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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Doting Dad (1)
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Coming into the world with nothing but your body, when you leave, you leave even that behind.
It was a saying passed down from some ancient tale.
The more lives I lived, the more this rang true for me.
No matter how much wealth I scraped together with all my might, regression wiped it all away, leaving me empty-handed once more.
No matter how much I improved the world, my efforts turned meaningless.
No matter how many people I saved, no one remembered.
No matter how close I grew to someone who matched my heart, they forgot even my name.
That's why I always kept a proper distance from people, desperately avoiding deep entanglements.
If no one could fill the void in my heart, I'd rather have no one by my side at all.
I built iron walls around my emotions to protect myself from further wear and tear.
Maybe because I'd lived that way for so long.
Living alone became natural, and I even found it comfortable.
So, coming home to someone greeting me happily...
"Daddy's home."
...I'd completely forgotten how blissful that could be.
"Daddyyyyyy!"
The moment I opened the door, a silver blur charged at me with a patter of footsteps, hurling itself into my arms with all its might.
I'd already spread my arms wide, so I dipped low to catch the flying little body safely.
Thud!
Oof, heavier than expected. Definitely general material.
I endured the pain and looked down. Her silver hair buried into me so fiercely, it was all I could see.
Her arms locked around my waist tight—no shaking her off easily.
But to me, it was nothing but adorable.
A fond smile crept onto my face unbidden as I softly called her name.
"Lize?"
Her face popped up with a sharp pop, fast as a gunshot.
Her chubby cheeks, not yet shed of baby fat, and her sparkling eyes captured all the cuteness of her age.
Who could this insanely adorable child belong to?
That's right. She's my daughter.
Lize beamed in my arms and opened her mouth.
"Welcome back?"
I couldn't hold back anymore. I hugged her tight, and Lize hugged back with a giggle.
To think I'd gone two whole days without seeing this precious girl.
I should skip jobs for a while to make up for lost time.
A storm of emotions churned in my chest. I gently pried Lize from my embrace, smiling as I asked,
"Did my girl watch the house well?"
"Yeah! I even cleaned today?"
"No wonder it sparkled the second I walked in. Wasn't it tough alone?"
"No, it's fine. Daddy works outside, so I'll handle all the housework."
How could every word from her mouth be so praiseworthy?
No matter how rough things got out there, it all melted away.
Actually, my fatigue was dissolving right now.
Meeting those deep blue eyes, like a night sky, I pulled her into another hug without thinking. Lize hugged back, unsurprised.
"Thank you, Lize. My exhaustion's all gone thanks to you."
"Heehee."
Her ticklish giggle by my ear filled my heart.
At first, I'd decided to raise Lize just to turn back my life... but now, she was more precious than anything.
After that reunion, thick as if we'd been apart a year, I picked up my dropped gear again.
Even though it'd only been half a day.
"Then Daddy's heading to the guild quick."
I'd swapped priorities because I missed Lize too much, skipping it on the way back.
I wanted to wrap up guild business fast and spend pure time with her.
As I dashed for the door, Lize hopped over, eyes shining.
"Daddy, going to the guild?"
"Yeah, be right back."
"I wanna go too!"
"No. We said you can't go often, right? Be good and wait."
Maybe because it had been a while, Lize seemed reluctant to part. But the Mercenary Guild was too rough a place; I didn't want to bring her.
"Hiiiing..."
I shut it down firm, and she pouted. She wanted to whine but held back, not wanting to burden me.
I couldn't help chuckling and held out my hand.
"Alright, let's go together."
"Hehe."
Lize grabbed it eagerly, like she'd been waiting.
We stepped out with bouncy steps, taking in the street scene.
One side lined with sleek, dressed-up buildings; the other dotted with half-built constructions.
Pinel.
The city Lize and I had settled in three years ago.
No use hiding it.
This was the city rebuilt on the ruins where I first met Lize.
After the monsters' sudden attack, the Fayrun Empire launched reconstruction right away.
They say it proved the empire's safety and resolve against monsters, but that's hearsay to me.
Anyway, the reason I'd returned here was simple.
No city was better for raising a child.
Planned by the state, it was spotlessly organized, packed with facilities—more coming.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Like that huge school building under construction over there.
Not just for elites—commoners could enter too, with a high level of education if you passed the exam.
I'd taught here once, so if Lize wanted, I'd enroll her in a heartbeat. Top-notch place.
Beyond schools, all sorts of vocational training spots too.
In short, whatever Lize wanted to do, she'd have full support.
And finally, after countless cities across lives, I was dead certain this was the best.
The downside? Enjoying these perks required money... but that wasn't an issue for me now.
"Pretty quiet right now?"
"Oh, Ervin? Welcome."
Daisy, the star receptionist at the Pinel branch of the Mercenary Guild, poked her head over the counter at my words.
Mercs seeking jobs had cleared out, leaving the guild empty.
She was catching up on paperwork, but I hadn't called without reason.
"Lize came too?"
"Hi, receptionist sis!"
"It's been a while, Lize. You've grown so much!"
But first, Lize's greeting took priority.
I'd brought her a few times, so they knew each other a bit.
Not enough for "our Lize," though.
Truly delighted, Daisy came around the counter, squatting to meet Lize's eyes.
"Sis missed you tons. Why'd it take so long?"
"I missed you too! But Daddy says I can't come here often."
Daisy shot me a look at Lize's reply.
I was just following common sense—no kids in the guild.
Unless it was this quiet; otherwise, not a place for her.
Rough mercs yelling, picking fights, throwing punches over pride. Total chaos.
Worst education spot ever.
Daisy, knowing this, smiled and looked back at Lize.
"Then can Sis visit your house sometime?"
"Yes! Come play. I have something for you! A drawing—oh, spoiled it."
"Hehe, I will. Promise with Daddy."
Daisy gave me a meaningful glance.
That was her goal all along.
Her sweet, innocent receptionist look hid a crafty merc-world savvy.
I worried Lize might pick up habits.
I pulled her from Daisy's whispers, forcing a stiff smile.
"Business first?"
"Got distracted by Lize's cuteness. One sec."
Couldn't blame her; Lize was irresistible.
Somehow felt played, but I nodded, watching her slip back into work mode.
"Let's see. Your request was 'Dire Wolf Pack Subjugation,' right?"
"Yep. Proof of subjugation here."
I set the pouch on the counter. Daisy opened it smoothly, checking contents.
Not gross, just packed with dire wolf fangs.
"Confirming request. Dire wolves total... 21. More than expected."
"More tracks than thought, so I found their den. Nipped the wolves in the bud—no issues for a while."
"As expected of an A-rank merc. Good work. Request complete... plus extra pay."
She tallied quick, filling another pouch with coins and handing it over.
The hefty weight brought a satisfied smile.
Double a standard fee, but fair for risk and completion.
Obvious, but my job: mercenary.
A-rank, high tier.
Rookies start at D.
I could do any job well, but merc suited me best—quick cash solo with a blade.
Main gig: monster extermination.
Post the incident nine years ago, monsters rampaged everywhere. Not enough hands.
In this era, with every counter memorized in body and mind, requests and ranks were a breeze.
"Thanks. Oh, got a rescue request on the way. C-ranks, I think. Rebek subjugation."
"Ah, those guys. I warned them, but they messed up anyway."
"Tch, guild that desperate for talent? Promoting idiots who skip basics."
"Thought their brawn was enough. Don't they know brains matter or you die quick? You'd have handled it, Ervin."
She winked after.
Half-true, but too much hype. Still, praise in front of Lize? I'd take it.
Daisy glanced at Lize with a soft smile, then back.
"I'll handle it firm. Demotion looming, they'll shape up."
"Thanks. Rescue fee after their request settles."
"Got it."
Rescue requests weren't rare among mercs.
Unexpected snags happen.
But it cost most of the fee to rescuers, tanked rep, risked rank drop.
In merc world, like failing outright.
Life's priceless, but rep is their bread.
"Daddy."
Lize tugged my hem, feeling sidelined.
I turned, smiling, crouching to her level.
"What is it?"
"Why take money for saving people?"
"..."
Caught me off guard—like a hammer to the head. Speechless.
Could brush off as adult stuff, but no.
Still a newbie dad; hesitated in these spots.
"Lize, when you buy at a shop, you pay, right? That's the deal between customer and owner. Same for mercs—promise to pay rescuers. Promises must be kept, yeah?"
"Yeah, keep promises."
She nodded, but looked unsatisfied.
My explanation lacking?
Ignore Daisy's stifled laugh behind.
After hesitating, Lize clenched tiny fists and spoke.
"Daddy... if someone's in danger... just save them."
"Why think that, Lize?"
Her pure words warmed me; I smiled unwittingly.
Her next words deepened it.
"Daddy protecting people was suuuuper cool. I wanna be like that."
"..."
Her words revived a forgotten memory.
Probably when we moved to Pinel—saving folks from monsters.
Casual deed, yet she remembered.
What dad wouldn't love his girl praising him?
I scooped her up tight and stood.
"How's my Lize so good?"
"Heehee."
Lost in the moment, a voice shattered it.
"If you wanna say 'my daughter's the best,' shout it loud? Watching's frustrating. Heartwarming, but how long in this dump? Back when we met, never pegged you for a doting dad."
Oh right—guild's her workplace. Rude.
I bowed slightly to her "go elsewhere" glare; she chuckled, waving it off.
"Kidding. Wish I had a Lize."
"Mercs would mourn your retirement, Daisy."
"Heh, marriage won't quit me from reception."
We bantered lightly, easing the mood, before my last question.
"Any named requests?"
"Nope. You clear yours fast, so none soon. Personal take. Unless emergency."
"Perfect."
I looked at Lize, still in my arms.
"Wanna play with Daddy tomorrow?"
"Mm, no!"