Piece 3 (part 2)

"It's over… isn't it?" I muttered after the battle had calmed down, and Uncle John who sat down next to me nodded firmly.

"It should've been like this, ten years ago. Ten years ago, this should've been the way the battle ended.

However… something else occurred. And neither your mother nor your father could fight properly." Uncle John pointed out the difference between the battle happening today and ten years ago, and I turned to him for answers.

"What happened?"

"I guess that's something you can ask them. It's not something public, and I didn't know much about it. All I know is that long before the battle even began, your mother was cursed, and her wounds couldn't heal. Your father lost 75% of his strength, and he only regained them after Harbinger had already attacked the city."

"That's… terrifying. Then, everything has changed?" 

My question oddly surprised Uncle John, but he only laughed as he stood back up.

"Well, that depends on what you mean by 'Everything'. Come on, let's head back to the carriage." Uncle John invited me because the battle is over, and it seems like Mom and Dad are doing something right next to the corpse of the dragon god.

It was quite absurd that they actually killed the dragon. But, I'm just wondering why they didn't return to me straight away.

Uncle John guided me to the elevator that will allow us to go down the wall. Because the elevator is inside the wall, it did not get wrecked by the shockwaves during all the chaos. It was still fully functional, and we joined the two men in robes as we went down the elevator.

"Perhaps a little introduction? These two are my friends. They're from the shadow knights corps, which was once founded by your dad." Uncle John introduced me to the two people in the robes, and they waved their hands at me quite friendly.

"Nice to meet you… But if they're here, then does that mean the shadow knights are still…"

"Operating? Yeah, we're still around. In fact, we never stopped. For ten years, we all received one order, and only one order. To protect you." Uncle John explained as he smiled, and I only became surprised.

"W-What? Then, h-how did they protect me?"

"By watching over you. From the roofs, with a disguise, any method. Our goal is to just keep you safe, that's all. We didn't go too deep into your personal life, so don't worry."

This is… maddening! This whole time, I knew there were people watching me when I was walking on the streets!

"I always had a suspicion there's people watching me…" I said slightly afraid, and Uncle John only laughed.

"It's okay, Milly! I promise you, we just don't want you to get hurt. Cytus is a safe city overall, but there's still going to be robbers or kidnappers around. We just want you to be safe!"

"Right… And you are certain they know nothing about my personal life?" I asked them with high suspicion, but Uncle John didn't answer. Instead, one of the robed guys stepped forward.

"The best I can do is tell you about your favorite milk tea shop." The robed guy said with such honesty, and I understand that they really know nothing.

After a short conversation at the elevator, we finally arrived at the bottom. Uncle John's carriage is right by the exit, parked safe and sound. It was covered by a huge building that got completely trashed during the chaos earlier, but the carriage itself is fine.

"It's amazing that the carriage is still completely fine. It's even more amazing that the horse didn't run away!" Uncle John pointed out, and I realized how the horse is still waiting around completely okay. It's just standing by with the rope tying it to the metal bar on the wall.

Uncle John was about to go and release the horse from the metal bar, but the presence of two people can be sensed above us. I turned my gaze up when their shadows covered my peripherals, and I realized Mom and Dad are slowly descending. 

Their appearance looked messy, particularly Mom. Her combat attire was already quite bad previously, but it's even worse now with so much of it completely torn, revealing the skin underneath. Dad's attire was more of a regular nobleman's clothes, and he is completely barefooted with no sleeves on his arms.

The two shadow knights who were behind me turned kneeling, leaving only Uncle John standing by with his hands saluting the two arriving.

"At ease." Dad said upon landing, and the shadow knights stood up again. Uncle John continued approaching the horse, and I turned my attention back to Mom and Dad.

"Is the dragon…?" I tried asking, referring to the dragon god that they've defeated. However, both of them shook their heads.

"He can never be killed. Harbinger is a god, not just a normal dragon. He will reincarnate after many years, but we'll be ready for that if it were to happen." Dad explained to me to ease my worries, and I felt much better hearing that.

Mom kneeled in front of me with such a worried expression on her face, and I realized she is still trying very hard to accept everything. Her hands were lifted to try and touch my face, but she quickly pulled them away.

"Millis… I'm very sorry. You're already all grown up… and we couldn't be there for you." Mom said to me with such a saddened tone, and I only smiled back at her.

Dad decided to ignore us and started walking to Uncle John. The two shadow knights also approached them, leaving me with just Mom.

"I… All that I ever wished for… was for you two to be there. For the two of you to be with me, no matter how late it was." I conveyed to her what my wish truly was, and she smiled hearing it.

"Then, is it really okay? For me and your father… to be with you from now on?"

"Of course, it's okay. In fact, I'd be very annoyed if the two of you decided to leave me again!" I pointed out exactly how I felt, which should've been very obvious. However, Mom is taking everything with extra care, and she doesn't want me to feel uncomfortable in the slightest.

"I see. In that case, we will be there for you. From now on, we'll be right next to you. I promise." Mom said to me in such a firm tone, and I realized just how nice it was to see her smile. She is just a beautiful person in general, but seeing her smile so sincerely hurts my eyes so much.

It's very scary seeing her cold glare earlier, but the complete opposite also applies. Seeing her smile with such puppy eyes, it's just so hard to look away.

VWOOSSHH!!!!

The sound of wind was heard quickly, and I turned around to notice that the two shadow knights had disappeared completely. It seems like Dad has told them everything that he wanted them to know, and the shadow knights are going to do his tasks.

"Now, then! Shall we… go home?" Dad asked with such a wide grin, and Mom only snorted.

"Home, where? This is our home." She pointed out, and I realized that this whole destroyed empire was actually once a very crowded city.

This place should've been our home. But, it was completely in ruins. What a pity.

"Ah… right. John, where does she live again?" Instead of asking me, Dad turned to Uncle John, who is currently holding the rope that ties the horse with his hands.

"Cytus, sir. She's been living with Madam Estella for the past ten years." Uncle John answered so stiffly as if talking to his superiors, and Dad let out a very long disappointed sigh.

"Oh, dear. I hope you don't catch any of her terrible traits…"

"She's the best option, don't you think? Had it been anybody else…" Mom argued after seeing Dad's disappointed face, but he only laughed.

"I'm just kidding. She is indeed the best person who can take care of you. I can rest easy if I know Lady Estella was the one who took care of you, Milly!" Dad said happily as he approached me, and he placed his hand onto my hair.

"But, I guess Lady Estella will have two more children coming her way. Do you think she'd mind me and your mom staying over?" Dad said while messing with my hair, and my brain truly tried imagining the words Dad just said.

Living in the diner… alongside Mom, Dad, and Grandma…

No dream could've been more beautiful, I'd have to go see an evil spirit and sell my soul for it to ever happen. And yet… it is genuinely…

"Let's go home. To her. To the place where you grew up." Mom finally said, and she has finally cheered up unlike before. I turned my smile to her and hugged her very tightly, which surprised her so much.

"I've been longing for this day to happen… I can't believe it!!" I said while crying on her shoulder, and Mom only patted me in the shoulder. She turned her grin to Dad, who was watching in jealousy.

"We're ready to go!" Uncle John shouted after he mounted the carriage to the horse, and I let go of the hug with Mom.

We're going home. All three of us.