The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 42

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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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Chapter 42

 

The two bickered over absurd things as if they were real siblings.

 

The old Ashirion would have looked at them with disdain.

 

However, this commotion felt unfamiliar yet not unpleasant.

 

Watching the two of them, the corners of his mouth would unconsciously rise.

 

That was his mistake.

 

Today, as usual, Ashirion’s face turned pale and rigid as he entered the stable.

 

The place he had tried so hard to protect.

 

Paterre Stukkyia, who had cruelly trampled that place, turned to look at Ashirion and smiled.

 

“You’re finally here.”

 

Still holding an unhatched egg in his hands.

 

“How did you find this place…”

 

“My weapons don’t just smell simple fragrances. Perhaps from living in filthy places, they’re very good at detecting filthy odors too.”

 

At the Paterre’s feet, dogs that had lost their reason glared at Ashirion warily.

 

In the mouths of the drooling dogs were the gloves Ashirion had discarded long ago.

 

The dogs, whose senses had been heightened through experiments, had found this place by following not the current scent, but a scent from the past.

 

Ashirion suppressed his rising anger and asked.

 

“…Where is the bird?”

 

“I’ve put it somewhere safe. Still, it’s a creature you kept alive, so it would be a waste to kill it.”

 

The Paterre clicked his tongue as he spoke.

 

“Ash, I was trying to use these things as weapons, but you were treating them. Were you really planning to become an animal healer?”

 

“…I simply didn’t want to kill them.”

 

“That weak heart of yours is exactly the problem, Ash.”

 

“…”

 

“Those animal brats who wouldn’t even properly obey the command to bite you had exactly that same attitude.”

 

At that, Ashirion clenched his fists tightly. His eyes glaring at him were filled with hostility.

 

The Paterre sighed as if feeling sorry.

 

“I didn’t want to punish you. But it’s come to this in the end.”

 

“Are you planning to lay hands on me again?”

 

At that, Ashirion smiled bitterly.

 

“You can’t do that. This is Stukkyia, and if you cause any unpleasant incidents, the Duke won’t stand for it.”

 

“Lay hands on you?”

 

When the Paterre burst into hollow laughter, Ashirion’s face hardened.

 

“Oh my, Ash. You’re a top-quality product. Tomorrow you have to appear before people and become Stukkyia’s heir, so how could I damage a top-quality product?”

 

“Then…”

 

“I need to eliminate the cause that made you so weak.”

 

Ashirion’s face hardened.

 

It was a rarely satisfied expression.

 

And once he confirmed the news that would follow, that face would be stained with even deeper despair.

 

Thinking it would be quite a sight to see, the Paterre left the stable to execute his plan.

 

And at that moment.

 

As if waiting, that ’cause’ looked at him.

 

“Caught you. Child animal abuser!”

 

…While spouting those incredible words.

 

* * *

 

After a brief moment of anger at the impudent remark, Paterre Stukkyia quickly surveyed his surroundings.

 

Whether she had come alone without fear, there was no one around.

 

Only then did the Paterre’s lips curve upward. He replied nonchalantly.

 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Abuse? Why would I abuse Ash?”

 

“Then you’re a thief!”

 

Hani-sha pointed at the egg in the Paterre’s hand.

 

“You stole the bird and the egg. That’s theft.”

 

“I’m the owner of the bird. Therefore, it’s not kidnapping.”

 

“Then animal abuse!”

 

“…What?”

 

“You carelessly handled a bird that hasn’t recovered yet. That’s animal abuse.”

 

“Wait.”

 

“Moreover, you touched a newborn egg with dirty hands, so that’s child abuse!”

 

So going round and round, she was calling him a child animal abuser.

 

By that point, the Paterre’s patience had run out.

 

‘I thought I could dispose of her quietly since she seemed calmer than expected.’

 

The Paterre’s face hardened.

 

“If you were lucky enough to catch the Duke’s eye, you should have known to live quietly and keep your head down. How dare you be so arrogant.”

 

“The Duke can’t see though…”

 

“Animal and child abuse… Well, that’s not entirely wrong. If I kill a child with animals, both would apply.”

 

As the Paterre stepped back, the dogs at his feet approached Hani-sha.

 

The eyes of beasts that had spotted their target fixed on the young child.

 

Well-trained beasts would try to carry out their orders until the moment their lives ended. That was the fate of living weapons.

 

Growling. The hunting dogs with their sharp teeth bared approached Hani-sha. Lowering their bodies as if ready to pounce at any moment.

 

Soon there would be a terrible bloodbath. There might be some commotion, but there was nothing to worry about.

 

The Elders were already on his side, and who would care about the death of such a small child?

 

But…

 

The dogs’ ears and tails, which had been perked up as if spotting prey, began to droop.

 

“Whimper…”

 

They even hesitated and backed away…

 

The Paterre frantically looked around.

 

However, Hani-sha was just standing still, and there was no one around.

 

‘H-how is this…’

 

Then.

 

Something was visible at Hani-sha’s feet. White and round furball. Small build.

 

‘…A dog?’

 

No, it’s not a dog.

 

If those eyes were definitely black but gradually turning red…

 

It’s the Marsu that guards the gates of Paterre Castle. The Marsu that cannot be tamed by anyone, that only obeys the Duke’s words.

 

‘Why is that Marsu here?’

 

The gatekeeper Marsu that had trotted out in front of Hani-sha’s feet bared its teeth for the first time. Growling… At the menacing howl, the hunting dogs’ tails curled completely. As if that wasn’t enough, they flattened themselves against the ground.

 

“Oh my, they’re scared.”

 

Hani-sha, who had been watching them, petted the gatekeeper Marsu’s head as if satisfied.

 

However, the gatekeeper Marsu’s aggression did not subside. Just as the Marsu with its sharp teeth bared was about to expand its body and return to its original size.

 

“Tsk tsk. That won’t do.”

 

Hani-sha spoke in a somewhat stern voice.

 

“If you keep doing that…”

 

“Growl…”

 

“I’ll bring Max’s socks?”

 

The moment she solemnly declared that.

 

“Whimper…”

 

The gatekeeper Marsu flattened itself against the ground. As if that wasn’t enough, it rolled over and began showing its belly.

 

The Marsu he thought was the strongest was acting cute toward a young human. The hunting dogs, with their survival-of-the-fittest instincts, also lowered their bodies, pressed their heads firmly to the ground, and wagged their tails gently.

 

It was a gesture of submission, meaning they would serve the one before them as their master.

 

The first thing Marquis Medena had taught them. However, it was also the most basic yet most difficult part that had taken months just to teach.

 

‘How is this possible?’

 

He couldn’t believe it. He was their master. Not that pathetic and shabby little child!

 

If this continued, he wouldn’t be able to put forward Ashirion’s succession at tomorrow’s meeting.

 

‘My years of effort are flying away like this? So easily, so futilely?’

 

Confusion and emptiness soon turned into anger. The Marquis’s eyes darkened.

 

‘…No. That can’t be.’

 

Ashirion’s weakness was in his hands. He just needed to buy more time.

 

‘For that, I need to eliminate the evidence first.’

 

The Marquis reached into his coat. What he pulled out was a gun.

 

The Marquis handed the gun to Ashirion. Ashirion looked at the Marquis as if asking what this was about.

 

“Shoot.”

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

“They’re defective, aren’t they? As always, they need to be ‘disposed of.'”

 

“What do you mean…!”

 

“Or should I shoot that child instead?”

 

The gun barrel touched Hanisha. He moved his hand as if he really would shoot.

 

It meant choose.

 

Whether to kill those beasts, or kill a living human.

 

Ashirion’s face was colored with despair.

 

However, Ashirion slowly took the gun.

 

The hunting dogs and gatekeeper Marsu that had risen from their positions blocked Hanisha’s front.

 

“…”

 

Ashirion’s index finger touched the trigger. Tension appeared on Hanisha’s face.

 

Soon he raised the gun barrel that had been pointing toward the floor.

 

“…!”

 

The direction of the gleaming gun barrel was toward the Marquis.

 

“Oh my, Ash.”

 

The Marquis shook his head as if disappointed.

 

“You’ve never even touched such a dangerous thing before, what are you trying to do? It’s dangerous, so put it down quickly.”

 

“…If I continue staying with you, every moment will become dangerous. So I’ll end it here.”

 

“Well, then there’s no choice.”

 

The Marquis raised the egg he was holding high.

 

What he wanted to say was clear.

 

If you shoot me, this will die too.

 

Not only will there be slaughter, but you’ll also lose the being you want to cherish.

 

Is that what you want?

 

It shouldn’t be.

 

As if proving this, Ashirion’s face was growing paler and paler.

 

What he had tamed over the long years wasn’t just the animals. Ashirion was included too. So he definitely wouldn’t be able to shoot him.

 

It was when the Marquis’s smile was deepening.

 

“Ash, don’t! Don’t be fooled by that person’s words!”

 

Had she finally become worried about her life? Hanisha shouted.

 

“Don’t worry about such a child. Anyway, once you inherit the dukedom, she’ll be the first girl to die.”

 

“…I won’t.”

 

“What?”

 

Ashirion said while pointing the gun at the Marquis again.

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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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