Chapter 50

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: The Super Shy Child is Searching for Dad 145

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Nordics nodded readily.

'As expected...'

In truth, he hadn't been entirely convinced until now.

Even if they managed to secure a preschool in Flint Cove by some stroke of luck, sneaking Tiye in every day without drawing attention from the locals would be no easy feat.

But the Grand Commander's plan sounded plausible.

"How exactly is the underground passage operated?"

"It's extremely exclusive. If you're not a Flint Cove resident, getting in is tough from the start. I've already confirmed even the information brokers can't just come and go as they please."

"I understand what you're saying. But there's no guarantee those people would let Tiye in, is there?"

Alexander, who had been listening, stepped forward.

"You don't need to worry about that. I have some connections there."

Alexander continued with a gentle smile.

"I've performed some officially prohibited medical procedures a few times. Inside Flint Cove."

The mercenaries and Tiye all turned to him with curious expressions.

Alexander reminisced about the past as he spoke.

"About a year ago, a severe coughing plague swept through Flint Cove."

The disease was highly contagious.

Just being in the same space could spread it, and it was especially deadly for children and the elderly.

The Emperor immediately sealed off Flint Cove.

And began providing them only with basic food and water.

But Alexander saw things differently from the Emperor.

'We can't just leave it like this. It's too dangerous. Water and food aren't a fundamental solution to the disease.'

He believed Flint Cove needed medical personnel to treat the illness.

The problem was that the Emperor had zero interest in the people of Flint Cove.

The Emperor only dispatched medical teams to nobles within the old gods' borders who fell ill.

In the end, Alexander made a risky decision.

He decided to divert medical supplies from the Holy Knight Order and sneak them into Flint Cove.

Publicly, he pretended to be quarantined with the coughing plague and slipped inside undetected.

Then he began treating the severe cases one by one.

Valentis quietly supported him from behind the scenes.

As a result, they saved countless lives in Flint Cove.

"That's when I got acquainted with the sector chief. And sure enough, when I explained the situation, he agreed to let Lady Tiye come and go freely."

Tiye swallowed hard.

'So, it's a place Tiye wasn't supposed to go to originally.'

But thanks to Alexander's connections, she could?

Her heart pounded with excitement.

'I wanted to go to preschool so bad...!'

Hanging up her coat and bag on the shelf.

Then greeting her friends and playing free play!

Singing songs, weather talks, story time, arts and crafts!

"Tiye, you'll get to play with your friends again...?"

Veil patted Tiye's head.

"Yeah. The schedule will get busier, though."

Tiye nodded vigorously, her face melting into a gooey smile.

"Busy is fine!"

Going to preschool during the day and assaulting magic stones at night? Piece of cake!

"Tiye can do it!"

The mercenaries burst into laughter at her brimming determination.

Valentis and his three sons watched the scene with warm smiles.

And so, a few days later, one morning...

"Oh my, doesn't our Tiye look just perfect in this princess dress? So pretty."

Tiye was dressed in the princess gown Marshal had put on her, with a pin in her hair.

Afterward, she donned the Agaveert uniform and pressed her cheeks in front of the mirror.

Lukarion reminded her from the side.

"...Like I said earlier, scream if anything dangerous happens. I'll be watching nearby."

Tiye nodded bravely.

"Okay!"

With Ppu Ppu on her shoulder, she stepped out of the room to find Basto waiting.

"Let's go! To the tavern!"

Veil, coming up the stairs, corrected her.

"It's not 'peng,' it's the tavern."

"Same thing! Both are places to drink, big brother Veil."

Tiye sassed back cheekily, humming a tune as she descended the stairs.

The mercenaries had already gathered on the first floor.

"Tiye, do your best."

Nordics patted her back,

"Captain! Fighting!"

Raoul and Enzo, who had learned "fighting" from Tiye, pumped their fists.

Tiye nodded solemnly, opened the front door, and stepped out.

"Nice weather."

Basto said in a soft voice.

Tiye grinned and glanced once at the empty house next door where her dad should be, then passed through the gate.

Walking along the tidy brick path, the massive roofs of the imperial palace loomed in the distance.

"About 15 minutes on foot every day. Pass through the shopping district, and the tavern building is at the end. I'll always escort you."

Tiye nodded in response to Basto's words instead of replying.

She could already feel the information brokers trailing behind them in droves.

Interest in Tiye had skyrocketed ever since Agaveert climbed into the top 7 rankings.

"The life of a celebrity is so tiring..."

Tiye shook her head dramatically and marched on energetically.

How long had they walked?

They finally arrived at the bustling shopping street, crowded even in the morning.

"Milady, take a look at this. It's a new line fresh from Camor Brewery— the flavor is out of this world!"

"Clothing over here! Special price just for today!"

Tiye dodged through the crowd, holding Basto's hand.

A few recognized her and eyed her with curiosity.

"Over there."

Basto pointed somewhere.

At the end of the alley.

A round plaza and the gateway to Flint Cove.

A six-story massive building stood tall with a sign reading [Tavern Taven].

Tiye glanced around.

Then she deliberately raised her voice.

"Ahem. Craving something strong first thing in the morning!"

This line was something she and Veil had workshopped to sound like a hardcore drinker.

Sure enough, the people watching her exchanged glances.

Their faces said they were convinced she wasn't some kid, but a liquor-loving commander.

"Let's head in."

Basto said as they reached the tavern entrance.

Tiye waved her hand casually and went inside.

The tavern was huge.

The first floor was already packed with people.

But Tiye's destination was elsewhere.

"Ahem! Craving something strong first thing in the morning...!"

Just in case, she repeated the line, then stood before the stairs leading to the basement at the very back.

The two men guarding the stairs recognized her and quietly stepped aside.

As she started down, whispers rose from behind.

"Wasn't that the Commander just now? The mercenary who's been killing it lately."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

"...Guess the rumors about her raking in cash are true. Tavern Taven's handing over the whole basement."

"Because of the VIP rooms in the basement?"

"Yeah. They never show them off, so I wondered who the VIPs were. Who'd have thought—a lowly commoner mercenary."

Of course, the VIP rooms were a fabrication by the tavern to hide the underground passage to Flint Cove, but the nobles bought it.

"I asked to be shown the VIP rooms several times, and they wouldn't even pretend to listen!"

A few haughty nobles shot glares at Tiye.

But they quickly averted their eyes upon spotting the hulking Basto behind her.

Meanwhile, Tiye descended the seemingly endless stairs, passed through a cluttered warehouse,

went down another long set of stairs, and opened an iron door.

"Egg money... from Tavern Taven... wait till everyone's down..."

In the complex, massive underground passage patched together with rusted iron and wood.

Dozens of eyes fixed on Tiye.

They were elderly folks gathered along the edges, each with small street stalls.

"Child, how old are you...? How'd you get here, huh?"

Tiye gaped at them for a moment.

Basto, arriving behind her, watched Tiye worriedly.

He was concerned she might be scared of the old folks.

But that was a huge misunderstanding.

"Hello, Grandma! My name's Tiye!"

Tiye scampered over, bowed politely with a friendly grin, and plopped down right among them.

"Tiye is four years old! How do you like it here, Grandma? What do you do here?"