Translator: Nox

Chapter 20

I Will Save My Dad

I Will Save My Dad, Episode 21

Episode 21

That afternoon.

Laxek visited the empty classroom the children had departed.

It was after Madam Phrea had reported her evaluation of Berry’s first lesson to him.

Though she had phrased it delicately, the conclusion was effectively that the lowest rank in the Education Hall this year had already been decided.

“I don’t know if I should say this. But I must. She was dreadful.”

After class, Berry had stayed behind to finish her assignment before returning to the annex with Raytan’s apprentice, who had come to collect her.

Madam Phrea handed that assignment to Laxek along with her report.

“If you hadn’t told me these were alphabets, I would have thought earthworms had crawled across the page. Dreadful indeed. Wouldn’t you agree, Callet?”

“……It seems Lady Berry is not yet accustomed to writing. She will improve soon.”

“With handwriting like that? We shall see.”

Laxek let out a hollow laugh.

But was that child truly ordinary? The discernment she showed in the Head Commander’s Office, picking out expensive items with ease, was not something that could ever be taught.

Innate talent is something that cannot be gained through effort. The world is unfair by nature, after all.

Laxek’s golden eyes scanned Berry’s desk. Since it was the first day, the desk and bookshelf were pristine.

There was nothing special to see.

Laxek moved to the back row and began checking the twins’ bookshelves, pulling out books one by one to see what they were learning.

“It seems the twins are still studying the history of the continent.”

“I’m told they are very interested in the history of maritime trade. They’ve expressed a strong desire to go on a field trip to the harbor.”

The twins were known for their initiative and drive. Consequently, they earned high marks in active subjects.

“Then they should go. The more experience, the better. Arrange for the other children to go as well.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Laxek moved further back. Calips’s desk was by the window, with Ciel’s desk right next to it.

Laxek stopped in front of Ciel’s desk.

“Ciel has already finished two more economics books.”

Ciel was exceptionally bright. She was quick at calculating profit and loss, possessing a cunning side that she knew how to mask with her behavior.

It was a dangerous trait in a struggle between direct descendants.

She was the type of child who could lull an opponent into a false sense of security by claiming to be on their side, only to achieve her own ends.

Laxek did not view such traits unfavorably.

There were many instances in history where such a Family Head brought great growth to their house.

“It looks like Calips left in the middle of solving math problems.”

Moving to Calips’s seat, Laxek picked up a thick mathematics book on the desk. Calips’s name was written on it. The early pages showed signs of diligent work, but……

“The back is clean. He was looking at this same book last month. Is that boy even studying?”

“Young Master Calips has very clear likes and dislikes when it comes to subjects. I hear he has a natural gift for horsemanship.”

“If his likes and dislikes are so clear, he should put more effort into the things he dislikes.”

Tsk, tsk. Laxek clicked his tongue, displeased by his grandson’s short-sightedness, and flipped through the pages.

Unlike the easy beginning, the difficulty of the problems spiked significantly toward the end. No wonder Calips had run away.

“He should choose something suited to his level…… HM?”

Flutter.

It happened as he turned to the final page. A single sheet of paper fell from between the pages.

Laxek picked up the paper from the floor. As he checked the contents, his golden eyes flashed sharply.

“Callet, a problem using the Edward Equation appeared on your Academy graduation exam as well, didn’t it?”

Callet flinched at Laxek’s words.

The notorious reputation of the 28th problem, which he had forgotten, came rushing back.

“That is correct. Many cadets were held back for years because of that one problem.”

“Has it been about twenty years? What do you think, can Academy cadets solve Edward Equation problems easily these days?”

“No. It was removed from the curriculum due to fierce protests from those who failed, so even graduates would find it difficult.”

“Then, did you solve it for him?”

“Pardon?”

Callet took the paper Laxek held out and read it.

His eyes, too, began to glow with a strange light.

A solution using the Edward Equation. And even a proof of the equation itself. While the answer would need to be calculated to be certain, the process and proof were flawless.

Laxek spoke.

“It certainly wasn’t Calips. Whose handwriting is this?”

“I…… do not know. I am familiar with the handwriting of all the subject teachers and the direct descendants, but……”

Rarely, Callet’s voice trailed off.

It meant there was a highly educated individual wandering freely enough within the Travel estate to sneak into a classroom, and he hadn’t noticed.

“Even Raytan?”

“Yes. It is not Young Master Raytan’s handwriting either.”

Laxek stroked his chin.

“Someone who trespassed into the classroom of the direct descendants and solved a problem on a whim……”

“Shall I call Rex, the Total Vice Commander?”

“No. Deploying knights will only cause a commotion.”

“Then……?”

Laxek curled his lips into a smile as he looked at Callet. Callet sensed something was wrong from that smile, but there was nowhere to run.

“Investigate it yourself, quietly.”

“I shall do so.”

Where was the aide who could refuse the Count’s orders?

If told to do it, he must. Even if he had a feeling he was chasing shadows.

---

By the time I finished my assignment, Theon came to the classroom.

I submitted my work, got some cake from the head butler, Mr. Servair, whom I ran into on the way, and returned to Pebble House with Theon.

“Theon, did you just train all day? Isn’t it boring?”

“It’s fun.”

“I see. I was bored.”

There was nothing more tedious than writing the alphabet a hundred times. My right hand was still tingling from using muscles I never used before.

‘Solving math problems was kind of fun, though.’

Theon considered my words seriously and made a tentative suggestion.

“……Do you want to try swordsmanship training together?”

“Nooo.”

Swordsmanship didn’t suit me. If 100 Konas popped out every time I swung a sword, it might suit me then.

“Berry doesn’t really like holding swords.”

A large shadow fell over Theon.

I tilted my head back to see Dad leaning his elbow against the doorframe, looking down at us.

“Oh, Dad!”

“You’ve arrived, Master.”

Theon stood up from where he was sitting, while I waved at Dad from my spot.

“So, what…… exactly is this situation?”

Dad looked at us with an incredulous expression as we sat talking across the threshold of my room.

I was inside my room, and Theon had been sitting in the hallway until just now. It was to protect my allowance.

“It’s past three o’clock. I wanted to talk to Theon, but I was too lazy to go down to the first floor—.”

“For the record, I tried to stop them both.”

Sherry, who had come up with Dad, declared her innocence.

“That’s right. Sherry tried to stop me. It’s my fault for being stubborn.”

“……You’re so self-aware that I don’t even know what to say.”

At my words, Dad gave up on nagging and took his elbow off the doorframe.

As the conversation paused, Theon asked Dad.

“Did you meet the maid in the Punishment Room?”

“Did you go to see Anne? Because of her younger brother?”

I also jumped up from my seat and asked.

Dad pretended to deliberate on whether to tell us or not before sharing what happened at the Punishment Room.

“No. There’s a final interrogation the day after tomorrow, so they said no one can meet her until then.”

“The charity auction is the day after tomorrow.”

“The day after tomorrow?”

Theon answered Dad’s remark, and I spoke up in surprise.

“Why? Berry?”

Theon asked. I quickly shook my head, pretending nothing was wrong.

“Nooothing. I just thought Anne would be worried if she didn’t hear news about her brother until then—.”

“That’s true.”

The charity auction was the day after tomorrow! To think they’d ban visitations until the day of the auction.

Even the fact that Dad, a direct descendant, was barred from seeing a mere maid. It reeked of something suspicious.

High-ranking nobles would gather at the auction hosted by Grandma. High priests from the Aubout Temple were bound to be there as well.

Among the three siblings who didn’t want Dad to return as a Grand Master, if Aunt Marian, who was organizing this auction, intended to do something there using Anne—.

‘Wait?!\’

One hypothesis fit perfectly.

I looked up at Dad.

“Do you have something to say?”

Despite his stunning looks, Dad’s reputation regarding women was spotless.

He looked intimidating, but ‘a diligent and capable young man with a child’ was the evaluation my dad had received back in Bonwell Village!

“Dad!”

“……Yes?”

“Aunt Marian is mean! Right?”

I clenched my fists tight.

Though I hadn’t explained why, Theon and Sherry nodded in agreement with my huffing.

Dad swept me up into his arms.

“I can’t say she isn’t. I don’t know what’s brought this on, but calm down anyway.”

“Gyah.”

“……This might take a while. Sherry, is dinner ready?”

“Yes. Just finished.”

“Then let’s go down. Theon, let’s go.”

“Yes, sir.”

As I hung from Dad’s arms on the way to the dining room, I made a vow.

It was time to put one of my ten plans for revenge against Aunt Marian into action.

9. Start the Operation

It was the following day.

“Lady Berry.”

Madam Phrea called my name, letting out an overt sigh.