The Invincible Young Master

Inside the carriage, Alice was still buzzing with excitement from the old storyteller's tale. Her eyes sparkled as she enthusiastically raised her tiny fist.

"I want to become strong like that hero, beat up bullies, and save everyone," Alice declared, her voice filled with determination.

Baros turned to her with a smile, intrigued by her bold proclamation.

"Oh, who are you going to beat?" Baros asked playfully. "Does Alice have bullies? Tell this big brother, and I'll scare them for you."

Alice looked Baros up and down, her eyes scanning his chubby body from top to bottom.

"Can Uncle fight?" she asked, her voice full of innocent skepticism.

Spark, sitting to the side, couldn't help but snicker at the exchange.

Baros feigned offense, puffing out his chest and patting his round belly.

"Of course, this big brother can fight! These muscles are just well-hidden, that's all," he said, flexing his arms dramatically.

Alice giggled, her earlier doubt replaced by amusement. "Okay, Uncle. I believe you."

"But why didn't Uncle beat up that bully that came when we were eating?" asked Alice, tilting her head in genuine curiosity.

Baros scratched his head awkwardly. "Well… fighting is bad."

Alice looked at him skeptically. "But isn't fighting bad guys good?"

"How so?" asked Baros, wanting to hear her reasoning.

"Because that's what heroes do," Alice replied with a proud grin.

Baros should have known by now that Alice's answers revolved around heroes. Her simple yet earnest response made him laugh and shake his head.

"Is Alice angry with that bully from the restaurant?" Spark asked, seeing her bring up the topic.

Alice nodded profusely, her twin tails bouncing. She raised a tiny fist in the air, her expression serious. "If Alice was big, Alice would've beaten that big bully. Alice was enjoying treats, and that bully came to take it all."

They couldn't help but laugh at her earnestness. It seemed she was more concerned about her candy treats than the actual confrontation.

"That bully, once I meet with Grandma Poo, I'll ask Grandma to beat him up," said Alice.

"Is this the grandma Alice lives with?" Spark asked.

"Yes," nodded Alice, her expression turning somewhat melancholy.

Seeing this, Spark asked gently, "Do you miss her?"

Alice replied with another nod, her eyes reflecting a mixture of sadness and fond memories.

"Is she strong?" Baros suddenly asked, intrigued.

Alice raised her chin, her eyes gleaming with pride. "Grandma Poo is super strong."

"Oh, how super strong?" Baros asked again, his curiosity deepening.

"She can lift a large wood, and she can also punch a hole in a large rock," Alice said, spreading her arms as wide as possible. "This large!"

Baros and Spark shared a glance, both imagining a big, muscular grandma.

Alice added with determination, "Don't worry, Father. Once I grow up, I'll become strong like the hero and protect you from bullies."

Hearing Alice's soft declaration, Baros chuckled. "Little princess, what are you saying? Your father is the biggest bully out here."

Spark shot Baros a glare, shutting him down. "Don't stuff bad rumors into her ears."

The city lights flickered as the carriage moved on, blending into the night. Alice's head gently landed on Spark's side, her small body leaning into him. Spark glanced down at her, seeing her eyes droop with the onset of sleep.

Her eyes closed, and she breathed softly. Alice had fallen asleep, exhausted after a whole day of wandering around the city and the excitement of hearing the story. In her sleep, her cuteness was such that it could melt a glacier.

"Bro, you've got such a cute daughter. You hit a jackpot," praised Baros, his voice soft to avoid waking her.

"Don't say it like I was gambling," Spark replied, giving a side glance at Baros.

"Well, in a sense, it's like gambling," Baros said with a chuckle.

The carriage continued forward, the gentle sway and rhythmic clatter of wheels creating a soothing ambiance. Baros stared out the window, lost in thought, before suddenly asking, "Bro, who do you think was right, the witch or the hero?"

"Not you too," Spark replied, rubbing his forehead.

"Why? Did bro not like the old man's story?" Baros asked.

Pausing a moment, Spark said, his voice laced with mock disgust. "Such stories make me sick,"

"Why? I quite liked it," Baros probed further.

Spark sighed, clearly reluctant to respond but replying anyway. "What's the point of a hero having all that power if, in the end, you're dying?"

Baros nodded thoughtfully. "I guess that makes sense. But the hero's sacrifice would inspire many to do the same and fight for the world if the day came. He will also be immortal in the minds of people."

"There's no such thing as immortality after death. Once you're dead, you're gone. Only eternal darkness awaits you," Spark interjected.

"My bro suddenly became philosophical," Baros said with exaggerated shock in his eyes.

"Noble sacrifice? Those things are good only in stories."

"So, bro won't step forward if such a day came?" Baros asked.

"No. I won't."

"Why?"

"Well, I guess, because I'm not a hero."

Baros paused, then said, "But if I were in a situation like that hero, I wouldn't hesitate to protect the things I love."

"What would you protect, your food?" Spark chuckled.

Baros laughed, shaking his head. "Maybe I would, just to make sure you don't eat it all."

The ride back was peaceful. Spark, looking out the window, was lost in his thoughts. The night sky, dotted with stars, stretched endlessly above them, a vast canvas of twinkling lights.

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A: N- Alice is playing the role of young master better than Spark lol.