I'm Not Your Dad, I'm a Villain - Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Assembly (1)

There are no major facilities or tourist attractions in District C, but it still plays a crucial role.

District C is practically the only passage connecting the core districts of Pangea, Districts A and B, to other areas.

It serves as a major transportation hub, connecting regions both underground and above ground. This also applies to maritime routes at the port located in the outskirts.

Second Horizon. As the central figure managing the maritime routes spread across District C, it has become the most prosperous port city in the outskirts of Pangea.

The cruise ship that Second Horizon takes pride in is the Titanic, right in front of me.

The ship is 600 meters long and can accommodate thousands… The interior boasts all kinds of luxurious facilities, attracting people even from outside to use this cruise.

Naturally, the cost of using such a ship is astronomical.

Even though it’s a disguise, a commoner like me could never even hope to set foot on it.

“A… A VVIP ticket…?”

…Well.

Today is an exception.

“I-I’ll escort you to your suite immediately! This way, please…”

“No, just show me the way.”

The crew member was stunned by the ticket I handed over.

He mistook me for someone important but I declined his courtesy and prepared to step onto the staircase by myself.

I had no luggage to speak of, and considering my purpose for being here, it was best not to attract too much attention.

Since I was half on a sightseeing trip anyway, I thought it wouldn’t be bad to leisurely explore the ship until I reached the meeting place.

“Ah, yes! Please enjoy your time with your daughter!”

The crew stepped aside and guided us to the stairs leading to the ship.

Given the scale, the height of the stairs up to the deck was quite daunting.

Climbing these stairs would be quite a challenge.

“Moa.”

With that in mind, I held her hand tightly and turned to the girl holding my hand.

Moa Bread.

Outwardly, my lord playing the role of my daughter.

“…Did you call me?”

“Um… yes. Was it awkward?”

Worried that it might seem odd, I glanced around at our surroundings and asked.

Boss smiled, unconcerned.

“No, it’s more natural this way when many eyes are on us.”

Right, regardless of our master-servant relationship, we’re playing the roles of father and daughter now.

Making the performance perfect is also for the future. Feeling awkward about it would be wrong, wouldn’t it?

“So, my father, what did you call me for?”

Of course, Boss’s demeanor remained the same… Well, she’s still a child, so to others, it will just come off as a unique trait.

I spread my arms toward Boss and stated my intention.

“The climb is steep. Would you like to be carried by Daddy for a while?”

“If that’s what you wish.”

Without hesitation, Boss settled into my arms.

She was quite tense when we were at the department store, but now I realized that feeling was due to my own lack of resolve.

Yes, if we’re playing the roles of father and daughter, this is natural.

However, as I embraced Boss, I started noticing other things.

She felt much heavier than before. She had grown in height within a week…

Yes, children at this age must all be like this.

“Oh my, what a cute child~”

“Are you here for a family vacation?”

As we wandered through the ship, people began to compliment us, seeing me holding Boss.

To them, we must look like a father and daughter.

“No one seems to doubt our existence.”

Feeling the positive gazes, Boss shared her thoughts as the crowd thinned out.

“Yes, they see us as just a father and daughter.”

“It’s not a trivial matter. Creating an atmosphere requires effort… Considering that, you’re playing the role of an ideal father perfectly.”

“…Haha.”

It seemed like a compliment, but I felt more guilt than pride.

Over the past three years, I’ve been busy running around and hospitalized, neglecting her… It was probably thanks to Boss’s generosity rather than my efforts that we could have this atmosphere now.

Especially since it’s not easy for a child to accept the shortcomings of their caretaker.

“But it must be a burden for you to hold me like this. Maybe I should get down now…”

-Bustle, bustle.

Just as she was about to get down, I noticed a commotion at the exit we were headed towards.

Peeking inside, I saw a lavishly decorated interior crowded with people.

They seemed to be gathered at the entertainment facilities.

“It might be better if you stay in my arms a bit longer.”

“…Hehe, then I’ll impose a bit longer.”

Not an imposition at all.

If anything, as her subordinate, I felt more guilty stroking the back of Boss’s head while moving forward.

“Hmm, there are many machines like the ones we saw in the city.”

Boss’s eyes sparkled as she looked around, contrary to my feelings.

“Wasn’t it called a claw machine?”

“No, this isn’t a claw machine…”

-Clink, clink.

The sound of coins dropping filled the surroundings. The sound of jackpot coins pouring from roulette machines.

Beyond that, people were playing cards or rolling marbles at tables.

“…Moa, let’s just go.”

I said, maintaining the demeanor of a father talking to his daughter.

“My father, wasn’t part of our visit meant for sightseeing? We could watch a bit longer…”

“Children shouldn’t be in a casino.”

Right, this is a casino. The organization had also run businesses here.

Given that the upper class frequents such places, it’s natural for there to be a casino. Even though the one in my arms once led a criminal organization, she’s now just a 7-year-old girl.

As a father, it’s only right to avoid such places.

Even if that wasn’t the reason, I wouldn’t want to stay here long.

“Let’s prioritize meeting with Ana… I mean, Faust-sensei first.”

We were supposed to meet in a suite, so heading there would be best.

With that in mind, as we moved towards our destination, Boss pointed to a certain spot.

“My father, the teacher is over there.”

“…What?”

Anatomy, here?

Curious, I looked where she pointed and saw a man in an aloha shirt and sunglasses grumbling in front of a roulette machine.

Though his appearance had changed, I recognized him immediately.

“Damn it, why isn’t it hitting today? At this rate, I’ll blow my whole salary this month.”

What the hell.

Why wasn’t he at the meeting place but here instead?

“Excuse me, Faust-sensei?”

-Ding!

Just as I called out from behind, the roulette machine chimed loudly.

He raised his sunglasses and cheered.

“Oh, nice! I was waiting for this!!”

“Excuse me…”

[Big Chance! Would you like to increase your bet?]

“Of course! Let’s hit the jackpot!!”

As if responding to his loud shout, the roulette board began to spin.

Watching the scene, he raised his hand to the button.

-Bang!!

I kicked him in the back of his head.

Unable to dodge the sudden blow, his face smashed into the roulette machine.

-Cha-ching.

As the button was pressed, the machine displayed 7.7.7, and coins began pouring out like a waterfall.

Well.

There’s nothing like a sacrificial offering for good fortune.

****

“You’re too much. I gave you an invitation as a friend, and you kicked me…”

After leaving the casino commotion and depositing the coins at the bank, Anatomy began to complain as we walked down the corridor.

From my perspective, it was an absurd statement.

Damn it, who invites someone and then slacks off at a casino?

“Aren’t you a school teacher, even if it’s a disguise? What would people think if they saw a teacher gambling?”

“Do you think teachers are invincible superhumans? Teachers are people too! They eat, poop, and die if they don’t!”

“Equating gambling with eating and pooping makes you a failure as a human…”

“Oh, thanks for the compliment~ As expected, my friend understands me well.”

Damn, to a misanthrope, being called non-human is a compliment.

Frustrated, I shook my head, but his attention remained on me.

No, more precisely, on Boss in my arms.

“Why is Moa clinging to her dad? Is she scared of the crowd? Surely she doesn’t still hold hands with her dad while sleeping, right?”

“…”

“Oh, right. It’s normal for a father and daughter to be close. I know that~ I’m a teacher, after all~”

“…If you’re going to back down immediately, don’t start teasing.”

Anatomy immediately deflated under Boss’s glare.

But it was hard to feel sympathy given his past deeds.

Especially choosing such a crowded place for the gathering.

“Why choose this ship for the gathering?”

“Why do you think? To have fun in a fancy place.”

“Can you afford this on a teacher’s salary?”

The VVIP ticket alone must’ve cost a fortune.

“Haha, teaching is just a hobby.”

Saying that, Anatomy showed me his smartphone.

It displayed a stock app, with the numbers painted in red.

“These days, anyone can be an investor with a smartphone. If I sell some of my shares, I can easily afford to have fun here.”

“Oh, really?”

Despite saying he blew his whole salary earlier.

Such a deceitful guy.

“Why the sour face? Jealous that your best friend is well-off?”

“…It’s not that, so drop it.”

“Don’t be upset~ It’s all thanks to the gods loving an animal lover like me.”

More like a beastophile than an animal lover.

Suspiciously wealthy furry.

“Just to be sure, none of those companies are shady, right?”

But I couldn’t help but be wary.

He was a major shareholder in shady companies when he was a villain. Could his earnings be clean?

“I told you before, that’s what this meeting is for too.”

With that, Anatomy swiped a card to open the door.

The lock of the grand door clicked, revealing the interior.

This was the meeting place he mentioned, but the sight that greeted me was emptiness.

“What is this place… There’s nothing here?”

Yes, it was truly empty.

No furniture, chandeliers, wallpaper, or even carpets… Just dim lighting.

Is he messing with me again?

“Leaving anything behind could leave traces. We have to be careful.”

“But an empty room for a meeting?”

“Of course not. The room rental is just a cover.”

Saying that, Anatomy locked the door and snapped his fingers.

“Shadow, can you hear me?”

Immediately, something began to emerge from the corner of the room.

A black shadow… No, shadows don’t emerge like that.

This phenomenon was unnatural.

The black figure slowly solidified.

-You’ve arrived, Anatomy.

What emerged was a boy-shaped being rising from the ground.

I knew what this black figure was.

‘Ouroboros’s second-in-command, the elusive Shadow.’

Along with the first-in-command Maestro, he was the most senior villain who had supported Boss for the longest time in the organization.

End of Chapter