One Day, My Dad Disappeared - Chapter 7

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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 7
“The Gate is perfectly controlled by Neodymium right now. But what if the Monsters beyond the Gate have devised a way to counter it, just as we discovered Neodymium?”
He crossed his legs and rested his chin on his hand.
“And if those Monsters hold a grudge against your father—the one who sealed the Gate shut forever?”
“You mean… the Monsters actually took my father?”
A chill crawled down my spine.
Of course, since the Gate had been sealed shut eighteen years ago, I had no direct memory of the Monsters.
But I’d studied the records countless times.
Animal-type Monsters with massive fangs and razor-sharp claws; insect-type Monsters with steel-like forelegs and dozens of eyes.
Their forms varied, but they were all creatures that hunted humans. It took at least three or four armed men just to bring down a single one.
That’s why I’d always been so proud of my father for being such a great hero.
“Listen, don’t cry. This is all speculation. If they wanted revenge, they could have just killed him outright instead of kidnapping him.”
I wanted to snap that that wasn’t exactly comforting, but since I wanted to think positively, I nodded instead.
“Anyway, this much is certain: the moment you tried to remember your father, someone completely erased that memory. Whether it was Hypnosis, Brainwashing, or however such a thing is even possible—I don’t know. But judging by the mark that appeared then, there’s a good chance it’s connected to the Gate. Though again, it’s only a possibility. Someone might be trying to make it look like the Gate is coming back to life.”
“Who? Why would they?”
“There are Gate-worshipping organizations.”
Gate-worshipping organizations. Aclo.
They viewed the Monsters beyond the Gate as emissaries of God, pruning away this rotting world.

“Humans who desecrate nature and wallow in indulgence! Accept God’s judgment!”
“Be reborn through death!”

They believed the beings from beyond the Gate had descended to swallow humanity and plant a new race. They condemned my father as a Blasphemer who rejected the Gate’s sentence.
“That does seem more plausible, actually.”
Aclo had attempted to terrorize my father several times. Of course, lacking the strength to accomplish anything physical, all those attempts had failed.
“We learned that Monsters have no intelligence. They’re just mindless killers who revel in slaughter.”
“Yeah, that’s what I was taught too. But I’ve never seen one myself, so who knows.”
A Monster with no intelligence wouldn’t be able to discover how to counter Neodymium’s effects, or kidnap my father and erase him from existence.
“So we have to keep all possibilities open. Just as you said, there might be clues in the work logs. Besides, we do have proof that your father existed.”
“Yes, you’re right.”
I pulled a notebook from the top of the pile toward me.
There were more than I’d expected, but since my father’s name had been erased, it should be easy to spot.
“By the way, why did you come to Robéanne Village?”
“Is there a problem with me visiting my family’s territory?”
“Well, no, but…”
“Without me, you wouldn’t have gotten those work logs in the first place.”
It was an arrogant thing to say, but true. Before Aeidan arrived, I’d been considering whether I should steal the logs.
“You’re right. I’m grateful for them.”
At my thanks, he turned his head sharply away. But he’d overlooked one thing: there was no Umbrella here.
Which meant his ears—as red as his hair—were perfectly visible.
So Aeidan’s ears turned red when he was embarrassed. Unexpectedly cute.

The carriage, which had been moving so smoothly I hadn’t noticed it was running, came to a slow stop. Looking out, I saw we were in front of my house.
I’d thought he’d drop me off as soon as we entered the Capital.
“Thank you. It was a comfortable journey because of you.”
“Forget it. I was passing by anyway.”
“Your estate is in the opposite direction from our house.”
“I’m heading to the Gate Research Institute.”
“What?”
“If the Gate might be involved in this situation, I have to investigate. If something like that actually happens, it would be a catastrophe.”
I’d been focused on finding my father, but it seemed people in high positions thought much further ahead. No wonder he was called Lord Aeidan.
“Here, in the meantime, you investigate this.”
He handed over the stack of notebooks he’d brought from the Mercenary Unit.
“A day should be enough time, right?”
“What? All of it? But you said we’d look at them together!”
“I believe in you now.”
With those words, Aeidan truly left.
“…What?”
So he was saying he believed my father was alive?
Someone believed in my words. Somehow, just knowing that made it easier to breathe.
“Wait, hold on—this isn’t the time to be happy about this. You still haven’t apologized to me, have you?”
You should’ve asked for an apology for treating me like I was crazy!
I was too flustered to say anything.
I set down my notebook on the floor with a grumble.
Still, for Aeidan to actually say he trusts someone—that’s surprising. Really surprising.
“But seriously, you want me to get through all this by tomorrow? That’s unreasonable.”
Father must have more than one or two things on his plate!
“Fine, let’s get started.”
I pulled a black rubber band from the table and tied my hair back tight, then brewed a strong pot of coffee.
If I was going to organize everything here and report it all to Aeidan tomorrow, I’d have to sacrifice sleep.

* * *

Aeidan’s gaze drifted sideways without thinking.
He found himself remembering silver hair that had gleamed in the sunlight until just moments ago.
“Hmm.”
Cynthia Violeta.
During his three years at the Academy, Aeidan had never been able to understand her.
A commoner by birth, she held a noble title she couldn’t even use thanks to her dead parents, yet she persisted at the Academy regardless.
Indifferent to the scorn of other nobles, her expression never wavered.
He could still vividly recall the sight of her during exam periods—hair tied back carelessly, dark circles under her eyes, the smell of cheap coffee filling the library wherever she went.
Had it not been for Cynthia, he would have been top of his class for all three years at the Academy.
Now she pursued her missing father with that same fierce determination. More relentlessly than anyone else.
“I should have… apologized.”
Startled by his own murmur, Aeidan glanced around reflexively, even though he knew no one was there.
An apology—the sole heir of the Winslow Family apologizing? It made no sense.
“But still. I suppose I do need to help her.”
Now that he knew her father actually existed.
“Young master, we’ve arrived.”
He lifted his head at the coachman’s voice.
The imposing structure of the Gate Research Institute came into view through the carriage window.
What had once begun in a small warehouse had now become unmistakably the empire’s vital heart.
This was because the institute controlled the Neodymium across the entire continent.
Upon learning of Aeidan’s sudden visit, the institute director Stanley came rushing out.
“Oh my, it would have been better if you’d given us advance notice, sir.”
“Why? Do you have something to hide?”
“W-what? Of course not, sir.”
Stanley shook his head frantically. A misunderstanding would be catastrophic. The Gate Research Institute had grown to this point because of the Winslow Family’s generous support in its early days.
“What brings you here today, sir?”
“I need some records.”
“Oh, if you’d only mentioned it beforehand, I would have had everything sorted and ready for you! What exactly do you need?”
With each bow, the few remaining strands of his hair swayed gently in the breeze.
“All records from the first Gate that appeared to the last one. And the Neodymium research logs as well.”
“All of it, sir?”
His short legs, which had been hurrying to keep up, came to an abrupt stop.
“Is there a problem?”
“No, no, sir! Only that the volume is so vast it will take some time to gather……”
“I don’t care. Bring it all. Not a single thing missing.”
“Y-yes, sir!”
Aeidan strolled leisurely after the figure hurrying away.

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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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