Chapter 333: Izumi’s Godfather

"There’s nothing to worry about." Yohan maintained a reassuring smile. "I’ll make sure to keep you safe."

There was doubt on her face, but just hearing those words from him seemed to give her a bit of peace.

He decided there was no need to make her panic. He was already going to come with her regardless of what happened, and there was no way for her to know that these men were masters.

’There’s no need to blame her, in her mind we were going to see a bunch of native thugs... We just have to see Izumi and get out of here.’

He tried to stay calm, but every second that passed left him more uneasy. It was like he had ten rifles pointed at him, but he didn’t even know from which direction.

"Who did Izumi even come all this way to see?" he wondered.

"The Clan Father, a man they call Del’Mongul. He’s her godfather, so he has always been like a second father to her."

"How did something like that come about?" The more he thought about it, the less sense it made.

"So the leader of a remote clan just turns out to be the godfather of Hatoru’s granddaughter?"

"That’s all I know," Jenna said with a sigh. "Izumi was always very secretive about this place. She came here often, but I only got to follow her once."

"According to her, he was her father’s only friend before he died."

"What killed him?" Yohan wondered.

"The same as yours, I guess... They were assassinated by one of Hatoru’s enemies."

"Oh..." Yohan murmured.

It wasn’t really the same. In his case, Hatoru had ordered the killing.

’But I guess everything is settled now.’

Saying that to himself didn’t help with the tiny bit of guilt that lingered. It was a shame Izumi had to witness everything.

"There’s no point in feeling bad now." Jenna glanced at him and immediately suspected what was troubling him. "The destruction that man created was what caused everything in the first place. I just wish it was me who got to pull the trigger."

There was no chuckle in her voice, so Yohan could tell this wasn’t one of her jokes.

"Lucky me... I guess."

The sound of drums echoed closer, accompanied by numerous footsteps.

Soon enough, a man emerged, taller and more intimidating than anyone Yohan had seen since arriving.

His cloak draped over his shirtless body, the back almost reaching the floor. His beard was thick, like that of a Viking, and that was exactly what he reminded Yohan of.

’A Viking.’

Behind him was another man dressed similarly, though he had a much smaller frame and looked far older. His white beard and hair reached down his chest. He wore a ring on his finger along with a matching pendant, the kind Yohan imagined a clan leader would wear. Also there was a sticking scar on the right side of his cheek.

Lastly, Izumi and Morgan followed behind them. She was dressed just like a woman from the village but adored with special colorful beads that made her look similar to a traditional princess.

"Y-Yohan?" she stuttered as their eyes met. "What are you doing here?!"

The expression on her face didn’t look like she was happy to see them.

"Izumi, so you do know these people?" the elderly man asked.

"Yes, sir. These two..." Izumi hesitated to answer.

’Killed my grandfather.’

Yohan imagined what would happen if those were the words that came out next from her mouth. All hell could break loose.

"They are people my grandfather hired to protect me," she finally said.

"Is that true?" His sharp gaze focused on Yohan.

"Yes, sir. They must have been worried about me and traveled all the way here."

"But you know our policies about outsiders..."

"I promise you they can be trusted," she said eagerly, "That was why I invited them myself. On the day my grandfather died... th-they were the only reason I got out of there alive."

That tiny hesitation made her sound even more truthful, but Yohan and Jenna could tell it was because she was finding it difficult to lie about who killed her grandfather.

"If that’s the case, then I have no choice." The man stroked his beard. "I’ll have to show them my gratitude as honored guests."

"What are your names?"

"I’m Jenna, and this is Yohan."

"Nice to meet you." Yohan bent his head slightly.

"It is very nice to meet you too. Welcome to our clan. Any friend of Izumi is a friend of ours. These here are my sons, Dion and Morgan."

Dion was the one Yohan had referred to as the Viking because of his massive build and thick beards.

"Pleased to meet you." He joined his hands in a courteous manner. "Thank you for helping deliver my precious Izumi."

"No problem..." Yohan said rather hesitantly.

Judging by the way he referred to Izumi, there was obviously something she hadn’t bothered to mention.

"Are you two close?" Yohan found the courage to ask.

The men laughed out loud before Dion answered.

"Close enough to get married."

"So you two are... married?"

He turned to look at Jenna, who seemed just as confused.

"Not yet, but pretty soon."

"We are waiting for the period of grief to pass," Del’Mongul weighed in. "Hatoru was a very good friend of mine. It’s such a shame that he was taken away from us so suddenly"

"Yeah," Yohan said. "Such a shame."

He and Izumi locked eyes for a few seconds.

"Godfather, if you don’t mind, I’d like to show our visitors around the village." She turned to the elderly man.

"Okay, dear, but be careful..."

He said it without much context, but Izumi seemed to understand exactly what he was referring to.

"Sure thing."

She got up and headed outside, with Yohan and Jenna following behind her.

For a while, she didn’t say anything and simply led them past their farm fields and into the forest behind the village.

They walked until they reached a stream with a small waterfall.

Afterward, she turned around and carefully checked their trail.

"I don’t think anyone followed us this far. Now I can ask just what you two are doing here?"

Now that they were alone, she wore a mean frown and looked at them with disdain.

"We came to see how you were doing," Jenna said softly.

"After murdering my grandfather?" Izumi scoffed, turning her face away. "Fucking assholes. He was all I had!"

A stream of tears rolled down her face, but Yohan hardly felt sorry for her.

It was clear that she was hurt, and she had every right to be. But if she couldn’t understand that Hatoru’s death had saved the lives of many, then there was no point explaining it to her.

"I’m here for something else."

Yohan’s expression hardened.

"Your grandfather’s Toll ledger."