Reincarnated as an SSS-Ranked Blacksmith Who Refuses to Forge Weapons-Chapter 199. Homeward Bound

Greg thought the preparations for leaving would take less time than they did. It wasn’t because there was a lot to pack, but the Brotherhood came with little and left with even less. It was because saying goodbye to people who had fought with you and bled with you was harder than any battle.

They were at the western gate of Meridian, where the huge Eternal Engine carriage was already full of supplies that grateful citizens had given.

Bork was making sure the vehicle was in good shape by muttering to himself about the alignment of the fuel crystals and the strength of the axles. The rest of the Brotherhood stood around awkwardly, not quite ready to leave but all wanting to go home.

Veldway went up to Greg first. His hands were deep in his pockets, and the way he walked didn’t show the precision of a master craftsman.

"So," he said, and then he stopped, clearly having trouble finding the right words. "You’re going back to Ferndale."

"Yeah," Greg said, absentmindedly flexing his prosthetic arm.

The golden limb had lost a lot of its power since the battle and was only working at about 40% capacity, but it was still good enough. "The Brotherhood has accomplished what we set out to do. It’s time to go home and see what else needs to be fixed."

"I wanted to thank you," Veldway said quickly, as if he had been holding back the words for too long. "You made me tell the truth, and you also won’t let me hide anymore."

"You pulled me back into the world kicking and screaming after I spent three years in that pocket dimension trying to escape my guilt. To be honest, I hated every second of it." He stopped for a moment, then said with a hint of a smile, "But I needed it. Thanks again."

Greg didn’t know how to respond, so he chose to be honest. "I didn’t do it for you. I did it because people needed to know, but I’m glad it helped you too."

"Always so principled," Veldway said, and this time the smile was real. "You know that attitude is going to make you many enemies."

"People in power don’t like it when their secrets are made public."

Greg said, "I’ve made worse enemies than corrupt nobles." He was thinking of gods who wanted weapons and a woman who had become a living Calamity. "I’ll be fine."

"I know you will." Veldway reached out his hand, and Greg shook it firmly. "Let me know if you ever need anything, anything at all."

"I owe you more than I can give back. The living weapons in the Armory have been asking about you."

"It seems that you made a big impression. Some of them want to meet the blacksmith who knew them better than their creator did."

Greg said, "Say hello to them for me. And they can always come to Ferndale if they want to see more of the world than that pocket dimension."

"I’ll send that along." Veldway let go of his hand and took a step back. "Have a safe trip, Greg Greyson. I think we’ll see each other again someday."

"I hope so," Greg said, and he meant it.

Veldway slipped back into the group of Royal Knights and officials who had come to see them off. Greg turned around and saw Lylia standing a short distance away, having what looked like a very serious conversation with Rosalina.

Greg couldn’t quite put his finger on the emotion on the older Royal Knight’s face. It was somewhere between guilt and resignation, and maybe even relief.

He thought about it for a moment, not wanting to be rude, but Rosalina saw him and waved him over. "Greg. It’s fine. You should also hear this."

Lylia crossed her arms over her chest in a defensive way, but she didn’t mind that Greg was there. If anything, she looked pleased to have him there.

Rosalina said, "I was just telling Lylia how sorry I am."

Her voice was full of regret. "For everything I didn’t tell her. For all the tasks I gave her without giving her all the information. I regret being part of a system that compelled good people to commit bad actions in the name of stability."

Lylia said softly, "You didn’t make me do anything. I chose to become a Royal Knight and decided to trust the system. Those were my choices."

"But you did it without knowing the truth," Rosalina said back. "I should have told you."

"Years ago, when you first asked questions about the missions and started to see the inconsistencies, I should have sat you down and told you everything."

"I let you believe you were the problem instead. That you weren’t strong enough or dedicated enough, when the truth was that you were too good for what we wanted you to do."

Lylia’s jaw got tight. "So you’re saying I made the right choice to leave? That becoming a chef was the right thing to do?"

Rosalina said carefully, "I’m saying that you leaving probably saved your soul."

"You got out before the corruption ate you up from the inside, like it did to so many other people."

"You found a different way to help people that didn’t change who you are. That was braver than staying would have been."

She moved closer and put her hand on Lylia’s shoulder. "The Royal Knights are going to be different."

"They have to, given all that’s come to light. We need people who know what we did wrong and can help us make something better."

"Lylia, you could come back and help us change things from the inside. I would fully support you, and I think King Anthony would listen to you after what you did during the Calamity."

For a moment, Greg believed that Lylia might seriously consider his suggestion. She had been a great Royal Knight once, and the chance to help fix the institution that had shaped her was difficult to pass up, but then she saw Greg and the Brotherhood loading the carriage and the life she had made for herself away from the politics, secrets, and compromises.

"I’m sorry, but no," Lylia said, and her voice was calm. "Thank you for the offer, and I hope you can make things better, but my home isn’t there anymore."

"It’s in Ferndale, and it serves people who like good food and honest company. I am with the Brotherhood, surrounded by people who became like family to me when I thought I had lost everything."

"It’s..." She stopped, and her cheeks turned red. "It’s close to Greg, and that... can’t be left behind..."

Rosalina’s face changed from worried to something that looked like pride. "Then you’ve found what every warrior wants but most never find."

"A goal that does not require violence and is based on being part of something that is not dependent on duty."

"Keep that, Lylia. Guard it fiercely."

"I will," Lylia said.

Rosalina hugged her like a mentor hugs a student who has done better than them, and when they let go, both women had tears in their eyes. "Be happy," Rosalina told her.

"That’s what your old mentor told you to do. Be so happy that it’s silly and embarrassing."

"I’ll do my best," Lylia said with a watery laugh.

Greg caught Rosalina’s eye and nodded to say thank you. The older woman nodded back, and they both knew what the other was saying without saying a word. She then turned and walked away, standing tall and proud even though she had a lot on her mind.

"Are you ready to go home?" Greg asked Lylia when Rosalina was out of earshot.

"More than ready," Lylia said, putting her arm through his in a way that was becoming more and more natural. "I’ve had enough of politics and cities for a lifetime."

"I want to go back to Ferndale, to my restaurant, to arguing with Bork about how to season food and watching Felix try to teach Hammy..." She realized what she just said. "Ah... sorry... I keep forgetting about that..."

"Me too," Greg said. "I keep expecting to hear chirping or feel something bouncing on my shoulder. I don’t think that’s going to stop anytime soon."

They walked together to the carriage, where the rest of the Brotherhood was already waiting. Bork had finished his checks and was getting into the driver’s seat like someone who had done it before.

Elwen was helping Seraphine get used to things. The mage was still recovering from using up a lot of mana during the last battle.

Felix and Donetta were already inside. Felix was making jokes to hide his own pain, and Donetta was quietly supporting him. Although unstable, Mira’s spirit form was gradually improving.

Marina stood by the steps of the carriage with her arms crossed and a look on her face that Greg knew meant trouble. "So," she said as Greg and Lylia got closer.

"Are we going to talk about it, or are we going to act like nothing has changed?"

"Talk about what?" Greg asked, perplexed.

"About the fact that Lylia is clearly in love with you and has been for months," Marina said in a blunt way. Greg felt Lylia’s arm stiffen against his.

"Marina, now is not the time," Lylia hissed, her face turning bright red.

"When is it time?" Marina answered. "We were nearly killed while fighting to prevent the end of the world."

"We know what happens when we don’t say what we need to say. Everyone can see that Lylia loves Greg, except for Greg himself, so we need to figure out what to do about it."

Greg’s brain had stopped working on words around the time "clearly in love" came up and was now making static noises. Lylia looked like she wanted to be eaten by the ground. Marina’s face went from angry to something that could have been funny.

"Sorry, what?" Greg finally made it.

"Oh, come on," Marina said, and she was definitely smiling now. "You can’t be that unaware."

"The way she looks at you? The way she makes up reasons to be near you?"

"She turned down Rosalina’s offer to go back to the Royal Knights because she didn’t want to leave you?"

"That’s not..." Lylia began but then stopped. "Okay, that’s precisely what happened, but did you have to tell everyone?"

"Yes," Marina said with confidence. "Because I’ve been watching you dance around this for months, and I’m sick of it."

"Lylia likes you, Greg. And of course it was love feelings. The kind that includes kissing and other things I can’t talk about because we’re in public!"

"What are you going to do about it now?"