LIFE'S BEEN GREAT as of late! The kids are doing well: the boys are rambunctious and the girls are as sweet as ever. I guess that's how I imagine them, but Sieg is actually pretty meek despite his strength. It still fits the description for Ars, at least. The wives are as lively as ever: Eris is still training, Roxy's still teaching, and Sylphy keeps our home life perfect. Lilia's been having some minor back pain, but that's nothing a bit of King-tier Healing Magic can't fix. And of course Zenith is doing well. She still can't physically speak, but we can hold brief conversations if Lara acts as an interim. She still talks about you, y'know?
"I've taken care of her just as you asked, Father."
To think that it's been over 15 years since Paul passed. I still make it a point to visit his grave often. I'm sure he'd say something like"Geez, Rudy, quit getting sappy over an old man like me! Don't you have some pretty little ladies waiting for you back home?"with a wry smile. I could hear it in his voice so clearly.
I dampened a towel with water magic and began to wipe away the moss creeping up his headstone.
"You hear enough about my life all the time, though. I'm sure you're justdyingto know about how your sweet little Norn is doing!"
Ah crap, that was in bad taste.
"Ahem." I cleared my throat. "Her novels have been selling too fast for Zanoba to stock! At this rate, we'll need to hire yet another printing workshop just to keep up with demand. The problem's the same in Asura Kingdom, too. Even the Demon God translations are selling out."
She really had grown quite popular as of late–more so than her student council days! My little sister's a celebrity! We could make a killing if we held an author meet-and-greet.
Maybe I should make her a Comiket booth...Norniket... Hmmmm...
"Norn told me this was confidential, but it's not like she made me sign an NDA, so please keep this a secret! You're the star of her next novel! It'll be all about your adventuring days as leader of Fangs of the Black Wolf."
We got some real juicy details from Ghislaine and Elinalise–too much, really–so now we know the truth from fiction. You always did like showing off for us, huh? You might have exaggerated a littletoomuch if you ask me, but who am I to judge? I started showing off for my own kids when I became a father.
"Oh–" I caught myself. "Naturally, you'll be in there too, Newbie." I re-wet my cloth and began cleaning the grave right next to Paul's. Geese Nukadia. "The Fangs of the Black Wolf were hopeless without you, y'know. Soon, kids will recognize the name 'Geese' from their favorite story book. They'll think of you as a hero. I hope you can find peace in that."
I smiled, at a comment like that, he'd surely scratch his neck with a bashful look while saying"Aw shucks, Boss! You think too highly of little ol' me!"with a stupid grin plastered over his monkey-like face.
I poured some wine for the three of us and continued. "Aside from her books, Norn has been enjoying every moment of her married life." Those twostillhaven't left their honeymoon phase! "I had never viewed Ruijerd as the kind of guy to display his affection so openly, but I guess he just can't help himself around her." The way he looked at her gotmyheart pumping. In all honesty, I can't help but feel jealous! That'smyRuijerd, Norn! And that'smyNorn, Ruijerd! Gah!
"You've acquired quite the son-in-law, haven't you?"
Let's see, what else... Right!
"Of course we can't forget about your dear sweet granddaughter, Luicelia! She's more talented of a warrior than a magician, but it seems she's going to end up a spellsword!"
Or, wait, wouldn't it be a spellspear?
"She's quite clever and a natural warrior. Her quick-witted movements combined with her unconventional uses of magic makes her a foe to be reckoned with. Under the right conditions, I bet she could have beaten you!"
Thinking back to my last days in Buena Village, I had been pretty close to beating Paul. And that's without Battle Aura or a third eye. Against non-Superd opponents, this kid throws up a smokescreen and lies in wait like an ambush predator! Clever girl.
"I've said it before, but you would've loved her, Paul. It's only become more clear as she's grown, but she really does lookjustlikeNorn–barring the red gem, green hair, and tail, obviously. But looks aside, she's like a little mini Zenith: she has that same smile–always so full of life and energetic; she gets excited over the strangest things; and shelovesstories about her beloved Grandfather. With all of the trouble she gets in, I imagine she's pretty similar to you in your youth, too. Maybe less of a scoundrel and more of a scamp, but either way Norn has her hands full. I worry that with those similarities in mind she might grow up to be a womanizer like us. Hopefully she doesn't break too many hearts, but you know how us Greyrats are."
Though, technically she's aSuperdia,isn't she?
Anyhow, the main reason I bring her up is because I've scored some time off! It seems for the next few weeks, there's nothing requiring my input. At least, that's what Orsted said, but I think he's just trying to do me a favor. Regardless, I don't plan on slacking! I'll touch up on some paperwork and the like during this down period, but I think a family vacation would be nice. Apparently the President has some work in the Superd village, and that got me thinking–why not have a visit myself?
Not to mention... I have a secret mission not even Orsted knows about. "I have to protect my position as one of the 7 Great Uncles of this world! This kid thinks I'm the coolest guy around–even above Ruijerd. I feel kind of bad taking that from him, but he'll have a few hundred years of fatherly love after I'm gone, so he'll have to forgive me this time."
In all fairness, it's not like I have any competition as the "cool uncle" but I'm a staunch believer in keeping up appearances. ...Actually, Eris might still have a few brothers floating about. I better spoil her rotten just to be safe! Hopefully Norn doesn't end uptoocross.
That's about all I have to report for now. I'll tell you all about her after the trip. I promise to dote on your beloved granddaughter just as you would have, Paul. I can only hope It'll be to your standards.
"Take care, Geese. Farewell, Father."