CHAPTER 218: IT’S MY TURN TO PROTECT THIS FAMILY

Now, I am on my way back to the Blackmore family mansion.

Initially, I had planned to return straight there, as it was located right along the route from the battlefield. But circumstances changed.

Patriarch needed urgent attention from the Saintess in the royal capital.

So instead, I sent William—the captain of the Blackmore family knights—along with Allan and several others, to bring news of our return to Lilia, Mark, and Milly, who were eagerly waiting for us at home.

I gave them strict instructions: do not tell them about the Patriarch’s coma. I had still been holding on to hope that the Saintess might be able to wake him.

But that hope... was in vain.

Now, I’m returning to the Blackmore estate with the Saintess’s attendants, along with my unconscious father.

After about an hour of travel, we finally cross into Blackmore territory.

The people here greet me with joy—cheering, waving, their faces bright with admiration. News had already reached them: that I, Naoki von Blackmore, had become a hero of Braveheart Kingdom—the one who pushed back the demon armies on the front lines.

I simply waved and smiled in return.

It was surreal.

Not long ago, I was still branded the "Failed Hero"—a troublemaker, a disgrace. I was shunned, loathed, ignored—even by my own blood.

No one had ever looked at me the way they do now.

Today, they chant my name. The merchants, the workers, the children, even the young women—every one of them smiles as if proud to call me their own.

"So this is what it feels like... to be respected," Envi whispered inside my mind, sounding at peace.

"Yes, Envi," I replied inwardly. "This is what I was meant to do. I must earn the trust of everyone in Blackmore territory. Because one day... I will take my father’s place. I will become the next Patriarch."

"I agree," Envi said softly.

"Which is why you better not tarnish my image again. Things are different now. I have to take this seriously."

"Tch. Yeah, yeah, I get it..." Envi muttered in protest, but he didn’t argue further.

"Good job, Master Nao! Looks like that perverted Envi will finally behave," Runa chimed in teasingly from my grimoire.

"Shut it, you little cat. I’m not a pervert... just a tiny bit naughty, okay?" Their bickering continued briefly, but I tuned them out.

Because we had arrived—before the gates of the Blackmore Mansion.

I stepped out of the carriage.

The maids were already waiting for me. Their faces were etched with concern. I saw Vivin, Elan, Mia, and Nyssa standing together, their eyes filled with anxiety.

"Welcome home, Master Naoki," Vivin said joyfully.

"We’re so glad you’ve returned safely," Nyssa added.

"I knew it, Master Naoki—you’re all right!" Mia exclaimed.

"I’m home... everyone."

Then Elan asked with a trembling voice, "Master Naoki... How is Patriarch Tetsu?"

I turned to the nurses who had accompanied me. They gently lowered my father and placed him in a wheelchair.

I took the handles myself and slowly pushed Patriarch into the mansion.

Everyone gasped.

He looked like a shell of the man he once was—his right arm gone, his eyes closed, his body lifeless in the chair.

The maids and knights of Blackmore stood frozen. Some dropped what they were carrying. Then the tears began to fall.

They had served him for decades... but never once had they seen him in a state this broken.

William, Allan, and the knights stood in a line, saluting the fallen lion they had followed for years—tears silently rolling down their faces.

Elan sobbed. Vivin, Mia, and Nyssa tried to stay strong, wiping their tears as they joined me to escort the Patriarch further inside—to where Lilia, Mark, and Milly waited.

As I entered the grand hall, I saw them—standing there with radiant smiles, holding flowers.

They were ready to welcome us home with joy.

But their smiles vanished the moment they laid eyes on him.

Lilia dropped the bouquet in her hands. Her face went pale.

She ran toward him and collapsed onto his body, hugging him tightly, sobbing uncontrollably.

Mark and Milly stood stunned, speechless. Then, slowly, they joined her, placing their arms around her as they, too, began to cry.

"My love... Tetsu... please, wake up..." Lilia whispered desperately as she clung to him.

Then she looked at me, her voice trembling, "Naoki... your father... Tetsu-san... what happened?"

I took a shaky breath and answered.

"He fought with everything he had at the frontlines... but he faced not one, but two Overlord demons. He lost... and he was mortally wounded. I arrived at the very last moment and saved him—but the damage was done. His wounds were too severe. Even now, the Saintess says... he may never use aura again. He’s in a coma... and we don’t know when, or if, he’ll wake up."

My voice cracked. I bowed my head, trembling.

"I’m sorry... Lilia. I’m sorry, Mark. Milly... I failed to save him fully."

Silence.

A heavy silence settled in the room.

Then Lilia stood, lifted my face gently, and looked at me with tears in her eyes.

"Don’t blame yourself, Naoki. You’ve done everything you could."

And then she embraced me.

For the first time... my stepmother held me like I was her real son.

I felt the warmth of her love.

"Thank you... for bringing Tetsu-san home," she whispered, her voice breaking.

Mark and Milly joined the hug.

"Big Brother Naoki... thank you. I don’t know what we would have done if he had died..." Mark said, his voice hoarse.

"I’m sorry for all the times I teased you, Big Brother... You risked your life on the battlefield... and saved Dad. I-I don’t even want to think about losing either of you..." Milly sobbed.

I slowly wrapped my arms around them all.

Tears slipped from my eyes before I even realized it. I smiled faintly... remembering my real family on Earth—Mother, Nana, and Naki—who once held me the same way.

I gently broke the embrace, wiped my tears, and stood tall.

"Lilia-san, Mark, Milly... this is my duty now. I will protect this family in Father’s stead. From this day forward, I am the new Patriarch of the Blackmore family. I will carry on his legacy."

"I swear... I will hunt down the Overlord demons who did this to him. And I’ll make them pay—tenfold."

They all nodded.

They believed in me.

And for the first time... I felt like I truly belonged.

Even Envi and Runa remained silent in my soul, overwhelmed by the weight of this moment.

...

After things calmed down, the Patriarch was left in the care of the mansion’s maids—and Lilia, who stayed at his side day and night, hoping... praying that one day he would open his eyes.

As for me, I stepped into my father’s study—a place that now belonged to me.

I never imagined I’d be the one sitting in his grand chair, buried beneath piles of paperwork and endless responsibilities.

I began reviewing all the backlogged administrative tasks of the Blackmore territory: financial records, reports of citizen complaints, regional progress, population data—everything. I worked without pause.

Mark assisted me, just as he had while Father and I were away at war. I praised him for his diligence—he had managed impressively under pressure. But even then, he was clearly overwhelmed.

Now it was my turn.

I would show them what I was capable of. I had done this before—back when I worked in an office in Japan, this kind of paperwork was child’s play.

And I wasn’t alone.

Envi, my system, was more energetic than ever—analyzing data, calculating outcomes, proposing solutions like a devoted strategist.

When I asked why he was so fired up, he responded:

"I just... I feel like if we do this right, we can ease the burden on this family. Maybe even bring some peace."

I praised his enthusiasm, and he grew flustered. For once, he seemed genuinely proud.

We worked late into the night.

By the end of it, we had cleared most of the backlog—only daily duties remained.

Later, I joined Lilia, Mark, and Milly for dinner. Naturally, they wanted to hear everything: the battlefield, the demons, my battles.

I couldn’t avoid it.

So I recounted the war—the siege of Braveheart’s capital, the brutal clash at Mount Archanis, and the desperate fight against two Overlord-class demons.

They listened, wide-eyed.

Not just Lilia, Mark, and Milly—the maids nearby had gathered too, drawn in by my story. Vivin, Elan, Mia, and Nyssa all wore proud, surprised smiles.

I could almost hear their thoughts: "I can’t believe our perverted Master Naoki became someone this amazing..."

I let their thoughts slide and continued telling the story.

After dinner, I returned to my room for the night.

It had been a long time since I slept here. I remembered clearly... the first moment I reincarnated into this world, lying in this very bed, staring up at that same ceiling.

I felt a strange warmth—a familiarity. I had missed this room.

Then Envi spoke to me.

"Nao... I think it’s time to claim the reward from your Main Quest—and don’t forget the Goddess Wish you earned."

"You’re right, Envi," I nodded. "But before that... tell me what happened when you saved my sister Nana on Earth. We haven’t had time to talk these past few days."

Envi agreed and began explaining.

He told me how he found Nana and Senior Kai—even without the [Seeker Talisman]. He spoke of an unnatural phenomenon sweeping across Earth—distortions caused by interference from an Outer God.

He found Nana and Kai just as they were falling from a rooftop—Envi caught them in time.

Then, he battled individuals possessed by the Outer God—cultists sent to kill Nana. Though Envi overpowered them with ease, they kept rising again and again—driven by the Outer God’s will.

But in the end, Envi prevailed.

Nana and Kai were safe—now recovering in the hospital.

I was stunned.

The Outer God had reached that far... even targeting my family back on Earth. I clenched my fists, my heart burning with fury.

"I swear... if I ever meet that Outer God, I’ll destroy them," I muttered.

Still, I was relieved. Nana was safe. Envi had done his duty well.

But there was something else.

Envi admitted that without the help of a certain girl, he might not have succeeded. Her name: Fujimaki Arisa.

I smiled. "So... once again, Fujimaki Arisa... you ended up saving me."

"It’s true, Nao," Envi said, his voice filled with awe. "She appeared out of nowhere. It was like she was sent from the heavens to aid me."

"And also... damn it, Nao—you were right. She’s gorgeous! I was stunned when I saw her. She looks like Serena, but with jet-black hair. Now I get why you fell for her back on Earth."

I chuckled. "Yeah... but she’s part of my past now. I’m just glad she’s safe. Maybe one day, I’ll find a way to thank her—quietly."

With that, it was time.

I opened the reward screen from the completed Main Quest.

[Congratulations! You have received: Goddess Wish!][You have earned 50 Goddess Points!][You have obtained: Mysterious Box!]

A mysterious box?

This was new.

I opened it.

[Congratulations! You have received a Mythic Item: Material Type — "Unbroken Will and Promise."]

Inside was a brilliant blue stone—shining under the moonlight streaming through my window.

But its description was vague.

[Item Description: This is a stone that binds fate itself.]

I asked Envi if he knew what it meant—but even he was at a loss.

Why had the Goddess of Benevolence given me this?

I didn’t know. For now, I stored it safely away.

Then, I walked to the window and looked out at the night sky. The breeze was gentle. Peaceful.

My thoughts drifted again... to Nana.

I made my decision.

I would visit her.

I activated the feature: [Visit Earth]—and sacrificed 50 Goddess Points.

A teleportation circle lit up beneath me. Light particles enveloped my body, lifting me into the air.

And just like that—my form dissolved into shimmering light.

I am returning to Earth.

Nana... I hope you’re receiving good care. And I hope... you’re already smiling again.

...

..