After the shower, Artemia returned to the bedroom. She dropped on the bed and shut her eyes, once again exhausted.
Alex got dressed and looked at his sleeping princess affectionately before lowering his head to plant a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Mm… Nn!!"
As if she felt the warm touch of his lips on her forehead, Artemia's pink lips were parted as light; adorable breaths slipped from between them. Lovely eyelashes quivered as she slept; it was a beautiful sight. Alex wished he could stay over and watch her sleep as he couldn't get enough of her cute sleeping face; unfortunately, he had sothing to do he couldn't stay over.
''Well, I'll have all the opportunity later. See you soon, my princess.'' Alex planted one last kiss on her forehead before vanishing.
•••••
In the southeast of the comrcial was a store so simple that most people wouldn't notice. Only those with sharp eyes and those that knew about this store beforehand would visit it. This is Smith's store, the most famous blacksmith in the capital.
''Sigh! I hope he's not angry with because I haven't visited in a while.'' Alex heaved a sigh before pushing the door open, and he was imdiately greeted by the see of many weapons placed on the walls.
''Oh?! Who is it if not my busy son-in-law.''
Smith's voice rang out inside the store. He was sitting at the counter, seemingly to be waiting for soone.
''Greetings, father-in-law.'' Even if he had yet to truly beco Smith's son-in-law, Alex still acted as one because it was what the man wanted.
''It's good to see Alex. Co sit together with .'' Smith proposed while moving to another room. This room was simple; except for a simple table and chairs, there was nothing else.
Alex sat across from Smith. The two stared at each other in silence before Alex smiled and took out a whisky; he presented it to his father-in-law, who imdiately identified this drink as the strongest whisky produced on Mysthia.
''Wow! You know what is needed in this situation. Hehehe! You know how to please your father-in-law. I'm truly pleased.'' Smith smiled, not hiding his happiness, but as soone with sharp eyes, Alex could see that Smith's smile was sohow forced because he was trying to hide his sadness.
It was understandable for him to be sad because today was the death anniversary of his late wife. He must be missing her dearly.
While he wished to say sothing, there was nothing that ca to Alex's mind, so he stayed silent.
''Let's drink.'' Suddenly, Smith proposed while taking out two glasses. Alex nodded before pouring the whisky into the glass.
When Alex tasted the whisky, it burned his tongue as the strong sll of alcohol went down his throat; every cell inside his body felt as if it had been set on fire.
''What a wonderful whisky.'' Alex couldn't help but praise the whisky. He had ordered one bottle, especially for this occasion, so it was his first ti tasting it.
''Indeed.'' Smith nodded, seeming to share his thought.
''You are busy, but even heroes need so rest.'' It was what Smith said after so ti.
Alex stayed silent before mumbling.
''Hero, huh?! I've never considered myself to be one. I'm not fit for this title.''
As if Smith knew he would say that, he chuckled.
''It's not up to you to decide this because it's people to decide this by calling you one. While you might not want to be a Hero, your actions can force you to beco one.''
〖What he said is not wrong.〗Silveria approved Smith's words, to Alex's surprise.
And because he knew Smith still had sothing to say, he decided to listen quietly.
''As I was saying, your actions made you a hero. Let's say, for example, that ti when you went on a rampage and destroyed one of the hidden laboratories of the mysterious organization; you thought you were venting, but in reality, you helped a lot of grieving families to vent as well, and at the sa ti you saved a lot of family from experiencing what those families went through.
For them, you are the hero, a hero who listens to their prayers and destroys evil.''
Alex was shocked upon hearing this, as it had never occurred to him that his simple action could be interpreted in this way.
Smith was amused by Alex's reaction and decided to give him another example.
''This is another example. When you were going around destroying the Holy Crux empire churches and rescuing the brainwashed child, you were hailed as Hero even before people learned that you didn't really kill all of the priests; you only killed those whose sins were beyond forgivable.''
Alex stayed silent.
''As I have said, it's your actions and people that make you a hero. All around the world, you're being hailed as a hero while not being aware of it. It's how a real hero should be.''
''I see. Thank you for sharing this with . Even though the world sees as a hero, I'm not one nor wish to beco one. All I did and everything I'll do in the future will be for the sake of my family and loved ones. If saving my loved ones saved a lot of people, so be it. All I care about is myself and loved ones.''
''It's selfish, but it's this selfishness that will save a lot of people without expecting anything in return. You will never stop saving others with this kind of mindset because by saving your loved ones, you are saving many unknowingly.'' Smith said before finishing his glass.
Alex understood what he ant by those words. For example, now that he had decided to save Mysthia to protect his loved ones on Earth, at the sa he was saving a lot of people, a lot of worlds. While this may not have been his initial intention but this action would save a lot of people. He would later be called a hero because of this.
'How botherso.' Alex complained.
''Oh! It's ti.''
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