Ch.BONUSOutside. Innocence is a Sin

Is there a happier life than this?

Spencer, the second son of the Wellesley family, was beaming with joy while enjoying the sea breeze.

Suddenly breaking into a song of life might seem a bit out of place, but since it would be strange to suppress the pleasant feelings welling up inside him, he decided to just enjoy them.

The breeze was refreshing, lunch today had been delicious, and the cocktail just brought by the sailor was satisfying.

From the beginning, his life had been a path strewn with flowers.

A legitimate child born between The Hero Erick and Saintess Hannah.

He had even inherited his father’s physical attributes and athletic abilities. It was hard to find a match among those his age. Just like his father in his younger days.

Moreover, he wasn’t just good with a sword; he was also a golden spoon who had enjoyed the benefits of living in the wealthiest family on the continent.

Not just affluent—half of the Empire’s manufacturing companies were owned by the royal family. Textiles, sewing, leather, sugar and cooking oil, furniture and agricultural tools… even wigs.

How could he have any complaints when he had grown up enjoying such wealth from childhood?

While he was grateful to his father, he didn’t want to be crushed under the pressure of being the son of the Hero King. Nothing would be more unfair than being born into a blessed environment but not being able to enjoy its benefits.

His policy was to enjoy life moderately without causing trouble for his father and two mothers.

“Your Highness? We’ll be arriving soon.”

“Ah, yes.”

The sailor’s report. He had tried to tell them several times not to call him prince, but they never listened. So he had given up.

‘It’s almost the end of the journey anyway.’

Spencer was heading to the Duchy of Microssia, specifically to “Islas,” which served as its capital, during his break from knight school.

He could have reached there in half a day riding a wyvern, but he deliberately chose the long voyage. He wanted to experience traveling by ship at least once. Though the shipping company had been thrown into chaos over the protocol of having the Hero’s second son as a passenger.

In the end, it wasn’t a bad choice.

It was mostly enjoyable to broaden his horizons by interacting with merchants and travelers, and to receive flirtations from pretty women. He had even become somewhat friendly with the sailors who had been overly formal with him at first.

But now that fresh experience was coming to an end.

The capital of the Duchy, Islas, was soon coming into view.

Though it was neither the most populous island nor the one with overwhelming productivity, no one doubted that this was the heart of the Duchy.

That was because the residence of “Leoneo,” who had been protecting the Duchy for over 20 years, was located here.

He wasn’t just someone who fought monsters. As the representative of the royal family, he had been delegated power and held the position of ‘governor.’

Born as a lizardman, he now ruled not only beastkin but humans as well. No one called him the Beast King anymore.

And he was also someone very special to Spencer personally.

‘More than special. He’s my guardian.’

Leoneo was also his godfather.

It was something his father had requested when Spencer was a newborn. Not just a nominal godfather, but one who had even participated in his baptism.

Everyone might take it for granted now, but at the time, the entire Empire was in an uproar. After all, someone who had once been part of the Tetrad had become the guardian of the son born between the Hero and the Saintess. Though there must have been strategic intentions, Spencer had no complaints.

In fact, he had always gotten along quite well with his godfather.

“You’ve arrived, Spencer.”

A few hours later, it was Leoneo who greeted Spencer at the well-maintained dock.

A lizard-man with a massive physique rivaling that of a troll. Some passengers even backed away with a “Hick!” Leoneo was the kind of being who exuded intimidation just by standing still, so it wasn’t particularly strange.

Spencer too had been startled by that face in his childhood… but now he was just a familiar old man.

A tired old man at that. In this respect, he was similar to his father.

“I could have just come to your residence. There was no need for you to come out to greet me.”

“I didn’t come out because of you. I spend time here every three or four days. …More so when there are troublesome matters.”

“Troublesome matters?”

“Yes. Nothing major. Let’s go.”

Leoneo guided Spencer with a light gesture.

Spencer glanced at Leoneo, but it was difficult to read emotions on a reptilian face.

Between his slightly parted snout, saw-like teeth were visible, and his vertically slit pupils made it impossible to tell where he was looking.

He was curious about what was giving him a headache, but that curiosity soon faded. As soon as they arrived at the residence, a feast was waiting for him.

A grand meal that started with olives, cheese, and fish roe salad.

It was unique to see beastkin and humans carrying dishes together. It was also amusing to see beastkin tribal chiefs who had started their meal before the host and guest of honor arrived.

“It’s the Hero’s son! Your father once…”

“…I’ve heard many times that he broke your spine and took you prisoner. I’ve also already heard that Leoneo paid the ransom before you were released.”

“Woof!”

He couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of the old dog-man happily barking as if grateful to be remembered.

He hadn’t heard that beastkin had good memories, but it probably meant that his father had left quite an impression on them in his younger days.

Spencer chuckled as he accepted cheese offered by a cat-beastkin with bare hands. It was much saltier than the cheese in the Empire.

‘I’m glad I came.’

Thinking that it would be an enjoyable vacation, Spencer enjoyed the meal with the beastkin.

***

What a cheerful lad.

Leoneo, who was on his second bottle of strong distilled liquor imported from the Empire, stared at his godson Spencer.

It seemed like just yesterday that he was squirming during his baptism, but now he was starting to show signs of becoming a young man. Judging by the energy he exuded, he seemed to have trained quite diligently.

Except for the color of his eyes, he looked remarkably like his father.

Watching Spencer, who resembled Erick, didn’t particularly make him nostalgic.

To be honest, he was somewhat concerned. While his appearance clearly marked him as Erick’s son, his personality was completely different.

Unlike Erick, who carried the burden of the world alone, he was a carefree child who showed no signs of having known any worries in his life. Even though many humans in the Duchy still had prejudices against beastkin, Spencer didn’t have any of that. He was just bright.

‘…It would be better if he were a bit more aware of his position. I heard that Arthur is too serious, but this one is the complete opposite.’

Of course, child-rearing was Erick’s responsibility.

But Leoneo also had his own interest in Spencer’s future.

Not only was he his only godson, but he was also secretly considering him as his successor.

The Duchy of Microssia, once a land of barbarians, was difficult for appointed officials to govern. In fact, even at this moment, seeds of various conflicts were sprouting on dozens of islands. Unfortunately, Leoneo’s own offspring were slightly lacking in terms of intelligence.

Since it was a duchy, it would be appropriate for the royal son to rule it. For the sake of the future, it didn’t seem right to leave things as they were.

It might be good to say something at this point. Leoneo gazed steadily at Spencer, who was shouting, “More fried octopus!”

“Spencer.”

“Yes?”

“Consider this as words spoken under the influence of alcohol and let it pass. …It might not be pleasant for you to hear, but among the humans in the Duchy these days, there are quite a few who express subtle dissatisfaction with your father, and with the Empire.”

“…?”

It wasn’t spoken under the influence of alcohol.

And it wasn’t a lie either.

“Long ago, Erick massacred all the ruling class of the Duchy under the pretext of cleansing. And for a considerable period, he deliberately neglected this land.”

“…”

“At that time, it was common for humans to be eaten alive by wyverns. Naturally, crimes were also frequent. Even after many years, the aftereffects haven’t completely faded. The development gap with the mainland is undeniable.”

“…So they resent him? That’s a bit…”

“Do you think it’s shameless? Of course it is. But that’s human nature. After escaping a crisis, they tend to calculate their own interests first. …I don’t think such discontent will naturally resolve with the passage of time.”

In a moment of revealing the dark shadow of the Duchy that appeared beautiful at first glance, Spencer seemed to understand the atmosphere and nodded silently.

If asked whether the current Duchy was truly unstable, the answer would be no.

While it was true that public safety was a concern, it wasn’t to the extent of rampant heinous crimes, and the produce was even more abundant than before the Demon Lord’s army’s invasion.

However, just because people weren’t dying in droves didn’t mean everything was peaceful.

Perhaps more challenging issues would arise as days went by. It could be even more so by the time Spencer would govern this land.

“Spencer. Of course, you don’t need to shoulder all of your father’s burdens. No one can do that. But if you want to be of help to your father when you grow up, it would be good to have some sense of crisis.”

“…”

“I’ve ruined your meal because of me. I’m sorry.”

At this, Spencer thought for a moment and then shook his head. It didn’t seem like he was saying this because he had already eaten his fill.

“No, you haven’t ruined anything at all.”

Instead, his face had become appropriately serious. He also said he wouldn’t change his plan to spend his vacation in the Duchy.

‘That’s a relief at least.’

Leoneo thought he should continue to teach Spencer as much as he could, but then closed his mouth.

He felt strange about his own behavior.

It was oddly fascinating to see himself guiding none other than the Hero’s son. The days of gnawing on roughly fire-roasted weasels in gloomy forests seemed like a distant past.

‘Well, it really is a thing of the past.’

Yes, the cold and cruel times had long passed. All that remained was to live faithfully until death for the sake of future generations.

Leoneo refilled his glass. The taste of alcohol was particularly sweet today.