"Welcome back, Rain"
As soon as I get out of the carriage, my mother, Eva Scarlet warmly welcomed me back.
"I'm back, mom"
I was surprised seeing my family were waiting for me in front of our house.
I went back 2 days ahead from my schedule, so it's surprising to see them greeting me like this as if they know I'm coming home today.
Did someone reported back that I'm coming back when the carriage reached the town entrance?
"Rain! You're finally back! Did you bring a souvernir for me?"
Irina ran towards me happily like a child who was excited to get a souvernir.
"Yes! I brought honey from golden bees that I collected myself!"
I took out a jar containing golden honey from my magic bag. The honey from golden bees are considered as a luxurious food. It was much sweeter than honey produced by others bee-type monsters and can also helps recover a small amounts of mana. This is a comfort food that is popular with girls and children.
"Really!? Thank you, Rain!!"
Irina snarched the honey as soon as I took it out. I let out a wry smile when I saw her eyes was sparkling.
On the way back, we were lucky to find their hive when we were looking for monsters to kill for me to bring back as throphy. Orland and Bruce were the one who was dealing with the bees.
When they were busy fighting the bees, I took the chance to raid the hive. Technically speaking, I didn't lie when I said I collected it myself.
"How was your training? You're not slacking aren't you?"
Ash followed behind Irina.
"Ugh. There is no time for me to slack even if I wanted to. I didn't meet a single monsters back in the forest even if I wanted to train. But it's not like I didn't gain anything, I learned how to survive in the wild instead"
I answered with a dark face.
Yes, I didn't meet a single monsters in the "Forest of Spirits", because I went to "Abyss of the Clouds Tower" and explored it. I learned how to dissect monsters for their meat and collect their blood to quench my thirst, how to set up a safe zone to rest and how to kill monsters more efficiently.
"Is that so? Then I will test you tomorrow to see whether you're truly learning survival skills or not"
Ash said with a straight face.
"Wait? Why do you need to test me tomorrow!?"
"Oh, so you want me to test you now? Fine then, I will wait for you in the training ground"
Ash left after saying so.
"What the hell! Brother, no!"
Ash turned back after hearing my protest.
"So you want me to test you right here? Alright then"
He unsheated his sword and put on a stance.
"Fuck! Fine, fine! It's tomorrow! You can check my skills however you want tomorrow!"
The moment he unsheated his sword, I resigned to my fate of getting beaten tomorrow.
Although I have became stronger after exploring dungeon, I'm still no match for him. Heck, even if I use the equipments I'm still no match for him.
Although I cannot see the character status, I'm sure this bastard is currently around level 35. In three years he will reached level 75. His strength as one of the leader who leads the rebellion against the kingdom and burn the capital has been proven in the game.
I have to keep an eye on him and stop him from rebelling and ruining this family. I'm confident I have enough powerful equipments in three years to help me stop him from rebelling.
I didn't lie to Ash, but I didn't tell him the truth either. I remembered in one of the events, there was an item that can detect lie that was used by the protagonist party to interrogate a rebel to reveal Ash location.
"Now, now. Rain must be tired from the long journey, so please spare him for today"
"Yes, mother"
"Let's go inside. I would like to hear your story, Rain"
"Yes, mom"
With mother interruptions, Ash finally let me go. This bastard is determined to train me whenever he got the chance. It's been 3 years since he started training Rain. From Rain memories, it's not like he trained me because he hate me or have grudges.
Rather, outside of training we're quite close but also awkward. I mean, it's all this bastard's personality fault that makes it awkward.
"Come to think of it, I didn't see father. Is he away?"
"Your father is currently holing up in his office. Do you want to meet him?"
"No, it's fine. Sunce he stay in his office it means he is busy. We can meet at dinner anyways"
I shrugged my shoulders and went inside.
Ever since I became Rain Scarlet, I have never said a single lie to the people related to Scarlet family, be it the maids or the knights because I was afraid they have lie detector with them.
The chance might be small, but I won't risk to bet on it. Even a kid know that lying is bad. You cannot stop lying once you started. I fully understand how heavy it is to cover a lie with another lies. However, covering a lie with another truth is much easier.
This is why back in Blake, I told Orland and Bruce that I didn't meet a single monster in the "Forest of Spirits". I put monster repellant on my clothes when I was in the forest, so of course no monsters are willing to come to meet me.
And the fact that I went to the deepest part of the forest is true. The stone plate with the "Spirit Sanctuary" written in runic language used to be deepest part of the forest and also the home of the spirit king.
Strictly speaking, I didn't lie to them as what I told them was the truth countless years ago. So even if they use lie detector, what I said is the truth.
Even if people doubt me, as long as I'm not lying I'm not guilty.
With such thought in mind, I walked with confidence.
∆ ∆ ∆
Inside the Viscount's office, Rod was busy dealing with all sort of documents.
The room was quite simple for a noble office as it only had a sofa, a small table and a desk-table where Rod was doing his work.
The sofa and the small table are probably was put in case a guest came to visit his office to talk about business.
Knock, knock.
Someone was knocking on the door while Rod was working.
"Come in"
The door opened as soon as Rod gave his permission.
"Forgive my intrusion, My lord"
A middle-aged man wearing knight armor came in. It was Orland.
"Do you have anything to report, Orland?"
"Yes, My lord. It was about Rain-sama"
As soon as Rod heard Orland mentioning Rain's name, he put down the pen he was holding.
"Tell me the details"
"Yes. According to Rain-sama, he never met any monsters when he was inside the forest. He also said that he learned survival skills inside the forest"
"Did he threw a tantrum?"
"No. On the way to Blake, he spent his time reading books or sleeping. And even after we reached Blake, he only rest for a day to buy some supplies before he went into the forest. He stayed in the forest for 43 days without going back to the town to resupply and only came back 2 days before we returned"
Orland took out a grey orb and put it on the table. Rod held the orb and smiled.If Rain saw this orb, he would be surprised.
This orb is an item known as ＜Orb of Truth＞ that is used to detect lies. Due to it's effect, only those influental people and those with permission could get their hands on it because it was an exclusive item owned by the church.
"I inquired a lot of thing and he never said a single lie"
"Hooo. I thought he will throw a tantrum and came back after staying in the forest for 2 days at best then stay in the town until he became bored"
Rod was surprised hearing what Orland said.
"Yes, I thought so at first too. And so, I hired some adventurers to went into the forest to look for him. I hired 4 adventurers party and even went with Bruce to look for him. However, other than the fact that someone saw Rain-sama entering the forest, we never found his trace"
"So, even you who is skilled in tracking cannot find his trace"
Rod squinted his eyes as he heard Orland's explanation.
He taps his finger with a pondering look.
"As there is only low-level monsters inside the forest, I thought someone kidnapped him. However, we never received any demands for ransom. We decided to wait for his return until the scheduled time is over. If he is still hasn't come back, we will put a search order"
"I see. Anything else?"
"I feel like Rain-sama changed ever since he returned from the forest. On the way to Blake, we met some wild animals and killed them. His face became slightly pale when he saw blood. However, on the way back his eyes didn't even flickered when he saw us dissecting their meat"
"I guess he gained something when he spent his days in the forest"
Rod smiled after hearing about Rain's growth. Due to some traumatic event that happened it the past, Rain hates blood. Just seeing blood will make his face pale and if blood was splashed on his face, he will throw up due to the smell.
"Also, we found golden bees hive on the way back. Rain-sama wanted to take the honey as a present for lady Irina. When we're attracting the bees attention, Rain-sama went to hive to stole the honey. He was smiling widely as he collected the honey"
"Really? I thought he hate insect"
Rod opened his eyes wide in surprise. It is a well-known fact in this house that Rain hates insect. No, Rain fear insect to be exact. So it's surprising to heard he was collecting honey with a happy face.
"Yes. It's been a long time since I saw Rain-sama smiling so happily. It's like he turned back into his past-self"
Orland smiled nostalgically as he recalled Rain's face.
"I see"
Rod closed his eyes and let out a faint smile.
"My Lord, should we arrange something for him? We should strike the iron while it's hot. It would be great if Rain-sama truly changed"
"No, leave him be. I feel like it would be counterproductive if we do so. Just let him do whatever he wants like always. It doesn't matter whether he have changed or not as long as he is happy. Ash is competent enough to succeed the family, and I don't have to worry about Irina"
Rod shook his head.
"Understood"
After reporting everything, Orland left the room.
"His past-self, huh?"
Rod muttered in a low voice and his gaze moved to the windows.