I Reincarnated to Another World as a Woman-Chapter 166: In the Eyes of Our Fathers

"Liam, remember. Your father is very sharp. We can’t deceive him. He’ll see through it," Arthur had warned him. "And he’s not like Maeve’s teachers or friends. Your father isn’t a scholar. We can’t mix lies and truth with him. It has to be one or the other."

"You can only pick one. I can’t go to your father to talk about this. Only you can."

Arthur had given him a heavy responsibility. Liam wants to succeed. He doesn’t want to disappoint his class president, or worse, his teammates.

Liam can still hear Arthur’s voice in his head. How much do you trust your father?

He blinks several times and leans back in his chair.

Slowly, a smile spreads across his face. "I guess you’ll need to see it to believe it."

Linus is taken aback and leans back in his own chair.

This is not the Liam he knows. His son has always been impulsive, quick to temper. But this Liam is calm. Measured. Showing restraint. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Is one dungeon clearing with this Rhaenas enough to change him like this?

"What does that mean?" Linus asks, even though he already has an idea.

"Give Rhaenas a dungeon to clear," Liam says. "Any dungeon. Any level. We’ll clear it with no casualties. Not even injuries. This isn’t me daydreaming or being delusional. This is Rhaenas proving our capability."

Linus smirks. "And the mining rights?"

"You’re welcome to keep them," Liam replies easily.

Linus’s smile turns faint. "Then what do you get?"

Liam’s grin widens. "Your word. Your letter of recommendation. I want you to recommend Rhaenas to any company struggling to clear high-level dungeons."

"We both know dungeons are appearing more frequently," Liam continues. "And there aren’t enough Sentinels to go around. Rhaenas entering the field won’t hurt anyone. These days, more and more companies are maneuvering just to secure dungeon clearing permits, even when they lack the ability to clear them. All for the mining rights."

He leans forward slightly. "You must already have a list of dungeons Monfort Industries wants cleared. Let Rhaenas handle one of them. This one will be free. No heartstones. No money. We only want your endorsement."

"How about it?" Liam asks, his eyes shining.

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Knock knock.

"Come in," Maurice says without lifting his head from his work.

He is in the lab, much like Julian. But unlike Julian, Maurice is not an inventor. His role at Montrose Corporation is far simpler. He is the technician. The mechanic.

Maurice makes sure that whatever wild idea Julian comes up with can actually be turned into something tangible. Not just concepts or sketches, but real devices and usable gadgets.

Julian likes to say that Maurice is the one who makes all his wishes come true.

"Sorry, Father. If you’re busy, I’ll come back another time."

Maurice looks up and sees Arthur standing by the door, peeking in, already half turned as if ready to leave.

His frown instantly softens into a smile.

"Arthur! Come in!"

He gets up quickly and waves his son inside.

Arthur steps into his father’s workshop. It is in the same building as Julian’s lab, but Arthur rarely comes here. Partly because he never has the time. Partly because he doesn’t fully understand his father’s work, and so he keeps his distance.

Maurice is surprised to see his eldest son. Arthur almost never comes by.

If Maurice is honest with himself, guilt weighs heavily on him.

An eleven-year-old boy saved their family from bankruptcy when Maurice, his father, could not.

That guilt has never left him. Because of it, Maurice keeps his distance, afraid he might burden Arthur.

Unknowingly, both men avoid each other for the same reason.

Afraid of bothering the other.

Ironic.

"Come in! Sit here!" Maurice says enthusiastically.

Arthur smiles at his father’s mood. He respects his father deeply. Not once has Arthur blamed him for failing to earn money or lead the company.

Arthur recognized early on where his own strengths lay, and where Maurice’s did. Like most sons, his father’s approval means a great deal to him.

And today, he is here to ask for that approval once again.

Arthur takes a seat, and Maurice settles in across from him.

The question is clear in Maurice’s eyes. What brought you here?

Arthur clears his throat and begins, "Father, I’m forming a dungeon clearing team. With Julian, Liam, Maeve, and Thea."

He says the last name with extra care.

Arthur knows Thea has always been his parents’ greatest concern. Especially after the coma. His parents carry a tremendous amount of guilt when it comes to her.

Because of that, they have always been overprotective.

And so has he.

Maurice listens attentively, and when he hears the last name, he gasps faintly, but only for a split second.

He corrects himself immediately and smooths his expression.

Arthur doesn’t notice that brief reaction. His mind is already preparing a defense, carefully arranging his words like a closing statement meant to convince a jury.

He is ready to fire his carefully prepared defense when Maurice finally gives his response.

"I think bringing Thea along with you is a good idea."

Arthur’s mind goes completely blank.

"What?" He stares at his father, genuinely flabbergasted.

Maurice smiles and repeats himself more slowly, deliberately. "I think taking Thea along with you is a very good idea."

"You... you... you’re sure?" Arthur frowns now, caught completely off guard. He is suddenly the one who needs convincing.

Maurice laughs softly. "Yes, I’m sure. And thank you for coming to tell me in person." He reaches out and pats Arthur’s shoulder twice, firm and reassuring.

Arthur swallows.

"You’re not worried?" he asks quietly. "You’re really okay with Thea clearing dungeons with me and Jules?"

Maurice blinks, then chuckles.

"Of course I’m worried. Clearing dungeons is dangerous. If I had my way, none of you would ever step foot inside one. I would want the three of you to stay home, where your mother and I can see you every day."

He pauses, his expression softening.

"But Arthur, I trust you. I trust Julian. And I trust Thea. I trust all of my children." He looks at Arthur steadily. "You, as the oldest, have been nothing but an amazing son. Truly. The best son a father could ever ask for."

Arthur’s chest tightens.

"And I know you love Thea," Maurice continues, "and worry about her just as much as your mother and I do. So if you want to bring her with you, if you believe she should go, then I know you must have a very good reason. This isn’t an impulsive or reckless decision."

He smiles gently.

"Since I trust you, I’m not going to stand in your way."

Then Maurice’s smile turns slightly mischievous.

"Your mother, on the other hand," he adds, "will require a lot more convincing."

He laughs.

Arthur laughs with him, but his vision blurs, and he feels his eyes sting.