The sun is setting over King's Landing.
　Between the intricate buildings, the darkness of night looms.
　A lamppost, using a magical device Meryl had developed, cast a glow.

"Father. Excuse me, but can you go get Anna?　I'm sure Anna will be happy to hear that.
Yeah. Okay.

　I agreed to do what Elsa asked and went to pick up Anna.
　After leaving the house, I walked through the residential area to the Adventurer's Guild on the main street.
　After a short walk, you'll see a magnificent building that looks like a government office.
　This is the headquarters of the Adventurer's Guild.
　I used to go to this place a long time ago.
　I only remember that I lived here for three years, from the time I became an adventurer at 14 until I retired at 17.

　--it's been eighteen years since I set foot in it. .......

　Open the double doors and step inside.
　The landscape has not changed much.
　There is a huge bulletin board with a request form in the center, adventurers can select a request from the board and take it to the receptionist at the back.
　The guild's receptionist is at the reception desk, and your request will be reviewed by the guild's receptionist to determine your rank and suitability for the mission.
　Sometimes the receptionist will offer you a mission directly.
　The space in front of the guild and upstairs is a bar that is used for pre-mission strategy meetings and to launch missions after they are completed.

　--The more I look at it, the more I miss it.

　I can't find Anna at ....... I wonder if she's out in the open?　I went to talk to the receptionist who was carrying the papers.

"I'm sorry. You got a minute?
Yes. What is it?
"Is Anna present. The Guildmaster.
Anna, you're working in the back room. If you need anything, I'm at your service.
No. I'm not here on business. I'm just here to pick up Anna.
I'm coming for you. ...... ha!

　The receptionist's eyes widened as if she noticed something.
　She brought her hand to her mouth.

"Are you by any chance--are you Anna's lover?

　--What?
　I almost cringe at the unexpected guess.

''Anna-san, when did you get your girlfriend ....... And such a nice adult!　I can't even put that man in the corner!
　The receptionist said, "Kyah! I was having a blast.

"Look, ...... I'm not Anna's boyfriend. I'm her father. I'm going to live in King's Landing today.
'What?　Are you Anna's father?

　I nodded and the receptionist opened her mouth.

'Heh. Are you the Kaiser we've heard about?
"Rumor?　What do you mean?
Anna told me once. She said that my father is a good man, very reliable, strong and nice. Anna, who is known as a genius and has risen through the ranks since the Adventurer's Guild began, talks like that. We all said he must be a great father.

　The receptionist narrowed her eyes at Nimanima.

"So it's nice to meet you. Hmm. Heh.
Why are you staring at me?
Mr. Kaiser. You are as nice as your reputation says. Young and good-looking!　It's a far cry from my flabby tummy dad!
Ha ha ......
But you don't look much like Anna, do you?
"--

　I heard those words and my heart stopped beating.
　Anna and I are nothing alike...
　Of course we're not alike.
　Of course we're not like each other. Because we're not really father and son.

"Ah. Except for the part where we're beautiful and handsome. It's nice. I'm sure your mom must be a very beautiful person too.

　The receptionist was enthralled.


　Anna's real mother. ...... I'll never see her again. She must be just as beautiful as the receptionist said she was. 　

What's going on?　Hey!

　There was a shout that seemed to echo throughout the guild.
　I saw a strong man, who appeared to be an adventurer, approaching the receptionist. The bald man has a blue streak across his temple.
　I think he's in a bit of a rage.

"Mr. Garde. So. So, I've explained it to you earlier.
I don't f*cking get it, man!　Hey!　I want the manager!　Get in charge!　I can't talk to a lowlife like you!

　Boom!
　The adventurous man called Garde - pounded the receptionist with his fist.
　The receptionist screamed and withdrew.

"Mr. Garde. What's wrong?

　The one who emerged from the back door was Anna.
　Her hair was tied up in a bun, hanging down from her left shoulder.
　She had grown a lot more mature than four years ago, and she had an intelligent beauty.
　The uniform he wears is more luxurious than those of the receptionists. As expected of a guild master.

What's going on?　Why can't I get this assignment?　It's a great job!
Haha. ......

　Anna looked over the request form and said to the Garde, "It's simple.

''It's simple . You're still a B-ranked adventurer, right?　This request is only open to adventurers of rank A and above.
"Then get the hell out of here and get me up to grade A!
"We can't do that. It's protocol. Besides, I wouldn't recommend Mr. Garde accepting this request.
Why?
With your level of expertise, you probably can't do this. I can't send someone out there knowing that they will die.
-Oh!

　Garde's eyes widened.

'You b*tc*!　You're making fun of me!
'Haha ....... Only people who aren't good at what they do want to overestimate themselves. The blame for the deaths comes on us, and yet ......

　Anna sighed in annoyance.
　That's when her eyes caught mine.
　Then a thin smile spread across her mouth.

"Okay, here's what we're going to do.

　Anna held up a finger and said .

'If you arm-wrestle with the one over there, and if you can win, then I'll let you take this mission.
'Oh?　What the hell is this thing?
"He's a grade A adventurer. He stepped away from the adventurer's trade 18 years ago. That's quite a long time ago. You're not strong enough to take the job if you're going to lose a power playoff to him.
...... If I win, you'll let me take the mission, right?
Yeah. I'd be happy to talk to you.

　Anna nodded, and the Garde sniffed with satisfaction .

'All right . --Hey!　You!　Now, that's what the little b*tc* said!　I'm going to have you arm-wrestle me as my stepping stone!
Hey, hey, hey. ......

　Unbeknownst to me, I was supposed to be fighting an unknown opponent.

I'm sorry. Dad. Just a minor twist.

　When Anna came to me, she apologized and whispered to me that she was sorry.

　...... Well, when you're asking for a favor from your beloved daughter, you can't not do it.

　And this man is annoying Anna by interfering in her business.
　Then you have every reason to fight.

Okay. All right, let's take this one.


That's the way it should be. ...... And I'm telling you, I'm not gonna take it easy on you. I'm not gonna let you use that arm again.
Ha, ha. Take it easy on me.

　We stood across the barrels of wine, hands folded on top of each other.

Then-- start.
"Ha!

　With all my strength as we began, I pulled down the Garde's arm with all my strength.
　The liquor barrel shattered.
　Not only did Gardo's arm fall to the floor, his body was knocked down as well.

"AAAAAHHHH!

　He was rolling around on the floor, screaming.
　His arm was bent in a different direction.

"Yes. You're fighting for it. --Now you know.　He said you're still a long way from being an A-ranked adventurer.

　Anna looks at the hounded Garde and chuckles.

'Didn't you hear about ......?'

　★

Dad. Thank you. You're a lifesaver.
'That's fine, but ....... What were you going to do if I lost?　Even though it's an 'A' grade, it's been blanked out for eighteen years.
'What?　I didn't think about that.

　Anna looked puzzled.

"You're the strongest man in the world. I don't want him to lose.

　That's a lot of confidence.

Just so you know. Is that a wise choice for a guildmaster?　Or is it your favoritism as a beloved daughter?
Hmm. Both.

　Anna smiled mischievously.