Future plans for my daughter (2)
Dungeon.
A place where you don’t know what dangers might be lurking, where you have to fight to the death with monsters, and where you might stay up all night without washing properly for days and days.
Nevertheless, the goods and artifacts hidden there attracted people.
There was also a time when I fell into it and lived crazy about dungeon exploration for a long time.
Despite all that, I couldn’t find what I was looking for.
Anyway, the scale of normal dungeons can usually be explored in about 3 days, and even slightly larger dungeons do not exceed a week no matter how long.
However, the dungeon discovered this time was completely different from other dungeons.
Majeriol Heroes Cemetery.
It was quite a while later that this designation was established, but its value only continued to rise during my lifetime.
From noble mtl dot com
The endless scale, treasures and artifacts located everywhere, and countless types of monsters.
It could be said to be a rare treasure trove.
Of course, the risk was quite high, so the empire decided to gather high-level mercenaries and make an advance party to explore before the full-scale attack.
Since Findel was particularly close to the dungeon, the head of the Cornwell branch must have had quite a headache.
Since you’ve been repeatedly instructed to send strong mercenaries, you’ll have no choice but to accept my offer.
Even if that would be a bit of an absurd suggestion.
“I won’t go deep, I’ll just go around the lower floors and explore. Don’t you need someone like that?”
“That’s right, but, um… … .”
Cornwell nodded, but gave a troubled voice.
I’m saying this myself, but it would be a waste to assign a high-class mercenary like me to such a job.
The reason why I kept asking to take the S-level exam was because I thought I was qualified for it, and in fact, if I just took the exam, of course I was confident that I would pass.
If you use me only to explore the lower floors, it would be unreasonable.
Moreover, considering the fact that there are not enough manpower to dispatch from the Findel branch, this is even more so.
But what if that’s the case?
“I can’t help it if you don’t like it. Let’s pretend we didn’t talk about it today.”
“Ah, hey, why are you doing that? I was selecting capable assistants to assign to you, heh heh.”
“That’s fine. I’m going solo.”
No matter how hard it was, Cornwell’s face hardened.
Then he spoke in a very serious tone, as if he were admonishing me.
“I know your skills, but I can’t think of this dungeon like the previous dungeons. It’s so deep that you don’t know how many floors there are, and a large number of monsters have been found on the lower floors as well. Besides, no one knows what dangers still lurk in that dungeon. I am speaking out of concern for you, so think again.”
These were phrases that fit perfectly.
In fact, it is common to have a party of three or more in a dungeon. It is not uncommon for even veterans to die in an unexpected situation.
I’ve been in charge of collecting the bodies of such people a few times, so I know it well.
but… … That was literally the case in the general case.
“Do you think I would do something dangerous for Rize?”
“Um… … .”
At my words, Cornwell immediately let out a groan.
He would have come to a conclusion quickly because he would know better than anyone what kind of tasks I have been in charge of so far.
That I would never accept anything dangerous, and even if it seemed dangerous, I would perfectly complete the commission I was entrusted with.
Since he started working as a mercenary and has maintained a 100% success rate for requests so far, his reliability was perfect.
And I, who had been through countless dungeons, had already been in and out of the Hero Cemetery countless times, so I knew the internal structure perfectly.
Even going alone, no threat was a concern on the lower floors.
“Good. I believe in you, so I will recommend it.”
“thank you.”
There was a high possibility that it would be organized for low-level exploration as a Bona Mana solo.
Most of the mercenaries currently gathering for preliminary exploration are carefully selected with considerable skill.
They are all very proud of their skills, so they will aim as low as possible rather than exploring the easy lower floors.
That’s why skillful mercenaries who volunteered for the low-level exploration like me were precious talents.
Most likely, things will go as planned, and even if not, there are many other ways.
“Keuheum, then, before exploring the dungeon, S rank… … .”
“No, I’m not saying that, you bastard?”
* * *
I knew things would be so easy.
I hadn’t even imagined that the biggest problem would remain.
“… … .”
And I still don’t know how to solve it.
No, I had no choice but to know.
Even though I’ve repeated so many lives, this is always the first time.
“Rise?”
That’s why the only person who could embarrass me was Rize.
Despite my uneasy voice, Rize didn’t react and was focused on swinging the sword.
It wasn’t just focusing on it, it was close to ignoring it.
Even so, when the number of times instructed was finished, it kindly stopped moving.
Seeing Rize calmly breathing, feeling troubled, I scratched my forehead for no reason.
It’s been two days since Rize didn’t try to talk to me.
It was time for special measures.
“Rize, would you like to come here for a second?”
At my words, Rize quietly moved and stood in front of me.
It was just cute how he followed his words while expressing with his whole body that he was angry.
I stretched out my arms and seated Rize on my lap as it was and gently hugged her from behind.
Feeling Rize’s body temperature as she calmly hugged her without resisting, she opened her mouth again.
“Do you hate being away so long?”
“… … .”
The reason why Rize was pouting was because of the dungeon exploration.
In front of Cornwall, it was affirmed that it was two days, but it could have taken a day more, and considering the round-trip time and group activities, we had to schedule at least five days.
He had never left Rize’s side for that long, so as soon as he heard the story, Rize immediately went into the demonstration.
I felt the same way, so I wanted to follow Rize’s will right away.
Just imagining not seeing Rize’s face for five days made me feel dizzy already.
But in the end, I had to endure it, so I made an effort to harden my expression.
Because all of this was for Rize.
“Actually, I hate my father too. What should I do because I want to see Rize?”
“Then can’t I go?”
At my words, Rize immediately turned her head away, and I immediately pressed down on the answer.
I really don’t want to go either… … !
Without ever revealing his feelings, he slightly turned his gaze to the void and opened his mouth again.
“Dad really wants to be with Rize, but there are times when he has no choice but to go. If you want to live with Dad and Rize for a long, long time, you have to do these things.”
He knew better than anyone that words with little persuasive power.
But whenever I had to say this to Rize, it seemed like my vocabulary was running low.
As I was refining my thoughts on what to say better, Rize, who had been keeping her mouth shut for a long time, raised a grumbling voice again.
“When you become an adult… … Can you tell?”
“… … .”
He was a very smart kid.
It is because he realized that there is a reason why it is difficult for him to tell me, and he asks these questions.
Even more so, it was very difficult to deal with Rize at a time like this.
Even if Rize told the truth that I was repeating an endless life, she would seriously think about it.
However, as a father, he knew that it shouldn’t be like that, so he just said with a little more strength in the hand holding Rize.
“I’m sorry, Dad. I promise to come back soon. No, I will absolutely.”
“huh… … . Then wait. I want to practice a lot with my sword while Daddy is gone so I can quickly become as strong as Daddy.”
“… … Let’s fix that with Dad. If you overdo it without a father, I won’t teach you any more. Are you going to ask Dahlia?”
When I said it sternly, Rize slightly pouted and nodded her head.
I smiled and picked up the towel I had prepared and lightly wiped the sweat off my face and neck.
It was the first time I was away for such a long time, so I was worried and prepared a lot.
It would be nice to have someone to take care of me while I’m gone.
From now on, he would have to move busily in various directions, and he was also anxious about leaving Rize alone.
After exploring the dungeon this time, I must find a caregiver.
Wouldn’t it be nice to make an inquiry to the mercenary guild on the way? If possible, I thought that I would like to see Rize’s training coach as well.
To prepare for an unexpected situation, it would be better to have someone with sufficient fighting power.
I wanted to come out of nowhere, as if the right person had been waiting.
While I was immersed in that thought for a while, I belatedly realized that my hand moving the towel had stopped and released Rize, who was waiting patiently.
“Then shall we do a little more?”
“huh!”
There were still five days left until the departure date, and in the meantime, I was thinking of telling Rize everything I could.
The basics of anything are important.
I silently watched as Rize swung the sword as instructed.
As a father, I was proud of his overwhelming talent, which could be felt even in the way he lightly wielded a sword, but on the other hand, he was also envious.
If only I had that kind of talent… … Wouldn’t it have been possible to cut off the regression a long time ago?
No, I wouldn’t have met Rize if that was the case, so it might have been a good thing.
I got up from my seat, erasing my useless thoughts, and saw Rize’s perfect posture.
* * *
The day passed in an instant, and it was the day before departure.
“Is it Rize?”
“… … .”
late hour.
I was in an awkward situation.
In a way, it was a happy situation.
My daughter-in-law, who hadn’t answered no matter how many times I called, was clinging to my arms.
It was good, but it was time to let go.
I tried to pull it off lightly, hoping to face it, but Rize wouldn’t let go at all with her arms wrapped around my back.
When did you become so strong again?
Kids say they grow day by day, but I wondered if Rize was growing up by focusing too much on physical abilities.
The possibility of academic education should be added to the conditions for carers to look for.
“Rize, it’s time to go to bed.”
“… … no. Not sleepy.”
“If you’re late, you won’t grow taller, will you?”
“Then Daddy goes to bed first.”
“Um… … .”
As I often say, Rize was a very kind child.
It’s because I can count the number of times I use them on my hands.
One of them was the case just now.
It was a special situation, the day before I was to leave the house for a while.
“Why do you hate sleeping?”
“… … .”
I know why, but I deliberately asked a naughty question.
Rize expressed her current feelings by burying her face in my arms even more without answering.
It was something that was repeated every time, but I wondered how long it would be like this, but I felt sad when I imagined Rize, who would be squeamish even if I went farther away.
Still, I couldn’t do this until tomorrow morning.
I hugged Rize a little and walked slowly through the living room with careful steps.
How long had she been doing that without further urging, keeping silent, finally Rize opened her mouth again.
“I want to sleep with my dad today.”
“I thought my daughter was all grown up now, what’s wrong?”
From noble mtl dot com
“… … Let’s sleep together.”
It’s been a while since Rize slept separately, but on days like this, she tried to sleep with me, as if she seemed to want to be with me even a little longer.
And every time I… … I had no choice but to lose to Rize.
“Okay, let’s sleep together after a long time.”
Without answering my words, Rize tightened her arms around my back even more.
Every time Rize did this, as a father, my heart was really complicated.
Without revealing that feeling, I walked to my room, went straight to the bed, and laid Rize down.
It was colorless for what had stuck to it, and now it came off so easily.
Lying quietly on the bed but not trying to make eye contact with me seemed to express Rize’s mood right now.
Since I had already finished getting ready for bed, I also lay down on the bed side by side.
I turned my back and gently pulled Rize, who was lying down, and quietly placed her small back in my arms.
“Aren’t you going to see Daddy’s face?”
“… … .”
Rize still kept her mouth tightly shut, as if she had sighed. Still, he didn’t try to get out of my arms.
We talked once, but it seemed like it couldn’t be helped that he didn’t like my leaving for a while.
Feeling the pity welling up in my heart, I gently stroked Rize’s head for no reason.
how long was it like that
In the end, as always, I had to appease Rize first.
“Dad promised to come early.”
After saying that, Rize slowly turned her head towards me.
“… … really?”
“then. You know that Dad can’t stand it for long because he misses Rize.”
“Really?”
Instead of answering Lize’s questioning question, I hugged her tighter, and Lise pushed herself and put her arm around mine.
And Rize finally smiled.
“Hee hee, I will miss you a lot too.”
“Dad. You will miss Rize a lot.”
“Be careful, Dad.”
I felt like something inside of me was about to burst into tears.
I absolutely must come back soon.
As she made that decision, Rize’s body, which she was holding, gradually lost strength, which was transmitted to her arms.
I must have been very sleepy since it was much later than my usual sleeping time, but I managed to hold on until now.
“New fluid… … .”
He lightly stroked the head of Rize, who was quietly sleeping, and checked the plans he had made in his head once again.
I just want Rize to be happy.
I was confident that I would do anything to envision such a future.