Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 79

But how did Mom know? I’m talking about how Ludwig asked me for help.

 

There was only one possible explanation. Could it be Ppinix?

 

Mom had communicated with Ppinix. She even seemed to understand the chirping sounds Ppinix made. If Ppinix had told her, then it was possible Mom had heard about what happened between Ludwig and me.

 

I glared at Ppinix. “Ppinix, are you just blabbing about everything now?”

 

“Ppippit?”

 

At my scolding, Ppinix fluttered up to Mom’s head and tilted its head. It was as if it was saying, ‘What did I do?’

 

This little thing is definitely the culprit. It was shameless beyond belief. But the situation was too delicate to scold Ppinix.

 

Even when Mom gave me Ppinix’s egg before, it ended up being just what I needed. Then the advice Mom was giving me now would surely be helpful.

 

Mom’s mind was becoming clearer little by little, and ever since she bonded with the egg given by Phoenix, she had even gained some mystical abilities.

 

I held Mom’s hand and nodded. Alright. I’ll do as you say, Mom.”

 

* * *

The walk home felt light and easy. Thanks to Mom’s advice, I had resolved one of my worries. And I had also confirmed Hubert’s feelings toward Mom.

 

How should I convey my decision to Ludwig? Sending a letter to the crown prince’s palace carried the risk of being intercepted by others, especially Violet’s spies. I was still pondering when this happened.

 

“Epirosa! I’ve been waiting for you!” Suddenly, Stella popped out of nowhere. She even linked arms with me, pretending to be friendly.

 

I quickly scanned my surroundings. As expected, Hubert was standing behind her. Gale, Nicholas, and even Juliet were peeking out from behind him. Of course. I returned Stella’s fake smile.

 

“What’s going on? I was just on my way back after speaking with Grandpa and visiting Mom.”

 

Gale’s eyebrows furrowed at the mention of having visited ‘Mom’. However, he soon let out a hearty laugh, putting on a friendly expression as he spoke. “You should’ve gone quietly without telling Father about such things. He’s already been busy enough. Why make him worry unnecessarily?” He looked as if he’d found an opportunity to seize.

 

Gale added a comment directed at Hubert. “Epirosa is still immature. At her young age, it’s only natural for her to see her mother. I’ll make sure to reprimand her, so please don’t concern yourself with it, Father.”

 

Hubert glanced at his son. “It’s fine. Not only did she visit her mother, but she also went to the temple. It’s better for her to report such matters to me directly. Epirosa handled this well, so don’t reprimand her.”

 

Gale’s face stiffened. He must have thought Hubert still disapproved of Mom. That’s why he had tried to provoke Hubert to attack me, but it hadn’t worked.

 

Sensing the atmosphere turning awkward, Stella quickly changed the subject. “Epirosa! The reason we were waiting for you is that our whole family decided to go see the Phoenix! We were waiting for you to join us!”

 

The Phoenix? I looked at Hubert.

 

Feeling my gaze, Hubert spoke. “Stella’s been going through some rough times lately, so she said she wanted to see the Phoenix to bring in some good energy. She thought it would be nice if the whole family could receive that good energy together.”

 

Seeing divine beasts to receive ‘good energy’ was something that happened occasionally. Though, whether one truly received good energy without being the owner or successor of the divine beast was uncertain.

 

They probably just want to leave an impression on the divine beast. But today, Stella likely had another purpose in mind. There’s no way she’d want to share such a good opportunity with me. That means she must have another motive. Judging by the fact that she even brought Juliet along, it seems like this is something that requires an audience.

 

I smiled with a calm expression. “It’s so great to have the chance to see the Phoenix again! Stella, thank you for suggesting something so wonderful.”

 

“No need to thank me. We’re family, so of course, we should all see the Phoenix together.”

 

Hubert quietly observed Stella and me for a moment before walking ahead. By now, he must know. What kind of relationship Stella and I have.

 

We all descended together into the underground. Hubert stopped in front of a massive iron door at the entrance to the underground. An overwhelming, colossal iron door. Beyond it was the Phoenix. Hubert placed his hand on the center of the door, over the emblem symbolizing the Phoenix.

 

Fwoosh! The emblem turned a vivid red. And then—Thud! The heavy iron door opened to both sides. No matter how many times I saw it, it was always a magnificent sight.

 

“Let’s go in.”

 

Hubert walked through the iron door first. We followed behind him.

 

For some reason, Stella was still clinging tightly to my arm. Is she trying to keep me from going anywhere?

 

Hiding my unease, I stepped into the artificial garden. As Hubert approached, the glass greenhouse in the center of the garden swung open. Inside the greenhouse, the Phoenix was sleeping in a large cage. The warmth radiating from the peacefully slumbering Phoenix filled the air.

 

“Phoenix.”

 

When Hubert called out, the Phoenix opened its eyes. Its massive body, which filled the large cage, slowly began to rise.

 

“Wow, it’s been so long since I’ve seen the Phoenix! I’m so happy!” Stella, still holding onto me, moved closer to the cage.

 

At that moment, the Phoenix’s blood-red eyes locked onto mine. Inside my pocket, Ppinix suddenly stirred.

 

“!”

 

Whoosh! The flames of the Phoenix flared up intensely without warning. The flames roaring from the cage burned so fiercely that my entire body stung with unbearable pain.

 

“Kyaa!” Stella was just as startled. She shoved me toward the cage and fled backward.

 

Whoosh! The flames grew even larger, swelling with intensity. I bit my lip to endure the searing pain that surged through me.

 

It hurts! Especially… my wrist! That’s where the Phoenix bit me in my previous life!

 

The very spot where a red mark had appeared and disappeared when I encountered the Phoenix again after my regression! That place, which had been dormant for so long, now throbbed with a fiery ache. And then it happened.

 

-It’s time to fulfill the contract!

 

A thunderous voice echoed from somewhere. A voice I had heard before. It was unmistakably the Phoenix’s voice.

 

Contract? Was it talking about the promise to turn everything back?

 

At that moment, a thunderous voice echoed once more.

 

-Bring the successor!

 

Bring Mom?

 

Even amidst the pain, my eyes shot open. The flames grew even fiercer. Ppinix trembled uncontrollably in my arms, as if it couldn’t endure any longer.

 

Ppinix, no! I curled my body to shield Ppinix. The flames poured onto me entirely. And just like that, I lost consciousness.

 

* * *

The Phoenix’s flames surged as if they would burn the glass greenhouse to ashes. There was only one direction those flames were heading towards Epirosa, who had collapsed on the ground.

 

“Phoenix!” Hubert shouted urgently.

 

The Phoenix looked at Hubert, and soon the flames subsided. Then, as if it had never spread the fire, it curled up and fell asleep.

 

“Epirosa!”

 

Hubert ran to the fallen Epirosa. He was about to scoop up his grandchild and rush out when he froze. Epirosa’s body isn’t hot. Even though she had faced those intense flames head-on. Instead, her body felt warm, as if she were peacefully asleep.

 

In that moment, the scene he had just witnessed flashed through his mind again. The sight of the phoenix’s flames roaring as if to engulf Epirosa. But that wasn’t an attack directed at Epirosa. Rather, it had been wrapping around her. It was as if The Phoenix was trying to bestow good energy!

 

The Phoenix did something meant only for an heir… to Epirosa? Epirosa, who wasn’t a successor, couldn’t handle the power and collapsed. Hubert’s eyes wavered, uncharacteristically.

 

“Oh no, what to do! The Phoenix attacked Epirosa!” At that moment, Stella’s panicked scream came from behind him.

 

“Father, is Epirosa alright?”

 

“I-Is she dead?”

 

Gale and Nicholas came running over. Standing a bit further back, Juliet watched Epirosa with an unreadable expression.

 

There’s no one here I trust enough to share what I’ve realized. Hubert decided to keep his mouth shut. Holding the unconscious Epirosa in his arms, he stood up.

 

“Call Benjamin and the doctor immediately. I’ll take Epirosa to her room.” With swift steps, Hubert practically flew out of the underground. None of his family members could keep up with his pace.

 

Hubert headed to a room on the second floor with a great view. It was the room Epirosa had started using after taking charge of the household. It was also a room Hubert had personally chosen. He laid Epirosa down on the bed.

 

“…”

 

Looking down at his unmoving granddaughter, Hubert let out a sigh. Epirosa, lying alone on the large bed, seemed so small. It pained him. If only her parents were here, maybe she wouldn’t seem so pitiful. He then was startled by the thought that had slipped into his mind without him realizing.

 

“Ppii?”

 

At that moment, something peeked out from Epirosa’s arms.