The indifferent father, who seemed almost inhuman, had also experienced an age similar to her own, and had worries unlike hers.
Honestly, she couldn't imagine it, but as she listened to Grandfather's stories, Hero began to sketch an image of her father's younger days in her mind.
"He left the village and entered the Capital, and after finishing his education, he became an Adventurer.
"In just a few years, he became a famous strong man in the city, revitalizing even the family name of our rural small nobles.
"But your grandmother was right about one thing, there is a price for everything.
"She always cautioned me not to push your father too hard, but his growth was simply too rapid; at your age, he had already reached a realm of strength beyond my grasp.
"I gave my all to send him to a higher institution of learning, to gather various resources for him, completely ignoring everything else, solely fixated on the idea of him becoming Legendary, ascending to the Hall, ultimately to break the Cursed Binding on me."
Grandfather maintained his proper sitting posture, but it betrayed a trace of stoop.
He looked towards the other side of the study.
There was a piano there, covered with a soft cloth, and the cloth was covered in dust.
Hero remembered that piano; it belonged to Grandmother, and sometimes when Grandfather was reading a book, she would play some soothing music beside him.
And it was during those times when Grandmother played the piano that Hero dared to enter the study.
But now, it had been a long time since music had resounded in this mansion.
"Although you think I know a lot, there are some things that I only understood at this age.
"At that time, I ignored your grandmother's warnings and was single-minded in making your father strong.
"Although I succeeded, the end result was that I failed to teach him things a 'person' should have..."
The aged voice of the old man dispersed into the serenity surrounded by books.
"He became someone whose eyes only recognized 'strength.'
"Marriage wasn't for love but for a stronger Lineage; procreation wasn't for kinship but to cultivate a stronger successor."
Grandfather fell into a long silence, then lowered his head.
"—just like I did back then."
Hero wanted to say something, but as a victim of another victim, she didn't know what would be right to say.
"It was only after your grandmother passed away, when I saw him bringing his son, your brother, back here, that I understood what I had been doing all these years."
The elder sighed softly.
"His equally talented son had been brought up just like him; I always thought everything was beyond salvation, but instead it was you, who never was fond of reading books, that..."
The usually stern old man couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth upward.
Although it was good that Grandfather was no longer disheartened, the content was a bit unfriendly to Hero.
[Hero's embarrassment♛——Angered]
"Grandfather... I, I don't hate reading... it's just that it makes me sleepy..."
Hero's voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
"Heh, my mistake, Grandfather's mistake, let's drop the subject."
Unable to resist, the old man stood up and chuckled as he reached out to ruffle Hero's hair.
"Then, let's get back to the main topic." He sat down again and looked at Hero with a serious expression.
"Granddaughter, I plan to pass on this knowledge to you before I die.
"And this house and my Noble Title will also be yours to inherit."
"...Me?" Hero's expression froze, unable to hide her wavering.
Not her father, not her brother... but her?
"Your father, and your brother, they're both people who only care about strength. Telling them would probably, no, surely lead to misuse.
"To think 'family' is less important than 'family name,' that's just too stupid. I don't believe they could responsibly carry on our legacy."
Grandfather said coldly, with rebuke for his immature self and dissatisfaction with his children and grandchildren, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
Although Father didn't seem to value the family name too much, as he was more concerned about her... Goblin slaying, it was better not to tell Grandfather.
It felt no different.
Remembering Father's disappointed and indifferent expression from back then made Hero's heart skip a beat.
But Grandfather's expression soon turned soft, which brought Hero back from her memories.
"Of course, I won't force you to accept.
"Granddaughter, if it weren't for seeing you become the Hero, I would have considered taking another adopted child or apprentice to train anew, especially since there isn't much else for me to do out here in the countryside.
"But today, after meeting you, I feel that you are the right choice.
"Although people tend to think of Heroes as synonymous with untimely death, scholars who have studied legends from various places understand that those Heroes who persevered are the true reason why the Kingdom has endured to this day.
"Embracing a dedication to fighting Magic Creatures, yet without losing the passion for life—most of those Heroes were such people."
Grandfather looked at his granddaughter with a sigh.
"In my view, that is true strength, different from your father and brother...
"But achieving this must be quite difficult."
Under Grandfather's gentle gaze, Hero's eyes began to redden slightly.
She rubbed her eyes, not wishing to lose her composure in front of Grandfather.
Taking a deep breath, Hero straightened her expression and looked sincerely at the old man.
"Although I haven't decided whether to accept it or not, Grandfather, tell me, what exactly is that Dark mass?"