Dad is Back From a Deserted Island - Chapter 56

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

Father has returned from the Deserted Island
Chapter 56

“…Yes, I see. So the Divine Beast—”
Jean de Lamber gazed at Kiki nestled in Vivian’s arms, a bittersweet smile crossing his face.
The peaceful sleep looked identical to usual, as if she might open her eyes and stir at any moment.
Jean de Lamber gently reached out and stroked Kiki’s small head with careful fingers.
“Truly, she won’t open her eyes.”
Kiki despised contact with any human other than Vivian.
Jean de Lamber, being Vivian’s father, had been granted some leniency, yet she had never tolerated him stroking her head. Even while asleep, she would open her eyes with ghostly precision and express her fury, but seeing her like this, sleeping so soundly—
Jean de Lamber pressed the back of his hand against his eyes. His eyes were already swollen and red from the tears of joy he had shed upon seeing Vivian awaken. Vivian’s eyes, too, were in the same state after she had embraced Kiki and wept for so long the moment she came to.
Jean pressed the back of his hand against his eyes repeatedly. His eyes were swollen and red from the tears of joy he had shed upon seeing that Vivian had already awakened. Vivian’s eyes were in the same state—she had embraced Kiki and cried for a long time right after waking up.
“…Father. Still, couldn’t we find a way? Or at least try to look? I want to search for it myself, no matter what. You’re busy, after all—”
“What are you saying, Vivian? She’s our benefactor who saved your life. Your father must search too. We’ve already been looking into various things with your grandfather. No one ever imagined the Divine Beast would actually exist.”
In the founding mythology, the ancestor who established the Empire was a dragon.
The tale that all members of the Imperial Family carried dragon’s blood and were special beings was something every citizen of the Empire had heard since childhood, yet no one truly believed it.
In a world where magic and mystery did not exist, who would believe such things?
But Jean de Lamber, who had regressed and met the Divine Beast, had been gathering related information for a long time.
What if Vivian’s lifespan was originally predetermined? What if, even though he had returned and changed the past, Vivian still faced death at that age—what if that fact remained unchanged?
That hypothesis had kept Jean de Lamber awake at night. He had to scrape together every scrap of information, no matter how small or insignificant. Eduard, who learned that Kiki was the Divine Beast during this journey, had also lent his aid.
But no matter how many people he sent deep into remote villages in the mountains, no useful information emerged, and he had been gradually growing weary when—
“I’ll search for a way, Father. So you—”
“No. Father, I should do this.”
Vivian shook her head at Jean de Lamber, who was rekindling his determination to repay the debt of saving his daughter’s life.
“Kiki transferred her power to me and fell asleep for my sake. How could I possibly push everything onto you and pretend I know nothing?”
It was a resolve unlike anything she had shown before.
“I awakened Kiki, and I possess her power now. So I will search. …Of course, I won’t be able to find immediately what you and Grandfather Eduard couldn’t find, but still. You and Grandfather can’t seek answers from animals and plants. Surely ancient trees and creatures who have lived for so long would know something, anything at all—”
“Vivian! Please, calm yourself. It hasn’t even been half a day since you lost consciousness and awakened.”
As Vivian grew agitated and her breathing quickened, Jean de Lamber was struck by the memory of the nightmare he had just endured, and he quickly pulled his daughter into an embrace to soothe her.
Vivian, holding Kiki precious in her arms, did not push him away but buried her face against his shoulder.
As Jean de Lamber slowly patted her slender back, he truly realized at last that Vivian was no longer a child. Not merely in appearance had she grown, but her very essence had transformed.

* * *

Jean de Lamber and Vivian decided to depart the Capital sooner than anticipated.
While gathering information was part of their purpose, Jean had grown reluctant to linger in the Capital with Vivian after hearing Kiki’s warnings.
This wasn’t their first time remaining in the Capital, and no complications had ever arisen before—yet the Imperial Palace stood at the heart of the city.
I wanted nothing more than to flee as far as possible from the land where Vivian had collapsed, the ground Kiki had warned us never to tread upon again.
All the plans we had made for the petit débutante invitations were cancelled. We had already sent gifts bearing our apologies to those who had scheduled events or received our promises of attendance.
“What a shame this turned out to be.”
“I sincerely apologize. I never expected matters to unfold this way—”
“No, no. Vivian collapsed, so I couldn’t possibly hold you back. If you need my assistance, contact me anytime. I’ll continue listening and gathering information as well.”
Eduard was the only person worth meeting in person to bid farewell.
Luca and Elise were occupied with engagement preparations and couldn’t spare the time, sending word of their regrets.
Once Jean de Lamber and Eduard finished their farewells, Vivian embraced Eduard affectionately.
“Grandfather. I’m sorry for leaving without staying longer.”
“Sorry? You just focus on staying healthy. Do you know how startled this old man was to hear you’d collapsed?”
Eduard patted Vivian’s back and stepped away, his gaze turning toward the carriage interior.
“I pray that the one sleeping there awakens soon. I too am praying for it.”
“…Yes, Grandfather.”
“So, where did you say you were going?”
“Ah, we won’t be going far. For now, we’re planning to search for ancient trees near the Capital. We don’t know how far the trees’ knowledge reaches, so we should start with those nearby.”
“I see… Tales from the Empire’s founding are distant indeed, but it would be wise to search within the Empire’s early territories.”
The two of them boarded the carriage after parting with Eduard. Inside was a basket lined with plush cushions—prepared so we could bring the sleeping Kiki along.
As Vivian stroked the sleeping Kiki’s body, her eyes grew distant. Seeing this, Jean de Lamber hastily spoke.
“Still, a tree that’s lived over five hundred years must surely know something. Right, Vivian?”
“Mm. You’re right. I hope we arrive soon. Though… it’s a shame there are no ancient trees within the Capital itself.”
Land in the Capital was precious. There was no space left for trees to grow old and undisturbed.
Our destination was Montclevalle, a small village located near the Capital. Nestled in a mountain valley, it possessed a serene and tranquil charm.
We departed as soon as we heard news of the nearest ancient tree located there.
Vivian stroked Kiki, who had not awakened for days, and desperately hoped the tree in that place would know something.

* * *

The moment Vivian arrived at the Village, she set out to find the tree without even unpacking her belongings.
Though they had deliberately departed in the evening so she could move immediately upon arrival, Jean de Lamber hurried after her with a hastily grabbed cloak as she emerged from the carriage with nothing but a basket in hand, having scarcely slept during the journey.
“Vivi! You don’t even know exactly where the tree is!”
“I can ask the birds!”
As if sensing the presence of a divine spirit, birds fluttered about above Vivian’s head.
“You there—could you tell me where the oldest tree in this area is?”
[Gasp. A human is speaking to us. Asking for directions. As if they could understand our language!]
“I can understand you!”
The birds chirped in startled surprise. Under normal circumstances, Vivian would have waited patiently for them to calm down, but she had no such luxury now.
“I’m sorry! I’m in such a hurry right now. Could you just show me the way first?”
[The path might be a bit difficult for humans to traverse. Will you be alright?]
“Huh?”
Vivian tilted her head in confusion at this entirely unexpected response.

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