Raising the Grand Duke of the North as a Farmer Behind Dad’s Back - Chapter 42

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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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Episode 42
‘Well… I heard he’s been occupied with searching for the missing Prince and handling four Monster Subjugations, so it’s understandable if he’s worn out.’
No matter how formidable a Holy Power wielder he was, exhaustion would be natural.
“In any case.”
The neat Holy Knight lifted his downcast eyes then, raising his gaze sharply.
“I’m grateful you managed to create the true Cure, Duke Lowen.”
“Yes. The Divine has blessed the Eastern Region.”
Dantelion studied the Duke quietly as he smiled gently.
Duke Lowen had vanished for several days before suddenly reappearing with a formula for the Cure.
He’d kept the details strictly confidential, so no one learned the specifics.
He’d merely been fortunate enough to receive help from a rural farmer living in seclusion, and to uncover some long-forgotten family secrets of House Lowen.
Having produced the Cure with remarkable speed, the Duke distributed it throughout his own territory and sold the remainder to the Royal Court.
Since contamination might exist in other regions, the Crown would purchase and distribute it as they saw fit.
“You truly won’t disclose the detailed manufacturing process?”
“I won’t.”
“Not even information about the primary ingredient?”
“I’m afraid not, Dantelion.”
Duke Lowen smiled.
“Of course, in time the secret will come to light… but for now—especially regarding the primary ingredient—I’d prefer to keep it under wraps. Surely you understand.”
…….
“I myself suffered considerable losses this year due to crop failure. So I must find ways to replenish my depleted coffers.”
He had shifted seamlessly into the sharp countenance of a calculating lord.
“It’s a matter of trade secrets, after all. I hope you can appreciate that.”
The primary ingredient of the Cure: the Pig-nose Mushroom.
The moment the Duke saw that mushroom—reputed to possess both purifying properties against Land Contamination and boundless healing effects—he thought it clear.
‘This is it.’
‘I can launch an entirely new venture.’
A new pharmaceutical business based on the Pig-nose Mushroom as its primary ingredient.
And so, upon his return.
He had additionally secured a contract for regular, steady supply of Pig-nose Mushrooms.
Naturally, it was a properly compensated agreement.
Since the Northern Region didn’t yet have the resources for pharmaceutical research, this would prove advantageous for Basil as well. The supply price had been set extraordinarily high—it would become a steady stream of income for the North.
And if some new therapeutic benefit for human use were discovered later, that would be truly exceptional.
Duke Lowen smiled with satisfaction.
…….
Dantelion, who had been watching him with an inscrutable gaze, nodded gravely.
“I understand perfectly what you’re saying.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
The Holy Knight clad in Silver Armor rose to his feet with a soft rustling. He offered a brief bow.
“I must apologize once more, in any case.”
…….
“For failing to apprehend the perpetrator in Zone Z immediately and allowing him to reach the Eastern Region… that was an oversight on my part.”
“Ha. How could that be an oversight of the Holy Knight Order?”
…….
“If anything, it was the fault of certain nobles who excessively sealed off the Slums, and the soldiers who allowed them to slip away en route. But since everything has been resolved well, there’s no cause for concern now.”
…….
“Moreover, thanks to your efforts, hasn’t our Eastern Region now secured a supply arrangement for some of the Preservation Seeds the Temple held in reserve?”
Having concluded his business, the Duke rose to his feet. He gestured toward the box once more.
“In any case, please accept this gift graciously.”
…….
“Since it comes from someone I owe a great debt to, I’d also ask for your prayers.”
Dantelion gripped the box firmly.
“I understand.”
* * *
Left alone, Dantelion gazed down at the box quietly.
He kept up appearances of normalcy, but the truth was his body was in terrible condition.
He’d sustained numerous injuries—large and small—from the recent Monster Subjugations, and the Holy Power Contamination had left his memories of the battles themselves hazy and fragmented.
Yet as a Holy Knight, he could not abandon his duties.
If he could offer up his life for the Divine, even that would be glory.
‘But before that.’
Long fingers traced the surface of the box.
‘Duke Lowen didn’t tell me everything.’
Something beyond merely the recipe for a Cure.
‘Now that I think about it…….’
“Since it’s a request from someone I owe a great debt to, I shall offer my prayers as well.”
Who was this benefactor?
Words that would normally have provoked sharp attention now seeped into his consciousness with deliberate slowness.
“…….”
But the agony wrought by contaminated Holy Power left his mind sluggish, unable to function.
His weary eyes wandered through empty air. Even as he gasped beneath the pain, he clutched the Prayer Pendant to his chest without release.
Last season.
He had certainly been pursuing someone…….
Who was it.
“That the criminal from Zone Z escaped and made it to the Eastern Region without immediate capture is also a failure on my part.”
Ah, the fugitives from Zone Z.
He should never have let them slip away.
Had they been connected to Heretical Magic, he should have delivered judgment with this blade…….
‘No.’
That wasn’t the reason.
It wasn’t that at all.
There was someone he must have met, someone he failed to meet that day……. And because of that…….
Shreeeee—
His mind refused to think further. A stabbing headache seized him, and he pressed his palms against his skull.
“…….”
After a moment of labored breathing, he found himself gazing at the box as if entranced.
A red scarf caught his eye.
It was an object that emanated an oddly mystical presence.
Without thinking, he reached out and carefully took the scarf into his hand.
In that instant.
……What is this?
His violet eyes widened slightly.
The Holy Power dwelling within the scarf seeped into his body as if it had been waiting.
“……!”
Whoooosh—
[Red Scarf Imbued with Haniel’s Purifying Force (x1,000)]
– A mysteriously auspicious red scarf
– Bestows the Blessing of Purification upon the wearer
– Happiness and good fortune to my beloved father
[Tip] According to the sender’s intention, the receiver cannot detect this Holy Power.
Soon a tender light enveloped him.
* * *
Boom-boom-boom-boom!
“It’s a festival!”
Pop! Pop!
“The first Harvest Festival!”
Days later.
The Harvest Festival had arrived!
The Northern Region’s first Harvest Festival.
People shared the food they had prepared, lit fires in harvest bundles, and offered prayers beneath the full moon.
“What are we doing with the cattle next year?”
“Well, we’ve decided to expand beyond the flag markers…….”
“Oh, we shouldn’t leave the outer fields fallow! Let’s plant legumes there!”
“Sounds good, sounds good! Hic! Ah, I’m getting tipsy!”
The adults drank beer and, thoroughly intoxicated, enthusiastically discussed their plans for next year’s harvest.
And what of Haniel?
She ran in circles through the Square with Slan!
Wearing a large pouch.
“Jackpot!! This actually works?”
Haniel bounced with excitement.
“It really is…… butter.”
I’d separated cream from milk, stuffed it in a pouch, and shaken it while running—and what do you know, butter actually formed!
“Ha, ha, ha, ha! My little one’s making butter now~”
“But, phew, this is so hard and it’s still runny…….”
“Hey, you knights! I think this is the moment for you to step up?”
“Me, me, me!! I’ll! I’ll make another butter!”
Felix rolled up his sleeves and sprang forward.
Haniel immediately gave a tiny thumbs up.
“Uncle Felix, you’re the best!”
Felix clenched his fist.
“……I can die happy now.”
Of course, Aisha wasn’t about to be left behind.
“Haniel, my running speed is like a hundred times faster than hers? But anyway…… butter comes from milk?”
“Someone please buy Aisha a common sense dictionary. Luden, I’m begging you!”
“There’s no budget for supplies.”
<Any wizards care to place bets?>
“Hehe, big sister Aisha’s the best too! Kyao!”
In the end, all the knights ran through the village with enthusiasm, and Haniel got to eat her fill of fragrant buttered bread that day.
Haniel was in an excellent mood.
‘I hope Father received my Holy Power well?’
She felt certain he had.
Not long after Duke Lowen had left, a message appeared saying the Holy Power in the scarf had been activated.
[Red Scarf imbued with Haniel’s Purifying Force (x1,000)]
– A curiously auspicious crimson scarf
– Grants the Blessing of Purification to the wearer
– Happiness and fortune to the beloved father
[Tip] The recipient cannot sense this Holy Power if the sender intends it that way.
‘Hehe, now I need to work hard and earn more Holy Power!’
Father, just wait!
‘I’ll become rich in Holy Power and show you filial piety!’
The next target was the Veil River beyond the village!
Haniel clenched her fist.
‘It’s time to purify the second pillar!’

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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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