"You have probably learned about my history, so there's no point for me to hide it. The things that I did… were never things that are forgivable. However, it was the things that I needed to do in order to obtain the things that I wanted.
It was something that I genuinely wanted to solve my problems, and I can't say for certain whether or not there's another way to solve it. But, it happened, and there's no going back.
Now, I feel terrible. I mean, why wouldn't I be? But at the time, it was something that I truly needed to keep my mind straight. It was what saved me, and it was what helped me reach my goal.
But, do you know what genuinely helped me? What made me feel even better than slaying a hundred thousand soldiers?"
Dad turned to me again after explaining his feelings, and I shook my head.
"It was meeting your mother."
…
"You are so cheesy." I blurted out right away, and Dad opened his eyes widely.
"E-Eh??"
"How can you compare meeting the love of your life with wiping out an entire army? That's just you being clingy to mom."
"It's not like that! Milly, wait!" Dad tried stopping me to explain himself, but I already hurried my walk back home.
It may have been all jokes, but I learned something incredibly valuable from his explanation.
The answer is quite obvious. It is a natural reaction to do the unthinkable when everything is far too crazy for you to process. It's not that I'm crazy, it's just that the world has not been nice to me.
Right… I'm not crazy.
I was just experiencing a lot of really unlucky things, that's all.
Arriving at home, I noticed that the diner is already getting quite lively. It's already time for dinner, and a lot of customers seemed to be occupying almost all the tables.
I noticed Miss Fiona is no longer around, so I guess her conversation with Mom has concluded. I'm not too sure about what it is they are talking about, but it's certainly regarding our steps on reviving the empire.
The very next day, I understood right away what the two were talking about.
'EVIL DRAGON GOD, HARBINGER, WAS FOUND SLAIN. HOW DID IT RETURN? AND WHO KILLED IT?'
That news headline was found all over the newspapers, and it has caught the people by surprise.
Even though the event has already occurred a while ago, it seems like it just reached the public's ears. A group of powerful people must've kept such things a secret for a few days until they can release the truth to the public, and it looks like the time for it to be heard was today.
'Based on the information we've gathered, it would seem that all four nations had sent their investigators to find out the reasoning behind the battle and the death of the dragon god.'
A radio on the street was turned so loudly that everyone who walked past it could hear everything clearly. Dad and I, who were walking past the store that owns the radio, turned our attention to the voice of the speaker.
'However, not even the most experienced investigators were capable of finding out how the dragon god died or who killed it. It was also suggested that the battle had already happened almost an entire week ago. Truly a mysterious event!'
The announcer from behind the radio said to the listeners, and everyone seemed to be quite surprised to learn about it. Meanwhile, I turned to the very man who caused such a thing.
"I'm surprised they kept it a secret for so long. I thought for sure they would've announced it a few days after they found the corpse." Dad explained what he thinks, and I realized what he's saying is true.
"Do you think they have a reason for keeping it a secret for so long? It has been a whole week, after all."
"It's... probably because they're looking for the ones who did it? But, since they couldn't find anything, they had no choice but to reveal this matter and see how things would go."
"Do you think they'll notice anything?"
"Not one bit. They might guess things, but they won't ever get any other concrete evidence. At least for now." Dad answered with a big smirk on his face, and it seems like he and Mom have done some things to keep their existences a secret.
I do wonder how the world will react when they find out these two legendary heroes of Veldonia suddenly return alive. I think everyone is starting to guess it, for sure.
"Milly, I've talked a little bit with your mom about your question last night." Dad suddenly said not long after the conversation about the radio announcement, and I turned to him rather surprised.
Here I thought the two of them were with me the entire time last night. It seems like they still managed to have a time alone with each other.
"A-And…?"
"No worries, we don't think too badly about it. You are at the age when you're realizing how cruel the world is, and we both understood that. But, please promise me something." Dad said while lifting his pinky finger, and I noticed he wants me to promise him something.
"Promise me that if you are running into a problem, just tell me. Even if it's something incredibly personal, even if it's something that you think I won't be able to help with. Even when neither me or your mom is with you, just scream our name out loud. Can you promise me that?"
That is… a tough promise. He's basically asking me to be completely reliant on the two of them.
It's understandable for any parent to want to help their children at any given moment. However, I'm old enough to understand that they shouldn't always be helping me. Otherwise, I won't be able to learn anything.
In that case…
"How about this? If I do face a big problem in front of me, then I'll try and solve my situation by myself first." I tried finding a way around it, and Dad chuckled as he understood.
"And when things get really rough, you'll tell me?"
"Yes."
"That's good enough. If you know your mom and dad, then you'll know nothing can be an issue for us. No matter how tough it is, we'll find a way. Except for… nevermind."
Hmm? Why does it look like he just realized something?
"Is there something you can't do for me?"
"It's… more like I needed help in that area more than anyone. So, if you asked me for advice or anything, then I won't be able to… you know."
Advice…?
"Are you talking about romance stuff?" I tried guessing, and Dad just shyly shrugged the side of his face awkwardly.
What the--This guy reads romance novels every single day, and you're telling me he doesn't know how to…
Then again, his partner is probably the most difficult person to ever be guessed. Surprisingly, I can understand his pain.
"I think I understand your problem."
"E-Eh? How so?"
"Because your problem is quite literally Mom?" I said to him, and Dad covered his mouth and looked away. I let out a sigh at how obvious his actions were.
It's like they're early daters… well, they are still young. Speaking of being young, this does remind me of something.
"Say… how did you and Mom… get together?" I asked Dad because it wasn't exactly something he has told me before, and Dad realized I still don't know about it.
"Ah~, those kinds of things don't exist in the history books, right? Well, have you ever asked your Grandma about it?"
"She has told me a little bit. But, I'm not too sure if they're accurate." I answered while recalling what Grandma told me many years ago about Mom and Dad.
"Why don't you tell me a thing or two about what you know? And then I'll try to complete it from there." Dad suggested, and I turned rather excited from wanting to hear about their story.
But, we are already quite close to school already.
I guess that story will have to wait…