Chapter 68

In the end, Cynthia and Rias decided to inform Alro of the current situation.

"——It seems that he can somehow communicate now..."

"Can I see him?"

Alro immediately asked.

"You can see him, but... Alro, it's difficult for you to live together. Your father needs someone's help to live."

"B-but I—"

"I think an adult's help is necessary. I know you want to take care of him directly, but it's only because you work here diligently that your father can receive treatment."

"Yes... "

Alro seemed unconvinced.

"Thank you. Can I go and see him?"

Cynthia and Rias exchanged glances.

Lennon probably doesn't have much time left.

He won't wait for Alro to grow up.

There's a possibility that they might never meet again if they don't let them see each other now.

In front of the real father-son bond, they couldn't stop it.

"Rias"

"——If we go together in three days, how about that?"

"Ah, n-no! No need to trouble you, Duke! I'll go by myself."

"Alro, you are an important child to us. I can't let you go alone. It might be a bit of a burden, but please go with Rias."

The facility is about an hour's carriage ride away.

Cynthia wants to accompany him, but that would require an excessive number of guards.

It seems best to leave it to Rias.

"But... "

"Since it's our facility, I need to go there occasionally anyway. Rias is going for work, so please go with him."

Rias usually doesn't go himself, but saying this might make it easier for Alro.

"Yes, thank you."

Alro bowed deeply.

The facility was located on the outskirts of the capital.

It wasn't a particularly old facility.

It was a place for criminals who needed treatment, and its operation was entrusted to Pencilia.

In Vandrag, public works are divided among high-ranking nobles.

This facility is one of the many public works that Pencilia is responsible for.

To enter the facility, one had to pass through three checkpoints. Alro was given several instructions.

Not to leave Rias, and to be accompanied by a knight if he did.

Hearing this, Alro became anxious about how strictly his father was being kept. However, the room he was taken to was much cleaner than the one he had lived in, except for the locked door. It was well-maintained, and the bed sheets were white and clean.

Alro and Rias followed the person who showed them around. Knights were stationed at various doors.

The windows, though fitted with iron bars, were slightly open, allowing cold air to enter. This probably helped reduce the smell.

Despite it being mid-winter, the temperature was well-managed, and it didn't feel as cold as his previous room.

Lennon was snoring on the bed, unaware that the door had opened.

The person from the facility tapped Lennon on the shoulder.

"Mr. Lennon, your son has come to see you."

"——Son?"

Lennon woke up, slowly sitting up with help.

He looked better than when they lived together, though he was thinner and seemed energetic.

Alro felt relieved to see his face.

Lennon seemed to only see Alro. When he spotted him, he pointed and moved his mouth.

"Ah, you... Ah, ——"

"It's Alro, Dad. How are you feeling?"

"Ah, Alro! Are you well? You came!"

Lennon seemed to remember his name and smiled broadly.

Seeing his face, Alro relaxed a bit. It was Lennon's voice when he was in a good mood.

"Alro, come here."

Alro reflexively ran over and held the outstretched hand.

The hand he hadn't held in a long time was wrinkled, thin, and unreliable.

"I'm sorry, Dad, I couldn't come sooner."

"Where were you? I've been looking for you."

His hoarse voice was the same as before, but his speech was much worse than before.

Alro leaned in to catch every word.

"I'm working at the Pencilia mansion."

"Pencilia...?"

Lennon's eyes were slightly cloudy. He might not see well. His gaze was unfocused.

"Haha, hahaha...! You've done well!"

Lennon firmly grabbed Alro's shoulder.

"Great job, Alro. You're a good son, just like me!"

Alro was happy to be praised by his father, something he hadn't experienced in a long time.

"Dad, I'll work harder."

"Ah, ah."

Lennon nodded several times.

"Alro, do you get a lot of money?"

"Huh?"

Lennon whispered in Alro's ear.

"There's no alcohol here. ——Can you buy some for me? You know the usual one, right?"

"No, I can't... It's not allowed to bring it here."

"Hide it in your clothes, they won't know."

Lennon pulled Alro closer and continued.

"Please, I'm asking you. There's nothing to enjoy here. Every day is hard. ——It's hard..."

Saying this, Lennon started to cry.

Alro was taken aback by the sudden tears.

"Dad, don't cry."

"If you can't, at least take me out."

It was the first time Alro had seen Lennon cry so helplessly, and he was confused.

Crying so helplessly.

"Are you getting more than before? Let's live together again. ——What do you say? We're the only family, right?"

"Um... I'll ask the Duke—"

The person from the facility wiped Lennon's tears and saliva with practiced hands. Lennon pushed the hand away.

"Why not, you bastard!! I'm your father, can't you listen to me!!"

Lennon suddenly shouted.

Alro flinched and stiffened.

Rias, who had been standing at the entrance, walked over and stood next to Alro.

Seeing Rias suddenly appear, Lennon immediately clutched his head and started trembling.

"Ah, no... I don't understand. I don't understand, I'm scared, I'm scared..."

Standing next to Rias, Lennon looked like a small stick.

Still, he was Alro's father. Alro held Lennon's hand.

"Dad. I'll work hard. When I save enough money, we can live together again."

"I can't wait. Take me with you now. Alro..."

Lennon gripped Alro's hand back, his body shaking restlessly, his eyes darting around.

His grip was surprisingly strong.

Alro stroked Lennon's trembling body to calm him down.

For a long time, Lennon couldn't speak and just cried.

On the way back in the carriage, Alro had a dark expression and was deep in thought.

"Alro, are you okay?"

"Huh...? Ah, yes."

Alro couldn't hide his shock and could only respond with a dry voice.

Alro was in a daze. He was incredibly tired.

It was clear to Rias that Alro had been tense the whole time, but Alro didn't seem to realize it.

Alro thought about staying at the facility. He wanted to stay and work there while taking care of Lennon.

This was rejected by Rias.

"You can visit again."

Alro felt as if he had left something very important behind. His chest felt heavy, a feeling similar to a sense of loss.

Is there no way they can live together?

"——Even if he says he doesn't like it, that environment is the best for your father."

He has been forced to quit drinking and is only able to live a somewhat human life with the help of others. It's a precarious situation that might not last.

Even in the short visit, Lennon cried, got angry, and became highly emotional. He seemed to be talking to something in the air and muttering incoherently.

He didn't seem capable of living outside the facility.

"You are still a child. Before you try to support your father, you need to build the strength to live on your own."

"......Yes."

Alro understood.

He realized that he had no strength in his current state of constant dependence.

Still, Lennon's voice stuck in Alro's ears, refusing to leave.

——Alro, Alro. I'm your father. Take me with you. Alro...