novelzi Chapter 209
Chapter 209
Fathers
“Hey, um... that guy who’s ridiculously handsome, Meg’s... guardian?”
Licht asked this as I was completely drained, after giving Shou-chan magic power. “Ridiculously handsome,” huh. So fitting. Now that I think about it, he wasn’t wearing a mask.
“Yeah, he’s my dad on paper. I told you about how he found me and helped me out, right? That’s Gil-san.”
“He doesn’t look old enough to be your dad. And he’s giving off a super strong expert aura.”
Licht muttered this, looking worriedly at Ravi-san, but it seemed like his surprise and curiosity had won out. It’s probably because he’s convinced that everything will be fine if we just leave it to Gil-san. This feeling of relief, like everything’s already been resolved, is overwhelming. I get you, Licht.
That’s why I want to just lose consciousness. But if I collapse here, I won’t be able to see what happens next. Ah, but I’m at my limit...
『Master! The Don and the Demon King are coming soon!』
“Eh, Dad and Father-sama!?”
But Shou-chan’s report snapped me back to reality. I can’t let them see me like this. The continent would sink. Endure it, me. Just a little more!
“Wait a minute, just how many dads do you have? Cut it out.”
Licht’s face was twitching.
“Don’t worry, I only have three.”
“The phrase, ‘Only three dads,’ is wrong, you know?”
Th-That’s true. Even I’ll admit my standards have become a bit strange. But it can’t be helped, they’re all my fathers.
“Didn’t I tell you before? Dad’s my real father from my past life, and Father-sama’s my real father now.”
“And that Gil-san guy’s your dad on paper? That’s complicated, hey.”
“They’re all kind.”
Licht tilted his head as if asking, “Is that the problem?” At that moment, a roar powerful enough to make the ground shake echoed through the air.
Licht and Ronny stiffened, feeling the oppressive aura on their skin. But I know who this is. Or rather, I’m used to it. It doesn’t work on me.
“It’s okay, that’s...”
“H-H-He’s... the Demon King...!”
I see, Ronny must have seen Father when he was at the mine. He’s frozen stiff.
“W-What, the Demon King!? Why is the Demon King...”
Licht muttered this fearfully. Ah, that’s right. I haven’t told him about this yet.
“Because he’s my father.”
When I casually said that, they both screamed a few seconds later. Eh, ehe?
Three people rushed in. Dad, Father, and Adol-san, who’s always at the reception desk.
They all stopped when they saw me, and then each had different reactions.
Only Gil-san apologized. Those two, they’re not showing any signs of remorse. Honestly.
“You guys each have things you need to do, right? So go and do them... properly...”
Huh? Huh? I can’t seem to muster any strength. I started getting dizzy mid-lecture. I’ve really reached my limit.
“Whoa. Geez, you’re pushing yourself too hard.”
Dad caught me before I could collapse. I’m still conscious, but I can’t even move a finger. Ehehe, sorry, Dad.
“You’re still children, you know? You shouldn’t overdo it.”
“Eh, no, but I...”
“Hmm, you, do you have a home? I’ll send you back, but you need proper treatment first. And I need to tell your family that we’re taking care of you.”
Licht hesitated at Dad’s question. Then Dad, realizing something, ruffled Licht’s hair.
“...Well, we can think about that later. Don’t worry, we’ll properly treat that female adventurer too. It’ll be fine... you did well.”
Licht, hearing Dad’s reassuring words, telling him to leave it all to him, what kind of reaction did he have? Is he tearing up? I can’t see, but I can tell from the atmosphere that he’s surrounded by kindness.
“Um, I... have a place I need to return to...”
“Ah, your father asked me about you. Ronaldo, right?”
“Eh, ah... yes.”
Dad then headed towards Ronny. He passed me over to Gil-san’s arms midway. I feel bad for Dad, but being held by the number one carry master is different. I feel like I’m going to fall asleep immediately.
“I’ll negotiate with your old man. For now, come to my guild. We have a medical team that can completely erase those burn marks. After that... you can decide for yourself.”
“Eh...”
I heard Ronny’s surprised voice. Dad really has a way of seeing right through people, doesn’t he? He’s always been like that. Always giving me the words I needed most.
“You fought too, right? I can tell without you having to say it. You’ve grown twice as much, so... you can probably decide what you want to do with your life.”
“Did you... ask about me?”
“No, just that you’re an unusual Dwarf, one who prefers the forest to the mines.”
Ronny fell silent, looking troubled at Dad’s words. ...I wonder what’s going on?
“There’s also one Dwarf in our guild.”
“Eh, at the guild? Even though it’s a place with a lot of people...?”
He’s talking about Carter-san. But judging from Ronny’s reaction, maybe Dwarves don’t normally socialize with humans.
“You’re an oddball dwarf, right? There are actually quite a few of them, you know? Those who find their own path.”
I’m sure he’s grinning innocently. I don’t know Ronny’s situation, but I hope Dad’s words put him at ease.
Just as Dad said, “You get some rest too,” to Ronny, I finally felt safe enough to fall asleep.