Chapter 29: A Reluctant Departure and Unexpected Encounters

Thankfully, the wine from the previous night hadn’t caused me to sleep away the morning. When I awoke in the early hours, Lily was still sound asleep. I immediately reverted to my guise as Ken.

My immediate task was to depart for Blue Lake Forest. Yet, as I gazed at Lily, a profound reluctance settled within me. I was afraid she would be gone by the time I returned, without even a chance for a proper goodbye.

It was possible that I would never return to this city after today. This could very well be the last time I would ever see Lily, which was why I found myself so unwilling to leave.

“Alas…”

I already had a daughter, so why did I still feel like a child, clinging to this moment?

No, perhaps in Lily’s presence, I would always remain a child.

“Lily…” I settled back onto the edge of the bed, reaching out to gently caress her cheek. ‘If only we could acknowledge each other, how wonderful that would be.’

“Mmm…”

“!!”

Lily’s eyelids fluttered, and a faint tremor emanated from her throat. It seemed she was about to awaken.

I swiftly withdrew my hand. The very next second, Lily’s eyes opened.

“I… this is…”

“Hmph…” I let out a soft sigh, composing myself before addressing her. “You’re awake, Miss Lily.”

“Ah, Ken. This is… is it morning already? But where am I…”

“You’re in my room. You drank too much last night, and I didn’t know where your room was, so I… carried you back here.”

I had lied. I worried that saying ‘held you in my arms’ might make Lily feel uncomfortable.

“Is that so… I apologize for troubling you.”

Lily sat up, glancing out the window, then down at herself.

“…!”

She then somewhat flustered, pulled her collar up to cover the expanse of fair skin that had been exposed, gently hugging herself. I immediately averted my gaze.

While she slept—or rather, while she slept embracing me—I must have inadvertently disarranged her clothes. I had only just noticed it.

“Please, don’t misunderstand. I didn’t do anything. I slept with my head on the table last night.”

“Ah… is that… so…”

“I apologize for startling you. I should have been more careful. However, it was quite late when we returned yesterday, and I feared disturbing others, so I brought you back here.”

“No, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have drunk so much. I disturbed your rest, and for that, I am truly sorry. And… thank you so much for taking care of me.”

“You’re too kind.”

“…”

“…”

The atmosphere grew awkward for a moment. I knew I should have departed immediately, especially before Nina woke up. If she discovered Lily lying in my bed, there was no telling what might ensue.

Yet, I still couldn’t bear to leave. To simply depart like this felt as though an inexplicable rift would form between us.

“…You truly are a good man.”

“Eh?”

Lily suddenly smiled at me. Although this smile wasn’t as sweet as the ones I remembered from my childhood, it still warmed my heart. I self-consciously scratched my cheek.

However, I had only ‘carried’ her back. Based solely on that, one couldn’t truly determine whether I was good or bad.

“I’m just… an ordinary father.”

“It’s precisely because you are such a father that Nina is so happy.”

“That… is… true…”

I shamelessly admitted it. After all, when it came to caring for Nina, I possessed absolute confidence. I could guarantee that from childhood to the present, Nina had never encountered anything so upsetting that it made her cry—except for the matter concerning Sara and me.

“Hehe~ You didn’t deny it.”

“Well, it’s probably my only redeeming quality… perhaps.”

“But even with just that one quality, you are already quite remarkable.” Lily raised her hand and placed it on my head, gently stroking my hair. “The way you cared for me, too.”

“Miss Lily…” I felt as though being petted on the head like this transported me back to those old days. “Aren’t you treating me like a child?”

“Oh my, no matter what, I am still a nine-tailed fox spirit. In terms of seniority, aren’t you just a child?”

“That… is also true.”

In the end, I gladly accepted it. This feeling, after all, brought back so many fond memories.

“…Alright, go on now.”

After about a minute or two, Lily lowered her hand, gently nudging my back to prompt me to stand.

It felt… like a mother seeing her child off.

“You still need to gather herbs, right? Go on then. I’ll take good care of Nina for you.”

“How could I trouble you so?”

“Consider it my thanks for last night. You looked after me, and I’ll look after her. Besides, leaving her with Emma always causes some worry, doesn’t it? Those two attendants can’t manage Emma either, so, leave Nina to me.”

“That… is true. Then I’ll leave her in your care, Miss Lily.”

“Good. Be careful on your way.”

Waving goodbye to Lily, I exited the room. I didn’t even check on Nina, fearing I might wake her (and also fearing a repeat of yesterday’s prank). I left the mansion directly.

It felt as though, in less than a day, my relationship with Lily had grown significantly closer…

Perhaps it was just an illusion. Given Lily’s gentle nature, she might treat many people the same way. Just as she had said, in her eyes, I, as a father, was merely a child.

***

Having composed my emotions and adjusted my mindset to a battle-ready state, I donned my armor and walked directly to the entrance of Blue Lake Forest.

“Permission granted. Please be careful.”

After handing my adventurer’s badge to the guard for inspection, I proceeded along the mountain path leading into the forest. However, I didn’t see those two individuals anywhere along the way.

Since there was no explicit agreement, no designated meeting point or time, it was quite normal not to encounter them. Perhaps we would ‘meet by chance’ further along the path.

Of course, I paid them no mind. I had no time to worry about strangers. I merely wondered if I might run into them midway, and if they were to cling to me, they would likely only cause trouble.

“Oh! You really came!”

As it turned out, I did find them at the forest entrance. The man, clad in armor, held a helmet in one hand and a longsword in the other, awaiting my arrival.

“I told you that you needed our help, didn’t I? You just needed to be straightforward.”

He still wore a cheeky grin.

To put it bluntly, he resembled a boastful fool. In contrast, the young woman with short, light-yellow hair beside him rested her hand on her forehead, looking at the ground with a helpless expression, then offered me a wry smile.

Then, besides these two, there was another girl—

Long, aqua-blue hair cascaded down her back. She wore a simple black cloak and a pointed wizard’s hat. Her hands clasped a staff tightly at her chest, and she looked at me with slight astonishment.

“Are you… the adventurer who has come to help us?”

“…”

I looked at her, offering no reply. Just as I was about to step forward, the man once again blocked my path.

“No, no, this is a novice adventurer. We, as seniors, are here to help…”

“—!”

“Ugh!”

I flicked my head, glaring at him. Though my face was obscured by my helmet, he clearly felt my imposing aura, recoiling a step in fright.

After all, this was a sturdy body, and the heavy armor was not merely for show; my strength and presence had been considerably enhanced.

As I had thought, meeting them was a hassle. Boast all you want, but why must you block my way?

“I am so sorry.” The short-haired girl pulled the man’s armor back, causing him to fall to the ground. She then stepped before me.

“He has this kind of personality, please don’t take offense. My name is Karen, and he is Zale. Although we hadn’t planned on forming a team with you, this idiot will definitely follow you, so let’s get acquainted first. That way, we can look out for each other once we enter. No, actually, we’re the ones who need your help. In any case, we appreciate your trouble.”

“…”

“H-hello, my name is Helene. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“…”

Despite the two girls’ introductions, I remained silent.

Karen seemed like a ranger, and her demeanor suggested she was a pragmatic person with a rather free-spirited nature.

Helene, the girl who appeared to be a mage, was somewhat shy and very polite, even bowing to me during her introduction.

They were far more serious and reliable than the one named Zale. If they had invited me, I might have considered joining them. Such teammates would offer greater reassurance.

Let me be clear: it wasn’t because they were girls that I would have agreed. Had they been men, I would still have considered it, because such personalities and attitudes are indeed highly suitable for cooperation.

“…”

Though I wanted to respond to them, I ultimately ignored them, walking between the two and entering the forest.

I had no time to waste with them. At most, I would only intervene if I happened to see them in danger. As I had told myself, I needed to return to care for Nina… and to chat with Lily.

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