"Hmm?" Gojo turned around, looking toward Arad's carriage from his. "That Nymph's power changed," He mumbled.
"The what?" Lilia stared at him.
"Nothing important to us," He replied with a smile, looking around. Gug sat in the corner, watching the building pass by like a kid. Jack sat on the other side, flipping a coin while Lydia read the holy scripture.
"That fight ended quickly," He said, "I'm surprised you were ready to deal the finishing blow."
Lydia stopped reading and closed the book, "To finish a vampire, you need holy magic. Arad could eat Chuzuke, but that might hurt his stomach." She touched the hilt of her sword.
"I'm sure Arad didn't want to take chances with Chuzuke escaping again, so I expected to be called from the start." She smiled.
"Isn't it arrogant to expect a dragon to need your help?"
"I only expect my duty to slay undead and fiends. Arad isn't stupid enough not to use his friends." She replied.
Gojo laughed, "You're right, but do you know there is another way to bury infinitely regenerating monsters?"
"Another way besides holy magic?"
"Erase their body." Gojo replied, "They won't regenerate without a base."
"So it's not to leave a single drop of blood. Overwhelm a vampire with firepower." She nodded, "I will keep that in mind."
Jack looked at Liliana, "Sister,"
"What?" She stared at him.
"Can't wear, well, something less revealing?" He pointed at Lydia, "Like her."
SWOSH! Lilia tried to kick him in the face, but he dodged.
"Mind your own business. It's easier to work like this," Liliana growled at him.
"You're always been like this," He sighed.
Lydia stared at Liliana, "How is a tiefling Jack's sister?" She asked.
"I'm not his blood sister. I raised the abandoned children on the street and gave them food and shelter to survive. At some point, I became everyone's elder sister." Liliana replied.
"She's why most of Alina's thieves are on good terms with each other. We're all brothers raised under her," Jack added.
"Some thieves were mentioning a brotherhood." Lydia sighed, "So that's what they meant."
****
The city gate opened, and the carriages strolled out.
Arad looked out of the window toward the driver seat, "So, care to tell me why you're here?"
The kid stared back at Arad, sitting beside his mother, who was driving. "Agnar Asim," The kid said, then pointed at his mother, "Sofia Athor, and my father there is Simon Asim." He pointed at Gojo's carriage. His father sat beside Sebas, the sacrifice they saved.
"I didn't ask for your name, but why are you here?" Arad stared at him.
"Our farm burned to ash, so we're working in transport now," Agnar replied.
Arad looked, seeing the kid still carrying his wooden sword. "I'm not dealing with a wannabe hero five years old brat."
"You underestimate the blade. The capital is in good hands now, and I shall seek experience." Agnar replied, holding his blade's hilt.
"Start by carrying a real sword." Arad stared at him.
"I'm not allowed to until I reach seven years at least." Agnar replied with a proud face, "Right, Mom?"
"I don't know anymore," She sighed, "I know you're stronger than your age, but you're still a kid. I fear you might jump into danger and get yourself hurt."
"Like how he jumped into my fight with Chuzuke." Arad stared at Agnar with a smug smile.
"I do not sit like a pig in a pen and hope someone else saves the day." Agnar stared at Arad, "I'm a hunter, a weak, clawless, and fangless one, but a predator nonetheless."
^[The tiny lion cub stood, growling and hissing at the wolves. He won't go down without a fight.]^ She giggled, ^[This kid will grow to be strong one day.]^
"You did kill a lot of undead, after all," Arad sighed.
Sofia looked forward, "Ghouls attacked our house. Those aren't monsters we hope to win against. But he hunted them down. I don't know whether to be proud or scared for him."
"Just let him join the guild when he grows, or send him to the knight's order." Arad replied, "He should thrive there."
Agnar looked at Arad, "We're going with you to Alina. I said the capital doesn't need my protection."
Arad smiled, "You don't know, but this carriage is only a dummy and will stop when we enter the forest. I'm carrying everyone back home,"
"As I said, I'm going to Alina with you," He stared at Arad.
"You aren't,"
"I need a powerful master, someone I can learn fighting from," Agnar added.
"I don't teach people. I can barely learn myself." Arad cried.
"You're going to build a castle there, aren't you?" Agnar stared at Arad, "I'm sure you can afford a disciple or two, maybe even a guard?"
"I'm not going to hire a brat to guard a castle," Arad sighed, looking at Agnar's mother. He then looked at his father in Gojo's carriage.
"What about your parents?" Arad asked.
"They are coming with me. Our house got half destroyed by the undead attack," Agnar replied.
Arad sighed, "Fine, but you're servants until we finish the castle." He slipped back into the carriage, sitting and taking a deep breath.
[You took him in?] Mom asked.
^Isn't it better to catch a talent young?^ Arad knew he needed to gather servants, soldiers, and workers for the castle at some point. The place wouldn't magically manage itself.
[What about the bandits?]
^We'll leave them here. I can contact them through Sara, as she will take control of the capital's underground.^ He thought.
"What are you thinking of?" Isdis stared at Arad with a smile.
"The castle's plans. I want a large hall, training ground and a massive personal quarter. A basement leading to the dungeon beneath my house would be a must."
Isdis smiled, "The builders and experts will arrive in three to four weeks, they will start the work, and we can tell them how we want the castle."
Rey stared at Arad, "The problem with building a castle is moving material. They are too heavy."
Ray nodded, "Castles and forts are an essential structure to any kingdom. We did the studies and have the know-how to build them however we like."
Isdis looked at Arad, "We know more about building castles and forts than homes or roads. It's funny, isn't it?"
"They are engines of war," Mira added, "Of course you would know how to build them."
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l