Chapter 86
Chapter 86
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: The Crodain Family (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“First, I must hear your side of the story.”
“……”
The matter of becoming a delinquent after my dantian was destroyed.
He brought up a sensitive topic right from the start.
I wasn’t keen on it, but how could I ignore my father’s stern command?
“At the time… I momentarily lost my reason. The feeling of despair, something I had never experienced before… I couldn’t overcome the emptiness of having lost everything.”
“Hmm…”
“Then, at some point, I realized. All I had lost was my mana. The people who believed in me were still there. It was just a matter of starting over.”
“It turned out to be a blessing in disguise, then. While it is disappointing that you once tarnished the family’s honor, your refusal to give up and arrive at where you are now is worthy of praise.”
*Anyway, you did well.*
*Since you were chosen by the Holy Sword, such things are trivial.*
He seemed to be supporting me just as he had in the past.
“What’s past is past. It is the future that matters now. I wish to hear your thoughts.”
Finally.
The golden opportunity to squeeze out a massive amount of war funds.
Furthermore, I needed to secure military support.
“Before that… I must mention that girl.”
His gaze sharpened.
He must be asking about Esterize.
“Her skill level seemed quite high. She may even be qualified to be a Hero…”
Aside from that, he found her suspicious.
The noble etiquette she displayed while enjoying the banquet.
It seemed he had taken note of the grace that flowed from her naturally.
“You need not worry on that front.”
I revealed that she was the princess of a fallen kingdom.
I figured it was fine, as it was no longer much of a secret.
She had already revealed her identity to her comrades.
It seemed likely she would make a grand public announcement at a future imperial event.
“I see… so that was the story behind it.”
Gerard showed no particular suspicion.
Since she was chosen by a Holy Sword, he seemed to believe she couldn’t be evil, at the very least.
“What is your relationship now?”
“We are already at a stage where we trust each other. She is a more precious comrade than anyone.”
“I understand. If you say so, then it must be so.”
An attitude of entrusting it all to me.
He even omitted telling me not to be outdone by her.
*-There cannot be two suns in one sky.*
*-Raise the family’s prestige by any means necessary!*
It would have been troublesome if he had said that.
I couldn’t know his true thoughts, but his unique charisma was as strong as ever.
It was as if he was insisting that being stern, solemn, and serious was a prerequisite for the head of a great family.
A man who would accept the end of the world with composure.
It was impossible not to feel a certain admiration for his unwavering demeanor.
“First, there is something you must know.”
The movements of the Demon King’s Army were unusual.
He asserted that a great war was on the verge of breaking out.
“The Crodain family will fight back, as it always has. I will handle things on this end, but the problem is you. The birth of a Hero at this time must mean there is a reason for it.”
The Hero’s actions would be needed.
He added that countless dangers would surely lurk in the process.
“Resolve alone is not enough. You must have a flawless plan to survive. For your reference…”
He recounted the final moments of past Heroes.
Half were defeated by the Demon King, and even those who were lucky enough to survive suffered from lifelong physical and mental disabilities.
*Wait a minute… why would you say something so ominous?*
*A flag won’t be raised just from that, but still, it feels a bit off!*
“Well, it will be different this time.”
I was not alone.
I had the steadfast backing of the Crodain family.
“I will consider a plan that moves with you at its center.”
Meaning he would actively support me depending on the situation.
I had hoped he would back me up, and he offered it first.
For a moment, I was swept up in a feeling like, *My dad is the best!*
Like the original Jace, I felt I was beginning to respect him as well.
“Then I will share my thoughts with you. If you have any wisdom to offer, please point it out at any time. Your son is prepared to listen.”
The first topic I brought up was the Imperial Family.
That issue had to be resolved before anything else.
The empire’s cooperation was essential to drive out the Demon King’s Army with ease.
The key was to raise our favorability as much as possible and maintain a good relationship.
“Forgive my impertinence, but what is the current relationship between our family and the Imperial Family…?”
“I cannot say it is good, not even as a platitude.”
“……”
I knew it.
Because we possessed the number one military force among all the noble families.
From the Imperial Family’s perspective, it was bound to be unsettling.
*Hmm? They’ve gotten too big.*
*We need to stomp them down before they get any ideas.*
Weren’t they just watching for an opportunity like that?
Even if not all of them, some hardliners surely saw us as a thorn in their side.
I asked cautiously.
If he had any intention of pursuing an amicable relationship.
“It would be good to improve relations, but I have no desire to grovel.”
“……”
So that’s a no, right?
Just like his appearance suggested, my father had a strong stubborn streak.
Well, it was likely the pride of a patriarch responsible for a great family.
I couldn’t challenge that. I continued speaking carefully.
“Things might work out well.”
“How?”
“It depends on what I do. By putting forth my status as the Hero…”
“Wait… there is a possibility the Imperial Family will propose a political marriage.”
“—!!”
A magical phrase that caught me completely off guard.
Do all powerful people think the same way?
This was for the best. I should put my foot down now.
He wasn’t the type to decide his son’s future on his own, but it was always better to be certain.
“In fact, the imperial representative I spoke with before also mentioned a political marriage.”
“Were they forceful?”
“They said it in passing, but it felt like they wanted me to keep it in mind.”
“And what are your thoughts?”
“I have no desire to go that far. Because…”
“I think it’s a fine idea.”
“—!!”
For a moment, my heart sank.
*Just when I trusted you, you’re going to betray me?*
I almost blurted out, “I hate you, Dad!”
“There would be nothing wrong with being connected to the Imperial Family. Of course, your will is what matters most.”
“……”
One way or another, he intended to respect my wishes.
It seemed he was being as considerate as possible, thinking I was all grown up.
“I believe my only partner can be Ceria.”
“I thought you would say that. That is how a man should be.”
At my declaration to look at only one woman.
He gave a slight nod, then immediately suggested another direction.
“However, as the heir to the family, it is a matter to consider.”
“……”
“There’s no need to think about it right now, but personally, I would like it if there was at least one more.”
Martina had said the same thing.
*Don’t tell me you’re also after my little cutie?*
“The girl who became a Hero at the same time as you… she seemed quite suitable. One could even use the word ‘fateful.’”
Well, Esterize certainly is overflowing with charm.
And indeed, the image of two Heroes ending up together seemed quite plausible.
“……”
*Ah, this is giving me a headache…*
Mom was pushing for Aruru, and now Dad was pushing for the princess.
Martina had been joking, but Gerard was close to serious.
Besides, he himself had several wives.
He must have done it out of necessity, even while loving his first wife.
At least the household affairs were neatly organized.
Jace’s potential had been so outstanding that there was likely nothing to worry about.
“Just let it go in one ear and out the other. I have no intention of forcing you. You will understand when you sit in this seat yourself, anyway.”
*You think you’ll be any different?*
*You’re destined to accept your fate eventually.*
*Hey, if you foreshadow it like that, you’ll just get my hopes up, you know?*
*No, that’s not it… anyway, I’m devoted to one person!*
As that conversation flowed, we started discussing the wedding schedule.
“We originally planned for it to be around next year, but things have become rather complicated.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
Becoming a Hero had made me extremely busy.
This year would likely pass in a flash, and from next year, we would enter the war phase.
It was not the time for a leisurely wedding.
Ceria would be upset, but it couldn’t be helped.
Awakening my comrades, clearing dungeons to get the final items, and so on.
There was barely enough time just to prepare for the final battle.
It was time to reveal my plans in earnest.
There was no need to explain in detail; I would just show him the big picture.
A map happened to be ready.
I used it to run a virtual simulation.
“The battlefields to watch will likely be narrowed down to the Bruno Plains, the Curtis Mountains, and the Neike River.”
“—!!”
For a brief moment, Gerard’s eyes flashed.
He seemed startled by his son’s outstanding strategic sense.
In truth, I was just referencing the contents of the original story.
Things might change when the war actually broke out, but the overall situation would likely flow similarly.
If not, oh well. It didn’t matter if I was wrong.
My goal right now was to display some plausible insight.
“…By doing this and that to draw in as many enemy troops as possible, then establishing an encirclement on three sides, we can create an environment to annihilate them in one fell swoop.”
“……”
A long silence followed.
He had gone beyond simply listening to my words.
It seemed he was playing out a virtual battle in his head.
Judging by his occasional nods.
He seemed to have determined that it was indeed a feasible tactic.
A memory that Jace had known came to mind.
He had retired from the front lines to take responsibility for the family.
But he was once a monster who had performed more brilliantly than anyone.
A powerhouse who possessed not only personal martial prowess but also the ability to grasp the flow of battle.
*Thump, thump.*
I was looking forward to Gerard’s participation in the war.
There was no guarantee he would step up himself, but…
*Would he really stand by while his son is about to suffer to death?*
An ally I didn’t have to worry about betraying me.
I could ask with peace of mind, “Dad, can you do this for me?”
“Did you… did you truly come up with this on your own?”
“I suppose I spoke without knowing much. Please forget it…”
“Absolutely not! That was a strategy worthy of making its mark on the history of warfare.”
“……”
Well, so much for his cool, middle-aged man persona.
The times he had gotten excited in his entire life could probably be counted on one hand.
His reaction was so heated it felt unfamiliar.
He belatedly let out a dry cough to calm his emotions, but I had already seen it all.
“To think you have a talent for strategy as well…”
He unknowingly let a faint smile grace his lips.
I could feel the heart of a father, pleased to have such an excellent son.
I couldn’t pass this up. A golden opportunity to score points.
I put on a shameless face and laid on the flattery.
“I think it’s only natural. I am your son, after all, and no one else’s.”
“—??”
His expression changed strangely.
He seemed to have never imagined I would say such a thing.
*Ah, maybe I went too far?*
Just as I was inwardly blaming myself, he suddenly burst into laughter.
“You’ve truly grown up. You’ve learned some good things at the academy. A silver tongue like that is necessary at times.”
His eyes were filled with a look of immense pride.
He seemed happier than ever before.
*Yes, this is filial piety. What’s so special about it?*
*If you can make your parents happy even for a moment, you’re in the top 1% of filial sons.*
As time passed, the atmosphere grew more and more cheerful.
This occasion made me realize anew that family is the best.
“Would you like a drink?”
When meeting one’s father after a long time, pouring him a drink is the unwritten rule.
As a result, I got to taste various types of the finest liquor.
Ah, drinking reminds me.
I should have told him about the contract with the Dwarf Tribe first…
Well, I can tell him later.
For now, just sharing the joy of our reunion was enough.
Perhaps because things went so well.
Even though it was my first time here, the place already felt as comfortable as my own home.
This meant I truly had a family now…
Now that I have more to protect, I’ll have to try that much harder.