The tears that have stopped falling since 7 years ago, had started to pour once again.
This family, who had endured hardship, had finally reunited with their beloved brother and son who had been gone missing for so long.
[Kiritsuka Rei] and [Ray Houston], expected them to cry but he never thought that they would come out of the village on their own after he made a ruckus of fighting Nel.
'...I'm glad it ended well.'
Rei was reminded of the words that his master told him, before the start of this fight.
*******
"You want me [to hide my identity and attack the village]!?" Rei asked incredulously towards his master, [The King of Dragons, Ignia] about her outrageous plan.
"Yes!" Ignia answered with a bright smile.
Rei was rendered speechless, his gaze then turned towards his other master, [The King of Dwarves, Doldain]. He gave him the sign on wanting to stop her before it could end up worst.
But Doldain just shrugged, giving up the thought of talking her out of it
Rei sighed, and decided to give it a shot anyway to talk back to her, "Why must I do that?"
"Becausee! You must give them a show! Declare to them that you've come back! Who has survived and become strong!" Ignia stated.
"Yeah...but why?" Rei still demanded an explanation, as he doesn't get why she insisted on doing that.
But Ignia simply smiled, "Don't you want to prove something to your family and the villagers?"
Rei was silent as he chose to look away to distract himself.
"I know that you lost against the guard in that village." Ignia spoke.
Rei was surprised that she knew about that, then frowned as he accusingly called the only one who knew about the details of his past, "Houston..."
Ray, who's currently resting with the other soul, [The Ancient Evil Dragon, Fafnir] scratched his head apologetically, 'Uhhh....sorry.'
Rei sighed, finally caving in to her request, "Fine....I understand."
Ignia grinned widely, "Good! In addition, you also need to follow the rule which I am about to give you!"
"The rule?" Rei repeated.
"Yes, there is only one rule and that is..." Ignia trailed off to add suspense.
*******
"[That is to use a spear and nothing else]." Rei explained.
Now, they are currently at the house where the Houston family lived.
Rei had to explain to Nel and the others about the reason why he attacked them.
Nel sat across the table, he's now facing Rei with two unexpected people sitting beside him.
"I-I see." Nel replied, he seemed to have understood the gist of it, somewhat.
"And when are you people going to stop crying?" Nel then pointed out to Rei who's currently held hostage by his own family.
Adam, Sheila and Emily, the three of them are now clinging on to Rei who sat there and let them do as they pleased.
"Nooo!" The three of them wailed simultaneously, as they couldn't help it, they were finally able to see their precious son and brother again after he went missing for 7 years.
And presumed dead on top of that.
Nel sighed, "Haaa....I know you three missed him that much, but at least give him some space." He spoke reasonably.
Though this family was too stubborn to leave him alone.
Rei just smiled and slowly held each of their arms holding onto him, "It's okay, Uncle Nel... it was my fault for not sending them any letter or news after I'm gone."
"It's not your fault!" Adam spoke out.
"Yes, it's not your fault!" Sheila spoke as well.
"Onii-chan!!" While Emily cried louder and buried her face on him.
His parents cried again.
Rei's at the point where he has to console his family.
.
.
.
.
.
.
After a few minutes…
.
.
.
.
.
Adam and Sheila went back to their usual self and sat down beside Nel, meanwhile Emily remained on her seat beside Rei, still glued to his arm.
"Yes, you can continue now." Adam spoke and acted as if nothing happened but everyone saw it and the memory of him crying his eyes out will stay on their mind for a while
Ignia started the conversation by clearing her throat, "Ahem, thank you for having us in your house, Adam-san and Sheila-san." She spoke politely.
Which shocked Doldain and Rei at the unexpected change of personality. She always spoke arrogantly to a noble before, so they just assumed Ignia would treat everyone the same way.
"Is it really that surprising, my dear disciple and retainer?" Ignia asked as they forgot she could hear their inner voice.
Doldain and Rei shook his head.
"O-of course not." Doldain replied.
"Y-yeah." Rei agreed, both of them were avoiding her gaze.
Adam and Sheila watched their son's reaction, and recognized it as something he'd do to hide a secret which made them laugh.
"Hahaha! My apologies...it has been a while since I had seen my son, his expression never changes when he tries to hide something." Adam explained.
"It seems we share the same sentiment, knowing that we lived together for 7 years, it makes me think that I have a son that I never had." Ignia replied with a smile.
"I see." Adam didn't expect to hear such an answer from her.
Then Sheila raised her hand a bit, "Then, does that mean you are the one who saved our son?"
Ignia smiled, "Yes, although I cannot say I saved him, since I'm also in need of a disciple~"
Sheila and Adam seem surprised to know that such a beautiful woman like her was their son's teacher.
"Now then, while the adult talks, why don't you have a chat with your friends and little sister." Ignia spoke.
"Are you sure, Master?" Rei asked, unsure why she wanted him to leave.
"Yes, we just want to have a little talk, so don't worry. I won't do anything weird to your parents." Ignia reassured him.
"Or you want to hear me talk about your embarrassing moments during all of those years with me~" Ignia spoke with her teasing smile.
Rei immediately stood up from his seat and sighed, "Seriously, you really are stubborn." Then he went for the door together with Emily.
"Mm, you know me well." Ignia smiled.
"Make sure you hold onto those words." Rei reminded her and left the house quietly.
The atmosphere between them suddenly became tense after he left.
It made Adam and Sheila, even Nel who was there, feel awkward.
"Now then, since the bothersome kids are gone." Ignia then snapped her finger, which cause the whole room to be covered with magic circles.
"...?!" It surprised them.
"This is..." Adam was dumbfounded, then their attention went to the person who created this.
"Let me introduce myself again." Ignia then leaned her back to her seat, with an arrogant smile across her face.
"I am the one who saved your son, who's also the one who ruled the Dwarven Kingdom."
"My name is [Ignia]...[The King of Dragons, Ignia]." She introduced herself as a higher being, which made the parents of her disciple couldn't help but feel awestruck.
"The King of Dragons?" Adam repeated.
"Yes, and this guy is my aide who also ruled the Dwarven Kingdom together with me~"
"[The King of Dwarf, Doldain] my champion~" Ignia then introduced Doldain who sat beside him.
"—?!" It shocked them again, with another higher being who's currently sat in front of them.
"No way...to think you are that King of Dragons!" Nel spoke in recognition.
"You know them...Nel?" Adam asked him.
"I heard about them long ago...there was once a story about the Hero who asked for help from a certain dragon that lived within the Northern region."
"But he was rejected, because he was deemed weak. He was also defeated by that dragon despite having the support of the Hero's Party." Nel explained.
"The Hero...you mean from the legend?!" Sheila gasped with one hand covering her mouth.
"Ahh...I remember~ the Hero of this era, yes, I did meet him~" Ignia nodded.
"Indeed, he was weak but brave, which is why I showed him some mercy because he has a duty to defeat the Demon King~" Ignia shared her story to them.
"You see, I rejected him because I have my own reasons."
"Then...you are definitely that dragon...but you look like..." Nel was about to point out the most crucial part about her appearance but Ignia cut him off
"Human? Yes~" Ignia answered, "It is just a simple transformation magic, since I feel more comfortable talking with small beings like you in this form."
Adam and Sheila gulped as they now knew about the true identity of their son's teacher.
"Now then, let's stop talking about the past, because the thing I am about to talk about now is something…" Ignia then folded her arms as she looked at them.
"Something...?" Adam asked.
"Something related to your son." Ignia replied.
"...?!"
Then Sheila got up from her seat, "Wh-what's wrong with my son?!"
"Sheila…calm down. Ignia-sama is trying to explain it to us, let's hear her out first okay? I'm sure it might be something important…" Adam tried to calm her down, while looking quizzically at Ignia at the same time.
Ignia was surprised when she saw it, their gaze reminded her so much of her disciple which made her smile, 'Like parents, like son, I see~'
"It is nothing serious, I just want to tell you both that you have a wonderful son." Ignia spoke.
"What...do you mean by that?" Adam spoke as Sheila slowly sat down the moment she calmed down.
Ignia chuckled, "Heh, did you not hear the news?"
"What...what news?" Sheila asked, concernedly.
"Really? It seems your village is pretty isolated from the world for far too long...that [news] is a few months old, the fact that it hasn't arrived here yet is quite surprising." Ignia hummed.
The parents seemed confused about what she was trying to say.
Until Nel, who seemed to be in deep thought, got the answer, "You don't mean...the news where the [Curse within the Northern Region had been resolved]?!"
Ignia's smile widened, "Bingo."
Adam blinked a few times in confusion, still trying to process it in his head, "What is this news...Nel."
Nel looked at him, "It has been going around lately...you know that the Northern Region has been closed off for many years due to the winter that never ends."
"Y-yes...I do know, because it is the most dangerous place that even Adventurers nor Merchants would not want to go." Adam replied.
"Yes...but a few months ago...the curse that caused the never ending winter...had been resolved by someone." Nel replied.
"It has been resolved?! How come I just know about this?!" Adam narrowed his eyebrows
"Well since you have been mourning your son...I don't think it was a good time to talk about it." Nel admitted.
"Nel..." Adam softened, feeling touched by his words.
"But...what is the connection of this news with Ray?" Sheila asked her instead.
"Hm? Of course, because your son is the one who saved the Northern Region." Ignia answered them matter-of-factly.
Her words startled the three of them and nearly caused their eyes to pop out of their sockets.
"W-WHAT?!" They shouted in unison
"It's a good thing you put those silencing magic around the room." Doldain muttered while trying to soothe his ears from the loud noise.
"Right?~" Ignia chuckled as she had fun watching their reaction.
"S-savior...? Our son is...?" Sheila was so shocked that she couldn't utter the proper words.
"Calm down...this is…this is probably just a dream." Adam was the same and tried to convince himself while holding Sheila's shoulder.
"It is not a dream, your son has in fact saved the Northern Region by defeating [The Great Three Evil] which caused the curse~" Ignia replied to them.
"He even defeated [The Ancient Evil Dragon, Fafnir], with my help of course~" Ignia added more fuel to the fire, not the fire that caused anger but more confusion.
"WHAT?! A DRAGON?!" Their eyes were about to pop out again, at this rate they might die of heart attack with each information bomb Ignia dropped on them.
Ignia laughed at their reaction, "Hahaha~ I really love their reaction, did you see that Doldain~?"
"Don't mix me up into your weird hobby, my King." Doldain sighed.
"U-ummm...Ignia-sama?" Adam tried to call her formally.
"Ahhh, just call me Ignia, since I am also your son's teacher~" But Ignia stopped them.
"I-i see...then Ignia-san, did our son really, truly save the Northern region?" Adam asked to be sure whether she was just pulling their leg or not.
"Of course, if not for him, the whole Northern Region would continue as it is or it would get worse." Ignia answered, rather seriously this time.
"So be proud of having a son like him." Ignia spoke.
Adam and Sheila were shaken by her words, their son that went missing, who they thought was dead came back alive. But not only that, he also had achieved something they couldn't ever imagine.
"I...at first, I was against him leaving the village. I wanted him to stay here, becoming a [Blacksmith] just like me." Adam muttered.
"I don't know why, but I saw his desperate eyes whenever he trained by himself."
"I am aware that he has been practicing with just a sword behind our backs, and no parent could fail to see how much their own child has changed." Adam spoke.
Ignia looked at him, then sighed, "Indeed, it is a harsh reality, because there is a limit to what [Blacksmith] can do, no matter how much they work hard for it."
"Your son obviously felt his limits during his struggle before going missing." Ignia spoke.
"Despite being given an impossible and thorny path, he persisted and walked through it without complaining."
"I had seen him injuring himself, coughing blood, struggling to stand on his feet while undergoing my training." Ignia revealed all the things that Rei had gone through.
Which made the two parents imagine their own son, struggling on his own. It gave them a heavier atmosphere.
But then..
"When I told him to give up, do you know what he said?" Ignia looked towards their eyes with a smile.
"[I made my own choice, but if I already made up my mind, I must take responsibility to it because...]."
"[I will become the strongest knight who can protect everything I love]." Ignia recited his words to them.
It lightened the atmosphere after hearing his words coming from her mouth.
Adam and Sheila could see his face, despite the real Rei's currently outside of the house.
"Yeah...he is the most stubborn son we ever had." Adam muttered as he shed some tears again.
"Well...he is our son, he really takes after you." Sheila smiled and cried as well, while embracing her husband.
Nel was sobbing on his seat, even Doldain too.
Ignia watched them crying over this kind of story, and it put a warm smile on her face.
But then her expression turned serious.
"Though, there's something I need to warn the two of you." Ignia spoke.
Adam and Sheila's attention returned to Ignia again.
"Though I did say he is doing a great job for saving the Northern Region, his current state is what I am worried about." Ignia spoke.
"His current state?? Is he injured or something?!" Which made Sheila panicked again.
"No no, he is completely fine, actually his body is in perfect condition."
"After all, he absorbed an [Ancient Dragon's Heart] and completely created [True Flame] on his own." Ignia replied.
But that statement…
"WHAT?!"
It truly almost gave them a heart attack this time
******
"Hmm?" Rei who's currently outside together with the kids in the village, felt itchiness on his ears.
'Did someone say something bad about me?' Rei thought.
'Maybe Ignia spilled some beans to our parents.' Ray replied to his question.
'Well...knowing her personality, I guess she would.' Rei sighed.
'True.' Ray couldn't agree more.
"Onii-chan! Come on!" Rei went back to reality, as he was being dragged by his little sister, Emily who he hadn't seen for 7 years.
Rei held her hand which had grown bigger than in the past, 'She's grown big.' As he thought.
Ray smiled within him, 'Indeed.'
Eventually, they arrived under a big tree within the village. There were some familiar faces he recognized from his childhood.
"We are here!" Emily announced her arrival with Ray.
Rei, who arrived with her, was surprised how much these three had changed.
The first one will be...
Bob the fat boy, who had become muscular and big which fit his personality.
"Ohh! It's Ray!" Bob spoke while stuffing himself with bread
James, the glasses boy, had grown taller. He looked like a calm and calculative person.
"Woah...I couldn't even recognize you." James fixed his glasses when he saw Rei.
Finally, Hans, their leader, had grown into a perfect young man with strong features, as if he had fully grown into a warrior just like his [Job].
"Indeed! Even I couldn't believe it myself, as expected of my Aniki!" Hans talked with boastfulness, as though it were his own accomplishment.
The three of them had grown beyond what he could imagine.
But the one who changed the most are...
Rei himself.
When Emily and Rei arrived, the three of them immediately approached him and began to stare at Rei who was still wearing his armor.
"Woah..." The three were amazed, because right now the tallest person in the group was Rei.
Bob stared at how tall he was, compared to him.
James stared at his armor, observing the intricate details on the surface and admiring his work.
While Hans were staring at his face with admiration.
Rei couldn't help but feel uncomfortable from their stares, "Ahem...it's been a while you guys, I think I've been gone for far too long."
But he broke the atmosphere and they immediately backed away.
"It's okay, Aniki, I heard what you have been through." Hans replied with a smile.
Rei looked at him with a smile, "Thank you for protecting this village, Hans."
"It is simply my duty to protect this village in your place!" Hans proudly replied.
Rei chuckled, "Alright."
*THUD*
But then Emily hugged Rei from behind and said nothing else.
Rei looked at her, "Emily?"
Hans laughed at the sight, "Let her be Aniki, of all people, she is the one who missed you and waited for you the most."
Rei widened his eyes when he heard it, then he turned around as his armor began to disappear in flames.
Then he embraced his little sister within his arms, hugging her body, "I really miss you too, Emily."
Emily widened her eyes, surprised by his action and began to bury her face against his chest then embrace him even tighter.
"Take your sweet time to say it huh...stupid Onii-chan." Emily cried quietly, feeling the heart beat of the person she had missed for so long.
The older brother who had always been with her, protecting her from danger. Had finally come back to her.
"I am home." Rei spoke once again, not to his parents or his friends.
But to his little sister, who believed he would come back for her.
"Welcome home~ Onii-chan~"
Emily smiled, welcoming her brother once again.
To be continued…