Chapter 27

“Everything is calculated. Including the money the young lady put in, it matches perfectly.”

The merchant, who had shown signs of wanting to chase us away due to lack of funds, quickly turned back into his greedy self and completed the transaction.

Yet, even after the deal was done, my heart wasn’t at ease.

Even though I prepared for every possible scenario just like in the game, there was still a nagging feeling about not paying for everything myself with that money.

Moreover, Camila, who works in the Duke’s House to help pay for her sick mother’s medicine, had paid part of it. This made me uneasy.

“Everything is packed. Do you need anything else?”

“No.”

There’s no point in thinking more about it now.

Alright, let’s head back first.

Though I don’t know why she gave some of the money, considering how Dead Trigger was deeply connected to Camila in the game, I should be careful.

▶ Episode IV’s outdoor scene is currently in progress! ◀

▶ Ride your horse back to the Bargrand Duke’s House. ◀

It can wait. The status window also indicates that it’s time to move, and it’s getting close to sunset. Regardless of the situation, I need to leave here quickly.

Between the setting sun and the gradually appearing twilight, I held the reins silently.

.

.

.

As the sun completely set and the twilight faded, I could return to the Duke’s House with Camila.

Camila remained silent throughout the ride and didn’t say a word even now. Frankly, I thought she would speak up first.

“Thank you.”

Every time I got on or off the horse, I expressed gratitude, but no further conversation followed.

‘Is there something going on?’

Given the situation where Camila could seize an opportunity with Carsein holding the leash, if both had weak points, they could create room for negotiation.

I tried to prepare for this situation beforehand, but…

She remained silent until she got off the carriage at the Duke’s House, and only spoke when the coachman left the stable.

“I’ll take the items right away, Young Master. Please go in first.”

“It’s fine. It’s not hard for me to carry them myself.”

“But, Young Master, you must be tired. It would be better if you went in to rest.”

“…Just because I went out for a bit, I’m not tired.”

“Still, Young Master, it looks bad if someone lower than you doesn’t do it.”

Camila seemed to be deliberately not saying nice things, despite clearly being annoyed.

‘She must…’

I pondered deeply.

Perhaps Camila had been showing signs before.

With each Dead Trigger involving her in some way, there must have been clear signs leading up to this reaction, just like in the game.

‘Then, the timing of revealing these hints is the key.’

I started to consider the moments one by one.

Was it when choosing items? When avoiding the shop owner’s eyes? When reaching the destination?

No, it wasn’t here. There were no signs, so I needed to look further ahead.

As I recalled those moments, a meaningful conversation came to mind.

“Wherever you’re going, I’m sure I can be of help.”

“The coachman seems to be watching Young Master’s movements.”

It was when she asked me to take her along while mentioning the coachman’s surveillance.

If I remembered correctly, I could guess Camila’s intentions.

‘She wanted me to leave quickly, before meeting someone who would report to them.’

Therefore, I shouldn’t leave.

“What took you so long, Young Master Carsein?”

It’s better to avoid a fight if you can win easily.

***

In Episode III, after finishing Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony, Carsein has two main branches.

One is going to the training hall, and the other is going out.

Whichever he chooses, it marks the real decision-making point for Carsein.

If he chooses the former, he can increase Arina’s affinity, which could help him make amends for past mistakes, not just with Arina but also positively influence future Dead Triggers.

However, he has to clean the training hall as a penalty, which is a waste of time and physically demanding.

Choosing the latter allows him to ignore Isabella’s call and enjoy his birthday gift by freely acting within a set time.

I chose this because I could get items in advance, but the penalty is encountering Emma and facing danger.

If I had come back earlier, I might have avoided her, but I had to sign a contract with Harnei and didn’t want to rush back for appearances.

So, this penalty is unavoidable.

“Young Master, you haven’t changed even as you’ve grown older. To be out until the sun sets like this. How can you choose such reckless actions?”

Emma began criticizing my behavior after returning from my outing.

“Haha.”

“Y-You just laughed at me!”

Unable to contain my laughter, I mocked her, which infuriated Emma, making her face contort in anger.

Meanwhile, the choices hadn’t appeared yet.

Every time I saw that line, I swallowed my “What gives you the right?” internally. And since the choices weren’t showing, it was perfect timing.

“Your back still stiff, Emma?”

“…”

Emma’s confident expression faltered momentarily.

“No, no, Young Master Carsein.”

After a moment of confusion, she bowed properly and addressed me by name, adding my family name.

Her attempt to avoid repeating past mistakes was somewhat comical.

It must have been quite humiliating for her, a high-ranking maid in the Bargrand Duke’s House, to apologize to a lowly person from the slums.

I definitely don’t want to experience that again.

Emma finished her bow and immediately retaliated.

“As your house’s head maid, I must ask why you went out without permission. Why did you do it? Were you trying to win Lady’s favor again?”

“Hmm? Without permission? What nonsense. In the Peselros Empire, did nobles really need a head maid’s permission to go out?”

Seeing Emma flinch, her discomfort was evident.

But Emma’s unease lasted only a moment.

“Of course not. I wouldn’t dare give you permission to go out. But Young Master, you should have asked permission from Lady Arina.”

Clearly, she had something to rely on.

– DING!

The choices always appear at the right moment.

While it’s unreasonable, it’s foolish to lash out emotionally at Emma.

Thus, I need to turn the tables slowly.

Like always, I defend my innocence.

“This is the first time I hear this. Why does Arina’s permission matter for me to go out?”

“Permission is always required from the eldest daughter for Young Master’s outings. Surely you remember?”

Seeing she was leading the conversation in her favor, Emma continued confidently.

“It’s not just about house matters. Even at the training hall and during the eldest daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony, and even when you ruined the territory, you needed her permission. You caused so many accidents that your outings were restricted.”

She wasn’t wrong.

Back then, Carsein was indeed under constant restrictions and surveillance, even when family members had to attend events together.

But this is a shallow trick.

That’s why I didn’t leave the situation.

I’m certain. Without any contradictions.

Because I have a way to counter Emma’s claims.

Let’s throw another hint.

“If they restricted my outings, they would tell me through Camila first. I haven’t heard anything like that.”

“Maybe you forgot?”

“Aha, I forgot? Even though Camila told me directly?”

“Whether you forgot or lied, you often lie. You might have lied about forgetting.”

“Then what if I went out for another reason?”

“Young Master, I’m sorry, but there’s no other reason for you to go out. Just go and apologize to the eldest daughter.”

Emma took the bait, asking three times instead of twice.

“This is too much, Emma. I had a very important reason to go out. Now I have to apologize to Arina for not getting permission?”

At that moment, the choices vanished, and someone else joined the conversation.

“Carsein, you’re telling me to beg your sister for forgiveness? What does that mean?”

“K-Klare Young Lady.”

Great. It’s Pink Hair.

***

My position is quite disadvantageous. Carsein’s outings draw negative attention in the Duke’s House.

Rushing to draw his sword against knights who insulted him.

Or causing a ruckus over insults from a maid inside the house.

Or knocking down a noble during Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony.

Or receiving all kinds of reports and petitions for ruining the territory’s economy.

Every short absence or outing makes Carsein seem likely to cause trouble.

With so many grounds for criticism, the fear that he might do something outrageous outside is overwhelming, putting me in a highly disadvantageous position.

Facing Emma directly means losing every choice and damaging family affinities.

“But if I listen carefully, the story changes.”

Right, Emma?

-Wince!

Her expression darkened as I glared.

“Tell me what happened. Why are you fighting with Emma?”

Wow, Claire, who only gives bad endings, is surprisingly reassuring now.

The choices were all good because I had managed affinities in advance.

I shrugged my shoulders jokingly and replied.

“The head maid said I went out without permission and must beg Arina’s forgiveness.”

“Hmm. So that’s what she said.”

Chin in hand, she looked between me and Emma.

“Considering how many accidents you’ve caused, it’s understandable they’d raise issues. This is your karma.”

“So, you’re telling me to beg Arina’s forgiveness?”

“No, not exactly. If you just explain why you went out, it won’t be a big problem. If you caused an accident, I’ll receive a letter from the mansion tomorrow.”

Hearing this, Emma’s face turned pale, while mine felt like smiling.

“So, what? Why did you go out?”

This is a golden opportunity.

“To buy a birthday present.”

“What?”

“For my mother, she gave me permission to go out as a birthday gift.”

Claire’s eyes widened.

“What? A birthday present? Really?”

“Yeah, you probably didn’t know.”

Stuttering in confusion, Claire, I teased her again.

“My birthday is December 31st.”

At that moment, Claire’s eyes lost their light.