The soles of many shoes were tapping on the cobblestones. A never-ending stream of lively conversation. It hit my ear tips like a squall.

　People were coming and going, heading to their respective destinations.
　I walked between them, straining my nerves. I kept my senses sharp, careful not to miss the slightest hint of discomfort.

　The next day. I was with the knights on their patrol.
　There was only one reason. To get in touch with someone who wanted to kill me.
　I heard they wanted to know where I was.
　So it's better that I go to him.
　Less chance of getting your girls out of harm's way.

Dad. Be careful. This man is very skilled. I confess he's the best swordsman I've ever met in my time in King's Landing.

　and S-ranked adventurer. How can you be too careful?

"Who in King's Landing could match Elsa head on?

　Elsa is undeniably strong.
　She's one of the best swordsmen in the capital. That's why she is where she is. That's why it's so important to have it beaten.
　He'd be a very troublesome foe.

But against me and Elsa, it'll be tough.

　When I offered to go on patrol, Elsa picked up the slack. She said she was worried about me.
　The other knights, for the most part, wanted nothing to do with it.
　They all said...

"We can't have anything to do with a man Commander Erza couldn't beat.
They will only slow you down, Master Kaiser.
I'm simply afraid. I don't want to die.

　So it seems.
　As for that last guy, what's up with the spirit of the Order?　I have to admit. Well, I don't want them to get involved in something they had nothing to do with.

"Elsa. Can you repeat the description of the attacker you gave me yesterday?

　Elsa nodded persistently and then opened her mouth .

''The attacker had blood-red hair and a sword as tall as a man. She exuded an air of swallowing.
"Mmm ......," I said, stroking my chin, lost in thought.
'Father?　What's going on?
'No, I had a feeling I'd remember the characteristics of the attacker Elsa mentioned.
Do you have any idea what you're talking about?
"I don't know. I mean, it could be the wrong person. But I think you've got the wrong guy. ......

　Elsa's description matches the description she gave me.
　However, the features I remember from 18 years ago are the same as hers. So it's quite possible that she was a different person.

Was this person a rival to your father?
'Yes. . He wasn't hostile, I think ......," he said, ending on a weak note. He was one of mine.
'What?　Are you with us?
Yeah. As I believe I told Elsa, I was an adventurer at one time. I was part of a party I was part of.
"Your father had a party. Yes. I'm a little glad to know a father I didn't know.

　Elsa said, then tilted her head dubiously.

'But if that is the case, then why did your former companion attack us?
I don't know. I don't even know if that's him to begin with. I can tell you one thing.

　just as he turned off the street into an alley.
　All at once the crowd disappeared. The rain on the cobblestones has stopped and the noise has died down. There's something else in the silence...other than me and Elsa.

What can you tell? And that's when Elsa urged them on.
　The air currents distorted.
　As soon as I felt the wind on my skin, I was jumping.
　I took Elsa's body in my arms and fell to the ground in the alley.
　The next moment, a huge mass of wind pressure rushed past where we had been a few moments before. It dug deep into the stone wall in a straight line.



Wha-......!

　Elsa let out an exclamation in her throat.
　She looked at the deeply drilled stone wall and paled.
　If she had been a little later in her evasion, it would have left a hole in her body.

''...... hmm . Did you read the slightest disturbance in the atmosphere as a sign of an attack? But that's what I did on purpose.

　A gruff tone comes from the entrance of the alley.
　I stay on the ground and look up to look at her. In the dimly lit alleyway, the light coming from the street sears her silhouette into the broad daylight.

　Her flaming crimson hair.
　Her face is tightly knotted without a shred of affection.
　The slit eyes in which the light of a strong will dwells.
　The skin peeking out from his armor is hard and tight, and you can see the evidence of his training.
　A huge sword as tall as her body's height is slung over her shoulder.
　There's no mistaking it--

So you were testing me.

　I muttered, a bitter smile tinted my mouth .

You've been ...... seeing each other for a long time, and you're pretty rough around the edges. If I didn't duck, what were you going to do?
"You can't even duck this level of attack, you're not worthy of a second meeting. When that happens, just drill a hole in the side of the river and scatter them roughly.

　She just said the word without hesitation.
　She's just like the girl I remember from 18 years ago.

But you foresaw my attack and ducked. I thought you were a little gutted with the ...... child, but you haven't neglected the least amount of training.

　A look that anyone would have taken for an iron mask, but I, who had been with her for so long and suffered so much, could see it. She had a look of satisfaction on her face.
　Yes, she did. She always had that look.
　Was she stronger or weaker than me? She was only interested in the fight.

Haven't seen her like this in 18 years?

　I said.

"You haven't changed, Regina.

　The moment I called her name, I felt like the rust was being removed from my mouth.

"...... Hmm. You've changed, Kaiser.

　Eighteen years ago, a fellow adventurer who was in the party with me in this royal city--Regina spat that out.