How to Replace Dad
People were in a complete panic.
It was only natural, since the monster was one that became poisoned just by touching its feathers.
“What the heck? Why are you targeting the young lady!”
Antonio used the armor on his chest to block the beak of the other monster.
Yuis's sword pierced the neck of the monster that had rushed at me first.
I thought while being protected by the two of them.
'Why didn't it attack me in the store district?'
The store district is never a suitable place to attack.
Because there are so many people.
Everyone would know that the monster targeted me.
Moreover, breaking the district's barrier would mean being guilty of treason.
'I was going to leave the district anyway and head to Esgard. If it's a good time to attack, it would be now, but why...?'
Yuis shouted at Antonio.
“Move!”
He placed his hand on the ground.
A strange pattern appeared from the veins on his wrist and spread across the ground.
It's a spell.
He's going to cast a wide-area spell.
I gasped.
And quickly grabbed Yuis.
“No!”
“What?”
“People everywhere around here. We might get caught up in it!”
“But...!”
“If commoners get caught up in the spell, it's all on me. Then responsibility falls on my father, who is my protector. The enemy was targeting that!”
Yuis's face hardened.
While we were talking, Antonio who was blocking the monsters said.
“You targeted the young lady? Who?”
The person who was going to use me as a sacrifice to target my father.
Isn't it obvious who it is.
“The Duchess and her son.”
“Damn...! Then I have to deal with them with just the sword?”
That was impossible.
The number of monsters was enormous.
Two people couldn't handle them all with just swords.
I told the two.
“We have to go to a place without people. Where we can spread the wide-area spell.”
“Is there such a place nearby? No, even if there is, how do we get there? The monsters will chase the young lady and touch the people!”
“Up! The rooftop! We have to move across the building rooftops!”
Fortunately, the monsters aren't like wyverns with strong power.
They can't destroy buildings.
Antonio wrapped his arm around my waist and climbed the building's outer wall.
Due to his overly cheerful and naive personality, he doesn't show it usually, but Antonio is also a man with tremendous talent.
Thanks to the density of muscles that surpass human limits, he could move like a beast.
He climbed the wall, using window frames as support to reach the rooftop.
Thanks to Yuis's support, he could fend off the monsters' attacks.
I checked the location while being carried by Antonio.
I had spent all day in this store district for the past few years.
I was confident in finding my way more than anyone.
“7 o'clock direction!”
Antonio ran with me in his arms, and Yuis chased beside us.
“Right side, red roof!”
At the moment Antonio jumped over the building following my guidance.
An unusually large monster rushed forward fiercely.
Yuis threw his shield.
Kung!
The shield hit the monster's head exactly, and with a sharp scream, the monster retreated.
However, Antonio had already lost his balance.
He was about to fall straight from the air.
Antonio desperately grabbed the building with the red roof.
Screeech!
The sound of the gauntlet grinding against the building bricks.
'No! The monsters are coming back!'
A couple of them flew towards Antonio.
Antonio's posture was broken.
Yuis was still on the rooftop.
If this continued, Antonio was in danger.
I struggled and broke free from Antonio's arm.
“Young lady!”
Fortunately, it was slipping from the second floor.
Since it wasn't that high, I grabbed the thick branch of a tree and landed on the grass.
I shouted at Antonio and Yuis.
“Go to Dad! I'll drive the monsters away!”
“What?”
“It's dangerous, young lady!”
They shouted, but I didn't have the mind to answer.
Because the monsters were already chasing me.
I ran desperately.
Fortunately, the location was good.
It was an alley with the target's warehouse, so it was controlled.
Thanks to that, there were no people.
In this gap, I had to quickly go to the destination.
'Quickly… fast…?'
While running through the narrow alley.
There were two young children in the corner.
“You how….”
From their appearance, they looked like beggar kids from the beggars' guild.
Their bodies were emaciated, bones sticking out.
'They came in to steal the warehouse goods because they're hungry!'
The kids froze when they saw the monsters behind me.
“Hic, hiik…!”
'Oh no.'
The progression of poison is faster in children.
Because they are more active than adults, the poison spreads quickly.
Since they were scared like that, their heart rate would have risen and blood flow would have been faster.
They wouldn't last until I find them after driving off the monsters and purify them.
But if I go the other way, there would be more people.
'What to do?'
If I think rationally, I have to leave them.
The kids were frozen seeing the monsters, so it was impossible to take them and run.
But... it's impossible.
I said with a sad face.
“Stay behind me….”
The kids looked up at me with teary eyes.
***
At the boundary of the store district.
The imperial army had sealed the entrance, but the surrounding area was bustling with people.
The girl who got off the carriage looked around at the people with a puzzled expression.
“What's going on?”
The boy who came with the girl said to the young soldier of the imperial army who was running around hurriedly.
“Hey, you.”
The soldier who saw the pattern on the boy's robe was shocked and quickly prostrated.
“Your Highness!”
Prince. So, the Fifth Prince Gaspar narrowed his brows and asked.
“What's the matter.”
“A flock of monsters attacked the store district and the barrier collapsed.”
The girl who heard that was surprised and her eyes widened.
“People? Are the people safe?”
The soldier answered.
“Fortunately, it seems the monsters flew away avoiding the crowd, so no major casualties. I've sent in the rescue team and extermination team five minutes ago, so rest assured.”
Gaspar nodded his head.
And turned his gaze to the girl.
“Shopping is out of the question. …Stella.”
This girl was Stella.
The protagonist of the game <My Knight>, the illegitimate child born between Andres Duke and Emma, who was a maid.
The girl who was called the treasure of Andres Duke and his son.
Even with Gaspar's urging, Stella looked at the soldier with a worried face.
“Have the beggar kids been rescued?”
“Beggar?”
Gaspar asked, and Stella nodded.
“My friends. They live in the store district.”
“What kind of friend is a beggar.”
“Gaspar.”
Stella narrowed her brows.
She didn't care about social status.
Whether it's a lowly status or a noble one, if the heart matches, she becomes friends and pours her heart out.
Treating friends carelessly is something Stella hates the most.
Gaspar made an expression as if he couldn't help it and lightly raised his hand.
“I know. I know.”
Only after Gaspar stepped back did Stella remove her uncomfortable gaze.
She asked the soldier again.
“Huh? The beggar kids?”
“Since there are so many people, I can't remember all the rescued ones. However, except for the northwest area, you don't have to worry much.”
“Northwest…. Is it the Sedillo merchant guild warehouse side?”
“Yes.”
Stella covered her mouth with both hands.
Gaspar asked.
“Why?”
“The place where the kids often go to steal food.”
The kids are in danger.
Stella, who turned pale, immediately ran to the entrance.
The imperial soldiers who recognized her couldn't touch her and stood there bewildered.
In that gap, Stella pushed through the imperial soldiers and entered the store district.
“Stella!”
Gaspar hurriedly chased after her.
Gaspar ran after Stella and said.
“The rescue team is entering, you know.”
“I don't care!”
“…What?”
“I treat commoners like me as the lowest priority, especially the kids without guardians. Like how you treated me.”
Stella said with teary eyes, and Gaspar became quiet.
Stella was a pitiful girl.
She was born as the daughter of the Andres Duke, who is part of the honorable seven families, but she had to grow up on the streets.
After experiencing a lot of absurdity and pain, she could finally be embraced by her father's arms.
She had every reason to be angry with the world, but she chose compassion over anger.
“I hope others don't feel the pain I went through.”
A person who can say that and smile.
And....
“I know. That Gaspar is a very wonderful man.”
With that kindness, he even wrapped around her inferiority complex.
Gaspar sighed.
Then he shouted at the imperial soldiers who were cleaning up the surroundings.
“Protect. If even a single strand of Stella's hair is damaged, you'll have to answer for it.”
Stella looked at Gaspar with eyes filled with tears.
Then she wiped the tears with the back of her hand and smiled brightly.
“Thank you, Gaspar.”
Stella held Gaspar's hand.
The two ran towards the alley where the merchant guild's warehouse was, leading the imperial soldiers.
The monsters were flying over the warehouse.
Stella shouted.
“Are you there? Is it here?”
Then a young voice burst out from inside the alley.
“Stella-nim!”
Stella quickly entered the alley.
No, she was trying to enter. If it weren't for the monsters flopping around inside the alley.
Kieek─!
The monster's sharp cry made Stella retreat.
Fortunately, it didn't attack towards this side.
They were all crowded in one place.
“Stella-nim! Stella-nim, help!”
“Stella-nim, ahem!”
The kids were crying and shouting, so Stella stomped her feet.
Then she looked back at the soldiers.
“Inside. Rescue the kids!”
The soldier put the arrow on the bow.
Startled, Stella grabbed the bow.
“What are you doing! What if the kids get hit!”
“The monsters have poison in their feathers. You have to catch them from a distance.”
“Deal with them with a sword. Bows don't work!”
The soldiers were bewildered.
If they touch the monsters, their own lives are in danger.
To catch them from close range, the blessing of a priest was essential.
It would block the poison.
Stella was sobbing, so Gaspar shouted.
“What are you doing!”
“At least until the priest comes...”
“Get in right now!”
At the moment the soldiers were hesitating.
Shick─!
Two figures dove between the soldier, Stella, and Gaspar.
Only after the figures passed so quickly that they realized they were men holding shields.
One of the figures kicked off the wall and jumped up to cut the monster's neck.
From the other side, a strange pattern spread out, becoming chains to suppress the monster's both wings.
Kung!
Two monsters fell instantly.
“Young lady!”
“Young lady.”
They were incredibly beautiful men.
They had no fear of touching the monsters.
They cut or broke necks as they came.
Thanks to the monsters decreasing and the view opening, people inside the alley were visible.
Kids huddled against the wall crying.
And the kids clinging to them and holding on...
The ones who got hit or scratched by the monster's claws were almost rags.
Gaspar narrowed his brows.
And muttered as if mesmerized.
“Yustea…?”
What?
Stella flinched and looked at the girl who was hugging the kids.
The girl slowly turned her head and looked back at those who called her 'young lady'.
Beautiful hair.
Golden eyes like stars.
The one who looked exactly like her father... that...
“Unnie?”
***
Antonio and Yuis came running to me.
But I didn't have time to look at them.
Because the face of that kid was visible behind Yuis.
Stella.
That kid who is the protagonist of this game.
“Unnie….”
“Are you okay, unnie…?”
The kids looked at me crying.
I'm fine.
I'm dying from pain.
'Because the monster's feather touched one kid's body and healed immediately, it became even harder.'
But I couldn't say it's painful.
Because the kids would be more scared.
'The rescue team is coming. Yuis and Antonio are here too.'
Now I can send the kids.
“When I signal, run over there.”
“There? Stella-nim?”
“Yeah.”
“It's scary… my legs are shaking, I can't do it…”
“Endure. There's no choice.”
The number of monsters was enormous. I had to drop the kids to move.
The kids were trembling, but I forcibly pulled their arms and stood them up.
The monsters' attacks continued.
Antonio and Yuis were next to me processing the monsters.
It was hard to move the frozen kids without them touching the monsters.
I almost dragged them by the back of the neck.
And Yuis threw the monster caught with the spell to another monster and suppressed two at once.
In that gap, I threw the kids towards Stella.
“Kids!”
“St, Stella-nim…!”
Finally, my hand was free.
I immediately ran into the alley.
Yuis and Antonio chased after me.
Yuis asked.
“What are you trying to do!”
“I'm going to jump into the sewer.”
The store district had sewers prepared in case of heavy rain.
It was a large sewer that could fit a couple of monsters at once.
“What?”
We finally reached the sewer.
I told Yuis.
“If I go into the sewer, the monsters will chase me. When all the monsters come in, close the sewer gate.”
“What are you saying…!”
“It's my name.”
“...”
I'm Dad's daughter.
Since Dad said he would accept me as his real daughter, I'm now the successor of the Irregular.
Except for the head, no one in the Irregular can disobey my orders.
Yuis's face hardened.
Antonio said to me.
“Are you trying to die?”
Yuis looked at Antonio with a surge of emotion.
“You...!”
“You can't die. If so, you won't obey my orders.”
Yuis became quiet, and Antonio stared at me.
I smiled and said.
“I'm trying to live. Without worries.”
“If so, I'll take the name.”
Antonio, smiling, stroked my head.
Yuis sighed.
“I'm going crazy.”
It was a voice mixed with irritation, but it seemed like he was cooperating.
At the moment, a monster flew in.
I jumped into the sewer, thinking I would be caught.
The monsters passed Antonio and Yuis and chased me.
I had to stall.
Until all the monsters come in.
And....
'Let's use this.'
I took the bomb from my pocket.
It explodes when it comes into contact with mana. The explosion power varies depending on the maker's skill, and timing can also be set.
It was the one that entered the castle to kill me, the niece of the San Miguel Baron.
How expensive is the bomb item, would I just leave it?
I had kept it.
Inside the sewer, I dodged the monsters left and right.
But since there were so many, I soon got cornered against the wall.
The monster's claws and beaks dug into my whole body.
How much time had passed.
When I thought it was getting harder to endure.
Kugugung─.
The sound of the old door of the sewer closing.
It seemed all the monsters had entered the sewer.
'Status window.'
Name: Yustea Esgard
Class: Saint
Characteristics: Purification, Healing, Status Window (Activated)
MP: 13/50
The character window appeared.
'Healing activated.'
Soon, the activation character for the property healing appeared.
And I tore the bomb and threw it towards the monster near the sewer wall.
At the moment the bomb touched the monster, I wrapped my head with one arm and held the Botella with the other hand.
Kwaaang─!
Flesh of three monsters caught in the explosion splattered.
The other monsters instinctively retreated in surprise, but it was useless.
The sewer wall collapsed and was buried in the pile of bricks.
A brick fell above my head too.
I activated healing.
'More, more, more…!'
Faster than the wounds!
My head was dizzy from pain and mana depletion.
My vision narrowed.
'Oh no, I can't pass out... I have to purify Yuis and Antonio...'
Will the priests come?
They have to treat Yuis and Antonio...
With that thought, I closed my eyes.
***
Treatment room.
A small number of people who touched the monsters were receiving treatment from the priest.
Stella asked with a worried expression next to the beggar kids.
“How are they? Are the kids okay? Not poisoned?”
“...”
“I did heal them, but I'm not sure...”
“Did the young lady heal them?”
The priest asked the kids with a stern face.
“You said you are siblings, right? Then you must have lived in the same place for more than three months?”
“Yes.”
“Did you only receive healing from your sister?”
“Yes. The monster's feather only touched my sister.”
“That's strange...”
Stella asked with a puzzled expression.
“What kind of question is that? Why is there a problem with the sister?”
“There is no problem.”
“Then it's not strange.”
“No. It's strange because there is no problem.”
“What?”
“The brother has tuberculosis. It's quite serious. But the sister who lived with them for a long time is fine.”
The priest's healing was not omnipotent.
The specialty is to solve states caused by magic, such as monster poison or mana.
Diseases are the doctors' job.
'If healing is possible even for tuberculosis...'
He hurriedly looked at another priest.
“Inform the Pope.”
“Huh?”
“It seems like we found the saint.”