The Damn Family Is Back Again

169 – 169. Crossing Paths (1)

“Then, I’ll be on my way.”

“Yes.”

As Arina carefully selected the administrators and handed over the tasks for managing the territory, they accepted their roles without hesitation and returned to their positions.

However, Arina, who was left alone, grasped the detailed territorial map and let out a faint sigh of dissatisfaction.

“Mother’s vacancy is quite large.”

What Arina had created was not a standard organizational chart, but a temporary one.

This meant that the territory was still in an incomplete state and would take more time to develop.

“Well, it’s not the first time I’ve struggled with governing the territory or attending the symposium, but I thought I had learned a lot from Mother’s side.”

But the reality was different.

Each territory had its own unique characteristics and conditions, and understanding these was crucial.

Arina had learned how to analyze and prepare for these situations, but actually doing it alone was a different story.

Firstly, she had to understand the internal situation of the new territory, which wasn’t like the Bagrand territory she was familiar with.

When she governed the Bagrand territory with her mother, there was no lack of information. With just a few books and reports, she could understand the territory’s internal situation, the residents’ conditions, and the environment.

However, the territory assigned to her within the symposium’s scope was different.

Everything was new information. From the perspective of the new lord, Arina, it felt like a transparent wall had been erected.

Furthermore, despite having investigated the territory beforehand, there was still much to learn, and organizing and prioritizing tasks was overwhelming.

Secondly, she had to gather information about the new territory and select the right people to build an internal organization.

When she governed the Bagrand territory with her mother, there were many familiar faces, and she knew their abilities and what they were suitable for, making it easy to distribute tasks.

But these people were strangers.

The education level of the territory’s residents varied greatly, and their knowledge differed significantly depending on age, gender, and other factors. Reading their profiles one by one didn’t give her a good sense of who to appoint as administrators.

It seemed that time was needed to make a proper selection.

There was no progress.

However, she keenly felt the lack of capability.

The feeling of her mother’s absence was immense, indicating that Arina still had a long way to go.

“…At least it’s fortunate that the territory’s residents are following me well.”

Although it would take time to re-establish the framework for knowledge, depth, and personnel distribution based on age and experience, the fact that the territory’s residents were following her well was a blessing.

At least there wouldn’t be any cases of disobedience or tense atmosphere.

“…”

Arina looked at the calendar.

The first week’s period was already ending.

As time passed, the next week’s preparation and the meeting would arrive.

Thinking that she would have to go through this again, her brow furrowed.

“Ugh. That Carsein guy, why does he keep causing trouble and making things difficult for himself?”

What’s the best thing to do in this situation?

With a poor reputation in the guild and having messed up in the past, I’ve ended up in a situation where I’m stuck and can’t do anything.

Even someone with a good reputation like me is facing a difficult situation.

If I don’t complete the organization chart, things will only get worse.

It’s a given.

Not to mention, if I don’t get any backlash, I should consider myself lucky.

But even after several days, there’s no sign of a letter arriving. I had given him a warning in advance, too.

Ariana couldn’t stand Carsein’s personality the most.

What can you do when someone like that causes trouble and makes things bigger, and then someone else has to clean up the mess?

And yet, he still can’t reflect on himself and instead blames others, saying it’s not his fault.

“Of course, it’s not like he didn’t make any mistakes, but…”

That’s what he’s been doing recently, too.

Using the past as an excuse is pointless.

Anyway, it’ll be the same this time, too.

He can’t accept his own limitations and instead takes on too much, even getting scolded by the lowest-ranking members.

He’s really annoying, always picking fights and causing trouble.

“I told Claire, but I’ll have to visit her sometime.”

Ariana let out a sigh and got back to work.

Now is the time to focus on her own tasks, and it’s a busy period.

Dealing with Carsein’s attitude can wait.

***

“There she is.”

The vibrant pink hair.

Claire’s pink hair, which shone like gold, was recognizable from afar.

However, unlike what the imperial knights had said, Claire didn’t seem that fierce.

-There was no particular message while waiting.

Claire, who had waited for me for two hours, didn’t say a word to me.

It’s surprising.

Given Claire’s personality, it’s unusual for her not to scold me for wasting time.

It’s as if she’s being restrained by the symposium’s rules, but Claire was just sitting there, sipping tea with her legs crossed.

“I don’t know why you’re here, but from my perspective, it doesn’t matter.”

▶The hidden episode reward has been achieved, and the meeting with Claire has been successful.◀

▶You must complete the conversation with Claire to the end.◀

I had no choice but to follow the instructions.

-Drop.

“Mom!”

Claire jumped in surprise, her shoulders trembling, as she accidentally opened the door and knocked over a chair.

“What’s with this reaction?”

“What’s going on, did you knock or something? I thought a ghost was coming to visit!”

“When did you suddenly appear in my room and now you’re acting all high and mighty?”

“You’re… “

Claire’s eyebrows twitched, and she let out a deep breath, flipping her bangs.

It’s a miracle. The second lead is actually holding back.

At this rate, we might be able to have a decent conversation.

I sat down on the sofa, feeling relieved, and asked, “What brings you here?”

Since she had come to see me, I didn’t hesitate to get straight to the point.

Claire’s face turned red as she jumped up, and she started poking my body with her finger.

“I came to see if you’re doing well! Why?”

“No, if you’re going to ask, then ask, why are you hitting me?”

“Don’t you think it’s natural to be worried if you don’t say anything and just stay like this? Your name is being called in a certain way in the Chartre direction, and I know all about it.”

“Ugh, I’m worried to death… Ah, ah, ah!”

“There’s no way to say this nicely, not to my noona.”

I thought she was going to hit me gently, but this time she’s really pinching me!

The force in her hand gradually loosened.

“…Where’s Flora?”

“Why are you asking me that?”

Claire’s eyes widened in surprise at my bland response.

“Didn’t Flora come to find you?”

“She did come to find me.”

“But then? Are you going to stay here?”

“I came to talk, so what’s the point? I’ll be back soon anyway.”

“Back… already?”

“That kid loved coming to Chartre because they could play every day and eat delicious fruits. But now that’s not possible, so they’ll stay here, right?”

Claire grabbed my shoulder, looking urgent, as if something was off.

“That can’t be… Did you really come back alone?”

“What?”

“Unnie Young-ji said you were on my side, so I came to pick you up. But you came back first… That can’t be, right? Then where is Flora?”

As I heard those words, a strange, unsettling feeling crept up my spine.

“What if… it’s like that time again?”

With an anxious heart, I immediately checked my status window.

If the episode had changed, I would have seen the warning signs in my eyes.

But fortunately, I didn’t see any warning messages in front of me.

The main episode hadn’t even started, and only the hidden episode window was open.

At this point, where the main episode branching point was being decided, there shouldn’t be any other variables.

“That’s right. There’s no reason for Flora’s threat to be triggered as a dead trigger at this point.”

So why did this situation occur?

“I, um… Can you at least tell me where you went? Where did you go, anyway?”

As Claire was getting anxious, another voice emerged from behind.

“Flora is here.”

A familiar voice from somewhere.

I felt relieved upon hearing her voice.

On the other hand, as soon as Claire heard the other person’s voice, she turned around, her face pale, and took a deep breath.

“Flora!”

“Shh, don’t raise your voice.”

“…Yes?”

“She’s tired and fell asleep.”

Flora, who had fallen asleep on Harne’s back, still had tear stains on her face.

“What… happened? Harne’s lady.”

“I don’t know either. Flora didn’t give a proper explanation.”

“…Is that so.”

Claire let out a heavy sigh, her expression gloomy.

From noble mtl dot com

And then, she stared at Flora in silence for a while.

After a moment of calm, Claire carefully lifted Flora onto her back. It seemed that the conversation with Flora was over, and it was time to ask about her whereabouts.

“Anyway, Carcsein.”

“Why.”

“…No, I won’t say anything.”

“What?”

“I don’t know! I forgot!”

She said something and then took it back, claiming she forgot.

This was really frustrating. Unpredictable.

“Yes, go. Go.”

It would be better for me if she left quickly.

…But as I thought that, one phrase ste of my sister for a week, so do well on your first week report!”

After saying that, Claire finally closed the carriage window.

You don’t need to say anything; I’ll take care of it, so just leave…

The carriage eventually departed.

The message that had popped up as a reward disappeared, and I could finally relax.

” Humph. Looks like you didn’t sleep well again?”

“…Yes.”

It seemed I still couldn’t relax.