The Baby Who Regressed Refuses Childcare - Chapter 3

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Ten days ago.

I pestered Teacher Ann to take me to the City.

And I sent the letter I had written in advance to that person, Duke Abner.

Of course, when sealing the letter, I didn’t forget to use the secret seal I had personally modified.

I had to use that seal for the letter to be delivered directly to Sharon Abner.

‘I checked so many times. The letter must have arrived safely. But the fact that they still haven’t come…’

Even at this very moment, the Longton Administrators were closing in.

My eyes naturally drooped.

‘They must have concluded it was just a child’s prank.’

Even I thought the letter’s contents were strange.

Telling them out of nowhere that I’d be helpful to the family so come pick me up…

‘But what else could I say!’

I couldn’t immediately confess my regression to anyone.

If I did that, I’d be treated even more like a child, or be dragged straight to a magic tower laboratory.

I anxiously looked back.

In preparation for this situation, I had prepared an escape route through nearby bushes.

‘There’s no choice.’

If I don’t run away now, I’ll inevitably become a Longton daughter.

Of course, I had thought that since I know the future this time, I could go there and live differently.

That was until just a moment ago, before I saw Duke Longton’s face again.

‘I can’t do it. If I enter that house, I’ll end up living the same way again.’

Cold sweat was still streaming from my hands and feet.

This happened just from looking at Duke Longton.

I bit my lips in frustration.

‘I should have carved the seal more carefully…’

The seal had many chipped places after all.

It was natural since I carved it with a carving knife much larger than my hands.

My eyes stung.

The blisters and wounds covering my palms somehow kept hurting more and more.

But now wasn’t the time to feel sorry for myself.

I shook my head vigorously and shouldered the bundle I had prepared.

I had concluded that running away was the best option for now.

‘Let’s head to the City first. It should only take about three days of walking, right?’

After that, I’ll sneak onto a carriage going to another region!

Once I arrive, there will be some way to manage.

Just as I was about to turn around.

Neigh—!!

Along with the sound of startled horses, a blue circular light suddenly appeared in the Orphanage’s front yard.

Soon, numerous shadows began to reveal themselves one by one above the light.

Sturdy men wearing dark blue surcoats that reached their thighs and swords at their waists.

My eyes widened.

Those were definitely Abner Soldiers.

Duke Longton stiffened upon recognizing them.

Teacher Ann also covered her mouth with wide eyes.

“Well, well. Look who we have here.”

Soon someone slowly emerged from among them.

Lustrous white hair swept back over the forehead.

Purple eyes gleaming like a beast eyeing its prey.

“Lambert, I didn’t expect to encounter you in this place.”

That person, Sharon Abner.

Unmistakably Sharon Abner glared sideways at Duke Longton.

“Are you still going around looking for a daughter substitute? Now even to my distant territory?”

There’s one fact that every citizen of the Taranta Empire knows.

That the northern Abner Duchy and southern Longton Family are sworn enemies.

“It’s been a while, Lady Abner. Oh, should I call you Duke now?”

When Duke Longton spoke with a hostile voice, Sharon Abner smirked.

“Obviously. How long has it been since I inherited the head position?”

“Yes, it’s been quite a while. Since you usurped your husband’s title from your grown son.”

The atmosphere instantly froze.

Abner’s soldiers grimly hardened their expressions and placed hands on their sword hilts.

Of course, the Longton Administrators didn’t just stand still either.

They silently drew out attack scrolls.

‘What the hell is this…’

I crouched behind the Barn with a bewildered face.

The fact that Sharon Abner had come here was fortunate.

It meant the letter I sent had done its job.

The problem was this atmosphere that seemed like war could break out at any moment.

‘Why is the timing like this? Isn’t this going to cause real trouble?’

Northern Abner and southern Longton had been adversaries for ages.

They had clashed for countless reasons since their predecessors’ predecessors’ predecessors, and the conflict only deepened over time.

Whenever the Empire held major events, the two families’ seats were always placed on opposite sides.

Everyone in the Empire knew that nothing good would come from them encountering each other.

But over the past few hundred years, the momentum between the two evenly matched families had tilted heavily toward Longton.

This was because the Longton Family had invested in various magical academic research and gradually expanded their influence within the Empire.

Meanwhile, the Abner Duchy stagnated.

The previous Abner generations were hopelessly ignorant about magical industries like pharmaceutical development or magical formula research.

All they knew how to do was train armies or stubbornly stick to inefficient regional specialty industries.

In the midst of this, to make matters worse, drought struck the northern Empire.

Severe famine came to various parts of Abner Territory.

People expected Abner to decline like this.

Until the current duke, Sharon Abner, inherited the head position.

“I didn’t know you had such great interest in our family affairs.”

In the tense atmosphere, Sharon Abner spoke up.

Duke Longton wore a bitter smile.

“No, I’m not particularly interested. I just happened to hear about it. Isn’t it quite a bizarre incident? A mother stealing and taking her son’s position.”

Blatant mockery.

Even so, Sharon Abner didn’t bat an eye.

“Well, it doesn’t seem like such a bizarre incident to me. Rather, isn’t your perspective too narrow? I think I’m starting to understand why your father was reluctant to pass his title to you.”

Lambert Longton’s face crumpled miserably.

Sharon Abner continued speaking with a bitter smile.

“Isn’t leading a family too burdensome for you? I could help you out. Unlike you, this position suits me perfectly.”

“…Your words are excessive, Lady.”

“Duke, not Lady. Your memory is like trash rolling in the streets. How can someone leading a family be so useless?”

Grind.

The sound of Lambert Longton grinding his teeth seemed to reach even behind the Barn.

I swallowed hard.

Invisible massive anger was surging between the two dukes.

Of course, the same went for the Abner soldiers and Longton Administrators.

Then suddenly, Teacher Ann standing in front of the Orphanage door came into view.

The teacher stood there like a rabbit among wild beasts.

With a face that showed complete bewilderment, frozen stiff in place.

Duke Longton let out an irritated sigh.

“It would be best to end this pointless conversation here. What brings you all the way here? Leading an army, no less.”

“Do I need your permission to tour my own territory? And that’s my question to ask. What business do you have on my land?”

“Crossing territorial boundaries isn’t illegal.”

“However, as a landowner, I can ask for a reason.”

When Sharon Abner smiled leisurely, Duke Longton’s eyes flashed dangerously.

“We’re not close enough to open portals on each other’s land without notice. Are we?”

“….”

“Unless we’re about to have a war right here and now.”

As if those words were a signal, Abner’s Army drew their swords in unison.

When dozens of sword blades appeared in the air, Teacher Ann collapsed to the ground with a thud.

The orphanage children were watching from inside the building with terrified faces.

Lambert Longton gritted his teeth as if exhausted.

“…Really now.”

The butler, reading his mood, quickly stepped forward.

“Th-there are no political or military reasons! Longton came today to take the one who will become the family’s young lady.”

“Oh ho. From here, Evehill Orphanage?”

“Y-yes. There’s a child His Grace has taken notice of….”

An expression of interest spread across Sharon Abner’s face.

“You want to make that child Longton’s young lady, is that it.”

“That’s correct.”

At the same time, hearty laughter echoed through the front yard.

Sharon Abner tilted his head slightly and said.

“By whose authority, exactly.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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