How to Replace Dad
Yustea explained the work she was doing at the duchy to Aslan and the elites.
Yuis narrowed his brows.
“Entering alone is dangerous, isn’t it.”
“If something happens, I’ll join with Antonio and resolve it.”
“Considering the personnel, it’s an absurd plan.”
“This too, I’ll take this.”
Yustea pulled out a pair of glasses.
Glasses were common enough in this world, since old people wore them too.
Yuis took the glasses and examined them closely.
“Why this?”
“It has a built-in micro camera… well, think of it as a device that allows magic eye transmission.”
“Such a thing exists?”
“Ross just attached a small transmitter to the glasses.”
Good thing I brought Ross along.
When she looked at the things they had made, there were so many amazing inventions.
Indeed, he was a genius.
“If there’s danger in the magic eye, just let me know and I’ll support you.”
“I’ll place units in the nearby area.”
With that, the discussion about eradicating the cult ended.
Since Dad was busy with work, I told him I was leaving tomorrow and stepped out of the room.
Yuis chased after me.
He still looked displeased.
“Is the deputy strange?”
“Dad?”
“You don’t stop me. Usually you say it’s dangerous and I can never do it.”
“That’s because I entered for Dad’s sake.”
She hated to step into danger for Dad.
It was actually for her own sake, but.
“But this time, you’re doing it for yourself, and Mom is watching?”
“Yeah.”
So Mom knew what kind of person I was, how much I wanted to save, and respected the values I prioritized.
That was Dad’s way of loving her.
And she liked Dad’s way very much.
So the next day.
Yustea and Antonio began the infiltration operation of the Dawn Cult’s dawn meeting.
***
Aslan’s study.
Yuis stared at Aslan with an incredulous expression.
“Blink your eyes. You’ll go blind.”
If they were going to watch the magic eye like that, it would have been better not to send anyone at all.
Deputy Lorenzo was just as seriously focused while walking the streets.
Yuis had nothing to say.
Because Yustea had already had Ross torture the connection to the magic eye before she made her move.
In the magic eye, Yustea and Antonio were at a small carriage station inside Esgard.
Antonio asked.
Should I do something?
Just standing there blankly, could they even infiltrate the cult with this?
It was the same thought of those watching the magic eye.
The deputy asked Yuis.
“The Dawn Cult is a hard-to-capture group, isn’t it.”
“Yes. They have many branch offices and move locations irregularly.”
Ten years since the Dawn Cult started.
Even with such dominance, it was hard to exterminate them because of that.
But in the magic eye, Yustea looked completely untroubled.
Then, go to that bulletin board and read the ad for me?
Is that all?
Yes.
What kind of ad was this?
Yuis, chin propped on his hand, narrowed his brows while watching the magic eye.
Antonio headed toward the bulletin board.
And scratched his head in front of the ad.
Destruction of each training ground? Destruction? Is it that crazy?
“Shouldn’t we stop this ad now?”
“...I’ve improved a lot by learning from the miss. Learned to guess words.”
“Where did you guess ‘crazy’ from.”
“...”
The two of them thought seriously.
Shouldn’t they recall Antonio?
Could they really help the miss well?
Yuis narrowed his brows and said.
“Why bring someone who doesn’t even know basic infiltration.”
What kind of thinking was this, he frowned.
May I ask something?
A woman with a backpack approached.
“...!”
“...?!”
Yuis and the deputy startled while watching the magic eye.
Cult?
After Antonio’s squad disappeared, they had searched for the entrance to the cult or something similar.
But they couldn’t find the cult entrance no matter what.
“How the miss is so straightforward...”
Lorenzo muttered that.
At that moment, Aslan said.
“The search was mistaken.”
“Eh?”
Yustea said.
“The cult will never approach Yuis squad or the deputy squad.”
“Why?”
“Because anyone can see she’s smart. Smart people don’t fall for preaching?”
She had a sturdy body.
Neat attire.
She stuttered but read scripture.
Anyone would see her as a village girl who hit the jackpot.
What was the most desired talent in the cult?
Stupid people to exploit... or naive people who would donate well.
Lorenzo and Yuis’s eyes widened hearing Aslan’s explanation.
“Then, is the selection appropriate.”
“Perfect bait.”
In the magic eye, the cult member said.
You look so good. But sorry. Seems like luck not running.
Luck?
Not working at job or not recognized as much as ability.
Saying it as if guessing great things, but it was naturally true for targeting naive people.
Too naive, they were likely to be ignored by superiors.
Naturally, things wouldn’t work out.
This is all because of karma left by ancestors. But don’t worry. There’s a solution. Can’t say here, but if you spare some time...
Talking without breathing.
Smiling but urgent to not miss the perfect target.
At that time.
Oppa?
Yustea approached.
Glasses covering half her face, messy hair.
Backpack, outfit like a rural girl just arrived at a big city.
When Antonio answered “eh?”, the cult member quickly looked at both alternately.
This one...?
This is my brother.
The cult member hesitated.
Approaching a group violated the cult’s preaching rules.
Moreover, Yustea looked not easy even in that outfit.
The cult member had a conflicted expression.
Then make it more urgent.
Yustea grabbed Antonio’s collar and whispered.
If anxious, don’t talk to others...
Eh?
Stop and go.
Antonio was confused but had been thoroughly educated by Yustea beforehand.
“When I speak, answer with ‘yes’, ‘yeah’, ‘maybe’.”
Thanks to the education from last night, Antonio answered with wide eyes.
Yes. Yeah. Maybe.
The cult member rolled her eyes left and right, scanning Yustea and Antonio.
Anxious?
Antonio was naive but obviously sturdy.
Just seeing the muscles under his clothes, it would be safe even at night.
But anxious with such a man beside her?
Has something in the bag.
It wasn’t hard to guess.
Yustea held the bag strap and scanned the surroundings.
From the carriage station, seems looking for a ride.
Words were expensive animals. Hard for commoners to raise.
So carriage was even more impossible.
Hence, when moving far, they had to hitch rides at carriage stations.
Yustea hid behind Antonio warily.
Held the bag to strengthen the cult member’s guess.
The cult member said with a more friendly expression.
Since lunch passed, evening when carriages arrive. Cold, take a break? There’s a good place nearby.
Yustea shrank and pulled Antonio’s collar.
Just us. Many scammers in big cities...
If the opponent wasn’t easy, it only made them more urgent.
I am one who follows God’s word. How can I harm you?
So priest?
Well... similar.
Yustea’s face brightened.
She looked at Antonio.
Northern temple nearby. Take me there.
Yeah. Yeah. That—
Good. If priest of god, no lie, good conversation partner.
Yustea said with an excited face, “I’ll go. I really want to go.” to the cult member.
The cult member smiled and guided Yustea and Antonio.
Leaving the carriage station, the cult member asked.
You said there’s something to discuss?
The cult had roles besides recruiting: information gathering.
Learn the opponent’s background and send it to the Dawn Cult inside.
So the first-seen Dawn Cult leaders suddenly said things like “Parents sick?”, “Lover’s heart troubled?” etc.
Naive people fell for it and believed it was a miracle.
Um... that...
Speak comfortably ok.
Yes, since priest.
Yustea opened the bag and showed the inside.
Instantly, the cult member’s foot stopped.
This is...!
Thought her eyes would pop out.
It was a luxurious gold rabbit statue.
This... what... what... example?
The cult member who saw something huge blinked like she forgot how to speak.
Before parents passed, told where these are. But when selling, don’t know price. Owners quote differently...
Ah, yes... I see.
The cult member swallowed dry.
Gold nugget. Gold nugget.
Amazing.
Lived and seen days taking gold nuggets.
Thanked god in her heart.
But pondering, strange.
These’?
Ah yes. Total twelve. Rat, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon... took one out. If problem, lose one, other eleven remain.
Eleven more...
Priest?
...Yes? Ah yes!
Oh god.
Gold nugget, not gold! Gold ingot!
Then where is that...?
Can’t tell.
Yustea hardened her face instantly.
But awkwardly smiled and hugged the bag.
Of course believe priest, but promised parents. Location never say even in death.
Then... yes.
Ah, this way?
Yustea pointed right at the fork.
Busy place.
Correct path to the cult branch.
The cult member hesitated.
No. Go opposite side.
Eh... but no people here?
Good path unknown to others.
The Dawn Cult’s base.
Center of the cult with the leader.
If important, consult the greatest one.
Will you? Wow, happy.
Without spending money, showing the gold statue, success entering the base.
Yustea’s bright voice flowed out outside the magic eye.
Yuis watching said.
“...So the scammer was on our side?”
Aslan and Lorenzo remained silent.
***
Dawn Cult base.
The cult member saw Yustea with wide eyes and laughed huh huh.
“Surprised by base’s grandeur?”
“Amazing. Such a wonderful place.”
She felt excited like she had a good sight, but inside she wasn’t.
Finished.
Left Esgard.
Soldiers guarding the manor border.
More than anything, base scale huge.
Knew the Dawn Cult had many believers.
But thought like other cults, lived scattered, gathered for events.
But base is small territory itself?
Like the duke swallowed San Miguel whole, the Dawn Cult took one territory.
Castle turned to church.
The cult member took them to a small room in the castle.
“Wait. I’ll fetch the priest.”
Then the cult member left, and Antonio checked outside.
“Guard front.”
“Prevent escaping money. How many know?”
“Eight. ...someone coming.”
Antonio said at the door.
We sat on the sofa quickly.
Soon the door opened, and a man in black priest robes and the cult member entered.
“Glad to see. Tanah’s guests?”
“First meet.”
“Name?”
“I’m Yustea, my brother is Anton.”
“I see. Heard something to consult. Speak freely.”
“Ah yes.”
Yustea took the rabbit statue from the bag and placed it on the sofa table.
“Oh. Indeed...!”
The cult member’s eyes widened seeing it, even after hearing.
Huge thing.
Borrowed from the decoration in Esgard castle.
Highest purity, 900 gold.
Rabbit eyes had a ruby.
Saliva will gulp.
The priest’s Adam’s apple moved.
Swallowed dry and asked.
“Eleven more like this?”
“Yes.”
“This is... you’ve been troubled for a while.”
The priest sighed sadly.
Yustea pretended not to know.
“Eh?”
“Health issues around people?”
“Yes but...”
Exactly as expected.
Next too obvious.
“This is a cursed item.”
“Big trouble if have.”
“Big trouble.”
“Offer prayer to god, purify.”
“Must offer to god to purify.”
Yustea pretended surprised and covered her mouth.
“Eh?”
“No time. Hurry offer prayer. Many waiting, but can’t ignore young siblings alone. I’ll speed up.”
“Eh.... then problem gone? Rabbit can return?”
“Of course.”
He smiled kindly.
So they could hear the locations of other statues from Yustea and Antonio.
Also, no suspicion, recruitment would succeed. Become labor.
“Tanah. I’ll prepare prayer, guide these to prayer hall. Purify mind before offering.”
“Yes, priest.”
The priest left the room.
Then the cult member took them to the prayer hall.
The prayer hall was underground of the castle.
But from the start of the stairs, huge noise came.
“Ah ah, I believe! I believe!”
“Believe—!!”
“Believe. Believe!”
“Oh! Believe!”
Antonio asked with a confused voice.
“What is this sound?”
“Offering devotion to prayer.”
...If devote so much, won’t the believers hate the noise?
Antonio frowned at the same thought.
And when they arrived at the prayer hall, they found some people.
People with hands clasped, passionately shaking.
“Oh oh! I believe!”
“I believe!”
“Oh oh! I believe!”
...Antonio’s squad members.