One Day, My Dad Disappeared - Chapter 5

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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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Chapter 5
Dad said it was a coincidence.

On that day—an ordinary day, fighting a monster that had burst through the Gate.
An ominous light rippling as though the very air had torn open.
From that void poured insectoid creatures, their rough wings beating so frantically that people could not even scream, let alone open their eyes properly.
Each time those unnaturally long forearms swung like sickles, bodies fell like shredded paper—severed before anyone could cry out.
Torn banners and blood painted the ground in every direction.

‘I never thought I’d die like this…’

Dad, alone and resigned to his fate, had closed his eyes—and in that moment, the Magnetite Mine nearby collapsed with a deafening roar.
Crash!
A torrent of magnetite tumbled down, engulfing the area around the Gate, and Dad saw it.
The empty air reacting to the magnetite chunks, thrashing wildly as if possessed.
An invisible force radiating from the magnetic field—the Gate pressed shut, crushed by that very power.
To survive that hellish scene, Dad clung to a Magnetite Ore Stone stained with his fallen comrades’ blood and crawled through the chaos, understanding one truth.
This invisible wave was the only key to sealing this gate of hell.
“Scholars pursued formal research on the Magnetic Field and created Neodymium, which they installed across the Empire. Gate occurrences dropped sharply after that—and eventually ceased entirely.”
“…If that’s true, then your father really was a hero of the Empire.”
I continued explaining more about Dad. Aidan, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke.
“So how did you end up with him?”
“I was abandoned in front of a Gate.”
“What?”
His expression twisted. Yes—even Aidan, arrogant as he was, found my biological parents despicable.
“Ironic, isn’t it? My real parents left me there hoping I’d die. Dad happened to be on assignment nearby and found me. He raised me after that. He was only twenty-two at the time—an unmarried man raising a baby. I can’t even imagine how hard that must have been.”
My throat tightened.
The one being in this world who loved me more than my birth parents ever could. My dad.
Which was why I had to find out what happened to him, no matter what—and how to bring him back to me.
I opened the diary and asked, “Where should we start?”
“Which section would be best?”
“To trace clues in an incident, working backward is usually most effective.”
I agreed—reverse analysis made sense.
“This is the part we already read.”
I turned the page forward.
“Let’s start here and read slowly.”
One diary. Two people.
We had no choice but to sit close and read together.

[Wondering what to wear to Cynthia’s graduation. All I have are worn clothes from mercenary work, so I spent ages deciding. Finally borrowed a formal suit from Theodore—the one he wore to Edward’s wedding. He griped about the sleeves and pant legs being too short, said I shouldn’t wear it then, so I spent time coaxing him. Anyway, this guy’s cheapskate for a man.]

“Not exactly earth-shattering stuff.”
“That’s what diaries are like, though.”
I shrugged. To be honest, I was amazed Dad had kept a diary at all—he was warmhearted but not particularly meticulous.
Aidan turned the page forward again.
“He didn’t write every day. Looks like he only wrote when something happened.”

[Ran into Arthur after a long time. It had been six months since he left for a job in the Southern Region—half a year. The whole meal he went on about how peaceful the South is, how beautiful the scenery. Non-stop.]

“Even those entries don’t seem like serious incidents.”
He was right. The diary contained only trivial details.
“If your father got caught up in something major, wouldn’t a work log be more helpful than a diary?”
“I’d prefer that too, but all of Dad’s things vanished.”
“Still, you never know. The diary survived, so maybe a work log did too. Why not check with the Mercenary Unit?”
That made sense. Even if Dad’s personal log was gone, the Mercenary Unit might have records of his assignments for administrative purposes.
“You might have a point there.”
“Then go look for it tomorrow. For now, let’s finish reading this.”
I nodded and reached to turn the page. Aidan did the same.
We both startled and pulled our hands back. Oh no—I’d never even held hands with a man besides Dad!
“Making such a fuss over barely touching hands.”
“Fuss? Fussing over what? I wasn’t fussing!”
“Your face is beet red.”
I turned away quickly. Was it? Had it turned red?
I pressed my cheek with the back of my hand, but I couldn’t tell.
It felt warm, maybe? But hands are always warm anyway!
I glanced sideways. Aidan, who’d seemed startled at first, was now reading the diary as if nothing had happened.
“Come on, let’s look together.”
For a while after that, we examined the diary side by side, but there was nothing of real substance. Occasional mentions of work appeared, but no precise place names—just vague notes like “headed south.”
“Well, from what we’ve seen so far, there’s nothing particularly useful here.”
“The Mercenary Work Log seems more promising. I’ll arrange for you to take tomorrow off. Go and find it.”
Why was Aidan being so considerate?
“But when you find the work log, make sure we look at it together.”
I wondered if we really needed to examine it together, but he’d probably say it was to confirm I was in my right mind.
I was determined to find out where my father was, if only to prove I wasn’t being unreasonable about this.
“I should get going. It’s getting late.”
Outside, the darkness had indeed deepened considerably.
“Shall I call a carriage for you?”
“Does this house have its own carriage driver?”
“Of course not.”
I shrugged lightly.
“I meant to call a public carriage.”
Aidan scoffed at my offer and gathered his coat.
“A public carriage? Do you want to spread word all over town that I’ve been here with you until this hour?”
“Of course not!”
Aidan Winsloe is one of the most sought-after bachelor prospects in the Empire.
If people learned that he’d spent late hours alone with me at my house?
“Ugh.”
Goosebumps prickled across my skin, and I rubbed my arms vigorously.
“Never mind. I’ll just walk.”
“But the distance is considerable.”
“My legs are longer than yours, so I’ll be fine.”
With that, Aidan refused even an escort and left quickly—clearly anxious someone might see him being shown out.
“I don’t like it either, for what it’s worth.”
I stuck my tongue out at the closed door behind him.

The next day, I took the first carriage down to Robeang Village.
“Hello!”
As soon as I arrived, I found the Mercenary Unit. Even though it wasn’t yet noon, mercenaries without active assignments were sitting in chairs, drinking. It was a familiar scene.
“Cynthia—what brings you here? Aren’t you working?”
Familiar faces welcomed me.
“I came to ask for a favor.”
“A favor? Does our unit have some task you need done?”
“Yes. I need the Mercenary Work Log.”
But before I could even finish speaking, the cheerful chatter and the clink of cups that had filled the midday air fell silent as if it had never been.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t just show you the work log.”
Derek, the head of the Mercenary Unit, shook his head.
“Why not?”
My father had shown me the work log a few times when he was writing it here.
“Because many people have entrusted us with confidential work.”
“I see…”
“Why do you need the Mercenary Work Log anyway? Is this some business for an Imperial Court official?”
At Derek’s question, I quickly shook my head. The last thing I needed was for this to escalate.
“No, that’s not it…”
What could I say? Should I lie and take it? But he’d find out soon enough. Should I steal it?
But if it suddenly went missing, I’d be the first suspect for even mentioning the Mercenary Work Log.
I was biting my lip and staring at my feet when the old wooden door creaked open loudly. At the same moment, a familiar voice cut through the room.
“Would things be different if this were an official request from the Winsloe Duke Family?”
My head snapped up. Standing in the doorway was Aidan, an arrogant smile on his face.
Imperial Records 5
Imperial Calendar, Year 545. Month X
The installation of Neodymium across the Empire has been completed. With this, the Empire may be said to have achieved victory in its war with the Gate. The Imperial Court has decided to hold a memorial service to honor the spirits of those sacrificed to the Gate and to comfort the families left behind.
Yet we must remember that Neodymium is, at best, a device to seal the Gate temporarily—not its complete annihilation. I offer this prayer with earnest hope that the protection of the goddess Solatie will remain with the Empire, and with these words, I conclude this account.

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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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