The brave men's selection game went well (?). The end.
　I came back to Lax village without incident.

"Hmm, I'd feel most at home at my parents' house.

　Now the village of Lax is my home and home base to bury my bones in.

　And my son Gran, who was actually born and raised in the village of Lax, is still full of energy and dreams today.

What is Gran going to do for fun today?
"I'm going to play chambara with my friends!

　At the breakfast table, his mother, Marika, asks him if he's going to play chambara with his friends.

Gran has a friend too...?
Yes!

　That's congratulations...!

　I can't believe that Gran, who was so small and mute when he was born, is now able to make friends on his own...!

'We're celebrating today!　Maleeka!　Bake me a cake!
'If we celebrate at this level, every day will be a party!

　My wife chided me softly.

　Aside from her, Gran and Celica shouted ''Cake!'' and their eyes lit up.
　Did I say something rash?

　The silent stare from Maleeka hurt.

''Well, I wouldn't mind baking a cake if you're willing to pay for the ingredients but...''
Strawberries!　Strawberry!　Strawberry!
'Marron!　Marron!　Marron!

　The children were driven by desire.

　Then..........

''Gran Kuhn!　A-Sobo!

　A voice echoes from outside the house.

　It's a child's voice, isn't it?
　And full of energy?

　The first to react to the voice was my son Gran.

'Oh shit, he's already here. .......................Haaaaay!　Wait a minute!

　I shout out in reply and hurriedly scrape up the few remaining pieces of breakfast.
　She knows that if she leaves a single grain behind, her mother's tray will hit her in the brain.

　Maleeka has become a good, educated mother too.......!

"...bwahaha!　Finished!　Thanks for the meal!　Then I'm off!
Watch out for monsters.

　My son runs off.
　It's good that my son has that kind of nimble energy.
　I'm not suited to the role of a brave man.

It's a good thing that you're in such a hurry. It's really fun to play with your friends.
Friend....who is this kid?

　As Lax village has become more and more affluent, there has been a noticeable influx of population, and even I, the village chief, can no longer keep track of it.

　Some of the migrants have come with their children, and some may have been born after they moved here.
　Lax Village, which used to be a very old village during the depopulation, is getting younger and younger now.

But I wonder what kind of friends my son has made...?
Wouldn't it be annoying if you were too vague...?
''Ughhhh?''

　I am gutted by Maleeka's casual attention.

　.........Well, since I don't want to become an annoying father who gets smoked by his children, I'll try to hide my presence in plain sight and peer at them from afar.

　If I decide to do that, I'll immediately follow him!

What do you do?

　The village chief's job is a little more flexible, so there's no problem.
　And now that we have Droyer, our capable secretary, it's even better.

　That's the way it's going to be!　It's time to see my son's friends!

I'll help your mother with the dishes.
Celica, you're a great girl.

　Don't cultivate the image that women work hard and men play around!

You're not going to be able to do that.

　And outside.
　In front of the house, in addition to my son Gran, there was another child standing in front of the house with an unfamiliar face.

'Hal-kun!　Whoa!
Good morning.

　Is this new friend that my Gran calls 'Hal-kun'?

　He had a neat face and looked docile.
　What he wore was very ordinary. Otherwise, he was glorious, as if he would be called some kind of prince.
　He had blonde hair, so he looked even more noble and glorious.

　.........
　Isn't he a bit gorgeous to be a village child?

Hey!
Hey!
"Hey, hey, hey, hey!
Hey, hey, hey, hey!
Hey, hey, hey!
"'Wayyyy!'

　My son and his friend clap each other's hands with a mysterious shout.

　What's that move?
　Is that a common thread among friends?

　Anyway, a series of moves were made to confirm the bond between them, and the children smiled wryly and gave each other a satisfied high-five at the end.

　A ceremony of friendship.

The power of our friendship will go around the world today!
With friends who believe in each other, we're not afraid to get hurt!

　The two of you are so excited in the morning, aren't you?

　I didn't know there were other kids who could keep up with his intensity.
　And in the same village.

What are we going to do for fun today?
Then let's play chambara again today!

　My friend, a boy, says, holding up an easily recognizable wooden stick.
　The stick itself is ordinary and looks like it would be lying on the side of the road.
　It's a good thing that it's branching out and if it were in the hands of a child, it would be named "The Sword of the Brave".

　Gran also has his beloved wooden sword and is ready to go.

Let's go!
Whoa!

　...........
　Hmm?

　No, no, no, no. Wait a minute?
　Isn't this a bad idea?

　I'm sorry to boast about my son, but my granddad is strong as hell.
　The other day he participated in a tournament for the brave men's team, and he kicked out every single person who wanted to be a brave man.

　It's safe to say that he's already a class A adventurer.

　I'm not sure if it's right for you to be fighting with kids your own age, even if it's just for fun.

　If it's done poorly, he could be injured or even killed.
　He decides to get down on his knees to the parents.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait...?

　It's no longer possible to hide and watch, but to jump out and try to stop them.
　But before that.....

"Finally!
Bye!

　A wooden sword and a wooden sword collide.
　A tremendous shock wave spreads from the clash.

"Whoa whoa whoa whoa!

　It spills over to me, who is hiding in the shadows, and the rushing air hits me in the face!

"Yes, huh, huh?
Takuramakan.

　The two of them called out in a gentle, childlike manner, but their luck swords were sharp.

　Their sword strikes seem to split the earth and split the heavens.
　The more the swords of both sides collide, the more a new shockwave is created, the more the surrounding trees are noisy and the little birds are startled and flee.

''Yesboru!''
Shogoro.

　With another distracted shout, Gran and his friend swung their wooden swords.

　Gran, you've been trying to aim at my legs while pretending to hit my opponent's head.
　When did he learn such a bold feint?

　However, the other child responds well and dodges by backing away, and then attacks Gran when the action ends, leaving an opening!

Wha-cha!

　Gran twisted his body to dodge!
　That action, mixed with aura, creates a whirlwind of activity around you.

　Are you trying to blow them away with that aura flow?
　But.........?

'Hmmmph.'

　The other child also emitted an aura and tore apart the aura flow!

　What was that attack?

　Even professional adventurers don't have a stifling fight like that!