"──── father-in-law. May I have a word?

　Sitting at his custom-made desk, wearing silver-rimmed glasses and working, someone quietly walked into Dundargu's room.
　At the sound of the person's voice, Dundargues looked up from the papers he was looking through and turned around.

"Oh, Inez. What's up, what time is it?

...... I hope Rollo's training is going well.
　I'm sorry I've left you in charge since then. I know it's a little late for that, but I just thought I'd ask.

You mean Rollo?
　Yes, ...... he's doing amazingly well.
　When you first brought her in, she looked like a weak, timid child, and I thought about what to do. ...... Now, all of the Six Saints are motivated. I'm even having a little fun teaching them. There's nothing to worry about.

"...... I see. I'm relieved to hear that.
　It's a good thing to ask her directly, but ...... she's always working really hard on something until late at night, and I feel bad interrupting her.

I think you're being a little too cautious, don't you?
　I'm sure you're not the only one.　Inez.
　It's a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web, as well as the information on the internet.

"...... Is that right?
　In the end, I just took the kid to everyone in the [Six Saints]. ...... I don't think I've done anything since then. I'm not sure what to do with it.

No, I think that's a big improvement from what you've been doing. You've never shown much interest in other people, have you?　Well, maybe you didn't have to.

...... Yeah, I guess so.

　But it doesn't mean that you were never interested in others. It's not that I wasn't interested in other people, Ines thought, it's just that I didn't know how to measure the right distance between me and other people and ended up not saying anything every time.
　She had gotten used to talking to people since she started her job, but she still didn't know what to say when it came to personal matters.
　Inez thought of this as her own shortcoming.

...... So, how are things going over there?
　I heard that you and Mr. Linneburg are currently training together. I heard that you and Master Linneburg are training together right now.

"Oh, yes, I'm training with him.
　...... Mr. Linneburg is amazing.
　It seems that the other day he caught something during the defeat of the [Gray Ghost], and his growth in the last few days has been remarkable.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for and what you need to do to get it.

　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.



"──── Hey, Ines. Are you okay after what happened?
......What do you mean, since?
That thing you did the other day, the one where you wiped out the fort on the border of the Empire in a matter of seconds.
...... Was that a bad idea?

　Inez knotted her loose lips and turned her head.

I'm not blaming you for anything.
　It was a good thing for both of our countries. Of course, as a knight of the kingdom, you deserve to be praised. And I personally feel good about it.

...... I see.

But you know what?
　I'm thinking that maybe it was (・・・・・・・) not a good thing for you.
　I'm not even going to lecture you on the fact that I'm your guardian.
　I'm not going to lecture you because I'm your guardian, but I'm a little worried about ──── you know.

　Dundalk scratched his head as he shrunk his large body.

"...... Worried?

Yeah. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at our own website. I'm not sure what to do with it.

"No, that's not true.
　My father-in-law is my goal, and I'm still ────.

I appreciate you saying that, but... You should just admit it. You're already stronger than us. If you wanted to, you could destroy a country with one cleave (・・・・・・・・).
　...... You know that, don't you?

　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your money.

Inez looked at Dundalk silently with a slightly puzzled expression on her face, "...... and I'm pretty sure I'm weak.
　That's about it. It is mostly because of Thane that I have been given the nickname "Immortal", you know?　I'm sure you'll be able to understand that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this. It doesn't matter if you've got a broken arm or a hole in your stomach, he'll have you back to normal in no time. He's scarier than the devil. Sig and Mianne are completely like a wall. .......
　I survived and became a great man because I had those crazy people around me. I'm not sure what to make of it.
　...... Actually, I've never held a shield in my life, you know?
　I've never had a shield, and when I told the king I had doubts, he said, "You're a shield yourself.
　It's a terrible story, don't you think?　It's too much.



　Dundargues laughed and shook his huge body.

But not you, ────.
　Yours is a true ...... power.
　You have a tremendous amount of power from the start that anyone would envy.
　No matter what kind of enemy comes your way, if you fight (・・・・・・) normally, you will not be defeated.
　To put it bluntly, you're invincible.
　But that's not what I'm worried about.

"...... Something else?

You're strong.
　But no matter how strong you are, that doesn't mean your heart is too, right?
　It's a little too ──── kind.
　You hurt some people with that thing.
　I'm sure you're not the only one.

It's ────.

　Inez choked on her words.

　When I destroyed the fortress, I let my anger get the better of me and swung the Sword of Light.
　I think it was necessary to secure the way back.
　However, because of this, several Imperial soldiers were caught in the collapse and wandered between life and death.
　Even though they were soldiers of an enemy nation at war, I am not without feelings about it.

No, it's okay, it's okay. Basically.
　If you don't feel anything about it, then you're not doing your job. It may sound like a contradiction, but you're the reason we can trust you with our work.
　I'm not sure what to make of it.　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.　You've done all you can, and there's no need to worry about it.

"......, is that right?

　Inez kept her eyes downcast and pondered.
　Maybe I could have done a little better. I'm not sure I did as well as I could have.

It's ────, though.
　I also thought that since you have that kind of personality, it would be better if you didn't use the sword so much. The reason why we all decided to raise you as a shield when we saw the power of your Grace was because we thought that too much power of destruction would make you unhappy. That's too much for one person to carry.

　Dundargu turned to Inez and put his large face close to hers.

I'm sorry for the trouble I caused you.
　I'm sorry for bothering you and don't even think about it. If you have nowhere else to turn, don't hesitate to turn to us.
　We all think of you as our own daughter, you know.

"...... daughter ......?

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.


　I'd also like to remind you that you don't have to ask permission from the top every time you want to use your powers.
　You may serve your country, but you're not a weapon.
　We didn't take you on as a mentor because we wanted to raise you that way, and I'm sure the king feels the same way.
　We simply wanted you to learn how to use the power you've suddenly acquired. In fact, I've gotten pretty good at it.

...... I don't think so. I don't really feel that way myself.

　I don't think so myself." Dundargues smiled annoyedly at Inez's still anxious attitude.

That's the thing, you know.　When you said you were going to take Rollo in, I was surprised at first, but after looking at him for a while ......, it made sense. You guys look amazingly alike.

"...... look alike?

Yeah.
　You have a lot of power, but you never admit it to yourself. It's so frustrating to watch.

　It's true that she may look a lot like you.
　Not in appearance.
　She is a being who has no place, who is not accepted, and who is just drifting between people.
　Maybe that's why I brought her to a place where I felt accepted.

　──── When I think back, it's very similar.

　I think I reacted like that when I was brought to the orphanage for the first time without eating well at the home where I was staying, and was served food for the first time.
　At that time, I remembered that, and I couldn't help but smile as I saw the overlap between her and myself in the past.

　I wondered why I was doing such a thing.
　Why am I doing this, when there is nothing I can give to her if I take her in?

But apparently, she only believes in her own potential.
　It's not quite the same as being confident, but ...... somehow, she believes she can do something. Those people are strong. ...... That's just the opposite of what you're going through right now.

...... I see. That might be true.

Yeah, it really is, isn't it?
　Look, Inez.
　You've got to admit it to yourself.
　Then you won't need to be strong anymore. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's had it.
　──── My pride and joy is the strongest girl on earth.
　If only you would admit it.

　Dundalk said and put his big hand on Inez's head.

"Well, that's all I wanted to say.
　I'm just trying to say, go with your heart on Mithra's case.
　You are the representative of us, the Six Saints.


　If you need to, feel free to use your sword or your shield. No matter what happens, we'll all take the blame.
　...... To be frank, it would be refreshing if you could go slap that woman's face, wouldn't it?　I'm sure it will turn into a diplomatic issue, but I'd be happy to have my head blown off for it.　I don't think you'd be that stupid, though.

　I don't think you're going to be that stupid," Dundalk said, smiling broadly as usual.

"...... Hey, stepdad.
　Can I have a moment?
　I've got one more thing I want to talk to you about.
　...... if you have the time.
"Hmm?　Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. I told you not to do that.
If you'd like to know what kind of childhood ...... this Noor person had, you can tell me.

　Dundargues looked a little surprised when Inez mentioned the name of the person.

Oh, that's really unusual.
　It's really unusual for you to take an interest in someone else. And that guy of all people?
"Is ...... funny?
No, I didn't say that. I think it's a good thing.　...... But why again?

...... I lost. I thought I lost.
　That guy, Noor. I thought I couldn't beat him.

"Oh, yeah, that guy.
　Well, that's too bad.
　That was, well, what can I say, ...... his fault.
　He's a little crazy, that guy.
　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out the best way to get the most out of it.

...... No, I measured it properly with my own yardstick, and I felt defeated.
　But I'm glad I did.
　It took a lot of weight off my shoulders, and I feel like I can look at myself a little more dispassionately.

　That was really unusual, Dundalk thought admiringly.
　As far as he knew, Inez had never been this concerned about others before.

...... Oh, I see. That's good to know.
　I wonder what ...... Gilbert would look like if he heard that.

Why is his name coming up here, ......?
No, I'm talking about me. Don't worry about it. ...... I mean, you really don't know what you're talking about.


"......?

So, what do you want to ask me?　There's not much I know, though. All I know is three months. Still, I know you're a hell of a guy. I can tell you about that time, but, yeah...

　Favouring the change that had come over Inez, Dundargh sat back in the large custom-made chair, rested his cheek against the desk and jogged his memory.