The next day.
　I returned home with Meryl after finishing my teaching duties at the magic school.
　I was in the kitchen preparing the stew for today's dinner while I was working with Meryl, who was sweet-talking me hard.

"You're home so early today.
Yeah. All my work is done. My dad did his duty, and I did mine. It's been so long since I've been home before dark.
Boo. I just had a chance to be alone with my dad.

　Meryl had a frustrated look on her face.

'You should have worked more overtime.
I'm sorry to hear that. I don't want you all to myself.

　Anna turned a provocative smile at Meryl and sat down on the living room couch . Mmm, he stretched out wide and laid down in his guild uniform .

''Anna . I'm lazy!
I like to be able to relax at home.
I know that feeling.
In Merrill's case, he'd be lounging around at all hours.
　I chuckled.
'There's rather little time for relaxation.
My motto is to be lazy.
I don't think that's something to be proud of.

　Anna is dumbfounded, but she doesn't ask for a correction, as she always does. I've learned over the past eighteen years that Meryl's laziness is hardcore.

'Oh, by the way,' said Anna, 'about Regina.
'Hmm?　What about him?
I've been doing some research. . and find out what Regina's been up to these days as an adventurer.
Yeah. How do you know that? I asked. "He's been operating in a city other than this one, hasn't he?
The Adventurer's Guild shares information about licensed people. Even adventurers operating in different cities can be referred to it.
That's useful. But it doesn't seem to do anything stupid. ...... So?　How was Regina's activity?　You've been active?
It wasn't just an exploit. It wasn't an exploit.

　Anna said.

"She completed every high-ranking mission single-handedly. I've never seen anyone else complete an A-list mission solo but my dad.
He's a real swordsman. But he did all of these things solo. So he's not in a party right now?

　Well, when it comes to those who can stand alongside Regina, there are quite a few. Besides, when it comes to someone who can tolerate the character of a guy who is often misunderstood: .......
　That would be about as hard as finding gold in the desert .

But it's strange.
What?
If you only look at her accomplishments, Regina-san was S-ranked adventurer long ago. And yet, she's still an A-ranked adventurer. It's been over a decade.
''You've got the right skills and track record. Yet, if you're not getting an S rank, then ....... Does the condition of promotion include background conduct?

　I asked.

"Or sociable.
You're not. I don't expect you to be a decent human being. All I'm looking for is an overwhelming ability to cope in times of crisis.

　Well, that's true.
　Adventurers are disproportionate to their abilities and their humanity. The higher one rises in rank, the more sociopathic the percentage of misfits rises exponentially.

So I don't understand. That explains why the guy isn't an S-rank.
''Or maybe he's declining to promote himself to an S-rank. Well, I don't think this is indeed possible.
When I see him again, I'll ask him about it.

　I doubt that he would answer honestly, though.
　When I finished preparing the stew, I looked at the clock on the wall.
　It's eight o'clock in the evening. Outside my window, the sun has set and darkness has completely enveloped King's Landing. It was like fireflies with the lights of other houses shining through the windows.

"Son of a b*tc* Elsa, you're late getting home today.

　Normally, they'd be home by now.



What's going on?
'It's that girl, and she's probably working overtime.　I get asked to do a lot of things for people on the street on my rounds.

　You may have an image of being a king's knight commander, which makes it difficult to talk to him, but Erza seems to be well respected by the people of the city.
　It's probably because they share the same sincere attitude as the people in the city.

''Elsa sounds like she's in the knight's barracks~''
Meryl. How did you know?
Mmm-hmm. With my magic, it's as simple as this... I can see where everyone is going and what they're doing.
That would help--but I'm afraid to use it incorrectly: ......

　There is always the fear of being watched.
　If you use magic to watch me, I may be able to counteract it with magic, but if I do so, I may be misunderstood as having something very important to me.
　When I left the house, I headed to the training grounds to pick up Erza.
　Just as Meryl had taught me, Erza was inside the military drill ground.
　Her waist-length hair swayed with each swing of her sword. The silvery white armor she wore shone back at the moonlight in the night sky.

'You're getting better.
　And I called out to her back.
"Father. ......

　Elsa stopped swinging her sword and turned around. She wiped the sweat on her forehead with the back of her hand. I finally let out a breath.

Since she hadn't returned for dinner, I came to check on her. That's very auspicious of you to stay at the barracks and pretend to be here.
　I said, "I hope the other knights follow suit.
"I hope the other knights will follow suit.
No. I have a long way to go.

　Elsa muttered .

'...... currently, Regina didn't stand up to me like that.
"He's especially strong. And the time he's spent with his sword is different. He's been around much longer than Elsa has.

　My follow-up words didn't seem to be any comfort to Elsa. She bit down on her mouth tightly.
　She was silent, as if she'd thought it over.
　Eventually, she opened her mouth as if to open a tightly closed keyhole.

"Miss Regina said after she won the battle with me. That's about as good as it gets. That the girl that Kaiser had raised, who had given up her dream of becoming an S-ranked adventurer, was a lesser talent than Kaiser. He told me I was disappointed.
"I told Regina. I raised them by choice. I'm just happy that you're alive and well.
"Father. Thank you. But I still don't forgive myself. I allowed Miss Regina, who knew your father in the past, to think that I was weak. I allowed her to think that I had destroyed your talent and potential.
Elsa: "Elsa: ......
"Father. I want to be strong. I want to be stronger than anyone else, Mr. Regina, or any father ever was. And in doing so, I want to prove to Miss Regina that I was right. That your father was not wrong to make that decision.

　Strong. Full of will.
　She spoke to me, and she was like a straight sword.
　She's been beaten by Regina, but she's not broken. She is on her feet, ready to catch up with the man who beat her.
　--I think I understand why she's the youngest S-ranked adventurer in history.

Well, if that's the case, I suppose I can help.

　And I said to Elsa.
"I have to be stronger than Regina. I want Elsa to be convinced.
...... Yes.
But not in moderation. Sometimes you need a good night's sleep. I think we'll go home for now.

　I put my hand on Elsa's shoulder.

"Otherwise, your stew is getting cold.

　As soon as I said the word stew, Elsa's stomach made a gurgling sound. She blushed quickly, as if ashamed of it .

'...... I was actually so busy working out that I hadn't eaten anything since lunch .

　I smiled in front of Elsa, who muttered that as an excuse .

I see. Then I'd better get home soon.

　Under the moonlight, Elsa and I walked back to the house where Anna and Meryl were waiting.