When Angeline was twelve years old, she could take care of most of the work there was to be done in Turnera. Although there were still some tasks that required adult supervision, her muscles were accustomed to every field-working task, and she knew how to tend to all of the livestock. Such tasks were often left to the village children, and slowly, in that manner, they would begin to be treated as working adults.
In that sense, there was nothing very strange about Angeline setting off for the big city at twelve years of age. Until now, her becoming an adventurer had only been a vague anticipation in Belgrieve’s mind, but as her twelfth birthday drew nearer, it suddenly seemed far more realistic. Thus, Belgrieve instilled her with more knowledge than before. Every walk along mountain trails was an opportunity to teach practical lessons, and he was drilling her strictly on her use of the sword. Angeline was a fast learner, and she absorbed everything he taught her. Her sword arm was already better than that of any adult in the village, and there were times when even Belgrieve as her instructor would feel pressed in their bouts. Even so, Belgrieve was well aware of how she moved and what her habits were, so she still had yet to land a blow on him. Oddly enough, Angeline seemed to take delight in that fact.
Belgrieve was glad that his daughter had talent, but he also felt somewhat conflicted about that fact. Supposing she had no talent with the sword, he would have never allowed her to be an adventurer no matter how much she pleaded. Even if she’d come to resent him for it, that was far better than knowingly sending his own child to an untimely death. But Angeline did have talent—incredible talent, in fact—and he had no grounds to oppose her decision. On one hand, he was happy that his daughter had carried on the dream of becoming an adventurer that he had once chased after. But on the other hand, he didn’t want to send his precious daughter anywhere dangerous. There was certainly a part of him that wanted her to live with him in peace.
Parents sure are selfish, Belgrieve thought as he scratched his head. He watched Angeline’s back as she cleaned the dishes. It felt like he’d picked her up in the mountains just yesterday, but she had already grown so big.
“Time flies...” Belgrieve muttered as he watched her clean dishes. She was already twelve. Her hair was cut short like a boy’s, but her features were distinctly girly and cute. He mused that she would have surely made a good wife to someone if she hadn’t decided to become an adventurer, but he shook off that thought. “I don’t know when to give up, do I?” he murmured, smiling ruefully.
Once the dishes were done, Angeline pounced on him.
“Whoa!”
“Dad... Hug me...”
“Your hands are still wet... Good grief.”
Belgrieve held her tight and Angeline melted into his embrace. Looking at her like this, the desire to have his daughter by his side forever became overwhelming. Rather than sending her off to Orphen, she could continue to be a farmer in Turnera and enjoy the spring and autumn festivals each year. Eventually, she would find someone to settle down with, and perhaps Belgrieve would have grandchildren someday. But he knew this was just his own selfishness coming to the fore. This girl had her own life to live. Belgrieve had only become an adventurer after his parents had died, so it wasn’t like he had ever left them of his own volition, but had they still been alive at the time, he knew they would have opposed his choice—and as sure as they would have been against it, he knew that he still would have become an adventurer regardless. That was just in his nature.
“I’ll do my best,” Angeline murmured, nuzzling her cheek into his chest.
“Yeah.”
“Even if I’m on my own...I’ll do my best to become a splendid adventurer who can protect the weak.”
“I know.” When she put it like that, Belgrieve could only send her off with a smile. His daughter was far stronger than him. He lived in fear of the future that lay before him, but Angeline stared it down unflinchingly.
Angeline took a deep breath before meeting his gaze. “Then I’ll land a hit on you one day.”
“Ha ha! I’ll be looking forward to it.” Belgrieve was certain that “one day” wasn’t very far off at all.
He then quizzed her on how to tell directions, how to find water, how to confront fiends—questions that she could answer without skipping a beat. Finally, Belgrieve gave a satisfied nod. He had no doubt in his mind that she would become a splendid adventurer—that was precisely why he felt so lonely now.
“Good. Surviving is an adventurer’s top priority. Never go beyond your limits.”
Angeline nodded back, nuzzling her face into his beard. “I know. I got it... Nice and prickly...”
“The things my kid gets up to... You have an early day tomorrow. How about we call it a night?” he suggested, getting up.
“Dad...” she said softly, tugging on his sleeve before he could walk away. “Can we sleep together today...?”
“Hmm? Weren’t you training to sleep alone?” She had no answer for a beat before she settled on calling him a “meanie.” The sight of her pouty lips made Belgrieve laugh. “Just kidding. Come on.”
“Hooray!” Angeline gleefully clung to his arm.
He smothered the fire with ashes and got into bed. As the lamp was snuffed out, the house was left in pitch darkness. Gradually, as his eyes acclimated to the dark, he began to make out the outlines of things that had been left around. It was quiet. He could hear the breath and the heartbeat of Angeline as she lay beside him.
Angeline buried her face into his chest and held him tightly. She was faintly shaking. Belgrieve patted her back.
“Are you cold?” Angeline didn’t reply. She simply clung to him harder.
After a beat, he spoke up. “Ange.”
“Yeah,” she softly replied.
“Are you really all right? If you’re nervous, you don’t need to force yourself to go on this journey.”
What am I saying? he wondered as his mouth moved on its own. But these were undoubtedly his truest feelings on the matter. Looking at his daughter shaking in his arms, the words had naturally come from his heart.
Angeline was understandably scared. She only knew Turnera, yet suddenly she was setting off for the big city, filled with strangers and an unknown way of life. The home she’d grown up in would be distant from her, and she would need to leave the father she loved more than anything in the world. Regardless of her talent, regardless of how strong she was with a blade, she was still just a twelve-year-old girl.
Angeline didn’t answer for a long while. Finally, she looked up at him. “I’m going. I’m nervous, but I’m going...”
Belgrieve wrestled with his words for a moment longer. “I see.” He embraced her and patted her head. He loved his daughter more than anything.
Angeline happily hugged him back. “Dad. I’m going to do my best.”
“Yeah... I know.” He didn’t know why, but he was on the verge of tears. As his daughter lay in his arms, he was desperately fighting back the urge to break down.
Eventually, Angeline closed her eyes with relief. Her soft snores filled the room. So many memories were flowing through Belgrieve’s head, however, that it didn’t seem he would be sleeping just yet.
“How pathetic...”
Angeline had it together far better than he did. By raising her, he felt that he had grown as well. His life as an adventurer had cost him a leg and his dearest friends; however, his return home had blessed him with something far greater. To Belgrieve, Angeline was the most important part of his entire life.
He stroked the hair of his sleeping daughter and muttered, “Thank you, Ange...”
Thank you for coming to me. I know you’ll be all right. I know you’ll make it. And one day, after you have made it big, you’ll come to see me again. Oh, the stories you’ll have to tell...
Belgrieve closed his eyes. His heart was at peace.
“Good luck.”
The story began.
The story continued.
FIN