The return to the mansion in Vailor was peaceful after the dungeon mission.
The city was already quieter at that hour of the night. Some taverns were still open, with adventurers talking loudly near the entrances, but most of the streets had already become calm.
As we walked along the main road, I silently observed the movement around us.
It had been a long time since the last time I was able to walk through Vailor without feeling that constant pressure of an imminent battle.
Over the past few months, everything seemed to happen far too quickly.
Wars.
Dragons.
Kingdoms.
New powers.
Responsibilities.
But now...
For the first time in a long while, there was a strange sense of stability.
Scarlet walked beside me while Rai'kanna discussed something with Liriel just behind us.
Elara was mentally organizing the expenses of the trip as always.
Lyannis remained holding one of her magic books even while walking.
And Vespera silently observed the rooftops.
Some things never changed.
When we finally arrived at the mansion, the servants had already prepared dinner.
As soon as I entered the main hall, I immediately smelled the aroma of warm food spreading through the room.
Scarlet sat down first without wasting any time.
"Finally."
"You only think about food," Elara commented.
"Wrong."
Scarlet crossed her arms.
"I also think about fighting."
Rai'kanna laughed immediately.
"At least she's honest."
I sat down calmly while watching the group converse.
It was strange how that place had become familiar.
At the beginning of this journey, I could hardly imagine living like that.
Now...
It felt like my normal routine.
The dishes began to be served while the girls talked about the dungeon mission.
Liriel seemed particularly satisfied.
"The purification worked quickly in that dungeon."
"Because the core was small," Lyannis replied.
"Even so, the demonic mana was more concentrated than normal."
That caught my attention.
I looked at her.
"You noticed that too?"
She nodded slowly.
"The density of demonic energy is gradually increasing."
The hall became a little quieter after that.
Scarlet rested her arm on the table.
"Do you think it has something to do with the demon generals?"
"Probably."
Lyannis answered calmly.
"Demonic mana normally doesn't grow on its own like that."
I remained silent for a few seconds.
Recently, situations like that had been appearing more frequently.
More aggressive dungeons.
Denser demonic energy.
More violent creatures.
Maybe something really was changing.
But for now...
There was still no direct threat.
Elara noticed the atmosphere had become too heavy and quickly changed the subject.
"At least financially everything is going very well."
Scarlet sighed.
"Here we go."
Elara completely ignored her.
"The cyclops lands are growing quickly. Trade routes have increased by almost thirty percent."
Rai'kanna grabbed another piece of meat while listening.
"And to think that place looked dead when we arrived."
"That's because the region's mana was contaminated," Liriel commented.
She always seemed proud whenever she talked about the purification of the lands.
And honestly...
She had every reason to be.
Without that, nothing would probably have improved so quickly.
I continued listening to the conversation while we ate.
As simple as it was...
Those moments were beginning to hold real importance for me.
It wasn't just rest.
It was peace.
A peace that, honestly, I didn't know how long it would last.
After dinner, some servants began clearing the dishes while Scarlet stretched in her chair.
"Finally, a day without war."
"Don't say that as if you're disappointed," I said.
"I just prefer solving problems by fighting."
"That explains a lot."
She shot me an irritated look while Rai'kanna laughed again.
Lyannis had already returned to her books practically the moment she finished eating.
Liriel was helping some servants organize part of the kitchen using light magic.
And Vespera simply disappeared from the room in silence.
She had probably gone to patrol the surroundings of the mansion.
After some time, I went up to the second floor.
The hallway was quiet at that hour.
I slowly walked toward my room while observing the faint light of the lamps illuminating parts of the mansion.
As soon as I entered the room, I noticed Lyannis was already near the window reading again.
She truly seemed incapable of staying away from books.
"I thought you were going to rest."
"I am resting."
"Of course."
I slowly approached the balcony.
The night sky above Vailor was clear.
The city's lights shone in the distance while the cold wind passed through the mansion's gardens.
I rested my arms on the balcony railing, silently observing everything.
Maybe because it had been a long time since the last time I was able to simply stop.
Without fighting.
Without training.
Without thinking about survival.
Just observing the night.
I heard the room door open again.
Scarlet entered first, followed by Rai'kanna, Elara, and Liriel.
Shortly after, Vespera also appeared silently as always.
Scarlet threw herself directly onto the bed.
"Are we doing something tomorrow or are we finally getting some rest?"
"You complain when you're resting and complain when you're fighting."
"Because both are tiring."
Liriel sat near the window while observing the city.
"It's peaceful tonight."
"Too peaceful," Vespera murmured calmly.
I looked at her.
"Did you notice something?"
"No."
She crossed her arms.
"But sometimes too much silence is unsettling."
That suited her strangely well.
Rai'kanna approached the balcony while looking at the sky.
"Dragons used to say that long periods of peace made warriors careless."
"That doesn't sound very healthy."
"Dragons are rarely mentally healthy."
Scarlet let out a small laugh.
Even Lyannis smiled slightly upon hearing that.
We talked for a while as the night slowly advanced.
Simple topics.
Training.
Missions.
The lands.
The cyclops village.
Normal things.
Common things.
And perhaps that was exactly what made the moment important.
Because after so many battles...
Normality was beginning to feel rare.
After some time, the girls began to rest.
Scarlet fell asleep first as always.
Rai'kanna soon after.
Liriel remained awake, speaking quietly with Elara while Lyannis still read near the window.
I sat in a chair near the balcony, silently observing the sky.
Then I slowly raised my hand.
I concentrated mana.
Small golden flames appeared above my palm.
Calm.
Controlled.
The fire reflected faintly in my eyes as I silently watched it.
It was still strange to think that power was now part of me.
The Dragon's Breath.
A blessing obtained after defeating the Dragon King.
And now...
It was finally beginning to obey completely.
I slowly dispersed the flames.
Then I looked back toward the city.
Maybe I really was becoming stronger.
Not only in combat.
But also as a leader.
As someone responsible for other people.
The lands.
The residents.
The girls.
All of that was now part of my life.
And honestly...
I didn't want to lose it.
Lyannis slowly closed the book she was reading.
"You're thinking too much again."
"Maybe."
She walked closer to the balcony.
"What is it this time?"
I took a few seconds before answering.
"Don't you feel like everything is... too calm?"
She observed me silently for a few moments.
"Does that bother you?"
"It feels strange."
Lyannis rested her arms on the balcony railing.
"After so many battles, maybe you've simply forgotten what it's like to live normally."
That made me fall silent.
Maybe she was right.
Lately I was always expecting some threat to appear.
Some problem.
Some war.
It was as if my body had become accustomed to constant tension.
But that night...
Everything truly seemed peaceful.
The cold wind slowly passed through the city.
The lights remained lit in the distance.
And silence dominated Vailor.
After some time, Lyannis returned to bed while I remained alone on the balcony observing the night.
Then I realized something.
I wanted to protect that silence.
I wanted to protect that simple peace.
Because deep down...
I knew it wouldn't last forever.
The world was still changing.
The demons still existed.
The generals were still alive.
And something inside me told me that the true conflict had not yet begun.
I closed my eyes for a few seconds while breathing slowly.
Then I entered the room once more.
The girls were already asleep.
Only the faint moonlight illuminated part of the room.
I lay down calmly while staring at the ceiling in silence.
That strange feeling still lingered in the back of my mind.
As if something was slowly approaching.
But that night...
I decided to ignore it.
I slowly closed my eyes as silence took over the mansion.
And for the first time in a very long time...
Sleeping truly felt peaceful.