I Will Try to Save My Dad - Chapter 92

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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 92

Baltar’s reply arrived two weeks later.

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I understand Baron Oldman’s position well.
Let us proceed with concrete wage negotiations.
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I couldn’t help but smile when Jack Jack brought me the letter.
The clan leader had accepted my proposal to manage the Crest Mine!

“The dream of all master blacksmiths!”

He’d practically shouted those words, so it was clear he desperately wanted to work with adamantite directly.
That’s why I deliberately added the condition that rare minerals would only be provided to the Dwarves—
‘It worked perfectly! I wonder what adamantite products will fetch?’
Just as Baltar had called it a legendary mineral, it was something I myself had never laid eyes on before. Since I didn’t know the market price, I’d quoted half of what I guessed, and he’d agreed to the contract.
‘A reasonable profit split, then~’
Based on the financial statements of the Crest Mine that my grandfather had handed over, I’d calculated future profits, and there were no issues with paying Baltar’s wages.
I’d acquired a capable and trustworthy manager for my first mine.
‘Excellent!’
I could practically smell the fortune. I was grinning to myself when Jack Jack asked me a question.
“Are you satisfied with the outcome?”
“Yes, it’s thanks to you and Zena Chaser being so capable.”
“Hmm. You say pleasant things again. I merely did what was necessary.”
I folded the letter twice and slipped it into my pocket. I’d need to keep it in the Room of Contemplation.
I was about to see Jack Jack off through the window when, contrary to my expectations, he remained still, watching me.
There was more business to discuss.
“I’ve also brought back Zena’s answer regarding whether she knows Lucian Alexis.”
“Oh.”
“He was close with the First Princess and frequently visited her palace, she said.”
“And…?”
“And?”
Jack Jack tilted his head in confusion.
What I wanted was information about what kind of person Lucian Alexis was, and what had happened between him and my father in the past.
The fact that he was close with the First Princess was certainly valuable information, but—
“That’s all there is. That’s the entirety of what I was asked to convey.”
“Yes.”
Jack Jack turned decisively and walked away. I watched him take flight through the window before stepping into the Room of Contemplation.
I placed Baltar’s letter in the desk drawer and pulled out the notebook inside.
“Hmm. Yes, I should write this down.”
The notebook, pristine when I first arrived at the Trabel Estate months ago, was now filled with countless entries.
It was like an investigation log concerning Father’s death.
“Where was that suspect list again~”
The suspect list appeared on the page right after my revenge target list.
It contained the names of the culprit—one of the direct line of the Trabel Family—and those who might be accomplices.
“Already twenty times?”
Currently, I had two pieces of evidence to place Lucian Alexis on the suspect list.

1. Poor relationship with Father.
2. Enough power to use war as a means to kill Father.

“….”
The moment I thought that far, my body trembled. It was the same emotion I felt every time I added someone I suspected to be an accomplice to the list. Because that accomplice’s blade had pierced my back.
“Ugh.”
Thinking about the end was never pleasant. I was about to hurriedly write down the diplomat Alexis’s name.
The information Zena had told me lingered uncomfortably in my mind.
“If she’s close with the First Princess, then Diplomat Alexis belongs to her faction.”
If the diplomat were an accomplice, would she have acted alone in the death of a foreign Grand Master?
“She might have been acting on orders from above.”
The First Princess of the Edencia Kingdom was also a famous figure.
In a kingdom notorious for political strife, she had established her own faction and secured her position firmly. Despite her gentle appearance, she possessed a cold and sharp temperament, which frequently revealed itself in diplomatic situations—so much so that even my other self knew of this princess.
The princess currently regarded as the most likely candidate for the next queen.
That assessment continued even until my other self’s death, as the current king of Edencia remained in good health at that time.
“Hmm….”
Pondering this, I picked up my pen and wrote the First Princess’s name beneath Lucian Alexis’s.

21. Belesa Valenhardt (Suspect—Pending)

After that, I felt somewhat melancholy.
I gazed down at my pink hair and muttered.
“Of all things, both of them have the exact same hair color as mine.”

***

18. Suspect List No. 20

Reytan Quartz Trabel had been on edge lately.
It was because of Lucian Alexis, who had sought me out at the grand banquet of the Aubaut Order about two weeks ago.

“Pleased to meet you, Reytan Quartz Trabel. I’ve heard much about you from Princess Belesa Valenhardt.”

His smiling words grated on my nerves considerably.
What could a princess of a foreign kingdom possibly know about the Grand Master of the Heishal Empire with whom she had no connection? And to speak of me at such length to her younger cousin, no less.

“Well, I have no ties to the royal family of the Edencia Kingdom. I doubt the princess would have much to say about me, but it was pleasant to meet you. Though I’m uncertain whether we’ll meet again.”
“It seems we may meet again soon. I’m planning to stay in the Heishal Empire for some time.”

Lucian Alexis had scratched at my composure with those words, then fell silent for two weeks. There had been no news of a diplomat from the Edencia Kingdom remaining in the Heishal Empire.
‘What is he plotting?’
Moreover, there was the artificial gale that had erupted at the banquet venue. Though there were no casualties, it had been a tremendous commotion—ancient trees uprooted by the force of it.
According to Demian, who investigated the incident, it was likely a crime targeting me.

“Targeting me?”
“More precisely, your reputation, Reytan Quartz Trabel. It’s fortunate you left the banquet hall early. Otherwise, you would have become a suspect.”
“What’s your evidence?”
“A considerable number of attendees at the banquet identified you as the perpetrator. After all, you’re the only one capable of wielding such wind as the master of Windis. Of course, I’ve established your innocence beyond doubt.”

Reytan chuckled softly.
The Grand Banquet was an important gathering where dignitaries from various nations assembled. The occurrence of an artificial natural disaster at such an event was a grave matter—one that could be construed as an act of terrorism.
‘That woman’s handiwork, no doubt.’
Public opinion warfare.
She laid traps, and when her opponents fell into them, she orchestrated events to unfold precisely as she had calculated—a masterwork of political maneuvering.
What troubled me was that Lucian Alexis had been the first witness at the scene. Under different circumstances, he could have been cast as the culprit.
‘Belesa didn’t order this… but then again, that woman never leaves herself vulnerable to such accusations.’
Or rather, even if she were caught, she would discard the liability without hesitation.
“Oh my!”
A woman’s exclamation rang out. Reytan lifted his head.
The Trang Clothing Shop had produced samples of children’s garments, and I had brought Berry and Theon to the atelier to have them try on the designs.
“Goodness, goodness…! I’ve never seen anyone wear this design so beautifully! What am I to do? My standards keep rising higher and higher…!”
The Head Designer of the Trang Clothing Shop was overcome with emotion as Berry emerged in her new outfit. Reytan watched as the designer’s knees buckled and she sank to the floor, and he found himself thinking.
By now, I should have grown accustomed to my daughter’s adorableness. Yet here she was, causing such a commotion.
“Really?”
Reytan gazed at Berry, who beamed with delight.
A pink pinafore dress with abundant white lace trim, a white blouse with charming puffed sleeves, a dainty ribbon-shaped tie, her hair tied high in twin braids, light and comfortable round-toed shoes—everything was utterly precious.
Not a single element was out of place.
Then our eyes met.
“It suits you perfectly, Berry.”
“Does it really?”
“Absolutely perfect.”
Reytan raised both hands and applauded. Berry giggled at his response. Soon it would be Theon’s turn. Reytan and Berry exchanged knowing nods.
The staff of the Trang Clothing Shop noticed the conspiratorial exchange between the two. They had witnessed similar moments several times before.
Moments later, Theon ascended the platform in his new outfit, but overwhelmed by the shower of applause, he fled back to the dressing room in embarrassment.

***

“Miss Berry.”
It was when the Education Hall classes had ended.
Serber, the head butler, came looking 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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