READ WEBNOVEL Chapter 516
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EP.516 Improvement, The Way Back (3)
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The long war of humanity has ended.
The endless conflict that lasted over a thousand years came to a close. News of the armistice spread far and wide, and under the star, all those who lived—regardless of social class, race, ideology, or nation—celebrated the end of the long war.
The war was over, and the victory was announced.
Countless warriors who had been on the battlefield began their journey home, heralding the victory.
Knights who had spent many years on the battlefield, who thought they would meet their end there, shed their heavy armor and weapons and returned to the royal capital. They exhaled deeply, laughing and chatting with their surviving comrades and subordinates.
The air was fresh.
After so long, they realized how delightful it was to breathe in an atmosphere devoid of any demonic energy. Under the scorching sun, they laughed freely.
Once familiar yet now strange sensations accompanied their return to their hometowns.
Some knights stopped by their hometowns before returning to the kingdom, while others took a detour to deliver their fallen comrade’s belongings to their family. Those who survived proceeded toward the royal capital after sorting out the remnants of what they had left behind.
“I guess I ought to go up now.”
“Are you finally retiring?”
“It’s about time to lay it down and rest. Don’t you think it’s time for you to head back to the Tower too? Libert.”
The Knights Order Leader, Heinkel von Zeikhardt, smiled at his aide. Libert was an old friend who had eagerly followed him into battle, giving up his position as the Master of the Tower.
“Thank you for putting up with my stubbornness.”
“…That’s something.”
Libert forced a smile.
Facing the aged Heinkel and the older version of himself, Libert sighed long and deep.
“It’s a bit tough on me at this age to be the Master of the Tower. I’m exhausted, and I think it’s time for me to relax with my family for a while.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“What about you? What do you plan to do now?”
“Well… I haven’t thought about it.”
Heinkel stroked his chin.
As he did, a smile spread across his face.
“Guess I’ll have to start thinking about it now.”
Although the war was over, life goes on.
In fact, since the war had ended, it was a time to think about what comes next. Those who had fought on the battlefield turned their backs to it and began to walk toward their homeland, which they had protected with their own hands.
One by one, they started to return to the kingdom.
And the kingdom was now preparing to become an empire.
At the edge of the tower, the expedition team returned.
Cheers erupted as they passed through the main gates of the royal capital, celebrating the heroes returning in triumph. Walking along a road adorned with petals, fireworks, and cheers, they headed towards the royal castle.
While exchanging light conversation in front of the castle, the expedition team briefly dispersed to tackle their individual responsibilities.
Ayla Clen Cartedia, leading her ministers into the castle, had one ongoing task since the announcement of the Demon Lord’s and the Braver’s subjugation. Taking a deep breath while followed by her ministers, Ayla declared,
“The wishes of our founding ancestor, Rugran Clen Cartedia, have been fulfilled. Now, Cartedia shall carry on the legacy of the Ancient Kingdom.”
She released her military gear.
Unfastening the holy sword inherited from Arcadia’s last queen, she smiled gently.
「On that day, the kingdom shall become an empire.」
Recalling some words of prophecy, she spoke.
“Prepare for the coronation ceremony. We must announce the end of this long struggle and declare that Cartedia has transformed into an empire.”
Having already reached the pinnacle of this nation, there was only one direction for Ayla to move toward next—the imperial throne. To fulfill her ancestors’ wishes, she would soon be seated as empress.
“And of course, we must hold a festival. A grand celebration unlike any before. Such a monumental event calls for it.”
The Demon Lord had been defeated. The long war had ended.
This marked the climax of a lengthy historical conflict and the dawn of a new era. Thus, a grand festival must surely be celebrated.
Blessings for the birth of the empire.
Praise for the heroes’ achievements.
Respect for all those who had struggled.
And a moment of silence for those who had fallen.
Surely, it would become a ceremony enriched with countless meanings.
Naturally, there must be no disruptions in its execution. It was also an event to showcase Cartedia’s transformation into an empire to the entire continent. As her ministers moved swiftly, Ayla let out a long breath.
Everything had come to a conclusion.
Now, it was time to move forward.
The long, dark era had come to an end. Humanity would proceed to the next chapter, and at the forefront would stand the Cartedia Empire. Though there were countless tasks ahead, a smile graced Ayla’s lips.
‘Now all that’s left is to move forward.’
A new beginning was in order.
It was an event to herald it. The first festival Cartedia would showcase as an empire. Looking out the window from the royal castle, she pondered this.
Ayla had received reports that that esteemed figure was also on their return journey.
The hero who had led humanity to complete victory was on their way back here. No matter how much she became empress, she would gladly bow her head before that figure.
‘What a magnificent one.’
Ayla smiled softly.
As a disciple and as a representative of humanity, she would bow her head in reverence towards the great hero, Rania van Trias. The thought of welcoming her brought a smile to Ayla’s face as she returned to her hometown.
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A few days after the expedition’s return, Rania van Trias also made her triumphant return alongside her knights. Amidst the extravagant welcome prepared by the royal family, Rania marched along the front of the knights, basking in the cheers.
A multitude of crowds had gathered to see her.
Countless gazes, warmth, and cheers… As Rania led her knights forward, she waved lightly to those who had come to see her. The cheers grew louder as Rania shifted her gaze slightly.
An individual walking right behind her.
Attention was also directed toward the former hero, Kyle Toven. The crowd recognized him, calling out both Rania’s and Kyle’s names.
“….”
Despite the cheers, Rania stifled a chuckle while slyly glancing at Kyle, who was attempting to maintain a neutral expression. Upon reaching the front of the royal castle, someone awaited Rania.
The current queen, soon to be empress.
Ayla Clen Cartedia was waiting for Rania. As Rania arrived, Ayla slowly inclined her head. A ruler responsibility for a nation bowed before another, yet no one dared to question it.
This was a place where the representative of humanity, the hero who had saved them, showed gratitude.
Clink, bang!
The knights moved with precision, their feet pounding rhythmically.
Raising their lance flags high, they saluted Rania and Kyle. Petals decorated with wind drifted down, and fireworks shot up from the court magicians, painting the blue sky.
“Welcome back, great hero!”
Seeing her cheeky disciple, still milking the events from years ago, Rania chuckled. Ayla, lifting her head, smiled as well.
“We’ll share the details inside.”
With that, Ayla led her ministers deeper into the royal castle, after which Kyle and Rania followed. Eventually, when only the three of them remained, Rania finally spoke up.
“It seems you succeeded.”
Rania—no, Raniel smiled.
“I received the news on my way here. Nobody died, and the Braver was subjugated… And I also heard about Destel.”
They nearly faced disaster.
The Braver was far beyond what Raniel had anticipated.
‘…That was terrifying.’
This was beyond Raniel’s expectations.
She could never have imagined that someone would have existed since the dawn of time. Let alone that this individual would be a martial artist. Had it not been for Destel’s intervention, the expedition would have disbanded, leading to a complete failure of their plans.
『This settles the debt.』
Recalling Destel’s letter, which urged her to thank her future self while also calling her reckless, Raniel let out a wry smile.
‘Certainly, without Destel…’
Because Destel had awakened Kyle, because he became the variable and interfered in their plan to subjugate the Braver, they achieved success. There would be many stories to share with him too.
“I owe him once again this time.”
“Destel did play a significant role. Thanks to his help, we were able to achieve the subjugation.”
Ayla nodded.
“As you heard, there were crises, but everyone returned safely. Especially in the case of Belnoa, I recommend hearing it directly from him later. It’s a story the hero would enjoy.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, indeed.”
After exchanging information regarding the subjugation and engaging in small talk for a while, Ayla took a deep breath, as if to shift the atmosphere.
“There will be a festival in ten days.”
Ayla turned to Kyle and Raniel.
“It’s going to be a very large festival. It might go on for a month or more.”
Ayla knew that there was one more battlefield that they needed to face. She had vaguely heard about that plan.
“But, the injured heroes will probably participate in the latter part of the festival. Hence, I plan to concentrate the events in that period.”
…Of course, they had sustained injuries.
But those weren’t injuries severe enough to hinder them. If anything, with a day or two of proper rest, a hero would recover rapidly.
“….”
At that moment, Kyle and Raniel sensed Ayla’s intentions.
“When the festival begins, and once it is well underway… The whereabouts of the current and former heroes won’t raise any questions among the people.”
Until the festival started and reached its peak.
During that time, it would provide them with a form of cover. Whatever they did in that time would remain unknown to the world. No, Ayla would ensure that it would not come to light.
Ayla spoke with a smile.
“You have things to do, right? Without drawing attention from others.”
Raniel smiled wryly.
“You’re still as perceptive as ever.”
Having walked an endless road, Cardi returned to the royal capital.
Naturally, no one recognized Cardi, and like other heroes, he did not receive a triumphant welcome. Blending into the crowd, Cardi walked quietly.
Tap.
Entering a familiar alley, Cardi approached the shop he had long neglected. As he walked down the winding alley, a weathered sign suddenly came into view. Gazing at his once second home, Cardi sighed deeply.
After all this time, he had returned.
As he reached for his keys to open the shop he had locked up, the moment he placed his hand on the doorknob, a creaking sound echoed in tandem with the door opening. Had he forgotten to lock it? No, it couldn’t be.
Creeeak.
With a loud sound, the door opened.
The moment he caught sight of a figure sitting inside through the gap of the door, Cardi couldn’t help but smile. Had they arrived before him?
“The owner is late.”
Rania van Trias.
She had perched herself on a chair, tapping a vacant cup with her fingers. Turning her head slightly, she glanced at Cardi, raising the cup.
“Make me a cup of coffee. Not that damn green tea.”
“We only serve green tea here.”
“Tsk. Is that why the shop is covered in dust, you old elf?”
Cardi chuckled as he stepped into the shop.
He set down his luggage, removed his Ashen Mage’s robe, and hung it on a coat rack, rolling up his sleeves as he entered the kitchen.
“Is there anything you’d like to eat?”
“Anything other than green tea.”
“Throw in a salad mixed with green tea before you nicely rephrase that.”
“Then, a sandwich.”
With her chin resting in her hand, Rania looked at Cardi.
As she stared at the back of him in the kitchen, she slowly opened her mouth. There was no need for lengthy talks or grand praise. She didn’t want that.
Thus, Rania said simply.
“Good job, Cardi.”
…Although he had become a hero forgotten by everyone,
Though no one sang his praises, here was someone who remembered him. A junior who knew the path he had walked.
After a brief pause, Cardi resumed his movements.
A gentle smile graced his lips.