Anna. Thanks for your help.

　The sun had just set and the lights of the city were beginning to glow in the darkness like fireflies.
　I stepped into the Adventurer's Guild, and when I saw Anna, I called out to her. She's just finishing getting ready to go home.

"Dad. Did you come to pick me up like that?
Yeah. I don't like being alone at night. After what happened.
You're... You're a worrier.

　Anna looked troubled, but vaguely happy.
　There was no one else in the guild room. Anna seemed to have stayed behind until the end. It must be hard being in charge.

Well, I guess I'll be going home.
Yeah. Let's go.

　He turned off the light inside the guild and opened the door and stepped out.
　Anna had remembered to lock the door.
　The Adventurers' Guild was so crowded with adventurers during the day, but at night, the building that had turned into a mute figure felt like a shell of itself.

　Under the moonlight, I walk towards home.
　Whoever attacked Meryl may be lurking in this royal city. Whether that person is after Meryl or the magical academy itself, I don't know.
　Either way, there's no guarantee the other girls won't be attacked.
　So I'd be the one to pick Anna and the other girls up.
　The street was deserted, its daytime energy gone. The sound of soles on the cobblestones could be heard. I pay maximum attention to the occasional passerby.

"Hey, Dad. I wonder what they think we look like now.

　Anna asked this as she walked with a supple gait.

'What does ...... mean?' "I mean, don't you see them as normal parents and children?
Don't they look like a couple?
No, that's not exactly how it works.
Why?
Me and Anna are way too old for that.

　After all, there's a 17-year age difference.

You look a lot younger than you think. Besides, these days it's not uncommon for lovers to be older than you are.

　I wondered if Anna had said that.

Yeah. I have a good idea.

　He held up a finger with a mischievous expression on his face.

　--a good thing?

　And that's when I was tilting my head back.
　Squeeze.
　I felt something soft and warm on my left arm.
　And I looked.
　I saw Anna leaning in with her arms entwined with my left arm.

"How's this?　Wouldn't this make us look like lovers?
Hey, hey. You're getting a little soft today.
I'm usually so tense when I'm at work. It's just you and me. You don't have to spoil him every once in a while.
It's a lot harder to fight when you're hugged, though, when you're attacked.
It's okay. Daddy's strong. With your left arm stuck like this, as long as you can use your dominant arm, who's going to beat you?
Oh, man. Oh, my God. ......

　I'm not exactly invincible, you know?
　I swallow the words that came out of my throat.
　Anna is usually the calmest person in the world, but when it comes to my strength, she trusts me blindly.
　It's like she can't imagine her father losing.

　At first glance she appears mature, but she's still a child. It's not as if I can beat anyone.
　...... Well, as far as losing goes, I can't remember.

What about your work?　Is it still hard work every day?
Yes. It's depressing to be dealing with a colleague who tries to slack off at every opportunity and an adventurer who's selfish enough to ignore our requests.

　Anna chuckled as she said this.

'Well, I'm not busier than my dad, though.
Really?
Yes. You've been working a little awkwardly lately, haven't you?

　Anna said dismissively.



Today you were working as an instructor for the Order in the morning, the princess's tutor in the afternoon, and then you went on an A-rank mission with Regina. Moreover, a task that should have taken several days to complete was accomplished in half a day. This is too much work for you.

　Originally, I was juggling many jobs, and recently I've been accompanying Regina on more and more missions to defeat her, so my schedule was super overcrowded.

''It's fine. I'm busy, but I'm not unreasonable.''

　It wasn't vanity, it was heartfelt.
　I don't feel depleted, mind and body.
　If you asked me to, I would have done it.

May I remind you that I'm not trying to toughen you up?
We'll see. Dad, you seem to be having so much fun these days.
Really?
Yeah. . because when you and Regina are on a mission to defeat them, Dad looks so alive like a child.

　Anna chuckled.

"Didn't you know that?

　A puzzled look crossed his face. Anna sounded surprised.
　I hadn't noticed.
　But I guess if she says she did, she did.
　Actually, it was fun going on missions with Regina. Fighting with her reminded me of those days when I was a desperate adventurer.
　This was it.

...... Anna. Stay close to me.
What?
I can sense someone lurking nearby.

　They'd been walking for a while, and then they'd stepped into an alley.
　There was no one around.
　But I could still feel eyes on me from somewhere.

"Dad. Could it be ......?
Yeah. That's a distinct possibility.

　...... inactive city streets. A secluded, dimly lit alleyway in a blind spot. The timing couldn't have been better to pounce.
　Anna's arms tighten in my grip.
　She's nervous. That's understandable.

It's okay. I'm with you.
...... Uh-huh.

　As I told her this, Anna's fear faded from her face.
　I raised my guard and set up a perimeter.
　Come at me from anywhere.
　No matter who it is, I won't let Anna lift a finger.
　I was staring into the dim light.

　And then...
　Behind a dumpster at the corner of the alleyway, there's a moving shadow.

There it is.

　A moment later, he drew the sword from his waist and shook it off.
　A flash--.
　The trash can was split in half, revealing the figure hiding behind it.

Hiiiiiiiiiiii!

　It screamed and fell on its ass, and I stuck my swordpoint into its shadow.

"Surrender. Don't fight it.

　If you make even one strange move, I'll cut you down, no questions asked.
　That's what I was getting so worked up about, but...

Kaiser-san!　Me!　It's me!

　The voice that reached my ears was vaguely familiar.

'...... Huh?　Monica?

　Anna, who was beside me, muttered in confusion.
　The moon, which had been hidden behind thick clouds, peeked out and poured light down the alleyway.
　A figure seared by the pale moonlight, holding up her hands with her hips, was Monica, the guild's receptionist.

''Oh, God!　You gave me a fright!　Kaiser-san, you were almost ready to cut me down!
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

　I was apologizing to Monica as she expressed her anger.
　After all, it was Monica who was hiding.

But why were you hiding here?
I was walking around and saw them, and it was funny to see Anna's delirious and spoiled by Kaizel-san, so I was secretly following them.

　I see. So that's what happened.



Anna-san, at work, you give me a very stern look, but you can make a girly face like that.
　Monica giggles as she plays with the "Poo-sniffle".
'Moooooooooooo, Monica!'

　Anna was wincing at that.

'Wouldn't that make us look like lovers?　Anna's arm in arm with Kaizel was so cute when she said, "I wish everyone could have seen that. I wish everyone could have seen it.
...... You, if you tell everyone at work about it, I'll make you live a life of working overtime and not being able to go home, okay?
Oh, no. Just kidding.

　As expected, she thought it was a bad idea to play around with it any longer .
　At Anna's threat, Monica gave a tight smile. It's important to have a good judgment in this kind of situation.

But it was cool to see Kaiser trying to protect Anna. I felt a little bit of a rush when she held up her sword to me.
Yes. Your dad is so reliable and good-looking.
You two won't get anything out of your compliments.
I'm sorry. I'm just being honest.

　I smiled at Monica, who was laughing at me.
　She's a good girl.
　Anyway, I'll let you walk her home if you want to go home alone.

　It's not like I'm in a good mood for praise or anything.
　...... Well, maybe a little bit of that, too.