Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 257

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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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Epilogue
Side Story 3. How Should a Centaur Wear Pants? (3)
Though I had my doubts, tradition held that one should obey the Consort Palace, so I decided to remain quiet and compliant.
When we arrived at the Main Palace, Croa tried to scoop me up again, but I politely declined and insisted on walking myself.
“Hurry, Pisha! We must see Father! Time is of the essence!”
“I know, I know. I’m running.”
It had been ages since I’d rushed to see Father in my pajamas right after waking up. I bounded haphazardly into the Shadow Ruler’s Office, located right beside the Emperor’s Office. It was strange that I went around calling myself the Shadow Ruler, but Father found it amusing enough to have a nameplate made.
“Father, disaster has struck! Absolute disaster! I think we should summon a Physician immediately!”
As Croa burst through the door, I found Nanakda—who had come early in the morning to conspire with the Shadow Ruler—playing go. His opponent was Choco. Unexpected.
“Choco, you know how to play go?”
“What kind of thing is that to say? You’re being subtly dismissive.”
“No, it’s just… people who fight don’t usually seem connected to that sort of thing.”
“That’s pure prejudice!”
Hmm… perhaps. Though with games like go and janggi, they’re strategy games after all. Maybe fighters would actually be more familiar with them.
“Netcha taught me the Southern Region style of games.”
“Right, Netcha was from the Southern Region, wasn’t he?”
I gave Choco a vague affirmation and moved beside Father, who was offering commentary. Nanakda had the white stones and Choco had the black stones, but surprisingly, Choco was holding her own. I was seeing unexpected sides of Choco today.
“Choco is impressive. If this continues…”
Hmm… she’ll lose by half a stone. Still, losing by only half a stone against Nanakda is no small feat, is it?
I lavished praise on Choco, but the man remained silent, and instead Father informed me of the reality in a low voice.
“It was a nine-stone handicap game.”
“…”
A nine-stone handicap? That’s the kind where you place nine of Choco’s stones on the board first before starting, right? When I confirmed this, Father nodded and drove the point home.
“Nine black stones were already placed on the star points.”
“Nanakda is impressive.”
“No, actually, winning against a beginner like this isn’t really something to boast about.”
Nanakda wasn’t being modest—he was just stating facts. Go does have an enormous number of possible moves, and new strategies keep emerging, or so I’ve heard. I know how to play reasonably well myself, but I never developed a real passion for it. In actual combat, I could carpet-bomb the enemy position and wipe them out in one go, so why would I bother with this game of moves?
“But more importantly, disaster has struck! Pisha! Pisha has…!”
Right, Croa had come here in a panic about something, hadn’t he? As I picked up a peanut bread snack that belonged to Father, the man made a statement that deviated not one inch from expectation.
“A baby! There might be a baby!”
I knew it. Media hadn’t even given Croa proper sex education—what had she been doing? As I contentedly munched on the peanut bread, the other men seemed genuinely shocked by this news, their faces registering surprise.
Wow, I’ve never seen Father make that expression before. He didn’t even blink when he died and came back to life.
“The quiet cat climbs the stove first, they say!”
“These tiny things caused trouble!”
“Wait. Hold on. Something doesn’t add up.”
Father, as expected, was the quickest to notice the inconsistency. Nanakda had flipped the go board and grabbed Croa by the collar, going on about killing or sparing him, but Father calmly pulled out a cigarette and placed one between his lips.
His trembling hands suggested he’d found the flaw in Croa’s story, but hadn’t yet regained his composure.
“I’ve already heard reports that the two of them share a bed. But it’s strange to speak of a baby after just one day.”
“That’s… well… I can… explain that!”
Taking a deep breath, Croa pressed forward with his argument, undeterred even as Nanakda struck him repeatedly on the head.
“We held hands, embraced each other, and slept. That’s all we did. I’m a sensible adult, after all.”
“Hmm, fine. Keep spouting nonsense then.”
Father seemed quite flustered. He was cursing right in front of Croa, and ever since earlier, he couldn’t keep his hands still—constantly bringing a cigarette to his lips and taking it away.
“Sigh, but this morning when I saw… that was…!”
“What did you see this morning! Spit it out, you bastard!”
Nanakda grabbed Croa by the collar and shook him violently. Croa, who had been shaking limply, finally gathered his resolve and spoke of what he’d witnessed that morning.
“Pisha’s clothes were… half undressed…!”
“….”
“….”
“….”
Everyone else realized Croa had completely misunderstood. Nanakda carefully refastened Croa’s pajama buttons, and Choco sheathed the blade she’d drawn. Wait—when had Choco even drawn her sword?
“Your Majesty.”
“Huh?”
“Let’s hear their side of the story.”
Unlike Nanakda and Choco, who seemed relieved, Father still appeared puzzled about something. Perhaps my composure had been the problem?
“Well, I did notice Jim looked a bit disheveled this morning too…”
“Hmm, continue.”
“Babies only happen when a man and woman are naked in bed together, right? So I wasn’t worried about that.”
As I nodded proudly, Croa’s face went slack with shock. He clearly knew nothing whatsoever about such fundamental bedroom knowledge.
“Gasp!”
Nanakda actually gasped aloud.
“Wow…”
Choco marveled at me. I had learned quite a lot at such a young age. But then again, my biological father was none other than Helbatro, that legendary libertine.
“Regrettably… you’re a fool.”
Father pulled my head into a tight embrace. Why? Why did I have to be called a fool?
“I’m not a fool!”
“Yes, you are.”
“Pisha is indeed a fool, yes.”
“But this time, being a fool saved your life.”
Well, I’m not a fool! In protest, I stomped my feet repeatedly, but Father paid no attention and asked Nanakda and Choco for their thoughts.
“I only gave her the theoretical side of sex education, never the practical side.”
“Isn’t it normal for parents not to worry about that? I received early education because my family tree is complicated, but…”
“With so many incidents happening, perhaps there was no time for curiosity to awaken?”
At Choco’s words, Father and Nanakda looked between me and Croa, then nodded in understanding.
“Both of them have twisted ways of releasing tension.”
“With wars and curses, there was no room for anything to accumulate.”
What do you mean by accumulate? Of course, I agree that because of one massive goal, I had no time to worry about anything else.
Looking at the situation, was there some bedroom knowledge I didn’t know about? Is that why everyone treats me like a fool just because I know a little?
“Should we tell her right away?”
“It’s a bit shocking that she doesn’t know even past twenty, but now that it’s come to this, I almost wish she’d remained ignorant…”
“I’m not mentally prepared yet. Won’t Pisha naturally understand once she reaches around thirty?”
For some reason, Father and Nanakda seem to agree with Choco’s opinion. Ugh, I don’t want to wait until thirty. Since I’ll have to give birth anyway, I’d rather do it sooner and get the task over with.
“It’s fortunate this was a misunderstanding, but… actually, I’ve been thinking about something.”
Croa, who had been embarrassed about the misunderstanding, clenched his fists as if making a great resolution. Father waited generously for Croa to speak, gesturing for him to go ahead.
“I’ve heard that pregnancy and childbirth are the greatest pain one can experience in life, Father.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“So I’ve been thinking… I don’t think Pisha would be able to endure that, would she?”
“Hmm…”
Wait, what? If Mother and Grandmother gave birth, couldn’t I give birth too? Since I’d never thought deeply about that pain, I’d been optimistic about it. But Father gazed at me intently and nodded.
“I agree. I think you’ll give up around week three, saying it hurts too much.”
“Right!”
Would it really be like that? I wanted to protest, but there was a possibility I’d give up if it became too painful or difficult. Not overestimating myself? Looking at it objectively? If it hurt, I’d probably just say I wouldn’t do it, right?
I mean… I’ve always lived that way…
“Ugh… mmm…”
Since I honestly agreed with Father, I just groaned, and Nanakda blamed me with a strange expression.
“What are you planning to do? You said that after we have a child together someday, you’d also give birth to one who’ll inherit Hisperon Castle?”
“Well… now that it’s becoming real, it’s a bit scary…”
“That’s why! I have a proposal!”
Croa, anticipating my reaction, came up with a brilliant idea with conviction.
“I think it might be possible to transfer Pisha’s placenta and birth canal to me using a curse!”
“Ooh!”
“Is such a thing possible with a curse?”
“Yes. Since it’s physical pain and suffering, transferring it to someone else should be possible! Curses are all about interpretation!”
Is that really possible? Well, of course if someone else is suffering in my place, I’d welcome it with open arms. But realistically, wouldn’t Media reject this? What ancestor deity would allow their descendant to suffer?
“Wait a moment! I’ll go negotiate!”

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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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