kscans

Chapter 29 - The Third Child

"Hello everyone, it is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Iz, and I am the Chief Instructor at Grossa Magic Academy. Please, make my acquaintance. Dareth-sama crafted a staff for me, and thanks to it, I was able to become Chief Instructor."

As Iz finished her greeting, the barracks erupted in applause and cheers. Shion, due to his foul stench, had been ordered by Senji-san to wash himself outside. The soldiers were delighted when Iz announced she was on vacation and would be staying for a while longer.

"You don't get to meet the Chief Instructor of the magic academy just any day. This is all thanks to Dareth-san. We have to be grateful."

"He even made the Chief Instructor’s staff. Dareth-san really is a blacksmith who can make anything."

"And he doesn't even brag about it, that’s what makes him so admirable. I think he’s a man of great character."

I felt embarrassed by the praise from the soldiers and blacksmiths. I really hadn’t done anything that amazing. Militar leaned in and spoke to me quietly.

"No matter what you do, Sensei, you end up being praised."

"I’m happy, but… this sort of thing is still undeserved for someone like me."

"What are you saying? I was merely stating the facts."

Kuuu… everyone around me is so nice it brings tears to my eyes. I really am blessed.

"Hey! The Musketeer Corps is back!"

Just as I was feeling sentimental, a loud voice came from outside the barracks. The surroundings were instantly filled with a noisy commotion.

"They said the Musketeer Corps has returned. Did they finish suppressing the Stampede in the north?"

"I heard it was supposed to take three months, but it’s only been one, right?"

"The captain must have been too strong, it’s the usual story. Let’s go see."

The soldiers hurriedly went outside. Militar and Iz remained, so I asked them.

"I wonder what’s going on. More importantly, what’s the Musketeer Corps?"

"You wouldn’t know since you were in Rieten, Sensei. It is a special unit of the national army, newly established in recent years. As the name suggests, it is a corps that uses guns instead of swords."

"Huh, so they made a unit like that. Times have really changed."

I had unintentionally made a comment worthy of a very old man. This is what happens the moment I let my guard down.

"Sensei, Bayonet is the captain."

"She will want to see you too, Dareth-sama. Come, let us go as well."

"…Bayonet?"

Who was that, I wondered. Before I could ask, they took my hands and started walking. Was there someone like that among my acquaintances? No, I felt like I remembered her somehow. The name sounded vaguely familiar. I think that girl was… Just as I was thinking, we arrived in front of a group of soldiers holding guns. It was a unit of about a dozen people.

""Legion Commander! The Grossa Musketeer Corps has returned! The Stampede has been successfully suppressed!""

They held their guns at their right shoulders, lined up with not a single gap in their formation. Whoa, amazing… as expected of the national army. The person standing alone at the front was probably the captain. She was a woman. The moment she saw Militar, her face broke into a wide smile.

"Mili-chan, I’m home! I defeated the monsters!"

"…Captain Bayonet. I believe I have told you to correct your manner of speech, have I not?"

"Aww, who cares about that. We’ve known each other for so long."

The female captain was clinging to Militar. She had a short, dark purple bob and round, cat-like eyes of the same color. Her flipped-out hair gave her an energetic impression, she really was like a cat.

"Huh? Why is Iz-chan here too?"

"I am taking a vacation and visiting. Dareth-sama is here as well."

"…Eh?"

When Iz gestured with her hand, the captain stared at me blankly. Her already large eyes grew even wider. The moment I saw her expression, memories from the past came flooding back into my mind.

"Papa! I missed you! Why didn’t you tell me you were here right away!"

"I, I told you to stop calling me Papa."

This girl was Bayonet. One of the children I used to play with fifteen years ago. I never thought I would see her again in a place like this.

"D, Dareth-san is Captain Bayonet’s father…?"

"Seriously? That’s an amazing connection."

"I’m so jealous he has such a beautiful daughter."

A misunderstanding was spreading among the soldiers. I tried to explain that it wasn't like that, but then Shion arrived. It looked like he was about to lose it again.

"Dareth! Who is that beauty! Why is it always you!"

"Papa! There’s a weird person here!"

Just as I thought, Shion flew into a rage. Seeing Bayonet hide behind me, he grew even more heated.

"I’m telling you, why are you always friendly with beautiful women! It’s not right!"

"No, that’s not what this is. First, let’s calm down and talk…"

"You’re just trying to trick me again! I won’t be fooled! There has to be some kind of trick! …Guaaah!"

"There’s no such thing! The reason you're not popular is because you're the toilet guy!"

Shion received yet another beating from Senji-san. If only he wouldn't get so angry… Why couldn't he learn? As Shion was being dragged away somewhere, Bayonet spoke to me happily.

"The gun you made for me, Papa, is what allowed me to become captain. Thank you so much for making it."

"Eh? Did I make something like that?"

"Look, this."

She held out her gun with a smile.

【Sacred Musket: Shinket】
Attribute: Holy
Rank: S
Ability: A musket that can fire the user’s magic power as magic bullets. The magic bullets deploy a divine realm that instantly purifies evil beings.

What was this. The arm’s length barrel was an elegant black iron color. A magic circle was carved onto the surface of the stock. Despite its size, which should have made it fairly heavy, it was surprisingly light for a gun. I compared it to the guns of the other corps members, and this one was clearly different in appearance.

"B, Bayonet. What is this gun?"

"You know that toy gun you made for me, Papa? It evolved."

"Evolved…"

Again. Thinking back, I did remember making a toy for Bayonet. A toy gun, just as she said. But for it to evolve to this extent… I didn't understand the principle behind it myself.

"But, Papa, it’s been acting up lately. It probably didn’t help that I never had it repaired, since there was no one who could fix it but you."

"You’re right, there are some distortions here and there. The trigger is a little hard to pull too. Well then, I’ll repair it right away."

"Yay! I love you, Papa!"

"I, I told you, don’t cling to me."

For some reason, Militar and Iz’s expressions had been stiff this whole time. Though the people around us were watching with warm eyes. As I dealt with the clingy Bayonet, someone's loud voice suddenly roared.

"Hey, Dareth! I will repair that gun!"

Shion was shouting forcefully.