Chapter 90
Chapter 90
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Crodain Family (7)
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The next morning.
As planned, I packed my bags.
It was about time to leave.
Everyone had rested well, receiving the best treatment, so there should be no lingering regrets...
“Mistress!”
“There, there… good girl. Calm down.”
“I want to live here forever!”
“Oh, my sweet little thing… I’m so upset too, my dear.”
“Aah, to think you see me as a daughter…!”
“…”
A collaboration between Aruru and Lady Martina.
No one shed a tear at their incredibly sad farewell.
They looked ready to actually go through with an adoption.
It seemed she had fallen completely for the fox beastkin’s charms.
Aruru, too, had taken a liking to my mother.
How could she not, after being so doted upon?
I thought about it a little more deeply.
She had lost her parents early on and became the head of her household, responsible for her younger siblings.
Her siblings were cared for by their big sister, who acted as their mother.
But she herself must have desperately missed having a mother figure.
And in that situation, Lady Martina had appeared.
Though they were of different races, it was enough to evoke a sense of motherly nostalgia.
Considering that, an adoption seemed like a good idea.
It didn't seem likely to actually happen, but I was in favor of it nonetheless.
No, wait a minute… how would the family tree work?
Would my little cutie, who holds the position of pet or little sister, solidify her place as my little sister?
Strictly speaking, she's older, so she'd be my older sister.
As that thought crossed my mind, I suddenly remembered when we first met.
The memory of having to call her “big sister” at her request…
But what if we really became family?
I could just imagine her putting on airs, trying to act like a proper older sister.
That would be cute in its own way, but I much preferred our current relationship.
My little cutie.
I object to this marriage… no, this adoption!
You’re much better suited to wagging your tail and being adorable!
In the past, she would have reacted immediately.
But now, she just continued her conversation as if she hadn't heard a thing.
“When I visit next time, may I bring my siblings?”
“Oh my, you have siblings? How many are there?”
“There are five. We’re six siblings in total.”
“—!”
Greed flashed in Lady Martina’s eyes.
*Aah, so there are a total of six adorable fox beastkin in this world?*
How could she resist a one-plus-five deal, not just a one-plus-two?
She seemed to be sinking into a state of ecstasy.
I, too, began to paint a bigger picture.
The idea of capturing (?) Aruru’s siblings wasn’t bad.
They had their own lives, so getting all of them was impossible.
But the youngest ones were still quite young and could be persuaded.
The image of innocent girls being cute on either side of me…
The process of taming those pure souls would surely be endlessly rewarding.
In any case, the moment of parting had arrived.
My little cutie was sniffling as she buried her face in Martina’s embrace.
She showered her with affection, as if to take in that unique motherly scent one last time.
Watching the scene, I suddenly felt withdrawal symptoms.
It was true; I had practically lost Aruru for the past week.
Having played with her every day, the sudden stop made my heart ache.
I had spent more than enough enjoyable time with Ceria, but that was that, and this was this.
Should I say I liked them both, but in different ways?
I had somehow become addicted to the fox beastkin’s charms.
A body that could not live without her…
I tried my best to calm my heart.
We would soon leave the estate, and then my little cutie would be subordinate to me once again.
“Jace, you come here too.”
Lady Martina called.
It seemed she wanted to hug her son.
Sure enough, she held me in a tender embrace.
Her warmth made me forget even the fact that she had stolen my little cutie.
“In my eyes, you’re still so young, yet you’re to become the Hero who saves the world… This mother is so proud of you.”
A slightly sad smile followed.
Well, from a mother's perspective, she couldn't help but worry.
“Please don’t worry about a thing. I will return in good health.”
“Yes, you must. It’s good to bring glory to the family name, and it’s good to fulfill your duty as the Hero… but more than that, I just want you to not get hurt.”
A mother’s words must be heeded.
I put on a determined expression and said.
“Then, we’ll be on our way.”
Leaving her behind, we moved forward.
From the moment we left the mansion to the main gate at the very end, a huge crowd was waiting.
Knights, soldiers, and servants…
It seemed everyone affiliated with the Crodain family had been mobilized.
At the center stood Gerard, with Hector by his side.
Both of them exuded a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
Hmm, looks like they’re planning something else?
Sure enough, Hector raised his right arm.
At his signal, everyone straightened their backs and stood at attention.
“May endless glory lie in the future of Jace Crodain, the heir to the Crodain family. Everyone, pay your respects to the Hero of our time and his companions!”
As if responding to the old knight’s spirited cry.
A thunderous roar soon shook the space.
“May the Goddess’s blessing be with the Hero!”
“May the Hero’s future be filled with the glory of victory!”
“We sincerely hope you will achieve humanity’s long-cherished wish.”
*Clank, clank!*
The knight order moved in perfect unison.
They put on a performance that was both spectacular and intimidating.
“Wow! Everyone is cheering for us!”
“Humans certainly do love their formalities. Well, not that it’s a bad thing…”
“This is truly amazing. You can’t make people do that. You can just tell it’s sincere.”
Everyone was marveling, one after another.
The elf girl even raised her nose in the air, as if to show off.
It was a bit overwhelming, but the feeling of pride was even greater.
The hearts of the people, united as one…
The effect was truly astonishing.
Aside from feeling good, it also brought tangible benefits.
[Fame +500] [Fame +1000]
[Current Grade: Novice 2750/10000]
My steadily accumulating fame saw a massive jump.
It seemed the news of a Hero’s birth was spreading not only throughout the Crodain territory but across the entire continent.
A grand ceremony was scheduled to be held in the imperial capital soon, so I would probably reach the Intermediate grade in no time.
“Jace, you are not alone.”
Gerard spoke as if proclaiming it to the world.
His powerful presence drew everyone’s attention.
“Including myself, everyone here will fight. Always keep that in mind. And one more thing… this father believes in you more than anyone else.”
The dignity of a patriarch leading a great family.
His gravitas was on a different level from Jace's.
He was admirable in many ways.
I wanted to learn from his side, but for now, I had too much to do.
Well, I’m sure an opportunity will arise later.
After I defeat the Demon King’s army, I’ll have to leisurely take lessons on being the heir.
“It won’t take that long. Three years at most. I will finish everything and return within that time.”
“…”
A twitching eyebrow.
I detected a subtle change in my father’s expression.
It seemed he was overcome with emotion at the sight of his son's gallantry.
Would he start boasting about his son to his aides as soon as I left?
Having become the Hero representing humanity, I would probably do the same if I were him.
Anyway, everything had turned out well.
I had earned my father’s recognition and, through our duel, had glimpsed a new realm of skill.
The fact that my mother had fallen head over heels for my little cutie was also significant.
It was practically a sign of approval, so it seemed it would be fine to raise her at home.
The experience of sharing affection with Ceria couldn't be left out either.
I didn't go all the way, feeling a bit self-conscious, but we definitely crossed the line.
If you were to ask what that meant…
Shall I say we explored each other’s bodies on a higher plane?
I shyly confess that it was a very meaningful time.
Reminiscing about the good memories, I slowly walked forward.
The time would soon come when I must walk the path of the Hero.
My own dignity was already top-notch, but now I needed to become even more confident.
The trust and expectations of countless people.
Some would, of course, try to use the Hero.
People would be seeking the Hero from all over, and I probably wouldn't be able to handle it with a clear mind.
So I hypnotized myself.
*I am the main character. This world revolves around me.*
It had a childish ring to it, but it was necessary to protect my delicate mentality.
By becoming the Hero, I had escaped the fate of becoming one of the Demon King’s Four Heavenly Kings.
From now on, all that was left was to forge a new destiny as I pleased.
* * *
A considerable amount of time had passed since Jace’s departure.
But the traces he left behind did not fade easily.
Gerard looked at Hector and muttered briefly.
“I did well to listen to you.”
His son had overcome his difficulties.
Not only that, but he was growing rapidly.
He had trusted in that fact and waited, and it had returned the best possible result.
Jace, whom he had seen after a long time, had grown so splendidly that there was nothing left to teach him.
“Ahaha, it was merely that your judgment in valuing my insight was correct, my lord.”
*I may be old, but I’m not dead yet.*
The old knight shrugged with that kind of air.
Instead of chiding him for his smugness, Gerard took it a step further.
“Then I’ll have to send you to the front lines. Go and show us your magnificent prowess, just like in the old days.”
*Work until you drop!*
At those words, Hector feigned ignorance, as if nothing had happened.
“What are you saying? If I step forward, the young knights will lose their chance to earn merit. I’d do all the hard work only to be bad-mouthed behind my back.”
Gerard chuckled.
He spoke his mind even in front of the family head like this.
It was perhaps the privilege of a knight who had served the family his entire life.
“So, you’re really going to just stand by?”
“I can’t do that. For now, I’ll have to push the knights and increase the intensity of their training. The same goes for the soldiers. That should be of some help to the young master.”
Gerard suddenly had a strange feeling.
Hector’s attitude was as if he was eager for Jace to become the family head as soon as possible.
There was no sense of displeasure.
It just meant he had a son to be that proud of.
“When are you planning to retire?”
“I intend to hold on until I can officiate the young master and Lady Ceria’s wedding and see you pass on your title, my lord.”
A loyal vassal who had served the family since the previous generation.
His stubbornness in wanting to serve three family heads was truly remarkable.
He would probably age suddenly at some point, but it seemed he could easily last another ten years.
“Jace said he would return within three years. Do you think that will come to pass?”
Three years. It was a considerable amount of time.
But it was far from enough to defeat the Demon King’s army and slay the Demon King himself.
Historically, when wars broke out, most lasted for nearly a decade.
But Jace had boasted.
He was full of confidence, as if he had something to rely on.
“As you know, my lord, the young master possesses potential that is second to none. I believe we can look forward to it. Besides, aren’t there two Heroes in this generation, not one?”
“Hmm…”
“They will surely show the world a result that will surprise everyone.”
Gerard was lost in thought.
Heroes of the past had all surpassed the limits of humanity, but not a single one had ever defeated the Demon King.
The best they could do was inflict a fatal wound.
The Demon King had flaunted his existence for over hundreds of years.
The sworn enemy of humanity that threatened the world.
Perhaps this time, that great evil might finally be vanquished.
Like everyone else, Gerard could only hope that the Hero would achieve this great feat.