Many royals and delegates from outside the kingdom were shown to rooms of their own in the castle. Though all of the royals of Dunlap were within the Haven along with a few friends.

“Uncle! That was so amazing!” Princess Lindi cried out excitedly.

“Are you glad I didn’t spoil it for you?”

“Mmm!” She hugged him.

The King and Queen were relaxing in the hot spring, the King in his designated spot, while the rest of them were on some cushioned benches nearby, a bunch of snacks on a table between them while they played a card game.

“The crunchiness of these are amazing.” Prince Alfa commented.

“They’re potato chips, uncle Alfa.” Ruby commented as she played with Leros.

After the main banquet was done, Eric popped over to Lady Vannil’s estate and picked up Millie, Laura, and Leros.

“This is a truly great alcohol, Eric!” A new voice called out from the hot spring.

An older, rugged-looking man with a steel body, his skin was a bronze tan, and next to him sat Lady Vannil.

“This is truly delectable.” She said as she sipped it.

“It’s an export from Obai. It is made from rice. They call it sake.” Eric replied.

The man was Alec Raymond Vannil, Lady Vannil’s husband. He served in the castle as one an honorary knight commander. His duties were specialized in training new knights and had multiple titles and nicknames. Demon Commander, Trainer from Hell, and Lady Vannil’s favorite, The Bronze Bull. Rorroco made the mistake of asking why it was her favorite which ended with a few blushing faces.

“Did you special order this ‘sake’ brother?” The Queen asked.

“Nope. They send a couple of barrels once a month as thanks for my help before.” Eric replied, exchanging a few cards.

“We do appreciate your help in keeping Obai a republic Lord Eric.” Leelu was with her sister Ella and Douglas in the hot spring. Joining them were Rexar and Ellen.

“To think Fizzy and Charlie gets to enjoy this on occasion. I’m jealous!” Rexar roared.

“I think we might need to make some expansions again, Eric.” Micah commented.

“Y-Yeah. But my Haven space is limited. Maybe I can ask Elder Oribaba or the Senior Goddess next time I see them.” Eric agreed.

“Uncle, do you think you might be able to help Fenton?”

“I don’t know, Delenia. Most of it is up to him now.”

KABOOM!

The very space of the Haven shook. Causing everyone to tense up.

“What was that?” Micah asked.

Eric focused his attention outside of the Haven.

What the hell?

“The door to our quarters is blown in. Soldiers are in the room with weapons drawn.” He used his [Merlin Mirror] spell to bring up an image of what was occurring outside the Haven.

“Who the hell are they?” “They are not dressed like Meerka soldiers.” “Not any uniform I recognize.” They discussed.

“I know that uniform. Eric, can you show me the throne room? I think I know what is happening.” Alec asked.

Eric willed his view through the halls, showing many more mystery soldiers, and reached the throne room. Inside, many of the soldiers were there. At the bottom of the podium, the young King of Merluka and his mother, the royals of Meerka, Mr. Barlett, and several other nobles were kneeling before a man in shiny armor sitting on the throne.

“Damn him.” Alec cursed.

“Who is he?” Eric asked.

“I don’t know how he pulled this off, but that is the Emperor of Goun.” He replied.

“Are you certain? He is said to use body doubles.” The King asked.

“No, it’s him. I have a special spell, [Hidden Marker]. It allows me to put an undetectable mark on a person that only I can see and feel. I once had the displeasure of meeting that bastard in person. He wanted to test his strength.”

“How strong is he?” Eric asked.

“Strong. I think even the Queen would have a hard time defeating him. They say he is descended from an ancient hero. Not to mention those hooded figures with him worry me.”

They looked to him for his thoughts on the three, but Lady Vannil answered.

“Heroes of the church. There look to only be three of them. The rumor is that he always has three Heroes with him at all times.”

“That must have been their main plan. The church's goal was most likely to have Fenton take the crown prince's role, cause a lot of chaos with the nobles, and make it far easier for them to invade. The question, though, is whether or not Fenton knew of this.” Alec said, putting it together.

“Gah! What is this!? What is going on?!”

“Oh, speak of the devil.” Micah commented.

“What is a ‘devil’?” Prince Alfa asked, which she told him she would explain later.

Fenton was bound and thrown down before the Emperor of Goun.

“Foolish boy, how could you fail so spectacularly?” The Emperor asked.

“What the hells are you talking about?! How dare you do this to my family!?”

“That was an unexpected reply.” The King stated.

“You were supposed to be the tool that makes this a simple task. If you had been successful in unseating your brother, we would have done this during the wedding. By the God of Light, Bishop Hardigan picked a fool for this task.” The Emperor replied.

“Bishop Hardigan? He... used me? You mean to tell me that… Oh no, brothers, father, mother, I-I am sorry….” Fenton lowered his head.

“Seems like he was tricked.” “That it does.” The King and Queen commented.

“Eric, do you have any ideas?” Micah asked.

“I think I have one.” He changed into Phaestus.

The Emperor looked on the broken-spirited boy with cruel glee.

“Now, then. Have you found the party from Dunlap? What of the airship?”

“I am sorry, Emperor! We checked through the palace and could not find them anywhere! The airship took to the air before we could take control, but it has been circling the castle for now.”

“Hmph. No matter. The main army is on its’ way. Once we take a firm hold of Meerka, it would be simple to crush a budding city like Lenmos. Then once we take control of the train and the Grand Forest Path, Dunlap will fall, then Alta and Merluka will obey, or their King dies.” He looked down at the young King, who stared up at him defiantly.

With a wave of his hand, a nearby soldier kicked toward the boy, only to miss.

“Wha-?” He fell backward.

“Where did he go?! Where is the Queen?!” The Emperor made to move from the throne but froze.

Rapidly, their captives disappeared, being secretly transported to Sheila's Heart, until none of them remained.

“What just happened!? My Emperor! W-What is wrong? You are bleeding!”

The soldiers looked to the man on the throne, a fine cut across his forehead and throat.

“I cannot move. Something is holding me to the chair!”

Phaestus appeared from behind the throne.

“Those would be razor-thin orichalcum wires.”

“Heretic! Release our Emperor!”

“No. And none of you will do a thing against me, as I am the only one here that can free him. Not even your heroes there can help you.” He motioned toward the robed figures.

“You bluff.”

“You are welcome to have one of your trusted soldiers check. I will return when he moves away from the throne.” With that, Phaestus disappeared.

“Commander! Get over here! Now!” The Emperor shouted, causing the wires to cut into his flesh a bit more.

The commander appraised the wires and checked for any way to remove them.

Blood drained from his face. “I am sorry, my Emperor, they cannot be removed. They are indeed made from pure orichalcum. Please do not move. It would slice through you. None of the heroes have weapons that can remove or break them without risk to your life.”

“Dammit! Get away, fool! Get out here, Heretic!” The Emperor roared.

Phaestus did not appear after the commander moved away.

“HERETIC!”

He still did not appear, but a small piece of paper appeared in front of the commander who read it, getting an angry look on his face.

“What is it!?”

“He wants you to say this.” The commander was shaking with anger as he held up the paper with a feminine writing style upon it.

“YOU BITCH, QUEEN OF DUNLAP!” The Emperor yelled in a fury, recognizing the writing style.

A ballista bolt appeared out of thin air, flew past the Emperor, crashing into the wall.

“W-What?” His eyes gazed nervously at the thick shaft a few feet away from his head.

“My Emperor, I think, that was a warning….”

The Emperor ground his teeth as he readied himself.

“Please, oh great and merciful Duke Hephaestus, the Lord of Fire, Hero of Merluka, Savior of Obai, Master Craftsmen of Alta, please save my hopeless, foolish, and greedy self. Damn the Church of Light.”

The commander fell back from the podium. Phaestus appeared once more.

“Well then. That must have been painful for you to say. I will try to make this short as I can. You will sign a magic contract with all of the rulers who were present here. Merluka, Obai, Meerka, Dunlap, and Alta.” Phaestus went into explaining the contract.

First, Goun would be required to withdraw every last soldier, agent, or spy from all five allied kingdoms.

Second, Goun would be forbidden from attacking, invading, or spying on any of the kingdoms. But Goun would be free to defend itself at its borders only. The rivers and Little Olad would not count as being within their borders.

Third, Goun would be required to pay reparations to each of the kingdoms. One-hundred royal gold, each, to Alta, Dunlap, Merluka, and Obai. To Meerka, they would be required to pay three hundred royal gold coins. Goun would be required to compensate any person injured or inconvenienced during their attempted coup with a total of ten gold coins to each person. If soldiers or citizens lost their lives during the attempted coup, their families would be paid one-hundred gold coins.

“If you agree to this, the allied nations will swear to not attack or invade Goun. I will free you once you sign. I’ll even be nice and heal your wounds.” Phaestus finished with a bit of smugness to his voice.

The Emperor glared at him hatefully. “Fine.”

A page and pen appeared in Phaestus’ hands, and he freed one of the Emperor’s arms. The Emperor read over the contract and begrudgingly signed it. The King of Meerka appeared and checked over the contract.

“Everything is good here. Invoke.” The contract burned up in a blue fire.

“Now, get me out of this Heretic.” The Emperor growled through his teeth.

“Maybe I should have added no insulting to the contract, oh well.” With a wave of his hand, the Emperor was freed.

“Commander, send out the command to everyone, and I mean everyone. Withdraw at once back to Goun. Do not harm anyone and leave quietly. Send a messenger bird to our army to withdraw back to the capital city.” The Emperor growled through gritted teeth.

The commander saluted and barked out his orders.

“I will fulfill my end. You won this time, Heretic, but know that the God of Light will strike you down as his enemy.”

The other rulers appeared one after another, as well as a confused set of guards. The King of Meerka gave out orders for no soldiers of Goun to be harmed and safely escorted out of the city. The Emperor pulled out a bag of coins, tossing it to the floor to spill out.

“There are four hundred gold coins and two royal gold in that bag. Use it to cover the reparations for your citizens. We will pay the kingdom reparations once I return home.” The Emperor turned and headed toward the door with his men.

Phaestus noticed the Heroes had not moved.

I have a terrible feeling…

“Heroes of Dawn. I revoke my position as your master. You will now follow the orders of your original master!”

The robed people turned to face Phaestus.

Shit! I need to get them out of here!

Just as the three charged at him, the four disappeared.

“You bastard!” Prince Alan went to draw his sword, but Queen Delvirra stopped him.

“He did not break the contract. Attacking him would mean you breaking it.” She explained.

“But!” The prince tried to protest.

“All Heroes have a standard order, ‘Kill the enemies of the God of Light.’ You will regret that someday, Philip.”

The Emperor glared at the Queen for saying his first name. He hated his real first name as it did not befit a man as great as him. He silently turned and left the capital.

Phaestus shifted the Heroes and himself out to the training fields outside the castle. He narrowly dodged the mithril longsword of a Hero.

“Become a wave of barriers [Earth Walls].” Slamming his hand onto the ground, the ground shot up in wall segments pushing the Heroes back.

“Cease the flow of magic [Dispel].”

Phaestus’ spell stopped.

“Explode forth, slamming my foes [Wind Barrage].”

He successfully pushed one of them back only to have the one wielding a massive war hammer crater the ground he jumped from.

A large rock hit him square in the stomach, “Gah!” Phaestus flew back, rolling across the ground.

“Eric! Bring us out!” Micah called from within the Haven.

Dite, Athena, White, and Ruby appeared. Ruby was wearing a matching hooded waistcoat and mask that were a sapphire blue. White charged in and blocked the hero's sword.

“Try not to kill them!” Phaestus cried out, falling back.

A fireball flew toward him, but Ruby jumped forward and, with her enchanted leg armor, kicked the fireball straight up into the sky, where it blew up harmlessly. Dite joined up with White to fend off the hero with a sword and shield.

Athena charged forward with a heavy metal club and began fighting the Hero with the war hammer.

“Phaestus! We are evenly matched! Try to stun them!” Dite called out.

Before he could start on a spell, the caster of their group cast a spell.

“Burn our life to give us strength [Noble Sacrifice].” She said flatly. A red magic aura surrounded the two melee fighters.

“Kyah!” White was knocked back, slamming into the ground, her shield cracked.

Dite was doing all she could to keep the Hero from finishing White.

Athena was beginning to have a hard time as well, and Ruby went to assist her.

“Dammit, Blow them back [Force Push]!” Phaestus cast.

The sword and shield Hero was knocked backward away from Dite and White.

“Are you okay?” Dite asked White as she began to heal her.

“My arm is broken. Phaestus, we need something to shift it back in our favor!”

A shift in our favor? Nah, let’s ‘shift’ things in their direction.

Phaestus moved away from them.

“Hey! Caster!" Phaestus' call drew the attention of the Caster Hero. "You’re a c***!”

White, Dite, Ruby, Athena, and even the two male Heroes stopped fighting and looked at him.

“Shock and obliterate my enemy [Lighting Bolt].” The Caster Hero said, with a tiny bit of an angry twinge in her flat voice.

With a wave of his hand, Phaestus shifted his group to safety, the two warrior heroes into the path of the lightning spell. Their bodies stiffened as the magic crashed into them and fell to the ground. Ruby, not missing the opportunity, rocketed forward and took down the caster.

“Phaestus. We are going to have to have a chat about what you called her later.” Dite said, narrowing her eyes.

“Yeah, I already planned an apology for it. We will get to that later. White, could you call the senior Goddess?” She agreed, and he shifted them all, Heroes included, into the Haven.

“There, they should have their senses back.” The senior Goddess said.

The three Heroes had been healed, and the curse had been suppressed. The first to awaken was the caster girl. She sat up and looked directly at Eric.

“Um, sorry about what I called you.” He said, bowing down before her on his hands and knees.

“Thank you. It’s okay. I kind of understand why you did it.” She said flatly.

“I-I’m free!” The sword and shield Hero cried, sitting up.

The Last Hero, the large man, slowly sat up. He looked right at Eric.

“Thank you, sir.” He proceeded to bow, tears running down his face.

“Thank you so much! They made me do such horrible things! Things I can never be forgiven for!”

The other two Heroes began tearing up as well, each of them crying and thanking Eric and Senior Goddess. After many minutes the three Heroes calmed down.

“Thank you, Lord Eric. So what happens now?” The sword and shield Hero asked.

“I would like to know your names. We already rescued three Heroes. They are in a crystal stasis to weaken the power of the curse that binds you. In time we will get you all freed from it.” Eric gestured.

They nodded, and the girl went first. “Casey.”

Next, the sword and shield, “My name is Elliot.”

Last, the big man, “I am Logan.”

“Logan? Do you have a sister named Rachael?”

His eyes went wide. “You found my little sister!?”

They showed them to the pool, and Eric brought Rachael up.

“Rachael!” He cried over the crystal. “She’s, smiling?”

“Yes. I promised that I would try to find you if I could. With this, I fulfilled that promise. While you are asleep, you will have pleasant dreams like the others. Senior Goddess, would it be possible to link their dreams?” Eric asked.

“An easy task.” She responded with a smile.

Logan thanked her in tears. Senior Goddess put them into their crystal stasis, and Eric shifted them into the water. It was then that Elder Oribaba appeared.

“Well done, Eric. You have cut down the number of Heroes to ten left.”

“Ten?” He was surprised at the information.

“Yes, five of them are always with the pope. I am still searching for the remaining heroes. The last ten of them have been in this world the longest, from what Lystmour has said. They are mighty. You got lucky this time. You will need to be very well prepared to face the last ones.”

Hmm, I will have to think of some cheat items I can make…

“Also, Eric. A letter from Hephaestus.” Elder Oribaba handed it over. He opened it.

Greetings Disciple! I have greatly enjoyed watching your craft. You have been putting my gift to good use. Well done on the Will Forging. Very few of my disciples have been able to perform it. Anyway, I noticed that you are close to having enough Orichalcum. I challenge you, Eric, to make a long, double-edged blade imbued with the most amount of divine energy that you can. If you can make something that would impress me, I will reward you with a powerful blessing.

P.S. Thanks for the ingredients. Aphrodite made a fine meal with it.

“What is Will Forging?” Ruby asked.

“That is when I imbue my will into the hammer he gave me. Visualizing every strike, every spark, and every sound. It takes a lot out of me each time I do it.”

“So, will you make the blade?” Micah asked.

“Yes. For the God of Fire and Crafting to request me to make one, there is no greater honor.” Eric smiled, looking forward to the last bit of his order was to come in soon.

The aftermath of Goun’s attempted coup ended with their absolute failure. The Emperor kept his word and paid out all the reparations to the various kingdoms and their people. The sheer cost to pay the reparations significantly weakened Goun’s national power, which the allied rulers wanted.

Both Goun and the Church of Light made a worldwide announcement that Duke Hephaestus was a Heretic and a servant to an evil god. But because of their involvement in the plot to destroy their beloved rulers and homes, the people of every kingdom refused to believe them and further drove out any remnants of the Church of Light back to Dawn.

Since the bishop of the local church of Meerka, the highest-ranking person, was involved in the attack, the Inquisitors raided the church, capturing the bishop and his people.

During their investigation, they found a secret basement that had multiple holding cells. The cells were filled with many illegal slaves wearing the marked collars that robbed people of their wills, while others had regular slave collars. Lady Vannil called for Phaestus’ help, and the people were freed within minutes.

“So this is where they got in?” Phaestus commented.

The raid group, led by Lord and Lady Vannil, found a long tunnel in the underground complex.

“To think it leads so far out from the city.” Lord Alec looked off into the distance where the capital was.

They came out of the tunnel from a well-obscured entrance.

“It would have been impossible for anyone to spot this.” Lord Alec observed.

“There are runes here. Let’s see… Conceal, Hide, Dampen Sense, yeah, these were to prevent even people up close from seeing. One most likely had to know of it to find it.” Phaestus said, looking over the various runes.

He turned to Lord Alec, “What do you think the King will do with this?”

“Most likely use it as an additional excuse to drive them out of Meerka for good. The ledger that was found will also be good for cleaning out some of the trash nobles of Meerka. I will be glad for that.”

“You know the kind of things they have done?”

“Yes, and more. I know what happened to Ash.”

Phaestus’ eyes widened Alec’s remark.

“Yes, it took months of questions and answers for me to put it together.”

He looked to make sure Lady Vannil was out of earshot, whispering, “What I gathered was that she witnessed the priests, bishops, cardinals, and even the pope using the Heroes as nothing more than toys to fulfill their most carnal and debased desires. She was forced to watch until her spirit gave out and she collapsed. I would do anything to put a blade in that bastard’s black heart in hopes it brings Ash some peace.”

Phaestus only grimaced at the thought of his very first and closest ally and friend suffering in such a way.

“I promise you, Alec, I will see my goal to the end.”

Lord Alec smiled and patted him on the shoulder.

“Maybe I should see about linking our families by blood then.” Lord Alec said with a laugh.

“We are already family since he is married to Dite.” Lady Vannil commented.

Phaestus looked at her quizzically.

“She was adopted into Ash’s family when Ash was still young. They are technically sisters.”

After finishing their investigation, Phaestus and various earth magic-users permanently sealed the tunnel and destroyed the entrance.

The King announced the Church of Light’s involvement with the attempted coup and that they were thereby banished from Meerka. He also sent a message to the church that the five kingdoms demand compensation for their involvement with Goun’s plot, stating and including evidence. Their demand was for a total of two hundred royal gold per kingdom, for a total of one thousand.

Phaestus and his family, the rulers of the five nations, and the Vannil Ducal heads held a meeting in the Meerka castle.

“Thank you all for coming. I wanted to inform you that along with the criminals of the church, I sent our demands.” The King of Meerka stated.

“Do you think they will pay?” The young King of Merluka asked.

“No. I think they will not. The church will most likely execute the bishop stating that they were a rogue element. It is not the first time they have done that. The pope wiped out his previous cardinals.” Queen Delvirra stated.

“What do you think, Lord Hephaestus?” Prince Alan asked.

“They definitely will not pay. I don’t think they will take all this lying down. Losing their coin from Heroes no longer being needed for monsters, and now losing their support from nobles, I think they will get desperate. Economically, they must be getting into a painful situation since the only people who trade with them are Goun. I think they have one route they will take. War, but I don’t see them likely coming against us immediately. They may have Heroes left, but it would not be enough against all our nations. We took away their best ally for war with the contract. If Goun does not fulfill the contract with our nations, their nation will suffer under it. I doubt someone as prudent as the pope would try to wage war against five nations alone.”

“So you are thinkin’ they would target Moona and Aletarra.” The King of Dunlap deliberated.

“Correct. It would be quite the task to do so. Also, if the church were to use those marked collars, they could, in a sense, create a slave army with that.”

“Turning family and friend against one another….” Prince Luke paled at the thought while looking at his brother.

Prince Alan smiled and patted his younger brother’s shoulder.

“Not just that. If they enslaved enough people, what would stop them from marching this way too? From what I learned, there are many high elves and demon-kin who are quite powerful, where you would need nine to ten soldiers to take just one down or the casters of the high elves wiping out battalions. I am guessing that they will most likely send their remaining Heroes to either Moona or Aletarra and begin their operations there.” Phaestus laid out his thoughts.

“How long do you think?” Mr. Barlett asked.

“I heard from a very knowledgeable Elder that with this major blow, it will likely take them about a year and a half before they make their move.”

They all agreed and began discussing their future plans for their nations. Phaestus silently contemplated.

We got lucky with the Heroes this time, but Elder said the last ones are far more powerful. I will not lose any of my family. I will practice Will Forging until I feel I can make the blade Hephaestus requested. Maybe I should start making casting accelerators?

A fire lit in his eyes as the ideas began to flood his mind and begin to take form. Phaestus could not help but smile in excitement.

“Uwah! That is a scary smile, uncle!” Princess Lindi commented, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Hah! Looks like the God of Crafting will be busy.” The King of Dunlap joked.

“I do wonder what crazy thing he will make this time.” Queen Delvirra followed.

“Maybe more of those flying ships?” Councilwoman Leelu requested.

“He does not hear any of you. When he gets like that, I have an impossible time getting his attention.” Dite complained.

“I found a way to get his attention.” Athena stated.

“How?” Everyone asked.

She grabbed his head and wedged it in her chest.

SOFT AND SWEET?!

“What!? What are you doing, Athena?!” Phaestus asked.

“Finally, your back. Let’s go home. You have work you want to do, right? No point wasting our time on the national stuff.” She smiled brightly.

The rest of the room burst out in joyous laughter with the young King, Prince Luke, Princess Lindi, and Delenia blushing a bit. Phaestus turned a bright red with an upset face. He stood while pulling his hood down to cover his face a bit more. Ruby, White, Athena, and Dite joined him while giggling at his embarrassment.

“Just get us where we want to go… [Teleport].”

“Did he make a new-?!” Those were the last words Phaestus heard before they vanished for Lenmos.

A single week later, a grand celebration was held in Meerka. The wedding between Crown Prince Alan of Meerka and the First Princess Delenia of Dunlap. The wedding took place in the great hall of the castle. Queen Delvirra requested if Elder Oribaba could bless the marriage, which she happily obliged. Many from noble houses and rulers were present for the wedding.

Prince Alan wore a noble white attire fit for the next King. Princess Delenia slowly walked up the center aisle, escorted by her dwarven father.

The King of Dunlap’s face was quite entertaining for all watching. His face kept shifting back and forth between being on the verge of tears for having to give away his beloved daughter, anger at Prince Alan for no good reason, and happiness for how beautiful his daughter looked in her wedding dress. Queen Delvirra merely shook her head with a smile at her husband’s idiocy.

Elder Oribaba began once the princess was in position.

“We are gathered here to witness the joining of two souls in holy union. To be one in this life and the next, to be each other’s strength and support. Let their fates be entwined even beyond the end of time. Prince Alan Veil Allucart, do you wish to join in divine union with Princess Delenia Stone Dunlap?”

“I do, now and forever.”

“And do you, Princess Delenia Stone Dunlap, wish to join in divine union with Prince Alan Veil Allucart?”

“I do, now and forever.”

“Then I, Elder Oribaba, recognize your eternal joining.”

Phaestus felt that the phrasing seemed slightly different from both of his weddings, but he decided to concern himself with it. The room broke in claps and whistles, along with a couple of gruff dwarves crying their eyes out.

The Prince and Princess left the room together, and the servants began moving about, bringing food out and getting it set up on long tables for the reception. The husband and wife would leave the room and return shortly after, in a more relaxed set of clothing for the reception and various announcements.

“Returning! Crown Prince Alan, Princess Delenia, husband, and wife!” A herald called out, and the two re-entered the room wearing less formal but noble-looking clothing.

They went to the front of the room where the tables for the Meerka and Dunlap royal families were and sat down.

The herald called out once more that the King of Meerka had an announcement.

“Everyone, I thank you all for coming and celebrating this day with us. This is truly a joyous day, one that I have waited for, for so long. Alan, my son, I have watched you grow from a small boy to the great man you are now. You have done Meerka, your mother and I, so proud. Today, I would like to announce, I intend to retire.” The King of Meerka stood and announced.

“F-Father?!” The King of Meerka smiled widely at his son.

“Yes, when you return my son, I intend to pass the crown to you. You have done well, and I feel that you are ready. But know that if you ever need advice, I will always be available.” The King placed a hand on his son's shoulder, a proud look on his face.

“Brother! I will also support you with my all!” Prince Luke cried energetically.

“Thank you all! I, I know this may be a bit early, but my first order as King of Meerka, Duke Hephaestus!”

Phaestus stood.

“Rulers of the allied nations, I would like to propose a new title for Duke Hephaestus, for all that he has done for each of our nations. To be recognized as the true hero he is in saving so many of us. From Alta to Dunlap, Merluka to Obai, and finally, here in Meerka. We all owe you a great debt that we may never be able to repay. To the Protector of the Five Kingdoms!” He raised his glass.

The rest of the rulers stood and raised their glasses, speaking in unison.

“To the Protector of the Five Kingdoms!”

Phaestus bowed his head and thanked them all, humbly accepting his title.

The ladies with him puffed out their chests with smug expressions.

Come on, have some humility…

The party continued late into the evening, the future looking bright.