The next day.
　I was giving a lecture in a classroom at the Magic Academy.
　As I was answering the students' questions, someone rushed into the classroom.

　...... hmm?　Are you late to the party?　Well, everyone is present today, including Meryl. So maybe the headmaster.
　So I came up with something different.

Mr. Kaiser!　Are you there!

　It was Monica, the receptionist of the Adventurer's Guild, who screamed at the top of her lungs, looking very urgent.

''Monica?　Why are you here: ......

　He's supposed to be on duty now.
　The students were surprised to see someone who wasn't supposed to be here.

'Oh my God!　It's a big deal!

　Monica flaps her hands around to appeal to me.

"I need you to calm down. What's going on?
'Just come to the Adventurer's Guild!　Anna is waiting for you! And Monica takes my hand and tries to pull me along.
　Anna calls me at work. It sounds important.
　I run my eyes over to Norman, who is standing beside me, and call out to him.

"Norman!　I'm sorry. You'll take care of the rest of the class.
Mm. I don't blame you. But I don't care if I eat your existence by performing a great lesson while you're out of your seat?
Yeah. I look forward to hearing about the students later.

　I said yes and Monica took me by the hand and we headed for the Adventurer's Guild.
　On the way, Monica bought me a drink and gave me a piggyback ride when I was tired from running, but I arrived at the Adventurer's Guild.
　When I opened the door and entered, Anna came running towards me from the back.

Dad!　Finally, you're here!　...... but it's so late . Monika-chan didn't leave the guild until much earlier.

　Anna gave Monica a questioning look.

''Did you get lost in the school?''
'What?　Um . I mean, it's... I feel like it. Ha-ha-ha.

　Monica smiles a drawn-out smile as her eyes swim.
　Anna doesn't know .
　. that Monica had been skipping and skipping all the way here .
　On the way there, she was hot and tired, so she went into a sweet shop and had a satisfied look on her face as she ate her juice and parfait.

No, actually: ......
'Hey, Mr. Kaiser!　What are you trying to talk about so nakedly!　It's not the past that's important, it's the present!

　Monica trying desperately to keep her mouth shut.
　You're right, but I don't think now is the right time to use it.
　Anyway. I'm not trying to expose Monica for skipping work. I just wanted to see how she reacted.
　Satisfied with Monica's reaction, I decided to get back to the point.

"Anna. Why did you bring me here?　If you made me send Monica to you, then that's what happened, right?
Yeah. And that's actually a bad thing.
What's wrong with it?
'If we don't, it could destroy King's Landing.
What?

　These unexpected words made me reflexively yell out.

"There seems to be a horde of demons attacking the capital. If you say "cyclops hordes", you'll know things are bad.

　Cyclops--the one-eyed Titan of the A-Level class.
　Every blow from its monstrous power can be fatal.
　Even one Cyclops would be too hard to kill... but they still attack in packs!

But the Cyclops are mainly found in the outlying regions. Individuals. I've never heard of a swarm.
They seem to have just appeared out of nowhere. It's just an undeniable fact that they're marching towards King's Landing.

　Anna had a serious look on her face .



it's normally the knightly order that intercepts the demons attacking the capital. But since we're up against them, the Adventurer's Guild has been called in. As an urgent A-ranked mission, we have to quickly gather the number of adventurers who are eligible for the order.
Oh, I see. So that's why you wanted me to come work for you, huh?

　I understand.
　I'm a qualified A-ranked adventurer.
　I think the truth is that I need an extra man now.

But with A-ranked adventurers, the number of A-ranked ones will be limited. And if they're up and running right now, how hard can it be to get them?
"Yes. That's right. There's a party of A-ranked adventurers on an expedition. I'm gathering up some B adventurers at the moment.

　Anna said.

'After all, my dad and one other person were the only ones who could be called up with an A rating.
'Another one?　That guy might be--
It's me.

　As if in response to my question, a voice rang out from behind me.
　Or should I say, as I expected.
　I turn around to find Regina with a pouting face.

I knew it. But I didn't expect you to just accept the call. If the city was in danger, you wouldn't have wanted to fight if you weren't interested.

　Many adventurers are like that.
　That's why the Guild of Adventurers struggles to recruit them.

Have you grown up over the years?
"Nonsense. I will not fight against my will, even now. It was only because of you that I agreed to fight this call.
Me?
'I knew that if my daughter, the Guildmaster, called the meeting, you would respond. Not bad considering it's been a while since we've fought together.

　I see. Okay.

But that's okay?　You don't think I'm going to fight well enough to have your back, do you?

　He confirmed it with a smile.

'Hmm . I made sure my sword wasn't dulled when I clashed with you before.
Ha, ha. I'll do my best not to disappoint you.
"I don't like that wry smile," said Regina, clicking her tongue. 'You never used to have that look on your face.
It's been 18 years. People change.

　I let Regina's words sink in and turned to Anna.

"Anna. What direction are they coming from?
The guild scouts report that they are heading for the main gate from the southern plains. They'll be attacking us in a couple of hours.
Okay. Okay.

　I nodded and strained my voice to keep the momentum going.

"Well. Let's go. We can't let those demons inside King's Landing. We've got to intercept them first.
Dad!　I'm sure you'll be fine, but be careful.
Yeah. I'll take care of it.