Hi, I’m the Hero’s Father ～I’m Sorry For All The Trouble My Foolish Son Has Caused You～ - Chapter 89

Chapter 89   Two Disciples Head to the Hideout

Under Dona’s guidance, the nearest continent came into view.

That said, it would normally take four days by ship to cover this distance.

The speed of the Fishmen and Rabbitmen covered the distance in just half a day.

While this was thanks to the special training with Croix, there was no time to be grateful now.

Mion, who had not touched land in a while, exhaled with a bit of relief.

“By the way, we didn’t see the three of them. Could it be that they’ve already landed?”

“Probably. The Dipsea Kingdom’s soldiers are trained to prioritize speed, so…”

“I see, no wonder we haven’t seen them. Even though our speed is extraordinary, it makes sense that catching up with the three who went ahead would be impossible.”

That means from here on, it would be about exploring the land.

However, the location of the sea gang’s hideout was already known.

Mion took out the map given by Wiel and headed from the beach into the forest.

Dona followed behind, looking around curiously as if the land was a novelty.

“Ahh… this is completely different from Dipsea…”

“Indeed, there weren’t any trees like these in the ocean floor. For me, Dipsea felt more out of place. Well, since this is how it is, it should be over there.”

Dona tilted his head at Mion’s mumbling.

Having been with Mion before, Dona had never seen Mion get lost.

With a map in hand, it shouldn’t be possible to get lost, but…

Thinking this, Dona peered at the map Mion was holding.

“Wha!?”

“Eek!? Wh-what’s going on, all of a sudden!”

“N-no, sorry. What’s that you’re holding?”

“Eh? …A map?”

“That’s stretching it.”

What Mion was holding in her hand could hardly be called a map.

At best, it resembled a child’s scribbles… or perhaps, depending on the perspective, it might look like art.

Despite being scribbled messily, it somehow felt sacred. Was that just a figment of imagination?

Mion smiled wryly and showed the map to Dona.

“Wiel-sama is directionally challenged, isn’t she? That’s why she knows the location, but when it comes to drawing maps, it always turns out like this.”

“It’s amazing you can understand a map like this, Sister Disciple…”

“You’d understand if you were a demi-human, but our sense of direction is exceptional. Plus, with auditory detection, we can grasp the general geography.”

As Mion said, even with this map, they can somewhat figure out the direction.

However, only Mion, who knows Wiel well, could use it effectively.

“Well, just follow me and don’t worry. Although, I’m also feeling my way through, so it might take a bit of time.”

“Understood. I’m counting on you!”

At present, Dona’s sense of direction on land was almost nonfunctional.

So, Mion was the only one to rely on.

If he got separated from Mion now, Dona would undoubtedly end up dried out and turn into a desiccated corpse.

With a slight sense of tension, Dona followed behind Mion.

“By the way… it’s nice being on the surface. Spending almost a year on the ocean floor makes the occasional land feel refreshing and pleasant.”

“Do even Fishmen feel that way?”

“Yeah, surprisingly so.”

Though Dona thought Fishmen might dry out if they stayed out too long.

But Mion kept that thought to herself.

After walking for several tens of minutes with Wiel’s map (?) and Mion’s guidance, they arrived at a location quite far from the water’s edge. Mion stopped and crouched down.

“Over there. I can sense the presence of Fishmen, just like Dona.”

“A cave… so the sea gang is inside there.”

Dona’s negative emotions boiled up inside him.

Dark, heavy, and murky feelings simmered, almost ready to explode.

However…

“Dona, stay.”

“Y-yes, Sister Disciple…?”

Perhaps sensing this, Mion tightly grasped Dona’s trembling hand.

There’s no talk of positive feelings countering negative emotions.

Just making him feel that he’s not alone was enough.

Encased in Mion’s warm hand, Dona’s negative emotions began to gradually settle.

“Calm down, and don’t let yourself be fixated on just what’s right in front of you. It’ll narrow your field of vision.”

“But…!”

“I understand your feelings. However, you need to keep that deep in your heart. Keep your heart burning with determination, but keep your mind calm. Is that clear?”

“…Understood.”

Mion’s words made sense.

Dona’s goal is to achieve revenge. It’s not about being consumed by vengeful emotions and going on a rampage.

He closed his eyes to calm his mind and slowly opened them.

“You seem to be okay now. Then… let’s go.”