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The bright sun atop the blue skies, the beautiful green plains, the big forests, and the village we knew and loved, although a bit larger than before, as more buildings kept being built around this once small place.

It was still the same in my heart, the old houses had not been taken down, and the feeling of coming back home, like nothing else I've ever felt took over my entire body and soul.

I felt so at ease here, for some reason…

"I'm back!"

I opened my house's door using the key my parents gave me, as I heard my entire family scream in commotion once they heard me.

"We're back!"

Erika also called them, everyone quickly rushed towards us, storming in. The rest of my friends had gone back to their houses, and Elizabeth decided to visit the church with Erdrich.

Elfriedden accompanied Chris to his family's house, as Chris had promised him a meal with his family. At first Elfriedden didn't wanted to but ended going anyways.

"Is it Blake?! He's back! Blake is back! And Erika too!"

Grandma was the first one to come running, she happily hugged me while riding her big goat spirit that carried her everywhere.

"Hello grandma, nice to meet you again."

"Grandma!"

We hugged her tightly, as she kissed us and hugged us back.

"I'm so happy to see you again! You didn't even notify us you were coming, you little rascals! Did you wanted it to be a surprise?" Laughed my grandmother.

"Yeah! So we could surprise you!" Erika giggled.

"We brought a lot of souvenirs." I smiled. "How have you been, grandma?"

"I'm fine, don't worry about me!" She smiled gently. "Though, my legs hurt a lot when I try to walk… But I guess it is part of getting old, hohoh! This lady's body is not what it used to be…"

"I-I see…" I sighed a bit.

Maybe I could help her with that by healing her legs and restoring a bit more of her youth, whatever I can muster with my current abilities.

"Blake! My dear son! Oh, Erika, dear!"

"You're here, champ! Erika too!"

My mother and my father quickly came running, greeting us two. Erika was already like another daughter to them; we had pretty much adopted her after her father passed away.

"Hello, mom, dad."

"Hi! Mother-in-law, father-in-law! I missed you two so much!"

Erika hugged both of them happily while they hugged me… She loved them as much as her own father.

"Hahaha, already calling us like that, huh?" My mother giggled teasingly.

"It seems a lot of things happened, both of you feel way stronger than the last time you came…" My father gasped as he sensed our Auras. "How strong did you get already?!"

"Well, we recently completed an A+ Rank Dungeon." I smiled. "Right, Erika?"

"Yeah! We also saved the Silvertide Kingdom! There are no more demons there thanks to us!" Erika said proudly.

"EH?!"

My mother, father, and grandma were completely shocked as they heard those news…

"S-So the news we got some time ago about the Silvertide Kingdom being saved by a band of heroes… So it was you guys?!" My father said. "T-That's… no way! Did you get THAT strong?! My son…!"

Suddenly he hugged me tightly and then lifted me off the ground…

"You're my son, that's right! Hahahaha! I'll have so much to brag about now with the boys! Kuahahaha!" My father started laughing his lungs out cheerfully.

"R-Really?" My mother wondered. "Well, you have a lot to explain! Let's talk while having some tea and snacks, then? I just happened to buy some nice tea and cookies at the local bakery."

"Looks like you're using your new money well enough." I laughed.

"H-Hey, you said we could spend into whatever we wanted, right?" My mother felt slightly embarrassed.

"Hahaha, I'm not saying it's bad, I'm just happy." I smiled. "We used to be dirt poor back then, I'm sure it's not just the money I send back home, you two have been earning much better, right? Also you're excerpt of taxes, so it is easier to save money."

"Yeah, life has been quite good. We've been thinking about building another house around." My father said. "There's a constant amount of new people coming in and out. Opening some inns or renting houses to new noble families wouldn't be a bad business."

"Actually, that's an excellent idea, father." I nodded. "To be expected of my father! You've got a good eye for business."

"Hahaha! I've learned a few tricks from my crafty son." Laughed my father. "Now come on, let's go! You too Erika!"

"Y-Yes!" Erika nodded cheerfully. "Come on mom, get in already! Why are you outside?"

"A-Ah, right…"

Cattalina walked inside the house while looking embarrassed. She felt so much gratitude for my humble family raising his daughter that she always felt overwhelmed when she came here.

"Oh, Cattalina! Welcome back!" My mother greeted her without any formalities. "Come in! We've got some fancy tea! I'm sure a lady like you will like it!"

"Yeah! Don't be shy!" My father invited her.

"T-Thank you so much." Cattalina smiled gently. "I am still very grateful to you all for helping my daughter when there was nobody for her… Seeing her feel so at home in here makes me feel rather joyous and… slightly sorrowful at the same time. Because I… I couldn't be there for her."

Everyone remained in silence after she said those words. But my grandmother gently patted her arms with a smile.

"Don't sweat the details, girl. Erika is a part of our family, that's about it!" She said.

"Y-Yeah! As mom said." My mother nodded. "We did what we just had to do! Don't feel indebted."

"Just relax. This is your house too from now on!" My father smiled. "You can come visit us at any time. We've got a bunch of extra rooms after the recent renovations."

"Thank you… Thank you so much." However, Cattalina kept thanking us, as she started crying.

"Aw, mom, it's fine." Erika hugged her back.

Perhaps I was slightly wrong about her. To feel so overwhelmed over such simple hospitality and kindness.

She must have gone through a lot of terrible things through her life…

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