"Y-yes."

A complicated expression took over Viynia Narene's face. She remembered what she did to Rant Valo.

"Are they okay?"

Nale Narene asked with worry on his face. Even though he doesn't know Rant Valo that much, he was still someone who helped him from the hundreds of passersby on the street. It was proof of Rant Valo's kindness.

If Rant Valo were hurt because he brought him to his house, it would be something he would feel guilty about. After all, as a guest, Rant Valo should be treated with utmost care.

"They… I'm not sure."

As Viynia Narene didn't actually turn back and look if Rant Valo and the rest were hurt, she couldn't say for sure. The only thing in her mind back there was her son.

"Not sure? Anyway, let's go meet them."

Nale Narene pulled back his head in surprise at Viynia Narene's response. He felt that it was weird that his mother didn't know when she was with them earlier.

Nale Narene brought his mother with him as they went to the Guest Lounge.

What Nale Narene saw shocked him— The door was left open, so he could take a peek inside. It was a mess.

He turned his head to Rant Valo, Floriana Sabina, and Veia, who happily chatted from the side. It was like the mess was not there in their eyes.

"Rant Valo?"

Nale Narene called out to Rant Valo, who was busy talking with the others. Rant Valo heard the call and turned his head.

"You're here."

An amusing smile appeared on Rant Valo's face when he saw Nale Narene and his mother. He thought that the show was about to start.

"Yes. What happened exactly?"

Nale Narene walked towards them as he looked around in puzzlement. This room contained costly properties such as antiques and rare paintings, and for it to be destroyed just like this made him feel sour inside.

"Ask your mother."

Instead of answering him, Rant Valo pointed at Viynia Narene using his nose.

"Mother?"

Nale Narene furrowed his eyebrows as he turned his head to look at his mother. There really was something going on here that she was hiding from him.

"I…"

Viynia Narene bit her lips in reluctance. She knows that what happened would be known to her son if she talked about it.

"Ms. Narene, do you want me to reveal it instead?"

Rant Valo gained confidence after seeing her act so cowardly. He wanted to show Nale Narene the true colors of his mother.

"...Alright."

Viynia Narene turned away from her son and looked at the ground as she started explaining everything that happened. Except for the fight as she became absentminded watching it midway.

"Mother…"

Nale Narene gripped his fists. It was hard for him to swallow that his mother would actually take back a gift that she has already given. And it was even in such a rude manner. But he could understand. It was for him.

Everything… Everything was for him. For some reason, he felt as if he was the most unlucky son in the world. First, his father died trying to harvest a scarce heavenly material, and now, his mother threw away her dignity to appease their enemy—all for him.

"Why! Just why!!"

Nale Narene scratched at his head with a crazed expression. Why was he so unlucky? Why is it all happening to him? Is life that against him living peacefully?

"My son…"

Viynia Narene's face contorted when she saw the way her son was acting. She knows what he was going through. She could relate to some of it as his mother.

"Mother. I've decided. We will give up the ownership of this town to the Jernas."

Nale Narene straightened his back as he came to a decision.

This town was under their control. It was a feudal system where the Narene controls everything from tax to the most minor of goods that enter the city. However, when his father, a cultivator in the 9th Mana Condensation stage, died, their foundation collapsed.

No one can carry the heavy responsibility called 'Town Management' anymore. Seeing this opportunity, the Lohuns and Jernas teamed up to seize control of the town.

Their household is at the Count-level. So starting from the bottom, it would be Baron, Count, Viscount, and so forth. Which means their titles have prestige and power over the area surrounding the town.

And as the rightful heir of his late father, Nale Narene naturally inherited the position and title, but he was too weak. So finally, today, he would give it all up.

"Give up!? You can't!"

Viynia Narene screamed at Nale Narene. It was their only lifeline left. The only thing that her late husband had left them. If they lose this too, they would be losing their very being.

"Mother, I will give it up today, but one day… One day, I'll take it all back."

A fiery sheen appeared in Nale Narene's eyes. He was determined to grow stronger and come back stronger. He would take everything that he had lost.

"My son…"

Bitterness filled Viynia Narene as she watched the heroic figure of her son right now. She was ashamed. She was very ashamed that she couldn't protect her son.

"Rant Valo. I know now that you are a cultivator and even a strong one at that. Therefore, I request of you to take me with you on your journey."

Nale Narene extended his arm towards Rant Valo in an exaggerated manner.

"Huh? I refuse."

Rant Valo was taken aback when Nale Narene did all of that speech just to ask him to take him with them. Rant Valo already had enough problems with Veia and Floriana Sabina. He didn't want to add another. Besides, the guy tried to court Veia.

Rant Valo didn't want to allow any men to stay near her. She was, after all, very lustful. If she one day couldn't control herself and pounces on Nale Narene, he would regret it very much. There would be a crack in their relationship that would never mend.