How to Replace Your Dad - Chapter 57

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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 57

 

It seemed like Roslin alone could handle the soldiers.

 

Her presence was tremendous.

 

The soldiers froze momentarily just watching their captain get beaten up.

 

But they soon came to their senses and rushed at Roslin.

 

“Get away from her!”

 

I quickly said.

 

“Yuise.”

 

Then Yuise sighed and gently set Ros down.

 

Black text strings spread out from Yuise’s fingertips.

 

And then.

 

“Gack!”

 

“Kugh…!”

 

The text strings became chains that bound the soldiers.

 

Roslin, who had been beating the captain of the soldiers to death, hesitated.

 

“Huh…?”

 

I said to Roslin.

 

“I think you can step back now after doing that much.”

 

Five of the captain’s teeth were scattered on the ground.

 

Only then did Roslin say “Ah…” and shyly stepped back.

 

Ros covered his eyes with both hands and said.

 

“I can’t live not because of the magic disease, but because I’m scared of you…!”

 

…And so.

 

Roslin carried Ros on one arm.

 

Meanwhile, the soldiers’ faces turned red as if they would burst.

 

They were lacking oxygen from being strangled.

 

Yuise said.

 

“Let’s take it easy. I need to conserve mana here.”

 

That was why a skilled person like Yuise had run away.

 

Because she couldn’t gauge how much mana treating the magic disease would require.

 

I took out a communication stone and connected the call.

 

The recipient was Antonio, who was waiting near the tavern.

 

“Please come to the tavern.”

 

[Yes, Young Lady.]

 

There were roughly twelve soldiers.

 

That number couldn’t handle two elite members of the Irregular Scouts.

 

It meant cleaning up the situation.

 

* * *

 

After cleaning up the tavern, we returned to Duke Esgaroth’s Second Residence.

 

Ros looked around the manor with an interested expression from Roslin’s shoulder.

 

“Noble manors are nice. They have all sorts of magical tools. Can I dismantle those?”

 

“Do you want to be dismantled, brother?”

 

Ros immediately shut his mouth.

 

I led the Ros siblings to the room Mother used to use.

 

And I laid Ros down on the bed.

 

“I’ll roll up your pants a bit.”

 

“It’ll be unsightly to look at.”

 

“It’s okay.”

 

I said that and rolled up his pants.

 

Hidden by the pants, I hadn’t realized how serious it really was.

 

His leg was rotting black and even bent in a grotesque shape.

 

Ros said.

 

“It doesn’t really matter if it can’t be treated. I never thought it would work from the beginning…”

 

While he was speaking, I gripped the Botella and placed my hand on Ros’s leg.

 

New flesh began to grow from where I placed my hand.

 

“…!”

 

“…?!”

 

The Ros siblings were so surprised their eyes nearly popped out.

 

The blackened leg was gradually returning to its original state.

 

Then, Yuise grabbed my arm.

 

“Look at the Botella.”

 

The Botella was completely empty.

 

Sweat was beading on my forehead.

 

‘I’ll need to do this several times.’

 

Even completely emptying the Botella made it difficult to heal one leg.

 

‘The siblings must be disappointed.’

 

I looked at the siblings.

 

But their reaction was different from what I expected.

 

Roslin touched Ros’s leg with trembling hands.

 

“Can… can you feel it?”

 

“…”

 

“I’m asking if you can feel the sensation.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Ros’s eyes contorted.

 

He didn’t look pained or disappointed.

 

It seemed like he was trying to hold back overwhelming emotions somehow.

 

Roslin covered her mouth.

 

Tears flowed down endlessly.

 

She collapsed to the ground and barely managed to make a sound.

 

“Thank you… thank you… truly… thank you, Saint…”

 

She seemed overwhelmed with hope that the magic disease could be completely cured and that he could live.

 

I smiled brightly.

 

“I’ll need to treat you several times. Stay at the Second Residence during that time. If you return to the tavern, the soldiers will target you.”

 

“Is… is that okay?”

 

“Yes. And about settling the treatment fee.”

 

“Ah!”

 

Roslin hurriedly pulled out a cloth pouch and held it out to me.

 

When I opened it, there was Javid’s seal and several high-quality diamonds.

 

“This is our entire fortune. If it’s not enough, we’ll repay you over our lifetimes.”

 

“If you’re going to spend your lifetimes anyway, why don’t you just give me your lives entirely?”

 

“By lives, you mean…?”

 

“Please work at the Magic Tower.”

 

When I said this with a grin, the siblings flinched.

 

Roslin looked at me with surprised eyes, then eventually nodded solemnly as if she understood.

 

“An attack on the Magic Tower. I’ll do it.”

 

“No, no. You don’t need to be that serious about it.”

 

“Then…?”

 

“I’d like Roslin to join the Magic Tower Guard, and Ros to become a Magic Tower Mage. As my people.”

 

“What does that mean…?”

 

“We’ll enter through the official route.”

 

‘What this means is…’

 

Antonio came through the door pulling a cart.

 

The cart was packed full of books.

 

I smiled brightly.

 

“You’re telling them to start with note-taking and studying.”

 

“…?!”

 

“…!!”

 

The siblings flinched.

 

* * *

 

The room I gave to Ros.

 

Outside the window, I could see Roslin groaning as she sat on a bench with books piled up.

 

Ros leaned against the headboard of the bed, gazing endlessly at that sight.

 

I hung the bottle filled with Yuise’s mana around my neck and said.

 

“Do you find watching Roslin study that enjoyable?”

 

“What. It’s just fascinating. She’s never done anything like studying in her life.”

 

Ros cleared his throat and looked at me.

 

“But why did you choose us siblings? If it were me, I wouldn’t have been able to trust someone who worked as an alchemist.”

 

“Because of your magical disease.”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

“Magical disease can be treated in its early stages. But you didn’t get treatment, so I thought there must have been something more important than treatment.”

 

“…”

 

“It was Roslin, wasn’t it?”

 

“…”

 

Ros quietly looked down at his hands.

 

“Treating magical disease costs a lot of money, and as long as I kept using alchemy, it would keep recurring, so it seemed wasteful.”

 

“It must have been incredibly painful.”

 

“If I could just endure that, I could help Roslin find her dreams and even save up money for her marriage. So she could find a new family even after I died.”

 

Ros smiled bitterly.

 

“I resort to illegal means when I’m desperate, but Roslin is truly a good kid.”

 

“…”

 

“She was arrested at the martial tournament because Count Gareca was harassing women.”

 

“…”

 

“Since the Saint has shown her grace, that kid will follow the Saint until she dies. You’ve gained good hands and feet. I’m confident of it.”

 

“Two of them, at that.”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

“From what I can see, Ros is the same way.”

 

Ros’s eyes trembled slightly.

 

I smiled sweetly.

 

“There were no casualties in the monstrous bird incident. When I investigated, I heard a handsome man in a wheelchair was going around treating people diligently?”

 

“…”

 

“Since your magical disease had progressed seriously, it must have been agonizing pain. So I believe your desire to save people was sincere.”

 

“…”

 

“I also respect how you prioritized your sister over the fear of death.”

 

Ros lowered his head with tears welling in his eyes.

 

“Meeting the Saint is the greatest fortune of my nineteen years of life.”

 

“…?”

 

“Why do you have that expression?”

 

“Nineteen…?”

 

“…How old did you think I was?”

 

I’m sorry.

 

I thought you were around the same age as the Clan Leader.

 

…Late twenties.

 

“Well, since I was sick, I probably look a bit older. Ah, but it’ll return to normal once I recover, so don’t worry…!”

 

“I had this face even before.”

 

“…Yuise, is the tea ready?”

 

I quietly got up and headed toward the door.

 

Ros pouted his lips and grumbled.

 

“Nineteen. Four years older than Young Lady. Please remember that. We’ll be seeing each other for life.”

 

I laughed awkwardly.

 

* * *

 

Ros was able to walk again in just two days.

 

Treatment wasn’t the problem.

 

The problem was…

 

“So why use Corte in this formula? Does that make sense? Vega would be much more efficient than Corte! Stupid mages!”

 

Every time he turned a page, he cried out about the stupidity of existing mages and suffered.

 

Roslin, who was sitting beside Ros’s bed reading a book, said with a haggard face.

 

“Shut up. Please.”

 

“Look. If you connect the circuit with Corte’s formula, it’s easy but it’s hard to preserve thermal energy.”

 

“If you want to preserve your brother’s life, shut up.”

 

“…”

 

I guess studying is difficult even when someone is too smart.

 

I offered cups to the siblings with a pitying expression.

 

Ros grabbed the cup with a bright face.

 

“Only the Saint thinks of me. Is this tea?”

 

“Coffee. So you don’t sleep while studying.”

 

“…”

 

“I’ll help you recover when you get tired.”

 

“…”

 

Roslin opened her eyes wide and grabbed the cup with both hands.

 

“I’ll show you just how long a person can go without sleep.”

 

Good attitude.

 

Since Matap’s exam isn’t far away, they need to work hard.

 

That’s what I was thinking.

 

Urgent footsteps could be heard outside the room, then came the sound of knocking on the door.

 

Yuise opened the door.

 

A butler with a pale face said.

 

“Orders have come down to escort Young Lady to a tea party at the First Residence.”

 

Esgaroth’s First Residence?

 

As soon as we heard that, everyone in the room’s expression hardened.

 

Well, there’s only one person who would give such orders from the First Residence.

 

‘The Marquise.’

 

Antonio shot up.

 

“Are they insane!”

 

The reason she was calling me to a tea party was obvious.

 

She’s scheming to use me, the Saint.

 

Yuise frowned and said.

 

“We should inform the Lord.”

 

She meant I should ask Father for help.

 

But Father is busy right now.

 

If Father handles this matter, the tea party guests will also harbor resentment, saying Father ignored us.

 

“Prepare the carriage.”

 

When I spoke firmly, Yuise and Antonio sighed.

 

Roslin quickly rose to her feet.

 

“Um… shall I come with you? I think I could be of help.”

 

“Have you ever served at a tea party before?”

 

“No. If things get dangerous, I was going to break the Marquise’s legs.”

 

“…”

 

I fell silent.

 

Yuise looked at the shyly smiling Roslin with strange eyes and whispered to me.

 

“She’s almost at Antonio’s level, isn’t she?”

 

I smiled kindly.

 

“…That’s wonderful spirit, but it’s fine.”

 

Saying that, I left the room.

 

Yuise and Antonio would handle the escort.

 

The carriage ran quickly toward the First Residence.

 

Since it wasn’t very far, it took less than an hour to arrive and get off at the carriage station.

 

The employees of the First Residence who saw me bowed their waists.

 

“We shall escort you.”

 

And so we headed to the garden.

 

‘The Second Residence is also a wonderful place, but it can’t match the majesty of the First Residence.’

 

Despite being winter and outdoors, it’s warm.

 

I can feel the madness of capital.

 

I walked while looking around the garden.

 

Yuise whispered.

 

“Will you be alright?”

 

“Yes.”

 

He had a worried expression.

 

He must think I’ll be in quite a predicament.

 

Probably others expected the same.

 

Especially the Marquise over there looking at me arrogantly.

 

Once you start granting one person’s request, you have to grant others’ too.

 

If they ask why you help this family but not that family, feelings get hurt easily.

 

Then the families whose requests weren’t granted become enemies.

 

‘Most importantly, the Imperial Palace and Temple won’t like it.’

 

A Saint who wields her abilities recklessly.

 

Wouldn’t anyone think she needs to be controlled?

 

If the Imperial Palace and Temple try to control me, Quaron won’t benefit from having the Saint.

 

‘The Marquise must have been aiming for that.’

 

When we reached the party hall full of tables, the Marquise smiled.

 

“You came.”

 

“I greet the mother of Esgaroth.”

 

When I curtsied while spreading my skirt, the noble ladies burst into laughter.

 

‘Today seems to be a party for noble ladies only.’

 

Most are familiar faces.

 

“Always such beautiful posture.”

 

“It’s been a while, Yustea. Ah, should I call you Saint now?”

 

The noble ladies said a few welcoming words that served as greetings.

 

Then they pointed to seats beside them.

 

“Come sit here.”

 

“No, that side is windy, so this side would be better.”

 

“This side has a good view of the flowers.”

 

Yuise’s expression turned cold.

 

The time had already come to decide which side to take.

 

The Marquise raised her teacup to hide her upturned lips.

 

I moved my body slowly.

 

And then…

 

“Where would be good to sit, Grandmother?”

 

“…!”

 

I spoke to the Marquise in a whisper that everyone could hear.

 

‘I’ll pass the choice to you.’

 

I smiled brightly.

 

The Marquise bit her lips tightly.

 

If she decided where I should sit, the resentment would also be hers to bear.

 

I deliberately used the word “Grandmother.”

 

Since she’s Father’s stepmother, it’s not strange for me to use that title.

 

So this means:

 

‘It’s not that the Saint’s and Quaron’s authority can’t surpass the Marquise, but that I’m showing respect because she’s my grandmother.’

 

The elderly ladies can’t help but view this favorably.

 

“What shall we do, Grandmother?”

 

“…Sit in the seat next to me.”

 

I knew she’d say that.

 

To avoid disappointing others, that was the only answer.

 

The Marquise turned her head with a stiff face.

 

I smiled sweetly and sat in the seat next to her.

 

‘Social politics is difficult, isn’t it?’

 

She grew up receiving the former Emperor’s abundant favor and became the Marquise of Esgaroth.

 

She never had situations where she needed to please others.

 

But now that her biological son has a competitor, the situation has changed.

 

She has to gather surrounding forces somehow.

 

High society exists for such purposes.

 

‘Sorry, but I’m one step ahead in social warfare.’

 

Having experienced high society since childhood, and…

 

“It’s been a while, Yustea.”

 

“I’m sorry. Who might you be…?”

 

“I’m Maria from the Negrot Marquis family. You don’t remember.”

 

“I’m so sorry! I did remember, but you look so young I wondered if you were her daughter! What should I do!”

 

“Oh my, look at what this child is saying!”

 

I’ve even mastered the legendary social skills that are the passive ability of marketplace beauty salon owners.

 

The Negrot Marquise burst into laughter.

 

“You’ve become even more adorable since I last saw you.”

 

Yuise turned his head and held back laughter.

 

The Marquise looked at me with an astounded expression.

 

I smiled sweetly.

 

“Thank you for making this opportunity.”

 

It would be difficult for me to step forward and create meetings with those in power.

 

They’d say I’m using the Saint’s abilities to line my pockets.

 

But doesn’t this look like I’m being forcibly dragged here by the Marquise?

 

It’s a golden chance to win the noble ladies’ hearts.

 

I enthusiastically won over the noble ladies’ hearts.

 

Countess Maas smiled brightly as she spoke….

 

“I heard you made His Majesty very pleased at the year-end ceremony?”

 

“It’s all thanks to what I learned from your son, Young Master Maas.”

 

“What did my son do for you…?”

 

“He gave a guest lecture at the Academy and emphasized diplomacy. I deeply respected him and have been following his teachings.”

 

“Oh my.”

 

I made her beam with joy.

 

While Countess Delamada wore an indifferent expression….

 

“Do you know the story about the minstrel Davila being grabbed by the hair by a certain count who was sponsoring him?”

 

“…Grabbed by the hair?”

 

“Yes. The son born to that count’s family was actually the minstrel’s child….”

 

“The wife was caught having an affair!”

 

“She wasn’t caught in the act, but the count had azoospermia….”

 

“What─?!”

 

With topics reminiscent of morning dramas, I made them gasp in shock.

 

The atmosphere was very harmonious.

 

“My, I had no idea time was passing so quickly.”

 

“Having a young person here makes everything so lively.”

 

“How can someone speak so entertainingly.”

 

While everyone was in good spirits, only the Marquise remained stiff.

 

She was furrowing her brow.

 

“A guest has arrived.”

 

A man who appeared to be a butler spoke to the Marquise.

 

‘There’s another guest?’

 

Then a smile returned to the Marquise’s face.

 

“Bring them in.”

 

When I saw the person the butler brought in, I had to swallow a hollow laugh.

 

Because the person who entered the garden was someone I knew very well.

 

…It was First Prince Yohannes.

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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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