Hi, I’m the Hero’s Father ～I’m Sorry For All The Trouble My Foolish Son Has Caused You～ - Chapter 51

Chapter 51   The Hero’s Mother Speaks Truth

But Alka couldn’t keep up with the sudden turn of events and protested to Croix in a panic.

“W-Wait a minute! Dad, suddenly saying there’s a new party member—!”

“You have no right to refuse. Just accept it.”

“At least guarantee my personal rights…!”

“So, do you have any potential companions in mind?”

“Well… no, not really…”

In reality, Alka felt uneasy about not having any companions. Fighting the Demon King alone seemed too reckless.

He understood that finding allies was necessary eventually, but having his parents provide those allies felt… overwhelming.

“Hmm. I suppose you’re thinking it’s uncool to have your companions chosen for you.”

“Ugh.”

It was spot on.

He had already endured a lot of embarrassment. While there was no longer any shame, he still felt a bit uneasy about it.

As he averted his gaze in silence, Wiel, seeing his discomfort, patted Alka on the shoulder.

“Alka, what is your mission?”

“…To defeat the Demon King.”

“Exactly. Your mission as a hero, Alka, is to defeat the Demon King and bring peace to the world.”

Alka understood that. However, he didn’t understand why it was being mentioned now.

Tilting his head, Wiel opened her mouth with an angelic smile.

“Can you really achieve peace with your petty pride?”

“Ugh.”

The words hit their mark precisely.

It was the epitome of a valid argument. Alka had no rebuttal; he was left speechless.

Indeed, refusing Sakya and Garnos was nothing more than his own pride. It was a rebellion against the limitation of not being able to choose his own companions.

Wiel pressed further as Alka remained silent.

“Garnos is one of the most skilled people in this world. And Sakya, if she continues to grow, has the potential to rival even the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King’s army. Do you think you, with no connections, could find such exceptional individuals? Do you know how many people there are in the world? Including demi-humans, about five billion. Out of that many people, can you find someone with the talent to match the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King’s army? This isn’t a convenient fairy tale where just traveling leads to finding companions. Searching for allies could end your life. Do you have time for that? Especially after wasting three precious years? Where do you find the luxury for that? Besides—”

“Stop, stop. Wiel, stop.”

The relentless barrage of well-aimed criticisms caused Croix to intervene.

As expected, Alka was left in tears, his face contorted with despair and snot running from his nose.

Wiel’s words were so accurate that he couldn’t retort; he was left emotionally shattered.

By the way, Mion, who had received similar intense criticism during the battle against Doreal’s subordinates, was also experiencing some quiet damage by recalling the past.

“Well. If you say so, I’ll let it go for now.”

“Yes…”

Naturally, having lived with Wiel for so long, Alka was not unfamiliar with such intense criticism.

But no matter how many times he faced it, it never got easier. It left him feeling emotionally devastated.

“Well then. Alka, don’t be stubborn. Pride won’t save anyone. Leave what you can’t do to someone else. You focus on what you can do.”

“It feels like there’s nothing I can do anymore…”

“Defeat the Demon King. Don’t think about anything else.”

“…Understood.”

Croix’s words were correct. What one person can do is limited.

Therefore, mastering what he could do now was the best course of action for Alka.

Standing up, Alka stiffened his expression and extended his hand to Sakya.

“Once again, I’m Alka. I look forward to working with you.”

“Yes. I look forward to working with you as well.”

Sakya gave a graceful bow.

However, she did not take Alka’s hand.

Did high elves not have a culture of handshakes? Alka thought, and with a wry smile, he let his hand drop.

“Well, what I just did is called a handshake.”

“Oh, I know what a handshake is.”

“…Then why didn’t you take my hand?”

“Because you were covered in sweat, mud, tears, and snot, so I didn’t want to touch you.”

“Guh!?”

The words delivered with a wide grin struck Alka right in the chest.

“If you want to shake hands, please take a bath first.”

“Alright…”

With a deflated demeanor, Alka headed toward the bathhouse under Mion’s guidance.

“Sakya, you don’t hold back.”

“Yes. I’ll be monitoring Alka in place of Croix sensie and Wiel sensie. I’ll make sure not to bring shame upon your names by fulfilling my role properly.”

Sakya declared with a determined look.

Seeing Sakya like this, everyone present couldn’t help but smile wryly.