Hi, I’m the Hero’s Father ～I’m Sorry For All The Trouble My Foolish Son Has Caused You～ - Chapter 49

Chapter 49   The Hero’s Father Makes a Proposal

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“Well, I guess I’ll be heading out for today. Sorry for dropping by unannounced.”

“No need to apologize. You’re always welcome, Sensei.”

After sharing plenty of adventure stories, Croix bid farewell to Nax and the others and left the brothel. Sakya watched Croix’s departing figure with a gaze filled with admiration until he was out of sight.

Observing Sakya, Garnos spoke up to Nax.

“Nax-sama.”

“…Yes, I understand.”

The look on Sakya’s face as she listened to Croix’s stories—the sparkling eyes that seemed to dream of a world beyond. The longing for a man she knew she could never have, yet couldn’t give up on. Nax could easily grasp what she was feeling inside. He made up his mind and approached Sakya.

“Sakya, if you would—”

“Well, it’s almost time to open the shop! Dad, Garnos, customers will be arriving soon! I’ve spent so much time chatting that I’m out of time. Let’s get to work!”

But suddenly, Sakya turned around with a bright smile. Her dreams of the world beyond, her longing for an unattainable figure, all of it ended here. She would return to her normal daily life starting today.

Nax, who had seen many people throughout his life, recognized the resignation hidden behind her cheerful demeanor. Realizing that her true feelings had been perceived, Sakya quickly moved to enter the shop.

“Sakya, is this really okay with you?”

At Nax’s words, Sakya’s long ears twitched, and she froze in place. Her shoulders trembled slightly, as if she were about to collapse. However, when she turned around, Sakya wore a smile that hid any hint of sadness.

“What are you talking about?”

“…No, it’s nothing.”

“Really? Well then, I’ll get back to work!”

With a light step, like a lady strolling through a meadow, Sakya disappeared into the shop. Both Nax and Garnos sighed in unison.

“Where did she learn to smile like that? From our female staff, perhaps?”

“I couldn’t say.”

“A smile that hides her true feelings. She can’t possibly hide it from us, who have seen countless women like her… Garnos, I’ll leave the rest to you.”

“Understood.”

Nax quickly walked down the street. Just beyond the end of the road, Croix was waiting, leaning casually against a wall, as if he knew Nax would come after him.

“I knew you’d come.”

“I can’t keep anything from you, Sensei. …I need to talk to you about Sakya.”

“You want me to take Sakya on a journey, don’t you? I refuse.”

“At least hear me out.”

Not only had Croix predicted his request, but he had also rejected it outright.

“I could tell from Sakya’s reaction and your expression that she longs to see the world. But when you came here instead of Sakya herself, it was clear she wouldn’t go. I can’t take her along without respecting her wishes.”

“That… may be true, but…”

Croix’s words were spot-on. However, Sakya had been confined to this town for nearly twenty years now, without freedom, consumed by study and work. It’s natural for Nax, who thought of her as a daughter, to want her to see the world.

“…Do you truly want me to take her?”

“…”

“…Nax, follow me.”

“Huh? Y-Yes.”

Nax hurriedly followed as Croix led him out of the town, passing through the gates of the port town of Acreana, and up to the summit of a nearby mountain.

“Sensei…?”

“Nax, attack me.”

“…Does that mean if I defeat you, you’ll take Sakya with you?”

It must have seemed utterly hopeless. What else could you call it but despair? However, Croix gave a wry smile and shook his head.

“That’s impossible. I just want you to hit me directly. Don’t think about Sakya, don’t worry about my safety—just strike me with pure intent. That’s all.”

“…Understood.”

Nax’s expression changed as he shifted into a fighting stance, pulling his right leg back and turning slightly. The fighting spirit that had been contained within him surged out, making the trees creak and causing the branches and grass to sway wildly. In an instant, Nax’s body disappeared, reappearing right in front of Croix.

“Shhh—!!”

His fist, thrown from point-blank range, struck Croix squarely in the solar plexus.

In that moment, Nax envisioned a giant towering far above the mountains.

High density. High strength. High hardness. High performance.

The multitude of images that flashed through his mind through his fist reminded him of the vast difference in power between himself and Croix.

“Haha… As expected of you, Sensei. There’s no way I could ever beat you, not even if the world turned upside down.”

“Perhaps. But that punch just now, it wasn’t bad at all.”

“Thank you.”

Although Nax wasn’t fully satisfied, Croix’s words were sincere. If Croix had relaxed his muscles even for a moment, Nax’s punch would have pierced through him.

“By the way, why did you want to do this?”

“Well, I wanted to gauge your current strength, and also to understand how strong Sakya is. How does she compare to you now, Nax?”

“…About seventy percent of my full power, I would say. But that girl is brimming with talent. If she continues her training, she’ll surpass me.”

Nax’s words made Croix thoughtful. If what Nax said was true, then Sakya’s talent would be among the best in the world. In that case…

“Nax, I have a proposal.”

“I’m listening.”

Croix laid out his proposal, taking into account what he was currently considering, including Sakya’s situation. Nax looked momentarily surprised but quickly composed himself.

“That… we would need to ask Sakya about it first, I suppose…”

“I understand. Give me your answer in three days.”

“…Understood. I’ll come to the hotel where you’re staying in three days.”

After bowing his head, Nax quickly headed back to Acreana.