Without hesitation, Gara stepped forward and took Grandma Lasmyra’s hands.

"Mother and I miss all of you too, Grandma."

He remembered clearly how this old woman had always defended and helped his family in the past.

Encouraged by Gara’s friendly gesture, other grandmas and grandpas gathered around him, expressing their pride. Gara responded warmly, and the elders smiled so widely their faces seemed to split in half.

After a while, Grandpa Jaya asked the villagers to step back so Gara and his group could rest. After all, Mayor Danan was still present. No matter what, he remained their leader.

Gara declined any formal reception. He only wanted to check the herb fields. Mayor Danan, unable to climb the mountain with his bulky body, chose to stay behind at Grandpa Jaya’s house.

On the way to the fields, Gara passed his old bamboo house, now renovated into a large stone building. It had become a storage facility where villagers gathered their harvests.

Alrova Merchant House staff were stationed there as guards. In fact, some of them had been following Gara since the moment he stepped into the village.

The changes in Suruta Village were obvious.

The population had grown as many people moved in to become herb farmers, drawn by the guaranteed income. Almost every household owned a cart now. Most of the houses had been rebuilt with stone.

Village facilities had also improved. There was even a small restaurant near his old home.

"Many young people moved here," Grandpa Jaya explained. "They like eating at restaurants as a form of self-reward."

Gara smiled, pride and happiness swelling in his chest. Alrova’s presence had truly transformed the village.

When they reached the fields, the herb plots were neatly arranged, and the herbs grew lush and healthy.

Gara then shared the plan he intended to implement in Galiga Village, proposing to apply the same system to Suruta Village.

"Won’t that bankrupt you?" Grandpa Jaya exclaimed in shock. If he really earned triple his previous income, he wouldn’t even know how to spend it all.

Gara waved his hand dismissively. Of course Alrova wouldn’t go bankrupt. On the contrary, higher-quality herbs would allow him to create exclusive products with even more astonishing prices.

More importantly, Gara believed that when workers were happy and worked willingly, the results would naturally be better.

By the time Gara’s group returned, the villagers had already prepared a grand feast. Mayor Danan had even finished his first bowl.

Gara actually wanted to leave and have Mayor Danan host a banquet in town instead. But the villagers’ enthusiasm left him unable to refuse, so the town banquet was postponed until the next day.

After four days in the village, Gara finally headed home with Madha. With Madha by his side, Gara no longer felt anxious during the journey.

If he counted the days correctly, by the time they reached the capital city, his pregnancy would be exactly one week along. He planned to use that moment to reveal the news to Madha and the rest of the household.

But before Gara could carry out his plan, Madha dropped a bomb.

Inside Gara’s room, with Bel sleeping soundly in her crib, Madha knelt in front of him and held his hands.

"I’ve already spoken to Sir Tristan," Madha said. "I’m going to Cakranloka City to become a soldier there."

Gara’s body stiffened. His relaxed expression tightened instantly.

"What do you mean? You want to leave me right after I finally brought you back?"

Gara couldn’t accept it. He had just been about to confess his pregnancy, introduce Madha to the duke and House Eshaan, and slowly reveal the existence of the triplets and Bel.

Madha’s sudden decision shattered all of that.

But Madha remained firm. He looked straight into Gara’s eyes.

"I have no intention of leaving you. On the contrary, this is because I want to stay with you that I chose this path. You’re a noble. Not just any noble, but a duke’s heir. Your status is far above someone like Mayor Danan, who’s only a baron. But me? My standing is still far lower than even his."

Gara wanted to shake his head, wanted to say he could handle all of it.

But Madha cut him off quickly.

"I know you’re not someone who blindly follows rules. I know you could oppose your family if you really wanted to. But I don’t want that. I don’t want you lowering yourself for me. I want to chase after you and earn my place."

Madha then looked toward Bel.

"You’re going to name her Bel, Belina Eshaan, right? As her father, I want her to carry my name too, Gara. I want my children to have a surname of their own. I want our children and you to be proud of me."

Madha’s words were deep and heavy. Gara felt his chest tighten, his eyes growing moist without him realizing it. He wanted to say how proud he already was of Madha, but after everything Madha said, those words would sound hollow.

"For a commoner like me to obtain a noble title, I need merits. Sir Tristan already made a plan for me. I’ll be fine, Gara. You know how tough this body of mine is."

Madha flexed exaggeratedly, trying to lighten the mood, but Gara responded with a pout.

"Don’t sulk. I’ll contact you all the time," Madha said, poking Gara’s puffed lips playfully. After a moment, Gara finally nodded, though reluctantly.

Madha had another reason for going to the battlefield. He realized that his growth didn’t come from routine training or sparring, but from real combat experience.

That was why his Talent had developed rapidly before reaching the capital, yet stagnated during his time at the academy.

Gara hugged Madha tightly, then began giving advice that sounded more like commands.

"Once you’re there, you have to contact me regularly. If you can’t reach me for a long time, tell me beforehand. Update me on your progress. If you’re injured, use the medicine I gave you. Don’t give it all away to your comrades instead..."

Madha nodded obediently at every instruction while gently stroking Gara’s head. He couldn’t see Gara’s face buried against his chest, but he could hear it in his voice. Gara was forcing himself to stay strong.

Gara finally pulled away.

"And lastly," he said softly, caressing his still-flat stomach,

"you have to come back safely. Bel’s little siblings are waiting for you."

...