Hi, I’m the Hero’s Father ～I’m Sorry For All The Trouble My Foolish Son Has Caused You～ - Chapter 48

Chapter 48   The Hero’s Father Meets His Disciple

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Sakya opened it.

There stood a man wearing glasses. Though his face showed a few wrinkles, he was still quite young.

Beside him was the ever-smiling Garnos.

“Croix-sensei!”

“Ah, Nax.”

The man with glasses—Nax—approached Croix with a delighted smile, walking quickly.

Seeing Nax like this, Croix also smiled and they embraced warmly.

“It’s been a while, Croix-sensei.”

“Yes, it really has been. It seems you haven’t neglected your training since then.”

“Yes. I’ve followed your instructions and continued training every day with Sakya.”

Croix could tell from the embrace that Nax, despite his slim appearance, was covered with well-defined muscles, with no excess fat.

“You were always the most earnest of my disciples. I’m very pleased.”

“Not at all. I realized from that embrace that I’m still nowhere near your level. I’ll work even harder.”

Nax’s eyes burned with determination, a trait that hadn’t changed since the old days. Feeling a bit nostalgic, Croix nodded in agreement.

“However, it makes sense now why the noble fools haven’t sent assassins after this place.”

With Nax diligently following Croix’s training instructions, nobles would be unlikely to act rashly. It would take an extraordinary fool or someone misinterpreting bravery as recklessness to challenge them.

From what Croix heard, it seemed that Sakya was also training alongside Nax.

This meant Sakya’s abilities were also quite formidable.

“By the way, Sensei, what brings you here today?”

“I came to see my disciple and also to ask you something.”

“That’s unusual. It’s rare for you to rely on me.”

“There are things I don’t know or can’t do.”

Croix and Nax sat across from each other, with Sakya seated beside Croix.

Garnos had returned to his work and was no longer in the room.

“Nax, how do you go about hiring courtesans?”

“Hmm? Oh, well, I’m not sure about other establishments, but we place advertisements. We hire women who are not only beautiful but also have a certain level of education.”

“And other places?”

“…I can’t say it too loudly, but it seems that some places abduct women without family or purchase slaves.”

Sakya’s face also showed sadness at Nax’s words.

Human trafficking is strictly prohibited in this country. There are government edicts against it, and few people break the law.

But even if it’s rare, it’s not nonexistent. There are still some who deal in slaves, as evidenced by the nobles captured when the slave traders were dealt with.

“Do you know which establishments use slaves?”

“Not specifically… From what I’ve heard, places that use slaves also hire ordinary women as camouflage.”

“I see…”

It seemed unlikely that Croix would find something useful in this line of questioning. He sighed quietly and took a sip of tea.

“Sensei, why are you investigating slaves?”

“Oh, I have a rabbitfolk girl who is my disciple…”

Kloa briefly explained the situation:

The village of his disciple, Mion, was attacked by mountain bandits.

He traced the bandits to a slave trader’s hideout.

He destroyed the slave trader’s operation.

Nax nodded in understanding as Croix explained.

“I see. So that’s what’s going on.”

“Slave traders aren’t just limited to one. There must be other organizations involved. If we don’t eliminate them all, more people will suffer in the future. Lord Gald is also investigating, but it seems there has been no significant progress.”

“…Understood. I’ll look into it as well.”

“That’s helpful. I’m sorry to trouble you with this, especially when you’re busy managing the shop.”

“No, if it’s your request, I’ll drop everything else and see it through. I swear on my life.”

“That’s heavy.”

Even Croix was taken aback by the seriousness of Nax’s response.

As Croix looked at the intensely fired-up Nax, Sakya gently tugged on his sleeve. She had somehow moved closer and was looking up at Croix with sparkling eyes.

“C-croix-sama, could you please tell me more about what you were just talking about?”

“Hmm?”

“I absolutely love adventure stories…! I’ve been here at the shop for so long, and I’ve hardly ever left this town… So, I would love to hear many of your experiences.”

Her eyes were filled with anticipation.

High elves are rare beings. It’s understandable that someone like her, who has hardly ever left the town, would be so eager to hear about the wider world.

Croix glanced at Nax, who smiled warmly and nodded slightly.

“…Since it’s a request from my dear apprentice, I’ll tell you about a wolf said to swallow the moon.”

“A wolf, you say…!?”

As Croix began to speak, Sakya listened with bated breath, clearly excited. Noticing this, Croix saw that Nax was deep in thought, and he did not miss it.