(Rudeus POV).
After waking up from the nightmare. I found Mom sleeping in a chair next to my bed, her head at my legs. Pau— dad dozed off on the chair next to the door and resting his head on the wall.
Sylphy? Curled up in one of the armed chairs.. Wait a second! Since when I have armed chairs in my room?
And above all unbearable pain in both of my legs, and my left arm feels heavy when I looked I found Samantha sleeping on it peacefully.
(Can someone tell me what's happening here?)
When I looked out the window I found the moon is right in the middle of the sky. (It is midnight. How long did I sleep?)
When I started moving under the blanket, both mom and Samantha woke up.
"Good evening, Mom. How long did I sleep?" I asked mom smiling, as I carefully caressed Samantha's head.
She was still half asleep and when I talked I woke her up fully.
"Rudi! Are you okay?" Mom asked worriedly while standing up and opened my eyes forcefully to look at them.
When she called me in a high pitched voice everyone in the room woke up even Sylphy, and I heard many footsteps from out of the room too.
"Mom, I'm fine. But can anyone tell me how long I was asleep? Please."
"From early morning today, Rudi when little Samantha wake-up immediately with detoxification magic and you didn't I thought you even when you stopped breathing suddenly too. I th.."
She cried while hugging me.
"I'm fine mom." I said, returning her hug.
When my hand was removed from around Samantha, she started crying very hard immediately.
Which caused Mr Andrew to carry her and put her on my lap after that somehow she calmed down gradually.
And she was looking at my eyes with a smile. And giggling baby giggles.
I smiled back then carried her in my arm before starting humming a lullaby. While I was caressing her hair and moving my hand left and right slowly to calm her down until she started yawning.
After 3 minutes she was sleeping peacefully.
When I looked at the room I found all of them looking at me with widened eyes and everyone had a different reaction to the other.
Mom was smiling beautifully. (And like she is saying. "He is going to be great older brother.")
Dad had a teasing smile hidden under his surprise and he was throwing glances at Anna and Sylphiette.
Anna and Sylphie were pouting for some reason?
Mr Andrew had a bittersweet smile.
Ms Ena had a relieved smile.
And as usual Ms Lilla keeps her poker face on.
Just how my room became filled with this many people? And I can hear the sound of Mr Laws and Ms Rose outside the room.
(Where's Mr Smith oh here he is next to his wife and he was smiling at me happily).
"Is there something wrong?" I was a little embarrassed by how everyone looked at me.
"Is that why..." "since when can..." "Kyaah that's amazing.." "you have nice..."
"One at a time, please." I shouted because all of them talked at the same time making me can't figure out what they were saying.
(Well except for mom and dad. Mom said that it was amazing and her face continued the words of me being a great older brother and dad the usual he teased me).
"Is that why she was only calm around you?" Said Mr Andrew who has an apologetic face since I woke up.
"That's one of the reasons, yes, it helped in calming her down. But usually she needs me to sing too." I explained which made all of them repeat their old reactions.
"I was s.."
Mom was about to talk but I cut her.
"Sorry mom but you and dad. I think I can hear your thoughts out loud and as for your praise, thanks but I'm already embarrassed by how many people are looking at me. As for dad, I'm not in any situation for you to tease me about."
When I said that, mom was angry about being cut at first, but her anger had been relieved immediately and she smiled at me when I guessed right and also she chuckled a little when I said I'm embarrassed. And finally she gave dad a look that promised pain.
Which made all the adults in the room chuckle loudly.
"Since when you can sing, why never did you sing when you were with us?" I heard two echo sounds from two girls looking at me intensely and pouting the names Sylphie and Anna.
This caused the laughter to increase in the room and the two girls blushed at this and their parents gave both to me and them a reproachful look.
"It is good to see everyone is fine." I said meekly.
When I said this everyone smiled a happy smile.
(But this isn't time for this Rudeus, focus).
"Now tell me did the bounded bandits tell you anything important?" I said suddenly breaking the mood and most of them had a grimace and the rest had a sad face.
Except Sylphy and Anna both had a confused face before pouting at me, because this means they will be kicked out of the room for adult talk.
When I realised that I gestured to everyone to wait.
"Lilla, can you move Samantha to another room? Don't worry she won't cry for now. Sylphy, Anna can I ask for a favour? Can you please look after Samantha? And if she cries, try to sing for her." Both of them nodded and Lilla processed in carrying Samantha out and to everyone surprise except for me she didn't cry but kept sleeping peacefully.
"Wow, Rudi, you can know if she will cry or not. That's amazing!" Mom said with a big smile that I know well that if she wasn't in the middle of all of these people she would have given me her strongest bear hug.
"Mom, this can wait and I will teach you how to know if the baby feels safe or not. But first sorry for asking for this but can you heal my legs? I feel intense pain from them." I said with a calm smile.
When I said intense pain mom removed the blanket to find my legs are blue and one of my blood vessels was blocked she healed it immediately with beginner level healing.
"Thanks. Now from the looks on your faces I can guess no good information right?" I asked.
And got grimaces from all of them but mom was the one stopping me by.
"Rudi this is ad..."
"Mom, I'm already part of it. And it was very hard to fight them already because Ms Lilla refused to give me a sword for the same.."
When I was arguing that what they did made everything harder for me. Just for Mr Andrew to stop me.
"About that I would like to ask some questions. The first one: how did you enter the Manor? The second one: how did you kill them without a sword? The third question.."
"Aren't you going overboard Andrew? He is a toddler." Mom snapped and stood in front of him between me and him to protect me and dad was looking awkward between both mom and Andrew.
His face wanted to ask the same question and more and at the same time he wanted to defend me and mom.
"Haaah. What I'm going to say not everyone here would like to hear and I would be grateful if what I say here, stays here." I said with a serious face making them stop arguing and focusing only on me.
After 5 seconds of realisation they started nodding.
"As for the first question, how did I escape the house? I'm very good at stealth techniques to the point I tried to keep Samantha here, but she refused and that's why she was with me." I said and the women gasped, especially Ms Ena and mom.
Ms Rose had a conflicted look as if she was supposed to be here or not at first, but after hearing me she took a chair and decided to listen. This is probably as a way to see if Sylphy will be safe around me or not. And when I explained both the fact I escaped the house easily twice and with a child the second time brought an even more conflicted look to her face.
As for the men dad grimaced, Mr Andrew looked apologetic and lowered his head to as a way of apologising, Mr Laws looked more conflicted than his wife. But his face was aimed towards the other room, where the girls are in, he is probably afraid that his daughter got the same skill. And Mr Smith had a calculating look on his face.
"As for the second and third questions, how did I get into the Manor? And how did I fight? Simple, didn't I have a long stone rod when you found me killing Mr Ferland killer? Isn't that right, Mr Andrew? I used to have a similar one with sharp double heads and I used it as a spear both for climbing and killing."
This one is the one that broke the silence with horrified looks from all.
When I mentioned killing seems too easy to me, the three women had very conflicted looks and the three wanted to say different things, but kept silent.
As for the men the four had different reactions for this dad shock it is but with a hint of pride. (Because I beat the bandits on my own).
Mr Laws was stunned he almost lost his footing there. And to save his face he sat next to his wife. (If anything it was rather cute and funny).
Mr Andrew had a conflicted look that wanted to say more but kept silent. As for Mr Smith he nodded in acknowledgement but with a slight grimace in his face.
But what broke the dam was when I said spear that made everyone's face turn black not pale, pure black. Everyone looked at me with fear, even mom.
And worse Mr Andrew put his hand on the hilt of the sword while his hand trembled more than a little bit.
"It seems the fact I used a lance is more terrifying to you, than the fact that a two years-old toddler was obliged to kill 13 people." When I said this all of them opened their eyes both in fear and shock.
"...You.. weren't.. obliged." Mom muttered heavily. "What?!" I asked because I was confused because I didn't hear a thing.
"You weren't obliged and you shouldn't have done that. You should have left adult's work for adults." Mom shouted before crying.
"And here is the answer for questions 4 and 5: couldn't I sedate them and retreat to bring adults to finish the job? And why was I so brutal in torturing and bounding them? The answer is I heard some of their conversations. Before making some of my moves. First thing they are paid kidnappers, second thing they weren't just kidnappers they were scums. And what they wanted to do to the women and children wasn't going to just kidnap them. They were planning to do something because of that they deserved every second in torturing because of it. And if their boss weren't that cautious and strong I would have tortured them even more." I answered with blood lust leaking from me. And my eyes meant to kill.
That made Mr Andrew pull his sword and dad immediately swung his sword at Mr Andrew's sword cutting it before standing in front of him and Mr Smith ordering both of them to sit down.
(Dad started attacking him with punches, until he pushed him back before bounded his two hands with a single hand. And finally he dropped him next to Mr Smith to help him control him).
After wrecking his face he told him. "Try something like this again and I will tell uncle Saurus we will need a new Reeve."
Mr Laws was getting more curled to a circle with every word to the point he almost made a perfect sphere. (It made me remember the first day I met Sylphy).
Dad and Mr Smith had a conflicted look on what I said, but their grimace was very clear. I'm sure if Mr Andrew didn't pull his sword they would have been more focused on me not arguing with him. And focused on what I said but both had become very angry at him and just mad at me.
The women had very scared looks with conflicted faces. But mom was more crying than scared.
"Reeve Andrew I see that you see me as some kind of devil? And I see you're defending your cousin's killers? And to my knowledge, because of them your niece will live the rest of her life without any of her parents? All I want to know is the answer to my question: since you are working in guarding the village under direct orders from Lord Saurus, tell me? These bandits said: they would rape the women and they said in detail what are they planning to do on them and on children too. If you were in my place and found what they planned to do with your pregnant wife, she was pregnant right? If my memory still serves me right? Wouldn't you have done the same or even worse? Answer me? Hard topic then what about changing the perspective, if you were in your cousin's place. And he found they killed you in very brutal way and raped your wife to the level she got broken, but thankfully your daughter somehow got born prematurely. And she will have to live the rest of her life without both of her parents. If he found me in the same way, killing your killers brutally on the same level they did to you, with your daughter at my hand? Because every time I leave her she cries very hard. Because she just got the scare of her life. Would he have done the same?"
I snapped at him again and from how loud I was my throat hurts a lot but continued anyway. And because of that I found the women and Mr Laws aren't making the best face and dad no longer holding Andrew and he looked shocked from both the words I'm saying and how I snapped at Andrew. Only Mr Smith is still holding him and pursing his lips from what I'm saying.
And before anyone said anything I continued.
"If anyone wants to leave, leave now. Because whatever filter I was putting on my words, it will be removed and my words will be the hurting truth only." I said coldly all of them looked at me stunned, they looked at each other and me. Afterwards with a silent agreement they made all the women leave. Mom tried to refuse but I asked her to leave.
"Now since you are all staying here, that means you are all ready to listen to harsh words of the truth and Mr Laws. If you are here because you're worried about Sylphy then you should talk to her. That's more important than hearing another toddler suffering. We both saw Mr Ferland being torn into pieces while standing up and defending the village before his arm went flying toward us and after that they decapitated him." I said with a very sad face.
(I'm more sad about what Sylphy saw than Ferland's death. Also I'm very sad about Samantha living the rest of her life without any of her parents).
All of them looked at each other before nodding and suddenly, I found dad moving towards me then patting my head and ruffling my hair before hugging me warmly and saying.
"It's okay Rudi, you can rest now, no need to carry the burden alone anymore, please tell us everything." Said dad while caressing my cheek in a warm demeanor.
(Something seemed surreal to me that Paul has this warm side to him and he asked me to calm down and share the burden with them).
But why? Why am I crying? Is it because of the nightmare? It won't be the first or the last one or even the worst one I had. Is it because I feel bad for Samantha? When they arrested me because of massacring the illegal hunters gang, I saw whole villages getting flattened by the trick they did to make the elephants stamp on them and there was only one kid who survived from all of that and he didn't survive unscathed. One of the elephants crushed both of his legs. I felt more bad for him than I will ever feel for Samantha. Is it because the new baby body needs a lot of care and love and right now I'm being interrogated? I have been through worse especially when Paul, Richard, my former brothers called me a killer at my former mother's funeral before kicking me out. Is it ...
I don't care anymore, but I can no longer find a reason to hold back anymore. I let all the cry out, all what was held in my throat all of these years. Before nodding and agreeing to explain everything.
I'm ready to talk now." I said as I dried my tears and already used my father's handkerchief for snot more than I can count.
"If you a.." Mr Laws looked worried about my feelings now after seeing me crying broken.
"No, I'm ready, it will help me calm down too." All nodded and sat down in chairs to hear me.
"I will start so listen carefully. At first I would be lying, if I said when I saw Mr Ferland die that gruesome death it didn't affect me. I swear revenge on them immediately. Not because of Samantha, not because of Sylphy when she fainted at the spot, but because they cut him alive over and over while fighting him." They pursued their lips and Mr Andrew looked conflicted when he was hearing me.
When I said that all of them had very bad faces, especially Andrew and Mr Laws.
"The first thing I did was asking Ms Lilla for an edged sword for revenge. But Ms Ena and Ms Lilla refused firmly and didn't listen to me, so I looked for any alternatives and I remembered the rods I was training with before starting training with the wooden swords. The original one was sharpened by me to use as a throwable lance and it worked great on both climbing the house and killing the first one of them."
When I said Ms Ena was the one to stop me, Mr Smith had a proud smile but it faded immediately when he remembered I escaped when I was in her custody. Dad had a proud look on his face about all of this and he couldn't hide his smile, but when I said lance his smile faded. And like all of them, his expression turned into fear.
"Before continuing can someone explain to me what's the problem with spears/lances? If you don't realise it, I'm still a toddler who doesn't know what's right and what's wrong." I replied with a scowl.
All of them take quick glances to each other and then to Mr Laws before nodding dad started explaining.
"Rudi, do you know what a superd is?" Dad said with a very serious face never seen it except the day when I was just born and he thought someone was attacking us.
"All my knowledge of them was in both 'The legend of Perigruies' and 'Travelling around the world' . The first one said that they were Demon God Laplace is the strongest henchmen and they were killing anything that moves. As for Travelling around the world, it was said that because of them many races that were friends of theirs in the past suffer discrimination and the races reassemble them a little like the Migurd suffer isolation that's all I know."
Dad raised an eyebrow in this. And all of the three were surprised that I said books and when I proved I really read the books there were some fallen jaws naming them: Mr Laws and Mr Smith as for Andrew his eyebrow reached the sky.
"Is that all?" Dad asked, surprised.
"That's all I know. I usually prefer to ask you or mom about good stories of your pasts instead of fairy tales." All of them had very thin lips.
"Ufff. Okay Rudi, here is all you need to know about the superds. They are an evil race who annihilated whole villages, towns, and like you said they killed anything and everything that moves they did it indiscriminately from kids, elderly, women even the pregnant women they had no mercy. Because of that anything that slightly resembles them is hated, like the green hair or the spears. Because the spears that resemble their weapons are called the weapon of the devil."
Dad explained with deadpan eyes and he had an apologetic look when he said green-hair and looked at Mr Laws who lowered his head in this whole part of the conversation. And finally dad looked at me with a scowl like he was expecting an apology from me.
"It is the first time I heard any of these. And if I made a problem because of that, my apologies." For the first time I lowered my head slightly while apologising.
But midway apologising I remembered something.
"Oh that explains. When I was interrogating them they never gave me anything useful until I started torturing them with the spear."
When I said interrogating some hopeful smiles appeared when I said they didn't give me anything they lowered their head in disappointment and when I said they tortured them dad had the worst face of all but sighed and decided to treat me as the knight not as my father and started asking:
"What is the information you got Rudeus?" He had the same serious face when things go out his way in the village.
"Okay for the information, the ones I got by staying in the shadows and listening to them. Is that they were paid by a certain nobleman to do so. As for who he is, they don't know who he is even with torturing, they said: they couldn't see his face from the cape he was wearing. He paid them 5 gold coins. You can find them oh right I hid it. When the sun rises I will bring both the money and the hidden things. I felt it's dangerous to leave them out."
When I said that all of them had different looks but Mr Andrew had a very bad face for some reason I don't know.
"Other than the bad words about what Mr Ferland killer wanted to do to me especially because I destroyed his d— crotch when I was angry because of what happened with all of my hatred and anger I threw the blunt sword and it somehow passed through him and that made him wither in pain."
When I said that dad had a very proud look but with a scowl. Mr Andrew had an apologetic look and he always averted his eyes from me when I saw him. Mr Laws and Mr Smith had conflicted looks about what I did and said about what I did to Adrian.
(Also when I almost said the bad naming of the area all four of them had a conflicted look. Their looks were more conflicted than mom when I said 'scums').
"Okay, now for the information I have from the interrogation, it's better to be confidential even with the women and especially Mom. Do you all hear that?" All of them looked at each other then with a nod decided to agree.
"It won't be the last attack, that nobleman was searching for something, not someone. Something the four villages loyal to Lord Sarous have. My guess is he is a loyal retainer to James Greyrat and he wants the villages who didn't agree to join them to crumble. And his plan is to have hostages to hold it on them, before he tells them swore loyalty to James or says goodbye to your children."
Dad had a very conflicted face at first he probably thought of the truth but when I lied he had a slightly better face. But at the end everyone had a disgusted face that we are pieces in a chess game.
Dad tried to badmouth the nobility but I shook my head to him.
"Then what are we.."
Mr Andrew was about to explode and Mr Laws almost threw the tantrum out. They all wanted to live in peace but here comes the danger and when Mr Laws tried to talk I cut him.
"Who said I finished? According to the bandit leader after extracting information from him, through more brutal torture than the average. The man was coming from the Manor. In another way he is a retainer to Lord Sauros who betrayed him and joined James."
When I said that the two Reeves faces turned black this means probably he knows everything about us. And at any moment he can do the same as the last attack at any time, the moment he discovers the village is vulnerable for any reason that means the village will be under siege.
"Last thing about this topic, before continuing to explain the rest of the fight with detail and order is he said if they brought a prove that a certain thing he wants exist he promised them 20 gold coins for it but if they just bring the proof of it they will take 10 and he will send the Tri-Daggers to do the jo... Who are they then?"
When I said this all of them had very dark faces and Laws fell to the ground banging it in frustration. And when I asked the last question like I will go to deal with them myself. Dad almost slapped me and ordered me to stay. But he calmed himself down and decided to explain everything.
He put his hand on my shoulder before talking and with heavy face.
"Listen Rudeus, these assassins are a group of 18 thugs. The weakest member is advanced class at one of the major sword schools. In other words, the weakest member can give me a long fight and I won't win unscathed. As for how they work, they work as three different teams, each team has six members and the leader of every team is one of the three brothers, each of the brothers is a saint in one of the three major sword schools. And their overall leader of the whole group is the oldest and strongest, he is double saint and high level advanced in the third school. In another way, if he alone was after me when I was an adventurer, he alone was enough to annihilate my whole adventurer group back in the day. He alone would be enough to annihilate us here in Buena. In other words Rudi, we don't have the smallest chance of survival if those attacked us, not even if we all defend together. Rudi the group you beated was called the 'Shadows Demons.' And there was a bounty on their heads about 15 gold coins that's for handing them over dead, and 20 for handing them alive. As for the Tri-Daggers their bounty is 1000 gold coins. And unlike any other wanted men, the country itself gives you the prize." Dad said with a very grim dark face.
"The solution is simple dad, we were the first village who got attacked by the bandits and they probably didn't find the thing they were searching for. And since they failed, he probably won't send another. As for the pr— bandits in our custody slit their throats. I left them because if you want to interrogate them yourselves."
When I said this their faces became less heavier until I said to kill them all like it is something very easy like drinking water and finally all the faces turned plae before turning pure black for some reason.
"What happened?" I asked, concerned. And still no answer.
(I feel I won't like the answer).
"Young Master Rudeus we didn't know anything about the traitor in Roa and we already had sent them with the crippled Reeves all under the supervision of Bragg. And he already returned with the bounty money, your money." He answered conflicted because that's my prize. Its price will be the whole village's lives.
"Let's change the subject." Dad said suddenly closing this area.
"And from now on, we can't let a toddler outshine us as men. We are supposed to have pride and yet a single toddler who by wits and techniques he beated two advanced North God Style users and many others on intermediate level. This means if we all trained for real all of us as men of the village we could stand up even if the Tri-Daggers were the one after us." Dad said, trying to calm us down.
"Dad, how much money is in my name now?" I asked hopefully.
"20 gold coins not counting anything of the loot that's all of it is in your name too." Dad said with a proud smile.
"First thing is how much money is enough to buy Samantha freedom from the Reeve birth? Of course she won't be the same price as the Smiths, right?" When I said this everyone's jaws fell and Mr Andrew had disdainful eyes towards me.
And Mr Smith gave me a shocked look but I ignored him.
"At minimum and with good words to Philip and uncle Saurus I can pull it to 2 silver coins." Dad said with a calculating look at first before answering and he was scratching his neck when he explained he was going to need to ask a favour for this.
"Please do. Also dad, how much will you charge me in exchange for taking care of Samantha?" I asked
"I won't need any." He smiled teasingly. But my scowl made him change it.
"What do..."
Reeve Andrew tried to talk but I shut him up.
"'What do I mean by this?' Is that what you wanted to ask? I'm saying right now that I am adopting a girl who I found was going to die of hunger because she no longer has parents. And she doesn't have anyone to take care of her anymore. Uffff. Dad, Mr Smith, in the chimney of the furnace in the Smith's Manor you will find a small sack full of accessories, don't open it, some of them do strange things and in the fireplace chimney you will find the money hidden on a pole made of stone and I will tell you how to divide it." I snapped at him for the 3rd time.
(This man has a knack for making me angry).
Their reaction to my snap is different from the last one this time. Andrew has a face of pure hatred towards me, and when I pointed out his niece I saved her from a probable death door, he couldn't defend himself any longer. After all he could very easily before holing himself in his house he could take her and make her stay with his wife.
Dad was surprised by how I became very low tempered and by the fact I'm very angry with Andrew and he gave him a suspicious look. And from his face I know he won't let it end here. Also his face is no longer teasing me about Samantha but he has an unreadable expression about it.
Mr Laws had a hurt expression by what I said, his face wanted to say a lot but he kept silent. Mr Smith just lowered his head to hide his sadness about what I said.
And before any of them comprehend the second part of what I said I continued.
"The loot goes like this, weapons for the militant villagers: they take the hatchet, axes and some of the double edged swords. We are going to need a lot of their help in the incoming days. Also we are going to need soldiers, they are going to be deployed at village gates after finding some trustworthy warriors you know dad, you should appoint them as soldiers, we will need 8 of them, give them the eight the single edged swords. And find 2 huge men to take the battle axes. As for the short sword I used, it is the only I will keep. And the rest belong to the village after giving the hunters enough short swords, swords, throwable knives and daggers. As for the Reeves each to take a single double edged sword." I answered quickly.
Dad had a very bad expression. The meaning of my words is that I'm asking him to use his pocket money to deploy soldiers. And by the meaning of my words even if he asked me for help, I will probably won't have any leftovers from the loot for myself.
Mr Smith smiled that I will share the loot with the village and won't sell them, but I will share almost all of them with the rest of the village and I'm serious about thinking of how to make things better for the whole village too. That made him extra happy.
Mr Laws was happy I'm willing to help the hunters because I knew most of them before the last monster hunt had been very low in finance and needed money from debtors who took a lot of their weapons. (Also weapons aren't cheap. I saw one sword for sale once and it was worth 3 silver coins according to my calculations, which is worth the same as the entire month of family expenses).
"As for the armour it belongs to the hunters and the one who won't take the undamaged leather armour is the one who will take 5 instead of 2 damaged armour." Mr Smith nodded in agreement with those he knows too well; this will help the hunters a lot and maybe even will make more hunters join from other villages because of how well-armed the hunters are.
Dad as a knight he was happy at the same time he knows where I'm going with this and he had a small frown.
Mr Laws was very happy to the point and thanked me and lowered his head with this. Their survival rate will be increased to the highest possible as long as they aren't stupid enough to risk their lives by receiving attacks to the head or the neck.
Andrew for some reason has an unreadable expression.
"As for the jewellery or accessories or whatever they are, since I didn't have much time or enough mana for it, to discover them. The normal ones would be sold and with 16 silver coins will go as compensation for harmed villagers from the attack. As for the ones with effects I will ask mom for help to discover them and if anything will be useful to the village I will give it away."
Dad sighed a sigh of relief. That I'm finally keeping something to us. But he raised an eyebrow. (Because I'm supposed to know nothing about mana and somehow I said the strange accessories stole my mana and I felt it).
Mr Smith smiled a santa-claus smile at this because this means as long as someone isn't crippled or he didn't lose someone to the bandit he didn't really lose anything, but they probably will be compensated more than enough.
Mr Laws was already very happy with the help I'm giving to hunters. His smile is still perfectly there and it hasn't even changed.
Andrew is still the same as ever with the unreadable expression.
"The large copper coins will go to the Smiths. I damaged their house and if it wasn't enough tell me please I don't know how much the damage I did is going to cost. As for the five gold coins will go to Samantha not counting other things I'm willing to do for her but not now."
Dad felt pride in those words and he ruffled my hair that I took responsibility for what I damaged. And he had a slight grimace about Samantha taking 5 gold coins.
Mr Smith had a look that said you don't have to worry about that, but at the same time it seems I hit a bullseye because at last he thanked me. (It seems he needed the money but his pride isn't helping him).
As for Mr Laws, he was still happy, but he smiled a genuine smile, when he knew I'm taking responsibility. And for some reason shot dad a glance in which the other lowered his head immediately.
Andrew still with the unreadable expression.
"And finally the small purse full of copper coins I had borrowed a blanket from one of the stalls and was planning to return it, because I wasn't worth anything yet. But now I want to give him a third of it. And the rest goes for Sylphy, but not for her. I want Mr Laws to make her a good memory to make her forget what she saw. And the best way is a gift with a smile from her father. Don't look at me like that, it's my mistake for not making her look away. And that's it for the loot money."
When I said the first part, all of them had a smile with a nod of how I'm taking responsibility for my misdeeds. But when I reached the second part that made some new expressions, Dad smiled teasingly until the last part his expression turned grim.
Mr Laws looked at me suspiciously at first about money going to Sylphy then he gave me a look that said: that's a father's job you shouldn't worry about that. But when I said my reason his expression turned grim and he wanted to refuse but dad and Mr Smith gestured to him not to refuse.
As for Andrew he was averting his eyes from me and always lowering his head. (His expression is still unreadable). As always Mr Smith had a santa-claus smile until the last part his expression darkened immediately.
"As for the bounty money, 2 gold coins for each of the Reeves who fought with us and survived of course this will go to whoever is willing to continue in the village. As much I'm sad for the dead and crippled ones but the village needs to stand up now more than good conscience. And Another 3 gold coins will be going to rebuild the wall better and stronger than the one before."
Mr Smith's expression became even better, that I'm willing to help both Mr Bragg and Andrew even after everything Andrew did, I was still going to give him money. (But his eyes betrayed him and revealed he was sad about my choice of not helping the two crippled Reeves).
Mr Laws was in seventh heaven about the fact I will help build the wall. If it's built, his job will be easier and this way he will see his family more.
Andrew for the first time he smiled and thanked me. (But there is something I don't understand: why did he start calling me? 'Young Master Rudeus' like Lilla).
"Finally we can focus on the main topic of the fight. And how did I beat them? The only one I fought in a long one vs one fight was their boss. My first kill was the one guarding and watching from the windows. He was on the second floor near the room that has the fireplace. I used the lance to throw it right through his heart, killing him silently. The next one was the one guarding the doors. He was standing at the main door at the time I moved through the shadows, before doing the skill 『Sword Slice』towards his neck with the bandit is sword, but because I wasn't in good footing and I haven't mastered the skill perfectly yet. I had to use Mr Ferland's sword to do it again and I did it right this time. As for the third one was the one guarding the wounded and asleep. I climbed the other stairs and cut his neck from behind, then I used two thirds of the sedative solution by burning it, making the second floor air like a drug. Everyone in there immediately fell asleep. I decided to finish the job down stairs before seeing what to do with the people sleeping. Because of that I had to wait until the sedative solution worked on the food and drinks they were gulping and all of them except the boss fell for it. That's why he was the only one I had counted it as a fight."
When I explained the only one I fought was the boss that made them raise an eyebrow and become very suspicious.
When I said I was fighting silently and through the shadows, Andrew's expression changed and somehow like Lilla he also became afraid of me. (Anyway it isn't an everyday event where a two years-old annihilates a bandit group on his own. So I don't really blame him for being afraid).
Dad expression was a scowl until I said I mastered the skill 『Sword Slice.』 He smiled for a second. As for Mr Laws he listened attentively like he was using my ideas in fighting as a reference. (Isn't our roles changed here, mister?) Mr Smith focused on my words and looked at me with his ever calm face.
"But even so I didn't. Fight as a knight like one vs one and stating names and these idiocy. I made sound from everywhere through pebbles, then from shadows moved things that make him feel he is fighting three at once. And I started by throwing the lance at his thigh to distract him and by the time he reacted to this I moved to get his back and I was capable of cutting both of his arms from behind. And with this I was able to extract information from him easily after that I was able to know everything I wanted."
Dad frowned when I said, how did I fight them? He probably wanted me to win the fight fair and square. (Well in reality I won fair and square, but let's keep the magic secret for now).
Mr Smith was surprised by how I said the most thing dad does before fighting humans is idiocy. And was impressed by how I was capable of standing up to the boss who is advanced in North God Style by wits. (Their area of expertise).
Mr Laws if he had a paper and pen he would have made notes of the fight from how attentive he is to my conversations. (Or ink and quill since that's what's found in this era).
Andrew on the other hand was terrified of me. (Well all of them didn't make the best faces on either time of saying lance, also Andrew saw me full of blood from head to toe while decapitating a person).
"Now the conclusion. I'm not that strong to beat any of them alone, I will say this I'm sure if I fought them in a fair fight, I wouldn't just get out by two grazes in each leg. Who knows, maybe in that case Reeve Andrew was going to be happy that the bandits have my head. Also I have two final requests: the first is when you find someone bleeding next time make him sit down and attend to his wound first before interrogating him. Secondly, I want to keep Mr Ferland's sword for Samantha."
Dad's face had a strange expression when I said I'm sure I'm weaker than all the bandits. (Did he forget I'm still a toddler?) And when I said the sarcastic joke his face darkened and the moment I mentioned I got interrogated when I was bleeding his expression turned into pure anger and he glared at Andrew with a glare saying his death is near. And when I said I wanted to keep Mr Ferland's sword for Samantha he realised I wasn't joking about adopting Samantha. His eyes widened and he realised is probably in trouble.
As Mr Smith and Mr Laws both gave me the expression that I'm an anomaly because I know my weaknesses. And both gave a very reproachful look to Andrew and probably he won't make it out from here safely the three of them are willing to kill him. And both were about to punch him when I said I was interrogated while I was bleeding. Finally both smiled and nodded in agreement about giving the sword to Samantha.
(Do I have to explain Andrew's expression?) He was afraid of me then Mr Smith and Mr Laws finally wished he could escape the village before dad cut him into two half.
I felt a slight movement behind the door and because I'm an evil person I pulled the door with gravity magic. (Of course none of the 4 men realised it).
Because of that mom who was behind the door behind her Ms Ena, Ms Rose and finally the two young girls were eavesdropping.
Wait no mom is carrying a knife and she is generating enough blood lust to make some people lose confidence from a distance. And Ms Rose and Ms Ena are holding her back they are trying their best to pull her. But the two girls are the ones who were really eavesdropping.
(Anyway my Condolences Andrew. Should I try to save him? Nah, probably not, for real I don't feel like helping him).
"Now if you excuse me, I think I heard someone calling me. Hey young master Rudeus! Do you mind if I open the window." He said while he was already opening it before jumping from it and running out of the house.
When he did that mom tried to run to the other side to catch him but dad already controlled her and disarmed her.
"How much of the conversation did you hear?" I asked them with a fake forced smile.
Anna and Sylphie shrieked when they saw I'm standing right behind them and with a fake smile that belongs to mom and because of that Mr Laws and Mr Smith had a strange expression on them.
Also dad and mom waited, all of them had a strange expression on their faces.
"..Well, wow you look fine, Rudi." Said Anna trying to change the subject.
"Don't change the subject, I've asked both of you to look after my sister." I said and got a strange expression from all of them except for dad, they had a question mark on their head and dad face darkened for a second before sighing in resignation.
"Rudi what is this about?" Mom asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I asked for dad's permission and little Samantha will be staying here with us. She will be my little sister." I said before dad changed his opinion because mom says what the rules are in the house.
Mom was expressionless for a second before I knew what's coming and I couldn't run, couldn't do anything. She gave me a bear hug and everything blacked out.
(3rd POV).
In the Greyrat House 8 persons were looking at the motionless body of a toddler. 6 adults and two children.
Suddenly a green-haired elf-girl, who had tears in her eyes before asking this question.
"Is.. is he.. ..dead?" These words and how the girl almost broke into tears made the adults conflicted and sad by how the recent days made the young girl see what she shouldn't see.
Suddenly, a brown-haired woman ran fast, hugged her daughter warmly and explained the situation to her and to the other young girl.
And an older dark brown haired woman was scolding the young blonde woman. Because she hugged her son so hard that he lost consciousness and stopped breathing until she healed him.
The dark-haired blonde man felt if he stayed any longer, he would be in trouble as well. So he asked the old man with some gray hair over his light brown hair with a full grey short beard and moustache. To gather the things his son told them about hours earlier.
And because the blonde elf-hunter felt if he stayed in here he would be in danger he sleathly escaped out of the house with two men.
"Wow Zenith you scared all of them." Said the older brown-haired woman. Impressed and slightly scared as well.
(If anything poor little Rudi, that explains why he is more used to getting hurt than the most And without feeling anything too. Also little Sylphiette is very cute. When she thought he was dead, if anything poor little Samantha, in the near future she will live with Zenith as her daughter. I hope my scolding will knock some sense into her, I don't think she will handle her like Rudeus did). Thought Mrs Smith.
The blonde woman laughed awkwardly at this.
"Please in the future don't hug my daughter like this." Said the younger brown-haired woman.
Implying something that all the adults understood and the other two adults laughed while the blonde was nodding and promised her she would do her best.
The young green-haired elf-girl ran away immediately and when the other girl felt she would probably hug her instead ran too.
"You have a knack for scaring people, Zenith." Said the older brown-haired woman while patting her back sympathetically.
While the blonde woman pouted and sat on the bed next to her son crying silently. She was crying because the girls ran away from her, but suddenly she stood up and was about to leave the room when she heard someone calling her.
"Mom please don't hug Samantha, this strong and healing magic would be appreciated." Said the young boy who just got conscious.
(Rudeus POV).
(Man my whole body hurts. She hugged me extra hard this time, my cool facade and dignity are long gone now. She beated me in one move and she got a perfect K.O. and Where's everyone? Only the three women are here, the rest are missing.
"Rudi I'm so sorry here. 「Mother of merciful god heal this one's wounds and let the satisfying nourishment regain the lost vigor regaining the lost strength」『X-Healing.』 Feeling better, Rudi?" Mom said with an awkward smile as she healed me.
("I felt less pain after fighting the whole bandits group.") I was thinking and for some reason that made the two women other than mom look at me with a reproachful look. And mom almost cried and she had tears in her eyes.
(Oops I thought out loud I'm too scared to think with bad words now scared of repeating the process).
"But I know mom loves me the most. And I'm the same." I said with a smile, trying to fix the hole in the window.
(A/N he means he tries to fix the unfixable she was scolded then people escaped from here one by one then getting told not to hug someone because that's dangerous and finally her son told her fighting a group of kidnappers who were after his life and they saw his leg when he was about to bleed to death and he so casually said her hugs are more painful. If anything I felt bad for her).
(Dad I need your help right now, wait dad I gave both gifts. Did she see it?)
"Mom, have you used the magic manual?" I said with a wide smile.
"No, Rudi!" Mom said with a raised eyebrow. And suddenly she pouted again. (Oh right! Dad used his handkerchief and he saw my gift for him, but mom hasn't yet. And of course the idiot teased her about this).
"..Mommy, ..hadn't you seen.. my ...gift." I said with fake tears and puppy eyes. (Well the tears weren't really fake because not long ago I was crying my heart out. But let's ignore the unnecessary details).
(Initiate plan B fake tears done, puppy eyes done, choose words that you are really sad and all done).
"Wait what! You prepared one for me too?" Mom said, shocked.
"You said you would use it a lot and I thought leav.."
And here mom runs towards her room. (Sometimes I wonder who is the kid and who is the parent here?)
And Ms Ena and Ms Rose looked at me with sympathy. (Oops was my acting that good. And is this a tear in their eyes? Did I really act that good?)
Let's change the subject before something happens.
"..Is Samantha and the girls okay?" I asked meekly because I can't figure out how to change the subject.
"They are fine and I will go to get them, hey Rose! Could you please talk with him? Until I finish an important talk with Zenith." Said Mrs Smith with a small smile that promises a scolding. (Oops maybe, I really did go overboard, sorry mom).
"Ms Ena please, don't say anything that will make mom sad." I said meekly.
"Don't worry I will just give her some advice in raising children." Replied Ms Ena while ruffling my hair before kissing my forehead then processed on leaving the room.
"Um.. Ms Rose is Sylphy feeling unwell or anything?" I said trying to open a conversation while there's no topic to talk about.
"She is alright, but are you fine?" Mrs Laws asked worriedly with a concerned face as she sat on the bed edge and touched my two new scars on the knees.
(I wouldn't call them scars per se but they are too deep to be called normal grazes. In any case they wouldn't hinder my movements nor they produce pain anymore and probably will disappear when my skin stretches when I grow up).
"I'm fine and I wouldn't care about two small cuts like those." I replied with a wide smile.
(In reality I do care and would prefer if I didn't get them, but I have to be grateful that I stopped a whole group that can beat many people alone. And this is my only loss).
Suddenly I found mom and dad coming running towards me before hugging me warmly and thanking me for the gift.
(Also dad scowled a little about the note I left to mom).
His note. "Return safe and I'm waiting for a hug. (P.S) I want to hear all about the hunt." (In other words just wanting him to be safe and he is allowed to brag about the hunt but since he is here just a day after they left this means the hunt failed).
As for Mom's note. "I pray to saint Millis for your safe return and when you return I'm waiting for a hug (P.S) I promise you next time you see me I would have prepared a surprise for you." (Wow both messages happened except dad telling me what happened, the surprise for mom is two the first I'm now supposed to be some kind of either the village hero or Demon depending on the people's opinions. And of course my new little sister that I adopted. In reality I was planning to make her some flower pots with earth magic and get some flowers from the meadow).
"It's a little late now, but we are home, Rudi." Mom said while hugging me and dad was ruffling my hair while hugging me.
"Welcome home mom, dad. I'm glad you are both safe." I said hugging them tightly and some tears escaping my eyes. (Forget all my facade I was scared any of them would die to monsters like what happened to the last knight).
"I'm feeling a little bad to cut the moment but I think she wants to see her older brother." Said Ms Ena while carrying Samantha who is about to wake up.
The moment Ms Ena said that mom left me immediately to reach Samantha and carry her look at her with a smile.
"Mom please give her to me, before she wakes-up and starts crying." I said with a bored face. (Now she will keep her in her hands until she cries. I said as I sighed internally).
"You underestimate your mother here Rudi, it's impossible for Samantha to cry when she..."
And Samantha was crying loudly the moment she woke up and didn't find me.
And mom silently with a pout gave it to me.
No need to say everyone was laughing from the Smiths and the Laws too.
(Mr Smith and Mr Laws arrived after mom and dad with some time with 4 sacks and it seems they plan to make me participate in the plans I said).
(As for the two girls who came with Samantha they were standing next to their parents).
Dad tried to laugh as well but a death glare from mom he shut up immediately. Needless to say, the laughter reached a higher level because of that.
When I found Samantha still crying hadn't calmed down yet. I decided to sing for her.
"In a moonless sky.~
There was a shining star.~
It is light shone the sky.~
the people loved it, the shining star.~"
"My lovely star.~
Shone the sky.~
My lovely star.~
lead the way.~"
"Lead me home.~
The shining star up north.~
lead the way.~
The home this way.~"
After finishing the song I was rewarded by a smile and giggles from Samantha which was enough for me.
Suddenly I heard a whistle of applause. It was dad.
Mom smiled a little smile. (As much as she is happy about me, she is sad Samantha cried in her hands).
I found two girls pouting, but their eyes had shining stars on them. And they were smiling while I was singing.
As for the other parents, they were all happy.
"Is something wrong?" I asked meekly and my cheeks already turned pink and by how my face is burning probably I look like Sylphy after I tease her.
As usual everyone talked at the same time but this time they solved it themselves.
Mom praised me and said that was amazing and she kissed my forehead and Samantha's head saying she won't make favourites between siblings.
Dad tried to tease me but mom pinched his ear before turning her hand while pinching, making him fall to the ground.
After that he said that will be a great skill to help raise the incoming siblings which got him hit to the head because he said it in an infidel way.
After saying sorry mom said he will be punished, but she will say the punishment later.
Of course everyone was laughing at dad until he said the perverted comment they gave him the reproachful look.
"Now if you excuse us we will return home before the sun rises. We need some time to rest." Said Mr Laws pulling his wife and daughter.
(He is probably embarrassed by the comment dad made. Strange even though he is his friend he is still not used to the pervert dad. By the time I grow up I feel everyone will be embarrassed to talk to me or put their distance with me because of dad's reputation).
"I will show you the way out." Said mom while leaving with the Laws but she carried Sylphy and pinched her cheeks playfully. (Man, when will she grow up?)
"We too..."
"No you won't Mr Smith, your house is in ruins Rudi went overboard and you saw that yourself. It will probably fall at any moment." Dad said with a serious face, making me stunned. (He is joking right?)
"As much as I want to participate in the prank we agreed to make on little Rudi I feel sleepy and tired sorry next time Sir Paul." He said, as he gestured to his daughter and wife to leave but this time Lilla was the one to show them the way out.
(Does this man ever learn?)
I was stopped by arguing with him by a smell that destroyed the room.
"Lilla, we need help." Dad shouted as he escaped the room.
"What did you eat to make this smell?" I said as I was pinching my nose.
When she started crying I decided to help Lilla change the diapers.
And brought a new diaper and a bucket. And a warm towel.
"operation waste termination complete." I said in English.
After finishing the whole operation I found three kids in adult bodies watching from behind the door frame.
I felt my eyebrows twitch and I was about to throw the tantrum but kept silent.
"I will say it once nicely. Someone brings the crib to this room and something she can feed on. And if you ever again just watched me while doing this I will attack using the dirty diapers." I said with a frown and with deadpan eyes.
But what happened is mom coming running toward me hugging me saying that was amazing. (Does she knows only these words? Also pinched my cheeks saying she wanted to see how I will look after my sister).
Lilla apologising and says: it was orders from the master and mistress. (Mom and dad).
Dad said if I want responsibility for adopting a baby I should at least do this much. (He tries to make me back off).
"Okay little Samantha, your big brother will take care of you. But should I go buy some milk in middle of night?" I said first part to Samantha while caressing her hair, then turned the conversation to father.
"No you shouldn't, don't worry we just were seeing if you are serious about this. Isn't that right, dear?" Mom asked with her warm demeanor while standing behind dad. (We both knows well, if he say no, he is dead).
"..You right, Zenith." Dad muttered heavily. (While he of course wanted to refuse. But couldn't).
"Ms Lilla, can you bring some milk for Samantha? And mom are you free? If yes can we inspect this accessories?" I asked Lilla for help at least this much won't be a problem.
(As for mom whether she agrees or refuses im winning agreed she will give the wanted information about those, she refuses I can use mana freely to discover their powers).
"No Rudi, we will go to sleep soon and we will go after Samantha sleeps we will take he..."
Mom was trying to suggest taking Samantha to their room. (I have to refuse immediately).
"Absolutely not, the last thing I want is you to traumatising the child more than she already is. And you and dad need more privacy for keeping this girl pure." I replied cutting mom while making X shape with my arms.
Mom was angry and was about to pinch my hair until she realised what I'm saying she blushed before pinching my thigh and nodding.
"Paul dear, move Rudi crib to his room, please. You are right he need to carry responsibility." Mom said with terrifying evil smile.
Needless to say dad run fast to bring the crib to my room and when he returned he put it away from my bed and smirked at me. (He is saying with the smirk pull the rest yourself).
"Let's go Zenith we are going to need some pri..."
Dad received a slap that made an echo and Samantha laughed at this.
Mom is angry because of what he said or tried to say.
(Well thanks dad for being my scapegoat).
"Goodnight Rudi." Dad said while touching his cheek that turned red from the slap making a shape of five fingers connected to a hand. (And did he forget she was going to punish him for what he said when we had guests).
"Goodnight mommy, daddy!" I replied with a wide smile to mom and with an evil sneery smile to dad.
After they left the room and Lilla brought me milk for Samantha after feeding her and humming for her to sleep I faked sleeping because of the blonde child in a body of my mother were looking through the door frame and praises me silently.
After 3 minutes she closed the door and after 20 minutes I was hearing scolding from th main bedroom.
(Anyway I have business to attend to).
I conjured a 『Fireball』 in my left hand then made it smaller like a candle then moved control to my index.
Now lets inspect those.
What we have here 3 bracelets, 2 necklaces, 5 earrings, and 5 wooden decorated pins (A/N) (he doesn't know that wodden pins are magic wands).
Also a lot of rings. What do I inspect first?
Let's see the necklaces first.
I already know what one of them do.
The other?
I tried passing mana no avail then summoned our trusty 『stone bullet』tried to get the fire ball closer also no avail after all of that I tried the 2 two remaining attack magic school which also brought no avail.
It's a normal necklace.
I tried to research why the other necklace eaten my lance and couldn't find what I found it eat 4 more earth magic attacks before her gem that was blue turned red.
(Don't tell me it was limited usage, I will wait for Mom's help).
And with this I decided to go to sleep but remembered mana eating earrings so I dried my mana on. (After 2 hours of all out mana output. It was like nothing happened and the thing still drank more mana still no effects on it what so ever).
The only thing happened is I'm little hazy because of almost mana exhaustion.
After that I looked at Samantha one last time before covering her body with a blanket and kissed her forehead before going to bed. (Mom's habit is printed on me someone help me).