Last week of summer vacation...
After a tour of Ruminas, Laura and I stopped by my parents' house.
Welcome home, Alberto.
Sebastian will welcome us.
I was planning on staying here for a few days, soothing my travel fatigue, and then returning to the academy with the transfer team.
"Wow! Oh, wow! Alberto, come on. Ahhhh! Marquis life is so amazing!
Laura is also turning a blind eye to the Marquis's rich life.
Sebastian spoke to us earlier when we were having such a time.
"Mr. Alberto."
"What?
"Master wants to see you."
Father.
There was no more pressure on my heart than before. It suddenly came into my mind.
That's why
"Okay. Show me."
I was able to say without hesitation.
When I went to the office, my father sat down.
... oh...?
I thought my father had the same soft atmosphere as me, but he had a strange atmosphere.
... I wonder if there are still difficult stories...
"Alberto, good to see you back. I'm sorry I'm tired, but I need to ask you something."
"Okay."
I stood before my father.
"What is it?
"Mm-hmm. Actually - listen to some weird rumors."
My father said so in a confused manner.
"Strange rumors?
"That's right. We regularly patrol remote villages in the Territory to check on the situation, but there have been reports of dangerous goblins and orcs being destroyed. It's also in some -- no, in quite a few villages."
Ah....
There are too many episodes that come to mind...
"When I spoke to the people in the village, a man named Alberto came and defeated me."
My father kept staring at me.
"Is that you, Albert? Alberto?"
... certainly in the Territory. It is not impossible to reach my father without using a pseudonym.
Nevertheless, there is no particular problem even if my father finds out.
So here's what I said.
"Yes, that's right."
"... I heard you were going on a journey... but I didn't know you were doing this..."
"I thought I could help the people, I could hear from the open mind people - one stone and two birds."
"Thank you for saving my people. Thank you, Alberto."
My father went on like this.
"Originally, the remote areas tend to be thin. People and budgets are limited. Besides, this year is particularly tough. The people are struggling....."
"How about this year? Why is that?
"It's an Arrangement soldier. As long as the Luminas take command of the army, it is unavoidable for us to prepare many soldiers. It is true that the defenses of the territory are diminishing."
Then he sighs.
"The death of Arangia, who was in charge of the internal affairs of the territory, was not the only one. Lack of manpower in painful finances. There are a lot of challenges in the territory."
So my father continued with a joke.
"Oops. I'm not talking to you, my successor. Don't tell me you're leaving your successor.
Apparently, my father tried to keep my distance.
I don't know how long I've been asking my father's jokes - it's not about ten years ago.
I also responded by loosening my mouth a little.
"Of course not."
Then I continued like this.
"If you're looking for a soldier, I know."
"What?
"Why don't you call the village vigilante?
I went to many villages, where I saw young people working for the village. Many of them worked hard to protect the village.
Even if you become a soldier in the realm, you will do your job responsibly, and you will surely grow up to be a good person who cares about the village.
"I just solved the village threat. They will also have human leeway. I don't think hiring a soldier would put the village at any greater risk."
"... I see, that's not a bad idea."
"Please consider. When I go around the village, I will give you a list of the people that remain in my heart."
My father's eyes shined when he looked at me.
"Oh... Alberto... Until then....!
"I hope it helps."
While saying that, I remembered a little bit of satisfaction.
What I was doing made sense. A lot of things are connected. The comfort felt good.
My father stares me in the eye.
"... Alberto. You've traveled through remote villages and talked a lot with the people who live there."
"Yes"
"It is true that remote villages have many challenges. It's a place where there's no government light... I don't know, just an opportunity. Why don't you think of some kind of strategy for me?
……
You're about to be laid down...
I said I wouldn't practice. That's why I can't talk about it. My father must have shaken it with his knowledge.
It is easy to refuse.
But now I know.
See people living in remote areas. They are also a people of Luminas.
If there's anything I can do, I should. They believed me and talked a lot.
"... I'm a little old, but I'll think about it for a moment."
"Feel free to try it. You don't have to think of anything. I'll take care of it."
My father said that in a good mood.
I changed the subject.
"I have something to report about a remote village."
"What is it?
I told you. The village that kept the seal of the Kowloon for so long.
After listening to the story, my father gave a hard voice.
"... was there such a village..."
"Yes, the peace in Luminas was built on their sacrifice."
And I went on like this.
"I know the finances are tough, but I want to reward them for their hard work. We would like you to consider building a monument."
"... of course! I will visit the village myself and listen to them!
After nodding hard, my father threw me a question.
"Um, what's the name of the Kowloon?
"I took him down."
I think he was pointing at me, and my father looked at me.
"You dragon, dragon?
"Yes"
"... oh, oh...! Alberto! What do you mean... you...!
Excited by the unspeakable appearance, my father faded.
After calming down a little, Father said:
"I'm proud of you!
And he cried aloud.
"You are the hero of Luminas!
... am I... the hero of Luminas?
"You as Alberto, you as Alberto Luminas. You hoped for that coexistence - that might have been the right conclusion. You are not a mortal in the vessel of a lord. Keep doing the right thing with the right mind!
It was the greatest compliment from my father.
I didn't expect you to say that. That filled my heart.
I couldn't find the words to return for a while.
That was the limit.
"... thank you. I want to walk with shame in those words....."