Chapter 2
“Daad—!”
“Ah, our daughter. Don’t worry, Daddy’s ears are still working. I can hear you, Eve.”
“Don’t make swords, Daddy!”
“Okay, okay, still feeling really bad? Drink some more milk and get some rest.”
“Ah, don’t make swords! If you make a sword, I’ll die! W-What’s that? Huh? What’s that? The iron is… Daddy’s life force… Ugh!”
“Yeah, yeah, our daughter, I’ll make sure to call the doctor tomorrow.”
While pushing bread into my mouth, my dad mumbled.
Because of that, I had to awkwardly chew on bread I didn’t even want to eat.
After that, I didn’t give up and kept pleading with Dad.
“Don’t make swords! Don’t make them, please!”
“Why is she acting like this again? Our daughter, go out and play, okay? Daddy’s busy—”
Dad was a stubborn adult who didn’t even listen to the words of an eight-year-old.
In the end, I gave up trying to convince him and had to come up with another plan.
That plan was…
‘Business interference!’
After that, I secretly took the sword Dad had worked hard on, went to the market, and staged a performance.
“Agh, why can’t a sword cut the potatoes—!”
“No, this time, the ham doesn’t cut either!”
“Mr. Royce! A sword made by him can’t be this bad—!”
My interference worked, and the number of warriors coming to request sword-making from Dad decreased day by day.
Dad, unaware that I was sabotaging his business, shed some tears.
‘Sorry, Dad.’
I wanted to live with my dad for a long, long time.
As I carried the Excalibur Dad made for me as a birthday gift and walked home, I apologized silently to him.
…Poor Dad.
When he made me this sword, he never imagined it would be used like this.
Later:
“Daughter.”
“Mm.”
“Why aren’t any customers coming these days?”
I flinched.
I tried to ignore the pricking of my conscience and swatted at the fly flying around.
Swat—.
“Daughter, tell me. Is Dad’s sword bad? Huh? Is my sword terrible? Is that why no one’s coming?”
“Ah, Dad, your sword is the best in the world.”
Yes, this is true, Dad.
This was my sincere truth. Because in the original novel, Dad was described as “the world’s best weapon craftsman, Neil Royce.”
So the reason no one was requesting swords from my dad wasn’t because of his skill. It was because of my covert operations.
And, of course, Dad knew that too.
Although we lived in this small village now, when he was younger, he used to receive requests from nobles and travel to the capital city.
“…This can’t be! I’m Neil Royce! Huh? These people in this little village don’t know, but the swords I make are the best in the world! These fools don’t recognize the world’s best sword!”
Dad tore at his unwashed hair, crying loudly.
I comforted him, as usual, and gently brushed his tangled hair over his shoulder.
“Ah, Dad, stop crying. Don’t! Even if our swords don’t sell, we’re still doing fine. Remember the money you got for fixing Mr. Grover’s farm tools?”
“Yeah, but selling just one sword would earn a lot more! Why aren’t any requests coming in? It’s so great!”
“Yeah, I know. Our dad’s sword is really great.”
…Sorry, Dad.
I tried my best to comfort him.
Dad hugged me and said, “Of course, it’s only you, Eve!”
Just then…
Ding-dong—
The doorbell outside the workshop rang.
‘Who could it be?’
No one ever came to our house… Could it be a foolish warrior who hasn’t heard the rumors about my dad being a useless blacksmith?
Dad, who had been sobbing, reflexively looked up.
“Yeah—going, going…”
His glasses were slightly crooked.
I quickly adjusted his glasses and sat him back down, then said brightly, “Dad! I’ll go check!”
Something didn’t feel right.
I had a strong feeling that some warrior guest was standing outside, ready to trouble my dad.
Fortunately, Dad nodded willingly.
I rushed out of the workshop, crossed the house through the back door, and stood in front of the entrance.
Click.
I peered outside through the small keyhole.
I could hear the voices of men standing outside.
“Really, Neil Royce lives in this run-down house?”
“Yes! My information is reliable!”
Damn it, it’s the warriors!
I knew it! I had a bad feeling!
I had forgotten to close the back door when I rushed out. I glanced at it anxiously, worried the voices would reach Dad’s workshop.
‘Dad won’t come out, right?’
But if I went and closed the door now, the warriors might leave, saying, “Let’s try again next time.” And then when they come back, I won’t be home, and only Dad will be here.
‘I wish I knew what the hero warriors looked like.’
I knew I lived in a world that was part of a novel, but unfortunately, I didn’t know the faces of the main characters.
Since I didn’t know which warrior would be the shameless one to cause my dad’s overwork, I had to refuse every warrior guest who came.
With a sigh, I hid Dad’s shoes in the shoe rack, then took out two old women’s shoes, which I had borrowed from Aunt Hillary, and placed them prominently.
Then, I flung open the door.
The warriors, who obviously expected an adult man to come out, didn’t even look down at first.
When they finally noticed me and looked down, they were surprised.
“…Huh? It’s just a little kid?”
What? Rude warriors!
I held back the urge to slam the door in their faces and put on my most innocent expression.
“Wh-Who are you?”
“Is this Neil Royce’s house? Oh, are you his daughter?”
Ha, ha, I expected that question.
I stepped aside to show the women’s shoes clearly, lowered my eyes, and with a soft voice, I politely answered.
“Ni-Nil? No… I live with my mom.”
“…You live with your mom?”
“Yes, sniff! I… I don’t have a dad!”
I don’t have a dad.
The warriors looked at each other in confusion.
Just then, from the distance of the workshop, I heard Dad’s voice.
“Eve—! Who’s here? Why is it taking so long?”
Crap, this is bad.
The warriors, hearing the man’s voice from afar, looked at me curiously.
“A man’s voice just now…”
“My mom’s voice… it’s a bit… husky.”
“Eve—! My daughter!”
“…But that’s clearly a man’s voice.”
“My mom is a bit sick, so… sniff, sniff!”
“Hey… kid, sorry about that.”
“If you’re sorry, then please leave!”
I squeezed out some tears and pushed the warriors out the door, slamming it shut!
Just then, Dad opened the back door and came inside.
