My three children have already acquired a formidable strength. Each of them knows his or her own special style of fighting, and under Clara’s guidance, they are killing enemies with a skill that rivals that of experienced adventurers.
I remembered that Clara had exceptional fighting skills for her age, but it was surprising to discover that the two younger ones had them as well. Even without the favor of a father, these children are martial geniuses. They are impressive.
“Dad, I caught a fish.”
“I caught a big crab! It’s very tasty!”
“I couldn’t catch anything like you two, but I picked some herbs that grew nearby.”
The three of them are playing in the river and seem to be having a lot of fun.
“We have a big catch. Everyone will be surprised when we get back.”
I pat their heads and praise them. The three of them smile shyly and then run off with smiles on their faces. Then they take a pot from the camp and start to make a fire.
Were they planning to eat here?
I think it’s too early for lunch.
“I can’t believe how talented the leader’s children are. All three of them could be active in the field right away.”
“Yes, they are strong, but they’re still children. Children should play happily instead of fighting. Too much talent can lead to regrets later.”
“Oh, you speak from experience? Young Kiaris, born into a family of knights, must have many difficulties that commoners can’t understand.”
“Shut up. I wasn’t born for this life.”
Kiaris and Takigi stare at each other.
They don’t really get along. Well, Takigi seems to have a one-sided rivalry with Kiaris, but what could be the reason?
It’s not so much about the Traveler’s Company as it is about adventurers, but there are many with complicated backgrounds in this business.
There are many people with troubled pasts. The reason Takigi is jealous of Kiaris is probably something that happened between him and a knight or nobleman in the past.
“In the Party, your origin, race, or position doesn’t matter. What matters is your strength. Oh, and cooperation is also important. If you have any complaints, I’ll listen to what you have to say.
“I’m really sorry.”
When I get their attention, Takigi gives in easily.
On the other hand, Kiaris looks at me with a surprised expression.
“So you’re a man who doesn’t care about his position. We’ve been together for several years, but this is the first time you’ve impressed me.”
“Well, I am the leader.”
Aren’t there many people in this company who are unnecessarily arrogant?
Well, they are all good children who can be trusted.
In the forest in the west of the island, there is a mysterious building called “Torch Ruins”.
I called it that because it resembles a torch used in ceremonies. The interesting thing is that its design and structure are different from those seen on other continents. Although we haven’t explored it yet, most parts of the ruins have been explored by experts. We brought the children here after making sure it was safe.
Clara takes a moment to think before asking, “Where should we start exploring?”
The ruins are small and there are only a few places to search, so it’s perfect for the children’s adventure game. Also, we have hidden treasures in different places beforehand. It’s just to make memories and strengthen the bond between parents and children, we’re not looking for results.
“We will take care of the perimeter security. As a father, make sure you praise them properly,” says Kiaris.
The three children go off together and start exploring the ruins. I also try to use my thieving skills to look for treasures, but I can’t find anything. But to me, anything could be a treasure, so I can’t be sure. Sometimes there are tools or artifacts that interfere with the thieves’ senses, so I can’t say there’s nothing.
“I found a jar! It’s an artifact!”
“Here’s a clay figurine.”
“I found a knife…”
Clara stares at me intently.
Oh, she noticed.
She is smart and often understands things. But that’s okay, because it’s not about the result. It’s just a trick for the kids.
Suddenly Clara seems to have realized something and her expression changes.
“Dad, is that knife…?”
“Yes, it’s a custom-made knife I hid here. Look at the handle and the sheath, don’t you see the Eiban family crest?”
“Can I have it?”
I nod with a smile.
It’s a special item made by a renowned dwarf, and it’s made from carefully selected materials and a special technique created by an ancient race. It’s a symbol of the Eiban family that only my family has.
I had planned to give it to each of them on their upcoming birthdays, but I wasn’t sure if I would be around then, so I decided to give it to them now.
“And what about me? Where’s mine?”
“I want one too! Is there one for me?”
Knox and Kite cling to my legs and beg me. They are no longer interested in the artifacts, they just want the knife.
Of course, of course. They want it, don’t they? After all, it took thirty dwarves several months of discussion to decide on the design. It is the proof of our family that we are not ashamed of anything.
“I have enough for both of you. Now, where did I put them…?”
Knox and Kite rush forward to look first. Knox finds them first, but Kite finds them shortly after.
The knives have different colors for identification. It seems that Clara got the white knife, Knox the red one and Kite the green one.
“It’s a fiery color. I like how it looks on me,” says Knox.
“I like it because it reminds me of the forest. I’m going to show it off to my mom when we get home,” Kite says.
The three seem satisfied. It was worth all the effort we put into it.
“Wait, guys!”
“We don’t want to. Clara looks like an ogre,” says Knox.
“Hahaha, hahaha!”
After the adventure, we head to the nearby beach for a swim. The three children run across the warm sand, chasing each other.
Meanwhile, we adults quietly prepare dinner. We cook meat and seafood on a grill we brought.
“Being a parent is hard. I’m losing my desire to get married,” Takigi says.
“I don’t even have a girlfriend, let alone a wife,” Benare adds.
“Yes, I’m always looking for a partner… Okay, enough, please!”
I couldn’t help but laugh as I listened to the conversation between the three of them.
Kiaris, wearing an apron and holding a pair of tongs, reprimands them. “Seriously, guys. The key to good barbecue is cooking temperature. And where are the vegetables? This is not a healthy meal. As a father, you should care more about these things.”
He’s right, there are no vegetables in this meal. I think I left them in the storeroom… There they are. Although he speaks in a harsh manner, Kiaris is reliable and serious. He is a great support for me, who can be a bit careless at times.
“I think you would make a good father if you got married.”
“Really? My girlfriend would probably get mad at me for being too meticulous… Oh, forget what I just said. It just slipped out,” Kiaris says.
I laugh again. It seems that Kiaris has a secret as well.
We laugh together, celebrating the fact that we have both found love.
