I removed the hood and the disguise in the way so I could use the sensors and RWS machine gun.

　I'm sorry, but they break through the barn and make a loud noise, appearing with a flourish to attract the attention of the bandits. The bandit is quite upset because of the suddenness of it.

　It's a secular story, but the brass casings of the RWS machine gun have been fitted with a bag of shell catchers, so there's no need to worry about it.

'Ryota-dono?　Thank goodness. We only have a few minor injuries in this house, and there's plenty of food for trade!

　Even during the siege, Chou hasn't forgotten to make a deal. But at the same time, Simon and the others may have run out of ammunition, and the shooting from the forest has stopped.

　Wow, that was pretty close........
　I'm only an amateur, and my estimates are not very good.

　Still, the bandits went from agitated to running as Window Flowers killed another cavalryman and a long spearman. I also opened the upper hatch and used my MP5F to attack the bandits.

　However, I had been caught off guard, which I couldn't recover.

Ryota!　We did it, we won!　I'll retrieve the arrows and join in the chase!

'Midea!　You can't leave yet. Go back!

　One cavalryman fleeing from the forest edge was close to Midia. Worst of all, he stopped fleeing and used the momentum of his horse to try to throw his spear at Midia.

　And yet, it's a blind spot from the RWS machine gun. I was too frazzled to respond. But Simon didn't let his guard down and didn't give up.

　Even without arrows, the light of the Maglite would make the cavalry flinch. My aim was off and Midia was saved. I lagged behind and fired at the cavalry.

　I knew you were brave, just like your father. You can't even fight back, and you defend your daughter with just the light of the Maglite....


I'm sorry, Dad...

"Idiots!　I told you to listen to me, and you'll soon be-- [Scoffs at dad!

　I've let my guard down again.
　Another cavalryman.
　The commander.

　He threw his spear at Simon, who exposed his position, and ran off.

'Mr. Simon!'
Dad!

　Simon-san is down around a break in the forest. I turned at the sound of Midia's voice, but it was too late to avoid it. The spear had pierced his belly and the tip of the spear was sticking out of his back.

　I could smell that the colon was torn. Definitely an infection. But the wound could still be treated in a Japanese hospital. In a Japanese hospital, that is.

"Heh, I don't know if I can scold my daughter for looking like this...

Dad!　I'm sorry!　Oh, my God, that was such a bad idea...

　She's crying, so her active tongue is out of whack I don't know how to comfort a girl. I have no choice but to leave her alone.

　Residents have gathered with a piece of wood that is on fire.

　There is no hospital here and no healing mages. It's impossible to treat the wound with a hand-held medical kit. Well then, being the clumsy one that I am, I'll do what I can.

"Mr. Simon, it's not fatal, but it's enough to rupture your intestines. Please let me know if there's anything I can do.

　Midia glares at me, but I ignore her.

　All I can do is listen to Simon's words and make my wish come true.

'Midia, I told you to be prepared for a family business like this, didn't I?　So don't glare at Ryota. So, Ryota I want to make a deal.

Let's hear it. I'll give you all the concessions I can, okay?

　 A weakness of heart.

'Thank you, Ryota, you're going to investigate this continent, right?　There's a pass that allows you to enter any country or city. I think it's an item that Ryota would want to buy for a high price, don't you think?

　That's a lot of gall, even with a spear in my stomach. If it were up to me, I'd pull the spear out. But it could make things worse. I need to tell Mr. Simon to finish saying goodbye to his daughter. That's why I can't die yet.

If that's the case, I'd buy it if it weren't so bad.

　Midea is the talk of business at a time like this!　And a look of disdain.

　It's okay. I'm used to that kind of stare.

'I'm an official demon exterminator's license for the Alp. I am authorized to enter all of the lands and cities of Ares. If you have my blood seal and your blood seal in the back, you've taken it over, even if only provisionally.

Temporary?　Isn't there some sort of restriction in that case?

'If you leave it, it will expire. But if you go to the Pretales family within three months, they will arrange for this exam. My contributor and guarantor, the Viscount of the Alp Guards, ask for my daughter's exterminator's exam then as well.

　I know what you want, Mr. Simon. But it's a lot of responsibility. And he can't have it with me.

What can I do for you?　And, are you only allowed to have one disciple?

　Weak or not, the conditions will be brought out.

　No matter how much she is my own daughter, I have no way to prove it. She's a mixed breed and not even a citizen of the Alp Guard State. At the very least, you need to prove that you are Simon-san's apprentice. Otherwise, there's no way I can take the national exam....

　So what you want is for me to take Midia for a wife.

I can take up to three apprentices. So here's what I'm asking, Midia is half a man and still too young to live on her own, so I want you to take care of her until she has a place to live on her own and become competent.

　You don't think that's the place to be, do you?　Otherwise, he would have continued his journey, not this settlement. Besides, it takes at least three years to make a new employee a full-fledged member of the family.

　Would you leave your young and pretty daughter in the care of a single man for more than three years?　You don't see the point, do you?　At least as a parent, you can pick a better one. You don't know it, but I'll be gone in three years at the most.

'I have a condition, too, that the blood seal is between me and Miss Midia. She's your daughter, but she's your apprentice, right?

'All right. 　If you know what I mean, I'll ask. I'll ask Midia but that guy probably won't be able to do it.

　A stroke of mercy.

　I know what it's all about.

　I've had a lot of tough jobs. You know how bad you get when you get depressed again?　Still, it's better than having your own daughter do it...

　I know this because my family decides what to do with a family that has no chance of surviving in Japan. The decision was too hard on my 16 year old daughter.

　I couldn't do it either.