My Daddy Hide His Power Chapter 169

* * *

 

The next day, as I prepared to leave once again, I ran into Oscar who came out of the room across from me.

 

For some reason, he looked like an old man.

 

‘Oh, this? I guess this means I can keep going?’

 

I’m talking to him because I like it—

 

“Mast…!”

 

“….”

 

Oscar glanced at me with cold eyes and passed by.  

 

As I stood there, somewhat bewildered, my dad approached with a smile, as if he couldn’t read to the cold atmosphere between Oscar and me.

 

“Did you sleep well, princess?”

 

“….”

 

“Princess…are you really not going to talk to dad until this evening?”

 

“…No. I’ll talk…”

 

I sighed as I looked at the stairs where Oscar disappeared.

 

Apparently… he seemed very angry.

 

****

 

The pilgrimage has resumed.

 

We walked diligently, slept on the street, stayed in a village, and walked again.

 

“Wow, wow, wow… Our Lilith, you look like you’re having a hard time. Shall I carry you for just 10 minutes?”

 

“….”

 

“5 minutes?”

 

“…Just five minutes.”

 

“Phew, Allright.”

 

The two suspicious old priests continue to accompany me thanks to the guard captain’s excessive favoritism.

 

Oscar was using the transformation magic, which was said to be ineffective, without any worries.

 

Rest, homelessness, sleeping…

 

This is because Cheshire was considerate of him so that he could refill his mana with his true self whenever he had time.

 

However,

 

“Grandfather Scar, have this because your sugar is low.”

 

“I don’t want to. Put it away.”

 

When I open the chocolate and offer it to him, Oscar refuses it without even looking.

 

It’s already been four days.

 

He doesn’t even look at me.

 

After my shocking statement that I would follow Master when he dies, he continued to be angry.

 

Dad and Cheshire all know that we are in a one-sided Cold War now.

 

“People are so picky. Lilith, give it to Grandpa. Since Grandpa ran out of sugar, I’ll eat it. Ah.”

 

In the end, I just fed Dad some chocolate while he was carrying me, and Oscar didn’t bother stopping me on my way to Molech.

 

Nevertheless, he seems worried, so he continues to follow along, enduring the bothersome process of using, filling, and repeating the mana… 

 

‘So you still can’t forgive me for what I said back then?’

 

It looks like he’s getting more angry at me. This is the first time we haven’t spoken to each other for this long… .

 

“Wow, you all worked hard! This is the entrance to Molech Village!”

 

At that time, I heard a welcome voice.

 

* * *

 

There are about 50 people who live in Molech.

 

The village people all seemed simple and kind-hearted. The pilgrimage group, which had only one final schedule left, immediately took a break.

 

‘Among the pilgrimage group, no one seems to be sick. Then again, is it just a coincidence that everyone in Molech Village died from the epidemic…?’

 

I walked hard while thinking. I was on my way out to take a look around with Cheshire. With a few pilgrims who wanted to explore the village instead of resting. 

 

“If you go further this way, you’ll reach Molech Lake. They say that’s the sacred sanctuary.”

 

Cheshire said as he cleared away the grass in front of the narrowing road. 

 

“I see… ack!” 

 

I immediately let out an exclamation.

 

“Oh my!”

 

“It’s so beautiful!”

 

Not only meme, but everyone felt amazed. There were big cliffs with interesting rocks, and a hidden lake that looked like a fortress. Seeing all that made us forget about the hardships of the week.

 

The surprising thing is. 

 

“H, how can… it shine so blue like that?”

 

The entire lake sparkled with a mysterious blue light.

 

Therefore, the radiant light resembles an aura that emerges when individuals with abilities in the power realm use their powers, such as blue flames or sword-like brilliance….

 

“It wasn’t a sacred place for no reason. I’ve never seen anything like this in my life.”

 

I was moved and continued to look at the unreal beauty.

 

“No, even without magic…”

 

Is it possible? I keep mumbling as if I’m possessed…

 

“Heuph.” 

 

Suddenly, Cheshire, who was next to me, closed my mouth.

 

What is it? What’s wrong? 

 

“Lilith.” 

 

For some reason, Cheshire, while looking around the surroundings, asked in a way that only I could hear. 

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“What?”

 

“That it shines blue.” 

 

I was puzzled by the sudden question, so I whispered quietly.

 

“…? I mean, it literally shines? It’s the blue light that comes out when using magic. The lake is completely filled with light, you know.” 

 

“No.” 

 

“Huh?” 

 

Cheshire lowered his voice further.

 

“It’s just water. It’s clear—nothing like the blue light you’re talking about. It doesn’t seem magical either.”

 

“What?” 

 

“To me, it just looks like water. I think other people are like that too.”

 

At Cheshire’s words, I was so surprised that my mouth fell open.

 

I was amazed by the unrealistic sight, no matter who saw it…

 

“C, Cheshire.” 

 

“Mhm.” 

 

We immediately realized something and looked at each other seriously.

 

And I said it quietly. 

 

“I guess there’s something in this lake.”

 

“I think so.”

 

Soon, Cheshire took me with him and quickly headed somewhere.

 

“There’s something you need to see.”

 

* * *

 

We talked as we ran.

 

“Why does it only look like that to me?”

 

“Could it be because of that holy relic you swallowed?”

 

“I knew it! You think so too, don’t you?”

 

The heart of the disciple that can judge fate.

 

And the lake took on a strange blue color only to my eyes, as if trying to tell something to the person who swallowed the heart.

 

The lake is an essential water source for villagers. Because it also serves as drinking water.

 

‘Water used for drinking…. an epidemic…. I sense something, I sense it coming.’

 

I felt like I was solving a mystery by finding hints someone had left behind. 

 

Eventually, we arrived at the entrance of the village. Cheshire bent down in front of some stone.

 

“Did you hear when the priests explained it to you earlier? This is something that the people of this village regard as sacred as the lake before.”

 

“No, I didn’t hear it. What is this… ah!”

 

There was writing engraved on the stone like a tombstone.

 

However… It’s an ancient language!

 

“You can read it.”

 

“T, that’s right.”

 

A language used a very long time ago. As far as I know, no one can read it now.

 

Except for one person. I learned from that one person.

 

It was because some magic formulas taught by Oscar involved ancient languages. 

 

So actually…

 

‘I just know a few words needed to draw magic formulas.’ 

 

I glanced at Cheshire. 

 

I remembered bragging about it to him. 

 

“Ahem! I learned ancient languages from Master today! It’s really difficult, but I can read it all!”

 

“That’s amazing.” 

 

“Lilith?”

 

“Mhm! Let’s see…” 

 

I slowly looked at the ancient language, which looked complicated and headache-inducing.

 

One word caught my eye right away.

 

“Oh, this is ‘starting’! Um, and…Uhm, again…” 

 

I don’t know anymore. I glanced to the side and saw Cheshire staring at me. I confessed right away.

 

“I’m sorry. Actually, I don’t actually read everything, I just know a few words.”

 

“…I see.”

 

The embarrassing silence subsided.

 

Soon, Cheshire said.

 

“Then, when we get back to the capital, do you have any books or something? You can interpret it when you go, right? Should I transcribe it and write it down?”

 

“But it may be needed to resolve issues in the village right now.”

 

“….” 

 

“….” 

 

We looked at each other.

 

Looking at Cheshire’s expression, it seemed like he already knew the answer.

 

I held my head.

 

“Mhm, that’s right. Here now… There’s only one person who can read this…”

 

* * *

 

I thought he wouldn’t even talk to me. 

 

Fortunately, Oscar agreed to come along when I mentioned that I had something to say alone.

 

“Say it quickly.”

 

“Hey, you have an impatient temper…” 

 

Say something!

 

I couldn’t muster the courage to immediately say to my Master, ‘Please read some Ancient Language over there for me! 

 

We’re still in the middle of a cold war, but shamelessly…

 

“Wow!”

 

I pointed out the beautiful surrounding scenery of Molech for no reason.

 

A quiet fortress with no one around. A blue lake that shines brightly between the magnificent rock cliffs.

 

“It’s so pretty. Right?”

 

“Yeah. It’s not pretty.” 

 

“…Master.” 

 

“If you have nothing to say, I’ll leave.”

 

“Wait!”

 

I held Oscar’s hand as he was about to leave without any regrets.

 

“Let go.”

 

But he shook it off right away.

 

“Uh…” 

 

I stared blankly at the rejected hand, swallowing my dry saliva. 

 

He’s really angry. 

 

He has never been this cold before.

 

“….” 

 

“….” 

 

I timidly looked up at Oscar, and he, too, was looking at me with a pause.

 

Nonchalantly brushing away the hand with indifference, as if he didn’t care. 

 

“Master…Are you very angry? You don’t even want to see my face anymore…?” 

 

“….” 

 

“We can’t hold hands…?” 

 

As I spoke pitifully, Oscar gently closed his eyes and let out only a sigh.

 

Is it permission?

 

I tried to take his hand again, but Oscar pulled it away. Then he glared at me fiercely.

 

“Hey.”

 

“Yes…”

 

“You think I’m funny.”

 

“Yes?” 

 

“Because I listen to everything you say. Because I can’t stand seeing even a bit of harm come to your life. I’m always being swayed by you.”

 

“….” 

 

“I feel stupid.”

 

“No? It’s not like that. I’m…” 

 

“What do you mean it’s not like that? If you’re not mocking me, why would you say such a thing, even if it’s just a joke?” 

 

“….” 

 

“Don’t you know about that? In reality, it’s not that I can’t sleep; I intentionally avoid sleeping. Every time I fall asleep, I end up having bizarre dreams.”

 

Oscar spoke with trembling lips. 

 

“A dream of you suddenly disappearing, a dream of you being held in the hands of the emperor, a dream of seeing you drained of all your vitality and dying of old age…!” 

 

“….” 

 

“That I’m really going crazy.” 

 

I took a deep breath.

 

With wet eyes glaring at me, Oscar tightly grabbed his own hair with one hand as if tearing it out.

 

“I’m surprised I haven’t gone crazy by now.”

 

“….” 

 

“After holding on for a few years, aren’t you worried anymore? Don’t you realize how scary the emperor is?”

 

“I, it’s not like that…” 

 

“That guy is almost like a god. Neither I nor your dad, no matter how high we fly or crawl, can protect you. He could have you in front of him with a single wave of his hand.”

 

“….” 

 

“That’s why I thought, please, I don’t want you to do anything. Don’t stand out. Breathe quietly and live.”

 

Oscar, who was on his knees, grabbed my frozen shoulder and shouted.

 

“It’s not because of you, but because of me trembling at the thought of your life!”

 

“Master…!” 

 

“I live my life hoping that you are all safe, but what? Will you follow me when I die? See you in hell? Tsk…” 

 

I was speechless. This was my first time seeing Oscar lose his temper like this.

 

“What am I to you? Why on earth do we have to do this?”

 

Soon he buried his face in my shoulder and muttered helplessly.

 

“Why did you remember…? Just don’t ever remember…” 

 

“….” 

 

I paused for a moment, not knowing what to say, and then hugged Oscar in my trembling arms.  

 

“I, I’m sorry, I… spoke thoughtlessly about dying.

 

The panicked hands kept shaking.

 

I really made a mistake.

 

“But, but I was just saying that Master means a lot to me…” 

 

“….” 

 

“…M, Master told me… You created the world for me…” 

 

Oscar stopped and slowly raised his head.

 

“Just because you told me to be happy… I was born into the world that the master created… and I’ve been happy…”

 

My vision is blurred because I am startled and scared.

 

When I closed my eyes tightly, tears fell down. 

 

“And, even though I was happy in that world, I came back because of my Master… I said it was because of the master…. To remember the master, to meet the master, that’s why I came back.”

 

“….” 

 

“I, uh, Master have already become very very precious to me… But when Master disappears, I… H, how do I live? I came back because of Master, but what if you abandon me?” 

 

“Hey…”

 

I continued wiping away the tears that kept flowing.

 

“I will do anything. I will find a way. Even if Master doesn’t talk to me, gets angry, even if you never want to see my face again… still, still, I will do it.” 

 

“Wow, really!”

 

Oscar cried out and hugged me.

 

“You, really…”

 

“….” 

 

“Really, what should I do…”