Illumi firmly held the wooden nail in his palm, placing it close to his heart. His usually empty eyes showed rare ripples of emotion—surprise, excitement... Watching Roy disappear into the mountain forest along the stone steps, he finally noticed...
The wooden nail was not an ordinary one; surprisingly, it was a Nen Device branded with "Divine Characters," still retaining the warmth of Roy... The boy rubbed the wooden nail against his cheek, murmuring softly: "Divine Spear... Divine Spear..."
"Is Nissan suggesting that I become the spear in his hand?" Illumi lowered his head, his long, straight black hair swayed with the wind as it fell to his waist. Raising his head again, he took a deep breath, his figure flickering before he chased after him.
"Tap... tap..." Footsteps echoed....
Upon entering the house, then further inside was the mountain path... Roy leisurely ascended the steps with Wutong, noticing from afar a mountain guardian—wearing a neat golden ponytail, holding a staff, expressionless like a stone statue. Only at the sight of Roy, did her eyes—concealed beneath fire-red eye covers—show any reaction....
From ten meters away, Kurajing lifted her skirt and respectfully bowed to Roy from afar, saying: "Welcome home, young master."
The set of clothes she often wore, characterized by the ethnic style of the Kurta race, had somehow quietly changed to a tailcoat.
"Once you've entered the Zoldyck Family, you must forget the past. The young master graciously allows you to contact your family, retain your original identity, and so you should repay him doubly." On the first day of joining the Zoldyck Family, Wutong's reminders were still vivid in her mind.
Kurajing, having endured hardships, finally managed to push open two levels of the Gate of Trial the day before yesterday, officially becoming part of the Zoldyck family's team of butlers. Her assignment here to guard the mountain was not without leveraging Roy's influence.
"Mm." Roy, unhurried, stepped in front of the girl after not having seen her for a while... Hearing that she trained diligently, her once fair and rosy skin had tanned somewhat under the sun. He reached out to help her up, smiling at her:
"When you're away from home, don't make the family worry."
"If you miss home, just tell Wutong, and let him adjust your schedule."
"I'll grant you a week's leave, so you can go home and have a look."
Home... Kurajing thought of her brother, her parents, her uncles—ultimately exhibiting her youthful innocence, her eyes reddened uncontrollably... She sniffled, lowered her eyelids, not letting Roy see her embarrassment, and shouted loudly: "Reporting to the young master, this is my home!"
Her voice trembled without her realizing it, she was... so resolute...
A common saying goes: a innocent person in possession of a precious item invites trouble. The Kurta race, possessing one of the 'Seven Beauties of the World,' was like a child walking through the marketplace with gold, never able to escape being coveted, until... their entire race was exterminated.
Roy could clearly feel Kurajing's resolution. If she could have a chance at rebirth, she'd rather not have the fire-red eyes... Silently, he patted her shoulder twice, said nothing more, and brushed past her, walking straight ahead.
Wutong quietly followed behind Roy, gave Kurajing a deep look, and then lifted his foot to catch up....
The young butler casually reassured: "When the young master tells you to go home, just go. With him here, no one can blame you."
"Nor will anyone take your place."
Kurajing's delicate body trembled, bowing her head lower.... "Yes!"
With another glance, the master and servant figures had already vanished from sight.
"Swish~" Spring transitioned to summer in just over a month.
Having left home only a few days, it felt like a dream, that much time had passed...
A gust of wind blew through the mountains, carrying fresh air mixed with a hint of earthy fragrance.
Roy walked ahead, Wutong followed behind, through the dappled light filtering through the leaves, they vaguely glimpsed the silhouette of an ancient castle.
The boy suddenly said: "You can begin teaching her Nen now."
Wutong nodded: "Perhaps, also teach her the Breathing Technique?"
Roy abruptly halted, looked at him with surprise, half-smiling, half-serious: "Aren't you afraid she'll become stronger and take your place?"
Wutong smiled calmly: "I don't mind that. I hope as many people as possible around the young master are strong."
The young butler, with a full beard, having matured greatly during his travels, now exuded a hint of mature charm. Confidently adjusting his glasses, perched on his nose: "Besides, if they can surpass me so easily, it also indirectly proves... I am unworthy of being the young master's personal butler!"
"Hahaha...." Roy was momentarily startled before bursting into laughter... His laughter, infused with a bit of Nen, startled a few birds away!
Wutong chuckled, joining in....
Master and servant resumed walking, side by side, their shadows intertwined. As they approached their home, mixed feelings of nervousness and joy arose, as they climbed the steps to the mountain's peak, standing beneath the shadow cast by the majestic ancient castle.
A voice called out, "Welcome back," halting them... It was their father, supporting a heavily pregnant Killua, strolling in the garden.
Walking in the later stages of pregnancy promotes fetal entry into the pelvis, stimulates uterine contractions, alleviates anxiety, enhances stamina, and prepares the body for the upcoming labor.
Killua's belly was visibly protruding, and the Lolita-style puffy skirt she usually loved wearing had long been replaced by loose maternity wear. She carefully leaned against Silva, and through the skirt, one could even hear... the clear and strong heartbeat.
"Thump... thump...." Proclaiming to the world... his imminent arrival!
"Father/Master...."
Roy and Wutong bowed in greeting.
The boy straightened his back, speaking softly with a smile: "It seems he's going to be a healthy brother."
Killua proudly lifted her chin: "He certainly will be,"