After experiencing life in Natlan for several days, Bennett could not help feeling as if he were living in a dream.
He did not randomly fall into traps. When he opened treasure chests, he could find fairly decent things too, mostly because the others had already checked things once beforehand.
Ever since he could remember, he had never experienced such a wonderful feeling. It was as if the goddess of luck had finally favored him again.
"It feels a little unreal," Bennett murmured to himself.
If he could keep this kind of luck while adventuring, he would definitely be able to become a great adventurer much faster.
However, now was not the time to think about that. He had to find out the truth from back then first.
Dad, Mom…
I'm about to find out.
I really want to see you.
…
"Bennett, how does it feel?"
When everyone gathered, they could all sense the unique change in Bennett.
"Pretty good. This is the first time I've ever experienced this kind of good luck." Bennett scratched his head.
Luck he had never possessed before felt more unreal than anything else.
"Then let's set off."
Venti smiled. The braids behind his head bloomed with divine light, which also meant that the Anemo Archon was getting serious.
Just like when La Signora hit him, and the cheering sea breeze ran faster than anything.
As if space had shifted around them, everyone arrived in a scorching, unbearable land. The air currents were chaotic and disorderly, and every spot seemed to be burning. It was like a world reduced to ash after being incinerated.
"It's so hot. Even hotter than the places near Natlan's volcanoes." Paimon fanned herself, but all the air hitting her face was hot wind.
"Is this the Sea of Ashen Silence?"
Lumine narrowed her eyes. She felt that there was barely any moisture here at all. There was no way many living beings could survive in a place like this.
Any adventurer who could reach this place and return alive would undoubtedly deserve to be called a legend.
"Ah, after I blew the Sea of Ashen Silence out of the timeline, this place hasn't changed at all," Venti said with emotion.
Paimon's eyes widened. "Venti, did you just say something incredible?"
Blew it out of what?
The timeline?
Good grief. Was the Anemo Archon's way of thinking always this strange?
So all those earlier performances had been an act.
"I possess part of the authority of the Ruler of Time. Isn't it normal that I can barely manage something like this?" Venti said with a shrug.
After such an outrageous humblebrag, everyone did not know what to say.
As expected of one of the original Seven Archons.
"Koji, it's your turn next, right?"
Koji nodded and slowly stretched out his hand.
"Blessing of Death, grant me your power."
The power of death blessed Koji's body. At this moment, he was a god who governed death, an existence even higher than the Ruler of Death.
This was not a death that made people afraid. It was a quiet aura of death, one that made people want to touch it, to embrace it.
To many people, death was not something they desperately avoided. Instead, it was something they wished to accept.
"Ah, this kind of death really is gentle," Venti said with emotion.
It was not cold.
But that made it even more terrifying.
Accepting death and resisting death were completely different things.
The power of death surged. The scorching, dry environment instantly became cool, and several illusory souls appeared out of thin air.
"Bennett… my child…"
Aroni, Bennett's mother, looked at her son. Tears flowed from her soul as she reached out to him.
"You've grown up. That's wonderful."
Makanni, Bennett's father, looked at his son with guilt. They had been absent from Bennett's growth.
"Dad… Mom…"
Bennett's eyes reddened. He ran toward them and hugged them tightly.
Makanni and Aroni both shed tears. Back then, in that situation, they had never imagined there would be a day when they could see their son again.
"The little guy grew up safely," Chaqiu said with relief.
"Yes. The last time we saw the little guy back then, he was still so tiny," the blue-haired woman said with a smile.
Seeing Bennett alive left them with no regrets, no matter how great the price they had paid.
"Bennett, these two are your uncle and aunt. They protected you too," Aroni introduced them with a smile.
"Hey, we're family. No need to say something so distant." The blue-haired woman waved her hand and patted Bennett's head.
"That's right. We adults naturally had to protect you, little guy," Chaqiu said.
A truly united and close adventure team was like one big family. When something happened, they really would help.
"We're very grateful to those adventurers who came here," Makanni said.
Although they had paid the price to keep Bennett alive, there was no way they themselves could have carried him across the sea.
"Yeah. If it weren't for my old dads, I never would have grown up this much, or met so many friends." Bennett nodded.
He felt that he was unfortunate.
But being able to meet his old dads was also a kind of luck.
"What happened back then?"
Aroni briefly described what had happened that year. It was something none of them had expected. Facing monsters from the Abyss, they were powerless. Barely managing to protect Bennett had already been incredibly difficult.
"So that's what happened. All these years, I really missed you. I wanted to know why you left me here."
"Child, how could we ever abandon you?" Aroni said with a bitter smile.
It was true that such parents existed in the world, but they were not that kind of people.
"I know."
Bennett nodded. Of course he could feel the love from his father, his mother, his uncle, and his aunt.
"This is the Anemo Archon, and this is the Pyro Archon. They're my friends."
"Greetings, Pyro Archon. Greetings, Anemo Archon," the four of them said respectfully.
They had not expected to be able to see beings like this here. Normally, they would never have had the chance to meet such noble gods.
"There is no need for so much courtesy. Your deed of protecting Bennett with your lives is a hymn to courage and responsibility," Venti said with a smile.
As parents, what they did had indeed been flawless. How many people could abandon everything they had without the slightest hesitation?
"You are all warriors. As the Pyro Archon, and as one of Natlan, I pay you my respects," Mavuika said.
"Pyro Archon, Natlan right now…"
Although they had been dead for many years, they were naturally still concerned about their homeland. However, they could only ask about it. They could no longer help with anything.
"The Abyss crisis has been resolved. Natlan is doing very well now," Mavuika said loudly. Her voice carried a natural sense of conviction.
"That's good."
All four of them smiled at the same time.
This was another good ending.
They were already happy to see Bennett. After learning that Natlan's crisis had been resolved, they were even happier.
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]