Chương 1171: [1097] - Y05.097 - Gratitude

Adam stood tall before the Great Elders, who gazes oppressed upon his shoulders. He had no idea what to do with his hands, so crossed them over his navel, like Mara whenever she was ready to fight, though Adam instead clasped his left wrist with his right hand, feeling that was the least threatening way to stand.

"I want to thank the Great Elders for their assistance in this matter. I know that without you, things would have been more difficult, and I probably wouldn't be standing here today, so truly, thank you."

"You do not need to thank us for matters of the Iyr," Iromin stated.

"I know, but still. I wanted to apologise too. I… didn't want things to escalate for the Iyr. I know that things will be difficult for you now, and it was my fault that I… allowed my children to be in-," Adam's voice cracked, and the half elf blinked away the burning in his eyes. Even now, the half elf couldn't bear to think of it.

"I'm sorry. If you need to, you can offer me up, though I would appreciate it if you didn't."

"We will need to discuss the matters of education," Elder Teacher said, bowing his head lightly.

"You must also speak of the theories behind the children's appetite," Elder Forest added.

"Of course," Adam replied.

"You should have allowed the Iyr to handle the situation," Elder Wrath said.

"We would have dealt with the matter cleanly."

"It had to be me," Adam said, catching the Great Elder's eyes, the Iyrman slowly nodding his head.

"The Rot family has allowed us to handle the fallout created," Iromin said.

"We will take responsibility, for the actions that day, and whatever will come in the future."

"If you need any help, I'm always open to help." Adam bowed his head, unsure of what else to say, before glancing between the Great Elders.

"I'll never forget your help."

"Even if you do, the Iyr never forgets," Elder Gold stated, half a warning, half a reassurance.

"With the matter of the Reavers… is there anything you need me to do?" Adam asked.

"We are still preparing for the threat of the Reavers, and the lack of care the nations will take when trying to handle the Reavers," Iromin replied.

"We may require your assistance in the future."

"You have no need to worry of your family," Elder Gold stated, meeting Adam's gaze, holding it with her oppressive aura.

"No harm will come to them." Adam smiled slightly, and bowed his head.

"Thank you again." Once the half elf stepped out, the Great Elders exchanged glances, their eyes darting to Elder Peace, who rubbed her beads, praying lightly over them. She noted their looks, but said nothing, since what had come to pass, had come to pass, and whatever came upon the horizon, would be dealt with as efficiently, maximising the most joy, and the most safety.

'He returned the axe immediately,' Elder Peace thought, who had long decided to rid of the weapon. It was an axe that was too dangerous to remain upon the land, for it was already so strong in the hands of a nobody, but it was terrifying within the hands of someone like the Chief of the Iyr. It was such a powerful axe, she was certain Adam had wanted to keep it. Elder Wrath leaned back in his chair, cracking his back lightly. He closed his eyes, recalling the scene before him.

'I have to go,' Ashmir had said, having gone to see the Great Elder, to ask his permission to go.

'Why have you come to me?'

'I am a member of the Mir family now.'

'Whether you are a member of the Mir family, or the Ban family, or the Rot family, it does not matter. I will not treat you any different because the family you have joined, was once a family I claimed to be a part of.'

'Are you saying… I cannot go?' This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

'I am saying that you should go to the appropriate Great Elder.'

'Who would that be?' Iromin reached up to rub his forehead.

'They may come this season…' Iromin wasn't sure if he wanted the trouble this particular season, since there was so much to do.

'We should threaten them.' Elder Forest checked her notes. The Iyr would have fewer warriors they could utilise in foreign affairs, considering how many Iyrmen would be needed to watch the perimeter. She would need to request support from the hidden villages, though they needed to be careful, since Adam and a few others remained in the Main Iyr. Though Adam had already met someone from the hidden villages, he didn't know what the hidden villages were. How could he?

Unless the Family Elders or Family Heads informed him of the hidden villages, but even they wouldn't go that far. Would they? Elder Forest sat up a little taller. No. She couldn't doubt them. They understood the depths of their powers, their rights, and they wouldn't abuse such, even for Adam.

"Okay?" Elder Gold asked.

"Okay," Elder Forest replied, rubbing the side of her neck, letting her guilt flow through her. Ultimately, even though things had changed, the Rot family always acted in accordance to the Iyr's laws. Elder Gold checked her notes, and while she had far less to deal with in comparison to Elder Forest, for ultimately the Iyr was the priority, there were many other, foreign businesses, she needed to deal with.

The most trouble would come from the business upon the Iyr's border, but since it was so close to the border, she could react quickly if anything were to happen. Elder Teacher excused himself from the meeting, since he had the least to do in regards to the Reaver issue. He would become busy after the Reavers arrived, and even after they were dealt with, for he would need to add their stories into the Iyr's curriculum. Although, he had spent the last couple of years remaking the curriculum, and doing so again.

Then there was the matter of the children which he had wished to poach for the Hundred, but he was refused time and time again.

"Elder Zijin?" Adam asked.

"Yes," Jirot said, pointing to the archway out.

"You must go now, daddy."

"You will not even kiss me now that I've come home?"

"You must go." Jirot glanced away from her father, still pointing to the archway.

"When I start working again, you'll regret it."

"Working? Why?" Jirot gasped, her eyes shooting towards her mother for support.

"How he can say this, mummy?"

"Hello there," Adam called as he approached the Elder in his estate, the Iyrman already pouring Adam tea.

"Good morning," Elder Zijin greeted, allowing the half elf to sit and drink, before smiling towards the half elf.

"How was the meeting?"

"It went fine, I think. I could tell they each had a lot to think about, and I'm glad they took the time to meet me." Zijin nodded his head slowly.

"Do you wish to keep the axe?"

"I don't."

"Okay," Zijin sipped his tea lightly, taking a moment to think.

"I have a request."

"What is it?"

"Please Awaken another enchanter, one who will possess all your enchanting abilities."

"Already planning to kill me off?" Adam asked, but he noted Zijin's look, and his smile dropped.

"Sorry."

"The Reavers are a great threat, and if you are to do, then the Iyr shall only possess two others, both of the same family. It will be difficult to ignore the Iyr's complaints if the Rot family continues to hold such treasures for themselves, so we wish to Awaken another enchanter."

"Sure. Who?" Zijin smiled, sadly. He had wanted to Awaken Saygak, who would have been the perfect candidate, but the Gak family was too close to the Rot family, and if it was Saygak, Zijin wouldn't be able to show the Gak family favour in ways that could lead to their rise in the near future.

"Shamezi."

"Oh, that makes sense," Adam replied.

'I mean, they are enchanters, so…' Zijin smiled slightly.

"Romaezi is still annoyed you did not marry into his family."

"Tell him to get in line, I still get that from granduncle Rajin." Zijin smiled wider, unable to control it.

"I know how he can become."

"He says the same about you." Zijin's laughter filled the estate, the Elder reaching up to wipe his eyes.

"Even through you, it is difficult to face him." It was times like this, Zijin understood he had made the right decision, even now, as he planned his retirement. He had already planned to send away Raygak and Saygak for more intense training, and by the time they returned, he would no longer be their Elder.

"When do you want me to start?"

"When I informed Jirot, she raised her brows towards me, and I could see it in her eyes. For a moment, she thought to speak to her greatfather. If you started today, I could not handle the trouble. You may start tomorrow." Adam smiled.

"You know, Elder Zijin. I'm glad you're our Elder."

"If you are glad, do not cause me such trouble!" Zijin roared with laughter again, this time joined in by the half elf. Once Adam returned back to the estate, he lifted up his twins, with Jirot raising her brows expectantly at him.

"Let's play Warriors and Wanderers!" Adam declared.

"Yay!" Jirot hugged her father's head and kissed his cheek, before they went to continue their tale, wanting to face even more hydras. Elder Zijin hadn't expected to see Vonda that day, especially not within minutes of sending Adam away.

"How may I help you?"

"I require your permission," Vonda said, revealing her paper, which had been signed by the Family Head, not to give the woman permission, but to state that she had read the request. Zijin stared at the request form. He glanced up towards Vonda, holding her gaze for a long moment.

'You truly are Adam's wife.' The Elder wondered if Adam understood how lucky he was to have Vonda as his wife, but before the thought finished, he was certain Adam understood, considering how much he flirted with his wife, and with how many times all his companions would inform the Elder of such, even as they adventured.