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

Gramorn continued walking slowly, disappearing into the darkness that seemed to engulf everything around him. The absolute emptiness of the place overwhelmed Victor’s senses, making him wonder if he was actually conscious or trapped in some kind of endless nightmare.

"Gramorn, wait!" Victor tried to shout, but his voice came out as a desperate whisper. "I need answers. I can’t just..."

Before Victor could finish his sentence, everything around him began to fade. The oppressive emptiness gave way to a feeling of lightness, and Victor felt his body being pulled, as if he were being sucked into an invisible vortex. He tried to fight the feeling, but it was useless. His senses began to fade, and the last thing he heard was the distant echo of Gramorn’s cold voice: "Do not worry, dear Herald. The answers will come in time."

Suddenly, Victor awoke with a jolt. His eyes opened slowly, blinking against the soft light that illuminated the room. He smelled a familiar scent of herbs and chemical compounds, mixed with the faint sound of laboratory instruments. Slowly, his vision began to focus, revealing Mari Dundragon’s worried face.

"Victor!" Mari cried, her voice filled with relief. She knelt beside him, holding his hand tightly. "Are you all right? I was so worried!"

Victor tried to stand, but his body was still weak. "Mari... what happened?"

"You’re in my lab," Mari replied, her eyes shining with concern. "You fainted out of the blue after the injection, and for a moment I thought... I’d killed you. I tried everything to wake you up, but you seemed to be in some kind of deep sleep. How are you feeling? Are you all right?"

Victor closed his eyes for a moment, trying to process everything that had happened. Gramorn’s words still echoed in his mind and he felt a shiver run down his spine as he remembered the warning about his daughter. However, he had to choose his words carefully and explain what had happened.

"I... I think I had a dream," he said, trying to remain calm. "Yes, it was like a dream, but it seemed so real. Somehow I think my curse, though it has its counterparts, will serve to help me on my journey."

"Journey?" Mari asked, looking into Victor’s face, then remembered the prophecy that Luisa had asked her to help translate. "Ah... So she told you. Anyway, how do you know you’re not cured of the curse?"

Victor nodded and finally stood up. "If I were, I think I’d know... No, I’m sure I’d know."

Victor staggered a little as he stood up, and Mari, with a worried look on her face, reached out to support him.

"Wait, Victor. Don’t get up so fast," she said, her voice a mixture of concern and guilt. "You’re still weak. I... I shouldn’t have forced the injection."

He looked at her, his eyes reflecting a mixture of gratitude and exhaustion. "No, Mari. You did what you thought best. And I thank you for that." He sat back in his chair, feeling the weight of exhaustion in his bones. "I just need a moment to get my strength back."

Mari sighed, guilt on her face. "I don’t know how to help you anymore, Victor. I’ve reached the end of my research. Noctiluria was my last hope. I thought... I thought I could really cure him."

Victor smiled reassuringly, even though he was tired. "Mari, you’ve done more than anyone else. You gave a lot of your time to help me and I’m eternally grateful. Don’t blame yourself."

She stepped back a little, picked up a glass vial of greenish liquid, and held it in her trembling hands. "I can’t help but feel I’ve let you down."

Victor looked around, taking in the details of the lab that had already become familiar. "This place... every time I come here, I remember how dedicated you are. Every bottle, every herb, every experiment... it’s all proof of your tireless efforts."

Mari blushed slightly and looked away. "It’s the least I can do. I can’t bear the thought of not finding a cure for your curse."

Then she sat down on a bench near where Victor stood.

"Do you truly believe what you said? That a curse has a purpose? I know you’re forbidden to tell me anything about the curse itself, but it shouldn’t be a problem to get it off your chest."

Victor took a deep breath. "I don’t know for sure. But I do know that I have to continue my journey for now. There are still things I need to find out, and this curse could help me."

She nodded slowly, though there was still concern in her eyes. "And how can I help? Is there anything else I can do?"

Victor smiled, trying to convey confidence. "Your help has already been invaluable, Mari. Just that you care so much about me is more than enough. And if I ever need anything, I know I can count on you."

She leaned forward and took his hand, squeezing it tightly. "Always, Victor. Always."

After a few minutes, Victor felt strong enough to try to stand again. He did so more carefully this time, using the edge of a table for support. Mari was at his side, ready to help, but he managed to stand without her assistance.

"I need to prepare for the next stage of my journey," he said, trying to sound more confident than he really felt. "There is much to do and little time to rest."

"You speak of a journey. What are you going to do now, Victor?"

"I’m going to the capital for the royal selection test and also to return something that doesn’t belong to me."

"Are you really ready to leave so soon? Besides, it’s winter." Mari asked, her voice tinged with concern and a hint of skepticism.

"I have no choice," Victor replied, trying to sound more determined.

Mari nodded, knowing it would be pointless to argue further. Victor was stubborn and determined, qualities she deeply admired, even if they sometimes led him to make reckless decisions.

"Just promise to be careful, Victor. This world still needs heroes."

Victor smiled softly, his eyes shining with gratitude. "I promise, Mari."

With that, he turned and prepared to leave the lab. Mari stretched and followed him.

"Ah! I’m hungry!" She said, complaining.

When they reached the main room, the sight that awaited them made Victor pause for a moment in surprise.

Luisa was walking elegantly down the stairs, wearing a beautiful black dress that accentuated her slender figure and graceful posture. Her hair was tied up in an elaborate bun, adorned with small shiny stones that sparkled in the light.

"Finally!" Luisa exclaimed when she saw her. "Where have you two been? Aren’t you ready?"

Victor looked at Mari, confused. "Ready for what?"

Mari bit her lip, obviously nervous. "I... I guess I forgot to mention it. The charity ball is tonight. Luisa asked me to let you know, but with everything that’s been going on, I... forgot."

"The charity ball?" Victor repeated, trying to process the information. "And why is that important?"

Luisa descended the last few steps and stopped in front of them, her gaze serious. "Victor, these balls are always an opportunity for us to make important contacts. Very influential people will be there, and so will the Selvarums. And it’s a way to show that we’re here, firm and strong, despite everything."

Victor nodded slowly, understanding the importance of the event. "I see. But... I’m not really dressed for a ball."

Luisa smiled, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "That can be solved. Frugeon, can you help?"

Frugeon, standing behind Luisa, nodded. "Of course, ma’am. Victor, come with me. We’ll find something for you."

While Frugeon led Victor to another room where he could change, Luisa observed Victor and saw that he looked different, so she looked at Mari and asked:

"What happened?"

Sadness crossed Mari’s face again. "My last plan didn’t work. His curse can’t be cured by science or magic."

Luisa was also sad. "I understand. That’s... disappointing. However, I’m sure you’ve made great progress in this long research. Please come and talk to me afterwards and we’ll decide what to do with this progress."

"All right." Mari lifted her head and looked at her. "By the way, do you have a dress for me? I used the last one to clean up some amoebas that fell on my lab floor."

Luísa smiled warmly, as if looking at a daughter. "Of course I have a dress for you. Come with me."

The Charity Ball took place every year-end in Klento. Although the purpose was to raise money to help the needy, the real aim of these events was to bring the nobility who didn’t live in Klento closer to the merchants who ran this great port city. In addition, it was also a great opportunity for selected hunters who were hand-picked by the Hunters’ Association to be there and show the strength of the association.