Burbage Bardnick. The current head of the Bardnick family and father of Caria Bardnick.

　It is said that he is unusually knowledgeable in the arts and politics within the Bardnick family, which has placed a high value on the military since its fall to knighthood.

　But when you look at the war wound torn vertically across his right eye and his face that looks as if it would make a crying child cry even more, you can't help but wonder if the information is really correct. In fact, it would be much easier to be convinced that fighting on the front lines is the reason for living. The sword and falcon embroidered on his chest, a sign of the Governor of Fort Coryden, look strangely good on him.

　Burbidge Bardnick pointed carelessly in my direction and said.

"Caria, is this your squire?

"Yes, father-- excuse me, sir. It's not official, but it's something like it.

　Didn't he just casually make an outrageous statement?

　He rolls his eyes and stares at the cobblestones on the floor. I want to interject and correct him right now. No part of this should have been as big a deal as me becoming a follower of Caria Vadnick.

　But now I'm not allowed to speak, or stand up, or even look up if I'm not careful. If a commoner were to do such a thing to the head of a knightly class, he would gladly cut off his head. There is no love or interest involved in this. There are customs that define the hierarchy of noble society, knightly society, and even the common people. It's more of a convention that defines the hierarchy.

　Burbidge exhaled heavily, his voice directed at us, or more accurately, at Caria.

'What a shabby squire you've picked up. It's a very typical squire, if you ask me.

　What did he mean by that? What does that mean? The words were thrown at me suddenly, and my head began to puzzle. Does it mean that Kalia Vadnick is a peculiar character? If that is the case, there is no denying it. However, if you take a different approach, it sounds like an insult to her.

　The tone of his voice was also very low and unsympathetic, not like a father's to a daughter.

"With all due respect, sir, it is due in part to the work of his men that I was able to deliver this message safely. It is not that he is useless.

　With that, Kalia Vadnick shifted slightly and took the letter out of her pocket. It was a wrinkled mess, but she'd fixed it up. It looked a little more serious.

　I guess this is the end of my work for now. To be honest, I was relieved. Letting out a breath to avoid being noticed, I raised my eyes slightly to look at Burbage's hand as he received the letter.

　Just as I was thinking this, Burbage's large hands suddenly tore up the letter, which had just been delivered and was soaked with a little red juice, with a clatter.

"Hey, Father!　What are you doing?

"Idiot. You really don't want him to have a message when he's working through the guild. You don't understand. ...... It's a fake book. I thought you understood that.

　He seemed severely disappointed. Burbage's words were rather cynical, as if he were trying to make them sound cynical.

You're my daughter, but you've always been incapable of such calculations. You don't even know why I sent you to do this job, the way you look.

"At ......, this is not an order from the Order, this is at the behest of His Excellency .......

　Kalia Vardnick turned her head, her voice trembling weakly as she endured her father's cold words. She seemed to be trying to stay calm, but sadly, her agitation was visible on her back.

　And then he asks outright. Why?

"You don't understand. Don't tell me you've forgotten. You broke the guild's ban and entered the forest of giant trees. You stupid girl. Do you know how much trouble I, and the house of bardnick, have been through? I hope this is good medicine for you to learn to control yourself, Kalia Vardnick.

　Palpitations in my chest. I was strangely aware of the blood flowing to my hands and feet.

"Good medicine ......, my lord, that is. Does that mean that you knew ...... that you would be attacked by bandits?

　Burbage didn't answer. No, the silence was the answer itself.

　He knew. Of course he knew. The attack was on the outskirts of the fort. As the governor of the fort, he would know the security of the area like the back of his hand.

　Then he should've known. That his daughter was going to be attacked by a bandit or something, and that if he wasn't careful, she could lose her life. A chill runs down my spine. It's as if a knife or something sharp is being plunged into my marrow.

"...... Let me tell you something, Kalia. I'll tell you what, Kalia. Don't you ever try to smear my family name again. Every time you overstep your bounds, a ripple goes through your house. Listen. Don't make me say it again. Don't make me do it again. All you have to do is be quiet and listen to me, okay?

　Burbage turned on his heel, muttering to himself that he knew he was a bad girl. He seemed to be saying that he didn't need to speak to her anymore.



　Quickly, he looks up. At first glance, Kalia Vadnick appears to be maintaining her composure. That's probably because she's so stubborn. But again, that's just the surface of it.

　Her back trembles, her body is tense, her cheeks are pale.

　But even so, she will not allow her posture to falter. They are not allowed to raise their heads or speak to their superiors. Not even to stand up. So this is how we'll have to kneel until he leaves. The touch of the cobblestones, which should be cold, feels strangely hot.

　It's strange. Strangely enough, the vision in my eyes is clear, and my thoughts are clear.

　No wonder.

　Of course.

　That's what Kalia Vadnick muttered in her mind as she knelt on the cobblestones. She knew very well that no matter what she thought or how she tried, it would only be an eyesore for her father. Ever since I was a child, unlike my other quiet sisters, I must have been a foreign object to my father, holding a sword.

　Or maybe not. I gritted my teeth and tried to suppress my emotions, but my thoughts kept running through my mind. At first, he took an interest in me. My father, who was not blessed with a boy, even praised me for behaving like a man. Oh, yes... until I was blessed with a boy.

　I'm sure he's telling the truth. Deep down, Kalia knew it. You think I'm a miserable girl, that's all. They don't care if I get attacked by bandits and lose my life.

　Kalia Vadnick's knees shook with shame. There are so many things I want to say, so many things I want to tell you. But he couldn't even say a word to the man who was about to leave.

　Burbage Vardnick's hand clutches the door handle.

　A loud, reverberating breath came from behind him. At the same time, a figure stood up straight and wide in the corner of Kalia Vardnick's vision.