Chapter 9

"Are you the one who saved my daughter's life...? You're younger than I expected. Shall we talk up close?"

Leen's father stood up from the heavy-looking chair on the dais and slowly walked over.

When he said I was younger than expected, it seemed that Leen's father looked a bit older than I had imagined.

Perhaps his dignity and noble demeanor made him look that way.

"Let me say this first, I'm not a noble or anything. I might be rude... Is that okay?"

I'm not familiar with etiquette, so I'm saying this beforehand.

Ines, who was kneeling, twitched her eyebrows.

...Did I say something wrong just now?

"Haha, of course it's fine. Only the nobles are so particular about such things. In fact, it's easier to talk this way."

"That's a relief."

Leen's father stood quietly in front of me and said,

"Actually, I'm the one who should be thanking you."

Then, he grabbed my hand with his weathered and scarred hands and bowed deeply.

"Let me thank you again. Without your efforts, my daughter would no longer be in this world. No amount of gratitude can express how much I appreciate it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Really, thank you."

I don't understand noble etiquette, but I could feel his sincere gratitude from every word and action.

"Ah, it's nothing. Your words are enough."

Leen's father nodded in satisfaction at my words.

...Alright, I've received the thanks.

I glanced at Leen, thinking it was fine to leave now...

"But I can't send someone who has done me such a great favor away empty-handed, can I? Whether it's land, money, or a mansion, just name it. I'll give you the best reward I can. Is there anything you desire?"

"...No, I don't have any such desires. I'm sorry, but I don't need anything."

It seems like I ended up having the same conversation with Leen again.

Is it a family trait?

But my only desire is to strengthen my [Skill], become a full-fledged 'Adventurer,' and set out on a journey of adventure.

That desire is quite distant and difficult...

At least, it's not something that can be bought with money.

"...I see. You don't want money or land..."

Leen's father thought for a moment and then said,

"Then how about 'Treasures' from the dungeon?

As you know, our country is home to the world's oldest dungeon.

The treasury is filled with all sorts of rare items from the dungeon, collected over hundreds of years.

There are probably some useful things that can't be bought with money.

...Even if you take half of what's stored there, it would be fine. What do you think?"

"Father, that's too much–!?"

Leen's brother looked surprised at his father.

I was also honestly at a loss.

I don't know how much is in the treasury, but I don't need it.

They would just be things I don't need right now.

I'm content with my current life.

Besides, I don't even have a place to put them.

"No, I don't need that either."

"Hmm, then what would you like? It would be easier if you told me what you want."

"No, I really don't need any grand gifts. Your words earlier were more than enough."

I didn't do anything special by just saving Leen from the rampaging bull.

Surely, with her [Skill], she could have managed on her own.

I just got in the way.

What a formal family.

Is this their culture?

"...You don't want anything at all? Hmm. Then what would be good..."

Leen's father looked up at the ceiling, deep in thought.

...I really don't need anything.

"–Something to match the favor of saving my daughter's life, perhaps."

Leen's father muttered this, then seemed to have an idea and walked back to the luxurious chair he had been sitting in, picking up a dark sword hanging on the wall behind it.

"Then how about this?"

He returned to me and handed me the old, black sword.

"This is a sword...?"

"Yes. It may not look very good."

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if it was really a sword when I held it close.

It was indeed in the shape of a sword.

However, it was so worn out, blackened in places, and chipped, that it didn't seem to be able to cut anything.

Moreover, it was deformed in some spots.

In short, it looked more like a flat piece of metal.

Furthermore, I couldn't tell what it was made of, but it was incredibly heavy.

The moment I held it, it felt so heavy that I almost dropped it.

It seemed to be made of a metal heavier than lead.

"Father, that's–!?"

"It's fine, Rain. Now that it's retired, it's just a decoration. Remember the replica we made for display? We can swap them, and no one will notice."

"But–!"

"Ines, Gilbert, keep this confidential."

"As you command."

"...Understood."

I watched their conversation while looking at the black, flat piece of metal in my hand, unsure if it was a sword or not.

Is it really okay to accept this?

"Is this something important? If so, I can't accept it."

"No, no, it's just something I picked up on my travels. It originally belonged to no one. I just liked it and used it for a while."

"Picked up on your travels, huh?"

"Well, it's essentially my old thing. If that's the case, can you accept it?"

I looked at the black sword in my hand again.

An old thing of Leen's father.

It was chipped and couldn't cut anything.

The more I looked at it, the more it seemed like a crude and shabby sword.

It was incredibly heavy, but it might be good for training.

...It might be perfect for driving stakes at a construction site.

"Alright–then I'll accept it gratefully."

When I said this, Leen's father smiled.

"Can you try swinging it?"

"...Like this?"

I swung the black sword with one hand as instructed.

It was indeed heavy.

But it wasn't so heavy that I couldn't swing it.

With [Strength Enhancement], it wouldn't be a problem.

"How does it feel?"

"It's heavy. But I can swing it."

"Haha, I see. You can swing it with one hand. This sword may look a bit shabby... but it's really sturdy. It saved my life many times in dangerous situations–"

Leen's father looked nostalgic.

Is it really important...?

But I can't return something once I've accepted it, can I?

"I'll take good care of it."

"Ah, that's great."

Leen's father laughed happily.

"By the way, about my daughter... If you don't mind, could you train her a bit? Things have been a bit dangerous lately... I'm a bit worried."

Leen?

Me?

Another sudden request...

"No, I don't think I have anything to teach her. Besides, it's up to her to decide–I don't think it's good for parents to interfere too much with their children."

"You're right."

Leen's father laughed, a middle-aged man who laughs a lot.

But everyone around him looked tense.

Especially Ines, who was glaring at me with intense eyes.

–Did I say something wrong just now?

"Did I say something wrong?"

"No, no. Not at all. In fact, it was nice to have this conversation after a long time."

"Is that so–then can I leave now?"

"Yes, I'm sorry for keeping you. As Leen's father, let me thank you again."

"It's nothing. I feel bad for receiving such a grand reward."

I really didn't need anything.

But I ended up receiving something important.

However, it might have been for the best.

This black sword looks worn out, but that makes it easier to accept.

It's sturdy and the weight is good for training.

It's quite wide, so it might be useful for cleaning gutters.

...I'll try using it tomorrow.

"Then I'll take my leave."

With that, I finally said goodbye to Leen and the others, left the castle, and hurried home to wash off the day's sweat at a public bath–

...That was my intention.

"I have something to talk about. Please come with me."

–I was stopped by Leen's retainer, Ines.

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