Chapter 08 - Time of departure
Four years had passed since then.
The children turned 14 years old now.
Elsa was running through the path of the swordsmanship. With enthusiasm, she practiced many sword techniques I taught as if it was her own blood and flesh.
There were no enemies every year at the village swordsmanship competition for her. And this year, she had been banned like me.
"I'm glad I got the same ban as chichiue...!"
She was pleased.
Even if you searched all over the world, only Elsa would be happy to be banned from the competition.
As a village guardian, Elsa also battled with monsters. She was terrified at the first match, but after she found she had someone to protect, she was no scared anymore.
She also showed brave fighting against Demonic Boar and Demonic Wolf.
Anna was demonstrating how skillfully her management skills and negotiation skills.
Since she became involved in the management of the village, the finances of the village had become well and the villagers had been able to live a richer life than before. Every autumn, there was a festival to thank Anna.
It was also bad because she had been scouted by the merchants who came to the village. However, she refused everything because she didn't like it.
Her dream was to become a Guild Master of the Adventurer's Guild. The strength of her will was just like Cold Stone.
Meryl still continued to be spoiled and goofing off with magic, but she began to use magic for the sake of the people, not for herself.
"Papa. Today is~ I used earth magic to find the veins of the hot springs? Thanks to that, we can make a hot spring in this village~"
"Oh! It's amazing! You helped everyone."
"Ri~ght? praise me-chan, praise more"
"Meryl is excellent yes"
“Dehehe?? I'm happy?”
...was it for the sake of the people, or because she wanted to be praised by me. But the result, it gave benefits to people.
All my daughters had grown up wonderfully.
In this world, at the age of 14, you got the right to have a job.
It was only after reaching that age that you could become an adventurer or guild staff.
I also became an adventurer when I was 14 years old.
It was also time for them to walk towards their dreams.
Elsa was on the same adventurer road as mine.
Anna was on the road to becoming a Guild Master.
And Meryl was on the road of Lazy Neet..... she said that, but as a result of eliminating what she didn't want to do, the result was she was on the road of a Magician.
Tomorrow, the girls were supposed to leave for the royal capital.
Today was the last night we spend together as a complete family.
With four people in the living room of the house, we had a feast of rabbit stew, meat pie, bacon, and fresh bread.
"Nee. Is papa really not coming with us?"
Meryl said in a lonely tone.
"Yeah. I have a job as a guard in the village. I have been asked various things by the villagers too. Moreover, I have to protect this house."
"I'm lonely! I can't live without papa~! If papa stays in the village, I'll stay here too!"
"No. Don't say selfish things, and don't bother papa."
Anna scolded her with squinting.
"And if Meryl stays in the village, Papa will spoil her much and she will be in the Neet road straightly. Go out into the royal capital and be massaged by the waves of society."
"Mu~"
"Papa. It's okay. I'll take care of Elsa and Meryl properly. I'll also write a report letter once a month."
"Oh, I'm relieved to have Anna. I'll leave them to you."
I floated a smile.
"In the end..... I couldn't hit my sword on chichiue. Until this year, I have had hundreds of sparring though."
Elsa had a regretful look.
"I also thought that I had strengthened through training, but I am still far from chichiue. I will continue to devote myself to be an adventurer."
"I'm looking forward to seeing the stronger Elsa."
I smiled at Elsa.
And Elsa floated a smile and nodded.
After eating, I took a bath with my daughters.
Usually, we were in separate baths, but today was the last day, so.....
"Umm..... chichiue. Can you let me wash your back?"
"Eh? My?"
"Yes. Chichiue has taught me the swordsmanship until now. At the very least, I want to return the favor, I wish I could wash your back."
"You don't have to worry about that."
"Is it not okay?"
"Noo. Then, maybe, can I ask."
I decided to have Elsa washed my back.
With a lathered towel, my back was scrubbed. I felt very comfortable with just the right amount of power she gave.
"Fufu. Elsa. Next is my turn."
"Anna too?"
"I want to wash papa's back"
Anna took the towel from Elsa's hand and started rubbing on my back.
It was polite and carefully.
"Me-chan too and me-chan too ?"
Meryl applied soap to her body and hugged directly to my back.
She said, "Let's rub the skin together and be beautiful~?", but immediately caught by Anna. What a happiness.
I was happy to have my beloved girls washed my back.
――But I hadn't told them the truth yet. About the fact they were not my real daughters.
I couldn't say it over and over again for the past four years.
I was sure I had a responsibility.
The fact that I couldn't defeat the Ancient Dragon meant that my daughters' true parents had been killed.
I slept on the same futon as the girls that night.
The next morning. I came to see off my daughters in a carriage to the royal capital. I said to the girls who popped out from the wagon's curtain.
"Then, everyone, take care of yourself."
“――Yes. I will definitely be an A-rank adventurer like chichiue.”
"Papa too, please be healthy."
"Once a week, I'll go home to be spoiled?"
The horse-drawn carriage that carried the girls went on.
I was waving off to the carriage that was going to the royal capital. I kept waving until they couldn't be seen.
Four years later――
Our story of a parent and his daughters began from there.
Visit freewe𝑏n(o)vel.𝑐𝘰𝑚 for the best novel reading experience