"Anna. Good Luck"
When the sun completely went down and the city's light started to light like a fluorescent flame in the dark.
Stepping into the Adventurer Alliance, I called out when I found Anna. Looks like we're just finishing up our homecoming schedule.
"Dad. You picked me up for discipline?
"Oh. One of us is in danger on the night lane. There's an example."
"Already. I'm worried."
Anna looked troubled, but somewhat happy.
I don't see anyone else indoors in the guild. Anna seems to have stayed until the end. I thought it was hard to be in charge.
"Then let's go home."
"Yeah. Let's go."
When I dropped the lights in the guild, I opened the door and went outside.
Anna was locked without forgetting.
An adventurer's guild that was so busy with adventurers during the day, but the building that went unspeakable at night is kind of empty as a shell out.
At the moonlight, I walk out toward the house.
There may be someone lurking in this king's capital who attacked Merrill. I don't know if his aim is Merrill or the School of Magic itself.
Either way, it doesn't necessarily mean the other daughters won't be attacked.
That's why I decided to send my daughters back and forth, starting with Anna.
Daytime vigor disappeared from the street and was idle. The sound of the soles of the shoes treading on the cobblestones sounds. Occasionally pay the utmost attention to different people.
"Hey, Dad. I wonder how other people see us now."
That's what Anna asked as she walked in supple footsteps.
"How... don't you normally look like a parent or a child?
"Doesn't it look like we're lovers?
"No, that wouldn't be just right"
"Why?"
"Anna and I are too old to be apart."
Either way, it's seventeen years old.
"Dad looks a lot younger than he thinks he is. And lately, it's not uncommon to be a lover with years away."
I thought Anna said that.
"Pfft. I came up with something good."
I stood my finger with a flirtatious look on my face.
- A good thing?
That's when I was tilting my neck.
Grrr.
I had the feeling that something soft and warm touched my left arm.
Seeing.
Anna was leaning against me with her own arms wrapped around my left arm.
"How about this? Doesn't this make you look like a lover?
"Whoa. Don't be so sweet today."
"Usually because I'm always on the lookout when I work. My dad and I are alone because of this. Sometimes you can be sweet."
"When you're hugged, it's hard to fight when you're attacked."
"It's okay. Because my dad is strong. Even with your left arm sealed like this, you wouldn't lose to anyone if you could just use your dominant arm, would you?
"Oh my goodness. You're here..."
I'm not invincible, am I?
Swallow the words that came out of your throat.
Anna, who is usually more calmly able to judge the situation than anyone else, puts my trust to the point of being blind when it comes to my strength.
Like I can't imagine where my father would lose.
Anna is an adult at first glance, but she's still a kid in these places. It doesn't mean I can beat anyone.
... Well, I can't recall losing memories.
"What about the guy at work? I knew it was gonna be tough every day?
"Yeah. If there's a gap, I'd be disgusted to be dealing with a colleague trying to skip and an adventurer who ignores our requests and says things to himself."
When Anna said that, she smiled bitterly.
"But, well, I'm not busier than my dad,"
"Really?
"That's right. You've been working a little less stylish lately, haven't you?
Anna said as if she was frightened.
"Even today, I would have been on an A-rank assignment with the Knights' teacher's job this morning, the princess's tutor for lunch, and then Regina. Besides, it was supposed to take a few days to complete the mission in half a day. Too much work for whatever it takes?
Originally, where I hung up a lot of work, the schedule was super dense because I also recently accompanied Regina on more crusade missions.
"I'm fine. I'm busy, but I'm not."
That wasn't strength, it was sincerity.
There is no feeling of physical or mental wear and tear.
I want to live up to that thought if I'm required to.
"I'm telling you, you're not strong enough, are you?
"If you look at it, you'll see. Dad, I think I'm having some fun these days."
"Really?
"Yeah, because when you're on crusade duty with Mr. Regina, you look alive like a child."
Anna laughed softly.
"Maybe you didn't notice?
I guess he had a confused look on his face. Anna said as surprised.
I hadn't noticed.
But I guess that's what she's saying.
In fact, it was fun going on a mission with Regina. Because fighting with her reminds me of those days when I was desperate as an adventurer.
It was then.
"... Anna. Don't leave me."
"What?"
"I feel signs of someone lurking nearby"
I was stepping into the alley while I was walking for a while.
There are no people around.
Nonetheless, I felt a gaze from somewhere.
"Dad. Could it be..."
"Oh. That possibility is undeniable"
... all over the city that has ceased its activities. Unseen, dim alleys that have become blind spots. There's no more time to get attacked.
The strength of Anna's arm in my arms becomes stronger.
I guess I'm anxious. I don't have any mullies either.
"I'm fine. I'm on it."
"... ugh, yeah"
That's what I told him and made him listen, and the color of fright faded from Anna's expression.
I'll keep my guard up, keep my guard around me.
Call me from anywhere.
I won't let Anna touch a finger no matter what kind of opponent she is.
It was when I was staring at my dim vision.
Odori, and.
There was a shadow moving behind the trash can that was in the corner of the alley.
"- Right there!
Moment after moment, I shook it off when I pulled out the sword I was putting on my hips.
Flash...
The trash can broke in two and the person hiding behind it was exposed.
"Hiya, okay!?
In that shadow I screamed and butted, I stuck my sword tip.
"Conceive. It's no use resisting."
If you want to make a strange move, slash it down without asking questions.
Yeah, it was me that was making my nerves so expensive...
"Mr. Kaisel! Me! It's me!
The voice reached my ear was something familiar to hear somewhere.
"... Huh? Monica?"
That's how Anna squeaked like she was beside me bewildered.
The moon, covered in thick clouds, peeks into his face and pours light into the alley.
Broiled out by the blue and white moonlight, a figure with buttocks and hands up - it was Monica, the guild's receptionist.
"Already! I'm surprised! Mr. Kaisel, you would have slashed me in a little while!?
"No. Sorry. Sorry."
I was flat apologizing to Monica for revealing her anger.
After all, it was Monica who was lurking.
"But why were you hiding in this place?
"When I was walking, I saw the two of them, and it was funny how Anna was being deleaded and sweet on Kaisel and sneaking up on them -"
I see. Is that what happened?
"Anna, when you're at work, you can teach me to look like a girl."
I laugh like Monica screams "poo dull".
"Also, Monica!
Anna was getting tazzy with it.
"Isn't this how you look like a lover? Anna was cute wearing an arm with Kaisel, she said. I wanted everyone to see it."
"... if you say that to everyone at work, I'll let you live a life where you can't go home from pickling overtime, right?
"No, no. It's a joke."
I guess I just thought it was a bad idea to rub it any further.
In response to Anna's threats, Monica had a drawn grin. In these places, it is important to make an exasperating decision.
"But Kaisel was looking good trying to protect Anna. I was a little cummed when they poked my sword at me."
"That's right. My dad's reliable and he's good looking."
"Both of you, praise me and there's nothing out there."
"Also. It's true."
I smiled bitterly before Monica laughed.
Damn, he's doing great.
Whatever it is, I can walk you home alone.
It's not because I feel good about being complimented or anything.
... Well, maybe a little bit of that, too.