I'm a Immortal Tavernkeeper, But My S-Rank Daughter Doesn't Know That!

"Besides, those twins stole something important to me."

"What could be more important than your life, Victor?"

Victor stood motionless for a moment, his gaze fixed on Aron’s unconscious body. "The sword of the hero Elban is what they took." Victor replied.

Luísa narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about? The sword of the hero Elban nails a demon to an altar at the bottom of a cave in Agocester. None of the fools who have tried have ever managed to get that sword out, and the few who probably could have were not willing to release a demon and risk a new era of plagues and disease."

Victor looked at Luísa, and it was then that she realized that Victor wasn’t joking. So she put one thing together and discovered that Victor had somehow killed the demon sealed in Agocester.

She put her hand on head and continued: "Still, Victor, going after Garret Darksoul and his men like this is not the answer. It’s exactly what he wants. He’ll manage to put you in every trap he can."

Victor turned to her. "I told you, I can’t stay here. Every second that passes is another second of advantage for Garret."

Luísa stepped forward and placed her hand gently on his arm. "I suggest we use our heads, Victor. We can gather information, prepare a plan... Going after them impulsively won’t solve anything."

Victor let out a dry, bitter laugh. "Information? While we’re at it, who knows where they’ll take Elban’s sword? I don’t have time for this."

She could feel the almost palpable anger radiating from Victor, like a flame threatening to consume everything around it. This wasn’t the normal Victor she was talking to, this was a version of Victor filled with hatred and guilt.

"What if you go, Victor? What if you leave and something happens to you? Have you thought about that? How do you think Aron would feel if he woke up and found out that you took a risk and maybe... maybe you didn’t even come back? And what about your daughter? What will Wanda think when you die?"

Victor closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. Luísa’s words echoed in his mind, but he knew that he wouldn’t really die, even if his head separated from his body or his heart exploded.

He took a step toward the door. "I know, Luísa. I know the risks. But I’m not going to die, don’t worry."

But Luísa didn’t feel that Victor’s words were firm, and before he could reach the handle, Luísa raised her right hand and a beam of magical energy shot out.

Victor wrapped his left forearm around Den and placed it in the path of the beam, deflecting it. The beam hit one wall, creating a huge hole. He slowly turned to face her.

"Luísa, what are you doing?"

"I can’t let you go, Victor!" she replied in a firm tone. "And if words and arguments aren’t enough, I will stop you by force if necessary. You are important to me, and I will not allow you to throw yourself into a suicide mission without thinking."

Victor looked at her, and his eyes narrowed. "Do you really think you can stop me, Luísa? You know I won’t go easy on you."

She stood her ground. "I know. And I know you’re one of the best warriors I’ve ever met. But I’m not going to give up that easily. If you want to go out that door, you’ll have to go through me first."

Then Luísa put her hands together and all four walls of her living room were enveloped in a magical lilac barrier.

"Luísa, don’t make this harder than it already is."

"No, Victor, I’ll do whatever it takes to stop you."

Victor knew Luísa wasn’t bluffing. Since he didn’t have a sword with him at the moment, he was at a disadvantage, especially since Luísa was a powerful mage, capable of casting complex and devastating spells, but she was also at a disadvantage in this situation. A mage fighting in such a confined space wouldn’t have time to make long chants or cast complex spells.

"All right, then, let’s settle this the old-fashioned way," he said, raising both hands like a boxer. "I’m not going to hurt you, Luísa. But don’t think I’m going to make it easy, either."

Luísa murmured a few words, and small orbs of light floated around her, forming a glowing shield. Then she reached out with her right hand and cast a spell that fired three energy projectiles in Victor’s direction. He nimbly dodged the three projectiles and began to run toward her.

The mage cast another spell, a bolt of lilac lightning that shot from her fingertips and streaked through the air toward him. Victor leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack, and continued forward.

Luísa stepped back, noticing that the distance between them was shrinking. She gestured with her hands and another lilac barrier rose, this time dividing Luísa’s office in half between them.

Victor hit the barrier with his forearm and felt the magical resistance. Then he lifted his head and looked at Luísa.

"Luísa, you’re wearing yourself out, putting up so many magical barriers," he said, trying to buy time. "You can’t keep those barriers up forever."

"I just need enough time for you to realize you’re making a mistake! Please, Victor. If you won’t do this for me, think of Wanda, think of Aron."

Victor closed his eyes for a moment and the image of his daughter and his friend was imprinted on his mind. He knew that Luísa was right, in a way. He would probably die a few times, but he could always come back and do better.

He took a deep breath and concentrated on the weakness he felt in the barrier. With a quick movement, he threw a precise punch at the spot and felt the resistance give way slightly. He repeated the movement several times, each time with more force, until the barrier began to crack.

Luísa knew she couldn’t hold the barrier for much longer, so she let go of it and launched a wave of energy to push Victor back, but he was ready. He ducked and rolled forward, dodging the wave and closing the distance between them.

Victor held her wrist. And she still tried to cast another spell, so he grabbed her other hand as well, immobilizing her.

"Victor, please..." she begged, her eyes filled with tears.

Victor stopped her gently and pressed his lips to hers. It was a sudden kiss, an attitude that Luísa hadn’t expected, and yet she responded to the kiss.

"I’ll come back, Luísa. I promise." Victor said after pulling away.

Luísa’s eyes met his, a mixture of hope and fear. She wanted to believe his words, she wished with all her heart that he was right.

"You’re too stubborn, Victor," she muttered, but there was a slight smile on her lips.