How to Replace Your Dad - Chapter 12

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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How to Replace Your Dad

Chapter 12

* * *

The moment I entered, there was a displeased clicking of the tongue and the magic mirror lost its light.

Had he been communicating?

When I blinked, the Clan Leader shook his head as if it was nothing.

“Please come in.”

I nodded.

And as soon as I heard it wasn’t braised ribs, I headed toward the Clan Leader who had gone to sit in his chair.

I set the tray down on the table in front of the Clan Leader’s chair.

“It’s consommé and cabbage rolls.”

The consommé would warm his body, and the cabbage rolls would help with detoxification and blood circulation.

For the cabbage roll filling, I used nutritious beef and beans rich in amino acids.

‘It’s a special meal for restoring vitality.’

The Clan Leader glanced at the Clan Leader with a troubled expression.

“Miss. Foods that raise body temperature are problematic.”

“You’ve had a constant fever since being cursed, haven’t you?”

“You knew?”

His expression asked why I had prepared such food despite knowing this.

“It’s because the energy center where mana gathers has been invaded by cold energy. Your body raised its temperature to drive out the cold.”

Cabbage, beef, beans, and walnuts which were the main ingredient in the consommé.

All were ingredients that helped drive out the cold energy from the energy center.

“If you eat it regularly, it will be very good for your body.”

“I see.”

The Clan Leader looked relieved.

But the Clan Leader was silently staring at the tray.

‘Ah.’

I quickly approached the Clan Leader.

“Are you disappointed it’s not braised ribs?”

Then the Clan Leader let out a small chuckle.

“The Clan Leader has no preferences for any food except myeongjeongcho.”

“Is that so? I was planning to make braised ribs tomorrow. I should make something even better for your health.”

But it was strange.

The Clan Leader looked at the Clan Leader.

For some reason it seemed like an angry look, so I tilted my head.

It must be a misunderstanding. The Clan Leader who had served the Clan Leader for a long time didn’t seem to think anything of it either.

He might be hesitating wondering if myeongjeongcho was added.

“Clan Leader, I didn’t add any myeongjeongcho.”

“You didn’t add myeongjeongcho?”

I answered yes to the Clan Leader’s question.

“This morning’s sandwich allowed you to eat without myeongjeongcho, but before that you didn’t eat at all.”

Myeongjeongcho soup.

Steamed fish with myeongjeongcho.

Myeongjeongcho pasta.

He didn’t touch any food with a strong myeongjeongcho scent.

“You need to eat first to recover your strength, so I didn’t add it.”

“I see.”

After hearing my conversation with the Clan Leader, the Clan Leader picked up his utensils.

‘Good. He seems ready to eat.’

Then I should do other work.

Seeing him start to eat, I put down the large backpack I had carried on my back.

And I took out all sorts of items from it.

Seeing those items, the Clan Leader asked.

“…What are all those things?”

“Supplies for caring for the Clan Leader.”

“…All of that?”

“Yes.”

His expression asked just how serious I was.

They were rather surprising items.

A large water bottle and basin, towels, blankets and pillows, container 1 with various herbs ground or dried, containers 2 with snacks like dried fruits, container 3 with tea leaves, oil, kettle, cups, books, wind chimes that made clear sounds… and so on.

Seeing these items, Antonio asked, ‘Is that bag some kind of holy relic?’

How did all of that fit inside?

“I’m grateful that you’re working so hard, but I’m not sure if the Clan Leader will need those items. Actually, even the food you brought is a large amount. The Clan Leader tends to eat small portions…”

The Clan Leader who was speaking while looking at the Clan Leader paused.

In just a moment, the Clan Leader had completely finished his food.

And he had pushed the plate to the edge of the table.

I quickly stood up and said.

“Shall I give you more?”

Just in case, I took out another cabbage roll from container 4 that I had brought.

When I put it on the plate, the Clan Leader began eating silently again and the Clan Leader looked flustered.

* * *

After the Clan Leader returned to the castle with a bewildered expression, silence fell over the Spiral Tower.

The Clan Leader who had finished his meal was silently looking at documents.

I was standing blankly by the wall watching him.

‘He only works all the time.’

After I asked if he would have dessert after the meal and he answered, there had been no conversation at all.

After staying silent like that for a while longer.

The Clan Leader opened his mouth while still keeping his gaze fixed on the documents.

“Do you plan to stay there the whole time.”

“If it’s uncomfortable, shall I wait outside the door?”

“Why.”

“Pardon…?”

“Is there a reason for you to spend your time standing in that spot, even being careful about breathing.”

I said hesitantly.

“I had some things I was curious about, so I was waiting to ask when you had a moment… I’m sorry.”

“Is answering when asked such a difficult thing.”

“Pardon?”

“It means you may do so.”

My face brightened and I quickly went closer to the Clan Leader.

I was wondering if I should just watch him eat and observe his preferences, but this is fortunate.

Having him answer directly would definitely be much more helpful.

“Um… But there’s quite a lot, so would that be okay…?”

“Fine.”

“Thank you!”

Having said that, I took out parchment from my chest.

When I unrolled the rolled parchment, it extended from my chest to my knees.

The Clan Leader paused for a moment.

“Is it too much after all…?”

I wondered if I should select from among these and watched his reaction.

He put down the documents.

He seemed ready to give proper answers.

‘Why did the game describe the Clan Leader as cold-blooded?’

My biological father would have left me standing there for days, not just four hours, when I failed a test.

He never looked at me, as if I were just a decorative piece.

I only managed to have a conversation with him after achieving early graduation.

‘Compared to him, the Clan Leader is a good person.’

I laughed and said.

“I prepared a balance game to make it easy for you to answer. Just choose one of the two. First, ocean versus mountain.”

“….”

The Clan Leader stared at me intently.

He probably expected questions about the Brightgrass herb.

The reason I was staying by the Clan Leader’s side was to restore his stamina.

I had originally planned to prepare such questions too.

‘But his dislike of the Brightgrass taste might be related to trauma.’

But asking the Clan Leader outright if he had trauma seemed inappropriate.

Many people dislike having their weaknesses exposed.

Especially someone like the Clan Leader who had lived secretively would feel that way even more.

So I was trying to understand the Clan Leader through these kinds of questions.

‘Maybe he won’t answer because it’s too trivial?’

I looked at him with a nervous expression.

He let out a small sigh and said.

“Mountain, if it’s summer.”

“Isn’t it usually the opposite?”

Oops.

I asked back in surprise.

But the Clan Leader said with an indifferent expression.

“Weapons rust easily at summer beaches.”

“Ah. Then here’s the next question. Salt versus sugar.”

“Salt.”

“Cold versus heat.”

“Cold.”

“Five-year-old Antonio versus five Antonios.”

“…Five-year-old Antonio.”

“Blood versus pain.”

“….”

Huh?

The Clan Leader was silent for a moment.

“Leave the questionnaire and I’ll mark the answers.”

“Oh, but….”

“Leave it and go.”

“…Yes.”

I couldn’t persuade him further.

Because the Clan Leader’s expression had turned cold.

“Then, let me just do this….”

I glanced around and placed the items I had packed in my bag here and there.

After finishing quickly, I bowed my head.

And after leaving the room, I frowned.

‘The part where the Clan Leader hesitated was definitely blood.’

But why blood?

What could be more familiar to the leader of an assassination squad than blood?

As I was pondering and struggling, I suddenly raised my head.

Because a scene I had seen in the game came to mind.

There was a scene where the princess—no, now the Duchess of Esgaroth—was receiving information about Aslan from an informant.

“It was his mother’s old guard who evacuated him when he was an infant. Aslan learned everything from him, they say. Walking, holding a sword, killing people… everything.”

“An old guard. I remember. But where is he? I feel like I need to tear him apart with my own hands to feel satisfied.”

“He’s dead. They say he was killed by Aslan’s hand.”

“…Why?”

“They say he survived the great drought by drinking his master’s blood.”

“Indeed, what a monster.”

If that story were true….

If his master’s blood remained as trauma….

‘The Brightgrass herb would feel like blood to the Clan Leader.’

I looked back at the door with a hardened expression.

It was a much more serious trauma than I had expected.

* * *

I couldn’t think of a proper way to make him eat the Brightgrass herb.

After several days like this.

I finally made up my mind and went to find the Vice Clan Leader.

“You want me to write an identity verification document?”

“Yes. I need an identity verification document to enter other cities. I can’t get one issued since I was expelled from the Andres Family.”

“I can write one for you, but what are you planning to do?”

“I want to search around to see if there are any herbs that could substitute for the Brightgrass herb.”

“Pardon?”

The Vice Clan Leader seemed very surprised at my words about not using the Brightgrass herb.

It would be even more so since I was the one who had emphasized the importance of the Brightgrass herb and insisted he must eat it somehow.

‘But if he has such serious trauma, I don’t want to force him to eat it.’

I hesitated and then carefully opened my mouth.

“The Brightgrass herb tastes like truth serum to me.”

“What….”

“Before I was expelled from the family. The servants would hold down my limbs every day and force me to drink truth serum.”

‘Demanding I confess to poisoning Stella.’

But since it wasn’t something I had done, the truth serum was useless.

However, no one believed my words.

I drank several bottles a day of truth serum when a small amount would have been sufficient.

Even when I couldn’t withstand the toxicity of the truth serum and vomited, it was no use.

They poured more truth serum into my mouth even when it was filled with vomit.

‘So to be precise, the Brightgrass herb tastes like truth serum mixed with vomit to me.’

That sour, astringent taste that makes you nauseous.

“When I eat the Brightgrass herb, I remember that time and can’t breathe.”

The Clan Leader’s situation would be worse than mine, not better.

So….

“If it’s the same for the Clan Leader, I don’t want to force the Brightgrass herb on him anymore. I thought I’d try to find another way.”

“….”

“Would that not be okay?”

“…An identity verification document would be enough. You don’t need anything else?”

It was permission.

I said with joy, almost jumping.

“That’s enough. Thank you.”

“I should be the one thanking you.”

“Pardon?”

“I know you’re doing your best. Thank you.”

I scratched my head and let out a sheepish laugh.

Since coming here, I’ve been hearing words of gratitude quite often.

Having someone acknowledge my efforts was always a joyful thing.

It was an overwhelming feeling I had never experienced in Andres.

“Um… I…”

I hesitated, then spoke with a shy expression.

“I like it here.”

“…Pardon?”

“Everyone is so kind. It’s like a fairy tale world.”

“…”

“So thank you.”

Seeing me bow my head, the Clan Leader couldn’t say anything for a while.

Only after some time had passed did he finally speak.

“Please be careful on your trip.”

See?

I really like it here.

So I have to work hard.

I clenched my fists and left the castle.

It had been a long time since I’d been outside Sanmiguel Castle.

* * *

But…

“An herb that works like Myeongjeongcho? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“I’ve spent my whole life running through mountains and fields. There’s no such herb.”

“An herb like Myeongjeongcho? What nonsense are you talking about?”

…It was a complete failure.

‘I’ve been to every pharmacy, but not a single person knows about it.’

I’d been searching since morning, but couldn’t find a single clue at any nearby pharmacy.

This wasn’t a big city like Esgaroth Principality, so there weren’t many pharmacies…

‘Wait. Esgaroth Principality?’

Come to think of it, there was a place I used to visit often when looking for rare items in the game.

A small cabin in the forest near the Principality.

It was like a resting place where old herbalists would stop by briefly.

‘I might be able to get information there.’

But I was hesitant.

Today marked the second day I hadn’t returned to the castle.

‘I left Antonio in charge of caring for the Clan Leader…’

I wonder if he’s doing well?

“…So you’re saying I should use all these things the little teach… miss prepared?”

“You don’t need to use everything. Just what you need. The containers labeled number 1 have various snacks. They’re all sweets, so give them to him when he’s tired. If he gets hot, replace the ice packs attached to the fan and use them. It acts like air conditioning… well, it means it’s cooler.”

“…”

“And the number 2 containers have herbs – just mix them with water according to the memo and give them to him at the right times. Also, it would be good to massage him while applying the number 3 ointment. Please follow the memo for the right body parts too.”

“You’ve been doing all of this, miss?”

“Yes.”

“…Can I perhaps give up?”

I had prepared snacks to comfort him when he felt overwhelmed.

‘But I don’t have time.’

The Clan Leader’s tattoo seemed like it would soon reach the end of his neck.

In the end, I decided to go to Esgaroth Principality.

I paid a silver coin and hitched a ride on a merchant’s cargo wagon.

Even after traveling for half a day straight, it took another two hours to reach Esgaroth Principality.

Being carried in the rattling cargo wagon without a moment’s rest made my whole body feel like it was screaming.

I had to move quickly if I wanted to reach the herbalists’ shelter before sunset.

After passing through the rough forest, I finally arrived at the cabin.

Two luxurious carriages were parked in front of the cabin that looked like it would collapse at any moment.

‘This is definitely the place.’

A place that even the retainers of great nobles visited after hearing rumors that they could obtain all kinds of herbs.

Those two luxurious carriages proved that this was the destination.

Knock knock.

I knocked on the door.

“Excuse me.”

A hunched old man opened the door for me.

“Who might you be.”

Looking behind him, I saw the small cabin was packed full of people in luxurious attire.

They all had irritated expressions.

“What are you doing interrupting our conversation.”

“Have you ever seen such a rude person!”

They were haughty because they were associated with great nobles.

But I…

“It’s my first time meeting you, sir. I came here hoping to hear your wise counsel.”

I immediately bowed at a right angle.

My back, which had been abused in the cargo wagon, felt like it was screaming, but I didn’t care.

‘This old man values courtesy very highly.’

If he prioritized money or power, he would have opened a proper pharmacy.

But he was living here, taking on small requests.

Money and power couldn’t move this old man.

The old man who had been staring at me smiled slightly.

“Please come in. I’ll serve you tea.”

“What, what?!”

The people who had occupied the cabin before me shouted in outrage.

They had been standing because he hadn’t even offered them chairs, let alone tea.

It seemed they had barged in without even getting permission.

The old man gave me a small chair and tea, then said,

“Please wait a moment. I’ll listen to what you have to say after I get rid of these uninvited guests.”

“Uninvited guests, you say.”

Then, a man who had been in the corner and wasn’t clearly visible pushed through the people and stepped forward.

The moment I saw his face, I froze.

He was… that man was…

“I… I really didn’t harm Stella…”

“Oh my. The medicine must have been insufficient.”

I felt suffocated.

Only his eerie smile that I had seen at the end filled my mind completely.

The man who had stepped forward among the people looked at me.

His eyes, which had briefly widened, flashed with interest.

“Yopis… you know I couldn’t have done such a thing… you’re the master who taught me… please…”

“What do you hope to gain by bringing up disgusting memories.”

The corners of his mouth curved up diagonally, just like that day I saw him in the underground prison.

“We meet here. …Miss.”

“…Marquis Yopis…”

A young talent who became a key minister of Andres at the age of twenty.

He was my friend and mentor, and now he had become known as the beautiful sword that protects Stella.

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