The celebration continued for hours.
The great elven hall was completely different from the war-torn atmosphere that had dominated our previous days. Now the air was light, filled with the sound of delicate instruments, laughter, and lively conversations between adventurers and elves.
Even so, I couldn't ignore the sense of exhaustion that was finally beginning to catch up with my body.
During the battle, adrenaline had sustained every movement. Every decision. Every strike.
Now that everything was over, the weight of the war seemed to finally reach me.
I was sitting near one of the large windows of the hall, watching the night that enveloped the forest. The giant trees formed a silent landscape outside, illuminated only by the soft light of the elven lanterns.
Liriel approached first.
She sat beside me with her usual calm. The soft glow of divine magic still seemed to surround her presence, although now it was weaker than during the battles.
"You look tired."
Her voice was gentle.
I let out a small sigh.
"Maybe a little."
Liriel smiled faintly.
"That's normal. You carried a lot of weight during this war."
For a few seconds, we remained silent, watching the movement in the hall.
Elara was further back, talking with some elven commanders about strategies used during the battles. Her gaze remained attentive, as if she were still analyzing every detail of the war.
Rai'kanna was sitting with a group of adventurers, taking part in a drinking contest that had clearly gone far beyond moderation.
Lyannis was chatting excitedly with some young elves who seemed fascinated by the stories of the battle.
Vespera remained leaning against a nearby column, observing everything with the calm expression she always kept.
Nothing escaped her gaze.
Liriel followed my line of sight and then spoke again.
"The forest is safe."
I nodded.
"Yes."
She rested her hands on her lap and continued.
"But I know your mind is already thinking about the next problem."
I didn't respond immediately.
Because she was right.
Even in that moment of victory, a part of me still remembered the General's words before he died.
The demonic hierarchy still existed.
And if the Fourth General had been that powerful, the higher ranks would certainly be even more dangerous.
Liriel noticed the silence and smiled knowingly.
"For today… you can rest."
Before I could respond, another voice appeared.
"Rest?"
Scarlet showed up holding two glasses of drink.
She handed one to me without asking.
"After defeating a General, you should be celebrating a lot more than this."
She sat in the chair in front of me with a relaxed smile.
Scarlet seemed much looser than during the battle. Her slightly flushed cheeks and the shine in her eyes indicated she had already drunk quite a bit.
Liriel watched the scene with a small polite smile.
Scarlet raised her glass.
"To the most interesting war I've had in years."
I raised mine in response.
"To victory."
We took a sip.
The elven drink had a smooth taste, but it was stronger than it seemed.
Scarlet rested her elbow on the table and watched me for a few seconds.
"You've changed."
I raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
She slowly spun the glass between her fingers.
"When we first met, you seemed like someone trying to understand your own power."
Her eyes sharpened.
"Now you seem like someone who has already decided what to do with it."
I stayed silent for a moment.
Maybe she was right.
The war had changed something inside me.
Scarlet then smiled playfully.
"But don't worry."
She raised her glass again.
"I still prefer fighting by your side rather than against you."
After that, the conversation drifted into battle stories and comments about the adventurers present in the hall.
Time passed quickly.
The music continued.
The tables were becoming emptier as the food disappeared.
Some adventurers had already left to rest.
Others still remained, enjoying every moment of the celebration.
At some point in the night, Rai'kanna finally lost her drinking contest and ended up being practically carried out of the hall by Lyannis.
Elara quietly excused herself to continue discussing strategic matters with the elven commanders.
Liriel left to help some healers who were still tending to the wounded from the battle.
Vespera simply disappeared without making a sound.
Scarlet remained seated in front of me.
But now she had clearly drunk beyond her limit.
She rested her face on her hand and looked at me with a slightly unfocused expression.
"You know…"
she said slowly.
"…you almost died today."
I gave a small smile.
"Almost."
Scarlet let out a short laugh.
"That shouldn't be something normal."
She tried to stand up from the chair.
But the movement wasn't exactly stable.
Before she fell, I held her arm.
She blinked a few times.
"Maybe… I overdid it a little."
I helped her stand.
The hall was much quieter now.
Scarlet leaned part of her weight on my shoulder as we walked toward the castle corridors.
"You're a strange hero."
she murmured.
"Usually heroes are arrogant."
I simply replied:
"I prefer to stay alive."
She laughed again.
We reached one of the quiet corridors reserved for guests.
Scarlet leaned against the wall for a moment while trying to regain her balance.
Then she looked directly into my eyes.
For a few seconds, silence filled the corridor.
Her gaze seemed more serious now.
Almost thoughtful.
"Takumi…"
she began.
But then she just shook her head.
"Forget it."
Scarlet let out a small sigh and walked to the door of the room reserved for her.
Before entering, she turned her head again.
"Good night, hero."
She entered the room and closed the door.
I stood in the corridor for a few seconds.
Then I started walking back to my own room.
The celebration had ended.
The war as well.
But as I walked through the silent corridors of the elven castle…
A persistent feeling remained in the back of my mind.
That victory had changed something in the world.
And I knew the consequences of it were only just beginning.