War and Fortune 2.252

The arrival of Caenis to the Bishamon family did not go unnoticed, especially for Hephaestus who spoke with Kain, and the latter went to visit Viggo along with Tatsumi.

That day Kain went to Viggo's mansion, but the latter was not at the time nor were his grandchildren. Viggo had taken them to Bishamon's house to meet Caenis, although of course, Caenis was small and did not understand, much less Bell and Uriel.

When Kain and Tatsumi arrived at Bishamon's house, a girl with blond hair neatly in a ponytail and dressed in a white blouse, black pants and boots opened the door for them.

—Mr. Dragonroad— said Erika, Siegfried's sister, seeing the tall elf with white hair, pointed ears and blue eyes. Next to the elf was a boy with dark hair and slanted eyes dressed in a blue kimono, hakama and wooden sandals.

—Good morning, Erika— Kain said in an affable tone of voice —I'm coming to see my son. —

—Viggo... sorry, Mr. Dragonroad is in the yard with his children and the little Amazon. It seems that the Bishamon family was transformed into an orphanage or something—

Kain showed a smile that reflected his understanding. Erika was a noblewoman, from a renowned house, surely, she is not used to having children around her and less to bring strangers to her house.

Kain and Tatsumi entered the house and Erika escorted them to the courtyard where they had a large terrace with burgundy ceramic floor, a table with white tablecloth and chairs. Viggo was sitting in a chair with Uriel and Bell sitting on his thighs while little Caenis stood at them. Uriel babbled serious things, Bell looked full of curiosity and bit his hand while Caenis looked at them enviously.

On Viggo's right side sat Bishamon, blonde, with a high bun and two chopsticks holding her hair: purple kimono and wooden sandals. On the left side sat Ana and Sakura.

On the other side, twenty meters away from them was the young Siegfried swinging a large, coarse metal sword repeatedly.

—I see you in great company, boy— Kain said, approaching Viggo. The latter looked back, also Uriel and Bell, who saw Kain and waved their arms of happiness. Only Caenis hugged Viggo by the stomach and hid.

—Father, it's been a while— Viggo replied with a broad smile, today he was dressed as a nobleman, with a black coat with white embroidery, a scarf around his neck, a sleeveless jacket, trousers, and knee-high boots.

—I see that nii-sama doesn't waste his time— Tatsumi replied, somewhat uncomfortable.

—Ooh, here, spending time with the family and multiplying adventurers for Bishamon—

—Wow— said Bishamon with a smile —Caenis can't even be considered an adventurer. We can call it a long-term investment—

—She's someone we find with my ability and yours, don't be modest—

—That's right— Bishamon said with a knowing smile, she got up from her chair and looked at Kain and Tatsumi —konichiwa, oto-sama, Tatsumi-san— said.

—Konichiwa— Tatsumi said, bowing. Kain at his side stared at him and imitated him demonstrating his little habit with greetings from the Far East.

—Can I offer you anything?— asked Bishamon with a gentle smile.

—No, nothing for now— said Kain —I'm just coming to talk to this boy—

Viggo stared at his father and let out a sigh. He talks to Sakura and Ana and asked them to take the children. At the same time, Erika went to talk to her brother. They approached Kain, gave a brief greeting and said goodbye. Bishamon also retired, and only Viggo, Kain and Tatsumi remained.

At that time, the sky was clear, the sun overhead, and the breeze pleasant. Viggo made a gesture with his hand like his father would and extracted from his ring a jug of lemonade with ice as well as glass glasses. Kain and Tatsumi walked and sat opposite him. Viggo poured the lemonade and offered them.

—I don't think you came to see my pretty face, didn't you?— asked Viggo with an uncomfortable smile.

—No, not really— Kain replied —let's say your mother worries about some things, but I'll save them. I see you brought a girl; do you also plan to adopt her as Bell?—

—Are you against it?—

Kain raised his eyebrow and looked at him like he was an idiot. Viggo lowered his head and shook with a smile. His father adopted Ottar Why would he be against him adopting other children?

—Yes, father— said Viggo in a thick, firm voice —I brought Caenis to be part of the Bishamon family. However, she is too small to fend for herself. Sakura and Ana will help me with her, they like her, either because of the culture she comes from or because of her tender rabbit ears. You don't need to worry—

—Boy, you're not buying a horse. Children are a big responsibility, just be careful what you do. Besides, if you keep bringing children, the Bishamon family will never get stronger—

—Siegfried and Caenis are the easy part, now comes the hard part. We already spoke through the temple with the gods of the Far East. They are wiser and more peaceful than the gods of these lands, so Bishamon told them a little about our situation. They will send the warriors I saw through my clairvoyance or at least, that's what Amateratsu and the others promised. They are all older, some elders who will forge the next generation. Some shinobi and other mercenaries who are circling those lands. The Bishamon family will be energized in a year and Caenis and Siegfried will no longer be able to stay in this house. Semiramis wants to die, as the Bishamon family has produced very little in the dungeon, which means nothing compared to what she had to invest in buying this property. So now she orders me to go down to the dungeon and do my job as a captain, as well as do my job as a father, husband, and other things. I'm seriously thinking about talking to Aunt Hera and asking her to help me with a magic to help me multiply—

Kain stared at him for a few seconds, kept silent, his lips curled into a big smile, and he laughed out loud that was heard even inside the house. Viggo smiled, looked away, and shook his head.

—That's a lot of things, boy— Kain said as he ran his hand over his eyes to wipe away tears from laughing —you wanted this situation, now face it—

—That's what I'm doing and trying to find the balance between one thing and the other. Aaaah, too, wanted to ask you for help with sunlight. I know I could develop my divinity on my own, but I don't think it's necessary to reinvent the wheel—

—That's the most sensible thing I've heard you say in a long time— Kain said with a broad smile as Tatsumi looked at them from the side.

—Yes, well, I would like to do things on my own, but I don't have enough time. At least, within Orario—

Kain looked at his son, almost as tall as him, mature. No, not just mature. He had aged to adulthood —Have you continued to occupy the painted pictures?— he asked.

—Yes, father, I keep count. I've occupied each painting once— Viggo said.

Kain nodded and said —in that case, this year you've aged two years so far—

—Yes, Semiramis and Scheherezade demanded the same thing from me the other day. They asked me to space out the use of the paintings more in time. Once every two months and things like that—

—I...— said Kain as if to tell Viggo to abandon all these obligations that he was imposing on himself. From one moment to the next his carefree son became someone who took the weight of the future on his shoulders. He was still cheerful, talkative and a little silly, but the weight of the future would change him in the future. Kain himself didn't do it and when he did, it was too late. Kain denied and felt out of place to give that kind of advice. He was no one to tell his son to abandon fate. His only consolation was that Viggo had chosen this destination on his own.

Kain and Viggo continued chatting while Tatsumi on the side listened to them. At some point he began to understand what Viggo was going to do and was overwhelmed. Also, small, and insignificant. His brother who had always been a problem child was doing great things while he, who was always a "good boy" was worried about being less dependent on others. The Far East, he thought...

—Nii-sama— Tatsumi said, interrupting Kain and Viggo's conversation. They looked at him at the same time, but Tatsumi shook his head. Again, he thought of depending on his brother, on what the goddess Bishamon could say to others and thus find a good teacher. He was being too lazy, he thought —it's nothing, me, I had a question, but I forgot—

—Are you sure, Tatsu?— asked Viggo —don't think stupid things. It's like what I said a moment ago, you don't need to reinvent the wheel. If you need help, just ask for it—

—Nii-sama did things on his own, I think it's also time for me to do things on my own. Oto-sama already gave me his knowledge and skills with the katana. I think I'm more than prepared—

—Tatsu— Viggo muttered, took a deep breath, and added —If you need help of any kind, don't hesitate to ask for it—

—I appreciate your care, nii-sama—

Viggo nodded, then thought of something and said —Well, I shouldn't say it this way, but if you're going to do something Tatsu, do it after Tsubaki's son is born—

—Viggo— Tatsumi said, astonished for a moment, then smiled and said —congratulations—

—Demon boy— Kain said in a loud tone of voice that scared Viggo and Tatsumi. They both looked at him and he continued —do you know what family planning is?

—Aaaah, you're wasting your time, father— said Viggo —Semiramis got pregnant again, Scheherezade is now in her fourth month, Tsubaki is in her third month and Bishamon wants to be soon—

—Viggo— Kain roared in an authoritarian tone of voice.

—Father, lower the volume of your voice. You don't need to scold me; I know what I'm doing, and we all want it. Besides, you had Flora, Tatsu, and me at the same time you took care of Ottar—

—Yes, but you already have Uriel, Bell, and that girl—

—Her name is Caenis—

—Boy, when your mother finds out, she's going to faint— Kain said, putting his hand to his face, opening his fingers, and looking into it —Sakura, Ana, and that girl Rosewisse?—

—Sakura and Ana are very Spartan, so they will only think of children when they have reached their twenties. Rosewisse says she's very worried about other things and that's enough with Bell—

—Boy, I hope you achieve the mental, physical, and spiritual strength so that you can carry this forward— Kain said tiredly, let out a sigh and leaned on the back of the chair while looking at the sky.

—I hope you help me at least in the physical part— Viggo added with a broad smile.

—What do you mean?— asked Kain without energy.

—In addition to developing sunlight, I need you to help me become stronger. I need us to fight until I can beat you...—