The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 72

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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 72

 

* * *

 

Caron readily granted Hanisha’s request, though he seemed a bit puzzled.

 

“Of course, I’ll probably get scolded by His Grace, but I feel good every time His Grace scolds me. Please feel free to spread your wings and go about as you wish.”

 

It was a very Caron-like response.

 

However, unfortunately…

 

“I want to go too…!”

 

Max couldn’t join them.

 

Unlike Hanisha who was the duke’s daughter, Ashirion who was a noble, and Rene who was a knight trainee, Max strictly belonged to the blacksmith. As a blacksmith, Max had no justification to go to Biroche.

 

“I’ll head over there right after this is done. The seat next to Hanisha is mine!”

 

The carriage departed with Max’s stubborn shout. The carts loaded with relief supplies followed behind.

 

After a while, the carriage stopped. The knights who had already arrived were distributing relief supplies to the estate residents.

 

Rene was among them. With his expressionless face, it was unlikely, but Rene seemed to be asking ‘Why did you come here?’

 

Hanisha approached him.

 

“Ashirion and I will help too. Where should we start?”

 

“…”

 

“-Over there! Over there!”

 

Before Rene could say anything, the baby bird pointed out the location first. Hanisha said good and rolled up her sleeves.

 

‘Even though it’s an avalanche, I didn’t expect it to be this severe…’

 

While carrying supplies with Hanisha, Ashirion looked around.

 

The already barren Northern Lands were cracked open.

 

As if buried by snow that had poured directly from the mountains, several houses were in such a state that only their rooftops were barely visible.

 

People who had suddenly lost their homes were shivering, having barely managed to put on clothes. The situation was more serious than expected.

 

“Just when I thought things were finally calming down, another avalanche. What should we do now?”

 

“If the Eastern Region doesn’t take any measures like this… we can’t keep living here. We’re strictly under the Eastern Region’s jurisdiction.”

 

“Then do we have to leave our hometown?”

 

“We can only leave once the snow is cleared. If we can’t clear it and snow just keeps piling up, we’ll be isolated like this…”

 

The path leading to the Eastern Region was so piled with snow that it looked like a large mountain. It was natural for despair to creep into their voices.

 

“Here you go. Please use this.”

 

Only Hanisha’s voice was bright.

 

Hanisha helped Paterre Stukkyia’s people distribute supply blankets and warming tea to the estate residents.

 

“Ah, um. Thank you, child.”

 

“Don’t mention it.”

 

“You’re… Julian’s disciple, right?”

 

Hanisha’s eyes widened at the old man’s question.

 

“How did you know?”

 

“Julian is actually from our village. The previous viscount adopted Julian.”

 

“Ah, so this is Julian’s hometown.”

 

Is that why Julian had looked so pale?

 

“You really are a kind child, just as I heard. Thank you.”

 

The old man said this as he received the supplies, but the people beside him seemed somewhat uncomfortable.

 

It was natural.

 

Although Agnito had turned away from this avalanche, they could only receive the Temple’s protection by being under their jurisdiction. So they were reluctant to accept aid from Paterre Stukkyia, who was in an adversarial relationship with the Temple.

 

They were afraid that accepting this help might make them belong to Paterre Stukkyia.

 

Even seeing this, Hanisha moved to another location, telling them to speak up if they needed anything else.

 

Rene quietly helped such Hanisha move around. The winter relief supplies were heavy, so it was somewhat difficult for Hanisha to carry them.

 

“Are you cold? Cover yourself with this.”

 

“Yes… Thank you. Thank you too, big brother.”

 

The child who had been sniffling also greeted Rene behind her.

 

It was when Hanisha smiled faintly, finding the child’s greeting cute despite the mumbled pronunciation.

 

“Sister, sister.”

 

A child grabbed Hanisha’s arm. Then took something out from their chest.

 

It was an ice apple, one of the Northern Region’s specialties.

 

“I’ll give you this. My grandfather gave it to me, and it’s really precious.”

 

“Wow, thank you. But it’s okay. You eat it. You’re hungry, aren’t you.”

 

“Mm-hmm. It’ll be okay anyway. They said the avalanche will stop soon.”

 

“…The avalanche will stop?”

 

Ashirion asked in a puzzled voice.

 

“Yes! The village adults said so. This avalanche is because of the snow rabbits. It happened because the snow rabbits got angry.”

 

When snow rabbits were mentioned, Ashirion’s eyes narrowed.

 

Snow rabbits were native monsters easily found in the Northern Region, with house-sized bodies and bulging eyes.

 

The name “monster” might sound scary at first glance, but their temperament was gentle. Their main food was also Northern Region apples, and they didn’t particularly like humans, so even if encountered by chance, they would usually hide.

 

They were one of the few monsters that could coexist with humans.

 

Although they had almost disappeared due to the religious war that occurred several years ago, they didn’t particularly attack humans.

 

Such creatures were now rampaging like mad.

 

Raging enough to cause not only avalanches but also crack the ground.

 

Unaware of this, the child spoke in an innocent voice.

 

“So the adults said earlier. Count Agnito’s people will help.”

 

“Help? How?”

 

“By driving away all the snow rabbits.”

 

Ashirion’s face hardened at the clear answer.

 

They said drive away, but the reality would be different.

 

‘Extermination.’

 

If they killed every single one, this avalanche would also stop.

 

“…It’s absurd. Just, killing them all.”

 

Ashirion, who couldn’t help but be sensitive to death, especially when it involved animals, clenched his fists.

 

“Do you want to save them, Ash?”

 

That’s when it happened. Hanisha, who hadn’t said anything, looked back at Ashirion.

 

“Are you asking if you don’t want the snow rabbits to die?”

 

Ashirion hesitated for a moment. In these times when the Temple’s power was strong, it was natural for human life to take priority over animal life.

 

“…Of course.”

 

Nevertheless, Ashirion didn’t change his mind. Wrong was wrong. Even if his thoughts differed from Hanisha’s…

 

“Ah, that’s a relief.”

 

That’s when it happened. Hanisha, who had been looking at him with serious eyes, let out the breath she had been holding.

 

“I was worried about what to do if you said something different. I’m really relieved.”

 

Then she suddenly patted her chest. There was no time to ask what she meant.

 

“Follow me.”

 

Hanisha, clutching the ice apple the child had given her, spoke.

 

“Let’s go save the snow rabbits and the village people.”

 

* * *

 

A little later.

 

Having arrived at their destination, Hanisha slowly looked around.

 

Open snowy plains. Snow sparkling like stardust in the sunlight.

 

The massive trees that would likely be used as Christmas trees decorated with lights to celebrate the year’s end created winter’s characteristic cool yet cozy atmosphere.

 

However, as soon as I took one step forward, remembering that I couldn’t gauge the depth of this snowy plain filled me with a strange sense of dread.

 

“Here we are.”

 

Hanisha, having arrived at their destination, tapped the person beside her.

 

“Put me down here, Rene.”

 

Then Rene’s gaze, which had been surveying the surroundings, fell upon Hanisha.

 

Their destination was a snowy plain piled high with snow. While the others were fine, Hanisha, who was particularly small in stature, had her legs sinking deep into the snow with every step she took.

 

Though there were other adults present, since Hanisha belonged to Stukkyia, everyone was reluctant to casually carry her and move around.

 

Then Ashirion stepped forward, but due to his slender build, it would be too much for him to carry someone while moving.

 

There was a suitable adult, Caron, but.

 

“Just bringing Miss Hanisha here is already punishable by death, but I don’t wish to increase my punishment beyond that. Please forgive me for still being so cowardly.”

 

-He said, placing his hand on his chest and declining very politely.

 

Then.

 

“But that young boy is different.”

 

He suddenly pointed at Rene.

 

He belonged to the knight order and was around the same age as Hanisha. There would be no problem at all with him escorting her. Moreover, didn’t he have the tireless stamina, having once carried her and run without rest?

 

“Would that be okay, Rene? You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

 

“….”

 

“This much snow isn’t too deep! I can just step on it and climb up… Whoa!”

 

Rene, who had seemed rather reluctant, lifted Hanisha into his arms when she stumbled.

 

And so Hanisha was able to arrive safely without getting wet from the snow at all.

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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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