My Goblin System : Levelling up with my SSS Class Devouring skill-Chapter 264

She thought for a moment, then nodded. "I’ll contact Lord Loki immediately and arrange for him and Lady Seraphina to meet with you tomorrow. Where would you prefer the meeting?"

"Here, in my settlement," Satou said. "It’s the most secure location for this kind of discussion."

"Understood. I’ll deliver the message personally." She turned to call her apprentice. "Freda, we’re going home."

Freda looked torn between wanting to stay and talk more with her new friends and her duty to follow her master. But duty won out. She bowed to Satou and the others. "Thank you for letting me accompany you. It was an honor."

"The honor was ours," Satou replied sincerely.

Morgana placed a hand on Freda’s shoulder, and teleportation magic activated. Both of them vanished in a flash of arcane light, leaving only the faint scent of ozone behind.

Jessica had finished her healing work on the others, and she was now standing near Satou with an expectant expression. But before he could say anything, they heard rapid footsteps approaching.

Lyra burst through the crowd of onlookers, breathing heavily like she’d run the entire distance from wherever she’d been when word reached her. Her long dark hair was slightly disheveled, her face flushed from exertion, her eyes wide with relief and joy.

The moment she saw Satou, her expression transformed into pure happiness mixed with relief so profound it was almost painful to witness.

"Satou!" she called out, her voice breaking slightly on his name.

Satou smiled and walked toward her, meeting her halfway. "I’m home, Lyra."

She crashed into him, her arms wrapping around him with desperate strength. "Yes. You’re home. You’re actually home. You’re safe."

Her body was trembling, and Satou realized she’d been even more worried than she’d let on. Lyra always tried to be strong, to appear confident and in control. But beneath that facade, she’d been terrified that he wouldn’t come back.

Satou held her tightly, one hand stroking her hair in a soothing gesture. "I’m sorry I worried you. But I’m here now. Safe and sound."

Lyra pulled back just enough to look up at him, her eyes searching his face as if to confirm he was really there and unharmed. Then, without warning, she pulled him down and kissed him. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

It was desperate and relieved and full of emotion that had been bottled up during his absence. Satou returned the kiss with equal intensity, pouring his own relief at being home into the gesture.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing slightly harder, Lyra rested her forehead against his and then kissed him again, softer this time.

A theatrical clearing of a throat made them both look over. Jessica stood there, arms stretched out, a slightly jealous but mostly playful expression on her face.

"I would like a hug too," she announced, her tone making it clear this was a demand rather than a request. "And proper attention. I was worried too, you know."

Satou found it absolutely adorable. He opened his free arm, the one not holding Lyra in invitation.

Jessica immediately rushed in, fitting herself against his side. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling both women close.

"I missed you both," he said sincerely, kissing Jessica’s forehead and then Lyra’s.

Jessica tilted her face up expectantly, clearly wanting a proper kiss too. Satou obliged, kissing her gently. She sighed contentedly, snuggling closer.

"This is better," Jessica declared. "This is how it should be."

For a moment, the three of them just stood there, holding each other, letting the relief and joy of reunion sink in. Around them, the settlement’s residents watched with smiles, happy to see their lord reunited with the women he loved.

Then the moment was broken by approaching footsteps and familiar voices.

"Lord Satou!" Urgak’s booming voice called out. "Welcome home!"

Satou looked up to see the orc chief approaching with a group of goblins and orcs who’d become core members of the settlement. They were all grinning, clearly delighted by his return.

"It’s good to be home, Chief Urgak," Satou replied warmly.

"Your son did well on the mission," Satou added, gesturing to Urgot who stood nearby looking proud despite his lingering soreness. "He fought bravely, adapted quickly, and earned his place among experienced warriors."

Urgak’s chest swelled with pride, his eyes gleaming as he looked at his son. "That’s my boy! Knew he had it in him!"

Urgot blushed slightly but stood taller, clearly pleased by the praise from both his father and Lord Satou.

The other goblins and orcs crowded around, greeting Satou and the returning warriors with enthusiasm. Questions flew fast—how was the mission, was Merc Assault really dead, what was his fortress like, did they bring back any treasure?

Satou answered what he could, though he kept the more sensitive details to himself for now.

Then he noticed Sylvara standing slightly apart from the group, looking uncertain and out of place. She was clearly uncomfortable with all the attention and camaraderie, not used to being part of a community like this.

Satou gently extracted himself from Jessica and Lyra—much to their protests—and walked over to Sylvara. He placed a hand on her shoulder and guided her forward into the group.

"Everyone!" he called out, his voice carrying authority that immediately got everyone’s attention. "I want you to meet someone important. This is Sylvara Nightwhisper. She was instrumental in our mission’s success—guided us through dangerous territory, provided crucial intelligence, and helped us achieve our objective."

He paused, making sure everyone was listening.

"Sylvara will be joining our settlement permanently. She’s family now, and I expect everyone to welcome her as such. Tonight, we’re having a feast—both to welcome her properly and to celebrate our victory over a terrible enemy!"

The crowd erupted in cheers. Goblins and orcs alike began calling out welcomes to Sylvara, who looked overwhelmed by the positive response.

"Welcome to the family!"

"We’ll take good care of you!"

"Any friend of Lord Satou is a friend of ours!"

Sylvara’s violet eyes were actually getting misty, clearly not having expected such immediate acceptance. She’d spent three years alone, hunting her father, focused entirely on revenge. The sudden immersion in a warm, welcoming community was probably more overwhelming than facing an army.