Chapter 127

Time flows by quickly.

Each day, as I watch the child grow rapidly, I can’t help but feel a strange sense of wonder seeing the resemblance to me growing more defined.

Life in the humble countryside. Though inconvenient and lacking in many ways, it’s a life where one can live without any real worries.

Occasionally, we witness the brave yet foolhardy challengers who try to emulate the hero’s adventures only to be utterly defeated. And then there are those who, after being soundly beaten, fall for the kindness of the hero’s daughter and propose marriage, only to get rejected spectacularly by the hero once again.

I smiled faintly at these everyday occurrences.

If only this moment could last forever, it wouldn’t be so bad, would it?

But alas, human life is finite and fleeting.

Even the hero’s vitality began to wane little by little.

Of course, it’s understandable. The hero, now well into their 50s and nearing 60, has reached an age where passing away wouldn’t be surprising.

An ordinary person at that age would likely already be frail, yet our hero still moves with no apparent difficulty.

Watching such resilience, I sighed softly.

“When do you plan on letting your daughter spread her wings? It’s about time she started living her own life.”

“Absolutely not! Not until my dying day!”

“If your wife hears you say that, she might just shove dirt into your eyes herself. Be careful!”

The hero’s daughter had grown into adulthood. The resemblance to me matured too, making people mistake her for my older sister sometimes—a priceless expression every time some clueless traveler makes that comment.

Her hair color may differ slightly, but the facial features are unmistakably similar. Honestly, it’s easy to see why newcomers get confused.

Anyway, I asked her again:

“Do you remember the question I asked you when you were younger? Do you still not need great power or a long lifespan?”

“I don’t need them! My answer hasn’t changed since I was little!”

Despite reaching adulthood, her thoughts remained unchanged.

Human thoughts often shift like flowing water, but hers stood firm like solid rock.

Is she stubborn? Resolute? Or perhaps just headstrong?

Regardless, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Hmm…

Anyway, the girl decided to seal all the magical power within her body.

As long as she doesn’t face a life-threatening situation, that power will remain dormant.

Though I worry a bit, it was her choice, and as an adult, it’s important to respect her decision.

“Now that she’s grown up and suitable suitors have approached… Isn’t it time you let her go?”

“No way! If I could, I’d keep her by my side until the day I die!”

“You greedy old man!”

With that, I smacked him hard on the back.

ZAAAK!!

“Aaaagh!!”

“How can you block your daughter’s future out of selfishness? If you truly care for her, you should consider letting her fly free.”

“But… but…”

“And besides, both you and your wife married late in life. Are you really planning to make your daughter follow in your footsteps?”

At my words, the hero had no response.

Of course, marrying late was probably a sore spot for him.

We shouldn’t burden his daughter with the same fate.

“Besides, if she doesn’t marry and start a family soon… Who will call you ‘grandpa’?”

“Huh? Grandpa…?”

“At sixty, you’re perfectly eligible to be called grandpa. Don’t you think?”

In this era, getting married in the mid-teens isn’t uncommon. With luck, she could even give you grandchildren by her mid-30s.

“If you keep coddling her, her future will become uncertain. Is that what you want?”

“That… No, but…”

“Enough excuses! Stop being a helicopter parent. Parents shouldn’t hinder their fully-grown children’s paths.”

Defeated, the hero could only hang his head silently.

“I’ll take charge of finding her a proper suitor. I care for her too, so I’ll ensure he’s someone worthy.”

Someone with sufficient wealth, good character, and decent looks. Ideally, someone willing to settle here—perhaps even as a son-in-law.

He doesn’t need to be completely idle, but he should provide a comfortable life for her.

Though such a person might be rare, the world is vast, and people numerous. Surely, among the pilgrims visiting the Temple of Life, we’ll eventually find someone suitable.

— — — — — — — — — — — —

The hero’s daughter got married.

Surprisingly, to the third prince of Arcadia. Granted, this prince had no claim to the throne, but that’s beside the point.

Arcadia had grown far beyond its previous state, becoming a powerful nation thanks to solving its food crisis with potatoes and gradually increasing its population.

Apparently, neighboring countries began causing trouble over something related to the First Beast.

It seems that one day, this beast, which Arcadia had kept as a pet, killed a monster, exposing its true nature. Rumors spread quickly about this extraordinary creature, escalating into claims it was divine. Eventually, whispers arose that Arcadia’s rapid prosperity was due to blessings from the Beast God.

This prompted friction between Arcadia and its neighbor—what was its name again? Oh well, it doesn’t matter since they’re gone now.

Anyway, tensions escalated as the neighboring country constantly picked fights.

Initially, Arcadia tried to avoid conflict, treating envoys kindly and seeking peaceful resolutions. But human greed knows no bounds.

After much patience, Arcadia finally clashed with its neighbor, who demanded they surrender their “god.”

Arcadia, vastly weaker in terms of national strength, faced off against a mighty warlike nation with superior numbers, resources, and territory.

Yet, Arcadia triumphed.

While the blessed flag certainly helped initially, no one expected them to conquer the enemy capital in just seven days!

They lured the main forces deep into their territory while using small skirmishes as distractions. Through clever flag-based coordination, they launched a surprise attack, cutting off supply lines.

When the enemy army realized they were starving, they attempted to seize food from nearby villages—but Arcadia had evacuated all civilians beforehand. Their staple crop, potatoes, remained hidden underground.

Naturally, the enemy collapsed under hunger and defeat.

Having captured most of the enemy soldiers, Arcadia swiftly advanced through the wastelands of ancient Arcad, avoiding penalties from stepping onto foreign soil, and stormed the enemy capital.

Perhaps Arcadia’s king planned this all along. Regular patrols through seemingly useless land now made sense as preparation for invasion routes.

And yes, the flag’s penalty didn’t apply to barren wastelands.

Impressive strategy, though slightly annoying. Still, it was the result of careful effort.

Let’s overlook it this time.

Through the wastelands of Arcad, Arcadia’s cavalry charged like a storm. The enemy, caught off guard and overconfident due to distance, crumbled like sandcastles before the tide.

Once the capital fell, the enemy king was captured by a beastman named Epona, and the rest is history.

Arcadia absorbed the entire nation, retrieving lost treasures and expanding their territory significantly.

Thus, Arcadia became a true superpower.