Chapter 1753 My Ancestral Home II
"Oh, my goodness! Why is it so high up!?" Adrian stated as he could be seen a bit dizzy due to the road being incredibly high and twisted.
The road itself was safe to traverse but it was long and goes in circles. It was as if it was created so that those from above the mountain could have easy vision to those that climb it. There was already a checkpoint down the mountain so why is such a precaution even taken.
"Mom, can I ask if this is really the place? I did not expect a whole town here from where I stand." Mina asked as she could see that the mountain is indeed an entire small town.
There were at least a hundred houses in this mountain with each house also occupying some farming land. There were also pets that could do some warnings like cats and dogs with the most exceptional one being an eagle. Mina noticed that the eagle was already circling their vehicle the moment they entered the mountain.
"Who owns all of this land at the top of the mountain?" Richard, Adrian's father, asked.
"The family owns the mountain itself. We are basically an autonomous people here, but we are still part of the country. Inside the mountain, our rules apply while the country's rules apply if we are not in the mountain. For a long time, this mountain was considered sacred land of our family which is why those that cannot assimilate to the society below can live here as long as they adhere to the family rules." Maria, Adrian's mother, stated which shocked her family.
An entire family or community owning a mountain was not unique to just their family. There were other families that also have such territories as it was their given right to rule due to the long history of staying in the mountain. Others used the mountains as resource while others used it as their home just like Adrian's clan.
"The main source of income for us would be the security services that the family offers. We also have joint lectures with the military in order to teach them actual combat. It is not like the combat that you see in movies as the combat being taught is one to kill. Just because the world is peaceful does not mean one should not learn to protect themselves." Maria stated.
"What I am actually quite shocked is the fact that we still have signal here on top of the mountains! I even have better internet connection than ever! I should post something so that my hubby could see." Mina stated as she started to have a photo session with herself.
"It is so nice to greet you once again, Lady Maria or rather Mistress Maria since you are already with child." A nice-looking grandma suddenly stated as she came to greet the family.
"Lola Mercy is still so strong despite your old age. If I did not follow my eyes, then I would even say that you are getting younger." Maria stated which flattered the old lady.
"You are still such a flatter mouth. Still, to think that the young brat that I used to raise back then would be a proper mother now. I can now die knowing that I have done my duty to the utmost." Lola Mercy stated as a tear came down her left eye.
"What about my father? Is he around?" Maria asked.
"Your father is busy training the young ones right now. We thought that you would arrive two days from now which is why we have yet to prepare for the feast. You should have told us that you would arrive early so that I could prepare your favorite dishes." Lola Mercy stated as she only learned of their arrival due to the one in charge of the gate below the mountain.
"We also did not know we can prepare early because the dates just became right. We had to leave as soon as we are free or else my husband would be swamped with work once again." Maria stated as she held her husband's arm and introduced him to Lola Mercy.
"Hello! It is so nice to meet you. Maria has told me all about you." Richard stated as he nervously shook Lola Mercy's hand.
"I bet she told you all the ways I punished her when she was naughty as a child. How I would smack her buttocks when she would do very bad and disrespectful things." Lola Mercy stated which made Adrian and Mina's ear twitch as they wanted to know more of the juicy details.
"Lola Mercy! That was a long time ago!" Maria stated as she started to get embarrassed.
"She sung praises for you, so I do not know about those but I sure that she was like me when I was a kid. I was very naughty that I often get scolded as well." Richard replied with a laugh and the others laughed with him.
"I already like him. You picked quite well. I bet your father was not as thrilled when you married him. Do not worry because he has my blessing that means that you are verified." Lola Mercy stated as she tapped Richard's shoulders.
Richard suddenly had a feeling that he was given the highest compliments as Lola Mercy basically raised Maria as a child. He often thought that her parents would disapprove of him, but he was glad that the motherly figure that his beloved wife looked up to has given her seal of approval.
"I also see two children with you two. I guess you did not return for a long time which is understandable that you have children. Good job, Richard! You sealed the deal!" Lola Mercy stated as she went to check on Adrian and Mina.
"Hello, Lola Mercy. I am Mina." Mina stated as she rested Lola Mercy's back hand onto her forehead as a sign of respect.
"I am Adrian." Adrian stated as he also did the same gesture of respect.
"Such respectful children, you have been raised well." Lola Mercy stated as she touched the features of Mina and Adrian while starting to get a bit emotional.
"They are only this behaved when they are outside. They act differently around the house." Maria stated.
"You were also the same deary. Your friends and teachers described you as an angel, but you were basically the gang leader for your cousins." Lola Mercy fired back which made Adrian and Mina look at her with utmost respect even more.
"The savior has arrived for us!" Adrian and Mina thought simultaneously.
"Lola!" Maria stated but she could not talk back against Lola Mercy.
"Get inside and get comfortable. I will let them unload your baggage and you can all tell me about your stories. I would want to hear from you as you have been gone for quite a long time." Lola Mercy stated as she called two workers in the house to take care of the luggage that Adrian's family have.
Adrian and Mina were quite shocked to see such a large house sitting at the edge of the mountain. They thought that their house was unique but this one was much more. Part of the house is actually carved from the side of the mountain itself. One can even see that the house and a part of the mountain looked as if they were already there since time immemorial.
"It is quite cold here since we are high up. I should pop my ears since I have yet to do so." Adrian stated as he slowly blew air out while pinching his nose.
"If you need anything child, then you can call for me. Your grandfather already told me what happened to you, and I was heartbroken. I know it must have been challenging and I will not know the feeling but remember that I am here now.
I will make up for it since I was not there when you were born. Tell me anything that you like to eat, and I will make sure to cook the best version of it that you would always remember mine when you eat it outside." Lola Mercy stated as she smiled genuinely which eased Adrian's worries about this place.
Adrian thought that he would be viewed as a lesser since of what happened to him and the uniqueness of this place. All the family members that are living here in the mountain are equipped to handle any threat since they are learning the martial ways of the family that has been passed down since the clan was founded.
"Do not worry as part of the training back then was having no prejudice towards others with disabilities because lowering your guard is considered as dangerous. You do know how we handled bullies that dared to harm us right?" Mina stated as she already told Adrian the story about how she confronted some bullies that targeted her when she was in high school.
The most uptodat𝓮 n𝒐vels are published on (f)reew𝒆(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦