126 126 Story Return

With my back protected by the March Moon, I finally set foot in the hometown.

Finally......

It was a long journey.

I guess Dr. Erna will be mad at me tomorrow because I'm already done with my summer vacation.

Still, though the joy of seeing everyone is stronger. The neighborhood is totally at night, so just head home. When I get in front of the house, I don't feel comfortable.

I'm home.

No reply.

I hear people properly from the living room. What did you care about my existence? Sneaking along, I hear a cry first. It's Alice.

"Brother, please come back safely. For that matter, my life... and my father's life."

"Me too!? Am I a sacrifice too?

Father is as tense as ever. I mean, he's holding the sword naked in his upper body. Looks like he was barebacking at home. I'd be a little odd if someone I don't know saw.

"Oh, well, then my mother will die with you."

I'm glad your mother seems fine. Next door is a giant black lion. Tiger Maru is a demon to be exact and features a flower with a head.

"I'm going to help my Knoll. You can't abandon your friends'

"Then take me too! Your brother is calling me. I don't feel that way."

Much more exciting.

Keep it up and you'll go out and pick me up.

I'm glad they thought this far, but I just decided to speak up.

"Um, Alice. I'm fine."

"Did you hear that!? It's still your brother's voice."

"I heard that too! He must be delivering his will with skills or something."

"Chi, it's your father. I'm safe."

Yes? All three are looking up at the ceiling. The way my voice is mistaken for something delivered from afar.

It's just my mother. You'll find me for who I really am. Well, I'm standing at the entrance to the living room as much as I want.

My mother took something from the top of the shelf and greeted me with a smile.

"Welcome back. I believed Nor was safe. You've been very strong lately."

When I look at my mother's face, I see nature, hot emotions and tears. I knew I was this guy's kid. [M] To a gentle embrace, healed everywhere.

By the way, Mother, what is the beehive in your hand? Why is there something red stuck in the hole?

"Oh, this? It's creative. I was thinking about getting Nor to eat when I get back."

Difficult to leave and another difficulty. I didn't know my body was going to be my biggest enemy. And Alice and the others are listening with their eyes closed. You haven't noticed!

I have no choice but to move to the center of the three and talk up close.

"Alice, Tiger Maru, I'm home already. I'm not flying from afar. I'm here."

"Brother eh!?

"Wow, Knoll is back!

"Oh, my God!?... That's my name now? Hey, did you call me about me?

Alice and Tiger Maru crying their heads out. Father in tears is pathetic too, so I forgive him. Well, it's my fault!

When I tell them I was out of dinner at night, they prepare a lot for everyone to entertain.

From cooking to shoulder moulding. The family is warm.

While I enjoyed the happy mood, I had my first home-cooked meal in a long time.

Exactly, though I shy away from hive crawfish. I told her what happened in that country. [M] Of course it's about my brother.

I'll be honest with you that the slightest pity wasn't fixed. Father and mother seemed happy nonetheless. Maybe my parents are just happy to be alive.

By the way, they had a problem over here.

Rare Shop Stalgia, who sells rare items I found and materials from Tiger Maru's collection of demons, was harassed by other stores.

Maybe the other stores are not interesting because they are quite thriving. Thanks to Tiger Maru's intimidation, he said he now manages to stay calm.

'But I don't know when it will interfere again. There's a chance he'll be after me while I'm gone. "

I'll work with you then.

Because of this, the poor aristocrats are going to make it. I don't want to crush this chance.

"Brother, rest of you. You must be tired.

"Yeah, I will. Thanks for always caring, Alice."

"It's supreme happiness!

Alice is always exaggerating. I go up the stairs and go into my room. There is no dust on the floor or on the shelves. The sheets on the bed are beautiful too.

My mother and Alice must have cleaned it for me.

Fall into bed thankfully. He's home.

I guess it was kind of hectic. It didn't take me a minute to fall asleep.

◇ ◆ ◇

It feels good to wake up in silence. When you stay at the inn, you generally wake up with other guests' voices, etc.

Novi and go down to the first floor. There are only tiger pills in the living room.

'Looks like you slept well. I'm relieved.'

"Morning. And everyone else?

'We're all out already. It's ten o'clock.'

"It's already ten o'clock!?

I scream at you. I thought it was only about seven o'clock. The summer vacation is almost over.

There is naturally a school today because it is a weekday.

Sometimes I haven't been able to attend hero school in a long time, and I was looking forward to it last night.

"Alice prepared breakfast. If you eat, I'll send you. '

I immediately start eating about the table. [M] I tried to get involved. I'm sorry, Alice. You made it for me.

Ride the back of a tiger circle to school. Great view.

"Tiger Maru was going to go out to the store too, wasn't he? Thank you for me."

"If it's for a friend, it's cheap. One more thing than that. There's a lot less product in the store... '

I've been abroad for a long time. Tiger Maru had hunted or his father had relied on acquaintances to arrive at the merchandise, but it seems time to limit it.

"I'll take care of it. I'll be diving in the dungeon in a little while."

'It's like you don't just have to. I think it's quite difficult in hidden dungeons over there. "

Infinite Labyrinth - the name of that hidden dungeon.

There's not just one hidden dungeon.

Looks like Tiger Maru has also seen another hidden dungeon in a distant land. But there, the adventurer immediately attacked me.

Also, while I was traveling, something terrible was happening about it.

"I think we found a hidden dungeon near a town called Colotto. I heard you can only put in those with special permission. '

"Even though the infinite labyrinth is still there, that's what...!

Don't get pretty excited.

Colotto is a pretty close town, so I'd like to go if I can afford it.

Well, if there's a restriction, why don't you let me in? First of all, I guess it's a continuation of the previous offense. I want to see my master, too.

"Try your best not to."

"Don't force Tiger Maru, either."

Go down through your back at the school gate and move into the school building. When I got to the front of the classroom, I heard Dr. Erna from inside. Seems to be seated learning now.

I'll sneak inside to keep you out of the way.

I head to my desk while I crouch.

Along the way, there's a hindsight I'm used to seeing in the front seat...... It's Mr. Layla, isn't it? Why are you in S-class? I got a seat on that one anyway, how come you have flowers!? Looks like I'm dead now.

Well, when I came near Emma, she was whining about something bumpy.

"I'm with you in heaven. I won't belong to anyone else until I die..."

"I'm still alive, though!

I accidentally got stuck.

"Nowr!"

"Ya, hey oop..."

She hugged me like I was impressed. I'm happy to see you again, so I'll turn my arm.

You really should have reported survival last night, shouldn't you? Sorry.

"It's good to be alive. I thought he might be dead..."

"Isn't that why flowers are terrible?

"This is an indelible flower. Leaving it, he said the man who went to war would be back safely. It really worked!

When I see Emma in a state of crying and laughter, I feel amazed that she's back.

I want to talk more, but the whole class got messed up.

For once, I guess the circumstances had been conveyed to some extent. It was Dr. Erna who ruled this.

"Take a seat! Who allowed you to stand!

The power of the ex-armed mercenary is alive and well.

When the place settled, the teacher slowly approached me and looked at my whole body. Unlike earlier, my eyes are gentle.

He's checking to see if he's hurt.

"... well, you're back safely"

"There was a lot. There was too much, but I managed to live."

Though I have been dying many times.

Dr. Erna gives me a soothing and quiet hug. I was a little surprised, but my cheeks loosened for comfort. After a moment, the teacher tells the other students.

"We all know that Knoll, no, the Knolls did it in the neighboring country. Saved the town from Hornest's demonic raid. It was Nor who solved the problem. Let's start with a round of applause."

Strong applause boils from all over the classroom.

Everybody's eyes are glittering, and I'm all lit up.

With the back of my head, I tried to say - not so much.

"Personally and as a teacher, I'd love to hear from you. Okay?"

"Eh... yes"

I can't seem to blame you at all for being out of school.

I'm going to stand in front of you and tell you about my journey. We talked about what happened in Hornest, as it were.

But as for Es, I misled the details. That the decision that got him away was scary for everyone to accept.

And myself, because I was a little lost on the inside. As a matter of fact, when I finished talking, the questions came arrowy and early, and I was a lot tired.

But I feel strongly that my peaceful routine has returned. Good.