Hearing Zenith's response, Cliff and Elinalise were stunned. They never expected the Greyrat family to have such deep connections, being able to casually summon Orsted, the Dragon God, one of the Seven Great Powers.
This was a legendary figure, someone who could make the Millis Church and the Pope seem insignificant in comparison.
To put it bluntly, in Orsted's eyes, the entire Holy Kingdom of Millis was nothing more than a small, insignificant nation.
And while Cliff's status as the Pope's grandson might seem prestigious to ordinary people, in Orsted's eyes, it probably wasn't even worth a second glance.
"Because of some past events, our family has a connection with Orsted, the Dragon God.
My family members also bear Orsted's blessings, though my mother and sister really don't like him."
Hearing Rudeus' explanation, Cliff and the others were even more speechless.
This was the Dragon God, one of the most powerful beings in the world. Most people would grovel at his feet, but the Greyrat family not only received his blessings but also disliked him?
And what was even more absurd was that despite their dislike, Orsted still came whenever they called?
"Anyway, until Orsted arrives, we should avoid confronting the Human God at the Church to avoid alerting him.
For now, let's head to the Latria estate. Honestly, I'm also curious about this so-called 'Divine Emissary.'
The Millis Church has already been infiltrated by the Human God, but the Latria family remains untouched. I'm wondering if the 'Divine Emissary' might be…"
"Could the 'Divine Emissary' be Wood?"
Before Rudeus could finish his speculation, Zenith interrupted him with her own guess.
The golden hair, the similar age to Rudeus, and the overwhelming strength—aside from the weapon, everything else matched their memories of Wood perfectly.
Moreover, the information they had gathered from the adventurer's guild suggested that Wood was also looking for them.
So, in the absence of knowing their whereabouts, it was highly likely that Wood would come to the Holy Kingdom of Millis to search for the Latria family or return to their birthplace in the Fittoa Region.
"Let's go to the Latria estate right now. Whether it's Wood or not, we'll know once we see him."
Zenith was filled with excitement and emotion. No one could understand her feelings better than a mother who had missed her child for two years.
Because Wood had always been so mature and selfless, Zenith had always felt she owed him too much.
After Wood's death, these pent-up emotions had exploded, even causing Zenith to harbor some resentment toward her other child, Rudeus.
Now, the child she had loved so dearly and felt so indebted to had come back to life. No one could understand the joy of getting back what was lost better than Zenith.
Since learning of Wood's possible resurrection, Zenith had secretly vowed that anyone who harmed her child again would become her mortal enemy, no matter who they were. She would never let them go!
As the second daughter of the Latria family, Zenith was naturally familiar with the layout of the estate.
And with their team's combat strength, they easily dealt with any magical beasts they encountered along the way. As they traveled, their group continued to grow as they picked up more survivors.
By the time they reached the Latria estate, their small group of about ten had expanded to several dozen.
The Latria estate was now surrounded by thick earthen walls, with the only entrance guarded by the family's guards.
Since the Latria family had settled in the Holy Kingdom of Millis, they had never been as powerful as they were now. After the beast horde arrived, their estate had become the safest place in the entire capital.
The Millis Church, on the other hand, had been largely taken over by the so-called rebel faction, and even they were struggling to hold back the beast horde.
Now, everyone in the capital knew that the only place capable of withstanding the beast horde was the Latria estate, which had elevated the family's reputation to unprecedented heights.
The common folk aside, even the nobles who had once looked down on the Latria family now had to humble themselves and beg for protection.
With their newfound prestige, even the guards and servants of the Latria family had become proud.
In the past, nobles from other families and Holy Knights wouldn't even glance at them, but now, thanks to Young Master Wood, even those who had once been out of their reach had to bow and scrape.
"Young Master Wood is truly incredible. I hope he stays with the Latria family forever. If he does, we might always be this respected."
"That's not impossible. I've heard some rumors that since Lady Therese has no interest in becoming the family head, Lady Claire might actually intend to pass the Latria family to Young Master Wood."
"Really? But isn't Young Master Wood a grandson? And his surname is Greyrat, isn't it?"
"You don't understand. Young Master Wood is the second son of the Greyrat family, so he has no claim to the Greyrat family's inheritance. Lady Claire's idea is to have him adopted into the Latria family.
Besides, the Latria family has no male heirs. Even if Lady Therese were to inherit the family, the position would eventually pass to her children."
As the Latria family guards chatted, the lookout suddenly signaled that a large group of unknown individuals was approaching.
Just as the guards were about to report to Lady Claire or Wood, they noticed that the leader of the group bore a striking resemblance to their Young Master Wood.
"Young Master Wood, when did you leave? We didn't notice at all.
And who are these people behind you? Did you rescue them from outside?"
If there was one person in the Latria family who currently held the highest reputation and popularity, it was undoubtedly Young Master Wood, who had recently returned.
When the beast horde had breached the city, the Latria estate had also been targeted.
Lady Claire had fought valiantly, but after exhausting her mana, she had been pushed to the brink.
It was at that critical moment that their long-lost Young Master Wood had descended like a god, displaying strength far beyond their comprehension and annihilating all the beasts attacking the estate.
He had then used powerful magic to fortify the Latria estate, turning it into an impregnable fortress.
Thanks to Young Master Wood, the Latria family had not only survived but had also seen their reputation and influence soar to heights never before achieved.
For the entire Latria family, Wood was not only their savior but also someone they deeply admired and revered.
So, when they saw "Wood's" face, the Latria guards eagerly approached him to greet him.
"Wait, he's not Young Master Wood! I've noticed before that Young Master Wood has a beauty mark under his right eye, not his left.
And while Young Master Wood is also a powerful mage, have you ever seen him use a staff?
This guy is an imposter! And he's impersonating Young Master Wood with ulterior motives!"
The guards, who had initially been eager to greet their "Young Master Wood," suddenly became wary when one of them pointed out the discrepancies.
The other guards, upon closer inspection, also noticed that the "Young Master Wood" before them had a different demeanor from the one they knew, so they quickly drew their weapons, ready for a fight.
However, unlike the tense and cautious Latria guards, Rudeus and the others were overjoyed upon hearing the guards' words.
Especially Zenith, who rushed forward and grabbed one of the guards by the shoulders, shaking him as she demanded, "You just mentioned Young Master Wood, right?
It's Wood, not Rudeus, right? Is he here at the Latria estate? Answer me quickly!"
The guard, initially startled by the frantic woman, was about to resist when he recognized her face. He then tentatively asked, "Are you… Lady Zenith?"
The guard, a long-time servant of the Latria family, remembered Zenith from two years ago when she had returned to the Holy Kingdom of Millis with Wood and the others.
While he didn't recognize Rudeus or Paul, he did recognize the second daughter of the Latria family, Zenith.
"Yes, I'm Zenith! Now answer my question! Has Wood been here? How is he now?"
"Lady Zenith, Young Master Wood arrived at the Latria estate two days ago. Didn't you know about the situation here and send him?"
Though puzzled by Zenith's emotional state, the guard answered honestly.
Upon hearing the guard's confirmation, Zenith didn't wait for anyone else. She immediately rushed into the Latria estate, leaving the others behind.
The Latria estate was now filled with outsiders—nobles and commoners from the capital who had come seeking protection.
Of course, aside from close relatives and allies, most were not allowed into the inner courtyard, as that was the family's private space.
When Zenith hurriedly entered and made her way toward the inner courtyard, some tried to stop her, but others recognized her as the second daughter of the Latria family and the mother of the esteemed Young Master Wood.
Though she had been away for two years, Zenith still remembered the layout of the estate where she had grown up.
Soon, she passed through the gates and arrived at the backyard garden, where she finally saw the figure she had been longing for over the past two years.
Wood had been in the backyard, training his aunt Therese in swordsmanship.
Therese's swordsmanship was close to the "Sword Saint" level, but she had been unable to break through, so she had turned to her exceptionally talented nephew for guidance.
As a master swordsman with experience from multiple worlds, Wood had no trouble teaching Therese.
He had been contemplating whether to teach her some techniques from other worlds to help her improve.
But his thoughts were interrupted when he suddenly found himself enveloped in a familiar, soft embrace.
"Aunt Therese, I've told you many times, you're not a child anymore. You can't just hug me whenever you feel like it.
I'm not a kid anymore. If you keep doing this, I might stop teaching you swordsmanship."
Wood, who had been deep in thought, was startled by the sudden embrace. At first, he thought it was his aunt Therese, who often did things that gave him headaches.
But soon, he noticed that the scent wasn't Therese's but another familiar and nostalgic one.
Looking up, he saw Therese standing nearby, watching him with an amused expression, and then he heard the voice he had missed so much.
"Can't a mother hug her son after not seeing him for two years?
Even if you've grown up, even if you become the strongest in the world, you'll always be my son, Zenith's son."
Zenith was truly holding Wood with all her strength, afraid that this might all be a dream. If she let go or relaxed even a little, Wood might vanish like a phantom before her eyes.
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