My Daddy Hides His Power - Chapter 34

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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 34
“This is from when we went out to play last time! I said it was pretty, and Theo bought it for me.”
“Theo did?”
At Father’s question, Theo flinched.
It was rather expensive, wasn’t it….
“Actually, Aunt, this was extremely expensive… I wanted it so badly that I threw a tantrum. Please don’t scold my brother.”
“Oh, no. Dear. No.”
Aunt was simply overjoyed at the fact that Theo’s seizures had stopped, wiping her glistening eyes as she embraced me.
“Sister, we should call a Priestess to examine Theo’s condition more carefully.”
“Hmm? It’s a known illness. Why a Priestess?”
“I suspect the reason his seizures have lessened is because of that pendant. It’s not merely jewelry—it’s a Demon Beast Core.”
“What, what?”
Aunt was astonished.
Theo, equally bewildered, looked down at the pendant in his hand.
Father’s peculiar gaze, strangely enough, was not on the pendant but on me….
‘Phew, in any case, success. The protagonist really never falls into the embarrassment trap, after all.’
I was truly grateful to have Father here.
* * *
That afternoon, Priestesses from the Temple visited the Rubinstein Duchy Mansion.
And… a method to counteract the rare illness “Mana Collision,” which had claimed the lives of gifted individuals over centuries, came to light.
“It appears that the force of the collision was subdued by temporarily raising the levels of mana power within the body.”
Ordia, who had been anxious, seized the Priestess’s forearm as she murmured over the pendant.
“Then, if our Theo carries this with him, he won’t have any more seizures?”
“Yes, ma’am. As you know, Mana Collision afflicts those gifted individuals who possess exactly a 50 to 50 ratio of Holy Power and mana power within their bodies. Normally, one side maintains even a slight advantage.”
The distinction between Able Users and Holy Knights and Dark Swordmasters was determined by whichever power was dominant.
But Theo was a rare gifted individual with that 50 to 50 ratio.
“It seems the Demonic Aura within the Demon Beast Core elevated Theo’s mana power levels, preventing the two forces from colliding.”
“…Is such a thing possible? The child who has suffered for years, and the cure was merely that?”
Nordic, who stood nearby with anxiety no less than Ordia’s, posed the question, and the Priestess nodded.
“Yes. We ourselves never imagined that external Demonic Aura could exert influence in such a manner, but this appears to be the most favorable solution available.”
“Oh, Divine One…. Our dear child, now….”
“Sister.”
As Ordia’s voice faltered, Enoch moved to support her.
The Priestess smiled at the sight of their relief.
“However, the levels of Holy Power and mana power will eventually become balanced again, so until a fundamental cure is discovered, it would be best to continue obtaining and carrying Demon Beast Cores in this manner. Then there should be no further seizures.”
“Ah, how can this be…. Thank you, truly thank you….”
“Not at all. Rather, we are grateful to you. Mana Collision has always been an incurable disease that torments our Temple Healing Department….”
The Priestess added, looking toward Enoch.
“Duke, how did you arrive at the idea of using a Demon Beast Core to resolve Mana Collision?”
As the Priestess asked in wonder, Enoch hesitated.
Truth be told, he had never considered it.
The Demonic Aura possessed by Demon Beasts differed from that of humans, and he had not known that external mana power could resonate with intrinsic mana power.
‘Lilis….’
Enoch turned his daughter’s name over in his mouth for a moment.
“It was chance. My daughter had been carrying this like a plaything. When she happened to approach her cousin, his condition improved.”
“Ah, I see. Such fortune must surely be Divine providence. Lady Ordia’s prayers have reached the heavens.”
“I agree. Right now, I cannot express my heart in words. These days, there is nothing but gratitude. Enoch has returned…. And Lilis, that little one…. She saved our Theo….”
As Nordic drew near to comfort her, Ordia wept in her father’s embrace.
With a great burden lifted, their expressions were more peaceful than ever before.
Only Enoch bore a peculiar glint in his eyes.
‘Lilis….’
His daughter had merely held it, not even knowing what it was, because it appeared pretty, or so she’d said.
But… to call it mere chance seemed odd, given how she had drawn the pendant from her bag as if she’d been waiting for that very moment.
Even the way she’d rushed to her seizing cousin without a trace of surprise.
‘Was it truly just coincidence?’
Enoch’s eyes narrowed in thought.
* * *
That afternoon, Ceshier lingered outside Theo’s room.
From what he’d gleaned, Theo suffered from a congenital rare illness, and these seizures were a monthly occurrence.
‘What on earth is wrong with him that it’s gotten so bad?’
She wanted to know if he’d recovered, but she lacked the courage to knock on Theo’s door.
‘No. What business is it of mine? I’m just a commoner staying here on charity.’
Ceshier turned away.
That was when it happened.
“Hey, hey, hey!”
“Ceshier!”
It was Leon and Lilis. Beside them came Ordia and the servants.
“Did you come to see Theo?”
“Ceshier, our brother is better now and sleeping!”
“Ah, yes.”
Ceshier answered, and from the corner of her eye, she glanced at Ordia standing beside them.
The Duke’s sister….
The beautiful noblewoman in fine clothes carried herself with such grace it seemed to overflow from her very being.
“So you’re Ceshier. The one Enoch brought with him.”
“…Yes.”
Ceshier felt awkward.
Enoch had told her about the adults living with him at the Duke’s house, but they’d agreed she should avoid encountering them if possible.
Even if Enoch didn’t mind, the others certainly wouldn’t welcome someone like her.
“Leon tells me you helped our Theo until the servants arrived. Thank you for that.”
Could what she’d done really be called helping?
She’d only held down his arms and legs as he thrashed in agony.
“Oh my.”
Ceshier was startled. Ordia had bent her knees slightly, bringing her face close.
“You’ve been wounded.”
Only after hearing those words did she notice the sting beneath her jaw and near her neck—scratches from Theo’s fingernails when she’d been holding him.
“I’m all righ—”
“Please tend to the child.”
“Yes, my lady.”
The servants bowed their heads.
Ceshier felt bewildered.
There was no contempt in their eyes for a commoner like her, and her smiling face held a simple, unaffected kindness.
‘The people in this family really are all strange in their own way.’
For someone whose every word and gesture exuded aristocratic bearing, her manner was oddly unexpected.
“Aunt, Aunt!”
Lilis, watching Ceshier’s expression, giggled and took Ordia’s hand.
“They say we’re having apple purée for dessert today. Would you have dinner with us later?”
“My goodness, when our little darling asks so sweetly, how could I possibly refuse? Of course we shall.”
“Father and Ceshier too!”
Lilis took Ceshier’s hand.
“Hey, what about me!”
“Of course you’re eating with me!”
Leon’s face brightened in an instant, and he pulled Lilis into an embrace.
Ordia watched the scene unfold with contentment, then clapped her hands together.
“The weather should be nice and cool in the evening. Shall we set a table outside?”
“Yes, wonderful!”
As Ceshier listened quietly to their warm, familial conversation, her eyes met Lilis’s.
Looking at Lilis’s bright smile, she felt….
A slight flutter in her chest.
It was a feeling she’d never experienced before.
* * *
Time passed and passed.
Four days had already gone by, and the Rubinstein Duchy Mansion remained in a festival atmosphere.
They had found a solution to the rare illness that had tormented Theo his entire life.
I’d also heard that Duke Antrace—my uncle by marriage, that is—would soon return to Jedo.
‘A central aristocrat, abandoning family matters to conduct an expedition abroad….’
It was something I learned later: my uncle, who loved his son dearly, had been traveling all over the world searching for a cure for Theo’s condition.
Fortunately, my uncle could now return to his family permanently, and my aunt and the twins were overjoyed at the news.
Hehe. It was all thanks to me.
“Ahhh, how wonderful….”
I lay in the sunny garden, looking up at Theo sitting beside me.
“Hehe.”
“Haha.”
Theo laughed along with me, then flopped down beside me. Ever since that day, he’d stuck to my side like glue.
“Lilis, your birthday’s coming up soon, isn’t it?”
“Mm-hmm!”
“What should I get you as a gift?”
“There’s no need. You being completely healed now and free from pain—that’s the best gift I could ask for.”
“Oh, Lilis….”
“Brother….”
“Ugh, you two are laying it on thick. Really.”
Right on cue, Leon dumped a bucket of cold water on our touching sibling moment.
“Where the hell did Ceshier get off to?”
“Right here.”
Speak of the devil—Ceshier appeared from behind, wiping sweat from his neck with the towel draped there.
“Ceshier!”
I grabbed the waterskin I’d prepared and scampered over to him.

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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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