The fatherly love I always wished for

It's been a few days since the meeting, and since I reincarnated a few weeks ago, I've been able to understand this world a bit and how it relates to magic.

But apparently,

This world and Earth are remarkably similar.

But with a slight difference. Earth's main source of energy is the sun.

But on this planet,

It's governed by a core composed of a large amount of mana absorbed from outer space energy...

There's a sun, but it only provides a small amount of energy that isn't sufficient to sustain the planet's life.

I'd say it's only good for giving us light.

Changing the subject...

I'd say it's an exaggeration, but... this library is incredibly large.

It's 80 square meters, which... would be a house, in my opinion.

The good thing is that it's organized into sections.

Otherwise, satisfying my curiosity would be impossible if I can't find what I want to read.

Why am I reading books?

Well, I've been curious to delve into the history of this world and its traditions.

Recently, I read a book that looked like a fairy tale; this story said: "5000 years ago, a great battle arose between the heavens, the earth, and hell. Angels that shone like the sun descended from the heavens with their golden armor and giant spears emitting a white and pure light, while demons rose from the earth with their large curved horns, Shiraz-red skin, emitting a crimson aura of pure evil.

"Some had swords with extremely large blades, and others had respective weapons. And humans who risked their lives to fight these supernatural beings. Using the power of magic to survive.

"This battle that shook the entire world seemed endless, the earth trembled, the sky disappeared, and the sea turned red, with no signs that the battle would end, a Goddess descended, a symbol of beauty in person, emerald eyes, hair as silver as the brightest steel, presented herself in battle with her sacred armor from the heavens.

"The God called Diablo rose from hell, with armor that seemed to have scales and jet-black skin, gigantic horns, and his enormous two-bladed sword burning with lava.

"These two celestial beings stared at each other intensely, it seemed they would engage in the final battle. But, they didn't because these two knew the immense power they held and knew that only one would remain standing. So, these 5000 years of endless war ended with a peace treaty.

"This is the treaty proposed by the Goddess: 'I, the Goddess of war and creation, propose that every 200 years I will choose a human who will be titled the "Hero," I will grant them great abilities, and this human will be destined to defeat the "Demon King," whom you select as a suitable candidate.'

"Once the treaty was made, the war ended, and the world prospered again."

Hmm, a great battle was waged between the Goddess of creation and the malevolent God called Diablo...

A great war...

It must have changed the countries significantly...

But, this kingdom is too vast.

Certainly sounded like a fairy tale, but it turns out that happened 5000 years ago, and time has passed...

I imagine the new Hero will soon find their destiny in defeating the Demon King...

Is the Hero programmed?

I mean, you know what I'm getting at, right?

But one way or another, I'm in a video game, aren't I?

Do NPCs have lives?

Do they have intelligence?

Can they feel?

These are questions I sometimes ponder, and I'm not sure what to believe.

I mean, I have my opinions, but... I don't know if it would be right to fall in love with an NPC.

Everyone has their way of thinking and being, plus it's my opinion and my way of seeing things, and flirting is just for fun. It'll be rare for me to flirt seriously.

And I suppose that even if I flirt, I won't be able to fall in love with anyone in this game.

"It's a bit late... well, it's time to go."

I start to look at the clock on the wall in front of me.

Walking through the halls with a candle in hand to use as a lamp, I reach my destination, which is my room.

As I was about to open the door, I hear a "Kyaaa!" through the window.

What...?!

"Where are those screams coming from? They sounded deep within the forest."

Hearing that loud scream made me shiver...

Such thoughts began to cross my mind.

"Hmm? Did something happen? Are we under attack? Is a girl in danger? But if someone's in danger... I wouldn't care...... Ah, to hell with it."

I extinguish the candle and quickly jump out of the window to head toward the source of the scream.

I know I said my goal was to protect Dante's family, and even though he's an NPC, I won't be at ease knowing someone died and I didn't lift a finger.

Thanks to Dante having the skills [Swift Steps] and [Light Steps] activated, I can easily move through the treetops.

Now that I think about it, these trees are truly gigantic.

They resemble those trees I saw in a documentary on television, called Sequoiadendron giganteum.

It's a strange name, but it didn't occur to me, don't blame me... now that I think about it...

How could I hear that scream when I was on the other side of the forest?

[Response: Due to the skill [Close Voice], the master can easily hear over great distances.]

The voice that felt familiar resonated in my head again.

"You again... Who are you?"

[Response: To help the master understand, I am what they call a system.]

System...?

I'm somewhat puzzled; in Dante's memories, he has never had such an ability.

Why?

Why at this moment...?

I'll try not to pay it much attention.

My main goal is to see what caused that scream.

So, let's leave the mysterious voice aside for now.

As I'm almost there, I carefully look around.

Searching for the source of the scream.

Suddenly, my field of vision feels distorted. The trees are cut in half, while several dismembered bodies lie on the ground.

"... A battle?"

I jump down to the ground and slowly walk to inspect what happened in more detail.

As I approached, I heard a faint voice, a weak voice.

When I turned around, there was a little baby wrapped in a white blanket, shielding it from the cold, with a small cap on its head.

As I pick the baby up in my hands, the little one gives me a big smile.

"You're a victim of an unjust world, aren't you? Little one..."

"Hehe~!"

"I'd like to ask why you're in this situation, but it's unnecessary."

I began to feel a murderous intent from the surroundings.

Have they finally decided to attack me?

I have many questions, but as far as I can see, it's going to be impossible to ask them.

Six bandits emerge from their hiding places, two go on the defensive, and the other three attack me simultaneously.

In this situation, I'm unarmed.

I only have one arm free, and the other is holding the baby.

To attack, I use my mana to create a sword that I hold on one end with my hand.

The sound of swords clashing resonates.

I can only manage a normal strike.

"Dark Technique: [Shadow Blinder]!"

I use [Blinder] to disorient the enemy.

With [Deformation], I materialize the sword into a dagger and use it to spin and stab it into the jugular.

Only four remain. I activate the [Vanishing] ability.

That's the one I used in the battle with Alfred.

"M-monster! Killing mercilessly!"

He shouts loudly.

"Monster? Do you deserve mercy, perhaps? How many women have you killed? How many have you violated? How many innocent people have you robbed and murdered? And you're still asking for mercy? You're very mistaken if you think that... Also, what would you have done with this baby? Kill it? Sell it? No, no, no. I won't allow that, you know... he's an innocent creature... it's just that he was unfortunately born into a rotten world."

"Shut up, what do you know?! What we're doing has nothing to do with a brat!"

[Master, I've detected a bloodthirsty presence around the trees.]

"I see... well, I guess it's time for you to have a lovely death..."

"Please, I have a family... forgive us!"

"You know, I have a family too. And I'll protect them with my life."

"N-Nooo! H-help!"

In an instant, a single flash.

Dante annihilates the three bandits.

"Die!"

"...?"

Huh? There's still one left?

Now, what should I do with him?

Interrogate him?

That would be a good option...

The problem is, will he talk?

Well... I guess I have to try, right?

"When Dariel-sama finds out about this, you'll pay with your life!"

"What did you say? Do you want to die, you insignificant trash?"

I approach slowly.

"Eeeekk!"

He starts to back away while sitting on the ground.

"P-Please don't kill me!"

"Begging for your life?... Let's play a game... How about that?"

I give them a bitter smile.

"A game? I-if we play, w-will you spare me?"

He stammers.

"Of course!"

Spare them? Don't be naive...

I wouldn't spare a piece of trash crawling on the ground.

I remember a quote from a German named Martin Luther, it said: "A lie is like a snowball; the further it rolls, the bigger it becomes."

"I'll ask a question, and you have to give me an answer I find acceptable. Remember, your life is at stake..."

"Ah-Umm... p-please..."

"What's the difference between living and existing? Come on... you only have 20 seconds to answer me, tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock."

"What's the difference between living and existing?"

Can they give me the answer I'm expecting?

Actually, it's a question that opens up a world of answers...

Plus, I'm just doing it for a bit of fun.

Mmm...

How boring, watching them think in desperation...

It bores me.

It's better to kill him and go, sleep is already overtaking me.

I look at a sword buried in the ground, and I pull it out.

"Eh?"

I approach. -You said if I played the game, you'd spare me! – He says desperately. –Did I say that...? – I ask.

I finish speaking and cleanly cut off his head.

The head flies off, splattering blood everywhere...

Aaah~, blood is gold, blood is flowing lava.

It's the cycle of the ocean tide.

A red that rises toward the moon and stars.

A red that looks like a waterfall flowing in summer.

A red that stains the moon and the snow, a crimson blood.

"Oh, I almost splattered the baby with that rotten blood."

"Ummm~, He-ey! ~, P-."

"Mmm? What's wrong, little one? Do you want to say something? It seems the little one wants to tell me something, will these be his first words?! Why am I getting excited?! Come on, little one, say what you want to say!"

"Dad."

"Dad...?" – I said nervously.

"Daddy!"

"... Dad...dy."

He said "Daddy" to me?! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

His first word was... "Daddy"!?

I haven't been this excited since my sister was born!

I want to adopt you!

"...!"

"Decision made! You'll be my son! Hahaha, I wonder what Father will say when he finds out he has a grandson!"

[I'm starting to feel sorry for the baby... A bloodthirsty maniac is adopting a baby.]

After that, the mysterious voice didn't appear again for a while.

"I'm home!"

Arriving home with the sunrise, I'm wearing a big grin from ear to ear.

I enter through the window and the first thing I do is look for Eileen to show her the baby I adopted a few minutes ago.

Searching every corner of the house, I find her; she's cleaning up the dining room in the mansion in the morning.

"Eileeeen!"

"Young master! Wel... come...! Whose baby is that, Dante-sama?!"

"What are you saying? He's my son!"

Let's see what face you make, Eileen! She'll probably say, "Kyaaa, is that cute baby your son?"

Of course, there's a chance she won't react that way.

But she must have a thousand questions swirling in her head.

Sure, I'm aware that adopting a child will mean taking on a lot of responsibility.

Being a father is full of difficult paths.

I also don't want to be a bad father, not like the current number one hero, that guy with red and white hair and a scar over his eye.

I want to be a father who is both strict and friendly.

"Mis...ter! Wh-when did you have a child?! And with whom?!"

She had her hands covering her mouth as she stammered nervously.

Eileen can be a bit clueless...

"N-no! I found him abandoned in the forest while I was walking!"

Well, I don't want to give you more details.

You just need to know a bit of what happened.

"Oh, I see... Because I want to be the first to have your child, Mister -

She touched her chest with relief while whispering something I didn't hear.

"What's going on? Did you say something?" – I asked, confused.

"N-no! Changing the subject, does Alex know about this?"

Alex...? Is she talking about Arnold?

"Oh right, have you seen my father?"

I need to tell him that I've adopted a baby as adorable as an angel.

...

..

.

While we were talking, Father arrived. And the first thing he said was,

"Dante! Where did you get that child?!"

"It's... your grandchild."

Upon saying it was his grandchild, Father held the baby in his arms and lifted the baby up. As he lifted the baby, the cap on the baby's head fell off.

The baby started to laugh.

"Wu-ah~, Hee-aaa! ~."

"A-Adorable!"

Eileen started to blush while her eyes sparkled.

"...Ahem, From now on, I'll be your dear and adorable grandfather! Ri...ght?"

It happened... faster than expected. I thought he would refuse, but on the contrary... he proclaimed himself... Dear and adorable grandfather. – I thought with my head down and eyes closed.

With this, the baby killed two birds with one stone...

What? Granddaughter?

Did he say granddaughter? I think Father is mistaken.

"Eh? Father, he's a boy."

"What are you saying? It's a girl, how could you mistake her for a boy? Are you an idiot? Do you have something wrong in your head?"

Father questioned.

"Dante... you're a really bad father..."

Eileen nodded her head.

[Idiot...]

I kept looking and I can say that indeed, it's a girl.

That silver hair, and those beautiful blue eyes.

I wonder who her biological parents are.

"Dante-sama, have you thought of a name?"

"... Yes, I have thought of one, her name will be..."

To be honest, I only had a few minutes to decide.

I'd love to name her after my sister, but... to be honest, it wouldn't suit her, she's too cute.

I'm not saying my sister is ugly, quite the opposite.

She's a beauty.

But naming my daughter Hanae... I don't like it.

I'll choose a name that I like and sounds cute.

"Her name will be Sarah. Do you like it, Sarah?"

"Yaaay~. – Sarah clapped her hands while laughing."

"Oh~, what a lovely name, Dante-sama!"

Eileen said this cheerfully.

"Congratulations, Dante-sama." – Alfred congratulated me.

"My granddaughter will be named Sarah... Fuahahaha! It's perfect for a Bearelf!"

In Dante's memories, I've never seen Father laugh like that...

I guess he's happy to have a granddaughter.

...

..

.

The day passed. I went shopping with Eileen-san while leaving Sarah with her "Dear and adorable grandfather."

In my opinion, I think he'll spoil her a lot.

But if he spoils her too much, she might develop an arrogant attitude...

But for now, she's forgiven because she's only 2 years old.

We went shopping to buy clothes that fit Sarah, while also buying everything a 2-year-old baby would need.

How do I know Sarah's age? Well, through my analytical eye.

We bought dresses that Eileen picked out with a satisfied look on her face.

We also bought food that she can eat, and finally, some toys to keep her entertained for a while.

...

..

.

The night passed, and I was in a bed that could comfortably fit about 4 people, but it's just me lying down and Sarah sleeping while hugging me.

As I tried to sleep... I don't want to dwell on the topic, but...

What happened earlier, it seemed like they wanted to kidnap Sarah, right? Was she that important to be kidnapped?

"Why was she wearing a necklace?"

I hold the necklace in my hand, it was a necklace with an amber-colored gem embedded in it, it seems to be a...

Magical necklace?

No... I doubt it, but I imagine there's a meaning behind it.

I have so many questions, but I've already decided to adopt her, now I'm her father, and I need to be a good one.

For now, I'll teach her what I know about magic, swordsmanship, and essential knowledge that will help her day by day.

When she's a bit older, I'll teach her to be a Bearelf...

Now, all that's left is to prepare myself to enter university and change my future no matter what.

"I swear to protect you..."

I put out the candle by my side and decided to sleep comfortably.

"Goodnight, Sarah."

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