Chapter 26
Elior POV
On hearing my words, Nike became visibly emotional.
He bowed so deeply that his head almost touched the ground.
"Thank you, Lord Elior, for your benevolence."
I quickly waved my hands.
"You don't need to do that."
Nike looked up at me.
"I don't know how this town will ever be able to repay you."
"You don't need to worry about that."
I smiled.
"I didn't help this town expecting something in return."
I looked at him seriously.
"I can see that you're dedicated to your profession. You genuinely care about your patients."
I gave him a small smile.
"Keep up the good work."
Nike's eyes began to water.
"Oh…"
Before he could start crying again, I quickly took a pouch from my spatial ring and threw it toward him.
He caught it.
"What is this?"
"Just a little something."
He opened it and froze.
There were several dozen gold coins inside.
"You've got a hospital to run."
I shrugged.
"Use it for whatever the hospital needs."
I didn't wait for another emotional speech.
Instead, I quickly created a large platform of Light beneath me.
"Come on, Aunt Cornelia. Cana."
I gestured toward the platform.
"We should get going."
Cana immediately climbed aboard.
Cornelia followed with a smile.
I stepped onto it and began floating upward.
"Lord Elior!"
Nike's voice came from below.
I looked down.
He was standing there with the pouch clutched against his chest.
If I had stayed another minute, I probably would have had to listen to another speech.
So I waved.
"Take care, Nike!"
Then I flew away.
I didn't see what happened behind me.
If I had stayed, I would have witnessed Nike completely breaking down, tears and snot running down his face as he muttered about how he couldn't believe someone so kind still existed.
Thankfully, I was spared from that.
For now.
On the platform, I suddenly noticed something.
Everyone was staring at me.
Cana was looking at me with sparkling eyes.
Cornelia had a warm smile on her face.
Even Luna was poking her head out of my pocket.
It was getting uncomfortable.
"What?"
Nobody answered immediately.
I looked at them.
"Why are you staring at me?"
"Little El is such a kind child."
Cornelia smiled.
"Brother, you're really kind."
"Kyuu~!"
They answered almost simultaneously.
My cheeks immediately became a little warm.
"Uh…"
I scratched the back of my neck.
"Thanks."
Cornelia giggled behind her hand.
"Fufu."
She looked at me.
"Little El is so cute when he's embarrassed."
"Right!"
Cana nodded enthusiastically.
"Brother is very cute."
"Kyuu~!"
Luna agreed.
"Hey!"
I looked at the three of them.
"You guys are supposed to be on my side!"
They only laughed.
"Haha…"
I gave up and scratched my neck again.
I increased the platform's speed slightly, but still kept it comfortable for everyone.
I could have flown much faster by myself.
But with three passengers, I didn't want to risk making the journey uncomfortable.
Besides…
This was my first mission.
And I was already missing my family.
So after confirming that everyone was fine with it, I decided to return directly to Magnolia without stopping anywhere.
A few hours later, the familiar sight of Magnolia appeared in the distance.
It was already nighttime.
We slowly approached the city.
During the journey, I had grown much closer to Cana and Cornelia.
Luna had also become attached to them surprisingly quickly.
Cana especially seemed thrilled to have someone around her age—or close enough—to talk to.
Well…
I was only two years older than her.
That counted.
When we finally reached my house, I lowered the platform.
Everyone stepped onto the ground.
The platform dissolved into countless motes of golden light.
I walked toward the front door and knocked.
Knock knock.
A familiar voice came from inside.
"Coming~!"
The door opened.
Erza appeared.
The moment she saw me, her eyes widened.
They immediately became watery.
"Brother!"
She jumped straight at me.
I caught her in my arms.
"I'm back, Erza."
She hugged me tightly.
I hugged her back.
For a few seconds, neither of us said anything.
Then she pulled away and looked me over from head to toe.
"You're not hurt!"
"I'm fine."
I smiled.
"I told you I would be."
She seemed satisfied.
Then she noticed the people standing behind me.
Her eyes became curious.
"Brother…"
She pointed toward Cana and Cornelia.
"Who are they?"
"Oh!"
I snapped my fingers.
"I almost forgot."
I turned toward Cana.
"Come here, Cana."
Cana walked over shyly.
I placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Erza, this is Cana."
I pointed toward Erza.
"And this is my sister, Erza."
I smiled.
"She's also my little sister."
The two girls looked at each other.
Neither said anything.
They were both a little shy.
I crouched between them.
"You two are going to be sisters now."
Cana glanced at Erza.
"Hello…"
"Hello…"
Erza replied quietly.
I smiled.
"I hope you two become good friends."
The girls slowly started talking.
At first it was awkward.
Then Cana asked about Erza's training.
Erza asked about Cana's life.
Soon enough, they were talking more naturally.
I was satisfied.
'One problem solved.'
Just then, another familiar presence approached.
"El?"
The door opened wider.
Irene stepped outside.
She immediately looked at me.
Then at the unfamiliar woman and child.
Her expression became curious.
She walked over and hugged me.
"Why are you standing outside, El?"
She looked toward our guests.
"Won't you invite them inside?"
"Oh!"
I slapped my forehead.
"I nearly forgot."
I stepped aside.
"Please, come in."
Everyone entered the house.
We gathered in the hall.
Soon, everyone living in the house came over.
Nina.
Yuna.
Heine.
Juliet.
Erza.
Irene.
And our two new guests.
I introduced everyone to each other.
"This is Aunt Cornelia and her daughter, Cana."
I then pointed toward the tiny white fox sitting beside me.
"And this is Luna."
"Kyuu~!"
Irene's eyes immediately landed on Luna.
"A Moon Fox?"
I nodded.
"I found her during my mission."
Irene crouched down and examined her carefully.
Luna stared back.
Irene smiled.
"She's adorable."
"Kyuu~!"
Erza suddenly rushed forward.
"Luna!"
She picked her up.
Luna looked slightly surprised.
Erza hugged her tightly.
"You're so fluffy!"
"Kyuu!"
"She's so cute!"
Erza squeezed her again.
"Erza, don't crush her."
"I'm not!"
Luna's little legs were sticking out from the hug.
I wasn't entirely convinced.
Nina and Yuna were also staring at Luna with sparkling eyes.
Juliet was practically vibrating with excitement.
"She's so cute!"
Heine, as usual, was more restrained.
But even she had a faint smile on her face.
Dinner soon began.
At first, Nina, Yuna, Heine, and Juliet hesitated to sit at the same table as us.
I noticed immediately.
"What are you doing?"
Nina looked embarrassed.
"We thought…"
She glanced toward Irene.
"It would be inappropriate for us to eat with everyone."
Yuna nodded.
"We are your subordinates."
Heine remained silent, but her expression suggested she agreed.
Juliet simply looked confused.
I frowned.
"Since when does being a subordinate mean you can't eat with your family?"
They all froze.
"You're living in this house with us."
I pointed toward the table.
"You're working with us."
I looked at each of them.
"And you're eating with us."
"But…"
"No buts."
I crossed my arms.
"If I see any of you sitting somewhere else during dinner because you think you're beneath us, I'm going to be very annoyed."
Nina immediately straightened.
"Yes, sir."
Yuna nodded.
"Understood."
Heine quietly pulled out a chair.
Juliet immediately sat down.
"Food!"
I laughed.
"See? Juliet gets it."
Soon, everyone was eating together.
The atmosphere became lively.
I explained how I had met Cana and Cornelia.
I told them about the village, the bandits, Rashkel, and the curse in Cranks Town.
I left out some of the more disturbing details.
There was no reason to ruin dinner.
I also told them about the mysterious book I had found after defeating Rashkel.
Irene's expression became serious when she heard that.
But she didn't press me for details tonight.
That could wait until tomorrow.
For now, everyone was together.
After dinner, I asked Nina to help Cana and Cornelia settle into one of the guest rooms.
"You two can stay here as long as you need."
Cornelia smiled warmly.
"Thank you, El."
Cana waved.
"Good night, Brother El!"
"Good night, sis."
Luna gave a tiny wave from my shoulder.
"Kyuu~!"
Cana giggled.
"Good night, Luna!"
Everyone slowly headed toward their rooms.
I stood in the hall for a moment and looked around.
The house felt different tonight.
There were more people.
More voices.
More warmth.
Somehow, after only one mission…
My family had grown again.
I smiled.
"We'll talk about everything tomorrow."
For tonight, we could simply rest.
And for the first time since leaving Magnolia…
I felt completely at home.