Compared to Rudeus, who had benefited from Wood's presence, Paul was truly in a tough spot.
There's a saying, "A mother-in-law grows fonder of her son-in-law the more she sees him." However, this clearly didn't apply to Claire.
Who was Zenith in the past? The eldest daughter of the Latria family, the perfect example of a noble lady, hailed as the "model of a noblewoman."
And who was Paul compared to her?
Although Claire hadn't known much about the "Greyrat" family of the Asura Kingdom before, after Zenith returned to the Holy Kingdom of Millis two years ago with Wood and the other children, Claire had conducted some investigations into Paul.
For the influential Latria family, investigating Paul's background wasn't too difficult.
But the results of the investigation nearly gave Claire a heart attack!
Paul Greyrat, originally named Paul Notos Greyrat, was a high-ranking noble of the Asura Kingdom. In terms of status, Paul was a suitable match for Zenith.
But the problem was that Claire also discovered that Paul wasn't just a high-ranking noble—he was also a notorious playboy in the Asura Kingdom!
Claire, being strict, rigid, and deeply concerned with family reputation, naturally had no fondness for a womanizer like Paul.
Moreover, Claire, like Zenith, was a devout follower of Millis, strictly adhering to the principle of monogamy.
When the incident with Lilia had come to light, even Zenith had been furious enough to leave home. Given that Claire was even more rigid and strict than Zenith, her reaction was predictable.
Not only had Paul taken away her proud daughter for many years, but he was also a scoundrel. If it weren't for Wood and Rudeus, Claire might have already torn Paul to pieces.
Faced with the wrath of his mother-in-law, Claire, and his sister-in-law, Therese, Paul had no choice but to endure silently.
After all, he was indeed the one at fault. Even if he wanted to fight back, he probably couldn't take on both Claire and Therese.
Paul glanced at his wife for help, but Zenith, noticing his gaze, deliberately looked away and instead smiled warmly at Wood and his siblings.
Out of desperation, Paul turned to Rudeus for assistance.
But Rudeus simply shrugged, indicating he couldn't help. As a fellow "ladies' man" in the Greyrat family, Rudeus understood his father's predicament.
However, this was his first time meeting his grandmother and aunt, and he didn't have much goodwill with them. Speaking up for Paul might not only be ineffective but could also drag him into trouble.
With his wife and eldest son unable to help, Paul turned to the most reliable member of the family, Wood.
Unfortunately, Wood, the most dependable person in the family, was currently occupied telling stories to his two younger sisters and had no time to spare for Paul.
Paul and Zenith had been married for many years and had three children together: Rudeus, Wood, and Norn. Killing Paul outright was out of the question.
Lilia, as a woman, was also a victim, so the Latria family didn't hold her accountable. Moreover, Claire and Therese genuinely adored the well-behaved Aisha.
Thus, Paul's punishment was to write a guarantee that he would never have affairs with other women again. If he broke this promise, Claire herself would ensure he could never engage in such activities again!
Additionally, during their stay at the Latria estate, Paul would have to sleep in the stables. The Latria family wouldn't provide him with a proper room.
In short, this was the wrath of a mother-in-law and sister-in-law, and it was only because Paul had fathered such an outstanding child like Wood that he wasn't treated even worse.
That night at the Latria estate, everyone, including Rudeus, Cliff, and even Paul, who was sleeping in the stables, quickly fell asleep due to exhaustion.
Wood had also planned to rest and prepare for his confrontation with the "Human God" at the Millis Church the next day. However, the problem was that he couldn't sleep.
His two younger sisters, Norn and Aisha, and even Zenith had crowded into his room and refused to leave. Even when Wood said he needed to sleep, they simply climbed onto his bed.
Norn and Aisha were simply clinging to their older brother after two years of separation. Their longing for Wood made them unwilling to leave his side for even a moment.
As for Zenith, with Paul sleeping in the stables and her lingering guilt and longing for Wood over the past two years, she had developed some psychological trauma.
She was terrified that this was all a dream and that when she woke up, Wood would disappear, and everything would return to how it was.
"Mother, it's one thing for Norn and Aisha to stay, but you staying here too is a bit strange.
I'm not a child anymore! And I've told you many times, I'm really alive and won't die so easily."
Looking at Zenith, who was clutching his pillow and refusing to leave his room, Wood felt a headache coming on.
His younger sisters were one thing, but Zenith was a stunning blonde woman! And Wood was now thirteen or fourteen years old. While there was no risk of inappropriate feelings, this situation was still highly inappropriate!
"What do you mean 'won't die so easily'? Does that mean you could still die?"
Zenith, now overly sensitive, quickly picked up on the implication in Wood's words. Her previously smiling face turned serious as she stared at Wood.
"Well, all humans die eventually, and the world is full of unexpected events, like the 'Teleportation Incident'..."
For some reason, perhaps due to maternal authority or because Zenith was Wood's "only" mother, Wood found it impossible to lie to her, especially when looking into her eyes.
Would Wood die? Almost certainly. After all, the "Multiverse Life Simulation" ended with death.
Natural death was a possibility, but the chances were slim. Wood couldn't guarantee that this simulation wouldn't end due to an accident or a powerful enemy.
However, Wood's vague answer didn't satisfy Zenith. She grabbed his face with both hands, forcing him to look directly into her eyes, and said, "What do you mean 'all humans die'? What kind of answer is that?
Stop beating around the bush. Are you planning to do something dangerous again?
Wait, now that I think about it, sending you to deal with that 'Human God' tomorrow is already incredibly dangerous!"
"That's it. I've decided. Tomorrow, we'll take your grandmother and aunt and leave the Holy Kingdom of Millis. As for the Millis Church, we'll leave it alone.
If your grandmother and aunt refuse, you can just force them. With your strength, it shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Seeing Zenith's increasingly obsessive state, Wood felt his headache worsen. He realized that after his "resurrection," Zenith's protective instincts toward him had become overwhelming.
In Zenith's eyes, the "Human God" was an extremely dangerous entity. While he was an enemy of the Greyrat family, Zenith believed they didn't need to confront him directly.
Wood was alive now, and they could simply find a safe place to live in seclusion.
The Human God was someone they couldn't afford to provoke, but they could avoid him. Compared to her son's safety, any grudges were insignificant.
Moreover, they had already informed Orsted, the Dragon God, about the Human God's presence in the Millis Church. Orsted, who had a blood feud with the Human God, would deal with him.
"Zenith, the Human God isn't that simple. If he were easy to deal with, Orsted wouldn't have spent over two hundred lifetimes chasing him.
And Rudeus has already been targeted by the Human God. Even if we try to live in seclusion, the Human God will find us.
The Human God's power allows him to predict Rudeus's future. No matter where we move, he'll find us. So, eliminating him is the only way to ensure our safety."
Zenith wanted to argue further, but Wood didn't give her the chance. With a swift chop to the neck, he knocked her out.
"I actually agree with Mother. Your decision to face the Human God alone is too reckless.
Besides, it's me who's been targeted by the Human God. I've been the one dragging you all into this.
If you all found a place to live in seclusion and cut all ties with me, not even telling me where you are, the Human God probably wouldn't be able to find you."
As Wood prepared to carry the unconscious Zenith back to her room, another figure appeared at the door and spoke.
Wood wasn't surprised by this person's sudden appearance. His "Observation Haki" had already detected them; he just hadn't said anything.
After two years apart, Rudeus also had countless questions for Wood and had planned to talk to him privately that night.
But he hadn't expected his mother and sisters to be clinging to Wood, so he had waited in hiding.
Rudeus's words were sincere. In his previous life, he had been alone.
Although he had a younger brother, that brother despised him for being a shut-in. Instead of familial affection, Rudeus had only ever felt disgust and disdain from him.
In this world, Rudeus had experienced true family love. Although there had been a time when he had nearly lost it due to his own carelessness, this time, Rudeus didn't want to be a burden to his family.
"What kind of nonsense are you spouting? The reason we're called family is because we face everything together as relatives.
Even when Zenith was angry earlier, she didn't say she wanted to abandon you. If she heard this, she'd be heartbroken."
"Rudeus, honestly, I'm quite proud of you. You used to be quite weak-willed, but now you're willing to say such things for the sake of your family. I'm impressed.
In a way, my 'death' wasn't in vain. At least it made you more mature and reliable.
As for abandoning you, don't even think about it. I don't abandon family.
And as for the Human God targeting my family, I have no intention of letting him off. A coward who only knows how to hide—why should we fear him?"
After saying this, Wood patted Rudeus on the shoulder and left.
When Zenith woke up the next morning and remembered what had happened, she immediately began searching frantically for her son, Wood.
"Wood and Rudeus left early this morning with Rudeus's classmate, Cliff, to go to the Millis Church."
This was the information Zenith got from Paul, who was feeding the horses.
Upon learning that Wood and Rudeus had gone to the Millis Church to confront the "Human God," Zenith grabbed Paul's shoulders and began shaking him violently.
"What! They went to deal with the 'Human God'? Why didn't you stop them!
You know how dangerous the Human God is! Two years ago, Rudeus was manipulated, and Wood ended up in a coma because of him!
As a father, how could you let your two fourteen-year-old sons face such a dangerous enemy alone!"
Faced with Zenith's hysterical outburst, Paul felt wronged and helplessly replied, "Zenith, do you really think I could stop Wood and Rudeus?
Besides, even though they're young, our children can't be compared to ordinary kids..."
Wood and Rudeus had always been mature and independent. Even if Paul wanted to assert his authority as a father, he couldn't.
Wood was in a league of his own—Paul probably couldn't beat him even if there were ten of him. And Rudeus could easily overpower him with one hand.
Although Paul was the nominal "head of the family," his actual standing wasn't high. The only one who could truly make the two brothers listen, or even intimidate them, was Zenith.
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