Chương 141

The capital city of the Stormbreak Territory finally came into view. The trip back home was noticeably easier than their last journey. Maybe having a Staff Saint, a Dual Legend, and a genius magician in the same party was just too overpowered. Or maybe it was Kratos, who was now a giant, intimidating lion walking right beside them. As they got closer to the walls, Piaro started acting a little restless. The swordsman kept asking for more spars along the road. Rudra gladly agreed.

Every time they clashed, Rudra's Super Sensitivity grew along with his other stats. Piaro grew sharper too, forcing Rudra to stay on his toes. He loved the challenge. Before hitting the city limits, Rudra opened his status window one last time.

[Name: Rudra] [Level: 237] [Class: Staff Saint] [Title: [Unreasonable Challenger] + 18] [Health: 88, 500 / 88, 500 | Mana: 35, 200 / 35, 200] [Staff Energy: 3, 000 / 3, 000 | Divine Energy: 25, 300 / 25, 300] [Strength: 2, 230 | Stamina: 2, 180] [Agility: 2, 260 | Intelligence: 1, 950] [Persistence: 1, 832 | Dexterity: 1, 968] [Courage: 1, 509 | Charm: 2, 804] [Dignity: 2, 195 | Insight: 1, 519] [Divine Power: 2, 530 | Regeneration: 433] [Composure: 411 | Indomitable: 551] [Super Sensitivity: 7. 8] [Stat Points: 0] [Abyssal Step (Lv. 7)] -> [Abyssal Step (Lv. 8)] [Complete Staff Mastery (Lv. 1)] -> [Complete Staff Mastery (Lv. 2)] Killing a Pope, hunting rare monsters, and constantly cooking high-level dishes had pushed his stats to an absurd level. But as he looked at the screen, Rudra shook his head. Even after pushing himself to fight Piaro using strictly basic attacks, his legendary staff mastery only bumped up a single level. The grind was a little disappointing.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Rudra swiped the window away and nudged the swordsman.

"So, how do you feel? You're about to see your sister and your old friends. Excited or nervous?" Piaro smiled faintly.

"I am naturally happy to meet them." Rudra grinned. He glanced back at Mumud. He really hoped the quiet, silver-haired magician would like the territory and make it his new home. As they neared the massive front gates, the guards immediately recognized Rudra.

"Oh, it's the Lord! Quickly, open the gates!" Bob, a veteran guard, shoved a new recruit named Gary. The two of them started quietly arguing over who got to hold the reins of the Duke's horse, completely forgetting that Rudra always traveled on foot.

"Hey Bob, quickly go to Sir Winfred and inform him of the return of the Duke!" Gary yelled.

"Please come this way, My Lord! We'll escort you to the Mansion!" The degree of affection from the soldiers surprised Rudra a bit. It only grew as they walked down the main road. The civilians poured out of their homes and shops to greet them. A squad of local militia jogged past them, doing perfectly synchronized chants. Dante's brutal boot camp was clearly paying off. The guards actually looked like a real army now.

"My Lord, here is an apple we managed to grow, please have a basket!"

"My Lord, I picked up a staff so I can grow up to be strong like you!"

"My Lord, can you please shake my hand..." Rudra didn't shy away from the attention. He smiled, accepting the basket of apples and shaking the burly, quivering man's hand. As they passed the market square, Mrs. Gable, the town baker, tossed a hot, fresh loaf of garlic bread out the window of her new stall.

"Made from the very first batch of new wheat Sir Winfred told us to plant!" she cheered.

"Thanks, Mrs. Gable!" Rudra called back. He ripped a piece off and ate it immediately. It was delicious. Two hours later, they finally reached the Duke's Mansion. Winfred and Dante were already standing outside. They stepped forward to welcome Rudra, but they completely froze. Their eyes locked onto the gray-haired man standing quietly beside the Duke.

"Captain... is that you?" Winfred asked. His voice cracked.

"Captain, you are well," Dante rasped, gripping his walking stick. Both men got highly emotional. They saw Piaro looking back at them with that exact same absolute trust he always carried. They were just about to step forward and hug him when the mansion doors swung open.

"My Liege, I heard you returned— Brother?" Elysia stood in the doorway. She had been pushing her skills in the lab all week, so her cloak smelled faintly of sulfur and burnt sugar. She dropped the glass vials she was holding. They shattered on the porch.

"Brother, I missed you," Elysia cried. She sprinted down the steps and threw herself into Piaro's arms, sobbing into his chest. Piaro closed his eyes and gently patted her back.

"Me too, Sia." Amelda and Icarus suddenly dropped down from the mansion's roof. Amelda immediately started sobbing like a baby, clutching her face as she looked at Piaro. Even the paranoid Icarus got emotional and dropped to one knee in the dirt.

"Captain, you're alive and healthy," Amelda wept.

"It is a happy occasion to finally see you again, Captain," Icarus said softly. Winfred, Dante, and Rudra couldn't help but smile at the reunion. Before the moment settled, heavy boots stomped up the road. Singuled and Kentrick had rushed back from their monster-hunting patrol the second they got Winfred's message.

"Welcome back, Lord Rudra, how was your— Boss, is that you?!"

"Captain, you're safe!" Piaro looked around at his scattered, broken family, finally reunited in one safe place. He gave them all a warm, proud smile.

"It is good to see you all again," Piaro said.