Chapter 83

Since the dragon festival has been canceled, there will probably be an announcement soon.

No matter when it happens, I need to capture the Dragon Duke and return to the mansion as soon as possible.

Finally, after making my own decision and plan, it was time to speak.

"Are you tired?"

"Huh? Yeah…."

My resolve was completely shattered by my father's sudden question.

But no, I can bring it up again. Just as I thought that, an unexpected question flew at me.

"Where did you go yesterday?"

"Hmm?"

"It's quite dangerous outside."

"What are you talking about…."

"Before you ask what I'm talking about, you should first consider whether you can really avoid my senses."

"…."

…Wow, he really hits hard.

I had a blank expression, but his words were true.

If my father wanted to, I couldn't hide my presence at my current level.

The problem was the structure of this room.

'No, why is the room structure like this? Besides, what was my father doing, checking for signs in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?'

There's no one here to assassinate me anyway.

Even if assassins came in droves, they wouldn't be able to kill him.

"Why did you put down your utensils?"

"I lost my appetite. It's because of you, Master."

"…."

"It's a joke. If you have something to say, go ahead. I'm done eating."

It's for the best.

Now that I have something to say, it's easier to bring up the topic.

"If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

"…Where did you go yesterday?"

"I went to the Dragon Duke's castle. To meet the Dragon Duke."

"Do you mean the one right next to us?"

"No, not that one."

I pondered how to continue.

"Master, can you make sure only we can hear our conversation?"

We were eating in the dining room attached to the room. But since the matter was serious, I needed to be prepared for any situation.

"…Sure."

As soon as my father finished speaking, a thin, translucent barrier with a faint blue glow appeared between us.

It looked like silk or a curtain made of water.

'Wow, it's hard to make something transparent.'

Probably because I'm at the peak myself, I could recognize my father's abilities.

"Everything I'm about to say might be hard to believe, but it's all true."

"…."

"Do you remember the baby snake that's been with me lately? It turns out it's one of the Dragon Duke's subordinates, and I took it to the Dragon Duke."

My father crossed his arms and listened attentively.

"And the place I went to, guided by Tous, wasn't the grand and impressive castle Velus mentioned, but a dilapidated and old building."

I decided to be straightforward after pondering how to say it.

"Master, he, no, the Dragon Duke, is in the same situation as me? He was abandoned. In an old, dilapidated place."

"…."

"No, it was worse. The royal family is raising him. They're raising him as a mindless idiot to use as a weapon."

"…Did you hear all of that yesterday?"

"Yeah."

I then told him everything that happened last night.

Actually, there was no reason to hide anything since I was going to tell my father.

"Hyena, you managed to return safely."

"Luckily, I didn't run into him on the way out, which was fortunate."

"If what you say is true, the Dragon Festival might indeed not take place. Was there really such a rumor?"

"Yeah."

My father pondered for a moment, then returned to his usual expression.

Seeing this, I became tense.

"So, it's not just to vent that you asked for soundproofing. What do you want from me?"

"…Master, you're surprisingly perceptive."

"Not surprisingly, just perceptive."

"That's true."

"It's because it's your matter."

"…."

You really know how to emphasize things, don't you?

Is it really okay to spill everything that's left?

But there was no other way.

I can't bring him back without my father's help.

However, as I opened my mouth, I first harbored a strong sense of resignation and distrust in my heart.

It was a defense mechanism to avoid staking my life on something uncertain.

"Help me, Master."

"With what?"

"I want to return to our family's territory with him."

I thought even my father would be surprised by this, but his reaction wasn't as big as I expected.

Instead, he stared at me and tilted his head slowly.

"Let me confirm, you want to take the Dragon Duke to Aquasiadel?"

"Right."

"Indeed, if anyone else were in my place, they would call you crazy."

"…."

It wasn't a wrong statement, so I remained silent.

"The Dragon Duke stays in the Dragon City of Echina because of a solemn vow from the first emperor. He can do anything here, but he cannot leave without the royal family's permission. Do you know this?"

"I knew he couldn't leave the city."

That's why in the previous chapters, the Dragon Duke's rampage affected not only the Dragon City but also the corners of the empire and the Aquasiadel territory, which was shocking.

"…."

My father stopped speaking and stared at me intently.

What will he say now? No? Or will he, being a whale, take an interest in this like a madman?

I became anxious because I couldn't predict my father's reaction.

'If it doesn't work, I'll go alone.'

After all, I have experience surviving on my own.

I'm younger than before, which is a concern, but I'll manage somehow.

In the worst case, though I really don't want to… I'll just regress again.

"Did you want to stay here? Or did you say you wanted to live here?"

My father's response was neither positive nor negative, but something unexpected.

I nodded, feeling a bit dazed.

"Right."

"Was it because of this? The Dragon Duke's kidnapping?"

Kidnapping. A word that didn't fit the Dragon Duke at all.

If it were the old me, I would have said, "What the hell are you talking about?"

The image of the Dragon Duke in my mind was of his rampage.

But since yesterday, I couldn't refute the word kidnapping.

'What's the difference between luring an innocent kid and kidnapping…? Ugh.'

"I didn't think from the beginning that I would bring the Dragon Duke. Who would think he needed help? He's so strong, and everyone reveres him…."

"…."

I hesitated and answered softly.

"But he seemed more pitiful than me, who was abandoned and abused and almost died."

No, it's a lie. The moment I saw the Dragon Duke, I was reminded of my 1st and 2nd cycles and felt compassion.

So, the object of my compassion was not the Dragon Duke but myself.

If my father showed an indifferent attitude, I would definitely be disappointed, but it wouldn't matter.

Still, I would try to persuade him.

But would he be a bit annoyed?

"I see. So, it's true that you initially wanted to stay here."

"That's…."

"Without me?"

"…Right. Without you, Master."

"Even after all this time, you still lack something."

"What do you mean by lack?"

"The sincerity to change the way you address me?"

"…."

"Don't shrink back. Did you do something wrong?"

"No."

I lifted my head. I didn't want to shrink back.

"If you want to talk about something like this again, say what you want first. I won't reconfirm anything from now on."

"What are you saying?"

"If you want, I can even destroy a castle. Next time, suggest we go together from the start."

I blinked.

"…So, you're saying you'll help me bring the Dragon Duke?"

"Sure."

That's it. It was much easier and surprisingly straightforward than I thought.

Without any intense debates, threats, or plans I had prepared, it came out smoothly.

"Why?"

Once he agreed, the reason didn't matter.

Why? Isn't it good?

Still, I asked without realizing it.

As if this question was important to me.

"Why are you helping? Because he's pitiful?"

"I don't think of it that way. You keep forgetting, but I'm here as your father."

"…."

"So, I respect your wishes. If you want to do it, just do it."

For some reason, this answer made me happier than if he had said he felt sorry for the Dragon Duke.

It wasn't a delusion.

I didn't know what expression to make, so I looked like a broken robot.

The face I managed to make was a sullen one.

Should I say thank you in a situation like this?

"So, when are we moving?"

"Huh? Oh, tonight!"

"I see. I'll prepare. We need to discuss the details."

"…P, plans? I have some in mind!"

My father smiled slightly at me.

"Really? I'm looking forward to it."

"…."

"You always bring up unexpected things."