The journey back to the giants' castle was far more peaceful than the previous days. For the first time since our arrival, the roads were silent.
No smoke.
No demonic mana lingering in the air.
No destroyed villages appearing along the way.
Even the giants we encountered while climbing toward the mountain seemed different. Many were rebuilding houses, carrying lumber, or reorganizing the fields near the outer walls.
Some stopped just to watch us pass.
Others raised their arms in gratitude.
At certain points, I even heard giant children cheering when they recognized Rai'kanna or Scarlet.
That made me realize just how much our presence had impacted that kingdom in only a few days.
Scarlet gazed out the carriage window.
"They really do look more relieved."
"Because they can finally breathe."
I replied calmly.
Liriel smiled faintly as she looked at the distant fields.
"The purification worked even better than I expected."
Lyannis, seated beside her, closed the book she had been studying.
"The stones have completely lost their magical activity."
Elara crossed her arms.
"So the demons will have to start everything from scratch if they want to come back."
"If they come back."
Vespera said calmly.
I looked at her.
"You think they gave up?"
She remained silent for a few seconds before answering.
"No."
Her answer was direct.
"They only retreated."
The atmosphere inside the carriage became a little heavier after that.
Because deep down, all of us knew she was probably right.
Demons never acted without a reason.
But at least for that moment...
The giants' lands were safe.
When we finally passed through the enormous castle gates, several giant soldiers were already waiting for our arrival.
Durgan stood at the front.
The massive general broke into a broad smile when he saw us.
"Hahaha! So you really did it!"
We stepped out of the carriage as several giants watched us.
"The last demonic strongholds have disappeared."
I answered.
"And Liriel managed to completely purify the contaminated areas."
Durgan immediately looked at Liriel.
She looked practically tiny beside him.
Even so, he respectfully placed a hand over his chest.
"Then you saved our land."
Liriel looked a little embarrassed.
"I only did what I could."
"Modest."
Durgan commented with a laugh.
"All of you are."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"Takumi especially."
Scarlet immediately agreed.
"Yes. He acts as if destroying demon armies is something normal."
"Because it has become routine."
I replied.
Elara let out a small laugh.
"That is definitely not normal."
As we talked, several giants began making room around the castle's main entrance.
I heard drums echoing across the walls.
Durgan then said:
"The king has ordered a grand banquet to celebrate the victory."
Scarlet sighed.
"Here comes giant-sized food again."
That reminded me of the absurd size of the meals in this kingdom.
Rai'kanna smiled faintly.
"You complained, but you ate quite a lot last time."
"Because I was hungry."
"Of course."
We rode the enormous castle elevator once more as sounds of celebration echoed throughout the fortress.
This time, the atmosphere was completely different.
There was no military tension.
The giant soldiers chatted peacefully.
Some even smiled as we passed.
When we reached the great hall, I immediately noticed the scale of the celebration.
Huge tables filled nearly the entire room.
Gigantic barrels.
Massive roasted meats.
Fruits the size of small watermelons.
The entire hall was illuminated by great golden torches fixed between the monumental pillars.
At the center, seated upon his enormous throne, was King Gromkar.
As we approached, he stood.
His voice echoed throughout the entire hall.
"THE HEROES WHO SAVED THE KINGDOM OF THE GIANTS HAVE RETURNED!"
The giants began banging their cups and weapons against the tables in celebration.
The noise was so loud that I could even feel the floor vibrating slightly.
Scarlet placed a hand on her forehead.
"They really like making noise."
"Elves are far too quiet."
Elara commented.
The king slowly descended the steps of his throne.
Despite his enormous size, his presence inspired more respect than intimidation.
"Takumi."
He placed his giant hand over his chest.
"You kept your word."
"It was our mission."
I replied.
"Even so."
The king looked around the hall.
"My people will continue to exist because of your group."
The atmosphere became a little quieter for a few seconds.
I wasn't quite sure how to respond to something like that.
I had never liked acting as though I were someone especially important.
But at that moment, I realized that, to them, it truly meant a great deal.
The king then raised his voice again.
"Today, the Kingdom of the Giants celebrates its victory!"
The drums echoed once more.
The giants began drinking and chatting excitedly.
Durgan practically dragged an entire table over to us.
"Sit!"
Scarlet looked at the size of the giant chair.
"That's practically a wall."
Rai'kanna started laughing.
In the end, we used smaller benches that had been prepared specifically for us.
They had probably been made in a hurry after our arrival.
Soon afterward, the food began arriving.
A lot of food.
Far too much, in fact.
Elara stared at a huge piece of meat being placed on the table.
"Do they really eat all this?"
"Yes."
Lyannis answered calmly.
"Giants have a metabolism far superior to that of humans."
Scarlet pointed at an enormous loaf of bread.
"That alone would feed half of Vailor."
While we were talking, I noticed unusual movement near the throne.
Several giants respectfully stepped aside.
Then she appeared.
Long brown hair.
Light blue eyes.
A calm yet resolute posture.
Even as a giant, she possessed a natural elegance.
She wore a simple rustic dress typical of the kingdom, yet still carried a noble presence.
She walked slowly across the hall while several giants lowered their heads respectfully.
Durgan noticed where I was looking.
"The princess."
So that was...
The king's daughter.
She calmly approached the main table.
The king smiled faintly.
"Takumi."
He gestured toward the young giantess.
"This is my daughter."
She looked directly at me.
"Princess Freyja."
I inclined my head respectfully.
"It is an honor."
She smiled gently.
"The honor is mine."
Her voice was softer than I had imagined.
Scarlet watched everything silently.
So did Elara.
In fact...
All of them did.
Freyja then continued:
"I've heard a great deal about all of you these past few days."
Rai'kanna smiled faintly.
"I hope it was all good."
"Only good things."
Freyja replied.
Then she looked at me again.
"Especially about the hero who charged through the demonic core alone."
I rubbed the back of my neck lightly.
"I wasn't alone."
Scarlet immediately commented:
"Finally, someone is acknowledging that."
I couldn't help letting out a small laugh.
The atmosphere quickly became lighter.
Freyja then sat beside the king while the giants continued celebrating throughout the hall.
For much of the night, we talked about the kingdom.
About the destroyed villages.
About reconstruction.
About the problems caused by the demonic stones.
Tholgrim, the master weaponsmith, also appeared some time later carrying a massive metal mug.
"So you truly wield draconic fire."
I looked at him.
"I'm still learning."
"Hm."
He studied my sword for a few seconds.
"Even so... impressive."
As the giants talked and drank, I noticed that Freyja continued quietly observing our group.
Especially the way we all interacted with one another.
At one point, she asked:
"Do you always travel like this?"
Liriel smiled.
"Pretty much all the time."
"Doesn't it get exhausting?"
Freyja asked.
Vespera answered calmly:
"We're used to it now."
Scarlet looked at me afterward.
"Especially because Takumi can never stay still."
"It's not my fault trouble always shows up."
"Of course."
Several of them answered at the same time.
Even Freyja ended up laughing softly.
The hours passed quickly.
The entire hall remained filled with celebration.
But then, at one point, I noticed the king standing once more.
The atmosphere around him changed.
The giants gradually fell silent.
Gromkar slowly raised his enormous golden goblet.
Then he looked directly at me.
"Takumi."
The entire hall fell silent.
"The Kingdom of the Giants will never forget your help."
I frowned slightly.
There was something different about his tone now.
The king continued:
"And because of that... I have decided to offer you something beyond gold or land."
Scarlet immediately narrowed her eyes.
Elara noticed as well.
Rai'kanna let out a small sigh as if she already knew what was coming.
The king broke into a broad smile.
Then he declared before the entire hall:
"I OFFER THE HAND OF MY DAUGHTER, FREYJA, IN MARRIAGE TO THE HERO TAKUMI!"