Hi, I’m the Hero’s Father ～I’m Sorry For All The Trouble My Foolish Son Has Caused You～ - Chapter 38

Chapter 38   The King Declares

Seeing Croix and Wiel after such a long time, Colt couldn’t contain his excitement. However, realizing that the conversation wasn’t progressing, Ashtar cleared his throat with a slight cough.

“Shall we proceed?”

“Ah…! I-I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

Colt’s face turned bright red, embarrassed by his own excitement. Ashtar gave a small, wry smile before quickly regaining his serious demeanor.

“There are two matters to discuss today. First, concerning the hero, Alka.”

“…About the hero?”

Colt also became serious and invited the four of them to sit on the sofas. While the knights on standby prepared tea, Ashtar began to explain the current situation with Alka. Colt, who had initially listened with a serious expression, gradually turned pale as the explanation continued.

When Ashtar finished, a heavy silence filled the room.

Colt had known that Alka was Croix’s son. He had wanted to personally oversee Alka’s development, but his duties as the commander of the knights kept him overwhelmingly busy. Therefore, he had entrusted the task to his trusted vice-captain, Beretta.

“To think that he would fall under the spell of a succubus…”

For someone who upheld the proud code of chivalry, such a thing was unthinkable. No matter if the enemy was a high-ranking member of the Demon King’s army, it should never have happened.

“Croix-san, Wiel-san… I am deeply sorry for this.”

All Colt could do was offer his sincerest apology, bowing his head as low as he could. However, the idea of a prince of a kingdom bowing so low was unacceptable. Croix and Wiel hurriedly stood up and grabbed Colt by the shoulders, urging him to raise his head.

“St-stop it, Colt. As a prince, you shouldn’t bow your head so easily to a mere villager…!”

“Yes, that’s right. There’s no need for you to worry about it, Colt-kun.”

“However, the hero is the hope of humanity. Moreover, he is the son of someone who once helped us. To have mishandled such a responsibility… How can I possibly apologize…!”

Colt’s heart was overwhelmed with shame and remorse. If he had been more free, he would have taken care of Alka himself. No matter how much he lamented or regretted, it never felt enough.

In front of such a Colt, Ashtar knelt.

“Colt, raise your head.”

“Your Majesty… The fault of this matter is entirely mine. I should take responsibility…”

“No, it’s fine. There’s no end to lamenting over the past. As long as time doesn’t go backward, reflecting on the past will not change it. However, by changing the present situation slightly, the future will naturally change.”

“…Yes.”

Ashtar was right; the past could not be changed now. The focus should be on what to do next.

“Alka has already been punished. It seems he has also reaffirmed the terror of Croix, so similar mistakes are unlikely to occur. The knights will support him with all their might. Is that clear?”

“Yes!”

While Colt mentally simulated training content and management methods, Ashtar changed the topic.

“Regarding the second matter, I will be retiring soon.”

“Retiring… huh? What?”

Retiring, retiring…? Colt froze, not understanding the meaning of the words.

Still in a daze, Colt listened to Ashtar’s words.

“It means I will be stepping down from the throne.”

“What! But you’re still in good health!”

“I too cannot defy the years. Moreover, I must train the next king while I am still able.”

Standing Colt up, Ashtar’s gaze was fixed and resolute. Colt had a vague sense of what was coming, but it was hard for him to accept.

“And for that position, I am considering passing it on to you, Colt.”

“…I see.”

“What are you dawdling for? The first in line for the throne of this country is you. You knew this was coming.”

“Yes, but I’m a man who can only wield a sword.”

“I was the same way in my youth. They say that position shapes the person. I’ll be here to guide you at first. Rest assured.”

“Rest assured, you say…”

It’s all too sudden. He hasn’t prepared himself at all, and right now, battles with the Demon King’s army are intensifying across various regions. Is it really okay to assume the throne under these circumstances with so little time?

“What, it’s not immediate. You’ll have time to transition to the next knight commander and such. I’m still capable. Think of it as a matter of one or two years.”

“…Understood, Your Majesty.”

He can’t keep whining like a child forever. He knew this day would come eventually. Now, all he needs to do is brace himself.

While he was internally fuming with determination, Croix patted Colt on the head.

“Colt, if there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to rely on us. We’re good at handling rough stuff.”

“That’s not something you should say with such confidence. Well, if it’s for my cute younger brother, I don’t mind at all.”

“…Haha. Yes, thank you, big brother, big sister.”

As the three shared this moment, Ashtar watched them with a warm smile. Meanwhile, only Mion was trembling.

(Does he realize… that Colt-sama now holds the most powerful secret weapon?)

She had overheard the conversation with Alka, and Croix was a villager who had once killed the Demon King. Wiel is probably the strongest in the world when it comes to magic. And Colt himself is the knight hailed as the strongest in the kingdom.

(With Alka having been reformed and despite the common enemy of the Demon King, if a war between nations were to break out in the future… any interference with this country could be fatal…)

Yet, Mion was unaware of one thing: that she, too, was being raised as a disciple of such formidable figures.