Strength is both fair and unfair.
Everyone has the right to pursue strength, but the returns from the same effort differ like heaven and earth.
Yet, he never cared about the pain and sorrow of the weak, much like how he chose to be a bystander despite knowing the discord between his children.
His son, who was born seven years earlier, pursued strength in much the same way he did, taught by his own example, and showed almost instinctive indifference towards his younger sister, who needed care.
Not out of hatred, but simply because he saw no connection between the weak, young sister and his pursuit of strength.
Bound by blood ties, he couldn't completely rid himself of his sister's presence, couldn't shake off the noise of the weak like himself, so that indifference gradually turned into disgust.
If she had been born a few years earlier, at least she could have spent those "weak" times with her brother, maybe their relationship could have improved.
Still, in the end, he didn't concern himself with trivial matters.
But he wasn't indifferent to everything.
He knew well that he was by no means the strongest person in this world.
Since his qualification for disdain came from strength, he ought to respect those who possessed strength like himself.
For instance, his wife before him.
He admired this woman.
She was also a mage, with a mysterious background, only known that her homeland had fallen, yet remained unyielding. Both in strength and character, she was impeccable, with a compelling power.
Such a woman willing to submit to him, fulfilling her duties as a wife, he would naturally reciprocate by fulfilling his responsibilities as a husband.
Hence, he did not mind accommodating her opinions—as long as they were correct.
"Tell me, what do you truly care about?" The Hero's father frowned and said.
The son's talent was not remarkable. Although he didn't waste time going to the Royal Capital Academy, and avoided many detours under his direct guidance, his strength was not much different from what he had back then.
Though the profession of an Arcanist is characterized by late blooming, compared to those ultimate-shifted monsters, the much-lauded eldest son was still just an ordinary person.
Even so, his eldest son was still enough to carry the Viscount's House's glory, possibly even taking the family further.
"He was nurtured by us together. Including his decision not to choose the Battle Mage path, but to become more aligned with knowledge's power as an Arcanist, that was also decided under your suggestion.
"Now, after successfully completing the trial, he has proven himself worthy to tread upon the palace. Five years, ten years, at most twenty years later, he'll reach the palace, while I might step into the ultimate shift—"
Under the man's relentless questioning, the woman from the Pure White Moon closed her eyes, her moon-white pupils hidden behind her slightly drooped lashes, revealing a trace of fatigue.
Seeing her in this manner, the Hero's father paused for a moment.
"Speak, what are you dissatisfied with?" He slightly softened his tone, but his voice remained deep and powerful.
"...The nature is wrong."
After a long silence, the Hero's mother finally reopened her eyes, her voice so soft it was almost self-talking.
"Indeed, he did his best, I think so too... but..."
She paused, a trace of confusion and unease flickered in her moon-white pupils.
"Neither you nor he fit..." she muttered, lowering her head.
"In the song...it shouldn't be ..."
Her voice gradually faded, finally transforming into a self-doubting sigh:
"Could it be...that I'm wrong?"
Unlike her pure Moon Eyes, the mottled purple hair added a touch of somberness to her gloomy self-talk.
Seeing his somewhat distraught wife, the Hero's father's brows furrowed deeply.
Suddenly, he turned his head toward the direction of the wall, though the room had soundproof arrays to prevent eavesdropping, the outside noises could not escape his perception.
[Upon seeing the Hero's room, does the Fourteenth Princess choose to question?]
To the returning Hero—
"I'm terribly sorry! Truly did not receive notice of the lady's return beforehand..."
"No, it's fine, Princess, if I use magic to clean up it'll be quick—"
Upon seeing the Hero's room coated with thick dust, clearly uncleaned for a long time, the Fourteenth Princess finally could no longer hold back her anger,
She directly approached the maid, her expression cold, questioning the Viscount's location right away.
Her anger was not without reason, but fully justified—a Noble Lord granted a title personally by the Royal Family, being so neglected and overlooked at his own home. This wasn't just an insult to the Hero, but in a way, a slight and provocation towards the Royal Family.
Simply put, if the Royal Family acknowledges them, who are you not to?
Facing the indignant Royal Family, the maid naturally dared not obstruct, although they had indeed received orders not to clean the Hero's room, passing the blame onto the master and young lord would clearly not be wise, so she could only bow and continuously apologize.
The Gleaming Scale Serpent was equally enraged, that winter magic power even frosted the hallway walls, but as a Familiar, it wouldn't defy the Queen's orders, hence it withdrew its humanoid form, returning to the hair accessory awaiting command.
And as the Hero tried to keep soothing the Fourteenth Princess's anger, steady footsteps came from the other end of the corridor.