Chapter 300 - Episode 293: A Beloved Territory
"...We've returned, Matilda."
"Yes, Noein-sama."
Having crossed the border between Viscount Koenitz's territory and the Arqvist territory, Noein spoke with the attendant by his side as they faced the entrance to the Bezel Great Forest.
Although the return journey had been significantly shortened thanks to the magic carriage, it was already June, and the air was beginning to take on the colors of summer. Since he had left the territory for the war in late January, he had been away from his lands for nearly five months.
This place, which had once been nothing more than an unexplored forest, now had well-maintained roads, and the forests to the left and right had been cleared, greatly improving visibility.
Into this scene, the convoy of captured magic carriages advanced. Of the six magic carriages in total, the lead one was not a cargo wagon but an elaborately constructed vehicle likely intended for the transport of generals; Noein, the lord, was riding in it along with Matilda.
Once they passed through the forest, they reached the farmland. The farmland, which had been in the depths of chaos last year due to measures against crop failure, was now reorganized, and it was clear that orderly cultivation was being carried out. The season was June. It was nearly time for the harvest of wheat and the first potato harvest of the year.
The line of carriages advanced through a landscape of golden wheat fields and lush green potato leaves.
Since he had sent messengers yesterday, it was already known that Noein and his party would return today. The peasants and serfs working in the fields bowed their heads to the lord's convoy without appearing particularly surprised.
Even as the convoy entered the capital city of Noeina, the sight of the residents bowing their heads remained unchanged. The carriage carrying Noein and the others proceeded while receiving the gazes of the people who had gathered along the roadside upon noticing the lord's return.
And then, they reached the mansion, Noein's home.
In front of the mansion, the retainers and servants, as well as Clara and Eleos, were waiting.
The carriage carrying Noein pulled up in front of the main entrance. With Matilda, who had alighted first, holding the door open, Noein stepped down from the carriage.
For now, Noein was still in his position as the lord. While he wanted to rush toward his family, he had to endure it.
"Welcome home, Noein-sama. I am truly happy that you have returned safely."
Clara, the acting lord, spoke and performed a refined greeting befitting a noblewoman. Following her, the retainers and servants all simultaneously took their respective bowing postures. Eleos, standing next to Clara, had a blank expression, as if he still didn't quite understand the situation.
"I'm home. Thank you for welcoming me. Everyone, please relax."
When Noein said this, Clara, the retainers, and the servants looked up.
By then, the following carriages had also stopped, and those who had accompanied Noein as guards until the end, such as Yuri, Pence, Rick, and Alain, alighted from the carriages.
The welcoming party approached and surrounded them.
Alain spread his arms, and Mary jumped into them energetically. Gustav, Cecilia, and the other members of the Claymore unit watched this scene with smiles. Damian, unable to read the room, tried to approach Alain while saying something—likely about the castle-breaking shield—but Christy held him back with a wry smile.
Konrad rushed to Rick's side and first saluted him not as a son, but as a fellow retainer. Rick returned the salute, and then, his expression shifting to that of a father, he ruffled Konrad's hair.
Dant, who had returned earlier, walked up to Rick and spoke to him, and the two exchanged some words.
Pence tried to approach Radley and Bart while giving them a light wave, but it was Rosetta who grabbed his arm and pulled him toward her. Clinging to him while holding their child in her arms and wearing a beaming smile, Rosetta caused Pence to embrace his wife and daughter, though he looked a bit embarrassed.
Seeing this, Radley and Bart smirked, and Pence waved them off as if telling them to scatter.
Then, Yuri reunited with Mai, who held their young daughter Johanna, and their son Yakov, who stood beside her. He lifted Yakov up, shared a light embrace with Mai and Johanna, and spoke to his family with the face of a father.
Watching this peaceful scene of reunion, Noein felt that he had truly returned to his beloved territory.
Turning back to the front, the steward Kimberly stood beside Clara and Eleos, and further beside her stood the retainers Anna, Edgar, Henrik, Zadrek, and Kenooze. Noein met their eyes and nodded with a smile.
And then, he faced his wife and son. Matilda was nestling beside Noein.
Looking at Eleos standing small at Clara's feet, Noein wondered if he had grown this much.
Eleos was nearly two years old. For a child of this age, if one hasn't met for several months, the growth is visibly apparent.
Eleos, who had been able to pull himself up to stand before Noein's departure, was now standing firmly on his own feet next to Clara.
"Father."
Eleos spoke those words. Hearing this, Noein's eyes widened.
Eleos had spoken clearly just now. It was no longer "Papa." He had certainly said "Father."
"...We practiced together to surprise you, you know?"
Clara smiled mischievously. Noein looked at her, and as their eyes met, he smiled gently.
"Matilda."
Furthermore, Eleos turned toward Matilda and said so. When Noein looked back, Matilda's eyes were wide, and the corners of her mouth were trembling slightly. Since the retainers and servants were watching, she was somehow suppressing the urge to beam with happiness. That was the look on her face.
"Ahaha, the practice paid off. I'm very surprised. Right, Matilda?"
"............Yes, Noein-sama," Matilda answered with an expression that managed to look calm when Noein spoke to her with a laugh.
"Come here, Eleos."
"Father, Father—"
When Noein spread his arms, Eleos's eyes sparkled as he toddled toward him. Noein also took a few steps forward and lifted his beloved child into his arms.
"I missed you, my Eleos."
"Father... Matilda."
Eleos whispered while meeting Noein's eyes, and then reached his hand toward Matilda. He opened and closed his hand as if telling her to come here.
"..."
Matilda walked over in silence and gently stroked Eleos's head. Perhaps satisfied by being close to the two of them, Eleos made an arrogant face as if to say "I am satisfied." Seeing this, both Noein and even Matilda gave a faint, wry smile.
"Clara, come here too."
"Yes, dear."
When Noein called, Clara nodded. With Eleos at the center, the whole family huddled together.
"Dear, Matilda-san, welcome home."
"I'm home, Clara."
"I have returned, Clara-sama."
He had returned. He had returned alive.
He had successfully protected the Arqvist territory.
Feeling the warmth of Clara, Eleos, and Matilda, Noein felt it as a reality.
"...You two must be exhausted. For now, let's go inside the house and please rest comfortably today."
"That's true, we'll leave the rest of the cleanup to the retainers... There are many things we have to do from now on, but just for today, let's do nothing and spend time together."
Noein nodded at Clara's suggestion.
Clara held Eleos in her arms and headed inside the mansion. Noein took Matilda's hand and followed behind his wife and child.
And before entering the mansion, he looked back.
When the fifteen-year-old Noein first set foot on this land, only a deep forest spread here. Beside Noein, there was only Matilda.
But now, it was different. There was a society here, and there were people. There were retainers and servants who supported Noein. There was a home to return to, and a family who loved each other. And even now, Matilda remained by Noein's side, unchanged.
There is happiness here. Noein's life is filled with happiness.
Noein will continue to live within this happiness.
Turning to his side, he met Matilda's eyes. He smiled together with Matilda, who had loved Noein first, and Matilda, with whom he had built this happiness together.
Wrapped in an overflowing happiness, Noein entered the house side by side with Matilda.
Thank you very much for walking this far with Noein, Matilda, and all the characters.
This marks a very, very large turning point. However, this is not the final episode. The story will continue. I look forward to your continued support of this work.
The book version, "The Happiness Tale of the Twisted Lord," is now on sale at bookstores nationwide and various online shopping sites.
With significant additions, this work has deepened further in content than the web version; as the author, it would be my greatest joy if you would welcome it into your hands. I humbly ask for your support.
