Chapter 79 - Family Reunion (1/2)

(MC POV)

Honestly, seeing my brother dressed in what looked like a doublet surprised me. I didn't know that the town's technology has advanced to such a terrifying degree either.

Last I remembered, the town was still stuck in what could be equated to the early medieval ages that I had read about in my trips to the other world. But now, it seems like there were traces of them already moving to the early Renaissance era.

The speed of this advancement is really too fast no matter how you looked at it.

I followed my elder brother towards the mansion's study, taking the time to point out various parts of the house as well, though the place has actually changed quite a lot after I left.

For one, I do not remember there being electrical lights installed nor was my house more than one storey high. My family wasn't that well-off last I checked.

Brother knocked on the door to the study, only opening it after a curt ”enter” echoed from behind the door.

”Father,” He had called out in greeting. ”I have brought the… Ahem… I have brought Younger brother.”

We entered after he had said those words, my girls trailing behind me with Fred bringing up the rear.

A lean but muscular man sat behind the mahogany desk half hidden behind a few stacks of papers.

He shared my brother's rugged looks as well as hair and eye colours. But instead of being clean shaven like brother, he had chosen to grow out his beard just like Fred did. Place the knight and my father side by side and you might even mistake them for being related in some way.

My father placed the paper he was holding on top of another stack by the side of the table, looking up towards us just as Fred closed the door behind him.

”Son,” He nodded to my brother before turning towards me. ”And… You? What happened to you?”

”Body regressed, long story,” I waved my hand. ”How you've been?”

”Well enough after you left,” Father scoffed, pushing himself back from his desk. ”Why have you returned?”

I looked towards my brother who just looked away.

Really? I'm repeating myself here, you know? I should have just amplified my voice and announced it to everyone in the first place then. At this rate, I might have to explain myself to everyone I meet.

”Got bored, came back, end of story.”

”Hmph, I'm sure.”

Father pushed himself out of his chair, switching his gaze towards the girls behind me.

”And I suppose all of you are his so called disciples?”

My girls nodded.

”He isn't giving any of you weird ideas is he?”

They shook their heads collectively, though I could tell from their face their were holding themselves back for me.

”How rude. What do you take me for?” I protested.

He tilted his head down to stare at me silently.

I gestured around the room, ”Don't pretend you guys didn't benefit from whatever you said I caused.”

My brother clicked his tongue, ”I would've preferred that they remained normal even so.”

I raised my eyebrow, ”They?”

Father sighed, ”First it was just the little one… But your elder sister got infected too…”

Ah… That may kind of explain why everything changed so much so quickly…

”So you claim you can cure her?” Elder brother asked.

”Help, not cure,” I corrected. ”It's not a damn illness.”

”Like hell it's not a damn illness!” Brother slammed the wall with a fist. ”You should have seen the things they have drawn! No one in their normal state of mind will draw such things, much less do the things they do! And the state of this town… Argh!”