Chapter 221: “Reunion”
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
The old house, which Heidi had always known, stood quietly at the end of a serene neighborhood. As darkness enveloped the surroundings, the house’s bright and inviting lights shone through its windows. Heidi took a moment to gaze at it from where she stood—night had already fallen, and the city streets were illuminated only by sporadic streetlights. Despite being a doctor, Heidi was unsure of what awaited her inside the house. However, she realized she couldn’t keep running away from whatever it might be. As she slowed her car, she took a deep, steadying breath and continued towards the house.
Vivid memories flashed through Heidi’s mind, particularly the recent scene of parting with her father. Even then, she had sensed her father’s deep concern for the city. His insistence on her seeking refuge was clearly an act to ensure her safety.
“Dad said to find shelter in the cathedral,” she thought, “but he went to that old antique shop in the lower part of the city. Why would he?”
A fleeting doubt flitted through Heidi’s thoughts, but she quickly pushed it aside, focusing instead on the light emanating from her home’s foyer. It seemed almost to beckon her inside.
She maneuvered her dark gray car into the courtyard and stepped out. Upon entering the house, Heidi was taken aback by an unexpected sight. Instead of finding her father, Morris, it was her mother who awaited her in the dining hall.
The elderly woman was draped in a woolen shawl patterned with dark blue stripes, sitting comfortably in a chair with a supportive backrest. The delicate brown-rimmed glasses she wore gave her a distinguished, almost scholarly appearance as she perused the stack of newspapers on the table.
A sense of disbelief washed over Heidi. It had been so long since her mother had ventured out of her bedroom. They always kept a chair empty at the dining table in hope, even though it had remained vacant for years.
Over time, Heidi had come to terms with her mother’s reclusive behavior. But now, seeing her seated at the dining table, a sight she hadn’t witnessed in over a decade, seemed almost dreamlike.
Taking a few hesitant steps, Heidi’s footsteps finally alerted her mother to her presence.
“Ah, Heidi, you’re back,” the older woman said with a gentle smile, signaling Heidi to come closer with a wave.
Caught off guard by the unexpected setting, Heidi struggled to find the right words. “I…” she began, realizing that even though she visited her parent’s room daily, this encounter felt new, foreign. “I got delayed at the main cathedral. Are you… okay?”
“I’m perfectly well, darling,” her mother responded with a touch of delight in her voice. Heidi couldn’t help but be drawn to her mother’s eyes, which sparkled with a newfound vitality she had not seen in years. Slowly, with an enthusiasm that seemed almost childlike, the older woman rose from her chair and walked towards her daughter. “Let me look at you properly. It feels like it’s been ages since I’ve truly seen you.”
“But we’re together every day, aren’t we?” Heidi mumbled, a touch bewildered. She was taken aback as her mother’s hands gently cradled her face, fingers brushing her hair in a comforting gesture. “Why are you in the dining room today? Do you feel more energetic?”
A heartwarming smile graced her mother’s lips, “Everything’s alright, dear. But speaking of which, where’s your father? Why isn’t he back yet?”
“He’s not home?” Heidi’s heart skipped a beat, her initial joy replaced with anxiety. “He was supposed to be home before me. His destination wasn’t as distant as the cathedral.”
“He might have had car trouble,” her mother mused, “you know how he’s never been the best driver. Let’s sit and await his return.”
Gently nodding, Heidi followed her mother back to the dining area. Only then did she truly notice the array of dishes spread out on the table—far more elaborate than what the temporary maids they hired usually prepared.
“You cooked all this?” Heidi asked in amazement, her eyes darting from one dish to another. “It’s been ages since you last cooked.”
Her mother chuckled softly, “Ah, you caught me. It’s been so long that I had to ask the maids for guidance quite a few times. I couldn’t even find half of the ingredients. I hope it tastes alright despite my rustiness.” A faint smile played on her lips, “Luckily, I remembered most of the recipes.”
Curiosity piqued, Heidi was about to sample a dish when her mother’s familiar voice stopped her, “Let’s wait for your father to come home, then we can all eat together.”
It was a phrase Heidi hadn’t heard in years, and it tugged at her heartstrings.
Suddenly, a soft fluttering noise from outside grabbed her attention, closely followed by the unmistakable sound of a key turning in the lock.
Dad is back!
As the door swung open, Morris stepped inside looking disoriented. The side effects of using Ai’s teleportation were intense, leaving him feeling a mix of nausea and dizziness. Slowly, as the fog lifted, he noticed the welcoming sight before him: his wife and daughter, seated together at a table laden with food.
A wave of realization hit Morris. This wasn’t a fleeting dream; it was a long-awaited reality, a miracle he had yearned for.
Frozen in place momentarily, Morris finally snapped back to reality, each step becoming more rapid and purposeful than the last.
While encountering the enigmatic owner of the Vanished had been an unexpected shock, nothing could have prepared him for the joy of seeing his wife not only alive but seemingly in good health. The heavy weight of a wish he’d made years ago seemed to lift, replaced by a newfound zeal for life.
Matching his pace, Morris’s wife stood up, and the two shared an emotional embrace that had been years in the making.
“I never thought I’d see you again…” Morris murmured softly, as though worried that Heidi might hear and ask questions. “I…”
“Now, now,” his wife gently interrupted with a slight chuckle, “our daughter is right here. We have plenty of time to catch up later. Don’t get too carried away.”
Realizing their audience, Morris cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed. “You’re right. Of course, you’re right.”
Releasing his wife, he met Heidi’s gaze. Her eyes were wide, a mixture of surprise and concern.
“Ahem, I apologize for being late,” Morris began, searching for an excuse, “the car had issues, and I’ll need to call a tow service tomorrow.” He quickly shifted the focus, “How was it at the cathedral? Is everything okay?”
“Well, apart from the confusion and slight fear, I’m fine. But you, Dad, you seem… different. Did something happen during your journey back?”
Morris tried to deflect her probing, “Why would anything be amiss? Everything’s as it should be.” He then caught sight of the lavish spread on the dining table and his face contorted in a mix of guilt and longing.
“I, um, actually had a bite to eat at Mr. Duncan’s place before coming home,” Morris admitted, the memory of those strange, unsettling “fish” flashing in his mind.
During the bizarre “Subspace Feast,” the old scholar felt uneasy, especially when offered the strange fish. Under Mr. Duncan’s watchful eye, however, he found himself consuming the dish. The specifics of the event were a blur to him now, but he vividly remembered the unexpectedly delightful aroma and taste.
His wife’s gentle voice pulled him from his thoughts, “I prepared this meal, you know.”
“It’s been ages since Mom cooked,” Heidi added, her voice filled with pride, “She felt especially good today, so she…”
“In that case, I can eat a little more,” Morris blurted out, the thought of his wife’s home-cooked meal overpowering any earlier reservations. Without waiting for further prompting, he eagerly began with a bowl of soup.
His wife watched with anticipation, “How is it? Does it taste alright?”
Morris paused for a moment, taking another taste of the soup. “It’s a tad… on the saltier side,” he ventured cautiously. Yet, despite his initial comment, he raised the bowl to his lips once more, taking generous sips. “It’s reminiscent of your style, always a touch too salty.”
“Well, if it’s not to your liking, no one’s forcing you to eat,” his wife retorted, a mock offense in her tone.
“I didn’t imply it wasn’t delicious,” Morris defended.
“Then less talking, more eating. When did you become such a chatterbox during dinner?” she teased.
Heidi, taking in the playful banter between her parents, felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her. It had been ages since she’d witnessed such an interaction—their playful jabs and teasing felt like a trip down memory lane. Overcome with amusement, she chuckled heartily before helping herself to a piece of fried meat.
She took a bite and thought to herself, “Yep, just a smidge too salty.” But oh, how it tasted like home.
……
Upon returning to the sanctuary of her home, Vanna was free from the obligations of her leadership role. Here, she could shed the facade of the indomitable leader she projected to the world. This change wasn’t lost on Governor Dante during their exchange. His sharp perception allowed him to sense Vanna’s internal struggle regarding the enigmatic subspace blessing. Yet, out of respect or perhaps understanding, he sidestepped the topic, recognizing Vanna’s reluctance to delve into it.
But Vanna was all too aware that the weight on her heart wasn’t solely related to the mysteries surrounding her own existence as a result of subspace blessing. Her deepest concerns, in fact, transcended her personal circumstances.
In the solitude of her bedroom, she closed the door behind her, sealing herself away from the outside world. She approached her dresser, carefully opening a drawer to retrieve an ornately decorated ceremonial dagger.
This dagger wasn’t just a simple blade; it was a revered artifact of the Storm Church. It held even more significance for Vanna as it was a personal gift from Bishop Valentine, bestowed upon her following her baptism. This relic was more than just an object – it symbolized her commitment and devotion to Gomona, the revered Storm Goddess.
So wait, if you cancel out a death by subspace with a subspace illusion then cancel the subspace invasion with subspace fire you get the real person back? What? Does subspace work like -1 x -1 = 1?
put the p in np and back
It was a war between two different histories to determine what became reality. Since the reality where there was no fire won, naturally there can’t be anyone who died in the fire. That would be the case even normally, but the source of the original fire should have been a paradoxical one where the sun fragment going out of control swallowed the city through the bridge of history, so the fire never happened in a very real sense.
Vanna, on the other hand… Regardless of the original cause of death, it won’t change that she became a creature of subspace as a price when she initially revived. She still would have died without Duncan becoming her new channel to the power of subspace.
“She also wore a delicate brown rimmed glass that gave the senior a rather scholarly look while she read the pile of newspaper stacked atop of the table.”
It should be always a pair of glasses, not a single glass. In other words spectacles, not a monocle.
Don’t say m***cles, i have ptsd ToT
Please censor your M word ?