12dz Chapter 308: Grandfather
Chapter 308: Grandfather
"Nina, this is Dian’s grandfather—my father," Lani explained. "He came to help us."
The moment Nina heard that, she immediately greeted him politely.
"Grandfather, hello. I didn’t know who you were earlier and neglected you. I’m sorry."
As she looked at Keil, she could not help marveling inwardly.
The beastmen of this world truly aged remarkably well. He was already at the great-grandfather generation, yet he still appeared strikingly young. Only the depth in his eyes revealed the weight of countless years.
Then again, beastmen lived extraordinarily long lives—especially the powerful ones.
Keil looked faintly surprised.
His grandson’s future mate was unexpectedly polite. Her temperament seemed rather good as well.
He studied Nina carefully.
She truly was beautiful. No wonder both his grandsons had fallen for her. Lani had not exaggerated in the slightest.
Keil inclined his head courteously. "It’s alright."
Then he asked the question he cared about most.
"I heard from Lani that you gave our merfolk clan a little princess?" His voice unconsciously softened. "May I meet her?"
The main reason he had hurried all the way here was precisely to see his precious great-granddaughter. Otherwise, he could have simply met them tomorrow instead.
When he first heard the news, he had been utterly stunned.
He never expected to gain a great-grandchild so quickly—and a little princess at that.
At the time, he had been so excited he repeatedly questioned Lani to confirm it was real.
He had even secretly complained about Lani for not informing him sooner. His great-granddaughter had already returned for so long before he was finally told. Otherwise, he could have met her earlier.
"Of course. They’re playing in the back garden right now," Nina said warmly.
"Then let’s go quickly!" Keil looked so eager he could hardly sit still.
"Alright." Smiling, Nina led them toward the garden.
At that moment, Mimi was happily swimming around in the garden pool while Rosen and Taru played with her nearby. Odian stood beside them as well, watching over her.
The other babies had already run wild into the wooded part of the garden. Finch, Ming, and Aron had all transformed into their beast forms and were roughhousing with them.
Meanwhile, the other mates and Setan were in the kitchen preparing dinner.
The instant Keil entered the garden, he spotted Mimi.
Excitement surged across his face as he strode over rapidly. Standing before her, he could not help staring in amazement.
His great-granddaughter was far too beautiful. She was the prettiest little mermaid he had ever seen.
He crouched down in front of Mimi, forcing his gentlest smile onto his face, though his voice still trembled slightly.
"Um..." Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly froze.
What was his great-granddaughter called again?
Disaster. He had forgotten to ask Lani her name.
Keil hurriedly looked toward his son. Lani fought back laughter as he answered,
"Father, her nickname is Mimi. Her full name is Mina."
Keil immediately turned back toward the little mermaid, his expression becoming incomparably gentle.
"Mimi... I’m your great-grandfather." His tone was almost coaxing. "Would you let Great-Grandfather hold you for a little while?"
Mimi instinctively retreated a tiny bit and looked toward Nina.
Nina smiled reassuringly and nodded.
"Mimi, he really is your great-grandfather."
With Nina’s confirmation, Mimi immediately called out sweetly,
"Great-Grandfather!"
Then she stretched out both little arms toward him.
Keil’s entire face lit up.
"Yes! Great-Grandfather’s precious little princess!"
He carefully picked her up, smiling so broadly his mouth nearly could not close.
He actually had such an adorable great-granddaughter. He felt unbelievably blessed.
From now on, he could properly show off in front of those old fossils. They would definitely die of envy. Their great-grandchildren probably did not even exist yet.
After holding her for a while, Dian leaned closer to Keil.
"Grandfather, you’ve been holding Mimi for so long already. Aren’t you going to give her a meeting gift?"
He knew his grandfather possessed countless treasures. Naturally, he had to secure some benefits for Mimi.
Keil smacked his forehead.
"Look at my memory."
He then looked apologetically at Mimi.
"I’m sorry, Mimi. Great-Grandfather was too happy and forgot. I’ll give you your gifts right away."
Mimi shook her head obediently. "It’s okay."
But both of her chubby little hands were already stretched out expectantly.
Keil rummaged through his storage space before taking out a huge pile of treasures.
The smaller items he placed directly into Mimi’s hands, while the larger ones he stacked beside the pool on the stone platform nearby.
Finally, Keil took out an enormous pearl.
"Mimi, these are all Great-Grandfather’s gifts for you. And this giant pearl too."
Mimi stared at the massive pearl with sparkling eyes.
It was huge. It honestly looked even bigger than she was.
Without the slightest hesitation, she accepted it. "Thank you, Great-Grandfather."
She decided immediately to keep the giant pearl so Mother could grind it into pearl powder for her face later. Grandmother had said pearl powder made females even prettier.
Turning toward Nina, she called out eagerly,
"Mother, hurry and put it away!"
It was too big for her to carry. What if Great-Grandfather changed his mind and took it back?
Even Dian and the others could not help staring in amazement.
As expected of Grandfather, he actually cultivated pearls this massive.
Nina laughed softly. "Alright. Mother will put it away for you."
Just as Nina was about to walk over, the other babies came running over as well.
Then, with a chorus of splashes, they all jumped into the pool together.
After diving in, they looked around in confusion.
Eh? Where was Mimi?
Then they lifted their heads and spotted her sitting in the arms of an unfamiliar male.
The babies immediately swam over toward her.
"Mimi, who is he?"
Keil was stunned. Why were there so many little cubs?
Mimi proudly introduced him, "Mother said he’s our Great-Grandfather."
The babies immediately turned toward Nina for confirmation.
Nina nodded once.
The babies then noticed the mountain of treasures piled beside the pool. Their eyes lit up instantly. Together, they shouted loudly in perfect unison:
"Hello, Great-Grandfather!"
The sheer volume nearly startled Keil. Then his eyes widened dramatically.
T-These were all Mimi’s full siblings? Every single one?
His heart shook violently.
Not only were there this many children, but how had Nina managed to have offspring from completely different races at the same time?
His future granddaughter-in-law was simply astonishing.
Mimi tugged on Keil’s sleeve. "Great-Grandfather, gifts."
Keil quickly regained himself and immediately burst into laughter.
"Yes, yes, yes! Every little cub gets one!"
His face was filled with affection as he looked at the children.
The others were adorable too.
Look at that tiny golden dragon and little teng snake—their scales gleamed brilliantly. And the other babies all had such beautiful fur.
The babies happily carried off whichever small gifts they could manage, scampering toward Nina so she could store the larger treasures they were too little to move.
Watching them, Nina’s eyes softened with helpless fondness.
What a bunch of tiny little treasure hoarders.
Keil’s gaze toward Nina changed completely.
A female capable of this... His grandsons had truly married above themselves.
Walking over to Nina, he asked, "Nina, Lani said you want to retrieve the sacred artifact?"
"Yes," Nina replied.
"I’ve been to that place before." Keil’s expression turned serious. "Later, I’ll explain the situation there in detail so we can prepare properly."
Originally, when Lani told him Nina was exceptionally powerful, he had not entirely believed it.
Now, however... he was beginning to.
He glanced again at the babies. This was not something an ordinary female could accomplish.
"Thank you, Grandfather," Nina said sincerely.
Keil waved it off casually. "No need for thanks. We’re family."
After playing with the babies for a while longer, they moved on to discuss matters concerning the Abyss of Darkness.
Once the discussion ended, Keil stayed at Nina’s palace for the night.
Meanwhile, Lani and the others began helping Nina fuse with the merfolk pearl.