The journey back to Vailor was completely different from the march that had taken us north.
When we left for war, the army carried uncertainty.
No one knew how many would survive.
No one knew whether victory would even be possible.
No one even knew if we would reach Vaelthor's fortress.
Now it was different.
The road home carried scars, losses, and exhaustion, but it also carried something that had not existed before.
Victory.
The enormous columns of soldiers advanced along the roads while the banners of the allied nations fluttered in the wind. At various points along the journey, villagers left their homes simply to watch the army pass.
Many applauded.
Others offered their thanks.
Some handed water and food to the soldiers.
The news of the First General's defeat had already spread across many regions.
Even distant places seemed to know the story.
As I walked near the front of the formation, I noticed a group of children watching the troops pass by.
One of them pointed in my direction.
"It's him."
Another widened their eyes.
"The Hero?"
Soon the others began whispering among themselves.
I ended up looking away.
I still couldn't get used to that.
Scarlett noticed.
"You still act strangely whenever they do that."
"Because it still doesn't make sense."
"You defeated one of the Demon King's strongest commanders."
"Not alone."
"You always give the same answer."
She seemed amused.
Perhaps because she already knew exactly what I was going to say.
The following days passed without any major problems.
For the first time in a long while, there were no demon attacks.
No ambushes.
No battles.
Only the road.
Camps.
Rest.
Even so, the weight of the war remained.
Many soldiers carried wounds.
Others carried memories that would be difficult to forget.
Victory existed.
But no one ignored the price that had been paid.
After several days of travel, the walls of Vailor finally appeared on the horizon.
The mere sight of them stirred reactions among many of the soldiers.
Some smiled.
Others sighed in relief.
Many simply remained silent.
I understood perfectly.
After everything that had happened, returning home felt almost unreal.
As we drew closer, we noticed unusual activity on the city walls.
Guards.
Banners.
Messengers.
People.
So many people.
When we finally arrived before the capital's massive gates, the city's bells began to ring.
Their sound spread throughout the entire region.
The gates slowly opened.
And then we saw the crowd.
The streets were packed.
The squares were full.
Windows stood open.
Balconies overflowed with people.
It seemed as though the entire city had come out to welcome the army.
A great cheer erupted.
Then another.
Soon thousands of voices echoed together.
The soldiers began entering the city.
With every step, the applause grew louder.
Flowers were thrown.
Banners waved.
Words of gratitude came from every direction.
I looked at the scene, unsure how to react.
I had never enjoyed being the center of attention.
But that welcome wasn't just for me.
It was for everyone who had fought.
For everyone who had survived.
For everyone who had helped stop the advance of the demons.
Rai'kanna looked around with a huge smile.
"Looks like they really like us."
Vespera crossed her arms.
"I'd rather face another army."
"That's a lie."
"Maybe."
Elara began waving at a few children.
Immediately dozens of them waved back.
Liriel looked emotional.
Lyannis maintained her usual calm demeanor, but even she seemed satisfied.
We continued through the main streets.
The closer we came to the castle, the larger the crowd became.
When we finally reached the central square, I found something I hadn't expected.
Representatives from several kingdoms had gathered there.
Different banners filled nearly the entire square.
The news had truly crossed borders.
We dismounted our horses and headed toward the castle's main entrance.
Numerous guards stepped aside to let us pass.
Shortly afterward, we were escorted into the great royal hall.
The place was far more crowded than usual.
Nobles.
Commanders.
Ambassadors.
Military representatives.
Guild leaders.
Everyone was present.
At the center of the hall stood the King of Vailor.
Beside him were rulers and representatives from other nations.
When we entered, the room fell silent.
For several seconds, no one spoke.
Then the king rose to his feet.
His gaze swept across the hall before settling on me and the girls.
"Today we celebrate more than just a victory."
His voice echoed throughout the hall.
"We celebrate proof that the Demon King's armies can be defeated."
Many people nodded in agreement.
The king continued.
"For years, countless nations have lived under the constant threat of the demon generals."
The silence remained absolute.
"But now, one of them has fallen."
Those words seemed to carry tremendous weight.
Because everyone there understood the significance of that victory.
It wasn't merely a battle won.
It was a turning point in the war.
The king then took a few steps forward.
"Takumi."
I looked at him.
"On behalf of Vailor and the allied nations, I thank you for your courage."
He then turned toward the girls.
"And I also thank the companions who fought by your side."
Scarlett gave a slight nod.
Liriel smiled.
Elara looked somewhat embarrassed.
Vespera avoided showing any reaction.
Rai'kanna looked proud.
Lyannis simply maintained her usual composure.
Soon afterward, the other leaders also spoke.
Representatives from different kingdoms expressed their gratitude for the efforts made during the campaign.
Some emphasized the importance of the victory.
Others spoke about hope.
Many honored the soldiers who had lost their lives.
It was a long ceremony.
But a necessary one.
Because that achievement did not belong to a single kingdom.
It belonged to everyone who had taken part in the war.
After the official ceremony came to an end, we were allowed to leave the hall.
By the time we stepped outside, the sun was already beginning to sink below the horizon.
I thought I would finally get some rest.
I was mistaken.
News of our departure spread quickly.
When we passed through the castle gates, we found another crowd waiting.
This time, it was even larger.
The people began celebrating once again.
Some shouted our names.
Others simply thanked us.
It was impossible to ignore how deeply that victory had affected the people.
To them, it meant safety.
It meant hope.
It meant believing that the future could still be protected.
We spent much of the afternoon receiving congratulations.
Speaking with soldiers.
Talking with adventurers.
Meeting people who had participated in the campaign.
At one point, a veteran approached me.
His left arm was wrapped in bandages.
His face still bore fresh battle scars.
Even so, he was smiling.
"Thank you."
I looked at him in confusion.
"For what?"
"For giving us a chance to return home."
For several seconds, I couldn't answer.
The man simply gave a brief bow before walking away.
That simple sentence stayed in my mind for the rest of the day.
As the sky began to darken, we were finally escorted back into the castle.
This time not for meetings.
Nor for reports.
But for something entirely different.
The corridors were decorated.
Servants hurried back and forth carrying trays.
Musicians tuned their instruments.
Guards organized the arrival of the guests.
Rai'kanna raised an eyebrow.
"I think I already know what's going on."
Scarlett sighed.
"So do I."
Liriel smiled.
"After everything that's happened, maybe it's a good thing."
Lyannis nodded.
"At least for one night."
We walked through the corridors until we reached a vast hall illuminated by hundreds of chandeliers.
Long tables occupied nearly the entire room.
Representatives of the allied nations were already beginning to arrive.
Commanders spoke among themselves.
Important adventurers had also been invited.
There was no denying it.
This was going to be a grand celebration.
I paused for a few moments at the entrance.
I observed the movement.
The people.
The lights.
The atmosphere.
After so many battles, so many losses, and so many days surrounded by war, that scene seemed to belong to another world.
But perhaps that was precisely why it existed.
Because people needed to remember what they were fighting for.
They needed to remember that there were still reasons to smile.
As the guests continued to arrive and the grand hall came alive, I realized that this night would mark the conclusion of the greatest victory the nations had achieved in many years.
And so, beneath the golden light of the chandeliers in Vailor Castle, the great royal banquet celebrating the fall of Vaelthor, the Demon King's First General, began.