Chương 1586: [1493] – Y06.393 – The Heart of the Iyr III

Adam wasn't sure when his daughter had become such a gangster, but it seemed she was just teasing her ahm, for they played innocently, and eventually the girl asked about his sword.

"Daddy, ahm's sword is so lovely, and so amazing, and so wonderful," Jirot said, noting her mother's brows, and though she could upset her father with ease, upsetting her mother brought a chill to her.

"I suppose it is quite a lovely sword," Adam said, glancing aside, the half elf flushing, a small, meek smile slipping across his lips. Jirot sighed, reaching up to hold onto her father's hand tenderly.

'Sometimes, daddy, you are so adorable, just a little bit.'

"I hope my daughter is as kind as yours," Korin said, half a joke, but also quite serious, as the girl glanced aside, flushing lightly, a small smile slipping across her lips.

"I'm sure they will be since their cousin will teach them well, this sweet daughter of mine, who I'm so proud of," Adam said, picking the girl up, hoisting his son up immediately after.

"Your sons will also be so sweet, since all their cousins are so sweet!" As Adam declared how proud he was of his daughter, the girl turned her head, for she was flush with a gentle crimson, her heart rushing with sweetness, burying her head against her father's shoulder. Little Jarot smiled up at his father, and as their eyes met, his father leaned in to nuzzle his son's nose, causing the boy to smile wider.

"Daddy, I am proud of you too," Jirot whispered, holding her father's head, tickling his ear with her breath, not wanting anyone else to hear. The half elf turned his head, for he was flush with a gentle crimson, his heart rushing with the sweetness that was his daughter's affection. He returned to rub his cheek against hers, feeling the warmth of her cheek against his own, even through the nightval chill.

Korin just sighed, allowing the half elf to lose himself within his twins' affections, for their heart remained heavier, colder, and emptier than they should have, especially considering who they called their mummy and daddy. As Adam completed his enchanting for nightval, also forging other equipment throughout the season. He had half thought about enchanting Greater armour for the Golden Savages, but they were not required to leave just yet.

Then, finally, upon the first day of the Twilight Month, Adam's children swarmed him to monopolise him, even from their mother. That was until he appeared. Jirot marched up to her mother, placing a hand upon her knee, huffing quietly, glancing to one side.

"Mummy."

"Dear..."

"This is getting out of hand," the girl said, covering her face.

"I understand, but..." Adam stared at the grey skinned Iyrman, who smiled warmly towards the half elf, for they hadn't seen one another in quite some time.

"Have you come to make Jirot hate me?"

"I do not believe little Jirot could hate you, but…" The Elder turned towards the little girl, smiling towards her with a gentle smile.

"I wish to speak with your father, only for a few moments."

"Since it is you, Elder Zijin," the girl said, though she pouted up towards her mother. Elder Zijin stepped out, leading the half elf away, through the Iyr which had changed so much since his youth, and from just a few years ago. As they stepped out towards the outskirts of the village, the white snow accompanying them, the Elder stopped, turning to face Adam.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

"A little," Adam admitted, smiling, though he tilted his head.

"I, uh, do wish I could travel further more quickly."

"Perhaps flying steeds?" Zijin mused.

"Oh…" Adam replied, thinking for a long moment.

"Yeah…" Zijin smiled, bowing his head gently, and after a moment of silence passed, he looked towards the white landscape across the horizon.

"I petitioned for your children to be considered Iyrmen, though it seems you also pushed for it yourself." Adam raised his brows in alarm, stumbling upon his words for a moment.

"You did?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"It was all I could do," Zijin replied, in a way that revealed he had come to terms with it many years ago.

"So… you didn't have to give up anything, then?"

"I did not," Zijin confirmed.

"I intended to surrender the title of Elder." Adam's brows raised further, the half elf trying to catch his breath.

"Really?"

"Yes, though I have chosen to step back regardless," Zijin admitted, smiling once more towards the half elf.

"What?"

"I have surrendered the position to someone I feel would be better suited to leading the next generation in this era of Chaos."

"Kitool?" Adam asked, though that didn't make any sense to him, since she had been with him this entire time. Except, there was that time last year she spent some time away.

"No, but you are close."

"Huh. Is it Jirot?"

"She was my second choice," Zijin joked.

"No, but you are equally as close."

"Kitool and Jirot are equally as close? My darling wife? No, no, that doesn't make any sense, she's not an Iyrman. Aunt?"

"No."

"Who?" Zijin began to laugh, a laugh that was hearty, wild, full of trouble. It was the kind of laughter that said more, the kind of laughter which revealed his intentions, and more.

"What?" Adam gasped due to the sudden realisation that the Elder had gone mad.

"Jaygak?"

"She will step down from the position of Executive, and she will take the position of Elder, for she is best."

"Jaygak? As in, the one with the horns?"

"Yes."

"Troublesome?"

"Yes."

"A wicked silver tongue?"

"Golden," Zijin corrected.

"Elder, are you okay?" Adam asked, holding the Elder's gaze for a long moment, more than happy to assist with his Lay on Hands, even if it wasn't ideal during this month.

"I am."

"Okay…"

"Jaygak has shown great wisdom," Elder Zijin admitted.

"It is my opinion she retired too soon. She continued to adventure upon my assistance, and then, she was wounded."

'Oh?' Adam thought, having not realised that was the case. He knew she had retired, but the fact that she had stepped out on Elder Zijin's request? Why had he done such a thing?

"I believe she could grow into a fine Elder in the future, should she be given the chance," Elder Zijin continued, his lips forming a wider smile.

"I have trained her for the last two years, and she has taken to studying as well as even your daughter, and now…"

'Oh…' Adam thought, now understanding why she had been missing this entire time.

"That's…"

"Yes."

"I mean…" Adam shook his head, trying to gather his thoughts.

"My kids have become Iyrmen. Jaygak has become an Elder. What a world we live in."

"Due to her experience adventuring with you, she knows what may be best when it comes to dealing with you, an existence which we must continue to consider within our estimations for the twenty first century. I am certain she, unlike perhaps any other Iyrman, will make fewer mistakes when it comes to your relationship, your position within the Iyr. The Great Elders, they may try to force her to act, sometimes, but she will stand firm when it comes to it, I am certain."

"Thank you, Elder." Zijin stepped towards the half elf, placing a hand upon his shoulder. He could feel how sturdy these shoulders were, the shoulders which would carry the next era upon them, Zijin was certain.

"My time as an Elder was eventful thanks to you. I hope you will not see me as a stranger once I step down."

"How could I do such a thing, Elder? You've watched me for years, and if I did, I'm pretty sure my daughter would beat me."

"I shall allow you to return back to your family, so that she may not do so," Zijin said, patting his shoulder once more.

"Thank you." Adam paused a moment, uncertain of what to say, for Elder Zijin had done so much for him. He supposed all he could say was a thanks. As Adam returned, he found a familiar face, one he had not seen in a long while, and the half elf smiled, waving a hand towards her.

"Well, well, well…"

"Daddy! Look! Kako is back! She is going to play with me and you are going to work!" Jirot declared, cackling towards her father.

"Oh? I suppose if you say it, it must be true?" Adam replied. Jirot paused, blinking at her father, tilting her head slightly as her father defeated her with his words.

'Huh?'

"I suppose I'll have to play with Konarot, Kirot, Karot, or perhaps… I should play with mummy?" Adam mused, tapping his chin in thought. Jirot blinked, turning towards her mother, furrowing her brows.

"No?" Jaygak reached down to pinch the girl's nose.

"I will claim you today since your father does not wish to play with you."

"What do you mean?" Adam complained.

"I want to play with my Jirot and Jarot! Jirot! Jarot! Come to your father!" Jirot cackled at her father's response, grabbing onto her kako's leg. After all, her kako would not betray her! Then… Jirot blinked, watching as the woman slipped away with Elder Zijin, the girl turning towards her mother, holding out her hands in utter bewilderment.

"Mummy?"