The Reformation of the Silver Wolf Tribe
I woke up with an unusual sound and soft feeling on my arm.
It seemed that it was already morning after I confirmed the surroundings. When I slowly turned to my side, there was Emilia who slept with an innocent face while hugging my arm.
Emilia hadn"t woken up yet, but whether she unconscious or not, she was happily wagging her tail. The ident.i.ty of that unusual sound was the sound of her shaken tail hitting the blanket.
Looking at the height of the day from the window, it looked like I woke up later than usual. I would get up earlier if it was the usual circ.u.mstances, but apparently, I was still tired from fighting yesterday. It was natural to get tired from mana exhaustion that occurred many times and repeating recovery.
And since Emilia was also got over her past and fighting the monster, it seemed that she slept deeper than me.
Although she was sleeping, she was rubbing her cheek on my arm several times while sleep talking.
"Sirius…-sama…" (Emilia)
Even so… Emilia seemed really happy.
When I used the other hand to stroke Emilia"s head, she was happily snuggling at me and started sniffing.
"Hehehe…" (Emilia)
"…Are you awake?" (Sirius)
"…You got me." (Emilia)
Emilia opened her eyes when I pointed out but she didn"t leave my arm. She was smiling while looking at my face, and she started to hug my arm stronger.
"My dream has come true. I am glad… I am very happy." (Emilia)
She finally left my arm, she brought her body closer and chewed my shoulder. She did it many times yesterday… I had been chewed many times and the sensation was getting dull, but Emilia seemed hadn"t had enough.
"I am really happy with your feelings, but I want you to stop because the blood may soon come out." (Sirius)
"I"m sorry. But I"m just happy and I can"t stop. I will lick you if the blood comes out, so just a bit more…" (Emilia)
Emilia began biting my shoulder again after saying that. I thought she was done, but… in such a situation, I thought that it was different from biting a shoulder.
"Emilia, look here." (Sirius)
"Aah…" (Emilia)
I put my hands on Emilia"s cheeks and turned her around, and then I kissed her.
Emilia was smiling as if she was melting when I separate from her face… and she bit the shoulder again.
"In the end, it"s a biting huh…" (Sirius)
"I love it…" (Emilia)
At last… the blood came out.
—
Later, I was somehow manage to persuade Emilia who didn"t want to be separated. When we went outside, Reus and Garve were already awake and they were discussing something in the settlement’s square. Since Reus was swinging his fists, it looked like he was taught on something.
By the way, Reus was fine and he didn"t get injured from yesterday"s battle, but Garve, who continuously unleashed his killer techniques, had the bones of his left hand slightly fractured. Fortunately, it didn"t reach to a point where he needed a treatment from my regenerative ability or Reese"s. He would heal up when wrapping the hand with bandage and took a rest.
"Aah, good morning, Aniki, Nee-chan." (Reus)
"Ooh. Is it you guys? Good…" (Garve)
"Good morning." (Sirius)
"Uhehe… good morning, Reus, Ojii-chan." (Emilia)
While we were greeting in the morning, Garve was the only one with words clogged. Well… it was understandable when looking at her granddaughter.
Emilia was blushing and she was hiding behind me because she seemed happy while waving her tail.
"No… no way, did you…" (Garve)
"Ooh! Nee-chan is really in good mood." (Reus)
"Of course. That"s because Sirius-sama… hehehe."(Emilia)
The silver wolf tribe was sensitive to odor, and it could be clearly understood when looking at Emilia"s condition.
Garve lost words when he thought what had happened, but Reus was as usual. Well, in Reus" case, I didn"t think that he understood it.
Since Hokuto, who kept watching yesterday got closer, I stroked his head. In the mean time, Emilia and Garve were looking at each other with a serious face.
"I have no reason to say this, but… is that alright?" (Garve)
"Yes. I am with Sirius-sama. That is the best happiness." (Emilia)
"Is that so? Me too, if that is the man… I have no complaint. Same goes to Felios and Rona, I also want you to live the way you want, ." (Garve)
"Yes!" (Emilia)
When I noticed, it seemed I had gained Garve"s trust to the point that he believed in his grandchildren. But I also had to say at least once.
I stopped stroking Hokuto, I stood in front of Garve and bowed.
"Although it"s late, I am going to take care your grandchild. I will surely make her happy." (Sirius)
"Aah… I leave it to you. But, if you make her cry, I might hit you. Engrave that in your heart." (Garve)
"I leave it to you at that time." (Sirius)
"It"s alright, Ojii-chan. If Sirius-sama makes me cry, it is only happy tears… ehehe." (Emilia)
"Hmm… Congratulation." (Garve)
Emilia was more pleased with my declaration. She hugged my arm with an ecstatic expression while waving her tail. Garve had a bitter smile but blessed obediently, and Reus also was happy since he was clapping.
"Hehe, that"s great Nee-chan. Aniki is really close to become my real Aniki." (Reus)
"You"re too fast, Reus. I will be Sirius-sama"s attendant until the end. But, when it comes to children, how many…" (Emilia)
"Haa… you guys are way too fast. By the way, is Reese still sleeping?" (Sirius)
"Reese-ane is making breakfast in that house. Look." (Reus)
"The breakfast is done!" (Reese)
When I turned around, Reese came out from another house where I was sleeping and she was calling us. So, we decided to go to that house and had a breakfast.
—
"Anyhow, I will decide the plan from now on." (Sirius)
While eating breakfast prepared by Reese, I decided to discuss the upcoming plans.
There was nothing much to say, I think. The enemy of the silver wolf tribe, which was the biggest problem, had been defeated, and the surroundings monsters were already taken by Hokuto. Thus, the sweeping was completed.
Later, should we build graves for those who lived in this settlement?
"I was saying that we wanted to build graves, but how many people lived in this settlement?" (Sirius)
"There were not even one hundred people. However, since most of the bones and remaining items were gone, I am planning to build one big grave at the end of the settlement." (Garve)
"After that, I will inscribe the name that I can recall. Aniki, once the stone is prepared, I want to borrow that knife." (Reus)
My mithril knife would certainly be easy to carve characters on a rock, but this wasn"t a grave anymore. It was a memorial monument. Well, I left it to them to call it whatever they like, but were the siblings alright with building a big grave?
"I want to ask at least once, don"t you want to revive this settlement and live here again?" (Sirius)
"I can"t plainly say no, but I think the reconstruction is difficult after all. We are the only survivors, but we can"t stay here." (Emilia)
"Yeah, our place is by Aniki"s side. Besides, the enemy had been defeated, and it is enough to build graves of Tou-chan and Kaa-chan." (Reus)
"I guess so. There is no way we can afford to send our people out of the settlement. I think it is good enough if I make the graves for my son and friends and mourn them." (Garve)
No matter how much power he had, it looked like he understood that it was different from reconstructing the settlement.
If that"s the case, you have to work hard from now on. Since the parents of the siblings were including in mourning with nearly one hundred people, we ought to make a good one that suit it.
As we easily decided the plan, Reese, who was looking at us, opened her mouth.
"By the way… how long does Emilia want to do that?" (Reese)
"Eh?" (Emilia)
Emilia kept feeding me the meal during the conversation and was very good at that. Since Emilia would be depressed if I openly refused it, I completely gave up and let her did what she wanted.
If it was about picking meals with hands or chopsticks, she had done it many times, but this time, she ended it with drinks. She made me drink that perfectly matched with my breathing, it was almost like drinking with my own hands. In other words… I hadn"t touched the meal and drinks since the breakfast had started. It was the moment when the capability of Emilia as an attendant woke up to its limit.
Reese was a bit surprised at Emilia who looked happy every time I ate a bit, but I had a feeling that she was jealous.
"Sorry, Reese. Now, I can"t help myself but taking care Sirius-sama." (Emilia)
"Quit it already. But, I guess it can"t be help for today. Because Emilia"s dream has finally came true." (Reese)
"Thank you very much, Reese. So, Reese too… here you go, I will give you a drink." (Emilia)
"I-I don"t really… eh!? That"s amazing!" (Reese)
This was the first time Emilia met Reese since breakfast, and Reese blessed her and hit the shoulder while smiling. I couldn"t feel anything like a bad mood from the condition of those two. The female team seemed to be in good terms after all.
The moment I extended my hand for the meal since Emilia was focusing on Reese…
"Sirius-sama, please open your mouth." (Emilia)
"…Thank you." (Sirius)
Although Emilia was certainly facing towards Reese, she noticed and since she presented the dish to my mouth, I ate it.
Reese was just like me when I looked at her, she was a bit embarra.s.sed when being fed by the hand of Emilia.
"It is not bad, but… even Senia didn"t do like this." (Reese)
"There is no gap in Erina-san"s education in term of taking care others!" (Emilia)
"You"re the best, Nee-chan!" (Reus)
"Jealous huh… no, what did you say about me!?" (Emilia)
Such a chaotic breakfast continued…
—
After breakfast, we began our work to build graves… no, a memorial monument.
First, we cleaned up a part of the settlement. Next, a rock was finely cut by Reus sword, and made it as a big stone. Afterwards, it was carving the name of each person who lived in the settlement with my knife.
Although Emilia and Reus alternately carved the names, it took times for nearly one hundred of them, so we decided to stop once and prepared for lunch.
We were working separately, the male team went to procure the ingredients while the female team responsible for cooking.
We were divided into two teams since Emilia and Reese were in situation that they wanted to talk with only them, but it would be unlikely that there would be a fight from the air. Maybe, it was because the yesterday"s report?
And then, we went to a nearby river and caught a river fish. By the way, Hokuto had a role of delivering it to Emilia and Reese once the fishes had been gathered.
"… Alright, it"s the fifth. It is good that the fishes easily bit."(Reus)
"There is other way of catching the fish." (Sirius)
I grabbed a thick branch and made [String] as a fishing line. An instant fishing rod was made and I went fishing. And Reus training while catching fishes with hands while on a little bit of the downstream side. By the way, the method used by the silver wolf tribe was thrusting like a harpoon.
Since Garve was injured, he was resting while faintly looking at my fishing.
"… It"s been a long time since I spent time leisurely." (Garve)
"It"s because the enemy has been defeated. That is also necessary to relax." (Sirius)
Since hearing that this settlement was attacked, it appeared that Garve had continued spending days restlessly. Occasionally, there were times when he couldn"t sleep because he dreamed of quarrelling with his son.
However, once Garve confirmed about the devastation of the settlement with his own eyes, he, who had avenge, had his restless heart calmed down. It would be natural to feel relieved.
"I guess so. And what left behind is this…" (Garve)
Garve took out the mithril Tekkou which head brought and started to care with a dry cloth. It wasn"t the left hand Tekkou that Garve equipped, but the right hand Tekkou.
This Tekkou was what Reus found in the cave where that monster made a bed.
Since there were strong bones and metals laying around, maybe it was vomited by the monster. The fact that there was this Tekkou was an evidence that Reus" father was eaten by that monster.
Although the Tekkou that was handed over to the son returned back to Garve… the harsh fact was that he seemed to feel lonely while continuously maintaining it.
"What are you saying? You have more important things remained, isn"t it?" (Sirius)
"I guess so. I still have grandchildren…" (Garve)
When Garve looked at the side, the appearance of Reus entered the river and trying to catch fish could be seen, and his eyes looking at the sight was gentle.
But… Garve should have seen the figure of Reus as a cursed child. What would he think about that?
"Well, now that you have know about Reus being a cursed child, right? Would that be alright with the law?" (Sirius)
"Law… is it? I was convinced by a child named Reese at that time, but… to be honest, I am still hesitated." (Garve)
At that time… Garve was stunned when looking at the transformed Reus, but Reese came in from the side and gave him a slap.
[What are you doing!? Your grandchildren are fighting hard!] (Reese)
[B-but…] (Garve)
[Is it because he is a cursed child!? Even if his appearance changed, Reus is still your grandchild! Although Reus is fighting, you, as his family member, so what are you doing!?] (Reese)
"His appearance is certainly changed, but there is no mistake that he is my grandchild. But… I forgot about it at that time and fought, but as the head of the silver wolf tribe, I can"t completely accept it myself. After all, I have taken the life of a cursed child in the past." (Garve)
In the past, Garve killed an adult who become a cursed child. He was the head at that time and it seemed he was the strongest person, but… when he handled someone who was the same tribe as him, he seemed to have tasted the feeling that his body was torn apart.
Even so, why did the Silver Wolf tribe had such a rule? Therefore, I asked Garve since he might know the reason.
"…There was such a story in our legend. Long time ago, there was a certain silver wolf tribe who became a cursed child and turned rampant. That person didn"t only ma.s.sacre silver wolf tribes, but also other races." (Garve)
Ma.s.sacre… it sounded exaggerated, but I was also convinced in a sense.
When Reus transformed, his physical ability jumped out, but he became unusually aroused and aggressive. It was a guess of mine after watching him for years, but it might be easier to observe the dormant instinct when he transformed.
If the legend was true, perhaps the man who enjoy killing might have become a cursed child.
"I see. Garve believed it… no, since you believed it, you had to take care of it with your own hands." (Sirius)
"At first, I didn"t believe it at all. But, the person who became a cursed child had forgotten about me and attacked the surroundings, and he was about to put his hand on a nearby child. I had to believe it against my will, and… I killed him as the head of the settlement." (Garve)
He believed the legend by forcing himself. What a painful role.
"…Does Sirius raised Reus knowing that he was a cursed child? Maybe… If the adult Reus transformed, what will you do when he become a man who kills people?" (Garve)
"I see… First of all, I will listen to his reason. I am not going to say not to kill people, but I am not going to say anything if I can consent his reasoning. But, if Reus becomes a murderer just like Garve says…" (Sirius)
I had no qualification to say this since I also kill people. But, if Reus did it for the pleasure…
"I will kill him. Since I trained and raised Reus, that will be normal, isn"t it?" (Sirius)
"Is that so?" (Garve)
Garve lonely muttered when he heard the words. It looked like he gave up when thinking about something in long term, but I still had something to say.
"However, that is a last resort. It would be fine if I don"t raise Reus to be like that. Look at him, does he look like a man who enjoys killing?" (Sirius)
When we turned our sight, Reus raised high a big fish that he caught and showed it to us. The expression looked very funny, it was an innocent smile that hadn"t changed since he was a child.
"He can control himself even if he transforms. You have seen that yesterday, right?" (Sirius)
"…Aah." (Garve)
"I have decided to raise Reus to be a fine man. For example, if he goes rampant, I accept the responsibility to stop him, even if I have to kill him." (Sirius)
Of course, it would be pointless with feelings only, the strength must matched it.
I never skip training in order not to be defeated by Reus, and I would deal with him like a parent so that I could gain his trust. I wasn"t forcing myself because it was my nature and consciousness.
"Well… although I said a lot of things, the value and ideas are different between Garve and me. I had such feelings to the bitter end, but have you got the answer?" (Sirius)
"Aah yes… it"s good enough." (Garve)
When Garve, who had a slightly refreshing expression, turned sideways, there was Reus, who caught a fish, ran towards our direction.
"Aniki! Jii-chan! I got a big one!" (Reus)
The fish caught by Reus was big and he needed to hold it with both hands. Although he was proudly showing off the catch, Garve shook his head with loosened cheek.
"That"s still a small one. I"ve caught bigger, you know." (Garve)
"Really!? Alright, I will catch a bigger fish than Jii-chan!" (Reus)
Garve"s eyes who saw Reus went back to the river again after putting the fish was like an old man who was gently watching his grandchildren. With this, he probably able to relieved the stress, I quietly had a smile because of that.
"By the way, haven"t we got enough fish already? That big guy is enough for several people." (Garve)
"It"s too little. If it involves these children, they will eat them in the blink of an eye. So, I leave it to you, Hokuto." (Sirius)
"Woof!" (Hokuto)
I put the fish that was caught by Reus in a basket which Hokuto held, and I saw him gallantly walking away. Even if there would be more fishes, there won"t be any problem if we used it to make dried fish and preserved food.
Whether Garve convinced with my words, he resumed maintaining the Tekko, and I also resumed fishing.
A quiet time was spent just like that where the only sound was the river and the sound of polishing a Tekkou could be heard.
And when the fishing rod shock, I stopped after catching the tenth fish. I rubbed my shoulder to loosen the muscle stiffness.
Although there was no more pain, I felt that Emilia bit a little too much and the sense of my shoulder was dull. It might be temporary but it couldn"t be helped since I had to ma.s.sage my shoulder for several times, and Garve was looking with a bitter smile.
"Heh… how was it? A female silver wolf is pa.s.sionate, isn"t it?" (Garve)
"She was too pa.s.sionate until I bled. Well… I am happy with that honest behavior though." (Sirius)
"My wife was also like that. That girl seems not losing to her." Garve)
Apparently, Garve also had a similar situation in the past.
To a person who knew the same pain… we silently shook our hands, and then, Reus caught another fish again and coming at us.
"How about this, Jii-chan!?" (Reus)
"Hahaha, it"s still small." (Garve)
"Dang it!" (Reus)
The time of food procurement was spent with heartwarming.
—
Later… after finishing lunch, the three silver wolf-kin continued carving names on the tombstone while I was cooking on an instant cooktop made by combining stones.
The fishes that weren"t used for lunch were treated and dried. Reese, who was next to me, was stewing and helping with fish broth. She didn"t try to match eyes with me at all since I came back from fishing.
Since her face colored with red as if she was embarra.s.sed, without a doubt, it was caused by the talk between two females… and by judging from the situation, it won"t do any good if I listened to them, so I left them be.
After the preparation was finished, next was to cook for dinner. And then, Reese was shyly talked to me.
"Uhmm… Sirius-san. You and Emilia… have become lovers, right?" (Reese)
"That was my plan, but how about her?" (Sirius)
"It is as what I have expected. I heard from Emilia earlier, but she said that she was an attendant until the end. Although she should choose that position if she became a lover, it was strange for her to stick as an attendant." (Reese)
Emilia was happy to become a lover, but she said that she wanted to take care of me as an attendant, so she declared to the surroundings that she would be an attendant until the end.
Perhaps, it might be because of Erina"s influence. Since Erina said to Emilia that she devoted all of herself as an attendant, she also properly told about the joy of an attendant.
"Me too… someday… as a lover…" (Reese)
It seemed that Reese muttered it unconsciously, she held her mouth while her face turned red, but I clearly heard it.
She didn"t fall in love like Emilia who I rescued from despair, but she fell in love like a normal girl. So, her feelings of love was slowly developing as she being tempted by Emilia, but… she might got impatient because of the current situation.
"There is no need to rush, Reese. But… since Reese has heard from Emilia, will you be fine with me?" (Sirius)
"… Otherwise, I will not follow until here." (Reese)
"Is that so? I"m happy. If it"s about Reese, I…" (Sirius)
"Please wait a minute." (Reese)
I wanted to tell Reese my feelings again, but she interrupted while shaking her head.
"I"m happy, but please only look at Emilia today. Because it was a dream that she talked many times since she met you…" (Reese)
As she said that, she was smiling like a saint who blessed her best friend from the bottom of her heart. Although she herself said that she was a fake saintess, it would not feel weird to call her a saintess when she held that kind of tolerance.
When I thought about it, I felt rude if I confess my feeling like I did to Emilia. So for today, let"s just held the feelings and consent to what Reese had said.
"Besides… it is still within my limit, but if more than that…" (Reese)
Reese probably remembered about kissing my cheek in front of the cave, she was facing downward with reddened face. Although she proactively called it as a blessing of a saintess, it seemed that was the limit for the current Reese.
"Understood. Anyhow, please proceed through it slowly, according to Reese"s pace. Because I"ll be waiting." (Sirius)
"Eh!? Y-yes. Please… wait for me." (Reese)
If it would take too much time, I had planned to "attack" from here… but let"s stop for now.
As Reese grasping my hand, instead of my sleeve, she came smiling with dyed cheeks, and I also smiled back.
—
Before the evening came, they finally finished carving names on the tombstone.
The memorial monument was completed with the details of the disaster were engraved on the front side, and nearly one hundred names were engraved on the back side.
Nevertheless, I thought that they remembered well the names of many people. Was that because of the special characteristic of the silver wolf tribe which was deep camaraderie?
"You should inscribe at the end." (Garve)
"Nee-chan… I leave it to you." (Reus)
"Leave it to me." (Emilia)
Finally… the last sentences was engraved by Emilia"s hand, and the memorial monument was finally completed.
After we arranged the prepared dishes as offerings, we silently prayed in front of the memorial monument and mourned the dead.
I was an outsider but I had few words for both parents of Emilia and Reus, Felios-san and Rona-san.
It was my responsibility to make them happy.
When I vowed that in my mind and opened my eyes, the siblings and Garve stood up and bowed to me.
"Thank you. I can finally move on. Let alone meeting with my grandchildren, we could also make the grave, all thanks to you… Sirius. Once again, thank you." (Garve)
"Thank you very much, Sirius-sama." (Emilia)
"Thanks, Aniki!" (Reus)
Looking at the smiles from a family of silver wolf tribe, it was finally realized that everything was over.
And the last sentence engraved on the memorial monument was…
[To my family. I sincerely pray for your souls. XX-settlement, the last survivors.] (TLN: XX is name for the settlement, but the author didn’t specify the name.)
—
And then, we stayed in the settlement for several days.
The reason was to let Garve recovered the injuries completely. Originally, it won"t healed unless he had to rest for half a month, but because of my regenerative ability and Garve who originally had excellent self recovery, two days seemed to be enough to heal the fractures.
However, while I was training hand combats with Reus on the next day, there was also a scene where Emilia made Garve sit in seiza and gave a preach.
Incidentally, Emilia showed a calm composure on the next day, but she didn"t return to bother me. And I also didn"t prepare the meal on the following day. I was pleased with that excessive dedication, but since I would become no good, I persuaded to stop doing it after half a day.
Speaking of other thing that changed, it seemed that she came into my bed as before. Even if I said so, Emilia clung to my arm and just went to sleep.
We"re leisurely spending days, cleaning the settlement and making emergency rations.
After Garve was completely recovered, we prayed at the memorial monument again for the last time, and the left the settlement.
We followed the way from where we came to the settlement. We rested for a day at where we parked our carriage… and the time to bid farewell to Garve arrived.
Actually, I tried inviting him on our trip, but he refused since there were disciples and companions waiting for his return to the settlement. It seemed that he truly wanted to be with his grandchildren, but since it couldn"t be helped, he secretly told me.
We got on the carriage and returned the main road. And then, we faced Garve.
At first, we tried to sent Garve to the settlement, but he clearly said to say goodbye here.
He refused because we would make a detour if we sent him. If we headed north from here, there would be a big town with an arena. That was also his real attention, since it would be painful when saying goodbye if we were together more than this. Since he recognized Emilia and Reus as his grandchildren, it couldn"t be helped to see them as an adorable grandchildren. He completely fell in love with them.
"I"ll say goodbye here, but before that, I must apologize to Emilia and Reus." (Garve)
"Apologize… for what?" (Reus)
"That"s right. Did you do something, Ojii-chan?" (Emilia)
"Until the enemy was defeated, I didn"t honestly admit that you guys are my grandchildren. Although I said family… I showed a miserable appearance." (Garve)
As he started to see the siblings as grandchildren, the thing that changed the most was that he started to call the siblings by their name.
The siblings was puzzled because of Garve"s apology, but they soon smiled and approached him.
"We don"t really mind, and we properly understand Ojii-chan"s gentleness." (Emilia)
"Yes. When you said that you had showed a miserable appearance, that was because you saw us a family, right? Besides, Nee-chan this time is the most… hiiii!?" (Reus)
"Reus… let"s have a talk later. Anyway, you don"t have to apologize, Ojii-chan." (Emilia)
"…Thank you. I am happy to have good grandchildren. Please show me your face." (Garve)
Garve crouched a bit, he looked at the siblings" faces and narrowed his eyes.
"It was a short while, but it was a fun trip. Well, Reus…" (Garve)
"What is it, Jii-chan?" (Reus)
"Hold on to these." (Garve)
Garve suddenly took off the equipped mithril Tekkous and handed over to Reus. It wasn"t only the right side which was handed to his son, but both sides.
"You are a little short of defense. With these, it won"t become a hindrance when you hold the sword, right?" (Garve)
"But… these are Jii-chan"s weapon and Tou-chan"s memento…" (Reus)
Although it was use to hit something, this mithril Tekkou is originally an armor, so there seemed to be no problem for Reus to wear it while swinging the greatsword.
If this Tekkou which was made from a rare ore, mithril, it could easily cost dozens of gold coins, and Reus was surprised since Garve handed it out without hesitation.
"I think that it is best for you to have it now. It is a gift from me and Felios… please do not hesitate to receive it." (Garve)
"Jii-chan… thank you." (Reus)
Reus immediately put on the equipment, but it seemed that the Tekko were slightly bigger and he had to adjusted it. But Reus was still growing, and it would be perfect after a while.
Reus, who securely equipped the Tekko by adjusting the padding, was happily striking his fists many times.
"Sorry, I have nothing to give to Emilia." (Garve)
"I don"t want anything, but would you give me something else?" (Emilia)
"…Is it like this?" (Garve)
Emilia embrace Garve who slightly lowered his waist and lightly bit his shoulder.
"I have enough when there is Ojii-chan. So, please stay healthy until we meet again next time." (Emilia)
"Aah… yes. I have to see your growth more. Try to live long…" (Garve)
"Me too, Jii-chan!" (Reus)
Subsequently, Reus jumped to bit Garve and he had a face that looked like crying at any moment.
Still Garve somehow endured it, he finally stroked the siblings" heads and turned his back.
"Sirius and Reese. Take care of my grandchildren." (Garve)
"Aah, leave it to me." (Sirius)
"You don"t need to ask that." (Reese)
"…Thank you. Emilia and Reus. I will be looking forward to see you again." (Garve)
"Me too, Ojii-chan!" (Emilia)
"See you again, Jii-chan!" (Reus)
And then, Garve walked away without looking back.
We watched until his figured completely disappeared, and then we aimed for the next destination on the carriage.
With Reus polishing the Tekko, Emilia hugging my arms while sitting on the coach, Reese shyly holding my hand, the carriage moved forward.
The aim was to find a town with an arena. If the information was widely spread, there was no way for us to get loss.
Thus… our trip began again.
— Garve —
Emilia and Reus.
My grandchildren who I met for the first time were strong, and they had grown up. They were cute grandchildren and way too good for me.
It was lonely to separate from such grandchildren, but I couldn"t afford them when I was already old.
Besides… these kids had Hokuto, and above all, they had Sirius.
If there was such a guy who brought up my grandchildren, there was no need for me to be there. That was why I could send them out in peace.
Since I believed that I could meet my grandchildren again, I kept walking towards the settlement.
When I returned to the settlement where I was born and raised, everyone was pleased that I returned home safely.
I explained the situation of the settlement where my son lived to everyone. I also explained that I had built a memorial monument and had a proper mourning, and the people in the settlement had a relieved smile.
And I thought again that this was the place where I belong.
Although it was only a few days, there was only one changes of the situation in the settlement.
Just next to my house… there was a stone statue imitating Hokuto-sama made in the place where he often slept. The statue had one of its feet raised, it was said that if a child touched the foot, they would received the blessing from the Hundred Wolves.
The problem was that… food was occasionally put as an offering, didn"t he said that he had problem dealing with this?
—
Several days later… an incident occurred in the settlement.
"Garve-san! Akura is…!" (??) (TLN: The name in raw is アクラ)
Akura was the youngest boy among my disciples.
A few years ago… the husband of a young couple who lived in the settlement died one day protecting his son from monsters.
The left wife and son were very sad. The son who lost his father because of himself lamented his weak self. Although he still wanted to play, he became my disciple. That was Akura.
Even though I trained him hard, he had lost the enthusiasm… and apparently Akura turned to be a cursed child.
It was said that there was a cursed child for once in a lifetime, and by no means I had seen twice… No, I didn"t expect to see it three times.
When I came to the scene, Akura, who had a figure of a cursed child, attacked me while crying.
When one became a cursed child, they displayed a tremendous power, but his movement was clumsy because he was a child, it was easy to neutralize him.
While looking over the overthrown Akura… I looked at the surroundings.
Everyone… was sad, especially Akura"s mother. She was crying and hugging herself. It was her husband before this, and now the only remaining son would be killed by the law. So the sorrow was immeasurable.
Akura, who was completely unable to move after he received a single blow from me, was looking up at me while suffering from fear.
"No… I don"t want to die… I don"t want to die…" (Akura)
While watching the crying Akura who pinned down on the ground, the village head poked my shoulder.
"Garve-san… let me do it. This is the job for the village head." (Village Head)
"No… I"ll do it. " (Garve)
I lifted Akura"s body up, and I looked into his face which was crumpled with tears.
"No… if I die, Kaa-chan… will be alone." (Akura)
"Do you want to protect your mother?" (Garve)
"Because of me… Tou-chan is dead! That"s why… instead of Dad… I will protect… her." (Akura)
"If that"s the case… I will take care of you." (Garve)
I hugged Akura who had a figure of a cursed child, I rea.s.suringly stroked his back.
Although the surroundings were getting noisy because of my behavior, I explained that my grandson, Reus, was a cursed child. He had a complete control when he transformed. Sirius knew it and also trained him.
The surroundings reactions were not bad.
Sirius taught various things to everyone in the settlement and gained their trust. It seemed they recalled the cursed child, Reus, who was smiling innocently, and they were convinced.
"So, I will bring up Akura. If Akura becomes someone who kills our tribe… I will take responsibility for it." (Garve)
There was no objection.
Even though it was a law, I overlooked it… but everyone acquiesced in my readiness.
Originally, I didn"t want to kill my companion. This was probably an opportunity.
This was what I"d ask Sirius at that time and understood about it.
What I missed was… the readiness.
"But Garve-san, as the head, the law is…" (Village Head)
The village head couldn"t agree on the standpoint, since I was objected on the surface, I just rephrased what my grandchildren said.
"That rule is… nonsense." (Garve)
I let out those words with a smile.
The settlement after that moment…
Later… in the settlement of the silver wolf tribe, Akura brought up by Garve became the next head of the settlement.
And Akura"s mother, who had her son saved, served Garve from the bottom of her heart. They planned to have children after remarrying.
—
Extra/Bonus 1
The conversation which can"t be in the story. This bonus is a fiction. (Author)
"Uhmm, if Sirius-san is really h.o.r.n.y… and he wants it every day, what would you do if you can"t stand up?" (Reese)
"That"s a powerful love!" (Emilia)
"Yeah… that is so…" (Reese)
"Well then, what if Aniki hit and injures the one he likes?" (Reus)
"If it is Sirius-sama, whatever he does, I will change it to a pleasure." (Emilia)
"That is Aniki"s restricted ability!" (Reus)
"If Sirius is a woman… what would you do?" (Garve)
"I don"t mind it!" (Garve)
"""She accepted that!?""" (Reese/Reus/Garve)
Extra/Bonus 2
Presenting Hokuto
※Pin Pon Pin Pon…
I am very sorry, the "Presenting Hokuto" today will not appear.
The reason was Mr Hokuto"s schedule is too packed, as Sirius" pet… model… CM shooting… it is a proof that he is busy every day.
We deeply apologize to all for causing inconvenience.
That"s it… I got a comment from Mr Hokuto only for a word, so I will post it here.
"Woof!" (Hokuto)
…Translation?
That will be a word thought in everybody"s mind. (Newsreader)