Chapter 356 : I’m Home
My house is near the south gate, so I know the gatekeeper working there. He often comes to eat lunch and drink in our inn. Every time we enter the town through the south gate, he will let us in right away.
However, since the road led to the east side of the town, we had to pass through the east gate. I’m not familiar with the gatekeeper at the east gate, and he didn’t know us either. He let us in after Celine showed her guild card.
Before heading to our house, we stopped by a carriage rental shop near the gate.
The shop employee was shocked to see the luxury carriage parked in front of the shop. He was even more shocked when we told him we were the feudal lord’s friends. We asked him to return the carriage to his castle in the capital.
He promised us to return the carriage safely tomorrow after giving the horse enough rest.
After paying the fee, we left the shop and walked down the main street, heading home.
It’s winter already, so people with thick winter gear can be seen passing by the street.
Fatia is not as big and as populated as the capital or Torfe Town we stopped by on our way, but this is my hometown and I like it more than any other town I’ve ever visited.
While walking and enjoying the familiar scenery, I noticed the alley leading to Iris Bar. I would like to go there and say hello to Pamella and Camilla, but I think I should go home and see my parents first.
We also passed by the church in the southern square. It’s been a while since the last time I attended Sunday School.
Nicola and I joined Tori jii-san’s Sunday School while we were staying at Schultria Village, but I miss taking classes in this church. I wonder if Sister Lina and the other nuns are doing well.
「Onii-chan, Celine onee-chan, let’s walk faster!」(Nicola)
「Fufu. Nicola-chan, I understand your feelings, but the road is slippery. Be careful.」(Celine)
「Slow down. Our house is not going anywhere.」(Mark)
Nicola didn’t seem to want to make a detour. She pulled Celine’s hand and began to walk faster.
I had no choice but to increase my walking pace as well.
A few blocks from the square, we could finally see the familiar building with the『Peace on Journey Inn』signboard on the front. That’s our sweet home.
I was so happy that I was able to see that signboard again after a long time. However, as we got closer to our house, I noticed Celine looked a bit uneasy.
「Celine, are you still afraid to see my parents?」(Mark)
「Just a little…」(Celine)
Seems like she’s still worrying that Mom and Dad would be disappointed in her for not being able to return Nicola and me home on time.
However, I knew they wouldn’t be mad at her.
「Don’t worry. They won’t blame you. They will welcome you with big smiles on their faces instead, trust me. They’re just that kind of people, you know?」(Mark)
「Yeah, I know… They’re kind after all, but still…」(Celine)
It’s mid-afternoon, so most people have already finished their lunch, meaning that the dining hall on the first floor won’t be packed with people. I don’t think Mom and Dad are busy right now. It’s the perfect time to get home and show our faces.
「Hm? It’s closed?」(Mark)
I thought Mom and Dad were working, but I saw the『Closed』sign hanging on the door.
Are they taking a break today?
While I was wondering, Nicola let go of Celine’s hand and opened the door.
「「WELCOME HOME~!」」(everyone)
「…Eh…?」(Mark)
I thought the dining hall was empty since they were closed, but as soon as we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles by people we knew well.
Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Delica, Pamella, Nei, Gill ojii-san, and Yuuri were surrounding the large table with many dishes in the center of the room.
Not only them. I also saw Delica’s father, Gauche, and Pamella’s mother, Camilla, raising their beer glasses along with our regular customers at the other tables.
「You guys…」(Mark)
「Mama, Papa, I’m home!!」(Nicola)
In contrast to me, who was still surprised by the crowd, Nicola let out a joyful loud voice.
She ran toward Mom and jumped into her arms. Next to them, Dad stroked Nicola’s head with a gentle smile on his face.
「Arara~ Welcome home, my spoiled little baby~ Have you been doing well?」(Mom)
「Un! Onii-chan and Celine onee-chan have been taking good care of me!」(Nicola)
「I see.」(Mom)
Meanwhile, Celine approached them and lowered her head apologetically.
「Leona-san, Jean-san… I’m terribly sorry… I failed as their guardian…」(Celine)
Seeing her apologizing, Mom let go of Nicola and stood up.
「That’s not true. Celine-san, please raise your face. You’ve already apologized when we talked through the Resonance Stone. Thanks to you, Mark and Nicola had a lot of fun and returned home without injury. I’ve said this many times to you, but I’ll say it again… Celine, thank you for protecting our precious kids… Welcome back!」(Mom)
「Leona-san… Thank you… I’m back!」(Celine)
I didn’t need a Gift or a magic spell that allowed me to see the future because I knew that my parents would welcome her with smiles.
When Celine glanced at me, I raised the edge of my lips as if saying, “Told ya”.
Mom shifted her gaze to me and stroked my head.
「Mark, welcome home~」(Mom)
「Mom, Dad, I’m home.」(Mark)
「You’re our reliable son. We knew we could depend on you. Good job on protecting your little sister!」(Mom)
「It’s my duty as the older brother. By the way, Dad, I brought you so many unique food ingredients. I’m sure you can turn them into delicious dishes.」(Mark)
Dad replied to me with a thumbs-up.
As always, he doesn’t talk much, but I somehow know that he says, “Of course. Leave it to me!”
「You must be tired from the long trip. Have a seat. We prepared all this for you~」(Mom)
「Un.」(Mark)
「Thank you.」(Celine)
「Yaay~ Lots of delicious food~!」(Nicola)
As soon as we sat at the table, Delica, Pamella, and Nei approached me.
Delica and Nei are currently working here. They are wearing cute maid uniforms that Nicola bought quite a while ago (chapter 103).
I’ve seen Delica in a maid uniform before, but this is the first time I’ve seen Nei in one. She’s a dwarf, so she’s a bit shorter than others, but she looks as nice as Delica in that uniform. She left her father in Sadola Town and came here to work.
We planned to go back to Fatia with her from Sadola Town, but Nicola, Celine, and I encountered an incident in the mine and teleported to Schultria Village, so she went with Delica.
「Mark, welcome home!」(Delica)
「Yo! It’s been a while!」(Nei)
「Ma, Mark-kun, welcome home…」(Pamella)
Behind the two maids, Pamella was smiling shyly at me. She’s as shy as always.
「I’m home, everyone.」(Mark)
「Say, Mark, you said you defeated a bandit group, right? Can you tell me more about it? And… Can you tell me about that girl? Ester, was it? I only heard her voice through Resonance Stone, but I don’t know what she looks like.」(Delica)
「I, I’m curious too…」(Pamella)
「Ah, I see~ Delica, Pamella, you two are afraid that she’s actually a super cute girl and will steal Mark from you, right~?」(Nei)
「Whaー Huuuhh!? NーNot at all!」(Delica)
「Ne, Nei-chan!」(Pamella)
For some reason, their faces turned bright red as they strongly denied what Nei said.
「Umm…」(Mark)
『Aa-aahh~ Being a popular guy is not easy. Right, Onii-chan~?』(Nicola)
『Oh, shut up! It’s not what you think!』(Mark)
While munching her grilled meat, Nicola smirked and teased me.
Speaking of Ester, she stayed at Tryon’s castle to train under Maya-san for a while. I wonder when she will pay us a visit.
I think she will get along with Delica since they both aim to become adventurers.
「Fufu. I’m sure you have a lot to talk about with Mark, but, Delica-chan, Nei-chan, can you bring more beers? We have a big drinker here~」(Mom)
「As expected from Leona-san! You know me well!」(Celine)
「Right away, Ma’am!」(Delica)
「Ou! It’s party time!」(Nei)
Receiving the order from their boss, Delica and Nei headed to the kitchen, leaving me and Pamella alone.
「U, umm… uhh… umm… De, Delica-chan, Nei-chan, I will help too…!」(Pamella)
After fidgeting while looking at me with a bright red face for a second, Pamella turned around somewhat panickedly and ran after the two.
Seems like her shyness hasn’t changed at all… No, I feel like it’s… gotten worse…?
I hope she’s just a bit nervous because she hasn’t seen me in a while.
But… After seeing Pamella’s flustered face and Delica’s swaying long red ponytail, I really feel at home now.
It’s nice to be back home.
You can gain access to [Early Access] page and read up to ten chapters ahead by supporting me on [Patreon]
It’s been to long, I am trying to remember who is who lol