Y1 The Hero and the King

"Please. This is local wine from Boudie."

"Oh. I've never tried this before. I'm looking forward to the taste."

Clean, yet cluttered with documents and various other items.

There, I was handing Father my souvenir wine.

Father is a great lover of alcohol.

It has become something of an open secret that, when working alone, he secretly drinks while working.

Therefore, I have made it a habit to bring back rare wines as souvenirs whenever I return home.

For Father, whose position as King prevents him from freely traveling abroad, this is the most welcome gift possible.

And it has become customary for us to share a drinking session with this souvenir wine.

"Father, is your work going alright?"

"Nothing. If there were problems, we'd just cut into sleep time. Time with my son, who comes home occasionally, matters more than work."

Only a苦笑 could follow Father's reply.

His work as king was not so light as to be dismissed so easily.

"Besides, Syrilis has grown capable. Even if something happened to me, the country would remain secure."

"Father, I acknowledge Elder Brother's competence, but you are still essential to this nation. Please do not speak of such ill omens."

Father offered a light apology. A quiet sigh escaped me in response.

Father retrieved two glasses from behind the shelf and poured wine into each.

"Hmm. Unique scent."

"Yes. I chose it precisely for this aroma. You will surely enjoy it."

The rich fragrance filled the room.

Reston and Father clinked glasses, then quietly tilted their cups.

"Uh-hm. Smooth on the throat. This could be drunk endlessly."

"Apparently popular among women locally. Said to enhance flavor when paired with fruit. That’s why I prepared this as well."

Presenting the prepared fruit.

Father brought it to his mouth, then drank again.

"Good. Usually only drink strong liquor, but every now and then, something like this isn’t bad."

"Isn’t it?"

This time, Father’s approval confirmed—relief settled in.

Slightly uncertain whether this wine would suit Father, who preferred bold, dry spirits.

Seems that concern was unnecessary.

For a while, the two drank in silence.

Suddenly, recalling midday, a faint smile touched the lips.

"What is it?"

"No, I just recalled checking on Shun and Sū earlier today. I was remembering that moment."

Two younger siblings—brother and sister—displaying talent so extraordinary even I, as a hero, am left speechless.

I trained Shun, but maintaining composure while doing so was more difficult than expected.

Should have avoided the pretense of fighting with one hand alone.

Next time, I will simply use both hands.

"Hmm. From Julius’s perspective, how do those two appear?"

"Terrifying in their talent. Especially Shun. If he had been born a little earlier, I might not have been the one to earn the title of Hero. He could have."

I mean it without exaggeration.

In terms of innate ability, Shun and Sū far surpass me.

The only reason I outperform them is due to the status-enhancement effect granted by the Hero title itself.

Without the Hero title, I might still be holding my ground now—but I’d be overtaken shortly.

No, that kind of talent.

Perhaps even I, bearing the Hero title, might be caught and passed by.

That would ruin my dignity as an elder brother. Please, let me avoid that.

Especially since Shun seems to look up to me. If he were to lose faith in me, I’d be shattered beyond recovery.

This is a serious matter.

I must train harder—so I don’t fall behind my younger brother and sister.

Yes, I’ll do that.

“What are you muttering to yourself like that?”

“Nothing. Maintaining my brotherly authority isn’t easy, you know.”

Speaking of which, Shun seems to be trying to uphold his own authority over Sū.

He’s succeeding.

Sū is clinging to Shun, and even shows jealousy toward me.

The younger sister pouted, unwilling to accept that her beloved elder brother would eventually grow distant with age—she was quite endearing in her stubbornness.

They did something wrong to those two.

A bitter expression rises on Father’s face.

The two were born immediately after the previous Hero's passing.

At the same time, it was when I inherited the title of Hero.

The sudden death of the previous Hero, whose whereabouts had been unknown and whose activities remained a mystery.

I shall become the new Hero.

The movement of the demon race is accelerating rapidly.

The two overlapped. Father had no time to face both.

Father is someone who values family, but above all, he is king.

Prioritizing the nation was unavoidable.

Father is concerned about it.

There was no alternative. At that time, too many things converged, and there was nothing that could be done.

But those children still do not grow close to me. That feels like a clear answer.

"It will be fine. Given time, the two of them will surely understand."

"Hopefully."

Father drank from his cup, his expression sorrowful.

"To be honest, there are moments when my position as king grows burdensome. Not just because of those two. Julius, it is the same for you. I do not wish to burden my own son with the weight of a hero. Yet as king, I must send you. It is correct, as king. But as a father, I am failing."

With a heavy, truly heavy sigh, Father expelled the accumulated emotion.

"Father. I am proud to be a hero. Please do not speak that way. In truth, if I were stripped of being a hero, nothing would remain."

"That is not true."

"I cannot claim such refinement in politics as Elder Brother, nor do I possess Reston's unwavering conviction, nor can I marry into another household like my elder sister. The only thing I can do is wield my sword as a hero, for the people, for humanity. Therefore, Father, there is no need for you to concern yourself. I am simply doing my utmost for myself, as I am able."

"Reston might say that is merely living selfishly."

"Undoubtedly."

Father and I share a quiet smile.

To me, Father, you are already great enough.

Thus, to be of use to you, I will continue serving as a hero.