How to Replace Your Dad - Chapter 24

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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 24

Underground prison.

The guards looked at me with incredulous eyes.

“This is the first time I’ve seen someone look so at home inside iron bars.”

“You’re telling me…”

They had expressions like they were seeing something extraordinary, but I just smiled kindly.

Because it really was as comfortable as home.

‘Our house is also underground.’

Though it wasn’t completely underground, it was semi-basement.

I pushed myself a bit for Mother’s sake.

After all, Mother needed to get some sunlight.

I was having such thoughts when.

Creak, the prison door opened and the sound of boot steps could be heard.

The soldiers who had been staring at me in bewilderment immediately prostrated themselves.

Well, as long as one had their feet planted in the North, he was a man who could never be defied.

It was him, Marquis Esgaroth, called the hegemon of the North.

“Sintus.”

When the Marquis spoke, the man who came with him bowed his head.

Judging by the name, that muscular burly man seemed to be Asta’s father, Marquis Sintus.

Marquis Sintus bowed his head, then immediately gestured to those around.

Everyone present withdrew like a receding tide.

Even Marquis Sintus.

The underground prison became quiet in an instant.

Only the breathing of the Marquis and myself filled the space.

The Marquis quietly gazed at me inside the iron bars.

“So, what is the reason you risked your neck to summon me.”

I swallowed dry saliva and spoke.

“I have… something to tell you.”

“It had better be important enough to dare summon me.”

“Well…”

“If it’s about Clan Leader Aslan of the Irregulars being my son, that would be disappointing.”

“…”

For a moment, I felt like my heart was plummeting to the ground.

It felt like all the blood in my body was turning cold.

‘He knows about the Clan Leader’s existence?’

As I turned pale and froze, the Marquis smiled broadly.

“I’m curious why you thought I wouldn’t know.”

I stared at him, forgetting even to breathe.

His other alias came to mind.

The Evil of the Winter Lands.

…He was a man without blood or tears.

* * *

This was the first time I’d encountered such a terrifying man.

Though I was scared when I met the Clan Leader, the emotion I felt facing the Marquis was pure terror.

‘Is he someone I can even deal with?’

All the Marquis knew was that I had confessed to ruining Camelia.

With just that, he accurately guessed my true intentions.

He completely ruled out the possibility that, being fifteen, I might have accidentally harmed Camelia and confessed out of fear.

He accurately assessed me as a person and reached a perfect conclusion.

Just from briefly encountering me.

Moreover, his intelligence network that knew exactly about the Clan Leader.

He must have thoroughly investigated the Irregulars as well.

“Even knowing, why did you leave the Clan Leader alone…”

“Because there was no reason not to leave him alone.”

“…”

He hummed thoughtfully.

“Though I’m not particularly pleased about it, I have another son who was born with legitimacy.”

“…”

“If there were no one to replace him, perhaps, but is there really a need to seek him out and bring him back.”

“…”

“Any other questions?”

“…No.”

The Marquis smiled broadly.

“This part is different from my expectations. Aren’t you going to ask how I could abandon my child?”

“…”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re not the only father who abandons their children.”

I too was a child abandoned by my father.

He spoke again.

“Good, now is it time to plead while explaining how outstanding and admirable a son Aslan is.”

“No.”

“Hmm, that’s also unexpected. What might be the reason for that.”

“Because it would be a waste to tell you about the Clan Leader’s wonderful qualities.”

“…What?”

The Marquis’s eyes widened slightly.

He stared at me intently, then laughed out loud.

For quite a while, as if something was terribly amusing.

“Where did such courage spring from in a child who was trembling with fear.”

…I’m still scared though.

I decided to change my attitude.

Because I realized that trying to look good and begging would be useless.

And if all of that was useless…

“I want to make a deal.”

“You, with me?”

“Yes.”

“Interesting. What magnificent thing are you planning to put on the scales.”

“Something very important that Esgaroth’s fate depends on.”

“What is it?”

I raised my head firmly and said.

“Your life.”

I’ll purify you, so please let the Clan Leader into the castle.

* * *

Several hours later.

The Marquis’s study.

Marquis Sintus, who had met with both a doctor and clergy, entered.

He immediately presented documents to the Marquis, who was sitting quietly in his chair.

“Here are the examination results. It was true that you had been poisoned, my lord. Also, as the child named Yustea said, everyone who came into contact with Camelia was in a poisoned state.”

“What kind of poison was it.”

“I apologize. It was an unknown poison that could not be found in any records.”

The Marquis chuckled.

“Useful.”

“Pardon?”

“That child, I mean. Doesn’t she know well what even Esgaroth doesn’t know.”

The Marquis’s eyes gleamed sharply.

It was the same in the prison.

That child was clearly terrified.

Her hands were trembling, and she couldn’t even breathe properly.

Even in that state, her eyes were shining.

To assess the situation and people, accurately distinguishing between useless cards and useful cards.

The Marquis, who had been deep in thought, asked.

“On the way to the north, that child promoted an alliance between Prince Luciano and Prince Ain, didn’t she.”

“Yes.”

“Then that child must have been the first to notice that Prince Ain wasn’t suffering from madness.”

“Given the circumstances, that seems likely.”

“But how did she find out about the Administrative Official’s corruption? I heard Sanmiguel got badly burned because of that child.”

“I wasn’t able to find that out.”

Stories that would shock Yustea if she knew were casually exchanged.

When it came to events happening within the north, the Marquis had eyes and ears everywhere.

Marquis Sintus asked.

“Shall I attach a direct unit?”

A unit directly under the Marquis, comparable to the Irregular Elite Corps.

Since they were formed longer ago than the Irregulars and could borrow the Marquis’s authority, they surpassed the Elite Corps in certain aspects.

The Marquis hummed thoughtfully.

“No need. I’m curious what other interesting things she’ll pull off.”

“Your life is at stake in this matter.”

“That child isn’t the only one holding my life in her hands, is she.”

That was also true.

Dealing with Yustea would be easier than snapping his fingers.

Marquis Sintus swallowed a sigh.

“Just how much are you enjoying this?”

“I haven’t had this kind of fun in recent years. Rather than that, tell me more about that child. How did she captivate your daughter again?”

“I don’t know my daughter’s tastes very well…”

“You’re not very close with your daughter, I see.”

“Do kids these days get along closely with their parents anywhere?”

“That child said I was too good for her adoptive father?”

“I’m envious…”

Marquis Sintus let out a heated sigh.

* * *

That afternoon.

Having been safely released from prison, I headed straight to my intended destination.

Not to the servant dormitory… but to Luciano.

Luciano looked at me with an incredulous expression as I stood awkwardly smiling outside his door.

“I came back from dealing with the Death Servant to find interesting news waiting.”

“Hehe…”

“News that the servant I recommended caused trouble.”

“…I’m truly sorry.”

“So what’s the reason you came to see me?”

“May I speak inside?”

Luciano, who had been staring at me intently, soon went into his room.

It was a signal that I could come in.

I quickly entered the room and firmly closed the door.

Then I approached Luciano, who had taken a seat at the table first.

I clasped my hands together and said.

“I truly mean it when I say I’m sorry.”

“Right. But?”

“Since I’m going to be sorry anyway, could I add one more thing? With a shameless request.”

“…What?”

I bowed deeply at the waist.

“Please make a deal with me!”

“…”

I could tell without lifting my head.

How dumbfounded Luciano’s expression must be.

A persistent gaze pierced the top of my head.

It was understandable that he’d be bewildered, with me suddenly showing up and demanding a deal from a prince.

‘But this is the only way I have…’

I need mana to purify the Marquis, but I’m currently in a state of mana depletion.

Thanks to Marquis Sintus, I was able to see people poisoned by miasma.

But people who frequently encountered me showed significantly fewer symptoms of poisoning.

It seems I’ve been unknowingly purifying people as I went around, not knowing how to control my mana.

I was practically like an air purifier.

‘I’m a mana pauper, so I have to get it from somewhere else…’

I can’t bring the Clan Leader to Esgaroth Castle.

Then there was only one method.

Borrowing the power of Luciano, the strongest person in Esgaroth Castle.

Luciano, who had been lost in thought, opened his mouth.

“At least tell me what you’re talking about. What kind of deal is this?”

Only then did I straighten my back.

Luciano gestured toward the seat across from him.

It meant I should sit.

I cautiously took the seat.

“Um, Your Highness. By now you must have sensed it…”

“That finding the Saint is difficult.”

As expected, he’s someone who communicates well.

I quickly nodded.

“A tracking animal can exert its ability for at most two weeks. After that, it’s useless. Because it starves to death.”

For tracking purposes, tracking animals don’t eat anything.

They survive thanks to the strange magical tool used when creating tracking animals.

And that period is two weeks.

‘Prince Ain’s Death Servant, Eppy, will soon outlive its usefulness.’

Luciano crossed his arms and said.

“I heard from Ain and know about it.”

“Prince Gaspard searched thoroughly like hunting lice, but not a single hair of the Saint appeared.”

“So what’s your point?”

“The Saint is ultimately about gaining favor with His Majesty the Emperor. So wouldn’t it be fine if there was something that could please His Majesty, even if it’s not necessarily the Saint?”

“You can provide such a thing?”

“Yes!”

Luciano smiled slightly.

“Not bad. So what do you want to get from me in exchange for handing over that amazing thing?”

“Before that, there’s something I’d like to ask.”

“Right.”

I looked at both hands while wearing the most harmless smile possible.

“Have you been eating well lately? You’re not hurt anywhere, are you? You don’t have any upcoming fights? You’re not tired, right?”

“What are you trying to say?”

“If everything’s fine, could you shoot some hot magic at me?”

“….”

The prince looked at me like I was insane.

I quickly averted my eyes.

‘I guess I do look a bit strange.’

But there’s no other way.

I have to absorb mana somehow.

Luciano let out a hollow laugh.

“This is crazy.”

That’s exactly how I feel too….

“Why on earth are you thinking such insane thoughts?”

“Uh… I’ve always admired high-purity mana… I was wondering what magic unleashed with such powerful force would be like….”

Luciano quietly watched me break out in cold sweat while making excuses.

After staring at me like that, he eventually let out a sigh.

Then he got up from his seat.

‘Is he going to kick me out thinking I’m crazy?’

I was looking at him with an anxious expression when Luciano brought something out.

Looking closely, I could tell what it was.

‘A botella!’

It’s an item for storing mana.

Luciano immediately infused mana into it.

High-purity mana pooled inside the botella like water.

When my eyes sparkled, Luciano shook the botella.

“With this, you should be able to try using magic directly, right?”

“If you could just do that, I’ll remember this favor for life…!”

“What’s this thing you said you’d give me?”

“Ah.”

I quickly got up.

And started explaining.

“Deadly poison.”

“Deadly poison?”

“It’s an extreme toxin that can contaminate plants and animals.”

“Just poison?”

“It’s not just poison. The toxicity is contagious. Just by getting close.”

“…!”

I smiled brightly.

“Could there be anything more powerful for monster subjugation?”

Even in the game, when I got deadly poison, I’d throw it at monster hordes.

Then any powerful monster horde would be instantly annihilated.

“The entire eastern region overrun by dragon clans. You could reclaim it without military casualties.”

“….”

Luciano threw the botella toward me.

I frantically caught it.

“You don’t need to return the botella.”

“Really?”

I gave away one deadly poison that was just a nuisance, and got something incredible.

‘The botella will be very useful in emergencies.’

I stroked the botella with an ecstatic expression.

Then I went “Ah.” and looked at Luciano.

“But can I pay later?”

“….”

“The deadly poison isn’t in my hands yet.”

“…Bring it before you leave.”

“Yes.”

I smiled brightly.

* * *

As soon as I absorbed mana from the botella, my condition improved dramatically.

I really did well going to Luciano.

‘Well, now that the mana issue is resolved….’

Now it was the Marquis’s turn.

I gathered my supplies and headed to the East Wing where the Marquis and his blood relatives resided.

Having heard my story in advance, the old butler silently guided me without a word.

The place the old butler took me to was some room in a corner of the East Wing.

‘It doesn’t seem like a study.’

While I was tilting my head in confusion, the butler got permission to enter and opened the door for me.

But something was strange.

As soon as the door opened, the smell of metal hit my nose.

‘Metal smell? No, this is the smell of blood.’

While I was startled, the standing Marquis turned to look at me with an “Ah.”

But before the Marquis, another scene caught my eye first.

…Men tied to chairs, slumped over limply.

‘Are they dead?!’

When I muttered without realizing it, the Marquis smiled brightly.

“Not yet.”

“…!”

“Why are you so surprised?”

“Can you read minds too…?”

Then I heard a coughing sound.

It was the bear-like burly man who had been in front of the men tied to chairs.

‘Ah, that’s Marquis Sintus.’

Asta’s father.

I saw him in the underground prison when he talked about how other people would have been poisoned too.

Marquis Sintus cleared his throat and composed his expression, as if he had laughed without realizing it.

The Marquis also chuckled.

“Didn’t you make that kind of expression?”

“Then, those people are….”

“Those who failed to fulfill their roles.”

“Ah.”

I know who they are.

Probably those who failed to prevent the deadly poison from being brought in, those who couldn’t find the deadly poison in the castle interior, and those who missed that the deadly poison had poisoned Camellia.

My spine went cold.

‘Wow….’

While I was swallowing dry saliva, the Marquis approached.

“Let’s see if you can fulfill your role.”

I gulped down dry saliva.

“Before that, there’s one thing I need to confirm.”

“What is it?”

I said resolutely while clutching the box I had brought.

“Would it be alright if I stayed close to you for three days, Marquis?”

“…What?”

I had never played a priest in the game.

So naturally, I didn’t know much about the ‘Purifier,’ which was the next stage after priest.

In other words, I didn’t know how to purify.

‘I’ve never consciously purified anything either.’

My body always purified things on its own, so I never had a chance to learn the technique.

So there was only one method.

‘Becoming an air purifier like I did for others.’

To stick close and wait for natural purification to occur.

—————
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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