Hi, I’m the Hero’s Father ～I’m Sorry For All The Trouble My Foolish Son Has Caused You～ - Chapter 37

Chapter 37   The Hero’s Father Meets the First Prince

For now, Alka was left as he was.

Croix and the others were heading to the Albert Kingdom Knights’ Headquarters with Ashtar.

“Today is a good time, as Colt is back from his regional inspection. I hope you can meet him.”

“It’s nostalgic. The last time I saw Lord Colt, he was five years old.”

“Has it been that long? I suppose I’m getting old myself.”

“Does he still cry and throw tantrums when he loses?”

“Haha! He’s not a child anymore, you know. Even so, he’s the strongest knight in the Albert Kingdom.”

“Oh, the strongest knight.”

Croix’s eyes shifted with interest.

While Croix himself didn’t obsess over the title of “strongest,” the idea of facing the strongest knight in the kingdom stirred something in him as a seasoned fighter.

“You’re only here to listen today.”

“Ugh… y-yes, I understand.”

“Are you sure? He’s an adult now and a prince of a kingdom. He’s first in line for the Albert Kingdom’s throne. If anything happens, it won’t just be a matter of execution, understand?”

“…Yes…”

Croix was being admonished by Wiel, a rare sight that made Mion and Ashtar smile.

“By the way, Croix-sama and Wiel-sama have had ties with the royal family for such a long time?”

“Yes. It’s been about twenty years.”

“So that means Lord Colt is twenty-five…?”

“That’s right.”

Croix nodded casually, but Mion was taken aback by the revelation.

A twenty-five-year-old who is the strongest knight of the Albert Kingdom. The amount of talent and effort required to achieve such a status was beyond imagination.

After walking through the castle for a while, the four arrived at a building that resembled a temple, located away from the royal castle.

This was both the headquarters of the Albert Kingdom’s first knight division and the main headquarters of the Knights.

One of the knights doing drills in front of the barracks noticed Ashtar and saluted.

The emblem of a hawk and a single star on the chest plate glittered silver, indicating the rank of Vice Commander of the First Division.

“Y-Your Majesty the King!”

“Ah, no need for formality. Just relax. By the way, is Colt here?”

“Y-yes. The Commander is currently in his office… I will show you the way.”

“Thank you.”

Accompanied by the knight, they walked through the barracks.

The inside was kept immaculate, with not a single mark or piece of trash in sight. The knights they encountered all had an air of dignity and a sacred aura about them.

Then, suddenly:

“Attention! Salute to His Majesty King Ashtar!”

At the order from the Vice Commander of the First Division, the knights lined up in the hallway and saluted. As expected from a well-trained regiment, their formation was flawless.

Passing by them, they continued down the hallway. Mion, intimidated by the perfectly disciplined ranks, clung to Wiel’s arm.

“Oh dear, there’s no need to be scared. They are all very excellent knights.”

“Y-yes…”

She understood that logically, but she still felt quite resistant to the presence of a heavily armed military force. Perhaps it was a kind of trauma.

As they walked through the intricate corridors, they eventually reached a wooden door at the end of the hall.

“Commander, His Majesty the King has arrived.”

“…What? The King? Show him in.”

“Yes, sir. Excuse me.”

The Vice Commander opened the door, leading Ashtar and the others into the office.

The room was filled with books and documents on the shelves, and a massive map of the kingdom hung on the opposite wall.

At the back of the room was a man. Tall with golden hair and sharp eyes, he exuded a gentle, almost non-combative aura. There was no sense of intimidation from him.

The emblem on his chest—of a hawk and a single star—shone in gold. The silver emblem represented the Vice Commander, while the gold signified the rank of Commander.

The same emblem was embroidered on his flowing cloak, which was fluttering in the breeze from outside. It was a symbol passed down to the Commander of the Albert Kingdom’s Knights.

This was Colt Meziah, the First Prince of the Albert Kingdom.

Colt knelt and bowed his head to Ashtar.

“Your Majesty, thank you for coming all this way. Normally, I should have come to see you myself…”

“There’s no need for that. Lift your head.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Colt stood up and, upon seeing Ashtar again, noticed something strange. Behind Ashtar, there was a wall. No, was it there? It didn’t matter. There hadn’t been a wall there before.

As Colt slowly lifted his face, he saw:

“N-N-N-N-Nii-chan?!?!”

The stern expression Colt had worn moments ago was replaced by a broad, beaming smile upon seeing Croix. It was as if he were a dog wagging its tail upon seeing its owner after a long time.

Seeing him unchanged from the past, both Croix and Wiel couldn’t help but smile.

“Hey, Colt. …No, it’s been a while, Sir Colt.”

“Sir Colt, you look well.”

“Ah, stop it, Nii-chan. And you too, Onee-san. Just be like you always were. Both now and then, you’re always Nii-chan and Onee-san to me.”

Colt then seemed to deflate, his mood visibly dropping.

Mion, who had seen Colt from afar a few times and had heard of his martial prowess, was surprised to see this childish side of him.