Even Though I Defeated the Demon Lord, My Wife and Daughter Treat Me Like Trash ~ I Found Out My Wife's Child Isn't Mine, and When I Confronted Her, She Got Mad and I Was Exiled. The Country's in Trouble Because the Demon Lord Came Back? Sorry, I'm Getting Remarried to a Princess, So I Can't Help. - Chapter 2: Drinking My Sorrows Away

Chapter 2: Drinking My Sorrows Away

Drinking during the day isn’t something I usually do, but today was an exception. 

I couldn’t think of any other way to release the frustration that had been building up inside me.

Not that this “special occasion” felt good in any way.

When I was a teenager, I’d see people hanging out in bars during the day and think, I’ll never become one of those adults. But now, I understand why some people run from reality.

The idea that I, someone who never backed down from monsters, would end up retreating in defeat to my own daughter was something I never imagined.

As I slowly sipped my drink at my usual tavern, I couldn’t help but complain to the bartender.

“…Is there anything that never changes?”

Even I felt pathetic hearing my own words, sounding like the lament of a loser. The bartender, placing a plate of snacks on the counter, gave me a wry smile.

“That’s quite the philosophical question coming from the ‘Hero Who Saved the Nation,’ huh, Van?”

I crunched on the dried nuts he set out, took another sip, and let out a sigh, along with more complaints.

“Don’t tease me. My daughter’s been cold to me lately.”

“Haha, so even a hero deals with the same family troubles as the rest of us? Is that your way of trying to seem relatable?”

“Tch, say what you want.”

I pretended to sulk at the bartender’s teasing remarks, but of course, I wasn’t really mad.

He had a way of listening to my problems without letting things get too serious, and I appreciated that. 

While wiping a glass, the bartender spoke in his usual playful tone.

“Well, I don’t think there’s anything that stays the same. But if you find something, let me know. I’ll buy you a drink.”

“Deal. Ahh, my daughter used to tell everyone, ‘My Daddy is the best in the world!’ back in the day.”

“Well, when it comes to fighting, you’re still the best in the world, right?”

“I’m proud of that, but as a father, I’m pretty hopeless in her eyes.”

“You’re away from home a lot, right? It’s natural for a daughter her age to get a bit distant.”

“Maybe… but still.”

As an adventurer, I’m often away from home for days at a time.

I’m fortunate that I constantly get requests directly from the higher-ups in the kingdom. 

But like the bartender said, when you look at the year as a whole, I’m probably home only about a third of the time.

I’m grateful for the work, but I also know it’s not ideal to be away from my family for so long.

That’s why I’d made a real effort this time to spend some time with them, but…

About a year ago, my daughter, who used to eagerly wait for me to come home, started acting annoyed whenever I was around.

The smile I used to look forward to turned into a look of irritation when I returned, and that hit me harder than I’d like to admit.

I get it, though—she’s growing up, and what the bartender said makes sense.

“Her attitude, even if it’s a bit cheeky, is part of her growing up. As the best dad in the world, you should show you can handle that too.”

The bartender’s words seemed to read my mind.

“I can’t beat you, huh? Let me buy you a drink.”

Admitting defeat, I downed the rest of my glass. In response, the bartender refilled it and poured himself a drink as well.

“Still, I was hoping for a bit more rest. Thinking about the job I’ve got starting tomorrow is making me feel down.”

“Heading far away again?”

“No, the distance isn’t the problem… It’s who we’re up against—remnants of the Demon Lord’s army. And a particularly tricky one at that.”

“Really… Should you be telling me this?”

“It’s fine. You’ve got a tight lip. The target is Galforne, one of the Demon Lord’s Four Generals.”

“The ‘Immortal Witch,’ huh… That’s a tough one.”

“Yeah, but this time I’m putting an end to it. I’ve got a solid plan.”

Galforne.

A witch who was once called the strongest of the Demon Lord’s Four Generals, and sometimes even referred to as the Demon Lord’s right hand. 

Even after the Demon Lord was sealed, she kept appearing, causing countless victims every time. In this country, she’s a well-known criminal.

I’ve killed her about six times, but she always revives and escapes.

“Recently, there was that incident where villagers went missing. Was that…?”

“Yeah, no doubt it was her doing.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I confirmed it using the ‘Memory Probing’ spell. It allowed me to see that she was the culprit.”

“Wow, I’ve heard rumors about that spell… It’s incredible.”

“Yeah, I used it to investigate further and pinpointed her hideout. This time, it’ll end for good.”

Every time she revives, she sneaks around different places, but this time, I’ll completely eliminate her.

“I’m counting on you, ‘Hero Who Saved the Nation.’”

With those words, the bartender raised his glass toward me.

“Yeah. Leave it to me.”

I’d been working non-stop to track her movements lately. 

Once this is over, I should be able to take a proper vacation. Maybe even go on a trip with my family.

If I show off my skills, maybe my daughter will say something like, “Daddy’s so reliable! So cool!”… though that might be asking for too much.

Dreaming of that, I clinked glasses with the bartender.