The Recording Crystal spun gently on the table, projecting a palm-sized hologram.
In the projection, Dylan sat on the left, his face full of smiles. On the right was a middle-aged woman she didn't recognize, with a gentle face and relaxed brows, looking at the center of the image with an equally affectionate smile.
In the center was a little girl.
A large cake sat between the three of them. The little girl divided a bright red mushroom from the cake into three, giving portions to Dylan and the middle-aged woman, which made the smile on Old Dylan's face even deeper.
"Father?!"
Suddenly getting news of her father, Bella found it hard not to feel pleasantly surprised. She had originally planned to ask Duke Lorenzo to help track down her father's whereabouts before she left. She never expected the news to come finding her on its own.
However, looking at the harmonious and joyous scene in the projection, countless question marks popped up in her mind.
Did Dad start a new family?
He even has a new child?
For a moment, Bella didn't know whether to be happy or distressed. She could only ask, "You know my father?"
Inanna nodded.
Bella took a deep breath and reached out to point at the woman and child in the projection, her voice tightening slightly: "Then... who are they...?"
To her surprise, Inanna tilted her head, a trace of confusion appearing on her face.
"Isn't she your little sister?"
Bella looked as if she had taken a heavy blow.
Her expression froze on her face. It took her quite a while to force out a few words: "Probably... yes..."
Regarding this, Inanna genuinely had no idea. Compared to the retired Dylan, she was much more familiar with Idin.
Usually, she didn't proactively pay attention to things other than Puchis, so how would she know Dylan's family situation?
"Oh, right, Dylan is also in Oath City right now."
"Really?" Bella's head snapped up.
"Really. He should be arriving very soon."
Just as she finished speaking, the door was pushed open a crack.
Bella practically bounced to her feet and spun around!
"Father!"
Then she saw a Puchi, its perfectly round body squeezing in through the crack in the door.
Pu-ji— pu-ji—
No. 4 squeezed inside, walking around this weird woman who called it "Father" the moment they met.
Bella sat back down somewhat awkwardly. At the same time, she turned her face away, trying her best not to look at the mass of chaos continuously wriggling in Inanna's arms.
Behind her, the door was pushed open once again.
This time, Bella had learned her lesson. She didn't rush to stand up, but first turned her head to confirm.
Then, she saw that familiar figure—Dylan.
Bella's vision blurred for a moment.
Compared to several years ago, her father had become... become much more energetic?
Ever since being parasitized by the mycelium, his old, chronic injuries had vanished.
Under the Boss's command, he never had to worry about food or drink, and he had no stress.
Especially after Norris arrived at the Mushroom Garden, the Boss hardly even used him for amusement anymore.
The cozy and comfortable retired life at Puchi's Home had indeed made Dylan grow younger as he lived.
However, Bella thought of the projection from earlier.
Obviously, this was proof that her father was living very well after starting a new family. Her nose involuntarily tingled with sourness, and she felt somewhat disappointed.
But in the next moment, Dylan had already pulled her into a tight embrace!
That hug came too suddenly and too forcefully. Bella's entire person was pulled into Dylan's arms, her face buried in the crook of his shoulder, her nose bumping into him a bit painfully.
"Bella... Bella..."
Dylan's voice was trembling.
Dylan originally had many things he wanted to say, but at this moment, his choked throat couldn't say anything other than repeatedly and softly calling his daughter's name.
Although the Boss had told him that Bella had avoided the war by being out at sea, he still worried for her in his heart.
Even though he knew in advance that Bella had returned safely, truly seeing her standing healthy right in front of him made Dylan's tears flow uncontrollably, dampening Bella's hair.
"Father..."
Her voice was also hoarse.
Hearing his daughter's response, Dylan hugged her even tighter.
Feeling the somewhat thin body in his arms, he couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache: "How did you get so thin..."
At the same time, Dylan rejoiced once again in his heart over his encounter with the Boss.
After all, without the Boss, he and Bella would probably only be able to meet in heaven.
Watching this scene of father and daughter reuniting, Inanna was also somewhat moved and couldn't help but wipe the corners of her eyes.
No. 4 sat on her lap, its mushroom cap tilted, tentacles crossed, completely unable to understand what these two humans were crying about.
If you want to talk, just communicate remotely in the mycelial network! If that really doesn't work, you can even apply to the Fungal Lord for video communication!
But it still remembered the mission the Boss had entrusted to it.
No. 4 slid down from Inanna's lap, reached a tentacle into its own belly, dug around, and pulled out a palm-sized disposable item, then gave it a hard squeeze!
A wave of mana fluctuation spread outward.
When it swept past Inanna, a cloak of flames flashed briefly; the Pink Puchi was completely unaffected.
But when this mana fluctuation swept past Dylan, it instantly shattered the **[Mimicry]** on his body.
That originally ordinary human face blurred for a moment, revealing Dylan's true appearance.
Green skin, a face full of mycelium.
Sensing something was wrong, Bella instantly froze. With her mouth agape, she looked at this familiar yet unfamiliar father in front of her, looking at the mycelium and the green skin. Her mind exploded with a loud boom.
The thing she had worried about most since coming ashore had happened.
Her father had also turned into a lump of chaos.
Not only that, but he had uniquely unconventional green skin?!
"Blergh—!" She quickly vomited the little bit of breakfast she had eaten earlier right into Dylan's embrace.
To the side, No. 4 balanced the Recording Crystal on its head, recording this touching reunion scene as well.
Ultimately, Dylan managed to explain it away using the excuse of acquiring certain skills through parasitic mutation.
Bella had no other choice but to accept it.
Although they had reunited, Bella was burdened with a mission and couldn't stay for long.
At parting, she stood at the city gates, her face still carrying a hint of pallor.
Suppressing her discomfort, she tightly grasped Dylan's hand: "Father, wait for me to return. I will definitely find a way to eliminate the mycelium on your body!"
Dylan had already changed into a set of new clothes. Hearing this, the corner of his eye twitched slightly: "No... there's really no need..."
But Bella had already let go of his hand and mounted her horse.
She turned back to look at Dylan and waved forcefully.
"Father, wait for me to return! Also, say hello to my little sister for me!"
The sound of hooves faded into the distance, kicking up a trail of dust.
Dylan stood in place, gazing at that gradually shrinking silhouette. It took him quite a while to snap back to his senses.
"What little sister?"
Although they separated again less than half a day after meeting, it untied the knot that had been in Dylan's heart for years.
After bidding farewell to Bella, that faint smile on Dylan's face never disappeared again.
His only slight regret was that Bella seemed to have some prejudice against mycelium and Puchis.
He figured that when Bella returned next time, he would properly explain to her the benefits of mycelial symbiosis.
It would be even better if Bella could also form a symbiosis with mycelium. He believed that under the Boss's protection, no matter how chaotic the world became, she would be able to live a happy and peaceful life.
Seeing that Dylan was still immersed in the joy of the reunion, Lin Jun decided not to tell him some bad news.
Bella's voyage back to the Archipelago this time probably wouldn't be peaceful—Keith, who had been hiding from the Puchis all this time, had become active again.
(End of Chapter)
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