Free Web NovelChapter 3: The Celestial Unicorn
Cain stood in front of the mirror, putting on a full fashion show with every single suit he owned. He was completely at a loss as to what would be the best outfit for a bakery date with his daughter.
One moment, he would swap into a luxurious suit from the Lanis brand—an outfit that practically screamed high aristocracy and nobility. The next moment, he would consider a casual button-down shirt, leaving the top button undone to reveal a hint of his collarbone.
He felt like an absolute idiot. Wearing a formal suit to a bakery would look incredibly bizarre; it wasn’t like he was attending a corporate board meeting.
Yet, he didn’t want to appear careless or unkempt in front of his daughter. He wanted someone to consult, someone to give him a second opinion. And since there was no one else who was always by his side but him...
Therefore..
"Matthew... Is this one good? Or this one? Or maybe the one with the blue stripes?."
A shadow rippled and rose from the floor of the room, looking at the man who was staring at the mirror in utter confusion. This was Matthew, a hybrid shadow subordinate—half human, half shadow race—whom Cain had acquired through the System...
Because of that, his loyalty and honesty were a guaranteed 100%.
"My Lord... I believe you look exceptional in any state," Matthew replied smoothly. "Why concern yourself with the opinions of mere commoners? Besides, if it pleases my Lord, this servant can simply relocate Tamari’s Bakery here."
Cain felt a pang of irritation. As a father, he didn’t want to just take the easy way out. Maybe Lucy used to neglect Amelia and take the easy route in raising her, which is why she turned out like this, he thought..
Furthermore, the System explicitly required him to go there with his daughter, not to bring the damn bakery to his doorstep.
Unfortunately, there was no time to explain the nuances and profound importance of fatherhood to a shadow creature.
"I think I just need something appropriate, nothing more," Cain sighed. "I don’t give a damn about what other people think. But I want my daughter to look at me, be utterly impressed, and think: Hmm, this man is far better than my neglectful mother. Now, will you just help me pick the best outfit that appeals to children?"
Matthew suddenly dropped to his knees, bowing his head flat against the floor as though he were overcome with a profound sense of shame.
"My Lord... this servant is, unfortunately, unmarried," Matthew confessed, his voice heavy with disgrace. "What an utter embarrassment that this servant knows nothing but dagger techniques and the art of assassination... However, I can rectify this immediately! I shall go find a wife right now and sire a child, just so I can acquire the proper knowledge and pass it on to my Lord!"
Cain realized he couldn’t even bring himself to scold the guy, since it was glaringly obvious that this absurd response stemmed from pure, unadulterated loyalty.
Amused yet slightly exasperated by Matthew’s density, Cain flashed a faint smile at the figure kneeling behind him.
"There is no need for that... You may leave."
Matthew nodded dutifully and melted back into the shadow from which he had emerged.
Left alone once more, Cain stared at his wardrobe, which spanned two entire floors of the dressing room, packed to the brim with outfits.
He tried to recall the things Lucy used to like, hoping Amelia might share her mother’s tastes.
But wait... isn’t that girl my daughter? he reasoned. There’s bound to be a resemblance in the things we like.
With that thought, Cain’s smile returned. He snapped his fingers with a sharp click. Instantly, he was dressed in a pair of pocketless gray shorts that barely covered his knees, paired with a white shirt covered entirely in illustrations of sharks.
Ever since he was a kid...and even back in his previous life...he had always kept a stash of these shark shirts. After all, weren’t they just incredibly cute?.
Ten minutes later, Cain judged his appearance to be absolutely flawless. If she truly was his daughter, she would undoubtedly love the cute shark illustrations... or maybe he was just overthinking it.
Well, it didn’t really matter.
Next, he needed to ensure that the carriage was fully prepared.
In the blink of an eye, Cain materialized at the private courtyard where the horse-drawn carriages were kept, right beside the stables.
There stood Lord Damian, tending to the ten horses, each completely distinct in color and attribute from one another.
These were elemental steeds: Fire, Wind, Gold, Ice, Ash, Lightning, and the rest of the attributes. freewёbnoνel.com
The ten elemental horses stood lined up in their vibrant, varied colors. While they occasionally feasted on premium meats, their primary source of nourishment was the pure elemental essence tailored to each specific breed.
Cain had acquired them through the System as well. They were fully tamed and caused absolutely no trouble, despite the fact that their conflicting elemental natures would normally spark violent clashes..
But since the System’s products were invariably top-tier and came with no obvious flaws, the beasts coexisted in perfect harmony.
Cain approached the stables..
"Damian, how are things? Are the little ones in good shape?"
The burly, long-bearded man nodded..
"Most certainly, My Lord. They are ready to deploy at a moment’s notice."
"What do you think then? I need a steed that is exceptionally handsome."
Cain didn’t want to waste too much time choosing. The horses lowered their heads toward him, nudging closer to have their manes stroked, each seemingly trying to convey that he was the handsomest of them all.
Evidently, each possessed its own distinct, majestic traits.
He wanted to pick the most aesthetically perfect horse...one with a long, flowing mane, a striking color, and a powerful, elegant build. If he only owned a Celestial Unicorn, he wouldn’t have to struggle with this dilemma so much.
"Alright... how about you come with us, Shin?"
He ultimately chose the Wind-attribute horse, who was undeniably the most handsome. Surely, his daughter would prefer him.
"My Lord," Damian spoke up, "if it is beauty you seek, why not deploy a Unicorn instead?"
Why? Because I don’t damn well own one, that’s why! Cain retorted inwardly.
"You’re joking, right? We obviously couldn’t catch him back when we were in the Celestial Lands."
Damian grinned and let out a soft chuckle. Of course, he remembered that ordeal. If he weren’t a legendary, retired Spirit Beast Tamer, he wouldn’t have even been sure of the creature’s existence, let alone believe he had witnessed it with his own eyes.
"My Lord, we couldn’t bring him here then... but that doesn’t mean he didn’t come on his own."
"What do you mean?"
A look of sheer bewilderment crossed Cain’s face.
"Hahaha, come with me, My Lord."
The two men walked together until they reached the vast, green courtyard of the manor. It was incredibly spacious, stretching as far as the eye could see. It was obvious that the vibrant, natural aura permeating the area wasn’t normal; even the plants radiated a distinct, mystical glow.
Cain remembered...this was the very plot of land where he had planted the magical seeds rewarded to him by the System. It seemed they were the source generating this incredibly warm, magical atmosphere.
And there, resting gracefully upon the grass, was a steed with a long, flowing tail, a glowing horn, and an exquisitely beautiful body.
What a magnificent surprise. freēwebnovel.com
Even Cain himself had no idea the creature was here.
"Since when has this horse been here? It looks like a completely purebred specimen..."
"Hah... He arrived just a little while ago."
Cain’s expression froze as he stared at the majestic horse, who was lounging around, utterly unbothered by their presence.
Is my daughter’s luck really this absurdly broken? he wondered. To just passively attract a celestial beast like a Unicorn... This is insane.
It felt completely surreal.
As Cain stared at the beast in wonder, the Unicorn suddenly noticed him. Spreading its wings, it trotted over and came to a halt right in front of him, affectionately nuzzling its head against Cain’s body.
"Heh... My Lord is truly favored by animals," Damian praised. "Even legendary beasts bow before you."
Cain was completely taken aback by this bizarre behavior. He had never even encountered this horse until today. What on earth was happening? Did he possess some hidden aura that tamed legendary beasts this effortlessly?
"My Lord, it seems this Unicorn has a crest stamped right here... Does he belong to someone else? Lu—" Damian paused abruptly. The crest that had been visible on the horse a moment ago suddenly vanished into thin air, leaving Damian blinking in confusion, wondering if he had just been hallucinating.
"Huh... How could anyone possibly own a Unicorn?" Damian muttered. "They are creatures of immense pride by nature."
Cain was practically gloating inside, fully convinced that he had subjugated this celestial creature with a single glance.
Heh... This Lord’s aura is truly profound, he praised himself inwardly, while the Unicorn stared back at a thoroughly amused Cain.
In reality, at that exact moment, the Unicorn was conversing with someone else via mental telepathy.
—"Mistress... this man is incredibly arrogant. Why don’t you let me just kick him?"
It was Lucy. She was currently peering through the horse’s vision, watching Cain stand there laughing self-indulgently. A smirk played on her lips.
—"This man’s defenses are completely breached. He hasn’t suspected a single thing. Hah... I am a genius."
The Unicorn communicated back to the Lucy inside his mind.
—"Mistress, what is our next step?"
—"Naturally, we monitor him everywhere, by any means necessary, and uncover every little secret about him. Hahaha... Or, well, to see if he makes a suitable father, of course. Ho-ho-ho..."
