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Chapter 62
A week ago, in the North—
Despite years of searching, the knights of the North showed no signs of giving up.
They combed the forest as if they were picking through it leaf by leaf, and thanks to their efforts, the sources of contamination were gradually being eradicated.
Even Herderne had begun to join them in scouring the woods.
“It’s dangerous, Your Grace,” one knight warned.
Herderne glanced at the man before continuing to march forward.
Today, they were venturing further north than usual.
The deeper they went into the far northern region, the more frequently they encountered contamination.
Worried knights followed close behind Herderne. As they burned the contamination, a suffocating stench filled the forest—so strong that even animals stayed hidden.
‘Please, just come back… Father.’
Herderne sighed.
At this point, he wasn’t even sure what he was looking for anymore.
At first, he’d wanted to hear something—an explanation.
Then, it became a matter of pride.
Now, it had simply become habit.
“This area is dangerous. We’ve found the largest mass of contaminated fluid we’ve ever seen,” one knight reported.
Herderne brushed past the knight blocking his path.
“I’ll be fine. Do your job.”
The knights reluctantly stepped back, taking up torches and oil to burn the massive contamination.
Then it happened.
Splorch.
A long, tearing sound rang out.
The knights immediately drew their swords.
“Something’s emerging from the contamination! Prepare for monsters!”
They pushed Herderne downhill to clear an escape route in case of danger.
He, too, stared ahead with tense eyes.
But what emerged was…
“A hand?”
“It’s… it’s a human!”
One of the knights shouted in disbelief.
“Guh—”
A figure poked its head out from the contaminated mass—none other than Tyburn, clutching Exilon as he dragged himself free.
“What are you gawking at? Get me out of here already.”
“L-Lord Tyburn!”
The knights, who had fallen back in shock, scrambled toward him, faces full of disbelief.
Tyburn wiped the sticky goo from his face and motioned toward the contamination he’d just crawled out of.
“What are you just standing there for? Did your brains rot? Burn it, now!”
The knights quickly snapped to their senses and set the contamination ablaze.
“Tch. You all look like you’ve seen a ghost. How long was I gone? A month?”
One knight replied in a choked voice.
“It’s… it’s been almost three years.”
Tyburn turned toward the voice, eyebrows lifting.
“Three years?”
“…Herderne?”
Tyburn’s eyes widened.
“What the hell is that idiot doing here? Who brought this swordless halfwit to a contamination zone?!”
Herderne sneered.
Tyburn was still Tyburn.
He didn’t spare a thought for those who’d spent years searching, worrying, and suffering in his absence.
Herderne suddenly felt like all his efforts had been pointless and turned sharply away.
“…Were you worried?”
Herderne froze at the low voice.
Tyburn let out a sigh.
Three years.
An unimaginable span of time.
“I’m sorry,” he said calmly.
As Herderne resumed walking, Tyburn quietly swallowed a breath.
So… I’ve made it back somehow.
If not for Lani’s blessing, he wouldn’t have survived.
Inside that contamination, Tyburn had learned the truth—what created the monsters, and where the contamination came from.
With a cold look in his eyes, he gave the order.
“We’re going back.”
After all this time, he was finally returning home.
✦✦✦
The long-shut gates of Catherine opened wide.
Tyburn and Herderne, having returned from the North, headed straight for the townhouse.
“There’s been a lot of change here,” Tyburn murmured, surprised. Herderne looked equally stunned.
The once-sealed Catherine townhouse had taken on a new look.
Where a carefully tended garden had once been, a vegetable patch now flourished.
A fragrant scent of herbs floated up from the swaying plants.
Neatly growing crops lined one side.
Tyburn let out a chuckle.
Even without asking, he could guess whose handiwork this was.
‘Leaving Lani behind really was the right decision.’
He’d believed she’d find a way to survive—and she had.
He and Herderne dismounted and walked into the townhouse.
The knights who had accompanied them did the same.
“Ah! A-Ahh!”
A startled maid peeked up from her bowed position.
“Y-You’re back! Lord Tyburn has returned! His Grace has returned!”
Tania, he recalled.
She used to stick close to Lani.
At her cry, the staff came pouring out from the house—including Hider, Lani, and Hilden.
Tyburn smiled as he noticed how much the children had grown.
“It’s been a while, Hider. Have you been well?”
“I always believed you’d return, Grandfather.”
Hider’s face lit up. His gaze flicked to Herderne.
Herderne gave a curt nod.
That was all the warmth their father-son relationship needed.
Lani was practically bouncing with excitement.
Though the children had grown, their essence hadn’t changed.
Tyburn laughed and continued walking into the manor.
The gates of Catherine were open again.
The silence of the estate had been broken.
The news of Tyburn’s return spread like wildfire, sparking unrest in the previously peaceful capital.
✦✦✦
Kiera leapt to her feet.
“T-Tyburn?! You’re saying Father-in-law is alive?!”
“Yes, Duchess,” the maid replied, pale.
Kiera collapsed into her chair, pressing a trembling hand to her forehead.
“And Herderne?”
“They returned together.”
Kiera nervously rubbed her palms together.
‘What do I do? That old man won’t sit still with his temper…’
She’d gotten complacent lately, drunk on the profits pouring in from the East.
Kiera bit at her nails.
“W-What will you do, madam?”
“What do you think?!”
She exhaled sharply.
All the wrongs she’d committed came flooding back.
She had sold off the merchant guild, stolen money and mines.
“Pack everything. Take Sornya and Karte with us!”
“To Catherine?”
“Of course! That old man’s been gone for years—he won’t know what’s what! If not now, when?!”
Kiera barked orders in a panic.
Tyburn’s unexpected return had thrown everything into chaos.
✦✦✦
He’s really back! He’s really back!
The moment I saw Tyburn’s face, it felt like the world lit up.
I quickly reclaimed my self-healing skill.
I missed you too, my dear skill.
Seeing the skill name glowing again, I nodded with satisfaction.
Invincible Lani was back.
I eagerly headed over to Tyburn with Hider.
He was inspecting the herb garden.
Herderne was nowhere in sight.
Tyburn turned his gaze to us from the herbs.
“Lani, Hider. I knew you two would do well.”
Tyburn let out his signature hearty laugh.
“How on earth did our garden turn into a vegetable patch?”
“Well, you see… it’s all about the money, Lord Tyburn. So, I kindly ask you—especially that plant you’re touching right now—it’s a little sensitive… please let go.”
Tyburn burst out laughing.
Hearing that sound made it all feel real.
Tyburn was back!
