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

"Victor, I would like to ask you something. When you return, will you consider meeting up with the other heroes? I don’t know where they are, but I know where most of them are, and I can send them letters to meet up. I bet they’d all be happy to know you’re alive."

Victor shook his head negatively. "Rosalyne, that won’t be necessary. Word of my name spread through the kingdom a few weeks ago, so they already know about me. Besides, I’m not here for reunions or to meet with those who... Anyway, my mission in the capital is more personal this time."

Rosalyne frowned, surprised by Victor’s answer. "More personal? Care to share?"

He straightened in his chair, assuming a more solemn posture. His eyes shone with a mixture of pride and responsibility. "I came to help my daughter."

Rosalyne blinked in shock. She had never imagined Victor to be the kind of man who would want to be a father, especially since many of the heroes chose not to have children to leave behind in this barbaric world.

"A daughter? I... I didn’t know you had a daughter, Victor."

Victor smiled broadly, the expression of a proud father dominating his face. "Yes, I do. Her name is Wanda Still."

Rosalyne recoiled slightly, surprised at the name. "Wanda Stillwind? The Rank-S Hunter and Captain of the Golden Sun Guild?"

Victor crossed his arms and nodded, his eyes shining with even more pride as his cheeks turned red. "Exactly."

"The Golden Sun Guild is the most powerful in the entire kingdom, and was one of those summoned to protect the candidates for the Royal Selection. So... that’s why you’re here. To meet them again?

"Actually, I’m here to help her in her service. She may be a Rank-S Hunter, but she’s still my daughter, and I’ll do everything in my power to ensure her safety."

Rosalyne stood up slowly and walked over to the living room window. She looked out to the horizon, where the sunlight illuminated the red roofs of the capital’s countless buildings.

"Wanda Stillwind... I’ve heard many stories about her. They say she is one of the most skilled and courageous warriors of this generation. But know that you are not the only hero preparing the new generation."

Victor raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What do you mean?"

She moved closer, her delicate hands gripping the edge of the solid wooden table between them. "Jack, the hero of the forge, has trained the best blacksmith in the city. It is said that his talents are so extraordinary that his weapons and armor are sought after by kings and nobles of all kingdoms."

Victor nodded slowly, recalling memories of past battles where Jack’s forged weapons had proved decisive. "Jack has always had a unique skill with metals."

Rosalyne continued, her voice filled with a mixture of admiration and respect. "And Max, the hero of Dragon Fortress, now commands the most impenetrable fortress on the entire continent. He has molded the next generation of warriors, training them to defend the kingdom with their lives."

Victor took a deep breath, remembering his companion who always had an impeccable strategy for every battle. "Max was always a born leader. I’m not surprised he’s molding such formidable warriors."

She paused, watching Victor’s reaction before continuing. "And Antony... He became a war general, responsible for several important victories. Our armies were never defeated under his command."

Victor couldn’t help but smile slightly. "Antony has always had a brilliant mind for military tactics. He’s a true strategist."

Rosalyne hesitated for a moment, as if weighing her next words. "And Karla Astorio, the saint? She has become a figure of hope and inspiration to many. Her charity and healing abilities have saved countless lives. There’s also Philip..." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Victor interrupted abruptly, his tone charged with a firmness Rosalyne hadn’t expected. "Rosalyne, please don’t mention the others. Especially the names of those who hurt me so much."

She blinked, surprised at the vehemence in Victor’s voice. "I... I didn’t know. I mean, I heard rumors, but I didn’t know the extent of what you went through."

He sighed, the tension showing on his face. "You may not know everything about my leaving the temples of the gods, but you must have heard rumors about what they put me through just because I wasn’t blessed by a god while the other heroes were."

Rosalyne bit her lip, sensing the pain and frustration in Victor’s voice. She knew there was a deep and painful story behind his words, a story he wasn’t ready to fully share.

"Victor, I’m sorry. It wasn’t my intention to bring up those memories."

He shook his head, trying to push the dark thoughts away. "Don’t worry, Rosalyne. I just wanted you to understand that my mission here is personal. I’ve come to ensure Wanda’s safety. Nothing else matters now."

Rosalyne nodded, understanding the depth of Victor’s commitment to his daughter. "I understand. And I’m going to do everything I can to help you and Wanda. She’s an extraordinary woman and you should be very proud of her."

Victor smiled again, the pride evident in his eyes. "I am. She means everything to me."

Silence fell over the room, but it was a silence filled with understanding and complicity. Rosalyne turned her eyes to the window, looking out at the red roofs of the capital, while Victor took a moment to reflect on all that had happened and the uncertain future that awaited him.

Finally, he stood up, breaking the silence. "I must go now, Rosalyne. There is much to be done."

She walked him to the door, her eyes full of respect and admiration. "If you need anything, Victor, I’m here. And... if you ever want to talk about the past, I’m ready to listen."

Victor nodded, appreciating the gesture. "Thank you, Rosalyne. Maybe one day."

He left the room, leaving Rosalyne to her own thoughts. As he walked through the halls of the palace, he felt the weight of his responsibility and the determination to protect his daughter at all costs. Victor knew that despite the challenges and wounds of the past, he was where he was meant to be.

Victor made his way to the hotel where he was staying. The shadows in this city were long, and the city seemed to go into a trance-like state where the hustle and bustle of the day gave way to the stillness of the night. He paused for a moment to take in the view and reflect on Rosalyne’s words and his mission.

Upon entering the hotel, Victor was greeted by the doorman, an older man with a warm smile. "Good afternoon, Mr. Victor. How was your day?"

Victor smiled back, appreciating the man’s kindness. "It was productive, thank you. Now I’ll get some rest."

The porter nodded and Victor went upstairs to the room he shared with Aluella. The door was unlocked and he pushed it gently to find Aluella sitting in a chair by the window, reading a book. The soft light from the lamp illuminated her face, accentuating her concentrated expression.

She looked up when she heard the door open and smiled. "Victor, you’re back. How was your talk with Rosalyne?"

Victor sighed, put the sword on a stand next to the bed and sat down on the edge of the mattress. "It was interesting. I just handed her the sword and talked to her. She mentioned the other heroes and... brought up some memories I’d rather leave in the past."

Aluella closed the book, stood up and walked over to him. "And how do you feel about that?"

He looked at her, his expression softening. "It’s hard, Aluella. But I’m focused on what’s important right now. Wanda is my priority. And speaking of priorities, did you get any information on Trawerr?"

She smiled, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Yes, I have. He’s in town."

Victor stared, surprise written all over his face. "Trawerr is here? In town? That’s... incredible. I... I can hardly believe it."

Aluella nodded and took a seat beside him. "Yes, he’s here. And I know how much this means to you, Victor..."

Victor took a deep breath and felt an avalanche of emotions hit him. Trawerr was the son he never knew he had, the fruit of a brief and intense relationship before he became a hero. Knowing he was so close, and finally having the chance to meet him, filled him with indescribable joy and fear.

"Do you know where he is?" Victor asked, trying to keep the urgency in his voice.

"Yes, he’s staying at an inn in the northern part of the city."

"Then let’s go. I want to find him immediately."

Victor nodded and took the lead. They descended the hotel stairs with firm steps, the sound echoing through the silent corridors. They made their way to the northern part of the city, where the more modest inns were located. The contrast between the opulence of the palace and the simplicity of these streets was obvious, but Victor was focused on one thing: finding Trawerr. Every step he took increased the anxiety in his chest, but he tried to remain calm. He had to be prepared for whatever he might encounter.

Arriving at the inn Aluella had indicated, they stopped in front of the entrance. It was a simple building with dark wooden walls and a small porch where some flowers in clay pots were wilting.

Victor took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions inside him.

They entered the inn and the owner, a middle-aged woman with gray hair, greeted them with a warm smile. "Good evening. How can I help you?"

Victor stepped forward. "We’re looking for a young man named Trawerr. I hear he’s staying here."

The woman frowned for a moment, pensive. "Ah, yes. Trawerr. A quiet boy. He’s in the room at the end of the hall, second floor."

"Thank you," Victor replied with a nod before heading for the stairs.

Each step he took seemed heavier than the last, as if the weight of his responsibilities and hopes were becoming more real.

When he reached the second floor, he saw the door at the end of the corridor. Aluella was right behind him, offering silent support. Victor stopped at the door and took a deep breath. He raised his hand and knocked gently, three times.

*Knock, knock, knock! *