The Martial Unity

1526 Late

It wasn't long before he took his first step back into the Kandrian Empire.

The familiar cool breeze tickled his skin chilling under the influence of the light snowfall that was characteristic of the Kandrian Empire's weather during the monsoons. A mild hint of saltiness and humidity also trickled into the air, characteristic of coastal regions.

The Kandrian Empire was a rare combination of a country with a large amount of coastal exposure to the Nam Ocean in addition to having a freezing cold North, resulting in a unique climate and weather combination that one would not expect.

Yet to Rui, this was home. It wasn't just the weather and air that triggered waves of nostalgia that clouded his heart, it was everything.

The infrastructure, the roads, and buildings.

The people and the ethnic attire that was native to the Kandrian Empire.

The sense of modernized refinement to a degree that not even the Shionel Confederation had. Outside of more rural places, the Kandrian Empire made significant utility of motorized carriages instead of horse-drawn carriages. The roads and the tons were largely dung-free something that was much less common in the many other nations that Rui had visited over the many years.

"Hah...as expected of the Kandrian Empire, I suppose," Rui smirked with a hint of pride.

He had never been an extremely nationalistic person ever, but he had developed an attachment to this nation, especially since it was the place where his family resided and lived. Although life had never been easy for them, at the very least, the nation did not abuse and exploit them.

Considering some of the inhumane and horrible places he had seen during his time away from the Kandrian Empire like the nations of the Derschek Region and the Saiful Region, he was grateful that the nation allowed the kids and caretakers of the orphanage to live normal peaceful lives, even if hard.

"Man..." He murmured with a bittersweet smile and a voice that quivered with emotion. "...I'm back... I actually finally back...!"

His throat choked as he felt his eyes sting. Yet he quickly shook his head, pulling himself together as he quickly navigated through the streets. Much had changed in the past eight years, yet the layouts and the broader details had remain unchanged, the old map of the Kandrian Empire that he had stored in his Mind Palace was still quite accurate for the most part.

He had many things to do.

Many people to visit.

He was sure that the Martial Union had already become aware of his return. Yet before he dealt with them and others, there was one thing that he needed to do more than anything..

"I have to return home," He activated his Martial Heart, uncaring for the eyes he drew, before taking off into the air.

He needed to be careful, of course. With the power of the Martial Heart at top speed, just the shockwaves and flames he generated from his sheer speed would kill tens of thousands of people, and injure many more.

Such was the power of the Senior Realm.

He blasted off once he reached high enough, zipping through the air at incredible speeds. It wasn't much too long before he finally reached the town of Hajin, and more importantly, the areas surrounding the town of Hajin.

In the distance, he could even see the orphanage with his superior vision, landing a good kilometer away from it to avoid causing a panic.

Yet the second he stepped down on the ground, he felt the touch of the cold metal of a sword on his neck.

As well as a Martial Heart behind him.

Not just behind him, he felt seven Martial Hearts activate a short distance away all around him.

He had been surrounded even before he landed.

"Impressive," Rui smirked wryly.

"State your name and purpose for approaching the orphanage," The woman behind him coldly commanded him. "Move an inch, and I'll sever your head."

"...Well, I'm glad to see that the Martial Union didn't shirk on my commission," Rui couldn't help but chuckle. "Thank you for everything that you've done for my family for the past eight years."

"What...?" She narrowed her eyes. "I said sta-"

BZZZT!

She suddenly paused as she received a message on her communication device, taking a moment to read it even as she kept a close eye on him.

"...You're authorized to pass." She slowly remarked, before she and her unit disappeared.

This confirmed Rui's suspicions that the Martial Union had become aware of his return. Yet he put the thought aside. He could have reached the orphanage in a single step, yet he felt the need to walk slowly. It only felt appropriate. He simply didn't want to admit that he was too nervous.

Yet, by the time he reached, he simply stopped, staring the house from the woods. Senior Xanarn had long noticed him. She smiled warmly, yet she didn't say a word.

It was lunch time, and Mayra had prepared a large meal for everyone gathered in the dining room.

Countless memories sprang into his head as he finally found the courage to walk up to the front of the door, knocking on it.

"Someone's at the door," Horatio called it.

"Tsk, who the heck is coming now, of all times," Rui smiled as he heard Farion grumbling.

"I'll get it!" Alice declared, excited.

"Finish your meals, I'll get it," His eyes widened as he heard his mother's soothing yet aged voice.

Time slowed down to a crawl in his vision as she approached the door. 'Oh man...'

He didn't know if he could keep it together.

CLICK

The door flew wide open.

Her skin had grown a tad wrinkled, her hair had gained a white accent to its blond. Her eyes seemed darker than he had remembered. Yet they lit up with shock when she beheld Rui. A wave of shock passed through her body as she dropped the jar of water she held.

"Rui...?" She whispered.

He choked on his own voice, refusing to break down sobbing, yet not even he could stop the tears rolling down his cheek.bender

"Welcome back...!" She sobbed as her warm voice rippled with love."

Before he knew it, she had already wrapped him in her arms, hugging him with every ounce of force she could muster, melting away all of the fear and guilt that wrapped his heart.

"...I'm sorry I'm late, mother."