Chapter 33-Are you kidding me?

Hello. I need help.

What should Simon's nickname be? I need suggestions because I suck at naming.

make it cheesy like Young Master Silver shield

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Simon.

That name belonged to one of the two most famous individuals in the Roan Kingdom. He wasn't famous before.

Nobody knew who he was. His family was unknown and there was no background on him.

Some nobles found out that he was the son of a merchant in the Henituse county. They could use it to approach Simon but after a little more digging some interesting facts were found.

The nobles lost interest in the said merchant very quickly after learning that Simon had been disowned and kicked out of the family.

Some searched for more information but it only disappointed them.

It was very obvious.

Using Simon's family to get close to Simon was useless.

They began to look for more information on Simon since Cale wasn't an option. Still, they found no information. It seemed like a dead-end.

After around 10 days, Everybody who was searching for information on Simon stopped. It was completely useless.

While the nobles were busy searching for information on Simon, A man had met the person of the talk himself.

*9 days ago.*

With brown hair, He arrived at the palace. He first informed one of the attendants about his identity. The attendant was shocked to hear that this middle-aged man was the father of the hero who saved the lives of many.

Currently, Cale and Simon were resting after being "injured" while protecting the people. So, It wasn't odd for their family members to worry about them.

The count had already contacted the palace right after the incident. The next day, Simon's father also came. Plus, there was a lot of resemblance between John and Simon.

The attendant contacted someone higher and that person contacted somebody higher, soon the news reached the ears of the crown prince.

Alberu allowed the person in. He had started to look for information on Simon but had yet to receive any information.

He could get more information on Simon through Simon's father. It would be easier for the investigation to move on.

...

Simon looked at the room he was in. This place was even better than his room at Henituse Manor in the capital. He liked this place a lot.

He also got a taste of the life of a slacker that Cale dreamt of. This was... addicting. Being rich enough to not work, living a luxurious life. He made a note to himself he would also have this life.

Simon liked going out but this lifestyle was too attractive. Plus, He could do whatever he wanted. Isn't that right?

Simon was fully enjoying himself. Eating Beacrox's food. Lying in the most comfortable bed and the most comfortable sofa. This was heaven in some ways.

No worries about any danger, He would live the best of his life here. Not doing a single tiring thing. Fully relaxing.

That was his plan until the crown prince, Alberu dropped a bomb by saying 'Your father is here.'

Simon immediately looked at the crown prince with a questioning gaze.

Father???

John?

What's he doing here in the capital? Coming here takes a lot of time. That means John would have to have left a long time ago.

Simon subconsciously blurted out.

"Are you kidding me?"

A frown was also on Simon's face. An expression rarely made by Simon.

Alberu was surprised. What just happened? He never expected such a response. He expected to see a happy father-son reunion.

Why was Simon acting like this?

'Wait.'

Is that man a fake? Or... Is there something else?

Alberu again had many questions. For God's sake, Simon was the one that confused him the most. A mysterious power, has a smug expression, is equally handsome as himself, and only says

'I am a friend of Cale.'

Alberu remembered that this was only the thing Simon said except his name. Alberu found Cale, who was similar to himself very annoying but this Simon was something else.

Alberu could never believe that somebody could annoy him this much. But, His beliefs seemed to be wrong because Simon achieved that.

"Your Highness, Can I get some time to talk with him?"

'So, He is not a scammer.'

Alberu easily agreed with the request. He called a nearby guard and told him to lead Simon to the parlor.

It would be a lie if he said that he wasn't interested in going and watching but Alberu knew his limits. He figured Simon didn't have the best relationship with his father.

'I need to tell them to investigate this man named John.'

That was what Alberu planned before leaving.

...

A very luxurious Parlor. Not as good as the room Simon was staying in but this place was absolutely top class.

As expected of the Royals, The palace shouted luxury from every nook and cranny.

Simon hurriedly made his way to the visiting parlor as he bid the Knight bye. After the Knight went away, Simon looked at the door and took a deep breath.

He had many questions.

Why is this guy here?

To shamelessly use Simon's name for benefits after he got famous?

'That must be it.'

Simon couldn't think of any other reason. That guy was blinded by greed so Simon was a very good opportunity.

Simon didn't care about this fame he had. To him, the only good thing was the room he stayed in. Absolutely the best. He could relax here with no pressure.

If somebody he knew used his name for their benefit, he wouldn't even care as long as the other party wasn't doing some messed-up things. It was all fine to him since he didn't care.

But, John was different. His behavior, beliefs, personality, actions, and everything disgusted Simon very much.

Whenever Simon gets disgusted or angered, He takes action or just ignores the existence of the other party.

Annoyance can be repaid through more annoyance.

He really felt he should have beat this guy shitless back then. To make sure that he wouldn't have to deal with him. Simon should have been harsher.

Simon finally sorted out his thoughts and pushed the door open. He was expecting to see that shameless scumbag sitting there.

But, To his surprise, The parlor was empty. Nobody was there. Completely empty. Simon looked around the room and still found nobody.

'Was he really kidding with me?'

Simon questioned if Alberu was kidding but ditched such useless thoughts. There was a cup in the table. The tea was gone but it seemed like it had been used very recently.

Simon knew that somebody was here and it might have been John. He finally sighed before calling the Knight from before and telling him the situation.

After some talking with a passing maid, Simon confirmed that John had indeed been here but left a few minutes earlier.

Simon thanked the maid before going back towards his room. On the way, He stumbled upon Alberu who had just finished talking with Cale.

Alberu looked at Simon and asked confusingly.

"Is it... done?"

"Unfortunately, No Your Highness."

"I see."

Alberu wasn't even in the mood of dealing with Simon. He would ask what happened to the guards and the investigation might also help him.

"Your Highness"

"Hmm?"

"Could you not investigate that man?"

"What?"

There were only two people in the hallway. If other people saw it, they would think this as disrespect to a Royal.

But, Aberu wasn't interested in disrespect currently. He was in a state of shock.

'This smug guy is requesting something?'

Alberu had heard how Simon never asked for anything. Like literally not a single thing. He would be silent most of the time acting as if he doesn't exist.

When Alberu tried to get information out of Simon, Simon would skillfully excuse himself or have a smug smile while spouting bullshit.

Now, this guy was making a request and even seemed serious. Alberu was even more intrigued by Simon and John's relationship.

He would also agree to Simon's request. Alberu could see this was a family matter and wouldn't intervene. Although Simon requested to not investigate him, Alberu wouldn't stop.

He would just limit the research more.

...

John looked outside of his moving carriage. It had been 9 days since he left the capital.

Merchants of his size usually visited the capital for expanding their business and looking for deals. It would be considered ordinary just like any other of his visits.

If, you don't count the terror incident and his own son becoming a nation-wide Hero. John was a greedy man. He was self-aware but his ego was too big to try to change anything.

John originally hated Simon because Simon's existence itself was a weapon to use against his reputation. If his competitors spread rumors saying his wife cheated on him.

His reputation as a man would be completely trashed. So he took measures and checked if Simon was really his biological son. He expended a lot of resources and time.

Alas, Simon was his biological son but the damage had been done. Whenever he went to a meeting with his competitors, They all gave him a mocking expression.

John really wanted to punch those bastards. Of course, He couldn't raise his hand towards them. The entire circle of merchants of his level was filled with vipers.

Cunning snakes that have their poisonous fangs ready to strike at any moment of weakness. John was also like that.

If the enemies have some dirt on them. Using it in their best way to defame or harm the business of the others.

This might seem unrealistic but the reality is that the success of many is built on sabotage. People rise after stepping on somebody else.

There are exceptions, But, exceptions are meant to be rare.

If you ask anybody present during the terror incident, They would all say the same thing.

They saw Simon's back, which showed no signs of wavering. In front of a Mana Bomb, He seemed full of courage.

For not letting the tragedy happen, He stood there in a confident manner. Without saying a word, Raised his fingers and saved the lives of many using his mysterious power.

John also knew about this. In fact he knew about it very clearly.

Why?

Because. Because He was there.

Among the huge crowd, He was also present somewhere. And, He could clearly see Simon's face. Even if he didn't see Simon's face he would have recognized Simon.

The same clothes Simon used to wear anytime it was a happy occasion. When it was his second son, Francis's birthday. Simon dressed in that same thing.

Francis had been the biggest reason for sending Simon away. He would complain about Simon and when John would try to punish Simon. Francis always advised him to send Simon away.

John followed this advice and Simon was stranded from the family. The awkwardness in the family also lessened.

Although Francis became more quiet after Simon left, John never questioned it. Life was going well. John would visit Simon once or twice a year and that was enough.

No interactions. They were so detached that strangers might question how they are even a family.

A sigh left his mouth as he called himself a coward.

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...I know what u r thinking. This chapter makes no sense and I agree but listen to me. Consider this as a filler chapter so I have time to think better stuff.

I wrote a lot of unrealistic stuff thats pretty much not comprehensible so imma explain.

This is basically about how John wanted to meet Simon after Simon got that fame of a hero. U can imagine why he wants that fame.

John was shameless enough to come to the palace after all that sht that happened. ik that makes no sense but think of John as a wild card. He is just a crazy guy that got scared after realizing that he is gonna meet somebody who he abused for a long time and ask for help.

So, he ran away which is not possible since the guards would stop a man that introduced himself as the hero's father and ran away before meeting the Hero.

But, cmon fillers don't make sense. this chap was just me writing stuff up.

p.s. Simon doesn't want to stop Alberu from investigating or anything. he is also confused as to why on Earth john ran away but doesn't even want to know. he just wants to live with no worries as long as he stays in the palace.

TO BE CONTINUED