Chapter Thirty One: A real home

I was stunned when the old folks called me by my name. Sora.I didn’t know there were people out there who already knew me.
The moment they said my name, I let my guard drop. The grandmother rushed forward and hugged me tightly, tears streaming down her face.
> “How have you been? Have you been eating well?”


Her voice trembled with joy. Both of them looked so happy, as if seeing me was the greatest gift of their lives.
Just seconds ago, they were after my life—and now they loved me?
Shock froze me. I didn’t know what to do, so I went along with everything they said and followed them back to their home.
The first thing they did when we entered was offer me a shower. Inside, the house was warm and rustic, almost storybook-like—fantasy in its purest form.
Removing my mask had done me more good than I expected. Could it be that showing my real face changed their hearts? Or… maybe I was someone important, and I was the only one who didn’t know it.
The golem carried us all in its stone palms, returning us to the house with the barn.
I took a hot, refreshing bath and emerged to find a basket by the door with a change of clothes. I slipped into them and made my way to the living room. The outfit was plain—a farmer’s shirt and pants, both dyed red.
> “How did you find the clothes? They aren’t too tight, right? I remember your size from when I adjusted those for you a while back,” the grandmother said warmly.


Adjusted clothes for me?What was going on? Did they think I was their son… or perhaps their grandson?
The way they spoke—it felt like they truly did know me.
I forced a smile and sat opposite them.
The grandparents exchanged glances, nervous, then the old man spoke.
> “So… how is Hope doing? Is she alright in the capital? I don’t see her with you.”


Hope…?
Who in the world was that?
Their faces were full of worry, and before I could stop myself, I blurted:
> “Don’t worry, she’s fine.”


The words slipped out before I even thought about them.
What did I just do!? I don’t even know who Hope is!!
They relaxed immediately.
> “Haha… you’re right. If it’s her, she’ll always stay out of trouble.”“She’s our granddaughter after all,” they said, laughing gently.


I swallowed my guilt. Sorry… I had no choice but to lie.
Hope. What a strange name. Did they choose it for her?
Not wanting to dig myself into more trouble, I claimed to be tired. They showed me to a room beside the barn and told me to rest there.
Later, the grandmother brought food. She set it beside the bed and left, thinking I was asleep.
The moment the door closed, I sat up.
> “Thanks for the food.”
I devoured it greedily. Potatoes and cabbage filled the plate, simple yet rich in flavor.
Delicious. Far better than anything served at the inn—on par with Leila’s meals.
Leila… she must be furious with me. I’d left without telling her again.
When I finished eating, my eyes fell on a uniform hanging on the wall.
My breath caught.
It was the exact same type as the one I had worn in my world. My school uniform.
What was it doing here? I couldn’t remember ever leaving it behind.
My heart pounded. That was proof—these grandparents knew me before I ever met Milta.
I was clutching the uniform, ready to demand answers, when an uproar erupted outside.
> “Is it true you’re sheltering one of the thieves? The one who defeated the monsters?” villagers shouted.
They’d come for me!
But I no longer wore the mask, and my clothes were different. If I stayed calm, maybe I’d be fine.
I stepped toward the door. The grandparents stood there, waiting. Outside, the crowd buzzed with anger—but respect kept them from storming in.
> “We are not sheltering any criminal,” the grandfather said firmly. “You all know Sora, right? The one who came with Hope a while back. He came to visit us again.”Every eye turned to me.
Their expressions softened. Some even called out:
> “Sora…”“So you came to visit? I didn’t know you were in town.”“Where’s Hope? We don’t see her.”
The tension faded instantly. Apparently, someone had claimed they’d seen a boy in milk-colored clothes entering this house. That was why the mob had gathered.
Back inside, I asked the grandparents about the uniform.
They froze, clearly shocked.
> “Y-you don’t remember…? What happened in the capital? Did you meet bad people? Are you hurt?” the grandmother asked, voice trembling.Worry etched deep into their faces. I didn’t want to trouble them further, so I lied, pretending I remembered.
The more questions I asked, the more suspicious I’d look. They had seen the Gani mask with me—what if they thought I was deceiving them? This place, which should have been the source of answers, had become a place where I couldn’t ask anything.
> “Was the sword of any help to you?” the grandfather asked gently.> “You remember when we gave it to you, right?” the grandmother added, watching my blank expression.
> “Oh—yes! It’s only thanks to this sword that I’m alive today,” I lied again, forcing a grateful smile.

Their relief was genuine.
But my mind churned. What is going on? Everything they said matches the moment I woke up in this world… even the pouch of coins I had seen lying next to the sword.
That pouch—I had left it with Milta, before the heroes did me in.
The grandparents showed me the wall where the sword had once hung—a memento of their son, who had died an adventurer.
This place… it almost felt like a real home. Warm, welcoming, the first since my arrival in this world. If I stayed, maybe I could finally experience the things I’d missed.
But I had to return. Leila was waiting—angry, yes, but still waiting. And I wanted to witness the sale of our items.
As I napped, a thought haunted me:
Could it be that I truly knew these people before waking up in this world?
But suspicion gnawed at me. Maybe they were trying to brainwash me. Maybe they had used magic to read my past. Anything was possible here.
I decided then: I would leave before they could say, “You are our grandson as well.”
The next day, they woke me early, not to harm me—but to prepare me for my journey.
Another hot bath. A hearty breakfast. And then gifts.
The grandfather placed a hand on the sword.
> “That blade is our precious memento of our son. Keep it safe.”
The grandmother entered carrying black leather clothes.
> “I couldn’t do much, but I made these for you. The material came from a cape our son won in battle against a demon lord. I wanted to craft his armor from it… but he left before I had the chance.”


The armor gleamed like shadow, black from head to toe. Even without magic, I could feel its quality.
> “She stayed up all night making them,” the grandfather said proudly, holding her hand.
Tears stung my eyes.
> “You did all this for me… Thank you…”
When I finished breakfast, I changed into the armor. From head to toe, I was cloaked in black. Even the shoes were made from the cape. With my sword at my waist, I stepped outside.
The grandparents were waiting. Beside them stood a red ground dragon.
> “He’ll be your companion. You don’t plan on walking to the capital, do you?”“He may look cute, but he’s fast,” the grandmother smiled.
Why… why were they being so kind to me?
I mounted the dragon after thanking them with all my heart.
Their last words to me were:
> “If you meet Hope, tell her we said hi.”


The grandfather also gave me a leaf tied to a string.
> “Point it, and it will always show the way to the capital.”
The crystal ball hadn’t worked—I couldn’t channel magic—but the leaf floated, tugging gently, guiding my direction.
With that, I set off.
The dragon was fast—blisteringly fast. I gave it rest breaks at intervals and in a few hours the capital’s barrier shimmered into view.
Would it let him through?
I urged him forward. Pressure pressed on me as always, but the dragon walked through without issue.
Maybe dragons are exempt. Or maybe it’s because I’m riding him.
The enchanted leaf had guided me perfectly. Without it, I’d have been hopelessly lost.
Now, standing once again in the capital, I thought: Time to see how things have changed.
With my new dragon at my side, I made my way toward the inn.