Chapter 27: Mother’s Sudden Visit

Chapter 27: Mother’s Sudden Visit

"Mother, why are you here?"

The words slipped out before I could stop them. Her sudden appearance was baffling, especially with the great battle still raging in Gramps Zach’s territory.

Could it already be over?

Had their fight with those mythical beings finally ended?

"Hmph... Nerine, are you truly not worried about your mother?"

"No, that’s not it! I..."

I froze.

Her expression left me stunned.

She was pouting like a child, lips pressed tightly together, sulking in the most exaggerated way.

Was she truly serious?

A woman of her age and power acting like a spoiled girl?

I could hardly believe it.

I must have made a face without realizing it because Szélanya’s frown deepened.

"Dear..."

"Yes... yes, Mother?"

"Are you thinking something rude about me right now?"

"No, Mother, I... I was just worried. I’m sorry. It’s only that when I recall what happened out there, I feel so nauseous. I never meant to be rude."

Her sharp gaze softened, though I could still sense the displeasure lingering in her eyes.

Whether she had noticed my expression or truly thought I was being disrespectful, I could not tell.

If she had used her ability to read the truth within hearts, I doubted this would have been her first reaction. It must have been my face. Yes, that was it.

I had silently criticized her, and she had seen it.

"So that’s it... I’m sorry, dear, for jumping to conclusions. After everything you went through, it is only natural to feel disgusted with those foolish people who caused it, isn’t it?"

"Yes!"

So I had been right. She had seen my disgusted expression.

I cursed myself silently.

I needed to control my emotions better.

If this happened too often, it could become troublesome.

Especially when it came to making use of the system.

Genuine emotions determined its rewards. If I acted without sincerity, the system gave me nothing, no matter how correct my choices. To manipulate it, I needed control.

Yet ever since that strange dream of my hometown, such control felt impossible.

Still, this was not the time to dwell on impossible plans. Szélanya was here, and I had far too many questions.

I tilted my head toward her. "Um... Mother, what happened to Gramps Zach? And what about the battle against those beings? What happened?"

"Ahh, about that..."

Her expression shifted, complicated and hesitant.

She clearly did not want to speak of it. Perhaps she had only come to check on me.

But I had to know.

"I am really worried about Gramps Zach. Could it be that he’s..."

Before I could finish, she cut me off firmly.

"He’s fine, dear. You do not have to worry."

"Really? But Lynn said you and Gramps Zach fought a dangerous opponent!"

"That’s true," she admitted. "But Zach, your grandfather, did not suffer a single scratch. On the contrary, it was me, your mother, who perished fighting those fools."

"What? Perished?"

"Yes."

Seeing my confusion, she explained calmly.

"I cultivated multiple bodies. The one I cherished most, the one that fought alongside Zach, has already been destroyed."

So it was true. She had perished in battle, at least one of her avatars had. No wonder she looked displeased earlier.

Still, if her strongest body had been destroyed while Zach was left unscathed, then those mythical beings must indeed be the world-destroyers I had always feared.

I lowered my head respectfully.

"So that is how it is, Mother. I deeply apologize for your loss. I can only imagine how much it hurt you."

Her eyes shimmered with emotion. She stepped closer, trembling slightly as though she wanted to embrace me but restrained herself because of my pregnancy.

It was touching, but I was already exhausted. I had only forced myself to endure so I could hear her account of the battle. Now that she had spoken, I allowed myself to act genuinely. I closed my eyes and let pain cloud my face.

"Ahhh..."

"What is it, Nerine? Why are you so pale? Are you hurt?"

"This... it is nothing. I am just tired. I do not know why, but I feel a little uncomfortable."

"No, this is not alright, Nerine! This must mean you are about to give birth tomorrow. This is terrible. Why now of all times?"

I almost laughed at her panic.

She was overthinking again.

Still, the discomfort was real.

Even my body’s healing traits had not eased it. Perhaps her assumption was not entirely wrong.

I watched her quietly as she fell into thought, her face full of worry. Strangely, seeing her like this made me happy.

At last, she spoke.

"Hmm... this is truly difficult."

"It is okay, Mother. This pain will subside in a few minutes."

"No, that is not it. I am thinking of taking you somewhere safer. A proper shelter."

Her words lingered in the air, heavy with meaning, filling me with a sudden sense of unease.

———

Village Head.

Meanwhile, inside a modest village house, two old men and an old woman sat opposite each other, their voices rising as they argued.

"Outrageous! This plan is impossible. Village Head, we must rethink it immediately and make them work. This village is not an orphanage. I will not stand for such laziness under my watch!"

"Yes, I agree. This will only drain our resources further. We cannot allow that to happen."

One of the old men spoke arrogantly while the old woman nodded in full agreement, their frustration filling the room.

Despite their loud objections, the village head remained calm, listening as if he had anticipated their complaints.

When they finally finished, he spoke in a measured, monotone voice.

"Sigh. I only tried this for a single day, and the complaints are already piling up."

"But this is the truth. If it continues, our resources will be completely exhausted."

The old man feigned concern while the woman nodded again. The village head shook his head and almost laughed.

He understood their motives. When the previous village head abandoned his post and fled with the baron, the village had been left in chaos.

Now, with these two stubborn vendors and their self-serving demands, progress was impossible.

Yet, as the head, he had to confront their intentions while persuading them to cooperate.

"I understand your worry about not having customers at your stores, but if we do not show goodwill, will they not leave without giving us a chance?"

"But that does not matter, we—"

Before the woman could finish, realization dawned on her. She finally understood his meaning.

The village head smiled knowingly and continued.

"Exactly. You feel it too, don’t you? If we show them true generosity, they will not hesitate to work beside us. By giving them this chance, we earn their trust and strengthen our village. The taxes will keep us steady, and together, we can make this place flourish."

The arrogant old man and the woman widened their eyes, smiles spreading across their faces as they recognized the opportunity.

"Yes, your thinking is correct. Taxing them will also benefit us. Even though this village is small, without it, future improvements would be impossible."

"So that is how it is. The Village Head is truly thoughtful. I understand now, and I agree. We will feed them for a few more days."

"Hehe, me too. I was thinking the same, Village Head, though I never imagined it could actually work. Still, I cannot deny how tempting it feels."

Hearing their shameless remarks made the village head want to slap them, but he restrained himself. He had a plan to use their self-interest for the good of the village.

With a calm smile, he asked, "So you all agree?"

"We agree."

"Of course. Who would say no?"

Satisfied, the village head guided them through the framework of his plan.

Hours passed as they discussed details, until finally, the two old vendors nodded in understanding.

Their attention shifted when news from outside the village was brought up.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Debbie, you are a grandmother now, right? How is your family at the capital?"

The arrogant old man asked directly, earning an immediate glare from Debbie, the old woman.

"Your rotten tongue is as annoying as always. They are fine. Why are you asking?"

"Well, I heard they have a son who can sense and absorb mana. He is even being recommended for the academy."

"What does that have to do with you? If you want a grandson, go make one. Why are you even asking?"

"What? Are you embarrassed that he might never reach the potential to become a four-circle magician and gain wealth?"

"Stop with the nonsense. My grandson is a genius. He will easily get into the academy."

"What a joke!"

"What did you say?"

The village head ignored their bickering, his thoughts elsewhere. He seemed to be waiting for something.

A few minutes later, a weary old guard arrived, clutching an envelope.

He hurried toward the village head, struggling to walk.

"Village Head, a letter has been delivered for you."

The village head accepted it calmly and gestured for the guard to leave.

"Then you may go."

After the guard left, the village head opened the envelope. Seconds passed in silence as his expression froze.

"Hmm? What is the matter, Village Head?"

The arrogant old man asked, but the village head did not respond. Instead, he handed the letter to them to read for themselves. Debbie took it and scanned the contents, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"What? Baron Drelmar is returning in a year?"

Anxious tension filled the room.

The silence revealed the harsh truth. Their carefully laid plans could crumble within a single year, leaving the village on the brink of upheaval.