"Mother! What happened!?"
Colt was met with no grand reception or happy smiles.
The deep creases on Faerith's brows could be seen clearly; there was blood on her hands, a sign that she had been fighting.
As soon as Faerith saw Colt descend from his carriage, she rushed to his side, seeking to give him comfort before telling the truth.
"Listen to me calmly, my son, what I am about to say is of utmost importance. Ensure that your heart is prepared to listen…"
Faerith recounted what happened. How mysterious men came to attack the city and how she defended the city all by herself.
It only now did Colt knew of Faerith's title, the Mother of Monsters. She is not a Beast or anything of the sort. She is simply someone strong enough to control the Edgeworths through her own worth.
But, because of certain circumstances like past injuries, that Faerith cannot fight in the frontlines.
"At the moment, Risa had sustained injuries. Her Soul Partner came out to protect her and the people nearby…"
"How about Mina and my daughters!? Where are they!? If they sustain injuries, I can heal them!"
Faerith's expression grew tense.
"That's good. We can help Hylda, but as Mina and Filla…we can't help them for they have already been taken."
It was at this point that Colt's mind blanked. The white line on his forehead grew ever brilliant, and Fluff mounted his shoulder to let him know that his rationality is getting taken over by anger.
"Nya…"
"I know…but, they dare mess with my family. Ha, hahaha…" he didn't speak any further and walked away.
"Son! Where are you going!?"
"…I need to help my daughter. Her condition is severe, isn't it?"
Colt didn't wait any longer and hurriedly made a run for it. He is now a Rank-5 Warrior after the grueling training Neun put him through.
He doesn't need a horse to reach such a near place.
Colt ran through the destroyed garden of the manor. Burnt Corpses littered the ground. Both combatant and non-combatant were killed in this attack. It was a gruesome sight to behold.
He hurried to Hylda's side, which was in the hospital where most of the injured lay. The hospital was east of the city, and from outside, eve non-mages could feel the thick mana.
Colt entered the hospital, and almost immediately, he smelled an unwanted stench. The stench of burnt flesh assailed his nose.
He doesn't need to look around to see people suffering. There were those who stared at him, hoping to receive some help, but Colt didn't waver for he did not have the time.
He went to the very back room of the Hospital where Risa, Mary, and Hylda were placed.
After taking a deep breath, he managed to calm himself and opened the door. As soon as he did, he was met with a growling face of a white winged-lizard.
The lizard was as big as a tiger, and its wings were unfurled to make itself look more prominent.
Colt knew that this before him was a Dragon. Was it the Soul Partner of Mary, or Risa? He did not know nor did he care.
If this was any normal circumstances, he should be squealing in happiness, seeing such a beast in front of him. But at the moment, that cannot be far off from his mood.
With Fluff on his right shoulder and the Chick on his left, he looked down upon the Dragon, "Sit!"
His voice was low and powerful. With his emotion running wild, Fluff and the Chick didn't hesitate to pressure the poor beast.
The Dragon moved to the side and buried its head on the ground as it whimpered.
Colt didn't care, and the Chick who passed the Dragon pressured it further and made it show its belly to show respect.
Colt knows not how it works, but he is well aware of the pressure Fluff, and the Chick carries. He's not so idiotic to not abuse it.
The three women were unconscious; all of them were in pain, especially Hylda. Colt saw his daughter writhing in pain, and almost immediately, he felt his heart being gripped.
"Teacher, the World Tree."
Neun, who had been standing behind Colt, brought out a box made of ancient wood. A sapling with eight leaves appeared. The glow of life enveloped the room alleviating everyone's pain.
Colt didn't even try examining Hylda's wounds and already fed a crushed leaf.
Hylda's body glowed evergreen, and the damaged internal organs were restored. She regained her color. Her breathing became regular, and her aura returned to normal.
While watching Hylda, a sudden epiphany appeared from behind Colt's head. He then checked Mary and Risa and seeing them that their lives are not in danger, 'They'll be fine with a Healer.'
"Teacher, go to Mother and hand her that leaf. Have her boil in water. If we can distribute its efficacy of the leaf in the form of a soup, then we can help the suffering people."
"How much water exactly, Young Master?"
"A hundred liters." It was not Colt who spoke but the Chick, "I didn't think you'd use such a treasure for Mortals, but I am not against it. Use a hundred liters to dilute the effects, and half a cup would be enough to heal minor injuries and alleviate pain for a few days. Though it will not regrow limbs."
Colt looked at the chick and smiled.
"You seem knowledgeable about this?"
"Well, the World Tree was created to go against me, after all."
Colt doesn't know what it meant by that, but Fluff only looked at its sibling without saying anything. Fluff grew silent at its sibling's comment.
"You heard it, just go with its instruction. That should avoid any death and help lighten the load of the Healers."
"Yes, Young Master."
Colt sat on a chair near Hylda and covered his face with his hands. Despite the help of Fluff, he was still under a lot of stress.
He can tell that he was slowly breaking down under the pressure of what might happen to his family.
His heart was beating fast, and with the echoing cries of both adults and children in the hospital, Colt felt like the world is pushing him to the brink.
He is a man of modern earth; he had not stayed here for even a year. He killed many and even almost died himself.
There are many stories where the Hero only meets those who are on his fighting range. He or she will mysteriously meet those he can match in strength.
But that's not the case for Colt.
The enemy is someone he does not know. The enemies are the bastards even the MC of the original plot has yet to uncover. All this time, he managed to change the future thanks to his knowledge of the plot.
He acted thanks to the information of the plot and even changed the fate of many people.
But right now, he is treading a road that is far off from the original. This story is now his own, and it seems like the world is trying its best to make sure that Colt will meet his end.
And that's crushing him.
He's just a normal human. He's not a hero. He's just a man who wants everyone to live in peace. But why can't he achieve that?
'Isn't it better if I just end this? This is too hard.'
He asked himself as he found all this to be so heavy.
When humans are faced with so much stress, the concept of death makes it seem like an easy release. They would run to it for it makes them feel that once they disappear, their lives would be free of problems.
'I am not a hero. I am not strong enough to…'
He was in despair, but then, a dainty shaking hand held onto him. It was warm, and it was trembling. He turned his head and saw Hylda in tears.
"I'm sorry," She was trembling while crying, "I-I'm sorry…I-I broke my promise…I said I'll protect them…but, but I, I was too weak. I'm sorry, Papa, I'm sorryyy."
The cries of his daughter brought him back from the darkness. The doubt in his heart was broken through, and the thought of death disappeared.
He held Hylda in his arms as he held his tears at bay, "Don't blame yourself, I'll be sure to save them. Don't worry about anything. I'll save your mother and sister."
'I can't fall apart now.' Colt reassured himself. He is not alone anymore. He has people counting on him.
Colt did his best to calm Hylda down. After a few minutes, Hylda, who had also been under too much pressure, fell asleep.
Colt called upon Fluff and the Chick and stepped out of the room.
It was just in time as Neun was about to enter.
"Young Master, where are you going?"
"I'm going to find my wife and daughter."
Colt's answer was firm.
Neun was taken aback as he felt something about Colt had changed.
"Then, should I leave now and track down their life essence, Young Master? I can sniff them out with Alpha's help."
"No, your nose has a limit of five hundred meters. If what Mary said was true, then I'm sure they're already out of your range."
"Then, how?"
Colt didn't answer. He left the hospital in haste. He heads to the Light Orphanage, where he saw Sister Mary with the children.
"Young Master Colt, I heard what happened. How may I help you in any way?" Sister Mary was also incensed. Her presence told everyone that she's pissed off.
She held onto the pommel of her sword as she asked Colt.
Colt, however, shook his head.
"I'm going to have to talk with the people who know where they are, don't disturb me."
Colt then kicked the door of the church open and saw the statues of the Three Goddesses.
"You three, I know you can hear me! Tell me, where they are!"
Colt shouted as he called out to the ones who know everything about this world.
The Three Goddesses.