Chương 1782: [1679] – Y07.179 – A Man of Family IX

It was near the end of the week when the thought finally came to the half elf, for the anger within his heart would not disappear.

"Chosen, could you send for Vadim and Hakam?" Adam asked.

"Okay." Adam then sent a Sending to the various warriors informing him of how they would soon be leaving, and could not accept their proposal for a dinner. They sent back their disappointments, biting the bitterness that was being unable to show off their apprentices to the half elf to form a greater connection. It was that day in which he finished the potion for the Malika, and upon greeting her, with a heavy heart, he apologised.

"I was informed of the matter with the Grand Malawi," Anastasha said, and as she accepted the potion, she paused, glancing up towards the half elf.

"A single drop with some milk every morning, and if you miss a day, you may take two the next day, but don't drink too much of it because, best case, it's ineffective and you've wasted a dose, worst case, it will lead to other issues," Adam explained, writing down the note.

"Although it is difficult to deal with the Grand Malawi, I am certain his rudeness shall not be tolerated, and I will be sure to inform my husband to write him a sternly worded letter, and though it may end up giving the Grand Malawi more reasons to criticise my darling husband, I will not allow him to speak so poorly of a child of the Iyr."

"You don't have to worry about that sort of thing, Malika, for your only focus should be on your health for the sake of your daughter, and I shall worry about my children." Adam decided against reminding her that the Iyr will probably be dealing with the Grand Malawi.

"Though the Grand Malawi was out of place when it came to speaking of your children, I hope nothing ill comes to him, for he will be unable to apologise properly if he passes too soon." Anastasha reached over to the half elf's hands.

"I hope you will convey my words to your mother."

"My mother?"

"To Kal Sonarot, who has been so sweet to visit me multiple times throughout your stay here, and even allowed me to hold little Amal, who is perhaps far too heavy for me at this time." Adam flushed lightly, though was even more surprised his Aunt had come to speak with the woman. She hadn't mentioned it, nor had she even hinted at it, and he had no idea why his Aunt did so.

Though, then again, it wasn't as though it was a bad idea to meet with the woman who was the Shen's wife, a woman in which the Shen was a fool for, in the same way Adam was a fool for his own wife. A gentle squeeze brought him out of his thoughts, and the sharp look within the Malika's eyes caused the half elf to blink.

"I will inform her." Adam blinked, and as he made to leave, he stopped.

"Oh, right. I have a diet that you need to follow, as well as an exercise routine, which should help you. I will see if I can't manage to find some kind of magical item that will empower your physical strength."

"You do not trouble yourself."

"I'm sure it's difficult…" Adam swallowed.

"Not just for you, but for everyone around you, all of whom adore you."

"I am still fortunate compared to many others."

"Then consider it my selfishness, or, if you want, my shrewdness, in assisting the royal family of a nation, a favour which I will one day call upon," Adam said, smiling towards the woman. Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Anastasha smiled, waving her hand slowly, and she turned to look towards the potion.

She wondered if it wasn't poison, and that the half elf, who was only half a fool, was secretly an assassin who only pretended to be sentimental. However, considering how the half elf adored his wife and children, she was certain it was difficult to even pretend to be that much of a fool... Meanwhile, Korin had spent the day pacing around his room, not being able to meet with the children that day, for his heart ached.

He had thought he would go meet with Sara's family that year, and yet, though it was still only barely noonval, the half elf wished to return home so swiftly for the sake of the children. There was much to do, not just for him, but even Gangak had her own reasons to step out, and yet, without a doubt, he was certain the woman, with so much unfinished business with the various Orders, including his own, would return. Korin looked up towards the ceiling.

'If Adam is going to step out to deal with the Reavers next year, I should go too…' When the half elf returned, Korin thought about taking Adam for a drink that day, but he turned, looking towards his sister, the Sword of the Lady, who was currently playing with the children. With that, Korin resolved himself, and as he approached the half elf, he placed a hand upon his shoulder.

"Korin?"

"I apologise, for I wished to take you for a drink while we were here, but let's drink here next year."

"Ah, right, sorry…"

"There is no need to apologise," Korin assured, and with that, Korin pat the half elf's shoulder and stepped away, going to bury his worries by taking a nap in the corner, allowing all the stress to wash away from his shoulders. Vadim and Hakam arrived later that evening with Chosen, who brought over a sheet of paper to the half elf, who scanned it across with his eyes, and once he was done, he nodded.

"Thank you," Chosen said, holding up his forearm.

"Any time." Adam rubbed forearms with his cousin, and once he was done signing the contract, he allowed Chosen to take it to the Adventurer's Guild.

'Now that I think about it, I haven't really seen the Adventurer's Guild here, have I?' As the evening passed, Adam held onto his children, glancing aside to his triplets, who slept all about him too, and he let out an awkward sigh. Everything had happened so slowly, then all at once, and now they were heading back and it was barely the end of the fourth month of the year.

'I should spend the rest of the year just enchanting and relaxing…' Adam had yet to truly speak of the matter with magical weapons with the Amira, nor had he spoken with the Faro, which he couldn't forget on the way back. Adam, in his guilt, refused to acknowledge how little he had truly spoiled his children while here, especially his triplets, and he hoped they would understand why he had to prioritise their younger twins. Adam's heart throbbed, and the half elf reached up to cover his wet eyes.

He thought of Konarot's scars, those which he could see upon her face, and those which she probably held within her heart, and with a quiet sniff, he wiped his tears, noting how his eldest daughter stirred, and quickly his hand went over to ruffle her hair, and he whispered quietly for her to fall back asleep. It was the next morning, before dawn had yet to come, when the Amira sat and drank tea opposite the man.

It was he who they called Duteous, the man who was the most Iyrmanly Iyrman, for he knew his place within the world, within the Iyr, and understood the responsibilities of his role.

"We will prepare for the coalition soon," Dogek assured the Amira, whose shoulders threatened to relax, but she wasn't entirely sure how much she could relax. No.

If the Iyr said they would prepare for the coalition, even if they only sent a few Experts, that was more than acceptable, although considering who they were, and considering who promised to arrive, she could certainly accept that they wouldn't send just a handful of Experts, for if he was coming, then she could trust a handful of Masters, and perhaps a few Grandmasters, some who may be more accurately described as Paragons, would make their way.

"It eases my heart to hear the Iyr shall step onto the field next year," Miriam said, clasping her palms together as though in prayer, and as Dogek stood, he made to turn, but paused, holding the Radiant Blade's gaze for a moment.

"…"

"…" Dogek turned, stepping away, for his unspoken warning would be taken seriously by the woman, who could feel the pressure against her shoulders. If it was he against the Radiant Blade, he would not lose, that much would be for certain, for though the woman's blades were decent, she was not the kind who had managed to pass down a grand weapon from generation to generation. Miriam considers what she should do in order to ease the Iyr, and her own heart.

"I would not lose," the Radiant Blade finally said.

"I know," Miriam said. It was a sweet lie.