This Beast-Tamer is a Little Strange

Kain's heart pounded as he approached the outskirts of Dark Moon City, but in a different area that the outbreak, his steps quickening with every passing moment.

The sight of the city in ruins had shaken him.

Before going into the relic, Kain—knowing that instances of Abyssal attacks were becoming more frequent—had relocated his family from Brightstar City to Dark Moon City.

Considering his mission was in Brightstar and there had been risk of an abyssal invasion at that location, he had felt good about his choice. However, not long after he'd left, corrupted were seen in Dark Moon City, one of the most powerful cities in the Empire!

Due to the city's strength. it was quickly contained, and although the outbreak wasn't too close to his family and his family should have wards surrounding the property, Kain was still worried and wouldn't feel fully relieved until he met them again.

He still felt as though he had made the right decision to relocate them from Brightstar City to Dark Moon City, and the strength of the city showcased in this attack just reinforced that, but the corrupted outbreak here had been a grim reminder that nowhere was truly safe from the Abyss.

Gradually, Kain approached the newly expanded property. Originally, Kain had had Collin purchase land neighbouring the property he currently was growing his spiritual plants and River Wolf Pups on, and his new family home would be built on that neighbouring land. However, just before entering the relic Collin called Kain to tell him that the plan had changed.

Although Ferrin was currently living on the old property, the idyllic scenery filled with what was now probably thousands of spiritual plants, with numerous River Wolf Pups and Clear Spring Wolves frolicking through them immediately captured his siblings' hearts.

Not to mention, that in order to help Kain take care of the constantly growing number of spiritual plants in the field, Kain had brought back many of the first batch of elemental fairies evolved from the Silkworm evolutionary pathway—including the light-attribute royal fairy, there were dozens of other greater and lesser fairies helping him to manage the property.

The moment his siblings had seen this fantastical environment, they'd absolutely refused to leave.

Therefore, the new land Kain had purchased was used to expand the spiritual plant gardens and integrated into being part of the roaming areas for the fairies and wolf pups, while the original home that Ferrin was currently living in, was torn down after the mansion right next to it was almost finished construction.

As Kain approached the property, he finally saw the massive mansion he'd only ever heard about in reports from Collin.

And the second he spotted his new home, his anxiety also began to ease. Discover exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire

The wards surrounding the property were intact, and the lack of damage in the area reassured him that the outbreak hadn't extended to here.

The sprawling land was a stark contrast to the chaos of the city. The air was fresh, filled with the scent of blooming spiritual plants and the distant sound of River Wolf Pups and Clear Spring Wolves playing in the fields amid the bell-like calls of the elemental fairies.

A massive mansion stood at the center of the property, its design a perfect blend of elegance and practicality. Kain could tell that Collin had taken the opinions of his relatives into account, and the architecture reminded Kain of their old home in Brightstar City— but elevated.

The walls were adorned with intricate carvings, and the windows were framed by lush vines that seemed to glow faintly in the sunlight. Fruit trees, that weren't there before, dotted the landscape, their branches heavy with ripe fruits, and a large playground stood nearby that would be loved by any of his youngest siblings.

Kain paused at the edge of the property, taking in the sight of the River Wolf Pups frolicking in the fields, their playful antics bringing life and joy to the land. He could see that Ferrin, the affinity-less volunteer that Kain had helped to become a beast-tamer, was among them, clearly he had naturally grown accustomed to his role as a caretaker. Kain couldn't help but smile as he watched Ferrin interact with the pups, knowing that he'd made the correct choice.

As Kain approached the mansion, the front door swung open, and a chorus of excited voices greeted him. His siblings spilled out onto the porch, their faces lighting up at the sight of him. The youngest, Melody, was the first to reach him, her small arms wrapping around his legs in a tight hug.

"Kain! You're back!" she squealed, her voice filled with joy.

Kain knelt down to her level, ruffling her hair affectionately. "I missed you too, Melody. How have you all been?" He turned to ask the others as they streamed out of the house. He saw that Bridge was also there, likely going to guard them during the attack—once again reassuring Kain that moving his family closer to both Bridge and himself was for the best.

The others quickly surrounded him, their questions and laughter filling the air. Kain's heart swelled with warmth as he greeted each of them, his worries momentarily forgotten.

The orphanage director stood at the edge of the group, his expression one of quiet relief. He had been unsure about moving, but since Kain had left, sightings of Abyssals and corrupted creatures became more frequent across the empire, and he no longer regretted his decision.

"It's good to have you back, Kain," he said, his voice soft but filled with emotion. "We've missed you."

"I've missed you too," Kain replied. "It's good to be home."

As the initial excitement died down, Kain's siblings led him inside the mansion, eager to show him around. The interior was just as impressive as the exterior, with spacious rooms, high ceilings, and an abundance of natural light. Each of his siblings had their own room now, a far cry from the cramped living quarters of their old home. The walls were adorned with family photos and mementos from their time in Brightstar City, a subtle reminder of where they had come from.

Kain's room was on the second floor, its large windows offering a stunning view of the property. The room was simple and familiar since they chose to move most of his belongings from his old room to here. But there were some welcome changes: there was now a larger bed, a new mahogany desk, and a bookshelf filled with both his old and new books. A small sitting area by the window was the perfect spot to relax and take in the view overlooking the property.

As Kain settled into his room, Ferrin appeared at the door, his expression one of quiet pride. "Welcome back, Kain. I hope you like what we've done with the place."@@novelbin@@

Kain smiled, gesturing for Ferrin to come in. "It's incredible, Ferrin. You've done an amazing job. I can't thank you enough for looking after things here while I was away, Collin told me how invaluable you were to resettling everyone."

Ferrin shrugged modestly. "It's been my pleasure. Your family is wonderful, and the land here is a dream to live on. However, there was one thing I feel I should tell you..." He began hesitantly.

Kain's heart dropped at the suddenly more serious atmosphere surrounding Ferrin. "I'm afraid that something is wrong with the spiritual creature you helped me to summon."