How to Replace Your Dad - Chapter 198

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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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How to Replace Father
Episode 198
* * *
The Unit Members of Abel’s squad crouched in every corner of the Military Camp, pulling weeds.
“After clerical work, now we’re stuck with miscellaneous chores.”
“At least Miliano bothered to look out for us—or the punishment would’ve been worse.”
“My back’s going to snap. It wasn’t built for pulling weeds.”
“You little—”
When one Unit Member laughed wickedly, the other—who’d been lamenting the abuse of his back—smacked the back of his head.
“It’s supposed to be used for missions.”
“Ah.”
They were still bantering like this while pulling weeds.
Another Unit Member suddenly signaled with his eyes.
Something about Aragon’s mood felt off.
For days now, ever since clashing with Abel, Aragon hadn’t spoken a word.
The Unit Members of Abel’s squad whispered among themselves.
“Is he actually eating anything?”
“Who knows… we haven’t seen him at the Restaurant either.”
Aragon was naturally hot-blooded, but he’d always been cheerful and bright.
During training he’d coaxed the other members with playful banter, and he’d thrown himself passionately into every dangerous mission.
“It’s not like Aragon’s mood has only been low recently. Ever since the Squad Leader left—”
“I’ve told you a hundred times—he didn’t leave!”
Aragon’s shout exploded out.
Even Unit Members from other squads training nearby stopped and turned to stare at them.
“The Squad Leader betrayed us. We were abandoned.”
“But in the Family Tournament, the Squad Leader helped the Young Lady—”
“What benefit did he get out of it?”
“Still…”
“If that weren’t the case, there’s no way he wouldn’t come back!”
Aragon fixed them with eyes as sharp as blades.
The Unit Members swallowed hard without responding, and Aragon abruptly got to his feet.
“Report to Miliano’s squad—the weeds are cleared.”
“Report to Miliano’s squad? Not even to Miliano himself? Reporting to a fellow Unit Member—are we really that much like drudges—”
“What makes you better than drudges when you can’t even get a single mission?”
Aragon left without another word.
He’d just stepped onto the forest path that connected to the dormitory.
Walking briskly, someone suddenly appeared before him.
“Um…!”
She was a woman whose height barely reached his chest.
She had flowing crimson hair, and her cheeks were even redder than the locks.
“That… uh, um…”
“Did you have something to tell me?”
“It’s not that… it’s just…”
The woman shyly handed him a note.
“It’s my address. I was hoping we could exchange letters, or something like that…”
“Should I pass it to Yuise’s squad?”
As Aragon took the note, the woman cried out frantically.
“No, you…!”
“…”
The woman peeped up at him with both hands clasped, stealing glances.
Since the Irregulars had entered the Citadel, rumors had stirred beneath its surface.
Spring breezes had blown through the hearts of the women who came and went from the Castle.
They were hardly arrogant about the status of being Aslan’s direct unit.
Above all, there were plenty of men boasting impressive height and handsome features.
The Elite of the Irregulars were uniformly striking in appearance.
That didn’t mean the regular Unit Members lacked charm.
In fact, the Maids favored the regular Unit Members more.
The members of Yuise’s squad, who combined good looks with impeccable manners, were by far the most popular.
The woman hid her flushed cheeks behind the back of her hand and spoke.
“I’ve always thought… your bearing was beautiful.”
“…”
A conversation with Oscar came to mind.
“Shoulders back, spine straight. I’ve told you a thousand times—don’t stand on one leg.”
“Come on, Squad Leader. Let me eat in peace, won’t you?”
“If you don’t drop that slovenly habit, you’ll stay stuck there your whole life.”
“Yes, yes. I’m content to live comfortably for the rest of my days.”
“Planning never to fall in love, then?”
“…Fall in love?”
“Works pretty well, actually.”
When Oscar said this with a playful laugh, the Unit Members quickly straightened their posture.
Truth be told, he’d never been particularly interested in romance.
Back then, Oscar’s squad would have rejected even the most beautiful woman seeking his company.
Training was a joy.
When he moved as instructed, he could feel his skills growing in real time.
And when he performed a mission excellently through what he’d learned…
“There you go. You’ve got real talent for magic.”
The Squad Leader would ruffle their hair while laughing.
‘As if you weren’t planning to abandon us from the start.’
Dumping us was the plan all along.
The note crumpled in Aragon’s hand.
The woman gasped and stiffened, so he pressed the note back into her hands.
“You’d do well to develop a better eye for men.”
“…Pardon?”
“I hold grudges for a long time, and my temperament is foul.”
His tone was cold, but there was a pressure in it that made the spine crawl.
He left her there and returned to the dormitory.
Bang—!
He slammed the door hard enough to shatter, but the suffocation inside wouldn’t ease.
It felt like he’d swallowed a burning coal.
“Did you see? Did you see it, Squad Leader?!”
“Good work, Aragon.”
“…”
“Fighting with comrades again?”
“Antonio’s Group—they’re completely incompatible with us. They’re all idiots…”
“Control your temper.”
“We caught a wild boar, and they roasted it and ate it themselves.”
“…Get a club and come with me.”
“…”
“I’ve told you countless times—footwork is crucial in transitioning from defense to offense.”
“Do we need transitions? You block all the attacks anyway.”
“This is insane.”
He hurled the Lamp sitting on the side table.
The Lamp he’d deliberately caused a scene for during a mission just to get Oscar to buy it for him.
Watching it shatter and scatter across the floor, Aragon sank onto the bed.
A voice leaked through clenched teeth, suppressed and barely audible.
“Why didn’t you take me with you…?”
If you’d just said to come.
If you’d only extended your hand, then…
As he gasped for breath that way.
Something strange gleamed beneath the broken Lamp.
‘A note?’
Aragon’s face went rigid.
A folded note.
That shape, folded somewhat like a bird, was the Information Transmission Method used by Oscar’s squad.
The method the Squad Leader had taught…
Simply unfolding the paper entirely wouldn’t reveal the contents.
The message could only be read by folding it in a specific way.
Aragon quickly folded the note.
Are you still a Unit Member of Oscar’s squad?
Ledos Street B—312
“…!”
The Squad Leader.
The Squad Leader was calling him.
Aragon’s pupils trembled faintly.
* * *
Dawn.
He slipped past the loose guard and made his way to the location written on the note.
It was a shabby pub.
Once inside, Aragon hurriedly scanned the interior.
Most of the tables were occupied by ordinary people loudly drinking beer.
In one corner, two people in hoods could be seen.
Aragon’s pace slowed.
‘It’s not the Squad Leader.’
Through the hood of one, a slender line was visible. It was definitely a woman.
The other seemed male, but the body’s contours made it clear this wasn’t the Squad Leader.
‘Is this some joke from the Unit Members? Damn it.’
He was about to turn and leave.
When people who’d been giggling with drink moved to block the door.
“…!”
They weren’t ordinary customers.
None of them in this pub were.
The hooded man stood up.
“Adjutant Aragon of the Archduke.”
“…Archduke?”
“The one you call Oscar is the son of our leader, Archduke Arcunterra. He is our precious heir.”
Aragon let out a dry laugh.
“So there was a reason the Squad Leader had to betray us. He was a noble from the start—’betrayal’ doesn’t quite fit, I suppose.”
“The wound runs deep.”
“Shut up. I have nothing to discuss with the Reconstruction Council. Tell your precious heir that too.”
“I trust actions more than words. The Archduke does as well.”
“…What?”
“No matter how many walls you’ve put up with words, you came here anyway.”
“…”
“Do you miss the Squad Leader?”
Aragon’s hand went to his sword.
“I told you to shut up.”
“The Archduke misses you all as well.”
“…”
Aragon’s hand, about to draw, froze.
“Those raised by the Archduke are welcome to the Reconstruction Council.”
“What’s the point?”
“Won’t you lead your Unit Members and join us?”
Aragon stiffened.
The man walked toward him in long strides.
“The Archduke awaits your aid.”
“…That’s nonsense.”
“You deeply miss each other—why not join hands?”
“I…”
The man’s lips curved into a gentle smile.
Aragon was clearly wavering.
‘The fact that I snuck here alone means I’m ready to join hands anyway.’
The man gripped his shoulder.
“We need your help.”
“Help?”
“This person is planning to enter Esgaroth Mansion. To push forward a marriage with your Clan Leader.”
Aragon laughed hollowly.
“Seems your ‘lady’ lacks charm.”
Aragon brushed aside the man’s hand and spoke.
“If you want the Clan Leader, use force.”
“Her charm is more than abundant. As your future lady, no less.”
“Stop spouting bullshit—”
“This benefits you all as well. She’s not Reconstruction Council.”
“…”
“We simply wish Esgaroth not to grow too close to the Imperial Palace.”
“…”
“So all you need do is weaken the Barrier. So our ‘support’ will be effective.”
“I won’t commit betrayal.”
Aragon turned his back.
As he headed for the doorway, those posing as customers gripped their weapons.
“Unless you want to die, get out of the way. Tonight, my hands know no mercy.”
When Aragon and the men’s momentum clashed fiercely.
“What if we returned the Archduke to you?”
Aragon flinched, turning his head.
“His heart seems to have changed recently—he refuses to cooperate.”
“You expect me to believe such words?”
“Haha.”
The man laughed lightly.
“The Empire will fall into the Reconstruction Council’s hands anyway. If Esgaroth simply doesn’t interfere with us, we have no intention of becoming enemies.”
“…”
“The Archduke is quite sullen, so the Reconstruction Council thought to placate him before seizing the Imperial Palace.”
“…”
“I’ll send the Archduke along with this person on the journey to Esgaroth.”
The man drove the wedge in with a quiet tone.
“Whether you imprison him, brainwash him, or do whatever you like—up to you. We’ll collect our favor afterward.”
If the Squad Leader just came back, there was no need to honor their promises.
They surely knew that. So why…?
The man waved his hand casually.
The men blocking the doorway stepped aside.
“Think it over. I’ll send the Archduke to you.”
His whispered voice carried a charm that sent chills down the spine.
* * *
I glared at Abel standing before me.
“So what you’re saying is, training assistance comes first.”
“…Why should I?”
“You wanted to become an Irregular.”
“I proved my ability and joined.”
“You have to integrate within the unit to truly be an Irregular.”
“…”
Abel looked sullen.
I quickly raised my hand.
Charlie and Roslin from Antonio’s Unit swiftly presented a plate with Financier on it.
“…If it’s just an hour a day…”
“Be a mentor figure too. Oscar’s squad fell for him in that way.”
Abel went sullen again.
Charlie and Roslin quickly offered Baumkuchen.
“…How am I supposed to be a mentor?”
“Answer when they ask. Don’t be reluctant about it.”
“…Ten questions per day max.”
“Fine.”
I waited for Abel to put the Financier in his mouth and pocket the Baumkuchen.
‘Next is a date.’
A date at the Training Ground.
“If you do well today, I’ll make you Cheesecake tomorrow.”
“…You will?”
“Me.”
Abel rose with an extremely reluctant expression.
He headed for the Training Ground.
Today is the day Abel’s squad’s punishment ends.
It’s training day, so everyone will be at the Training Ground.
I watched Abel and his squad from a corner of the Training Ground.
Abel was tearing off pieces of Baumkuchen while watching his Unit Members train individually.
I winked, and he turned to a nearby Unit Member with a reluctant expression.
“Your form is wrong.”
“…Sir?”
When Abel started to oversee the training, all the Unit Members looked bewildered.
They startled, but their faces weren’t unhappy.
“Where… is it wrong, sir? Is my mana usage strange?”
“Your head.”
Abel muttered absently while tearing off Baumkuchen.
“You’re stupid, so avoid using it if you can.”
Charlie, Roslin, and I fell silent.
Charlie spoke.
“Is rebound dating supposed to work by insulting the other person so bluntly and turning their insides upside down?”
I chuckled kindly.
There’s no Cheesecake tomorrow.
‘I need to educate Abel more properly…’
I was sighing and thinking such thoughts.
When a chin suddenly rested on my shoulder.
“My treasure.”
“Mother?”
I was startled and looked to the side.
“Your outfit… why are you…?”
After waking, she’d stuck to comfortable pants, but today she was wearing an elegant dress.
Mother smiled widely.
“Your old man invited me. He’s throwing a party tonight, he says.”
“There is… a party today.”
“What kind of party?”
People who want to marry Father are coming.
It was a party to receive them.

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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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