The group walked deeper into town, the hustle and bustle greeting them like an enthusiastic storm. Merchants waved, children shouted, and townsfolk seemed to appear out of nowhere just to call Michael's name.
"Sir Helios! Good afternoon!" "Golden Boy, your beard is shining today!" "Hero of Aleria! You saved us all!"
Michael waved politely, humility radiating off him like he'd been trained by saints. Mirabel, however, stiffened at every greeting. She muttered under her breath, "He's not golden… he's just old."
Kirian, blissfully oblivious, waved back at a random kid who wasn't even looking at him. "Hey! Glad to see you, citizen!"
Liliana rolled her eyes, muttering, "You're glowing with stupid, not hero spirit."
Meanwhile, Emilia had already drifted to the edges of the group, whispering and exchanging mysterious items with passing townsfolk. She gave one lady a sly wink and said, "Limited edition Kirian bookmarks. Only for loyal customers."
Mirabel immediately spotted her. "STOP SELLING THOSE!"
Emilia sprinted like a tiny gremlin, pouch of coins swinging from her belt.
A sudden tug on his sleeve made Kirian turn. Liliana was practically bouncing. "Kirian! Come! Quick!"
Kirian, still chewing a piece of bread, blinked. "The furbal again?"
Liliana jabbed him in the stomach. "IT'S. A. BABY."
Kirian wheezed. "Ow—okay… fluffball baby. Got it."
They rounded the corner and found a small wooden stall run by a friendly Beast Folk couple. A baby had rolled itself into a perfect ball, snoozing softly. Kirian squinted. "This… literally looks like a furbal."
Liliana jabbed him again. "STOP SAYING THAT."
The baby unrolled, blinked at Liliana, and let out a tiny, delighted gurgle. Liliana melted immediately, crouching down and holding the tiny ball gently in her arms.
"Look at you… little spherical miracle," she whispered.
The parents chuckled. "Careful, Lili, he rolls into a ball sometimes."
Kirian, ever the helpful idiot, tried complimenting them: "Your baby is… very round. Aerodynamically perfect."
They somehow took it as a compliment. The baby growled softly at Kirian, tiny claws batting at him, but he beamed proudly anyway.
The town continued bustling around them. Michael helped set up festival decorations, lifting heavy poles and fixing ropes as though he'd been doing it his whole life. Children ran up to him shouting, "Hero Helios!" and he greeted them humbly. Mirabel groaned at the attention, muttering, "Everywhere we go… someone screams his name."
Kirian, oblivious, gave a thumbs-up to a baker who wasn't even looking. "See? Helping the people!"
Liliana muttered, "You're helping yourself look like an idiot."
Festival preparations were everywhere. Banners were being hung, lanterns painted, and bakers tested new recipes. Kirian tried to hang a banner but slipped off the ladder, landing in a pile of flowers. Townsfolk cheered anyway. "What a helpful young lad!"
Liliana facepalmed but patted his back. "You're… very helpful in a tragic sort of way."
Emilia, meanwhile, was whispering deals to the crowd. "Special Kirian artwork! Only one day offer!"
A lady whispered: "Do you have the maid photos?"
Emilia smirked: "Only for loyal customers."
Mirabel chased her with: "STOP SELLING THOSE!"
As they walked past another street, Liliana tugged at Kirian again. "You have to see this!"
Kirian groaned. "The furbal?"
She jabbed him again. "IT'S A BABY, KIRIAN. A REAL ONE."
It was a little Beast Folk infant from a couple who were always generous to the kids. It had rolled into a tight little ball and was now gurgling happily. Liliana held it close, whispering sweet nothings, and Kirian tried to mimic her… ending up just wobbling in place and nearly tripping over a stray basket.
Michael noticed a group of kids testing lanterns for the festival. He went over, lifting heavy crates and giving advice. Mirabel muttered, "This happens every year…"
Kirian puffed his chest. "At least your dad's a hero! My dad would trip over a rope."
Liliana laughed softly, holding the baby close to her chest.
Emilia paused her hustling for a moment, scribbling a few notes in her book. "Maybe later I can sell these sketches," she whispered to herself.
An elderly man approached Michael. "Thank you for ending the war, sir. Peace is a blessing."
Michael bowed humbly. "Peace isn't something won alone. It's something we build together."
Kirian actually looked serious. "Then we'll make sure it stays strong. Hero's promise."
Liliana patted his back again. "Good words… for once."
Emilia couldn't resist sketching the moment. Even if it was for later profit, it was… undeniably beautiful.
By the time the sun began to dip, the group arrived at the hill overlooking the lantern park. Lanterns floated upward in a soft, golden glow.
Michael smiled softly. "These were first lit after the peace. They remind us why we fight, and why we protect."
Kirian put a hand on his shoulder. "Then we'll keep protecting. Always."
Liliana whispered happily to the baby. "You're lucky to be alive in a world with heroes like him… and me."
Emilia, sketchbook ready, muttered: "Limited edition Kirian Hero Scenes. Perfect timing."
The group walked deeper into town, chaos and laughter trailing behind them like confetti, ready for the festival that would celebrate the peace they had all fought so hard to maintain.