Chapter 423: Secrets of Parent and Child

　That day, Haku wanted Tauro to stay at his place, so they decided that Tauro alone would stay at the big house of Cross and Haku and his son, instead of the empty house away from the village.

“I’m sorry for making you give in to Haku’s selfishness.”

　Cross apologized on behalf of the happy Haku for asking something unreasonable.

“No, I actually wanted to meet and talk to you both too.”

　Tauro liked Cross, who was considerate even to him, a child.

　Cross has long, flowing black hair and a beard.

　His appearance makes him look older than he is at first glance, but he doesn’t look that old.

　Perhaps it was the way he was dragging his right leg that made him look old.

　Upon closer inspection, I found that his right arm was also injured, and his movements seemed to be unsteady.

“My father was the peacekeeper of this village until he was seriously injured. He was just as strong as you, sensei!”

　Haku explained about his father to Tauro, who was entertaining him as a guest while helping his father Cross.*

　While helping his father Cross entertain tauro as a guest, Haku explained about his father to him.

“Was the person who injured you a monster or something?”

　Tauro confirmed what he had heard.

“…Haku wasn’t there so he wouldn’t know, but…It was actually a person, not a monster.”

“Huh?”

　Haku was surprised by his father’s sudden confession, as if it was the first time he had heard it.

“That may also be the case… I’m not sure what really happened, why are the people around saying it was a monster?”

　The people in this village were saying that Cross had protected the village from monsters and had been seriously injured.

　his words contradicted this.

“I cannot tell you that. But, since I am injured and useless, this village needs a replacement warrior. I believe that you and your friends have been chosen to replace me.”

　Cross explained as he took a seat across from Tauro.

“What do you need us to protect your village from?”

　Tauro asked the obvious question.

　The one who caused Cross’s serious injury was a human, but the villagers, had agreed to cover this up saying it was a monster, what are they hiding? Cross also acted as if he couldn’t reveal the details, but it was clear that he had revealed part of the secret.

　Surely, he wanted Tauro and the others to be wary of the situation and make a careful decision.

“…… that’s…”

　Just as Cross was about to say something to Haku, who was standing beside him, bated breath, not understanding the situation, a knock at the door came.

　It looks like someone has come.

　Tauro then realized that he had been concentrating on what Cross was saying and hadn’t used his ‘Presence Detection’.

　Cross opened the door and there stood the village head, Gaze.

“… Village chief, what are you doing out this late at night?”

“Cross, you got a minute?”

　The village chief had a serious look on his face.

“Come inside then.”

　Cross tries to beckon him inside.

“No, this is a private conversation. Outside, please.”

　The chief said and urged Cross to go outside.

“—Excuse me, Tauro. Please chat with Hauk.”

　Cross said and followed the village chief outside.

“this is the first time I’m hearing about it ……. The story about his serious injury……”

　Haku muttered to Tauro, still in shock.

“Your father was a skilled swordsman, wasn’t he?”

“Yes. He was a very strong warrior, and the villagers relied on him. I am very proud of him.”

　Haku’s respect for his father Cross is palpable.

　But something about this village, seems like they’re hiding a secret.

　Cross was about to tell it him himself, but the village chief paid a well-timed visit …….

　Was he being watched?

　Tauro then used his 『Presence Detection』 to check the presence of his surroundings once again.

　There are houses in the surrounding area, and he senses multiple signs of people.

　Some signs of families spending time together, some signs of couples spending time together, and some signs of single people.

　I don’t think there are any suspicious signs at the moment.

“Haku, when was your father injured?”

　Tauro asked to confirm.

“Um… about a month ago, I think?”

“And there we were, at the right time, visiting Maine Village, ……?”

　Tauro mused.

“What is it?”

　Haku uttered a question that suddenly came to him.

“…… Haku. You said that you, like your father, are being treated well by everyone in the village, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. I think they treat me well as my father’s son.”

“…Anything beyond this is just speculation and I have no proof, so I’ll ask Cross-san directly…. Haku, do you like your father?”

“Of course! I respect my wonderful father and am proud of him!”

　Haku replied proudly.

“From what I’ve heard from your father, he seems like a fine person, and I’m sure that’s true. So I’m sure there must be a reason for what he said earlier, trust him.”

“Of course!”

　Thus, Tauro and Haku talked until late into the night, but Cross took a while to return, so Tauro and Haku decided to go to bed first.

　Late at night, Cross came back.

　Tauro was the first to notice using his “Presence Detection” and woke up to greet him.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you up. Where’s Haku?”

　Cross was not surprised when Tauro noticed him and apologized before checking on his son.

“He’s asleep. I have a few things I’d like to ask you, is that okay?”

“I don’t know if I can answer them ……, but ask away.”

　Cross, sensing that Tauro was even more perceptive than Haku had said, sat down in the living room as if he had made up his mind about something.

“…… First of all. This house, the people living nearby, have some sort of ability to eavesdrop on our conversations, right?”

　Tauro hit Cross with an unexpected curveball.

“…! I thought so…. I had a vague idea for a while, but…”

　Cross replied with a sigh.

“Don’t worry, they’re sleeping now too, so they haven’t heard this conversation. So how did this happen?”

　Tauro laid the groundwork to make it easier for Cross to talk by giving him an unexpected surprise, and then he got down to the point.

“It’s …… to keep an eye on me and Haku…I came to this village about thirteen years ago, the year when I was entrusted with raising young Haku. Perhaps it has been ever since then.”

“Does that mean that Haku is not your biological son?”

“Yes… Haku knows that he is not my real son. Still, I believe that we have more affection for each other than between a real parent and child, yet ……”

“Could it be that the injury was to protect Haku?”

“I don’t know about that… The village chief asked me to kill a man who had came to this village because he had important information. When I hesitated, the man attacked me instead, and I ended up getting injured…”

　It seems like this village is hiding something after all.

　It must have something to do with Haku.

　Tauro wanted to hear a little more from Cross.

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