Translator: Nox

Chapter 22

I Will Save My Father

I Will Save My Father Episode 23

Episode 23

Raytan and Theon, who were supposed to be at the training grounds, were walking through Hisport Town dressed in stealth attire.

“I don’t think anyone is following us anymore.”

“You have a talent for sensing presences.”

At Raytan’s praise, Theon lowered his head sheepishly.

Having shaken off their tails, the two were headed for the Moonflower Inn.

The innkeeper greeted them with a bright face.

“I had the medicine made according to the prescription you found and sent over, and it’s actually working! The child’s temperature is back to normal, and he’s regained enough consciousness to hold a conversation.”

The innkeeper believed that Jeffrey’s symptoms had improved because of the prescription Raytan found at Anne’s house.

She led the two to the room where Jeffrey was staying. When they opened the door, a young boy sitting on the bed turned his head. Thick, triangular ears that twitched were the first thing to catch the eye.

“This child says he has something to tell you, my lord.”

Young Jeffrey was still unskilled at hiding his ears. Upon spotting Raytan, his ears flattened back against his head.

It was an instinctive behavior of the Wolf Clan when faced with a powerful individual.

“…I saw it,” Jeffrey said.

Despite being instinctively intimidated, Jeffrey’s amber eyes stared straight at Raytan.

“What did you see?”

“The people who put the pearl earrings in our house. My sister isn’t the thief.”

At Jeffrey’s testimony, Theon looked at Raytan in surprise.

Even at this new revelation, his master’s expression remained as calm as before.

In fact, he looked as if he had heard exactly the answer he expected.

Raytan had already thought it strange that Anne, Marian’s spy, would steal the earrings in the first place. Well, honestly, it didn’t matter to him whether Anne was the thief or not.

‘Tomorrow’s auction will go exactly as Marian planned.’

He had already decided to play along. It was something the Raytan of six years ago could never have imagined.

Back then, the easiest way to maintain his status at the bottom was to turn whatever game they were playing into a complete disaster.

Truthfully, even now, he felt the urge to irritate them somehow, but—.

‘I have to endure it for Berry’s sake.’

The innkeeper asked Raytan cautiously.

“My lord, from what I hear, it seems his sister was framed. If Jeffrey testifies, won’t his sister be released?”

“I doubt it. It’s not an issue that can be resolved by the testimony of a six-year-old.”

At Raytan’s blunt reply, Jeffrey spoke up again.

“What if I heard something else too?”

“Something else?”

“They said they mustn’t get caught that the earrings are fake.”

Raytan’s gaze sharpened.

“Tell me more. In detail.”

Jeffrey clenched his fists tight.

A resentful wolfish growl escaped from between his lips, which were still healing from his wounds.

“A young man wearing really strange, flashy clothes said it. And the old man who came with him hid the pearl earrings in the cupboard just like the young man told him to.”

Raytan identified the suspect instantly.

In Travel, there was only one person in a position to order an older person around while dressed in such flashy attire.

Yosel, his half-brother by a different mother.

“My lord. With this testimony, can my sister be freed?”

A maid from the Travel Count’s family had committed a theft.

Among the guests at the inn yesterday, there were those talking about that subject, and Jeffrey had happened to overhear their conversation.

It was a conversation speculating about Anne’s end without any basis.

“My sister… is she going to die?”

Jeffrey’s voice trembled.

Raytan looked down at Jeffrey, who was staring up at him in worry for his sister.

Being used and killed by the Travels—.

“Brother Brown, did you help the Travels again? Looking tired, acting like they’re in trouble—you know that’s all just a trick to use you. Why on earth do you help them?”

“They raised you, didn’t they? A Grand Master? I live these days for the pleasure of bragging about you.”

“Is that thanks to the Travels? It’s because I’m talented.”

“Listen to you grumble.”

“Just wait, Brother. I’ll make sure you benefit from having such a talented younger brother soon. Oh, and take it easy with that work.”

Raytan spoke to Jeffrey.

“Don’t worry too much.”

“Then—”

“I’ll make sure your sister doesn’t die.”

As Raytan turned to leave, the innkeeper asked.

“Are you leaving already?”

“I have to have dinner with my daughter. Let’s go, Theon.”

“Yes, Master.”

Raytan left the room, and the innkeeper followed to see them out. As Theon moved to follow, someone grabbed his arm.

It was Jeffrey.

“It was you, right?”

Jeffrey’s amber eyes were sharp as he looked at Theon.

“The person who brought the medicine yesterday.”

“No.”

“Don’t lie. You can’t fool my nose.”

Jeffrey’s nose twitched.

“Why are you feigning ignorance? Who was the girl with you? Tell me.”

“I’m not feigning anything. You’re mistaken.”

“I’m not mistaken. You and that girl saved me.”

Jeffrey growled, demanding to know the girl’s identity. Theon stared back at him and spoke firmly.

“You’re alive, aren’t you? That’s enough.”

“Enough?”

“Does it really matter that much who saved you?”

Theon left the room before any more questions could be fired at him.

As he walked down the hallway, his face flushed at the thought that his behavior just now had been childish.

The boy was only six. He could have handled it more maturely. Yet, an inexplicable emotion surged within him. He didn’t know why, but he didn’t want to let him know that the girl was Berry.

Why had he done that? He could have just brushed it off.

‘He recognized me by my scent. If I hadn’t spoken firmly, he would have kept asking.’

Berry had said that yesterday’s events were a secret. That might be why he had spoken so bluntly to a six-year-old.

“…”

He didn’t understand his own heart. Feeling frustrated, Theon gave the wooden floor a light kick with the tip of his boot.

---

---

Would you do anything if you could completely cure your younger brother’s illness for a mere ten thousand Kona?

[Yes / No]

※ There is no penalty for declining.

※ Upon acceptance, you must carry out the plan I provide.

---

The [Yes] box on the note Acom had brought back was checked. it was the reply from Anne, who was in the punishment room.

The handwriting was mine, written with my left hand, and the checkmark was made by Anne.

‘It worked!’

How anxiously I had waited in my room after sending Acom.

The result was a success.

[That human woman was quite suspicious. She was muttering about whether Lady Marian was testing her, so I messed with a few objects around her, and she started thinking I was the God Aubaut!]

Acom excitedly recounted what had happened with Anne.

[She got so scared and said she’d do anything if the God promised! How is your partner’s skill?]

“Amazing!”

I gave Acom a thumbs up.

At my praise, Acom wagged its tail, its eyes shining.

[Nothing else? What else should I do? Hmm? Just give the word!]

It seemed Acom found it fun to finally be doing something after being alone for so long. It was a good thing for me. I couldn’t find a more capable messenger than Acom.

“Yeah! Just wait a moment!”

Excited, I picked up some paper and a pen. It was to let Anne know the plan.

Hehehe. I can’t wait for the auction tomorrow!

---

The charity auction hosted by the Countess of Travel took place in the late afternoon.

The small banquet hall in the Travel estate had been set up as the auction house.

Soft lights illuminated the elegant interior. At each round table, four or five guests sat facing the front stage.

“Congratulations! The ‘Montcle Craftsman’s Longsword’ submitted by Lord Raytan Quartz Travel has been sold to bidder number ‘14’ for 25 million Kona!”

The auctioneer’s energetic voice announcing the winning bid echoed through the hall.

Applause broke out, and a man dressed in white clerical robes was receiving congratulations from those around him.

It was High Priest Holt, a big name whom Marian had put a lot of effort into inviting.

‘Oh dear. He actually went and won the bid.’

Representing the Aubaut Church, he looked pleased to have won the sword submitted by Raytan.

Marian joined in the applause, though she was mocking him inwardly.

“Will Priest Holt be participating in today’s auction as well?”

“I heard that a sword from Lord Raytan’s youth would be up for auction. If I have the chance, I would like to win it. We have plans to create a space in the Grand Temple to display items from the Grand Masters.”

“Oh my, it seems you intend to keep items even from those who have retired.”

“Haha. Lord Raytan will be returning soon, so I am keeping that in mind.”

He’s about to throw away 25 million Kona.

Marian fanned herself leisurely and turned her gaze away. She could see the profile of Raytan, who was sitting two tables away.

‘This is why you should have lived as quiet as a mouse in the countryside. Since you came out when it doesn’t suit your station, I’ve set a trap for you.’

After mocking Raytan as well, Marian shifted her gaze to her younger brother, Yosel, who was sitting at the table next to her.

Yosel was clutching his bidding paddle tightly, his leg shaking violently.

“…What are you doing?”

“Ah.”

Yosel glanced at Marian.

“It’s nothing. But sister, what is the next auction item?”

“Are you planning to participate too?”

Just then, the auctioneer spoke.

“The next item—! The one you’ve all been waiting for! These are the pearl earrings said to be made from the tears shed by the mermaids of the Shushubia Archipelago!”