Translator: Nox

Chapter 26

I Will Save My Dad

I Will Save My Dad Chapter 27

Chapter 27

The next morning.

At the Travel family’s estate in the imperial capital, Laxek burst into laughter so hard his facial muscles twitched as he listened to Callet’s report regarding the auction incident.

“How unfortunate. If it weren’t for the Emperor’s summons, I wouldn’t have missed such an entertaining spectacle.”

Callet couldn't understand the laughter. The result of this auction was that Marian had purchased the pearl earrings for twelve times their value.

All because of Raytan’s whim!

‘I thought he would mature once he became a father...’

Callet felt a headache coming on.

His childhood friend was the type of man who would survive even if thrown into the fires of hell, regardless of what thoughts actually went through his head.

‘I’m worried about Lady Berry.’

The maid who had been in the punishment room left the Travel estate with a pass signed by Raytan, and Marian had suffered a massive loss without gaining a thing.

The aftermath of that might fall on Berry.

“Lady Marian must be furious. And the Madam as well—”

“Priscilla?”

Sitting on the sofa, Laxek rested his elbow on the armrest and leaned his forehead against his hand. His wrinkled eyes, holding a golden glint, were crinkled with amusement. It was clear he was enjoying the situation.

“Callet, the Grand Priest was also present when I met His Majesty yesterday.”

“He was.”

“He told me, under the seal of confidentiality, that Raytan expressed his intention to return to his position as Grand Master yesterday.”

“The young master did?”

“Yes. He must have been in a good mood since things were going his way. Even after committing such an insolent act, he couldn't resist the urge to speak to me.”

The Grand Priest, who had never lost his smile, had pulled Laxek aside with a dissatisfied expression to mention the 'condition' Raytan had set.

“Lord Raytan requested a contract. He asked that for the duration of his tenure as Grand Master, we provide the divine power necessary for the blessing of the Travel family’s figurehead. However, I wonder why Lord Hevant’s name is in the signature line instead of Lord Raytan’s...”

The Grand Priest had clearly mentioned the contents of the contract to him because he found it disagreeable. He knew all too well how the people of the Travel family hungered for achievements.

When Laxek first heard this, he too was displeased by Raytan’s actions. He thought the fool had once again thrown away his own merit to give it to whoever was nearby.

But—.

“The contract was a trade.”

“A trade with Lord Hevant?”

“Tsk, tsk. At this stage, what benefit would that boy gain from winning over Hevant?”

In a situation where Marian had set the trap and Priscilla had turned a blind eye, Raytan had seized victory.

If so, who would be the person who could use that contract most effectively?

‘Priscilla.’

It would be his wife, who was desperate to place her own children—specifically her eldest son, Hevant—into the position of family head.

While the Family Head rarely intervened in the affairs of the direct descendants, the Countess was different.

There was nowhere within the Travel estate that Priscilla could not reach.

He had always wondered.

‘Is Raytan truly a man with a reverse Midas touch?’

Whenever a problem arose, he would either use his sword or wash his hands of it entirely—irresponsible behavior. Yet, somehow, the results always flowed exactly as Raytan desired.

There was a strange gap that felt almost tangible but remained just out of reach. Because of that, even with his golden eyes, Laxek could never be certain of Raytan’s true intentions.

‘But this time, he used the very methods of the Travel family that he hates so much. In the past, he was the type to act on impulse, whether it was breaking out a maid or ruining an auction. To join hands with Priscilla for the cleanup? I suppose becoming a father means he can’t live his life just playing the part of an idiot anymore.’

That was why Laxek couldn't help but burst into laughter upon receiving Callet’s report.

He was certain now.

No matter how he looked at it, that boy was someone who knew how to use the cards in his hand to his advantage.

The problem was that his advantage was always used to maintain his position at the very bottom.

“What a waste of potential.”

Laxek clicked his tongue.

“How long does he plan to chase Brown’s ghost?”

He paused, startled by the name of the deceased that had slipped from his lips. Callet did the same.

Silence fell. Laxek cleared his throat and stood up.

“Let’s go. Make sure to pack that in the carriage as well.”

“Yes. But, My Lord, what do you intend to use that for?”

Callet asked, looking at the box Laxek had told him to bring. The contents were items used by toddlers when they were learning to read and write; there was currently no one in the Travel family who had a use for them.

“Ahem. That, you know, the little one who looks like a puppy. The one with the bright, sparkling eyes...”

“Are you referring to Lady Berry?”

He didn't understand why the Count was speaking in circles instead of just saying Lady Berry’s name.

“Now, now. When did I ever say I was talking about my youngest granddaughter? Anyway, just deliver it to that house secretly.”

“…….”

At Callet’s silent, questioning gaze, Laxek spoke quietly.

“……She doesn’t know how to read.”

Ah. A soft sigh escaped Callet’s lips.

***

It’s not a dream.

Hehe.

Waking up early in the morning, I reached under my pillow and pulled out a sheet of paper.

Even though I had been looking at it right until I fell asleep last night, the corners of my mouth still curled up on their own.

----------

Thank you for keeping our secret.

In exchange, we will become your subordinates.

Hati Rose Travel

Mati Rose Travel

----------

I had the written pledge of loyalty from the twins right here in my hands!

It was the trophy from yesterday’s auction incident.

‘Well, it doesn’t actually have any legal power, but—’

I was kicking my legs while lying on my stomach on the bed. Acom squeezed in and made a little space for himself.

Swish. Swish.

The water-like protrusions on Acom’s back wobbled.

‘It’s amazing that it doesn’t feel like anything when I touch it. If I poke it with my hand, it just passes through like a water droplet.’

While I was fiddling with Acom, he read the pledge with his blue eyes that took up half his face.

[Quartz, you need to learn how to write a contract first. Your name isn’t even on here. This is just a scrap of paper.]

“I did that on purpose. If I wrote my name, it would become evidence.”

[Evidence?]

“If the adults find out I’ve become the twins’ boss, it’ll turn into an adult fight from that moment on. Then Dad will have a headache.”

There were three copies of the pledge.

Hati and Mati each had one, and I had one. Since there was no guarantee we wouldn't get caught, it was best to be cautious with the wording.

[Honestly. You Travel humans make things so complicated.]

Acom snorted a puff of air.

“You have to be complicated to survive~”

I’ll probably learn how to draft real contracts when I’m around eleven, right?

Until then, I figured this would be enough to keep the twins quiet.

‘The problem is Calips…….’

Calips was Aunt Marian’s only son.

If he found out his mother lost 1.2 billion, he wouldn't stay still starting today. How could I handle Calips so we could have our lessons in peace?

In any case, it seemed best to hide the pledge before anyone else came in.

‘I should go leave it in the Contemplation Room.’

As I hurried off the bed, Acom naturally jumped up onto my shoulder.

[Little Quartz, you haven't forgotten that you promised to work as a manager with me, right?]

“Yeah. I just have to restore the water veins where the flow has weakened, right?”

I replied as I turned the floral ornament on the fireplace pillar. Creak. The built-in cabinet slid aside, revealing the secret space. I stepped inside, closed the door, and continued my conversation with Acom.

[Exactly! Ancient words rise up from the ground, you see? They don't appear often, but when they do, you just have to read them!]

According to Acom, there were ancient words beneath the Travel lands that connected the water veins.

The ancient words in the soil were characterized by rising at a very slow speed; if they pierced the surface, the water could no longer flow smoothly, causing that part of the vein to become blocked.

The manager’s role was to find the ancient words that had risen to the surface and send them back down into the earth.

[To put it simply, you’re giving the ancient words nourishment to make them heavy. Humans gain weight when they eat a lot of food, right? Since ancient words are a type of language, you give them nourishment through speech!]

However, the Travel estate was too vast for the small Acom to wander around alone, and it seemed he had quite a bit of trouble finding the rising words because of it.

[In the past, Quartz used to help me, so it was easy. I guess I slept too long this time. I can feel the water veins weakening, but I haven't been able to find all the ancient words.]

“You said the letters have to glow for the ancient words to go down, right? Do you think I can do it?”

[Hey, don't worry. I still remember the first time I met your grandmother like it was yesterday! Ancient words I hadn't even read yet just started glowing. I was so surprised! Quartz was the first human who could see and read the ancient words.]

“Then am I the second?”

[That’s right. I almost got a surprise when it happened with you too! It’s not a common thing! But you were Quartz’s granddaughter, and when I woke up, Quartz was…….]

Perhaps remembering my grandmother’s death, Acom became dejected as if he were about to cry. I hurried to comfort him.

“But, but it’s a relief I was here when you woke up, right? Are you not sleepy now? You said you have to stay as a pebble when you sleep.”

[Not really. It’s morning now. Let’s hurry to the bed. We have to get out of here before that maid named Sherry comes to wake you up!]

Acom often looked out for me, perhaps thinking of me as his friend’s granddaughter.

A child being looked after by a lizard. It was a bit strange, but since he was right, I left the pledge behind and immediately walked out of the Contemplation Room toward the bed.

Acom spoke excitedly from my shoulder.

[Since Little Quartz can see me, you’ll be able to see the ancient words too!]

“Yeah!”

I answered confidently, but this is exactly when things are most dangerous.

It’s like saying, "Since your dad was a Grand Master, you’ll be a Grand Master who wields Windis too."

You never know with unrealistic things until you experience them. What if there’s no reaction even if I read the letters?

‘I wish I could see the letters once when Acom isn't around…….’

It was just as I was hoping for a chance to practice so I wouldn't lose my partner’s trust. Behind me, as I was clambering back onto the bed, I heard the sound of the door opening and someone entering.

“My Lady……!”

“……Huh?”

That wasn't Sherry’s voice. My eyes widened as I slowly turned my head.

“Anne?”

“Yes!”

Why was Anne here at Pebble House?