Chapter 15 : My Future Is Mine And Mine Only

Several days have passed, and no new cases of transformation have been reported. The kingdom, although largely destroyed, is slowly beginning to rebuild. The other kingdoms on the continent of Aqualida have lent them funds; after all, the dungeon, one of the main attractions of the continent, is located here. The S-ranked adventurer, Macrinis, remains missing.

Today, the inhabitants are preparing for their annual festival, the Sealing Festival, in honor of the legendary god sealed beneath the island. However, this year, with the kingdom in ruins, the festival has been hastily organized on the hill where Elvaria and I had set up camp.

“How are you feeling, Aley?” she asked me.

“Exhilarated. I feel much stronger than before, since that fight,” I replied with a sly smile.

“I feel stronger too, like I was made for this kind of thing,” she said, looking at her hand, her red hair dancing in the dusk wind. Her green eyes captured the last rays of daylight before night fell. She was truly beautiful, radiant in her beauty.

“You were really incredible, Aley,” she said with an innocent, happy smile, before throwing herself into my arms for a long hug. Tonight, the festival will take place, and we’ve been invited as guests of honor.

Time passed, and night finally fell. Around us, small wooden stalls served food—festival booths with a medieval touch, set up in the middle of nature, giving the festival an intimate atmosphere despite the crowd. Yet, it was a bit awkward being watched with so much admiration.

“Aley! Elvaria!” exclaimed Varilis, a wide smile on his face. Beside him was the dwarf who had mocked us at the guild.

“I’ve got something for you: your reward!” said Varilis, handing us S-rank adventurer certificates!

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The dwarf then spoke.

“I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you at the guild… but most of all, thank you. Thank you for everything. If you ever need anything, call me. My name is Kherot Relven,” he said before walking away. Shortly after, other people came to see us.

“Thank you, Novus Obris. Thank you, Aley. Thank you, Elvaria,” some said, even crying with gratitude. A familiar face approached: it was the woman who had lost her 8-year-old son.

“Thank you, thank you,” she said, sobbing. “You avenged him. Thank you for not lying when you said you’d solve the problem. Since you brought down that creature, no more transformations have occurred. You saved us,” she said, tears streaming down her face. “Thank you, thank you, thank you…” Her gratitude was profoundly sincere.

After everyone had come to thank us, the festival finally began. A stage had been set up, where actors performed. Despite the tragedy, the inhabitants laughed and had fun, and a joyful atmosphere filled the air, like that of an end-of-year festival. Suddenly, Elvaria and I were called on stage. We climbed up, and the man who called us began to speak.

“These adventurers saved my kingdom and my people from total ruin. Although we have lost our capital, it will be rebuilt very soon…”

Was this the king of Orthosomo?!

“In recognition of their services to our country, I bestow upon them the title of nobility and urge you to treat them with the respect they deserve!” he declared.

The king, a man in his fifties, wore tattered clothes, a sign of his dedication during the catastrophe. He looked like a seasoned veteran, and it was clear he had risked his life to save his people.

The festival continued, and Elvaria and I took the opportunity to participate in the activities and have fun together. That night was, without a doubt, the best I’ve spent in this world. Yet, so many questions remain unanswered. Who am I really? In the distance, the dungeon tower of Aqualida stands, reminding me of the reason I came here. My goal: to conquer it, then the Tower of Verdesable, and finally, the Prism of God.

However, I feel less rushed than before. There’s also that voice that told me to return to Iveralmn once the dungeon is conquered... it’s strange, but I’ll deal with it later. For now, I want to savor the present moment. If I don’t, no one else will. My life is mine, and I want to enjoy it.

Mom, Dad, brother, sister, I miss you all so much, but give me a little more time. I promise I’ll conquer the Prism of God, and one day, I’ll return. I’ll take you all in my arms. I love you.