina.

“Hah. My expectations were misplaced.”

Arina clicked her tongue.

“While the birthday party incident can be overlooked, this issue won’t be. Daring to do this on the day Mother is watching…”

Arina gritted her teeth and muttered that she needed to firmly correct Carsein’s bad habit after the report.

At that moment,

Princess Arshien briefly went up to the podium.

“There’s a request for a rest week during the mid-term evaluation today.”

The nobles wondered who would apply for a rest week on such an important day.

‘Could it be?’

At that moment, Arina guessed.

The name of the one who hasn’t shown up yet might be called.

She thought it couldn’t be, but Carsein’s name was clearly called by Arshien.

“What an idiot. Trying to avoid the mid-term report with such a trick? Pitiful.”

Obviously, it’s not a sick leave, and there’s no record of any matter related to the House of Bargrand.

“Starting work and inevitably causing an accident. Must have applied for a rest week out of avoidance since he didn’t achieve any results. The House of Bargrand will suffer another stain. Tsk.”

With a lowered tone, she speculated, and Claire suddenly spoke up.

“Maybe it’s because there’s an important matter that couldn’t be delayed, so he applied.”

“What?”

“Yes. He’s not sick, and we haven’t heard any important issues. This way, he might have found a clue to solve problems in Shatren.”

Claire suggested imagining if she had made the same judgment as Carsein at this time.

“That’s possible. But…”

Arina sighed and continued.

“We have to consider the gap between you and Carsein. That’s too optimistic. If he searched for tricks or excuses, maybe. But concluding he found an answer is unrealistic.”

Listing Carsein’s outrageous actions so far, Claire couldn’t refute further.

Lacking talent, capability, and judgment.

That person lacked everything.

Even if he had everything, he failed to shake off his nature and fulfill the duties of a noble.

Therefore, the conclusion was simple.

“That low-bred, ignorant brat couldn’t have made a proper plan.”

***

“Whoosh!”

The monster’s blood scattered as it fell.

By just counting the number of monsters cleared, it already exceeded two digits.

“叮!”

“Killed an enemy instance! ”

“叮!”

“Killed an enemy instance! EXP increased by 250! ”

“叮!”

“Killed an enemy instance! EXP increased by 316! ”

“叮!”

“Killed an enemy instance! EXP increased by 477! ”

Level 60

“SP has been automatically allocated to an unknown stat! ”

“Strength 6.10”

“Dexterity 7.38”

“Endurance 7.51”

“HP 5.59”

“Resistance 1.55”

“Unknown stat 60%”

Carsein had already surpassed level 60.

“Phew.”

Having cleanly eliminated nearby monsters, Carsein wiped the sweat from his chin.

After hunting monsters in the west for several days, he became familiar with handling mana.

Visible mirages and lines were flows of mana, and he had experienced hundreds of times how mana was consumed when using magic and how to activate the skills of Wederosian swordsmanship.

With adequate rest, recovery rate, recovery time, and body reactions after excessive consumption were all organized.

It was time to clash with Talpon.

***

‘…Coming.’

His scent could be sensed from afar.

Carsein was walking over.

Just a few days ago, he gave the room key after defeating the Scorpion King.

He was always ready to meet him whenever he came.

However, it was earlier than expected.

‘I expected him to visit once during the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting.’

Considering he would report after visiting the conference hall, he expected meeting Carsein would be sooner, around next week.

Yet, he unexpectedly met him in just a few days.

That’s why he steadily eradicated monsters in the Rilfetten region.

‘Anyway, it doesn’t matter. There’s only one thing I need to do.’

He faced the incoming mana with full force, absorbing and understanding everything.

Judging his entire life, whether he deserved to lead Rilfetten, and what kind of person Carsein was.

That was all he needed to do.

“Step.”

When Carsein stopped, Talpon turned and asked.

“Looks like you’re ready?”

“Yeah.”

His calm response exuded the scent of countless trainings and battles.

“Harnei, step aside.”

“Huh?”

“It seems to start right here.”

“Oh.”

Did he notice?

He thought he was improving, but he didn’t expect this much.

Watching Harnei leave with a worried expression, Talpon immediately picked up his weapon.

“Seems like you figured it out. No need to explain. But there’s one thing I want to say.”

“What?”

“Fight with the intention to die. Otherwise, you’ll really die.”