Chapter 1: The Strongest Mercenary Retires

Two figures, a man and a woman, hid behind a rocky outcrop.
The man sported a scruffy beard and a muscular build.
Clad in a tattered robe, he scanned their surroundings before speaking to the other—the girl.

“Listen, Sierra… once this battle’s over, I’m thinking of retiring.”
“You’ve said that before. That’s one of those ‘death flags,’ right?”
“No, no, Dad’s not dying. I’m just retiring from the job.”

The man hurriedly corrected the girl—Sierra.
His name was Einz Worker.
He was a legendary mercenary, renowned as the strongest, who had traveled the world.
A “Magic Swordsman” skilled in both magic and swordsmanship, it was said that any side he fought for was guaranteed victory.
The girl raised by Einz—Sierra Worker.
Picked up by him when she was young, she had been trained in magic and swordsmanship.
Her long, silver hair was striking, and with proper grooming, she could easily pass for a refined young lady.
For now, though, she was wrapped in a tattered robe like Einz.
At only fifteen, she was already a powerhouse on par with Einz in combat.
When these two stood side by side, they could take on an entire nation—or so it was believed.

“But why the sudden talk of retirement?”
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while. Sierra, how old are you now?”
“Uh… twenty?”
“You’re the first kid I’ve met who overshoots her age like that. Fifteen. You’re fifteen.”
“Oh, right. I’m not really interested in that stuff.”

Sierra answered nonchalantly.
She truly didn’t care.
Sierra had lived and grown up on the battlefield.
If she were to die, the battlefield would be her grave—or so she had always thought.
But her father’s sudden retirement declaration left her a bit bewildered.

“So, what, we’ll live quietly in the countryside or something?”
“Forget the future I described for a second. I’m not planning to take you with me.”
“…What?”

Sierra couldn’t help but question him.
Einz hurriedly added more words.

“W-Wait, wait! Don’t give me that sad look! It’s not about abandoning you!”
“I’m not sad or anything.”

Sierra pouted as she replied.
Einz gently patted her head.

“Dad’s made a name for himself, you know—enough to have assassins chasing me. I’ll need to lay low for a while. You, on the other hand, aren’t a target yet.”
“I mean, assassins don’t scare me if we’re together. Heck, you could handle them alone, no problem.”
“Super easy, but that’s not the point. I want you to use this chance to learn about the world.”
“The world?”
“Yeah. All I’ve taught you is magic, swordsmanship, and how to fight. But there’s more to being human than that.”
“…You’re starting to sound like a real dad.”
“I am your dad.”

Sierra let out a small chuckle at Einz’s words.
But she had never shown interest in anything beyond the battlefield.

“Then why not just teach me all that stuff yourself?”
“I’m terrible at teaching that kind of thing. Plus, sticking with me means you won’t get to have normal relationships. Friends, for example—making some would be fun, you know.”
“…I don’t really need friends.”
“Don’t say that. I’ve got connections who can help. I know it’s tough to think about parting with me—”
“I’m not lonely or anything.”
“R-Right… Well, it’s not like this is goodbye forever. I just want you to live a happier life from now on. That’s my little wish as your dad.”
“…Fine. If you say so, I’ll go along with it.”

Sierra replied, sounding slightly dissatisfied.
In the night breeze, the father and daughter spoke of parting ways.
Suddenly, the sound of many footsteps echoed from the distance.
Einz stood up.

“So, Sierra, this is our last job together. Don’t hold back.”
“Got it. Gotta make sure you don’t die after raising that death flag.”
“I told you, I’m not dying! Dad’s strong!”

The two mercenaries prepared to face the approaching horde.
Their enemy wasn’t human—it was an “army of monsters.”
Yet the two showed no fear as they confronted the monstrous horde.
The next day, all that remained in that place were the countless corpses of monsters.
And the two mercenaries vanished from the public stage.