At the top of Table Mountain, I make my way silently to the place where the Hall of the Gods is located, where I used to live. On the way, I was quiet because I was worried about what the girl said.

　A girl with a grudge against Father Ronin and a desire for revenge. Her sword was full of murder. Had Dad really done something to repel her?

　As I contemplate this, Luna Maria comes up to me.

Master Will, it doesn't bother me much. People will still hate you for your outrageousness. I didn't know Ronin better than Will, but raising a man like Will means he must be of good character. Perhaps there were circumstances, or perhaps it was a misunderstanding.

　I come to the same conclusion as I do, Luna Maria . I'm so glad that you are concerned about me.

And this is now the gods' domain. We're almost at the Hall of the Gods. You can ask him. It's better to ask him directly than to worry about it.

"Well, ......, isn't that the quickest way. That's the quickest way to go?

　With that thought, I quickened my pace and headed to my parents' house.

　The first thing I tried to do was to say the name of the avenging swordsman "Hifune," but I couldn't do it. But I couldn't do it because the goddess of healing had already sounded the cracker before that.

"Will!　Welcome home!

　She rang the cracker vigorously and then opened the kudzu ball. Gold and silver threads and confetti danced from it. She welcomed me with a satisfied smile, as if she had boiled down all the happiness in the world.

　Moreover, that taciturn father of mine is also party-ready. His beloved Tsubagakuwa hat was red and white for the winter solstice festival. His tension was normal, but his eyebrows were lowered throughout.

　There's no way you can be the first to have a serious talk after all this.

　I wanted to talk to dad Ronin first, but he looked at me lightly, but he looked serious for a moment and then immediately drank the Daiginjo. It was as if he wanted me to be happy to see my family again. I'm going to follow his advice.

"That's a great welcome. ...... It should be more normal.

　When I say my honest opinion, Mother Militia says, "No way! He sticks his finger up at me.

Our precious son is home after a long absence, and it is frankly too much of a stretch to give him a normal greeting.

It's only been a month and a little over a month since I last saw you.

"A day without you is a thousand and fifty days, so one hundred thousand x forty days would be four hundred days. Four hundred and twenty-four is ...... um, a lot?

　The goddess isn't very good at math. Vandal's father does the arithmetic for her.

Nine hundred six hundred hours. ...... Is she really a goddess who has mastered pharmacy at all?

I use my watch when I mix my pills. Come on, Vandal, where's Will this morning?　Isn't it too late?　What's going on?　You've always been so fidgety about it.

Shut up.

And I even got a hat that looks like a winter solstice chief.

"This is the one you gave me to wear.

"You're wearing a rider's hat.

　Hmph, the Vandal turns his nose away, but he's still glad that I came back without incident. He turns to me again and says.

There's a saying, "Three days without a boy's attention, and now you're doing just that. You've only been apart for a short time, but you've become fearless.

Thank you, Father Vandal. I've met a lot of people down there and learned a lot of things.

Hmm, I see you've learned a lot of things that can't be learned from books alone. It was a good idea to send you away.

That's a good thing. Now that you've done your homework, why don't you call it a day?

　Goddess Militia was quick to add that, but I didn't feel that way.

It's a big world. I have yet to see the vast desert to the west. Nor the glaciers in the north. Nor have I seen the countries of a different culture in the east.

I see, your inquisitive mind is still unfulfilled.

Yeah, I guess so.

"Then go on your journey. Go see everything with your own eyes. You are young. You're not old enough to be tired of traveling.

　Millia gave me a "what the hell, old man" look, but she also knows that I won't bend my will. I nodded and said, " Well, it's good to travel.

...... Well, it's nice to travel, but you can only stretch your wings when you come home to your parents. Just take it easy for a while, okay?

　I said.

　If you look around, the house of the gods is beautifully decorated as it was on the winter solstice. It was obvious that Mother Militia had taken the time to decorate it. There are also a few mountain animals here and there. A squirrel cubs with acorns in their arms, a bear who brought honey, and my childhood friend Schultz the wolf who brought his bride.



　I have a sudden urge to get home. And I'm sorry to indulge their hospitality.

　Lunamaria also suggests you take it easy and tell them you'll stay a few days.

　Mother Milia jumped up and down when she heard that and said, "I'll have to make a good meal! I say, "I'll make it for you! Vandal Dad says, "I'll make it for you! And a rare flurry of expression. Mother Militia's cooking skills are the worst in the mountain.

　The time passes peacefully, but I notice that there's one person whose eyes aren't smiling. I invite him to join me.

...... Ronin, would you mind giving me a little practice until dinner?

　Ronin, the god of swords, seemed to see my intentions and said, "No problem.

　Mother Militia asked, "Do you train on a day like this?　I said, "Well, that's why you're such a swordsmanship idiot: ......", but he allowed me and Ronin to be alone with him. I heard that you're going to teach Lunamaria how to make the House of the Gods' special acorn pie while you're at it. It was all Father Vandal who invented and taught her the recipe, though he said he hoped I wouldn't have to suffer any misery on the journey.

　But even so, Lunamaria seemed happy. She bowed deeply, took the old god and goddess and went to the kitchen.

　Ronin and I saw them off and went to the training hall.