Chapter 12: The Smile Worth Saving

The sun blazed overhead, casting golden shafts of light between the trees. Twigs snapped beneath my bare feet as I walked, cool wind threading through the rustling leaves above. My chest was bare, marked hardened muscle, while my daughter sat perched calmly in the crook of my left arm, wearing my oversized shirt.

Her long black hair danced with the breeze, soft bangs parting to reveal eyes unlike any I'd seen—black irises like the void of space, and pupils that shimmered white like distant stars. Her tiny, delicate hands clung gently to my arm.

She was mine. My daughter.

As I looked at her, a sudden thought struck me.

'Wait, I haven't even asked her name' ,I thought, panicked.

[ The child has no name, Master. ]

[ I have checked her status myself. ]

'How is that possible?' I wondered in confusion.

[ It is possible she had no one to name her at birth... or she may have forgotten it entirely. ]

'The questions about her family were painful enough. I promised I wouldn't hurt her again with careless words' ,I reminded myself.

"Liora" ,I whispered gently as I patted her head.

She blinked up at me, puzzled.

"That's your name. Do you like it?"

Her eyes lit up, and a radiant smile spread across her face as she nodded.

'That smile… it's everything. I'll protect it, no matter what.' ,I vowed silently.

"Papa, where are we going?" she asked, her voice soft and sweet, eyes wide with innocence.

'Just hearing her voice melts me' ,I thought as warmth filled my chest.

I met her gaze and answered with a gentle smile, "We're trying to find someone who can show us the way to the nearest city—so we can get you healed properly."

"But Liora isn't hurt anywhere" ,she said, tilting her head.

'True… but her status still says [ Health Condition: Poor ]' ,I recalled.

"Don't you feel tired a lot? Once you're healed, you'll feel even better. You'll be able to run, eat, and be even happier."

"Okay" ,she replied, flashing another bright smile.

'That smile again… I can't get enough of it. It's that same feeling I only experienced once back on Earth… the feeling of pure happiness' ,I thought, a distant memory stirring in my chest.

[ Master. A monster of the wolf species is approaching. Shall I eliminate it? ]

'Only one?' I asked.

[ Indeed. However, it appears to be in a state of madness, utterly unconcerned for its own life. ]

'I could just let it go. Doubt its pelt is big enough to make a decent fur cape' ,I mused.

[ That is an option. But it will not last long alone in such a state, Master. ]

[ While the warm breeze is comforting, the young miss could benefit from something more substantial for protection. ]

"You're right" ,I said softly, glancing at Liora with fond eyes.

The bushes ahead rustled.

A pulse of red mana shimmered faintly from within.

Then it emerged—larger than average, its fur matted and its eyes wild. Blood dripped from its fangs.

"Papa… what is thwt?" she asked, mispronouncing in her tiny, curious voice.

'She saw it from that distance? My daughter's a prodigy. Maybe she'll be an archer in the future… No, I don't want her in danger. But I can't shield her forever. I'll teach her myself. Maybe I should purchase some skills and traits for that later' ,I thought, brimming with joy.

She remained fixed on the wolf, sitting calmly in my arm. I gently raised my right hand and blocked her view.

"It's nothing. Here" ,I said softly, curling my fingers into a fist—then opening them.

Tiny bubbles emerged… but they weren't ordinary bubbles.

Shapes of water shimmered into form—an elegant butterfly, a small bird, and even a floating duck toy. Smaller bubbles surrounded them like companions, dancing in the air.

I slowly moved my hand aside, guiding the water-creatures to float toward my chest. They shimmered and twirled, forming a playful barrier, distracting Liora from the threat ahead.

'Sebas, don't let her hear any of the wolf's sounds. Do I need to explain the science?' I asked.

[ Worry not, Master. I have your memory data regarding how sound works. I shall handle it accordingly. ]

I chuckled silently.

The wolf stood still—too still.

Then it howled.

AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Its cry tore through the forest like a blade. I stared coldly as it charged.

I raised my right hand and gave a small swing.

The wind surged.

A spiraling gust erupted around the beast, twisting into a violent tornado. Trees groaned and splintered, dragged toward the maelstrom. Clouds overhead twisted and gathered, pulled into the chaos.

The wind around us picked up. Liora's eyes widened as she turned and saw the spiraling vortex.

"PAPA!" she called in a low—but somehow sharp—voice.

'How does someone shout so cutely…?' I mused, baffled.

"Papa made it. Is it cool?" I asked with a grin.

"Papa wade it?" she echoed, tilting her head in wonder.

"What if someone got hurt? Getting hwrt not good…" she added with a sad, worried frown.

I gently placed my hand on her head.

"Papa will never hurt anyone unless they try to hurt us. No one is nearby, see? No one got hurt" ,I said calmly.

'or…Unless they make me angry,' I added in my mind.

"Okay" ,she whispered, staring at me with eyes full of trust.

'I have to make sure she's not too soft… The world won't go easy on her without me.'

"Thwis wind is swoo fast!!!" Liora squealed, her hair fluttering like black silk in the storm. Her eyes were wide, glistening as she watched the tornado dance.

I couldn't help it—I just smiled.

"PAPA! Hold Liora tight or wind will take Liora away in the sky" ,she shouted.

I chuckled.

"Don't worry—when Liora is with Papa" ,no one can carry her off.

She simply stared at me as a sudden gale roared through the clearing.

'It's so fast,' Liora thought, clutching her hair as the tempest buffeted us.

Then, as quickly as it came, the tornado vanished and the sky cleared.

'…..it's gwone…..' Liora murmured.

[ Master, the task is complete. ] Sebas intoned with formal precision.[ I have secured the Mutated Shadewolf's blood in your empty bottle, and preserved its bones intact within your inventory. ]

'Great work, Sebas. But why did it take so long?' I inquired.

[ The young miss reveled in the wind's embrace, Master, ] Sebas explained.[ I judged it prudent to indulge her for a time. ]

'I'm grateful to have you, Sebas,' I offered.

[ It is my honour to serve you, Master. ]

I glanced at my inventory.

[ Mutated Shadewolf Blood × 1 ][ Mutated Shadewolf Bones × 1 ]

'Since these ingredients craft healing potions, there must be alchemists in this world too. I wonder if I can sell this haul for a good price,' I pondered.

"Papa, look—there!" Liora called, pointing upward.

I looked up to see the wolf's pelt drifting down like a tawny leaf on the breeze.

Its weave remained magnificent, untouched by gore or filth.

I raised my hand and caught it effortlessly.

'It's expertly done. Excellent work, Sebas,' I thought.

'But what is that scent?' A delicate, floral aroma brushed my nostrils.

Liora seized the pelt, burying her face in its soft fur.

'It smells sooo gwood—and it's soft too!' she exclaimed, hugging it tightly.

I stood amazed, momentarily at a loss.

[ I collected various flowers and herbs, Master ][ This particular blend proved ideal to neutralize the wolf's musk. Regrettably, I found no substitute for soap. ]

'Ah—soap and other supplies are available as Daily Essentials in the shop, but I must seek a natural replacement soon' ,I resolved.

'I intended to bathe Liora by a riverside so she could play afterward—but too-frequent baths risk her catching a chill,' I reflected.

[ Shop balance: 60 points. ]

'I should unlock the fruit section soon and obtain something nutritious for her,' I mused.

'Yet we've marched for leagues—no fruit trees in sight?' I wondered, perplexed.

I checked my inventory again.

[ Aureflora × 5 ]

'I ordered Sebas to gather these herbs, but I'm uncertain how to feed her raw plants' ,I admitted.

[ This plant retains gentle warmth and exudes a sweet fragrance, Master. ][ I believe Miss will ask to eat it if you simply offer it to her. ]

'All right—though asking her to eat forest grass feels awkward,' I thought.

Liora gazed around curiously.

I held the herb before her.

"Liora, look what this is?" I asked softly.

Her head tilted to one side, wide-eyed and inquisitive.

I moved the plant closer, and Liora touched its leaf with a tiny finger.

'Her fingers are sooo small,' I thought, heart swelling.

She brought the herb to her nose, inhaling its fragrant sweetness.

"Fwood?" she asked in her endearing lisp.

'You were right, Sebas—the world's marvels are easier to navigate with your guidance,' I acknowledged.

[ I am pleased to be of service, Master. ]

"Do you want to eat it?" I prompted Liora.

"Can Liora ewt it?" she queried cutely.

'I am so blessed—this cuteness…' I thought, stifling an emotional swell.'After all, a daughter is what a father yearns for—someone to spoil, to care for, to love in return.'

"Yes—you may eat it," I agreed.

She grasped the herb and bit into its tender leaf, chewing thoughtfully.

'I hope this heals her even if a bit' ,I hoped.

[ If the young miss continues to consume these herbs, Master, her condition will slowly improve by the time we reach the nearest city. ]

'That is reassuring,' I thought.

'The orc settlement's corpses included many civilians, not just soldiers. They were ambushed—so there must be a trade route or carriage road nearby,' I thought.

Liora finished the plant and yawned softly.

"Are you sleepy? You should rest" ,I suggested.

She laid her head against my chest and drifted to sleep.

[ It must be due to her small frame, Master—she requires time to assimilate that mana. ]

'It's nothing alarming, right?' I asked Sebas.

[ Nothing to concern yourself with, Master—it is entirely normal. ]

'Very well. Let us press on,' I pronounced.

I draped the wolf's pelt over my left shoulder, covering Liora snugly in its warmth, and set off along the forest trail.

To be continued…