Chapter 201. The Return (1)
While Caron and Leo were sailing across the East Sea of the continent with the rescue fleet, word of Caron's actions reached Azureocean Castle.
Knock, knock, knock.
As always, Fayle was immersed in his work when a visitor arrived at his office.
"Uncle, it's Leon," came a voice from beyond the door.
"Oh, yes, come on in," Fayle said, taking off his glasses.
A moment later, Leon stepped inside, dressed in casual attire.
"I thought you already paid your respects this morning," Fayle remarked with a smile as he poured tea for his niece.
Leon was an admirable young woman. Lately, Fayle's relationship with his eldest brother, Leon's father, had soured considerably. Yet Leon never failed to visit each morning to offer her greetings. A niece who showed such respect to her elders was nothing short of endearing.
"I've come to deliver news on behalf of Sir Zerath. An urgent report has arrived that must be relayed to you immediately," Leon stated.
Fayle studied his niece's expression for a moment before sighing and settling into his chair, then asked, "This is about Caron, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is," Leon replied.
"What trouble has he gotten himself into this time?" Fayle asked with a resigned sigh.
"This time, we've also received news about the head of the family. It seems he has joined Caron," Leon explained.
"...Father did?" Fayle asked.
His father had left Azureocean Castle without much explanation, causing a brief stir. Since then, his whereabouts had remained unknown.
Fayle wondered why his father was with Caron, who had been heading for the Eastern Great Forest.
"I'd like to hear the details. Come sit down," he said, gesturing toward a chair.
After Leon took a seat, Fayle poured her a cup of herbal tea.
"Thank you," Leon said, bowing politely before taking a careful sip.
The aroma was rich, the taste familiar—reminiscent of the elven tea she had once enjoyed in the Southern Great Forest.
"You have a refined palate," Fayle noted.
"Is this from the Southern Great Forest?" Leon asked.
"Yes. We brought it in through the harbor recently. It will soon be supplied to the capital. What do you think? Is it promising?" Fayle asked.
Leon nodded and replied, "Yes, and Caron will make another fortune."
She was well aware that Caron owned a significant share in the trading company that held exclusive rights to commerce with the elves.
Letting out a small sigh of admiration, Leon placed the teacup down and continued, "For now, you should review this report first, Uncle Fayle."
She handed Fayle a document compiled by Azureocean Castle's intelligence division. It was a structured summary of Caron's report.
Fayle took a sip of tea as he began reading. A short silence fell over the room as he flipped through the pages, scanning the contents swiftly.
Then, after finishing, he let out a low hum of concern, his expression darkening. The report was almost too surreal to believe.
"Caron encountered the Demon King of Sloth and successfully thwarted his scheme? And he's currently evacuating the elves of the Eastern Great Forest to the Southern Great Forest?" Fayle repeated out loud.
"It seems Grandfather arrived on-site at just the right moment," Leon added.
Fayle let out a dry chuckle and said, "The way he writes about fighting a Demon King as if it were just another task... I swear, only my son would be this nonchalant."
His words carried a joking tone, but his clenched fist tapping against the desk told another story.
The story of fighting the Demon King made me feel dizzy, but hearing that they survived safely brought me some relief.
"...He still doesn't understand the value of his own life. What a disgraceful child... He doesn't even consider his parents' feelings..." Fayle muttered.
Caron was always plunging headfirst into danger. Though they never voiced it aloud, both Fayle and his wife, Sara, spent their days in constant worry.
Stopping the Demon King's scheme was undoubtedly a feat worthy of celebration. It was an achievement grand enough to earn the title of hero. But hearing of it firsthand, worry outweighed pride.
Fayle could only imagine the pain Caron must have endured to accomplish such an impossible feat.
"Caron must have been the same way in the Southern Great Forest, right?" Fayle asked.
Leon let out a wry smile and nodded, then replied, "That's just how Caron is."
"You could have tried stopping him," Fayle said.
"Uncle Fayle, there's no one in Azureocean Castle who can stop Caron. You know that better than anyone," Leon pointed out.
Fayle sighed and gave a small nod. The moment Caron returned, he would have to give him a stern scolding. There was nothing in the world more important than his son's life.
Setting the report down on his desk, Fayle ran both hands over his face and murmured, "Caron has given me yet another assignment."
"Do you mean the dragon bone?" Leon asked.
"Yes. Every time Caron goes out, he brings back something outrageous. Last time, it was a trade agreement with the elves. Now, it's dragon bone... My head is starting to ache," Fayle explained.
According to Caron's report, the dwarves he had rescued from Noa, the Free City League, had expertise in refining dragon bone. He had asked Fayle to commission them for the task.
"He must have scavenged it from somewhere again. That's his specialty, isn't it? Helping people and taking things in return," Leon remarked.
"Caron claims half of it as his share. No doubt he strong-armed Father into giving it up," Fayle said.
"But Grandfather must have been the one to take down the Bone Dragon by himself," Leon said.
"I don't know the exact details," Fayle admitted.
"Still, I bet Caron talked his way into getting a share," Leon said.
"Most likely," Fayle replied.
He already felt overwhelmed by the work Caron kept bringing him. And now, he had to start negotiations with the dwarves as well. Even if he had a clone, it wouldn't be enough to handle everything.
"How in the world am I supposed to contact the dwarves..." he muttered, letting out a deep sigh.
Just then...
Knock, knock, knock.
Another visitor rapped at his office door. A moment later, a bright, energetic voice called out, "Third Master! It's Urhan, the butler."
"Come in," Fayle said.
With a creak, the door swung open, revealing a muscular man in a butler's uniform. Urhan was a former bandit turned loyal butler, all thanks to Caron.
Urhan bowed politely to both Fayle and Leon before announcing with a cheerful tone, "A guest has arrived at Azureocean Castle!"
"A guest?" Fayle asked.
"Yes! A delegation from the dwarven race has come to visit. You should meet with them personally, Third Master," Urhan replied.
At that, Fayle realized that Caron had already made arrangements with the dwarves beforehand.
"Of course he did. He should've said so," Fayle muttered.
Caron had likely left out the details in his report out of sheer laziness. That was just the way he was.
"I'll meet them myself. Take them to the VIP chamber," Fayle ordered as he stood up and grabbed his coat. Then, turning to Leon, he said, "I have to go. You know how Caron is. If I don't handle this properly, his nagging will be non-stop."
"Of course, he's the type to nag forever. Go on, Uncle Fayle," Leon replied with a smirk.
With that, Fayle left the office with Urhan, leaving Leon behind. She drank the last of her tea in a single gulp, then glanced toward a framed family photo hanging in the office.
It was a picture of her uncle, aunt, and Caron, all smiling together.
Leon chuckled and mused, Even in the picture, he seems loud.
Azureocean Castle, which had been peaceful in Caron's absence, was growing lively again.
It also meant that Caron was on his way back.
I should go and train, Leon decided.
With that, she rose from her seat and made her way toward Oceanwolf Island's training grounds. If she wanted to avoid Caron's nagging, she at least had to show him that she was training hard.
And so, Azureocean Castle began its preparations to welcome Caron home.
***
Thanks to the nagas' escort, the rescue fleet carrying the elves of the Eastern Great Forest reached the South in less than a week.
Contrary to their worries, the southern elves welcomed their long-lost kin with warmth.
Leaving the emotional reunions behind, Caron headed straight into the city to meet some familiar faces.
Those familiar faces, of course, belonged to Aqua and Kerra.
"Ha! The old man swung his sword once, and bam! The world practically split in half!" Caron exclaimed.
"Commander, aren't you embarrassed? At your age, still relying on your grandfather's help... Tsk tsk. The Grand Duke really needs to realize his grandson is the Commander already. If I'd known it would be like this, I should've just told him last time," Kerra said.
Caron wrapped an arm around Aqua while clinking glasses with Kerra. They were drinking apple wine, a specialty of the Southern Great Forest.
As the sweet liquor slid down Caron's throat, his mood naturally lifted.
"Dad! Here, have some snacks," Aqua said, handing him some jerky.
"Thank you, Aqua," Caron said, grinning as he let her feed him. He added, "Oh, right—Aqua, thank you for sending your monster friends."
"Hehe... I was supposed to go myself, but... Sorry, Dad," Aqua said quietly.
"You were a huge help. Because of you, more elves survived. Hmm, but Aqua, it seems like you've gotten a little bigger since last time, haven't you?" Caron asked.
"Yup! I've been eating well and gathering more mana!" Aqua answered proudly.
"Good girl," Caron said with a smile.
"But, Dad... Where's Uncle Leo?" Aqua asked.
"Oh, he went out with a woman," Caron said casually.
That woman, of course, was Adina. After much persuasion, she had finally gotten permission from her father, Tauga, to visit the Southern Great Forest.
The tiger clan and the broader beastfolk alliance had decided to form an official pact with the southern elves.
Adina's official reason for going was to conduct a preliminary survey before establishing an embassy, but everyone knew Tauga had only given in because he couldn't refuse his daughter's request any longer.
"Leo's the lucky one," Caron muttered.
During their time in the Eastern Great Forest, Leo and Adina had grown noticeably close. And, from the looks of it, Adina seemed to like Leo just as much.
"Well, when you're young, you should date and enjoy life. Commander, are you not going to date anyone?" Kerra asked.
"Eh, it's bothersome," Caron replied.
"If you've reincarnated, you should at least try to enjoy your life a little," Kerra suggested.
"I am enjoying my life," Caron said as he raised his glass and drank. "If this isn't enjoying life, then what is?"
"...Fair point," Kerra admitted.
With a clink, the two tapped their glasses together and shared another round, laughing.
As the drinking session wore on, Aqua eventually curled up on the bed and drifted off to sleep, her breathing slow and steady.
With a bitter expression, Kerra asked Caron, "I heard that you met Ugo, didn't you? Tell me about it."
"You'll get angry. Are you going to be alright?" Caron warned him.
"I know. That's why I got drunk on purpose," Kerra said.
His cheeks were slightly flushed, the telltale sign of intoxication. He had to have deliberately lowered his mana control to let the alcohol take effect.
Caron let out a deep sigh as he ran a finger along the rim of his glass before finally beginning his story. "Ugo was in the process of becoming a Death Knight while still alive."
With that, the story of Ugo spilled from Caron's lips, and it was a long one. From how the Demon King of Sloth had corrupted Ugo, to how the Saintess had helped restore him to human form—Caron recounted everything that had happened in the Pajar Sultanate.
"...Ha," Kerra sighed.
When the story came to an end, he filled his glass with the liquor to the brim and downed it in one go.
"That damn Demon King of Sloth... even tearing him apart wouldn't be enough," he said, his voice filled with fury. The glass in his hand trembled.
"Is Ugo doing well?" he asked.
"He is," Caron said. "I can lend you a communication orb later if you want to talk to him."
"No need. What's so precious about an old comrade that I'd sit around chatting with him through an orb? I'll just meet him someday and grab a drink instead," Kerra said.
Crack.
Despite Kerra's indifferent tone, the glass in his hand crumbled into dust. He exhaled softly as he watched the fine particles scatter into the air.
Then, in a quiet voice, he said, "Commander, please promise me one thing."
"Go on," Caron said.
"Sometime in the future, far in the future... When you cross to the North Sea, please take me with you," Kerra declared.
"It seems you already know what's beyond the North Sea," Caron assumed.
"Of course. There's no way I wouldn't," Kerra replied. "Do you know what I did after you died, Commander?"
There was an old, simmering anger in his voice. He explained, "Those bastards... I searched for those bastards, the ones responsible for what happened to you. I hunted down dark mages hiding all across the continent and tortured them for answers. Eventually, I started to piece things together."
This was something Caron hadn't heard the last time he had seen Kerra. It was a dark and heavy story, one that didn't suit the ever-cheerful Kerra.
"I hold as much of a grudge against the Demon Kings as you do, Commander," Kerra continued. "Even if I die, I want to go down with my sword stabbed into one of their hearts. So..."
He turned to Caron and gave a faint smile, then said, "This time, let's fight together. Stop planning to die alone like some tragic hero. Got it?"
Kerra's voice was calm, but his sincerity was undeniable.
Caron didn't say anything. Instead, he pulled out a glass from his pocket and placed it in front of Kerra.
Trickle.
The golden apple wine brewed by the elves filled the glass.
Once it was full, Caron finally spoke, his voice low. "Fine."
The former Commander poured quiet gratitude into his subordinate's glass.
Unlike his previous life, this one wasn't lonely.
Not even a little.