The Damn Family Is Back Again

329. The Loner (12)

Excellent disguise ability.

Speech skills and adaptability considering the characteristics of the region.

Thanks to Harni’s resolution of the situation, Rusmire became a place where one could walk around freely.

There was quite a bit of leisure.

Rusmire, with its tunnels, had greatly developed transportation and became a trading hub where all kinds of merchants frequently gathered, providing a precious opportunity to pick and buy the necessary items. Fortunately, I also had some money on hand.

‘For now, this should be enough.’

■Items in possession■

[ Thick Fur Suit ]

[ Grayish-Brown Laort Hood ]

[ Lock of Silence ]

[ Artifact Durability Recovery Lubricant ]

[ Jerky ]

[ Canteen ]

…

…

Since I hadn’t received the payment for the services in Ileor, my pockets weren’t exactly full, but this much should be enough to operate even in an emergency.

While I was organizing the supplies.

Harnie wrapped a scarf around my neck and asked.

“How is it? Comfortable? Not too tight or letting in the wind?”

How is it, you ask.

Well, it’s warm and nice.

Moreover, even in the status window.

▶ Wearing the scarf has increased cold resistance by 1 level. ◀

As my resistance to the cold increased, some of my stats were returning.

In this cold winter, there’s nothing better than a small wearable item to boost cold resistance. Especially when you’re on the run from somewhere.

However, there’s one problem.

This… wasn’t bought with my money.

“Harnie. I no longer have the ability to repay you.”

“Hmm? So what?”

“So what, you say… It’s not something to be taken lightly.”

Harnie, more than anyone else, should be sensitive about money right now.

“You are going to be the head of the Theresia Marquis family. Instead of spending money like this, you should save every penny.”

Resistance is like proficiency, where you increase a certain amount of points to reach the maximum and then level up, but this just jumps up a whole level.

In other words, it’s a very expensive item.

“Because of the problems left by the previous marquis, many people will be billing the marquis family. You don’t need to buy me things like this.”

The cost of completely dismantling the business that the empire had banned.

The cost of dealing with the bad debts spread across each territory and turning public sentiment.

The cost of solidifying your position as the next marquis.

The cost of maintaining the family as the head of a household.

Even roughly estimating, considering the principal and the interest that Harnie has to repay with sweat and blood, this must be refused.

Then Harnie tightened the scarf even more, as if it was nothing.

“What’s the big deal about buying something like this? This is what I earned money for, isn’t it?”

“Harunie.”

“It’s okay. This level of expenditure is fine. We’re slowly paying off both the interest and the principal, so there’s no problem. More importantly…”

Harunie took my hand and led me.

“Wouldn’t it be more bothersome if Mr. Nugu shivers in this winter with this outfit?”

“…What?”

“We’ve lied that we’re from the north. We need to withstand the cold here, but if we look sluggish, we’ll get caught by those patrolling over there.”

…I can’t deny it.

Ruthmeyer has soldiers patrolling everywhere, claiming that a wanted person might be hiding.

It’s true that it would be a disaster to get caught for such a trivial reason. But…

Is it really okay?

Seeing my doubtful look, Harunie smiled and answered.

“Relax a bit. We’re paying off both the interest and the principal, and now we have some leeway, so we’re doing this.”

“Really?”

“Would I be spending money so freely otherwise? I’m a merchant too, you know. I wouldn’t be doing this if I hadn’t calculated the profit and loss.”

…That’s true.

Even if not as much as me, she’s a thorough planner.

But still, there’s something I need to say.

There’s definitely something I need to mention.

Something I must convey to her right here.

However.

“Let’s go. I’ve also put on an artifact with cognitive interference magic, so I’ll pick out your clothes first. I need clothes to wear here too, so we don’t have time! Hurry.”

As she urged me, holding my arm tightly, I couldn’t say anything.

▶Displaying remaining time.◀

[ 17 hours 08 minutes ]

▶The timer will connect to the next episode when it ends.◀

▶The next episode is the one where you clear Chapter 4 and simultaneously clear the game.◀

▶It’s life-threateningly dangerous, so be well-prepared for the final episode.◀

…Soon, I might return to my original world.

In other words, even if she takes care of me like this, it will all be for nothing. Only Harunie’s money and time will be wasted.

So, I need to send her back as soon as possible.

Committing the grave crime of protecting a fugitive would make one a target for all the families, and even Vagrand could turn its back, making it dangerous.

For whatever reason, I had to send them back.

I had to firmly insist on saying goodbye and returning to the Marquis’ house.

But…

I couldn’t bring myself to speak.

Was my reason paralyzed?

*

“How is it? Does it suit me well?”

Casual clothes that common women often wear. I answered that it suited her well.

“What about this? Does it look strange?”

Her legs were now visible, and I realized how long and beautiful Harnié’s legs were. I answered that it suited her well.

“Is the color too dark? How does it look?”

The dark color changed the atmosphere. I thought she could pull off not only bright colors but also dark ones. I answered that it suited her well.

“This, is this a bit too much? Ahaha…”

Unlike the casual clothes, it was a slightly luxurious, revealing dress. Seeing her delicate figure, I wondered if she was always this slender.

Still, I answered that it suited her well.

Harnié, who had stopped by the clothing store to buy new clothes, put on a fashion show, changing outfits one after another.

Every outfit was impeccably beautiful.

I couldn’t say anything other than that it suited her or that she was pretty.

Before I knew it, I was caught up in Harnié’s pace.

Concerns about being discovered or disguises were already in the background.

We were so engrossed in shopping that we were playing around, laughing, and chatting.

Filling the cold side. Spending time together here again.

Leaving another memory in the space called Rusmire.

I was completely absorbed.

The status window’s alarm sound brought me back to my senses.

-Ding!

“…”

Just like yesterday, today too, the time spent in Rusmire passed by so quickly.

There isn’t much time left now.

▶Displaying remaining time.◀

[ 0 hours 5 minutes ]

“Ah. We had fun. Why is the day so short?”

…Yes. The day felt really short.

So, playing should end here.

“Harunie. I have something to say.”

“Yes. I think I know.”

You think you know…?

“It’s because I deliberately took your food earlier, right? We shared a bit, and that should be enough. Geez.”

“…No.”

“No? Ah. Then is it this? I thought your reaction to the clothes I chose last was strange… You did that on purpose, didn’t you! Playing a mischievous prank!”

“…That’s not it either.”

“If it’s not that… Ah, I got it! You’re upset because I made you wear something too small, right?”

Now I understood.

Harunie always made it hard to speak.

There were many opportunities, but it was always like this. The topic would change, and the conversation would drift away.

And it was always something that would bother either side.

As if deliberately cutting off the conversation.

That means… she already knew something.

Yes. Harunie already knew.

What words would come out of my mouth.

Now I have to speak directly.

Go back to the Marquis’ house immediately.

You could be in danger, and I don’t want that.

“Really. Don’t be so stingy. It’s time to spend money.”

Even now, Harunie desperately tries to change the subject to block my statement.

I had to say it clearly before the conversation shifted again.

But.

This time too, I couldn’t say those words.

It wasn’t Harunier who stopped my speech, but for a completely different reason.

“Young master!”

“Camilla?”

“I’m sorry. I had to come urgently for a reason…!”

Following Camilla, even Tasha.

The two of them came urgently.

“You both need to move quickly.”

“…What?”

“Did something happen?”

“That is… Soldiers are forcibly trying to break into Rusmire right now.”

At the moment Camilla’s voice cut off, the status window popped up.

-Ding!

▶Someone has spread information that you are staying in Rusmire!◀

▶Carsein’s Noblesse Points are rapidly decreasing. Reputation drops to the level of a criminal.◀

▶Chase event activated.◀

▶Chase speed has rapidly increased.◀

▶Updating remaining time.◀

[ Chase Event Activated – Remaining Time ]

[ 5 days ]

‘…Yeah. This is how it turned out.’

It wasn’t strange for such a situation to come at any time.

Even if it wasn’t a chase, I would have been caught eventually.

Perfection is something that can never exist.

Especially in this game, which is inherently unreasonable.

But, it seemed that there was still a sliver of hope left for me.

“Young master. The current target is likely our Rusmire. If we block the soldiers who are determined to break in, we can buy some time.”

“We will prepare things in time to buy you some time, so escape to Shatren in advance. There are no soldiers there.”

Yes. I can escape.

Since this has happened, it was a more perfect situation.

I immediately turned my head.

Then Harnie took the initiative.

“No. I won’t go back.”

Of course.

You must already know!

“Harnie. This is different from the previous chase. It’s only a matter of time before they force their way into the territory!”

“So what?”

“Now, if you really help me, you could become a criminal!”

“Then you’ll be alone again! If I don’t help you, you’ll truly become a loner!”

– Squeeze.

“…Harnie!”

“I’m not going. I will never, ever go back.”

As they were arguing, the anxious Tasha and Camilla urged them on.

“There is no time. You must leave now!”

“The horse must already be waiting. Young master!”

“…”

“Young master, hurry!”

Damn it.

If we stay like this, we’ll get caught!

“Alright, I understand. Let’s go to Shatren, Shatren!”

“Ahhh!”

There was no other choice.

Sending Harnie back would have to wait.

– Ding!

▶The chase event has been activated, and the next episode will proceed automatically.◀

▶Episode XLIV. The Five Treasures will proceed.◀

▶Clearing this episode will clear the game, and the player will return to reality.◀