My Daddy Hides His Power - Chapter 157

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

Father hides his strength
157
“If you were worried about Theo, you should have told me. Why did you only talk to Cheshire behind my back?”
“…….”
I had nothing to say.
Or rather, it wasn’t something I could easily explain.
The reason I hadn’t told Father about Theo and why I’d given the Magical Device to Cheshire instead was….
‘I suppose I just trusted Cheshire more than Father, even if only slightly.’
How could I tell him that?
He’d be hurt.
“You trusted Cheshire more than me?”
“Huh?”
What—what? Did I just say that out loud?
Father let out a hollow laugh as he watched my eyes widen in shock.
“Yes, I understand why you thought that way.”
“Oh, Father! It’s a misunderstanding! It’s not that Cheshire is stronger than you! It’s just that Father, um, Father was….”
“…….”
Father regarded me with an oddly complex expression.
* * *
Enoch drove his horse toward the place where Cheshire had taken Theo.
In his mind, there was only one concern.
My daughter.
My child.
More precious than life itself….
My child.
Lilis.
What if something goes wrong and she runs into a Demon Beast?
What if I exhaust my Life Force trying to save Theo?
What if I draw someone’s attention and my identity is questioned?
That gnawing worry quickly twisted into resentment toward Cheshire.
Even if there was no other way—did you really have to seek out Lilis?
And he was startled at himself for thinking such things.
As Enoch galloped across the seemingly endless distance, his mind held only one word: daughter, daughter, daughter.
Even as his nephew, Theo, might already be dead.
Selfishly, only his daughter occupied his thoughts.
“Cheshire!”
When he spotted Cheshire returning, he pressed at once.
“Where is Lilis!”
“…….”
Cheshire seemed startled.
At how Enoch, ignorant of the full circumstances, went straight to asking about Lilis….
“I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I gave Lilis a Magical Device and told her to call for me if anything dangerous happened, but I used it to save my older brother Theo. Lilis just left with him.”
Seeing Cheshire’s expression heavy with self-reproach, Enoch went slack.
What was I about to do?
Was I going to scold this boy?
“…I see.”
Enoch labored to quiet the tumultuous surge of emotion within him.
If anything dangerous happened, she’d said….
His daughter, not wanting to witness anyone’s death, must have asked this of Cheshire.
The reason she’d given the Magical Device to Cheshire instead of him?
‘Lilis knows me well.’
No matter the circumstance, Enoch would never have allowed his daughter to come here.
Even as he’d ridden toward this place, hadn’t his concern for Lilis consumed him far more than worry for his nephew Theo’s safety?
The child understood that.
That her father, for her sake, could make infinitely selfish choices.
“…….”
Yes. His concern for his daughter was everything.
There was no denying it.
Since the day he’d gained a child more precious than life itself, Enoch had come to understand.
Just how cruel a man he could become for the sake of his child.
How selfishly a human could act.…
The fact that his daughter understood this about him filled him with shame.
“Lilis… how much has she… grown?”
Enoch asked with difficulty, tormented by self-loathing.
“Not enough to be immediately recognizable. But… her hair, I noticed it’s grown noticeably long.”
Cheshire bowed his head deeply.
“I’m terribly sorry.”
“No… it’s not your fault.”
This child, still so young, writhing under the weight of guilt.…
Why had he wanted to press him like that?
Ah, how selfish and ugly a creature he was.
Enoch covered his stinging eyes and bit his lip.
“It’s all right. Everything will be all right.”
* * *
Father knelt before me and said nothing, his eyes wet with tears—lost in thought.
“Father?”
Then he carefully gripped my shoulders and spoke.
“No matter how worried you were, you shouldn’t have acted so recklessly.”
“I know. I was wrong.”
“You were wrong?”
“Yes. I won’t do it again.”
“That’s a lie.”
I flinched.
“Even if you say that, the moment a similar situation comes up, you’ll do exactly the same thing.”
He was just like James Brown.
A mind reader.
“I won’t tell you to do nothing. But if only Father could know about it beforehand… just do that for me.”
“…….”
“I understand why you don’t trust Father. But Father has learned something this time too. I won’t be selfish just because I’m worried about you… not anymore.”
I was shocked.
I hadn’t said anything, yet Father understood it all.
Because he loves me so deeply, because he’s the kind of father who wants me to never be in danger at all.…
I had anticipated that no matter what happened, he would never call me to a battlefield, would never have me use my abilities.
“If there’s something you want to do with your own strength, Father will think about it seriously. I won’t simply forbid it.”
“…….”
“So please, princess. Before you do anything, tell Father. All right?”
“All right, Father. I’m really sorry.…”
“Yes, our princess.”
Father smiled and pulled me into his arms.
“You’ve been through so much. You must have been terrified.”
“No, I wasn’t scared at all.”
“Right, the princess is brave. But Father was scared. Father nearly had his heart stop and die from fright.…”
“I’m sorry for worrying you.…”
“It’s all right now. As long as our princess is safe and unharmed, that’s all that matters.”
Father released me from his embrace and met my eyes with a grin.
“But where did that Magical Device come from?”
Though he asked, he already seemed to know the answer—his eyes immediately turned to Oscar.
Oscar read the look in his eyes and frowned sharply.
“Wow, you’re not about to blame me, are you? Did I give her that to use like that? I made it for when that girl was in danger, but she just up and took both pairs by force!”
Oscar pointed at me and huffed indignantly.
“She didn’t even draw a blade. She’s a bandit, a bandit! Thinking she can get anything with a little cuteness! What kind of upbringing does she have?!”
“So the princess used her charm and got them, hmm.…”
“…Excuse me, there.”
“No, Magic Tower Master. No misunderstanding. I’m not about to say anything.”
Father rose and went over to Oscar, whispering something in his ear.
For some reason, Oscar clicked his tongue disapprovingly, then quickly untied his apron and went into a room, returning with a box.
Father took it and smiled widely.
“Thank you.”
“Ah, wait. Give me one pair of mine too.”
Oscar opened the box he’d given Father and took something out.
Look—a Shell Magic Artifact.
‘Ah, so he decided it was worth using after all.’
Dad must have asked if he could give him one too.
Oscar handed me a white shell talisman and tied his apron back on.
“You listen to me—if you give that to anyone else, you’re in for real trouble. I rushed here, but there’s no one else, is there?”
Oscar waved a whisk threateningly as he spoke.
“Don’t think I’d help—I’d kill them myself. Whoever it is.”
“Eek! Y-yes, yes. I understand.”
“Aw, that was a bit much.”
Dad spoke smoothly, lingering near Oscar as he prepared the food.
“…? What? Don’t flit about like that with that build of yours. Just tell me—how did you manage cleanup back there? We need to get our story straight.”
“Right, that’s why I came. I’ll explain quickly while we eat. I have to head to the Imperial Palace right after to file a Subjugation Battle Report anyway.”
……?
“But what are you making? Something delicious?”
“Why would I tell you?”
Oscar looked baffled.
“Because I need to eat too? I can be curious. I came straight here without stopping home—I’m starving.”
At Dad’s shameless words, Oscar’s jaw dropped.
“Then go eat at your place after work! I only boiled two portions of noodles—mine and hers!”
“What? How’s that a problem? Just boil one more. Actually, I’ll need two portions myself.”
Dad quickly grabbed the spaghetti on the table and ducked into the kitchen.
“I’ll help. I’m good at cooking too.”
“That’s right, Master! My dad’s actually an amazing cook! Let’s all eat together!”
I scampered after him into the kitchen, eager to watch Dad cook for once.
“Well, well. Really.”
The kitchen soon grew crowded and lively.
Oscar trembled visibly, clearly displeased.
“These stupid Demon Beast bastards… wiped out in just five days….”
He ground his teeth, glaring at Dad, who was humming merrily.
“And I’m already trying to send that man back out the door!!!”
* * *
Imperial Palace, conference chamber.
After the Subjugation Battle Report was filed, ten commanders of the Dos Legion were summoned to discuss the situation and its aftermath.
The meeting’s central topic was the Battlefield Withdrawal of Cheshire, the Magic Swordmaster Order’s commander, and the survival of Theo.
Cheshire’s decision to briefly withdraw from the battlefield to save the mortally wounded Theo was, in truth, not the primary concern.
What had truly shocked them all was….
“It is an outrageous matter!”
The very involvement of Oscar, the Magic Tower Master.
He had clearly saved Theo from certain death.
The existence of an undisclosed, private Magic Formula had been revealed.
“To think there exists a spell capable of healing those in a Mortal State!”
Gillian, the Magic Order’s commander—a middle-aged mage nearing retirement—spoke with his face flushed with indignation.
“Your Majesty, this is not a matter we can simply let pass!”
Emperor Nicholas sat at the head of the table, chin resting on his palm, deep in thought.
“Why did the Imperial Household grant the Magic Tower authority in the first place? Were we not clearly promised that magical formulas would be shared for the public good?”
Gillian pressed on, his voice rising.
“Yet the Magic Tower Master hoards such remarkable magic! We must summon him to properly account for himself and hold him to account!”

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