Dad. Actually, there's something I need to ask you.

　A few days later .
　When I showed up at the Adventurers Guild, Anna, who was in reception, cut me off.

''Hmm?　Is there another mission you can't take on?

　The Adventurer's Guild was packed with adventurers today as well. They were basically rowdy and their every move was loud.
　So I asked out loud so that I wouldn't be drowned out by the noise.

That's right. Half right and half wrong.
What do you mean?
It's true what they say about some assignments not being available. I don't want to leave it unattended or it could get you in trouble, so I'm gonna ask my dad.
What's the other half of the job?
I need you to take Elsa with you on that mission.
"Elsa?　...... means it's a very difficult mission. It looks like it's at least an A-grade or higher .

　You have to bring Elsa along with you - the fact that Anna has decided to do so means that it won't be a half-heartedly difficult task.

''Ah . It's not . The difficulty level of the mission itself is C-rank level. It's a mission that can be easily accomplished by just one daddy alone to take down.

　Anna said to explain away my misunderstanding.

'I want you to take her with you because I need her to blow off steam. You've been working out all morning and all night lately, haven't you?　And the rest of the time, we're just tense. And I'm just so depressed that I need to get some rest. I'll do it.

　Ever since she swore to be stronger than Regina, Elsa, who was originally immersed in training, began wielding her sword with such vigor that she devoted her entire life to it.
　It's fine to work hard, but it certainly feels like overwork.

She's not the kind of girl who listens to me just because I tell her to take a day off. You'll be able to take the day off if you're with your dad on his mission.
At least you're on a C-ranked kill mission. Do I get enough rest?
'To Dad and Elsa, a mission to take down a guy like that would be a piece of cake, right?　Besides, the area around the village where you were hired is famous for its hot springs. I'm sure a long soak in the hot springs will help you get rid of the daily fatigue that builds up in your body.
Oh. The hot springs. Hot springs.

　You warm up your body to the core in the hot spring and drink a glass of cold local sake afterwards. Even just thinking about it will help you to get rid of your fatigue.

Right?　I've been working late and my shoulder's been really sore. I need to relax.
Are you coming with us?
Yeah. We're going on a spa trip. I don't want to leave you here. I did all the work on that pile of stuff so I could get paid.
All of these missions are starting to feel like a family vacation.
Anyway, I'll take care of the formalities. My father will see to it that Elsa is available. The Order doesn't seem to have much time on their hands these days, so you'll have some time off.

　Anna said and winked at me.

"Mmm. Daddy. Please...
All right, all right. ...... I've always complained that Anna has a tendency to use her father too much, but I've always followed the law," she said.

I'm not going to be the only one.

　The stuffing room of the Order.
　When I spotted Elsa, I cut to the chase.

Yeah. Sorry to bother you, but can you do me a favor?
"Yes. Work itself is no problem. It's the only thing my father asks of me. I'd put everything else before anything else. But there's a website: ......
But?
For a man as powerful as my father to make such a request. This mission to take down the enemy is going to be incredibly intense.
Uh. Yeah. Yeah. ......
Father. What is the matter with you?　Your eyes seem to be swimming.


It's all in your head. Ha, ha.
'Really?　I hope so. -- anyway, I will do my best to live up to your father's expectations.

　I've heard that Erza thinks that my request to come along with me is because this is a mission that would be difficult to accomplish by myself.
　But this is a mission of such a level of difficulty that it would be no problem for me to accomplish alone.
　But you wouldn't dream that this was some kind of half-hearted trip to the hot springs to rest and relax under the auspices of the mission.
　Looking at Elsa's willingness to do it, I can't say: .......

　It seems that Anna is right, the Knights are in a relatively comfortable period right now .
　I'm sure you'll be able to find the best way to get the most out of your time off.
　I took Elsa with me to the Adventurer's Guild where Anna was waiting for me.

　There was a carriage parked in front of the Adventurer's Guild.
　The carriage and the horse he was pulling the reins on looked familiar.
　I believe it was ...... the gentleman who helped me on my way to defeat the Ancient Dragon.

Ah. Here they come. Here they come.

　Anna, who was standing near the carriage, raised her hand when she saw us.

"You've already secured the carriage for me. That's neat. But there was a chance that Elsa wouldn't be able to take a break from the Order.
You'll do whatever you have to do to take a break if your dad asks you to.
　Anna assured him.
'Elsa's a severe father figure.
I only responded to your request to help you, father!　Stop talking like a softy who hasn't been separated from his parents!
You can't do that. You can't.
It's ready!　I'm already well established and independent!
Hmm. You look so happy that Daddy bought you a basket like that. And on days when you can't sleep, you're holding Daddy's wooden sword.
...... and it's ......

　Elsa's speech became weak in the blink of an eye when Anna pointed it out to her . She turned her flushed face down and muttered while pinching the fingers of her hands together .

''It's merely that I adore your father ......''
"Elsa. Let me tell you something good. That's what people call it: a dumb luck charm. I guess I'll learn something.
　Anna said with a triumphant look on her face.
'That's good. I don't care if he is a father figure. I like you a lot and I love you too. And I don't think you have anything to be ashamed of.

　It was Meryl who peeked out from behind Anna's back. Even though she was in public, she didn't hesitate to hug me.

"I love you, Daddy!
Meryl was here too. Did Anna ask you to come?
I asked him myself before I went to call him.
I won't be the only one left standing, I promise!　If you're left at home, you'll starve to death because you can't do any housework or cooking or anything else!
Don't say something so majestic and pathetic.

　I held my forehead with a wry smile.
　What would you do if something happened to us and Meryl was left alone?　It's also a matter of not being too far removed from your parents .

''Does the fact that Anna and Meryl are also accompanying you mean that they are as dangerous as the previous Ancient Dragons?

　Erza gulped and cleared her throat as she unfolded her evil thoughts . With a serious expression on her face, she turned a scowl at the other two girls' attire .

...... No, before that, why are Anna and Meryl in yukata?　Have you been taking a bath or something?
Oh. 'You finally noticed,' said Meryl.

　Anna and Meryl were dressed in yukatas.
　The light fabric was decorated with floral patterns and the hem of the garment was fluttering. The obi tied around their waists accentuated their style.
　It is cool and very pretty.

We don't want to bother changing into our yukata when we get to the client's town. Don't you want to be able to take a hot spring as soon as you get there?

　Erza's eyes were darting at Anna's words as she held up a finger. She pressed her eyebrows together and didn't know what was going on.

Aren't you going on a mission to take out an S-ranked class now?
What are you talking about?　What I got this time was a mission to take down a C-rated class.　It's more of a hot tub and the mission is just an added bonus.
...... Um . If that's the case, why do you want me to go with you?
"Elsa. You've been working out a lot lately, haven't you? Forget about the sword for a while and rest your body.


Father.

　And Elsa looked at me like she wanted me to help her.

"Well, that's what it looks like. Well, that's the way it goes. Of course, we'll do our job well on a takedown mission.

　When he realized that I was on Anna and Meryl's side, he decided that it would be useless to say anything else.
　Elsa sighed in resignation and said

...... I understand. Abandoning a mission once accepted is a shame for an S-ranked adventurer. I'll go with you all.
That's the way it should be.

　Anna smiled with satisfaction.

"Elsa. Let's go to the hot springs and wash each other's body.

　Meryl said jokingly.

'...... Right . The fangs of resistance are completely missing from Elsa, who muttered with a bitter smile, "I'll wash her back too, Meryl.

　And so we went on a trip to the hot springs, or rather a mission to defeat them.