Chapter 317
Chapter 317
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 317
Chapter Title: Side Story 1. Decent Parents
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“Uha... It’s been a while here too.”
Ronan stretched as he reached the hilltop. Clouds like fluffy sheep wandered across the blue sky. Lowering his gaze revealed the familiar scenery of Numbton.
Nothing’s changed at all. That’s why I like it.
It had been nearly half a year since he last visited his hometown. The familiar scent of grass carried on the breeze. Ronan turned and placed a hand on the oak tree growing atop the hill.
“Been too busy to come by. How’ve you been?”
Beneath the ancient tree that had overlooked Numbton for centuries stood a small gravestone. The name engraved neatly in Imperial script was Ronan’s own handiwork. With careful motions, he brushed the dust and leaves from the stone.
“Eh? Father.”
No reply came. Of course not. It had been two years since the Savior—no, Cain—passed away. Ronan set down his backpack and sat beside the grave.
“So, how’s the view here? Like it?”
After the war with Nebula Klazie ended, Ronan had made Cain’s grave here in Numbton. Right at the spot from his memories where he’d watched the sunset with his family.
“Definitely a nice village. Failed at raising your daughter, but you picked a good spot for the house. I’ll give you that.”
Ronan nodded, shifting his gaze down the hill. The emperor had offered to entomb the body in the pantheon for past heroes, but Ronan refused.
The green fields and the river winding through the village looked exactly the same as when Ronan was a snot-nosed kid. Suddenly feeling his butt grow damp, he spat a curse.
“Damn it. Forgot I’m still in uniform.”
The morning frost had melted, leaving the grass wet. Adeshan’s crisply ironed uniform pants were no doubt soaked through right now. After some hesitation, Ronan let out a deep sigh.
“Sigh... Won’t be wearing it anymore anyway. She won’t scold me, right?”
Ronan decided to stay seated as he was. He could always dig it out again for some novel fun with Adeshan, but that was a matter for later. Stroking the gravestone, he opened his mouth.
“Well, not to beat around the bush—I graduated today. Top honors, tied with Schlieffen.”
Rummaging in his backpack, Ronan pulled out his diploma. The fancy paper was framed with a gold border symbolizing top of the Martial Arts Department.
“That bastard got ridiculously strong. Don’t know if it’s the power of love or whatever, but I nearly lost.”
Recalling his graduation duel with Schlieffen, Ronan let out a dry chuckle. Crossing swords with him again after so long, Schlieffen had grown to the point where comparing him to his old self was an insult.
Crazy bastard. Even if he wants to impress my sister, there’s a limit. Enveloping the entire Phileon in a whirlwind?
Even thinking back, it was a mad duel. For the first time since the war, Ronan had unleashed his aura and given it everything.
The academy’s entire staff of mages had been mobilized just to keep their attacks from spilling into the stands. They’d poured out all their strength until time expired in a draw. Ronan muttered in exasperation.
“Bet that guy crushes Zaifa within a year. Not the continent’s greatest swordsman for nothing. Anyway, first bit of business done... Let’s see.”
Suddenly rummaging in his backpack again, Ronan pulled out a bottle of liquor. An egg-sized lump came loose and fell to the ground, but he didn’t notice. He spoke up.
“Realized we never shared a drink. Here, have one.”
It was the millennium snowflower liquor he’d gotten from Zaifa recently. Popping the cork, Ronan poured about half the contents onto the gravestone.
It was worth four or five horses, but that didn’t matter. Downing a swig in one go, Ronan wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
“Kha, good stuff, right? Nothing beats this.”
His throat burned like fire, but that was its charm. Sipping slowly, Ronan surveyed Numbton.
The landscape itself was unchanged, but noticeably more people milled about. Tuning his ears, he could hear their excited chatter.
“Can you believe it? Three heroes born in a plain village like this. Must be a dragon buried underground or something.”
“This is Lady Iril’s potato patch—she managed it herself. Sigh, when will I get to taste her stew? Doesn’t even take reservations.”
“Ah, any potatoes left? Maybe snag one...”
“Forget it. They say Asel’s magic protects it. Step foot in there and you’ll freeze solid.”
Most were tourists come to see the hometown of Ronan, Iril, and Asel. The three had become heroes who saved the world, known across the continent with no one unaware of their fame. Watching the scene, Ronan snickered.
“What, came to gawk. Bunch of idle folks.”
The house where Ronan once lived bustled with tourists calling it the hero’s birthplace. Taking another swig, he leaned back against the tombstone and lay down.
The wind was fierce; the sheep-like clouds raced across the sky. Now buzzed, he felt he could say it. After a long silence, Ronan spoke.
“Yeah. I’m gonna be a dad too.”
Shhh—the wind rustled the leaves. He’d learned Adeshan was pregnant a month ago.
“Precisely, gotta wait a bit more... but anyway.”
He couldn’t quite recall the exact gestation period. The image of Adeshan leaping for joy was still fresh in his mind. Ronan pulled out his pipe and stuck it in his mouth.
“Damn, thought about kids someday, but not this soon. Better hold the wedding before her belly swells. Don’t want rumors dragging her down... Ah, don’t get the wrong idea. It’s not some shotgun thing. I really love her.”
Ronan exhaled a puff of white smoke. Truth be told, the days since moving in with Adeshan had been the happiest of his life, no exaggeration.
“Anyway, looks like I’ll beat sis to the altar. Unbelievable, right? This drunken slob pissing in barracks becoming a family man... So, got a question.”
Starting a family. Unthinkable in his first life. Finishing the last of the liquor, Ronan blurted it out like vomit.
“Can I be a good father?”
No answer came this time either. Cain was dead, after all. No matter how he spoke to it like a living person, that fact didn’t change.
In the ensuing silence, Ronan wore a wry smile. He’d resented the man once, but looking back, Cain had been a decent father. In their short time together, he’d left irreplaceable memories etched in Ronan’s heart.
What if they’d had more time? Regret crept up slowly. For a moment, Ronan’s vision blurred.
“Damn it.”
Looking up at the sky, Ronan blinked. He couldn’t show an embarrassing sight before someone who’d met the coolest end imaginable. Lingering a while longer, he finally stood.
“...Gotta head out. Adeshan’s waiting.”
Ronan packed the empty bottle into his backpack. After tidying the surrounding grass, he descended the hill.
“Next time, maybe with the grandkid.”
Ronan waved without looking back. He never noticed the sphere that had fallen from his bag. It was then, as he made his way down the hill, that a familiar voice called from no great distance.
“Ah, Ronan!”
“Huh?”
Ronan turned. Adeshan was climbing the hill. Her black hair, falling to her waist, swayed like an ink-dipped brush.
“Told you I’d be right down. Why come up? You’re heavy now.”
Ronan furrowed his brow. He’d told her to wait at the teahouse with some cocoa.
Striding over, he shrugged off his coat and draped it over Adeshan’s shoulders. Buttoning the collar, she smiled with her eyes.
“Jeez, I’m still fine. You’re way too overprotective.”
“Still gotta be careful. What if you trip?”
“But I wanted to show our kid your hometown. Right? You wanted to see it too?”
Adeshan stroked her lower belly and smiled. She usually favored form-fitting clothes, but since getting pregnant, she’d stuck to loose outfits.
This is what a mother looks like.
Ronan let out a silent sigh of admiration. Not even showing yet, and already this devoted.
Pondering something, Ronan reached into his inner pocket and pulled out his pipe. Grasping both ends with both hands, he snapped it. Crack! Startled by the crisp sound, Adeshan raised an eyebrow.
“Wh-what was that?”
“Bad for you and the kid. Time I quit.”
Ronan said. Adeshan, who’d been stunned, broke into a beaming smile. Arm in arm, the two headed into the village.
“Never thought we’d marry first. Figured Schlieffen and Iril sis would beat us to it.”
“That guy’s got a long way. Not even living together yet.”
“Hehe, at least they’re officially engaged.”
Adeshan pulled his arm tighter. Iril and Schlieffen’s romance was one of the empire’s top gossip topics, exciting not just them but everyone. Recalling his friends, Ronan chuckled.
“Asel’s got better odds. Marya’s no ordinary girl? Buried in those massive tits every day, I bet...”
Ronan abruptly shut his mouth. A chilling gaze bored into him from right beside. Glancing over, sure enough, Adeshan was glaring daggers with axe eyes.
“...Sorry. Breasts. Not tits.”
“Yeah. That’s better.”
Adeshan’s glare softened at his hasty correction. He’d forgotten their promise to avoid profanity around the kid. Glancing down at her own chest, she pouted and muttered.
“You’re not saying mine aren’t enough or something, right? Not like Instructor Naviroje or Marya, but mine are decent too...”
“No way, ma’am. Too big would just burden the kid.”
“Good. I like that answer.”
Adeshan giggled. Before long, they reached the riverbank. Trout schooled beneath the sky-blue surface. They were just about to board the raft.
“Hey. Ronan.”
“Huh?”
“Can I be a good mom?”
Ronan turned. Adeshan stared at the river, her eyes brimming with worry.
She’d led a hundred thousand allied troops and helped save the world, but becoming a mother was another matter entirely. A powerful sense of déjà vu widened Ronan’s eyes.
Ah. So this is the feeling.
It was the exact same question he’d just asked. After a brief silence, Ronan smiled faintly. Unlike with his father, he could answer this one—he was alive, after all.
“Of course. Obviously.”
Ronan took Adeshan’s hand. The anxiety on her face eased. Boarding the raft together, he continued.
“We’ll be decent parents. Probably.”