Chapter 153: Home
Soon, their free exchange was coming to an end. Right then, Cillian couldn’t help but ask something that might interest the three people inside the room.
"Is there still no recent appearance of a Runic Gate?"
This was one of the more pressing matters that Cillian wanted to gather information about. After all, he had heard from Mouthful Eye that once the gates from the initial stages disappeared, the middle stages of being plagued by the Ruins would begin.
He might not be focusing on this topic right now, but he would still like to gather as much information as possible.
Dena and Dennis both shook their heads.
They thought it was a better development for the entire world because Runic Gates caused catastrophes, especially when they were Disaster Runic Gates that had turned into Unconquerable ones. However, at the same time, it would reduce the appearance of Ruiners and make their value go up.
Scott, who had some information regarding the current happenings in the world, also had to give Cillian a disappointing answer. It wasn’t like he was interested in it anyway, but he also agreed with the two that this kind of development would be beneficial in the future rather than cause harm to them.
They don’t have to worry about the Runic Gates any longer.
Half of them might disagree since some Ruiners and Guilds make a living out of it, but most ordinary people wouldn’t want the Otherworldly Gates to keep descending into their world once or twice a day as they had been in recent years.
"I see..."
Cillian was planning on asking Mouthful Eye again when the time came, since it had gone offline a week ago as well. The Artifact had once again turned into nothing but a useless obsidian stone with an eye in the middle.
Eventually, their meeting ended, and they went their separate ways.
...
Cillian went home right away. However, their old house in the middle of the city was no more, as they had moved toward the outskirts of the Viola Territory, which was the least affected by the attack since it was almost in the middle of the territory where everything had taken place.
After exiting the carriage with food in his hand, Cillian looked at their small home, which didn’t even compare to the house that had been sponsored by Viola.
But it was more than enough.
How could he ask for more when they were alive, and everyone was still together?
"Hahh..."
Feeling himself getting more attached to a family that wasn’t even his to begin with, Cillian sighed and entered their home.
There, Cillian saw his father, Leo, with a stack of papers in his hands as he worked on the situation within their guild, Whisper Broker. Then there was his mother, Esther, handing him a piece of bread and a cup of coffee, which she placed safely to the side while watching him work.
Meanwhile, Ella, who was working in the kitchen and helping her mother with the chores, wiped her hands before peeking through the doorway.
"Cillian, are you home?"
Soon, both Esther and Leo looked towards Cillian’s direction and saw him bringing a lot of food in his hands.
After the award ceremony, the family couldn’t celebrate Cillian’s achievement because of the ongoing changes surrounding the Viola Family, so they postponed the small celebration for his good deeds.
Only after a few days did they decide to push it when the situation in Viola was calming down. And it was today.
That’s why Leo was trying his best to reduce his workload as much as possible, while Esther and Ella handled the preparations so that when Cillian returned home, all of them could simply eat together.
But it seemed that wasn’t the case this time, since Esther and Ella were still preparing while Leo still wasn’t done with his workload. Everyone was busy with their own things.
This put a soft smile on Cillian’s lips as he started walking and placed the food he had brought down on the table alongside the food that was still being prepared.
Pulling his sleeves up, Cillian said.
"What can I help you guys with?"
Leo looked at Cillian before dropping the papers from his desk and standing up.
"I’ll help as well."
...
The dining table was very small, enough for four people to eat at. But they didn’t mind it, as the Sparrows didn’t need a big table or a grand dining room to celebrate Cillian receiving a Medal of Honor.
Just some food that they had worked hard to make and some food that Cillian had bought from outside were enough as they talked with each other.
"Did it taste good, Cillian? Ella made that."
Esther said, pointing at the food that Ella had surprisingly cooked well, as Cillian took a bite.
Then, he commented.
"It’s very good. The aroma is nice, but the flavor is even better once I take a bite of this chicken. It tastes great. Have you been practicing your cooking skills?"
Ella nodded, her small lips twitching after hearing the compliment from his brother. Even though she tried to hide it, everyone at the table could see it.
Then, she answered.
"Yeah, I put some work into this, and thankfully, everyone liked it."
Their small talk throughout their time at the table went something like this. Compliments about the small things in the cooking, how their day went, and anything that wasn’t important but was meaningful enough for everyone at the table to feel the lively atmosphere.
Eventually, their small talk and simple dinner at the table came to an end.
"Cillian, we will be volunteering again at that small company. I’ll be coming with them. Do you want to come?"
Leo said as he wore an old brown coat while handing hats to Esther and Ella.
Cillian had to respectfully decline, as he had other matters to attend to after doing the chores around the house.
"I’ll pass today, Father."
Cillian commented before secretly slipping a dozen gold coins into Leo’s pocket and giving him a nod to tell him that he shouldn’t mind.
Leo received it with a smile.
"Sure."
Leo turned around, with Ella waving goodbye to Cillian as Esther gave him a slight hug before also waving goodbye.
Cillian sent them off at the door before watching his family leave together.
’They should be fine. Leo isn’t going out without guards. Are they people from the Underworld whom he hired?’
Cillian knew he didn’t have to worry about his family going out that night, as it was the perfect time for him to have some alone time.
"All right..."
Cillian closed the door and gazed at his Death Flag System.