The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 44

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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 44

 

“Lord Ralt, I’m sorry to bother you when you’re busy, but could I ask you for just one favor?”

I asked Ralt, who had confidently said he could handle carving, to make a fake egg for me.

Ralt, who was skilled with his hands, quickly made something similar for me.

When I returned, I carefully tucked the real egg into my chest and spoke to Ashirion.

“What comes next is important, Ash. Sneak into the Duke’s room and check if there’s a gun.”

 

“Why a gun all of a sudden?”

 

“A gun that was just made at the blacksmith has disappeared. Seeing how it was taken without permission, it must be the work of an outsider.”

That would probably be Duke Medena. He was the only outsider currently staying here.

“Just remove the bullets. If the whole thing disappears, it’ll raise more suspicion.”

 

“But what if he uses it before then?”

 

“Ash can’t get hurt even a hair until the Council of Elders convenes. He’s just keeping it just in case, but there won’t actually be an occasion to use it. If there is an occasion to use it… it would be after this egg disappears.”

Therefore, removing the bullets had to be done the day before the Council of Elders. It would be troublesome if the Duke noticed beforehand.

We decided to wait quietly.

So the day before the Council of Elders, when Ashirion had removed the bullets in advance. The Duke really did go to the stable where the fake egg was hidden.

It was time to execute the plan.

Since surveillance would only be attached to Ash, I went straight to find the adults in the meantime.

“I saw Duke Medena carrying a gun!”

Naturally, the blacksmiths who had lost their item… I wish it could be them, but unfortunately the misters had no power.

No, they had power (physical) but no authority. I needed someone more reliable than the blacksmiths.

My employer and my main body(?).

“To think the Duke would commit such an act. I never would have imagined this.”

It was Paterre Stukkyia.

* * *

I stuck my tongue out again at the Duke, who had an incredulous expression.

“That, that thing…!”

The Duke’s face contorted with rage.

“This is a false accusation. To drive me out, those lowly things lured me…”

 

“It is certainly strange.”

The Duke’s face brightened at Paterre Stukkyia’s agreement.

“I knew you would think so…!”

 

“That Ashirion, who had been subjected to heinous brainwashing and tried to attack the Duke who raised him, didn’t even load bullets into the gun.”

 

“…!”

 

“My child wouldn’t make such a mistake.”

Paterre Stukkyia smiled.

And he used the term ‘my child.’

…Which meant he was uncontrollably angry.

“Your Grace.”

Caron reported to Paterre Stukkyia as if he had been waiting.

“I apologize for the important situation, but the scene that’s about to unfold doesn’t seem good for growing sprouts. Is that correct?”

 

“Hmm… probably?”

 

“Then for the bright future of the growing sprouts, I shall escort Miss Hanisha, Lord Ashirion, and the miscellaneous things at our feet.”

Caron, who bowed politely, quickly took the children and animals and left the room.

The last thing I saw was the Duke’s face, pale and trembling.

* * *

The next day.

A family council was hastily convened.

Hanisha, Max, and Ashirion were also called.

Oh, I didn’t need to ask how the Duke was treated.

“Greetings, you grateful little troublemaker miss, and young masters.”

…Because Caron’s face looked happier than ever.

Before going in, Hanisha looked back at the two.

“You remember what we each practiced saying, right? Max just needs to say he only used a handkerchief, I was just trying to find the bird’s whereabouts, and Ash should say he had no idea about the Duke’s intentions. You all remember, right?”

 

“Don’t underestimate this genius’s memory.”

 

“Yes. I remember, Hanisha.”

At their words, Hanisha nodded approvingly and went inside.

Then, as if they had been waiting, tremendous gazes focused on the children.

“So those are the children.”

 

“The girl aside, is the boy a commoner?”

 

“He’s a commoner, but his abilities are outstanding. That child excellently caught errors in recently produced weapons.”

 

“Oh. That small child? Impressive.”

Half of them were favorable gazes.

“Why do those with not a drop of Stukkyia blood mixed in cause so much trouble?”

 

“This is why those without proper lineage… tsk tsk.”

The other half looked at them with displeasure.

“Well then.”

At that moment, Paterre Stukkyia spoke as if to clear the air.

“Since you’ve all gathered, shall we get straight to the point?”

 

“Yes, first about Ash…”

 

“Why such a rush? There are many children here too.”

Paterre Stukkyia waved his hand gently as he spoke.

“Today’s family council was convened not only for the Duke’s treatment but also to commend achievements. A child of Stukkyia has created a weapon that can avoid the Temple’s criticism.”

Then several retainers’ faces hardened. It was a story referring to Max.

Those who help Stukkyia must receive corresponding rewards. Even if they are commoners.

However, praising the commoner Max in this setting was a kind of declaration.

Not to disregard his child.

But it was also true that Max had greatly helped Stukkyia. They couldn’t carelessly say they should bring in more proper children like before.

“So, Max.”

Paterre Stukkyia asked.

“What do you want?”

 

“I, I am.”

Max slowly opened his mouth.

“I, I, I, I, I am.”

However, Max’s spirit seemed to only respond to his peer Ash. Faced with numerous noble lords, Max seemed unable to speak properly at all.

“He seems to be frightened.”

 

“Mmm, it seems so. I can feel it clearly.”

 

At Caron’s response, the Duke followed up with a question.

 

“Caron, what should we give Max?”

 

“According to my investigation, Max…”

 

Caron, who had been flipping through his notebook, spoke in a clear voice.

 

“He apparently loves socks very much.”

 

“Hmm. An unusual hobby. Find something appropriate and deliver it to him.”

 

“Yes. Congratulations, Max.”

 

Caron clapped with a joyful heart.

 

And so Max unexpectedly came to receive a gift of socks.

 

“Your Grace.”

 

It was then.

 

Ashirion, who had remained silent ever since entering, spoke for the first time.

 

“May I speak first?”

 

The Duke nodded his head.

 

Then everyone’s attention focused on Ashirion.

 

Among them were people who had secretly approached him behind the Duke’s back.

 

They were people who had said they would give him more valuable things if he abandoned the Duke and came to them.

 

People who coveted not him, but his abilities.

 

Seeing those gazes made his resolve even firmer.

 

Ashirion glanced at Hanisha.

 

She had reminded him several times.

 

Even if anything related to the Duke came up, he should pretend not to know until the end.

 

Ashirion had initially planned to say exactly that.

 

‘But.’

 

It was then that a sudden thought occurred to him.

 

‘Would that really be the end?’

 

No, it couldn’t be.

 

If Duke Medena was punished, he would lose his guardian. Then people who heard this news would try to adopt him, and under Imperial law, orphans couldn’t refuse adoption, so he, and the animals created by his hands, would once again become someone’s weapons.

 

Such things shouldn’t happen anymore.

 

Therefore, Ashirion planned to say that he knew all of the Duke’s schemes.

 

When attacking fellow nobles and facing defeat, the blood relatives of the defeated side follow the family head’s fate. If the family head goes to prison, they serve time accordingly, and if executed, they’re executed the same way. That was Imperial law.

 

And the only way to break free from this shackle.

 

It was when Ashirion was about to slowly part his lips.

 

“Your Grace.”

 

Hanisha suddenly spoke up.

 

“I’m sorry, but may I speak first?”

 

“About what.”

 

“A reward. I helped catch Duke Medena’s tail, didn’t I? I want to receive a reward for that.”

 

“Ha, ha really. To desire your own reward even in this situation.”

 

“Acting as if you’re truly a child of Stukkyia is incredibly arrogant.”

 

The retainers criticized Hanisha as if they had been waiting for this moment.

 

Then Paterre frowned slightly and asked.

 

“…You’re impatient, my daughter. Must you receive it right now?”

 

“Yes. I definitely want to receive it now.”

 

Hanisha spoke in a clear voice.

 

Hmm. The Duke, who had been breathing slowly for a moment, nodded as if telling her to give it a try.

 

“Thank you. Then…”

 

The moment Hanisha began to speak, Ashirion could easily guess what she would say.

 

Duke Medena was someone who had captured Stukkyia’s elders using the Emperor’s favor as his reason. Having caught such a person, there was only one fitting reward.

 

Adoption.

 

What else could Hanisha want besides adoption?

 

How fortunate. It was when Ashirion felt relieved, inappropriately for a situation facing death.

 

“Please exclude Ash from the targets of this incident’s punishment.”

 

However, the moment he heard Hanisha’s following answer, Ashirion couldn’t help but open his eyes wide 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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