Grant looked at the food served in front of him, there were various dishes present across the table, his seat was right beside his father, who was sitting on the head seat.
Right across the table in front of him, he could see his mother, currently smiling at him encouraging him to try the dishes she made.
Noticing her gaze, Grant tried the steaming hot sausage while he looked at the lady in red hair sitting a bit futher away from them with the little girl he saw yesterday.
Every since he was born in this world, Grant noticed that he have been able to sense others emotions especially when they are directed at him.
That is why although the lady with red hair was smiling, he could sense that she didn't have any goodwill towards him.
Grant decided to ignore it, he could tell at a glance that there was some type of stupid family drama involved and he honestly wanted no part of it.
After his identity as the hero will be revealed, not even the emperor will dare to take him lightly much less a concubine.
Grant ate his food silently, his movements were neither hurried nor slow, they were a perfect textbook example of a noble.
The corners of Cyric's mouth raised in satisfaction when he saw Grant's table manners.
Cyric put down his fork and said.
"Grant you have been away for many years and a lot have changed since you left five years ago..."
Suddenly Cyric stopped mid sentence a realisation struck him.
If Grant was gone for 5 years...
and he was 3 years old before he left then....
'8? he's 8 right now!'
A shock ran through Cyric's mind as he stared at the fully grown young man who looked to be at the prime if his life with disbelief.
But then he remembered that his son was taken away by none other than the Goddess herself.
Indeed as long as the Goddess was involved anything was possible.
With his doubts cleared up Cyric once again looked at Grant and continued.
"Anyways.....this is your second mother Zunovia, she's the daughter of a baron under me, make sure to treat her well from now on."
Having multiple wives wasn't anything uncommon in this world, in face most of the nobles have more than one wife.
Grant greeted Zunovia after his father's introduction, she also greeted him back respectfully.
He was able to spot the uncomfortable look on his mother's face when Zunovia was mentioned.
It didn't look like they were getting along with each other.
After finishing food, Grant followed behind his father as they entered his study.
A serious expression was pasted on Marquis Cyric's face as he took out a letter from his dress.
"The Royal family's envoy delivered this letter yesterday....."
Cyric hesitated for a moment then continued.
"...they have decided to fight back against demons."
"An all out war is about to begin."
Grant wasn't surprised by the news, it was within his expectations that Empire will counterattack now that the Goddess has sent the so called hero.
'But still.....'
'Shouldn't they first let me level up? it feels a bit too hurried...'
Grant wondered why they were in such a hurry, perhaps it was the Goddess's decision.
"What about the target?"
"The invading demon army is currently on it's way towards the imperial capital Luinas."
Grant felt speechless when he heard what Cyric said.
'So we are defending not attacking?'
'Also how the hell were the demons able to reach the imperial capital this early?'
'Am I missing something here?'
'What the hell have the Empire been doing!!!'
Grant felt a headache coming over as he analysed the news.
'It doesn't make sense for things to progress this fast, did something change? but I have not even made a move yet so why? No wait if I remember correctly then the queen was dead at the start of the story so maybe this was the moment she died?....'
Unfortunately Grant missed an important detail, that is the huge commotion he caused when he came to this world, by now every kingdom was informed that a hero descended in Gritonia five years ago.
And of course the demons were also notified, I mean it will be hard to not notice the giant pillar of golden light that descended on that day.
After the assassination failed, the demon king decided to not waste more time and go all out even if it meant increasing the number of casualties on their side.
The demons weren't fools, the last thing they'll do was to give the hero a chance to grow up.
This wasn't some king of video game where you will strat from low level monsters and then slowly make your way towards high level ones.
It is a war for survival.
"When will they arrive?"
"In 5 days."
"There isn't much time....."
Grant frowned a little.
"Indeed that is why I have decided to retreat back to fort Robin, the royal family has lost the trust of most of the current nobles and with continuos defeat the dissatisfaction keeps growing among the royal palace, you don't need to worry son as I have talked to my friends and we have all decided to fled together, the Emperor wouldn't have time to deal with us either because of the upcoming invasion and even if the empire somehow manages to resist the invasion by that time we would have already arrived at the Lorel Union."
Seeing Grant's lost expression Cyric thought that the news might have been to much for him to handle and so he reassured him more.
"You don't need to worry Grant, just go back and pack you belongings, I know that you just returned yesterday but don't worry I will take care of it-------"
Suddenly Grant raised his hand making Cyric pause mid sentence.
But before he could get angry at Grant's disrespectful action an astonishing scene appeared before his eyes.
A familiar crest suddenly appeared on the back side of Grant's hand.
"Y-you-----"
The crest was all too familiar to him.
"Do not worry father."
The sacred glow cannot be mistaken.
"If anything this will be a perfect opportunity for my first appearance."
It was the seal of the Goddess.