Hi, I’m the Hero’s Father ～I’m Sorry For All The Trouble My Foolish Son Has Caused You～ - Chapter 28

Chapter 28   The Hero’s Father Shows His Strength

The next morning, Croix, Wiel, and Mion left the headquarters of the knights and moved quietly. The morning sun illuminated the abandoned town, casting a lonely yet fantastical scene. Croix and Wiel walked as if on a casual stroll, while Mion swallowed nervously, thinking about what lay ahead.

“It’s nerve-wracking.”

“Yes, it is. It’s your first real battle after all,”

“Oh, really? My first real battle?”

Wait, what? Mion hadn’t heard about this. She looked at Wiel, who gave her a refreshing smile that matched the morning sun.

“The Demon King’s Four Heavenly Kings, Demon Sword Emperor Doreal, won’t be alone, you know. There will be monsters like the goblins and ogres from yesterday surrounding him. Our job, Mion, is to take out those minions.”

“W-w-wait, what!?”

Mion was utterly shocked. She hadn’t even considered fighting the minions of one of the Four Heavenly Kings. Yesterday, Croix had been so strong that the monsters seemed weak, but monsters were known for their high combat power and intelligence.

Fighting such monsters, especially those belonging to the Demon King’s army, seemed like an impossible task.

“I-I-I don’t have any combat experience, and I can’t even use magic!” she stammered.

“You’re strong enough as you are, Mion. Just do your best,” Wiel said lightly.

This was a regular battle for Croix and Wiel, but for Mion, it was her first deadly struggle. She could die if things went wrong. Thinking about heading into such danger made her throat dry and her limbs tremble.

“Don’t worry, Mion,” Croix said, his voice reassuring, though he didn’t turn to look at her.

“Remember everything you’ve done so far. I know you can do it, Mion,” Croix said.

“Croix-sama…” Mion replied.

It was strange. Croix’s words seemed to reach deep into her heart. Her trembling stopped, and courage welled up inside her.

“…Alright. I’ll do it.”

“Yes, I’m counting on you.”

With a determined huff, Mion followed behind the two. As they moved forward, she glanced back. Alka, with a serious expression, and the hero’s party in battle mode, were following closely behind.

“They’ve decided to follow us, huh?” Mion said.

“My husband’s scolding must have had a strong effect. Their expressions are clearly different from yesterday,” Wiel said, smiling happily.

Despite her words, it seemed Wiel had been worried as well. Of course, no parent would be unconcerned about their child. Croix glanced back slightly and smirked when he saw Alka following.

As they walked through the ruins of Gala, they suddenly stopped, sensing the presence of enemies.

“Dear,” Wiel said.

“Yes. This presence… we’re surrounded.”

Immediately, countless monsters emerged from the rubble and ruins. Not just monsters, but also demons and magical beasts in large numbers. Considering that the knights had been holding off such a force, it was clear they had some highly skilled individuals.

The enemies grinned wickedly, eyeing them. Alka and the hero’s party readied their weapons, carefully scanning their surroundings.

“Damn, there are a lot of them. Hero, what should we do?” Mion asked.

“Of course, we fight. Stay in teams, and don’t let anyone get isolated–” Alka began.

“Wait,” Croix interrupted.

Alka’s companion face showed fear, perhaps still intimidated by Croix from yesterday.

“W-wait, what do you mean by ‘wait’?” Alka’s companion stammered.

“Today, you’re just observing,” Croix replied.

“…Observing?”

Alka couldn’t help but ask again. How could they be here, in the midst of enemies, just to observe? It made no sense.

“This is a good opportunity to show you. What it means to have the strength to save humanity,” Croix said, rotating his shoulders and taking a deep breath.

And then, he vanished.

Even with his enhanced dynamic vision, Alka couldn’t see him, nor could Mion, with her rabbit-like reflexes. Only Wiel, smiling, was able to track him with her eyes moving at high speed.

Moments later:

“Ugh.”

“Pop.”

“Keck.”

“Gyaa.”

“Habuh!”

“Kyo.”

In just a few seconds, demons, monsters, and magical beasts were all being crushed by an invisible force. Within those few moments, over a hundred enemies were slain, and Croix reappeared in his original spot, looking nonchalant.

“As a hero, you need to at least be able to do this,” Croix said.

“No, no, no, that’s impossible!” Alka exclaimed.

“It’s not impossible. When I was your age, I could already do this,” Croix replied.

“The initial specs are way too different!” Alka protested.

He had to argue. Being asked to mimic such monstrous combat was beyond unreasonable.

“Or rather, why don’t you just fight the Demon King’s army yourself, Father…?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. How would you ever get stronger that way? The Demon King’s army is your training ground. The Demon King is the real deal. Think of it that way.”

“That’s absurd…”

But what Croix said made sense. Alka’s ultimate goal was to defeat the Demon King. To do that, he had to perfect his power as a hero.

The Demon King’s army was just practice to raise his strength. Thinking of it that way, Alka felt a bit more motivated.

However, having motivation and being able to do something were entirely different matters. What Croix just did seemed impossible.

But Croix looked at Alka with unwavering eyes.

“You can do it.”

“…Based on what?”

“Because you’re my son. That’s all the proof you need. My blood will make you stronger.”

“…”

It was so true that Alka couldn’t say anything in response.