the return to home

i

In the far north of the White Mountains continent, in a coastal village known as Green Hill Village, a strange boy with white hair wandered through its alleys, drawing curious glances.

Eventually, a man with a gruff voice approached him, asking,

"Young man, can I help you?"

"Oh, I'm not sure. Does a blind woman with white hair like mine live in this village? She lost her son, named..."

"Eirene, are you Jin, Eirene's son?"

"Yes."

The man gripped the young man's shoulders tightly, shaking him in disbelief, and shouted to those around,

"Look, it's Jin, Eirene's son! The boy has grown up and returned to his family!"

As Jin freed himself from the man's grasp, the man's loud shouting gathered the villagers around them, and everyone began welcoming and greeting him.

Three years ago, a war broke out between humans and the Auris race, resulting in thousands of deaths and dozens of prisoners and missing persons. Jin had disappeared two years ago and was considered among the missing.

After some time, a truce was declared, and an agreement was made to exchange prisoners. Despite several weeks passing since the agreement, many prisoners had not returned to their families, and their fates remained unknown. Jin's appearance in the village caused quite a stir.

"My son, is it you? Have you returned to your mother?" A sweet, sorrowful voice called out to him.

As soon as the crowd heard the woman's voice, they parted to make way for the grieving mother. She raised her hand, feeling her way around. Despite the signs of fatigue, stress, and sorrow brought by the harsh years, her beauty had not faded, and an aura of nobility radiated from her even in such a moment.

Her hand, moving through the air, finally touched the boy's face. In her joy, she dropped her cane to examine his face, tears streaming from her eyes as she hugged him tightly with all her strength as if he would disappear again if she loosened her grip even slightly.

"Jin, my little one, you've grown into a young man. My son, I've missed you so much. You can't imagine my happiness at your return."

Amidst this emotional scene, Jin hugged his mother back.

"I've missed you too, Mother. You can loosen your grip; I don't plan on going anywhere."

His mother's smile widened at his words. Although she stopped hugging him, she held his hand tightly, her gentle and warm touch making Jin think that every movement she made was filled with immense love and compassion.

'Why do I feel guilty? Because I'm not her real son? No, from the moment I inhabited this body, I became Tai Jin, and his family is my family.'

The original Jin was not a prisoner; he simply didn't want to return to a life of poverty. So, he abandoned his mother and sister and lived a life of thievery. But the orphan who came from the future longed to have a family.

The sounds and laughter around him brought him back to reality, just before the gruff-voiced man started shouting again.

"Do you plan to stay here all day? Get back to your work! And you, Lady Eirene, won't you take the boy to see his sister and have a good meal? He looks like he's about to collapse from hunger."

Lady Eirene nodded in the direction of the voice and bent down to feel the ground for her cane. Jin's hand reached it first, placing it in her hand and helping her stand. A smile spread across her face as she felt his grip.

"Oh, you've grown. You have a strong grip, just like your father."

'Yes, he resembles his father more than you can imagine, but he's even more despicable.'

Eirene had hidden the truth about Jin's deceased father, trying her best to portray him as the perfect person. But Jin knew the truth about his father.

Jin took his blind mother's hand and led her towards their home. Despite her blindness, Lady Eirene was far from helpless. Although she came from noble origins, she excelled in cooking and sewing and performed all her daily duties like any housewife and more.

"I was injured, and it took a long time to heal and gather money to travel from the Isle of Ancestors to here."

Jin spoke, trying to explain his absence, but his mother didn't care about the details. Many were missing because of the war.

"We searched for you for a long time, but to no avail. The important thing is that you found your way back. Tell me, you mentioned you were injured. Did the Auris harm you?"

"It wasn't serious..."

Before he could finish his sentence, he saw someone running towards him. A chubby man arrived, panting, and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Madam, Noble Monroe wants to see you immediately. The payment deadline is approaching."

Eirene's expression changed upon hearing the chubby man's voice, but she forced a smile and nodded in agreement. Despite her calm facade, Jin felt the tremor that shook her body and intervened immediately.

"Tell the noble that the lady is busy. Today, her long-lost son has returned home after years of absence. As for the payment issue, I will visit him tonight."

The two left, leaving the chubby man puzzled.

"Mr. Monroe won't like this, definitely won't like this."

Mother and son arrived at their home, or rather their shack on the outskirts of the village. The shack was dilapidated, small, and cold, barely suitable as a chicken coop.

Cough cough cough A coughing sound came from inside the shack, causing the mother to rush inside in concern.

"Oh dear, in my joy, I forgot the medicine time."

The mother fumbled for the box in the corner before feeling her son's hand on her shoulder.

"She's sleeping now. Let me take care of the medicine, and shouldn't you be feeding me?"

The mother sighed with a lump in her throat. The shack contained only some wilted vegetables and a plate of noodles. They didn't even have enough food for the day.

"My son, you see the state we're in. I borrowed some money from a noble, but..."

"Mother, you don't need to worry about anything. Your son has become a man and will take care of you and his sister."

Jin examined the medicine, then brought it close to his nose to smell it, his expression changing.

"Mother, what exactly is my sister suffering from?"

"The doctor said it's a fever that affects children her age. Months have passed, and her condition hasn't improved despite following all his instructions."

'Of course, she won't improve while taking this filth.'

"Mother, I'll visit the doctor. It seems we'll have to delay the meal for later."

The mother wanted to stop him from leaving, as it hadn't been a minute since he entered the house, but her daughter's groaning silenced her. How could he enjoy a meal while little Mei was sick?

After some time, the mother was surprised by a loud knock on the door. Before she could ask who it was, a familiar voice asked to enter.

"Madam, I'm the village doctor. I've received a new medicine with magical effects. You'll notice the difference within hours."

The mother opened the door, unable to believe what she was hearing. He was describing a spiritual medicine, something the common folk couldn't even see, let alone use. For the second time, before she could inquire about what was happening, the doctor barged into the shack and lifted the girl's head to give her the elixir.

"This place won't help her recover. You need to come to my house. I mean, you can stay in my second house; it's vacant at the moment, at least until the little one is fully recovered."

The mother was puzzled by the doctor's actions. They had been in front of him for months, and he had never helped her, not even with the cost of medicine. What was the reason for this sudden generosity? Before she could ask what was happening, her son spoke first.

"Doctor, how generous of you. My mother and I gladly accept your invitation."

The doctor swallowed hard, his face pale with fear.

Of course, the blind lady couldn't see the terrified look on the doctor's face as he stared at her son as if he were seeing a demon before him, who raised his finger to his lips, signaling him to stay silent.