Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 178

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 178. Everyone Is a Sinner (7)
“Wait… All that birthday party nonsense was just to kidnap me?”
“Yes.”
When I confirmed Nanakda’s question with a simple affirmation, the man fell into deep thought before condemning my actions in different terms.
“So my body was your objective from the start?!”
“Don’t phrase it that way.”
He seemed less shocked than I’d anticipated, so I figured I should get back to piloting. I ordered Shirley to send a telegram confirming our safety once we were over Ljubljana’s airspace, then took the helm in the bridge. Strangely, holding the wheel seemed to ease my nausea somewhat…
“Miss Pisha, I know the basics well enough. Why don’t you rest and let me handle it? I can help with the landing if needed.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“You drive recklessly.”
I had no desire to experience Shirley’s reckless driving even in the air. It was genuinely life-threatening.
I declared that I would overcome my nausea and pilot all the way to the end, gripping the wheel with determination. Nanakda kept grumbling from beside me, insisting that if he was going to be kidnapped anyway, he might as well not waste time despairing.
Following Shirley’s directions, I drove for another two hours before finally arriving at the Kisomalos Capital Airfield—my beloved homeland that I’d dreamed of. Father had apparently been waiting all along, standing at the airfield like a stone monument. The moment I landed the airship and descended from the hull, he rushed toward me like the wind.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“No. Ugh.”
“Why did you let your hair get so wild and disheveled?”
This style had been well-received by others, but Father saw it as ghostly. There was a common thread, though. Others called me a beautiful ghost girl, while Father just called me a ghost.
“You can vomit if you need to. Why are you just retching?”
“Well, I haven’t actually eaten anything.”
“That’s serious.”
Father scooped me up in his arms and hurried along, saying I needed to eat. I wanted a cup of plum tea before the meal to settle my stomach. Chef Bap at the Princess Palace would surely prepare it anyway.
I rode in the car cradled in Father’s arms, swaying slightly, and we returned to the Imperial Palace at high speed. Though Nanakda had been brought here as a captive, I couldn’t treat him roughly, so I arranged a room for him at the Princess Palace and assigned guards to watch him.

✦ ✦ ✦
“Ahhhh! Now I can finally breathe!”
After devouring my meal, I felt reborn and recounted everything that had happened to Father, who let out an exasperated “Ha!” before turning to Choco with a menacing glare as she emerged from the bath, her fur still fluffy and damp.
“You become the Emperor.”
“What? I don’t want to.”
“Every single time I miss the most entertaining part, and I didn’t become Emperor for this.”
“Normally, people don’t become Emperor for reasons like yours?”
When Choco cheekily reminded him that he’d been punished ten years ago for suddenly returning home demanding money and military forces, Father sternly declared that she would be suspended from the Tower’s peak for thirty minutes.
“Father!”
“What.”
“Add another thirty minutes!”
“…Why?”
“When Choco braids my hair instead of leaving it all fluffy and round, she says I’m not cute anymore!”
“Your request is granted.”
Taking the opportunity to groom my hair, Father had Emily braid it for me. As my hair gradually became more orderly, Father made an approving sound and launched into one of those characteristic assertions that elderly folk are prone to.
“Of course braided hair looks neater and prettier. You can see your face clearly too.”
“Father, you sound like an old man.”
“Croa would agree with me.”
“He does have a rather elderly side to him.”
Now that I thought about it, I hadn’t seen Croa anywhere. I’d assumed he’d rush straight to Kisomalos the moment he heard my news, but was he really that upset about me going to Nanakda’s birthday celebration?
As I voiced this concern, Father assured me otherwise and explained Croa’s situation.
“That man blamed your disappearance on Cult Leader Nanakda’s conspiracy and issued a search warrant. By now, he’s probably tearing apart the Temple searching for Kirke’s whereabouts.”
“So everyone has been doing their best in their own positions.”
Shirley and Choco had been reliable when I escaped the Imperial Palace, but Croa is equally dependable in emergencies. With someone scratching that itch exactly when needed, I can entrust household matters and venture out with confidence.
“Still, once it’s revealed that I captured Nanakda, the Religious Order members will probably become even more tightly bonded, claiming persecution….”
“You learn how to govern a nation through trial and error.”
That’s true enough, but I can’t think of a way to obtain what I want without incurring the Religious Order’s resentment in this situation either. Perhaps when we all gather later, I should hold a reflection session and discuss it.
“By the way, whether he’s suspended from the Tower or whatever, I have one request.”
“What is it?”
When I said I’d grant it if I could, Choco’s expression turned solemn as she expressed her desire to participate in the party about to begin.
“I want to watch the interrogation of the Cult Leader.”
“Hmm.”
I might need Choco’s cooperation anyway. Shouldn’t she come along regardless? When I made this argument, Father nodded as if he had no choice.
“Come with us.”
“Thank you so much!”
Choco and Father really do get a kick out of entertaining spectacles. His Majesty the Emperor probably doesn’t need to attend the interrogation, yet here he is, willing to work overtime just to watch.
I led Father, Choco, and Shirley into the room where Nanakda was confined. Nanakda had been lounging leisurely on the bed, but the moment he saw me enter, he sprang up with a brilliant smile.
“Princess Vishnabel! Father!”
At that very instant, Father grabbed a quince from atop the dresser and hurled it directly at Nanakda’s head with remarkable accuracy. Nanakda let out a yelp and collapsed onto the bed.
“I am not your father.”
“But! To find out where Kirke is, we’ll need to push forward with the marriage alliance!”
“Let’s pickle that bastard in a salt jar.”
No, that won’t work. Nanakda would die. I argued that we should try to get information without killing him if possible, and Father hummed thoughtfully before offering an alternative.
“What about making wounds and sprinkling salt on them?”
“That hurts.”
“If you won’t even do torture at that level, why did you capture him in the first place?”
No, salt torture is just too much! Let’s move away from our salt methods. Nanakda is my friend too, and I don’t think I could bear to see him suffer greatly or be left with scars.
“Princess Vishnabel, you worry about me so much…!”
“My daughter is simply too kind-hearted. I’m not particularly concerned about you.”
Father spoke bluntly, and we discussed what torture methods might work without leaving major wounds. Choco suggested the most common method, presenting a torture technique that made my skin crawl just hearing about it.
“What about inserting needles under the fingernails?”
“Kyaaaaaaaa!”
“Kyaaaaaaaa!”
As Nanakda and I screamed in identical poses, writhing in agony, Father looked between us alternately, then slowly stroked his chin.
“Somehow you two look alike.”
“Right. I’ve thought that myself sometimes.”
“What? I don’t look anything like her!”
“I’m way smarter than that foolish princess!”
“Who are you calling foolish!”
I grabbed Nanakda’s head and shook it, and he grabbed both my cheeks and pulled them. It hurt. But I didn’t want to let go first!
“You’re alike in being foolish.”
“Right.”
“I was actually surprised at first seeing what you two do. How much you resemble each other.”
No, I’m not foolish! I protested, but Father paid no attention and examined Nanakda thoroughly while murmuring “Hmm, I see.” Then he said that familiar phrase of his.
“Interesting.”
Nanakda, you’re in big trouble now. You’ve made it onto Father’s “interesting” list. Now Father will observe you without restraint or method. As I teased Nanakda with a whimper, Father flicked both Nanakda’s and my foreheads with his finger, then forced us to let go of each other.
“If we’re going for peaceful torture methods, does he have any weaknesses? Like being ticklish?”
“Hmm…”
I wasn’t sure about tickling since I’d never tried it on him. I pondered what Nanakda disliked, and remembering something, I blurted it out.
“Oh! He can’t eat organ meat!”
If we forced him to eat organ dishes, or threatened not to give him food unless he ate organ meat, wouldn’t he crack? At this suggestion, Father looked bewildered as to why he wouldn’t eat something so delicious, but he requested a portable grill from Emily outside.
“We’re grilling beef intestines right here!”
“Yes, Emperor!”
Emily and the kitchen servants quickly moved to prepare a portable burner and cast iron grill. Father placed the cleaned and seasoned beef intestines on the heated grill and grilled them sizzling, then brought over his favorite clear liquor and poured it into a glass.
“Wow, look at that oil coming out.”
Father grilled the beef intestines until they were golden brown as if frying them in oil, then cut them into bite-sized pieces on a small plate, let them cool slightly, and speared one with a fork before popping it into his mouth with gusto. After chewing thoroughly and savoring the rich flavor, he downed the liquor and let out a satisfied sound from deep within his core.
“Ahhhhh!”
It looked delicious. I swallowed hard.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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