How to Replace Your Dad - Chapter 135

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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 135

* * *

Things had gotten big.

Very big.

I held the announcement from the Imperial Court with trembling hands.

To summarize the contents:

-A Family War will be held.

-The Family War will be broadcast through the Mirror World.

-Each family’s participation in the Family War is limited to five people.

A Noble Lady under 18 years old becomes the captain and commands four knights.

-Victory is achieved by taking the captain’s sash.

-The winning family will be granted the 【Spiral Crown】 and 【Joint Authority over the Sowing Festival】.

While I was reading the announcement, Grandfather said.

“They’re saying if you want to become Prince Luciano’s partner, win the Sowing Festival. The Emperor, that cunning snake, has cleverly escaped Andres’s pressure.”

“Yes…”

“He must have thought of this when he heard you and Stella would have a knight’s duel. You two will likely face each other in the preliminaries.”

“Yes…”

“…Yustea?”

Grandfather called my name with a puzzled expression.

I couldn’t answer and kept staring at just one phrase in the announcement.

Spiral Crown

‘Finally.’

My hands are trembling.

The effect of the item Spiral Crown is to remove all status ailments.

‘I can wake up Mother.’

My whole body pounded as if it had become a heart.

A large hand covered my trembling hands.

I looked up with a start.

Father was quietly gazing at me.

“The time has come.”

“…Yes.”

Grandfather also smiled faintly seeing my reddened face.

“So I immediately submitted the participation application.”

“But you need to pay a huge sponsorship fee to apply for participation. I have money I’ve saved up, so with that…!”

“I told you. Use it as pocket money.”

The conversation I had with Grandfather at Andres Estate came to mind.

“You need to wake your mother with the Spiral Crown so you won’t be manipulated by Andres in the future. You’ll need to pay a sponsorship fee to participate. I’ll prepare the money.”

“No! I have money saved up from the cult.”

“Use it as pocket money.”

I was moved that he readily offered such a large sum for me.

I hugged Grandfather’s waist tightly.

“Thank you…”

“Don’t mention it.”

Grandfather smiled gently.

“Who are you thinking of taking to the Family War? If you want, I’ll provide Esgaroth’s knights.”

That’s when it happened.

“You’re not going without me, are you.”

Yuise’s voice was heard.

When I opened my eyes wide, Yuise said.

“If this is an extension of the confrontation with Andres knights, I should participate.”

“Will you come with me?”

“Of course.”

Father also nodded in permission.

I smiled brightly.

“Then it would be good to compose it with Irregulars. You and I will work well together.”

“That would probably be best.”

“I’ll compose the roster!”

“Alright.”

I also hugged Father tightly as a gesture of gratitude.

“Thank you…”

“If you need anything, don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“Yes!”

Having said that, I dragged Yuise out.

“Let’s go, I want to think about the roster quickly.”

“You’re excited…”

Yuise let out a small chuckle.

* * *

I had a long meeting with Yuise in my room.

“I think me, the Clan Leader, Antonio, and Miliano would be good. …I’m not sure if Miliano can come according to the schedule. He’s on an external mission.”

“The Clan Leader won’t work either. We can’t take away the Clan Leader who commands Cuaron for the Family War.”

“Damn. I miss Oscar. Oscar is the best at this kind of combat.”

I feel the same way.

But I can’t bring Oscar.

The moment I bring Oscar, who’s an executive of the Reconstruction Society, I’ll become a traitor.

“Yuise, Antonio, Abel…”

“Abel?”

“Yeah. We need someone who can cover long-range too.”

“Well, that makes sense. He’d probably come if we tempt him with snacks.”

“The remaining one person is the problem… Hey, what about Cesar?”

“Cesar?”

Puppeteer Cesar.

One of the Irregular Elite, who absolutely hated me.

Yuise made a disgusted expression.

“He absolutely won’t come.”

“I guess so?”

“Yeah. It’ll take time to persuade him. It’s important for us to quickly plan strategies and train.”

“But considering Stella’s side, Cesar is essential.”

“Stella?”

“GM might be attached to Stella’s side.”

“Ah…”

GM’s ability that seems to stop time.

That’s something tremendous that I’ve never seen from anyone else.

Once you’re hit by it, it’s certain defeat.

“If Cesar is there, there’s a way to attack GM.”

“Does it have to be Cesar?”

“Is there anyone else capable of Cesar’s level of mana control?”

“…No.”

Yuise sighed.

“I don’t recommend it. Persuading that bastard will take an enormous amount of time. Communication won’t work for starters.”

“Why?”

“His hobbies are cutting off communication and not answering calls.”

“I’ll have to meet him in person and settle this…”

“Right.”

“Where is he?”

“Andres.”

“…What?”

“He took on a mission to spy on Andres and recently entered the Andres Estate.”

Wow.

My mouth fell open.

* * *

Andres Estate, the Marquis’s study.

Stella clasped her hands together and bit her lips.

“F-Father…”

Marquis Andres kept looking out the window.

Even when he was driven out of the main estate by the Marchioness, and even after returning, the Marquis wouldn’t acknowledge Stella.

A cold attitude, different from last year.

Where had the affectionate father and daughter who always looked at each other gone?

Tears welled up whenever she looked at his cold back.

“The Family Tournament.”

“…Pardon?”

“You need to participate in the Family Tournament and win.”

“The Family Tournament, you mean…”

As Stella hesitated, his adjutant handed her the tournament announcement.

Stella’s eyes widened as she read the notice.

“This is…”

“I wish Onel could participate, but unfortunately only minor females can enter, and you’re my only daughter now.”

“…”

“So Stella, this is an opportunity I’m giving you.”

Marquis Andres turned to look at her.

A gentle smile appeared on his face, which had been nothing but cold since several incidents.

“I’m waiting to be able to forgive you.”

“Father…!”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Stella rushed into the Marquis’s arms.

“I was so scared. I thought I might never see Father’s smile again…”

“I see.”

“I’ll win. I’ll win and prove that I’m your daughter…!”

The Marquis’s hand touched the head of the sobbing Stella.

How long had it been since this embrace?

Above Stella, who cried until her jacket was soaked, the Marquis’s expression was coldly hardened.

* * *

Stella had been in a good mood for the past few days.

Stella woke up with a bright face, braided her hair, and turned around.

“How is it? Cute?”

GM gazed at her intently.

When he didn’t answer, Stella narrowed her eyes with a sullen expression.

“Is saying ‘cute’ that difficult?”

“…”

“I’m going to have breakfast with Father. Mother too.”

“…”

“You know, the day before yesterday and yesterday, Mother couldn’t eat with us. But today she’s joining us, you know?”

Stella covered her flushed cheeks and smiled shyly.

“I think Mother will forgive me too. We’ll become a beautiful family again.”

“Only if you win the Family Tournament.”

“…Do you have to be such a killjoy?”

Stella clicked her tongue and pouted.

“It’ll work out. Father said he’s bringing incredible people.”

“You’re going to rely on that alone?”

“They really are incredible people. Irregulars? They’re supposedly a level above even them. I heard he searched the entire continent to find them.”

“…”

“That’s how much Father is forgiving me.”

Stella placed her hand on her chest and sighed in admiration.

“I was so scared of the world. But now that Father is forgiving me, it looks beautiful again.”

“…”

“Anxiety must make people sick. I feel like I’ve awakened from a nightmare.”

“…What if Yustea wins?”

Stella gripped her collar tightly.

Her brilliant smile, like spring flowers, instantly faded.

“That won’t happen. I told you they’re a level above the Irregulars.”

“What if, I’m saying. What if that happens?”

“I said that won’t happen—!”

Stella let out a scream-like shout.

The room instantly froze.

Stella steadied her trembling breath and smiled brightly again.

“Besides, I have you, don’t I? Right?”

“…Right.”

She smiled widely again and hugged GM’s waist.

“With your ‘mark,’ I can beat all of Yustea’s knights, right? Tell me that’s true, GM…”

“It will be.”

“I’ll work hard again. My heart feels better now.”

“…”

“Like you said, I’ll stop worrying about Yohaël and work hard by Prince Luciano’s side. Prince Luciano will like me too once we get close. You said so. That kind people have things in common.”

“…”

“Since he’s kind to Yustea, I know he’ll be gentle with me too. I’ll comfort his wounds and become a good friend by his side… and his wife.”

Hearing those words, GM’s lips slowly curved into a smile.

GM placed his hand on Stella’s back.

“You’re becoming my wise friend again, Stella.”

Stella smiled brightly.

GM asked with a gentle expression.

“I have a good gift for you.”

“Hm? Ah, did you leave the estate for a few days to get the gift?”

“Yes. A very good gift.”

GM pressed his forehead against Stella’s as he spoke.

“It’s a new trait, Stella.”

“Really? Wow, I’m so happy!”

GM used to give her traits as gifts even when he was a system window.

‘The way I received traits as gifts felt a bit unpleasant, but now that GM is human, it’s much more comfortable.’

Her head felt dizzy.

Soon after, purple light gathered around her body.

Stella gasped for breath.

“Can I check the status window?”

“Of course.”

“Status window.”

Name: Stella Andres

Class: !error!

Traits: Status Window (Active), Chat Window (Active), Healing (Active), Affection Level [lv.3]

MP:733/1000

.

.

Something new had been added to the last trait.

Affection Level [lv.3]

“It will serve as an indicator for you.”

“An indicator…?”

“Use it as a reference when you don’t know what to say in the future.”

“Really?”

Stella’s face turned red.

That had been the most troublesome thing since GM became human.

Things that were easy to answer when GM was around became difficult after he disappeared.

“You can see affection levels, right? Be happy. Want to try it out at the restaurant?”

“Sure.”

…Though I wasn’t sure if that would really be something to be happy about.

GM smiled as he watched Stella excitedly leave the room.

Stella went down the stairs heading to the restaurant.

“Hello, Mila. Hello, Colette.”

“Hello, Young Lady.”

“Good morning.”

‘Affection level.’

Andres Maid 【Mila】

●●●●○

○○○○○

Andres Maid 【Colette】

●●●●●

○○○○○

‘Amazing. I can really see the affection levels.’

There were circle-shaped affection levels and heart-shaped affection levels too.

Most of them were filled to about 4 or 5.

‘Everyone likes me.’

She was smiling brightly with a happy face.

“Sorry for the early morning visit.”

“…You’re still acting like a stranger.”

Grandmother was with someone in the courtyard.

A familiar voice.

Stella’s steps came to an abrupt halt.

“…Yustea?”

Yustea looked at Stella.

“Hello, Stella.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I have business here.”

“I mean what kind of business.”

Stella frowned.

Then the Marchioness coldly scolded her.

“She’s my guest. How long do you plan to be rude?”

“But Grandmother, that girl is the enemy from the family tournament…!”

That’s when it happened.

“What’s going on?”

Count Andres’s voice was heard.

He was clearly on Stella’s side.

Stella quickly approached the Count.

“Grandmother invited the enemy from the family tournament. What if our strategies…? That kind of thing can’t be revealed.”

When Stella spoke glumly.

Another window appeared.

Designer of Darkness 【Rohan Andres】

○○○○○

○○○○○

Something was strange.

‘…Huh?’

Was there an error?

While Stella was confused, another window appeared.

Count Andres’s affection level toward Yustea.

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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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