After finishing my business in the Boreas manor, I went straight to the adventurer guild to send the letters to Millishion; one to Latria household (I wish it never reaches). And the other one to Theresse Latria, Zenith's little sister she started talking back to her right before we left Millis continent, she sent a letter to her.
As an apology, I tried to search for anything to buy in my way home. I bought some fishes, some papers to prove to Zenith, I'm going to help Rudi in being literate and finally I bought her some seasoning herbs. (I hope she likes them and I will try to make her forget all what happened especially the promise to end it all).
When I was leaving the plaza I found one of the stalls selling some training swords and some blunt iron swords so I bought two of each. (And somehow that's also made me bought some fishes on my way home because, when I was leaving for the second time I found new merchants just putting his new merchandise, fresh fishes that I bought some of them immediately).
On the way back to home I was preparing the right apology for both Rudi and Zenith for Rudi it's simple I will tease him first then maybe rank him early beginner level in Sword God Style. (He will master it soon anyway he is my son).
As for Zenith maybe I will figure it tonight in the bedroom I got my ways of impressing her. (That's if she didn't punish me today on that too).
(1st of 6th month of the year 409K).
Today is the day me and Zenith had already talked for long in the night to make the perfect plan, to fix my mistake about the forest hunt and to see who will we take and who will we leave. We agreed for Reeves we will take Mr Smith, Bragg and young Pete. And as for hunter we will take all of them and we will make their wives come with them to handle cooking and support things like washing and sewing the torn clothes. (This one is special case because of how ridiculous me and Laws were looking last time). Also this way the meat will be going fully to the villagers and that will be increasing the hunters earnings many of them told me in secret that the 30% of the hundred monster we killed last time were too much. And this many was needed in the winter and they asked me next time I want to negotiate something send either Mr Smith or Zenith. Because they are better than me in that department.
(I was tempted to ask they meant the intelligence department or negotiation department, but kept my mouth shut because my dignity already on a verge being lost in the village and I don't want to lose it too).
That's for our village as for other three villages we need I expected all of them to be loyal to Philip or uncle Sauros. But one of the villages loyal to Philip withdraw from the hunt because on this time of the year, they start harvest the plants and flowers. (Which made me remembers our harvest season is the next month and maybe this time Rudi will join us).
So as alternative or we didn't agree but the Green Creek village's knight told us he would participate him and his villages Reeves and hunters all of them. Leaving his village unguarded. (He is way more worse than what Mr Smith told me).
In search for glory and easy money he is sacrificing the villagers in his village's safety, and Philip had just warned us that bandits increased in the area these days too.
When Philip realised there is no hope in making him retreat from joining us in the exhibition. He warned me from him the most, he told me our death will be in his hands. Because he is searching for the fastest way to ascend ranks and the best way to do so is to gain a favour from Philemon.
So we decided to make the best solution is to fight in two teams our team with Stonehaven Village village and Green Creek will team up with the other village.
Now after reviewing with Zenith how the day will start we will all meet at the village council hall or at Mr Smith's house. Because even before I came to the village, he was deputy chief of the village and now he is the village elder.
Where we will inform everyone about the plan for exhibition and the new orders from Philip. (It was Philip suggestion to not inform anyone about the plan except in the last minute to make sure we are safe from any betrayals from the villagers of Buena or at the very least any mouth slips from any of the villagers to the wrong person).
After getting out of the room to smell the delicious aroma of the breakfast. I went ahead and took a seat delaying the morning training with Rudi after the breakfast. (Now I think about it, where is Rudi? Is he still asleep? If he is still asleep I will tease him).
My answer reached me by Zenith calling him from training. (Well the boy got his father's spirit, activity and of course my hardworking).
"I'm glad he is born hardworking and love training like me." When I'm said this I found the three of them looking at me like I said something strange. Then Rudi and Zenith chuckled very loudly and Lilla were holding back her best.
"Paul, correct me if I'm wrong did you say. You the one who never trains, except when someone embarrasses you say you're hardworking in training." (What is she talking about I'm training daily to be stronger? And that's what they answer me with?)
"I'm training every day to be strong or you will ignore those." I said while flexing my arms.
"Your training is too bad that you didn't realise your right side is wider than your left side making you unbalanced." Rudi said while drink the milk in his stew. (That made me look at my two arms is muscles and he wasn't lying my right side bigger by a little bit than my left side).
But when I did this Zenith went for another set of laughter of me surprised of something too obvious and needed Rudi to tell me about it. (Okay little rascal today I will attack you with full power and let's see what you can do about it).
The training was harder today even thought it was for two hours but that's not my opinion that's Rudi's face is saying I made him hold the grip of one our blunt decoration is swords and while he was holding it attacked him with long sword of silence he barely left the sword and dodged it by ducking but that's made me win in a second.
He pouted at me and told me using full power is not fair when he can't do the same. I just answered by maybe my unbalanced muscles gave me advantage.
He just muttered under his breath something like. "You muscles aren't the only unbalanced thing. I'm pretty sure your head is missing a thing or two." I'm not sure what he means by that.
After I finished the bea– training with Rudi I sent him to rest but before we left the house I found Rudi hugging Zenith like a kid who wants something and doesn't want to leave it.
"Mommy, please! May I go with you?" Said Rudi with puppy eyes while hugging Zenith leg very tightly not leaving her any way of removing him.
"You know we can't take you with us Rudi, you are still very young and we are going to fight monsters. But don't worry me and your father used to be S-ranked adventurers." She patted her head at first then kissed his forehead when she said we are going to fight monsters and flexed with her arm at the last part. But when she realized that's not working, she gave me a pleading look to join and help her.
"Listen, Rudi your mother and I used to be strong adventurers, these weak monsters over there are no threat to us. But a weakling dainty little princess like you will be eaten in a second." At first he was just pouting and agreeing to leave Zenith gradually but after I said the monsters are weak he gave me a disgusted face while rolling his eyes, like he is saying. (Arrogance are first door to death). But when I said he is dainty little princess he ran toward me and started punching and kicking me. (Man I love teasing him and his attacks are more like tickles).
"Hey little princess can you stop tickling me." I said while winking to him which provoked him to bite me. (Which almost hurt). That made Zenith come over pinch both us from our ears before saying.
"Both of you apologise to each other now. Paul didn't you promise Rudi to stop teasing by calling him princess and you Rudi resp– try to tolerate your father and if he teased you like this again call me and I will punish him myself." Zenith said while tighten her pinch on our ears. Which almost made Rudi cry and almost ripped of our ears. We both looked at each other then nodded.
""I'm sorry."" Me and Rudi said in unison.
"Now we solved this. Rudi me and you father need to see our work. Don't worry you we will be fine and you won't be here alone Lilla, Ms Ena, little Sylphiette and little Anna will be staying with you here." Zenith said after muttering healing spell for both our ears because they were bleeding. She started by hugging Rudi and patting his head and as gesture to reassure him she kissed his forehead to close the talk.
"But.. When can I join both of you at monsters hunting?" He asked with puppy eyes trying to get the best deal out of Zenith.
Zenith started to waver her plan probably that he never hunts monsters. So with good plan in mind I answered before Zenith did.
"When you are intermediate in water god style so you can react the right way fight monsters and the first hunt will be versus normal monster with someone as a guide". He clenched his fists and nodded in agreement. (But both me and him felt shiver down our spine. Because Zenith giving us her fake smile that promises pain, but her face is aimed towards me while her left eyebrow twitching).
Rudi smiled when he saw Zenith looking like this at me before saying. "Then you are saying in two years I will be to join in monsters hunting because today you said in two years I will be intermediate rank in Water God Style." He said with twisted smile the one Lilla have when she takes revenge on me or Rudeus. (That kid not only did he just lie to anger Zenith while she was already angry at me he plans to start hunt monsters in two years).
"You little rascal. When did this happen? I don't remember saying like that, while I was beating you down in traini...." at the moment Zenith get hold of my shoulder with her full strength of her hand she was pinching me and pulling out to the garden to scold me. As Zenith started pulling me Rudeus smile became more evil and made goodbye to me with his hand in very sarcastic way.
Also muttered in very low voice. "Let's see how will survive this father. That's my revenge for the morning beating." (Is it the way you want to do it Rudi? Okay just don't cry after that from how harsh the training is).
After being dragged forcefully to the garden by Zenith I found Rudi looking at us from the window with very twisted smile so I looked at him and smirked before fixing my face to talk to Zenith.
"Now dear care to elaborate everything said inside." She said with very intense smile that made my legs slightly tremble.
"Well you see Zenith, now I'm training Rudi on the Water God Style. But because it his first time training in this style he thought I'm beating him up. And as for what Rudi said he needs two he is lying." I said while scratching the back of my neck and many sweat was falling from my brows.
"Dear, is their anything which isn't a lie from what you just said?" Zenith said with very serious face and while she was holding my arm.
"No.. I mean yes, all of it isn't a lie. And that's why I said with confidence he needs to wait until he is intermediate in Water God Style he will be at least 9 before he master this and if you want my opinion it's better to train him on hunting monsters under our guidance before he do it himself. Never forget he is the son of noth of us, it won't be long before he asks us to leave the house or just do it like how we did it." She was about to slap me when my tongue slipped at first when I said half the truth, but after that I lied to save my skin, and not all what I said now is wrong.
Zenith listened attentively to me until middle of my sentence and her expression getting calmer and calmer but when I said we supposed to train Rudeus ourselves she raised an eyebrow but when understood what I meant she put her hands on her after inhaling heavily and when I said it's fate of him leaving the house like we both did she almost cried.
"Calm down Zenith, but you know its the truth both you and I were never the kind to stay in one place. And he is the perfect mix of our characters. But if we both occupied him with something he will never get chance to leave, I will make him occupied by training in sword and you talking and staying with him as you do know he will stay with us for long." I realised she started to calm down and clenched her fist with determination midway through the sentences I was saying but I gestured her that's enough. Because I saw Laws coming towards us with his wiife.
"Hey there! Paul, Ms Zenith! We came her to drop Phi before going to the village council hall. By the way I had already informed the hunters to wait for us there. (He said this while he passing his sleepy daughter on his shoulder to his wife carry her princess style). Hey Rose! Would you mind giving Phi to miss Lilla to put her to sleep there she hadn't wake up yet." He gestured to his wife to leave so we can focus on work talk and I did the same to Zenith but gestured her to go to look after Rudi while talk with Laws.
"Now they are both in. Tell me how dangerous is the situation for you to tremble this hard? Is there any sightings to a strong monsters in the area maybe demon wolf." (You get it all wrong Laws I'm trembling .. okay never mind let's focus on the situation we are in).
"Let's just say I had a big problem that barely solved it with luck. Was the reason of my trembling." He looked at me with deadpan eyes before saying.
"So our fearless knight who can stop any monsters attack solo. And can jump in middle of bandits groups killing anyone who dares to stand up and fight was scared of his wife." He put it in very bad way but couldn't defend myself.
"Like you are any better?"
"Huh! Well if I compare my situation to your I'm 1000 time better at least I have some dignity. And Rose is in complete agreement on most of my choices..."
"Stop it you two idiots, and let's go already." We stopped by Zenith shout with immense blood lust made both me and Laws shut up and saying.
"Yes madam'." We both in unison.
At the village council.
When we reached there everyone was already gathered and we started explaining the situation immediately there was some complaints namely the Reeve Ferland, he wanted all the Reeves to stay and protect the village. Because according to him and the report we gathered there is an armed bandits in the area and if we left the village unattended to this level is like asking them to attack the village.
(Well he isn't entirely wrong but the four Reeves I'm going to leave aren't slackers each one of them on intermediate level warriors, I'm considering leaving Bragg too, but honestly we will fighting many monsters. Yes there levels aren't comparable with the ones I was fighting during my adventurer days. But it needs infinity stamina to fight non-stop. And we aren't sure how many monsters are there and many villages decided better than send hunters to there death they holed up in the villages and reinforced the walls).
So our mission is fighting at triple the numbers of the monthly forest hunt at every village. (I don't think I can keep up doing this alone. Also they are saying it's bad idea to talk with me both the doctor and Zenith saying at least I should leave the doctor. But not all wounds heal able with healing magic especially on Zenith's level).
The conclusion we reached I will take only Mr Smith and young Pete from the Reeves and all the hunters. But I will pay militant men in the village to stand guard with Reeves to decrease the burden. (Somehow I got scammed to pay from my own money. Zenith face-palmed and the hunters laughed at what happened).
As for the doctor issue Zenith solved the problem by giving away fever reliever herb for free. (When I apologised for her lose, she told me it would have been disposed of before the next month because it will rot. Wow it appears I'm the only idiot in the village, the only one I can use my intelligence on is Rudi).
After persuading all people into agreement we declared moving afternoon and meet at the forest gate. (Now time to take our provisions from home, I already asked Lilla to prepare them for us).
When we were leaving we took little Anna home with us and informed miss Ena after preparing her husband to stay with Lilla and Rudi and close the mayor's manor. (Philip will be surprised that I hadn't claimed this house. Wait he already sent many letter from his stewards of course he know I left the mayor's manor and stayed at the knight's house).
(At the Greyrat House).
After I wearing my hunting gear it's the same as travelling gear but the joints is more flexible to help me avoid getting beaten by monsters. And Zenith helping herself wearing her old adventurer gear with her old fancy but worn-out staff.
We took our stuff and when we were about to leave we found Rudi with smile and two flowers. (Which he swore weren't from Zenith's garden). And wished us luck and to return safe.
Needless to say Zenith hugged so tight she needed to use intermediate healing magic for his ribs. (What a waste of mana, couldn't she treat him a little more gentle but for the first time he didn't complain about Zenith breaking his ribs by her hugs, maybe because this the 7th time).
"Don't slack on your sword training until return Rudi. Okay!" I told Rudi with smile.
"Don't worry dad. You will get beaten up by your son in no time, just you wait." He said to me with smirk. (I'm probably the blame for him to tease me this way).
"Rudi! What about being little more respectable with your father?" Zenith said with very fake scary smile. (But to my surprise Rudi didn't even flinch instead he got a perfect answer immediately).
"Mommy I meant I will beat him in spar in swordsmanship in honorable duel. And I respect my father how can't I respect him." He answered with genuine smile towards Zenith that made her stop not know what is the perfect answer for what he said. She just sighed and muttered something.
"All I know it won't be long and I will have another Paul in the house." I just smiled at what she said.
Rudeus before we passed through the door pulled my cape and gestured me to come down for him. And when I knelt down to his level he pulled me to hug and whispered in my ear.
"Look after mom, she thinks about many things and she won't be fully alert." (What does this mean?) After looking at Zenith I realised she really doesn't have her overwhelming aura around her.
So to answer Rudi I ruffled hsi hair and whispered this back. "Focus on your girl and leave my girl to me. I will take care of her." But for some weird reason Rudeus gave me face of disappointment instead of smiling.
When we were I tried to say something cool for once. "Hey Rudi! The village in your care. Okay! So, protect it well." With he smiled earnestly.