Chapter 100 Champion and Elder

It was surprisingly large, and well-built with unique architecture, though it wasn’t inferior to anything he’d seen within Milligarde. The home was built in a dome structure, made of well-furnished wood with the floorboards being mostly covered in a thick, wooly fur of some sort of slain, pale white beast.

There was an incense lit within the home, producing a refreshing aroma that billowed within the abode.

It’s nicer than I expected, he thought.

“Papa!”

Rushing out from one of the rooms, a young girl with wolf ears and a tail ran out straight into Alekkai’s arms, who embraced her with a smile.

“I’ve brought a guest with me–Emilio, this is Veila,” Alekkai introduced, holding his daughter up in his arms.

It seemed like the young girl, who couldn’t be older than six or seven, didn’t see many humans like him, and likely not as young as him, as she looked at him with a surprised expression.

He smiled politely, “Nice to meet you. Thanks for having me.”

Almost going without noticing the other person in the room, he looked over to see a woman with long, silver hair sitting in a chair, knitting what looked to be a quilt. She had the same, tan complexion as Alekkai, with similar tattoos.

“Mienna, we’ve got a guest today,” Alekkai said, “A traveling magic man.”

The knitting woman, who looked to be in her mid-twenties, similar to Alekkai, looked up in surprise, standing up and smiling brightly.

Before the woman greeted him, she exchanged kisses on the nose with Alekkai, which seemed to be some form of showing affection between demi-humans, or at least this specific clan.

“Welcome!” Mienna greeted him.

She quickly took his hand, holding it between both of hers as she smiled warmly. It was a pleasant greeting; one that made his cheeks red. By the proud smile that Alekkai held, it was as if he was silently saying “I am a lucky man, aren’t I?”

It was almost a relieving sight to see the stoic, intimidating man act like a doting family man.

“Where are you from?” Mienna asked him, still holding onto his hand.

Though it felt slightly weird to him, it seemed this type of physical contact was just how people of the tribe were with each other, though he didn’t mind it at all. The lecherous parts of his mind kept causing his eyes to linger towards Mienna’s chest, which was only covered by a short shirt of leather that was practically a sports bra.

Resist! Don’t get yourself cleaved in half by Alekkai! He thought to himself.

Alekkai looked at him, “Mienna used to be an adventurer. She knows Milligarde well.”

“Really?” He looked up in surprise.

Mienna confirmed this with a nod, “That was a long time ago, though. Around twenty years.”

Twenty years?! Is she in her forties?! How?! He thought.

Either way, he answered, “I’m from Yullim. It’s kind of in the middle-of-nowhere, he-he.”

“Yullim? Ah, I’ve been there once!” Mienna smiled brightly.

“Really?”

The silver-haired, demi-human woman nodded, “It’s a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains. I was only there for a short time, but the people were kind.”

He smiled, nodding a few times, “I’m glad you liked it.”

“Ah–” Mienna put her hands together, “You’re hungry, aren’t you? I’ll prepare something!”

Just like that, Mienna had rushed off to the kitchen, which he was more than ready for as his stomach was practically running off of fumes.

“Veila, why don’t you go help your mother?” Alekkai said, setting his daughter down and patting her head.

The young girl seemed happy to oblige as she nodded, “Okay!”

As it was just him and Alekkai in the main room of the house, he already felt naturally adjusted to the warm setting.

“You’ve got a great family,” he said with a smile.

Alekkai smiled as well, “I am blessed. Sit, friend.”

The gesture of the man’s hand guided him to sit down, which the seats of the home were of large pillows, packed full of what felt like grass innards. It was surprisingly comfortable, but perhaps it was because he’d been standing for so long.

Watching him, the man with long, crimson hair seemed ready to say something, but hesitant.

“I don’t mean any offense but what I’m about to say…” Alekkai said.

“Go ahead.”

“I have my reservations about bringing a child into this fight,” Alekkaiai admitted, “I spoke earlier with a hot mind and boiling blood–all my mind was on was vengeance against the Outriders–for what they did to my son…”

A moment of silence persisted in the room as the smell of incense continued to sway his nose. He could tell there were hidden scars attached to the champion; a look of anguish sat in his once fearsome eyes.

“…If you don’t mind me asking, what happened?” He hesitantly asked.

Alekkai didn’t look happy to recall such memories–so he silently declined, standing up as his expression contorted to one of lamentation and anger.

The anger wasn’t pointed at the boy, but at the memories the man held on to.

“…I need some air,” Alekkai said.

Walking out of the room, the red-haired man left the abode as his steps sounded heavier and more intense.

…Crap, why did I ask that? He thought.

He sat there for a moment awkwardly, not knowing what to really do in a situation like this. Though he wasn’t the most social butterfly, he did feel this was a misstep, even for him.

As he glanced back, he could see Alekkai standing on the bridge just outside the front door, watching the rain continue to descend on the forest.

Though he was saved from his sit in silence as the daughter of Alekkai popped into the room excitedly.

“Mother wanted me to tell you that dinner is ready! Come!” The girl told him happily.

He smiled and nodded, “Thanks. I’ll be right there.”

—

Alekkai watched from above as children played below on the forest ground; they were playing a game that involved catching the most critters. Though he was hardly watching as most of his focus was siphoned to his thoughts.

“—” Alekkai stood silently.

“A man must always brood alone, is that it?”

The words approached from the warrior’s left, prompting him to look over to find a familiar, wizened man who walked with a large cane.

This elder had a long, silver beard and the same prominent wolf features like the rest: ears, a tail, and claws. Though he seemed to have more than most as his nose was more wolf-like and his arms were bushy with silver hair.

“Chief Hurun,” Alekkai said in slight surprise, “…I take it you’re here to try and stop me?”

The elder slowly shook his head, standing beside the man, “If I was capable of snuffing that fiery head of yours, I’d be the most powerful man in the world. I can’t stop that passion of yours, nor do I intend to try. You’re the champion of our people; the strongest warrior—if you believe this is the right thing to do, they will follow.”

“…Then what is it you’ve come to say?” Alekkai asked.

Chief Hurun looked at him, “Do not die for this vengeance, young Alekkai.”