The Extra Wants To Live-Chapter 306: Whispers of Suspicion and Family Bonds

Carl, who was so thorough, went out of his way to visit Hilpin, which had to be kept completely hidden.

Howell knew where Carl was going and why.

Because Howell himself had advised Carl to marry Elke Gasto and form an alliance with the Marquisate of Gasto. But now, Howell, who was watching the movements of the Marquis of Gasto, thought that the plan might be shaken.

"The price of wheat and iron has risen significantly due to the war with Tumaria. Gasto, however, is buying them as before."

It was natural for the prices of wheat and iron to rise because of the war. But since the war ended quickly, prices would soon recover over time.

Since there was no rush, one could stop buying for now and resume when the price recovered.

The Marquisate of Gasto was not a small, rural town, and it would not be shaken by a few months of reduced wheat and iron purchases.

However, Gasto continued to purchase wheat and iron, even adding to its own stock.

"The amount doesn’t seem to have changed much from before, but looking at records from the past few years, it seems they’ve been increasing it slightly to maintain an excess purchase volume."

If you suddenly increased it all at once, suspicion would naturally arise.

So, by increasing it little by little, avoiding attention, and maintaining the purchase amount, one could collect food and iron without arousing suspicion.

Purchasing more wheat and iron than required.

If you were going to do something with the stockpiles that had been steadily accumulating for such a long time, there was only one purpose.

War.

Howell carefully took out a document from his bag, meticulously documenting and analyzing everything, and handed it to Carl.

There was no actual proof, but there was strong suspicion.

What Carl knew thanks to the original story, Howell figured out on his own.

It was thanks to him always keeping a close eye on Gasto after proposing an alliance with Carl.

"I already know that Gasto is preparing for independence."

"..."

Carl spoke calmly as he read the document Howell had handed him.

Howell’s face hardened.

Then, wasn’t the alliance with Gasto pointless?

"Well done. This will come in handy too."

But from Carl’s words, Howell realized that Carl had no intention of stopping.

Surprisingly, Carl said he would bring in Gasto, who was preparing for independence, as an ally.

"...Thank you."

Howell spoke in a slightly trembling voice.

It was too... crazy to simply say Carl had a big vision.

But if one claimed Carl couldn’t do it, that would be false.

"I will devise a cooperative system with Gasto."

"Yeah. You’ve worked hard."

"No."

Howell smiled softly.

Carl trusted Howell and entrusted him with the task. Howell understood Carl’s intentions and acted accordingly.

This relationship was nearly ideal.

Bam!

"Brother!"

"Wait a moment!"

Just as Howell was about to say something, the door opened violently, and a girl rushed in with a sharp voice.

"You said you were going to eat with me today!"

"Hey, Iris. Could you wait a moment? I am a bit... okay?"

When Iris, now nine years old, shouted at Howell in a loud voice, Howell, noticing Carl’s reaction, jumped up and hugged her.

Iris came to her senses at Howell’s words and looked at Carl.

She was startled to find a "person" in her brother’s room.

"Do you have any friends, brother?"

"Shh, he’s not that kind of person."

"You have friends too, brother. That’s fortunate."

"No. Come on, let’s go. Let’s go...."

Howell sent his little sister out, sweat dripping down his face at the sight of her compassionate eyes and relieved voice.

"I’ll give in, so have fun with your friends."

"Iris, please, can you go quickly?"

"Okay, bye!"

Clack.

"..."

Howell, who had sent Iris out and closed the door, turned to Carl and smiled awkwardly.

"I’m glad you seem healthy."

"...Yes..."

Howell wiped away the cold sweat forming on his throat in the chill of winter and answered with a sigh.

He felt so sick he could die.

---

Around evening, the head of the Mold family, Kurtval, who managed the silver mines in the western forest, arrived at Hilfin Castle in a hurry with his son, Bester.

Pardin thought to himself, As expected..! as he called in Carl, who was right after Howell.

"Uncle."

"Catherine!"

But there was no trace of the sinister plotting taking place in Pardin’s mind.

"Are you feeling okay? Oh my goodness, war!"

"It’s okay. More importantly, how have you been, Uncle?"

"What could possibly hurt or cause me trouble?"

Kurtval, who had raised Catherine like a daughter, was having a touching reunion with her.

Carl wasn’t even there in the first place. He didn’t feel the need to meet and talk with the "honest" Kurtval.

To be honest, Kurtval was too naive.

There was no reason to waste time trying to catch fish already put in the tank.

Because through Howell and his bloody ring finger, Carl was able to receive detailed reports on every move of the Kurtval and Mold families.

"Bester, you’ve grown a lot."

"Yes, well... you haven’t changed at all, sis."

"There’s nothing that will change now except my skills."

Bester felt a little awkward meeting his older sister, who was much older than him, after a long time.

But Bester had a small concern, and he was confident that Catherine would sympathize with it.

"Sister, aren’t you going to get married?"

"..."

"Oh, Bester."

"No, Sister, you’re already that old... Ugh!"

"Huh, heh heh. Sorry. He’s been obsessed with women lately, so he’s been worrying about a lot of things."

"...No...."

Catherine had never wanted to get married, but she couldn’t help feeling bitter.

It would have been better for them not to urge her to get married quickly.

It was more uncomfortable when they acted considerate while sweating profusely.

"It’s not that I’m attracted to women! I’m getting older now, so shouldn’t I get married?"

"Let’s talk about that later, son."

"If neither you nor I get married, who will continue the family line?"

"Okay, let’s do it later!"

Kurtval grabbed his son’s shoulder tightly and scolded him as Bester threw a fit.

This wasn’t something he should bring up in front of Catherine, who was turning thirty in a day or two and hadn’t even heard of a man, let alone considered marriage!