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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 008
Chapter Title: Future Plans for My Daughter (3)
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"Sorry about this every time."
At my apologetic greeting, the woman covered her mouth and let out a small laugh.
"Oh, come on. I love Lize, so she's welcome anytime. She's such a good girl."
Our neighbor, Dalia, had kindly been watching Lize whenever I had to leave the house.
I'd been worried at first when I asked her, but thankfully, since she'd only recently moved in, we hit it off quickly.
Plus, with two kids around Lize's age, she must have pitied me raising Lize all alone. She treated me kinder than I'd expected.
Of course, I never left Lize in her hands empty-handed.
"It's nothing much, but I'm always so grateful, so please take this."
"You didn't have to bring anything at all. Oh my goodness."
As I said, it really was nothing fancy.
A hunk of meat and a few children's books.
Gifts within a reasonable range, nothing burdensome.
I'd originally wanted to give cash, but Dalia had firmly refused, so I settled for things like this instead.
"You go through so much trouble looking after Lize. Raising kids is no easy task. Giving you something like this puts my mind at ease."
"Oh, Lize is such a good girl. She listens so well, never causes any trouble, and even tries to help with the chores. How could I not adore her? I wish my boys would learn from her."
Hearing that praise made my lips curl up involuntarily.
The first time I left Lize with her, I'd been anxious about whether she might act up.
Seeing Lize grow up so well filled me with nothing but gratitude.
"Thank you, that means a lot. Oh, and lately Lize has been practicing with a sword on her own. You don't need to watch that part, but if you could just check that she hasn't gotten hurt during training, that would be great."
"Oh dear, is she trying to be just like her dad?"
"It's embarrassing, but yeah. As her father, I just wish she'd stay out of danger."
"Still, it's great that she's so diligent. My boys can't stick to anything for three days straight. I worry what they'll do in the future."
We chatted a bit more about the kids, and I thanked her several more times for looking after Lize before saying our goodbyes.
Heading back inside, I was met with an absurdly heartwarming sight.
"..."
I couldn't help but smile at times like this.
But for now, I held back the grin, lightly covering my mouth as I approached the packed bag I'd set out earlier.
There sat Lize, hugging it tightly as if guarding something precious.
"What's that about?"
"...Can't you stay a little longer?"
"Pfft."
I couldn't hold it in after all.
Chuckling softly, I knelt down, pulled her into a hug, and said,
"Haven't you said goodbye enough already? Dad will come back soon, for real this time. You can wait for me, right, my Lize?"
"...Yeah."
We'd been having this conversation since she woke up, but in the short time I'd gone next door, she was at it again.
No matter what happens in the dungeon, I have to get back fast.
With that resolve firm in my mind, I soothed her a bit more, finally grabbed my bag, and stepped out.
Lingering any longer would only delay my return, so I naturally quickened my pace.
Then, suddenly, I stopped.
Glancing back at the house, I saw a cute little face peeking out from the slightly open door.
...That was close.
I nearly ran back without thinking.
Suppressing the urge, I shook it off and waved lightly. Thankfully, Lize waved back with a bright smile.
My steps felt a little lighter as I turned the corner and lost sight of her face. Without missing a beat, I picked up speed.
Rather than leaving Pinel right away, my first stop was the Mercenary Guild.
"Here's the request form. And the advance payment too."
I skimmed the form from Branch Chief Conwell and checked the amount in the small pouch.
Backed by the state, the advance alone was quite substantial.
This dungeon expedition wasn't really about the money, but more was always better.
Tucking the pouch away, I asked Conwell the question on my mind.
"Do you know which mercenaries are joining this expedition?"
Unfortunately, details on the initial exploration of Majeriol Hero's Tomb were scarce.
The only "result" was that the dungeon was impossibly deep, and the expedition had ended in dismal failure.
So there weren't many noteworthy records, and I'd always entered after the initial probes anyway.
This being my first time in an official expedition piqued my curiosity a bit.
I was wondering if any mercenaries I knew might be participating. Most folks in state-backed ops like this would be familiar anyway.
"Hm, I don't have specifics, but I hear a few S-rank mercenaries are involved. Not a bad chance to make connections."
"Just curious. No interest in mingling, so I'll be back quick."
"If you find any rare herbs, bring 'em to me. I'll pay top coin."
"You know dungeon finds mostly belong to the empire, right? I'm not going to jail and leaving Lize behind."
With a light joke, I left the office.
A belated worry crossed my mind—there were a few mercenaries I wasn't keen on running into.
Nothing too serious; I could handle it on the fly without issue.
Especially since I'd be going solo once inside the dungeon.
In the lobby, receptionist Daisy, busy with morning prep, spotted me and called out.
"Ervin, heading out now?"
"Yeah. Take care of what I mentioned earlier."
At my words, Daisy frowned slightly, stack of papers in hand.
"You weren't joking? Which A-rank mercenary takes on childcare?"
"That's why I'm asking you, Daisy. Even if not you, introduce me to someone reliable if you know one."
"If it's that, I could—!"
"I trust you to find someone good. Please."
Call it a hunch. Daisy was great, and Lize liked her, but something told me it'd be a bad influence.
I planned to vet any future nanny rigorously myself.
Especially for Lize—no room for half-measures.
Only someone truly trustworthy and capable would let me rest easy.
Leaving the guild, I hit my pre-planned stops for final prep, then departed Pinel.
"Hiiing!"
"Good boy. Thanks."
I patted the neck of the rented horse encouragingly—it'd been a while—then mounted and hit the road.
Not too far, so leaving now, I'd arrive by evening.
Wait, actually...
Remembering one of my goals, I realized I'd need to push harder to make it on time.
No helping it—the horse would have to work a bit.
"Prff."
As if reading my mind, the horse snorted. I gently stroked its neck.
I wouldn't overdo it; countless regressions had made me pace myself leisurely, with plenty of time before the rendezvous.
The road was smooth, no worries.
Monsters popped up occasionally, but roadside ones were easy pickings.
The uneventful trip ended peacefully as the sun dipped low, and I arrived in neighboring Sitran.
Not as grand as Pinel, but bustling enough.
I rode straight to one spot, ignoring everything else.
"Welcome! Shall I stable your horse?"
"Yes, please."
"One guest incoming!"
I slipped some coins to the eager attendant with my horse and entered the inn. A wave of heat and chatter hit me.
Not luxurious, but clean and cozy—the only inn I sought out in every life.
I took an empty table, requested a room, and ordered dinner.
The menu I'd craved on the way was still there—lucky last one, they said.
Good thing I'd hurried.
This was why I'd detoured to this inn in Sitran; missing it would've stung.
Anticipation built—I smacked my lips unconsciously. Been ages.
Rendezvous tomorrow morning, so maybe a drink for old times' sake.
Reviewing plans from memory while waiting, the server soon brought the food.
"There we go."
Nothing fancy: a whole smoked duck topped with special sauce.
Duck wasn't rare, but that sauce was divine.
I'd even ordered a bottle of booze—something I held back on around Lize. A reward for tomorrow's hard work.
Tearing into a leg, the tender meat teased my appetite.
If I ever brought Lize, I'd have to share.
Just as I went to bite, a thick hand slammed onto the table, drawing my eyes.
"Mind if I join?"
I nearly dropped the leg at that voice.
What the hell is he doing here?
Keeping calm, I replied evenly.
"What is it?"
"As you see, no seats left. Mind if I sit?"
He thumbed behind him— the place had filled up fast.
No reason to refuse.
"Sure. Go ahead."
"Thanks. And... really sorry, but..."
His eyes locked on one spot as he sat. I waited, knowing what was coming.
He pointed at the smoked duck.
"If it's okay, mind sharing that duck? My favorite. I'll cover the bill—everything. Need more? Just say."
As if.
I bit back the retort.
Who'd gotten me hooked on this in the first place?
For the man himself to show up craving it—fate's funny.
Chuckling, I opened my palm invitingly.
"Help yourself. It was more than I could eat alone anyway."
"Ha! Truly grateful. Since it's fate, introductions are in order."
The burly old man boomed with laughter, stating his name.
"Name's Douglas."
The living legend of the mercenaries... and once, my mentor.