Chương 531: 498. Nobby I

The last week of the Twilight Month continued to pass. Adam decided against smithing since the Iyrmen had told him to relax. He assumed that the Great Elders wouldn't bother him.

"Yo!" Adam called out, wearing his triplets against his torso.

"Adam," Filliam called in response. For once the tinkerer wasn't working, instead enjoying the time with the Iyrmen and Adam's other companions, who had gathered together to relax near the stream.

"How are you all today?" Adam asked, allowing his children to drop down.

"Konarot, Kirot, Karot, you need to wave hello to my companions." The triplets looked up at the group, which consisted of all of Adam's companions who were staying within the Iyr. They waved at the group before clutching at their father's trousers. Adam sat with his companions, allowing his children to climb up onto him.

"You silly little babbies, I need some space too." Konarot's lips formed a pout and Kirot and Karot both buried their heads into his neck.

"Okay, just this once," Adam relented, giving in to his children far too easily.

"How many stories do you have already, Adam?" Filliam asked.

"I spent some time with the Rot family and I've heard at least four different tales."

"Yeah? I guess two per year isn't so bad."

"What about your tales from before the Iyr?"

"They're unbelievable," Adam said, waving his hand in the air to dismiss the topic.

"More unbelievable than killing two Dragons, beating a Prince of the Fire Giants, and becoming an Expert in just a year?"

"If you think that's unbelievable, then yes," Adam replied, smirking slightly.

"I've spoken the tale to my Aunt, the Chief, and Elder Story, and they're the only one's who need to…" Adam furrowed his brows.

"Oh, right. Lucy and Jurot know too."

"Lucy's tale is unbelievable too," Filliam said. He leaned in to the Half Elf to whisper.

"She's really the Demon Lord?"

"There are things you should know and thing you shouldn't know, Filliam," Adam said, carefully.

"Lucy is our companion," Vonda interjected.

"She may be a Demon or whatever, but she's a good one," Fred said. Adam narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Yeah, just like how Fred's an Aldishman, but he's one of the good ones." Fred furrowed his brows.

"Aldishmen are good." Adam smiled.

"How are you guys enjoying the Iyr?"

"About the same as before," Fred said, nervously.

"The Iyr is a wonderful place, and it is our fortune to remain within it," Vonda said.

"I've been getting the itch to fight something other than Iyrmen recently, but it's good," Dunes stated.

"It's alright," Brittany added.

"Good," Nobby said. Adam looked to Jonn, who didn't seem to want to respond.

"Good," Jonn said, simply.

"That's good, that's good. If they don't treat you well, then you can speak with Aunt Sonarot, she'll sort them out."

"It is thanks to your Aunt and your brother that we are able to stay for so long," Dunes said.

"We appreciate their faith in us."

"I'm sure they appreciate being able to host you and tell you their stories," Adam said.

"You two are Priests of some of their favourite Gods, and from fairly well known Orders. Plus, you've got a connection to me, so if they need to hear an opinion about me that isn't from an Iyrman, you could always tell them something." If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"Do you think we would give you up?" Vonda asked, smirking from behind her scarf at her joke.

"No, but you should," Adam said.

"Don't make it awkward for us all and just tell them stuff, unless I specifically ask you to keep something a secret, or you feel like it should be a secret."

'Are you still wary of the Iyr?' Vonda thought.

"Have you thought of what to do next year?" Dunes asked, trying to change the topic.

"Not yet," Adam admitted.

"Well, I mean, other than the stuff I promised. Working on the business, gathering the first few workers, and helping you find your friend." Dunes bowed his head.

"No other plans?"

"Probably not," Adam admitted.

"We might have to adventure a little to make some coin in order to do stuff. I'm sure information will cost quite a bit."

"I have enough that I can deal with that," Dunes said.

"Sure, but I'd rather reunite you quickly, so I'll use whatever funds are necessary."

"I can deal with that," Dunes repeated.

"Dunes," Adam said, "don't you forget how hardcore I am when it comes to my friends. A thousand gold or two isn't a big deal if it means finding your friend."

"I will hope that it does not require much gold or effort," Dunes finally said, relenting to Adam.

"It doesn't matter if it does."

"You're so free with your coin…"

"Money is meant to be spent." Adam shrugged his shoulders.

"If you have so much money to spend, you should donate to the temples," Vonda joked, smirking further at her own jokes.

"Right, I should probably do that." Adam thought about how much money he had made and how much money he should have donated to the Gods.

"I need to make a temple for the business too, so maybe that's where I should focus some of my coin on for now?"

'Then there's the children's university fund.'

"Your children are so well behaved," Filliam said, leaning in as he pushed his glasses up.

"It's to be expected since they are Half Dragons but it's still a surprise."

"Ah, right. I need to show you guys something," Adam said.

"Let's head back to the shared estate."

'This is what he was excited to show us?' Jonn thought, staring down at Adam, who was squatting down, holding Jirot and Jarot's hands with his own.

"See?" Adam said. His companions slowly nodded their heads, wondering why Adam was so enthusiastic about his children. However, Vonda knew that the children were developing quickly. From her temple she had learnt the stages of life for people, especially babies since the Priests of Life were specifically tasked with making sure the infant mortality rate was low. Jirot and Jarot held onto their father's hands, squatting up and down, showing off their new found strength.

"Look at you two go!" Adam cooed eagerly. Jirot cackled and Jarot laughed, before they were quickly scooped up into their father's arms. He showered them with his affection. The triplets stared up at their father, before they too began to squat nearby.

"What's this? Are you jealous because your daddy is only hugging your brother and sister? Come here you little brats!" Adam let his twins go so they could crawl around before he embraced his triplets, showering them in affection too.

"How cute are you? Stop it, you'll make everyone so jealous of me. No, don't stop it, they should be jealous of me since I have such wonderful children!"

'This was the man who slew two Dragons?' Filliam thought. He thought to how much he knew of the Rot family, Jarot specifically, who the tinkerer had met only a few times.

'Is he really only their Nephew?' Adam continued to show off his children to his companions, before he went to assist with dinner. Lanarot tugged his trousers and pointed up to the sky.

"Up."

"We can't do it this month, Lanababy," Adam replied. Lanarot frowned.

"Up!" The girl demanded.

"No, not this month," Adam said, rubbing her head.

"No!"

"That's right, no."

"No!" She pointed up at Adam.

"Up!"

"Just because you're cute, it doesn't mean you can boss me around," Adam said, picking her up, before lifting her about as though she were flying. His little sister clapped her hands eagerly and squealed.

"Mister boss," Nobby called.

"Yes?"

"Can we spar, please?" Nobby asked. Sonarot's ears twitched at the words, but she paid them no mind.

"Hmm?" Adam looked to his children and then to Lanarot.

'Fight? I'm pretty sure without my magic and with his rage, I'll have a fairly tough time.' However, it had been a while since he had flexed his muscles.

"Sure." Sonarot's ears twitched again, and she threw them a look.

'Adam and Nobby are to fight?'

"Thank you, mister boss." Adam went to slip on his breastplate, and grabbed his magical shield, which would make up for the shortfall of the rest of his plate mail which he decided against wearing. He grabbed his mundane axe too, and stood opposite Nobby to one side. The Iyrmen, his companions, and the children, kept an eye on them, eager to watch them fight. Lanarot had all but forgotten about her want to fly as she smiled and giggled, eager to watch the fight.

Battle Order D20 + 1 = 12 (11) Attack - Axe D20 + 6 = 24 (18) Hit! 1D6 + 1D3 + 4 = 7 (2)(1) 7 damage! Attack - Axe D20 + 6 = 20 (14) Hit! 1D6 + 1D3 + 4 = 13 (6)(3) 13 damage!

'I probably shouldn't go all out right away,' Adam thought, before leaping forward. Nobby held up his shield, and as the pair fought, Nobby could feel the great strength which Adam possessed. His axe struck greater than Jurot's did without his rage.

'That should be good,' Adam thought, noting how Nobby was already sweating slightly under Adam's assault. Nobby inhaled deeply before his entire face grew hot and red with rage. His axe cut through the air, though Adam managed to deflect it off his shield. Health: 65 -> 56'Damn,' Adam thought, feeling the force behind the blow. He was no doubt strong, and probably shouldn't be underestimated.

Nobby's wild axe cut through the air, and as Adam brought up his shield, the axe struck his shield with such might that his entire arm shook, and he slid back away from the raging porter. Health: 56 -> 37'What the hell?'