The Adelaire Empire was thrown into a festive mood with no prior warning at all. The hidden organizations that threatened the empire's peace disappeared one after another, the Emperor began moving against the corrupt nobles, and last but certainly not least, their beloved princess finally returned.
For 3 days and 3 nights, a mighty celebration took place. The streets of every town in the Empire were lined with people, slinging decorations and enjoying themselves at street stalls.
Even the Empire's soldiers were mobilized to maintain peace in the entire empire and allow all its citizens to celebrate. Some doubted whether the Emperor was becoming senile in old age, throwing such a grand celebration, but even they were soon caught up in the jovial atmosphere, joining the bustling crowds.
***
Within the Imperial Palace, a scene completely different from the festivities outside was taking place.
The Adelaire Emperor dodged rapidly as he was attacked, fear and panic evident on his face. But even as his body moved, the endless barrage of attacks never seemed to stray too far away from him.
"Calm down! Why must you attack me like this?!" He questioned indignantly as he dodged a projectile that flew past his face.
A pink-haired beauty stood across the room from him and seethed in embarrassment. Without answering his question, she picked up another pillow and heavily threw it at the Emperor.
"You…did you really have to embarrass me like that?!" Rose finally screamed. Her face was bright red, to the point where she looked like she would explode at any second.
She didn't expect to be welcomed back to the Empire with such cringe-worthy grandeur. She was just planning to show Ruyue around the Empire when she was swarmed by a crowd of common people praising and welcoming her.
And it wasn't just a single town. Regardless of where she went, the reaction was the same. It was only after beating up a few Imperial Knights that she received her answer.
Feeling the fluctuations from Damien's Warp Gate, the Emperor immediately moved his people into action.
And when she learned the truth, she rushed to the Imperial Palace, causing the scene that was currently taking place.
Sitting to the side and watching the antics of the father-daughter pair was a woman who looked no older than 25, but the wise light in her eyes and her general bearing seemed to suggest otherwise.
When Rose noticed her, she rushed into her arms and pouted. "Auntie! Tell father he went too far!"
Claire looked down at her daughter-in-law with a soft smile. Even though her behavior was extremely childish at the moment, Claire couldn't really blame her. In this kind of situation, who wouldn't throw a tantrum?
Claire brushed her hands through Rose's hair as she spoke. "Now, now. Can't you tell how much your father missed you? Though, I have to agree that he went a bit overboard this time."
"Keuk…! You too, Claire?!" The Adelaire Emperor exclaimed, gripping his heart in mock pain.
"Not only my daughter, but my close friend as well…I've been betrayed by everyone!"
Rose rolled her eyes. "Stupid dad, since when did you act like this? Where's the cold and indifferent Adelaire Emperor I know?"
Claire giggled at the question. "The truth is, once you left he finally noticed how much he missed you. Ever since then, he became a complete daughter's fool."
Rose's eyes widened in shock. And conveniently, Elena and Ruyue entered the room at the very same moment.
A collection of giggles and laughter rang out from the group of women. Suddenly, the Adelaire Emperor felt a bit left out.
"Sheesh, where did my son-in-law disappear to at a time like this? It's too uncomfortable being alone in this scary place…"
'Not to mention, I have to beat that bastard's ass. How dare he form a harem when he already has my daughter?! Hmph, brat, you better not show your face here."
While the Adelaire Emperor seethed, Ruyue knelt on the floor in front of Claire, lowering her head to the floor in a kowtow.
"This unworthy daughter-in-law greets mother." She said with utmost seriousness. Her whole body was practically shivering in nervousness.
Claire looked down at the kowtowing Ruyue curiously. Truth be told, she knew her son wouldn't stay monogamous from the second she woke up and saw him with both Rose and Elena. But seeing Ruyue here was even more of a shock to her.
How long had it been since he left? One or two years? In that time, not only did he finally accept Elena's feelings, he also completely conquered the heart of another young woman?
Unknowingly, Claire's lips curled up into a smirk. An unknown feeling of pride bubbled up in her heart.
'My son sure is a capable man now.' She thought to herself. At the same time, she bent down and lifted Ruyue off the floor.
"Why are you being so stiff?" She asked gently, grabbing hold of Ruyue's hands. "From now on, we are family. There's no need for such things between family, right?"
Ruyue's eyes widened. She didn't know how to respond. After all, the family she knew was nothing like that. That family was a toxic place full of hate and jealousy. Let alone love, there wasn't even camaraderie between family members.
Perhaps that was the reason why the Xue Clan fell so easily.
Ruyue nodded her head lightly. She didn't want to remember the Xue Clan as her family any longer.
This new family would be her one and only, and she would cherish it with everything she had.
***
On the border of the Adelaire Empire, a man appeared in the air. From his gait alone one could tell he was an expert.
His gaze drifted across the horizon, taking note of the cities he saw below him. In the end, his eyes landed on a single place.
A medium-sized city by the name of Archdale.
A small smile spread on his lips. His figure flashed, appearing in Archdale completely unnoticed.
He perused the streets quietly, embracing the joyous atmosphere that enveloped them. And imagining the look of embarrassment on Rose's face when she saw what was happening, his smile inadvertently grew wider.
As he aimlessly drifted through the city, he found himself in front of an old decrepit building. But despite the immense heat leaking from within, the building didn't seem stressed at all.
Damien walked through the door of the shop, taking a moment to admire the weapons on the walls before directly jumping over the counter and walking into the back room.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of a hammer clashing against metal immediately filled his ears. A familiar heat enveloped his body. Despite the fact that he had only been here a few times, it felt oddly homey.
He walked through the halls of the forge, quickly arriving at the main furnace where a certain blacksmith was hard at work.
And then, he simply observed.
The minute movements the blacksmith made while hammering the metal, the precision and accuracy of each swing in both the position and amount of power put into every swing.
The way the flames danced as they melted metals and formed alloys, the way black smoke rose from the furnace to create a dreary cloud above, it all melded together like a piece of art.
Despite how rough the scene itself was, it somehow gave off an air of grace.
With neither of them realizing the flow of time, the forging was completed, a large and domineering hammer appearing as the final product.
The blacksmith finally turned around to acknowledge the new visitor in his shop. "Aye, business ain't boomin' like it used to these days! So, customer, what can I get for ya?"
Vormec flashed a toothy, seemingly professional grin, and turned around. When he saw who was behind him, his eyes widened in shock.
