Everyone needs a day off, even me.

***

It has been a week since I've received the [Immortal Sword of Giants]. Its good and all, but it bothers me that I haven’t used it even once. Its not like I’m looking for trouble, it's just I have to know what it can do. Because I can't directly experiment anything on it, I decided to do some research.

Currently, I'm in my office reading and studying about the sword. Almost every book I borrowed are floating around because of my new magic . It's not a combat magic but it's useful for these kind of stuff.

Though what I'm doing is slightly messy, I'm actually being extra careful since these books are extremely old.

These books came from the Teldarg's Archive that was passed down to him from the one before him and so on. Everything about on these books is recorded historical events that spans from when it was first made. Even the people who managed to use it are recorded here. Surprisingly, the numbers of people who are able to wield it are nine. I, being in the top ten sure do feels slightly nice.

Well anyhow, I got too absorbed in researching that I didn't notice that days have passed already. I've been using my magic too frequently so I don't feel tired at all.

But from the girl's point of view, it's slightly different.

“What are you doing Key?! You've been in this room for a week now, why aren’t you coming out?”

Slamming the door wide open, Cherry comes charging in while scolding me.

“I told you already, I'm very busy at the moment.”

“Yes, I can see that. But it's very unhealthy not to expose yourself in the sunlight at least for an hour.”

Back on Earth, I've done worse. I played this Online Space Sandbox game before, we had a war with the opposing team and the war lasted for like a month without end and I didn't leave my room except for toilet breaks. Luckily, it happened on a summer.

“That's fine. I have magic to deal with that.”

“No it's not fine! You're not writing letters to the nobles and merchants that tried to contact you, you’re not doing your usual routine of magic bestowal to the knights, you're making your mother worry by worrying Jane, and most of all you're neglecting your daughter, and not only her, us! You're also neglecting us, your fiancées! I know you’re busy about your research, but you have to pay attention to your surroundings too.”

Wow… Those actually kind of hurt.

Now that I think about it, I really am neglecting everything around me. I got too busy in reading about the sword’s history. My Monomania’s at it again.

“I'm sorry. I got too absorbed in my research.”

“Don't apologize to me. Apologize to your daughter instead! She's been looking for you for a long time you know.”

“Is that so? Then I'll do it, I think I've been in this room for a long time too I guess.”

After saying so, I stood up from my seat. And when I was about to take my first step, I almost trampled something really soft.

“Matt? What the heck are you doing down there?”

“Oh? Gwood mowning.”

Surfacing from a pile of books, Matt replied to me while half-asleep.

“Wait, don't tell me, you were also here the whole week?!”

“What? Don't be stupid. I entered here only last night you know. I asked Flordist to open a gate for me to your study room. Didn't you notice me leeching onto your magic?”

Lately I don't. But that's not the point here.

“I understand, but why are you naked?”

“It was hot.”

Straight and fast answer, Figures.

So it was decided then. Today, I will not work and put all my strength into making up to everyone.

***

When everyone including the knights gathered in my mansion, I wanted to have a party. However…

“REJECTED!”

Just like that. My suggestion was shot down. And unexpectedly, it came from Jane. She seems upset too.

“I maybe be acting haughty in front of you sir, but I cannot permit you from partying!”

“Why?”

“You locked up yourself in your room for a week and made us worry. Do you think a party is enough to make up for it?”

“But I thought-“

“No ‘buts'! What you need now is time with your daughter and everyone else. Can't you see how thrilled Marie is just by sitting on your lap? It clearly shows signs that she missed you so much. Just play with her today, please. If you do that, I think everyone here will forgive you.”

I feel like she’s on cahoots with everyone here. Everyone’s nodding at the same time.

“I understand.”

“Dude, you got scolded by your own maid.”

“Shut up, Sora.”

***

Because of Jane, I was forced to do what a father’s supposed to do with his daughter. Not that I was against the idea, I'm just surprised that Jane stepped up to me. I almost forgot I'm the master and she’s the maid.

Then again, she does have a point.

Now, what do I do with Marie? It's been a while since I played with her. Is there something new to play with?

“Papa, Han-um!”

Wait, what did she say?

Right now, she's standing beside me while holding my arm as her support. She still can't stand by herself so it looks really cute that she's trying hard to stand by herself and I'm squatting so that I can play with her.

But when did she learn to talk? Moreover, who taught her and why that?

“Aww, thank you Marie. Who taught you that?”

It feels like she understands what I'm saying. She's smiling at me from ear to ear which also makes me smile too.

“Want to see magic Marie?”

“Um!”

Wow, she's really smart for a child her age.

Using the ring, I constructed a magic array of runes and drew them on thin air. I meant to do this because using direct magic manipulation could amplify the magic's output which I have no control of. Using the Magic Array technique, I can create a magic that isn't strong enough to hurt a person.

“Come forth familiar, >”

Crawling out from a Six inch wide magic circle, Shell looks around him and slightly bows to me. It's gallant and all, but because of his current form, I can't take him seriously.

[Why have you summoned me master?]

“Don't be too tense Shell. I only summoned you to meet my daughter.”

I created a new magic sequence for Shell. Instead of his usual knightly four armed form, I removed some of his powers and put it on another set of sequence and turned him into a small harmless crab. I made sure that his pincers and the rest of his edges are dull so that it wouldn't hurt Marie whose eyes are currently sparkling in awe while looking at him.

[To meet my master's descendant, it is my greatest honor.]

“Vudada!”

[M-master?!]

“Don't worry. I made you extra sturdy so that you wouldn’t get accidentally damaged. Oh, and by the way, next time when I summon you, prioritize her more than me. That is my new command.”

[W-what master wishes, I will obey.]

Shell panicked when Marie attacked him the moment their vision crossed each other. Though I call it attacking, it's actually Marie spinning him in the air. She seems thrilled. It's cute.

And also, she tried to speak “Vurtada” which means “Toy” in Marzenthurian. I wonder who taught her that.

“Now, now, Marie, do not play with Shell. He is not a toy, he’s your guardian.”

“Vudada?”

Damn, the high notes at the end of her words are too cute.

Skipping that part, I put a warm coat around Marie because we are going outside. Though the snow has melted since the winter season is over, the air still has some cold left in it so I can't get too careless. I don't want her to get a cold.

Upon getting out of the mansion with Marie on my arms(and Shell on my shoulder), I saw everyone outside doing their usual training with some new looking equipment.

“Oh Key, going out with your daughter eh?”

Sanjeet stopped doing his push-ups which also includes weights on his back. I see that those weights are around 300 kg. I know that I just gave them today’s batch of boosts, but isn't that too much? Well anyway, he reeks of sweat so I'm distancing myself from him.

“Yeah, I am. I'm thinking of going on a little stroll with her in the city.”

“Is that so? Then bring at least one of us. After what happened last time, we can't afford not knowing anything that's happening around you.”

“Its fine, I can handle myself.”

“We fully are aware of that, but that's the problem. Didn’t you employ us as your personal knights? If we can't protect you, what are we even here for?”

Err… he's got a good point.

Since he said that, I can't really turn him down. So, I looked at the rest of the gang who are looking at me.

Everyone are full of sweat from training from head to toe so I can't bring them with me. Well, not everyone actually. Amly is just sitting by the leafless tree. She looks melancholic for some reason.

“I guess I can bring Amly with me.”

***

“Uhm, is this fine?”

“Yeah it's fine. You don't need to wear something with too much defense. We’re just having a little stroll around the city, not charge into war.”

Currently, Amly looks really uncomfortable coming with me. It's probably because I didn’t let her equip her gear. So in order to lessen her anxiety, I let her carry two short swords. But it looks like it didn’t do anything.

“Papa!”

All of a sudden, Marie tugged my hair to make me look to where she is looking. When I turn my head, I can see the fountain where I took the [Immortal Sword of Giant]. It seems like the dancing water fountain thrilled Marie that she's unconsciously tugging my hair. It's cute and all, but my head hurts from the tugging.

“Hmm… looks like having a daughter doesn't look bad.”

“Well, it does have some cons. But those are meaningless as long as I can see her smile.”

Amly suddenly said something weird while looking at Marie. But when I answered her, she gets surprised all of a sudden.

“Is there something wrong? You've been acting weirdly these days, I can’t help but notice.”

“I-it's nothing. I was just thinking about how adorable Marie is. I thought that if I'll get married, I'd like my first born to be as lovely as her, preferably a girl.”

Oh, so that's what she's thinking. Still doesn’t connect to why she looks down though. I still can't understand women.

Well anyhow, we walk towards the fountain and decided to have a look at the dancing water.

When we got to the railing, all of a sudden, Marie wanted to reach out to the water. Fortunately, I was quick to react and pulled her back towards me. She didn't realize that she was about to fall from my arms.

“No no no no! Don't cry, don't cry.”

Because she didn't knew about it, she probably thinks that I got angry. Her eyes looks like they're about to burst with water.

“Dae! Dae!”

Immediately after that, she threw a fit while yelling “water” repeatedly in Marzenthurian. Cute and noisy.

“No! You're going to fall.”

“Dae! Dae! Dae!”

Uhg! I think the girls spoiled her too much. She’s fighting back by pulling and scratching my face and even tugging my hair.

[Little Girl, look!]

All of a sudden, Shell threw in a life-saver by spraying water from his mouth to the air. This made Marie stop for a second. After that, she started laughing and her attention is fully on Shell. I'm thankful for that, but my robe is getting soaked in the process.

“Damn, since when did she became so stubborn? Wait, why are you laughing?”

“No, nothing! I just remembered someone I knew in the past while looking at your situation.”

To get laughed at because of this… It's slightly embarrassing. I guess this is what being a father is like. Speaking of fathers, I wonder if dad's already in this world?

“Haha, really funny.”

She still continued laughing at me because I got soaked even more as Shell keeps on entertaining Marie.

“Well, I guess you laughing now is better than staying gloomy. Honestly, I prefer the Amly who keeps smiling with her twin-tailed hair swinging around. I missed that.”

After I said that, she suddenly froze while looking straight at me. Slowly, her face turns bright crimson. When she realized it herself, he turns away while looking embarrassed.

I think I just said something a playboy would say.

“W-w-w-what are y-y-you talking about sir!? We barely knew each other for a month, don't say something like we've known each other for a long time!”

I'd be lying if I didn't say she doesn't look cute when embarrassed. But I have to fix this awkward atmosphere, she returned to getting tensed up.

“I want to sit down and rest a bit. Let's go to the park, it not that long of a walk anyway.”

Arriving in the park, for some reason, it's quite livelier than I remember. There's a lot of humans, beastfolk, dwarves, and the sort. Not only that, there are also families and couples here having a picnic. I suddenly feel out of place.

Just when I was about to change my mind, Marie suddenly started pushing my chest like wanting to get down.

“You want to play?”

“Play!”

I guess this is fine. She's my reason for going on a stroll anyway.

I gently put down Marie on the grassy ground. Since she's only wearing open sandals, the melting snow on the grass tickled her foot. But instead of hating it, she suddenly looked like she's about to run off.

Well, she doesn't know how to walk on her own yet so I’m not planning to let go of her anytime soon.

I bent my back forward and grabbed her hands. After feeling that I wouldn't let go of her while standing, she then starts trotting clumsily. The smile on her face is priceless.

“You're not bad. You look really like you're enjoying this like a good father would.”

Amly suddenly spoke beside me while crossing her arms-no, she's holding her hand on her stomach.

“Technically, I am a father. Its just common sense that I would be good to my daughter. Besides, having a cute daughter like Marie is a child any parent would want to have.”

She's acting weird. Very suspicious…

When Shell jumped off my shoulder, Marie wanted to catch him. Because the ground is moist, I'm afraid she'll get dirty.

“Wait, >”

After invoking, the snow rapidly melts and becomes steam. Moments later, the ground became dry except for the grass. At that moment, I gently let go off Marie.

“Vudada!”

Good thing Marie's coat is long enough to cover her knees and she's wearing her mittens, or else she's get dirty from trying to catch Shell while crawling. Her laughter is giving me my dose of honey.

“S-she's too adorable!”

“Agreed.”

Almy looked at Marie with an expression that's about to melt. Well, I am too.

We took a long time playing in the park. It's been a while since I've enjoyed something wholeheartedly. I'm really glad I took a day off from my research.

****

Because we had too much fun in the park, we didn't realize that the sun was already setting.

Since Marie played too much, she fell asleep on my arms while carrying her home. Also, Shell's trying so hard to stay awake. He's staggering while holding unto my robe.

Wait, this might be a pretty good chance to do this.

“Shell, from this day onwards. I want you to be my daughter’s protector. I will change your magic composition so that you can remain in this world without relying on my magic. However, you will not be as strong as before.”

[If master wishes so, I will not complain.]

He's too simple. I actually wished he'll say no.

After that, without touching him, I activated the ring and rearranged his magic script composition. His current form will be his passive mode. His full form will be his combat form, but there's a catch, since I have given him a permanent body, there would be a time limit in the activation of his Full Form. I tried to create a script that could let him use it anytime, but it wasn’t possible because of the compatibility issue with the script structure. It was possible to do it, but I only ended up making a separate magic script which is his passive form.

I made this possible by practicing on a prototype familiar I made before. Though it ended up a way different from Shell, I still gave it life so I'm keeping it around the mansion. I'm still thinking of a way to make it useful somehow.

When I finished changing his magic composition, probably because of the sudden change, he finally lost consciousness and fell. Thankfully Amly caught him.

“You magicians really are amazing.”

“Yes, amazing, but it's actually a meticulous skill to maintain. One mistake could trigger huge troubles. Not only that, the more powerful a magician is, the more he's likely going to get drunk over it.”

While saying so, I fixed the way I carried Marie and made her bury her face on my chest. I did this because the air has gotten cold. If you're thinking why I'm not using magic now, it's because Marie tends to get grumpy for some reason. I don't know why, but I had Cherry research about it.

“But how come you're not? I heard that you have an unlimited power, but you're not becoming drunk over it.”

Slightly puzzled, Amly asked me.

“I don't know. I've been asking myself that for some time now. Every time I think of something that's way beyond common sense, I get interrupted and forget about it. It's like something is holding me back.”

For some reason, Amly leaned forward while looking at my face.

“If that's so, I have a pretty good idea what it is.”

She patted Marie’s hair and caressed it. After that, she made a warm expression while looking at her.

“Although it’s just a hunch, I think it's because of your family. I've heard stories about Magicians who became drunk over power because they’re alone. They spent their whole lives studying magic that they set aside everyone who tried to reach out to them. You on the other hand, you just take everything like its normal. Though you have powerful enemies, you never forget to protect your family. You, killing a person because your daughter got kidnapped were the proof of it. I think it's your family that's keeps you leveled with us.”

I fell silent. I didn't know thaw to say. I didn’t expect such words would come out.

“Gee, I feel so awkward.”

In contrast to her words, she’s holding her face with one hand while smiling and swinging the sleeping Shell with the other.

“I didn’t expect to hear such mature words from a person who looks like a kid.”

“How rude! Even if you’re a noble, you should show respect to someone older than you.”

I was just joking.

“If you were my wife, I’d be one lucky guy. Not only that you’re cute, you’re pretty mature and quite the serious type. I can tell that you’re very responsible of things around you just by standing beside you.”

Well, that’s something impossible to happen. After all, I’m a noble. If word got out that I’m mingling with a commoner, who knows what the other noble would do?

While I was thinking that, I didn’t notice that Amly had stopped walking. When I looked at her, her face was bright red.

Oh shit! My words probably gave her the wrong idea.

“Ah, sorry. I wasn’t actually serious about what I said just now.”

“I-I know that. It’s just… I never expected someone like you would see me that way.”

Phew! I thought she understood that the other way. Good thing she understood that it was a compliment.

Well anyway, we better go home now. The wind has gotten colder. Even the slight breeze is freezing.

“Let’s head home.”

“Hey! I still have something to say.”

Just when I turned a leg, Amly grabbed my robe and made me look her way.

“Actually, I’m—”

“CHUU!”

Just when she was about to say something, my attention turned to Marie. Apparently, she felt the cold breeze just now which made her sneeze.

“Wow! That was one cute sneeze. Wait, what were you about to say just now?”

When I looked at Amly, she looked like she missed the chance to say something really important.

“We’re you about to say you’re in love with me?”

“What? NO!”

Immediately after my joke, she reverted back to normal. She even clicked her tongue.

“What we’re you trying to say then?”

Amly looked around us like looking for someone. After that, she let out a sigh.

“I-I was just trying to ask you if I could temporarily leave from your house.”

“What for?”

“M-my family. I was just thinking about my parents. We-well you know, the winter just ended. I want to pay them a visit to see if they’re fine.”

Hmm… all that trouble for a little request? It’s really suspicious. But hey, I still haven’t fully grasped this world’s common sense. She’s probably scared to ask me, a noble for a favor.

“That’s fine. If you want, I can even lend you some money—no, I’ll give you money. Since you’re technically a knight of Chardelier household, your family should be too.”

Nice idea me! Not only I can secure their family’s livelihood, I can also earn their loyalty this way. It might sound wrong, but I need allies in the long run.

If I remember correctly, Amly’s parents are farmers.

I’ll buy a lot near the Duchy Capital and grow some crops. I’ll write that in a memo later.

“A-are you sure sir?”

“Yes!”

Ah, today really is a good day. I wish every day it’s like this.

Later that night, I got scolded again for taking my time outside. Apparently, Cherry and Matt wants some quality time too.

-End of Intermission-