Chapter 100.5 Side Story 'Can I Leave It To You?'
This is a story about the time when it had been roughly 2 months since Fiona officially became my apprentice.
I was, as usual, visiting the grocery store run by the merchant guild Ackerman to buy some ingredients.
Then, for some reason, there was a woman claiming to be Fiona's mother. She seemed to know my face, and as soon as I entered the store, I was quickly taken to the reception room at the back.
The woman, who had brown hair and eyes and looked a lot like Fiona, sat across from me at the reception table and introduced herself as "Alisa Ackerman."
"Um, I, no, I'm Aaron Gale."
"Hehe, I know. Mr. Aaron, please don't be so nervous."
As I tried to introduce myself back while sweating nervously, Ms. Alisa laughed in a way that seemed amused.
Honestly, I was nervous.
Why was Fiona's mother here? If I wasn't being overly self-conscious, it felt like she had been waiting for me.
In other words, she must have something to discuss with me.
I wasn't dull enough to not guess what it might be about.
Most likely, no, almost certainly, it was about Fiona becoming a Wooden Swordsmith.
I am now called a master, shouldering the future of the wooden sword industry, but I understand that this industry is still quite minor.
Ms. Alisa might be planning to criticize me for pulling her daughter into such an unstable field, right?
To back up that guess, she said,
"Actually, I hope it's not rude, but I've looked into Mr. Aaron quite a bit. Especially about your relationship with Fiona."
"――――!!"
Just as I thought.
Ms. Alisa probably doesn't think highly of Fiona becoming my apprentice. Otherwise, she wouldn't have brought up that she investigated me face-to-face.
With cold sweat trickling down my back, I waited for her next words.
"You might think I'm being a doting parent, but when that girl said she wanted to become an explorer, I opposed it. After all, it's a dangerous job where you never know what might happen, right?"
Just as I suspected.
Ms. Alisa seems to have strongly opposed Fiona taking her current job as a Wooden Swordsmith. The concern about not knowing what might happen likely means she fears the wooden sword boom centered around Necronia is just a passing trend, and that Fiona could lose her job.
"Indeed, you are right."
I nodded at Ms. Alisa's words.
However, I steeled myself and looked directly at Ms. Alisa. I thought I couldn't lose this argument.
"Ms. Alisa's concerns are understandable. However, Fiona――no, Ms. Fiona is working in her current job with extraordinary passion. Could you please acknowledge that?"
"Hehe, you can call her just Fiona, Mr. Aaron. And I know that Fiona's determination is not something to take lightly. I'm no longer against continuing her current job. It seems like there's someone reliable by her side, right?"
"I see."
Surprisingly, it seems that Ms. Alisa has now accepted Fiona's path as a Wooden Swordsmith.
The reliable person she mentioned――though it feels strange to say it myself, it's probably me. After all, I've gained quite a reputation as a Wooden Swordsmith that others can't match.
But if she acknowledges the Wooden Swordsmith path, then why was she waiting for me?
Ms. Alisa answers that question.
"Actually, the reason I called you here today, Mr. Aaron, is that I have something I want to ask you."
"...Something you want to ask? Of course, I'll answer anything I can..."
As I braced myself for what she might ask, Ms. Alisa questioned me.
"Mr. Aaron, what do you think about your relationship with Fiona?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"About your future together. I thought it might be inappropriate for a mother to interfere, but I'm worried about that child... Mr. Aaron, can I trust you with my daughter?"
Her sharp gaze felt like it was piercing through me.
I sensed a strong will that wouldn't allow for lies or excuses.
I quickly realized that I had to answer seriously.
Perhaps Ms. Alisa is worried about Fiona while also accepting her path as a Wooden Swordsmith.
That's why she asked me, her master. She wanted to know if Fiona's future would really be okay if she continued on this path.
I felt the weight of a mother's heart for her daughter.
So, I straightened my back and answered seriously.
"I think it's natural for Ms. Alisa to be worried. However, I didn't take on your daughter's job with a half-hearted determination."
That day, at Kirke's mansion, when Fiona said she wanted to become a Wooden Swordsmith, I intended to take care of her until the end. I have no plans to give up halfway or let her give up.
"I intend to take full responsibility until the end."
"Until the end of her life...!?"
"Yes. I will take responsibility and raise Fiona (to be a fine Wooden Swordsmith)."
"Raise her...!? (Could it be that she's already a child...!?) So, that's what you mean?"
"Yes. I understand how much Ms. Alisa worries about your daughter. But please, can you trust me? I swear I won't let Fiona... no, I won't let her regret this."
I stared directly into Ms. Alisa's eyes.
Eventually, maybe my serious feelings reached her, and Ms. Alisa smiled softly.
"I see... It seems I didn't need to worry after all."
She straightened her back and bowed deeply to me.
"Mr. Aaron, please take good care of Fiona."
"Ms. Alisa..."
Even though she is Fiona's mother, I can't believe she would bow her head to such a young guy for her daughter... I don't know how to say it, but I feel really honored.
I bow even deeper than her and respond.
"Yes. Please rest assured, leave it to me."
I will take full responsibility and make Fiona a top-notch Wooden Swordsmith!!
It was a good event that reaffirmed my determination.
I feel like things have come together well!
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