My Daddy Hides His Power - Chapter 177

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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 177
The Swordmaster Order’s commander had seized the Sacred Object right before their eyes.
Even after Cheshire vanished, the priests remained frozen for a long moment before finally releasing the breaths they’d been holding.
“High Priest! What—what is the meaning of this?”
“We must inform the authorities at once—”
“Silence!”
Paulo, the High Priest, stared at the shattered glass case, his mind churning.
Judge’s Sword.
Why would he suddenly need that particular Sacred Object?
A man of Cheshire’s station could have—
obtained it through legal channels, given enough time.
So why intimidate the priests and cause such an uproar, when doing so would obviously invite problems?
‘No. There’s no need to puzzle over this.’
Paulo shook his head.
Whatever the reason, Cheshire could not be allowed to suffer harm because of it.
He was the Emperor’s sword, after all.
“Without force to support me and the High Cathedral, I’ll be at a disadvantage. He is the pillar of the younger generation, and soon will become an Ability User with none to rival him. I will make him my sword.”
The Emperor had declared that he would make Cheshire the foundation of his new military strength.
“If I may ask, Sire—he was raised under Enoch’s teaching, was he not? Will he follow willingly?”
The Emperor laughed at Paulo’s concern. He seemed to have something to rely on.
“I’ve already begun my work, and halfway through the gate. Whatever Enoch taught him, all I need is the smallest opening. I’ll drive the wedge through.”
If the Emperor spoke truly, Cheshire was a valuable asset.
Having made his decision, Paulo spoke.
“See that word of this does not leak outside. The Sacred Object was transferred to the Swordmaster Order’s commander through proper legal procedure by my hand. Should any problem arise, I shall bear the responsibility.”
* * *
At that same moment.
Joseph, the strategist serving Enoch Rubinstein, who was staying in the Central Region.
He flipped through the cards in his hand with a quiet chuckle.
‘Proceeding smoothly, very smoothly indeed.’
He had recently made contact with Enoch, who had come on a Subjugation operation, and learned of all that had transpired.
‘That viper moving against Cheshire Libre was precisely as I foresaw.’
Cheshire was an Ability User who piqued the Emperor’s interest.
It fell well within Joseph’s predictions that the Emperor would covet him for his ambitions.
The real question was: how would he recruit Cheshire when his bond with Enoch was so publicly known?
―There was only one card the Emperor could play.
“If I’m not mistaken, Onyx Marquis is Cheshire Libre’s biological father? He may approach soon. Remain vigilant.”
As Joseph had predicted.
Not long after Cheshire received his knighthood, Marquis Onyx made contact.
“He must feign openness to his biological father. Once I judge that he is nearly won over, the Emperor will reveal his hand through Marquis Onyx.”
The one variable, however—
‘Under no circumstances can he actually open his heart to his biological father.’
Cheshire was still young and easily swayed, lacking the conviction to sacrifice himself for a rebellion.
The worst case: knowing the danger all along, he bites the bait, and Cheshire betrays the rebellion.
“Hmm, I confess I’m uneasy.”
Joseph muttered to himself.
* * *
In Jedo, at the Gate Chamber of Pavil Temple.
Enoch, who had returned from his Subjugation with five Holy Knights, carried many thoughts with him after meeting with Joseph.
“Watch Cheshire Libre closely. His Excellency says there is no cause for concern, but… he shares your blood, and prolonged contact with his biological father may shake him, given time.”
Cheshire had been meeting with Marquis Onyx, his biological father, for months now, feigning openness to his advances as Enoch had instructed.
The Marquis treated him exceptionally well.
So well that neither the Marquis himself nor the Emperor could tell whether it was an act—the Marquis had fallen for it, and the Emperor was nearly convinced.
‘Even the Magic Tower’s Master was fooled.’
A conversation Enoch had had with Oscar on the return journey from the holy pilgrimage.
“Magic Tower Master, why do you stare at Cheshire as though you’d like to kill him whenever the chance arises?”
“I don’t like him. I’m keeping watch to make sure he doesn’t do anything romantic with my daughter.”
“…Why don’t you like him?”
“Because he’s been meeting his biological father again. You know that too, don’t you?”
It turned out that Oscar had witnessed their affectionate reunion.
The clock turned back two months.
The day Oscar faced his Accountability.
Cheshire, who never showed a shred of expression, broke into a full smile—and she wondered whom he was so delighted to see. It turned out to be Marquis Onyx.
“He was following after you, calling ‘father, father’ with such devotion. I found it so absurd that I said something to him—that you and Duke Livre would die of heartbreak over this.”
“Ah, I see.”
“And you know what he said? That both of you were fine with it. He said it was no trouble at all. And apparently, whatever old grievances existed between you have all been resolved, so you’ll get along well from now on.”
Cheshire seemed intent on thoroughly concealing his own circumstances; he hadn’t even bothered to explain to Oscar why he’d been so cordial with the Marquis.
In the end, Enoch had cleared up the misunderstanding for him—but only barely.
“Wait, that was an act? Have you actually seen it yourself? If it’s an act, that’s even more terrifying. You don’t think he slipped into genuinely siding with his real father while playing the part, do you?”
Oscar remained unconvinced.
Sharing the same worry as Joseph, his strategist, he urged them to watch carefully in case Cheshire might actually betray them.
But Enoch….
‘I know Cheshire better than anyone.’
He wasn’t worried at all.
If it came down to cutting off the Emperor’s neck, Cheshire would do whatever it took.
‘It’s something else I need to worry about.’
When an unforeseen situation arose.
Cheshire had grown so powerful that Enoch could no longer control him—and that meant his actions became unpredictable.
That was all Enoch could worry about.
* * *
When Axion arrived, the Imperial Palace was peaceful.
He exhaled in relief.
How many times had he imagined this place transformed into a sea of blood on his way here?
The Emperor’s chambers.
‘Please. Let us not be too late.’
Cheshire wouldn’t intend to kill innocent people.
“Has the Swordmaster Order Commander happened to visit?”
Axion asked the chamberlain who managed the Emperor’s visitors, urgently.
Cheshire would have tried to reach the Emperor as quietly as possible, but he couldn’t possibly request a same-day private audience with the Emperor directly.
So he must have been stopped here.
‘It’s too quiet. Did he not come? Was I mistaken?’
If he’d truly made up his mind, he would have subdued the palace staff blocking the entrance and forced his way in….
“The Swordmaster Order Commander visited just moments ago. He went upstairs with the Advisor.”
“…? What do you mean….”
A private audience had been granted?
The chamberlain, noticing Axion’s bewildered expression, added with a smile.
“His Majesty has standing orders to always permit same-day visits from certain individuals.”
“……?”
An absurd situation.
His vision swam.
They had opened the path itself to the one who came to take the Emperor’s life.
How could this be?
‘Yes, they couldn’t possibly imagine it.’
These people couldn’t even conceive of something so far beyond reason.
No one knew what had driven Cheshire to come here….
And not a soul would imagine there was someone attempting to face Primera alone.
“Your Grace!”
Axion ran without hesitation.
In a single moment—no, a single second of delay—catastrophe could unfold.
‘Please, please!’
He pushed past the flustered palace attendants and quickened his pace….
Then, at the far end of the long corridor.
He caught sight of Cheshire’s back as he moved toward the Emperor’s chambers.
* * *
From the moment he’d resolved himself, Cheshire’s heart had stopped racing.
The anxiety that had seized him over fear for Lilis seemed like a distant memory.
He was remarkably composed.
“Sir Cheshire, there is a guest who arrived before you, so you may have to wait a moment. And, well… you should have brought your black scabbard….”
Getting here had been absurdly simple.
The man who claimed to be the Emperor’s Advisor stood there casually holding a sword, showing not the slightest hint of fear.
Because the Emperor is Primera.
Who would dare threaten the life of Primera?
‘Should I consider that a mercy?’
It was a cruel irony.
If the Emperor had been an ordinary Ability User…
innocent blood would not have spilled so easily, nor would any of this have come to pass so smoothly.
“Please surrender your weapons.”
The Emperor’s chambers drew near.
One of the five Imperial Guards blocking the path spoke.
These were five Ability Users bound in absolute obedience to him by the Emperor’s power.
This would likely be the first blood spilled in this place.
Resistance meant the blade.
“Cheshire!”
At the familiar sound of Axion’s voice from behind, Cheshire steadied his sword.
* * *
Perhaps because he had held them captive as long as he wished.
The Emperor did not stop the two from leaving.
“Magic Tower Master, I’ll be in touch.”
Oscar nodded and took Lilis’s hand, turning away.
Glancing down at the child with concern, he found her face ashen.
Lilis seemed preoccupied with the scene still burning without support, but…
‘Someone from the Magic Tower would have gone, so it should be fine.’
He would need to tell her that much once they were outside.
“Let’s hurry.”
He whispered softly and opened the door.
Oscar’s breath caught in surprise.
A familiar face, right there before him.
Cheshire.
He looked disheveled, as if he had just come from the scene.
His heart sank.
‘What on earth—’
His gaze drifted downward.
In his hand… he held a sword.
Standing before the Emperor’s chambers, blade in hand.
In that instant, Oscar understood.
What Cheshire had come here to do.
“What is this?”
The Emperor’s voice came from behind.
Oscar could scarcely breathe.
Goosebumps rose across his entire body.

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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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