Chapter 31

Strange sights were to be witnessed indeed.

The carriage started moving, and a tepid silence filled the air.

“Got anything to say? Spit it out quickly.”

It was Carsein who broke the silence.

“If you think I’m actually going to go through with this, then go ahead and speak your mind. There’s no need to hold back.”

How could Flora, who receives all her family’s love in one go, ever want to ride in a carriage with Carsein? Carsein knew very well how much Flora despised him.

So, he appropriately guided Flora to open her mouth and get straight to the point.

Flora responded without hesitation, snorting derisively.

“Isn’t this just another way to draw attention to our family?”

Carsein chuckled as if he understood her intent.

“You talk about drawing attention. Who would want this kind of trouble?”

“Wouldn’t you say you caused this on purpose? Then how did you end up going to the Snowflake Festival with Claire and Mom!”

“I didn’t want to go either.”

How could she want to go when she had to be under surveillance as a birthday present? Carsein himself didn’t particularly want to go to a festival.

But.

“Liar! You’re taking me because you lied to Claire and Mom about my birthday!”

Flora wouldn’t believe such a thing.

“My birthday? You’ve always ignored me. Even if you hadn’t mentioned it this time, they wouldn’t have known anyway. How could they know unless you told them yourself?”

In Flora’s view, Carsein should always be isolated from the family.

He shouldn’t receive any attention at all.

He’s just a bad person trying to separate our family.

So, clenching her skirt, Flora shouted.

“This time, maybe your dirty lies worked, but there won’t be a next time. I’ll stop you at the festival. I’ll make sure you don’t do anything to our family.”

You can never be part of our family.

I won’t let you show any interest.

I’ll personally stop you from showing any interest to a lowly commoner like you.

“I won’t give anything to you, not even Claire and Mom’s places!”

Flora puffed up and took a breath.

This wasn’t a conversation anymore.

It was torment, punishment, a warning from someone who desperately wants Carsein isolated.

Flora spat out her insults, expecting Carsein to attack, as usual.

If that happened, Carsein would be separated from the family again.

He’d be confined in the Duke’s Mansion during the Snowflake Festival.

That would satisfy her.

“…”

However, Flora couldn’t continue her mocking smile.

Not a single twitch.

Her jaw jutted out, unmoving.

She stared coldly, expressionless.

Carsein simply listened.

Suddenly, a sneer appeared on Carsein’s face.

“I told you. I’ve always felt wronged.”

At his sarcastic remark, Flora swallowed hard.

“I never had any intention to begin with. I’m not the guilty party. Every time, I’ve been treated like garbage. And nothing’s changed this time.”

A memory flashed back.

The day he stopped eating after realizing there were Kelbia fruits.

The day he went to confront her, thinking she saw him as a criminal.

The day he yelled in Carsein’s room that he was innocent.

What does this mean?

“I never said I wanted to go to the Snowflake Festival as a birthday present. Stupid brat.”

-Gulp-

“What do you mean?”

Tense, Flora realized she had to listen to Carsein’s words.

Just then, the carriage stopped.

They had arrived.

Carsein opened the door first, sneering again.

“Relax. While you want to kick me out of this house, there’s no need to go that far.”

As if he read her thoughts.

“So you won’t tell Mom and your sisters anything?”

“Yeah. I don’t plan on taking anything from this house. Jewelry? Money? Clothes? None of it matters. And.”

-High-pitched neigh!

“Oh, you! What’s with you today?”

The last part was lost in the startled neigh of a horse, unheard by Flora.

“Are you not getting off? Do you want to get down alone from this high carriage?”

…

For some reason, Carsein’s answer didn’t sound false.

‘It’s not about truth or lies…’

Today, Carsein was terrifying.

Too much so.

***

“Come on, come on. If you’re late, you’ll lose playtime.”

Claire shouted from afar, making a megaphone with her hands.

After arguing in the carriage, the three of them got out first and waited.

At this, Flora hopped eagerly and followed her sisters. Meanwhile, she acted like she was hiding something by arguing with Carsein.

“Let’s go in now that everyone’s here.”

Isabella led the way.

Carsein, standing at the back, checked the numbers displayed above his head.

[39%] [11%] [17%] [3%]

‘They’ve risen quite a bit.’

An increase in affinity with the whole family. Birthdays must really be effective in games.

Seeing some rise more due to direct interaction was satisfying.

Checking his status window, other stats were also set fairly high.

‘This should be enough. No problem even if I drop a bit in this episode.’

While the family headed towards a building where the festival was happening,

usually, festivals are thought of as free movement and fun in the area.

But, the Snowflake Festival is an annual event hosted by the royal family.

With the nobles having to follow a schedule inside the hall.

So, they visit this place first.

▶Episode IV. The Snowflake Festival is ongoing!◀

▶Successfully conclude the family festival!◀

‘Right. Episodes aren’t supposed to be easy.’

It’s not just the festival.

As episodes apply here too, ‘successfully conclude’ means no incidents here either.

As they followed Isabella, nobles began recognizing the Bargrand family.

The royal family’s power enables the people to enjoy the festival.

It’s not just for commoners.

This is a social gathering for nobles.

To Carsein, it feels like a tiger’s den.

Following the family, they reached a large hall.

Nobles, chatting in groups, immediately focused their attention as the Bargrand family entered.

“As expected, the Bargrand family is the Bargrand family.”

“Even their lack of arrogance is elegant.”

“We look forward to what great contributions they will make to the empire.”

Praise poured from the nobles.

Except for one.

“Why is that commoner here…?”

“Hush. They might hear us.”

“This is a disaster. I thought this festival would be the most enjoyable, but it’s a dud?”

Voices of unease and contempt directed at Carsein.

Unable to bear it, Arina reminded Carsein once more.

“After we meet with the Emperor, we can explore the streets outside. Just endure until then.”

“I don’t care.”

Sighing, Arina continued.

“Don’t forget. We promised to reward you if you handle this situation well.”

“Got it.”

Despite her lack of trust, Arina knew the audience with the Emperor came first.

Clare turned around and moved toward the hall.

“They’re probably making friends. It’ll be quick.”

Only two people were allowed in for the audience.

So, it was Isabella and Arina who were last.

Thus, Flora and Clare went to meet their friends each.

Leaving Carsein alone.

Like being in a den full of hyenas.

-Ding!

Choice options started appearing.

***

They’re coming.

Those hyenas, eagerly waiting for him to be left alone.

Now, no one can protect him.

Even if they punish him right here and now, he won’t care.

Even if he loses something in the process, he’ll gain more.

‘Carsein’s departure itself would be for the public good.’

Personal rewards would follow too.

High-ranking nobles from powerful families naturally feel displeased with Carsein’s presence.

Therefore, rewards are given.

To those who dedicate themselves to driving away unwanted guests.

To those who lead the charge in punishing the unworthy.

Even those who barely know him and have no title can receive significant rewards just by stepping forward.

This information came from checking the memorial in the flower pot.

“Wow, creepy. How dare you come back without fear?”

“Why are you here? Bringing us gifts?”

“Such gifts would be truly appreciated. Hehehe.”

Standing by the window, the nobles crowded around, giggling.

Men acted openly.

Women seemed to watch passively, but with smiles, contemplating how to spread the news.

And here he was.

-Ding!

A choice option appeared.

▶Nobles are threatening. How will you act?

[1. (while knocking one down) “Think I’ll just take it?”]

[2. Escape to the second floor.]

[3. (pathetically) “Please don’t tell the head of the family? I’ll get a gift from my older sister.”]

[4. (remain silent)]

All kinds of choices appeared at once.

Dead Flag already knew this situation and was meant to bypass it.

But all these were wrong answers.

In Episode III, he had to encounter one of the characters after failing to avoid the incident.

Now, he had to choose which incident to face.

So, no matter what, Carsein had to face an incident.

‘If I slightly disrupt the constraints of the choices… things might change.’

Glancing around, the pink-haired figure was noticeable even from a distance.

Any commotion would draw their attention.

The blonde…

‘I doubt that’s the right move.’

Fine.

Then, I’ll endure this state.

I remained silent, choosing option four, no matter what they said.

About 10 minutes passed.

“Why isn’t this guy reacting today?”

“Say something, damn moldy rat?”

Finally, the scene he hoped for unfolded.

“Hey, this isn’t working. Move aside.”

“What are you doing?”

“A few hits should make him talk.”

The largest-looking guy in the group stepped forward.

Spinning his arm like an ad, he declared he was going to hit.

-Ding!

[1. Take the punch directly.]

[2. Dodge the punch.]

[3. Hit before being hit.]

[4. Block the punch and counterattack.]

Options appeared just in time, and I intended to choose number two.

Now, all that’s left is for the punch to come.

-Pwoosh. Thud.

“Wha—! Are you blocking?”

Too slow, instinctively, my hand shot out and blocked the punch.

‘Why is this so clumsy? Even slow?’

Was it because I sparred so often in modern times?

Though it seemed ridiculous, it made sense.

Being clumsy and slow was normal.

Thinking carefully, Carsein’s health wasn’t great, but that didn’t mean he was good at fighting.

That is, these kids weren’t fit for fighting either.

They were noble children, after all.

They likely hadn’t fought before, being such precious children.

Moreover, Carsein grew up fighting rough battles in the slums.

Unlike the chubby kids with protruding bellies and chubby cheeks, he had lived a harsh life since a young age.

So, these punches didn’t seem like punches at all, even without fighting experience.

‘How could he beat up nobles with a body like this… Ah, it works.’

My doubts were resolved strangely.

“Damn it!”

Another punch came.

Whoa, almost blocked it again.

Watching his sluggish movements, I dodged before retaliating.

After dodging a few times, the guy gasped for breath and shouted.

“Hey, hit him like a commoner!”

Since he couldn’t do it alone, they all jumped in together.

Where did his pride go? They were all riled up, wanting to beat me.

‘But why do I have to take this?’

Getting hit by such slow punches is more shameful.

As they attacked in groups, narrowing the gap, I didn’t tire.

Just dodging, they ended up exhausted.

“Ah, ahah?”

Without anyone touching him, just by dodging, the chubby guy tilted.

Future results were predictable.

The lone struggling guy crashed into the wall with a dull thud and collapsed.

The one who fell forward had his face smashed against the wall, nose bleeding visibly.

“Damn it…”

Seeing blood flow from his nose, he couldn’t help but touch it.

Realizing it was blood, he twisted his face in disgust.

Anyway, things went as planned.

“Everyone, this guy hit me!!”

He dug his own grave.