The silence lasted only a few seconds.
It was brief, but intense enough to mark the moment. Then came the sound. At first scattered, then growing, until it filled the entire arena. The crowd reacted clearly, without doubt, without hesitation. It was not just surprise—it was recognition.
I remained still.
The blade was still in my hands, my breathing controlled, my body maintaining stability even after the effort. I looked around for a moment. Faces, expressions, all focused on the center. There was no hostility, only attention.
Then he moved.
The Dragon King slowly opened his eyes. His body was still heavy, but conscious. The chains had already disappeared, leaving only the aftermath of the battle. He took a deep breath, placing one of his claws on the ground to rise.
No one moved.
Time itself seemed to follow his motion.
He stood up.
Not with the same overwhelming presence as before, but still firm. His aura remained intact in essence, even with the result already decided.
His eyes turned toward me.
And then...
He smiled.
There was no irritation.
No frustration.
Only satisfaction.
"A clean victory."
His voice echoed throughout the arena.
Deep, firm, without any doubt.
"No interruptions, no interference. A fair battle."
He slightly turned his body, looking toward the crowd.
"I was defeated."
The sound of the arena rose again, louder and more intense.
"By him."
His gaze returned to me.
"The human who surpassed a dragon's resistance. Who broke through my defenses and brought me down directly."
He took a step forward.
Even with his body marked from battle, his presence began to grow once more.
"Takumi."
The name echoed.
"You have my approval."
I did not respond.
I simply maintained my gaze.
He gave a slight nod.
"Then I declare before everyone."
His voice rose.
"He is worthy of the respect of dragons."
The crowd responded immediately.
A powerful, collective sound, without division.
It was not merely applause.
It was acceptance.
In the stands, the group reacted in different ways.
Liriel let out a breath, her shoulders relaxing. "Finally."
Lyannis crossed her arms with a slight smile. "Expected result."
Vespera watched in silence. "Efficient execution."
Scarlett kept her gaze firm. "No waste."
Elara placed a hand over her chest. "He did exactly what he needed to do."
Rai'kanna nodded. "As always."
At the center of the arena, the Dragon King continued.
"As promised, I will keep my word."
He slightly turned his head.
Everyone's attention shifted automatically.
The princess was there.
In the royal box, watching everything from the beginning.
She descended.
Without haste.
Without hesitation.
Each step was firm, despite all eyes being on her.
When she reached the center, she stopped beside him.
Her presence was different.
Less overwhelming than the king's, but still powerful.
Her eyes met mine.
Without shyness.
Without retreat.
Only direct observation.
"My daughter."
The king spoke.
"She will be your fiancée."
The arena reacted again, but differently this time.
More restrained.
More curious.
I did not answer immediately.
I looked at her.
And she held my gaze.
Without looking away.
Without pressure.
Simply waiting.
Then I spoke.
"I understand."
Nothing more than that.
Simple.
Direct.
But enough.
The king nodded.
"Enough."
He raised his head.
"And more."
The attention shifted completely back to him.
"Beyond that, I grant him another right."
Partial silence.
"He will be allowed to walk freely among the dragons."
A few murmurs arose.
But there was no opposition.
"Without restrictions. Without limitations."
He looked at me once more.
"As someone who won in direct combat, you are no longer merely a visitor."
A brief pause.
"You are recognized."
The meaning was clear.
Not just a victory.
But a position.
In the stands, the reactions intensified.
"That's huge," Lyannis commented.
"Much bigger than it sounds," Vespera added.
Scarlett crossed her arms. "He just gained complete access."
Elara smiled softly. "They accepted him."
Liriel took a deep breath. "For real."
Rai'kanna spoke firmly. "Now he's part of it."
At the center of the arena, the king took a step back.
The tension of the battle had completely disappeared.
Only the result remained.
"Take him to the hall."
One of the guards approached respectfully.
But there was no need for an escort.
It was merely a formality.
The movement began.
The crowd naturally parted.
A path formed.
I walked.
Without haste.
Without looking back.
But aware of everything around me.
The voices were still present.
But now they were not noise.
They were recognition.
As I entered the castle, the atmosphere changed.
Quieter.
More controlled.
The details became visible again.
The golden walls.
The towering pillars.
The imposing structure.
Nothing there had changed.
But the perception was different.
We proceeded to the main hall.
The advisers were already gathered.
The queen as well.
Her gaze met mine directly.
But it was different from before.
Less analysis.
More acceptance.
The king took his place on the throne.
The princess remained by his side.
I stopped in front of them.
The group positioned themselves just behind me.
"Well then."
His voice echoed once more.
"It is done."
A brief pause.
"You won."
I nodded.
"Yes."
He rested an arm on the throne.
"As promised, you will be officially connected to my family."
His gaze briefly shifted toward his daughter.
"But that does not need to be decided now."
He looked back at me.
"There is no rush."
I agreed.
"I understand."
He smiled slightly.
"Good."
The atmosphere relaxed somewhat.
The tension had completely vanished.
"Today, we celebrate."
His tone changed.
Lighter.
"A victory worthy of recognition."
The advisers nodded.
The queen maintained her attentive gaze, but without opposition.
The princess remained silent.
But not distant.
Present.
The decision was already clear.
The group reacted subtly.
Liriel crossed her arms, though without irritation.
Lyannis observed calmly.
Vespera analyzed everything.
Scarlett maintained her firm posture.
Elara seemed more at ease.
Rai'kanna simply nodded.
No resistance.
No conflict.
Only gradual acceptance.
The king stood.
"The banquet will be prepared."
His voice was firm.
"Today, we celebrate not only a victory..."
He looked directly at me.
"But the rise of someone who surpassed the known limit."
A brief silence.
Then he concluded.
"Today... we celebrate the Hero of the Dragons."
The title lingered in the air.
Without exaggeration.
Without any need for emphasis.
Simply spoken.
And accepted.
I looked around for a moment.
Then turned my gaze forward again.
Without an exaggerated reaction.
Without a grand response.
Only a silent realization.
That moment...
Was the end of one thing.
And the beginning of another.
And without saying anything more...
I simply accepted it.