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I now understand why the Elves love their homeland so terribly.

The air in the Elf region is genuinely clean. It’s not just because it’s a forest; the World Tree in the middle of the Elf Capital City probably plays a huge role in it. The flowing water, the sturdiness of the trees… it was a place that gathered the best images one could associate with the word ‘forest.’

However, this capital city wasn’t a place anyone could just stroll into. The Elves may not draw hard borders or claim territory, but to come inside this capital city, one had to go through some sort of screening—much like how foreigners undergo immigration checks.

Ironically, this place is actually quite nice for traveling. Tourists flock here without overcrowding, and the safety isn’t bad either.

The bustling of the royal capital isn’t all bad, but honestly, there’s no better place to come for some relaxation than here.

Fortunately, the Elves didn’t seem to dislike the presence of the Hero party and their direct family members.

In fact, they were welcoming to a level beyond just indifference. Knowing my character, the Elves didn’t seem to harbor much suspicion regarding the family that has a bit of my blood mixed in.

“Ta-da!”

“Oh my, how pretty…”

Se-yeon and A-yeon were incredibly popular among the Elves.

Maybe it’s because it’s hard to see young children around here. There are Elf children, but they aren’t born that frequently.

So, it made sense that anyone seeing the kids would be captivated.

“…”

Well, not everyone was thrilled about it.

I didn’t notice it back then during the welcome, but it seems there were some among the younger Elves who viewed the sudden influx of humans quite unfavorably. Thankfully, the elders all welcomed me, so they couldn’t say anything outright, but there were definitely some who deliberately kept their distance.

It was a relief that my mom and my family weren’t too aware of such people’s existence.

We passed through the ones keeping their distance, captivated by the children, and headed back to the place we were staying.

“So, these children are citizens here too?”

As we made our way to the top floor where we were staying, my mom remarked, looking down from the window.

“Yeah, that’s right. At least on paper…”

It seems that my children are the first to become citizens of the Elf Capital City without any drop of Elven blood. My family and I have never been registered as citizens. The Elves just don’t make a fuss about us, allowing us to come and go easily.

“Impressive…”

My mom slowly lifted her gaze, looking from the alleyways of the Elf Capital City to the World Tree.

“I think I’ve seen that leaf before.”

“Oh, yeah.”

I turned a bit red as I spoke at my mom’s words.

“You must have seen it at our house. The dress that was in that closet…”

“Oh, that white one!”

“Yeah. Apparently, that leaf is one that they don’t easily give to others, but they shared it with us according to the will of the World Tree.”

There were an enormous number of World Tree leaves as well. Almost two years have passed, yet those leaves still hadn’t wilted. Unless we used them as medicine or magical ingredients, they would remain safely stored in the warehouse of my personal mansion in the royal capital.

“…”

My mom quietly stared at the World Tree.

“To be honest, when I first heard about this place, I didn’t fully grasp it.”

“That there’s such a world?”

“That, but also…”

My mom rested her elbows on the terrace railing, slightly leaning forward as she cradled her chin with her hand.

“That my son has protected this world.”

“Ah…”

At my mom’s words, I momentarily lost my words and slowly opened my mouth again.

“It’s not something I did alone.”

“But seeing how grateful everyone is, you can tell it wasn’t a minor role you played.”

“…”

I was somewhat stumped about how to respond to my mom’s words.

In fact, since coming to this world, I had imagined several times what I could tell my mom about what I had accomplished. Fighting against evil, contributing greatly to protecting the world. How I became a hero after saving another world that I came to love as much as my own.

I do have a bit of a sense of pride. But I just didn’t think it was something to boast about compared to others. I think those who openly fight for justice without power are even more admirable.

“I’m proud of you.”

After a long silence, my mom spoke.

“I’m really proud that such a child is mine. I haven’t done much for you…”

“…”

When I turned my head, I saw my mom looking at me with tears welling in her eyes.

I silently approached her. She spread her arms wide, pulling both me and A-yeon into a hug.

Even though we had come in together with friends, I couldn’t hear any other voices, so I looked over my mother’s shoulder to find our party.

The wife who was with Se-yeon and my other friends didn’t seem to have any intention of interrupting us and had been quietly watching from a distance.

“…”

The moment our eyes met, everyone in our party looked away. It seemed like they wanted to leave but couldn’t time it properly, creating an incredibly awkward atmosphere.

Seeing that, I couldn’t hold back my laughter.

*

Unlike the boisterous New Year’s Day on Earth, we spent a leisurely time here.

And it was simply understandable. Even though there was plenty of Elven wine here, there were those who had personally experienced how that wine could get people drunk, especially those who had been training while fighting against the Demon King’s forces for years.

And, realistically, we had come after the New Year started. Even though there were quite a few people on the streets for an Elven city, and a festive atmosphere kind of lingered, the calmness unique to the Elven city may have captured our hearts.

And honestly, it was a bit chilly as well.

This region maintains a temperature that doesn’t allow snow to fall even in winter, but that doesn’t mean it never gets cold. It was much warmer than winter in Seoul, but still a bit too chilly to just go without covering up or wear short sleeves.

So, it felt nice to lie down and share body warmth with each other.

The sofa, made probably from plant fibers, was surprisingly warm and soft. Because of that, my wife and I didn’t want to get up from it.

My wife, snuggling beside me and curling up slightly in my embrace, felt like a rather large cat.

Well, this cozy moment was just between the two of us.

Dana was reading a book, and Pia was watching A-yeon and Se-yeon. Kalia and Arna were engaging in a quiet conversation.

My mom was tending to a potted plant in a corner of the terrace. The pot that Arna had grown had a type of flower in bloom that we had never seen before.

Really, it was a super peaceful atmosphere.

“…”

When my wife’s movements halted, I looked down to see her quietly gazing up at me.

Curious about what she wanted to say, I continued to stare, then—

Peck.

My wife gave me a quick peck.

“…”

Peck.

And once more.

…Is this a revenge kiss for the morning?

I gently stroked my wife’s back.

A warmth that calms the heart, different from when I was holding A-yeon or Se-yeon.

In the past while chatting with soldiers on the battlefield, I heard about a certain old knight who had a wife back home.

He had gone through so many fights, and when heading to battle, his wife would have an immense lot to say to him.

Yet, whenever he held his wife and child, he felt like he owned the world.

Feeling like you owned the world.

“…”

Without a word, I locked eyes with my wife. She stared at me intently. Honestly, I couldn’t tell what she was thinking just by looking at her expression.

But at least for now, I could feel her determination not to take a single step away from me.

My sister’s hands slipped in between the cushions of the soft sofa. She wrapped her arms tightly around my waist and pressed herself closer to me.

Meow.

She probably wouldn’t be too surprised by that.

I don’t own the world.

But I didn’t need anything more than what I had in this moment.

Maybe that’s what that old knight meant.

Yeah, truly.

At this moment, besides being here, I didn’t need anything else.

Our old house in Seoul has vanished. The place I now call home is quite far from that. My mom also lives elsewhere, and we can’t see each other every day.

But still, everyone was around me.

If I had a place to return to, it would be a place filled not just with Earth or Irrelaysia, but with the people I hold dear.

No matter where I go or how far it is, a place I can come back to.

Even if I have to go through tough and exhausting times, once everything is over and I return—

“I’m back.”

It would be a place where I can say that.