The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 82

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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 82

However, the cleric had not yet given up hope.

He thought that Paterre Stukkyia surely couldn’t have recognized and brought ‘Hanisha Agnito.’ If that were the case, a territorial war would have already broken out under the pretext of abandoning the child.

First, he had to inform Count Agnito about this matter.

The cleric adjusted his glasses and said.

“I’m sorry, but it seems you’ve come to the wrong department. We’re not currently handling adoption services.”

“Oh, is this not the right place?”

“Yes. The departments have been consolidated. I’ll guide you to the appropriate department…”

“Shall I guess the name of that department?”

Paterre Stukkyia interrupted and grabbed the cleric by the collar. More precisely, he grabbed the ‘Snow Rabbit coat’ that only high-ranking clerics wore, which he had received as payment for processing the death.

“Agnito, right?”

“…Kheuk.”

“If you have ears, you should nod.”

Paterre Stukkyia whispered soothingly.

Since he already knew everything when he came, it was as if he was saying not to think about struggling, and it sounded quite gentle.

When there was no response due to the overwhelming pressure, Paterre slightly furrowed his brow.

“Your hearing seems to be poor indeed. Maybe we should go somewhere else…”

“The, the entire council!”

That’s when it happened. The cleric who had been grabbed by the collar shouted as if making a last desperate attempt.

“Did you bring signatures from the entire Council of Elders?”

“What?”

“Adoption by the Four Great Ducal Families is directly related to the Empire’s security. It can only be processed with the consent of the entire Council of Elders…!”

The consent of the entire Council of Elders.

This was a clause created during the time when abilities were commonly regarded.

It was established so that branch family members or completely unrelated outsiders with abilities wouldn’t ruin the abilities passed down through generations in ducal families, requiring consent from the entire Council of Elders.

What House of Stukya possessed was magic power, not abilities, so this clause was unrelated to them, but they were still a ducal family. If the law was invoked, Stukkyia would have the least to say.

It was a situation where he was driving out his real daughter and saying he would take in a complete stranger as his child.

Hanisha, who was watching this, bit her lips.

After several incidents, the retainers and elders had accepted Hanisha. They realized that Paterre wasn’t accepting her as mere entertainment. Thus, Hanisha was able to safely obtain the elders’ signatures.

Except for one person, Count Karbendi.

‘We could just push through saying that Stukkyia’s magic power is unrelated to abilities, but…’

Public opinion wouldn’t be favorable.

In the end, they hadn’t obtained consent from Count Karbendi, the oldest elder.

‘Should I retreat for now and go see Count Karbendi again?’

But what if that cleric went to find Count Agnito in the meantime?

When her head was getting complicated not knowing what would happen first.

Paterre spoke in a slow voice.

“No point in scheming like that. I already know everything.”

“…!”

“Just listen when I’m being nice. We both hate being tired, don’t we.”

“Wh, why!”

With a tone saying it was impossible, the cleric’s mouth finally opened.

“There are other children, aren’t there!”

“Other children?”

“Yes!”

He shouted as if feeling wronged.

If it were another child, there would be no need to be so unreasonable. It would have been easier instead.

But not Hanisha. Not because he owed too much to Agnito.

“You can’t bring back to life a child who’s been processed as dead. That child is already dead. That’s how it was processed…!”

The cleric shouted as if giving up.

“Please bring another child instead. As long as it’s not that dead child, I can process it smoothly right away…”

The cleric couldn’t finish his words.

It was because of the cool energy touching the back of his neck.

The young boy who had entered with Hanisha was holding a sword blade to his neck.

It was so fast that he couldn’t even notice when the sword had been drawn.

“How, how dare you draw a sword in the temple! Do you know where this is…!”

Again, the cleric closed his mouth.

The golden eyes he faced were too intense.

It reminded him exactly of the form of the first demon he had heard about countless times during his apprentice days.

Just watching that situation, Paterre spoke with a leisurely attitude.

“I thought he was a guy who charmed my daughter with his face, but he’s faster than he looks. Want to be my son?”

“-No! No!”

“Yeah, I’m joking too. I prefer cute daughters.”

Even as Paterre said this, he raised his hand and lowered the sword the young boy was holding. As if telling him to step back since it was dangerous.

Then the young boy, who seemed like he wouldn’t retreat, obediently stepped back.

At the same time.

Whoosh-!

Dark energy emanated from beneath his feet. It was the strong magic power characteristic of Stukkyia.

Magic power and divine power are conflicting forces. Since they cannot harmonize, when one side is overwhelmingly strong, it can completely devour the other’s power.

“Heu, heuiik…!”

The moment the cleric cowered and Hanisha hesitated whether she should step forward.

“You haven’t changed at all.”

Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice was heard from behind.

Hanisha’s eyes widened.

An old man with a dignified appearance and good build. It was Count Karbendi.

The count said.

“What will you do if someone who already attracts all kinds of bad rumors causes such a disturbance?”

“That’s why I disguised myself thoroughly.”

“Yes. It was so perfect I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Not feeling the need to continue the conversation, the count turned his gaze toward the cleric.

“-Late! Late! Tardy! Completely tardy!”

From the moment Rene moved his sword, the bird sitting on Hanisha’s head chirped.

“Yes, I’m late.”

The count laughed briefly.

“But not completely tardy.”

Saying so, the count smoothly pulled Hanisha’s adoption papers that were placed on the desk toward himself.

Then he signed at the very bottom without hesitation.

Rivaitl Karbendi.

The cleric couldn’t say anything until the count put down his pen. He just watched quietly.

It almost looked like he had given up.

“It would be best not to think about discarding it.”

“…!”

However, at the count’s quiet words, the cleric’s body flinched.

It was because he had been thinking of accepting the documents for now and secretly disposing of them since he couldn’t beat Paterre anyway.

“At least if you hand over these documents, you can save your life.”

“…”

“Even if you run away, you should leave with your body intact, shouldn’t you. You still look young.”

The count shook his head as if telling him not to make foolish choices.

It was a warning without touching a hair, but that made it even more frightening.

It sounded like sincere advice from someone who knew Paterre Stukkyia better than anyone else in this world.

The cleric was holding his breath and trembling when it happened.

“Your words are too harsh in front of the children, Master. I do have some dignity as a father, you know.”

Paterre Stukkyia, who answered in a tone that showed no offense at all, picked up the adoption papers from the table.

“According to tradition, the adoption application should be submitted by the child. It’s not about adults choosing children, but children choosing families.”

“….”

“I don’t agree with the god’s rambling, but I do agree with this much.”

Having said that, Paterre Stukkyia handed the papers to Hanisha. Hanisha’s eyes widened.

‘Why is he giving this back to me…?’

When she blinked, Paterre Stukkyia raised his eyebrow and shook the papers as if urging her.

As if asking whether she still didn’t understand.

That gesture seemed like he was extending his hand to me.

‘Ah.’

Only then did I realize.

“Snow… Yes, let’s go with that.”

He was talking about their first meeting.

Unlike back then when he accepted me for a purpose, this time the choice was mine.

So if I wanted, I could become his family… It was Paterre Stukkyia’s own way of expressing it.

My chest felt ticklish. That sensation grew stronger until it felt like something would burst out of my mouth.

But I held it back and took the papers.

“Here.”

Then I held out the papers toward the cleric who was still terrified.

“Hanisha Agnito wishes to be adopted into the House of Stukya.”

At my declaration-like words, the cleric received the papers with a pale face.

“…Yes, understood.”

Then he stamped the Temple’s seal next to Hanisha’s name—a seal imbued with divine power that could not be undone once pressed.

“Oh right.”

While I was suppressing my overwhelming emotions, Paterre Stukkyia spoke as if he had just remembered something.

“I heard there’s also a tradition of celebrating a child’s future with applause once they successfully submit their application.”

“There is no such tradition, Your Grace.”

“Then let’s create one from now on.”

Paterre Stukkyia, completely unbothered, began clapping.

The Rebel Leader also said “That’s not wrong,” and clapped along.

Even the cleric, who had been constantly muttering about being doomed, sensed the unspoken atmosphere and joined in clapping.

Rene also clapped, though his movements were formal and slow.

Above Rene’s head, the bird flew around flapping its wings, saying “-Clap! Congratulations!”

“Hanisha.”

Paterre Stukkyia willingly lowered himself to match Hanisha’s eye level.

“Thank you for becoming my daughter.”

It was a voice I had never heard before—infinitely gentle and warm.

Hanisha clenched her fists tightly.

After countless ups and downs in life, back to being 10 years old again.

For the very first time in my life….

“…Me too, Dad.”

It was the moment I gained a father.

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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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