My Daddy Hides His Power - Chapter 188

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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 hides his strength
Chapter 188
Enoch had tossed aside his sword with a flourish before charging forward, but now he came at Axion with bare hands.
What?
Axion watched his friend’s rush in bewilderment, a thought crystallizing in his mind.
Could it be that Enoch Rubinstein—the notorious demonic beast of the Moarte Archipelago—had been real all along?
‘If so… that would explain why no one ever returned alive.’
He shook his head at himself.
The fact that he was entertaining such stupidity meant his brain had gone numb.
“Hey, how did you—ugh!”
Crack!
When Enoch drove his fist forward with full force, Axion went flying backward across the sand.
“Huh?”
The sharp, metallic taste of blood pooled in his mouth.
“You bastard, what the hell are you—”
Axion, bristling with indignation, looked up at Enoch and froze.
The gaze fixed on him was fierce, resentful—and Axion found himself unable to speak.
“Did you come here to die alone?”
…….
“You said we’d live together or die together. Do you even think of me as a friend?”
As Axion wiped his lips with the back of his hand and got to his feet, Enoch grabbed him roughly by the collar.
“Don’t you think about the people left behind? Did you know your son hasn’t slept and has been searching for you for two days straight?”
…….
“What’s the point of success without you? If someone had to die, I wouldn’t have started in the first place. We’re doing this so everyone survives.”
“I know, but—”
If this were the old Enoch, Axion might have asked whether he could fight like a madman with him.
But this Enoch now…
“You have someone to protect.”
“What?”
“If something happens to you, what becomes of Lilis? You’re the one who has to protect her. You’re her father.”
…….
“You’re my friend. I think of you that way. So the things you cherish, they matter to me too. The things you need to protect, the things you need to accomplish—”
…….
“I want to protect them too. I want to… see them through together.”
The grip on Axion’s collar loosened in Enoch’s hands.
Slowly.
Enoch turned away in silence, then lifted his gaze to the sky. The dark expanse above was so thickly sown with stars they seemed to pour down.
“…You’re right. The princess matters most to me. More than my own life.”
…….
“But you’re the same. When everything ends, I can’t do it without you.”
Enoch turned back to face him.
His eyes, unlike before, had softened.
“We promised, didn’t we? To survive together.”
When Axion let out a quiet laugh, Enoch pulled him into an embrace.
No words were needed.
It was a friendship confirmed in the warmth of each other’s presence alone.
“But listen, there’s something—”
…….
After a long moment, Axion spoke, his voice tense.
“We don’t have time for this.”
“What do you mean?”
“Surviving together here won’t be easy. Shouldn’t one of us at least try to escape? Wouldn’t it be better if someone made it out alive?”
“…You really don’t read the room.”
Enoch shook his head slowly.
Then, turning to the bewildered Axion, he spoke.
“Wait as long as you like. You won’t catch even a glimpse of a single demonic beast.”
* * *
“Did you give Uncle your clothes? Won’t you be cold tonight?”
“No, I’m fine. It’s summer, so it’s not too bad.”
“Do you have enough to eat?”
“Battle rations in abundance.”
I trotted after Father—who’d just returned from Axion—with Cheshire trailing at my heels.
“Not a single monster? We’re certain it’s safe? Why is Father’s armor shattered?”
“Your uncle cracked it open to eat. And no monsters—the Magic Tower’s Master herself used Detection Magic to confirm it.”
“Phew, thank goodness.”
“But the more I think about it, the more it stings.”
Father answered each question patiently, then suddenly his brow furrowed.
“I’m the one who hunted down those Demonic Beasts, but that wretch Axion takes all the military achievement? And now he’s off stargazing without a care in the world, sleeping soundly? On top of everything, he’s got early retirement lined up after five days of rest?”
“Come now, don’t be bitter about it. It’s always been the case—the bear does the work, but the merchant keeps the profits.”
“What did you just say~?”
Father bristled.
Cheshire, who’d been listening silently, jumped in quickly.
“My lord, I should like to see my father with my own eyes….”
“That’s right, that’s right. I couldn’t sleep a wink worrying about Uncle Cheshire. Show him the Movement Magic Formula too.”
Father gazed at Cheshire—who was clearly brimming with concern—with something like envy, then protruded his lower lip dramatically.
“Must be nice, having such a friend. What merit did you earn in a past life?”
* * *
Five days later.
The Magic Tower, Oscar’s office.
“……So this morning I went to visit Uncle again with Cheshire. He’s been eating and sleeping so well—he’s gotten even more handsome.”
“Is that so.”
“Today we’re throwing a military discharge party at Uncle’s place. I ordered a ridiculously enormous cake. Since we promised to stay at Uncle’s until today, we’re planning to play all night—will you come, Master?”
“No need. What would I do there.”
“But doesn’t Uncle want to get married? Once he comes back from earning merit out there, things will be absolute chaos, won’t they? He’s the perfect son-in-law material, no? He’s young, he’s handsome, he’s strong, he’s wealthy, and he’s already raised his sons so you don’t have to worry about childcare.”
Oscar, his chin resting in his palm, watched me ramble for a long moment, then laughed.
“You’re probably the only person who’d sprawl across the Magic Tower Master’s office couch eating dessert and gossiping.”
I, who’d been lying on the sofa contentedly munching cookies, flinched slightly.
“You don’t like listening to me talk?”
“No, it’s sweet. Keep going.”
Oscar set down his pen.
“…It’s still lunchtime anyway. I’ll go study once I’m done.”
I said this brazenly while brushing crumbs off my front.
I feel like a spoiled, idle conglomerate heir while the actual chairman, Oscar, toils away at work.
“Hmm.”
I sat up, feeling the weight of his attention.
Hearing me rustle as I rose, Oscar, his eyes still on his documents, let out a soft laugh.
“I wasn’t giving you a hint. I said it because it pleases me to see it. This is exactly the scene I’ve always wanted.”
…A spoiled conglomerate heir cosplay?
No, I have some sense.
“That’s not it, Chairman.”
“What?”
“Ahem! Anyway—Father said the Emperor summoned him today. I wonder why?”
“Did he now?”
Oscar, who’d been doodling with his pen, glanced at his desk calendar and spoke.
“Predictable.”
Today marked the fifth day since Axion departed for the Moarte Archipelago.
“He’s probably ordering your father to retrieve his friend’s corpse.”
“My, how cruel….”
“He was already displeased with your father’s various schemes, so this is the perfect opportunity to dampen his spirits.”
If that were the case, what would the Emperor—who must be in high spirits now—feel when he saw Axion return alive and whole?
“Ehehehehe.”
“Why are you laughing like that?”
“I’m dying to see His Majesty’s expression when Uncle returns. It’s such a shame I’ll miss it.”
When Axion returned, he would come bearing an enormous military achievement: the solo Subjugation of the Moarte Archipelago.
Not only would Axion’s position—which the Emperor had sought to erase—grow stronger, but because of the promise I’d made with him, the Emperor couldn’t touch him for some time yet….
“Ehehehe!”
I laughed and rolled across the sofa. Oscar, watching me, chuckled deeply.
“Splendid, absolutely.”
* * *
The Emperor Nicholas’s office.
“Did you know Axion left for the Moarte Archipelago five days ago?”
“What?”
Enoch’s eyes widened.
Nicholas swallowed a laugh as he watched composure drain from the man’s face in an instant.
‘So Axion left without saying a word to him after all.’
Even if Axion had asked for help, Enoch would have turned him away.
The Moarte Archipelago was a place where even Enoch couldn’t guarantee his own survival. No matter how dear a comrade Axion was, he wouldn’t be worth trading his own life for.
“What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?”
“Exactly what I said. I sent him. As you know, when Axion dealt with the fire in the commoner’s district, he showed me great disrespect.”
Nicholas frowned.
“He summoned the Mage Order and the Holy Mage Order on his own authority. By rank, both their commanders are subordinate to him—how could he not have shown proper deference?”
“…….”
“And that wasn’t even the worst of it. He burst into the Imperial Palace and had the audacity to demand that I issue orders to suppress the fire.”
Nicholas rose from his seat and stepped closer to Enoch.
“In the end, I granted his wish. But for military action undertaken without regard for hierarchy, he must bear the consequences, mustn’t he?”
“But the Moarte Archipelago is….”
“I know. Which means Axion’s transgression was grave indeed. And he would have known what kind of backlash awaited him for such actions.”
“…….”
“Then why do you think he was so desperate to save the commoners’ homes?”
Nicholas smiled like a serpent and gripped Enoch’s shoulder firmly.
“Because you hold that place dear, don’t you? All the proposals you’ve brought back after winning military achievements amount to welfare legislation for that district.”
“Military….”
“It’s fine for you to cling to your meager principles alone, but why did you have to indoctrinate your friend with them?”
He leaned close to Enoch’s ear and whispered.
“You’re the one who killed Axion.”
Enoch trembled violently.
His wide blue eyes were streaked with burst capillaries.
Nicholas barely suppressed his laughter as he continued.
“You have so much to protect, don’t you? So don’t climb any higher, Enoch. Don’t try to tear down this tower that I’ve built so solidly.”
“…….”
“No matter how much nerve you show,”
In that narrow space between them, their eyes met with piercing intensity.
“The only thing you can safely keep is your own life. Nothing more than that.”
Nicholas stepped back a few paces with a soft chuckle and clasped his hands behind his back.
“I’ll allow you to collect your comrade’s remains yourself. I should show at least this much mercy.”
Enoch’s fists trembled.
His rage burned, but he couldn’t lash out recklessly.
He understood all too well what consequences would follow from any action that challenged the emperor’s authority.
“Don’t make such a frightened face. Who knows? Axion is a capable man—he might very well survive.”
Without another word, Enoch turned and walked out of the office without even a farewell.
“Heh.”
For all his insolence, Nicholas felt nothing but delight.
That expression….
Enoch’s face, trembling helplessly while suppressing his rage—it was too exquisite to behold.
“Uh, uh!”
Left alone, Nicholas let loose the laughter he’d been holding back.
“Ahahaha!!!”

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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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