Chapter 20: Awakening and the Armored Man’s Mystery

Having returned to Ken’s form, the next morning arrived peacefully. Today, Nina finally awoke.

“Huh… Papa?”

“Ah, Nina, you’re awake.”

“Mmm…”

Sitting by the bed, I helped Nina sit up. She rubbed her eyes, then turned her head to look around.

“Where… is this?”

“This is Pivot Village. What’s wrong, are you still groggy from sleep?”

“Pivot Village? When did we get here?”

“Just yesterday. Today marks the third day of our journey. You and Papa rode on horseback, happened upon this village, and decided to stay for a day of rest, didn’t we?”

“Is… that so? It’s already the third day…”

“What? You don’t remember?”

“Mmm… I’m sorry, Papa. I don’t seem to… remember much about the past two days…”

“It’s alright. We still have a long journey ahead. Just relax and enjoy.”

“Mmm…”

Nina nodded, then hugged me, nuzzling into my chest. She seemed somewhat uneasy.

This was, of course, to be expected. Due to my excessive use of the sleeping draught, Nina had been asleep for the past two days.

She was unaware of anything, brought to this unfamiliar place by Bella with no memories whatsoever. It was only natural for her to be frightened.

I, too, felt a pang of guilt for concealing the truth from Nina. But, my dear Nina, it’s better for you to simply believe you were groggy from sleep.

Being abducted by bandits twice yesterday were unpleasant memories, and it’s truly for the best that you don’t recall them.

“Papa, has it really been two days? You’re not lying to Nina?”

“Truly. When has Papa ever lied to you?”

Indeed, I hadn’t lied. I had merely omitted certain details.

“But… Nina really can’t remember anything, and Nina is so scared…”

“It’s alright. Perhaps you’ll remember in a few days.”

“Mmm…”

As I stroked Nina’s head, I comforted her, but… the guilt was truly heart-wrenching! Wouldn’t it have been better to simply let Nina stay in the village?

Why did Bella insist on running off like that? Thankfully, Nina wasn’t the suspicious type, otherwise, I truly wouldn’t know how to explain myself!

“Ken? Big Brother Ken! I’ve come to play with you all!”

“Er… Ugh!”

A knock sounded at the door, followed by Emma’s voice. A second later, Nina suddenly curled her fingers, digging them into my back, and her arms tightened abruptly, squeezing my body.

Where did this child get such strength? It was… so painful! I could almost hear my ribs groaning in protest!

“Ni-Nina, wh-what’s wrong?”

“Papa… there’s a girl outside looking for you, right? The ‘Ken’ she mentioned, she means my Papa Ken, right?”

“That… yes, yes…”

Upon my confirmation, Nina slowly raised her head. Though she smiled, there was no mirth in her expression; her eyes were hollow, and the aura emanating from her was terrifying.

It was too soon. With Nina already feeling uneasy, another girl affectionately calling me by name must have provoked her.

“How amazing, Papa. Didn’t you say you only arrived here yesterday? How did you find a playmate so quickly? And she even called you… Big Brother Ken. So intimate.”

“No! It’s not like that! Nina, we met Emma together yesterday. We saw her being attacked by bandits and came to her rescue, don’t you remember? We’re both her saviors! You just heard her, didn’t you? She said ‘you all,’ meaning she came to play with you too! Papa isn’t hiding his interactions with other girls from you! Besides, she’s just a child!”

“…Is that so.”

After my explanation, Nina returned to normal, and her arms relaxed.

It seemed this excuse was perfectly reasonable in her mind… No, that’s not right. While it was true that I had an argument with Bella yesterday because of Emma, it was a factual event! How could it be called an excuse?

“Nina, you stay seated. I’ll go open the door.”

“Mmm.”

I went to open the door, intending to discreetly discuss Nina’s ‘amnesia’ with Emma. However, as soon as I turned the doorknob, Emma burst in, pushing the door open with a *smack*, sending me tumbling to the ground.

“Yo! Good morning! Big Brother Ken! Big Sister Nina!”

She greeted me energetically, then flashed that impish smile again. It seemed she had pushed me on purpose. Children this age were truly mischievous, yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that her smile held a deeper meaning.

“Good morning… Em… ma.”

Nina hesitated slightly when addressing Emma, as this was, for her, the first time meeting Emma.

“Hmm? What’s wrong with you?”

Seeming to notice Nina’s unusual behavior, Emma started walking towards her. I quickly stood up and pulled Emma aside.

“What’s wrong, Big Brother Ken?”

“Well… it’s just… *Ugh*…” I pretended to find it difficult to speak, stammering, before finally ‘deciding’ to reveal it: “The truth is, Nina has amnesia.”

“Eh?! Amnesia— *Mph!*”

Before she could shout it out, I covered her mouth.

“Keep your voice down.”

“Mmm… So… Big Sister Nina, she really has amnesia?”

“Yes, when we saved you yesterday, there was a small accident. Nina was startled, and so… after a night’s sleep, she seems to have selectively forgotten things?”

“But I saw her looking quite spirited yesterday, even bickering with me, didn’t she?”

“That was just her not wanting us to worry. Anyway, please, try not to mention anything about yesterday, alright? Just for Nina’s sake.”

“Mmm… Really? You’re not lying to me?”

“Why would I use my daughter’s injury to lie to you? It’s true!”

“Mmm… Alright, you’re my benefactor, so I’ll listen to you.”

“Thank you so much!”

I clasped my hands together, bowing my head to Emma with heartfelt gratitude.

Perhaps seeing my strange behavior, Nina asked:

“Papa, what are you two doing over there?”

“Ah… Emma was attacked by bandits yesterday, wasn’t she? I was just asking if she was still scared.”

“Oh… Emma, are you alright?”

“Yes! I’m fine! Thanks to Big Brother Ken, Nina and I weren’t captured by the bandits.”

“Er… Emma!”

I had just asked her not to mention yesterday’s events, and she brought it up the moment I turned my head.

“Captured? Papa… what’s going on?”

Hearing Emma’s inexplicable remark, Nina looked at me worriedly, beginning to doubt her memory of yesterday again.

Now this was a fine mess. I knew this child, Emma, would cause trouble, yet I still entrusted her with this. It seems I’m the one with the problem.

If Emma were to embellish yesterday’s events while Nina had ‘amnesia,’ fabricating a few facts, especially regarding a certain misunderstanding, then the trouble would truly escalate!

“Ah! That! After all, I was the one fighting the bandits yesterday, so I had to protect Nina, right? If I had fallen, both of you would have been captured, so she’s saying it’s thanks to me! That’s all!”

“Oh…”

I gave a casual reason, and Nina seemed to believe it, settling down with relief.

“What’s wrong? Did Nina forget?”

However, seeing our father-daughter panic, Emma immediately pressed with another question. Nina was flustered, casting a pleading look my way. It seemed she was also worried about her ‘amnesia’ being discovered.

“Ah, Nina is just a bit groggy from sleep, no need to worry.” I quickly moved behind Emma, leaned down, and whispered, “Please, stop causing trouble, alright?”

“Hehe~”

Emma turned her head, winked at me, and stuck out her tongue.

This was truly the adorable demeanor only a little demoness-type girl would possess. So cute, it made me want to give her a good scolding.

“Ah, that’s right!” Emma seemed to remember something, suddenly becoming very excited. “Listen up! The bandits in this area have finally been wiped out!”

“Er… Wiped out?!”

I feigned surprise, exchanging glances with Nina. Nina, unaware of the bandit situation, tilted her head, looking at me.

“Yes, just last night, a tall man tied up a group of bandits and dragged them to the village entrance. He said the bandit leader had been killed, and the other bandits were taken into custody by the guards.

I think that must have been the Armored Man, right?”

“The Armored Man?”

That name again. Was that person really so famous?

“Haven’t you heard of him?”

“No.”

“He’s a very mysterious person, no one has ever seen his true face, always wearing heavy silver armor. Some say he’s the Saintess’s disciple, left behind to punish evil after she departed.

Others say he’s merely an admirer of the Saintess, traveling around mimicking her deeds, fighting monsters and bandits, and saving many people.”

“Ah… I see…” I assented.

“It might have been the Armored Man last night!”

No, absolutely not. I was the one who personally captured the bandits and brought them before the village chief. At that time, the chief knelt, tears streaming down his face, thanking me profusely, but I merely told him coldly,

“Train your guards properly,” and left immediately.

I also felt bad making the old man kneel for so long, and besides, I still had to bring Nina, who was hidden in the forest, back to the inn. I had no time to accept his goodwill; taking care of my daughter was more important!

Although we both wore armor, it was a pity that I was not that hero who punished evil. However, regarding this matter, why was Emma so excited to come and find me?

Didn’t I tell her yesterday to try and avoid getting involved with us father and daughter?

“Big Brother Ken must know the Armored Man!”

“How does that involve me again?”

“Didn’t the village chief ask for your help yesterday? And then you told the Armored Man to come help?”

“No, I don’t know such a person, and I refused when he asked for my help.”

“Is that so? I thought it was you. Ah, speaking of which, the Armored Man and the Saintess…” Emma stared intently at me, then looked at Nina.

“Could it be that you’re the Armored Man! And Nina is the Saintess! You’re just using a father-daughter relationship to hide your identities! Come to think of it, you look quite young! How could you have such a big daughter?”

“Is it wrong for me to have fallen in love very early and found a beautiful older sister? Is it wrong that my wife is a gentle and considerate older sister whom I adore?”

I said, almost giving up. It was all fabricated by me, but it wasn’t without basis. Bella was indeed older than me at the time, and her attitude towards Nina was very gentle, which is why I said it like that.

Of course, if I were to choose a wife, I would definitely not choose Bella. I have no good feelings for her at all, truly… mmm…

“Wow… that scary… No, your hair color is completely different from Nina’s, isn’t it?”

“That’s inherited from her mother. Besides, the Saintess has white hair and red eyes, but Nina has black eyes.”

“Maybe his mother has red eyes?”

“Eh?! Papa! Could it be that Mama…”

Nina stared blankly at Emma and me, exchanging words. Suddenly hearing about her mother, and related to the Saintess, Nina immediately became excited.

“The Saintess of Salvation was a petite girl, wasn’t she? Nina was only about a year old when the Demon King died, so it’s impossible.”

“So… it’s not true…”

Nina deflated. If her mother really were the Saintess, she would surely be very happy, but I’m very sorry, your Papa is the Hero, and your Mama is a great fiend!

“That’s true… But you could still be the Armored Man, couldn’t you?”

“I already said no! I don’t have even a…”

—a trace of magic—I almost blurted it out, but thankfully I stopped myself in time. This child, Emma, why does she have so many questions? That’s why children are such a bother. Ah, not including Nina, my Nina is super cute and obedient!

“A trace?”

“Anyway, it’s not me. If it were, I wouldn’t have had to refuse the village chief’s request, would I?”

“Mmm~ That’s true… Then I’ll just assume it’s not you!”

Finally, I managed to convince her. I nearly stumbled into unnecessary misunderstandings, and the crucial part was that some of those misunderstandings were very close to reality, which scared me to death.

“Speaking of which, the Demon King also has white hair, could it be…”

“Hmm? What did you say?”

Emma muttered something to herself; her voice was too soft for me to hear.

“Nothing, don’t worry about it. Back to the main topic, Big Brother Ken, and Nina, would you like us to give you a ride? Ah, no, first let me ask, where are you heading?”

“We…”

“Nina and Papa are going to Brandes, the Royal Capital.”

I was still thinking of just naming a random place, but Nina blurted it out directly. Nina, sometimes being too honest isn’t a good thing, especially with such a mischievous child.

However, according to my consistent upbringing, Nina isn’t very willing to deceive others.

“Perfect! We’re going home too, so we’ll give you a ride!”

“Er… home?”

“Yes!”

Emma placed her hands on her hips, telling us with immense pride:

“That’s Emma’s home, you know!”