With the power of the gods' flame by my side… I burned my name into the minds of all.
With that power, I helped restore peace to the world of Eternivagans…
Burning the Demon King's forces to the ground… reducing them to ash.
With my great might… the Demon King was slain.
But now…
…umm… well…
I face a far greater challenge.
The Demon Lord's castle stood in ruin.
Once a towering fortress of black stone and cursed mana, it now crumbled around them—walls split open, pillars collapsed, and the throne room scorched beyond recognition. The air still shimmered with lingering magic, heat rising from the battlefield as embers floated like dying stars.
At the center of it all…
The Demon King's body faded into ash.
The Six Pillars of Magic stood there—barely.
All of them were breathing heavily… bodies trembling… on the verge of collapse.
Aelira – Wind Pillar(High Elf)
HP: 3% | Mana: 12% | Stamina: 1% | Speed: SSS | Control: SS
Thalindra – Water Pillar(Sea Elf)
HP: 5% | Mana: 9% | Stamina: 2% | Healing: SSS | Control: S
Sylvara – Earth Pillar(Forest Elf)
HP: 12% | Mana: 4% | Stamina: 0% | Defense: SSS | Strength: SS
Nymeris – Ice Pillar(Frost Elf)
HP: 7% | Mana: 6% | Stamina: 3% | Precision: SSS | Control: SSS
Lunethiel – Moon God Pillar(Human – Male)
HP: 79% | Mana: 2% | Stamina: 2% | Magic Output: SSS | Stability: S
And then…
There was her.
Elarinya – Sun God Pillar(High Elf)
HP: 82% | Mana: 91% | Stamina: 76% | Magic Output: ??? | Presence: SSS+
Elarinya stood firm.
Not a tremble.
Not a stagger.
She rested her hand on her hip, golden hair flowing softly from the lingering heat… a smug, almost playful smirk on her face.
"…The Demon Lord is slain."
For a moment…
Silence.
Then—
They cheered.
Sylvara collapsed onto her back with a loud thud.
"THANK GOD IT'S OVER—MY FEET ARE KILLING ME!!"
Aelira brushed dirt off herself, wind lightly swirling around her.
"…I could really use a bath. I'm filthy…"
"THALINDRA!"
The water pillar dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face.
"I'M ALIVE… I'M ACTUALLY ALIVE…"
She sobbed uncontrollably.
Nymeris stood with her arms crossed, expression cold as ever.
"Hmph… Well. I'm glad that's over."
Lunethiel let out a long breath, gripping his staff.
"…We really did it…"
And as they celebrated…
There was one more.
Laurence – Provisioned(Human)
HP: 22% | Mana: 2% | Stamina: 5% | Combat Ability: F | Survival: A
Laurence stood off to the side, covered in soot, clothes torn, carrying a half-broken supply pack.
He wasn't strong.
He wasn't fast, he wasn't special, he simply was, a nobody.
But he had been with them… through everything.
For most of his life.
He looked at them… smiling softly.
"…You all did it."
And at the center of it all—
Elarinya stood… basking in the fading glow of her own power…
Completely untouched.
Laurence ran around swiftly, handing out magic potions to everyone.
Sylvara grabbed one and chugged it down.
"AHHH—now that hits the spot…!" She stretched her arms out. "…Laurence?? Did you flavor this one? It tastes like cherry."
He smiled, a little proud of himself.
"I sure did. A simple spell I learned—to give magical potions a better taste."
Nymeris huffed, turning her head away, cheeks slightly puffed.
"…What a useless spell. Something like that is completely beneath me…"
She stood there… still holding a health potion.
Her eyes slowly drifted toward it.
…
"…Umm… well… I'll still drink it."
Laurence smiled at her.
For just a second—her face heated up.
"Idiot…" she muttered, quickly looking away before taking a sip.
Thalindra was still crying.
Laurence gently walked over and patted her head.
"There, there… he's dead."
She sniffled, wiping her tears.
"…He's really gone…?"
Her voice was small… almost childlike. She was the youngest of them all—small, fragile-looking… yet still one of the greatest mages alive.
"…Thanks, Laurence… you're the best…"
He shook his head softly.
"I'm nothing special… honestly."
Aelira raised her hand lazily.
"…Toss one here."
Laurence threw a potion.
She caught it cleanly, giving a thumbs up.
"Rock on, my dude."
Glug. Glug.
He chuckled. "Right back at you."
Soon, Laurence approached Lunethiel.
The Moon God Pillar stood tall… almost untouched. Calm. Untouchable.
As Laurence held out a potion—
Lunethiel raised his hand, stopping him.
"I have no need for such a worthless potion."
His eyes shimmered like the night sky.
"Those are for the weak… who try their very best… but sadly fail."
Sylvara groaned from the floor.
"…Asshole. As always."
Lunethiel smirked, eyes closing slightly, his tone dripping with quiet arrogance.
"It is simply the truth. You were at a mere twelve HP a moment ago."
"Why you—!"
"Sylvara," Nymeris cut in coldly. "…Don't bother. He's not worth it."
"…Pff. Fine."
Elarinya stood there… arms crossed… looking very pleased with herself.
"Well then… this calls for a celebration!!"
"YEAH!!"
They all raised their fists into the air.
Even Laurence joined in.
He walked over to Elarinya, tilting his head slightly, a big, genuine smile on his face.
"…I'm really proud of you, Elarinya."
For just a moment—
She froze.
Her composure cracked.
"W–W–W-WELL OF COURSE YOU ARE!!"
She quickly turned her head, flustered.
"I did strike the final blow on the DEMON KING!!"
Laurence
25-year-old human male
His village was destroyed when he was sixteen… wiped out by the Demon Lord's forces.
He should have died that day.
But Elarinya saved him.
And in that moment… he begged her—
begged to follow her… to join her journey.
Surprisingly…
She said yes.
And from that day forward, he stayed by her side—and the others—
until the Demon King was finally slain.
He became their Provisioner.
And he had been ever since.
The Great Kingdom of Xylonia…
Known in the elvish tongue as The Land of Silver and Gold.
A fitting place to celebrate such a victory.
Fireworks lit up the night sky.
The streets were alive.
Children ran laughing through the roads—humans, elves, and beastfolk alike—dancing together as one. Music filled the air, lanterns glowing warm against the night, voices echoing with joy and relief.
For the first time in a long time…
The world felt at peace.
The Six Pillars sat together at a large table, drinks in hand.
And already…
Things were getting out of control.
Aelira was completely drunk.
For a high elf… she was anything but elegant when it came to alcohol.
"C'mon—hic—hic—Laurence!! Come an' have a drink with me, won't yaaa~?!"
Sylvara pinched the bridge of her nose.
"…How are you this bad at holding your liquor? Seriously, I've seen halflings with more tolerance than you…"
She grabbed Aelira by the arm, dragging her away.
"HEY—nooo—my booze!!"
Meanwhile—
Thalindra held an entire pitcher in both hands, lifting it up.
She was just about to start chugging—
When—
Laurence snatched it right out of her hands.
"No, no. You're too young for that."
She puffed her cheeks.
"Laurence… you do know I'm 300 years old, right?"
Laurence froze for a second, sweating a bit.
"…Yeah, I—"
He couldn't say it.
He just… couldn't.
She looked way too much like a child.
Thalindra sighed, lowering her shoulders.
"…Fine… if that's what Laurence wishes…"
He let out a small breath of relief.
"…Much appreciated."
Nymeris stepped in, grabbing Thalindra's hand.
"Well, Laurence isn't entirely wrong…"
She glanced at her coldly.
"For an elf, you're still way below the drinking age."
"…You do know it's 500 for us, right?"
Thalindra winced.
"…That's not fair…"
Laurence blinked.
…It's really that high??
…Elves are something else…
Off to the side—
Lunethiel was surrounded by women, laughing softly, charm practically radiating off him.
"…A pleasure, truly—"
"…Scumbag…" Sylvara muttered under her breath.
Laurence watched all of it… running around, keeping things from getting too out of hand.
And through it all—
He never stopped smiling.
But then…
Something caught his attention.
"…Huh?"
Elarinya wasn't there.
She was nowhere to be seen.
Elarinya wasn't far from the celebration. She stood above it, overlooking everything from the second platform that wrapped around the outer walls of the grand hall. From here, she could see the entire city of Xylonia alive beneath her. Lanterns hung from stone arches, glowing gold and silver, casting warm light over the streets below. Fireworks burst high above the kingdom, scattering colors across the night sky—deep reds, radiant golds, and shimmering blues that reflected off the polished rooftops.
The streets were filled with life. Children ran laughing between crowds—humans, elves, and beastfolk all mixed together without fear. Music echoed from every direction, drums beating, flutes playing, voices singing loudly without a care. People danced in circles, hands joined, celebrating a victory that felt almost unreal.
"…So this is what peace looks like…"
Elarinya spoke quietly, almost to herself. Her voice carried a strange softness, as if she didn't fully believe what she was seeing. A gentle breeze brushed past her, lifting strands of her long golden hair and carrying the distant laughter up to where she stood. It should have felt warm. It should have felt complete.
But something in her chest felt… off.
Her eyes lingered on the celebration, but her expression didn't match it. There was a faint tension in her brow, something unsettled beneath the surface. After everything—the war, the destruction, the battles that pushed her to her limits—this moment should have been enough. And yet, she found herself standing apart from it.
"Enjoying the view?"
The voice came from behind her, soft and familiar.
Elarinya jolted slightly, her body reacting before her mind could catch up. "AHH—!" She spun around quickly, one hand instinctively lifting as if ready to cast a spell, only to freeze when she saw who it was.
"…O–oh… it's you, Laurence…" She let out a breath, placing a hand against her chest as her heartbeat settled. "…Don't sneak up on me like that…"
Laurence chuckled lightly, stepping closer but keeping a respectful distance. "For the most powerful mage in existence, you still get scared when I sneak up on you."
She huffed immediately, crossing her arms and turning slightly away from him. "It's not the same. You know my body can't help it—it's a reflex. Everyone has that, dummy."
The words came out sharp, but there was no real bite to them. Around him, her presence shifted. The overwhelming aura she carried on the battlefield—the one that made even the other Pillars hesitate—was gone. There was no pressure, no burning intensity.
She was just Elarinya.
"And Laurence…" she added, glancing back at him from the corner of her eye, "…one of these days I might accidentally cast a fireball on you for that."
He laughed without hesitation. "Wouldn't be the first time."
"HEY! I said sorry for that!" she snapped back quickly, her cheeks puffing slightly in frustration.
Their voices blended into quiet laughter, the kind that came easily after years of fighting side by side. It wasn't forced, and it wasn't heavy. It was simple. Comfortable.
"…Ugh, you're so mean…" she muttered, turning back toward the city again, though her tone had softened. "…Jeez… you're the worst…"
"…Elarinya."
"I'm ignoring you."
"…Elarinya."
His voice shifted slightly, softer this time, enough to make her pause.
"…Elarinya!!"
"Gosh, what is it?!" she snapped, spinning around again with clear annoyance, ready to scold him—
And then she stopped.
Her body froze mid-motion.
Laurence was on one knee.
For a brief moment, her mind didn't process what she was seeing. The world around her seemed to dull, the sounds of the festival fading into a distant blur. Even the fireworks felt quieter, like they were happening somewhere far away instead of just above them.
In his hand was a ring.
Simple. Gold. No glow. No magic. No overwhelming aura like the artifacts they had fought over for years. It wasn't legendary. It wasn't powerful.
It was real.
"W–what… what is that…?" Her voice came out unsteady, almost unfamiliar to her own ears.
Laurence looked up at her, his expression calm in a way that didn't match the weight of the moment. He wasn't shaking. He wasn't nervous. His smile was small, but genuine.
"Elarinya… will you marry me?"For a moment, Elarinya didn't react at all. The words reached her ears, but her mind lagged behind, struggling to catch up with what had just been said. Marry…? The meaning of it felt distant, like a concept she had heard of but never truly considered for herself. Her thoughts stumbled over each other, trying to find something—anything—to ground her.
Above them, a firework burst open, scattering gold light across the sky. The glow reflected in her wide eyes, snapping her just barely back to reality.
"M–m–m–marry…?!" The word came out broken, her voice cracking under the pressure building in her chest.
Her heart started pounding hard—too hard. She could feel it in her ears, in her fingertips, in the slight tremble that ran through her body. This wasn't like battle. There was no enemy to face, no spell to cast, no clear answer waiting for her. This was something else entirely, something unfamiliar and overwhelming in a way she wasn't prepared for.
Why now?
Why would he say something like this right now?
Her eyes locked onto his face again, searching for something—hesitation, embarrassment, even a hint of a joke—but there was none. He was steady. Honest. Completely serious.
This has to be a prank…
But it didn't feel like one.
He must be drunk—
No. Laurence never drank. Not once.
"I love you."
The words were simple, but they hit her harder than any spell ever had.
Her mind blanked again, completely overwhelmed as heat rushed to her face. Her entire body felt like it was burning from the inside out, her thoughts spiraling faster and faster without direction.
Calm down… just calm down…
Say something normal… tell him it's too sudden… tell him you need time…
Her hands rose to her cheeks without her noticing, fingers brushing against her skin as if trying to cool it down. Her breathing became uneven, shallow, her chest rising and falling too quickly as her thoughts tried to piece together something reasonable to say.
Yes… just say that… just explain it—
"…Yes."
The word slipped out.
Clear. Immediate.
And completely against everything she had just told herself.
Her eyes widened instantly, her entire body stiffening as she realized what she had just done.
…What did I just say?
Before she could take it back, before she could even process it fully, Laurence reached out and gently took her hand. His touch was warm, steady, grounding in a way that only made her more aware of what was happening.
He slid the ring onto her finger slowly, carefully, like it was something fragile.
"Elarinya…" His voice softened, but it carried a quiet weight behind it. "You're everything to me. I've always wanted to tell you, but it would've been selfish… while we were on this journey. We had a mission, and I didn't want to get in the way of that."
His grip tightened just slightly, not enough to hurt—just enough to hold her there.
"But I can't hold it in anymore."
"I love you."
Her heart felt like it was going to burst. The pounding in her chest became overwhelming, her thoughts completely scattered as something unfamiliar filled the space where certainty used to be.
What is this…?
Why does it feel like this…?
I've never… felt this before…
Her breathing hitched again, her vision blurring slightly at the edges as she struggled to stay grounded in the moment.
"THALINDRA—?!" she blurted out suddenly, the name slipping from her mouth without any reason, her mind grasping at anything familiar.
"…Wait—this isn't what it looks like—!" she added quickly, though she wasn't even sure who she was trying to explain herself to.
It was then she noticed the silence.
The festival behind them had gone quiet.
Not completely—but enough.
Enough that she could feel it.
Slowly, she turned her head.
People had stopped.
Not everyone, but enough to notice. Conversations had paused, laughter softened, eyes drifting toward them with curiosity—and then surprise—as the scene began to register.
At the table, the other Pillars had completely frozen.
Sylvara stood halfway through lifting her drink, her arm still raised, her mouth slightly open as if she had forgotten what she was doing entirely.
Aelira blinked slowly, her usual drunken sway gone for once, staring with a level of clarity that only came when something truly shocking happened.
Nymeris, who almost never showed emotion, had a slight widening in her eyes, her expression cracking just enough to reveal genuine surprise.
"…Laurence… I…" Her voice faltered, the words refusing to form properly.
Clang.
Splat.
The sharp sound cut through everything.
Elarinya turned her head.
A plate had fallen—shattered across the stone floor. A slice of cake lay ruined beside it, cream smeared across the ground.
And there—
Standing just a few steps away—
Hands trembling…
Eyes wide…
Face pale with shock—
"…Thalindra…?"
But she wasn't alone.
Behind her…
All of them stood there.
Aelira leaned slightly to the side, peeking past Thalindra, her eyes already sparkling, her expression lighting up like she had just discovered something incredible.
Sylvara stood with her arms crossed, weight shifted to one side, her gaze sharp and judging as she took in the scene.
Nymeris stood still—completely still—her eyes wide for once, her usual cold composure cracked just enough to show pure disbelief.
They had clearly come looking for them.
And had seen everything.
Elarinya's face flushed instantly.
"…WAIT—this isn't what it looks like—!!"
"WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST HEAR?!" Nymeris snapped, stepping forward, her voice sharp and loud.
"It looks like a love confession to me~!" Aelira said in a high-pitched, fangirly tone, practically bouncing where she stood.
"This is insane!!" Nymeris continued, pointing at Elarinya. "No way—NO WAY!!"
Sylvara scoffed, shaking her head slowly.
"…He's too much of an idiot. You can't marry him."
"…Guys…"
Elarinya spoke, her voice dropping, losing all of its usual confidence.
Her hand moved to her chest, gripping tightly over her heart.
What… is this feeling…?
Why… do I feel like this…?
Her fingers pressed harder.
I should say no…
That's what I'm supposed to say…
Her breathing became uneven.
But…
If I do…
I feel like… I would…
Her eyes lowered slightly, her voice coming out small… unsure…
"…Um… yeah…"
She swallowed.
"…We're… engaged…"
Silence.
None of them reacted right away.
Even she didn't sound convinced.
But her heart refused to let her take it back.
"I want to try…" she added, a little more clearly now. "I want to be with him… just for a bit… so I can sort out my feelings…"
Laurence gently let go of her hand.
He stepped forward, placing himself in front of her.
Then—
He bowed.
Deeply.
Respectfully.
"I'm sorry… for this selfish request…"
His voice was calm, steady.
"I cherish every one of you. You're not just comrades to me… you're family."
He lifted his head slightly.
"I don't want to hurt any of you…"
"…But please…"
"Give us your blessing."
They stood there, processing it.
Aelira was the first to react.
"YES!! ABSOLUTELY YES!!" she shouted, throwing her hands into the air. "THIS IS SO CUTE—!"
Thalindra nodded quickly, still shaken, her voice soft and a little shaky.
"…Y-yes… I think… it's nice…"
Sylvara clicked her tongue, looking away.
"…Tch… I still think you're an idiot…"
…
"…But…"
She sighed.
"…Yeah. Fine."
Nymeris crossed her arms tightly, still clearly struggling with it.
"…This is ridiculous…"
…
"…But… if this is what you've decided…"
She looked away slightly.
"…Then… yes."
Laurence slowly stood, relief clear on his face.
"…Thank you…"
Elarinya stood there, still trying to process everything.
Her hand lifted slightly.
She stared at the ring on her finger.
It felt…
Heavy.
Not physically.
But something deeper.
I thought this would be the end of my story.
But it turns out…
It's just the beginning.
A new life…
A different kind of magic…
"…The beginning of my life as…"
"…a housewife."