The Youngest Member Filming a Parenting Show is Adorable - Chapter 104
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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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【104】
As I earnestly played the fool, Grandfather, who had kept his eyes tightly shut, embraced Aunt with an expression of utter resignation.
Aunt didn’t move at all—not even a little!—from that spot.
The two of them separated the moment they touched, and then Aunt’s gaze turned toward me.
“That little Crab has grown quite a bit.”
“I’ve gotten taller too, haven’t I?!”
Aunt gave me a gentle pat as I laughed, then straightened her posture.
In my memories, Aunt always held her chin high, and she still does.
I didn’t understand it then, but I do now.
Aunt is a noblewoman worthy of the admiration she receives in High Society.
Graceful, confident, unbending, and dignified.
“Since I’ve come home after so long, I should drink myself into oblivion. Please bring out that 30-year-old Baric wine you’ve been hoarding away. And spare me any more of these strange embraces.”
…What?
In an instant, the image of a noblewoman shattered completely.
Aunt, what happened to you on the Battlefield?!
* * *
I need to drink.
That was sincere.
Throughout all those years, in that brutal place, I had never allowed myself a single moment of intoxication.
Cecilia, who had arrived at this place of peace where she no longer needed to fear ambushes, suddenly found this tranquility profoundly strange.
“No more cursed Elves launching surprise attacks, no more Dwarves with their new weapons to worry about.”
As I muttered softly and drained the crimson wine in one gulp, Diagon silently refilled my glass.
I emptied that one as well.
There was no other way to dispel this suffocating frustration.
The war had ended.
The Imperial Family and the representatives of Other Races had signed an armistice agreement.
But all those who had actually been on the Battlefield knew the truth.
That it was nothing but a beautiful facade.
“They won’t give up. If they were going to quit halfway, they never would have started.”
Clink.
I set down my glass and clenched my teeth.
Those seated around me all fell silent, waiting for my next words.
I hadn’t shown my true feelings in front of the children, but this was far from a light situation.
That’s why, after the Banquet Hall ended, we gathered like this in the Reception Room.
To hear directly the secrets of this war that couldn’t be written in the reports.
“Strange rumors are circulating.”
“Strange rumors?”
“Yes. There’s talk that a Religious Organization is behind this war.”
Cecilia had truly changed.
Before the war and now, upon my return.
She had transformed so drastically that one might say she had become an entirely different person.
This change stemmed from what she had witnessed and heard.
“If we’re not careful, a great war between humanity and the Other Races could unfold. Right now, we’re simply catching our breath.”
At her words, spoken with considerable effort, Diagon closed his eyes. Nein glanced about nervously, while Violet traced the rim of her wine glass with her fingertips.
And Galiazard—
His eyes widened as every muscle in his body tensed.
“How much credibility does that claim hold?”
“More than half, Father.”
Until now, the Other Races had never unified.
The Elves kept to themselves, the Dwarves to theirs. Other races too maintained their own territories, seeking to coexist with humanity rather than dominate it.
This was because the Other Races valued nature and cherished communication and harmony. They also maintained insular, independent cultures.
Yet suddenly, a great war?
If such a thing came to pass, Fasayen would inevitably suffer tremendous consequences.
“The Nature Revolution Church or the Osirian Church.”
Cecilia swallowed her sigh and continued with a detailed explanation.
“Their ideology is extremely radical. They advocate for the domestication of all humanity. They believe the term ‘person’ should apply only to the Other Races capable of harmony. They view humanity’s extinction as the path to nature’s salvation.”
“….”
“If they cannot eradicate humanity, then the Other Races must manage them. Thus, reducing humans to livestock is justified. That is the core of their doctrine.”
Nein’s eyes widened like a startled rabbit’s.
As one who loved and cherished nature more than anyone present, he found their words utterly incomprehensible.
“Their leader, Osirian, claims to be a living god. He preaches that the world’s end draws near, that it is humanity’s fault… and already, a considerable number of the Other Races believe in him.”
At this absurd revelation, Diagon pressed his palm to his forehead.
“But isn’t Osirian human? How can they believe in a human leader while claiming humanity must be exterminated?”
“That’s precisely the heresy. Osirian claims he is a god who took human form to atone for humanity’s sins.”
“This is maddening.”
Whether it makes sense is irrelevant.
The problem is that this faith spreads with terrifying speed.
“From the Other Races’ perspective, it’s music to their ears. To delay the apocalypse, they need living sacrifices, and human sacrifice is required—which means humans must provide them.”
“Hmph.”
“During the war, numerous people were taken, and none returned. They refused even prisoner exchanges.”
“Then it’s possible they waged war specifically to obtain sacrificial victims.”
At Diagon’s quiet observation, Cecilia nodded bitterly.
“The ceasefire was their proposal. From what I can tell, they’ve already gathered the numbers they needed.”
“This is grave indeed.”
Violet, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
Having analyzed and comprehended the situation in her mind, she met her father’s gaze.
“This war occurred in the borderlands between Fasayen and Isthel’s territories. The Ash-gray Forest has belonged to the Other Races since ancient times… and the fact that they established their base there carries significant implications.”
“It’s possible there’s a connection to the Impertoura Empire beneath it all.”
If one thinks pessimistically, the possibilities extend endlessly.
Yet war is not something one should approach with optimism.
“The Imperial Family hasn’t said a word about this… It seems the Emperor isn’t taking the situation very seriously.”
At Galiazard’s words, Diagon let out a soft chuckle.
“Perhaps because they lack the capacity to respond. Who doesn’t know that the Imperial Family is now merely a hollow shell?”
“In the end, the Four Great Ducal Houses will have to take responsibility.”
The Imperial Family and Barateom were those protected by the guardianship of flame.
At least, they had been at the time of the Empire’s founding.
But now, even when Awakened ones were born, their power was negligible, and it had been a long time since the divine flame beast that once guarded the Imperial Family had vanished without a trace.
Even if they were Other Races, it seemed they might stage a revolution right now.
“Sitting here in the Reception Room and worrying won’t solve anything. I should convene a meeting of the Four Great Ducal Houses before this friendly competition.”
Galiazard, who had been groaning, made his decision thus.
In times of peace they would check and balance one another, but when a common enemy appeared like this, they had no choice but to unite their strength.
Whether the Household Masters of each family would do so willingly was another matter.
“Oh, Diagon. Did you deliver ‘that thing’ I mentioned before? About Superti during this friendly competition?”
Diagon, who had been drinking fragrant wine straight from the bottle, raised an eyebrow.
“I’ve mentioned it to her. The choice will be up to my daughter.”
“Who said anything about forcing a choice? I’m just saying show them. Let them all be turned upside down with their mouths hanging open.”
Galiazard wanted to win this friendly competition overwhelmingly.
Surely those Belarion bastards would come gnashing their teeth, but how satisfying it would be to crush their noses with a fist before the competition even began.
Diagon desired the same, but he had no intention of forcing anything upon his daughter.
“If that happens in the Emperor’s Presence… the expressions would certainly be amusing.”
“Exactly! Now you understand my heart.”
“And they’ll try to send Superti to the battlefield by any means.”
My youngest is still young.
I’ve taught her much about combat under the guise of physical training, but not enough to set my mind at ease.
Perhaps one day she’ll take to the battlefield, but couldn’t that wait until she’s fully grown?
“Let me be clear—I have no intention of sending Superti to this war.”
“Tsk, who said anything about sending her? Look at that disrespectful attitude. Baring your teeth and growling at your own father.”
“If you push me, I’ll destroy Fasayen with my own hands, take my daughter, and flee. I’ll run straight to the End of the World and live out my days as a fisherman.”
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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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