Chapter 923 A Night of Unity, A Morning of Surprise
Reign and his companions exchanged glances, realizing the gravity of the situation. Aragos's mother, standing before them, had suffered at the hands of King Irodis's brother who had plotted against both kingdoms.
The scars of the past were etched on her face, a painful reminder of the dark chapters they had overcome. She, as an elf, should look no older than a person in their early twenties right now, and yet, she looked as old as her father was, which showed just how big of a toll the pregnancy that was sped up by the drug had on her.
And yet, even though she was hurt so badly, she never treated Aragos badly. She always cared for him, and he was the one thing that could calm her down and have her act normal, him and Iscandar, the man she was supposed to marry and spend the rest of her life with.
King Irodis approached the woman with a somber expression, "I understand the pain he caused you, and I deeply regret the suffering my brother inflicted upon you and countless others."
"The actions of one individual had caused so much damage and suffering to both our kingdoms that his life alone would have never been enough to atone for it all, but I hope that in the future, we will all be able to put it behind us."
The woman nodded, her gaze still haunted by memories. "Your Majesty, I appreciate your words, but the wounds run deep, I will admit that the news of his actions being found out did indeed help me, and his death felt as if a huge boulder was lifted from my shoulders."
"And yet, I still find myself haunted by the memories, even seeing you right now is not easy, but I hope that in the future, it will be easier."
Aragos placed a comforting hand on his mother's shoulder, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. "Mother, we are here for you."
"The era of was and darkness is behind us, and we must strive to build a future where such atrocities are never repeated."
Reign and his companions watched the scene unfold, recognizing the complex emotions at play. Mia stepped forward, offering her support, "The two kingdoms will stay united from now on, far away from the shadows of the past, and your strength and resilience will be a beacon of inspiration for them all."
The woman managed a faint smile, appreciative of the empathy extended to her. "Thank you, young one."
"It heartens me to see a new generation committed to forging a better path, and I am happy to meet those that finally managed to bring the true perpetrator to the justice he deserved."
As the moment of tension began to dissipate, the grand hall regained its celebratory atmosphere. The people, aware of the painful history that lingered, chose to honor the resilience of those who had suffered and the determination to move forward.
King Irodis and Azkaran gestured for the celebration to continue, acknowledging the need to overcome the shadows of the past. The musicians played uplifting melodies, and the people resumed their festivities, determined to embrace the newfound peace.
Reign and his companions joined the celebration, but the encounter with Aragos's mother had left a lasting impact on them. The weight of the past, the consequences of war and betrayal, hung in the air like a ghostly specter. Yet, amidst the celebration, there was a collective determination to build a brighter future.
The grand hall resonated with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. As the night progressed, Reign found himself engrossed in conversations with people from both kingdoms. The shared stories, the cultural exchanges, and the camaraderie forged a sense of unity that went beyond mere diplomatic agreements.
After all, both sides had suffered greatly during the war and they all wanted this peace to last, nearly everybody wanted to do nothing else but put the horrors of the war behind them, never to repeat it again.
King Irodis and King Azkaran took turns addressing the assembly, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, understanding, and coexistence. The idea of the temporary town in the borderlands evolving into a permanent symbol of peace captured the imagination of everyone present.
People already started talking about how the future city would look like, what would be placed in it, how it would function, whether would it be a hub of trade that connects the two kingdoms…
Reign, Mia, Theron, Seraphina, Nayle, and their new allies felt a sense of responsibility. They had played a crucial role in uncovering the plot and defeating the enemy, and now, they had become catalysts for a new era.
They would be leaving soon, and none knew if they would ever return to this place if they would ever see the people they were currently talking to.
But that was their fate, that was how it had always been for those the system deemed as talented enough, as worthy enough to be placed in these difficult situations in order to grow more powerful.
It wasn't as if they couldn't talk to the people they knew here ever again. After all, they were all connected by the system and they could all communicate through the communication hubs that were present everywhere in the universe.
Reign, for example, was still in touch with the people of the kingdom, which was now the empire of Riplas. He still talked to Raigon and Eisenhorn from time to time.
Laura was in contact with the people in the demon-infested world and she talked to them as well, Shadow and the others did have some people they had met and continued being in touch with.
It was difficult to do so in the past, but with them becoming more powerful, more of the system's options became available to them, one of them being the ability to send a message to any person they knew from the communication hub.
As the night wore on, the celebration transitioned to a more intimate gathering. King Irodis approached Reign and his companions, expressing gratitude for their pivotal role in bringing about this moment of unity.
"Reign," the king said with a genuine smile, "you and your companions have not only evolved in power but also in the hearts of our people."
"Your journey has become a legend, a tale of courage, friendship, and the triumph of light over darkness."
"All of you are important to us, you inspired the people, and you helped us so much that mere words are not enough to show our gratitude."
Reign bowed his head respectfully. "Your Majesty, it has been an honor to stand by your side and to witness the resilience of your people."
"We are humbled by the warm welcome and the unity that has blossomed between the two kingdoms, and between all of us."
"Yes, so for tonight, no holding back, we celebrate, we drink, we have fun!" Adrian suddenly yelled from the side as he chugged his drink, to which others responded by smiling before doing the same.
The celebration continued into the late hours of the night, with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses echoing through the temporary town in the borderlands. As the atmosphere became livelier, Reign and his companions found themselves caught up in the festivities.
Adrian's call for unrestrained celebration was met with enthusiasm. The drinks flowed freely, and even the kings themselves joined in the revelry. The borders between kingdoms were momentarily forgotten as people from both sides danced, sang, and shared stories.
As the night progressed, the alcohol took its toll on the participants. The once orderly celebration descended into a joyous chaos. Reign found himself surrounded by new friends and acquaintances, all eager to share in the merriment.
At some point, Reign found himself dancing with Mia, as well as some other noble ladies, their laughter merging with the music. Theron engaged in a spirited conversation with some scholars from the Elais kingdom, exchanging insights about the magical arts. Nayle and Seraphina were in high spirits, engaging in friendly banter with the soldiers who had once been their comrades in arms.
As the night reached its peak, the group decided to take a moment of respite. Adrian, still brimming with energy, led them to a quieter area where the starlit sky stretched overhead. The makeshift town, illuminated by lanterns and magical lights, provided a magical backdrop for the revelry.
They found a spot to sit, surrounded by friendly faces and the sounds of celebration. The air was filled with a sense of unity, transcending borders and differences. Adrian raised his cup, proposing a toast to friendship and the bonds forged through shared experiences.
"To friendship!" the group echoed, clinking their cups together. The night continued with more laughter, stories, and the occasional stumbling dance moves.
As the alcohol flowed, the celebration took an unexpected turn. People began to drift away, seeking refuge in the embrace of sleep. The once boisterous party transformed into a peaceful, slumbering gathering.
The scene shifted to the next morning. The rising sun painted the sky in hues of pink and orange, casting a warm glow over the town. Reign awoke with a slight headache, a testament to the revelry of the previous night.
As he woke up, however, he was dumbfounded as he stared at the three girls who were all in the same bed as he was.
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