After the light completely dissipated, everyone almost simultaneously began to examine their bodies to determine the exact effects of the demonic light.
"Huh? It seems... nothing has changed."
Elinalise looked herself up and down, then touched her cheek, seemingly somewhat unwilling.
Roxy breathed a sigh of relief, "Me too. I was just worried that I might suddenly get shorter or something."
"Miss Lilia seems to have gotten a little younger."
"Oh, right, Zenith!"
Elinalise and Roxy seemed to suddenly remember something and quickly moved closer to Paul.
Zenith, nestled in Paul's arms, still looked completely bewildered. She slowly opened her eyes, her gaze shifting from Paul's face to her surroundings, as if utterly unable to comprehend what was happening before her.
"Darling, do you still remember me?"
"Anada Roxy Lise is here too!?"
Zenith looked around in surprise, her brows furrowing slightly.
"Where... am I?"
"Oil! Oily, oily!"
Paul's voice choked up instantly.
He tightened his arms around Zenith, as if if he loosened them even slightly, his wife would disappear from his sight again.
"Anadah, put me down first..."
Zenith noticed the gazes directed at her, and her cheeks flushed instantly.
"With so many people watching... it's kind of embarrassing."
At that moment, Rudeus also walked up to Zenith.
Zenith raised her head and carefully examined the young man before her, her eyes filled with growing doubt.
" Rudeus?"
She reached out and gently pinched Rudeus's cheek.
"What happened? You've grown so tall!"
" Norn and Aisha are here too..."
Zenith's gaze swept over everyone in turn, finally revealing a look of confusion.
I have a feeling... like I've missed something?
Rudeus lowered his head, his voice heavy.
"Mother, I'm sorry... I didn't do my best."
"Silly child."
Zenith simply smiled gently.
"Everyone's doing fine, why say things like that?"
As she spoke, she opened her arms and gently embraced Rudeus.
Rudeus stiffened slightly.
In that instant, he suddenly felt the heaviness that had been weighing on his chest for many years being gently eased by this warmth.
I said...
Elinalise spoke up at the opportune moment.
"Let's talk about it back home. This place doesn't seem like a suitable place for a family to catch up."
"That's true."
Rudeus looked around.
Although there are too many questions to explain and too many things to ask, now is clearly not the time for conversation.
"Let's get out of here first."
As soon as he finished speaking, he opened his Magic Pocket and took out the divine artifact that resembled a precision instrument—the [World Transition Device].
"Everyone, stay close to me."
Rudeus gripped the instrument.
"This time, we'll go straight back to Asura."
The crowd gathered around.
Although Zenith was still full of doubts, since it was her son's instruction, she obediently stood next to Rudeus.
However, just as the leap was about to begin, one figure remained standing in place.
Rudeus turned around.
" Rujierd?"
Rujierd did not answer, but simply watched them quietly.
"What are you waiting for? Come over here quickly!"
Rujierd shook his head.
" Rudeus, thank you for your help along the way."
His face wore the same calm smile as always.
"I've learned so much during my time with you. Now that your family has been found, it's time for me to leave."
"After all, I also have things I need to accomplish."
He paused.
"But don't worry, this isn't goodbye forever. We'll meet again someday. And then... let's drink and make merry together again."
Rudeus was silent for a moment, then smiled.
"Is that so...?"
"There will definitely be more and more of them after that day."
He raised his fist.
Rujierd understood, and extended his fist as well; their fists lightly touched.
"Until we meet again, Rujierd."
Rudeus said seriously:
"If you encounter any difficulties in the future, remember to come to me first. After all, we are best friends."
Rujierd nodded emphatically.
Ah, my dearest friend.
The next moment--
A burst of white light suddenly erupted.
Rudeus and his group vanished in an instant.
When they opened their eyes again, what came into view was a wide and straight official road.
Paul stared blankly at everything before him, then suddenly grinned.
"They're really back!"
He opened his arms wide, almost like a child.
"This is Asura! This road... is the road to Fittoa!"
However, the excitement lasted only a moment.
Paul's expression gradually froze.
"Only..."
His voice lowered.
"I returned once six months ago. That's when I learned that it wasn't just the Buena Village... the entire Fittoa Region was affected by that disaster."
Rudeus remained silent.
After a moment, he said in a low voice:
"If only I had been a little stronger back then..."
Rudeus.
Eris reached out and put her hand on his shoulder.
Didn't you say that?
People change.
She looked intently at Rudeus.
Just because you couldn't do it before doesn't mean you can't do it in the future. So, cheer up!
" Eris..."
Elinalise immediately showed a surprised expression.
"I never expected to hear such words come out of your mouth."
" Rudeus taught me all of this!"
Eris turned her face away, somewhat embarrassed.
Rudeus looked at her, then smiled.
Thank you, Eris.
"I will remember my past failures, and I will strive to do my best."
After a brief moment of encouragement, the group continued along the official road.
About an hour later, the road finally came to an end.
But the town before me was no longer the one I knew.
Instead, it is a huge and abrupt cliff.
Rudeus stood at the edge of the cliff and slowly lowered his head.
The next moment, his pupils suddenly contracted.
The entire Fittoa Region...
It disappeared.
The once prosperous land is now just a huge crater, as if punched by a giant god.
Scattered around the bottom of the pit are a few newly built wooden houses and a large expanse of tents.
In the distance, crowds continued to move timber, food, and various supplies.
Their former home is now just a large refugee camp.
"Let's go down quickly."
Paul looked away, his expression grave.
"The most important thing now is to figure out the current situation."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Soon, they entered the refugee camp along the makeshift road.
After they identified themselves, the person in charge of receiving them was clearly shocked and quickly led Rudeus and Eris into a larger wooden cabin alone.
The moment the door opened--
Eris froze completely.
In the center of the room sat a beautiful middle-aged woman with an elegant demeanor.
Her red hair was meticulously combed, and her demeanor was dignified. Even in the humble refugee camp, she maintained the composure of a noblewoman.
A man and a woman stood beside her.
Two familiar faces.
"Mother! Ghislaine!"
Eris's eyes instantly welled up with tears.
She pounced on him almost without hesitation.
"Thank goodness... you're all alright!"
Eris buried her face in Hilda's arms, while gripping Ghislaine's arm tightly.
" Eris!"
Rudeus, however, was horrified.
"Be careful! You're not as strong as you used to be!"
Given Eris's current physical abilities, such an unreserved embrace would be a disaster for an ordinary person.
Hilda, however, was only slightly jolted by the impact.
She stroked her daughter's hair affectionately, her eyes filled with the joy of having her daughter back.
"Mother..."
Eris looked up and asked eagerly:
Where is Grandpa? Where is Father? Where are they?
Hilda did not answer immediately.
She slowly turned her head and looked at Rudeus.
A lot has happened in the past few months.
Philip is currently in the capital.
Her voice gradually lowered.
"He is negotiating with the king to clear Sauros's name."
"Cleansing one's sins?"
Eris was taken aback.
What crime are you washing away?
Her expression immediately tensed up.
"Did Grandpa... do he do something wrong?"
"Why..."
Hilda sighed softly.
" Eris, this matter is complicated. Your mother doesn't want you to get involved in the struggles between nobles."
" Eris, Mom is right."
Rudeus then picked up the conversation.
"You don't need to worry about this, just leave it to me..."
"Etc."
Hilda suddenly narrowed her eyes.
" Rudeus, what did you just say?"
A slow smile slowly spread across her lips.
"Our mom?"
Rudeus froze for a moment.
Hilda looked at her daughter, then at Rudeus.
"You and Eris have already..."
"Yes, Mother-in-law."
Rudeus nodded without changing his expression.
"Since we're all family, there's no need to be formal. From now on, family matters are my matters, and there's no need to distinguish between us."
After a brief silence--
Hilda suddenly smiled.
"I've liked you since you were little."
Her gaze grew increasingly satisfied.
"In that case, I'll tell you the general outline of what happened."
By this time, Alphonse had already prepared tea.
Eris sat back down in her chair, while Ghislaine stood quietly to the side.
A brief moment of tranquility returned to the cabin.
However, everyone knows--
What Hilda is about to say goes beyond just the fate of one family.
Rather, it was a storm concerning the Fittoa Region, the Boreas Family, and the aristocratic politics of the entire Asura Kingdom.
At the very heart of this storm, Philip was in the capital negotiating a deal that would determine the life or death of Sauros and the future of the Boreas Family.