Chapter 65 – A Parent’s Heart
“Well, nevermind that. There is much to discuss, but it can come later. …Menew, was it? I’m delighted to meet you. I am Claus, the father of Ralph.”
Menew realized he was being addressed and straightened his back.
“Hello. I am Menew. I am greatly indebted to Ralph.”
“I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to make a more formal apology. In spite of causing trouble, you even agreed to take Ralph with you. Thank you.”
“Your son is always helping us.”
“So he isn’t completely useless then. That is good. …But you will be relieved of that burden today.”
Claus took out a leather bag from his pocket. Then he walked up to Menew and placed it in his hand.
It was hefty. There must be at least twenty gold inside.
“This is compensation. But I cannot allow him to cause you any more trouble.”
“Father!”
“Trouble… But it’s not…”
If anything, it was Menew who caused trouble.
Claus turned to Ralph with a severe expression.
“You. You wanted to become a Hero, didn’t you? That is why you were working hard at the Knights Guild. But then you went and wasted it all. And yet you persist? I think it is time you return home and learn land management and politics.”
“But!”
“You have potential to become a Hero. I know that more than anyone. …After all, the people here see me as a Hero. Is that not enough?”
Claus’s argument made sense.
Ralph had already gone down the wrong path once, even if it was due to cursed equipment.
However, you could not blame that alone. Ralph’s arrogance was the reason. And so he could not argue.
But the reason that Claus had rejected Ralph’s attempt to cut off all ties was because he was trying to make Ralph face reality.
“…I…haven’t given up being a Hero yet.”
“Ralphie. Surely you know that it won’t be allowed?”
“I don’t think it’s impossible.”
Claus was still healthy, and so there was likely five to six years before Ralph would take his place. Ralph felt that he still had time.
“I already supported you once. But your dream was too big, and you already failed once. It is not something you can change in just a few years.”
Ralph had been gifted with talent.
The talent to fight. Skill with a sword. Ability to understand his surroundings. Commanding. Things you needed to be a Hero.
However, this world did not look kindly on people who stuck out too much. If you had talents that far exceeded others, you were either a leader or you were shunned.
If a king was a Hero, the people would be very proud.
If it was a scholar, then people would want them to teach.
However, if you weren’t a king, then was it really necessary?
Was it good for people who weren’t rulers to have so much power above others?
Probably not.
At least, the actual rulers and kings would not be happy about it.
That was why people were strict about jobs, and disliked people who strayed from their path.
No one had ill feelings towards commoners who wanted to live in peace.
And so Ralph pursued position and rank. Sometimes, with his own strength. After that, had he just continued to train and fight, Ralph would have likely become famous across the continent. He might have entered the record of Heroes.
But he failed. And on his knees, he let go of everything he had built up.
Claus was thrusting this reality towards Ralph.
“Mister Clause, wait. Ralph has helped us so much. I cannot accept this money.”
“Ye-yes! Mr. Ralph is very kind and strong. And so…!”
Menew and Totto said frantically. And then Claus chuckled.
As if looking at ignorant children.
“I am truly thankful to you both. If my Ralphie turned into someone who gave up on everything, I don’t know what I’d do. But he has returned now. Because you brought him back.”
“We’re in the middle of a journey!”
“But that is your journey, isn’t it? Ralphie is traveling to train, isn’t he? I think he can train back here.”
Indeed, the reason he was accompanying Menew on this reckless journey was to return to his training.
So what Claus was saying did make sense. Ralph bit his lip and said in a low voice.
“…I have not given up. Besides…”
“What?”
“I want to be a witness to it. The birth of a Hero greater than me. That is what I think.”
Ralph turned to Menew and Totto.
To him, these two were the embodiment of his own dream.
Menew’s unfathomable power, Totto’s incredible skills as an alchemist.
Ralph was truly thankful for his good luck that he had been able to meet them.
And so even if he could not become a Hero, he wanted to see what would become of these two.
“…This is ridiculous. Fine then. I will give you some time to think, inside of a prison cell.”
Claus declared with narrowed eyes and a clap of his hands. And then the soldiers entered the room.
“Take my son to the dungeons. And have someone watch him at all times.”
“Menew. Wait for three days. And if I don’t return, you can go without me.”
Ralph said to them right before he was escorted away.
Claus turned back to Menew and thrust the bag back into his hands.
“Please. As a parent, I want you to take it.”
He sounded ernest.
Even though he was not satisfied with how things had gone, Menew took it and left the mansion.
“Three days, huh…”
Totto was anxious as he pulled Menew’s sleeve.
“Mr. Menew. What is going to happen to Mr. Ralph…”
“Don’t worry, don’t worry. This is his home. Nothing bad will happen to him. He said he will come out in three days. So we should wait.”
“But…that Mr. Claus. He sure was something.”
No ordinary person could suddenly become so intimidating.
He was a lord and noble who had fought in a hundred battles. How would Ralph stand up against such a person? Menew did not know.
“Hmm… Well, perhaps we should help him just a little.”
So saying, Menew began to draw something in his sketchbook.
Then he tore out the page and folded it into a misshapen airplane.
“It looks like a bird.”
Totto said, as he did not know what an airplane was. Menew chuckled.
If Menew was laughing, then everything would be fine. That was how Totto now saw things. And so he just watched with curiosity.
“Alright. Now fly over to Ralph!”
And then Menew threw the paper plane high into the air.
It drew an arch over the walls, and with a strange force, flew towards the dungeon.
Thanks for the chapter!