Summoned and Unwanted

682 What are your intentions?

“I was in danger, but I do not want father to feel responsible. Everything happened because of my decisions and no one else’s.” Awa said while looking apologetically at her father.

Awa tried her hardest not to stress or worry her father because of his injury and current condition. However, the moment Awa chose to leave her village and return quickly secretly, the accident happened.

Awa made her father far more worried every hour she was missing than she wanted.

“Did the slav... I mean, that human did not try to use you as a living shield? or did he try?” Awa’s mother questioned.

“No, he didn’t. Vincent gave me a chair to sit on with his transport magic. I saw him taking down the great Orso alone without using me or the two with him as distractions.”

Awa looked at Vincent and continued saying with a faint smile, “Vincent showed me his powerful warrior spirit. His life was on the line, yet he tried his hardest because his two companions and I would be next to die upon his death.”

“Are your bones fine? Are you coughing blood because of an internal injury? I feel bad to know you brought me here in your current state.” Awa asked Vincent before she peeked at Labh and his mother.

Awa tried to help Vincent fight in the clan leadership challenge, and as Awa planned, the ears of Labh and his mother twitched at the news of Vincent’s injuries.

The duo heard advantageous information causing their lips to show the beginning of a smirk. In their minds were a lot of thoughts, but one thing was common between them.

.....

Vincent was easy to kill in his current condition. Furthermore, Vincent’s defeat was a great way to let the Dullahans know how powerful their current clan leader was.

When the clan leader and the clan chieftain looked at each other, they winked at the same time. The mother and son leaned their heads and whispered a couple of sentences that made them smirk confidently.

Labh moved forward while his mother turned around.

Labh went in front of Vincent and Awa. On the other hand, his mother, the current clan chieftain, signaled the Dullahans to follow her while she headed back inside the village.

“I am the current and future clan leader of the mighty Dullahan race. I am a proud warrior of the great Dullahan race. I am proud to lead my great fellow Dullahans.”

Labh knocked Orso’s head onto Vincent’s legs and continued mockingly, “Slave traders always speak lies to deceive us. However, I can not let the salve trader who defeated our greatest enemy remain unrewarded.”

Labh raised his hands with his fists clenched. He slowly turned three sixty degrees while saying, “I, the clan leader of the mighty Dullahan race, am proud to call myself a benevolent leader.”

Labh looked at Vincent with a confident expression and continued, “Thus, I will accept to be challenged by this slave trader. If I win, it means I have defeated the person who defeated the great Orso. It means I have defeated the great Orso.”

Many of the Dullahans who didn’t follow the clan chieftain to see what was going to happen next became excited. They wanted to see their clan leader fight against the man who beat Orso.

“Follow me inside, slave trader. I will accept your challenge officially there.” Labh said before he walked away.

The Dullahans glanced at Vincent and started to follow Labh inside. Some curiously peeked at Vincent and Awa a few times before entering the village. However, because they were used to suffering, they didn’t think this fight greatly favored Labh.

Awa’s parents and Awa stared at each other. Vincent was holding Awa by her hip while Lamin was being assisted to stand by his wife, Amie.

“I am sorry for making you worried. I am also sorry for causing this commotion.” Awa said apologetically.

“Don’t worry, dear. You returned safe and sound.” Amie looked at Vincent and continued, “I have never heard of a kind human. Please tell us the truth. We are alone now.”

“My arm is forever lost because of the great Orso, yet you defeated Orso by yourself.” Lamin looked at Awa and continued, “Even if you lied to us, I will still believe you forever. Can we at least know the truth?”

Vincent and Kazumi were surprised. They didn’t think Awa’s parents stopped acting cautious of Vincent and acted curious about the truth.

[Awa’s parents are different than the other Dullahans. They acted cautious of you, yet they are acting thankful for what you did.]

-It brings hope that the other Dullahans can see us differently.-

[I agree. Those two bastards have done enough damage with their manipulation. I read their lips, and it was all about taking advantage of your current condition with maximum rewards.]

Orso’s head shone green before dematerializing into particles. It made Awa and her parent move their eyes to follow the light.

“Awa’s mother and father. Amie and Lamin. I am not seeking a reward for what I did.” Vincent said.

“I saved Awa because I discovered her head alone on the snow. I had never met with a Dullahan before, but my little fox told me the head was alive.” Vincent moved his gaze onto Awa and continued, “I entered the forest to clear my mind. I didn’t enter the forest to meet a person in need and abandon them to die alone in the cold.”

Vincent moved his gaze at Amie and Lamin. “When a person saves someone, they should be responsible for them. As such, Awa’s life became my responsibility.”

Amie and Lamin glanced at Awa and noticed her red cheeks. They understood taking responsibility meant marrying Awa. Both now understood why their daughter had second doubts about the marriage with Labh and later chose to be with Vincent.

“Awa has arrived home safe and sound because of the promise I made to her. I love her, but if she does not want to be with me, I do not mind making her the next clan chieftain and letting her be with a man who is fit for her.”

Amie and Lamin became shocked to hear Vincent saying this. They didn’t think the man holding their daughter from falling wanted to challenge the current clan leader, thinking that he had already won, and place Awa as the next clan chieftain, with or without him remaining in their small hidden village.

.

[Notice]

[Updated Promised Quest: End the life of the being known as Orso and escort Awa safely back home. Completed.]

[Rewards]

*Reputation – Awa +50 (Total 55 rep)

*Reputation – Amie +20 (Total 20 rep)

*Reputation – Lamin +35 (Total 35 rep)

.

Vincent and Kazumi were surprised to see the promised quest update itself at this moment.

Vincent received reputation rewards before he entered the village. Amie and Lamin gained a lot of positive reputation, showing they were starting to view Vincent in a better light.

[Awa’s mother has twenty points of positive influence points, while Awa’s father has thirty-five positive influence points.]

[On the other hand, Awa gained two extra points of positive influence. I guess what you said in front of the Dullahans has won you more of her trust.]

-That would be great. Hehe. We might be able to form an alliance in the future.-

[Yeah. The Dullahans have the potential to become strong like the first generation of Dullahans summoned to this world.]

[The book of heroes mentioned them briefly as powerful horseback knights. I wonder how powerful the Dullahans can become if they are adequately fed and allowed to train.]

*Wink* “I saw how strong Labh is, and he has no chance of winning against me.” Vincent told Awa’s parents.

Amie and Lamin looked at their daughter with puzzled frowns. “Huh?” Both uttered, slightly confused.

“Mother, father. Vincent has god’s eye. He can know our condition without us even noticing...”

“That is why I tried to save Awa.” Vincent interrupted. “I had a chance to save her. That is why I didn’t want to abandon her.”

“Then... were you tricking us? Did you trick our daughter into loving you too?” Amie questioned.

“It is not like that, mother. Vincent is tired, yes. He is injured, yes. His warrior’s spirit is strong enough to earn him victory, yes.” Awa responded.

“Haha. Now that is how a woman should speak about her man.” Vincent praised Awa while keeping the act as lovers.

“Shall we head inside now? The audience is waiting to see your clan leader lose.”

“One moment. ” Lamin said, stopping Vincent from going to the village.

Lamin frowned and asked, “What are your intentions after the honorable fight? What are you going to do with us if you manage to win? Will we become slaves?”

“Hehe.” Vincent chuckled. “Fear not. I do not have time to lead your people nor the horrible conscious of enslaving people.”

“I conversed with your daughter, and I have deemed Awa to be more generous, responsible, and caring to lead her people than most people I know.” Vincent looked at Awa and continued, “The clan leader and clan chieftain positions are suited for you, but remember that you are never alone. You need to let your parent help you next time.”

Awa gently nodded while her cheeks remained red. She moved her gaze to her parents and noticed them expressing doubt.

“Why are you going to leave our daughter here alone, then? Why are you planning? Don’t you love my daughter?” Amie questioned.

Lamin nodded. “I also want to know what kind of love you have for my sweet daughter.”