I Will Try to Save My Dad - Chapter 70

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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 70

It was Akum.
When I lowered my head, I caught sight of Akum peeking out from my pocket.
The priests at the Main Holy Temple had said Akum was brimming with power, yet it seemed to have awakened from a stone once again.
‘Don’t tell me it’s trying to run off somewhere again?!’
The memory of last time flashed through my mind, and I reached toward my pocket.
I intended to catch Akum before it could escape, but it vanished back into my pocket before my hand could even touch it.
[Wind has such a harsh mouth. I don’t like it. I’ll go back to sleep, little Quartz!]
‘Wind?’
It was Windis that bothered Akum. Even when we were at the Trabel Estate, Akum had avoided being in the same space as Windis. Whenever I was with Father, Akum would either revert to stone or claim it needed to manage the earth before disappearing.
I shifted my gaze toward Father, and he was watching Windis intently.
His eyes held that fierce glint Akum had mentioned.
Wait—were they about to fight? Startled, I glanced at the priests’ reactions, only to realize it meant nothing.
Right, the priests could never properly look at Father anyway. They were too afraid.
“Theon didn’t come with you?”
We were walking along the white birch path connected to the Main Holy Temple when the High Priest addressed me.
“Theon is with Demian right now!”
“Demian? Demian Knox?”
When I nodded, surprise flickered across the High Priest’s face.
“He’s not usually interested in training disciples. It seems Theon is quite popular with the Grand Masters.”
Though truthfully, it was because of the merchant company that they were together.
This was a perfect opportunity to boost Theon’s standing as the future crown prince in the High Priest’s eyes.
“Right? Theon is so popular. He must be incredibly talented.”
“It seems Berry worries quite a bit. Your boyfriend is so popular, after all.”
“No way, Theon is just a friend!”
At my response, the High Priest chuckled warmly—the kind of laugh an adult gives when amused by a child. So it was just a joke?
Father touched my cheek. When our eyes met, he nodded as if to say I’d done well.
His expression had softened; whatever tension existed between him and Windis seemed to have passed.
“The recovery elixir is stored within the Main Holy Temple. Only Reytan Quartz Trabel may enter.”
As we reached the entrance to the Main Holy Temple, the High Priest spoke.
“Cannot Berry enter as well?”
“Heh heh. I wish that were possible, but by principle, only the Grand Master and High Priest are permitted entry. Since we treat the finest recovery elixirs as sacred relics, we must restrict access to those not directly involved.”
My ears perked up. Then this was an opportunity to explore the Grand Temple, wasn’t it?
‘There might be more ancient texts…!’
Reading the sparkle in my eyes, the High Priest made me an offer.
“Berry, wouldn’t you like to do some experiential learning this time?”
“I’d love to!”
“Then climb up to Blessing Hill above Waterfall Plaza. It will look quite different from last time.”
“Different, you say?”
“The Aubaut God gifted it to humanity, but there was a spring that dried up a thousand years ago. Recently, someone received the love of the God, and the sacred spring has begun flowing with water once more.”
Thump!
My heart sank. That spring. Could it be the one I restored the water vein for to earn extra income…?
‘Wait?’
In that instant, my eyes met the High Priest’s, and I felt as though I were being observed.
But it was only a fleeting sensation. The High Priest smiled warmly and spoke.
“Be sure to go see it for yourself.”

***

Whoosh.
The head of the Order told me to go see it—what could I do?
I climbed Blessing Hill with the heart of a criminal returning to the scene of their own crime.
The Aubaut Order believed in fostering independence even in children. Last time and this time too. All they offered were directions to Blessing Hill and encouragement to climb carefully.
I was actually grateful to be going alone.
“Akum, you’ll keep sleeping well, right?”
[….]
“The water vein I restored last time was apparently really important…!”
[Mmmgh….]
An ambiguous response came back—whether an answer or sleep-talk, I couldn’t tell.
It didn’t seem like he would wake up. Then I had no choice. I’d have to go alone. Even if it felt awkward.
“Wow.”
Such thoughts were fleeting.
As I reached the hilltop, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the magnificent sight spread before me.
When I restored the spring, I was so focused on the gold coins that I only watched the water rise before heading back down.
The once-barren hilltop now overflowed with vitality.
‘Is this why Zikal was so confident that Brokia would grow well?’
The Wild Dog Tribe Mountain’s spring had also dried up, causing the plants to wither. This might be a spring serving the same purpose.
I hadn’t heard that the Brokia planted on the mountain had wilted yet. I’d been worried about Port Kingdom’s unusual climate, but if it’s like this…!
‘Wow. Look at that leaf shine! Will our Brokia grow like this too?!’
The grassland beneath my feet looked like the future of our Brokia field. Valuable recovery herbs everywhere!
“It’s so beautiful…!”
“Really beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Eek!”
There should have been an etiquette rule against speaking to someone from behind without warning.
I jumped in fright, stepped forward to create distance, and spun my body around.
“W-who—. Huh?!”
The silver-haired boy who had spoken to me looked familiar.
Pale skin, transparent silver eyes. An air of nobility.
That apprentice priest—a boy who seemed as though the very concept of holiness had been born into human form—was the same one whose body had trembled from Windis’s rampage last time.
“Hello, we meet again.”
Perhaps because of the aura he emanated, even his simple greeting carried a sacred quality.
Last time he had worn different vestments from the other priests, but today he wore the robes of an apprentice priest.
‘So he really was an apprentice priest?’
Oh no. I had nearly committed the rudeness of failing to greet him again, entranced by that sacred presence.
I hastily executed the noble greeting I had learned from Madam Frea.
“Hello. I am—.”
“You’re Quartz, aren’t you?”
“Pardon?”
Startled by my name emerging unexpectedly, I lifted my head while still in an awkward half-curtsy, my hands gripping my skirt.
The apprentice priest was smiling brightly at me.
‘S-so dazzling.’
The sun was on the opposite side, yet I could barely open my eyes. Apparently amused by how my eyes had narrowed, the apprentice priest burst into laughter.
“…Oh my.”
Realizing I had become the object of his amusement, I released my skirt and straightened my posture. The apprentice priest apologized and introduced himself.
“I’m Yuraha. Keep our meeting a secret, will you? It would be troublesome if I were seen with an outsider.”
“Troublesome? Would you get in trouble?”
Yuraha laughed at my question. Despite his holiness, he seemed to laugh often.
Then, as if measuring my height with his hand, he walked toward me before stepping back.
“How old are you?”
“Seven years old.”
Oh. He had asked my age so bluntly, and I had answered without hesitation. That aura of his made it impossible to perceive his directness as rude.
I asked Yuraha in return.
“How old are you, sir?”
“Twelve.”
One year younger than Ciel, Hevanth’s daughter.
Yuraha’s pale, delicate fingers brushed the ribbon that held my hair in a single braid—a gift from Theon.
“You’re so very young.”
What did he mean by that?
I blinked at Yuraha, but instead of explaining, he offered his farewell.
“Others will be coming soon. I should go. See you again.”
His voice was as clear as a pearl rolling across a silver platter.

***

That same day.
Inn Near Main Temple.
“Oh, oh…!”
Victor trembled with emotion at his newfound clarity of vision.
It was not temporary. This sight would remain entirely mine from this moment forward.
“Satisfied? With the effects of the finest-grade potion?”
“Satisfied, you say?”
He turned to look at Reytan Quartz Trabel. Victor had deemed even the time for Reytan Quartz Trabel to travel from the Main Holy Temple to Goldport too precious to waste, choosing instead to depart for the Main Holy Temple just three hours after Reytan Quartz Trabel had left.
It had been a day he’d awaited his entire life. A day he’d waited for all his years.
Had Reytan Quartz Trabel not been in this room, had there been only me—Victor would have wept like a madman.
But now I was in the midst of a transaction. The merchant’s will, carved into my very bones, held back my tears.
“…No.”
“Reytan.”
“Don’t come closer.”
Yet this joy did not fade. The desire to embrace Reytan Quartz Trabel and run through the streets crying out that he had saved me did not diminish.
Victor approached Reytan Quartz Trabel.
As I extended my hand, the beautifully crafted white sword hilt blocked my path.
Victor met those blue eyes, which held discomfort, yet showed no fear—his eyes narrowing into crescents. Sweat beaded at the back of his head nonetheless.
“Forgive me. I need to retrieve something.”
“Go back and get it. Don’t do this in front of me.”
“I did want to steal a quick embrace, though.”
“…Get out.”
Reytan Quartz Trabel tilted his head to the side. Victor raised both hands and circled around the sofa where Reytan Quartz Trabel sat, retrieving a rectangular bag from the table behind it.
What he withdrew were two copies of the contract that had been finalized earlier.
“All terms have been written to ensure they are not disadvantageous to you, Reytan. My signature is already affixed, so if there is anything you wish to add or remove, please contact me.”
“Understood. I’ll review it and be in touch.”
Reytan Quartz Trabel skimmed through the contract he’d received and asked.
“Does it still matter whether you came as Grand Master or as the second son of Count Trabel?”
“It matters.”
At that question, Victor smiled wickedly.
“Because I must consider how best to elevate the one who will become my limbs to the highest position.”
“Let me be clear. I have no intention of climbing to the very top.”
Now that the contract was finalized, Reytan Quartz Trabel revealed his true intentions slightly.
Diamond House is unnecessary. What I need is a force that becomes my limbs—one that can move hidden from the eyes of beasts when necessary.
Victor’s expression remained unchanged at those words. He was confident. No matter how his client’s intentions might change, he would simply provide what he had promised from the beginning. The promise to elevate this man to the highest place in Trabel.
“The blue of Blue Company symbolizes hope and growth, while the hourglass represents persistence and trust.”
“And?”
Victor bowed deeply to Reytan Quartz Trabel.
“I will do my utmost to ensure this becomes a transaction you will not regret. My client.”

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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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