Outing (2)
"To the Imperial Capital Dersia, Netina Alchemical Workshop."
"One silver coin."
Clink—
I handed the pre-written letter to the post office clerk along with the silver coin, wrapping up my business. Now that letter would reach the capital via train within four days.
The recipient was my old acquaintance and a brilliant alchemist—the owner of the Netina Alchemical Workshop. The contents of the letter weren't anything special. It simply asked him to start preparing the medicine as we had agreed previously, since I'd be visiting the capital in ten days. For now, just a year's worth.
He couldn't possibly make all sixty Blood Flow Catalysts at once, after all. It was better to give him ample time to gather materials and space out the requests.
"Sorry for the wait. All done now."
"No, it's fine."
While I handled my errand, Beatrice had been sitting quietly in her chair, waiting. Even though I told her she could relax next to me, she clutched the basket full of various ingredients tightly in her lap.
I let out a hollow chuckle and snatched the basket from her knees like it was mine.
"Hand it over. It's heavier than you think."
"……Ah."
Beatrice let out a short sigh, then murmured in a voice so soft it was barely audible, "I can carry it too……," as she stood up. She trailed after me, flailing her hands trying to grab the basket back, but I wasn't about to let her have it that easily.
"Not a chance."
I dodged her a few times with both hands, and by the time we exited the post office, she hadn't laid a finger on it even once. Giving up on reclaiming it, she puffed out her cheeks and kicked a harmless pebble by the roadside.
I chuckled playfully and shot a glance at Beatrice, who had started walking a half-step behind me.
Was it because this was a rare outing? Instead of her usual casual clothes, she had dressed up properly. A fine cream-colored blouse paired with a long skirt that reached her ankles. A light cashmere shawl draped over her shoulders, and a cute beret perched on her head. It was a refined look that exuded elegance and poise. Blood will tell, as they say— even at a glance, she carried the air of a noble young lady.
"Hmm."
As we strolled down the main avenue together, I pondered our next destination. We'd spent quite a while at the market before stopping by the post office, so Beatrice must be tired. Should we just head home? Or……
"Beatrice."
"Yes?"
I decided to ask her directly.
She turned her head slightly at my call. At least outwardly, she didn't look too exhausted despite all the wandering around.
"Is there anywhere else you'd like to stop? Or something you'd like to do?"
"……?"
"Of course, if you want, we can just head straight home."
My previous life…… had been that of an utterly ordinary twenty-something guy, the kind you could find anywhere. Even after seven years in this world, that hadn't changed. I had zero experience raising kids, and I could count on one hand the times I'd even babysat briefly.
Fifteen years old. In my old world, that was just middle school age. With her dark past, even if it wasn't strictly necessary, I wanted to accommodate her wishes as much as possible.
But figuring out exactly what would make my daughter happy was still a tough puzzle. She hadn't shown much interest when I'd casually mentioned transferring to a school before.
Rather than coming up with suggestions on my own, it was better to ask her outright. As I waited, stealing glances at her reaction……
"……."
"……Um, Beatrice?"
The question itself must have felt so novel to her that she blinked at me in a daze, staring blankly without answering.
Feeling awkwardly embarrassed under that intense gaze, I scratched my cheek.
"Well…… if there's nowhere special you want to go, heading back like this is……"
As I awkwardly started to suggest the safest option……
"……I want to."
"Hm?"
Beatrice, still looking up at me piercingly, finally spoke. I blinked since I hadn't heard clearly, and she quickened her steps to close the distance, repeating herself.
"I want to…… go for a walk more. With you."
"……."
And she reached out her hand.
Beatrice timidly grabbed the hem of my clothes, then seemed to think better of it and shifted to gripping my hand tightly instead.
I couldn't help but freeze in slight surprise.
……I'd held her hand first while walking before, or touched her body to adjust her form during sword training. But her initiating a hand-hold like this? It felt like almost the first time.
It was a fresh sensation, to say the least. Beatrice's hand was unmistakably that of a fifteen-year-old girl—small, slender, and soft.
"……If that's what you want."
Feeling an odd ticklish warmth for some reason, I cleared my throat shortly and accepted her request.
A walk? That was hardly any trouble at all. Perhaps strolling hand-in-hand like this was the very proof of a harmonious father-daughter bond.
Beatrice nodded silently at my response and said nothing more after that. She simply followed along, head bowed shyly, eyes fixed on her toes.
Well…… I didn't hate it.
*****
Handel was a pretty decent city. Not a metropolis, but among the northern cities, it was the largest and most prosperous. Tourism was relatively well-developed there too…… which made it easy to find scenic spots perfect for a stroll.
After passing the shopping district and heading a bit east, we came to a lake. A small island floated in the center—a rather romantic landmark.
Beatrice and I walked the path circling the lake, killing time. As if reconfirming the rapport we'd built over the past ten days, we exchanged idle small talk.
As the sun began to set, we bought cream pies and crepes from a nearby street vendor. That's when I first learned Beatrice had a sweet tooth.
I should make desserts for her sometimes.
I wasn't one for baking or pastries…… but if I put my mind to it, I could manage.
Winning someone over with food was about the simplest, most reliable method there was. And as someone growing addicted to the smiles she flashed whenever she ate something delicious, I had no reason to refuse.
"Shall we head back soon?"
"Yeah……."
By the time the streets had grown quite dark with the sun nearly gone, I glanced at Beatrice—who was stifling yawns despite pretending otherwise—and suggested it. We'd been out since daytime touring the markets, wandering the city until nightfall. She had every reason to be tired.
She nodded with a somewhat dazed expression, and I promptly turned toward home.
Beatrice, now used to it, comfortably held my hand and followed my lead.
We'd gone a bit far to see the lake. It was a slight distance to the mansion—would she make it okay? If not, I'd have to carry her on my back so she could sleep.
The streets were fairly quiet. Everyone must have turned in for the night, given the hour. I reflected that maybe we should have headed home earlier…… but Beatrice's eagerness for the walk had been so strong, and besides.
The lake's serene night view, moonlight shimmering on the water, had been truly beautiful. Not a bad evening outing at all.
After walking for about ten minutes toward home—one hand swinging the basket I'd carried all day, the other clasped with Beatrice's……
"……Daddy…… can you carry me?"
Beatrice, who'd started nodding off a few minutes ago, murmured in a sleepy, drowsy tone. The first "Daddy" I'd heard in a while.
It was a pleasant surprise, and something I'd prepared for anyway, so no issue piggybacking her. But……
"……."
"Daddy……?"
I couldn't bring myself to answer her soft urging.
Instead, I set down the basket with a grim expression and moved my hand to my sword hilt.
"Just hold my hand tight and stay put, Beatrice."
"……Huh?"
In this alley lit only by faint moonlight and distant streetlamps, presences began filling the unusually deserted space—even accounting for the late hour. Several gazes openly fixed on us.
Did she sense that undisguised hostility?
"……."
Squeeze—
Her sleepiness vanished in an instant. Beatrice's face hardened with anxiety as she pressed close to my side.
Presences so vivid even she, just starting to sense mana, could feel them. Malicious stares, raw and unfiltered.
Their intent was obvious.
……I'd thought something like this might happen someday—and quite recently, at that.
"Didn't expect you'd find us this soon……."
I wrapped an arm around Beatrice's shoulders protectively, flashing a sardonic smile as I slowly drew my blade from its sheath.
Shing—!
Coating it in ashen sword aura, I thrust it forward and growled lowly.
"Come on out. No point hiding when you're leaking killing intent like that."
"……."
"Don't you have business with my daughter?"
No polite reply came to my leisurely taunt, laced with counter-hostility as I raised my blade.
Perhaps deciding there was no need to hide anymore, the thugs exchanged glances and began emerging one by one.
"Eek……."
Beatrice paled at their menacing faces and clung to my waist with both arms.
To reassure her, I gently patted her head buried against me and said,
"It's okay. No need to tense up like that. Nothing will happen to you."
Beatrice could only tremble against me, speechless.
I gave a wry smile and casually scanned the thugs encircling us from all sides. Swords, clubs, even a crossbow aimed from afar. They crept forward warily, mindful of my sword aura, armed to the teeth.
"……Well, now."
But the leader's gaze wasn't on me—it was locked on Beatrice. That repulsive, predatory stare made me sneer.
"Filthy eyes. Who the hell do you think you are, leering at my precious daughter like that?"
The giant of a man, at least eight feet tall, bristled at my words and hefted his notched greatsword.
In response to my sword aura, dark energy welled up around his blade as he growled,
"No long talk. Hand over that wench right now, and I'll spare your……."
But.
Slash—!
"……life……?"
His words never finished.
I swung at the fool who dared call my daughter a "wench," no questions asked.
Splat……!
Before he could react, my ashen sword aura shot out, severing his greatsword—and his arm—with it.
Bright red blood sprayed in an instant. Covering Beatrice's eyes, I continued,
"I won't waste words either."
"……Kuh!?"
The man belatedly clutched the stump of his arm and collapsed.
Still keeping my distance, I aimed my blade at him and intoned coldly,
"Did the Black Lotus Society leader send you?"
"……!"
"You ragtag bunch of scum."