The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 74

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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 74

Cutting it off would be easy. The problem was what came after.

If their kind lost a leg because of human greed, the Rabbits’ anger would grow uncontrollably.

‘It would have been better if magi had been surging.’

Then I could have somehow calmed it down with my purification ability. If I showed that kind of effort, perhaps both the people and the Rabbits might have a change of heart.

‘What should I do in a situation like this? How can I…’

Just as I was pondering if there was another way.

“Huff, gasp!”

Heavy breathing could be heard. I unconsciously turned my gaze.

“Damn, what kind of mountain is this high? It’s nothing compared to the Workshop!”

It was Max.

Max, who had been breathing heavily with his hands on both knees, quickly straightened his posture when he saw Ashirion.

“Why are you so surprised? I came running right after work ended.”

“Max, why are you here…?”

“Did you think I wouldn’t come?”

Max snorted and lifted his chin.

“No matter what, I have to be Hani-sha’s first older brother. I can never let that slimy snake bastard or that taciturn guy who just glares take that away from me…”

As always, Max, who had been chattering away, suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

“Why…”

It was because he belatedly noticed the expressions of the other people looking at him.

“Why are you looking at me with those eyes…?”

* * *

“That’s impossible.”

Max’s mouth fell wide open.

“You want to attach a prosthetic leg to a Snow Rabbit?”

“Didn’t you say you’ve made prosthetics before?”

At Ashirion’s question, Max replied.

“I did! But I’ve never properly attached one. I still haven’t found a mineral that works on humans while not being contaminated by magi.”

“Monsters already have sufficient magi. You don’t need to worry about contamination.”

“But still…”

Max’s voice gradually diminished.

“…What if something goes wrong because of me?”

“…”

“Animals aren’t any different. If something goes wrong… that’s just the end.”

Max’s gaze dropped downward.

It was the same for Ashirion.

Though he had acted first out of concern for the injured animal, Ashirion had lost many animals because of his abilities.

He was afraid to try again with something uncertain, something he had decided to give up on.

Reading both their hearts, Hani-sha carefully clenched her fists.

Honestly speaking, she had thought that if Max and Ashirion joined forces, they might be able to solve this problem.

Ashirion could heal animals, and it was true that Max would commercialize prosthetics in the future.

But she couldn’t force Max based solely on that future.

To heal someone, she couldn’t tear open someone else’s wounds.

That’s when it happened.

【…My leg can’t be used anymore?】

The injured Baby Rabbit asked. Ashirion, who had been hesitating, answered.

“Rather than saying it can’t be used, it’s more accurate to say treatment came too late.”

【So it can’t be used.】

“…”

Ashirion said nothing, but they knew that silence meant affirmation.

【But I won’t die, right? If I won’t die, I’d like to try it.】

Then the other Rabbits objected.

【What are you… That’s too dangerous.】

【What if something goes wrong!】

Then, the Baby Rabbit hung its head low and said.

【I’ve caused too much harm to my companions until now.】

Injured or dying individuals had to separate from the group.

Abandoning and being abandoned was natural in wild life.

However, the companions hadn’t abandoned the injured one. Knowing it was holding them back, it had looked away wanting to live. But… it couldn’t do that anymore.

【From the moment I got injured, I was already as good as dead. Nothing will change.】

The Baby Rabbit spoke toward Ashirion and Max.

【So… please do it. I’m begging you.】

Perhaps because the Baby Rabbit’s earnest feelings were conveyed.

Eventually, the remaining Rabbits also bowed their heads one by one, making their requests.

When even the Lead Rabbit finally bowed its head, everyone gasped in surprise.

Come to think of it, wasn’t all of this because of traps set by humans?

Yet these Rabbits were asking to save their companion. To humans, who were also the culprits of this incident.

It was a sight no one had anticipated…

“Really, even if I’m a genius, this kind of trial is too much…”

Max, who had been running his hands through his hair in distress, finally raised his head.

This impulse might take away even the little confidence he had left, but there was one thing he was certain of.

When Max wanted to protect his newly found family.

The look in his eyes then resembled the look in these Rabbits’ eyes.

“Hey, little brother.”

“…Little brother?”

Ashirion frowned as if asking what he meant.

“You were born six months after me. Six months means how much food eaten. I’m definitely the older brother.”

“…Are you really an idiot?”

Max lightly ignored the criticism that followed and slowly took a breath.

“I’m really scared too. You must be as well.”

He didn’t know how it would turn out, but since everyone wanted it.

“Still… let’s try it.”

* * *

After even Caron’s approval was granted, Ashirion and Max entered a temporarily prepared small tent. However, even after the sun set and night fell, there was still no news.

The villagers spoke with worried faces.

“Will it be okay? Those kids looked quite young.”

“I wonder if we might accidentally upset the Rabbits even more.”

“Rabbits would be fortunate. What if word of this reaches the Agnito side…”

“You people. Those young ones are stepping up for us, and you can’t even cheer them on!”

At someone’s reproach, those who had made worried sounds lowered their voices saying, “No, I was just worried…”

However, those feelings weren’t incomprehensible.

The border region between the East and North. They belonged to Agnito but their actual residential area was Stukkyia.

At first glance, it might seem like they could freely move between the two estates, but the reality wasn’t so.

The wealthy Agnito considered them a money drain.

Stukkyia was an estate where people died off, with more people leaving than living there.

While I was grateful for their help, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was indebted to them.

Because of this, having anxiety about not belonging anywhere had become their long-standing habit.

However, even while such words could be heard.

“Hello. Can I put this down over here?”

Hanisha was steadfastly helping the townspeople.

Holding a blanket larger than her own body in her arms, bustling around here and there, she looked like a small bird chirping as it flitted about.

‘They’re short on blankets over there. If I bring this over…’

While Caron, who kept widening his eyes to stop her, was distracted elsewhere, just as Hanisha was about to lift up a blanket.

Someone snatched away the blanket she was holding.

“-Cold! Cold!”

The voice that followed.

Next to the sharp-eyed, cool-looking young boy was a small bird.

The young boy, who wouldn’t even pretend to listen when Hanisha spoke, would actually step forward first to help with her work whenever Hanisha took direct action.

“Oh my, I could have done that myself.”

“…”

“But thank you. Could you take it over there?”

Then Rene carried the blanket in her place.

When the baby bird on his shoulder chirped “-Cold! Cold!” the townspeople’s expressions softened considerably.

“What a cute combination.”

“Our children used to chirp like that too… Anyway, thank you.”

Rene returned to where he originally was without responding. Hanisha scurried over to his side.

“Thank you, Rene. You’re a lifesaver.”

“…”

“You’re not tired, are you? Oh, they said we can rest over there. Let’s go over there.”

Hanisha led Rene to a suitable shelter. Rene obediently followed her.

Count Agnito’s people must have prepared in advance, as thick blankets and warm tea were ready on one side.

“Here, drink this. Rene.”

“…”

“Oh, they said this is hot, so don’t drink it too quickly.”

Even then she gave him precautions, but Rene, who still couldn’t understand the language, just stared blankly at Hanisha.

As if asking why she was doing such things among people who disliked her.

“Well, you see.”

Hanisha hesitated for a moment.

He wouldn’t understand even if she told him anyway.

However, precisely because of that, she wanted to confide in someone. Why she was going to such lengths.

“I…”

So she slowly opened her mouth.

“I did something terribly wrong to those people.”

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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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