After the battle, all the civilians were escorted to Selem. As a precaution, the general left a hundred soldiers to protect the town in case of another attack from bandits. The general thought that was enough even after seeing Meka in his mutated form. He probably thinks that if I defeated him then his soldiers wouldn’t have a problem.

All who escaped the bandits came back without any punishment as I asked. But there was guilt on their faces. Because they felt like traitors and words from the general didn’t help with that at all. Unfortunately, around a hundred civilians died. Dian wasn’t happy about that but we cheered him up. He at least helped most of them. Dian was finally viewed as a hero by the locals. He was the one who brought their families back. Just like he wanted.

The last two days we spent at his house. I wanted to get a drink and use Dian as a babysitter but I didn’t have time since I was training with all of them most of the time. He wanted to become stronger so he could fight on the battlefield.

The day has come and the ship arrived for us. I was going home. I wasn’t going to rest. I was going back to prepare for Tae’s rescue. And I can’t leave Stella in here. It would be better if she stayed in Dalir village under Hakon’s eye.

[ Dian ]

“WAIT FOR ME!” Shouted Dian with a bag on his back running toward the ship.

The ship began to sail away but it didn’t stop Dian. He ran till the end of the dock and jumped toward the moving ship. There was nothing he could grab to not fall into the water. He took out a knife from his pocket and stuck a knife into the ship. I helped him to get on board.

[ Dian ]

“I’ve decided… Hugh… I want to go on adventures with you!” Said Dian as he tried to catch his breath after the stunt he pulled off.

[ Eric ]

“Could’ve told me earlier. Okay. Welcome to the team.” I said as I shook hands with Dian.

[ Dian ]

“Thank you…”

[ Eric ]

“But you’re paying for yourself.” I said to Dian’s ear as I pulled him close to me.

[ Dian ]

“WHAT?!” He shouted and then notices a ship crewmate standing right behind him.

[ Crewmate ]

“Ekhm…”

[ Dian ]

“Here… That was all of the mine savings…” Said Dian as he fell to his knees crying over his money.

[ Eric ]

“With me, you’ll earn more than that.”

[ Dian ]

“Really?”

[ Eric ]

“Really.”

Since Tae isn’t here to help me with the money. Dian will do that for him. Hehe…

No one in Dalir Village knew when I’ll come back so no one was waiting for me by the port. But once someone noticed me. Most of the villagers came to greet me. Especially the kids. In their eyes, I’m the greatest hero of the village. Luckily they don’t come to the inn so they never saw me drunk. The kids were asking me if I’ll tell them about my current adventure. While they were surrounding me, Stella hugged me and hid her face.

[ Eric ]

“I’ll tell you everything later. How about a story by fire tonight?” My promise made them cheerful.

[ Dian ]

“So you’re a local hero.”

[ Eric ]

“I told you didn’t I?”

[ Hakon ]

“Nice to see you again.” Said Hakon as he tried to pass the kids. They are like a little horde.

[ Eric ]

“Likewise.”

[ Hakon ]

“What were you doing out there?” Asked Hakon as he looked at Stella.

[ Eric ]

“You know. Saved some people, beat up some bad guys, and found the person I’d been looking for.”

[ Hakon ]

“So… Is that your kid?”

[ Eric ]

“What? No. No. She is not my kid.”

[ Stella ]

“I’m not?” She said as she looked at me with her big eyes.

[ Eric ]

“She is my kid but I’m not her father…” I said as a patted Stella on the head.

[ Hakon ]

“... You found that special person?”

[ Eric ]

“Yup. I brought with me two blessed. This is Stella and the guy behind me is Dian.”

[ Hakon ]

“The child is blessed? Do you mind telling me your gods?”

[ Dian ]

“I’m blessed by the great hero of gods.”

[ Hakon ]

“Thor?”

[ Dian ]

“No. I’m blessed by Meili!”

[ Hakon ]

“Never heard of him.” Said Hakon as he ignored shocked Dian and directed his eyes at Stella. “She must be that special person right?”

[ Eric ]

“That’s right. She is blessed by two gods. I can’t exactly tell you by who because I don’t want to be on their bad side.”

[ Hakon ]

“She is special. No doubt…”