Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 181

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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 181. Where Is Kirke? (2)
“If it comes out like this, there must be some connection, right?”
“It does seem that way…”
It’s now certain that the curse runs in families, and something else seems to be bothering me. Really, Media is quite clumsy at this. If she had just descended directly and flatly refused to say anything, we wouldn’t have had any recourse. But by dodging and refusing to answer, we can’t help but grow more suspicious…
“Is Media incompetent?”
“Gasp.”
“M-Media is not incompetent!”
I startled myself. Did I really let that slip without thinking again? I agreed with Father’s words and opened my mouth carefully, making sure not to say Media was foolish.
“But her silence has confirmed the inheritance, and now we have reason to assume she’s hiding something more…”
“There’s no other way to describe it but foolish.”
“Still, foolish is a bit…”
I was thinking something close to foolish. Let’s stop here. We’ll really get divine punishment. Deities usually exert their influence over the Mortal Realm through their descendants, but if they’re willing to take a major hit to their divine power, they can just strike down lightning. Though historically, only about three people have ever angered a deity that much.
Though historically, only about three people have ever angered a deity that much.
“Whoa!”
“…!”
I was about to say let’s stop and go, when suddenly a gust of wind rose and impossible objects came flying from somewhere.
“Cloth? Ugh! What is this! It’s so wet!”
“Miss Pisha, don’t thrash about! You’ll only make it worse!”
“Ack!”
Struggling to escape the massive cloth, I got tangled in my own steps and fell. Croa caught me, but… wait, is this wind only blowing on me and Father?! Why is Croa perfectly fine!
“And now the moment when it’s revealed that you were watching and deliberately didn’t answer.”
“Father, stop! We’ll get divine punishment again!”
A can came flying at Father, who was being pelted by half-washed bedding across his entire body. The can made a clear *clang!* sound, which made me burst out laughing with a *pfft!*, and the moment Croa and I started laughing, the wind died down.
“Hehe, pfft!”
“Puhaha! I told you to stop cursing!”
It was hilarious. Father’s head made a *clang!* sound, a *clang!* And it seemed Media was satisfied with that, as there were no more signs of divine punishment. Usually, a deity wouldn’t waste divine power on teasing others when they barely have enough to look after their descendants. But pretending to be fine while being subtly eccentric—that’s just how she is.
“At this rate, I can’t even entrust the tracking to Media.”
“Ah, that’s true too.”
We folded the wet bedding and placed it nicely on the terrace table. I don’t know where it came from, but if we leave it somewhere visible, the palace attendants will take it away on their own.
“So about that…”
“No.”
“That won’t do.”
“No, how would I know what you’re about to say.”
I can’t ask Media for help, and Genie Teacher’s divination has low accuracy. So I was about to ask if we could just pull one alchemy move, but Father and Croa flatly refused.
“It’s obvious you’ll want to use alchemy.”
“Lorowi’s divine rank has already diminished. The shortage of divine power could place even more burden on you, Miss Pisha.”
Ah, I hadn’t thought of that. Still, it’s just one time. There’s no way doing this once would carry a risk of losing my sense of self, right? Just as I was about to say this, Father spoke first, as if he could see right through me.
“One time becomes two, and two becomes three.”
“Ugh.”
Even if I tried to ask the Chamberlain… she’d probably be desperately guarding what little Ru remains. It would probably be impossible. Should I try to sweet-talk my Aunt?
“What if you sweet-talk Aunt into doing it?”
“If persuasion is possible, then I’ll allow it.”
“Honestly, whether Lorowi thrives or collapses doesn’t concern me.”
Croa had a habit of delivering cutting remarks while smiling. In any case, with permission granted, I decided to proceed directly to the Political Detention Center. Father said he’d verify the sample pigs and instruct Genie Teacher to perform her magic.
Hmm, this works fine once or twice, but it becomes problematic with repetition. Having a fortune teller involved in state affairs would be ruinous.
“Miss Pisha, what’s wrong? If you need a divination, should we go to Father instead?”
“No, I’m not here for fortune-telling.”
Wouldn’t it be better to gather some leverage on Genie Teacher before Gear climbs any higher? I’d need to consult with Father about this later.
With such thoughts in mind, I headed to the Political Detention Center, where Aunt’s prison entrance was once again graced by the courtship display of the Shoulder-strap Paradise Bird and the Rainbow King Hornbill.
“Oh! Princess!”
“A customer has arrived!”
“You two really have nothing better to do.”
Isn’t the final competition coming soon? Can you really afford to loiter about like this? I’d heard that only Aelset and Edison remained in the end.
“Pisha! You got warped again!”
This aunt of mine, locked away in prison, certainly stays well-informed. Even without her title as duchess, she still carries weight as an Imperial relative—is that why her influence remains strong? I know from observing Father that those with power can enjoy themselves and gather information from outside even while imprisoned.
“Aunt, if you’re willing, I have a proposition.”
“The fact that you’re calling me ‘Aunt’ tells me the terms are unfavorable to me?”
Hehehehe! After spending so long in prison, Aunt has developed quite the intuition. I praised her perceptiveness and launched into the main topic.
“Would you make just one item through alchemy for me?”
“Huh? I haven’t even received recognition from Lorowi yet, so how could I?”
“That’s just because Lorowi blocked you when you used too much alchemy and nearly ruined them. Even if the quality is terrible, you just need to make something.”
She’s the type to get by with minimal effort, so if I push hard enough, she’ll agree once. Besides, when we first tested whether Aunt had alchemical talent, she did use alchemy. As I cheerfully insisted it would be fine, Aunt—whose intellect had sharpened during her years of imprisonment—made me a counteroffer.
“If I make this item, what will you do for me?”
“How about moving your confinement from this prison to the Villa? You’ll always have a guard, and you can only walk in the garden, but…”
“Oh! That’s a wonderful idea!”
“I agree, Princess!”
No, I didn’t make that suggestion for your benefit. Why do the Shoulder-strap Paradise Bird and the Rainbow King Hornbill seem more excited than Aunt herself?
“Hmm…”
And Aunt wears a rather sullen expression. With her lip protruding and her inadequate mind spinning, she pouted as she spoke to me.
“If you’re moving me anyway, make it to your palace instead.”
“What?! No way. That’s annoying, disgusting.”
My distaste was so genuine that the words tumbled out unfiltered, causing Aunt’s expression to crumple as she pushed her lip out even further.
“There’s no need to dislike it that much.”
“You were wrong, Princess.”
“That’s right. Apologize.”
Quiet, you two. Both of you shut up. As I was scolding the two courting birds with a flick, Yupi Grandmother from the adjacent cell interjected, having quietly listened to our conversation.
“Media isn’t cooperating, is she?”
“Huh?”
From just what was said, there’s no way to deduce whether Media is involved.
Sensing that this grandmother knew something, I quietly shuffled sideways toward her cell.
“Chamberlain, what is it? How did you know?”
“Hmph, it’s obvious.”
But obvious how? When I pressed for details, the Chamberlain gave a vague answer as if she didn’t want to get involved.
“You were looking for Kirke, weren’t you? Since Media wouldn’t cooperate, you had no choice but to come here.”
“Hmm?”
It made sense, but something about that explanation felt off.
“Why are you so certain that Media wouldn’t cooperate?”
“….”
The Chamberlain avoided my gaze. She’d nearly escaped but made a slip of the tongue. I was determined to uncover this secret.
“What is it? What do you know, Chamberlain!”
“Quiet! Go play somewhere else!”
Damn it! This infuriating Chamberlain, acting as if she knew nothing of my situation! I begged her to tell me, throwing a tantrum, before gripping the bars with sudden resolve.
“If you won’t tell me, I’ll cry.”
“….”
“I’m crying!”
“….”
“Waaah, waaahhh!”
I summoned my emotions, recalling when I was captured by thieves in Astiages and met the Head Attendant Grandmother. I remembered being held by Father when I returned to Kisomalos. The memory was hazy, but I vaguely recalled when Mother died. Tears flowed endlessly.
“Waaaahhh! Booohooo!”
“Oh, Mother! Pisha’s crying!”
“….”
“Waahhh! Sniff sniff!”
“Don’t cry, Pisha! I’ll just make you something!”
“Waaahhh! Chamberlain, booohooo!”
My voice was still strong. I cried for another ten minutes, and pleas for mercy echoed from various corners of the prison. Unable to endure any longer, the Chamberlain covered her ears and told me to stop, saying she’d tell me everything.
“Kirke approached me first. When I refused, she apparently went to Media.”
Approached? What did she want? The fact that she refused suggested Kirke had asked for something.
“She asked me to eliminate Former Empress Helga. To make it look like natural causes if possible.”
“….”
“….”
“….”
The Chamberlain’s bombshell declaration left only silence in the prison. So Kirke had been going around trying to hire someone to kill my own grandmother?

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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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