My Daddy Hide His Power Chapter 172

“Ahaha.”

 

Enoch’s laughter broke the brief silence.

 

“It’s the growth period. It seems like she’s been eating well lately; she’s grown a lot.”

 

“….” 

 

Axion quietly looked at Lilith’s face. The last time he saw her was about two weeks ago.The chubby cheeks that used to stick to her face had disappeared, and now she looked like a proper young lady. She had also grown taller…

 

“I see.”

 

After nodding his head, Axion asked again.

 

“No, but seriously, what if you bring the kid along without warning? It’s not about me being uncomfortable, but the kid might feel uncomfortable.”

 

Isn’t she a girl who has a lot to worry about?

 

“There’s no maid to take care of her? All the servants are men, and there’s no one who can dress her like a lady.”

 

After adopting Cheyser, there are five hired helpers, but they leave when it’s time to go, and among the live-in staff, there are only the nanny, Martha, and the butler, Caron.

 

“I don’t understand why you want to play in our house, but if that’s the case, maybe we should bring some maids from your house…”

 

“It’s okay, father.”

 

Cheshire suddenly interjected.

 

“I can take care of Lilith. Don’t worry.” 

 

“….? Do you want to help the child dress?”

 

“Uncle!”

 

Lilith smiled awkwardly.

 

“I can wear clothes on my own. And Aunt Martha is there too. Well, I came here because I wanted to play with Cheshire…”

 

“That’s right.” 

 

Enoch stepped in and pushed Lilith’s back upward.

 

“And, haha. People have some shame, you know. Don’t worry, I’m not trying to depend on you for too long. I’ll just sleep here and always go back home to see her during work.”

 

“Ah. Is that so?” 

 

Axion quietly looked at Enoch’s face this time.

 

Silence.

 

From Enoch’s mouth, there was no more reason to stay.

 

‘This punk, what are you hiding again?’

 

Enoch often hid something. Later, it turned out to be burdens that he tried to carry alone without worrying those around him. 

 

‘The purpose is to leave the child at my house.’

 

Therefore, Axion always had to understand Enoch’s true intentions without prying into them.

 

“That… There are too many people in my house, and it’s a bit overwhelming.”

 

‘In a place where there are no people on purpose?’

 

Why? 

 

Lilith is… 

 

‘You don’t want to be exposed?’

 

Axion finished thinking and tapped Enoch on the shoulder a couple of times.

 

“I get it.”

 

* * *

 

The first morning at Axion’s house.

 

It was Dad’s opinion that we should stay here for a while.

 

If I had returned home as it is, all the countless people in my family who would have seen my face every day, 

 

“Wow, how have you grown so much?”

 

It must have been the same reaction as Axion yesterday.

 

I wouldn’t worry if only a couple of people were confused, but if everyone found it strange, it was dangerous. 

 

‘I’ve used up a lot of vitality in such a short time. It’s barely been a month, but for me alone, a year has passed.’

 

So when Dad got home—.

 

‘You’ve grown so much while we’ve never seen each other!’

 

—and suggested that everyone take the time, as if it were not significant, to think about it.

 

For a while, I will be hiding from people who are familiar with my face. 

 

If it’s Dad’s closest friend, Axion’s house, staying there for a long time wouldn’t seem strange, and with hardly anyone around, it was suitable.

 

“Why, why? Why do you look at me like that?”

 

“Just because.” Axion, who was staring at me, bit off half of the bread he was holding. “I think you’ve become a very decent young lady now.”

 

“Ah, is that so?”

 

The first words of Aunt Martha and Butler Caron, who I met in the morning, were “You’ve grown up so much!”, but that was it.

 

However, Axion has been looking at me strangely since yesterday.

 

‘I don’t want Uncle to find out…’

 

It’s best not to get caught, but even if we do, it should be fine as long as they’re on our side.

 

That’s what I thought.

 

However, Dad said there are just two people.

 

“Grandpa is really dangerous, princess. He passed out due to high blood pressure and couldn’t sleep because he was worried about you every day.”

 

With Grandpa.

 

“And Axion, too. He often fails to maintain his composure more than you might think… There will be a significant difference between when he knows your true identity and when he doesn’t.”

 

And Axion.

 

I hoped that the two of them would never find out.

 

‘That’s true. Knowing my true identity doesn’t help at all in business.’

 

Isn’t it the same just looking at Oscar, who is shaking for fear that the Emperor will catch me if I use my powers, or Dad, whose separation anxiety is at its peak? 

 

It also reminded me of Cheshire, who had a complete mental breakdown after seeing me grow up so fast.

 

“Wasn’t the bed uncomfortable?”

 

“No, uncle! I slept well.”

 

“Alright. If you need anything, let me know. Also… I’ll adjust the departure schedule.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Just make sure that me and Chesire don’t leave the house together for a while. Since there will always be at least one person, if you need to go anywhere, go with someone.”

 

“…”

 

While I was eating soup, I slowly lifted my eyes and looked at Axion.

 

He casually took a bite of the bread and asked, ‘Why?’ with his eyes.

 

“N, no. Okay, Uncle.” 

 

* * *

 

June, early summer.

 

The sunlight began to ripen.

 

* * *

 

The office of Emperor Nicholas.

 

“Duke Rubinstein proposed the introduction of a reward and punishment system for security forces in areas where commoners live.”

 

“What?”

 

When the aide, Ramon, reported on the agenda of the noble meeting, the hand of Nicholas, who had been scribbling with a pen, abruptly stopped.

 

“Rewards and punishments?”

 

It had been less than a month since Enoch’s motion to increase the number of security forces was passed.

 

He allowed it because it was meaningless to increase the number of the famous and useless security forces…

 

‘This will make you want to work.’

 

With the introduction of a reward and punishment system, the previously superficial structure of the security forces began to take shape.

 

Enoch’s intentions were obvious.

 

Strengthening public security and crime prevention in areas where commoners live.

 

Soon, it became the welfare of the commoners.

 

“What about other nobles?”

 

“It must have been difficult to openly oppose it.”

 

At some point, the nobles started paying more attention to Enoch than to the emperor, especially after Enoch returned to the capital. This is because their daily lives have changed.

 

“As Your Majesty knows, the duke returned with another major achievement from the subjugation of the central region last week…”

 

As Enoch took charge of most expeditions by forming an army with a minimum number of men, the burden on capable people was noticeably reduced.

 

How could they not notice Enoch’s willingness to be driven to death on their behalf?

 

“It’s a headache.”

 

By showing off his achievements, Enoch comfortably spoke up at the noble meeting. 

 

The agendas presented so far have already brought about significant changes to the system.

 

Especially, the home of the commoner…

 

“Why do you know only one thing and you two don’t?”

 

One shouldn’t grant too much freedom to the lower class.

 

Then their demands will grow bigger and more toxic to the class society.

 

“Enoch, he wouldn’t know what it’s like to have something taken away from him.”

 

In the end, even the ‘ruling’ position of Enoch himself may be shaken…

 

“Does he have to see ants come up on his legs to correct that poor justice?”

 

“Y, Your Majesty. What should I do…”

 

“It seems like he’s trying to reform the security system, but this agenda is excessive.”

 

He couldn’t understand why he wanted to give the ants breathing space.

 

It was also surprising that the disgusting ant cave had gradually become bigger and stronger over the past four years.

 

He was busy rebuilding the position of the great temple that had fallen, so he just watched what Enoch did…

 

“Gather some bugs. We need to destroy the disgusting ant nest.”

 

***

 

It’s been a month since I stayed at the Duke of Libre’s residence.

 

I was hiding away, living comfortably and leisurely.

 

‘I can go home next week, right?’

 

I missed Grandfather, and even though they’re busy and coming all the way here, I wanted to see the twins I had sent away with the excuse of being sick.

 

“Hah, this guy left the kid behind and is having a grand old time.”

 

A leisurely afternoon.

 

Axion was sitting next to me, reading and groaning.

 

In the meantime, Axion and Cheshire each went on a short expedition once, and Dad.

 

“Well, it’s not like I’m going to decline to do it.”

 

That’s right, it was a party all month long.

 

Monster subjugation party…

 

“If he has prepared things like this in advance, it’s good for us. He left home when it was about time for you to keep looking after him constantly…”

 

Axion added with a sly grin.

 

“Maybe it’s because he left you in my care now, but he’s a very dry fish. Ah, it reminds me of a nightmare he had when you were in the training center.”

 

“That’s right. You said he went out for monster suppression every day back then too, right?”

 

“Yes. Since you are a genius, he said you would graduate from the training center in a month, and that he would stop the demon beasts in the meantime.”

 

Closing the book with a thud, Axion smiled and said.

 

Honestly, I didn’t know that I would graduate from there in just one month.

 

“Ahem.”

 

“I thought your dad was just boasting, but other guys are also going around saying how amazing you have been since that day. What’s up with that…”

 

Axion added, narrowing his eyes as if he were trying to remember it.

 

“You know when the Holy Beasts went on a rampage four years ago, right? They even recruited Octava.”

 

“Aah, yees.”

 

“I heard you used an A Class  shield back then. Theo Antrase and Gerard Schmidt talk about it like a heroic story whenever they get the chance, so much so that it makes my ears prick. They said they saw it right in front of their noses.”

 

“Ah, I see.” 

 

“It’s impressive. Even though memorizing magic formulas is one thing, if it’s A Class, the mana consumption is tremendously high.” 

 

“Aah! Of course.” 

 

“You must have been really hungry.”

 

“Hungry?” 

 

Why all of a sudden?

 

As I looked puzzled, Axion tilted his head. 

 

“Weren’t you hungry? After using up all the mana, the hardest thing to endure is hunger, isn’t it?”

 

Heuk, I don’t know!

 

Is there any truth to it?

 

I don’t know what state a capable person is in when they’ve used up all their mana.

 

I won’t be able to feel it forever.

 

‘But it’s strange if I don’t know it!’

 

I had to pretend to know.

 

For a moment, I quickly composed myself and glossed over it.

 

“W, was it…? I think I was just hungry… Uh, uh, it’s been so long that I don’t remember well.”

 

“…Is that so?”

 

Axion, who had been looking at me for a moment, returned his gaze to the book.

 

‘Wow, it was dangerous.’

 

The unexpected conversation made me realize that I had been too complacent.

 

To portray an ordinary person with abilities, I must be familiar with their conditions one by one.

 

‘Imagine having this kind of conversation with the emperor. We would have been caught immediately, right?’

 

I carefully got up while watching Axion calmly turn the pages.

 

“Uhm, what is Cheshire doing? I have to go and see.”

 

And quickly ran to Cheshire’s room.

 

‘I need to know!’

 

Click, I open the door. 

 

“Cheshire!” 

 

After washing, Cheshire appeared, vigorously drying his hair with a towel.

 

He hasn’t even put his top on yet.

 

“Oh my!”

 

I quickly turned around.

 

“Sorry. I must be crazy. Without even knocking. I’ll come back later.”

 

“No, wait. Hold on. I’ll put it on in a moment.”

 

In embarrassment, I stood there, scratching my cheek, when Cheshire, who had quickly put on his clothes, lightly tapped my shoulder.

 

“Sorry.”

 

“It’s all right. Why?”

 

“You know, you know. Have you ever used up all your mana?”

 

Cheshire paused for a moment at the unexpected question and then nodded.

 

“Mhm, in the past. A few times when I didn’t know how to manage mana efficiently yet.”

 

“Oh! So, what was it like back then? Was it very hard? How is your body? Please explain at least in a similar way. I think I should know.”

 

Cheshire thought for a moment and said.

 

“…maybe it’s a similar feeling to being forced to stay awake all week.”

 

“What?”

 

No, that’s torture, isn’t it?

 

“My head hurts the most. It’s hard to move a finger.”

 

“Similar to feeling drained of energy? Is the hunger the most intense? I heard your hunger is that bad? To the point where it’s hard to hold on?”

 

“Hunger?”

 

Cheshire’s eyes narrowed.

 

“In the meantime, you feel hungry?”

 

“Mhm?”

 

“Well, I don’t think there are people like that. My body is so weak that I don’t even feel like putting something in my mouth.”

 

“Huh? No, Uncle said…”

 

At first, I was puzzled by Axion’s words, but soon I realized.

 

“Wait, don’t tell me…”

 

“Weren’t you hungry? After using up all the mana, the hardest thing to endure is hunger, isn’t it?”

 

…Did I get caught?