Chapter 9: Family reunion part 2

He's trying to kill me! What kind of hug depletes HP this fast! 5152567

"Infinite health cheat code inputted"

Phew, my HP has stopped depleting but that doesn't solve the fact that I am stuck in a death hug and I'm not dead or hurt yet. I have to show the king that I am no pushover 2356794

"Infinite strength cheat codes system"

Time to wipe that smirk off his face. I hug back with very little of my strength so as not to kill him and a window tab appears in front of me.

"Limiter skill unlocked"

Another skill? I technically didn't do anything apart from holding back my strength so I guess skills are quite easy to get. A new tab appears with a percentage bar on it and 'limiter' written above it.

Heh this skill will be quite useful. Setting it to 10% output, my strength is on par with the king's who has a shocked expression on his face Ha! I smile back at the king who then releases me from the long and painful hug.

"Hahahaha! It seems you have grown stronger, maybe you did become a decent adventurer, hahahaha!"

King Faret said with a proud smile which sorta made me happy, maybe Satou's father isn't such a jerk after all.

"Satou, how would you like to have a little father to son spar, it might help jog your memories since you and me always sparred whenever you came home"

Hmmmmm, a death hug then a spar, I hope this isn't a plot to kill me but the advantages do overweigh the disadvantages, first I would get exp from beating him and he might just be right, the spar might jog out Satou's memories and I could also get skills while at it including testing my new accelerate skill.

"Your highness, please reconsider, he just recovered from his injuries and loss of his friends at cavern collapse"

Rabell asked with a worried tone which is quite reasonable.

"Rabell, this is a talk between father and son"

Said Faret with an angry and fear-inflicting glare which made Rabell shiver in fear.

"Ok, we can have a spar"

On hearing me, Rabell turned to me and gave me a puzzled and worried look which I just replied with an assuring smile that said 'don't worry, everything will be fine'

"Ok then we will have our spar first thing tomorrow morning since you just recovered and lost your memories so what do you say, son?"

"Sure I look forward to beating you tomorrow morning"

I declared with a confident smile which Rabell, who had come over to me nudged me with her elbow.

"Hahahaha! HAHAHAHA!!!"

Seriously, what's wrong with this king?

"You're dismissed"

He finished with a cough while Rabell forcefully dragged me away before…

"Son, one more thing"

Rabell stopped which I stopped likewise as we turned back to the king who had a happy smile on his face.

"Welcome home"

I chuckled and replied with a smile

"Thanks Dad"

******

Soon we are out. With no destination in mind, we're are standing silently, no awkwardly as tomato face Rabell takes peeks at me

"Sweetheart, can you give me a tour around the castle"

I asked quite tired of the overwhelming awkwardness

"Y-Yes h-honey"

Rabell stammered while trying to cover her flushed face. Thinking back I can already deduce the cause of this awkwardness, this is the case of unfamiliarity and familiarity, a double-larity which is due to the loss of my memories. Poor Rabell doesn't know how to feel about this.

The feeling of knowing me and the feeling of not, she must be confused and doesn't want to cry about it. How can I help her feel more comfortable?

Before I knew it Rabell was already dragging me around like a toy. It's either I'm over worrying or she is used to dragging past Satou around like this.

Looking around the castle, Rabell showed me places like the training grounds which guards who were training there all bowed to Rabell in respect but seemed to not notice my existence.

Moving through the castle, it was the same as all the maids and servants gave respect to Rabell but didn't even look at me which starting to slightly worry me as the thought of me turning to a ghost crept into my mind.

"Rabell"

"Huh?"

Phew, not a ghost

"Why does no one notice my existence?"

I asked with all seriousness

"Ahahahaha h-hehehe"

"Rabell this is no laughing matter"

"Ehehe . . ok sorry, well you see Satou"

Rabell whispered

"Nobody knows of your existence"

"Wha! So I am a ghost?!"

I exclaimed drawing some attention

"Shhhh, not literally, just that no one knows you are the king's son"

"How? Why?"

"Well…"

Rabell stopped in thought before speaking

"Follow me"

She said as if I had a choice in the first place as I am dragged away. It didn't take long before we reached a part of the castle which seemed to be unused.

"Okay, this place is good enough so now, I'm not sure the king, your father permits me to tell you this but it would be wrong not too. Satou have you been wondering where your mother is"

It did cross my mind, just that I didn't pay much attention to it since she is my real mother. Nodding in reply, Rabell continued

"Your mothers name was Erica Scruviyer, an adventurer and a mage, I'm not sure how your father and your mother met, all I know is her demise"

Just like I thought from Rabell's expression, a tragic background

"Your mother died at the hands of a demon which had appeared on one of her adventures, she was with birth at that time and you can already guess who that was so she was not allowed to go on her adventures but she sneaked out and left anyway. As a powerful mage, she was brave but when coming face to face with a demon only a holy weapon or absolute power can defeat it. On hearing of the appearance of the demon, King Faret rushed to help his wife but was too late as she was greatly hurt, using his holy weapon, your father defeated the demon but was unable to save your mother who could not survive, only you was fortunate to survive which King Faret hid from the public"

She paused for a while to let her words sink in before continuing

"After years of mourning, Faret finally gave in to the persuasion and married another wife, also a mage, she gave birth to your step-sisters but died later on in the war between demons and humans, the castle was besieged at that time while Faret was at war. Your stepmother laid down her life to protect you and your sisters. Her name was Stella Rosago who you believed to be your true mother before your father informed you of the past incident"

Wow, that's a lot to take in but she hasn't answered my initial question.

"Why did he hide my existence?"

"Well because you are too weak"

Well that struck me in the heart

"You didn't inherit your mothers large pool of mana and magic affinity so you couldn't become a mage, nevertheless after finding out about your mother, you strived to become a great adventurer"

With a sigh, Rabell stopped speaking while I was left stunned out of everything. It seems I know my purpose in this world now and can't believe I didn't guess it untill now. Just like the game I'm going to defeat the demon lord and slay every demon from this world.