The Damn Family Is Back Again

367. Yggdrasil Project (7)

“Ugh, ugh…”

“Now, now they won’t follow us, right?”

“Yes! It seems they can’t follow us here. It looks like they lose their power when light comes in.”

“Oh… my aching body.”

The terrified residents collapse to the ground.

Sweating profusely as they fled, they lamented their situation.

“Why did this happen? This is Bagran’s territory. Why, why are those things here…!”

The residents bit their lips. They all had the same thought.

“This is Bagran. Why are monsters appearing in Bagran, of all places!”

Aldersia territory is Bagran’s domain. It is the most affluent, powerful, and prestigious duchy in the empire.

In such a powerful place.

A place that should be much safer than other territories.

The appearance of monsters itself was absurd.

Yet now, monsters were creeping in.

“Has no one reported the appearance of the demon beast?”

“The soldiers, the soldiers should have come by now.”

“Isn’t Bagrande sending any support?”

“…That can’t be possible!”

The mention of support was met with stingy reactions from the other residents.

“Have you forgotten the current situation? They’re obsessed with chasing the family’s traitor.”

“All the soldiers are after Karsein. Unless someone volunteers… but who would do that? Catching that b*stard would turn their life around!”

“The powerful ones are all blinded by money and power, they’ve gone that way. They wouldn’t even glance at a territory like this. Honor? There might be some. But even that honor would be greater if they caught the worst criminal, wouldn’t it?”

Was that the spark? Complaints mixed with despair began to emerge in the dismal scene.

“Damn it. Is this right? I get that they pulled all the soldiers because of their family, but this is too much!”

“It’s their family’s territory. They could at least send some troops!”

“Even if they’re sincere about catching the traitor, they shouldn’t be this indifferent to the territory’s situation…!”

The arrows of discontent began to point towards Bagrande.

“What caused this change? What happened to make it like this?”

“I heard that Duchess Isabella collapsed at the ducal residence… could it be because of that?”

“What?”

“Oh, it’s just… my sister works at the Bagrande ducal house. So I heard about the duchess collapsing…”

The residents’ expressions changed all at once at the mention of a change in the acting head.

“Miss. Tell us more about that. What exactly happened?”

“I heard that the duchess’s madness flared up again. Because of that, the acting head was changed.”

“What? Then… is this all because the head representative changed?”

“Probably… yes. The timing of the family’s search also started around then…”

“So, it’s all because of that person.”

“No wonder! The lady would never do such a thing!”

The villagers’ faces hardened.

They couldn’t help but ask.

“Then who is the current head representative? Who is that person?”

The maid’s younger sister swallowed hard and said.

“…I heard it’s Miss Arina.”

“What, what…!”

“How could the young lady…!”

“Even though Duchess Isabella left, we felt reassured because it was still the same background… but this…”

– Thud!

Amidst the rising voices of resentment, a loud sound echoed. The villagers turned around, feeling a chilling sensation.

“Look, there’s one more person over there!”

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. But… over there, that way!”

A boy who had just crossed the bridge pointed to the back of the bridge.

“Oh my goodness! There’s still one person left!”

“This is bad, we need to help!”

Another boy who couldn’t escape in time was being chased.

“If you can just get here! They can’t come to places with shade!”

“Hurry up!”

“Huff, huff…!”

But there was no way to help.

The setting sun lengthened the shadows, expanding the territory of the beasts.

Moreover, the boy was already exhausted.

He ran with all his might… but he was on the verge of being caught.

“Th-there, the beast is chasing us!”

“Run! You have to run quickly!”

Thud.

The boy, who had twisted his ankle, tumbled to the ground.

“aaah!”

“No, this can’t be!”

The creeping vines tightened around his throat.

It was too late.

There was no escape.

The boy would be dragged into the shade, disappearing into the shadows.

They shut their eyes tightly, bracing for what was about to happen.

But then.

-Thud.

A loud noise was heard, and then an anomaly occurred.

“…What is that sound?”

“Huh, huh? Over there! Hey, over there!”

“What happened? Suddenly the demonic hand…”

“Does that matter? Run quickly!”

The boy who dramatically survived was fortunately able to cross the bridge.

“It seems the heavens have helped us. Everyone survived.”

“Let’s go quickly!”

The Alderisia territory retreated, believing they were blessed by fortune.

“Has everyone returned?”

Beyond the bridge, in the dark shadows.

As the watching eyes disappeared, Karsein finally revealed himself.

-Ding!

▶Episode II. You have cleared the conflict in Alderisia territory.◀

[ Removed entity: Tree Monster ]

[ 30/30 ]

“…This should have resolved it.”

Soon after, the result window appeared.

▶You are awarded the 8th level reward.◀

There were many questions in many ways.

Why did this episode come out? What is the intention of telling us to solve this?

“But if such a reward comes up, it makes sense.”

What to do next.

A fairly clear answer came out.

“Karsein!”

Harnie, who had been deeply contemplating something, hurriedly ran after Karsein.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t find one and missed it…”

Unfortunately, Karsein got slightly injured because of the one that was missed. The wound immediately caught Harnie’s eye.

“You’re hurt? What should I do… It’s because of me… I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. It’s not that big of a deal. It’s just a scratch.”

“This isn’t just a scratch… No, I’ll treat the wound first.”

Although he reacted as if it was nothing, Harnie stopped him, flaring up.

She immediately applied medicine to the wound, then tore off a piece of her skirt to use as a bandage and finished the treatment.

“Does it hurt or feel uncomfortable?”

“No. It’s just right.”

“From now on… I’ll be more careful not to get hurt.”

“I don’t care as long as you don’t get hurt.”

“What, what did you say?”

“This is better. It’s better for me to get hurt than for you to get hurt.”

“Wh-what are you talking about…! Really…”

Harnie blushed and lightly tapped Carsein’s shoulder.

“There are more important things! Where are we going now?”

“Ah, that.”

▶Proceeding with Episode III. Escort Target II.◀

▶A grand meeting is taking place at the location marked on the minimap in the Duke of Bagland’s estate.◀

▶There is an escort target.◀

[ Target: ??? ]

▶Protect the escort target and eliminate the internal spy hiding in Bagland.◀

[ ??? : (0/1) ]

▶Be careful. If the information secured by the spy is delivered, the bad ending trigger will be activated automatically.◀

“…It seems that after Flora, it’s Claire’s turn.”

▶Acquired Level 8 information.◀

[ Something other than a human is hiding among the retainers. ]

[ It will sneak out of the conference room and try to deliver important information. If eliminated, this can be prevented. ]

[ There are remains of a retainer who died three months ago in the Aldersea territory. Using the items among the remains can cause confusion. ]

▶Due to the high level of information, the escort target and the target to be eliminated are displayed.◀

[ Escort Target: Claire Bagland ]

[ Elimination Target: Tree Monster (0/1) ]

*

“This is my thought so far. What will you do? Will you stop, or will you move forward? I will give you time to choose.”

Claire finishes her speech.

By giving time, she meant to wait for the vassals’ choice.

However, the vassals did not need it.

‘This is the first time time has felt so long.’

‘It was a speech that hit the blind spot. Our expectations were not wrong!’

‘If she understands the current situation of Bagrande thoroughly… she is the best candidate.’

‘Although she was overshadowed by Princess Arina, Princess Claire also had enough potential. Yes. How could we not have known this!’

Bagrande is falling apart.

This point of collapse is due to Arina’s concentrated power.

Arina, who is obsessed with capturing the fugitive named Karsein, is accepting and handling the current issues, but she does not show the detailed and organized handling power as before.

As a result, internal problems within the family are endlessly occurring.

But, if this structure of concentrated power can be twisted?

If a structure can be created where Arina’s power is not concentrated but shared?

Hope arises.

For the vassals of Bagrande, it was the brightest future.

For those who had no way to stop the crumbling Bagrande and the power-holding Arina, Claire was nothing short of a savior.

The vassals, who had entered the conference room with dark faces, were now becoming lively.

Smiling broadly and finishing the vote, they all showed unanimous opinions. Despite the secret ballot, it seemed as if someone had openly boasted about it.

Although it was inevitable to face the strong forces following Arina head-on, they seemed prepared for this.

In that atmosphere of hope.

A man who had been quietly observing the situation opened his eyes slightly.

‘The atmosphere in the conference hall has reversed rapidly.’

Just a moment ago, the retainers who had been bickering among themselves had regained their resolve.

They had escaped from the discussions that had only increased confusion and uncoordinated opinions.

‘This can’t go on.’

The reason was clear.

Claire Bagland.

It was her declaration to join the succession battle.

Everything changed because of that woman who declared she would break Arina’s monopoly and intervene.

‘As soon as the vote count is over, I must quickly inform Belian.’

That there is someone who needs to be eliminated.

After a while, the time for what was practically a vote of confidence continued.

Endless votes in favor.

Not a single vote against.

With the sound of enthusiastic applause, the result was announced.

“The result is unanimous. Lady Claire now has the right to intervene in the decisions and policies of Lady Arina, the acting Duke, from this moment.”

“Then I will declare it right here. I will take charge of the unresolved issues from now on. If there is even one sloppy part, report it without omission.”

“We will follow the orders of the legitimate candidate of the Duke’s family.”

Thus, Claire was about to begin her life as the successor of the Duke’s family, hearing the cheers of the retainers.

‘It’s now.’

The man slipped out through the gap.

His arms wriggled and turned into tree trunks. The murky-colored wood burrowed into the ground.

“Hm. No one will see anyway.”

“Right. It seems no one saw you sneaking out like this.”

“…!”

Someone followed him?

‘…No. It doesn’t matter.’

Nothing has happened yet. As long as this situation isn’t discovered, it doesn’t matter.

“Who are you? I just came out for some fresh air.”

“Well. Who could it be?”

“How rude. Is this how a vassal of Baghrand behaves, without any manners?”

He quietly spoke, creating an opening.

After all, he was only looking at his back. He wouldn’t be caught off guard.

‘I don’t know who this guy is, but I need to eliminate him quickly…!’

-Skrrk!

He hurriedly turned to eliminate him, but instead, the two tree trunks scattered and dispersed.

That wasn’t all.

‘What is this? Why is my power…!’

His power, it wouldn’t come out.

The power bestowed by our god.

“Hmm. ‘If Claire Vagrand is not eliminated, the Arina regime may collapse.’ Is it?”

“You, you…! How did you know that!”

“No need to know.”

-Thud.

The grotesque human face turned into a hard wooden piece.

But the magic still remained there.

In this magic, which had not yet finished transmitting, anything could be written.

“To cause the greatest confusion in this situation… Should I say everything is proceeding without any issues? Or should I report the situation differently?”

I racked my brain, but no easy answer came.

While I was pondering, the status window sounded an alarm.

“…Indeed, is that why such a reward came out.”

[ Isabella is in urgent need of a blood transfusion and is being transported. The location and list of doctors are ────── ]

The magic quickly activated and conveyed this fact.

*

Meanwhile, Arina heard the news from the Aldersia territory belatedly.

“What do you mean? The Aldersia territory has fallen to Claire?”

“We don’t know the details either, but…”

“The residents seem to be very angry. They say the head of the family must be changed…”

What on earth does that mean?