How to Replace Your Dad - Chapter 35

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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 35

* * *

The weather is nice and my mood is good too.

As I hummed while tending to the garden, I heard chuckling sounds.

It was the Clan Leader.

Behind him were Antonio and Yuise.

I took off my gardening gloves and went to him.

“Hello.”

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

“The crime cartel has been dealt with, so there are far fewer candidates eyeing the Valboa Territory.”

When I smiled brightly, he nodded.

“It’s thanks to your efforts, young lady.”

The Irregulars believed I had caused the incident at Sintese Manor to deal with the crime cartel.

That’s what Yuise and I had agreed to tell them.

“More importantly, please take a look at this.”

“What is it?”

Is there something about castle management to ask about?

I thought as I received the documents.

But this is…

“Private assets? Under my name?”

“We liquidated the items taken from Andres’s secret warehouse. This is your share.”

This much?

Of course I provided information, but it was the Irregulars who attacked and thoroughly ransacked the warehouse.

The amount was too large, so I quickly waved my hands.

“This much isn’t necessary.”

“You’ll have many occasions to go outside in the future, young lady. Even more so once the Clan Leader’s position is recognized.”

“That may be true, but…”

“So don’t hesitate to buy what you need.”

I was hesitating.

Antonio and Yuise chimed in.

“That’s right, young lady. Charlie said so. That you looked like a maid to the nobles at Sintese Manor.”

“Your appearance will reflect San Miguel’s reputation.”

That’s true.

I carefully accepted the documents.

“Then I’ll accept it.”

The Clan Leader smiled warmly and handed me another box.

“This is San Miguel’s seal.”

“Ah…”

“While you’re at it, go ahead and take care of it.”

Then Antonio slapped his chest and said.

“I’ll help you pick. Clothes and accessories.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

The Clan Leader, Yuise, and I looked at Antonio who was grinning broadly.

No, to be precise, at the clothes Antonio was wearing.

It only looked decent because of his tall height and model-like physique, but his fashion sense was actually…

“Look who’s talking, wearing rags around.”

Yuise clicked her tongue and pushed Antonio’s face away.

“I’ll go.”

“I’m counting on you.”

The Clan Leader quickly answered before Antonio could interfere.

Antonio grumbled.

“Why not me!”

“Shut up and stay quietly at the castle. You’re dead if you cause trouble.”

Yuise glared and turned my shoulder.

I hurriedly waved at Antonio and followed Yuise.

* * *

The place Yuise took me to was the Marquis Esgaroth’s direct territory.

“Calato Atelier is the best.”

“Calato? There’s one in the capital too.”

“The head disciple got permission from their master to open this place. Their skill is better than the master’s prime.”

I followed Yuise to Calato Atelier.

And I got to see the catalog. Including the price tags written in the catalog, of course.

As I stared at it, Yuise, who was sitting next to me with her legs crossed, said.

“Try saying you’re just buying some accessories. I’ll snatch that seal and demand everything from here to here.”

I smiled like a benevolent Buddha and said.

“You didn’t say they charge more than the master.”

“Their skill is better than the master’s. Come on, choose.”

We were lowering our voices and bickering.

Yuise suddenly looked toward the doorway.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s the sound of soldiers’ footsteps.”

“The guard patrol?”

Maybe they came to catch thieves or pickpockets.

Seeing my expression, Yuise shook her head.

“Not at the guard patrol level. These are highly trained individuals. At least Imperial Army level.”

“Imperial Army…?”

“There are quite a few of them too.”

Yuise immediately stood up and positioned herself as if to shield me, gripping her sword hilt.

And not long after, soldiers really did burst in.

“Control order. Guards, disarm your weapons. Marquis Esgaroth is arriving.”

What?

I nodded to Yuise to have her disarm.

When she placed her sword on the floor with its sheath, the other customers’ guards also put down their weapons.

The customers looked extremely excited.

“Amazing. A marquis.”

“What brings him out of his castle?”

The customers quickly pressed themselves against the display windows.

I also peeked out and looked outside the window.

Soon, through the dense crowd of soldiers, a tall elderly man about half a span taller appeared.

And the place he headed toward was…

‘Huh?’

Ding.

The door of the atelier opened with the sound of a bell.

The marquis had entered the atelier.

“What a coincidence.”

“…?”

“…”

Yustea and I exchanged subtle glances.

‘What are the odds of such a coincidence?’

‘There are none.’

Such a conversation passed through our eyes.

Meanwhile, the Marquis was laughing heartily.

* * *

Turning back time, two hours earlier.

The Marquis, who had been reviewing documents in his office, let out a quiet chuckle.

“They caught all the slippery eels.”

The criminals who had been fearless thanks to their well-connected parents were all caught in a chain.

Marquis Sintus nodded with a gleaming face.

“It’s completely satisfying.”

“Whose achievement is this?”

“This is already the fourth time you’ve asked…”

“Then you can answer for the fourth time, can’t you.”

“…It’s Lady Yustea’s achievement.”

The Marquis slapped his knee and burst into delighted laughter.

No matter how he looked at it, she was admirable in every way.

Marquis Sintus also chuckled and said.

“We even brought the castle’s mages to inspect it, but we couldn’t find any problems with the barrier at all. So we guessed. That the young lady had already brought a knight under a curse.”

“To clear away the forces that would interfere when my father absorbs Valboa Territory.”

“And what an incredible curse she found. 【Peony】.”

“Where on earth did she find such an amazing thing. Did that child also perform the detoxification?”

“The one who detoxified the population, couldn’t she have handled peony?”

The lord and retainer looked at each other and burst into laughter.

“Ever since that child came to Esgaroth, there hasn’t been a dull moment.”

“She keeps achieving satisfying results, so how could you not adore her.”

“No. That child is naturally adorable.”

“When the elders (senior nobles) say grandchildren don’t hurt even when put in one’s eyes, you used to tell them to try putting them in, but now you understand, don’t you.”

That was certainly true.

When old men talked about the joy of seeing grandchildren, he thought they had gone mad from having nothing to brag about.

The guys who used to be jealous all the time when young,

“It’s a pity that our Marquis Esgaroth doesn’t know such joy.”

“Of course!”

The sight of them acting superior over just one grandchild was merely ridiculous.

Using retirement as an excuse, the gatherings with no substantial talk and only bragging about children and grandchildren became annoying, so it’s been quite a while since he stopped attending.

“Now I could share in that joy.”

As the Marquis chuckled and muttered, Marquis Sintus said.

“Are you referring to the elders? Then why not go out? Aren’t they vacationing nearby? Speaking of which, Marquis Nevarro sent a letter.”

It was a letter he hadn’t even bothered to open because it was annoying.

Among the old men, he was the most eager to brag about grandchildren.

Marquis Nevarro alone considered Marquis Esgaroth his rival.

When they were young, he was no match, but his descendants seemed quite clever.

Eager to brag about his children and grandchildren, he sought out Marquis Esgaroth with burning eyes.

Marquis Sintus found and handed over Marquis Nevarro’s letter.

Marquis Sintus laughed heartily.

“The House of Nevarro and Esgaroth have been bitter enemies for generations.”

“Generations?”

“Yes. Noble Lady Nevarro and Lady Yustea are from the same school. They competed for top honors at the Academy.”

“Is that so.”

The Marquis replied while unfolding Marquis Nevarro’s letter.

Marquis Sintus nodded.

“It was essentially Lady Yustea’s victory. It was 14 matches with 13 wins. The final match couldn’t take place because Lady Yustea graduated early.”

“….”

“My lord?”

“…Going out occasionally wouldn’t be bad either. If I’m going anyway, should I take Yustea along.”

Marquis Sintus looked puzzled.

The Marquis rose from his seat.

“Contact Sanmiguel. I need to go out briefly with Yustea.”

“Pardon? Ah… yes.”

Marquis Sintus left the room with a puzzled expression to contact Sanmiguel.

Behind the Marquis looking toward the window was the letter sent by Marquis Nevarro.

Our granddaughter came first at the Academy again!

Come to think of it, it reminds me of our youth.

It feels like yesterday when I was frustrated by constantly losing to you in grades, yet both our hair has already turned white.

When I recall the past, I often laugh.

What were we so competitive about.

The winner is determined by history anyway.

And isn’t history recorded by descendants?

Interpreted, it meant this.

No matter how much you showed off when young, it’s all useless, you bastard.

A guy with no descendants is acting up. Hahaha.

A cold smile appeared on Marquis Esgaroth’s lips.

“14 matches with 13 losses, and yet.”

This side had 14 matches with 13 wins.

Turning time back to the present again.

“Since we’ve met like this, how can I just let you go. Won’t you take a brief 4-hour stroll?”

Does 4 hours suit the word stroll?

Yustea tilted her head.

* * *

I didn’t know what it was about, but anyway, since the Marquis had come looking, I couldn’t refuse.

He was the chief examiner for the Valboa Territory absorption matter.

So we decided to take a brief 4-hour stroll.

But there was a problem.

“Are we taking the stroll by carriage…?”

“That’s right.”

“By black crystal carriage (a carriage that moves at high speed with magical devices inserted) for four hours…?”

“That’s right!”

Four hours by black crystal carriage means we’d go well beyond Esgaroth.

“It would be four hours round trip, right?”

“Of course.”

Ah, that’s a relief.

One way would take us out of the North.

But the Marquis continued with a hearty laugh.

“We’ll take a portal in the middle.”

“….”

Shouldn’t this be called a trip rather than a stroll?

Well, anyway, since we decided to go, I didn’t say anything more.

I obediently got into the carriage.

And so we left the marketplace.

It took longer than expected….

We rode for an hour to reach the portal, then rode another hour after passing through it.

The place we arrived at was an inn boasting tremendous grandeur.

No, it wasn’t just inn-level—it was almost like a large hotel.

And I knew this place.

“…Luna Hardin?”

When I muttered this, the Marquis turned to look at me.

“Do you know it? I heard it’s still in soft opening before the grand opening.”

“Ah, an inn of this scale would be of interest to all citizens of the empire.”

“It won’t be bad. It seems to catch the eye of even the picky old men.”

Saying this, the Marquis entered first.

‘Old men?’

As I was wondering what he meant by that, Yuise approached from behind and whispered.

“You know this place?”

“Yeah. It appears in the game.”

“Is it an important place?”

“Not really, but it’s built on a holy site, so clergy and shamans often stay here for training.”

“Did you come here often too?”

“Sometimes when playing as a shaman? But there wasn’t anything particularly great about it. To the point where I wondered why the game put so much emphasis on it.”

Yuise nodded and stepped back.

The Marquis opened the door and was waiting for me.

I hurried toward him with quick steps.

Someone who appeared to be the manager came running to us in a fluster.

“It is an honor, truly an honor to serve you.”

The Marquis was indeed impressive.

The man was so excited his hands were trembling.

We walked through the inn under his guidance.

The place we arrived at had a massive and magnificent door.

Guards opened the door for us.

Inside was a large round table, and most of those seated were old men.

However, a few appeared to be around my age.

When I confirmed the faces, I froze.

‘This inn wasn’t the amazing place.’

What’s truly amazing are those people.

They were all former heads of great noble families that dominated the empire.

There were even former heads of the honorable Seven Families.

A well-built old man laughed heartily and stood up.

“What an honored visit you’ve graced us with, Marquis Esgaroth.”

That old man was exactly him.

Former Marquis Nevarro.

A person of power whose influence was still strong.

“I was just wanting to introduce this child to you. Guinevere, pay your respects. This is grandfather’s dear friend.”

From behind the former marquis, a girl with ebony-black hair stepped forward.

“I greet Marquis Esgaroth. I am Guinevere of House Nevarro….”

Guinevere, who was speaking, hesitated.

She had spotted me.

Her eyes stiffened with surprise.

‘Wow, so Guinevere was here.’

Guinevere forced the corners of her mouth up and finished her greeting.

“I am Guinevere….”

Even during this, her gaze didn’t leave me.

Yuise looked at me as if asking what was going on.

I smiled awkwardly.

Guinevere.

She was a fellow student from the Academy of the Realm.

‘…Though that girl really hated me.’

Marquis Esgaroth nodded.

“I see.”

“I shall serve you.”

Guinevere, who had said this to the Marquis, looked at me.

“What are you doing? You should take the Marquis’s coat.”

She must have thought I was a maid.

Yuise’s expression twisted for just a brief moment.

Because there was contempt in her gaze.

‘Well, that’s understandable.’

Previously I was also a noble lady of Andres, one of the Seven Families, but now she probably thinks I was cast out from the family and am just doing maid work.

But the Marquis lightly raised his hand.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding since I haven’t introduced her. Yustea.”

I flinched and looked at him.

Guinevere and her grandfather, Former Marquis Nevarro, looked at the Marquis as if asking what he meant.

“She’s a child I particularly cherish.”

“…!”

“…!!”

It wasn’t just the grandfather and granddaughter pair who were surprised.

Even the old men at the round table looked at me with interested expressions.

A child he cherishes enough to introduce to them.

That means….

“You, did you have an illegitimate child?!”

A bald old man at the round table shouted loudly.

“My, what vigor you have!”

The Marquis said with a smile.

“Shut up.”

Hmm, that would probably be for the best.

* * *

The Marquis headed toward the round table with Yustea.

Former Marquis Nevarro asked Guinevere in a small voice.

“Is she really an illegitimate child?”

“That can’t be. She’s the legitimate daughter of Marquis Andres.”

“She does resemble Marquis Andres closely, so that would make sense.”

Why on earth did he bring her all the way here and talk about cherishing the child?

Guinevere frowned and glared at Yustea.

She had thought it was good riddance when she disappeared from the empire, but now she appears here?

And Marquis Esgaroth was taking care of her in various ways as if she were his granddaughter.

Guinevere was narrowing her eyes wondering what was going on, when Former Marquis Nevarro said “Ah.”

“Is he thinking of having his son adopt her?”

“Pardon?”

“That fellow’s son is over thirty but still has no children, doesn’t he.”

“Such…!”

Former Marquis Nevarro snorted.

“I heard she showed considerable promise when she was the Andres noble lady. But even so, would she be a match for you? After wandering the streets for years, she must have forgotten even what she learned.”

He approached the round table with a grin.

—————
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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