“Father.”
Igni called out, as he pointed at the white space that still hadn’t transformed yet.
Yes, the Sanctuary of the Ancients was still not full.
It could store more Bonds.
The moment Kael considered that possibility, his expression changed.
He wanted to ask what Igni thought of it, but the Dragon suddenly narrowed his eyes.
“Father, the siblings.”
Kael nodded as he rushed towards the Portal and walked back into the room.
“Stay there.”
He spoke as he closed the Portal. Controlling it wasn’t much different from Dragon’s Nest, so it wasn’t very difficult.
Knock Knock
A few seconds later, Elira and Arlan knocked.
Kael opened the doors and…
“Why do you look like that…?”
Kael questioned as he stared at the two of them.
“She sent away the healer.”
Elira answered with a swollen face and Kael…
“Pfftt.”
He laughed out loud, unable to hold it in.
The two siblings glared at him threateningly. Kael barely held himself back, the smile on his face, however, still hadn’t faded away.
“So why are you here?”
Kael questioned, wanting to change the topic.
“The dinner’s ready.”
“The two of you came here to tell me that?”
“…”
“…”
The siblings were silent.
“She sent you, didn’t she?”
Kael questioned. He could very much imagine Veylara doing this, and seeing how the siblings were silent, he knew he was correct.
“Pffftt!”
Kael laughed out loud again.
“You do know I will train you after dinner, correct?”
Arlan threatened, not that the threat was very effective with that swollen face of his.
“I will make sure you look twice as bad as me, and don’t even think about being healed.”
“Right, right.”
Kael just shrugged.
Healing was no longer a problem. Even a flesh wound disappeared from his body within seconds, let alone some swelling. He’d be back to normal in no time.
“Should we go? I don’t think keeping your mother waiting is a good idea.”
Kael grinned, and in an instant, the siblings nodded.
“L-Let’s go.”
They had no plans of getting beaten again.
…
Kael was then taken to the dining hall. There, Veylara was standing with a blonde little girl, who shouldn’t be more than 3 years old, in her hands, and another slightly older, around 5, standing near her.
Clearly, the woman was loved by her granddaughters.
Beside her stood a brown-haired woman who had a gentle, welcoming smile on her face. She was Arlan’s wife.
“Hero Ka-“
Just as the woman was about to greet him,
“Hero Kael!”
The 5-year-old blonde standing together with her grandmother quickly rushed towards Kael and hugged his knees.
“Hero Kael! I wanted to meet you!”
The little girl exclaimed.
“You did?”
Kael smiled as he picked her up.
“What is your name?”
He questioned.
“Valencia!”
“Oh? That’s a beautiful name.”
“My mother came up with it!”
Valencia said as she pointed at her mother.
“Is that so?”
Kael smiled.
“Please excuse her, Hero Kael.”
Arlan’s wife smiled as she lightly bowed her head.
“She got excited when she heard you were coming. She says she wanted to meet the Hero.”
“Haha~ I am glad. I wanted to meet her as well.”
“You did!?”
Valencia questioned, her green eyes shining brightly.
“Of course, your father always talks about you. He tells me how well-mannered you are.”
Arlan glanced at Kael as he said those words.
“I am!”
Valencia, on the other hand, smiled even more brightly.
“He also told me you take good care of your little sister.”
“I do! She is the best sister! I’ll introduce you!”
The little girl spoke as she pointed at her little sister, wanting Kael to take her to her. Kael, obviously, did as he was told and walked towards Veylara.
“She is Elara.”
“That’s a pretty name too.”
“Right!? My mother is good at naming! She is also beautiful and strong!”
Valencia replied, turning towards her mother, who only smiled at her.
“Her name is Lyria.”
Valencia introduced. Lyria bowed her head again, acting like the noble lady she was. Kael smiled at her.
Valencia then pointed at Veylara and,
“And she is my grandma. Her name is Veylara.”
“You like your grandma a lot, huh?”
Kael questioned as he glanced at Veylara.
“I do. She always comes and plays with me and Elara.”
Valencia nodded with a big smile on her face.
“Really? She must be the best grandma then.”
“She is!”
Veylara smiled at those words. For some reason, this made her much prouder than being called one of the strongest.
“Your sister seems very close to her.”
Kael commented, seeing how little Elara was sticking with her grandma, not caring about anything else happening here.
“She is always like this when Grandma comes here. She doesn’t let me play with Grandma either.”
Valencia spoke those last words with a pout. The 5-year-old missed having her grandmother all to herself.
Veylara’s smile weakened at those words. Kael, however, gently ruffled her hair and,
“And you still love your sister. It shows how gentle you are. You are such a good big sister. Your grandma is very lucky to have you as her eldest granddaughter.”
“I am indeed, my little Val is the best.”
Veylara nodded at those words.
“Thank you!”
Valencia’s smile widened.
“Val, come on now. Don’t make trouble for the Hero. It is time to eat.”
Lyria called out.
“I want to eat with the Hero!”
Valencia exclaimed, tightening her hug around Kael.
“Val.”
Lyria raised her voice. Valencia tightened her hug even further, and Kael, finding her similar to his Cirri, helplessly shook his head.
“It is okay. She can eat with me.”
“Hero Kael, you don’t have to.”
“I want to, please.”
“Thank you.”
Lyria smiled politely as she pointed at the chair.
“Please sit.”
She spoke. Kael nodded and sat down.
“You, come sit here.”
Lyria glanced at Val and spoke as she pointed at the seat next to Kael’s.
“Yes!”
Valencia smiled brightly and sat down next to the Hero.
Lyria and Veylara—with Elara in her arms—settled down as well and…
“…”
“…”
Arlan and Elira stared at the scene with deadpan looks on their faces.
They…
They seemed to have been forgotten.