Upon hearing the news that Lucy would be coming, Benedict left his office and sought out the family’s estate.
“It’s been a long time since the lord has visited here,” he remarked.
“Is that so?” Benedict replied.
“Yes. Ever since the mistress embarked on her long journey, the family hasn’t ventured out much.”
Receiving the keys from the head butler, Benedict opened the door and stepped inside.
The entrance was adorned with various luxury items.
These were things that Lucy, who had once loved expensive and flashy things, used to throw tantrums over, insisting she could take them.
However, after a certain day, the changed Lucy questioned what those items would even be used for if given to her.
Benedict passed by them without a glance and went deeper inside.
He walked past countless jewels he had received while working for the kingdom.
Weapons and armor acquired from dungeon raids.
Magical scrolls.
Rare potions.
As he passed all these, at the end of the estate, he found the armor.
The armor, painted a thick black that seemed to absorb even light, was enormous.
It was so large that one might think an average adult male could be crushed under its weight if he donned it.
“You’ve maintained it well, head butler.”
“Haha, it has been quite the effort. It takes at least four people to lift just one piece of this armor.”
Benedict began to wear the armor, picking it up like a toy, without any hesitation despite not having worn it for nearly ten years.
It was something he had once considered second skin; the long time passed had not made it feel awkward.
After a while, fully equipped in his armor, Benedict moved further and gazed at his sword.
One of the weapons passed down through the Alrn family.
A massive greatsword, long covered in dust from centuries of disuse, now restored to glory in Benedict’s hands.
Despite its length and thickness, it almost touched the ground as he inspected it.
After letting out a long breath, he grasped the hilt.
The weight, even through the gauntlet, made him smile lightly.
“It’s quite the marvel. Who would have thought that Lucy would encounter Karia, who was believed to be lost? Is this also divine guidance?”
“That seems likely. It appears the great deity holds a fondness for her.”
“It’s blasphemous to say, but from a father’s perspective, it’s truly unpleasant. I only wished for Lucy to lead a peaceful life.”
While he didn’t deny that the blessings from the deity had helped his wandering daughter change, he still felt a sense of selfishness as a father.
If blessings were given, he wished they would leave without expecting anything in return.
Or rather, he would prefer if they demanded a price from him instead.
Even though he knew the world didn’t work that way.
“Haha. Do you really think the words ‘peace’ and ‘my daughter’ go together?”
“Of course not. Our daughter can’t live without causing trouble.”
With a chuckle at the head butler’s jest, Benedict gripped the sword’s hilt with both hands.
He didn’t think Lucy’s decision to rush to Menestale the moment her vacation began was a mere whim.
It was true that ever since she received the deity’s blessing, she had become obsessed with strength, but he realized that she also clung to efficiency.
If she wanted to gain experience in dungeon raiding, there were countless better ways than going to Menestale.
Yet, despite that, she insisted on going to that far and treacherous place for a different reason.
That reason was likely related to what was commonly referred to as a prophecy.
“Then, as her father, I must do my best.”
If only Karia had been found in the Menestale dungeon, Benedict wouldn’t have moved a muscle.
It was true that she had been a close ally of his, but that was a thing of the past.
Now, he had something far more precious than her.
There was no reason for him to risk political burdens and actual dangers to go there.
However, this time was different.
Lucy was the one who had found Karia, and she wanted to rescue her.
And for her wish, she sought help from her father.
How could a father refuse his daughter’s request?
Benedict broke the long silence and decided to move.
Lightly drawing his sword, he slung it over his shoulder and turned away.
“For our daughter’s peace.”
At that moment, just as Benedict and the head butler exchanged smiles, one of the attendants rushed into the estate in a panic.
“Lord!”
“What is it?”
“The lady has returned!”
“Lucy?”
“Yes, indeed...”
Before the attendant could finish, Benedict dashed outside.
He was eager to see the face of his precious daughter, who had returned after so long.
And to hear her cutely call him “Papa”!
Seeing Benedict’s excited figure, the head butler smirked, then helped up the attendant who had stumbled in.
When I first saw Benedict burst through the family’s doors, I thought to myself how impressive he looked.
Dressed in thick black armor that seemed to block out all light, with a gigantic greatsword slung over his back, he resembled the hero of a legend.
This was how he had looked when he roamed the battlefield.
No wonder everyone would shudder at the sound of Benedict’s name.
Just imagine that monstrous figure wielding a greatsword as big as himself on the front lines. Truly terrifying.
However, that admiration vanished the moment I saw Benedict’s face melt into a puddle of affection upon confirming my presence.
With the heavy sound of his armor clanging, he arrived in front of me in an instant, carefully wrapping me in his arms like a small animal, making a whimpering sound.
He had missed me so much, feeling lonely without me.
Every time he heard a dangerous rumor, he wanted to run to me.
He could hardly contain his joy upon hearing that I had made friends.
Though we had communicated a fair bit through communication magic, it seemed that wasn’t enough for Benedict.
He pulled me into an embrace, showing no sign of letting go, just like the usual doting father I had always known.
It was no different even when people had gathered for a meeting about the dungeon raid in Menestale.
“Lucy, why don’t you call me ‘Papa’ anymore? Last time we talked through communication magic, you called me that. So, why now?!”
Benedict’s insistence on being called “Papa” left Count Georg shocked.
‘Benedict...?’
“Daddy? I’m starting to feel embarrassed for calling you that. Could you please stop with the gross voice?”
“Doing that again, huh? Come on, say it after me: ‘Papa.’”
Was it that he couldn’t resist and just had to get me to call him “Papa”? It seemed that Johann, who had been furrowing his brows, couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Lord Benedict, do you not realize this gathering is not a simple social occasion?”
Despite Johann’s admonition that there were many topics to discuss, Benedict remained undeterred.
“Don’t worry. It won’t take long!”
“Is that so... Ha. Do as you please.”
With overwhelming power that no one could control.
With a boldness that allowed him to act however he wished.
This combination made Benedict seem like a truck that had lost its brakes.
I couldn’t help but feel that this reckless behavior had a lot to do with how Lucy had turned into a brat.
The one raising their hands in surrender was me.
“Daddy, you fool! Shut up!”
Seeing Benedict grin widely upon finally hearing me say “Papa,” I let out an exasperated sigh.
With Benedict behaving this way, it’s hard to grasp how impressive he is when others talk about him.
To me, Benedict is just a foolish father who is so smitten by his daughter’s cuteness that he can’t help himself.
Perhaps because of his antics.
The atmosphere in the reception room, which had been stiff when we first gathered, became significantly softer.
Updat𝓮d fr𝙤m ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com.
Was Benedict acting foolishly on purpose to achieve this?
With a beaming smile as he looked around, he soon rose from his seat and stood before the table.
“Lucy, I will keep quiet as you wish, but before that, there are a few things we need to organize. The other two?”
The playful tone from earlier vanished as he spoke with a serious demeanor, capturing the air of the reception room. He called for Johann and Count Georg.
“The three of us, each in different places, have gathered for the purpose of fulfilling Lucy’s request. Do you agree?”
“Yes, indeed.”
“Of course, Lord Benedict.”
“Then, it must be Lucy who holds full authority in this matter. What do you think about that?”
The other two tilted their heads in confusion at Benedict’s words, but I was the most surprised.
Though I was the one leading this, I hadn’t intended to take the lead in this meeting.
When I was at the academy, it was appropriate for me to hold authority there.
After all, I was the best there.
No one could surpass me in terms of achievements or abilities, so my words carried weight.
But here, it was different.
Benedict, Johann, and Count Georg.
All of them were individuals who had achieved great things in their respective positions.
There was no reason for them to listen to the words of a girl who had just entered the academy.
Even if I raised my voice here, it would be hard to gain their trust in such a short time.
So, I planned to share the information I had, leaving the overall structure to Benedict and only intervening at crucial moments.
However, Benedict did not do that.
He claimed that since he gathered them, he had to entrust everything to me.
“Lord Benedict Alrn.”
The first to voice doubt was Count Georg.
“I know your daughter is capable. However, even so, she likely lacks in many areas compared to what she possesses now. Who knows what the future holds, but for now...”
“Count Georg, my daughter is more capable than you think. Lucy is loved by the deity.”
Upon hearing Benedict’s words, Johann turned his gaze toward me. He looked at me for a moment, seeming to understand something, then nodded and spoke.
“I see. It would be better to entrust the authority to Lady Alrn. Even if there are shortcomings, we can make up for them.”
“Bishop Johann, I thought you would understand.”
With the two gathered here saying the same thing, there was no way Count Georg could voice dissent.
As he nodded reluctantly, the three of them turned their gazes toward me.
“Now then, Lucy. Please share your plan.”
I wasn’t quite sure what Benedict’s true intentions were.
I lacked the ability to speculate on such things.
But I knew what I had to do.
“Alright, Benedict.”
“What a big, foolish father, lacking confidence. Fine. I’ll take command.”
As I shrugged my shoulders and spoke, Benedict looked at me with a pleased smile.
Was this what he wanted? Benedict?
“Lucy, you should call me Papa.”
Wait, what?!