Dad is Back From a Deserted Island - Chapter 9

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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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Father has returned from the Deserted Island
Chapter 9

If it were something left behind by a dragon, then perhaps another dragon, or a unicorn, or if not that, then a rainbow-colored bird….
When one thinks of divine beasts, certain sacred forms come to mind.
But the monkey answered that question with complete confidence.
[I can originally transform into the shape of any animal. But among all the animals I’ve seen, the monkey appeared to be the most intelligent. So I chose to take the form of a monkey!]
“It chose a monkey because it seemed the most intelligent.”
“Is that so…?”
[And it looks convenient for grabbing and eating things too.]
“Oh!”
The monkey snatched a sausage from the dining table without giving me a moment to stop it and shoved it into its mouth.
[This tastes wonderful!]
Watching the young monkey laugh while pressing its forehead with its hand—uki uki—I felt deeply unsettled.
‘So that’s it. That thing is supposed to be our nation’s divine beast… and here it is, stealing breakfast from someone else’s home…?’
For something supposedly sacred, it was far too small, far too cute… and far too frivolous. There wasn’t a shred of dignity to be found.
Yet this monkey had hatched from an egg, so it was undoubtedly some sort of mysterious being. I swallowed hard, tensing completely.
The monkey conveyed its wishes through Vivian.
“Dad. The monkey wants you to prepare its own meal!”
“….”
I returned to the Kitchen, prepared a dish from the remaining ingredients for the monkey to eat, brought it back out, and watched as the monkey made gleeful chittering sounds while emptying the plate. Throughout it all, my expression remained deeply troubled.
I wasn’t even certain whether this was truly a divine beast or some sort of monster, but above all, I was most concerned about whether it would be safe to keep it around Vivian.
Every monkey I’d encountered on the island had possessed a filthy disposition.
Even as I looked at the young monkey’s delicate fingers, I remained grave.
If those hands were to scratch Vivian’s face, that would be troublesome indeed.
[Small human. The look in your father’s eyes is most disrespectful!]
“Dad, it says you’re looking at it with pitiful eyes!”
[That’s not it! …Sigh. Never mind. Never mind.]
After finishing its meal, the monkey wiped its hands on the tablecloth without permission—I let out a startled sound—and climbed onto Vivian’s shoulders.
“That’s heavy!”
[Consider it an honor, short human. Not everyone is granted the honor of bearing my weight.]
“What are you saying.”
[Impudent human… Anyway, when will you give me a name?]
“A name? Do I have to give you one?”
[Of course! You awakened me, and you will serve me from now on. If you don’t give me a name, who will?]
“I have to serve you…?”
This is going to be incredibly bothersome.
Though I’d only seen the monkey for a week, it was remarkably talkative, dismissive of humans, and yet meddled in everything.
“I simply woke you up—isn’t that enough?”
[Insolent human! Shameless human! You agreed to take my power, and now you wish to abandon me?!]
The monkey screeched and ruffled Vivian’s hair wildly. When Vivian cried out, Ron rushed over and separated the two of them.
“This won’t do! It won’t, sir! Divine Beast! How could you harm a child!”
[I wasn’t trying to harm her… Screech!]
Unable to contain its frustration, the monkey bounded around the Dining Room once before finally calming down, then climbed onto Ron’s shoulder.
Once there, it began grooming Ron’s brown hair, as if to demonstrate its harmlessness.
[How did I end up meeting such humans.]
After finishing Ron’s hair, the monkey began combing through Vivian’s disheveled locks once more. The tangled mess gradually became neat and orderly.
[Little human. Tell your father quickly that I am a benevolent Divine Beast. Don’t even think of casting me out.]
“It says it’s a good one, so we shouldn’t cast it out.”
“Sigh… All right. Divine Beast… We can’t abandon you. But how is Vivian able to hear the Divine Beast’s voice?”
“I don’t know either. Apparently I have some kind of power!”
Ron’s brow furrowed.
Vivian was an ordinary child. There had been no auspicious omens at her birth, and neither of her parents possessed any special abilities.
Had there been any hidden power within her, she wouldn’t have met such a miserable end.
Unaware of her father’s troubled thoughts, Vivian cradled the monkey in her arms—which, surprisingly, settled there docilely—and began pondering a name for it.
“Hmm, a name. I’ve never actually named anything before.”
[This is my first name as well, so worry not, human.]
“Usually a first name is also a last name, monkey. Hmph. And you won’t even call me by mine.”
[That’s because you call me Egg or monkey and such! Fine. If you give me a name, I’ll call you by yours too!]
“Tch, acting like you’re doing something so grand. Well then… Kiki? How about Kiki?”
[Screech!]
At the monkey’s decisive rejection, Vivian clutched her head again.
“What about Kiki?”
[What’s the difference?]
“Kiki is cuter than that. And Father calls me Vivian, so Kiki is similar—it’s like you’re my little sibling.”
[Screech! Why would I be your sibling!]
“Because you were born today. You’re younger than me, aren’t you?”
[Shrieeeek!]
Though it screeched with its mouth, the monkey’s expression was anything but displeased—assuming a monkey’s expressions held the same meaning as a human’s.
[Fine. From now on, call me Kiki!]
“Okay! Um, nice to work with you from now on?”
[Of course. Treat me well from now on, Vivian!]

* * *

Vivian and Kiki were running and playing in the hallway when I appeared in my traveling clothes.
Vivian, who had been excitedly running about, came to an abrupt halt at the sight of me dressed for departure, her eyes trembling as she gazed up at me.
“Oh, Dad! Where are you going? Where? Can I come too?”
Dressed like that meant I was venturing beyond the Village. Vivian’s voice wavered with uncertainty.
I smiled reassuringly and scooped Vivian into my arms.
“Of course, our Vivian comes with me. I was planning to take you all along! How could I leave my precious princess alone in this house?”
Vivian’s eyes filled with resentment, and I hastily looked away.
I had left her alone before. Not truly alone, but worse than that, far worse.
After a brief moment of self-reproach, I forced brightness into my voice.
“We’re going to the Neighboring Village to buy our princess some new clothes, and I have some business to attend to, plus I need to hire new servants. We should be able to return before sunset. Let’s get you changed first!”
Vivian’s eyes sparkled at those words.
“The Neighboring Village? Wow, I’ve never been there before! Kiki, we’re going to the Neighboring Village!”
[How dare you! As one who serves this household, maintain your dignity, Vivian. You mustn’t make such a fuss over something so trivial!]
“The Neighboring Village has a huge shopping district, though I’m not even sure what a shopping district is since I’ve never seen one! This is your first time too, isn’t it, Kiki?”
Of course, Vivian’s excitement-filled ears heard none of Kiki’s protest. How could she not be thrilled? She had spent her entire life within this small Village, and this was her first outing.
“Let me see, what clothes does our Vivian have…?”
Fortunately, I found clothes she’d worn at five years old still stored away. Though the sleeves were short, it wasn’t so ill-fitting as to look strange.
She likely hadn’t grown properly from lack of adequate nutrition.
I swallowed the bitterness and adjusted Vivian’s outfit before leaving the house with both her and Kiki.
The House of Lamber had two carriages—one we’d always used, and another I’d brought back when I returned home.
I’d driven the second one so recklessly that it was beyond repair. Even the original carriage didn’t impress me much, having ridden in many fine ones while assisting a Merchant before my return.
I mentally calculated the value of the jewels I’d brought for exchange.
“This should work. We’ll buy a new carriage in the Village. Vivian, the ride there will be a bit uncomfortable, but can you bear with it?”
“A new carriage? Our money… we have plenty now! Yes! I’m fine, Dad!”
Clatter, clatter—the carriage I’d bought cheaply rattled with every bump.
But for Vivian, leaving the Village for the first time, even the jolting felt thrilling.

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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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