I Will Try to Save My Dad - Chapter 39

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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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Chapter 39

12. The Hungry Stray and the Inexhaustible Spring

Father’s followers approached with gleaming eyes. In that instant, wind erupted from beneath Father’s feet, spreading outward like a violent explosion.
A gale without warning. And the blue aura surrounding Windis—drawn from its sheath at some unknowable moment.
“Get your wits about you.”
At Father’s words, the Knights retreated and clasped their hands respectfully before them.
“We shall remain in the Neighboring Village.”
“If that is your wish, Young Master, then so it shall be.”
“Please do not forget that we are here for you.”
“Should danger arise, fire this signal flare into the sky. We shall rush to your aid at any moment.”
It was a signal flare fashioned from cut bamboo. Father accepted it casually and spoke.
“Don’t let me see even a whisper of you before we depart.”
“Rest assured. We shall cover our noses and flee.”
“Do I sound like I’m making jokes?”
“No, of course not.”
“My apologies, Young Master. This one tends to speak nonsense even on ordinary days.”
The Knights who had cornered their bewildered companion shook their heads rapidly.
I gazed at Father’s exasperated profile and fell into thought.
‘Did Father see the newspaper about Sillon Village?’
The newspaper I had left in the living room of our lodgings yesterday morning had vanished by dawn. It was unlikely that Anne or Theon had carelessly tidied it away, so the odds were high that Father had seen it.
I needed to drop hints gradually, and at the critical moment, make Father realize that the stray beast-kin were attempting to attack the humans.
‘But first, I need to know the exact date when the beast-kin will attack.’
According to Theon Phil Igselona, the villagers had taken up arms and fought. That meant the people had known in advance that the strays would attack.
So what should I do now?
‘Gather information from those around me!’
Count Trabel’s two arms were at stake here, so I had to be cautious.
My goal was to involve Father in this incident as naturally and certainly as possible.
The best scenario would be if someone from Baron Voltman’s village requested Father’s help.
‘I need to find the right person.’
I needed someone who could tell Father about the beast-kin.
I had already attempted this at the Dessert Shop Village where I stopped to buy gifts, but it had been a dead end.

“Employee, I have a question for you.”
“Oh my, how adorable. Go ahead and ask.”
“There’s a dog outside the shop. Is it one you keep here?”
“…No? It’s probably a stray from the neighborhood.”

The brief pause made me wonder if she knew something, but that was as far as it went.
Her bright smile showed no sign of aversion to the word “dog.”
‘Perhaps she was just acting.’
Dessert Shop Village was quite bustling.
Being threatened by strays meant the town wasn’t safe. If outsiders learned of it, property values could plummet. The land development had already cast an uneasy pall over the village atmosphere.
‘One inquiry is fine, but cornering multiple people with questions will only breed suspicion.’
Development had begun, the Environmental Group was protesting, and the strays hadn’t made their move yet.
We would soon arrive at Leaf Village.
Finding someone who could give Father a reliable account of the strays was crucial, but how was I supposed to find such a person?
‘I’d like to ask Akum to scout, but I don’t even know when it will happen….’
I let out a sigh, arms crossed as I sank into contemplation.
“Really? Theon! Will you teach me how to use a sword?”
While I was wrestling with the problem, Jeffrey’s excited voice rang out.
I turned my gaze across the carriage. Jeffrey was kneeling on his seat, looking at Theon, his tail wagging with enthusiasm.
“….”
I glanced upward slightly.
“I can teach you the basics. But you can’t treat it as a game.”
“A game? I’m completely serious.”
Between Jeffrey’s hair, thick triangular ears perked up and twitched.
‘Interesting.’

***

Leaf Village. Baron Voltman’s residence.
For the first time in ages, the rich aroma of melting meat fat filled the house.
Baron Voltman sat before the pot, stirring the meat stew.
Despite being well past sixty, his posture remained impeccably straight.
His sharp facial features—which once marked him as handsome—still showed through the wrinkles, refusing to be entirely concealed. The stern line of his mouth, usually pressed firmly shut, had softened today in a way it rarely did.
“Are you truly so pleased that Theon is bringing his master here?”
Baroness Voltman chuckled softly as she spoke to her husband.
In her hand was a letter that had arrived just days ago.
“A guest who announces his arrival two days in advance—what’s there to be pleased about?”
“You’re something else.”
The Baroness knew well that her husband spoke curtly whenever he felt embarrassed.
Two days prior, a telegram had arrived from the bank.
It was one of the exclusive customer services—receiving and delivering telegrams sent from distant places.

“So we’ll have a guest coming…”

Upon receiving the telegram, the Voltman couple experienced a whirlwind of emotions.
Joy at news of their grandson, then astonishment that Reytan Quartz Trabel had become their grandson’s master.
And concern that Count Trabel’s second son would be bringing his entourage to their home.
They barely had enough provisions for a week as it was.
But the latter half of the document was entirely unexpected.
He wrote that as a gourmet with a voracious appetite, he required large quantities of quality food and didn’t wish to impose, so he was sending money along with the letter.
The amount enclosed was seven hundred thousand Cona.
“He’s a thoughtful guest, I’ll give him that,” Baron Voltman muttered.
It was clear that Reytan knew they weren’t in a position to receive guests. The Voltman family’s poverty was common knowledge, even to the village children.
But Baron Voltman had spent half his life as a knight.
Fearing that charity money might trample his pride, Reytan had sent only enough to ensure his entourage would have adequate provisions.
“Still, he must truly be a gourmet with a voracious appetite if he mentioned it in his letter. I do hope your special stew suits his palate.”
The aroma alone was already making her mouth water.
The stew, simmered since morning with firewood used generously, gleamed with a lustrous broth.
“Baron Voltman!”
Bang, bang, bang.
Someone pounded on the wooden front door as if to break it down.
The Baroness went to open it, and a young man entered. It was Thomas, a village youth.
“R-Reytan Quartz Trabel has arrived…!”
Sniff. Thomas paused mid-sentence, his nose twitching. This aroma assaulting his senses—this was a smell he could never detect in Baron Voltman’s home.
“Meat stew?! Did some deceased relative leave you an inheritance?”
“At my age, what inheritance?” Baron Voltman said curtly, continuing to stir the stew.
“What do you mean inheritance when I’m still young?”
Baron Voltman stirred the stew and spoke curtly.
“And you don’t even greet your elders?”
“Come on, between us. But Baron, Reytan Quartz Trabel has arrived!”
“Who is that?”
“You don’t know, Baron? Surely you must? He’s a Grand Master!”
That much was true.
He’d been feigning ignorance far too obviously. Baron Voltman cleared his throat softly under the Baroness’s withering gaze.
“Why would such a distinguished person come to this backwater? You must have seen wrong.”
“My eyesight is excellent, sir. I saw him in the forest near the village with Knights and everything. There was even a carriage with an eagle emblem on it. He looked exactly like the wanted poster—so handsome! I was too frightened to approach him, but… Baron, you really don’t know Reytan Quartz Trabel? Are you already getting senile—”
“It seems like senility is repeating the same thing twice, which would be you. Now get out. I don’t have time for you today.”
Baron Voltman rose from his seat and chased Thomas out, swinging a long ladle back and forth.
Despite the Baron’s stubborn resistance, Thomas continued trying to persuade him even as he was pushed out the door.
“If it really is Reytan Quartz Trabel, couldn’t you ask him for help, Baron? For commoners like us, it’s far too frightening—I mean, he’s such an exalted person—”
“Go on, get.”
“This might be an opportunity Aubaut God has given us! That’s what the wild beast-kin said! The Empire ignores us! How are we supposed to handle this ourselves?!”
“Why can’t you handle it? You have hands and feet, don’t you?”
Slam.
The moment Thomas’s feet stepped outside the entrance, Baron Voltman shut the door.
Tsk. He’s being especially cold today.
Thomas scratched his head vigorously and moved on.

***

The Knights insisted they absolutely wouldn’t travel together, so Jeffrey and Anne decided to come with us instead.
Since the Coachman had taken the carriage to the Neighboring Village, we decided to walk to Theon’s house.
“Let’s go to Theon’s house!”
As Jeffrey arrived at the entrance of Leaf Village and excitedly started running, Anne cried out.
“J-Jeffrey! Walk properly!”
“But it’s fun.”
“You’ll fall if you run.”
“Okay, Berry.”
Jeffrey came to my side and matched his pace to mine. Anne wore an exasperated expression.

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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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