'Tiiiiiisuuuuu⁉ Daddy didn't hear you talking like that oooooo ‼.'
'Because ...... I knew you would react like that. But I've talked to my mum about it and she's agreed."
Tis's face is pouting as she brushes off her father Cross's words.
Mel seems to be happily laughing as she watches their exchange.
I couldn't take in the situation and looked at Tink, Cross's wife and Tis's mother, with a puzzled look on my face.
'Well, Tink, I'm sorry, but may I ask you to please explain? Tis says she has your approval, but what does that mean?'
'Hmm, my apologies. I will explain it to you, if I may be so presumptuous."
I then receive an explanation from Tink and the others.
Tis is apparently very proud that Cross is the Deputy Commander of the Order, in addition to the fact that both his parents worked for the Order.
Perhaps influenced by her parents, Tisu herself says on a daily basis that she will definitely become a knight.
However, the training and experience required to become a knight is harder than one might imagine, and it is not an easy thing to become.
Tis's parents, who belonged to a Knight's Order, knew exactly what they were talking about.
At that time, she heard from Cross that I was training the children of the Beastmen tribe.
Tis wanted to train herself and become a knight, so she first talked to her mother, Tink.
Then, when she found out that I and Meldy were coming to see the baby at the same time, she decided to talk to me about it.
He didn't tell the father, Cross, because he didn't want to be stopped.
I see, I think, looking down.
Actually, I had an idea that I should introduce it to the children of the local residents as a trial in the near future, as it is starting to show some results with the children of the beastmen tribe.
However, few of the mere members of the territory are able to understand the significance and meaning of magic training yet.
Moreover, the training itself is so gruelling that they would probably not be able to follow it unless they were very determined or willing to take on the challenge themselves.
In the first place, the idea of recruiting the territory's people was to let them see the usefulness of magic through the children of the beastmen tribe and make them think 'I want to be able to use magic myself'.
However, if a child has a knight as one of his or her parents, he or she may have an awareness of his or her parents' work.
Above all, I can think that the knights have already been made aware of the 'potential of magic' through my own bowl battles.
If that is the case, parents who want their children to undergo training and children who want to undergo training will also have a strong awareness, and they may be able to come along even if the training is a little harsh.
Or maybe we can limit the number of people and recruit them as if they were taking a recruitment test.
Then, if they experience the training and see if the children are willing to follow the training, they might be able to ...... yes, it might work.
I slowly looked up as I finished putting together some thoughts.
'Tis, I'm glad you want to train and eventually become a knight, thank you. But I can't decide on my own whether you can train or not, sorry.'
'I see that you are ...... minister. Oh, no, it was me who asked for your help, so ...... sorry about that."
Tis turns her head down in disappointment when she hears my answer.
But Cross seems to have a slightly relieved look on his face.
In the midst of this, I smiled and continued talking to Tis.
'But you know, Tis. You've given me a good idea. I'll have to talk to your father about it, but if it turns out to be a good one, maybe Tis can get some training.'
She looked up from her prone position and showed a happy expression on her face.
'Oh, really?"
"Yes. But, I can't make any promises here, but there is something I can tell Tis as a thank you for giving me the hints."
"What is it?"
Tis looks a little uneasy at my implied words.
I smiled at her and murmured.
'Huh, it's easy. You have to make yourself ready to endure the tough training now. Then, you might want to take a little swordsmanship training to build up your strength as well as a little bit of physical strength'
'...... ‼ Understood. I will do my best. Dad, you must start teaching me swordsmanship as soon as tomorrow. Otherwise, I'll hate you.
"Oh, my goodness. But good for you, Tis. You have a lot of responsibility."
When Tis heard what I had to say, she turned to Cross with a determined look on her face.
Tink murmurs to her daughter to push her back, and then turns her attention to Cross.
He rolled his eyes at his family's unexpected remark.
'Nah ......⁉ Tis, that's not going to happen. Besides, even Tink .......'
'Ha ha. I'm sorry, Cross. But thanks to you, Tis, I'll be able to give your father good counsel. Thank you."
I chuckled at their exchange and thanked them.
If it hadn't been for Tis's words, I might have come to the idea of having the knight's children participate in the training on a trial basis a little later.
This realisation could well lead to greater results.
Cross, who did not seem to understand the intention of the words well, replied to me in a puzzled manner.
'Ha, ha ......? Well, I would be honoured if I could be of help to Lid-sama,...... but training Tis in swordsmanship, eh? If anything, I wanted her to be as graceful as Nanalee-sama. ......
When I heard the words 'as graceful as your mother', I was honestly happy.
But after listening to Tink's story and others, I feel that apparently it's definitely not just about being 'ladylike'!
At that moment, Tis reacted to Cross's words and raised her voice in a cute way.
'I'll be a 'ladylike knight', so it's fine, then Dad won't have any complaints about it.'
'Well, yes, that's right. All right, then we'll start doing it little by little tomorrow.'
'Hmm, this is a lot of work.'
Hearing Tisu's words, Cross seemed to have changed his mind and smiled.
Tink also saw them and smiled with a smile on her face.
The Cross must be a really close family.
We were all smiling at them.
At that time, Diana blurted out.
'I wish ...... Rubens would learn a little from Vice-Commander Cross.
'Eh, Deanna, did you say something?'
'No, nothing.'
I didn't hear her well, so I asked her back, but she just shook her head as if to say 'Oh dear'.
Dianae also muttered as if to follow her.
'But when I look at Cross-sama and the others, I think marriage would be nice, wouldn't it? Well, in my case, I'd have to start by looking for a partner.'
Is it my imagination that Danae is muttering some pretty amazing things? I asked her.
'Come to think of it, is there anyone you're interested in, Danae?
'Me? Well, ...... so far, there's no one I'm interested in.'
I see, Danae doesn't have anyone she's interested in,...... and at that moment, Mel reacts when she hears her answer.
'Danae, are you getting married? And then you'll be away from me ......?"
Mel, who seemed to feel that she would be gone from her side if she got married, turned her head down and looked a little sad.
Danae then crouches down on the spot to be Mel's gaze and smiles.
'No, no, Lady Meldy. I have no plans to get married at the moment, so don't worry. But yes, I do. I'm always thinking about Lady Meldy at the moment, so I'm sure that the most important person in my life at the moment is Lady Meldy. Hmm...
'Really⁉ I also love Danae very much.'
Mel sounded happy and hugged Danae who was in front of her.
It was a smiling scene, but I muttered to Alex the dwarf in my heart.
(Alex ...... If the person you love is Danae, then your love enemy is going to be Mel.)
By the way, Cookie and Biscuit, who were following Mel at this time, were watching the baby 'Claude' with great interest throughout.
◇
Then, after chatting with Cross and the others for a while, it was getting to be a good time, so we decided to leave.
At that point, I turned to Cross and Tink and congratulated them again.
"Cross and Tink. Congratulations on the birth of Claude. And thank you so much for having us here."
'No, not at all. It's a great honour for me, please don't mind me."
Cross is right. Thank you very much for coming.
Cross and Tink bowed as they answered me.
I asked them to raise their heads and I took the 'wooden box' from Diana and held it out to them.
This is not something you can give to just anyone. I'm always indebted to Cross, and since your position is that of Deputy Commander of the Knights of Bardia, I don't think it would be a problem to give it to you as a congratulatory gift, so please accept it if you like.'
He accepts the crate gingerly as he listens to my words and looks at me with a curious expression on his face.
'Thank you. Excuse me, but may I open it right here?'
'Yes. Open it.'
After confirming with me, he carefully opens the wooden box.
There was a 'pocket watch' in it.
It is one of the pocket watches I received from Alex.
In fact, this was also the reason why I dropped by the workshop before visiting Cross's house.
However, Cross and the others, who have never seen a 'pocket watch' before, have a puzzled look on their faces.
'Um, ...... Rid-sama, if you don't mind my asking, what is this ......?'
'Well, take it in your hand and press the button on the protruding 'dragon's head'.
'...... like this?'
The cover opens with a metallic 'click' sound and the dial is revealed.
At that moment, Cross understood that it was a 'portable watch', and his face was dyed with astonishment.
Is this a 'watch'?
'Yes, it's called a 'pocket watch'. It was developed with the help of Ellen and the others, the monkey tribe and the fox tribe. There are probably only five of them in the world. Well, I brought it as a birthday present for 'Claude'."
The Crosses were stunned by my words.
Afterwards, they told me that they couldn't accept such a precious thing.
However, that I plan to give it to the Bardia family and the main members of the Order at some point.
I managed to convince them that I wanted to hear their impressions of how they used it.
'Well, don't get so carried away. Besides, it would be so romantic to have a clock that starts ticking along with your newborn child.'
'Yes, I understand. I respectfully accept the 'pocket watch'. Thank you very much, Master Rid."
I gave it to them as a light congratulatory gift, but Cross and the others received the pocket watch in a very solemn atmosphere.
I smiled wryly at them and made a clumsy face.
Afterwards, we said goodbye to the Crosses and left their house.
Tink tried to see me off, but I told her again to rest in bed.
Then, as we get into the carriage, Cross calls out to us.
'Master Rid, I was a humble adventurer before I joined the Order. I am truly honoured to be treated as such an Important Person. I will dedicate this life to the Bardia family once again."
Unlike the light-hearted Cross he usually is, he now exudes an atmosphere full of determination.
Although I was a little intimidated by him, I smiled and answered with an honest heart.
"Ummm, yes. Thank you, Cross. But because you are devoted to the Bardia family, I just responded to that. So you don't have to take it so seriously. Besides, I'll be looking forward to working with you from now on."
'I understand. Thank you very much for coming today."
"And so we left Cross's house."
◇
Later, in the carriage back to the mansion, Deanna looked at me and muttered.
'And yet, Master Rid. The words 'a watch that starts ticking with the birth of a child' are indeed lovely, but ...... where on earth did you come up with such words?"
'⁉ Well, I don't know. ......
At her question, I unintentionally turned my head down and pondered.
But at that moment, my attention was diverted to something else than her question.
Because, when you think about it, Deanna and Rubens are lovers, and they will get married in the future.
Eventually, they might have a child.
I thought of this and, with a smile on my face, continued the conversation.
'Ah, yes. If you like, I can send a 'pocket watch' to Diana and Rubens when they have a child."
"⁉ I didn't mean that I wanted to have a child or anything like that.'
"What?"
When Deanna answers my words with vigour, a slightly embarrassing atmosphere begins to flow inside the carriage.
Needless to say, her face turns unusually bright red at our stunned expressions.
Later, a short time after Diana's self-destruction, Mel mutters forlornly.
'Haa ...... I wish I could have played with Tis more. Hey, Nii-sama, why can't Tisu receive kunren?'
It seems that Mel wanted Tis to come to the mansion.
I smile and answer softly.
I'm sorry, Mel. I can't make the decision on my own. I have to talk to my father about it. But if things go in the right direction, I'm sure Tis will be able to train.
'If that's the case, then I'll do the training too, and I'll be able to be Tis' partner.'
It goes without saying that Danae and Diana, including me who was riding in the carriage, rolled their eyes at Mel's statement.
We hurried to stop her, but she would not listen to us.
'Because Diana is strong and I will be as strong as you. I'm absolutely certain of that ‼."
No, that's .......
Mel, despite my confusion, looked determined and said she would speak directly to her father, but he would not listen to her.
'Tiiiiiisuuuuu⁉ Daddy didn't hear you talking like that oooooo ‼.'
'Because ...... I knew you would react like that. But I've talked to my mum about it and she's agreed."
Tis's face is pouting as she brushes off her father Cross's words.
Mel seems to be happily laughing as she watches their exchange.
I couldn't take in the situation and looked at Tink, Cross's wife and Tis's mother, with a puzzled look on my face.
'Well, Tink, I'm sorry, but may I ask you to please explain? Tis says she has your approval, but what does that mean?'
'Hmm, my apologies. I will explain it to you, if I may be so presumptuous."
I then receive an explanation from Tink and the others.
Tis is apparently very proud that Cross is the Deputy Commander of the Order, in addition to the fact that both his parents worked for the Order.
Perhaps influenced by her parents, Tisu herself says on a daily basis that she will definitely become a knight.
However, the training and experience required to become a knight is harder than one might imagine, and it is not an easy thing to become.
Tis's parents, who belonged to a Knight's Order, knew exactly what they were talking about.
At that time, she heard from Cross that I was training the children of the Beastmen tribe.
Tis wanted to train herself and become a knight, so she first talked to her mother, Tink.
Then, when she found out that I and Meldy were coming to see the baby at the same time, she decided to talk to me about it.
He didn't tell the father, Cross, because he didn't want to be stopped.
I see, I think, looking down.
Actually, I had an idea that I should introduce it to the children of the local residents as a trial in the near future, as it is starting to show some results with the children of the beastmen tribe.
However, few of the mere members of the territory are able to understand the significance and meaning of magic training yet.
Moreover, the training itself is so gruelling that they would probably not be able to follow it unless they were very determined or willing to take on the challenge themselves.
In the first place, the idea of recruiting the territory's people was to let them see the usefulness of magic through the children of the beastmen tribe and make them think 'I want to be able to use magic myself'.
However, if a child has a knight as one of his or her parents, he or she may have an awareness of his or her parents' work.
Above all, I can think that the knights have already been made aware of the 'potential of magic' through my own bowl battles.
If that is the case, parents who want their children to undergo training and children who want to undergo training will also have a strong awareness, and they may be able to come along even if the training is a little harsh.
Or maybe we can limit the number of people and recruit them as if they were taking a recruitment test.
Then, if they experience the training and see if the children are willing to follow the training, they might be able to ...... yes, it might work.
I slowly looked up as I finished putting together some thoughts.
'Tis, I'm glad you want to train and eventually become a knight, thank you. But I can't decide on my own whether you can train or not, sorry.'
'I see that you are ...... minister. Oh, no, it was me who asked for your help, so ...... sorry about that."
Tis turns her head down in disappointment when she hears my answer.
But Cross seems to have a slightly relieved look on his face.
In the midst of this, I smiled and continued talking to Tis.
'But you know, Tis. You've given me a good idea. I'll have to talk to your father about it, but if it turns out to be a good one, maybe Tis can get some training.'
She looked up from her prone position and showed a happy expression on her face.
'Oh, really?"
"Yes. But, I can't make any promises here, but there is something I can tell Tis as a thank you for giving me the hints."
"What is it?"
Tis looks a little uneasy at my implied words.
I smiled at her and murmured.
'Huh, it's easy. You have to make yourself ready to endure the tough training now. Then, you might want to take a little swordsmanship training to build up your strength as well as a little bit of physical strength'
'...... ‼ Understood. I will do my best. Dad, you must start teaching me swordsmanship as soon as tomorrow. Otherwise, I'll hate you.
"Oh, my goodness. But good for you, Tis. You have a lot of responsibility."
When Tis heard what I had to say, she turned to Cross with a determined look on her face.
Tink murmurs to her daughter to push her back, and then turns her attention to Cross.
He rolled his eyes at his family's unexpected remark.
'Nah ......⁉ Tis, that's not going to happen. Besides, even Tink .......'
'Ha ha. I'm sorry, Cross. But thanks to you, Tis, I'll be able to give your father good counsel. Thank you."
I chuckled at their exchange and thanked them.
If it hadn't been for Tis's words, I might have come to the idea of having the knight's children participate in the training on a trial basis a little later.
This realisation could well lead to greater results.
Cross, who did not seem to understand the intention of the words well, replied to me in a puzzled manner.
'Ha, ha ......? Well, I would be honoured if I could be of help to Lid-sama,...... but training Tis in swordsmanship, eh? If anything, I wanted her to be as graceful as Nanalee-sama. ......
When I heard the words 'as graceful as your mother', I was honestly happy.
But after listening to Tink's story and others, I feel that apparently it's definitely not just about being 'ladylike'!
At that moment, Tis reacted to Cross's words and raised her voice in a cute way.
'I'll be a 'ladylike knight', so it's fine, then Dad won't have any complaints about it.'
'Well, yes, that's right. All right, then we'll start doing it little by little tomorrow.'
'Hmm, this is a lot of work.'
Hearing Tisu's words, Cross seemed to have changed his mind and smiled.
Tink also saw them and smiled with a smile on her face.
The Cross must be a really close family.
We were all smiling at them.
At that time, Diana blurted out.
'I wish ...... Rubens would learn a little from Vice-Commander Cross.
'Eh, Deanna, did you say something?'
'No, nothing.'
I didn't hear her well, so I asked her back, but she just shook her head as if to say 'Oh dear'.
Dianae also muttered as if to follow her.
'But when I look at Cross-sama and the others, I think marriage would be nice, wouldn't it? Well, in my case, I'd have to start by looking for a partner.'
Is it my imagination that Danae is muttering some pretty amazing things? I asked her.
'Come to think of it, is there anyone you're interested in, Danae?
'Me? Well, ...... so far, there's no one I'm interested in.'
I see, Danae doesn't have anyone she's interested in,...... and at that moment, Mel reacts when she hears her answer.
'Danae, are you getting married? And then you'll be away from me ......?"
Mel, who seemed to feel that she would be gone from her side if she got married, turned her head down and looked a little sad.
Danae then crouches down on the spot to be Mel's gaze and smiles.
'No, no, Lady Meldy. I have no plans to get married at the moment, so don't worry. But yes, I do. I'm always thinking about Lady Meldy at the moment, so I'm sure that the most important person in my life at the moment is Lady Meldy. Hmm...
'Really⁉ I also love Danae very much.'
Mel sounded happy and hugged Danae who was in front of her.
It was a smiling scene, but I muttered to Alex the dwarf in my heart.
(Alex ...... If the person you love is Danae, then your love enemy is going to be Mel.)
By the way, Cookie and Biscuit, who were following Mel at this time, were watching the baby 'Claude' with great interest throughout.
◇
Then, after chatting with Cross and the others for a while, it was getting to be a good time, so we decided to leave.
At that point, I turned to Cross and Tink and congratulated them again.
"Cross and Tink. Congratulations on the birth of Claude. And thank you so much for having us here."
'No, not at all. It's a great honour for me, please don't mind me."
Cross is right. Thank you very much for coming.
Cross and Tink bowed as they answered me.
I asked them to raise their heads and I took the 'wooden box' from Diana and held it out to them.
This is not something you can give to just anyone. I'm always indebted to Cross, and since your position is that of Deputy Commander of the Knights of Bardia, I don't think it would be a problem to give it to you as a congratulatory gift, so please accept it if you like.'
He accepts the crate gingerly as he listens to my words and looks at me with a curious expression on his face.
'Thank you. Excuse me, but may I open it right here?'
'Yes. Open it.'
After confirming with me, he carefully opens the wooden box.
There was a 'pocket watch' in it.
It is one of the pocket watches I received from Alex.
In fact, this was also the reason why I dropped by the workshop before visiting Cross's house.
However, Cross and the others, who have never seen a 'pocket watch' before, have a puzzled look on their faces.
'Um, ...... Rid-sama, if you don't mind my asking, what is this ......?'
'Well, take it in your hand and press the button on the protruding 'dragon's head'.
'...... like this?'
The cover opens with a metallic 'click' sound and the dial is revealed.
At that moment, Cross understood that it was a 'portable watch', and his face was dyed with astonishment.
Is this a 'watch'?
'Yes, it's called a 'pocket watch'. It was developed with the help of Ellen and the others, the monkey tribe and the fox tribe. There are probably only five of them in the world. Well, I brought it as a birthday present for 'Claude'."
The Crosses were stunned by my words.
Afterwards, they told me that they couldn't accept such a precious thing.
However, that I plan to give it to the Bardia family and the main members of the Order at some point.
I managed to convince them that I wanted to hear their impressions of how they used it.
'Well, don't get so carried away. Besides, it would be so romantic to have a clock that starts ticking along with your newborn child.'
'Yes, I understand. I respectfully accept the 'pocket watch'. Thank you very much, Master Rid."
I gave it to them as a light congratulatory gift, but Cross and the others received the pocket watch in a very solemn atmosphere.
I smiled wryly at them and made a clumsy face.
Afterwards, we said goodbye to the Crosses and left their house.
Tink tried to see me off, but I told her again to rest in bed.
Then, as we get into the carriage, Cross calls out to us.
'Master Rid, I was a humble adventurer before I joined the Order. I am truly honoured to be treated as such an Important Person. I will dedicate this life to the Bardia family once again."
Unlike the light-hearted Cross he usually is, he now exudes an atmosphere full of determination.
Although I was a little intimidated by him, I smiled and answered with an honest heart.
"Ummm, yes. Thank you, Cross. But because you are devoted to the Bardia family, I just responded to that. So you don't have to take it so seriously. Besides, I'll be looking forward to working with you from now on."
'I understand. Thank you very much for coming today."
"And so we left Cross's house."
◇
Later, in the carriage back to the mansion, Deanna looked at me and muttered.
'And yet, Master Rid. The words 'a watch that starts ticking with the birth of a child' are indeed lovely, but ...... where on earth did you come up with such words?"
'⁉ Well, I don't know. ......
At her question, I unintentionally turned my head down and pondered.
But at that moment, my attention was diverted to something else than her question.
Because, when you think about it, Deanna and Rubens are lovers, and they will get married in the future.
Eventually, they might have a child.
I thought of this and, with a smile on my face, continued the conversation.
'Ah, yes. If you like, I can send a 'pocket watch' to Diana and Rubens when they have a child."
"⁉ I didn't mean that I wanted to have a child or anything like that.'
"What?"
When Deanna answers my words with vigour, a slightly embarrassing atmosphere begins to flow inside the carriage.
Needless to say, her face turns unusually bright red at our stunned expressions.
Later, a short time after Diana's self-destruction, Mel mutters forlornly.
'Haa ...... I wish I could have played with Tis more. Hey, Nii-sama, why can't Tisu receive kunren?'
It seems that Mel wanted Tis to come to the mansion.
I smile and answer softly.
I'm sorry, Mel. I can't make the decision on my own. I have to talk to my father about it. But if things go in the right direction, I'm sure Tis will be able to train.
'If that's the case, then I'll do the training too, and I'll be able to be Tis' partner.'
It goes without saying that Danae and Diana, including me who was riding in the carriage, rolled their eyes at Mel's statement.
We hurried to stop her, but she would not listen to us.
'Because Diana is strong and I will be as strong as you. I'm absolutely certain of that ‼."
No, that's .......
Mel, despite my confusion, looked determined and said she would speak directly to her father, but he would not listen to her.
