Soon afterward, they left the guest residence together. The palace courtyard had become a place of constant movement.
Carriages departed one after another. Flying beasts carried delegations toward distant kingdoms. Teleportation circles shone brightly at various points throughout the grounds.
Royal officials worked tirelessly to ensure every guest departed safely.
The mood remained subdued. Even conversations were kept quiet. Many of the diplomats wore black ribbons around their sleeves in memory of those who had fallen. The fragile alliance had survived, but everyone had paid a price.
Atheline spotted familiar figures waiting near one of the palace gardens. His parents and older brother. They had come despite the busy morning.
His mother walked over first and, without hesitation, she embraced him.
"I’m glad you’re safe."
He returned the embrace.
"I worried you."
"You always do."
She gently straightened his cloak afterward, just as she had when he was a child.
"No matter how old you become... You still leave dressed carelessly."
That was a lie. He looked down.
"I’ve always looked respectable."
"You look acceptable."
His father chuckled.
"That’s practically a compliment."
His mother gave him a playful glare before stepping back. Lord Helmer approached his son with his usual composed expression.
"You’ve grown stronger."
"So have you."
His father shook his head.
"I simply refuse to grow weaker."
After a moment, his expression became serious.
"Take care of yourselves. If what happened yesterday spreads... the continents will become uneasy."
Lilith answered calmly.
"We’re already increasing security in our kingdom."
"I expected nothing less."
He nodded approvingly.
Helther folded his arms.
"So... When are we sparring again?"
Atheline smiled.
"You only ever think about fighting."
"I’m a general, you know, that is what I do for a living. "
"I was hoping you’d forgotten that."
"Never."
The two brothers clasped forearms. It wasn’t an emotional farewell since both knew they would meet again. This was simply a promise that the next time, their spar would continue.
Lilith quietly observed the family.
Although they didn’t openly express affection the way many human families did, it was obvious how much they cared for one another. Small gestures, comfortable silence, and familiar teasing.
It reminded her once again how different his upbringing had been from hers.
Atheline noticed her watching. He reached over and gently intertwined his fingers with hers.
She glanced toward him.
"You’ll see them again soon."
"I know."
"Still..." he smiled. "It never gets easier to leave."
She squeezed his hand.
"No. It doesn’t."
One by one, the remaining delegations departed.
The Beastkin representatives transformed into enormous winged beasts before disappearing into the horizon.
Prince Lucifer raised his hammer in farewell before stepping through a crimson teleportation gate created by his attendants.
The Dwarves boarded an enchanted airship. Even the Human Kingdoms began their journeys home. The palace courtyard gradually emptied.
Finally, only Lilith and Atheline remained. The High King stepped forward one last time.
"Our kingdoms remain allies."
"They always will."
She answered without hesitation.
"You have the Dark Elven Kingdom’s full support."
The High King inclined his head.
"And you have ours."
Atheline looked once more toward his family. His mother smiled warmly. His father gave a single reassuring nod. His brother waved lazily.
He returned the gesture.
"Until next time."
"Safe travels."
Lilith raised one hand. Darkness quietly spread beneath their feet.
A circular teleportation formation blossomed across the stone, intricate runes weaving together into a beautiful pattern of black and silver.
The surrounding Aether gently stirred. The fox lifted its head curiously before settling back onto his shoulder.
Lilith looked toward him.
"Ready?"
He took one final look at his homeland. The palace, the towers, and the World Tree rising proudly over the capital. A strange feeling lingered in his chest as his eyes rested on its shimmering leaves.
For a brief instant, he wondered whether the impossible vision from yesterday had truly been nothing more than his imagination. Then he slowly exhaled.
Whatever answers existed, they would come in time. He turned back toward Lilith.
"I’m ready."
She smiled softly.
"Let’s go home."
Darkness gently enveloped them. Their figures disappeared from the palace courtyard without a sound. A heartbeat later, the teleportation circle faded, leaving only the morning breeze behind.
The High King remained standing where they had vanished, his gaze lingering on the empty space for several moments before he quietly turned back toward the palace.
There was still much to do. The investigation had only begun.
.
.
.
The familiar sensation of spatial distortion lasted only a heartbeat. Darkness folded inward before silently unfolding once more.
Lilith and Atheline stepped out of the teleportation circle and into the royal palace of the Dark Elven Kingdom.
The contrast was immediate, giving them the atmosphere that they were home.
The palace attendants stationed around the teleportation hall immediately lowered themselves into respectful bows.
"Your Majesty."
"Welcome home."
Lilith acknowledged them with a small nod before dismissing the formalities.
"Rise."
As the attendants stood, Atheline looked around the hall. Despite everything that had happened the previous day, the palace remained orderly. Guards stood at their assigned posts, servants moved about their duties without panic, and officials quietly carried documents through the corridors.
Nothing suggested that chaos had reached this kingdom. The white fox stretched comfortably on his shoulder before hopping into his arms, blinking sleepily as though relieved to be back in its familiar surroundings.
"It seems someone missed home."
The fox answered with a contented chirp before curling into a fluffy ball.
She smiled softly.
"She seems happy to be home, too."
"I can’t blame her."
He scratched beneath its chin.
"She has servants who sneak it treats whenever we’re not looking."
One of the nearby attendants suddenly looked away, pretending to be fascinated by a pillar.
Lilith noticed immediately.
"...Was that you?"
The young attendant froze.
"I-I would never, Your Majesty."
Atheline chuckled.
"You’ve been caught."
The attendant lowered his head in defeat.
"...Only dried fish."
Lilith sighed, though amusement flickered briefly across her expression.
"Not too many."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The fox looked entirely unapologetic.