Reincarnated Devil's Strongest Hero Training Plan ~The baby he picked up has grown up so well that his father is confused~ - Chapter 48

Reincarnated Devil’s Strongest Hero Training Plan ~The baby he picked up has grown up so well that his father is confused~

Chapter 48   In a corner of a certain tavern ~Religious Country Edition~

“Well then, husband, Gaius and I will go shopping around while keeping an eye on the children. Please relax and take it easy.”

“Alrighty then~. Gaius, I’m counting on you to guard Elsa.”

“You can count on me, master. But really, Lady Elsa doesn’t need a guard. I’m more like a handyman or a porter.”

Well, that’s true.

I mean, even if the religious country dislikes demi-humans, no one would pick a fight with Gaius, who looks strong, just to bother a dark elf.

Yeah, I worried unnecessarily.

By the way, the reason I’m leaving alone is just for a breather.

Actually, it was Ars’s suggestion. He said, “Dad, you’re always accompanying me in my training and always taking care of Mom, but I don’t see you resting much, huh?” That’s what started it all.

Thinking back, maybe he had a point, but when Elsa heard that, she was shocked as if struck by lightning, and suddenly started to fret.

Well, I’ve been continuously involved in something lately, but Elsa and Gaius have been working too, if you think about it.

I thought that, but their reactions were different.

From Elsa’s perspective, I was always seen as someone who would sleep in twice and fail, and she probably thought I was irresponsible. But now, realizing that I had been working hard all along, it seemed her feelings were quite different.

Come to think of it, she had been acting as Ars’s mother figure for ten years, and apparently she had never seen me take a proper break apart from joking around.

“Well, it’s just something I got caught up in. Living with everyone is fun, and I just got a little too enthusiastic.”

But well, if they’re giving me a rare break like this, I should enjoy it to the fullest. It would be rude to refuse such thoughtfulness.

And so, as I set out to enjoy this day to the fullest, casually browsing around the shops, I couldn’t help but think, “Come to think of it, Hades’s chest has grown a little lately… I wonder if he’s trying to hide it,” or “Ars is pure, but he’s definitely not stupid. He must be aware of Hades’s and the saint’s feelings,” while pondering such things, I arrived at a certain tavern.

“Welcome, we have seats available.”

“Great. Then, I’ll have your recommended sake and some light snacks.”

“Sure thing!”

I didn’t choose this tavern because the food or sake looked good or anything like that. It was because I became interested in a certain man who seemed to be causing a stir there.

Despite being a big guy, he seemed to exude a strangely different atmosphere around him, even though he appeared to be in a sorry state, as if he had lost his confidence.

“Hey, mind if I sit here?”

“Sure, feel free. When you enter a village, adopt the local customs. Since I don’t own this land, I have no right to complain.”

“I see. But you’re quite an interesting old man.”

So said the sunglasses-wearing giant redhead with his hair slicked back.

Or rather, those sunglasses really suit him, don’t they? He looks just like a mafia boss.

And so, as we both silently sipped our drinks, the old man eventually began to sigh.

“Sigh”

“…………”

“Hmm…”

“…………”

“Still, I mean, really…”

Ugh, annoying…

What’s with this guy? Does he want me to listen to his problems or something? He’s blatantly sighing and glancing over here…

If that’s what he wants, he should just say it clearly.

I’m here as a companion, so I’m willing to engage in conversation a bit.

Besides, it’s true that I also wanted to talk with this guy who clearly exudes a strange atmosphere.

“What’s up, man? Do you have something on your mind? If you want, I’m all ears.”

“What!? Oh, um… I see… That’s kind of you. Actually, despite coming to this tavern for two years, nobody has ever approached me… Maybe I come off as intimidating or something…”

“Well, that’s unfortunate. Anyway, feel free to say anything.”

Well, that makes sense.

This guy is emitting such a heavy, gloomy aura.

Honestly, with all this negative energy, I’m surprised he’s still able to hang out in the bar without being kicked out by the owner.

Actually, in a normal tavern in this country, he’d probably be kicked out for being a nuisance.

No, maybe not.

The tavern owner couldn’t just leave this depressed giant alone either.

So, as this mysterious guy exudes an unusual atmosphere, he’s been reigning here for two years.

“So, what’s the trouble?”

“Well, you see… Two years ago, my child ran away from home and fled to this Calamiera religious country. At first, I didn’t object to the runaway. I thought it was good for him to see how far he could go on his own. So, I silently let him go…”

“I see.”

It sounds familiar somehow, but oh well.

But a runaway child, huh?

Even this seemingly uncertain guy must be struggling with parenting at home.

I thought he might be troubled by something, and this might be the cause.

Thanks to having a wonderful son like Ars, I’m able to enjoy these peaceful moments. But if, hypothetically, my child were like Saint-chan or Hades, I’d definitely be struggling.

I sympathize with you, old man.

And then the old man’s story continues.

“Of course, when I said I silently let him go, it didn’t mean I intended to irresponsibly abandon my role as a parent. I secretly followed after him to keep an eye on him, but for some reason, I couldn’t find him.”

“What?”

“I wonder where that child is right now… I worry about that, and I regret my own helplessness as a parent, unable to do anything…”

What does he mean he couldn’t find his child?

He said he’s been here for two years, so there’s no way he wouldn’t have found his child.

Is his child really here?

But, despite all that, there’s one thing I can say.

“What are you being so weak for, old man? Pull yourself together!”

“…”

“As a parent, how can you not believe in your own child?”

“W-what…”

Not “what.”

Though I’m still a novice father in my tenth year, there’s one thing I can say for sure.

A parent who doesn’t believe in the steps their child takes into the world with their own feet, how can they exist?

“Let me ask you this. Is it possible that a parent who cares so deeply for their child, who has painstakingly raised them, has no expectations for them? No, that can’t be. Because that’s how it is. The child who grew up watching the back of a man facing the difficult challenge of parenting, a man who couldn’t see the right answer, has finally spread their wings and flown into the world under their own power! That step into the world is the moment your hardships are rewarded! So why wouldn’t you believe in that!?!”

“W-what…!?”

The old man’s eyes widen in surprise at my passionate encouragement, his mouth gaping open.

That’s the spirit, old man. Even if your son isn’t found in this religious country, so what?

The strength and courage of the child who flew out after watching this man’s back could never be swallowed up and crushed by mere surroundings.

Have more confidence, old man!

With that conviction, I smirked and further inquired,

“It seems you’ve finally realized, huh?”

“Y-yes… I-I have… I’ve been completely mistaken…!! Everything, everything you said is correct!!!”

Yeah, that’s right.

Exactly as I said.

Slightly fueled by alcohol and getting into a strange mood, but surely that’s the case.

“Haha, alright, I got it, that’s good enough. Always making me worry. Well then, now that we’ve bonded, let’s have a toast, shall we?”

“Yes! Indeed, the taste of the drink after solving one’s worries is exquisite! Moreover, it’s regrettable that a man of your caliber isn’t one of our country’s vassals! How about it? Do you have any intention of serving me?”

“Hahaha! Cut it out, old man. You’re just a boozer, aren’t you?”

“Hahaha! Indeed, that’s what I am now! Very well, let us forge a bond of friendship over this drink!”

—Cheers!

With that, the sound of glasses clinking echoed in the tavern, and the sudden, passionate friendship between two men who had met out of the blue was sealed.

Well, I decided to strike up a conversation with that odd old man, but I ended up hearing quite an unexpectedly interesting story.

And the old man himself, upon closer inspection, turns out to be quite serious and gutsy.

Looks like I’ll enjoy drinking with this guy.

“Haha! To think I’d hear such a lively tale right outside my shop! This really makes being an tavern owner worthwhile! That’s why I can’t quit running this place! Oh, but I can’t stay like this forever! Let me join you in that drink, you two! Today, we’re closing up early, dammit!”

And for some reason, even the shop owner started tearing up, and the commotion continued until Elsa came to forcibly take me home.