The return to Nerulia Haven was not triumphant , it was quiet.
Even after victory, the forest's chill clung to them like invisible frost, the memory of corrupted screams lingering in their bones.
Yuto walked ahead, cloak torn, spirit energy flickering unstable at the edges. His friends stayed close, partly out of caution, partly because none wanted to leave his side yet.
When they reached the city gates, the guards saluted sharply.
"Lord Yuto! The moment the forest shook, we feared..."
"I'm here," Yuto said softly. "How's the city?"
"No threats. Citizens kept inside as ordered."
Good. He nodded and headed straight for the medical district.
---
Inside Nerulia's Grand Spirit Medical Hall
Light danced inside the marble corridors, soft spirit flames floating like fireflies, soothing wounded souls. Soft hums of healing runes lined the walls.
Healers rushed about treating two squads of knights from Eridale, battered, cursed scars still faint on their skin.
And at the center....
Lyra.
White robes flowed around her like morning mist, long silver hair tied back, hands glowing gentle turquoise as she purified a soldier's corrupted wound. Her expression calm, warm, unwavering.
She didn't notice him at first.
Then her eyes lifted.
They widened.
"…Yuto."
He opened his mouth, but before sound came out she was already walking briskly toward him, not running, but with urgency that spoke louder.
She reached him and stopped just within arm's length.
"You pushed too far again."
He blinked. "I won."
"That's not the point."
Yuto had noticed her personality from being a shy person back at the Nerulian days, had really changed. She was more expressive now.
Her hand rose, hesitated, then brushed his cheek, fingers glowing to scan his condition.
A few sparks flared, his skin shimmered gold briefly from spirit reaction.
Lyra exhaled in relief.
"Mild spiritual strain. Mana exhaustion. Fractures already healing. Idiot."
Mimi snorted. "He deserves that."
Zarek added, "We told him to rest before fighting."
Elira quietly nodded. "...I second that."
Yuto rubbed his neck. "Everyone gangs up on me today, huh?"
Lyra narrowed her eyes. "Because we care."
There was a tiny tremble in her voice. Quickly masked.
---
She guided him to a quiet chamber, motioning others to rest in the lounge.
The door shut softly.
Lyra placed her palm over his heart , not romantically, but clinically, yet still intimate. A warm glow passed into him, stabilizing his spirit core.
"Your spirit threads frayed during the domain usage," she murmured. "Another thirty seconds and you would've destabilized."
"…I knew."
"You don't get points for knowing and still doing it."
Silence. A tense, soft silence.
Lyra finally looked up.
"You're hurting yourself chasing something."
Yuto didn't speak for a moment.
"When the Vampire Overlord crushed me…" he started quietly, "I realized how small I still am. How many things could wipe out everything I care about."
"Fear is not weakness," Lyra whispered. "It means you understand the value of what you have."
He stared at her hand over his heart.
"And strength is not recklessness."
He almost smiled. "You sound like the Advisor."
"I sound like someone who refuses to lose another person."
Her voice trembled again , just slightly.
That made him still.
"Lyra…"
She stepped back quickly, composure returning.
"You need rest. I forbid training until tomorrow morning."
"You can't forbid me..."
She gave him a flat stare that brooked no argument.
Yeah, she had really changed.
Yuto sighed. "Fine."
"…Good."
---
Meanwhile curious jealous Elira Outside, Listening
Through the slightly open door, Elira paused.
She hadn't meant to eavesdrop, she was just passing. But hearing Lyra's voice break like that…
Her hand lowered from knocking.
I want to be by his side too, she thought softly.
But she… she reached him first.
She pressed a hand over her chest, then shook her head and walked away quietly before anyone noticed.
Mimi watched her go, ears twitching, tail drooping in sympathy.
"…Love triangle flags acquired," she whispered.
Advisor (voice in Yuto's head, unimpressed):
[ Finally. Took you long enough to gather a party of emotional chaos.]
---
Later, after healing, after food, after orders given to strengthen patrols…
Yuto stood alone on a balcony overlooking his growing city. Lantern lights flickered below like stars fallen to earth. Construction continued even at night, magic lanterns, training grounds, research towers rising.
His people.
His responsibility.
His heart burned, not with fear this time, but purpose.
Lyra stepped beside him, quietly. She didn't intrude; just stood next to him, like she understood that silence sometimes healed better than spells.
After a long moment she spoke:
"Do not race toward godhood alone. Even gods fall."
He turned to her, surprised by the weight in her tone.
She met his gaze calmly.
"Let us carry your burden with you."
Yuto's breath caught.
Then softly...
"…Thank you."
Lyra's lips curved. "You're welcome."
She left him there, under moon and lantern glow.
And for the first time since the Overlord fight…
Yuto felt like he wasn't climbing alone.
---
A Shadow Watching...m
Far from the light, a silhouette perched atop an unfinished spire cloak of night, eyes like amethyst embers.
Elira.
She looked down at the city,.. at Yuto.
"Tomorrow," she whispered to the wind, "I'll tell him. Maybe."
Then she vanished into the mist, back into the city.
---