The patrolling knights arrived at the scene, finding the streets filled with people kneeling in reverence.
"Sir Alve, this way. We will escort you safely!" one of them called out.
"Uh... Yeah..." I nodded, still a little stunned. Glancing over the sea of faces, I finally spoke up.
"I'm also glad to be back!"
With that, the people stood up and stepped aside, forming a clear path for the knights to guide us through.
I turned to look at Mom, Dad, and Lily, who stood in visible confusion and disarray.
"I'll explain everything to you guys in a bit," I said gently. "First, let's just get out of here."
It had to be overwhelming for them.
I wasn't sure about Lily, but I doubted Mom and Dad were the kind of people familiar with the concept of _another world_.
This was real life to them, not a fantasy novel.
Then again… Will they believe that these days, it's a pretty normal genre.
We followed the knights closely for a few minutes, weaving through the buzzing streets. Dad walked beside me, casting glances at the surroundings.
"Where are we going, Alve?" he asked quietly.
"To a house," I replied casually.
He raised an eyebrow.
"You own a house?"
I let out a small chuckle.
"No, not mine. I just used to stay there before."
Hearing that, Mom joined in, now clearly intrigued.
"Used to stay here? When did you even live in this place?"
"I'll tell you everything once we get there," I assured them.
I knew they were brimming with questions, but explaining this while walking through crowded streets didn't feel right. Not yet.
Eventually, we reached a large, ornate gate guarded by two familiar faces. As they saw me approach, they straightened up and smiled warmly.
"Welcome back, Sir Alve!" they greeted in unison, a nostalgic gleam in their eyes.
"Yes! Once again, good morning," I replied with a faint smile.
One of them looked behind me, noticing the three people walking close.
"Are they perhaps your—"
"Yes," I nodded. "They're my family."
Without hesitation, the guards stepped aside and pushed open the gates.
"Welcome to the Estate of Heroes," they declared.
Estate of Heroes?
Even the guards were talking dramatically now...
I shook my head with a quiet laugh.
Still, I was grateful.
Grateful that they remembered.
Grateful that they were doing well.
Even after a year, this place still welcomed me home.