My Daddy Hides His Power - Chapter 158

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

Father hiding his strength
Episode 158
The other legion commanders said nothing.
They all seemed to agree with Gillian’s view that the Magic Tower Master ought to be held accountable.
Enoch and Alexei—saved by a magic known only to the Magic Tower Master, a magic that had rescued both his nephew and his son.
They had nothing to say, rather than agreeing.
“Your Majesty!”
Gillian pressed for an answer, but Nicholas’s mind was elsewhere.
‘A magic that could even challenge Primera’s Authority… I knew it existed, but he’s truly formidable.’
Each time he felt Oscar’s ability, Nicholas coveted it.
The only reason he couldn’t wield the man as he pleased was that Nicholas himself had to read his moods.
Every Magic Formula in existence was created in the Magic Tower. Then there must surely be a way to control all of them as well.
‘In any case, that man gives me a headache every time I think of him.’
Oscar Manuelo.
He was the most talented Magic Tower Master in recorded history.
‘If he can create a Healing Magic Formula of that caliber, he’s definitely hiding destructive offensive Magic Formulas too.’
That was what frustrated Nicholas.
While everyone else marveled at Healing Magic capable of saving so many lives….
“Your Majesty?”
“Ah, yes.”
Nicholas emerged from his reverie, letting out a soft laugh.
“Grant me some time to think it over.”
“Your Majesty, if you show leniency again this time, the Magic Tower Master’s arrogance will only grow unchecked. I implore you to require him to account for this matter and to hold him accountable!”
Nicholas nodded, glancing sidelong at the silent Enoch.
People like Enoch, with unwavering convictions, were far easier to read.
But Oscar….
‘He’s a man like me.’
His true thoughts were nearly impossible to fathom.
Still, if Nicholas had to guess, Oscar’s ambition was to maintain and strengthen his own authority.
The reason he was obsessed like a madman with securing talent was surely for the Magic Tower’s revival.
Hadn’t he even raised his voice before the king himself in an attempt to draw Enoch’s daughter—a girl quite clever in her own right—into the Magic Tower?
‘Saving Theo Antrace this time was probably also meant to win Enoch’s favor and lure his daughter into the Tower.’
Nicholas pondered briefly, then spoke.
“Very well. Open the conference hall and demand an explanation from the Magic Tower Master regarding this matter.”
“Your Majesty, and furthermore—”
“Yes, yes. I understand.”
Nicholas waved his hand dismissively at Gillian as he added:
“I’ll hear his explanation through this accounting as to why he concealed the Healing Magic Formula, and if it lacks merit, I’ll consider holding him accountable.”
Nicholas rose and left the conference chamber, issuing orders as he went.
“Set a date for the conference.”
* * *
“The conference should be convened tomorrow, or even this very day.”
“Allow at least a week, please. The Subjugation ended today, and we need time for aftermath management and troop reorganization.”
The Magic Corps Commander and the Paladin Order Commander went back and forth without pause.
One was clearly eager to pillory the Magic Tower Master immediately, while the other was desperate to buy even a single extra day.
“The Magic Tower Master didn’t even go to war—what does this accountability conference have to do with aftermath management?”
Gillian clicked his tongue, then pressed on:
“I understand Enoch’s gratitude for the help received, but this matter is perfectly suited to breaking the Magic Tower Master’s momentum. We must capitalize on it.”
“…Why on earth do you want to break the Magic Tower Master’s momentum? Does he threaten us with magic formulas, or meddle in politics through power?”
Though he was defending Oscar out of prudence, Enoch couldn’t comprehend it.
‘Is he angry simply because the Magic Formula was hidden? Something feels off—like he just doesn’t like the Magic Tower Master as a person. Am I imagining things?’
He wasn’t.
Notably, the Magic Corps Commander—Gillian Valenciano—was the most fixated.
“Well then, let’s take a ten-minute recess.”
Gillian glanced at the hourglass in the conference hall, then rose and left.
The other commanders filed out after him, leaving three behind.
Enoch, Alexei, and Cheshire.
“Sigh.”
Enoch felt he might go mad watching Cheshire sit with a dark, guilty expression the whole time.
Oscar, who had been quietly at home, was now saddled with all the blame for everything….
It was Theo who sustained the injury.
Cheshire was the one who withdrew from the front lines with him.
And yet it was Lilis who saved Theo’s life.
“Brother-in-law, but why do the commanders seem to dislike the Tower Master so much? Do you know anything about it? It doesn’t seem like it’s just because of this recent incident….”
“Ah, you didn’t know?”
At Enoch’s question, Alexei laughed awkwardly.
“Well, everyone doesn’t exactly… care for the Tower Master.”
“Really? Why?”
“Hmm. From what I’ve heard, they’ve all had a taste of it before.”
“A taste of what?”
“The Tower Master’s… sharp remarks?”
“Sharp remarks?”
Could it be the way Oscar said it?
Of course, Enoch had heard them for four solid years and found nothing grating about them.
Besides, shouldn’t he be understanding?
The man was cooped up in the Magic Tower all day, never seeing sunlight, doing nothing but work.
That sort of thing could make anyone a bit on edge.
‘Making a fuss over nothing.’
With that thought, Enoch sighed.
At that moment, Enoch didn’t yet know.
That Oscar’s demeanor toward Enoch and Lilis was remarkably gentle.
* * *
“…So, I tried my best. But I could only buy us a week.”
Father, returning from the Imperial Palace, spoke with a dark expression.
As expected, there was an uproar because Oscar had healed Theo.
In reality, he’d merely cleaned up the mess I’d made, and yet Oscar had become the kind of sneaky person who hoarded a remarkable magic all to himself.
‘I’m sorry, Master….’
There would apparently be an inquiry into why Oscar had monopolized the magic.
“What? A week?”
Oscar’s eyes widened as he braided my hair, a hair tie held between his teeth.
“…Yes.”
“Really?”
He sighed, “Hah,” and finished tying my hair.
Father spoke apologetically.
“It must be tight, then? Since it’s so rushed. Let me go back and see if I can buy us a few more days somehow….”
“No, what are you saying? Stop right there!”
Oscar shot to his feet and grabbed Father’s arm just as he was about to leave.
“It’s not tight at all—it’s the opposite. Those old men would’ve demanded I be brought to them immediately, so how did you manage to negotiate a whole week?”
“Huh?”
“You don’t need any more time. I’ve almost finished it already.”
This time, Father’s eyes went wide.
“Really? That….”
Father pointed at me.
“…Isn’t that supposed to be magic that resembles Primera’s ability? And you finished it in five days?”
“Well, it’s not quite complete yet, but it’ll be ready soon. Today or tomorrow?”
Oscar spoke casually as he began packing my bag.
“And that doll you sleep with—what was it again?”
My beloved stuffed toy, Tosu-ni.
I’m old enough to have moved past it, but I’ve grown attached and still sleep with it.
“Bring it.”
“Yes!”
I went to my room and retrieved Tosu-ni from my bed. Oscar put it in my bag.
Throughout all this, Father just kept blinking, unable to believe it.
“…But this really works?”
“Dad, our Master is a genius. Don’t doubt him.”
“Come here.”
Oscar called again. He slung the packed bag across my shoulder.
“Nothing forgotten?”
“No, sir!”
Then he positioned me beside Father and spoke, looking at him directly.
“I should go now.”
“Wait, Master of the Magic Tower….”
“What is it?”
“I really can’t thank you enough. I’m always imposing on you.”
Enoch placed both hands on Oscar’s shoulders, then added warmly,
“And if you ever need me, just call anytime! I’ll come running!”
“Right!”
Enoch seemed genuinely grateful that Oscar had willingly gotten tangled up in this troublesome affair for his daughter’s sake.
“The greatest genius! The greatest Master of the Magic Tower!”
He hurried to Oscar’s side, waving both hands dramatically with such flair that even the air seemed to flutter around him.
“The greatest teacher!”
Of course, I matched his performance from the other side, waving my hands instead of the glow stick.
“Enough, please.”
Oscar shielded his eyes and sighed, giving both of us a gentle push away.
“Go on. Hurry now. Go.”
We gave Oscar one last farewell at the entrance.
“Thank you so much. Don’t worry about the talks. Whatever anyone says, I’ll handle it all.”
Enoch clenched his fist and shook it menacingly.
“No, I’m fine. Don’t do anything reckless. Do you think I can’t handle a few foolish old men?”
“Hehe. Teacher, I’m heading out~!”
“Off you go.”
Oscar stood at a slight angle in the doorway, his head tilted gently as he waved his hand with a smile.
* * *
Late into the night.
With hollow eyes, Oscar held a white mouse in the palm of his hand.
The creature was torn open and drenched in blood, clinging to life by a thread.
Oscar infused it with mana.
Zzt, crack!
The animal was instantly restored to perfect health, its ears perking up as it scurried about.
“Heh heh.”
Oscar grabbed the mouse by its tail and tossed it into its cage, then stood up.
At last, it was complete.
This impossible magic—accomplished in merely five days.
“Haah.”
Oscar stretched and laughed, rubbing his forehead.
“Am I a genius or what?”
To any listener, such muttering might seem embarrassing, but truthfully, no one would dispute the fact.
Oscar left his workshop.
As he crossed the living room toward the bathroom, he caught sight of his reflection in the mirror.
Sky-blue cloud pajamas….
He smirked involuntarily and reached for his toothbrush when he paused.
Two toothbrushes stood in the holder—he’d forgotten that Lilis had left hers behind.
“Honestly, what a scatterbrained girl. I asked her specifically if she’d forgotten anything.”
As he brushed his teeth, the reflection of himself standing alone felt strangely unfamiliar.
How long had they even brushed their teeth together anyway….
‘Strange feeling.’
Without the child chattering away with foam around her mouth, the silence felt too heavy.
Leaving the bathroom, Oscar stopped short at the sight of the empty living room.
‘What is this?’
For the past few days, whenever he’d come into the living room, she was always there.
Her small silhouette sitting at the table, drawing or reading—somehow, in just five days, the sight had become familiar.
Casually running his hand across the table, Oscar noticed something placed there.
“What’s this?”
Drawing closer, he saw a sheet of paper with a drawing on it.
And another sheet, folded carefully.
They seemed to be what Lilis had left behind.
“Hm?”
Looking at the drawing, Oscar let out a soft laugh.
Two figures were drawn side by side.
A handsome genius teacher
I’m so ugly ugh
She was even worried I wouldn’t recognize her, so she wrote my name next to the picture.
“…You’re not ugly at all.”
She teased him so often about being plain, but could she really think he was actually homely?
Oscar’s nose wrinkled as he unfolded the next paper.
It was a letter.
[Dear Master,
Thank you for taking care of me.
And thank you for helping me this time too.
From now on, I promise not to worry you and grow up well!
Those five days with you were so, so happy.
Thank you for waking me up in the morning, packing me snacks, and making me delicious meals.
But I’m asking again just to be sure—you really meant I can come to you when Father’s not around, right?
I’ll come visit again soon ☺
Even when you’re busy, please sleep at least six hours a day and stay healthy. Don’t get careless just because you’re young.
You have to live with me healthy and strong for over a hundred years after all♡
I love you more than anyone in the world, even as much as Father.
(But this is a secret because Father gets sulky)
Love you♡♡♡♡]
“Good grief, me.”
Oscar stood motionless, staring at the letter for a long moment.
Then, with a sigh, he turned to step back into the room—and froze.
Looking up, the great house spread before him in its entirety. In truth, he had never once thought of it as spacious….
“…Damn, this place is really something.”
Suddenly it felt vast.
Strange, wasn’t it.
Just one chirping child gone, and everything felt different.

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