Chapter 88

EP.88 Speeding Violation - 3

The conversation on the train continued.

Anus had sent a letter expressing his frustration that it would be difficult for Leo to come after Aria entered the temple.

Despite this, the money he sent was substantial, and the detailed communication led Dean to calm Anus down and reconcile with him through letters.

Aria had even told him not to send any letters, which made him regret it two hours later.

Lumine, on the other hand, sighed, saying that it was her daily routine to try to stop and comfort Aria's escape.

The only ones who remained silent were a young man and his daughter.

[Are you worried about that prophet?]

Instead of speaking, the sage's voice came from inside the stone, ensuring that no one outside could hear the conversation.

<...Of course.>

If he had met the prophet with his old behavior, he would have been merely curious or interested, but not more.

The problem was that the prophecy connected events before the regression, even before they happened.

<Is it just a coincidence?>

[The possibility is slim. It seems too contrived, even to me.]

It even seemed that the invisible causality was guiding Leo to meet Anus and Dean.

<In the end, we should meet him, right?>

[It might not be the answer, but it could be the formula to solve it.]

With the decision made, there was no reason to hesitate. He would just act as he always did.

"Village chief."

Just as the main characters of the story, who had been silent, began to feel uncomfortable, Leo spoke.

Everyone's attention turned to him.

"Is there any chance we could see that prophet friend of yours?"

"Suddenly? Why?"

Dean, who had been leading the conversation, asked, puzzled by Leo's sudden question. Anus, on the other hand, understood and accepted the request calmly.

"Sure, it's fine."

"But what for? Do you want a prophecy? About the future or something..."

At this, Aria, running her fingers through her hair behind her ear, seemed to expect Leo's answer, probably hoping for something romantic and innocent like a love prediction.

"If the prophecy can interpret the revelation, it might not be a bad idea to try."

Of course, Leo had no such intention, either on the surface or internally.

Disappointed by his businesslike attitude, Aria blushed and looked a bit dejected.

"Indeed, revelations and prophecies are closely related. It might be a good idea to go see him."

"...But is it okay? That person..."

"Technically, it's legal, so it should be fine."

While the phrase "technically" was a bit concerning, the legality of it should be fine.

The only issue would be the presence of the adult Lumine and the hero Aria.

"But before that."

Anus pointed to the station coming into view as he looked out the window.

"I want to visit the Reinhardt family. Is that okay?"

"Uh..."

Leonardo hesitated. He couldn't answer immediately, even if it might be considered rude.

It wasn't because Anus and Dean were a nuisance; quite the opposite.

[...Most of the family is not in their right mind...]

The problem, as the sage said, was with the family. Leonardo could already picture their insane actions.

<Heh. My name is Chris, the knight known as the Dark Knight. What are your epithets? Heh heh...>

<Hey, Leonardo, tell us about your old stories and your first love! Long live true love!>

<I can't give my granddaughter to scoundrels like you!!!>

It was a chaotic and insane situation, and it was questionable whether Anus and Dean could handle it.

"Village chief, I don't think that's a good idea."

Fortunately, Dean pointed out the issue first.

"They're busy welcoming the returned hero. It would be too much of a burden to visit suddenly."

It was a sensible point, and Leonardo was grateful. The money and meat he had sent to another address as an apology for knocking them down when leaving the village had paid off.

"I'm fine. The mansion has many servants, so preparing for hospitality shouldn't be too difficult."

But Aria, in a way, was almost rubbing salt into the wound of Leonardo's barely maintained sanity. It wasn't a wrong statement, and she had no ill intent, so he couldn't really argue.

"Besides, just introducing Ein would be enough to turn the household upside down. Getting involved would only lead to misunderstandings and complications."

It would be more than just misunderstandings; it would likely cause chaos and confusion. The family was that kind of household.

"Since we're in town after a long time, we won't go immediately. The prophet won't be leaving today or tomorrow, so let's take our time."

This sensible statement made Leonardo truly feel the bond of brotherhood. The weight of this connection might rival that of his lost mother.

"The train is stopping. We need to prepare to get off."

The train's speed gradually slowed as the brakes sounded. Following the conductor's instructions, passengers began to disembark in order.

"See you later. Ein, listen to your dad while I'm gone."

Dean patted the expressionless Ein, who was next to Leonardo.

While he was tired of denying his fatherhood, he couldn't help but feel grateful for Dean's actions.

"Thank you, Uncle Dean. Thanks to you, Dad's heart rate has stabilized a lot."

"...Uh... Yeah... Try to speak more casually. I have a short temper."

Dean patted Ein again, looking a bit flustered, and glanced at Leonardo.

"Still, it's a relief. The work is tough, but your expression is much better."

He patted Leonardo's back a few times and smiled. Seeing his grown brother, whom he no longer needed to bend down to pat, gave him a mix of pride and a strange feeling.

"Thanks, bro. I'll treat you to a fancy meal later."

"...Uh... Rather than food..."

Dean looked at Lumine, who was saying goodbye to Anus. The sunlight reflecting off the metal of the clock at the station made Lumine's wings shine even more.

"...Maybe you could introduce me to a girl?"

The revelation of Lumine's gender, hidden by her appearance, made Dean feel his pure love crumble.

Leonardo briefly resolved to introduce him to some seniors or juniors from the magic tower.

"Alright, take care. Don't make a good girl suffer."

"Sure, no problem."

Leo answered Anus with a slightly playful tone. It wasn't just teasing; he was genuinely happy to speak freely with someone he hadn't seen in a long time.

"You talk well."

"I have skills now too."

It was a joke that had bones, muscles, and nerves.

Anus chuckled at the white lie and walked on with Dean. Midway, he suddenly slowed his pace and stopped.

"...Aren't you bored? You found what you were looking for, right?"

With a slow, almost stopped pace, Leo smiled and answered.

"Thanks to you, I found it. Thanks to you, I'm never bored."

"...Alright. Don't be late getting home."

Anus, walking forward while looking back, felt a mix of relief and disappointment.

"Will you be okay?"

"What do you mean?"

Disappointment couldn't be refreshing.

"You were waiting to scold Leo for always getting into dangerous situations."

"It's better than dying as a mercenary, so I didn't say anything."

But the fact that he could use the term "disappointment" meant that he was also relieved.

"You've grown. Leonardo has."

"...It's a relief. That he can laugh like that."

Perhaps it was because he had his own epiphany.

He suddenly thought.

***

The mix of relief and disappointment wasn't limited to Anus and Dean. For Leonardo, heading to the mansion, the focus was more on the disappointment than the relief.

[Why are you so gloomy about going back after a long time?]

<Because this could really be a 'death situation'.>

He had overcome a small hurdle, but the next one would be a towering spire of trials.

Marken would certainly be there, and the family head, Gladio, would be sharpening his sword. Chris and Sylia might be okay, but the wildcard Rios was a significant factor.

"...We're here...! It's been so long..."

Aria looked at the mansion with a mix of nostalgia and new feelings. To Leonardo, who had seen it many times, it was always grand and imposing, but to Aria, it was always her familiar home.

"But will it be okay? We didn't send a proper message..."

They had returned as soon as the revelation came, so it was uncertain if the telegram had reached the family.

Since the warp gate had been temporarily suspended after the Blue Tower's daughter's incident, the train was the fastest and most efficient means of travel.

"It should be fine. It would be more troublesome if a party or welcome crowd gathered."

That was true, but it didn't feel right to treat a long-awaited family reunion so lightly.

For Leonardo, it gave him time to explain about Ein.

"Finally, you're here."

Standing at the mansion's main gate was a woman in an unnecessarily long black coat, holding an unlit cigar.

"It's been a while, Chris."

"...Aria?"

The cigar fell from her mouth as Chris looked at Aria in shock. She glanced at Lumine and then asked with a trembling lip.

"...D...Did you receive a revelation?"

Aria smiled.

"Yes! Properly!"

She confidently raised the holy sword, whose sacred light enveloped the surroundings, announcing the return of the hero.

"...Truly beautiful...! I'm proud of you, Aria!"

"I'm still lacking. Leo can freely use a magic sword after his training at the magic tower!"

Chris's eyes sparkled at this. She was indeed a pure woman with a childlike fascination for grand things.

"As Rios said."

"Huh? Rios explained it?"

I didn't expect him to explain this much.

"Of course. He even mentioned that you completed 'Aria of Martial Arts and Magic' and were called a sub-tower master at the magic tower."

"...Wait... He knows my unique magic name?"

"Isn't it correct? It's actually registered in the magic tower's unique magic dictionary."

One reason to keep Rios alive was gone, and one reason to kill him was firmly established.

"Who is that child? I've never seen her before."

Chris, who seemed unaware of Ein, asked, looking at the hooded Ein.

"I should have introduced her earlier. I'm Ein."

"...Ein...? How did your parents..."

Here, I need to explain as naturally and dryly as possible...

"I'm Leo's daughter! Isn't she cute!?"

[It's over.]

My life.

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