I Will Try to Save My Dad - Chapter 5

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 5

Light, fire, wind, earth.
Four holy swords bestowed with the divine powers of the gods.
Raytan had been chosen by Windis, the holy sword imbued with wind’s power, and became a Grand Master.
But six years ago, when he retired from his duties, Windis was stored in the Grand Temple, and the holy sword has yet to choose its next master.
“Callet, about that holy sword. If it has no master, doesn’t it go berserk from accumulated power?”
“Yes. A holy sword’s rampage must be suppressed with divine power, and over the past four years, a considerable amount of the Church’s divine power has been used for that purpose.”
Callet, receiving Count Trabel’s gaze, promptly reported what he knew.
Raytan also knew that Windis had not yet been assigned a new master.
But he was now an outsider, no longer connected to the Church. Though he felt apologetic thinking of Windis, he harbored no regrets about his past choice to protect Sherry.
Raytan flicked his fingers as if brushing away lingering attachment.
“Is the Church’s wasted divine power reason enough for Trabel to move? Since when have you been so devout?”
The Trabel Family and the Church maintained a close relationship, but it was ultimately one bound by mutual interests and profit.
Trabel provided funds, and the Church provided corresponding conveniences in return.
The Church had now broken that arrangement.
“The Church announced this year that they will no longer bestow blessings upon the figurehead at the bow. They claim divine power, being the god’s strength, cannot be used for a single family alone.”
Callet explained on behalf of Count Trabel, who sat with his mouth clenched in anger.
One of the Trabel Family’s main businesses was maritime transport.
The figurehead mounted at the bow of each ship, imbued with divine power, protected vessels from natural disasters.
For this reason, Trabel made substantial donations to the Church each year and received blessings for the figureheads. It was essential for the Trabel Family’s ships, which primarily traversed waters prone to typhoons.
“Shameless bastards.”
Count Trabel ground his teeth.
He recalled the High Priest’s words from a few weeks prior, spoken with a hollow laugh.

“However, if it is a family with a Grand Master, the situation would be different, would it not? Since they are those whom the gods have permitted to wield divine power, using divine strength for their family’s sake would surely please the gods.”

They were asking him to find the retired Raytan and help him return as Grand Master.
Since their intelligence network couldn’t locate Raytan, they intended to exploit the Trabel Family.
“How dare you say such a thing?”
After accepting hundreds of millions of cona in donations at the beginning of this year!
They claimed the money was consecrated to the Lord and couldn’t be refunded!
I disliked their dark scheming and the way they threatened the temple, but what could I do?
“I’ll have to settle this debt later.”
After hearing those alchemists claim they’d succeeded in research to navigate storms, I’d sent out a ship, only for it to capsize in the middle of the sea and suffer massive losses.
Without the captain receiving a blessing, such disasters would continue to plague us. This time, I had no choice but to dance to their tune.
“If Lord Raytan resolves this matter, it will significantly impact your evaluation in the next Separate House succession competition. You should easily secure second place….”
“Shut up, Callet.”
Raytan’s voice carried a killing intent.
Achievements, family interests, succession rank…. A world of beasts that would tear at their own blood’s throat for such things.

“Father! Please…!”
“Silence! Why are you sticking your nose into something that won’t even make us money!”

I was sick of it. That’s why I left.
Even after six years, nothing had changed here.
Raytan let out a bitter laugh.
“I’ll try to persuade the High Priest as you wish. To continue bestowing blessings upon the captain.”
“Mm.”
“But this is the last time. Once the work is done, Berry and I will leave, so don’t come looking for us again. Unless you want to watch the Count’s reckless brat cause more trouble.”
A faint blue aura bloomed and faded above Raytan’s shoulders. It was when Raytan, having warned his own father, grasped the door handle.
“Your child, that is.”
Raytan turned his head. Laxec wore an expression of deep contemplation.
As expected, his warning meant nothing to the great Count Trabel—less than the flutter of a mosquito’s wing.
“How is your health?”
“…What do you mean?”
“Whether you’ve been plagued by chronic illness.”
“….”
A subtle tension hung between the estranged father and son. The door handle didn’t turn.
Count Trabel gazed at his second son.
“You look just like your mother—her eyes, now lifeless.”

3. Red Eagle Knights

I woke to find the sun already high in the sky. The shock was that no one had bothered to rouse me.
Could it be that at the Trabel Estate, one could live as a lazy slugabed without consequence? My budding excitement crumbled in an instant.
“Sleeping in is only for today.”
Father selected cufflinks from the velvet case the maid was holding as he spoke.
At the sight of Father dressed impeccably from head to toe, an involuntary gasp escaped me.
It wasn’t just me—the maids around us kept stealing glances at him.
“And tomorrow?”
“You’ll wake up and eat breakfast. Though you needn’t change out of your nightclothes.”
While I had been sleeping soundly, Father had washed, eaten breakfast, and changed into fresh clothes.
And here I was, still in my nightgown, having my hair brushed by Sherry.
Father sat on the sofa in his room with his legs stretched out, cradling his face in his hands.
“Ugh. Life is so harsh.”
At my grumbling, Father placed his hand on my crown and gave it a gentle shake.
“You’re still growing, so it can’t be helped. During the growth years, waking up in the morning and eating is supposed to be good for you.”
The citrus-scented cologne sprayed on his shirt cuffs tickled my nose.
Sniff, sniff. Father smelled like nobility itself.
“But why are you dressed for going out? Where are you headed?”
I was asking while already knowing the answer. Because of Windis, high priests at the nearby Temple were waiting for Father.
“To a nearby village. I’ll be back before dinner. Sherry needs to visit the Main Estate anyway, so you can play nicely while we’re gone, yes?”
Father withdrew his hand from my head and gave a light snap with his thumb and middle finger. This was our secret code.
Being competent is a secret. When around others, act foolish.
I nodded to show I understood.
“Okay! Why does Sherry have to go to the Main Estate?”
“The steward needs me to procure—or rather, receive—additional provisions.”
Oh. That was welcome news indeed.
‘So Father will be gone for several hours, and the steward won’t be paying attention to Stone House either?’
I silently cheered. With so many fewer eyes watching, this was my chance to make contact with my future ally somewhere in the Trabel Estate.
The only small problem was that among those remaining here, there was a spy planted by relatives.
“So what should I do to have fun? I’ll be bored without Father and Sherry.”
As I scanned the room like I was searching for a toy, my eyes met those of one of the maids.
‘Anne—the maid Mariane planted here.’
I flashed Anne a bright smile.
“Will you play with me, sister?”
“Me? Would you like me to?”
Anne showed her delight openly, apparently not expecting me to address her.
And no wonder—since arriving at Stone House, Anne had been itching for information to report back to Mariane.
Father seemed to be testing the waters these past couple of days, trying to exploit me as an easy target since I was just a child—
‘But I’m the one who knows the weakness here~’
Anne had a terrible weakness for anything cute.
And though it’s embarrassing to mention, a month later Anne would grow so fond of me that she’d want to carry me around in her pocket.

***

The Trabel Estate sprawled across three hundred thousand pyeong.
The vast grounds were divided by a massive stone wall into two sections: the inner sanctum where the direct bloodline resided, and the outer quarters where those belonging to the Trabel Family dwelled.
And guarding that territory was the Red Eagle Knights, sworn to the Trabel Estate.
Their training grounds lay within the stone wall, to the west of Count Trabel’s main residence.
“Hyah!”
“Haaah!”
The spirited cries of sweating knights echoed loudly through the Indoor Training Ground on the first floor of the Annex Building.
Before more than thirty knights stood Rex, their commander, his short gray hair catching the light.
“Focus! A knight is forged from mental fortitude and physical strength!”
Rex’s booming voice filled the training hall.
True to his nickname—the charging gray bear—his frame was imposing, his log-like arm muscles rippling with each gesture.
“Any of you caught slacking will undergo special training!”
“Yes, sir!”
Special training.
“You’ll remember just how comfortable the dirt of the battlefield can be as a bed!”
Absolutely not something I’d want to experience!
“Yes, sir!”
Yet despite their vigorous responses, the knights had been growing increasingly distracted by something for the past few moments.
Boing. Boing.
The window along the corridor—something pink kept appearing and disappearing.
‘What is that?’
‘Pink…’
‘A ball of fur?’

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————