Even with Rou returning from the High-dimensional Realm to 'his' bedroom, he was only just barely able to stand on his feet. At times he was still having small seizures, but they were minor and mostly internal. Clearly he was not back to his prime and likely would not be, for some time, or perhaps ever. Naturally this terrified him as one of his greatest fears in his old life was being trapped in his body, but even now, nothing could be done about it.

  He had even asked directly.

  They could not simply take him out of his old body and give him a new one. The problem, while certainly his brain, was also indelibly attached to his soul as well. His soul had experienced that destruction of his mind while it was in that body. Even in a new body, his soul would carry over problems. The memory of what took place was what was causing his brain to occasionally trigger and shut off.

  Though as Rou looked around, his parents sitting on the bed nearby as well as Millet hugging him as if she was scared he'd vanish should she let him go, all Rou could ask was, "Where are we?"

  –

  A lot of things had happened in the over two years since the ordeal at the Church, and the subsequent civil unrest over it. With the death of Archmage Dana, Shiela - as her sole-remaining offspring - inherited everything. Her title, her status, her property and legacy. The only thing she didn't directly inherit was the Archmage's staff, which was interred with Dana at her place of resting as of the moment.

  As a result, they had moved from their rather lovely estate elsewhere in the Capital to the nobles district as a matter of upkeep. They couldn't really sell it, nor could they let it rot, so the most they could do was move in and try to make the place their own. Amusingly the ones that were the happiest? Millet's siblings. To them, not knowing the truth of why they were moving, it all felt like a fairytale. Small lies told to them about Shiela's mother passing away and her being able to move in there made Shiela, and in turn Rou, seem like a Queen and Prince.

  It made the Siblings beg Millet even more to marry Rou - which made her embarrassed, giggly and sad considering what happened to him. The siblings all got to live a new life there, carefree, fat and happy and now dressed up in the finest clothes and attending the best schools with private tutors and everything. After all, they had to catch up on many lost years of 'proper' education.

  It helped Shiela deal with the guilt of everything. As much as she hated her mother, it wasn't like she always did. She adored her mother when she was young, and her mother adored her. It was only after Shiela was injured that her mother began to lose her sense and began to abuse Shiela in an attempt to 'raise her right' and pass on her legacy to the girl. To make her the strongest Light Mage in the world.

  Of course, Shiela rebelled and abandoned light magic nearly entirely outside of the basics, learning to fight with her fists to spite her mother.

  But here she was, in her mother's home, her childhood home, and… she couldn't bring herself to rid the place of the past.

  –

  Rou was given her childhood room, redecorated slightly with Rou's furniture and belongings from their previous home. Millet had been given her own room even if she very clearly had no desire for it and shared Rou's bed every chance she had. Each of the Millet siblings had their own room as well, much to their own delight, being able to decorate it how they wished.

  –

  Rou slowly walked around the estate, the others watching from a distance - attempting to give him space but also worried he might simply freeze up and collapse.

  "So… you managed to live."

  A voice echoed and Rou looked around, not seeing anyone at first before a tall, thin fellow appeared, looking a bit strange and not at all like the other people of this world. A mix of species almost, a mix of kinds, with scale armor naturally joined onto their body and horns and a tail. Though as he glanced at his parents and Millet, they did not seem to notice this individual who was speaking to him.

  "Ah, no, they cannot see me. It is surprising that even you can see me, though from what Creation mentioned, your perception is nothing short of divine."

  Rou closed his eyes, accepting he had no idea who this was, but also knew they meant him no harm given Creation had spoken with them about him. Rou walked over to a nearby bench and sat down before speaking gently, "So, who are you then? I do not believe we have met."

  "I have not spoken my name in so long I have forgotten how it was stated in the common tongue of these lands. Though simply put, I am one of the eldest sane dragons left in this world. Creation brought you to me in your state, demanding I 'scour you' with my fire. A feat, I must say, that none in my entire life have ever survived. But you, it would seem, are different. You are… like us. Are you a dragon, young one?"

  Rou smiled slightly and shook his head just a tiny bit. "No. I inherited the legacy of a dragon, one crystalized their heart and left it to their offspring. But it was found by this kingdom's ancestors and I only recently, as of… twenty or so years ago now, inherited things."

  The dragon closed his eyes and seemed thoughtful before saying, as they sat beside Rou, "So that is why you seem so familiar to me. How funny, even after they perished, I get to see them one last time." a simple smile was on the wistful beings face as he recalled the dragon he hadn't thought of in many years. "I am glad it went to someone worthwhile. Thank you for living. It must have been difficult for you. If you ever desire a spouse, I have a daughter whom is perfect for you."

  And with that the old dragon, in mortal form, vanished from whence he sat.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  "What is it with others trying to marry me off to their damn daughters like I am some kind of…"

  His grumbling caused Affection to cackle in amusement, though she was happy to see some semblance of normality returning to her beloved partner's life.

  "Well, I did ask you to have many offspring in the lower dimension. Sure, you have Millet, but… there is also Penelope, and now this Dragon's daughter."

  "Get a flea."

  His beloved's gleeful cackling brought a much-needed smile to Rou’s face. Life almost felt normal again.

  –

  As it turns out, now that he learned of the madness that took place after his detainment and him suddenly vanishing from the public eye for at least a couple of years if not more, as he still wasn't quite certain how long had passed, the entire capital, hell, the entire nation revolted.

  It was an understatement to say that a Sage, in the public eye, was a hero. Even a Sage who did not attain their status through heroic feats was still a hero in their eyes, and the Sage of Fluff more so because he walked among them. He was them. A man. Someone who had a family. Who liked to wander the markets and enjoy tasting food and sharing his life with them. Someone who smiled with them.

  Even other nations were angered and threatened retaliation if the safety of the Sage of Fluff was not guaranteed and proven.

  It would seem those threats of retaliation went nowhere, however, and things began to peter out. The military was strictly punished and despite executions not being commonplace, the remaining general and his co-conspirators were publicly garroted, and their remains stoned and defiled, for their plot against the Sage of Fluff. But what hurt the public even worse?

  The King had come before them, got on his knees and apologized for having allowed it to happen. He stepped down, letting his eldest daughter rise in power from simply his child to becoming the new Queen of the country. Of course they would remain there, he and his wife both, to guide and mentor her, but clearly the current Kings ineptness had led to this.

  It was strange for the public, as they quite adored the older rabbit. He was kind, cheerful, and after he had a spurt of kids? His joy was infectious across the entire land.

  But they soon discovered why he had stepped down.

  Because his Chancellor had 'smuggled in a supply of Black Slime' and the Sage of Fluff was victim to this ordeal.

  A small lie about the truth, suggested by Creation in cleaning up the story. But to hear the Kings own subordinate was deluded by the now-dead General and his cronies into defiling their dear Fluff Sage in such a vile manner?

  It wasn't a lie to say the public cried in horror. The sweet lad who had brought such happiness to the kingdom from his love of magic and his personality, and ties to Affection… had suffered a fate worse than even death?

  Sure, to the common person, Black Slime seemed like a myth, or a fairy tale, but upon learning it was real?

  There was no interment or grave for those who were garroted for their actions. The King and Queen survived in part only because he had showed contrition to the public. The entire capital rioted for weeks, well over a month and nearly two, before peace was restored.

  –

  But here, and now, over two years later, a proclamation was made by the new Queen Penelope.

  'Through some Miracle, the Sage of Fluff not only survived the ordeal with the Black Slime, but has begun to recover. A blessing of the Gods, and the aid of the Dragons, has granted all of us this gift. But his state of body, and state of mind, is not whole. It may never be whole again. Until such a time the Sage of Fluff returns to his past life of his own choice, hold your love for him to yourself and give him space and peace. Everyone in this land wishes him only the best, myself included.

  Be warned. I will brook no ignorance of this proclamation, nor disobedience thus.

  Penelope, Queen.'

  While it was not the new Queens first public statement, it was by far and away her most blunt. The Sage had returned, the Sage was not in good health, and he was to be protected.

  Or else.

  Incidentally not a soul in the world disagreed with this statement. Gifts had poured in from around the world, from all nations and even individuals who had benefited from the return of anti-gravity magic.

  But for Rou? He actually hadn't realized much of this until he slowly learned it over time, had it pieced together. The only thing Rou truly knew? Was somehow that the populace was aware of something having happened to him, and had agreed to let him reintegrate into society peacefully.

  It touched him dearly.

  –

  Eventually it became public knowledge some of his symptoms, and the recommended actions if ever he was found to be suffering in public.

  The primary one, aside from his lack of coordination and slow wandering was his brain shutting off briefly and leaving him frozen, like a computer that needed to reboot itself. Though it didn't happen often, it did happen occasionally, and Rou had come to realize that now and then he would go from walking through a market, or seated at a cafe sampling something, only to regain awareness and find himself somewhere slightly different. Leaning against a corner, perhaps while seated on a bench. Or covered in a blanket and left to 'nap'.

  It was all very confusing and it was only when Affection explained what took place that it made sense to him. Every time he would track down and thank the one who had been nearby and aided him with a Kiss Blessing and his heartfelt thanks, aided by Affection taking note of who it was for him and tracking where they were so he could do just that. It was a small task for her, especially when asked by him.

  For his parents and Millet, life had mostly returned to normal. All of them wanted to follow him to keep him safe but had realized soon enough that they would be babying him. Thus they could only be happy he had survived. Even if it did occasionally leave Shiela and Millet rather weepy in turn.

  –

  But the one who truly hurt the most? Was Celia. The pure, sweet Sage of Fluff that she adored for his enviable, perfect life. The one she looked up to, not exactly loved as they were only friends at best, but wanted to be… the fate he suffered was worse than even what she was set to suffer eventually. At least in her mind.

  Even Celia's mother noticed that change in her. When she finally managed to coax Celia into sharing what was the problem, her mother was shocked. Both to learn that Celia wasn't the sweet, innocent thing she imagined her to be, but… that she cared so deeply for the Sage of Fluff.

  In the past perhaps she might have chided Celia, for risking the breaking of the contract that had been about her before she was born, or for putting her family at risk, but instead… it actually served as a chance for the mother and daughter to bond as the mother put it all aside and offered her daughter comfort. The irony that the emotional pain Celia was in from seeing pure happiness lost… served to reunite her emotionally with her mother and given her life happiness another way.

  What she lost, he had, and when he lost… she gained.

  "Invite him to dinner, dear?" Celia's mother offered. "Damn Borgain if he complains otherwise. I have not seen you smile so purely since you were a child, and Fluff Sage gave you that smile? Damn the world, I wish to thank him personally for it. You are my daughter, now and ever, and no matter what life I birthed you into… I will show my appreciation." For a moment Celia felt like complaining, but all told? She didn't dislike the idea. "Mother, do you think… he and I could be happy together? Rou, I mean. In what… time I have left."

  Though the sad look in her mothers eyes, even if nothing was said aloud, spoke all the words that needed to be stated.

  Rocks could not fly.