Grandfather cleared his throat and said, “The Hwangdo Academy isn’t a bad choice, but just because they’re my acquaintance doesn’t mean you have to go.” “Hmm... I actually prefer blood-relative education.” I smiled brightly and said, “Marquis Debussy is always looking for good ways to help children grow independently.” I unleashed the passionate flattery skills that had once drained the spirit of the steward. The retainers all burst out laughing at once. “Marquis Debussy? I didn’t know you were such a great educator since you have no children of your own.” Marquis Debussy smiled brightly. He usually smiled often, but today his mouth curled about fifteen degrees higher. ‘Good. I’ve earned Marquis Debussy’s favor.’ Then I turned my head and looked at grandfather. “No matter how good the academy is, nothing can compare to learning under you, grandfather.” The retainers nodded in agreement and enthusiastically supported me. “When will my grandson say something like that?” “I knew the duke was fortunate long ago, but now I see the luck of his bloodline as well.” I left grandfather’s main estate and settled by the lakeside. Rubbing my hands together to warm them, fatigue hit me with a wave of reality. I patted my shoulders, and the communication stone (a blessing stone for communication) glimmered. I connected the communication. “The pillars don’t need to be repaired by us. Marquis Debussy will contact about Count Gentil’s matter.” Sounds of papers being thrown from the communication stone. Poor middle-aged men. [Then will you come back now?] “I’m going to have dinner with grandfather.” [Yes. When you come, I will tell the servants to prepare so you can rest well.] The communication ended. I carefully put the communication stone into a soft cloth pouch. It was very expensive—more than the carriage embedded with blessing stones. “Oh, Erilot’s calling!” My four-year-old cousin, Armand, waddled over by the lake. “I’m calling! Can you hear me? Can you hear me?” Armand’s nanny hurried over and explained, “Miss Erilot got permission for communication when moving up to the advanced education room. She switched to commuting education.” I was promoted to the advanced education room. Along with this came several benefits: ‘People should always try to get promoted.’ I lightly tapped Armand’s cheek. “Do you want to communicate?” Armand was excited, and his nanny thanked me. I connected to the jurisdiction of Armand’s father, Uncle Gustav. “Young master, don’t hold it so tightly.” [Oh, is that Armand!] Suddenly, wind blew, and Armand’s hat flew off during communication. Armand’s nanny anxiously grabbed Armand’s hand, who tried to grab the communication stone as if to crush it. “I’m watching Armand. I’ll go get it.” That communication stone costs a fortune. Armand, when excited, was a handful even for a child like me. The hat flew quite far. I went quickly to fetch the hat behind a tree. But just as I bent down to pick it up— A boy sitting in the shade of the tree looked at me. A thin boy with brown curly hair and acne all over his cheeks. He wasn’t from the direct line. Nor was he collateral. Probably around 13 to 15 years old? What business does a kid have at the estate? “I’m Posloni Calderé. Who are you?” Who else but a kid from the Factory? But the fact that he immediately spoke casually showed he really was an idiot. I picked up Armand’s hat and stood up. The boy’s eyes went wide as I smiled and turned away. When I returned Armand’s hat, his nanny bowed several times. “There was a boy around my age over there. His name was Calderé.” “Oh... you mean the young master of the Calderé Marquisate. It seems his father brought him because he wanted to hand over his domain to Astra.” “Grandfather was in a meeting with retainers about something else?” If that’s the case, he would need to talk with the Marquis. “The domain is just a small piece of land in the countryside... It seems Marquis Calderé only lives on his domain, so he’s not aware of current trends.” Meanwhile, Armand’s communication ended. I carefully put the communication stone he returned into my pocket and returned to the main estate. It was just dinner time. Dinner was with grandfather, a few retainers, and Uncle Grimié. “Long time no see, Erilot.” “Yes, uncle. How have you been?” He smiled as we talked, but his mind was racing. ‘Why did Uncle Grimié come?’ He usually stayed in Hwangdo and rarely came down to the estate. Only showed up at family events occasionally. Marquis Debussy asked him, “What brings you here?” “I have a request from His Majesty, but it’s difficult, so I came to seek your wisdom, sir.” “A difficult matter?” “The prince of Asalon recently entered the empire for trade.” “Asalon? That’s a country with several iron ore mines, isn’t it?” “Yes. His Majesty’s important project requires iron ore, but they haven’t provided the amount we want.” Grandfather looked at Uncle Grimié. “The prince of Asalon wants to meet Daymond.” I pretended to focus on the meal, but I was all ears. “It’s Tigor, the country Daymond conquered seven years ago.” Thanks to Dad conquering Tigor, which has melons as its specialty, I ate my fill of melons. “Asalon lost their queen in the war with Tigor twenty years ago. They want to meet Daymond who avenged their mother.” The retainers looked horrified and displeased. Dad wouldn’t go to that kind of place. Though he softened to aim for the dukedom, he still had a steely core. “Why worry so much? Daymond himself is here.” Marquis Debussy looked at me with a subtle expression. Then the retainers brightened noticeably. Uncle Grimié also looked at me. I don’t want Dad to do things he hates, but... ‘Opportunities to go to Hwangdo don’t come often.’ The jurisdiction was well developed and solidified. It was time to start expanding influence outside. ‘Besides, I have to scratch a lottery ticket too.’ I quietly said to Uncle Grimié, Uncle Grimié smiled happily. Dad stood with a sullen face by the carriage. While waiting, grandfather and Uncle Grimié came out together. “You’re here, Daymond. Thanks for coming, Erilot.” Uncle Grimié also invited me to Hwangdo. Probably planning to use Dad as a leash. There was a reason I had to go to Hwangdo. Uncle Grimié rode his carriage and left, and we decided to go with grandfather. Grandfather frowned when he saw a large box loaded in the trunk. “My favorite painting.” “Yes. I liked it and want to buy several more from the same artist to show to Hwangdo art dealers.” Except it wasn’t really a painting. I had no interest in art at all. So why bring a painting? ‘That’s a joker for the Empress Dowager.’ It was a painting by the Empress Dowager’s mother. I planned to use this joker I’d been saving for this opportunity. Grandfather, Dad, and I boarded the same carriage. It was a very quiet space. “This is your first time going to Hwangdo with grandfather, right?” “A few times before.” “Every time there was a commotion.” Grandfather said with a displeased face, “If you hadn’t been nagging me to get married so much, there wouldn’t have been any fuss... Father.” Dad stared out the window and said, Now he calls grandfather ‘Father.’ A few years ago, people laughed seeing him call me ‘Dad’ about twenty times a day. “Do you like the word ‘Dad’ so much?” “Because once Dad becomes Duke, I won’t be able to call him that. I have to say it a lot now.” Then Dad asked with a face like the world was ending, “Why─! Why can’t I call you Dad?” “Because Dad is now ‘Duke Hubi.’” At the time it was said casually, but from that day, Dad began glaring at grandfather. “What’s the fuss this time?” “It’s nothing. Ah... Ah...” I still vividly remember grandfather’s stunned face. ‘It would be nice if those two got along.’ We ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) rode the ultra-fast carriage all day and arrived at Hwangdo. The mansion managed by Uncle Grimié was magnificent. Because of the limited land, naturally it was much bigger than the Factory or the jurisdiction. But with a forest behind it, an artificial river flowing along the mansion... it was impressively decorated, rivaling in status. The servants were very kind, and the guest room they prepared had a different style from the Factory or jurisdiction. “I’m glad you like it. There are many kids in Hwangdo, so you can call them to play.” “But you’ll have to stay for at least a week. Won’t you get bored?” “Yes. I plan to meet an acquaintance.” “An acquaintance in Hwangdo?” “A few years ago, Lady Gonalong came to give etiquette lessons, and we’ve kept in touch by letters. I’m resting today, but may I go meet her tomorrow?” I thanked Uncle Grimié and went up to my room. Han Jihyeok followed behind. “Why are you so professional at lying?” He had grown from a youth into a full adult. Thanks to that, he was perfect for various tasks. His aggravating speech style remained the same, though. ‘But there are ways to shut him up.’ “I should have brought Mosco.” Even as he got older, I couldn’t do anything against the 3-meter-tall Mosco. Han Jihyeok flinched and whispered, “You know you’re opposites with Mosco.” “Mosco doesn’t think so. He said next time he’ll bathe with you.” “Will he get skinned?” Before going into the room, I instructed him, “Contact Lady Gonalong.” “Today’s the day you repay the favor. Prepare the painting well.” Han Jihyeok responded “Okay,” and bowed deeply when another servant passed by. After he greeted me, I entered the room. Dad was busy talking with grandfather and uncle, so I had some time alone. Sitting on the bed, I looked at my shadow by my feet. “Are you scared, coming to a place you don’t know?” The shadow flickered and black smoke sprouted. “Sorry. I’ll be back in a week, so please bear with it a little.” Then I played the white cedar flute, and the smoke softly returned to being a shadow. This kid was Ombre, the monster I was currently carefully raising. He was timid but not too picky, so calming him down wasn’t hard. ‘Ombre is calm enough now.’ Next was the blessing. I activated my blessing. A big hologram shone in front of my eyes. I looked proudly at the novel. Unluckily lived Daymond Astra. Changed by an unexpected daughter?! Relations with adopted children improving... A super daddy who would do anything to protect his beloved daughter. Become a duke and protect the future of your child! #DotingDad #NoSonInMyDictionary #FruitMapInProduction Dad I raised well became the protagonist of the novel. And I realized one thing. ‘There is a protagonist buff.’ Dad was always in danger in wars, but luck was always on his side. Arrows swept past his forehead in waves, he dodged an axe while tying his walker’s straps... Originally, my blessing was , the ability to access the world’s records. This viewing was infused with the “red power,” creating this . The red power seemed to be a force trying to attack me, but it instead combined perfectly with my viewing... ‘So I got a protagonist buff.’ ‘Perfect for exploiting.’ Bringing Dalia here didn’t ruin my life at all.