Vonda pulled up her scarf as she hid her smile, stifling her laughter from Adam’s tale. “I saw how wise your daughter was, but it seems she is more intelligent than I realised.”

“What am I to do, Vonda?” Adam replied, letting out a soft sigh.

“She will cause you such great trouble.”

“It’s one thing for a son to be smart, but daughters? That’s completely different. It’s so much… scarier, you know? There’s a reason why everyone was afraid civilisation was going to be destroyed when women were finally able to be free.”

Vonda furrowed her brows, though noting the way Adam struggled to keep in his laughter, understood it was probably the funniest joke he had said thus far. She began to piece Adam’s story together whenever he slipped up and made his jokes, though he still kept much of his background a secret.

“It’s a good thing Konarot and Kirot haven’t acted up, otherwise I’d be in serious trouble.” Adam sipped his tea, feeling the warmth against his tongue. “Raising children alone sure is tough.”

Vonda remained silent. ‘Shall I…’ She pulled her scarf up further, her burnt jaw and neck long covered by the scarf, but this time she hid her flush. She shifted slightly, turning to face the children, who were napping in the corner.

“Well, I suppose I’m not alone.” Adam’s eyes fell across the scene, his various aunts and uncles cooking and watching over the children. It was the Rot family’s turn to cook that week, so bread was baked and boar was boiled. “I’ve got my family, and my friends, helping me out.”

“Of course.” Vonda’s eyes smiled towards the half elf.

‘Though, I really should find someone else to help raise them. They’ll grow up well with everyone, but…’ Adam sighed. ‘A child should have two parents still, even if they’re being raised by their extended family.’

In another corner, Dunes drank with Jurot and the others, informing them of the tale against the undead threat. “That boy you trained is so terrifying.”

“Yes,” Jurot stated, nodding his head. “He has learnt our way well.”

“You should keep your wits about you, otherwise he might be able to defeat you.”

“Without Phantom I would struggle against him.”

“You would?” Dunes asked, Jurot nodding to confirm. ‘I’m surrounded by monsters.’ He caught Jaygak’s eye, and the pair sighed together, before raising their cups of wine. Dunes eventually caught the sight of Adam and Vonda. It was a good enough excuse not to speak with him, but if he didn’t, Amira would certainly tease him for it.

Sir Vonda noted the appearance of the Aswadian, and upon seeing the look in his eyes, she excused herself, allowing the pair a moment alone. Dunes sat across from Adam, where Sir Vonda had been sitting, and he bowed his head towards Adam.

“Dunes, Dunes, Dunes,” Adam said, nodding his head. “Heard you went to have some fun without me.”

“Was I the only one?” Dunes replied, his green eyes accusatory, but he let the matter go almost immediately. “Don’t even joke about anything, I’m sure it’s a secret of the Iyr.”

“You have no idea.” Adam poured the dark skinned man some tea, before he leaned back into his seat. “Did you hear about what happened?”

“What?”

“Jirot bullied me.”

“I heard,” Dunes confirmed. “Jaygak couldn’t stop laughing when she spoke of it.”

“I was wondering why she was laughing so hard…” Adam glared towards the Iyrman for a moment. ‘Should I beat her up?’

Dunes waited awkwardly. Speaking of Jirot, the goblin girl who he had tried to kill, had caused his heart to sink. ‘How shameless can I be?’ “Adam.”

“Yeah?”

“I wish to marry.”

Adam coughed against the cup, an instant away from sipping the smooth liquid. “What?”

“I intend to court Amira for the year and propose near its end with a scarf. I will need to leave to South Port or East Port, for there may be a scarf there that should be satisfactory. The symbols I intend to use are typical, so there will be someone selling a scarf with such symbols.”

“Symbols?” Adam asked, unsure what this scarf business was about.

“A large family, one which worships Lady Arya, and a life of fortune. They’re common for those from Aswadasad and Black Mountain, so there will be someone selling such a scarf.”

“I see…” Adam flashed a smile, before raising his cup. “Here’s to you, my friend.”

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Dunes raised his cup, before he sipped it slowly, but he could not taste its sweetness. “I have a favour to ask of you.”

“Yeah?”

“Would you be willing to allow me to incur a debt with you?” Dunes asked.

“A debt? What kind?” Adam replied, unsure why Dunes was speaking so formally.

“I wish to present her a Greater Enhanced blade.”

Adam whistled. “Now that’s a gift! What do you want it to do?”

Dunes sat before Adam awkwardly. He reached up to rub his head, feeling how sweaty he had become. “I do not know. Perhaps it could be similar to my own?”

“Deals more damage, choose to strike true, gain health when striking true?” Adam asked, trying to recall the statistics for Dunes’ Sword’s.

“Yes. It has treated me well, and with such a blade, I would feel reassured.” Dunes’ cheeks flushed slightly.

“Sure.”

“I have saved up coin from our adventures, though I am uncertain if it is enough,” Dunes admitted. “If I had remained to bet on you during the tournament, perhaps I would have had enough.”

Adam waved his hand. “Look, you don’t have to…” ‘No, he won’t just not pay for it. It’s a gift to his future wife after all…’ “Pay for the gems and I’ll deal with the rest.”

“How can I pay so little?”

“We’re friends who have gone through quite a lot together, Dunes,” Adam stated, raising his cup of tea. “Just you wait until you can cast… ah, right. I don’t think you’re allowed to go above Fourth Gate spells, right?”

“Since I am a member of the Order of Black Mountain, I am able to aim for Fourth Gate spells,” the Aswadian confirmed. “If I was in Aswadasad and worshipped Noor, I could request a Mawhi for the ability to gain greater powers, but as a follower of Lady Arya, it is more difficult.”

“Damn…” Adam continued to sip his tea as he thought. “Maybe I should teach you enchanting then?”

“What?”

“What?”

“You would teach me enchanting?”

“Sure,” Adam replied. “I would rather you help with teaching my children, but you’re a dependable guy. If something happens to me as the business gets up and running, it would be nice if you had the ability to enchant, just in case.”

“…”

“Wait, no, since you’re a man of war, you’d probably want to go out and fight. Should I give Vonda the ability to enchant?”

“It has truly been too long, I’ve forgotten how crazy the things you say are…”

“Well…” Adam sipped the last of his tea awkwardly, before he filled his cup of tea once more. “I’m not sure you’ll believe what I can do now.” Adam waved his hand dismissively, noting the look in Dunes’ eyes. “Anyhow, I’m annoyed that you can’t learn greater spells. I would have preferred if you could learn Fifth Gate spells, same with Sir Vonda, though Seventh Gate spells would be best.”

Dunes wondered why Adam picked those two in particular. ‘Which spells are within the Fifth Gate and Seventh Gate?’

“Either way, if you want me to secretly unlock more strength for you, let me know.” Adam winked, smirking wide.

“That would be too dangerous, Adam,” Dunes replied, almost breathless. He had no doubt Adam would be able to do something that ridiculous.

“Will you say the same thing once you have adorable kids like me?”

“Would you learn Fifth Gate spells to protect them?”

“Fifth Gate spells?” Adam replied, pouring himself another cup of tea. “Never mind Fifth Gate spells, I’d learn Tenth Gate spells.”

“There is no such thing as Tenth Gate spells,” Dunes replied, uncontrolled relief filling his body. He caught Adam’s eyes and frowned. ‘Stop provoking the gods, Adam.’ “Why are you so scary?”

“I’m not scary. There are plenty of things scarier than that.” Adam’s smirk faded. His eyes trailed towards his children. Three half dragons, two goblins, one demon. A darkness settled within his heart.

‘I should make an item that slows ageing.’ Adam was certain goblins could age at twice the rate of typical humans and other races. ‘I, as their father, should die before them…’

“Have you thought of marriage?” Dunes asked.

“Me? Yeah…” Adam shrugged his shoulders.

“An Iyrman?”

“I don’t think I could.”

“What of those who are not Iyrmen?”

“Like who?”

“Brittany.”

“No, no,” Adam replied, almost wincing at the thought. “Brittany is a great gal and all, but she’s like… I don’t know. She’s more like a younger sibling or something, you know?”

“What of Sir Vonda?”

“Vonda? I’m not good enough for someone like the grand Sir Vonda, whose both a noble and someone who is from the most prestigious order across all the lands. No offence.”

Dunes bowed his head, relenting to the greatness of the Order of Life’s Rose. “She plans on giving up her noble title this year.”

“She does?”

“She did not tell you?”

“She probably didn’t have enough time because I was gushing over my children.”

“Understandable.”

“I suppose if she’s giving up her nobility, I should probably think about it. How could I live with myself if my children’s mother was a noble? After how much I say I didn’t like them?” Adam cleared his throat. ‘I mean, I was a duke, but that doesn’t count because I’m no longer a duke.’

“You’ll joke even now about such a matter?”

Adam smiled. “I’ll find someone, I’m sure. Vonda, Sir Vonda, probably isn’t interested in the likes of me. I mean, look at me. I’m handsome, sure. I have the most adorable children, undoubtedly. I still hide behind my humour, and I’m probably the most cringe person in the world.”

“I have known some who are cringer than you.”

“I think it’s cringier, actually? Did you see how cringe that was? I corrected you on the pronunciation, isn’t that more cringe?” Adam shook his head. “I’m useless, Dunes.”

“If you are useless, then what am I?”

“You’re a handsome fellow from the Order of Black Mountain, an Expert with magic, and a follower of Lady Arya. If Amira doesn’t marry you, I might.”

“I thought you were not into men?”

“I’m not, it’s a compliment. I’m suggesting that you are so amazing, I might be gay for you, even though I am not into men.”

“Ah,” Dunes replied, recalling how the Iyrmen would speak of strength. ‘Perhaps he really is an Iyrman?’

“Anyway, I’ll find someone who’ll accept my children one day, and then I’ll go from there. I’m a lucky guy, so it shouldn’t take too long.”

Dunes remained silent about the matter, his eyes quickly glancing towards Sir Vonda apologetically, unable to defeat Adam’s denseness. “Thank you again for assisting me with the blade, Adam.”

“Any time.”

“I will repay the debt.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Didn’t you tell me that our relationship was transactional?” Dunes asked.

“You’ve already agreed to joining the business, so I’ve got to look after you,” Adam replied, waving his hand dismissively again. “Plus, it’s not like you’re a nobody. You’re my friend, Dunes, which means more to me than you knowing great spells, or that you’re from a prestigious order with the oldest temple to the Goddess of War, so on and so on.”

Dunes smiled.

“Anyway, if you do want me to awaken your enchanting ability, let me know,” Adam said, sipping his tea. “I recently gained the ability to enchant three weapons passively at a time.”

Dunes blinked. ‘Excuse me?’