The Retired [Armed Merchant]’s Laid-back Journey Across the Continent 54

Chapter 54: The Stoner Father and Son (Lord’s POV)

“What the hell did I do?!”

At his son’s words, which showed no understanding whatsoever, Modon Stoner, the lord of Morcomisky, let out a long sigh.

It was true that he had spoiled his only son, who was born late in his life.

…But this time, it was too fatal.

It was just a matter of bad luck, but the result was not something that could be dismissed so lightly.

“Cadry, do you understand what you’ve done?”

“Huh? I didn’t do anything.”

It seems he still doesn’t understand even after all this.

This is the consequence of letting him do as he pleased. My son is a fool.

“You, Cadry, have stepped on a dragon’s tail.”

“I haven’t stepped on anything.”

“No, you have, literally. The man named Rody Vottark is that.”

“Who’s that?”

I sighed again at my son, who looked bewildered.

In a way, he might be happy. Because a fool feels no fear.

That’s why I have to break it down and explain it to him in a way he can understand.

At the very least, so that he shows some sign of remorse to the outside world.

“He’s the man you had the military police abduct yesterday after giving them money.”

“Oh… that unimpressive old man. He was with a cute girl, so I thought it was a waste.”

My son chattered on cheerfully.

My upbringing has failed. Even if you’re going to do bad things, you need a certain amount of intelligence.

It seems Cadry has grown up to be just a fool.

“So, I was going to beat him up, but he had the nerve to fight back, so I had him taken away. He’s probably getting beaten to a pulp in the basement right now, isn’t he? Maybe I’ll go and see him later~”

“Do you understand the consequences of your rash actions?”

My son tilted his head at my words, saying, “Huh?”

Confirming that he understood nothing, I continued.

“Rody Vottark is a guest of honor in this country. He is a person whom President Koshev has offered to be the next presidential candidate, and a friend of the guardian dragon Hakusha. He also has connections to the royal family of the neighboring country of Solbright and is a special passenger on the Trans-Continental Railroad.”

“Huh? …Huh?”

My son, who seemed to have finally grasped the situation, turned pale and then his face flushed as he shouted.

“Like I care about that! Besides, why is someone like that wandering around without any guards! That’s strange! It’s not my fault!”

“Because he doesn’t need any guards. The military policemen you gave money to are dead.”

“Dead…?”

“Yes. Edan’s father is dead too.”

The father of Edan, one of my son’s delinquent friends, is a notoriously corrupt military policeman in this city.

I have just received a report that he was found dead.

“Rody Vottark is a ‘Named’ adventurer who can delve into the deep levels of the dungeon alone. A mere military policeman is no match for him.”

“What are we going to do, Dad! A dangerous guy like that…!”

“There’s nothing we can do. It’s the result of what you did.”

I sighed with a cold feeling at my son, who was trembling with a pale face.

“The Stoner family is finished. And it’s all because of your foolishness.”

“Do something, Dad!”

“I can’t do anything. Those who step on a dragon’s tail cannot live in this country.”

In this country protected by a dragon, displeasing the dragon is a matter of life and death.

If a foolish human imprisons and injures a dragon’s friend, as a ruler, I have to take responsibility.

President Koshev is not a person who tolerates weakness in such matters.

He will be ruthless and thorough.

“That’s it, I should just go and apologize, right? It was a misunderstanding, or a mix-up, or something like that. Let’s just let bygones be bygones, you know?”

“I can only be amazed at your foolishness, Cadry. This isn’t a fight between kids.”

“We’re both human, so we can understand each other! And then, you can have the old man talk to the president and the dragon, right?”

I can’t understand my son at all.

At this point, how can he think that will be the end of it?

“Cadry, you don’t seem to understand… do you still think you can be saved?”

“Huh?”

“I will be held responsible for my lack of supervision. As a result, the Stoner family will also be crushed.”

“What about me?”

“At best, you’ll be a criminal slave for life. If you’re unlucky, you’ll be stoned to death. Be prepared.”

I can’t help but feel a little pity for my son, who is frozen with wide eyes.

But this is just the result of his own actions coming back to him.

There’s nothing I can do anymore.

“W-We have to run, right? Dad, get the carriage ready! Oh, no, get me a ticket for the Magitek Train—”

“That’s enough. I will take responsibility with you. Originally, I should have cut off your head on the spot and gone to apologize directly.”

Friendship with the guardian dragon takes precedence over everything.

If this incident is taken as an aversion or hatred towards the country itself… or towards humans themselves, there is a possibility that the country could be destroyed because of my son.

We have come to a point where there is no turning back.

“Damn it, damn it…! What the hell! It’s all because of that old man!”

“Hey, Cadry!”

“I can’t take this! I don’t know if it’s dragon shit or what, but they’re so full of themselves!”

My son, who had suddenly become enraged, ran out of the room.

I tried to follow him, but the cane I was leaning on broke with a snap, and I lost my balance.

“Wait, Cadry!”

My voice didn’t reach him, and only the sound of his receding footsteps echoed through the mansion.