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

Amanda’s presence outside, seemingly unharmed and calm, was a stark contrast to the chaos of the battle she had just faced. Victor narrowed his eyes, studying every detail of her posture, every nuance in her demeanor.

Amanda seemed too calm, almost indifferent to the corpse of the monster before them.

"Thank you for today, Victor." Amanda said, still stroking the dead bear’s gray fur. "It’s a shame it’s over so quickly."

There was a disturbing softness in her voice, as if the creature’s death was only a minor setback.

"Amanda," Victor began cautiously, "how did you get out of the cave without me noticing? I was sure you were in there during the fight."

She finally turned to face Victor. There was a slight smile on her lips.

"I didn’t leave the cave, Victor. I was here the whole time, watching. You fought well. You must be stronger than you look."

Victor took a step back, still holding his sword, though the blade was sheathed. The energy he felt coming from Amanda was strange, unlike anything he had ever encountered before. It wasn’t the typical energy of a human, let alone a child.

"You’re not a child, are you?" He asked directly, suspicion clear in his voice. "Who are you really, Amanda?"

She laughed softly, a sound that echoed through the silent clearing. "You are perceptive, Victor. I’m not exactly who you think I am, but I’m not your enemy, either. In fact, I’m here to help."

Victor kept his guard up, his muscles tensed and ready for anything. "Help? Help how? And what’s with all the acting?"

Amanda sighed and ran her hand over the bear’s fur again. To Victor’s amazement, the creature’s massive body began to glow with a soft light and, in a few moments, disappeared completely, leaving only the crumpled grass where it had been.

"I needed to see how you would react in a situation of real danger," she explained. "I needed to be sure that you would give your life to protect a stranger. And from what I saw, you were."

Victor frowned, still processing what he had just seen. "What are you? A sorcerer? A supernatural creature?"

Amanda shook her head. "Something like that. I’m a guardian of the forest, someone whose job it is to protect this place and its secrets. When you entered the Forest of Lura, I felt your presence and knew you were special. A hero."

Victor lowered his sword a little, but still maintained his alert posture. "And what do you want from me?"

"You? Nothing, absolutely nothing. It was you who wanted something from the forest, wasn’t it?" She glanced at Victor’s waistband, where the noctiluria herb was tucked away. "I needed to know if you were worthy of taking such a rare part of the forest."

He looked down at his waist, then back at Amanda. "And how can I trust that this isn’t some kind of trap?"

Amanda smiled again, a smile that seemed genuine this time, without any malice. "You don’t have to trust me, Victor. Trust your instincts, as you did during the battle. I’m not your enemy, and I’m sure you’ll come to realize that in time."

The clearing was silent for a moment while Victor processed everything. Finally, he took his hand from his sword and stepped forward. "Very well, Amanda. But if you deceive me..."

"You will have every right to seek revenge," Amanda added, bowing her head slightly in a gesture of respect. "Now, you must leave here. The Lura Forest is not safe for humans at night, even the strongest."

Victor nodded and followed Amanda as she began to walk. Lura Forest looked different now, as if it were alive. The leaves rustled softly, and the little light that came through the treetops was orange.

As they walked, Amanda began to speak, her soft, melodious voice blending in with the sounds of the forest. "Noctiluria is a rare plant, Victor. You know that. Its dangers are many, but its healing properties are said to be immeasurable. Those who carry it have incredible power in their hands, but they must nurse it."

Victor listened intently, absorbing every word. "Why?"

"Because while it can heal, it can also kill," Amanda replied, stopping suddenly and turning to him. "So remember, the power of Noctiluria is not to be taken lightly. Use it wisely and only when necessary."

Victor nodded, sensing the gravity of the situation. "Got it. Now what?"

Amanda pointed ahead. "Now I will take you back to where you entered the forest. It’s time for you to be on your way."

Victor looked in the direction Amanda was pointing and realized that they had somehow returned to the starting point of their journey in the forest. He couldn’t understand how this was possible, since he had walked so far and run into the middle of the forest, but at that moment he accepted that Lura Forest was a place full of mysteries that he might never fully understand.

"Thank you, Amanda," he said, turning to her. "For everything."

Amanda smiled again, a smile of understanding. "Good luck, Victor. I hope you find what you’re looking for."

With a last nod, Victor began to walk toward the main path, leaving the forest behind. Each step he took seemed charged with meaning, as if the forest was saying goodbye to him in some silent, sacred way.

When he finally reached the main trail, he spotted a wagon and a small camp ahead. An old man with a gray beard and piercing eyes was sitting by a fire. This was the same man who had warned him about the dangers of the Lura Forest.

Victor approached the camp. And when the man finally noticed him, he raised his hand in a peaceful gesture.

"Ah, what a fright, man!" The old man said with a hoarse voice. "I was expecting you."

"I may be just an old wagoner, but you are Victor Shieldman, the one who defeated the Devourer of Ships, aren’t you?"

Yes, how did you know me?"

"Of course, everyone knows what you look like!"

At that moment, Victor remembered that he had unintentionally shown off too much during the challenge against the warrior named Gorn at the docks. The description of his appearance had probably spread first to Naeross and then to Klento.

Victor took a deep breath. "And why did you wait for me here? I could have gone anywhere else in the forest."

The old man nodded. "The few stories I’ve heard about survivors of the Lura Forest say that the brave ones who dared to venture into the forest only found their way out by returning to the same place they entered. These places were called Access Point."

Victor looked at the old cart driver, his eyes shining with a mixture of wisdom and curiosity. The shadows of the campfire danced across the contours of his aged face, creating an almost magical atmosphere as the night deepened.

"So, sir," Victor began with a tone of respect in his voice, "what is your name?"

The old man smiled, his wrinkles deepening. "You may call me Thalion," he replied, his voice hoarse but full of warmth. "Now, let’s get ready to leave. The road back to Klento can be treacherous at night."

Victor nodded and helped Thalion load some provisions onto the wagon. The two worked in silence, each movement careful and deliberate. The wood of the wagon creaked softly as they packed their belongings.

When everything was ready, Victor climbed onto the cart and sat down next to Thalion. The old man took the reins with expert hands and, with a flick of his tongue, set the horse in motion. The cart began to move smoothly, leaving behind the clearing lit by the campfire and entering the path that would lead them back to Klento.

The journey was quiet at first. The path was shrouded in a silent darkness, broken only by the rhythmic sound of the wagon wheels and the rustling of leaves. Thalion seemed to know every bend and pothole in the road.

They drove in silence for a while, each lost in his own thoughts. With the road gradually expanding, Victor’s excitement mounted and, in no time, the radiant lights of Klento appeared in the distance, resembling guiding beacons amidst the enveloping darkness. As they approached the city, the sounds of the celebration began to fill their ears - laughter, music, and the excited murmur of the crowds.

The commercial entrance to Klento was busy with wagon traffic, so Victor thanked Thalion for the ride, said he preferred to walk the rest of the way, and said goodbye.

As Victor strolled along the sidewalks of Klento, he was taken aback by the bustling atmosphere of the city, which far exceeded his initial expectations, but this lack of surprise was to be expected. There were only two days left until the 25th, the day of the big party.