Chapter 19 - "A destined encounter"

"But still what are you going to do now?" (Shun)

"Good question... I came here to punish bad bandit but I'm not really motivated enough now..." (Bobo)

"About that..." (Elivera)

As we were talking to each other Elivera suddenly interrupted us.

"There something strange about the merchant you mentioned, can you tell me the number of guards he had and the type of cargo?" (Elivera)

"Why? So you can go steal it?" (Bobo)

He looked at me as if to ask what to do, and since I found the fact that a simple merchant would ask for a werebear help strange, I nodded to tell him to answer her.

"*Sigh* Fine, from what I know he had at least around 10 guards and I couldn't see what was his cargo, as the carriage containing it was covered not leaving an open space to look inside." (Bobo)

"Dammit so that what it was. You were had, every normal merchants know I don't attack those with that much guards.  the poor merchant who asked for you help is a slave dealer. Since I came around here I never leaved any slave dealer alone to pass by here, I didn't expected them to be desperate enough to ask help from a werebear..." (Elivera)

"No way! The bastard! Let's go friend! We can't leave this bastard alone!" (Bobo)

Or so he told me, well I really don't like those fuckers of slave dealers, even if they are a legal business in this world, and Elivera not going to leave him alone before we can depart anyway.

"Fine let's go." (Shun)

"Boys! Let's go! We got ourselves a hunt!" Elivera ordered her band to move and followed us as we started to move.

Bobo was seriously furious, he ran through the forest slamming against anything in his path making it fly sideways, and we followed after him as he leaved a trail ,searching for the slave dealer using his werebear sense of smell.

After running for 5 minutes we finally arrived to a open road that was most likely the road most merchants use when they pass by here, only to fall prey to Elivera gang. Bobo then started to look around and finally pointed to the other side of the road while saying 'they coming from there!' as soon as he said that we could see silhouettes from afar coming from the direction he pointed to, it was a giant carriage that was surrounded by armed men on horses.

As they saw us they clearly looked shocked that the werebear was leading us to them. They screamed thing like 'the werebear betrayed us! To arms!' and drew their swords before taking their formation. A man who was most likely the slave dealer and was driving the carriage clearly got pale in the face when he saw that Elivera was there among us, and he ran behind the carriage to hide himself, to get cover from magic or arrows.

"Okay! You know how it's done! Leave everyone alive but only after a good beating!" (Elivera)

When she said that I looked at her annoyed, it's not like I have to listen to her anymore since we already have a deal, no way I leave them alone, that would only bite me in the ass in the future. I looked at Bobo and we nodded to each other.

We started to run at insane speed to the guards leaving Elivera and her gang behind, they would only be in the way. The guards horse panicked from seeing a giant brown werebear approaching them and started to try to ran away, it was the perfect distraction as the guards were now struggling to keep their horses under control. I jumped on one of the horse head and standing on it, hit the neck of the guard mounting it with the side of my open right hand, who was the only one I could use as I my left shoulder was still broken.

*CREAK*

It made a nasty sound as his neck broke and his head drop down on his shoulder with a weird angle.

Meanwhile Bobo send flying in the air a horse and guard together with a lariat to the poor beast neck, while he was of course shouting the technique name... What a weird but funny guy.

As I was looking at Bobo wrestling move, a man came from behind me and tried to stab my back with his sword, catching it with my bare hand I broke it's end and throw it at the head of my attacker, killing him before he even knew what happened as the broken end of his sword was now planted between his eyes. There was still 9 guards standing, this guy really didn't want to lose his cargo to engage this much guy, and well to me they not much but you can see they actually quite good.

I descended from the horse head that froze because of my bloodlust and took the sword from the one who was mounting it and was still usable, when holding it I felt, nothing... Shit so I really can't be satisfied with normal blade anymore uh? That weird to see that my relationship with blades is really alike one with women, well to me blade and women are almost the same thing... As I was looking at the sword two other guards come at me to avenge their comrades, the fools...

As they entered my range I slashed them with their horses in two fast strike that leaved a short blur behind, the heads of the horses and the upper body of the ones who was mounting them was now flying in the air with a face of shock as they didn't understood what I did.

Of course my sword broke from the strength I put behind my slash to cut the bones. Well it must have been quite a good sword as it didn't break at my first strike and was only chipped a little, but my second broke it into pieces as it leaved the body of the guard.

For the others guards Bobo took care of them in a comical way as he was doing a 'Giant swing' with a horse holding it by it's two back legs and was striking down every attackers that approached him with it. I didn't know a fight could be this funny and scary to watch as the same time... But as the soldiers fallen to the floor I broke their necks by stepping on it one by one as to make sure they are dead. By the time Elivera and gang finally arrived to the scene they were all dead, everyone but the slave dealer that was now trying to run away to the forest. Of course Bobo captured him before he can and was now holding him in a back-breaker hold.

"Kill him..." (Shun)

"Shun, don't you think you killed enough already?" (Bobo)

"He's right, even tough I said to kill nobody you killed everyone of them." (Elivera)

"So? If left alive they would have dumb thought of vengeance, also what we did was technically a crime, a werebear and a thief maybe don't care but it could become a problem for me latter." (Shun)

"*Sigh* Fine do whatever you want." (Bobo)

Said Bobo as he gave me the slave dealer.

"Wait! Wait! I give you everything I own just don't kill me! If you kill me you won't be able to open the magic lock!" (Slave dealer)

"Shut up." (Shun)

*CREAK*

I took hold of his head with a claw hand and twisted it to broke his neck. Breaking necks is becoming my signature move lately...

"Wait! What have you done?! Didn't you heard?! There a magic lock on the carriage how are we going to free them now?!" (Elivera)

I looked at Bobo and as he understood what I wanted, he walk to the back of the carriage and ripped the cover. Behind it was a metal cage with slaves inside, they all started to panic as they wondered what was happening and why their was a giant brown werebear just beside them.

"Don't worry I'm going to free you." (Bobo)

Said Bobo before literally tearing off the door who was locked, making Elivera the thieves and the slaves, eyes open wide from shock. The slaves received a double a shock as a werebear just talk to them in a gentle voice...

"You champions, are really ridiculous..." (Elivera)

Said Elivera looking fed up by all that was happening.

But even as the door was now open the slaves didn't move from where they were while shaking, I guess that they were afraid of Bobo, but the strangest thing is that they didn't go deeper inside the carriage, as if they were as afraid to go there than to go out where was the strange werebear. Curious I approached the carriage to see what was there, and found another cage inside it, it was a a small cage that was 3ft tall at most, and inside was a child.

I entered the carriage without a care and approached it but the slaves tried to stop me.

"Wait sir! You shouldn't approach 'it', it's a cursed Dragonkin!" (Random slave)

As he said that you could see the others slaves nodding at his words as if to confirm it. But I didn't care about his crap and continued to walk to the small cage. What I saw there was quite the sad sight, it was a little girl around 2 years old, she had only skin on her bones, but what was the most surprising was the two small horns that grew of her head, her longs ears, and the smalls scale that was growing on both her cheek.

But there was something that shocked me for another reason, she had white hair and cyan eyes with cat like pupils, if someone told me she came from my family I would seriously believe him. Still she's really a Dragonkin uh? I heard legend about it, long ago a clan of dragon hunters was cursed by the furious dragon god, or so they say, but I know that gods can't directly involve themselves with mortals, so they must be just another rare clan of Beastmen.

The little girl was quite scarred of me and was hiding in a corner of her cage while holding her knee. Those bastard, treating a goddamn child like that... But still isn't that a perfect situation for me? This girl is a god sent for me, she even look like me, she had the rare white hair that my father had and even had cyan eyes that I never seen before on anyone else but me, coming to a decision I approached the cage and broke the lock of her cage. As the door to her cage opened I took a step back to let her go out of it.

She was still afraid, but she came out, and having a hard time standing she looked at me with upturned eyes with tears in it wondering what going to happen to her, she seem to be quite an intelligent little girl for her age.

"What's your name?" (Shun)

I wasn't sure such a young girl could understand what I was saying, but still asked. And in answer she just shook her head as if to say she don't know or don't have one.

"Do you have parents?" (Shun)

Once again the shook her head, they must have died or she never knew them. But still she really understand all I say, is that because of my blessing or is she just that smart?

"Mmm... Then is that okay for me to give you a name?" (Shun)

Everyone in the carriage looked at me in shock as most understood what I meant. But the little girl looked at me tilting her head in a cute way, wondering what I meant.

"Ah yeah sorry you won't understand if I say it like that. I'm asking if your okay with becoming my daughter." (Shun)

As I said that I bent down to be at her eyes level. And I could see tears rushing in those very same eyes, it seem she understood I was serious and just ran to me to hug my leg, seeing that I couldn't help but felt a warm feeling growing in me, I took her off my leg and was now holding her in my arms, her head against my chest she was now bawling from relief as she found someone who wanted to adopt her, I gently pat her back with my disabled arm while thinking of a name for her.

In my country when I was Rick, dragon in our folklore were called wyrvern or hill dragon...

"Mmm... Let's see from now on your name is...  Wyndy. Yup sound good." (Shun)

Yeah I know... Not that original, a mix of wyrvern and Wendy, but I think it's cute and a good name for her.

"...... Thank you." ( Wyndy)

Oh, so she can talk after all.

She said that in small voice before snuggling against me, with a smile, finally calming down.

"Sir are you serious?! You intend to adopt this monster?!" (Random slave)

I turned around and started to emit a crazy amount of blood lust.

"Shut the fuck up and get out of here before I show how someone who is really cursed can be scary..." (Shun)

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

This girl is my family from now on, like I'm going to let someone call her a monster just like that, and I'm much more of a monster either way. As they sensed I was serious they started to ran away from the carriage not even minding the werebear that was looking warmly at the scene. But as they ran away Elivera stopped them to talk, it seem she was going to give them instructions as to what to do from now on. Not caring about those retards, I got out of the carriage, and as I did Bobo walked to me while smiling.

"Well me friend I didn't expect that from you! From the little I know of you, you didn't seem the kind to take care of orphans like that. And aren't you a little young to adopt?" (Bobo)

"Stop joking you know as well as me I'm not as young as my body is, also don't misunderstand I'm not the kind to adopt every orphans I see, it's just I recently learned that neither me or my wives could have a child recently, and since I came across this lovely little girl who could even pass for my blood, I took it as a great chance for us, that's all." (Shun)

"I see I'm sorry to hear that... But wait... 'Wives'?! You sure didn't lose your time since you were reborn..." (Bobo)

"Well it's kind of something that was destined to be... It's a long story..." (Shun)

As I was talking to Bobo I could felt a small and calm breath on my chest, it seem that  Wyndy fell asleep. How cute this little fellow is...

"Anyway, where are you going to go now Bobo?" (Shun)

"Mmm... Good question... I guess I travel this world and see what it has to offer." (Bobo)

"I see... I don't have a home for now but I should soon have one, if you want I can lent you a room then, but you would have to wait that I finish this mess with the new king." (Shun)

"I'm not really sure what you meant by mess with the new king, but I still have to refuse your offer, since I was given a second life I want to enjoy it as much as I could and learn of this world. Still, you have my thanks my friend, I hope our paths will cross once again one day, until then stay healthy." (Bobo)

Just like that Bobo walked away without turning around, what a manly bear that guy was. As I was looking at Bobo back Elivera came to my side.

"Not going to stop him? You seemed to really like him." (Elivera)

"No need, I know we see each other again." (Shun)

"Is that so? But anyway I didn't expect you to adopt a slave like that, you didn't seem the kind of guy to do that." (Elivera)

Again?! Is me doing that, really 'that' out of character?!

"I had my circumstance. No matter that, are you ready to move out? I want to go back to my wives as soon as I can." (Shun)

"Wait I did say we had a deal but isn't that too quick? AND MOST OF ALL YOU'RE ALREADY MAR... *Slap* Urgh!" (Elivera)

Seeing as she was shouting I slapped the top of her head before that dumbass woke up  Wyndy, hopefully it seem she was really exhausted as she was still sleeping peacefully not showing any sign of waking up.

"Sorry... But still, you never told me you were already married! And 'wives'? What the hell?" (Elivera)

"You remember the sword you said was making you sick? I'm 'kinda' married to her and the other one who was on my back at the time..." (Shun)

"..." (Elivera)

"..." (Shun)

"AREN'T YOU MORE OF A PERVERT THAN ME?!" (Elivera)

"Shut up! *Slap*" (Shun)

I slapped once again her head to make her shut up, and she was now holding it in pain while crouching on the floor.

"That hurt goddamn you!... But isn't that the truth?! You even call swords your wives how crazy are you?!" (Elivera)

"Elivera if you continue to yell like that I'm seriously going to rip your tongue out of you mouth." (Shun)

Understanding I was serious and was the kind of guy who could really do it, she put her two hands on her mouth as if to protect it.

"*Sigh* It's a pain to explain to you, so just know they also have a human form. But we're getting out of topic... I leave you a day to prepare, after that I take you with me by force if needed, we are going to a city to the south where the second prince is waiting." (Shun)

"Okay, okay. I do it. But still, a Prince uh? Eheheheh, I hope he's hot!" (Elivera)

Sorry but he's not a he, well since it will motivate her to move faster I won't tell her that.

Since the carriage and the horses still alive could be useful to travel we took them with us to the lair, well at least until the front of the path that was hidden by rocks as we couldn't take them further, I still had Wyndy in my arm as we walked still not showing any sign of waking up, I even started to fear she was actually sick. But it was misplaced fear as she finally woke up when night came, I was sitting on the couch in Elivera bedroom still holding her in my arms, and the first thing she did was hug me with all her strength as if to verify I was still there.

"Uh... Mister... Dreaming?" (Wyndy)

As you could expect from a toddler she still had a hard time to talk fluently but it still was impressive for her age. Even more when you know she most likely never had anybody teach her.

"Not mister, call me, let's see... Papa!" (Shun)

Yeah... I don't know why but I really wanted her to call me that. Good thing nobody was here to see me say that...

"Papa?" (Wyndy)

HOLY HELL! So cute!What is that?! That the first time I felt like that, it's like my heart is literally melting.

"You're so goddamn cute!" (Shun)

As I said that I hugged her back and was now caressing her cheek with mine while smiling, she started to laugh joyfully at the sensation. And as I was enjoying her cuteness I suddenly felt a gaze on me, as I turned my head slowly while starting to sweat, there, I saw Elivera who was grinning... Shit...

"Puahahahah! I didn't expect you to be that kind of father! That was quite the sight... Pa-pa." (Elivera)

Urgh! As expected of such a pervert she know quite well how to hide her presence...

"*cough**cough* Well... What can I say, she's just really cute and couldn't help myself..." (Shun)

That not really a good excuse is it? No, it's not...

"Is that so? Then for this cute child and her 'Papa' here are dinner." (Elivera)

Saying that she handed me, two big bowl of soup with pieces of bread. A typical poor dinner to say the least, for me who was born with into a good family, that don't really look that appetizing, but since I didn't eat anything for a long time that still didn't stop me from wanting to eat it. As Elivera was sitting in front of us inside the chair with her own bowl I put Wyndy on my knee and handed her, her bowl with a spoon inside.

But as I did she looked up at me like she wanted something.

"Papa... Can I eat?" (Wyndy)

"Uh? Of course you can, you don't have to ask me." (Shun)

"Um!" (Wyndy)

She nodded happily and grabbed her spoon in a awkward manner, as she tried eating with it, soup fell from it before it could reach her mouth, staining her already dirty one-piece.

"Ah! Sorry!" (Wyndy)

Seeing as she also stained my pants she looked at me in panic clearly afraid to have done something really bad and being punished for it.

"Don't worry about something like that, you don't know how to use a spoon?" (Shun)

"... No... Always ate with hands..." (Wyndy)

Ahhh... I didn't think of that, she's a slave most likely since she was born it's no wonder she don't know how to use a spoon. I put my bowl aside on the couch and took her spoon from her hand.

"Then I'm going to feed you myself okay? I teach you how to hold it later." (Shun)

"Um!" (Wyndy)

She nodded once again while being all smile and opened cutely her mouth like would a baby chick.

"Ahhhhh." (Shun)

"Ahhhhh...*Glup*" (Wyndy)

She sure get attached to me quickly, well not that I can talk as I am now really fond of the little girl myself. Elivera just looked at us with a warm smile while she was eating. After half a hour I finally finished feeding Wyndy and was able to eat my own share... It was... Cold...

But still my vitality also increased recently, is it because I got my third soul? I mean I didn't sleep for almost a week and still don't felt any exhaustion... Well there that, but also the presence of a beast who is after my body don't allow me to get sleepy. But it's not Wyndy case who was once again sleepy after having a full tummy.

"I guess it's time to sleep uh?" (Shun)

"If you want you can take the bed, I have a lot of thing to prepare anyway." (Elivera)

"Like we gonna sleep on this! I don't want Wyndy to catch some S.T.D when she's this young!" (Shun)

"What, es tee dee?" Asked me innocently Wyndy.

"Something that doesn't concern you for the next hundred years." (Shun)

I seriously pity the man who would want to marry my daughter as he going to have to pass through me...

"Hey! Don't teach weird thing to your one daughter!" (Elivera)

"It's your fault you goddamn pervert! There no way I sleep in a bed where I can't even start to imagine what you do to those boys! We take the couch, it be good enough!" (Shun)

"Do whatever you want!" (Elivera)

On those word Elivera clearly pissed at my attitude and treating her like the filthy thing she his, got out of the room after slamming the door.

"Fighting... bad..." Wyndy scolded me with sad eyes.

"Don't worry this thing is of no concern to us. Let's sleep okay?" (Shun)

"Um!" (Wyndy)

She nodded and hugged me as I was lying down the couch, and before I knew it she was sleeping on my bare chest, inside my sleeveless shirt that she was using as a blanket her little head popping out at my neck and using my scarf as a pillow.

So cute...

But still there is something troubling me... A lot of things happened recently who was too convenient for me... If we go back, a lot of strange coincidence happened that was really good for me, for starter Mysty, she was out of her dungeon in a abandoned manor near home and I found her conveniently after my sister asked me to go search the said manor. That at least, I can accept it as Ymylfana choosing my family knowing full well that Mysty was near them.

But then after that, there was this same scarf my daughter is using as a pillow, if I didn't get this divine item on a weak monster in the dungeon, then I would have been killed by the goddamn octoman thing. Isn't that too convenient?! But what happened today convinced me, I can accept the fact I found Elivera lair easily as luck or because of my sharpened senses. But the fact that Bobo appeared right at the moment I needed him to appear, is too much of a coincidence, that, and my encounter with Wyndy who is a little girl who look like me, is know as cursed, and have something close to immortality, when me and my wives were depressed we couldn't have a child, is just too much to impute on luck only.

But who would do this, or more than anything 'could' do this? The guardian of the wind was clear that the gods couldn't directly involve themselves with mortals, so it can't be a god. And a champion won't be able to do that much... A guardian? But that not possible, aren't all the guardians sealed into cursed blades? Well since whatever do that is on my side and I won't be able to guess with the clues I have on hands, no use to ponder on it to much...

On those thought I slowly fell asleep while enjoying the warmth of the little girl resting on my chest with a beautiful smile on her face...

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Next chapter, Setsuna and Mysty do some 'shopping'! Stay tuned!