The Baby Who Regressed Refuses Childcare - Chapter 52

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

Longton was not someone who would easily let go of a grudge once he harbored it.

‘If he tries to kill me again next time, I might actually die then.’

This time I survived because I was lucky, but there’s no guarantee that this luck will be there next time.

‘Especially Sharon Abner.’

Though it would change in the future, the Empire’s medical arts were currently very backward.

People were obsessed with something called ‘baptism ceremonies’ instead of proper medical treatment.

But this baptism ceremony wasn’t something just anyone could receive.

From my research in my previous life, the baptism ceremony was a rough recreation of ancient divine magic.

That’s why receiving this baptism ceremony required using several expensive scrolls made by the Magic Tower.

Of course, you also needed an experienced mage scholar skilled in activating scrolls.

Imperial family members and nobles received this baptism ceremony immediately after birth.

It was possible because they had the financial means.

‘It actually can prevent minor illnesses and such.’

Those who received the baptism ceremony got sick less frequently than others throughout their lives.

It meant they could live relatively healthily as long as they didn’t consume poison or do harmful things to their bodies.

‘But wounds are different.’

Like Count Douglas from my previous life who was gored by a wild boar, and Logrio who was Crown Prince Tian’s aide.

Wounds of people who were torn or cut somewhere wouldn’t heal no matter how many baptism ceremonies they performed.

Moreover, if infection occurred, they would either die or have no choice but to amputate the infected body part.

‘That’s why people were so enthusiastic about Forentia flowers.’

Forentia flowers alleviate infection and heal wounds quickly.

Still, doctors and scholars didn’t know the reason behind it.

It was natural since they knew neither the cause of infection nor the principle of treatment.

‘But I know.’

I was the person who discovered that Forentia flowers were mutations of Rubarin grass.

I was also the person who developed new drugs with much more remarkable effects.

‘Once this becomes widespread, the Empire’s medical arts will advance significantly.’

Then the skyrocketing drug prices and medical fees would also come down to normal ranges.

But the problem was that this hadn’t happened yet.

‘How much was it just for this hemostatic agent? Tens of millions of tera?’

Sharon Abner paid an enormous amount to treat me immediately.

Of course, I was incredibly grateful for that.

If Sharon Abner hadn’t purchased the hemostatic agent, I would have died before I could do anything with Rubarin grass.

‘But things can’t continue like this in the future.’

Sharon Abner had only made a contract with me; she wasn’t anything to me.

‘So that means I’ll have to leave the manor someday.’

Once I became capable of safely supporting myself alone, I would have to leave here without hesitation.

‘To do that, I need to build up my strength first.’

Especially now when I was being threatened by Lambert Longton.

My steps gradually quickened.

‘I have a lot to do. There’s no time to rest.’

Even if my body broke down, I had to accomplish everything with my own strength.

For now, my goal was to be safe within the safety of Abner.

Only then could I maintain that safety even after leaving Abner.

‘…At least one good thing came from Hiana’s return.’

I would at least be free from threats for several months.

Lambert Longton would surely be distracted by his returned youngest daughter.

‘So let’s start with that first.’

Walking frantically, I had somehow reached a place far from the Research Room.

The manor’s library, which was my destination today.

I came to the library because there was information I urgently needed to find out.

And that was…

“Chairman. Don’t you think Sharon Abner’s misconduct is becoming increasingly excessive?”

I quickly stopped in my tracks.

“You heard it yourself, Chairman! Not only did she bring in a ward without consulting us, but she poured astronomical amounts on that rootless child!”

I hurriedly hid in nearby bushes.

I could see several elderly men gathered not far away.

“This Kainton is furious! Spending tens of millions of tera on that brat’s treatment – Sharon Abner has finally lost her mind!”

One elderly man with a spiteful face pounded his chest in front of the other old men.

“That demon is finally revealing her true black heart. She must be determined to ruin our Abner!”

My eyes slowly widened.

Naturally, the clothes the elderly men were wearing came into my view.

“We elders must rise up! We can’t stand by and watch any longer! By any means necessary, we must summon all the branch families and…”

The Abner crest embroidered on white robes.

“We must decide on the survival of that woman’s position as head!”

They were the twelve elders belonging to the Abner Elders Council.

Within the still unintegrated Abner family, they were Sharon Abner’s greatest enemies.

“Count Kainton is right. Taking an unverified child as a ward, using an enormous budget for that child’s treatment.”

“We should also hold her responsible for allowing assassins to infiltrate our venerable House of Abner in the first place.”

The elders who had moved to the Meeting Room all had grim expressions.

They had learned about the fact that assassins had infiltrated Abner Manor a few days ago.

And also the fact that the victim was Sharon Abner’s ward, Annellia.

Count Kainton was seething.

“They said that brat would be helpful and whatnot, but the result is squandering astronomical amounts just on treatment? Does this make any sense?”

“…”

“At this rate, what’s the difference from the tail wagging the dog! Chairman, what do you think? Please say something, Chairman.”

At the head seat sat Chairman Herman with an indifferent expression.

His gaze slowly turned toward Kainton.

“What exactly do you want me to say.”

Kainton closed his mouth with a bewildered expression.

“Wh-what do you mean what…”

“If we disparage the Duke here and now, will that solve anything?”

“No, what I meant was…!”

Herman shook his head as if finding it pathetic.

“You seem to have forgotten, Kainton. The dignity of this elders’ council is directly the dignity of the Abner family.”

“…”

“What good does venting anger into thin air accomplish? It’s the same as spitting on your own face.”

Herman withdrew his gaze from the bewildered-looking Kainton.

Then he looked around at the other elders and placed both hands on the table.

“Everyone. If we want to formally protest to the Duke, we need evidence.”

“…”

“The Abner Elders Council has always been operated according to ‘principles’. The reason most of us harbor resentment toward the current head is essentially because of that.”

The elders nodded.

There was nothing wrong with Herman’s words.

As he claimed, the reason they were hostile toward Sharon Abner was because she was ‘someone who went against principles’.

Sharon Abner had violated principles.

Because she had ascended to the ducal position that should have been inherited by the previous generation’s eldest son, Jayden.

One of the contemplating elders cautiously raised his hand.

“I organized the money that went to medical expenses for the attending physician earlier.”

The other elders also stepped forward one by one.

“The disciplinary action for designating a ward without the elders’ permission—if we dig through the family laws, it should be there.”

“Do you remember the trial we had with House of Coel a few days ago? We won, but we can’t deny that there were deficiencies in mine management from the start.”

Herman nodded.

“Right. I’d like you to compile those matters and bring them to me. Once it’s finished, I’ll personally request the Duke to convene a review committee.”

The elders’ expressions brightened.

They all exchanged glances in agreement.

Only the second-in-command of the Council of Elders, Kainton, wore a dark expression.

‘That damn procedure, procedure.’

He clenched his fist under the table and secretly glared at Herman.

‘The family is gradually being devoured by an outsider, yet Herman insists on procedures to the very end.’

Kainton had found Herman irritating for a long time.

When they should be doing everything possible to bring down Sharon Abner, he always acted like some kind of saint.

‘Is he saying that he’s technically an outsider too?’

Herman was someone who had entered the family long ago by marrying a woman from the Abner Branch.

Because of his exceptional abilities, he naturally became an elder when he came of age, and rose to the chairman position in a short time.

Kainton found such a Herman irritating.

‘If it weren’t for that Herman, I would be the chairman by now.’

He himself was of fairly high rank among the Abner Branch.

He even had something like traditional pride in having supported Abner from long ago.

‘Just wait and see. The day Sharon Abner steps down from the head position, I’ll make sure you step down too.’

This time, he was determined to drag Sharon Abner down from the noble position of Abner family head.

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