The carriage came to a gentle stop on the gray stone paving of the private avenue, completing the journey that had brought me back to the heart of the property. The welcoming silence of the capital's noble district surrounded the imposing facade of the mansion, where the wide windows on the upper floor emitted a golden and inviting glow that cut through the darkness of early evening. As soon as I stepped out of the vehicle, the cool night air brought with it the soft aroma of the flowers that adorned the outer gardens, creating a refreshing contrast with the smell of ancient rock, dust, and magical soot that had permeated our clothes during the days spent in the depths of the tower.
The head butler and two trusted servants were waiting at the main entrance with exemplary politeness, respectfully bowing to greet my return. The visible relief on the staff members' faces demonstrated the deep respect they held for the entire squad, reinforcing the feeling that this place was not merely a strategic operations base, but a true home built through effort and mutual dedication.
"Good evening, Lord Takumi," the butler said in a firm and welcoming voice, extending his hands to receive my travel coat. "I hope the expedition proceeded without any major setbacks. The young ladies are already inside and enjoying the comforts prepared for their rest."
"The expedition was an absolute success, and I am immensely grateful for the dedication of the entire staff in keeping the property impeccable during our absence," I replied with a cordial smile, taking a small pouch of gold coins from the inner pocket of my garment and handing it to the butler. "Please distribute this bonus among all the servants as a reward for their exemplary care of the mansion and their promptness in organizing everything."
The butler's face lit up with an expression of sincere gratitude as he accepted the reward, bowing even more deeply in thanks before retiring to the servants' quarters. I entered the main hall, where the soft light of the crystal chandeliers reflected off the waxed wooden floors, guiding my steps toward the living room and the girls' residential wing.
As I calmly walked through the spacious corridors, I allowed a serene and analytical reflection about the importance of that moment of transition to occupy my thoughts. The relentless pace of a high-level campaign within the tower requires not only physical preparation and tactical rigor, but also the psychological ability to temporarily disconnect from the tension of combat and rediscover the value of small pauses in the routine. The hardship of prolonged marches, the rigor of strategic reasoning, and constant vigilance against invisible threats consume a significant portion of the mental energy of a leader and his companions. Providing an environment of absolute comfort, filled with security, good food, and moments of genuine intimacy, functions as the ideal catalyst for restoring emotional balance and revitalizing the spirit before the beginning of any new journey.
Upon reaching the inner wing of the winter garden, I found the squad fully enjoying the relaxing atmosphere of the mansion. The scene was one of comforting peace that dispelled every trace of accumulated fatigue.
Scarlet was reclining in a velvet armchair near the ornamental plants, wearing light rest clothes and reading a volume of ancient chronicles with complete tranquility. Liriel and her assistant were speaking quietly on a corner sofa, reviewing loose notes about the readings from the mystical anchoring panel on a clipboard that finally seemed to have found some rest. A little farther away, Rai'kanna and Vespera shared light snacks and fresh fruit juice at a side table, while Lyannis and Elara returned at that exact moment from the private bathrooms, sporting damp and loose hair that gave off a soft fragrance of floral essences and aromatic soaps.
The sight of the entire group gathered together, clean, relaxed, and free from the oppressive burden of their combat armor, caused a deep wave of intimate satisfaction within me.
"Apparently, everyone's physical recovery started well before dinner," I announced in a relaxed and friendly tone, drawing the girls' attention as I approached the center of the hall.
Scarlet raised her eyes from the book, closing the volume with a gentle movement and opening a warm smile that transformed the usual rigidity of her martial expression into pure softness.
"About time you arrived, Takumi," Scarlet said, rising from the armchair with light steps. "The butler almost forced us to have dinner before you returned, but we insisted on waiting for the expedition leader so we could begin our welcome banquet."
"The banquet can already be served, as the official report before the crown was duly delivered and approved by the King himself," I explained, crossing my arms with a light smile on my lips. "The twenty-fifth floor now officially belongs to the kingdom's strategic mapping, and we have three full days of guaranteed absolute time off."
"Three full days of peace at the mansion without monsters, without ice, and without demonic dragons firing elemental magic..." Lyannis sighed, stretching her arms upward with an expression of pure happiness. "Now that's what I call a reward worthy of a heroine."
"Enjoy every second, because as soon as that period ends, we will return directly to the twenty-sixth floor using our permanent anchoring," I retorted playfully, winking at her.
"Until then, don't you dare say the word tower anywhere near me," Rai'kanna laughed, quickly approaching to give me a light and affectionate hug, followed by the others who gathered around in an atmosphere of complete relaxation.
At that exact moment, the servants began entering the main hall carrying large steaming silver platters filled with richly seasoned homemade dishes, succulent meats roasted with fine herbs, creamy soups, and fresh bread just out of the mansion's bakery. The delicious aroma of the food filled the room, awakening everyone's appetite after days of consuming nothing but preserves and dry rations on the dungeon floors.
We all sat around the large dining table in the banquet hall, in a warm atmosphere where conversations flowed spontaneously, interspersed with laughter, jokes about the most unusual moments of the ascent, and relaxed plans for outings in the capital during the coming days. The camaraderie that united us on the battlefield transcended mere military formality, strengthening genuine bonds of affection that made every achievement in the tower infinitely more meaningful.
After a hearty and memorable meal that ended with handmade sweets and hot tea, the group slowly dispersed to their individual quarters, seeking their well-deserved night's rest in soft and cozy beds. The silence of the mansion grew deeper and deeper, embracing the property in a blanket of tranquility that promised to completely restore the energy of all the combatants for the following dawn.