Chương 97: Chapter 85. Mr. Mori

Mori After we entered the house, Anna's mother brought us to a waiting room. She went to fetch her husband while I waited in the room with Sarah, Anna, Warrick, Aqua and the rest of the girls. The nervousness from before has come back between the simple chatting and the sound of a clock ticking. Sarah was sitting to my left while Anna was sitting to my right. Grip! Grip! They both seemed to notice my nervousness and they both placed a hand on my hands. Sarah was the first to speak to me." Now, now, John!

You were like this before when you met Cyn and Tommy! And then, again when you met Asha and Sharon! Look at how that turned out!" Sarah turned and pointed at Cynthia, Asha and Sharon while speaking to me." Well, to be fair, Sarah, I wasn't going to ask to Marry their daughter when I met them for the first time." I responded to her. Sarah pinched my hand because of it. Anna began to speak to me now." My Father is a little bit harder to deal with than My Mother, but I believe in you, John!""

It's not that I'd be afraid of him, it's that I hope he doesn't refuse me. I don't know what I'd do if he did."" Would that stop you?" Anna asked me with concern." No, I'm all in on this. All his refusal would do is stall our eventual Wedding."" Hmm? And why is that Mr. Erisson?"" Anna!" Anna's mother returned with a blonde-haired man with dark-yellow eyes. And a what looked like an elementary schooler with light-green hair and dark red eyes. Mrs. Mori asked a question calmy.

The elementary schooler shot in from the doorway like a bullet from a gun and made a B-line for Anna as she called for her." Liz!" Release! Anna and the child, who was called Liz hugged each other. After embracing for a few moments, A young man with orange hair walked into the room." Liz, I know you miss her, but you shouldn't be making such a fuss in front of His and Her Majesty."" Now, now, we don't mind at all! Ah, this reminds me of when Sarah and Cynthia were young."

The man with blonde hair spoke and Aqua replied to ease any tension he might have. Mrs. Mori turned to us in the room and started to speak." Now that the members of the Family are all here, allow me to introduce everyone!" Mrs. Mori seemed to be in a pleasant mood. She started to introduce everyone." This is My Husband. His name is Les Mori. Beside him is My Son, Lucas Mori. The little one hugging Anna is my Youngest Daughter, Elizabeth Mori. And finally, myself! I am the Wife of Les, my name is Maria Mori!

Please call me Maria!" Everyone began to introduce themselves. It was similar to earlier when we all introduced ourselves to Mrs. M.... Maria. Eventually, it got to my turn. Instead of copying Warrick and just simply saying hi and my name, I gave a bow of the head and began to introduce myself." Hello, my name is John Ericsson. I'm an Otherworlder Paladin who was Summoned here around 3 months ago. Anna has been assigned to me since the 2nd day I arrived. I couldn't have gotten this far without her.""

Wait, wasn't the Paladin's name Matthew?" Les asked the question as he seemed a bit confused about the name thing." I've chosen to hide my true name for a few reasons. I tend to only share it with people I trust or people who people I trust vouch for."" Ah so Anna vouched for her Family?"" No, I trust you because you're the ones who raised Anna. I'm sure you're raising your children the same way." I smiled as I spoke." Seems she has held true to our Family's Values." Les spoke positively about Anna.

We all decided to sit down after that. Anna and Sarah sat on either side of me. Everyone else chose seats that they felt suited them best. Les began to ask another question." Why exactly has Your Highness and his Family, along with a Duke and a Baron's daughter decided to visit me? I'm just a Vice-Captain for a Scouting Squad in a long Family Line of Scouts?" Les looked at Warrick as he spoke. In return, Warrick looked at me as if telling me to get to it. I decided to start to explain." Allow me to explain."

Les turned to look at me with surprise in his eyes. I turn to Maria and she looks at me like she was expecting something. Here goes nothing, I guess?" We're here because of Anna and me. To put it bluntly. I've Fallen in Love with your daughter and wish for your Blessing for her Hand In Marriage, Sir." Les jumped up from the chair he was sitting on and spoke in a loud voice on the verge of a yell." But aren't you engaged to Princess Sarah!?"" Yes."" How can you even speak of something like this then!?""

Well, quite frankly, like I said before, I've Fallen in Love with Anna Mori, the Woman. I believe it's only fair to mention now that Sarah has already given permission for me to Marry Anna, as long as Sarah always remains as the one, I Love the most." A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation." So, you wish to condemn My Daughter to a life as someone's second choice!?"" Father!"

Anna shouted and scared Elizabeth who was sitting in her lap and watching the talk while enjoying her sister's company." Anna! How could you be okay with this!? It's like he just wants to keep you as a maid forever! I won't allow you to do something like this!" Les spoke to Anna in an angry tone." You don't even know anything about John! You've no idea the sacrifices he's made or the people he's helped along the way! Including me!"" You're just blinded by youthful fascination!

If you wish to Marry someone, I can find you a decent man who will Marry only you! You don't have to settle for a human, Anna!" GRIP! Uh oh! I quickly gesture to Sarah to relax as she grabs my hand as a response to Les's remarks about me. While I tried to calm Sarah down, Anna began to speak in a trembling voice." Blinded!

"Blind" how exactly? Blind as in I couldn't be a good enough Scout? A good enough Guard for the Village, so instead you send me to work as a terrible Maid! Never even asking if I even wanted to or believed I could be a good Maid! When do I get to have a say in my own life? Will it be only how I die? Will it only happen after you pass from here? When Father!? WHEN!?"" I will not have My Own Daughter disrespect me in my own house, Anna!" Elizabeth was clutching her ears as the rest of the family simply did nothing.

I'm starting to understand why Anna was so quiet and docile when I first met her. I thought originally it was because she was uncomfortable with me, now I see it's from this guy. I start to soothe Elizabeth as she was right next to me. She looked at me scared so I smiled and tried my best to calm her down. Pet... Pet... Seems my petting technique works well. While this was going on, seems the room hit a fever pitch. Anna began to cry, I saw Les's hand raise and prepare to strike Anna, Elizabeth yiped.

I cast Barrier on Anna. / Thud! / A thudding sound resounded through the room." Ah! My... My hand!"" John!" Anna turned to me and called for me. I rose to my feet and walked to where Anna and Les stood." All due respect, Mr. Mori, but as long as I'm around, I won't let anyone bring harm to your daughter regardless of who they are. Be it a Demon, Human, Hero, King or God it makes no difference. I would apricate it if you would sit and listen to us.

To be quite frank with you, I came here with the expectation that Anna was a reflection of your family and your personal views and morals as the patriarch of this house. However, having just witnessed this and remembering how she was before I met her. It seems she is the way she is in spite of you. I feel it's important to make one thing abundantly clear to you Mr. Mori. I came here asking for your Blessing, not your permission. If this is all too much for you, we can leave."

"Sniff...." I heard a sniffle behind me. I turn to look and see Anna staring at me wide eyed. However, the Sound wasn't from her, it was Elizabeth. She was beginning to cry." Anna will leave again?" Elizabeth spoke and sounded like her heart had been ripped out. A burst of killing intent started to ooze out from behind me. I turned back to Les who at this point, had stopped nursing his hand. I felt the killing intent oozing from behind him. Seems Lucas is ready for a fight for hurting Mr. Mori.

I raise my hand to him and begin to speak." Holy Heal." I cast a healing Spell for his hand. The Spell wore off and he shook his hand to check for any injuries." This is getting a bit heated. Would you like to hold off talking about this until tomorrow?"" No, there's no reason to do that. Let's settle this now, John Ericsson. I challenge you to a Duel." Les responded with anger in his eyes." Father!"" Enough, Anna! I can't just accept such disrespect from a human! Especially in my Own House!"

I turn to Sarah and begin to speak." Sarah, Diablos has legal duels?" Sarah stopped glaring at Anna's family and began to answer me." Yes, John, they've been a way to settle disputes without getting groups of people involved. Though, on record, there has been a duel where a team of 10 Demons fought another team of 10 over a plot of land once."" I see. What are the rules exactly?"" That is to be determined by the fighters."" Okay." I turn to Mr. Mori and begin to speak." Mr. Mori. Firstly, I'm curious.

Do you hate all humans? Or is it just me because I've done something rude?"" I hate only you for how disrespectful you're being, boy!"" Hm. Is that so? Where I'm from its impolite to strike adults even if they are your children." Les started to leak killing intent. I followed his lead. He took offense to that." For the rules. 1 on 1. The winner is the one who kills, incapacitates or forces their opponent to admit defeat. Sound good?"" Yes, boy it does." He agrees to the rules, that's nice. Now for the stakes."

If you win, I'll apologize for any wrongdoing on my part. If I win, I'll have you apologize for trying to hit her."" You won't ask for my Blessing?"" As I stated, it'd be nice, but I don't need it. To be honest, after this, I kind of don't want it. But I do want this duel now. Where and when Mr. Mori?"" In 3 hours, we can fight in the Village's Training Area." That works for me."" In the meantime, I'll take my leave." Les stopped looking at me and proceeded to look at Maria." Dear, look after our Daughter."

Everyone knew he meant Elizabeth. Les left after bidding farewell to everyone he needed to. Except for me of course." John!" Press! Anna jumped into my chest. This shocked me out of the fighting mood I was in. I felt my chest begin to feel soaked." Anna, everything is going to be okay. I promise. For now, relax and spend time with your family. There's no reason to let this ruin the reunion with your sister, brother or mother. Okay?"

Anna rose her face from my chest and her face was covered in tears and her nose was dripping. I wiped her tears and used my shirt to wipe her nose. A little rustic, but I hope my feeling got through to her." John, no. You're going to fight My Father! You shouldn't have to fight becau---" I placed my finger on her lips and shushed her." He's made you angry, you're also crying because of all of this. That's reason enough to me. Besides, don't worry, I won't die. I won't kill or cause him permanent injuries either.

Just relax for now. That goes for all of you to!" I yell a little to make sure everyone heard me." Everyone is scaring Elizabeth." I turned to Elizabeth who was being held by her mother and wasn't calming down well. I began to speak to her." Elizabeth, I'm sorry for scaring you. Also, I'm sorry for causing that outburst from your dad. It's all because I couldn't explain everything very well and it caused old wounds to burst. But I promise, your dad will be fine." I reached my hand for Elizabeth's head.

Maria, who was holding her allowed me to. I began to rub her head and she began to calm down and grow drowsy. Before long, she began to sleep." How do you expect to beat My Husband without hurting him?" Maria whispered her question to me with a serious face which I hadn't seen before." I didn't say I wouldn't hurt him. Just that he will be fine. Sorry about this in advance, Maria. I saw that while you did nothing, your eyes told a different story."" My Husband... Has grown... Different through the years, John.

You must understand that. While he buries it deep, the man I Married is still in there."" Mind telling me why he chooses to bury it?"" With such limited time, I shall spare most of the details. To put it simply.... We used to have 6 children. Our eldest Son and Daughter were captured by Humans during a Scouting Mission. We haven't seen them since. We can't even find them with Fortune Telling Magic."" I see. That explains why he kept Anna away from being a Scout.

He sent her to the castle with ideas that she would be safe from warfare in the heart of the Country I'm assuming?" Maria nodded." Well, looks like I'll have to drag that man you married back out into the light of day. This is going to take longer than the time it takes for a duel."" How do you plan on doing that?" I scratched my cheek trying to figure out how to answer the question." Well, the answer is kind of easy in a way.

You see, in my world, there were groups of people who disliked each other for reasons not related to them as individuals. They were of different races like Humans and Demons. However, Love did bloom between children of different Races. The parents were usually always angry. Until a grandchild came into the picture."" She is pregnant after all!" Maria had a smile on her face." No, not yet. But in the future, honestly, I'll have as many children as your Daughter wishes to have. After Marriage of course."

I gave Maria a smile before going over and beginning to reassure Anna that everything was going to be alright. Looks like I have about 3 hours to calm her. Where will I find the time to think about a strategy?