Liam stood up. He held Seilan's body in his arms.
"Let's go. We have to go." Zulixa:
"I can transport you all to the royal palace instantly.
" Liam: "No." He looked at his group.
"I will transport you to the city. Go rest. After you rest tell everyone in the city to prepare for her burial.
Everyone has to be ready. Tell them she killed the enemy and she died killing him." He paused.
"If any of you tell a soul otherwise I will kill you and bury you with her." Zulixa transported the group to the city.
Zulixa: "What are you doing now Liam? What is on your mind?
" Liam: "This is going to be her last time walking through this land.
I don't care that she is gone. She has to see it one last time. She has to hear the birds one last time. I want to show her the road. Show her that not everyone saw her as someone whose only purpose was to fight.
" Liam started walking toward the city. He held her in his arms. On the road he heard everything. Birds. Wind. The sound of the trees. He thought — maybe nothing is worth dying for. The Demon Lord was right. Death makes you love life more.
"Zulixa. Is there a spell that can bring someone back to life?"
"I don't think so. But I know a spell exists that can change the time for others.
The caster stays the same but everyone else changes.
It is a very high tier spell. Maybe even the gods and the Demon Lord can't use it. It is a forbidden spell.
" She paused. "I don't even know how I know this. Isn't that strange?"
Liam didn't answer. He just kept walking. Two days. He walked without stopping.
Without rest. Without a single minute of pause. He arrived at the city gate. A sea of people was waiting. Every person held a bucket of roses.
As Liam walked between the lines of people they threw the roses above him. The petals fell over him and Seilan like snow. They welcomed her body like a hero.
The city's hero. Died saving them. As Liam passed the crowds fell in behind him and walked with him.
The King and all the nobles stood in the city center waiting. They had prepared a hero's coffin. On top of it was a sculpture of Seilan — lying down holding a sword.
Liam placed her inside. "Farewell. I hope you accept that I give you the hero title. Because you are the hero.
It was you. You protected me." He stepped to the side. One by one everyone came forward to say goodbye.
Then the royal guards stepped forward. They closed the coffin. They lifted it and began the walk to the graveyard.
Everyone followed. It was a grieving day for the city. Children cried along the road. Davan walked behind Liam. "You wonder why the children cry?
" Liam said nothing. "They are the city's orphans. She was their hero. Every day she visited them." He looked at Liam.
"Thank you. For what you did for her." "I didn't do anything for her." They arrived at the graveyard.
They buried her. Group by group the people left. In the end only Liam and Lyra remained. Lyra ran to Liam and wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you Liam.
I know it was you. I know you killed the enemy and gave all the credit to Seilan. She died like a hero. Thank you." "She died protecting me because I let my guard down. It was my fault. I killed that bastard for her.
" "No. It was not your fault." Lyra held him tighter. "Remember — those who sacrifice the most win the war." She hugged him again
"Lyra. I have some unfinished business."
"Okay. Be careful."
Liam vanished.
He teleported to a hill in the Jungle. He looked up at the sky and screamed.
"What is all this about Light God? Come face me! Why do you send those crazy Generals after me? Are you scared? The Demon Lord was so much better than you. Come out!"
A voice came from behind him.
Liam turned.
"There you go. It was so hard to come yourself wasn't it? Why send those Generals? Why not come yourself? If you want me dead then do it here. I know you can. Have some courage. Do it yourself."
A being of pure light stood before him. So bright Liam could barely look at it.
Liam: "What is this? When I look at you my body feels warm."
The being laughed softly.
"Son. When the time comes you will understand everything. The balance of this world demands it. When a Demon General dies the balance shifts. A Light General has to die with it. And a powerful human has to die with both."
"Let it go. You will understand one day."
He disappeared.
Zulixa: "You are crazy! Why did you invite that maniac here?! You think you could fight him? The moment he arrived he turned me off before I could warn you."
"Let their plan work for now. You can't do anything about it yet. When you get stronger we will get revenge for all of it." She paused. "I have questions for them too. I want to know what I am. Who I am. Just wait. When the time comes we will have all the answers."
"Finally. Let it go."
I know. Someday I will get revenge for all of this.
Zulixa: "That's the spirit. Now let's go to the royal palace. You need rest. You deserve it."
"Okay."
He teleported to the royal palace. He appeared on the royal balcony above the garden. Below he could see Lyra sitting alone in a chair in the center of the garden.
Zulixa: "Let her be. She needs some alone time."
"Okay. I'm going to sleep."
He slept for one full day.
"Hey. Wake up. You don't plan to leave me sitting here for another day do you?"
Liam opened his eyes. "What's up Zulixa. Did something happen? How long did I sleep?"
Zulixa: "One day. I checked your magic three times. I thought you were dead."
"Let's go. The King invited the whole group to his room today. You have to be ready." She paused. "Go take a shower. You smell like a rat that died a month ago."
"You can smell?"
"No. But I know."
Liam got ready and dressed. When he arrived at the King's room everyone was already there.
The guard opened the door.
He entered.
King Alaric looked up. "Finally. Like always — the last one to arrive."
Liam bowed respectfully.
The King stood. "Listen everyone. Our country is safe again. Your hard work protected this country and its people. We are forever grateful to all of you. I brought you here to reward your bravery."
Lyra sat beside her father's chair.
The King's right hand stepped forward. "When I call your name come forward and accept your reward. If you don't like it tell us and we will change it."
"Davan."
Davan stepped forward. The King presented him with a shield — legendary quality, far better than the one that broke.
"I know your shield broke in the fight. This one is special. Guard it well."
"Thank you my Lord. I will treasure it."
A sword for Kross.
Brath and Mirova both changed their rewards to gold. They bowed. "Thank you for your generosity."
"Now. Liam. Come forward."
Liam walked to the King.
"On your knees," the right hand said.
He knelt.
The King drew his sword and placed it on Liam's shoulder.
"I will give you two rewards."
"First — I give you a noble title. From this day you are a noble of this country. I will assign you a domain and order a palace to be built there for you."
The nobles began murmuring immediately. The displeasure on their faces was clear. A commoner becoming a noble.
"And the second reward—" The King paused. "My most beloved thing. The thing I love most and would die for."
He looked at Liam.
"My daughter's hand."
The room went silent.
Then chaos.
One noble leaned to another and whispered. "You know what this means. Someday he will be king."
Lyra's face turned completely red.
Liam thought quickly. I understand why he gave me the noble title first. A commoner cannot be king. The rules don't allow it. That's why he made me noble first. He genuinely wants to make me king after him.
But if I accept this now it will create chaos. There are powerful nobles in this country with armies. If any of them try to overthrow the King we will both be in danger.
I hope Lyra understands.
"I'm sorry my King. I cannot accept."
"I cannot be a king. I don't have the qualities for it. When the time comes I know you will find someone as good as you for this country."
The King studied him. He understood exactly why Liam was refusing.
The right hand stepped forward. "You dare reject the Princess's hand?"
"Go back. Don't interfere."
"Sorry my King."
The King nodded slowly. "I accept your rejection Liam. But because you rejected me I will not give you the second reward either."
"Thank you my King."
Liam returned to his place.
The King looked around the room. "Now. Let's drink. All of you."
Liam stepped out of the room.
We were close to creating the biggest chaos this country has ever seen. I saw the nobles' faces light up the moment I rejected. They were relieved.
Zulixa: "So what is your plan today — my King?" She laughed. "King Liam. No. That doesn't work. Your name doesn't fit a king."
"King Liam. No you definitely cannot be a king."
"Pervert Liam. Now THAT fits better."
Liam: "It's your day. Say whatever you want. I don't care."
Far away in a castle in a distant land.
General Shanga sat on his throne.
He laughed. "What? He died? Aelion died? Liam killed him?"
"Savion. Come here."
She appeared and bowed. "Sir. How can I serve you?"
"Listen to my right hand. You will love this news."
The right hand spoke. "I am glad to see you in good health General Savion. Two days ago General Aelion was killed. Liam killed him."
Shanga laughed again. "Your lover killed him! This keeps getting better!"
Savion smiled quietly. "I told him — go fight Liam. If you win I will give you my 4th title. I suppose I can keep it now."
Shanga: "Can you kill him?"
Savion: "I knew that night when I tested Liam. iknew he could kill Aelion. But I don't want Liam dead." She looked ahead calmly. "He is mine. I plan to make him the second General after you. I will deal with the others myself so the position is ready for him."