I Will Try to Save My Dad - Chapter 65

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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 65

It was the kind of remark someone would make if they already knew who Theon and I were.
Only then did I notice something beyond the uniform. A sword sheath at his waist. A pale beige sword hilt. Intricate metalwork depicting what looked like intertwined tree roots.
‘It’s similar to Windis!’
Theon had apparently noticed long ago—his eyes were fixed on the blade.
‘A holy sword!’
I lifted my gaze. Deep brown eyes with hints of champagne gold met mine.
A man with sharp, well-defined features laid bare in striking clarity.
“Oh!”

– Demian Knox of the Central Investigation Bureau.

I didn’t know what he looked like in his younger years, so I hadn’t recognized him at first. The Investigation Department head who always seemed perpetually exhausted. Demian Knox.
But this was a different memory of mine. I couldn’t let on that I knew.
“Who are you…?”
Father’s acquaintance, Demian chuckled mischievously at my mumbled question.
“Your father’s acquaintance.”
“A capable investigator, at that.”
Father, who had approached us from behind, patted both Theon’s and my heads.
And then came his ominous words.
“He’ll be conducting your interrogation, Berry.”

***

Fortunately, Father and Uncle Demian’s opinions did not align.
“I’ll interrogate my daughter. Reytan, if you have time, shall we have some tea? I know a quiet place.”
“A quiet place?”
“Here.”
Uncle Demian pointed to the building behind him as he spoke. It was the Central Investigation Bureau Branch 17 building.
“Branch 17? Did Headquarters finally let the Grand Master go?”
“Hardly. I stopped by on official business. Word spread that you’d arrived, so I was just heading out to catch a glimpse of you.”
At that, Father glanced around the surroundings.
A man holding a newspaper who had been stealing glances at us flinched when his eyes met Father’s, quickly burying his face behind the paper.
‘A Blue Company informant!’
Father seemed to share my thoughts.
With a knowing smile, he readily accepted Uncle Demian’s invitation for tea.
The power of two Grand Masters was formidable.
“The man outside—do you know him?”
“Who knows. Some informant, probably.”
As Father and Uncle Demian entered the Investigation Bureau building, people within a ten-meter radius began retreating as if fleeing.
Accustomed to such situations, Father and Uncle Demian continued their conversation without concern.
“An informant? What kind of trouble is he stirring up? Regardless, even after six years, nothing’s changed. You know what my goal is while in office? To retire without ever seeing Reytan Quartz in an interrogation room.”
“Congratulations.”
“That’s an odd congratulation.”
“For achieving Demian Knox’s goal while in office. Now you’ll need to find another one.”
I had never seen Father so relaxed, conversing like old friends. I whispered to Theon walking beside me.
“Father and that investigator seem close. Theon, do you know who that investigator is?”
“Yes. Demian Knox. The Grand Master chosen by the Earthen Holy Sword.”
“Oh. Information comes right out. It’s strange seeing Father speak without formal language.”
I hadn’t known they were so close.
The other me had spoken with Uncle Demian about two months after Father’s funeral.

– I am Demian Knox of the Central Investigation Bureau. What brings the young lady of the Trabel Family to seek me out?
– Since you’re a Grand Master as well, I wanted to ask for your counsel. Was there no way for my father to survive that war?
– That’s difficult to answer. War is inherently—
– Everyone says the same thing. That war is where irrational things happen. Then let me rephrase the question. If you had faced the same circumstances as my father, would you have met the same end?
– No. I would have survived.

Hmph. Father fell into a trap set by someone after all.
The Grand Master wouldn’t be caught so easily—.
“How adorable!”
“The granddaughter of Count Trabel? She looks like a doll…! And next to her? A grandson? How do they all have such striking features?”
“A disciple, a disciple. One of his prized disciples, important enough to bring to the Grand Temple.”
*Perk.*
A sound of admiration rippled through the Investigation Bureau staff clustered in pockets around us. My ears perked up involuntarily.
“The outfit is so charming too. That’s from a clothing shop, isn’t it? I should have my niece’s clothes tailored there as well.”
This is…! The sound of awakening consumer desire!
I immediately glanced back at Theon. I couldn’t see my own appearance, after all.

“A short tail-coat style gray jacket with a cotton vest, featuring a subtle check pattern up close! As an accent, I added the gold buttons you selected for Reytan last time, and…. Do you like it?”
“I’d prefer if we changed the tie. Do you have silk fabric? A deep green?”
“Of course, of course! You’ll be pairing it with a white shirt, yes?”

Indeed. Theon’s appearance, perfected through the combined aesthetic sense of the Head Designer at Trang Clothing Shop and Father, was that of a noble pretty boy one would want to keep in their pocket.
‘Should I prepare a youth clothing business venture?’
My strategy was to maintain the lowest rank until this Separate House competition, but since Grandfather had already caught wind of my competence, it seemed wise to gradually build the foundation for a business that would generate results.
‘To climb all the way to Diamond House in the second Separate House competition, I need continuous results pouring in.’
The results of this Separate House competition come out in four years. Then, over the next five years, I need to build Father’s achievements to elevate him to Diamond House. Once that happens, Father won’t be forced into the succession war as the primary heir, and he and I can live together for a long, long time!
‘And I’ll definitely uncover who the culprit is. I don’t want to worry about threats to our lives even after the war.’
In any case, the clothing business would appear to start small as Father’s hobby venture, and then four years later, with Theon as the model—.
“…Why?”
Noticing my intense gaze, Theon asked awkwardly.
I giggled.
“Because you look cool~”
Theon’s ears turned red.

***

Yosel, the third son of Count Trabel, sought out Diamond House like a drowning man grasping at straw.
I couldn’t even bring myself to tell my parents, and Mariane would only snap at me, so Hevanth was my only option.
Even as I thought this, I couldn’t help but inwardly grumble at how far more magnificent this place was compared to my own Emerald House.
After two perfunctory knocks, I shoved the door open.
“Brother!”
“What brings you here?”
Despite my noisy entrance, Hevanth remained unruffled. He was seated at his desk, attending to paperwork.
Without even looking at me, he merely wiggled his fingers, as if to say I should get to the point.
I bit my lower lip hard, then closed the study door and strode toward Hevanth’s desk.
Thud!
The elaborate ruffles on my sleeves fluttered. I placed my interlaced hands on Hevanth’s desk and bowed so deeply my head nearly touched them.
“Could you lend me some money? Not much. Just 500 million Cona.”
500 million Cona wasn’t even pocket change.
Hevanth wasn’t surprised by what I said—he’d expected as much. Without even glancing at his pathetic younger brother, he launched into a lecture.
“That’s exactly what I told you. If you get greedy about expanding the clothing shop, you’ll fall on your face.”
“Is that my fault? Damn it all! Cursed bastard!”
At my anguished cry, Hevanth’s gaze finally shifted toward me.
“Reytan? Why would he—”
“The main branch in Hisport Town was generating the highest sales, but lately all the customers are being stolen by some outfit called Trang or Tram or whatever—I’ve never even heard of them! Turns out it’s become known as Reytan Quartz Trabel’s favorite clothing shop!”
“Tsk. That’s your own incompetence to blame. Can’t you even attract customers away from that tiny little shop?”
“Ugh, I don’t care anymore. Are you just going to lecture me? If you don’t lend me the money, you’re going to be in trouble, brother.”
“Me?”
At such an absurd statement, Hevanth looked at me. What trouble could possibly befall him?
“I got curious about why you didn’t protest when Mother defended that bastard, so I looked into it a bit.”
Hevanth’s eyes narrowed to slits. I grinned wickedly.
“Word is, you took that bastard’s achievements for yourself, brother.”
“….”
“If that’s the case, you should have shared with me.”
I lifted my head. Gone was my pleading demeanor—my eyes gleamed with greed, feral and predatory.
“Even when Brown was alive, it was the same. Whatever achievements that fool brought in, you and sister, being older and coming of age first, took them all. What was left for me, the youngest? When I tried to take some, I was treated like a monster. So, you see, you should compensate this poor younger brother of yours from time to time.”
I leaned toward Hevanth, my tone dripping with the certainty that I held the upper hand.
“If Mariane finds out about the achievements, do you think she’ll stay quiet? She’s got her eyes set on seizing Diamond House this time. But since it’s me, I’ll keep quiet for just 500 million Cona, brother.”
“Yosel.”
“Will you give it to me?”
Insolent brat.
Such pathetic blackmail.
Hevanth studied his younger brother and began to scheme. Then, quite conveniently, the perfect use for him occurred to him.
“I’ll give it to you. One billion.”
“One, one billion?”
At the doubled amount, my eyes went wide as saucers.
Yes, I need to keep my eyes open. Only then will I do as you ask.
“In exchange, I’ll need you to run some errands for me.”

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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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