My Daddy Hides His Power - Chapter 67

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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
Episode 67
“C-c-commander!”
Philip hurried after Enoch, nearly tripping over his own feet.
“What.”
“Since we set out, you haven’t rested for even a minute. Before we move to the next region, wouldn’t it be wise to grab some sleep?”
“You.”
Enoch stopped and looked down at Philip.
“Are you tired?”
“Sir?”
“Then go home.”
Enoch snatched the map from Philip’s hands in one swift motion.
“No! That’s not—!”
Philip scrambled to retrieve the map from Enoch’s grasp.
“How could I be tired, sir? I haven’t even drawn my sword yet. You’d think I came along as your personal secretary, not as part of the suppression force….”
“Then keep going. We’re running out of time. It has to be done within a month.”
“Of course, sir.”
Enoch had set the one-month deadline to align with his daughter’s graduation from the Academy.
“Though, thinking back to my own Academy days—I graduated rather quickly myself, but it still took half a year, you know?”
“You’re not like her. My daughter’s a genius. She’ll be out in exactly one month.”
“Of course, of course. She’s brilliant, that’s for sure. Lilis is a prodigy. There were rumors all over Jedo that even the Mage Tower’s director had their eye on her.”
Philip nodded vigorously, as though struck by sudden inspiration.
“And when her rank comes through, there’ll be an uproar. We haven’t seen a Dos in years, so the atmosphere’s been positively grim, and then Lilis just…!”
Philip’s animated voice gradually faltered and died.
Enoch’s expression had darkened like a sky choked with storm clouds.
‘That tone-deaf fool.’
Axion, walking silently beside them, clicked his tongue inwardly.
After all, Enoch was the very person who had bequeathed such an extraordinary rank to his daughter, and he’d been gnawing on his worries ever since.
Lilis was a 1st Class, a Dos—no examination needed.
Upon graduating from the Academy, she would be conscripted directly into the Imperial Army as a child soldier.
Enoch had steeled himself to wage an invasion war itself just to secure an exemption from military service for his daughter.
“Sigh.”
Enoch stopped, tilted his head back, and pressed his eyes shut.
“Has she eaten….”
“Not yet, sir!”
“Not you.”
“Ah?”
Philip laughed awkwardly.
“Lilis?”
“Do they serve decent meals at the Academy these days? Back in my time, the food was absolutely wretched.”
Enoch sighed and resumed walking.
But within a few steps, he stopped again, pressed his hand to his forehead, and furrowed his brow.
“Damn it…. I’m already forgetting what my daughter looks like….”
“Hey.”
Unable to bear watching Enoch create a scene with every step, Axion ground his teeth.
“It’s been one day since she enrolled. One day.”
“That’s all? Just one day?”
“Are you insane?”
It was disturbing.
“This is a disease. Separation anxiety.”
“You’re right.”
Enoch spoke with perfect seriousness.
“My princess must have it too. What if she misses her father and starts crying?”
“That seems unlikely. Being separated from a father like you, she’s probably experiencing her first taste of freedom in her entire life.”
“What do you know.”
Enoch bristled.
Philip, who had been watching their exchange with amusement, spoke up.
“Sir, given how much you love your daughter, how will you ever manage when she marries?”
“What did you just say?”
Enoch spun around sharply, and Philip flinched.
“Did I… did I say something wrong?”
“…….”
After a moment, Enoch stroked his chin with a grave expression.
It was the face of someone who had never once imagined a future of marrying off his seven-year-old daughter.
“Now that you mention it, I’m worried. Our girl hates being apart from me even a little—I wonder if she could ever manage marriage.”
Enoch nodded lightly to himself, as if reaching a conclusion.
“There’s nothing for it. If she says she won’t marry, I’ll just have to keep her with me for life, won’t I?”
A father’s wish, entirely without regard for his daughter’s own desires.
Axion and Philip shook their heads in dismay.
* * *
The next morning.
A letter arrived for me, along with a mountain of snacks.
The senders were my twin brothers.
For some reason, even before opening the letter, my chest tightened, and I found myself thinking of my college friends from my past life who’d gone to military service.
‘Oh, you guys. I remember how you all used to sing about letters, letters when you entered basic training. Now I think I finally understand how you felt.’
It had been only three days since I was locked away in the Academy, and the letter and gift were so welcome I felt tears welling up.
[My beloved sister Lilis!
It’s Theo. Leon’s here with me too.
I’m holding the pen since my handwriting is better.
We miss you so much we could cry.
Without you, the house feels completely gloomy. Everyone’s become so quiet.
How is the Academy?
Are you making lots of friends?
Leon asked me to tell you—and I’m sure it won’t happen, but if anyone bullies you, just write down their names.
I’ll tear them apart.
Leon wrote that part above. Ignore it.
You’re eating properly, aren’t you?
I remember the Academy food tasting awful, so I’m worried.
I’m sending you the snacks you like. Share them with your friends.
I sent some separately for Cheshire, so don’t worry about that.
Even if the food isn’t good, don’t skip meals. Stay strong and do well with your training, then come back home.
We’re waiting for you. Love you!
P.S.: Oh! Father’s returned to Jedo. He’s really sorry he couldn’t see you.
So he says he can’t wait until you graduate—he’s coming to visit you!]
“Wow, I’m so jealous, Lilis.”
“Did the noble sons of Antrace really send this?”
“You’re totally loved.”
My roommates gazed enviously at the beautifully wrapped snacks.
“Let’s all eat together!”
“Really?”
“Yep! There’s plenty.”
I watched my friends happily unwrap the snacks, then reread the postscript of the letter.
‘The Duke of Antrace is back! Uncle’s returned!’
News of Uncle’s return—the man who had abandoned his family duties and wandered outside to cure Theo’s illness.
In the original story, Uncle only appeared after Theo died, but his presence was considerable.
Well, it made sense; he was an executive of the Revolutionary Army, after all.
‘But how is he going to come see me?’
The Academy didn’t allow visitors.
If you didn’t graduate within a year, you’d face grade retention, and only students who’d been at the Academy for a year and been held back were given the chance for overnight leave.
‘Well, I can think about it all I want, but I don’t really know.’
I folded the letter neatly and set it aside, then pulled a piece of chocolate from the snack bundle.
Then I approached Jem, who was still lying on the bed with only the back of her crimson head visible.
“Jem, are you awake? Don’t you have morning classes?”
Jem always kept to herself. Even when I invited her to go to the dining hall, she’d ignore me.
The moment she came to the room, she’d lie down facing the wall like this, making it hard to even talk to her.
“Lilis, you really do talk to her constantly. She doesn’t even answer.”
“Lilis must be an angel or something. Just leave her alone. It’s annoying.”
Alisha and Michelle grumbled.
I turned around and silently gestured for them to stop, then placed the chocolate by Jem’s pillow.
“Let’s eat snacks together. The chocolate’s really good. I have to go to class, so… I’ll leave this here for you, okay?”
* * *
The classroom ten minutes before the lesson began, restless with anticipation.
I sat atop Cheshire’s desk, swinging my short legs while lost in thought.
‘I’ve looked everywhere, but where on earth is he hiding?’
The truth was, the moment I arrived at the Academy, I’d set about searching for one of the original story’s key characters.
A commoner mercenary of extraordinary power!
His name was Jemian Traha!
He had an event that would bring him together with Cheshire at the Academy.
“Cheshire, do you happen to know any boys from other rooms that you’ve gotten close to?”
“I don’t have friends.”
“…That’s something to brag about.”
“Why are you asking that?”
“There’s someone I’m curious about. His name is Jemian Traha. He’s in the same Body Technique section as you, has a white nameplate, red hair. He’s probably repeating a grade like you, so he’s probably about your age? And fairly tall….”
“And he’s handsome?”
“Huh?”
Out of the blue?
“Isn’t he?”
“I don’t even know what his face looks like.”
“Then why are you looking for someone you don’t even know the face of?”
“No, wait. Something about what you’re saying feels off. You’re making it sound like I’m trying to find him because he’s handsome, but why?”
“…Because you like good-looking people.”
“……?”
“Isn’t that why Gerard Schmidt tried to get close to you too?”
I stood there dumbfounded, my mouth falling open.
Of course, there’s nobody who dislikes beautiful or handsome people.
But I’d tried to get close to Gerard Schmidt for a different reason, not because he was handsome!
“That’s a complete misunderstanding.”
“All right.”
“It’s a misunderstanding, I’m telling you!”
“I understand.”
“You don’t understand anything! Don’t lie! Your eyes are clouded right now! Your disbelief is written all over your face!”
Suddenly accused of being a shallow fool, I felt utterly wronged.
“It’s fine. I understand.”
“No, listen here. What exactly do you understand? I’m telling you it’s not like that.”
“All right then.”
Cheshire looked at me intently.
“…Why did you say you liked me after seeing me just twice?”
Oh, right.
I had said that.
I’d tracked him down to the marquis’s estate after a single encounter and declared “I like you” on our second meeting.
‘But I can’t not like the protagonist! I spent all eight volumes of the original story watching you closely!’
But of course, Cheshire, unaware of this fact, had every reason to misunderstand.
Coming to my house, becoming my friend….
All the precious time we’d built together so far might be dismissed in his mind as something that would never have happened if I’d found him less beautiful!
‘That won’t do!’
I had to clear up this misunderstanding.
Seized with urgency, I hopped down from Cheshire’s desk and faced him directly.
Then I slapped both palms down on the desk with a bang.
“What?”
“Listen carefully!”
I met Cheshire’s eyes, hoping my sincerity would come through.
“It’s not your face I like. It’s you—you as a person. Even if your face turned into something as hideous as a shriveled, moldy bun!”
“…….”
“I would still like you!”
Cheshire’s eyes widened.
And then.
“Wow, woooow.”
“Ooooh.”
Clap-clap-clap—.
At the sound of applause filling the classroom, I spun around in alarm.

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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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