The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 62

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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 62

 

Then I checked the Black Panther’s condition.

 

His breathing was steady and regular.

 

I let out a sigh of relief.

 

‘That medicine must have worked after all.’

 

The Potion of Peace.

 

It was literally a medicine that brought peace to its user.

 

It helped those who suffered from nightmares sleep peacefully, and allowed those with severe anxiety to maintain a stable state.

 

So it wasn’t very popular in underground auction houses like this. As its name suggested, it only brought peace to the user and couldn’t be used as a recovery or attack potion.

 

‘Esther was also looking for this item. She said she wanted to let her sick family member rest peacefully before they completely closed their eyes.’

 

I felt a bit sorry thinking I might have intercepted it, but the recovery potions I had been giving were much better than the Potion of Peace, so it should be fine.

 

Those recovery potions also contained stabilizers comparable to this one.

 

‘But more than that…’

 

That’s when it happened. Rene, who had been silently watching me stroke the Black Panther, looked at my face.

 

“…”

 

He just stared, but those quiet eyes seemed to be asking if this Black Panther could recover like this.

 

I couldn’t say anything. His breathing was steady and he seemed much more comfortable, but…

 

I could tell from up close.

 

‘This Black Panther isn’t sick.’

 

He was just weakened from old age, having reached the end of his lifespan.

 

Such things couldn’t be forcibly saved. Even the Temple’s divine power was useless for this.

 

Of course, the Temple deserved criticism for only using divine power on a select few people.

 

But I couldn’t entirely blame them, because it was the natural order. Not everyone in this world could live forever without dying.

 

However, I couldn’t tell Rene all of this. Besides, I was just a passerby, wasn’t I?

 

So even if it was just to temporarily ease this situation, I wanted to say he would get better, to give even the smallest hope, but…

 

“…No.”

 

“…”

 

“He won’t get better, Rene.”

 

I couldn’t say it. I knew better than anyone that the pain of betrayed hope was worse than having no hope at all.

 

Rene’s eyes darkened again. His slightly furrowed dark eyes seemed to ask what would happen to him then.

 

I hesitated before opening my mouth.

 

“You’ll be very sad… and it won’t get better.”

 

“…”

 

“…It will be hard for a very, very long time.”

 

Perhaps sensing something in my subdued voice, Rene frowned as if he didn’t want to hear it and reached toward the Black Panther.

 

His wounded hand slowly but lovingly stroked his family member.

 

Watching him quietly, I placed my hand over Rene’s.

 

Rene looked at me with eyes that asked what I was doing.

 

“But as time passes, you’ll gradually get better.”

 

“…”

 

“It’s different from forgetting. You keep them in your heart, sometimes remembering and laughing, sometimes crying. You might even talk to them, saying ‘Remember when that happened?'”

 

“…”

 

“And then… you slowly get better.”

 

Having said that, I withdrew my hand first. Where Rene also lowered his hand, there was a scar that had already naturally healed and closed once.

 

“And that’s called ‘new flesh growing.'”

 

A place that was scarred and raised, but clearly healed.

 

“…”

 

Rene, who had been quietly looking at that spot, looked up at me again. When our eyes met, I smiled faintly.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

At the rumbling sound, I came back to my senses. A stirring body. The Black Panther had awakened from sleep again.

 

【…Was it not a dream?】

 

The Black Panther, who had blinked several times, spoke in a slow voice. But his tone was perfectly normal.

 

“Y-you can talk…? H-how?”

 

【Those who are born with a strong concentration of blood from one blessed by the gods can hear the words of beasts. The gods and their messengers loved animals very much.】

 

Unlike my surprised reaction, the awakened Black Panther spoke in a calm voice.

 

If that was the case, then being able to communicate made sense. I was from Agnito, which had managed divine blessings for generations.

 

【Did you get that medicine for me? Thanks to it, I had a very good dream.】

 

“Ah, yes. That’s right.”

 

As the conversation between the Black Panther and me continued, Rene got up and headed toward the group of other Black Panthers.

 

Watching him stroke the heads of the young Black Panthers, I turned my gaze back to the Panther Leader.

 

“Are you feeling better? Your body… can you recover?”

 

【No. I’ve just regained consciousness for a moment.】

 

“That means…”

 

【I’ll probably die. Not right now, but eventually.】

 

My expression hardened without realizing it. Then the Panther Leader narrowed his eyes and purred.

 

【Don’t make such a sad face. Death isn’t a sad thing.】

 

“It’s not sad?”

 

【That’s right. It’s a bit awkward to say this, but I really lived my life to the fullest. Now it’s time for me to rest, even for my own sake.】

 

“…”

 

【So I’m not sad. I just feel heavy-hearted about leaving them behind.】

 

I didn’t say anything. Then the Black Panther asked.

 

【Strange thinking, isn’t it? That child couldn’t understand it either.】

 

“No.”

 

I shook my head.

 

“I want to become like that too.”

 

【…You want to become like me?】

 

“Yes.”

 

Before my regression, I felt so wronged and resentful about having to end my life like that. Because there were too many things I hadn’t tried yet.

 

That’s why I tried to quickly escape Agnito after my regression.

 

To achieve with my own hands the things I hadn’t been able to try.

 

To accomplish everything and live a life without regrets. To live a life so fulfilling that I wouldn’t feel sorry enough to decide never to go back.

 

“When I die, I don’t want to cry from sadness, but smile thinking that I was a flower that lived through a season with all my effort.”

 

【…】

 

“Just like you, the wonderful Black Panther here.”

 

The Black Panther was silent for a moment. Then, thinking of something, he laughed with a purr.

 

【Rene brought quite an interesting child. Hmm, I like you very much…】

 

His tone was utterly satisfied. At that, I quickly came to my senses.

 

This was an opportunity. A chance to ask for help to get out of here safely.

 

【Yes. Since it’s come to this…】

 

The Black Panther, breathing slowly, said.

 

【Won’t you take Rene with you?】

 

“…What?”

 

Who takes who?

 

“Wh-what do you mean?”

 

Rene was someone who would become the leader of the Rebel Forces. To take such a Rene with me!

 

【In our species, it’s customary to directly bring the lady you want as a bride and introduce her to the clan. And you’re the first child Rene has introduced to all of us.】

 

“That wasn’t his intention, absolutely. Absolutely not!”

 

【Don’t be like that, think about it positively.】

 

The Panther Leader said soothingly, lightly twitching his nose bridge.

 

【It’s not because he’s my cub, but Rene’s face is quite handsome even among humans.】

 

“That’s…”

 

It was certainly true.

 

Black hair. Clear golden eyes and long eyelashes. Though he had scratches here and there, his skin was essentially white.

 

Most of all, he was human yet possessed an atmosphere born of beast instincts.

 

He was still young so he had more of a delicate feeling, but when he grew up he would have a magnificent appearance.

 

【My children were born and raised in nature so they’ll survive somehow, but that child is human.】

 

When I said nothing, the Panther Leader added persuasively.

 

【Doesn’t it make you sad to think of him living a life that’s neither beast nor human?】

 

At those words, I unconsciously hesitated.

 

The Black Panther was right. He would have to live a life where he lived with beasts but wasn’t a beast, yet couldn’t be called fully human since beast instincts remained.

 

It would be a lie to say I didn’t feel sorry for him. The Jaguars were indeed Rene’s family, but they couldn’t become human.

 

“…Still, that would be difficult.”

 

I couldn’t rashly take Rene away without Paterre Stukkyia’s permission.

 

And most importantly…

 

“Rene wouldn’t follow me.”

 

Rene at this time really hated humans.

 

It was humans who had abandoned him in this Forbidden Land and oppressed the animals who were like family to him.

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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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