Hi, I’m the Hero’s Father ～I’m Sorry For All The Trouble My Foolish Son Has Caused You～ - Chapter 36

Chapter 36   The King Contemplates His Future / The Hero Experience Hell

◆Albert Kingdom – Royal Castle◆

“So, as expected, Lyric was indeed a demon.”

Croix, Wiel, and Mion had returned to the royal castle ahead of the others to explain the situation. Ashtar seemed to have aged significantly in the past few days, likely due to immense stress.

Incidentally, the southern headquarters was left to Alka and his group. Croix wasn’t doing this for glory or honor, and being praised would only be bothersome.

“So you suspected it from the start, then?”

“More than suspecting, I had considered it deeply. There could be no one other than the Demon King aiming to weaken the hero.”

Indeed, it made sense. If anyone among humans intended to undermine the hero, it would be tantamount to treason against humanity. While not impossible, it was more realistic to think it was the work of the Demon King’s minions.

“But the problem is that there may still be agents of the Demon King within this castle. For now, everyone is confined to their rooms under guard. Wiel, could I ask you to verify this?”

“Of course. However, I don’t think you need to worry.”

“And why is that?”

“Lyric—Lilith’s magic skills were exceptional. But she had already cast a perfect disguise spell on herself and used hypnosis magic to entrap Alka. With such extensive use of magic, she wouldn’t have had the capacity to disguise other demons as well. Besides, with Lilith dead, any magic she cast would have dissipated.”

Ashtar pondered over Wiel’s words. He knew little about magic beyond theoretical knowledge. But Wiel was one of the most trusted individuals in the kingdom, and she wouldn’t lie about something so critical.

“…Understood. But please, verify it just to be sure.”

“Leave it to me.”

Wiel left the audience chamber with a maid and a knight who had been standing nearby.

“Mion, you should go along too. Watch Wiel’s magical prowess closely,” Croix suggested.

“Understood, Croix-sama. Your Majesty, please excuse me,” Mion replied.

As Mion hurried after them, only Croix and Ashtar remained in the audience chamber. Ashtar, who had been tense, let out a deep sigh and held his head in his hands.

“You must be exhausted,” Croix noted.

“Indeed. I haven’t had a proper night’s sleep…” Ashtar confessed.

“I understand how you feel.”

Lilith’s magic was not something an ordinary person could see through. The only real countermeasure against magic is magic itself, with Croix being an exception. So it was natural that Ashtar couldn’t have detected it, though he seemed dissatisfied with himself.

“It seems I can’t fight against old age. Perhaps it’s time I considered stepping down.”

“Please don’t say such things. It is thanks to you that this country has flourished so much. The people still need your guidance.”

“Haha. Raising the next king while I’m still healthy is also my duty as the current monarch.”

It was clear that he was seriously contemplating retirement. Croix could see it in his eyes. It would be tactless to argue further.

“So, the next king will be…”

“Yes, if things proceed as expected, it will be Colt. He is the first prince and has served as the captain of the knights, earning great respect.”

Colt Meziah, the eldest son of the Meziah family and the first prince, was indeed the first in line for the throne.

“But, about Prince Colt…”

“Are you concerned because of his connection to Lord Alka?”

Croix nodded slowly at Ashtar’s words. Alka’s training was overseen by the knights. As their leader, Colt had some involvement in it. While Croix hadn’t heard details of the training, Alka’s current lack of strength could be attributed, at least in part, to the knight captain.

“Your concerns are valid, but there’s no need to worry. The training was handled by the vice-captain, Beretta. Colt has been managing the entire knight order to counter the Demon King’s army. He doesn’t have the time to focus on just one person like Alka.”

“I see. By the way, judging from the name Beretta, is this person…”

“Yes, she’s a woman.”

Croix sighed deeply and looked up at the ceiling.

◆ Royal Castle – Knight Order Training Grounds ◆

One week later, at the knight order training grounds.

Alka was being suspended from the ceiling, wrapped up like a cocoon. Below him were the female knights led by Beretta, the vice-captain, as well as the maidservants who had been cleared of suspicion by Wiel. Additionally, there were women from the royal capital and local village girls.

The scale of the gathering was quite substantial.

Watching from a distance were Croix, Wiel, and Mion. Croix and Wiel wore expressions of exasperation, while Mion hid behind Croix, trembling with fear.

“This is an incredible number of people…”

“Considering it’s three years… a thousand days is a long time. It’s actually on the smaller side.”

“I brought those I could find with my magic, but there are likely more.”

The situation was becoming overwhelming.

A single slap from each person would be quite something. Though, it seemed unlikely that it would end there.

Among the crowd glaring at Alka, a girl stepped forward.

It was Saya, Alka’s childhood friend and fiancée.

“Alka.”

“S, Saya… I…”

Without a word, Saya delivered a full swing slap.

And then another. And another.

She continued to slap him silently, delivering dozens of blows in a relentless manner.

“Haah, haah! …I’m tired, so I’ll come back later to continue. Everyone else will give you plenty of slaps as well. Hmph!”

“Ah… ah…”

As Saya stepped back, another person moved forward to administer their slap.

From hundreds of women, an unending barrage of furious slaps followed. Not just once, but nearly everyone was lining up to take their turn.

It was a gentle way to describe a situation that was utterly hopeless.

“Alka, isn’t he going to die from this?”

“He won’t die. With the power of a hero, he should be able to heal himself. But, well, it’s probably a hellish experience—worse than death.”

As Croix had said, a hellish scene was unfolding before them.

The female knights were slapping him not with bare hands but with gauntlets. And since they were trained, their slaps had brutal power.

“Heh, it’s not so bad. It’s good medicine for Alka. And it might even increase his self-healing abilities. After overcoming this, his endurance should improve.”

“Well, yes. Training is like this.”

“Both of you have frightening smiles.”