Chapter 253: Reunion

Chapter 253: Reunion

Bran had only been behaving himself for a couple of days before someone who could somewhat discipline him showed up. His parents, along with his two older brothers, appeared at the Everspring Riverbank. When their figures appeared in his senses, Bran’s usually steady hand couldn’t help but tremble.

He had been subconsciously avoiding his parents. He couldn’t quite explain why, he just didn’t want to see them, didn’t want to think about them. He hadn’t even specifically mentioned them when he asked Adam to help deliver the wedding invitations.

Their correspondence had become less and less frequent. He thought they would eventually drift apart and forget him as time passed. Even Bran himself thought—he was almost forgetting. But when his parents took the initiative to find him, his emotions spiraled a bit out of control. Even the mana in the city was affected by this, flashing brightly for a moment. With that flash, Bran vanished from his spot.

…

Lord and Lady Winchehil felt uneasy and didn’t know how to face Bran.

They had thought they no longer needed to worry about him, but things turned out contrary to their wishes. He had always been withdrawn since childhood, and after becoming independent, he did many things as if repaying a debt. Perhaps feeling the debt was repaid, he walked out of the family home without any attachment.

When he left, he made some requests. Whether they were met or not, he seemed quite happy.

Back then, he wanted to take over Northland City. Actually, no one was optimistic about it, including the Fairies; everyone hoped he would stay. The Castle needed him, the Northlands needed him. Thinking back now, with his abilities, people would always need him.

People hoped he would back down when faced with difficulties, so they found an excuse to stop some of the people he had contacted earlier, but this didn’t change his mind.

Everything was as expected. This child had always had a strong mind since he was little. He seemed quiet and rarely spoke, but no one could change his decisions. Even as he became more normal and talked more, the core of who he was hadn’t changed.

It wasn’t until someone couldn’t bear to watch anymore, not wanting the situation to become too ugly, that they finally added ten clansmen for him. Even though it was only ten people, he was still very happy. It seemed he never considered that this was the smallest family the Northlands had ever seen.

Perhaps, it wasn’t that he never thought about it, but that he pretended not to.

But the more he was like this, the more it showed his attitude. Even if it was just him and Danny, even if it was just him and Huahua, he would still leave. Nothing could stop him.

Bran hid himself too deeply! He hid behind Danny, coldly watching everyone else. Perhaps it was just a test, to see who would truly consider his well-being. Not those who claimed to act for his own good while forcing him to do things he didn’t want to do. He needed a little support. Someone gave it, but it wasn’t them.

No one thought that just a few people could take over Northland City. It was only a matter of time before he asked for help, and then they could call him back. Going out to suffer some hardships might make him see reality clearly, and he might become more obedient after returning.

But Bran didn’t ask for help. He was doing fine. At least, that’s what his initial letters said. They knew the truth wasn’t like that. If everything was truly fine, why were there constant storms of bloodshed?

Although all this made Bran’s fame spread far and wide, and made the world aware of how terrifying Wizards could be, in Lord and Lady Winchehil’s view, such fame, such terror, was better off not having.

The great power Bran displayed only made them worry more. They feared the day they would lose him, and this was becoming a reality. Bran gradually stopped corresponding with them, seeming to have forgotten the Castle, and forgotten them.

They didn’t force Bran back into their embrace; instead, they pushed him further away.

When people talked about the strength of their own children, amid others’ envy, they gradually felt a sense of loss, and loneliness. They wished that child who was unwilling to speak was still by their side. They wished their proud daughter could still stubbornly stand before them, meeting their gaze.

Adam’s letter gave them a glimmer of hope. The letter said Bran was inviting them to attend his wedding.

He also mentioned many recent events: for example, Bran had returned to the Castle because of Xirui. The two got along well, and Bran built a new Manor for her. Also, he was re-planning the area around the Castle.

Whatever the reason, Bran had gone home. So, they decided to come back for a look. Bringing along Aki, who had just been caught after running away from home…

The Northland City before their eyes was completely different from what Adam had described. That High Tower made them think of Twinwing City, think of Lily, think of that one who flew in the heavens—the god.

The image before them suddenly seemed to twist a little, but it returned to normal in an instant. As if nothing had happened, only now there was a young man in front of them.

He abruptly appeared in front of the Winchehils’ horses, blocking their path. The startled mounts tried to rear up, but were held in place by an invisible force, unable to move a muscle.

Although the horses stood still, the riders on them, caught off guard, almost toppled off.

Lord and Lady Winchehil looked at Bran standing before the horses, grinning foolishly, and their eyes couldn’t help but grow a little misty. Bran had grown much taller, but his appearance hadn’t changed much. It seemed his temperament hadn’t changed much either; actions that seemed innocent always carried a hint of mischief.

Just as the Winchehils, having dismounted, prepared to give Bran a hug, Huahua appeared in his arms, making the embrace from both sides seem less than perfect.

After the hug, just as Lord and Lady Winchehil were about to express their longing, the heavy footsteps of two Ancient Trees interrupted their words.

Immediately afterward, Danny and others also rode over from various directions.

A welcome that, while not grand, was quite warm, made Lord and Lady Winchehil feel deeply comforted.

The Old Fairy Mikkel was the last to arrive. He was fairly familiar with Bran’s parents. Logically, he shouldn’t have been the last to appear. It was just that when Bran’s emotional turmoil caused the mana flash, he was at the top floor of the High Tower.

The sudden change made him, who had always remained vigilant, directly hide in the Void. He didn’t dare show his face for a long while…