Hi, I’m the Hero’s Father ～I’m Sorry For All The Trouble My Foolish Son Has Caused You～ - Chapter 84

Chapter 84   The Two Disciples Grow

The next day, Dona arrived at the training ground.

Her demeanor was completely different from the other day; it was filled with confidence.

Mion also looked on in surprise with wide eyes.

The difference in pressure was immense when seen up close compared to from a distance.

“Dona, have you grasped it?”

“Yes. Thank you, Master.”

“Save your thanks until after you’ve landed a hit on me.”

“Understood!”

Dona readied a practice sword with its edge blunted, and Mion infused her magic power throughout her body, preparing herself. It was a solid, impressive stance.

In contrast, Croix remained still, his arms crossed.

With Dona’s newly sharpened perception, it was clear how flawless Croix’s defense was. He couldn’t find any openings.

Just standing there, Croix was in a combat stance directed at all angles and all races.

As Dona swallowed nervously, Mion glanced at her sideways.

“Dona, what do you see now?”

“A monster.”

“Correct. That’s the Croix-sama I see every day.”

“How am I supposed to land a hit on someone like that?”

“Well, we have no choice but to try. And to do that… we have to move!”

Mion charged towards Croix at super speed.

Dona followed Mion, albeit a bit slower.

Closing the distance of several meters with a single step, Mion launched a kick towards Croix’s face.

However, Croix slightly recoiled to avoid the attack.

In response, Dona twisted his fist towards Croix’s side.

But Croix intercepted Dona’s fist with his index finger, redirecting the force and sending him flying.

He then grabbed Mion’s ankle and threw her towards Dona.

Dona, noticing this at the last moment, caught the flying Mion, but was pushed back several meters, scraping the ground beneath his feet.

“Damn it…!”

“Instead of cursing, attack!”

“Understood!”

The two split to the left and right, closing in on Croix.

Dona unleashed a series of sword strikes, while Mion focused on a series of kicks.

However, Croix dodged, deflected, and parried all their attacks. He did it all with his hands, never using his legs.

Now, Croix retaliated with a series of punches.

Despite crossing their arms to defend, the areas they blocked felt as if they had been hit in critical spots, inflicting significant damage.

“Hmm… as expected, both of you have grown.”

Previously, Dona would have been knocked out by such an attack, and Wiel would have needed to heal him.

But both of them were still standing. This was remarkable progress.

Moreover, the faint tingling remaining on Croix’s hands indicated the high power of their attacks.

“But it seems your spirit hasn’t caught up with your physical growth. You could say your resolve is lacking.”

“Resolve, you say? Master, what do you mean…?”

“Hm… Don’t you think Mion understands?”

Croix and Dona’s gaze turned towards Mion.

Mion thought for a moment but quickly arrived at the answer.

“…The resolve to kill, right?”

“…Huh…?”

“That’s correct.”

Dona was shocked by Mion’s words, while Croix nodded with a smile.

“It’s fine to adjust your strength depending on your training partner… but when facing me, come with the intent to kill.”

Croix’s words intensified the pressure, forcefully impacting their bodies. It was so overwhelming that someone with a weak will might faint from just the pressure alone.

Sweat trickled down Dona’s cheek.

Despite the harsh training from the Kingdom Army and the beatings from the three fishmen, he had never felt the reality of death so vividly before.

The resolve to kill was something he had never experienced in his life.

It was a genuine… exchange of lives.

He could feel his body and soul trembling.

But the reason he joined the Kingdom Army was for revenge against the sea gang.

The moment of exchanging lives that should have come eventually… had arrived now. That was all there was to it.

“Dona, are you okay?”

“…Yes. I can do this.”

“Then I will move in sync with you. Dona, focus on attacking Croix-sama with the intent to kill.”

“Understood.”

Dona readied his sword and took a deep breath.

his focus wasn’t on a single point but rather on the distant mountains.

His spirit was as fiery as a blaze, but his thoughts were as cold as ice.

Then, he charged forward.

Without attacking, there is no growth.

Dona swung his sword, imbued with resolve, towards Croix.

A few seconds later, the two who had massive bumps on their heads lay unconscious in a sprawled position.

“Your resolve still isn’t enough, both of you.”

“Croix, you really should be a bit gentler with them. They look pitiful.”

“Haha. Your Majesty, I am their master. I wouldn’t slack off in their training.”

It was true, but this might break their spirits.

Concerned, Neptune looked at Wiel, who spoke up.

“It was the best movement right before they lost consciousness. That’s why you hit them quite hard, right?”

“I can’t hide anything from Wiel. Until now, I had only used 10% of my strength in attacks, but this time I went up to 30%. I still have a long way to go.”

Even at 30%, Croix strength could pulverize an ordinary person.

Yet the two only had bumps and were unconscious. They had grown enough to be considered sufficient.

“I see… As expected of the man who’ll get me pregnant. You’re thinking things through properly. I’ve fallen for you all over again♡”

“Neptune, stop that or I’ll get angry.”

Neptune responded with a sulky look but then whistled and turned away, making Croix smile in amusement at the transparent evasion.