chapter 5
Idiot (3)
A story of a hero of light.
It is a heroic story that is known to the public and is often said.
Among many heroic stories, the hero of light was a story that could be called the original one.
It was a very typical composition in which the main character, who went on a journey to defeat the monster that attacked the village, grew up through all kinds of hardships and adversity, and was eventually recognized as a hero of light and drove away the darkness of the world.
Although it was old enough to be a legend now, the big frame of the story was still being handed down without collapsing.
One of them was about the birth of a hero.
Those who will become heroes who save the world are born with special patterns engraved somewhere on their bodies.
Perhaps because of this, there were once some people who did not like the spots on children’s bodies, but now it is just a story that children believe.
But the legend was undeniably true.
“Then Daddy will wash your back.”
The pattern engraved on Rise’s back, which was revealed by tying up her hair, was the proof.
A unique pattern that resembles one wing of a bird.
It was too complex to be called a simple spot, so it only looked artificial.
And I knew very well what this was like.
Over the course of countless lives, at one time I thought that I might have been chosen as a hero, so I went through all sorts of libraries, met countless people, and researched information about heroes.
One of the things I noticed then was this pattern.
symbol of the hero.
Proof that you are born with the destiny of a hero.
“are you okay? Aren’t you sick?”
“… … .”
Rize, who was like that, kept her mouth shut and was firmly pouting at me.
As if I were protesting because I continued to oppose it, Rize didn’t say a word to me after that.
Even so, it seemed like cute rebellion to calmly change the direction of her body as I said.
Needless to say, the reason Rize was upset like this was because I was against becoming a mercenary.
Lize, who usually doesn’t complain too much, tried to persuade me with a group of people, but I never gave up.
It was because he had promised Rize that he would never do anything dangerous.
Also, what kind of job is a mercenary?
Not only do you have to risk your life against countless monsters, but sometimes you have to fight people as well.
Also, while doing this job, I encounter all sorts of messy things countless times.
What kind of father would let his daughter do this job?
Chow!
Rize’s back covered in soap bubbles was washed with water, calming her somewhat rough heart.
Then, once again, the pattern of the hero came into view.
also… … Whether it be a mercenary or a hero, I didn’t want to show this child such a cruel world.
Unlike me, Rize just wanted to be happy in an ordinary world.
In order to do that, he had to start by calming Rize’s heart somehow.
“Come on, let’s wipe ourselves.”
Rize didn’t say a single word until the washing was over.
It was the first time I had ever been so upset, so I was honestly worried.
It didn’t seem like anything would solve it.
To like and admire my work was something that would make me very happy as a father, but I couldn’t recommend it to Rize.
I was saying this because the first job I had was a mercenary, and since then I’ve been a mercenary countless times.
No matter how you think about it, mercenaries were too dangerous.
That’s why I couldn’t bite my words now.
But more than that, the anxiety of what would happen if I couldn’t keep talking to Rize forever raised its head.
“Rise?”
“… … .”
“… … Yes, Dad lost. I’ll teach you the sword.”
“really?!”
At that word, Rize’s expression bloomed like a flower.
I wondered if it was something I could be so happy about, but when I saw the smiling face, my uncomfortable feeling melted in an instant.
Seeing this, I unconditionally wanted to do things that Rize would like, but… … As a father, I had to be cool to some extent.
I controlled my expression by suppressing the trembling corners of my mouth, and Rize raised her excited voice.
“Dad, thank you! Become a mercenary like your father… … .”
“But I haven’t allowed you to become a mercenary yet.”
“Why, dear?!”
As expected, Rize strongly protested.
Judging by his performance, I think he would be fine as an actor.
Rize looked like she was going to cry any moment, but she didn’t want to become weak right now, so she pressed her heart again.
He had prepared some words to persuade Rize.
“If you want to use a sword, you don’t have to be a mercenary to do it. You can become a knight, you can become a swordsmanship teacher, or even if you don’t, you can learn swordsmanship lightly and do other jobs. You don’t have to be a mercenary. huh?”
“But… … I want to be with my dad… … .”
In an instant, I wanted to change my job.
what? Wait a minute.
Wouldn’t it be better to convince Rize this way?
After quickly organizing my thoughts, I leaned over slightly and met Rize’s eyes before opening my mouth in a serious tone.
“Then what are you going to do if Dad quits the mercenary? Do you still want to become a mercenary?”
“… … .”
To that, Rize couldn’t answer easily and mumbled.
Since it was an extremely simple motive of wanting to be by my side, it was natural that he could not answer easily.
I was happy enough to say that he liked me that much, but I wanted Rize to find her own dream instead of just following me.
So, as a father, I must help him walk on the right path.
“Dad will definitely teach you how to use a sword as long as you ask for it. But think a little more about what you want to be. No matter what Rize does, Dad never leaves Rize’s side. If it’s something Rize really wants, Dad will be there to help with anything. huh? Understand?”
“… … really?”
“then. When have you ever seen Daddy lie?”
Rize, who had a slightly uneasy expression on her face, immediately shook her head at my question.
I felt a sense of pride in a corner of my heart as it seemed that the sincerity I had shown so far was not in vain.
In fact, even if he had something to hide from Rize, he had never lied.
And what he just said wasn’t even a lie.
If I don’t protect Rize in this harsh world, who the hell will be able to protect Rize?
I was already very anxious as I was well aware of what would happen in the future.
Actually, it would be much better to move from now on… … .
I erased the thoughts that drifted to the side for a moment and raised my bent body again.
“Then, would you like to learn a sword from Dad right away from tomorrow?”
“huh! I want to learn the sword from my father!”
At my words, Rize erased the dark expression in an instant and smiled brightly.
Then he jumped right up to me and hugged me tightly.
“Thank you, Dad.”
Those words made my heart ache for some reason.
I really wanted to hear anything for this one word.
However, when I was teaching the sword, I would be completely different from now.
The sword was meant to fight against the enemy, but at the same time it could put oneself in danger.
So at that time, I had to work as a strict educator, not as a loving father.
My heart hurts already, but I couldn’t help it.
Since I decided to teach him, I thought I would thoroughly teach him from one to ten.
So, in my heart, I apologized to Rize quietly.
The time has come to recreate the notoriety of being called the mad dog of the school.
* * *
humming! Booung!
“nineteen… … ! twenty… … !”
Rize stopped the sword she was swinging and took a short breath.
His face showed a slightly weary expression, but his posture was not broken at all.
Seeing that, I tightened my arms.
If you do something wrong… … I must have cheered and clapped without even realizing it.
Rize is a genius.
No, not just a genius, but a genius among geniuses.
Rize’s movements were so precise that anyone could see that she had been holding a sword since she was born.
It was a simple swing, but the tip of the sword didn’t shake at all, and there was no error at all.
This goes beyond the realm of mere talent.
If this is not a genius, what should I call it?
I’ve taught countless people so far, but I could say that Rize is the only one with this level of talent.
I used to think that she would be as talented as Lizenny, who was born with the fate of a hero, but I never expected that she would be this kind of genius.
As a father, I am happy that my daughter has such a special talent, but I also wondered if I should really keep holding the sword, so it was very complicated.
No, Rize would definitely show outstanding talent no matter what she did.
After all, there’s no way that someone’s daughter can’t handle only a sword well.
I erased my thoughts and approached Rize, who was staring at me with sparkling eyes before I knew it.
“You can lower your sword now.”
Rize, who was still maintaining her posture at my words, finally lowered the hand holding the sword and turned her body toward me.
“Learning swords from Dad is so much fun! Can we do more?!”
Even though she must have swung quite a bit, Rize’s eyes were shining without a hint of tiredness.
No matter how young he is, seeing that he already has such a lot of stamina, I thought he was really born to use his body.
With those thoughts in mind, she gently wiped Rize’s sweat with the towel she had brought.
“Let’s end here for today. Doing too much in one day is not good.”
“Hee hee, then can we do more tomorrow? I want to learn the sword from my father for the rest of my life!”
“Are you just going to learn all your life?”
“Then until you become stronger than Dad!”
Seeing that he liked it so much, I wondered if he should have taught me a long time ago, but I was worried because he seems to have had more fun with the sword than I thought.
Now that it’s like this, I’ll actively teach them about swords, but I’ll have to somehow stop them from becoming mercenaries.
Of course, I had to induce him quietly so that Rize wouldn’t find out.
Little by little about other good jobs… … If it doesn’t work, I’ll change my job… … If you still want a mercenary… … I have no choice but to pave the way for mercenaries… … .
“dad?”
Rize, who noticed that my expression was strange, called me with her eyes wide open.
Then, with a slightly sullen face, he added a word in a voice that instantly became depressed.
“Perhaps I, swinging a sword… … Weird?”
“huh?”
“Could I be in trouble?”
It was too cute to be worried.
I smiled and crouched down on the spot, wrapped Rize’s cheek with the towel I had been wiping the sweat off, and opened my mouth.
“Yes, Rize is in big trouble now.”
“… … eww.”
At my mischievous words, Rize immediately opened her eyes.
Fearing that Rize might really burst into tears, I immediately wrapped a towel around her soft cheeks and gently pinched them.
“At this rate, you’ll soon become stronger than your father, right?”
Rize opened her eyes wide as if she didn’t understand for a moment, but then smiled brightly.
“really? really? Can I become stronger than my father?”
“Is it that good?”
Seeing her pure joy, I thought it was because she could quickly become strong like a child, but Rize’s answer was completely unexpected.
“I have to become stronger than Dad quickly so I can protect him.”
“… … You want to protect your father?”
At that moment, my mind went blank.
What did Rize just say?
who? Is it Rize? who? me? protect you?
“Yeah, if you handle the sword well, you and Dad will fight together, so I’ll be by your side so you don’t get hurt. So, Dad, don’t worry about anything. got it?”
Even if something goes wrong, it’s definitely wrong.
If Rize’s motivation for wanting to become a mercenary wasn’t simply because I was a mercenary… … .
If the reason for wanting to learn the sword wasn’t simple admiration… … .
“Hee hee, if I get really strong, Dad won’t have to fight, right? Then, the time you spend with me and dad will increase a lot! So, I will learn the sword diligently and become strong quickly!”
This is no longer irreversible.