Father, I Won’t Do Anything

Two days had passed since Jaina’s birthday celebration.

On this beautiful day with a clear blue sky, wispy white clouds drifted peacefully as birds in the nearby forest chirped merrily.

A demonic beast hunting contest was being held in proximity to the mountain range.

Traditionally, pheasant hunting had been the norm during this season, but the practice had shifted to demonic beast slaying since the Demon King’s subjugation.

“The demonic beast hunt commences! Stay focused and remain vigilant!”

In addition to the participants, many had gathered at the venue to cheer them on.

Though termed a ‘demonic beast hunt,’ as it served primarily as noble entertainment, only the weaker beasts emerging from the mountain outskirts were targeted. Venturing no deeper ensured minimal risk.

“Oh my, look at how dashing Sir Jeiphon appears.”

“I wonder who will escort our Viscount? His popularity has been soaring lately.”

Having heard of the long-awaited hunt’s revival, the ladies had adorned themselves elaborately before assembling behind the starting point.

They clustered in small groups, one of which included Jaina.

“Jaina, you’re not participating? Many academy students have entered as well.”

Regardless of gender, the hunt permitted participation upon reaching a certain age.

Given Jaina’s exceptional magical prowess, she would undoubtedly excel.

“While participating would be enjoyable, I’d prefer remaining with all of you today.”

“Aw, how touching.”

“Choosing friendship over glory?”

Today marked the day after her second birthday celebration with friends, having been unable to meet them during her academy attendance.

Relishing this rare reunion, Jaina wished to savor their company for as long as possible.

“With Jaina’s birthday coinciding with the Emperor’s, we’ve been treated to many exciting events.”

“True, but the inconvenience of most capital city shops being closed is rather vexing.”

Perhaps due to their prolonged separation, their conversation flowed endlessly, even the typically reticent Jaina chattering animatedly in her friends’ presence.

“This hunting contest will surely see His Highness Rosian slay the most demonic beasts.”

As she spoke, Marilyn cast Jaina a sly glance, prompting her friend to nudge Jaina’s shoulder playfully.

“Who could hope to surpass the martial arts tournament’s champion? Jaina will undoubtedly receive the most trophies this year.”

“Will that truly be the case?”

Though their friends posed the query teasingly, Jaina herself appeared perplexed.

“What does His Highness Rosian slaying demonic beasts have to do with me?”

“Eh?”

“Huh?”

Assuming it was a feigned show of modesty, her friends were taken aback by Jaina’s genuine bewilderment.

“Then who are you here to cheer for, Jaina? Who is your partner for this hunting contest?”

Those not participating would typically partner with a contestant, sharing in their glory.

The ladies congregating behind the starting line intended not only to support their partners but to boast of their exceptional status.

In other words, Jaina’s mere presence implied she had already secured a partner – whom her friends presumed, upon witnessing Rosian’s martial arts victory, would be none other than him.

No, they were convinced it could be no one else, for who else would befit Jaina as a partner?

However, their assumption proved premature.

“Father, I’m over here!”

Startled by Jaina’s call, all turned towards the direction of her gaze.

“The, the, the Tower Lord is here?”

“Why was I unaware?”

“The Tower Lord has graced even this humble hunting contest with his presence?”

Their astonished gazes fixed upon Diamid, who regarded them with an expression of vague annoyance.

Disdaining unnecessary attention, he had employed a concealment spell, rendering his presence imperceptible to all but Jaina, sensitive to mana fluctuations.

“Jaina, your partner is… your father… That is, the Tower Lord himself is truly participating in the demonic beast hunt…?”

Witnessing Jaina waving towards Diamid, her friends inquired in disbelief.

“But what about His Highness…?”

First His Highness, now the Tower Lord.

Jaina consistently accompanied the most astounding partners.

“Did His Highness Rosian not mention anything to you?”

“We had assumed he attended the Emperor’s birthday banquet, then proceeded to the Magic Tower. Was that incorrect?”

“Well, yes, but various circumstances arose, preventing us from conversing at length.”

Jaina recalled the recent activation of the Magic Tower’s defense mode.

It seemed Rosian had intended to convey something, but then the terrace had abruptly split apart…

‘Come to think of it, why did that defense mode activate so suddenly? Isn’t it only triggered when the Magic Tower’s existence is threatened? Yet, in the end, nothing had invaded…’

However, Jaina’s contemplation was interrupted upon meeting Diamid’s smiling gaze.

“Father seems a tad abashed, finding himself in such an unfamiliar setting.”

While Jaina’s friends had turned their attention towards Diamid at her behest, they couldn’t bring themselves to meet his eyes directly.

To them, he exuded an austere, imperious aura when Jaina wasn’t present.

‘That’s him being abashed?’

‘Which part…?’

‘That menacing glare looks like he might obliterate an entire mountain at any moment…’

Though baffled by Jaina’s perception, her friends didn’t dare tot voice their thoughts aloud.

Uttering them within the Tower Lord’s earshot could potentially devastate their esteemed families.

‘The Tower Lord seems unexpectedly interested in hunting…’

‘For one who rarely engages in outside activities to attend such an event… Could it be because of Jaina?’

Marilyn, Jaina’s closest friend, was among the first to regain her composure, having participated in the hunting contest alongside her own family.

“Jaina, is the Tower Lord also participating in this hunting contest?”

“Ah, yes. I’m entering as Father’s partner.”

Pursing her lips, Marilyn remarked:

“Hmm, a rival, I see! I shall inform my parents to be on their utmost guard. Still, I’m a little hurt you kept this a secret from me, but you seem so happy that I’ll forgive you this once.”

“I’m ever grateful, Marilyn.”

Even after learning of Diamid’s identity as Jaina’s father, Marilyn’s demeanor towards her had remained unchanged.

Jaina deeply appreciated Marilyn’s willingness to accept her as she was.

“Understood.”

With a wink, Marilyn appeared deep in contemplation before resolutely inquiring:

“Is the Tower Lord treating you well?”

This was the same Marilyn who had previously declined attending Jaina’s birthday party out of trepidation towards Diamid.

Yet her inability to contain her curiosity, cautiously probing while gauging Diamid’s reaction, struck Jaina as utterly endearing.

“Yes, he is. He even baked my birthday cake himself.”

“The Tower Lord… baked a cake by hand?”

“Yes, a cake adorned with strawberry snowmen – it was absolutely adorable. And delicious, of course.”

The notion of the stern, frosty Tower Lord baking a cake by hand for his daughter’s sake seemed inconceivable.

“Strawberry snowmen, you mean those whimsical creations with cream piped between the strawberries?”

“Yes, you know them?”

As Marilyn envisioned Diamid piping cream, she shuddered violently, shaking her head – it was simply too ill-fitting an image.

“Well, I suppose…”

Jaina, observing Marilyn’s reaction with an amused smile, appeared more joyful than usual.

In her previous life, Jaina had never experienced attending school events or celebrations with her parents, let alone a birthday party.

Engaging in any activity alongside her parents had been a mere dream.

Yet now, that dream had materialized before her eyes, filling her with unbridled elation.

“How was the Magic Tower birthday party? Was it fun?”

“Yes, there was plenty of food, and we shared many delightful conversations. An accident did occur towards the end, but it was nothing major.”

“An accident…?”

“His Highness Rosian and I were conversing on the terrace when the Magic Tower suddenly split apart.”

“…Split apart, you say?”

“The defensive mode triggered, the one that activates when a horde of powerful demonic beasts threatens to invade. It seems someone accidentally tampered with the magic circle. Quite a commotion ensued for a while.”

Though Jaina recounted the incident with a smile, her friends couldn’t bring themselves to share her mirth.

They could easily surmise the underlying cause without further explanation.

‘The Tower Lord was jealous of His Highness Rosian.’

‘If one makes a mistake with Jaina, could they meet their demise?’

As her friends’ faces gradually paled, Jaina sensed the conversation veering into precarious territory and hastily changed the subject.

“Ah, that’s right. The Magic Tower hasn’t commercialized these yet. Take a look.”

“What are these?”

“Father wanted me to share these with my friends, thanking you all for your kindness.”

Her adroit improvisation proved effective, her friends’ tense expressions brightening at the sight of the gifts.

“The Tower Lord truly is a benevolent soul.”

The magical artifacts Diamid provided surpassed the typical protection variants widely available.

“With these artifacts, even those unable to sense mana can wield magic.”

To demonstrate, Jaina struck the slender bracelet several times, sending bursts of flame soaring through the air.

Paaaah!

Paaah!

“Wow! What is this?”

Upon receiving the bracelets, her friends mimicked her actions, eliciting similar blazing flares.

Paaaah!

Onlookers gasped in awe at the airborne flames.

Equipped with these artifacts, even lower-ranked knights could be subdued with ease.

“However, their uses are limited, so exercise caution.”

“Yes, yes, thank you so much! We’ll use them wisely!”

“Protection magic, no less… The Tower Lord truly has impeccable taste!”

As the bracelets generated a clamor of excitement, curious onlookers began flocking towards them.

“Did those ladies who are not magicians just conjure flames?”

“Yes, thanks to the artifacts Jaina provided.”

“Is that truly possible? For non-magicians to wield offensive magic?”

Regarded with envious eyes, Jaina’s friends swelled with pride.

Until now, they had endured disdain for merely associating with a commoner of unknown lineage.

Yet in this moment, witnessing the covetous gazes directed their way, all that accumulated stress seemed to dissipate.

‘Making good friendships truly is crucial.’

‘This is why it’s so important to be discerning in one’s company!’

Jaina’s friends held their heads high, bolstered by newfound confidence.

However, their jubilation didn’t escape the shadowy scrutiny of certain males present.

‘To bestow such precious gifts upon mere friends…?’

Their eyes glistened with naked greed.