Chapter 15. Reunion

With the pair chatting loudly, I was roused from my sleep early the next morning, eager to continue my journey towards that peaceful life I longed for after the ordeal. Greeting Yami and the chatty girls, we met up with Gwen and Fernard, heading for the dining hall one last time.

“Tina, are you absolutely sure about not going back home to let your parents know what’s going on?” I asked, hopeful the wolf girl had a change of heart.

“Nope.”

“Well, I tried. Feels bad for your poor family.”

“I don’t mind making the trip and delivering the message,” Gwen offered, causing Tina to let out a joyful howl, drawing attention from everyone in the dining hall.

“You realize it’s at least a two-month roundtrip, right?” I questioned, concerned that my sister might not grasp the extent of the journey.

“The king donated a pegasus to the academy since the teleport ban, to make important journeys easier. Since it’s for you, I’m sure the headmaster would let me borrow it for the trip. Right, Fernard?”

“Of course! I’ll speak to my father after we see you off. With the pegasus, Gwen shouldn’t take more than two weeks for the roundtrip,” Fernard replied cheerfully.

With their insistence on helping, I was grateful for the maps I picked up the day before. I shared one with Gwen and provided her with some advice on the areas and the messages I wanted her to deliver.

“Hey Fernard, could you talk to the headmaster about admitting Tina as a student here? I thought Gwen could look after her once we leave.”

“What do you mean? I’m not staying here alone!” Tina shouted before Fernard could respond.

“You’re the one who said you didn’t want a boring life! How is spending your days traveling through wasteland fun when you could stay in one of the largest cities in the world, study under one of the best, and explore all the city has to offer?” I questioned, surprised by Tina's decision to tag along when Ostrium seemed to fulfill what she was looking for.

“Shut up! I’m coming along,” the girl replied firmly, refusing to elaborate.

“Obviously, she’s tagging along because she likes you… Ugh, another competition,” Candace added, sparking a heated argument between Tina, who vehemently denied the accusation.

Sighing deeply, I stayed quiet to enjoy my breakfast, the only thing I had control over as my plans kept getting altered without my consent.

“I guess it’s goodbye, Fernard. Thanks, Gwen, for going out of your way to deliver the messages,” I said to the pair as they saw us off at the city wall after our almost three-hour horse ride.

“I’m your sister, Ken. Stop with the formality. Of course, I will help you. Just don’t disappear on us again.”

“Before you go, Ken, I just want your permission,” Fernard asked in a serious tone.

“For what? Why are you so serious all of a sudden?”

“Would you give me the blessing to be with Gwen?”

“Nope. I’m not giving you two any blessings.”

“Ken!” Gwen scolded, while Fernard looked visibly dejected.

“You don’t need it, Fernard. Gwen is a full-grown woman now. She doesn’t need my approval or blessing. If you treat her right and protect her with your life, I’m sure you will make a much better man than I could ever be,” I replied, feeling glad that Gwen had found such a powerful and humble partner.

“I will protect her with my life!” The giant beastman vowed, his voice filled with determination, making Gwen blush like I had never seen before.

Wishing the pair good luck and promising I would attend their wedding when they decide to get married, we bid them farewell and set out on the short journey to the small village I grew up in.

“So how many siblings do you have?” Candace asked, breaking the silence as we rode down the dirt road.

“Five younger ones, Emma, and a few older ones,” I replied casually, wondering how each of my younger siblings was doing and hoping they would be as understanding as Gwen for my sudden disappearance.

“I thought Emma is one of your lovers from the way Gwen talked,” Candace asked suspiciously.

“She’s both?”

“GROSS! How can you have your sister as a lover!” The wolf girl screamed, while Candace nodded in agreement.

"Are you two stupid? I'm an orphan. My siblings are nothing more than other unfortunate kids I grew up with that didn't have an actual family. Me and Emma aren't even the same race," I replied, shaking my head at their misconception.

"Fine. I'll accept your excuses. So, out of your hundreds of lovers, who did you love the most?" Candace persisted, stuck on a topic that didn't interest me.

"No comment."

"Obviously, it's my sister! She was the first, and the rest are just extras."

"Come on! Tell us! I bet it's this Emma girl, right? Since you knew her the longest," Candace pleaded, while Tina urged me for a confirmation, annoying me endlessly.

"First, I didn't have hundreds, or a hundred, or fifty, or twenty, or whatever made-up numbers of lovers you two have been spreading. I had ten lovers, not a single more. Second, I love them all equally."

"Only a total womanizer could make having ten lovers sound like it's no big deal. Fine, let's pretend you loved them all equally. Who was the most beautiful?" Candace continued, and I knew today was one of those days I regretted traveling with the pair.

"It's my sister. DUH!"

"Clare," I replied to Tina's dismay.

"This Clare, is she more beautiful than me?"

"No doubt. Clare is the most beautiful girl in the entire world. You are just slightly above average."

"Average at best!" Tina chimed in.

Of course, Candace is much more than just above average, but as someone determined not to get involved with any additional girls, I had to do my best to avoid falling for the charming girl.

"Now I really have to meet this Clare and see just who's more beautiful!" Candace replied with a huff as I felt a pang of regret.

"I don't know how many of the girls will forgive me and come back when I go apologize, but I'm sure Clare and Cecilla are no longer options," I replied, suddenly feeling a wave of sadness.

"I remember you saying something about getting beaten to death instead of getting married. Tell us what happened," Candace pushed, trying to get me to talk more about the days I want to forget.

"Clare and Cecilla are princesses of the Yelwraek Kingdom. Since you are both country bumpkins, it's the most powerful kingdom in the world, and Zishell, the strongest being alive, is the hero that's guarding its capital."

“I was supposed to marry the two on that day after I fulfilled my promise to the king and reached holy level at an even younger age than Zishell did. But when that thing happened, the king changed his mind and wanted me dead. I’m afraid the two must have been forced into political marriages by now.”

Talking about that day, when I had to witness two girls I loved with my life getting taken before my eyes while I could do nothing to stop it, I devolved back into withdrawal and rode on without wanting any communication.

WACK!

“Snap out of it! Stop acting all gloomy.” A kick from the wolf girl and words of disappointment from the fairy girl snapped me back into reality.

“It’s all your fault for bringing it up. Now I’m stuck in that negativity, hoping all of my girls are at least doing somewhat well.”

“You left them for 5 years! Of course they aren’t doing well,” Tina replied, criticizing me for my actions.

“Hey! What’s done is done. Remember, you are moving on!” Candace said, trying her best to comfort me.

Trying to take her advice, I forced myself to think positive thoughts. About how I might not have to die and maybe have a lifetime left to make up to at least some of the girls that I missed dearly.

As we galloped through the dirt roads, we passed through small towns and villages. We stopped at some to enjoy a quick rest and meal, while spending the night at others when the day turned to night.

After 2 and a half days, we reached a wide river, signaling the border of Ostrium.

“Once we are on the other side of this river, we will be in my home kingdom. If we have a quick lunch, we should reach my home by nightfall,” I said to the pair, feeling anxious and excited to see my family after 5 years, especially Emma. I hoped they were as forgiving as Gwen.

As we got closer to my village, the terrain became more familiar. Eventually, I recognized the small mountain that I used to explore as a kid to gather wild vegetables and the occasional small game so my family could have some extra rations during tough times.

With the sun setting on the horizon, we eventually reached a small, quaint town where wooden mansions, once vacation villas built by wealthy individuals, spread across the grassy land. Now abandoned, these villas were settled by simple farmers and average commoners like my family, surviving by farming on the once-grand mansion fields.

As we neared my house, I could hear the laughter of children. Once the house was in sight, many children of young ages were running and playing in our field, seemingly having taken over the house I once called home.

As our horses halted in the yard, curious children rushed over to see who had arrived. Some seemed wary of our unfamiliar faces.

Surveying the young faces, I tried to find any familiar ones until I heard the door open.

“Come on, everyone. Dinner time!” called out the familiar voice.

Beautiful and flawless skin, short pointy ears, half of her hair white while the other half blonde, with one sky blue eye and one forest green. Though it was too dark to discern her features, the moment I laid eyes on the girl, I couldn’t help but tear up, struggling to hold back a total breakdown.

"Hey, Emma. I’m home."

https://imgur.com/NA78RFG