The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 77

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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 77

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Even after entering his house, a chill arose. It was because he hadn’t repaired the windows broken by the landslide.

“Sorry about that. Are you very cold?”

“I’m fine. It’s much warmer than outside where the wind is blowing!”

“That’s a relief.”

The old man smiled with a kind expression.

He was the grandfather who had given me an apple through the child. He was also the oldest village resident here.

“So, what do you want to say to this old man?”

“It’s nothing major. There’s something I’d like to ask of you.”

“A request, you say. There’s not much a penniless old man can do.”

The grandfather laughed heartily with words half-mixed with self-deprecation.

“That’s okay. What I want isn’t money.”

“Then that’s fortunate. Say whatever you wish. Even though I’m old, my ears work fine, so I can at least listen.”

“Um, first of all. Even if Max and Ash’s research fails, please don’t scold them too harshly. They’re still young.”

“For the youngest one to say such things. Hehe. Yes, I understand. Is that all?”

“And I’d like you to tell them directly that you want to be subordinated to Stukkyia, not Agnito.”

At those words, the old man asked with a puzzled expression.

“…You want our village to belong to Stukkyia?”

“Yes. Because it would be terrible if Max and Ash’s research content were to be discovered.”

“Ah, you don’t want to inform the Temple. Don’t worry about that. Even if we don’t belong to Stukkyia, such a thing won’t happen-.”

“And belonging to Stukkyia would be better for plotting rebellion too, Count Karbendi. Agnito really loves cutting off the buds of rebellion.”

“…!”

At my following words, the old man froze.

The smile gradually disappeared from his face.

At first, I wasn’t sure. Whether that person was Count Karbendi or not.

But Caron and Julian knew I was coming here and didn’t try to stop me.

That meant there was someone here trustworthy enough.

“I don’t know what you mean by that. I’m a native who was born and raised in this village. I’ve never stepped foot outside in my entire life.”

He smiled as if nothing had happened. He intended to play dumb.

“Besides, rebellion? Why would you think that?”

“That’s easy.”

Though I was a bit scared, I spoke in a clear voice.

“You haven’t repaired your house.”

“…”

“That means this place isn’t precious enough to repair and tend to.”

At my words, the old man slowly looked around his house.

Broken windows, chairs that were broken but not cleared away, curtains fluttering weakly, a ceiling with water dripping from it.

Not a single thing was intact.

He had a separate hometown to return to.

That place was probably the Forbidden Land.

Many of those who lost their foundations gathered here.

And they sharpened their blades of revenge so they could repay it someday.

However, lacking money and strategy, they had all their facts discovered by Agnito, who was preparing for subjugation.

This was exactly why Count Karbendi stepped down from his position as a Stukkyia Elder and became Count Agnito’s retainer.

‘To prevent Stukkyia from being branded as traitors too.’

“…I suppose that was visible to your eyes.”

Soon the old man, no, Count Karbendi slowly nodded his head.

“Then you probably know what we’ll do now that our plan has been exposed.”

The moment the Count said that.

The atmosphere emanating from him completely changed.

“You seemed like a kind and good child, but you were also a perceptive one.”

“…”

“But now that our plan has been revealed, we can’t leave you alone. I’m truly sorry.”

“…”

“Do you have any last words?”

“Yes.”

When I answered, the Count nodded as if granting one last mercy.

I swallowed dry saliva. Then I slowly opened my mouth.

“If this kind of situation happens again next time… it would be better if you hid yourself a bit more.”

“…What?”

“I could see from when I came in. That there was someone over there.”

At those words, the Count quickly looked toward where I was pointing.

But there was no one there.

Seeing the Count blink, I slyly added more words.

“…Like this, being careful not to reveal your true feelings right away would also help more with the rebellion…”

At my cautiously added words, the Count let out a hollow laugh.

That’s when it happened.

“Damn it!”

With a loud crash, someone burst inside.

A man in shabby clothes, but with sharp eyes, was glaring at me.

“Not only do you already know everything, but you dare to mock us!”

“What are you doing right now, Lemata!”

“Didn’t you hear? She already knows everything! She might have already passed on the information!”

“Stop it! If you cause a disturbance here now, Stukkyia will find out too. Then all our plans so far will be ruined!”

“But…!”

Suddenly the atmosphere became murderous. Over whether or not to deal with me, who knew the plan.

That’s when it happened.

“Ha, haha!”

A cheerful laugh was heard. The owner of the voice was the Count.

The gentle and kind voice was nowhere to be found, replaced by hearty laughter.

While everyone was confused and just blinking, the Count spoke.

“Lemata, didn’t I tell you to tone down that personality of yours?”

“But…!”

“Enough. Have you already forgotten what the child just advised? To be careful about revealing your true feelings right away. It would be troublesome to forget that advice.”

The Count said this as he slowly approached my side.

Thinking there was no need to hide anymore, he removed the hood that had been covering his face.

Eyes that were somewhat thin but still showed unwavering spirit gazed at me.

“What’s your reason for going this far to seek me out? It would have been easily resolved if you had reported directly to His Grace.”

“…”

“Or you could have reported this to Agnito and returned to your home. Why didn’t you choose the easy options?”

His eyes stared at me intently as if demanding I answer quickly.

To that, I answered in a calm voice.

“It’s the same reason you didn’t hand me over to Agnito, Count.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I still haven’t told the other retainers that I’m from Agnito. The people who know I’m from Agnito are His Grace, and a very small number including Lord Caron.”

“That’s something anyone could find out by investigating.”

“Yes. But even after finding out through investigation, you didn’t report it to Agnito.”

The Rebel Leader hesitated.

“If you had disliked me, you could have reported me to Agnito and had me removed. It would have been a very easy choice.”

The Rebel Leader was the person who had strongly insisted that the Princess of Trishia Duchy should be welcomed as the duke’s wife.

Yet such a person had kept quiet about my existence.

So I thought.

Perhaps the Rebel Leader didn’t dislike me as much as it seemed.

Therefore, there must have been another reason why the Rebel Leader left Paterre Castle.

After a long while, the silent Rebel Leader’s mouth opened again.

“…I heard you were a perceptive child, and it really is as they said.”

His eyes showed much less wariness now. However, that straightforward gaze still watched me intently.

“I heard you’re collecting adoption consent forms. You must have come here to get my signature. Will you return once I just sign it?”

“That was the purpose, but… I’ve changed my mind now.”

“Changed your mind?”

“Yes. Please return to Stukkyia Castle.”

The surroundings stirred at this. The Rebel Leader also frowned as if asking what I meant, so I continued speaking.

“Paterre Stukkyia wants to open the castle gates again. But as you know, Paterre Stukkyia has many enemies. If you returned to Paterre Castle, the way people view Stukkyia would change somewhat.”

“Hmm…”

“And, most importantly…”

I continued in a calm voice.

“Even if he doesn’t say it, he must be lonely.”

“Who.”

“…Paterre Stukkyia.”

At that, the Rebel Leader hesitated.

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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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