How to Replace Your Dad - Chapter 31
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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 31
‘Still, the fact that he’s someone worth admiring remains unchanged.’
The only character I knew among the Irregular Elite Corps.
I had been looking forward to meeting him.
I looked at him with sparkling eyes.
But then.
“What are you looking at.”
Yuise frowned deeply.
The Clan Leader’s eyebrows twitched.
“What rudeness is this toward the young lady.”
“The mission is over now, so what’s with this ‘young lady’ business.”
That was true.
I had only become an adopted daughter to be sent as a servant to Esgaroth.
There was a need to bind us in a legal relationship so I couldn’t betray them under any circumstances.
The Empire had a system of collective punishment where if parents committed crimes, their children would also be implicated.
‘Since the mission is over, it wouldn’t matter if they disowned me now.’
That’s why I had struggled so hard to gain recognition from the Irregulars.
The Clan Leader’s eyebrows twitched.
“Watch that mouth.”
“Did I say something wrong?”
“Come to think of it, you haven’t done that in a while, have you?”
“…I get it.”
I didn’t know what ‘that’ was, but Yuise flinched and then turned his head away sharply.
Then he sat down across from me.
The Clan Leader also pointed to a chair with one hand, as if telling me to sit.
When I took my seat, the Clan Leader began introductions.
“This is Yuise from the Intelligence Unit. If you tell him what information you need, he’ll prepare it for you.”
“I’m Yustea.”
When I introduced myself once more, Yuise clicked his tongue in annoyance.
The Clan Leader shouted toward the door.
“Open the training ground and prepare for sparring─”
“It’s Yuise.”
Hmm. So ‘that’ the Clan Leader mentioned must have been sparring.
Yuise said his name with a displeased face.
“I received an invitation from Asta of House Sintez. This is the guest list. I’d like to receive detailed information about the attendees.”
When I held out the paper with the list, Yuise took it with an annoyed expression.
Yuise let out a hollow laugh.
“It was worth pushing out Asta Sintez’s adopted sister. Even getting invited by the only daughter of the Three Elders family.”
My eyes widened.
‘He already found out that I was involved in sorting out the relationship between Ayabel and Asta?’
It wouldn’t have been easy to find out since it happened inside Esgaroth Castle.
As expected of the leader of the Irregulars’ Intelligence Unit.
But there was one thing he got wrong.
“I didn’t push out the adopted sister. Somehow I just became friends with Asta.”
“Bullshit.”
“Open the training ground!”
“I said I got it. Why won’t you let me speak.”
The Clan Leader glared at him.
“Investigate thoroughly and hand it over.”
Yuise picked up the list with an irritated expression.
As Yuise was reading through it, his eyes paused.
“What’s wrong?”
When I asked, Yuise slammed the list down with a thud.
Then he looked at the Clan Leader.
“I don’t like her, but she’s currently affiliated with Sanmiguel anyway, so I’m telling you. It’s better not to go.”
“Why.”
“If you go into a garbage dump, you’ll only come back reeking of trash.”
“What?”
Yuise pointed to a name on the list as if annoyed.
“First, this woman.”
Looking at the name he pointed to, I said “Ah.”
“She’s famous for being cultured, right?”
“Asta Sintez’s stalker. She’s so obsessed that she bribes the cleaning staff at the training institute dormitory to buy her trash every month.”
“What?”
The Clan Leader and I looked at Yuise in shock.
Yuise’s words weren’t finished there.
“And this man.”
“He has a good reputation, doesn’t he? I heard when I was working as a servant that he’s kind to everyone and highly educated.”
“He’s a drug addict. He’s even touched drugs that even the crazy bastards in back alleys usually won’t touch.”
“Wow…”
Yuise pointed to the next name.
“Also this man.”
“That’s Marquis Youngshik Kiyones. The marquis used to brag about his son endlessly to the former Count Sanmiguel.”
“He’s a sex offender.”
“Damn!”
On top of that came stories of cheating lovebird couples, young ladies obsessed with cults, and more.
By the end, the Clan Leader and I were looking at each other and saying…
“Wouldn’t it be better to just blow them all up with an explosion, young lady.”
“That would be patriotic.”
We were saying things like this.
The Clan Leader shook his head back and forth.
“I’ll make up an appropriate excuse at the castle. You should write to House Sintez saying you cannot attend for such reasons.”
“What? Why?”
“Well, you can’t go to a place where such people gather.”
“That’s exactly why I need to go even more.”
“Pardon?”
The Clan Leader’s eyes widened.
Yuise also narrowed his brow, apparently expecting that I would naturally say I wouldn’t go.
“Since I know their weaknesses, I should go use them.”
Trashy weaknesses make good weapons.
Moreover, the fact that such trash was still walking under the sunlight meant there was a cartel among the trash.
That cartel would also be used for absorbing Valboa Territory.
‘Then I should go dismantle it.’
When I explained this, the Clan Leader and Yuise’s eyes widened.
Yuise asked.
“What the hell is this? Why are you acting like you’ve dealt with this much trash before?”
“…Be quiet.”
The Clan Leader fell into thought for a moment.
Frowning and pondering deeply, he said.
“I understand your intentions, Miss. But I am concerned. Please take a guard with you.”
“Then Charlie…”
“No. Considering the danger, Charlie won’t do. Let’s go with an Elite.”
An Elite?
Well, if it’s an Elite, I could feel safe even if hordes of attendees’ guards came rushing at us.
But the Clan Leader has to assist the Clan Leader.
He’s already been away for several days raiding Andres’s treasure vault, and he’ll be busy with Valboa Territory matters.
The Clan Leader muttered while holding his chin.
“Antonio…”
“…”
My gaze met the Clan Leader’s.
I smiled kindly, and the Clan Leader nodded.
We both simultaneously recalled Antonio causing major incidents.
“Then what’s left is…”
The muttering Clan Leader turned his gaze elsewhere.
Yuise, who had been holding her head, immediately frowned.
“Don’t look at me. I don’t want to.”
“…”
“I said I absolutely don’t want to.”
The Clan Leader smiled warmly and grabbed Yuise by the nape of her neck.
* * *
Yuise and I left the room together.
Yuise had a thoroughly angry expression.
In the end, she was going to Sintez Estate with me.
Her rebellion of absolutely refusing didn’t work.
The Clan Leader judged that besides being a guard, as the leader of the intelligence team, she should go to Sintez Estate for high-quality information gathering.
I had no choice but to stay quiet about that.
On top of that, even the Clan Leader who received contact from the Clan Leader…
[Go and come back.]
…said that.
Yuise had no choice but to go to Sintez Estate.
I said while reading the mood.
“Um, then please take good care of…”
That was the moment I was saying that.
Yuise suddenly grabbed my wrist and strode forward.
I had no choice but to follow her, being dragged along.
The place we arrived at was a deserted corridor.
She cornered me against the wall and spoke in a cold tone.
“Say with your own mouth that you don’t want to go.”
“Uh, but… this is a good opportunity for the Irregulars…”
“Who are you to say that.”
Yuise’s eyes flickered fiercely.
“Your usefulness ends with bringing about a private meeting between the Clan Leader and the Marquis.”
“…”
“Did you think the Irregulars would accept you? Wake up. You need to think about your position.”
To the world’s people, I was ‘human scum consumed by jealousy who targeted my innocent half-sister.’
Most of the people despised me.
Even many powerful people who owed favors to Stella or loved her deeply.
Medical bigwigs, major bank presidents, heirs of families renowned for military power, kings of nations boasting enormous iron ore reserves…
Yuise continued speaking while glaring at me fiercely.
“Taking you means starting by making enemies of those who despise you. Do you think you’re more valuable than them?”
“…”
“So get lost.”
The Clan Leader, Clan Leader, and Antonio were good people, so they accepted me despite knowing these problems.
But anyone who considers even a little practicality would normally wave their hand in refusal.
That’s why I was so desperate.
“It’s better to show stubbornness in moderation. So I don’t have to visit your mother.”
“…!”
When Mother was mentioned, I froze completely.
Yuise was about to turn her back and leave.
Then, I spoke.
“By any chance.”
Yuise stopped and looked back at me.
I looked at her quietly.
“Even if I do my best not to cause harm, can’t I become Yuise’s colleague?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Then there’s no helping it.”
“Right, so right now—”
“Lorenzo! Lorenzo!”
“…!”
I suddenly shouted the Clan Leader’s name.
Yuise came running in shock.
“What are you doing…!”
She was startled and tried to cover my mouth, but it was useless.
Hearing the commotion, Clan Members came rushing over.
“What’s wrong?!”
“What is it, Miss!”
“Clan Leader! She’s looking for the Clan Leader!”
Yuise looked at me in confusion.
“What are you doing.”
I said with a regretful face.
“If you absolutely won’t become colleagues, then there’s no need to try to get along well.”
“What?”
And I’ve never let anyone slide who mentioned Mother as blackmail material.
Soon the Clan Leader appeared.
The Clan Leader’s gaze turned to Yuise’s hand that had been trying to cover my mouth.
“I’ll definitely have to open the training ground.”
“…Damn it.”
Yuise was dragged away by the Clan Leader.
* * *
Yustea’s Team members approached Yuise sprawled on the dirt ground.
“Are you alive…?”
“Do you want me dead?!”
Yuise, who had seemed dead, suddenly shouted.
She groaned and raised her body.
Her hair, which had shone like precious treasure strand by strand, was a mess.
Her top, which had been perfect without a single wrinkle, was gone somewhere, revealing her bare chest.
Her pants were completely ruined.
Her hands had blisters on them.
Yuise irritably snatched the water cup her team member handed her.
We sparred for five straight hours without even time to drink a glass of water.
Yuise was specialized in sorcery.
She was weaker in stamina and martial arts compared to other elites.
“Damn it…”
“You mean the young lady?”
Yuise’s eyes flashed at the word “young lady.”
Yuise’s team members smiled awkwardly.
“She was certainly a bit difficult. Lady Yustea, I mean.”
“What are you talking about?”
“While you were sparring, the team members went to Lady Yustea. We thought we’d try persuasion since threats wouldn’t work.”
No one was as skilled at persuading women as Yuise’s team.
They often approached ladies to gather information.
But…
“I picked this cute daisy that resembled Lady Yustea while passing by.”
“Do daisies bloom in this season? Is it a new variety? Can I plant it in the garden? Is it expensive?”
“….”
She didn’t blush at the flower, but widened her eyes and asked if it was expensive to plant in the garden.
“Sweet things suit young ladies.”
“Charlie, eat slowly. You’ll get indigestion.”
“….”
When they brought luxurious sweets, she gave them to Antonio’s group with a kind face.
“Oh my. I’m sorry for staring. I was captivated for a moment…”
“You must be busy. I made this as a snack for Antonio’s unit, would you like some? Sweet things are good when you’re tired.”
“No, I don’t really like sweet things… It’s delicious!”
There was even a team member who went to win favor but came back smitten.
“The biscuits were incredibly delicious. They had chocolate thinly spread on them…”
“Crazy.”
“…I’m sorry.”
The team members quietly stepped back.
Yuise left the training ground with an extremely annoyed face.
It was when she was returning to her room with an irritated expression.
She saw the most detestable face.
Yustea was carrying an armful of documents, heading somewhere.
“You.”
When Yuise called out, the girl turned her head.
“What.”
“Your speech has gotten shorter.”
“I’m the young lady. You’re a clan member.”
“While you speak politely even to an idiot like Antonio?”
“That’s out of respect. I want to respect the elite who went through life and death with the Clan Leader. But I’m not a saint who respects even people who dislike me.”
“So you want to fight me?”
Yustea frowned.
And shouted firmly.
“No way!”
“What?”
“All I learned was self-defense. How could I beat an Irregular elite?”
Then she lifted up the documents and looked at Yuise.
“I absolutely won’t fight. I’ll just endure it.”
“What kind of person is that.”
She wouldn’t give up a single word.
Yuise was a beautiful man with fine features, but no one thought of him lightly.
He had the sharp intimidating presence unique to those who lived with blood.
Moreover, his aura was even sharper right after sparring with the Clan Leader.
Yuise gritted her teeth.
“Don’t you have any fear?”
“I do. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Then do I look ridiculous to you?”
“Yes. Your methods are shallow.”
“What?!”
Yuise flared up.
Yustea continued regardless.
“If I were you, I wouldn’t mention Mother, and would have moved Mother somewhere I don’t know first. So I’d go crazy and run out of the castle.”
“…!”
“If you were worried that I might give Irregular information to other places out of resentment over Mother, you’d cut off Mother’s hair and send it. So I’d be scared the next thing might be a finger.”
“You… are you a demon?”
“Someone who can’t even do that is pretending to be a villain.”
Yustea snorted and left just like that.
Left alone, Yuise just stared at her retreating figure with a dumbfounded expression.
‘This is driving me crazy.’
She had steeled her heart from the moment she came to San Miguel.
A girl who manipulated not only idiots like Antonio but even the Clan Leader.
She seemed unusual, so let’s deal with her within reason.
But she couldn’t be driven away with ordinary methods.
Yuise gritted her teeth.
“Don’t think I’ll give up just because of that. I’ll definitely send you away.”
“You to the training ground, that is.”
Yuise flinched at the voice from behind.
When she turned her stiff neck, the Clan Leader was standing with his arms crossed.
“…I just came out of the training ground.”
“Perfect. Go back in before your body cools down.”
The Clan Leader grabbed her by the scruff of the neck.
Yuise had to be dragged back to the training ground shouting “Damn it!”
* * *
Five days after that.
The castle was noisy for several days.
Of course, since Yuise picked fights whenever we met.
But each time I diligently called for the Clan Leader to handle it.
However, from the third day on, she didn’t show her face.
She seemed thoroughly angry.
The Clan Leader sighed.
“That Yuise…”
She didn’t show her face to the elites either, not just me.
She was the same even with her team members.
A member of Yuise’s team came running urgently.
“She’s not in her room either.”
“Did you search all the places she might go?”
“Yes…”
There was a reason the Clan Leader mobilized even Yuise’s team to find her.
Today was the day I would go to the Sintez estate.
I opened my mouth.
“It’s okay. I’ll go with Charlie for now.”
“But….”
“Antonio has been out on a mission since the day before yesterday, and the Clan Leader has urgent documents to send to Esgaroth Mansion.”
“That’s true, but….”
“With Asta there, they won’t dare lay a hand on me.”
“I’ll send you to the Sintez estate as soon as Antonio returns.”
“Yes.”
After answering like that, I boarded the carriage heading to the Sintez estate.
The carriage departed.
Charlie was excited since it was his first time going to another noble family’s garden, but I was lost in thought.
‘Does Yuise really dislike me that much?’
Well, there are countless reasons to hate me.
Still, I didn’t expect him to hide while disobeying even the Clan Leader’s orders.
It seems life in Sanmiguel won’t be as easy as I thought.
With such thoughts, I looked out the window.
The carriage quickly passed through Sanmiguel.
After some time, the carriage crossed through the entrance gate of a massive mansion that boasted impressive grandeur.
As I got off at the carriage waiting area, soldiers approached.
“Anyone other than invited guests must register and then enter.”
This applied to the coachman and Charlie who came with me.
I left the two behind and entered through the gate first.
‘Wow.’
This is indeed the mansion of the Three Elders.
The sprawling garden is dazzlingly beautiful.
The garden decorated with all kinds of roses reminded me of Asta.
‘They’re in full bloom even in winter. They must be maintained with magical tools, right?’
The cost must be enormous.
I wonder if there’s a way to get magical tools at a cheaper price.
I should ask Asta about it.
I was walking while having such thoughts.
Someone suddenly approached from behind me.
When I quickly stepped back after noticing in advance, I heard giggling laughter.
“Why are you so startled? Are you an invited guest’s maid?”
Three men were looking at me.
Among them, the man who had tried to put his arm around me reached out his hand.
“Have you thought about changing jobs? My family is quite generous to employees.”
While saying this, he tried to touch my cheek.
‘Should I knock him down? But causing trouble when I was invited here… Should I call Asta?’
I was contemplating.
“Aaah!”
The man who had tried to touch my cheek let out a scream.
Because someone had twisted his arm.
I looked at the person who had twisted the man’s arm.
Wearing silver armor and draped in a red cape, he was….
“I thought my neck would fall off from waiting. …Miss.”
“Yuise.”
It was him.
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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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