Chapter 12: Homecoming (1/2)

As they drew close to Ania's village, Colt could not help but frown. 'It took hours for us to get here, but my DP still hasn't regenerated.' This perplexed Colt to no end. He had assumed that DP worked like mana in other games and would regenerate over time. However, that did not seem to be the case.

'Is there some kind of specific action that I need to perform?' Colt felt like this might be the answer, but he had no idea what he was supposed to do. He could only hope that he would stumble across the answer soon.

Ania felt the uneasiness in Colt's mind and misinterpreted it as him being displeased with her village. Her heart began to race as her lungs forced her to breathe more quickly.

”L-Lord Exile, I know it isn't much, but I welcome you to Eraldsfen.” Ania's tone was hesitant as she played with her hair. Her eyes remained fixed on the ground as if there was something profoundly interesting about it.

”Eraldsfen?” Colt cocked an eyebrow at her. ”Like the name of your family?”

Ania shivered when she heard that question. Her legs began to tremble beneath Colt's gaze. ”I'm sorry that my family was so presumptuous as to name a piece of this realm after ourselves! We shall change the name right away and name it after you! Please, don't hurt the villagers! Take it out on me!”

Colt coughed a couple of times as she gazed at him with pleading eyes. 'Dammit! I keep forgetting I can't expect to have a normal conversation with the NPC's. What should I say?' Ania looked as though she was about to throw herself to the ground and grovel at his feet when he hesitated. Naturally, she thought he was considering wiping out her village!

”Don't worry. Eraldsfen is a good name. I like it.” Colt put his poor acting skills to use once again as he glanced at Ania to make sure she did not see through him.

Ania heaved a sigh of relief. She was glad that her people had not accidentally offended a God. Her smile became brighter as they passed by the first few houses. Soon, a woman shouted as she rushed towards Ania with her arms stretched out wide.

”Ania! You're ok! Thank the heavens!” Sarri Eraldsen, Ania's mother, screamed.

Ania soon felt as if she was being smothered as Sarri swept her off her feet into a tight embrace. She appeared a bit helpless as she remembered that her parents must have been worried about her disappearance. She had been so swept up by Colt's presence she completely forgot about the consequences of her kidnapping.

”Mom! Put me down. I'm fine!” Ania complained, feeling embarrassed that her mother would treat her like this in front of a God.