Once I was done with the Fort business, I flew straight to my next destination.
Going past the speed of light—or simply teleporting to the place—was possible, however…
'Enjoying this lovely weather makes it worth it!'
Besides, the enemy could be using some sort of tracking Magic on me; especially after that stunt I pulled back there.
That was why it was best for me to limit all my actions—at least for now.
The speed of sound would do fine.
>VWOOOOOOOOOSSSSHHHH!!!<
My speed was phenomenal—so much so that I arrived at my destination within the hour.
It didn't even feel like a journey.
However… considering how long it had been since I experienced this… it took way too long.
With a nostalgic smile on my face, I gazed upon the large territory from my heights. The landscape was still lovely, and I could spot the denizens with my enhanced senses.
Still, they were only secondary.
"It's been too long…"
My eyes were fixated on a particular manor that stood proudly at the center of the large region.
It was huge—even from my distance. As expected of the abode of a Duke.
"… It's good to be home."
*************
I descended from my heights, moving in the direction of the lovely mansion that stood amid a vast compound.
A few things had changed since I had last been there, but none really caught my attention at the moment.
There was only one person that mattered—and she was within the building.
As soon as I reached a certain distance from the house, I felt some sort of distortion. Of course, it didn't affect me, but… I knew what it was.
'A sensory barrier. Looks like it's still working.'
I wasn't going to leave my family unprotected for a whole three years, now would I? Once Neron told me the trick behind how he was able to come to my aid after I destroyed the barrier around the Lecturers' Hall, it was much easier to create my own version.
>FWOOOOSSSHH!<
I ignored the distortion and swiftly secured my landing upon the lush plains of my family's garden.
It was as lovely as ever.
"Haa… even the air is nice."
Perhaps it was just nostalgia that made me have such sentiment.
My gaze settled on the large door leading to the mansion, but before I could take a single step forward—
"HALT!!!"
—I was surrounded.
'Perfect! Looks like security is good too…'
Guards who were armed with Magic armor and weapons made a barricade instantly—shielding the mansion's door in a jiffy. Many more surrounded me, brandishing their blades with caution and steely resolve.
'Hm… not bad. They're pretty standard…'
I also had some Automatons hiding underground in case of an intrusion—but since they must have sensed my 'Resonance', none of them took action.
'There's a limit human guards can do, after all…'
While the Automatons weren't extremely powerful, they could at least buy enough time before I arrived. That much precaution was needed due to the identity of the one hidden in the house.
'As long as she's safe inside, then—'
"What's with all the racket!" A voice surged forth as the front door was flung wide open.
'Ahh, I should have known…' My lips formed a wry smile.
Emerging from within the mansion was a lovely woman.
Her blond hair was swayed back and forth by the rushing wind, and her eyes swallowed me whole.
With her clear skin, lovely face, and—well, it's true—voluptuous chest; she made her entrance.
Yes! This woman was none other than Anabelle Leonard Alphonse Sereth—a Duchess of the Eastern Kingdom, as well as…
'… Mom!'
With a warm smile on my face, I gazed at her and she looked in my direction.
Our eyes met and—for a moment—I felt a deep connection, like a spark. A profound meaning was exchanged between us the moment our gaze connected.
"Y—you…" She whispered, her body trembling.
I could tell what was going on with her.
With her lips quivering, her hands palpitating, and her eyes displaying a multitude of overwhelming emotions… I understood.
"J—Jared…?"
My smile deepened and I nodded.
The guards seemed to catch the hint and they loosened their guards.
My mother was filled with emotion, making my heart race faster than normal. Despite all my training, I could never detach myself from her warmth—no, I didn't dream of it.
That was because…. She was….
"JARREEEEEDDDD!!!"
With a scream, my mom raced at me at full speed.
I ignored the fact that the platform she stood on was shattered instantly. No, it was simply out of excitement.
I also ignored the fact that she charged at me with unordinary speed. No, it was because she missed me so much. I understood perfectly.
It was the same for me!
Nevermind the fact that Mana was beginning to appear on her body, or the fact that my instincts were already telling me to flee. No, I stood my ground while staring passionately at the woman who birthed me!
The woman who imparted in me her Mana-Compatible genes—unlike my useless father.
Yes, she was most certainly…
"JARRRREEEEEEDDDDD!!!"
In a flash, my one and only mother reached my location. She swiftly drew close to me, sweeping me up with her lovely scent and the warmth of her breath.
I felt her arms wrap around me in a tight embrace.
It was a bit tighter than I expected, but it simply showed how much she missed me. I nearly leaked out a drop of tear, touched by her affection.
'M—Mom…'
I raised my hands to return her embrace—ignoring the sting of her Mana on my skin. She was probably too excited that she let go of her control over something so dangerous.
Still, I wasn't taking any damage, so I didn't mind.
But, the moment I raised my arms to hug her, my body was lifted.
It was so sudden that I was flustered and frozen in motion. The burst of Mana from my mother seemed to triple, and so did her grip strength.
This seemed a bit excessive, so I tried to—
"YOOOOUUUUU…"
I was already a couple of feet from the ground, and my body seemed to be moving without my consent.
'E—Eh…?!'
It was at this moment that a distant memory came flashing into my mind. It was the image I burned into my memory as a kid—what made me fear my mom back then.
Unfortunately, it was too late to resist now. After all…
"… YOU JEEEERRRRRK!!!"
… My head was already on its way to the ground.
'How could I forget Anabelle's special technique?' My mind trailed as I braced myself for impact.
Yep, what came next was…
... A MIGHTY SUPLEX!
