Hilda spoke for a long time.
Eris and Rudeus listened quietly without interrupting her.
After hearing all the plans and preparations Philip had made for the revival of the territory over the past year, Rudeus couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.
Philip truly lives up to his reputation as the head of the House Boreas.
Ambitious, resourceful, and adept at assessing situations.
Even when in dire straits, he can still find opportunities from the slightest clues and pave the way for the future.
It's not surprising at all that the position of family head was given to him.
After saying this, Hilda slowly stood up.
Rudeus was wondering what she was up to when, in the next moment, she suddenly walked towards him and pulled him into her arms.
" Rudeus..."
Hilda's voice trembled slightly.
"Our family owes you so much... so much that I don't even know if we can ever repay you in this lifetime..."
By the end, her voice had choked with emotion, and tears streamed down her face.
"Waaah..."
"Well..."
Rudeus was momentarily at a loss.
"Mother-in-law? Why are you suddenly crying? Don't be like this, we're all family, you don't need to be so formal with me."
As he spoke, he quickly cast a pleading look at Eris beside him.
" Eris, quickly try to persuade your mother."
"Hehe~"
Eris blinked and gave a meaningful smile.
"We really should thank Rudeus!"
"You..."
Rudeus had a bad feeling.
Sure enough, Hilda wiped away her tears and suddenly sighed:
"My only regret now is not having had more daughters..."
"Huh?!"
Eris's face flushed red instantly.
"Mother! How could you suddenly say such a thing!"
"Having more daughters means having more people to help Rudeus."
"These are not the same thing at all!"
Eris was so embarrassed she almost buried her head in her chest.
Taking advantage of a lull in the mother and daughter's argument, Rudeus managed to break free from Hilda's embrace and quickly took a few deep breaths.
"Call..."
He straightened his clothes and said casually:
"Um... how about we talk about the current situation in the territory?"
Hilda then sat down again.
" Alphonse, you speak."
"Yes."
Alphonse nodded and then began to report on the situation in the territory.
"Currently, the reconstruction of the territory is progressing very smoothly. All of this is thanks to your efforts, Young Master Rudeus."
"My efforts?"
Rudeus was taken aback.
What did I do?
Alphonse smiled.
"Your deeds on the Demon Continent and the Millis Continent are now widely known. In addition, you have been assisting in the search for refugees in the Fittoa Territory."
"These actions have provided us with a significant manpower to rebuild our territory."
"And most importantly..."
Alphonse paused, his expression becoming serious.
"A few months ago, the territory received a batch of supplies donated in your name."
"That batch of supplies was undoubtedly a godsend for the refugee camp at the time."
"Food, medicine, and other essential supplies have given many people who were on the verge of despair a renewed hope for survival."
"It's fair to say that without your help, the plan to revive the Fittoa Territory would not have gone so smoothly."
Rudeus was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly.
"I see..."
He never expected that some things he had casually arranged would have such an impact here.
"Since everything is moving in a positive direction, I can rest assured."
Rudeus leaned back in his chair and then said:
"I'll probably stay here for a day or two, then continue north."
Hilda was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.
" Rudeus, why are you leaving so soon?"
She looked at Rudeus, her voice tinged with reluctance.
"Do you have any plans?"
Of course.
Rudeus's expression gradually became serious.
"I need to prepare for the future war between Demon God."
"So from now on, I will proactively seek out and recruit trustworthy talents, while simultaneously building my own power base."
Hilda nodded slightly upon hearing this.
"I see..."
She didn't press the matter further.
As a noblewoman of the House Boreas Family, she naturally understood that the less you know about certain things, the safer you are.
Then, she turned to look at Eris.
" Eris."
"Um?"
You'd better give my precious son-in-law a few more kids!
Hilda said in a very serious tone:
"The more children there are, the more help Rudeus will have in the future."
"Mother!"
"Could you please not just say things like that so casually?"
She stood up, embarrassed and annoyed, and turned to walk towards the door.
As he passed Rudeus, he punched him hard in the chest.
"Bang!"
Rudeus immediately clutched his chest and bent over in feigned pain.
"Ugh!"
"Mother-in-law, look, she's bullying me again..."
Hilda immediately frowned.
"This child is getting more and more of a worry."
Then she turned to Rudeus, her tone softening.
"Don't worry, I'll definitely teach her a lesson another day, and I promise she won't dare to bully you again."
"Really?"
Rudeus immediately broke into a bright smile.
"My mother-in-law is truly the best!"
"Snort!"
Eris glared at him angrily, then ran out without looking back.
Rudeus smiled and bowed to Hilda.
"Then I'll take my leave. Please take good care of yourself, Mother-in-law."
"Good."
Rudeus then turned and left.
When they returned to the cabin that Alphonse had prepared for everyone, the whole family was already sitting around the table.
Upon seeing Rudeus return, everyone turned to him with questioning glances.
" Rudeus, how are you?"
Paul spoke first.
What did your mother-in-law say to you?
"Nothing."
Rudeus pulled out a chair and sat down.
"We just talked about the current situation in the territory."
Then he roughly repeated what Hilda and Alphonse had just said.
Everyone listened quietly.
Paul nodded slowly only after Rudeus finished speaking.
"Now that things are on the right track in the territory, you can go and do your own thing."
He looked at Rudeus, his tone serious.
Leave this to us.
"Um."
Just then, Eris suddenly spoke.
" Rudeus, I want to go with you too!"
"No."
Rudeus shook his head.
"This time, we'll split up."
Eris was slightly taken aback.
"You?"
You have other plans.
Rudeus looked at her and smiled mysteriously.
I'll tell you the specifics later.
"Elder brother..."
Aisha hesitated for a moment, then asked softly:
"Can Aisha come with her brother?"
"Brother~ I want to stay by your side too..."
Norn quickly added.
Seeing his two younger sisters gazing at him expectantly, Rudeus smiled helplessly.
"Come over."
The two little girls obediently came closer.
The next moment--
Snap!
Snap!
Rudeus raised his hands and gently flicked each of his two younger sisters' foreheads.
"Hmm..."
"With Nissan falling..."
The two little girls covered their foreheads, looking at him with pitiful expressions.
Rudeus simply smiled.
"Forgive me, Aisha, Norn."
This is the last time.
What's going on...?
Aisha rubbed her forehead and muttered softly.
"You make it sound like a matter of life and death."
"What is Aisha saying?!"
Norn shook his head seriously.
"My brother is so powerful, he won't die!"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Rudeus burst out laughing immediately.
He scooped his two younger sisters into his arms and gently patted their heads.
So, let's give my brother some time.
" Aisha, Norn."
"Wait until then..."
Rudeus looked up out the window.
"Your brother will definitely make sure you live in a real 'grand mansion'."
"Really?"
Aisha's eyes lit up.
"Certainly."
"It's a deal then!"
"Yes, it's settled."
After dinner.
Rudeus went to a secluded corner by himself.
After confirming that no one was around, he spoke in a low voice:
" Yanli, come out."
The words had barely left his mouth.
A purple light suddenly shone beneath their feet.
The next instant, a purple-haired girl slowly emerged from the light.
She bowed slightly and said respectfully:
"Master, please give instructions."
Rudeus took a brocade pouch from his Magic Pocket and handed it to Yanli.
"Take it."
Help me set up a maze.
Yanli took the brocade pouch and glanced at it curiously.
Rudeus continued:
You should understand what kind of effect you want to achieve.
"The pouch contains all the necessary tools."
Go and prepare.
He held up one finger.
I'll give you one day.
Without the slightest hesitation, Yanli immediately put away the brocade pouch.
"Yes, Master."
The words had barely left his mouth.
The purple light flashed again.
Yanli's figure then disappeared into the night.
Rudeus stood alone, gazing at the dark horizon in the distance, his eyes gradually growing deep.