My Daddy Hides His Power - Chapter 173

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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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Father conceals his strength.
Chapter 173
“Wow, Cheshire.”
I pressed my lips together.
“Actually, I was just talking with Uncle until a moment ago…”
“About what?”
“You know that Sacred Water Incident four years ago, when they conscripted even Octava? He said I must have been hungry then since I’d burned through all my Mana, and that the first thing you feel when your Mana runs out is an empty stomach?”
“That can’t be right.”
Cheshire’s eyes widened.
“…Father seems to have tested you.”
“Right? I know, what’s that about? Why would he test me?”
Could he possibly suspect my true identity?
If so, that would be a problem.
I’ve simply grown taller, but anyone with a discerning eye could infer that I’m Primera.
“It’s fine. He can suspect, but it’ll be hard for him to be certain. And even if he finds out, Father won’t mind.”
“That’s true, but it just worries Uncle…”
“It can’t be helped.”
Cheshire sighed and added, “It was strange from the start that you’re hiding here. It’s only natural he’d be suspicious.”
“Ugh, this won’t do. Father said Uncle’s mental resilience is weaker than expected…”
“That’s not your concern. More importantly, let’s head out. You said you had somewhere to be today.”
“Oh, that’s right!”
Today was the day I’d arranged to meet Lico after a long time.
The head of the intelligence guild, the Red Sparrow!
Our informant who knows everything about Jedo!
While reviewing the original story, I had…
[In July 1783, commoners in Jedo staged a protest.
The content of the protest was a demand for the Imperial Palace to guarantee at least minimal security and crime prevention in the Commoner Residential District.
The Emperor dismissed this and executed ten ringleaders who had incited the protest.]
I’d asked Lico to investigate the incident that would soon occur.
“I’ll just change clothes quickly… oh!”
Just as I turned to head back to my room.
I froze solid at the sight beyond the window of Cheshire’s room—something that didn’t belong.
“What’s wrong?”
A blue light visible in the distance.
‘Why… why again?’
It was the same light I’d seen at the Holy Site Moleck, at the lake.
The one only my eyes could see…

* * *
Jedo, Lico’s Restaurant.
In the basement of the building, an atmosphere entirely unlike the ordinary dining space above hung heavy in the air.
“You found nothing at all?”
A man wearing a smiling Pierrot mask walked forward with sharp footsteps and took his seat.
The head of the intelligence guild, the Red Sparrow—Lico.
“Nothing on our end.”
“And the Seraph Street area?”
The gathered informants shook their heads in unison.
“That’s strange. She wouldn’t have asked without reason.”
Lico opened the letter she’d been holding.
It had been sent two weeks prior by Lilis.
[Lico! It’s been so long!
I have a favor to ask, actually.
I was wondering—could you look into how things are in the Commoner Residential District lately?
There should be people preparing for a protest. I’d like to know who they are ahead of time if possible…
You don’t need to write back. I’ll come meet you in person in two weeks.
See you then!]
“That’s absurd, Lico.”
Marina, one of the informants, spoke up.

“Commoners who tremble at the Emperor’s name wouldn’t suddenly find courage to protest. What could possibly drive them?”
A fair point.
It was unthinkable—commoners, not even nobles, rising up and demanding something from the Emperor.
“Then we’ll set that aside for now. What about the other angle?”
I hadn’t uncovered what Lilis wanted, but in the process, I’d gathered something curious.
“Someone’s been bribing commoners?”
For reasons unknown, someone was quietly assembling commoners.
“What were they collecting them for?”
“Couldn’t find out.”
Marina shook her head.
“It’s beyond our reach. Looks like it wasn’t just a few coins that turned their heads. We tried subtle approaches, but they won’t say a word.”
“Then make them talk.”
“How exactly? Drag them off and torture them? That’s not our way.”
“If someone paid them, offer ten times, a hundred times that amount to get one of them to crack. We need to know who’s behind this and what they’re plotting.”
Lilis’s sudden contact.
And now this mysterious activity.
“Something feels wrong. We need to gather any evidence we can.”
Lico added sharply.
“Move again.”
* * *
Just like that?
I gnawed anxiously at my nails inside the racing carriage.
‘Stay calm. Stay calm.’
The carriage was hurtling toward the Commoner Residential District of Jedo.
Because that entire area was wrapped in blue light.
‘Divine Revelation wasn’t a one-time thing. That light will keep showing me deaths before they happen. But…’
The Holy Site Moleck tragedy was in the Original Story, so I’d gone there prepared.
‘…What is this supposed to be?’
There wasn’t a single event I could anticipate.
“Lilis.”
Just then, Cheshire whispered.
“What?”
“…Not this time.”
I could see the light, I knew people would die, but he was telling me not to use my power.
“Yeah, I know.”
I nodded.
If I grew again this time, it would definitely become a problem.
Sad as it was, I had to move only within limits that kept me safe.
“Let’s just see what the situation is. Maybe we can handle it without using your ability.”
“Right. If it’s something we can solve without your power, I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Cheshire added quietly.
“But if it’s not… just pretend you don’t know. Promise me.”
“I promise. Don’t worry.”
We were whispering when we suddenly glanced across from us.
On the opposite bench, Axion sat with his legs crossed, gazing out the window.
“Ah.”
He spoke, having felt our eyes on him.
“Looks like you two are having an important conversation. Don’t mind me—go ahead.”
“Um, well… Uncle, I’m sorry. But it would’ve been fine with just me and Cheshire.”
“What, were you going on a date?”
“No?!”
“If it’s not a date, then let me tag along. Nothing better to do anyway—I’m bored.”
I studied Axion’s seemingly casual expression.
‘I can’t tell what he’s thinking.’
The thought of him watching me earlier made my head spin.
Axion was one thing, but…
‘Ugh, and I still have to meet Lico.’
And now Divine Revelation strikes out of nowhere.
“Wait! Stop here!”
I stopped the carriage where the blue light blazed so brightly it stung the eyes.
Dozens of buildings glowed with brilliant light.
“This is the place, right?”
“Yeah, it should be… but….”
Everything seemed far too peaceful. Nothing suggested that disaster was about to strike.
‘Unless a bomb falls from the sky?’
That was too far-fetched.
‘Or maybe some demon beast suddenly emerges?’
That was fairly plausible.
It would’ve been good to have Father here, but of all times, he had to go on that expedition….
“What are we supposed to do here?”
Axion stepped down from the carriage and asked.
“Well, um. That’s what I’m wondering too.”
I fidgeted with anxiety.
“Cheshire, let’s just go inside somewhere and try to find out—”
There was no time to deliberate, so I whispered urgently to Cheshire, hoping to gather some information.
“Aaaaah! Fire!”
A scream suddenly erupted from inside one of the buildings.
‘Fire?’
Moments later, five or six men came bursting out of the building in front of us.
They pulled something out from a large bundle.
‘…Bottles?’
Glass bottles with narrow necks.
“Dammit, what are those things?”
Sensing something amiss, Axion moved to seize the men but hesitated.
There wasn’t just one group to apprehend.
From every building glowing with that pale blue light, suspicious figures were pouring out into the streets.
Shatter!
As if on cue, they hurled the bottles at the buildings, and simultaneously—
“Ahhh!”
“Help us!”
Whoosh.
“Fire! Fire!!!”
Flames erupted at once.
‘No, this can’t be real.’
They were incendiary bottles filled with oil.
It seemed they’d already ignited the fires inside before emerging, because the buildings bloomed crimson on every floor.
The street descended into chaos in mere moments.
Screams erupted from all directions.
‘So it was a terror attack?’
That was why the blue light had pointed to this place.
“Lilis! Get back over there!”
Cheshire shoved me aside.
As I stumbled backward, I caught sight of people streaming out of the buildings like a retreating tide.
‘How… how are we supposed to handle this….’
Before I could even understand why the blue light had led us here, before I could prepare for anything.
In less than a minute, the flames had consumed the entire district.
And the screams.
‘Stay calm. Stay calm.’
Among the panicked crowds, I spotted law enforcement officers in uniform.
“Hey, over there!”
“You there!”
Axion reached them faster than I did.
“L-Lord Axion? Why are you….”
“Alert everyone about the situation here immediately and request support. Contact the Imperial Palace, the Magic Tower, and the houses of Marquis Valentiano and Marquis Erzo. The Mage Division Commander and the Sacred Water Division Commander are in Jedo right now.”
“Y-yes?”
The Imperial Palace, the Magic Tower, high nobility….
The people Axion was asking to summon were all elite forces.
There was no reason they would respond to a fire in the Commoner Residential District—it was only natural the officer was taken aback.
“The scope of the terror is too wide. If we can’t suppress it quickly, this entire district will burn to the ground. If you convey the gravity of the situation convincingly, they might mobilize.”
“Y-yes….”
“Snap out of it! Just tell them it was my request. Axion is at the scene and needs support—relay that.”
Axion’s voice cut through as he finished speaking.
“Move, now!”
“Yes, yes!”
The officers scattered, and screams continued to erupt from all directions.
The flames swelled with each passing second.
Scorching heat.
Embers drifting through the air.
Through the chaos, I could see Axion and Cheshire evacuating people.
My mind had gone blank.
‘I have to do something.’
I shook my head hard and looked down at the Bracelet.
‘But what can I…’
Snap—
“Ah!”
In that instant, Cheshire appeared at my side and seized my wrist.
“Lilis, get ahold of yourself.”
“…….”
“Even with full reinforcements, this fire will be nearly impossible to suppress. If it went out suddenly, it’d be the same as revealing who you are.”
Cheshire added sharply.
“Don’t you dare think of anything foolish.”
I knew. I understood.
That I couldn’t touch the flames.
Regardless of how much Life Force it would cost, a fire that had already spiraled this far beyond control couldn’t possibly be suppressed in a single instant—it would defy all reason.
‘Then what am I supposed to do?’
As I watched Cheshire move away, I forced myself to think clearly.
‘Think, think…’
That was when I spotted a middle-aged woman carrying a bucket of water, rushing toward the building.
“Stop! Don’t!”
Axion lunged and caught her arm.
“Water will only make it worse. Relief is coming—you need to get to safety, away from here.”
“No, no, I can’t! My child—my child is still inside. They haven’t come out yet…”
The woman cried out in desperation.
‘Right. Quietly getting people out of the building… that much should be fine. Surely that’s allowed.’
I hurried toward them.
“Uncle! I, I have something to ask…”
For some reason, Axion froze when he saw me.
“If I could just…”
“Lilis.”
His face had gone ashen. He gripped my shoulder hard.
Then he whispered quietly.
“Do nothing.”
“…What?”
“I’ll do it. From this moment on, you absolutely—no matter what happens.”
“…….”
“You must do nothing.”
In that instant, I understood.
Axion, after all…
had suspected, however faintly, who I truly was.
“Wait! Uncle, just a moment!”
He pressed my shoulder harder—a warning—then draped a faint shield around his own body.
“Uncle!!!”
And he charged into the inferno.

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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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