Hi, I’m the Hero’s Father ～I’m Sorry For All The Trouble My Foolish Son Has Caused You～ - Chapter 34

Chapter 34   The Hero’s Father Reveals a Bit of His Past

After finishing dealing with all the demonic swords, Alka approached Croix.

“Dad, I want to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

“…Do you think I can become stronger?”

Watching the recent battle, he felt even more insecure.

There was an obvious gap in inherent talent and potential between himself and Croix.

Even if he mastered the power of a hero, he couldn’t envision a future where he surpassed Croix. The difference was overwhelmingly vast.

He felt it wasn’t right to ask Croix something like this.

But he couldn’t stop himself from asking.

“I don’t know.”

“Yeah, figured.”

The answer was immediate.

Of course. Whether he could become stronger or not wasn’t something others could decide.

Even though Croix’s blood runs through his veins, it would mean nothing without training.

Croix sighed softly and brought his fist down on Alka’s head.

“Ow! What are you doing?!”

“Anyone can think and wish for something. Wanting to become rich. Wanting to become a merchant. Wanting to become strong. So, what are you going to do?”

“What… what am I going to do…?”

“You want to become stronger. You wish for it. So, what are you going to do about it?”

Hearing this, Alka’s eyes widened.

That’s right. He was just thinking and wishing for it.

In the end, that was ‘all’ he was doing.

“I’ll take action.”

“That’s right. There are countless people in the world who only think and wish. Those who take action from there are the ones who change the world.”

“I understand.”

It was absolutely true. Just wishing to become stronger was like a fairy tale.

Reality is not sweet. Accepting the present and moving forward—that’s the only way.

And then another question came to mind.

“Dad, can I ask you one more thing?”

“Hmm?”

“You’re so strong, so why don’t you fight against the Demon King’s army? With your power, you could at least weaken the Demon King…”

Alka had never seen Croix truly use his full strength.

But if Croix did go all out… that’s what he started to think.

He stared at Croix, waiting to hear how he would respond.

“I… couldn’t do it.”

“…What?”

“A long time ago… I did try. But I couldn’t. The Demon King Flood is beyond the dimension of being strong or weak.”

“Even you couldn’t defeat him…!?”

“Haha, I’m not omnipotent. There are things I can’t do too.”

It was unbelievable. Even though the Demon King was the worst kind of monster, the idea that Croix couldn’t defeat him…

If what Croix said was true, it meant the Demon King was stronger than Croix.

That made it seem impossible to win.

“Ordinary physical and magical attacks don’t work on him at all. He’s ridiculously tough.”

“Even your attacks don’t work on him?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. There’s nothing my attacks can’t penetrate.”

“Then why…”

“His regeneration is monstrous. Even if I hit him, he recovers immediately.”

Not only is he tough, but he also has high regeneration. No wonder he’s called the Demon King.

“So, I managed to kill him once.”

“What?”

“But he resurrected.”

“What?”

It was too much information to process.

A Demon King who is too tough and has high regeneration, and Croix managed to kill him once. And then he resurrected.

Not only Croix’s strength but the Demon King’s abilities were beyond comprehension.

“The absolute power that can nullify the Demon King’s defense and regeneration, and is the only thing that can kill him… that is…”

“The power of the Hero…?”

“According to the legend.”

Croix nodded at Alka’s muttering.

Indeed, that made sense.

It was hard to imagine that someone as powerful and righteous as Croix wouldn’t go to the Demon King’s lair.

As the saying goes, experience speaks, and they had obtained valuable information.

That’s why the Demon King tried to weaken Alka, who possessed the Hero’s power, to eliminate the only threat to himself.

“Then, we must go. Keep striving.”

“Wait, Dad. I want to ask one last thing.”

“What is it?”

“Why did you seek such strength? Even if it was to protect the family, it seems a bit excessive.”

Becoming stronger to protect the family—it was a reason that suited Croix.

But it felt strange that he would push himself so far for just that reason.

“…Don’t tell Wiel this.”

“Huh? Oh, okay…”

It was rare. For Croix to say something he couldn’t tell Wiel but would tell Alka.

Croix glanced at Wiel, who was still critiquing Mion’s battle performance, and scratched his head in embarrassment.

“It was because I wanted to get closer to Wiel.”

“…Huh? That’s all?”

“What do you mean, ‘that’s all’? Desire is the greatest driving force for humans.”

It was an unexpectedly mundane reason.

He never imagined he would hear the story of his parents’ beginnings in such a context.

“Once you are consumed by desire, it’s over. You understand that better than anyone.”

“Uh… yes.”

He understood that all too well.

Even if he encountered similar situations in the future, remembering Croix’s scolding would help him overcome them. Though it was rooted in fear.

“But if you tame your desires, they become a powerful energy that nothing can defeat. Don’t succumb to your desires. Control them.”

“…Got it, thanks.”

“See you then.”

Croix gently patted Alka’s head one last time, then walked over to Wiel and Mion.

It goes without saying that Mion, who had been overly critiqued, wept with relief at Croix’s arrival.