The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 63

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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 63

 

That wariness only softened after he encountered some humans quite by chance.

 

It was after meeting a group of humans who had gathered in the Forbidden Land to plot rebellion.

 

At first, Rene had resisted fiercely, but as they treated injured animals and taught him how to live like a human being, he gradually lowered his guard.

 

This fact was also something ‘that child’ had told me.

 

‘She said that if it hadn’t been for someone who persistently approached him, Rene wouldn’t have been able to reach his current position.’

 

[What’s his name? How old is he? Is he similar to us? Does he happen to have a lover?]

 

So I asked various things about that person.

 

Having heard somewhere that he was very handsome, my cousin and saintess Esther was desperately wanting to meet him.

 

Therefore, this was information gathering to cut off Esther’s interest.

 

My friend, who hadn’t answered my questions for a moment, soon sent notes one after another.

 

[He doesn’t remember his name due to an accident in childhood.]

 

[He’s 58 years old. His appearance is very frightening.]

 

[It doesn’t seem like he has any thoughts of welcoming a lover anytime soon.]

 

Fortunately, he was someone who completely went against Esther’s preferences.

 

I secretly leaked the information I got through my friend to Esther, and Esther was greatly disappointed and no longer showed interest in the Rebel Forces.

 

Rather, as if her fantasy had been completely shattered, she would avoid even hearing stories about the Rebel Forces, saying she didn’t want to listen.

 

Anyway, being with that person would be better for Rene. Much better than going with me.

 

“Someone better than me will appear. There’s no way Rene would like me anyway.”

 

【…Hmm, how strange indeed. If he disliked you, there’s no way you’d still be alive….】

 

The Lead Jaguar kept tilting its head in puzzlement. As it waved its front paw in the air, I scratched its neck instead and said,

 

“Please don’t say such terrible things.”

 

【Ah, there. That feels refreshing!】

 

“Please just deliver my message to Rene properly. So that I can safely get out of here.”

 

After scratching to its satisfaction, I stood up with a farewell.

 

Actually, this wasn’t the time to be leisurely here like this. I had to return to Stukkyia before it got any later and caused a commotion.

 

【Little one.】

 

That’s when it happened. The Lead Jaguar called me.

 

【Somehow, I feel like we’ll meet again.】

 

“Huh? How so? Do you think you’ll get better?”

 

【Well. I’m not sure about that, but it’s just an old one’s intuition, I suppose?】

 

The Lead Jaguar growled softly. As it lowered its body to take a comfortable position as if to rest, I turned around again.

 

Then I paused at the human figure I saw.

 

Since when had he been there? Rene was looking in my direction.

 

Perhaps noticing that I was about to leave, the Baby Jaguars were playfully biting at the hem of my skirt at my feet.

 

“I’m going to leave now. My family… no, people might be worried… no, they might be waiting.”

 

I wanted to ask him to escort me, but I felt a bit sorry since the Lead Jaguar had just gotten up not long ago. I couldn’t let something bad happen to the jaguar.

 

I had scratched the Lead Jaguar’s neck knowing this would happen. With pheromones on my hands, the beasts wouldn’t attack me carelessly. I had also brought something special with me.

 

“So… I’m really going to go now. I can go, right?”

 

“….”

 

“I’m… going to go…?”

 

Rene said nothing.

 

He just looked at me with quiet, dark eyes.

 

At least it didn’t seem like he was being wary. I quickly left the jaguar pack with a farewell.

 

I looked back just in case, but he was still just stroking the heads of the whimpering Baby Jaguars and didn’t try to stop me.

 

* * *

 

Hanisha slowly grew distant.

 

The Lead Jaguar, who had been watching the child’s form grow smaller, glanced at Rene beside him.

 

【Aren’t you going to follow?】

 

Rene remained silent. It meant it wasn’t worth answering.

 

【You should gradually become independent too, how long are you planning to stay here.】

 

“….”

 

【No parent wants to show their final moments to their child. At least that’s how it is in our world. That’s the difference between you and us, Rene.】

 

It was quite a cold and line-drawing statement, but this was reality. Rene couldn’t continue living mixed in with a pack of beasts forever.

 

Nevertheless, Rene stubbornly refused to move. The Lead Jaguar let out a sigh with a puff.

 

【Still, it’s not right to send her off like that. The path will be dangerous too…. What if she gets caught by bad guys.】

 

“….”

 

【Anyway, it’s regrettable. The medicine that child brought was quite effective. It would be nice to bring her in as a daughter-in-law and keep her by our side….】

 

As soon as he said that, Rene shot him a glare.

 

After looking at the jaguar with fierce eyes, as if he’d rather not listen than hear any more useless words, he abruptly went toward the group of cubs.

 

The leader’s words about having no manners could be heard as he chuckled.

 

Rene let the playful nagging go in one ear and out the other as he looked after the Baby Jaguars.

 

The other adults who had been quietly staying by Rene’s side finally approached the Lead Jaguar. They were other brothers who had taken care of this pack in place of Rene whenever he was away.

 

A Baby Jaguar that had been receiving petting turned its head toward Rene as if asking to be scratched on the other side. But when it felt nothing, it raised its head.

 

“Kying…?”

 

Rene’s gaze, which the cub had expected to be looking at them, was fixed on the shrinking human figure.

 

* * *

 

I walked through the Dark Forest.

 

Of course I didn’t know the way, but I could vaguely tell the direction. It was thanks to the information ‘that child’ had told me.

 

Perhaps because of the legend that the god and his saintess loved the moon, there was always a Temple under the places the moon illuminated.

 

So she said that if I followed the moon, I wouldn’t get lost.

 

Therefore, I just had to head toward the Temple. Although the surroundings were barren fields, the moonlight was particularly bright, so it wasn’t very scary.

 

Rather, my heart was more urgent.

 

‘It might not be the case.’

 

But still, just in case.

 

What if Paterre Stukkyia was worrying even just a little bit after finding out I had disappeared.

 

It was while I was moving forward relying on the moon like that.

 

“Oh?”

 

An unfamiliar voice caught my ankle.

 

They were people with axes on their backs and various pouches at their sides.

 

‘Grave Robbers.’

 

Many skilled craftsmen had lived in the Forbidden Land.

 

However, when most of them died in the religious war, their works came to have very high value, and those who coveted those rare items searched through the Forbidden Land hoping there might be something left.

 

‘And if someone entered the Forbidden Land for money, naturally… they have no conscience.’

 

I hesitated and stepped back. Then one of the men snickered.

 

“Well, well. I thought we’d come up empty-handed, but what a windfall this is?”

 

“We didn’t find any craftsman’s goods, but we got even better girls, so the masters will be pleased.”

 

‘Wait, ‘girls’ plural?’

 

I turned around as if enchanted.

 

Behind me, at a distance that was neither very far nor very close, stood someone.

 

It was none other than Rene.

 

‘Why is Rene here?’

 

There was no time to think. The thieves were already appraising our worth.

 

“Wait, that kid’s eye color is….”

 

“That’s right, golden eyes. The collectors will pay a very high price for them, won’t they, Stellin?”

 

I flinched at the grave robbers’ sinister laughter.

 

‘Stellin? I thought that face looked familiar—it’s that Stellin!’

 

Stellin was like a leader among the grave robbers and enjoyed the trust of the nobles. It was because he consistently obtained works by artisans that couldn’t be found even for a fortune.

 

‘I saw him in my previous life too. He sold sculptures he obtained from the Forbidden Land to Count Agnito.’

 

This was why they turned a blind eye to Stellin and his group entering the Forbidden Land.

 

Just by closing their eyes a little and pretending not to know, precious things would fall right into their hands.

 

That made it all the more dangerous.

 

Rene’s golden eyes were considered to resemble those of the first demon.

 

In other words, they were perfect for catching the interest of unsavory collectors.

 

‘It would be one thing if they were just interested. If we’re not careful, Rene’s existence might become known.’

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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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