NOVEL NEXT Chapter 156
156. Arrival At Home
“Arx, is that really you!? What are you doing here!?”
“I was just on my way back home. What about you, Rynes-san? What brings you here?”
“I was just delivering some goods, but… wait a second! What the heck is going on!?”
Rynes-san pointed at me in a panic, like someone faced with a lit bomb.
“Could it be… are you the S-Rank adventurer, Arx!?”
One of the adventurers, who had been frozen in place until now, suddenly shouted.
I’m still not used to people recognizing me. Honestly, it makes me feel a little embarrassed.
“S-Rank… Arx, you? This has got to be some kind of joke.”
“It’s no joke! This Arx is amazing—he joined the strike team in record time after becoming an adventurer!”
With the adventurer’s denial, Rynes-san finally seemed to grasp that I really was S-Rank.
He stayed silent for a moment, looking stunned, then slowly spoke.
“…I can’t believe it. That Arx, the same one we used to call a slime, became this strong?”
It’s no wonder Rynes-san is surprised. Before I left for Ortia to earn money, I was just a weak, pathetic slime guy.
Even Dan treated me that way, and it wasn’t much different here in the village either. That said, no one ever beat me or outright denied my worth as a person.
“Arx, you’ve grown stronger. I’m sure your family will be thrilled. Let’s head back to Sarina Village.”
With those words, Rynes-san climbed back into the carriage and motioned for me to take a seat inside.
We boarded the carriage and spent some time chatting with Rynes-san and the others.
“We’re here! Sarina Village!”
About 20 or 30 minutes later, Rynes-san called out.
Ahead of us stood a wooden gate twice my height, marking the village entrance.
The wall around it encircled the whole settlement.
It’s been about six months, hasn’t it?
The nostalgia hit me as we entered Sarina Village once again.
“Alright, Arx. Go on home. Your family’s gonna be overjoyed to hear how strong you’ve become!”
After Rynes-san saw us off, Lyze and I headed toward my family home.
It’s a small village, so everything’s easy to find. My home’s just over this way.
“…Nothing’s changed at all.”
It’s a wooden, single-story house—something you rarely see in Ortia.
Compared to the city, it looks plain, but I like how simple it is.
Feeling a bit nervous, I turned the doorknob and peeked inside.
“…I’m back?”
“Why does that sound like a question?”
I can’t help it—I’ve been away for so long, I feel a bit off. The door’s unlocked, but no one’s at the entrance.
After a brief silence, I heard a voice from deeper inside the house.
“Arx!? Is that really you!?”
Suddenly, my mother rushed out from the living room. Her name is Riel Seirant. She has the same black hair and blue eyes as me.
Her mouth hung open in shock at my unexpected return.
“Dear! Arx is back!”
“What!? Arx, you say!?”
Next to emerge from the living room was a tall, muscular man—my father, Thead Seirant.
Hearing my mother’s call, he hurried over, his eyes wide with surprise.
“Is big brother really back?”
Lastly, a girl with brown hair in a ponytail peeked out. Hina Seirant, my little sister. She usually looks down on me, and now she’s giving me a cat-like, appraising glance.
“Welcome back, Arx! How’ve you been!?”
“Yeah! You could’ve sent a letter once in a while, you know!”
No sooner had they expressed their surprise than my parents rushed over, patting me all over. Now that I think about it, I’ve been so busy I forgot to write them.
That must’ve really worried them.
“Wha—!? You brought a girl!?”
Noticing Lyze for the first time, both my parents gasped and practically fell over in shock.
Busy pair, aren’t they?
“Nice to meet you. I’m Lyze Maitland. I’ve been working as Arx’ partner.”
Lyze gave a polite bow and smiled warmly at my parents. Something feels… off. She’s being way too formal. If I say anything, though, she’ll probably punch me.
“Arx brought home a girl…”
“Which means…!”
““Marriage!?””
My parents shouted in unison, glancing between Lyze and me.
“You guys are jumping to conclusions! There’s no way my loser brother has a girlfriend.”
That last part stung, but Hina’s not entirely wrong.
“Uh… mind if we head inside now?”
Once we calmed down, we made our way to the living room.