The Duke Dad I Chose Can’t (Really) See Well - Chapter 87

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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 87

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Southern Square was always bustling with many people.

It was the only place close to the sea where goods from other countries came and went.

However, since they were goods from other countries, the asking prices were steep. As the prices were high, taxes also increased accordingly, and this was directly reflected back into the cost of goods.

Therefore, the items that commoners with modest means could browse were extremely limited, and this was no different from other regions.

“How are the goods today?”

“Same as always, nothing special. Should I give you the usual?”

“Yes. Our child is still only looking for that.”

“Well, that’s something at least. The biggest problem for sick people is not being able to eat well. When that happens, it really means their time has come…”

“Honey!”

The merchant’s wife belatedly hit his back.

When the man who came to buy goods stiffened, the merchant panicked and stammered.

“No, what I meant was, it’s fortunate in a way. You know how other people donate even their food expenses entirely to the Temple…”

His wife’s hand flew at him again.

The man who came as a customer smiled bitterly.

“…You’re not wrong though. As long as the patient eats well, there’s nothing more fortunate for the caregiver.”

Worries about when they might recover, or what would happen if they died like this, would wash away when he saw the child eating well.

So there was still hope.

“Oh! Let me give you something good.”

Perhaps wanting to apologize for his slip of tongue, the merchant stepped forward.

“It’s a very sweet and delicious apple. If you grind it up, children will love it too.”

It was a very red and luscious apple.

Coincidentally, the child’s pet name was Apple, and perhaps because of that, the child particularly loved apples, so the man’s heart naturally softened.

“Want to try it? Here, here.”

Confirming that the man’s mood had improved slightly, the merchant quickly peeled a slice of apple and offered it.

The man’s eyes widened after taking a bite.

“I’ve never had such a delicious apple. Where is it from?”

“Delicious, right? This is that Biroche Territory ice apple. It’s probably first-class in terms of quality.”

“Biroche? But I’ve never heard that name before.”

“That’s understandable. It’s a place that borders the Northern Region and Eastern Region, but the land is chaotic and the Snow Rabbits living there are very ferocious, so production is low. Now it’s almost a ruined land.”

“Do you happen to know how I could get more? I’d like to get more for my child.”

“Wait just a moment.”

The merchant called over a colleague he worked with. Since the customer seemed interested in ice apples, he wanted to share even small information out of guilt.

“Hans, come out for a moment. Hans?”

Somehow there was no answer.

When he went inside, Hans jumped in surprise and hid something in his arms.

He had been acting like this continuously since returning from the Northern Region a few days ago.

“What are you doing there? There’s a customer curious about Biroche apples. Come out quickly and explain.”

“What? But I…”

“Ah, no excuses, hurry up!”

With rough hands, Hans was dragged outside without even thinking to put down what was in his arms.

“This is Hans. Despite his build, he’s a crybaby who cries over his sick rabbit.”

“Ah, why are you telling such stories?”

“Why indeed. I’m worried he’ll donate all his earnings to the Temple again, saying he wants to save animals.”

“Then why do you set dangerous traps like that? You know perfectly well he keeps rabbits!”

“Well then. Does that rabbit catch mice for us? He should have taken better care of it.”

At the continued scolding, Hans turned his head away as if to say enough. His hunched posture and downcast gaze looked quite uncomfortable.

“Hello, Hans. I heard you brought apples from the Northern Region. Could you share some information?”

“Ah, well…”

It was the moment he was about to say something.

His chest suddenly wriggled.

More precisely, something hidden in his arms.

Scratch scratch scratch, movements like something clawing.

“Hey, wait, wait a moment…!”

Startled, Hans tried to press it down again, but pop.

What revealed itself was a white rabbit.

“You, this…?”

Hans quickly hid the rabbit back in his arms, but it was already too late.

The merchant finally snatched the rabbit away from Hans.

“This one, isn’t this the one that was on death’s door? Why is it alive? Huh? Did you secretly donate money to the Temple again?”

“Why are you being like this to a sick animal! Mimi hates it when you handle her roughly like that!”

“Then what’s this! Huh?”

“She got treated, what else!”

“Treated?”

At the dumbfounded question, Hans sighed. Since he was already caught, it was easier to confess honestly.

“…I was coming back after being rejected by the Temple, when someone called me. It was someone I’d never seen before, but they told me to go to Biroche Territory if I had a sick animal. They said they could treat sick animals there. They said they’d seen animals that recovered completely and were running around.”

“What? Who was this person?”

“How would I know? But I had nothing to lose.”

So Hans headed to Biroche Territory with Mimi.

And the scene he encountered was… truly unbelievable.

Snow Rabbits that avoided humans were mingling with people.

Some were wearing strange things he’d never seen before on their legs.

Hans gathered courage to ask if they could heal his pet too.

He couldn’t pay the treatment fee right now, but he would repay them no matter what.

Even as he spoke, he inwardly thought it would be difficult.

Even the Temple, which valued life, had initially refused, saying they couldn’t use their precious divine power on mere animals.

Only after pouring out all his saved money could he barely get the wounds sutured.

However, the people there accepted Hans. And before long, Mimi began to slowly recover.

“Ho-how much would the fee be?”

To his question, someone answered clearly.

“This rabbit running around proudly on two legs. That’s enough for us!”

When Hans was hesitating about where to go, it was the silver-haired girl who had told him about this place. Wearing an advertising sign around her neck that read ‘Biroche Ice Apples – Highest Sweetness.’

“And if anyone asks, please tell them that Biroche apples are very delicious too.”

That was the end of the child’s words.

Though he was grateful for the help, treatment without divine power – that is, treatment to the extent of saving lives – was strictly forbidden. It was against the natural order.

Thinking he had done something the Temple prohibited, he absolutely couldn’t show Mimi outside.

“So that’s why you’ve been so quiet lately…!”

“Bu-but Mimi got better! Please keep it secret, okay?”

While the merchant and Hans were bickering.

“To Biroche Territory…”

The man who had been quietly listening to the story slowly opened his mouth.

“…What’s the route to Biroche Territory?”

“Huh? You’re going there? But it’ll be the same. I heard they can only treat animals…”

“I know.”

Still, he had to go.

A very small hope that the child might be cured. He had to cling to even that.

The driver’s sunken eyes gradually began to hold hope.

* * *

Eastern Temple.

Count Agnito, invited to the dinner, tried his best to maintain a calm expression.

However, everyone here knew this invitation wasn’t really for a meal.

During the time when only tense breathing could be heard.

“Count.”

The Eastern High Cleric slowly opened his mouth.

“Are you aware that strange rumors have been spreading recently?”

“Well. What kind of rumors?”

“Animals that were abandoned in the ‘Forbidden Land’ have been treated and are running around freely with something called ‘prosthetics.'”

“…Surely not. It must just be rumors.”

“We thought so too. But it turned out to be true.”

“…”

“And that the origin of those ‘prosthetics’ is Biroche Territory. People who heard those rumors are flocking to Biroche Territory.”

The gazes of all the clerics, including the High Cleric, focused on Count Agnito.

Nevertheless, Count Agnito silently continued his meal.

“Come to think of it, a cleric who was working at the Northern Temple recently submitted his resignation in a hurry. He processed one adoption application before leaving, and the name was familiar.”

The Eastern High Cleric picked up the documents beside him.

“The name is Hanisha. The family is…”

At that moment.

Screech.

Count Agnito’s utensils, which had been pretending to be calm, finally stopped with a terrible sound.

“I think you know well what will happen if this matter reaches the Royal Family’s ears.”

“…Yes, I know well.”

“We’ll handle Biroche, but not that child. I trust you’ll return her.”

As Count Agnito nodded heavily, the dinner came to an end.

As he left the temple, his loyal servant quickly followed.

“…Will you go straight to Stukkyia?”

“No.”

Paterre Stukkyia was someone who shouldn’t be touched carelessly. If handled wrong, he might expose everything that happened in Biroche Territory.

But he also couldn’t claim that ‘Stukkyia’s side forcibly kidnapped Hanisha to make her their daughter.’ Hanisha might directly report the atrocities he had committed.

For now, the most important thing was bringing Hanisha back.

Only then could he nullify the death processing and make Paterre Stukkyia’s adoption void.

Count Agnito commanded in a low voice.

“Find someone as quickly as possible. If they refuse and resist, drag them by force or threaten to kill their connected family members – handle it however you want.”

The loyal servant, hearing the name that followed, bowed deeply.

Watching his loyal servant disappear, the Count slowly muttered.

“…Since that thing is alive, what went with it must surely be alive too.”

And that would become Hanisha’s greatest and most powerful weakness.

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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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