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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Doting Dad (3)
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The Tale of the Hero of Light.
It was the heroic saga popularly known to the masses, the one folks often called a hero's tale.
Among countless such tales, the Hero of Light stood out as the original archetype.
The protagonist sets out on a journey to defeat the monsters raiding his village, enduring all sorts of trials and tribulations as he grows stronger, ultimately earning recognition as the Hero of Light and banishing the world's darkness. It was a thoroughly classic structure.
Now more legend than myth, having aged over time, the core framework of the story had endured unbroken through the generations.
One such element was the tale of the hero's birth.
The one destined to become the savior of the world is born bearing a special mark somewhere on their body.
Because of this, there was a time when people viewed birthmarks on children with suspicion, but nowadays it was dismissed as mere childish superstition.
Yet that legend was stark reality.
"Then Daddy will wash your back."
The mark etched on Lize's back—exposed now that her hair was tied up—was proof undeniable.
A unique pattern resembling one wing of a bird.
Too intricate to pass as a mere birthmark, it could only appear man-made.
And I knew exactly what this was.
Across countless lifetimes, I'd once scoured libraries and met innumerable people, driven by the suspicion that I myself might have been chosen as a hero, desperately researching hero lore.
One of the discoveries from back then was precisely this mark.
The symbol of the hero.
The proof of one born to heroic destiny.
"Does it hurt? You okay?"
"...."
Lize kept her lips pursed tight, pouting stubbornly at me.
Ever since I'd kept refusing, protesting like it was some sit-in, she hadn't uttered a single word to me.
And yet, she obediently shifted her body as I instructed, which just made her rebellion all the cuter.
There was no question why Lize was sulking like this: I'd opposed her becoming a mercenary.
Even Lize, who rarely threw tantrums, had begged and pleaded to convince me, but I wouldn't budge.
Because I'd vowed never to let her do anything dangerous.
Besides, what kind of job was being a mercenary?
Not only did you have to risk your life battling countless monsters, but sometimes you had to fight people too.
And in this line of work, you'd encounter all sorts of filth and grime endlessly.
What kind of father would let his daughter take on such a role?
Splash!
As I rinsed the soapy suds from Lize's back with water, my agitated heart began to settle.
There it was again: the hero's mark.
Sure enough... I didn't want her exposed to such a brutal world, whether as a mercenary or a hero.
Unlike me, I just wanted Lize to live happily in an ordinary world.
Of course, to make that happen, I first needed to soothe her feelings somehow.
"Alright, let's dry off."
Even by the time we finished washing, Lize hadn't said a word.
This was the first time she'd sulked so intensely, and honestly, it worried me.
It didn't seem like it'd blow over easily.
From a father's perspective, it was heartwarming that she admired and wanted to follow in my footsteps, but I could never recommend it for her.
I spoke from experience: my first job had been as a mercenary, and I'd done it countless times since.
No matter how I thought about it, being a mercenary was far too dangerous.
So I couldn't take back my words now.
But more than that, a sudden anxiety gripped me—what if we never spoke again?
"Lize?"
"...."
"...Alright, Daddy gives up. I'll teach you the sword."
"Really?!"
At those words, Lize's face bloomed like a flower.
I wondered if it was worth getting this excited over, but seeing her smile melted away my unease in an instant.
Seeing her like this made me want to grant her every wish... but as a father, I had to stay firm to a degree.
I suppressed my twitching lips, keeping my expression in check, while Lize's voice rose in bubbly excitement.
"Thank you, Daddy! I'll become a mercenary just like you...!"
"But I'm not permitting you to become a mercenary yet."
"Whyyy?!"
As expected, Lize reacted fiercely.
With lungs like that, she could be an actress.
Lize looked ready to burst into tears, but I couldn't soften now, so I steeled myself again.
I'd prepared words to persuade her.
"You can wield a sword without being a mercenary. You could become a knight, or a swordsmanship instructor. Or even learn it lightly alongside another profession. It doesn't have to be mercenary work, right?"
"But... I want to be with Daddy..."
For a moment, I wanted to change my career.
Wait a second.
Wouldn't this persuade her better?
I quickly organized my thoughts, then crouched down to meet Lize's eyes, speaking in a serious tone.
"Then what if Daddy quits being a mercenary? Would you still want to become one?"
"...."
Lize hesitated, lips pursed, unable to answer easily.
It was a purely simple motivation—wanting to be by my side—so of course she couldn't respond glibly.
That she liked me so much filled me with joy, but more than that, I hoped she'd find her own dream, not just trail after me.
As her father, I needed to guide her toward the right path.
"Since you asked to learn, I'll teach you swordsmanship properly. But think a bit more about what you want to become. No matter what Lize chooses, Daddy won't leave your side. If it's something you truly want, I'll support you in anything. Okay? Got it?"
"...Really?"
"Of course. Have you ever known Daddy to lie?"
Lize, who had looked a touch anxious, shook her head at my question.
Seeing my consistent honesty pay off filled a corner of my heart with pride.
I'd never actually lied to her, even if I kept some secrets.
And what I'd just said held not a shred of falsehood.
In this harsh world, who else could protect Lize if not me?
Knowing full well the future calamities, I was already deeply anxious.
Truth be told, it might be better to start preparing now... but.
I brushed aside the stray thoughts, straightening up.
"So, want to start learning swordsmanship from Daddy tomorrow?"
"Yes! I want to learn from Daddy!"
Lize erased her gloom in a flash, beaming brightly.
She then rushed into my arms, hugging me tight.
"Thank you, Daddy."
Her words tugged strangely at my heart.
For that one phrase alone, I'd grant her anything.
But when teaching her the sword, I'd be entirely different from now.
The blade was for battling foes, but it could also endanger the wielder.
So during those lessons, I had to be a strict instructor, not a doting father.
My heart already ached at the thought, but there was no choice.
Since I'd decided to teach her, I'd do it thoroughly from one to ten.
With that resolve, I silently apologized to Lize in my heart.
It was time to revive my old notoriety as the school's mad dog.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Whoosh! Swoosh!
"Nineteen...! Twenty...!"
Lize paused her swings, catching her breath briefly.
Her face showed slight fatigue, but her stance hadn't crumbled a bit.
Seeing that, I tightened my crossed arms even further.
One slip, and I'd have cheered and clapped without thinking.
Lize was a genius.
No, not just any genius—a genius among geniuses.
Anyone watching might think she'd been born sword in hand; her movements were that precise.
Even simple swings showed no wobble at the tip, with zero margin for error.
This transcended mere talent.
If not genius, what else could you call it?
I'd taught countless people before, but none matched Lize's aptitude. I could say that with certainty.
I'd expected some talent, given her heroic destiny, but never dreamed it'd be this extraordinary.
As her father, I was thrilled by her prodigious gift, yet conflicted—should I really let her keep wielding a sword?
No, Lize would excel at anything she tried.
Of course—who's daughter was she?
I pushed the thoughts aside and approached Lize, who gazed at me with sparkling eyes.
"You can lower your sword now."
Only then did Lize drop her raised arm and spin toward me.
"Learning the sword from Daddy is so much fun! Can I do more?!"
Despite swinging plenty, she showed no exhaustion, eyes shining bright.
Even for a child, that stamina meant she was born for physical pursuits.
As I gently wiped her sweat with the towel I'd brought, such thoughts crossed my mind.
"That's enough for today. Overdoing it isn't good."
"Heehee, then more tomorrow? I'll learn the sword from Daddy forever!"
"Forever learning, huh?"
"Until I'm stronger than Daddy!"
Seeing her love it so much made me regret not starting sooner, but her deeper interest worried me.
Now that it was done, I'd teach her swordsmanship eagerly—but somehow block the mercenary path.
Of course, subtly guiding her without her noticing.
Introduce other fine careers bit by bit... If that fails, change my job... Even if she insists on mercenary, polish that path till it shines...
"Daddy?"
Lize called out, eyes wide, noticing my odd expression.
Her face fell, voice turning dejected in an instant.
"Was my swinging... kinda weird?"
"Huh?"
"Am I in big trouble?"
Even her worrying was unbearably cute.
Chuckling, I crouched down, wrapping her cheek—still soft from the towel—with it, and spoke.
"Yeah, Lize, you're in big trouble now."
"...Ugh."
At my teasing, her eyes welled up immediately.
Worried she'd actually cry, I pinched her squishy cheek through the towel and added,
"At this rate, you'll surpass Daddy in no time."
She blinked in brief confusion, then grinned ear to ear.
"Really? For real? I can get stronger than Daddy?"
"You want that so badly?"
I figured her pure joy meant she just wanted to grow strong like a kid should, but Lize's reply blindsided me.
"I need to get strong fast so I can protect Daddy."
"...Protect Daddy?"
Her words blanked my mind for a second.
What did Lize just say?
Who? Lize? Protect who?Me?
"Yeah! Once I'm good with the sword, we'll fight together, and I'll keep Daddy from getting hurt. So don't worry about anything, okay?"
Something was deeply, deeply wrong.
If her wish to be a mercenary wasn't just because I was one...
If her desire to learn the sword wasn't mere admiration...
"Heehee, once I'm super strong, Daddy won't have to fight anymore, right? Then we'll have way more time together! So I'll train hard and get strong quick!"
This... there was no turning back now.