The Oracle of the Villainous Baby - Chapter 64

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 64
“…She often spoke to me of such things. I simply chose not to voice them publicly, lest they stir unnecessary discord.”
Kiriel spoke with measured calm.
Bunny would mention once or twice a week that such an event might occur, or that investing in a certain venture could make one fabulously wealthy, or that a particular region might experience torrential rains leading to floods.
Whenever asked where she obtained such information, Bunny would invariably blame the Phoenix.
‘She’s simply a poor liar.’
Even as her eyes trembled while she spoke, her words hardly seemed credible.
Yet he had chosen not to press further.
It was a boundary—one that felt dangerous to cross, so he had not.
“What is the accuracy rate of her predictions?”
“Thus far, one hundred percent.”
But Kiriel understood well.
As long as the child possessed such abilities and power, she could not live quietly and peacefully forever. She could not simply ignore them indefinitely.
“…Are you saying she truly makes prophecies? Is this the Phoenix’s ability?”
“I wouldn’t know. We’ve uncovered nothing about the Phoenix.”
Ludbreed let out a long, pained groan, his arms crossed.
“As I have said before, do not force anything else upon the child. I intend to let her grow ordinarily, until she reaches an age where she can understand her own circumstances.”
Kiriel’s voice was sharp and warning.
Ludbreed regarded him with clear displeasure, yet fell silent without protest.
He too carried the memory of someone precious, lost to the weight of the name ‘hero’—a memory he could not easily forget.
When a remarkable child was born into a family, it became a problem. The world would not leave such a child alone.
“…Very well.”
After a long silence, Ludbreed’s answer came, and Kiriel’s eyes widened sharply. It was an unexpected response.
He had anticipated the usual argument about how power carries responsibility, or how each person has their own role to fulfill.
That had been the case in the past.
As Kiriel fixed him with an intense gaze, Ludbreed slowly gathered his thoughts before speaking again.
“Since you speak thus, it cannot be mere nonsense. There is no harm in proceeding cautiously. We shall postpone any confrontation with those fools until after we’ve completed our conquest. Any objections? Klein.”
“Objections? What good would that do? Everyone has already decided, and my opinion hardly matters. I have no complaints either.”
Though his expression suggested reluctance, he could hardly voice dissent when three of the four direct line members had cast their votes in favor.
“Then we shall inform the Imperial Palace of this matter and request cooperation from the Mage Tower through them—or rather, what is it called now, the Mage Kingdom? In any case, we shall request assistance from ‘Alphatria.'”
Once even Klein relented, Ludbreed nodded and concluded the matter.
“Next is the Phoenix matter. Word has already spread, and we receive countless gifts, requests for audiences, and invitations to the upcoming Moonlight Banquet from all quarters. What of you?”
“Don’t even mention it. At every temple I visit, they ask if the Phoenix is real. How would I know? I haven’t even seen it myself.”
“I never imagined something so small could be the Phoenix…”
“At first, I thought it was merely an egg.”
At Salame and Klein’s words, Ludbreed exhaled deeply.
In truth, there was little known about the Phoenix.
It was the Divine Beast of the first patriarch of the Udiah Duchy—that much was documented.
Since the first patriarch of the Udiah Duchy, it had never appeared again.
All that was known was that it possessed such extraordinary healing power that it could cure any illness, provided one did not die.
Moreover, when I combined the recent information, I began to suspect that the Phoenix might also possess an ability related to future foresight.
Ah, and the fact that it sustains itself on Divine Stones as well.
However, it seemed the Phoenix didn’t consume them indiscriminately. Even after I brought an abundance of Divine Stones afterward, the Phoenix neither grew nor used them as nourishment.
Kiriel, who had been observing the table where the conversation flowed, opened his mouth.
“The Phoenix matter need not be placed on the agenda. Since she is my daughter, I shall handle it myself. Should anything noteworthy arise, I will report it.”
Ludbreed’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Though he was displeased, he had no desire to thrust that child—still so young, innocent, and bright—into a world where such machinations swirled about.
He had already endured one painful failure.
“Have you discovered anything regarding Bunny’s parents?”
“Isn’t that your responsibility, Father?”
“I attempted it. I gave a few strands of the child’s hair and made the request. But… Pegasus could not find them.”
Ludbreed recalled Pegasus, who had caught the scent yet showed no inclination to move, and shook his head slowly.
“Rather, he made no attempt to search at all.”
“That Pegasus could not find them means…”
“…They have likely already departed this world.”
At Ludbreed’s words, Kiriel pressed his lips firmly together.
Kiriel had also investigated. About Bunny, about her history.
Yet there was almost nothing to be found. Rather, most of the information and records had been completely erased.
‘Even the Director of the Orphanage knew little.’
All that was known was that on a day when the weather was warm, a child had been found crouching alone before the Orphanage.
“Have you identified which branch family one of her parents belonged to?”
“I don’t know. There wouldn’t be just one or two branch families. For now, I’ve ordered them to search through the genealogies one by one and cross-reference them.”
At Klein’s question, Ludbreed answered with a brief sigh.
There was nothing that could be done immediately.
“In any case, we’ve decided to place Bunny under your care.”
As Ludbreed spoke, Kiriel’s gaze turned toward him.
“Care for her properly.”
Ludbreed added the words somewhat awkwardly.
Ahem!
After clearing his throat once, Ludbreed opened his mouth again.
“Regarding the Phoenix, release as little information as possible. Until Bunny reaches adulthood, refrain from letting her leave the Dormitory Mansion or the Marquis Territory if at all possible. There is no place as safe as here.”
“…Very well.”
At Kiriel’s blunt response, Ludbreed nodded.
“Next is…”
“Father, do not bring such strange nonsense about Bunny’s betrothal or whatever to such an important gathering.”
Before Ludbreed could even properly begin, Klein cut him off sharply, and Ludbreed let out a scoff of displeasure before speaking.
“Tsk. I was naturally going to refuse. She’s far too young! And far too clever! Moreover, her future prospects are quite promising. How could I possibly hand such a child over to the Imperial Court? There’s nothing to consider—it’s refused.”
“I shall handle that myself.”
“…That’s all well and good, but choose your words carefully—you are of the Royal Family, after all.”
As Kiriel stepped forward, Ludbreed added his words with an uneasy expression. Kiriel merely shrugged his shoulders with an indifferent face.
“And the last matter is….”
“Now that you mention it, what about your brother? You said you had much to discuss regarding him.”
Ludbreed narrowed his brow and crossed his arms, then slowly opened his mouth.
“Your brother… that is to say, it appears Dios had a daughter.”
The moment the words left his lips, silence descended upon the room.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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