"Of course, I understand he's your father," Silvana continued, "but I don't think this is the typical blindness of a child, is it?"

"Does it even matter?" Helen asked.

"No, I suppose not. I'm not interested in your lives, only in what you can do for me." She shrugged. "It's better to be realistic and maintain a strictly mutually beneficial relationship."

Helen might not have understood why Max wanted to keep it a secret when he had said it loud and clear in Ethos, but she wouldn't screw it up. She would keep her mouth shut.

Max didn't like how Silvana was trying to pry information out of the girl, even though she knew how "his wife" had died and how he had barely managed to save Helen from the same fate. That should have been enough to justify his trust, his blind faith. And yet, she was still digging for more.

He wasn't even entirely sure Silvana had bought the story that they were father and daughter. He was quite young and looked it. Of course, this didn't mean it was impossible for him to have a daughter Helen's age. He had never asked her age, but he would have to lie if she did, adding at least three or four years to his own.

But then again, who knows.

He didn't look like a warrior either, with his soft body and no scars, but here he was, trusted with the most important part of the plan.

Also the most dangerous.

He wasn't experienced in all this madness, in having to risk his life for no reason. Death fights had always been things that happened in the news and in fiction for him. He hadn't even had a reason to throw a punch. Not a single fight in his life until now, not even against those who had asked for it. Seriously.

But he wasn't stupid.

If they succeeded, they would pat him on the back. But if they failed, the only thing they would regret would be Helen's fate. Besides, it was only the most important part of the plan if the elves failed. It was possible they could defeat the orcs even without that maneuver.

He wasn't going to protest, however. He would do his job, they would pay him for saving Helen, and then he would leave. It wasn't all bad, after all, he would become stronger.

"We should leave you to your fate," Helen spat, "but I'll do what Dad wants."

Wow, what was that? She wanted to protect her people and kill orcs, maybe more the latter than the former, so where had that come from?

"I'm glad you're such a good daughter, then," Silvana replied.

Max clenched his fist. Was he going to let her get away with it?

Was he going to allow this? Let her go unpunished? After that taunt, that unfunny sarcasm? No. But he also shouldn't act as if violence were his first response to every problem. Not out of fear of losing Helen's love, but out of fear she would learn the wrong lesson.

"Don't ever talk to her like that again," Max said. "Never."

Silvana raised an eyebrow. He didn't like that either. Another sign she didn't take him too seriously. However...

"Alright, alright. Don't get so worked up. It's not that big a deal."

Silvana crossed her arms and looked away. Even if she didn't mean it, that meant she was submitting for now, bowing her head to him, acknowledging she had done wrong. He would settle for that, at least for the moment.

"You'd better," Max said. "Don't think I'll hesitate. If I have to renounce the deal, if you do something stupid and I'm forced to fight my way out, I will. Don't underestimate me."

"I already said alright, for God's sake. Besides, don't worry, the last thing I would do is underestimate a human."

Max laughed half-heartedly.

"Well, alright, we'll make a good team, at least for now."

Max and Silvana shook hands.

——

Silvana had been expecting danger today, but nothing happened all afternoon. So they returned to the cabin empty-handed. It was already getting dark. He thought all he had left to do was take off his armor, lie down on the bed, and try to fall asleep. That there were no more, there couldn't be any more complications. He turned out to be a damn fool.

While he was taking off his armor and changing clothes, Helen found a way to get into trouble. Well, it wasn't fair to say that, but...

"Get out of the way, half-breed, you bitch!"

It was hard to feel charitable having to run outside without the protection of his armor. And the sword sheathed in one hand, the belt flapping and hitting his thigh as he ran. In his mind, he told himself, "How could I have been so stupid to lose sight of her, damn idiot, brainless piece of shit?" That's what he told himself, even though the voice that insulted her was a child's. Still, his heart raced, screaming danger.

How could it not? As soon as he stepped out, he saw Helen lying on the ground, in the sand, with a red mark on her cheek. That little bastard had slapped her, he had dared to slap her. Max saw red instantly.

Children could be innocent. But innocence went hand in hand with cruelty. Yes, animals devoured each other with utmost innocence. Natural instinct, that is, the innocent human being, uneducated, was nothing more than a damn animal. That was obvious, and that little elf, son of a bitch, that little shit, stood between the kids. He knew it wasn't a good idea, he knew it wasn't the time or place, but he had slapped her.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"So, what are you doing, human scum?"

The damn kid. There was a chance for a retort, because Max kicked him in the mouth. Part of him felt a little bad seeing him fall, spitting blood and a piece of tooth. Part of him, but to be honest, a very small part. He wondered if the war cry had activated. If this counted enough as a fight. Helen's happiness was definitely a matter of life or death for him.

"Animal!" shouted an adult elf.

It might have been his father, his older brother, or some completely unrelated bastard. In any case, the bastard ran towards him and lunged at him. Without the weight of the armor, he managed to push him back, though not knock him down. Not that. He was proud he managed to stand his ground. He hit him several times with the sword on his back. Of course, without unsheathing it. On the fifth hit, the elf fell at his feet, writhing and whimpering in pain.

"What a drama queen, the damn bastard. Your son or whatever the hell he is. For your information," Max said, "he started it, you bastard son of a bitch. If anyone dares to lay a finger on her again, if anyone even dares to think about it..."

Max placed a hand on the hilt of his sword. But he didn't unsheathe it. He restrained himself. It was no longer necessary. He was ruining everything. But he restrained himself. He had never felt so angry in his life. But there was no need for anyone to die here and now.

Another adult elf approached him, carrying a spear he twirled in his hands. As if he thought he was some damn circus performer. Impressive moves, but what did they have to do with killing or dying? He just seemed like a stupid, but handsome, guy who could be in some modeling magazine. Nothing between the ears. That is...

Not a threat.

"Valandor, what do you think you're doing?" protested an elven woman, though she stayed back in the crowd. "When Silvana finds out about this..."

"Silvana can suck my damn dick. I'm not going to stand by with a human among us, thinking he's so important, so untouchable, that he can do this to one of us, to a damn kid. Besides, it's the perfect opportunity to show Silvana we don't need him."

Valandor assumed a fighting stance.

"Come on, fight."

Max dropped his sword on the sand. He could see Helen looking at him out of the corner of her eye. He wasn't sure what was going through her head.

"Fight, coward. Unlike you, I won't hit someone defenseless."

"The damn kid started it," Max said. He wasn't going to bite his damn tongue. He had had enough of that.

And, well, he hadn't really seen anything. But he was sure of it. Helen was fine, but that little shit had slapped her. He was lucky Max had only kicked him.

"Damn animal. All humans are the same," Valandor lunged at him.

With the spear leading the way. And he had no weapon. By choice. He had bare hands. But so what? Did it matter in the slightest? And what the hell did that mean?

Max dodged about a dozen attempts to hit him. Then, to make the message even clearer, he grabbed the spear and broke it in half over his knee.

"Next will be your back if you don't control yourself, asshole," Max said.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Helen getting up from the ground. Unlike the damn kid Max had kicked in the mouth, who was still lying on the ground as if he were afraid to move an inch in his presence.

"Dad," Helen said, "this isn't necessary."

"Helen, sweetheart," Max said, "they don't have to call you a half-breed, they don't have to hit you. I won't let anyone hurt you, anyone."

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me, it's my duty."

"But it really isn't necessary," Helen continued. "Really."

Max shrugged.

"It's not just up to me," he said finally. "It's also up to this pretty boy who wants to play the hero."

The elf, indeed, played the hero. He lunged at him, but he seemed to be moving in slow motion. Max was above him, far above him. He could feel the power of the skill, the war cry flowing through his veins, boosting his stats, making him faster and stronger than ever, now that he was truly in a life-or-death situation.

So he never had a chance to win. Max easily knocked the asshole down, sweeping his legs and then kicking him in the mouth. Sooner or later, life gives you one and then another anyway, he thought.

He was starting to like it. He had to admit it. Not only did he feel alive. Capable of going wherever he wanted and doing whatever he wanted. Well, within a limit, again. He felt superior. He had to admit it. Unstoppable and larger than life.

Even before his illness, he had been a relatively ordinary person. Some talent here and there, but nothing necessarily outstanding. This feeling of superiority as he looked at two guys lying at his feet and heard the little elf crying. Though not very loudly. This wasn't right. It wasn't. But it was something new for him. An exciting rush.

Silence had fallen. Of course. He had defeated those guys. He had proven them wrong in thinking they could mess with him. He was on top of the world. It was only natural.

"If anyone else has something to say, come and say it to my face. If not, tuck your damn tails between your legs and listen to Silvana, because she's the boss for a reason." Max bent down to pick up his sword. Then he took Helen's hand. "Come on, kid. Let's go."

They returned to the cabin. Fortunately, without anyone else getting in their way.

"I'm sorry," he said as soon as the door closed behind them. As soon as it was safe. He had instinctively understood it wasn't in his best interest to apologize in public. "I know I went too far. But when I saw you lying on the ground, slapped, I didn't realize..." Max shook his head. "I love you, Helen."

Max lowered his head a little. Thoughtful.

"I know too... Mr. Max, but that could have... It might still bring a lot of trouble down on us. I just... I just worry about you. That's all."

"I know. I know. I think there's something wrong with me, really."

I think there's something inside me, he thought. Something different. That part was better left unspoken. The girl already had enough to worry about.

"Silvana might ignore this because necessity demands it. She might feel compelled to react for honor's sake, so no one questions her leadership. It's true. I shouldn't have done that."

"It didn't even hurt much, Mr. Max. Besides, he was right. I'm a half-breed."

He wasn't her father. But her father had also been a human.

"Yes. It's an ugly word, Helen," he said finally. "I've never heard it spoken with respect."

Helen looked away. She crossed her arms.

"I know. But I'm not ashamed. I am what I am. And..."

Max knew maybe he should shut up, because he wasn't going to like the rest of her answer. But of course, he didn't shut up.

"Besides, I'm used to it," Helen finished. "The way other kids looked at me or Mom since I was little..."

Helen sighed and said nothing more.

"I'm here," Max said. "I won't abandon you. Now you have a place where you belong."

The little girl hugged him without words, and of course, he returned the hug.

"One day, Helen, you'll have much more than a place. You'll be able to give yourself everything you want, whenever you want and however you want. You won't lack for anything."

"Aha," she murmured against his chest.

He supposed that was to be expected, as if it were common sense. And maybe it was. It shouldn't be hard for a god's champion to end up in a situation like that. But Max was going a step further. He aspired to much more than that, and nothing had changed. He didn't want the crumbs of a capricious god.

One day he would sit on the throne, and then he could give Helen everything she wanted. Secure their lives without problems. Once he sat on the throne, everything would be part of the spoils of war. Ha, ha, ha.