Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: The New Squire
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"Take her as your squire?"
There was no real reason to hesitate.
"Yes, I will."
"She doesn't have anything special about her yet. This is just my opinion, but that child has brilliant talent."
"Yes, we'll do that, so please stand up."
"It's not parental bias. When she was little, lights and winds of dozens of colors swirled around her. That was definitely the phenomenon known as the special blessing of the Prynar. If she trains well... No, I've overstepped. Just please take her as your squire."
"Yes, I'll take her as my squire. So stand up."
"Please, I beg you. I know it's shameless, but... Huh?"
"?"
The boss hesitated, then slowly lifted his head and let out a groan.
He'd finally heard me.
"W-what did you say?"
"Yes. I'll take her as my squire. Even as an assistant if you'd prefer."
"......!"
Shock spread across his face.
"R-really?!"
"Yes, really."
I reached out and forcibly pulled him to his feet.
Everyone around was staring, which was a bit embarrassing.
"Shall we talk inside?"
"Y-yes! Of course!"
As I followed him, I glanced back. The girl was staring at me in a daze.
"Come on in."
"Ah. Okay."
Only then did she come running over with little pattering steps.
I waited until she entered the house first, then went in after her.
The interior was spartan.
No sofa, not even a bed.
Just a few chairs and what looked like a sleeping mat covered with blankets.
It was clear they weren't living in luxury.
"I-I'll brew some tea."
"No need."
Both father and daughter were fidgeting so much it made me fidget too.
Benefactors like this were just uncomfortable.
"Um... should we do an oath or something?"
"Huh? Oh?"
The boss echoed me, then understood and his face hardened.
"If possible... please."
"Dad!"
"Lena. We have to make it official..."
"That's too shameless toward our benefactor! You need to know shame!"
"...Right. You're correct."
Wow. She's sharp.
Probably thanks to the boss raising her strictly.
Outwardly he looked like a bandit, but he had depth.
He could've taken down those hulks yesterday too.
The cautious brute—Pagin or something—said that when things went south and they clashed, they were the ones overwhelmed. But when he revealed his status, the boss hesitated, and when they threatened him with his daughter, he just took the beating.
Even after taking dozens of punches, he could still move. That spoke to his strength.
Those fucking bastards.
Maybe track them down and give each a few hundred more.
Return favors in kind, grudges tenfold. That's the rule.
I swallowed my dark thoughts and addressed the fuming daughter, Lena.
"I'm fine, Lena."
"Um... even if I can't go, it's okay, Dragon sir. I know my place."
"No, don't worry ab—"
...Huh?
What? Dragon?
Is she calling me?
"Dear, it's Dre, not Dragon."
"Ah. S-sorry."
"It's fine..."
Where did this nickname come from?
I wanted to ask but held back; the mood wasn't right.
"I'm really okay. I don't think I have any talent."
"That's not true, dear! You're good at everything, efficient and—"
"People who can handle chores like that are a dime a dozen."
Her tone was weathered by the world.
Was this kid really a kid?
How old? A bit over ten...?
"Besides, Dad. If I leave, can you handle all that work alone? And even if I go to the academy, there's no guarantee I'll gain anything."
Her realistic tone made the boss hang his head.
His paternal love was palpable, reminding me of that man.
A person I couldn't forget.
.....
I stared at her for a moment. She spoke sharply, but regret lingered on her face.
Then I asked.
"Lena."
"Yes, Dre sir."
"How old are you?"
"I'll be eleven soon."
What month was it now? I hadn't been paying attention.
Anyway, she was incredibly young.
How much hardship had shaped this child into such an adult?
"You're right, Lena."
"......"
"There are plenty of clever people. And more talented ones than you think."
Just look around; talent litters every field.
Lena gave a faint, resigned smile. The boss glared. Fuck, scary.
"Dre sir...!"
Her desperate voice didn't sound angry, but his fierce face made it hard to tell.
Still, it seemed like she had more to say.
Fine, let's hear it.
"But, Lena."
"Yes, Dre sir."
"I'm not one of those clever people."
"......?"
"You'll excel at anything, but I bungled everything. Especially daily life. So you can't help but be useful to me."
Lies. I was above average at everything.
Comfortable truths? Not now.
I stood from the chair and knelt before her, matching her eye level.
"What do you want to do?"
"........."
"Do you want to go to Prynar Academy? Or stay for your father?"
"I..."
"Poor phrasing. Do you want to use your father as an excuse to run away?"
Lena glared sharply. The boss fidgeted.
But I knew.
If you make excuses and half-ass it, dreams stay dreams. I knew that much.
"Lena."
"Yes."
The "sir" was gone. Head bowed deeply.
Pouting.
Cute.
Finally some childlike behavior; it warmed me a bit.
I'd thought kids were annoying, but one like Lena? I could have a few.
"Back in the stable, when I was a shivering idiot, you covered me with a blanket and put a cool cloth on my forehead, right?"
"......Yes."
Yeah. I remember.
I remember that beautiful heart that cared for a framed nobody.
"Plenty of talented, clever people in the world, but few with good character. Who'd even want the squire spot with me? But I'd take someone kind and capable like you over a mismatched personality any day."
Lena lifted her head.
Her eyes sparkled.
"Lena. What do you want?"
She looked at her father, then me, and squeezed her eyes shut.
Then forced out the words.
"I want to go to Prynar Academy...! Sniff... Even a little, I want to study!"
She bit her tongue midway.
So damn cute.
"Lena..."
The boss's eyes welled up, emotions overflowing.
Such a sensitive soul.
"Yes. Then you'll be my squire... or assistant. Which?"
"A-as an assistant is too much for someone like me. Squire!"
"Yes. One condition."
One condition. Lena's face hardened.
She expected strings with good news.
"A-anything is fine. Even if it's... my... my...."
My what?
She seemed about to say something weird, so I blurted my actual condition.
"First, no more 'someone like me.' Don't belittle yourself."
"Ah."
"It tarnishes my face as your future superior. Got it?"
"Y-yes!"
Crisp reply. Hope she relaxes eventually, but this is good for now.
And so, one squire was decided.
I acted all high and mighty, but no one wanted the spot anyway. Why so serious?
I smiled, and Lena finally beamed back.
Wow. Pretty.
She'll break hundreds of hearts grown up.
"Oh, right. I brought a gift."
"Ah. I put it away."
I'd dropped it on the floor before beating the brutes; now it sat preciously on the crude desk. Proud moment.
"And this is for borrowing your daughter for a few years."
I pulled out every coin I'd earned so far and handed it over.
All gold. Heh.
By my world's value, over 110 million won.
"Borrowing?"
The boss's eyes shook as he took the heavy pouch.
He opened it, then without hesitation pushed it back.
"I can't accept."
"No. You must."
"All I did was let you sleep out of pity and give some advice. Taking her to Prynar Academy is already more than I deserve; I'd have nowhere to stand."
"Refuse, and I won't take her."
"!"
I shoved the pouch into his hands during his surprise.
"Maybe nothing to you, but what you and Lena did is a lifelong memory for me. Don't cheapen it."
Nice.
My tongue was smooth for once.
I was moved by my own words, but the boss mumbled.
"S-still..."
"No buts. If your only daughter worries about her struggling dad, how can she focus?"
Lena was already trembling at the mere mention of not taking her.
She wanted it so bad, yet played hard to get at first.
"Take it. Refusing doubts my ability. This much? I can earn anytime."
Time for some bravado.
"Th-thank you. Someday... I'll repay this grace, even with my life."
Sincerity dripped from his words.
Helping good people, repaid in kindness—rewarding.
"Then I'll depart in about five days. Prepare everything by then."
Staying longer, he'd try returning the money any second.
I wanted to give more periodically, not get it back.
Better bounce.
Uncomfortable after giving money? In my world, unimaginable... or not.
A bitter memory surfaced, but Lena moved.
"Ah..."
She reached for me, then lowered her hand.
......Yeah. Anxious, right?
Said I'd take her as squire, but no contract, just my word. Unsettling.
She'd told her dad oaths were too much, but feelings can't be helped.
I gave a hefty sum; if I ditched Milf Village, she'd still profit big. But for her, studies mattered more than money.
"Or, since it'd mean parting early from your father, want to come to my lodgings?"
I almost said hotel; changed to lodgings for tone.
The boss, expecting refusal, lit up instead.
"That would be an honor!"
"Understood."
I turned to lead Lena. That instant.
💖 LEWD SIMULATION ACTIVATED 💖 Lena Artez Virgin: ○ Race: Human Affection: 67 (No rational attraction, but max familial love) 'He's truly grateful; I must serve him with all my heart.'
Good girl! She'll become an astonishing beauty within 3 years! Her current goodwill is pure affection, respect, and gratitude. Twist it right, and it'll turn into deep love! High grip strength too... Beep.
I shut the system window immediately.
Fucking thing spouting nonsense.
Says anything about kids.
Really, is some bastard sending these system quests and messages?
Loveheart. She was always a bitch, but if she's really behind this skill and messages, I'm smashing her.
.....
My gut says it's not her.
Feels different...
[Heh heh...]
......?
That wasn't a hallucination.
What the fuck is it?
System window? Or some peeping voyeur?
Gonna crush it.
But no gazes or presences anywhere.
Having seen a god recently, I'd sense one watching. Nothing.
Not scary, just fucking annoying.
...Let it slide for now.
I bid the boss farewell and took Lena out.
Walking aimlessly at first, our strides didn't match; she kept lagging.
Probably didn't want to annoy me already, she tried desperately to keep up silently. Cute, so I let her for a bit.
But her feet hurt, so I slowed.
"No need to accommodate me, Master."
"...Drop the 'Master' title."
People might misunderstand.
I'm not a loli fan.
If anything, mature women.
Like Nila.
Nila... Want to see her, but I'd freeze up.
Hold back. Hold.
She struggled more, so despite her protests, I scooped her up and put her on my shoulder.
Lena yelped loudly, face half-embarrassed, half-flattered, begging to get down. But I just walked silently, so she thanked me and quieted.
Cute.
Overkill to think of raising a daughter, but I got why dads dote.
Not that I hate marriage or kids or anything.
We reached my lodgings.
Two knights in shiny armor at the entrance saluted crisply.
"I'm back."
"Welcome ho—...me?"
The female knight trailed off, eyeing Lena on my shoulder.
Her stiff face suggested naughty thoughts.
I set her down.
Lena bravely greeted them despite their intimidating presence.
"Hello."
"Hi, hello."
The female knight asked hesitantly.
"Sir Dre. Is your taste... Ah, not that it's my business..."
Fuck, why me?
"She's my squire."
Lena and I said it together.
"Squire? Prynar Academy?"
"Yes."
"You brought her yourself, Sir Dre? From some noble house?"
Don't say noble.
She'd shrink even if it didn't show.
"Common citizen. But clever and just my type."
"I see."
She exchanged glances with the other knight, then spoke cautiously.
"Sir Dre. If I may be so bold..."
"If it's bold, don't."
"Pardon?"
"I chose her myself. No need for others' opinions."
Tone flat, but words sharp.
The ever-polite female knight's eyes widened; she saluted and shouted.
"Sorry! My mistake!"
"No, I was sharp too. Sorry. Could you arrange a room for my squire? Who do I ask?"
"We'll handle it! Ron!"
"Got it!"
The knight dashed off.
...This why power's nice?
Mine'd vanish soon; Gold hated me.
Thinking it soured my mood. How mad was he?
"Let's go."
"Yes. Teacher."
Teacher.
Better than Master.
The next day.
I learned what the female knight meant to say.
Murmurs.
Unusually, crowds swarmed outside the mansion.
Gold? I peeked out the window.
"It's Dre!"
"Sir Dre! I'm a cleric from the Holy Kingdom! A divine revelation came!"
"A mage from the Magic Tower! I specialize in delicate wide-area spells...!"
"Sir Dre. I have money! I can support you!"
Slam.
I shut the window.
...Prynar Academy hype spreading.