Chapter 375. You Shall Move Forward (4)

The expedition's banquet lasted until dawn.

The supplies brought from the continent were overflowing—provisions that hadn't even been transported into the Realm of Void before the expedition ended. Thanks to that abundance, the expedition enjoyed the most lavish and plentiful feast they'd ever had.

The elves sang, the dwarves danced, and the beastfolk sparred cheerfully among themselves. The humans, blending naturally between the other races, laughed and celebrated without restraint.

When the joyous banquet finally came to an end, the expedition began preparing in earnest for withdrawal. The long expedition was over. It was time for everyone to return home.

"The Imperial Army will be the last to depart."

By the emperor's command, the Imperial Army would remain behind until the very end to clean up the aftermath.

The first to return were the soldiers of the southern kingdoms and the Free City Union. The second were the allied forces of the nonhuman races and the Holy Kingdom. And last were the Imperial Army and the Magic Tower.

Naturally, Caron had chosen to stay until the end. There was still unfinished business for him to settle in the Demon Realm.

"See you at the funeral," Kynda, the Pirate Queen, said with a bright laugh as she extended her hand toward Caron.

Though they hadn't spent much time together, she had done everything she'd promised him. Under her leadership, the pirates had done their part perfectly—securing naval dominance.

If it hadn't been for those experienced pirates, far more soldiers would have perished during the crossing.

"Will you attend the funeral?" Caron asked.

Kynda gave a wry smile and replied, "Of course. I should at least pray for the souls of my crew. When else would those scoundrels receive blessings on their way to the afterlife? A death too noble for pirates, really."

"Promise me you'll give up piracy afterward," Caron said.

"Are you telling me to change professions? That's a difficult request," Kynda teased. She laughed aloud, the sound full of life, then reached out and ruffled Caron's hair.

"Don't worry," Kynda said softly. "I've no intention of throwing away the honor I barely managed to reclaim. But... You know what comes next, right?"

"I'll include you in the trade network, as promised," Caron replied. "But you'll have to keep your pirates under control."

"Of course," Kynda said with a nod.

From now on, the Queen's pirates would serve as escorts protecting merchant ships—a fitting irony, pirates who hunted other pirates.

After exchanging a final smile with Caron, Kynda turned her head slightly toward Sabina and smirked, then said, "Contact me later. We'll share a drink, just the two of us."

Sabina shrugged casually and replied, "You can come to Azureocean Castle yourself."

"Will I be treated as a guest?" Kynda asked.

"You earned your keep in this war, didn't you?" Sabina answered.

Kynda grinned and added, "Then I'll bring good liquor. Until then, try not to die from some fool's blind blade."

With a bold wave of her hand, she turned to leave.

The pirates who followed her were far less composed. Some were openly weeping as they called out to Caron.

"Boss!"

"Don't forget us!"

"Once a pirate, always a pirate! The seat of the Mad Dog Pirate Crew will always be open! If you ever change your mind, come back anytime! We'll be waiting for you!"

Their passionate cries rang through the air. A few of them even sobbed as they waved both arms toward him.

Caron, watching them with an unreadable expression, raised his hand in silent farewell.

Beside him, Sabina—who had been quietly observing the scene—leaned in and whispered, "Why don't you try being a pirate in your next life? It seems to suit you."

"I thought you said you'd treat me as Caron Leston," Caron replied dryly.

"Well," Sabina said with a teasing smile, "Now that I think about it, this version of you is much more entertaining. Let's say I'll bully you in my brother's place."

"Please, Lady Sabina," Caron sighed.

"How adorable," Sabina said with a light laugh. "Anyway, I should be going. There's plenty of work left to do."

With a bright smile, she gave him one last look before walking away.

Caron exhaled a long, weary sigh. He muttered, "Seems there'll be trouble waiting for me even after I return."

Upon returning to the continent, the tasks to be completed were as follows...

First, negotiations between the various factions over postwar settlements—such as spoils of war. Second, the convening of a peace conference. And third, a joint funeral for the fallen.

He had spoken at length with Emperor Revelio the night before, but even starting with the first point, problems were already apparent. Every faction's interests were tangled like vines, and this expedition had involved every major power on the continent.

"Owner, don't you already have a plan for that?"

Guillotine asked.

"Of course I do," Caron answered.

"Then just do exactly that,"

Guillotine said.

"You're not going to stop me anymore?" Caron asked with a smirk.

"Would it even work if I tried?"

Guillotine replied.

Guillotine understood Caron perfectly now.

Caron's plan was simple, yet ruthlessly effective. He was going to send Kerra, Ugo, and Beatrice as envoys to the different factions.

Now that their common enemy had vanished, the leaders of each power would inevitably start scheming for a bigger share of the rewards. And at times like this, what they needed most was a mediator.

"Well, since I've decided to play mediator, I might as well do it properly," Caron said.

"Are you sure 'mediator' is the right word?"

Guillotine asked.

"If I fix the problem, that makes me one, doesn't it? Even if they hate peace, I can just force them to accept it. Why would I overthink it? Weak people rely on their heads because their bodies can't do the work," Caron explained.

"Owner, that's exactly what I'd expect from you,"

Guillotine muttered.

Caron knew the greedy men of the continent would never listen to reason. That was why he chose to send his former subordinates as envoys. They could deliver both the message and the threat.

If anyone dared to reject peace, he would crush them. He would break a few skulls as an example, and the rest would fall in line.

They owe me for letting them live,

Caron thought.

Of course, this could tarnish the honor of the Ducal Family of Leston, but Caron couldn't care less. He didn't think honor was worth anything.

Halo would have wanted more innocent people to live, not for his name to shine.

"At least while I'm alive," Caron murmured, "There won't be another war, Halo. That's what you wanted, isn't it?"

And if anyone dared to advocate for war, he would simply cut off their heads.

At this point, Caron had decided to live freely and do as he pleased. Perhaps others would find it a grim prospect, but the truth was simple. There was no one left on the continent capable of stopping him.

With Halo gone, the leash on the Mad Dog had finally snapped. No one could hold him back anymore.

Caron had freedom.

He smiled faintly at the thought. For the first time, he understood the word in its truest sense. What he would do with that freedom was entirely up to him.

"If there's anywhere you want to go," Caron said quietly, "Start thinking about it."

"Are you planning to take me?"

Guillotine asked.

"That depends on how you behave," Caron replied.

"There's plenty of time. I'll figure it out,"

Guillotine said.

"Yeah, we've got plenty of time." Caron said, looking up at the sky. He had more days ahead of him than behind.

Taking in a deep breath, Caron savored the air. It was the air of a life that felt like Halo's last gift to him.

Then, spotting a familiar figure wandering in the distance, he shouted, "Leo!"

Leo sighed heavily as he approached. He asked, "What now?"

"After the joint funeral, your official training as head of the family begins," Caron said cheerfully. "I already got permission from the elders."

Leo's face went pale. He stuttered, "You... You're joking, r-right?"

"Not at all. The uncles were thrilled

.

Anyway, I just thought you should know. Ah, the day my big cousin becomes Duke of Leston! I'm so proud. We have to honor Grandfather's last wishes, right? Well, I've got business with Lord Shiker, so I'll leave you to celebrate!" Caron said.

After thoroughly teasing Leo, he left with light steps, while Leo watched him go and let out a deep sigh.

"Rigor," Leo called, "Do you think Caron's actually telling the truth?"

"With him? Of course he is,"

Rigor replied.

"...Should I just run away?" Leo muttered.

"I think that is a very good idea," Rigor agreed.

"If I become head of the house, I'll have to deal with Caron for the rest of my life... Ah..." Leo groaned.

For a moment, he genuinely considered fleeing from Azureocean Castle altogether. But he knew better than anyone that escape was impossible.

That madman would chase him even to the depths of hell.

"Hah..." Leo let out another long sigh.

It was going to be a very exhausting day.

***

The last survivor of the Arcane Civilization was Shiker. He had resisted the Demon Kings until his very last breath, and at long last, he was being rewarded.

"Lord Shiker, please become the regent and lead the demonkin," Caron said as he offered Shiker a cup of tea.

"Do you truly mean to entrust me with such a responsibility?" Shiker asked.

"This place must be rebuilt as well," Caron replied with a faint smile. "His Majesty the Emperor has already agreed."

He set his teacup down and added, "Though it'll be formally decided only once we return to the continent, the Ducal Family of Leston will have exclusive authority over the Demon Realm for the next ten years."

"Ten years, you say," Shiker murmured, eyes narrowing slightly.

Caron nodded and continued, "The demonkin will undergo great change in that time. The emperor and I both agreed that it's best to minimize interference from the continent while they rebuild."

"Will that even be possible?" Shiker asked quietly. "The resistance from the nobles won't be mild."

Caron gave a faint laugh, then replied, "In the end, it was I who slew the Demon Kings, and Halo who destroyed the Demon King of Void. There'll be some backlash, sure—but nothing that can't be soothed with a fair share of profit. For now, they'll be far too busy studying what's left in Desertus to pick a fight with me."

Shiker slowly nodded, understanding, then said, "I see."

"I've already decided to spare the demonkin," Caron said calmly. "So one day, they'll have to open proper relations with the continent again. But not now. We'll give them time—a grace period to heal before we begin anew."

For three centuries, the demonkin had been severed from the rest of the world, committing countless atrocities in isolation. There was no way that hatred could vanish overnight.

And besides, the Demon Realm had been devastated by endless war. Even though the destruction of the Demon King of Void had wiped out the taint of dark mana, it would take a long time for the land to recover its vitality.

"I originally planned to leave full authority to the expedition," Caron said, "but His Majesty was quite insistent."

Revelio's words from the previous night echoed in his mind...

"The demonkin there already follow you, Caron. You're their king. A people don't exist because a king does; a king exists because his people do. If they call you king, then you are their king."

It was a glimpse into Revelio's conviction. He had declared that the Demon Realm should be recognized as Caron's kingdom—and that he intended to push for its formal approval in the upcoming peace conference.

Caron was sure that Revelio really was a strange one.

Still, they had agreed on one point. The demonkin needed time to stand again. They needed time to rebuild their civilization, time to restore what had been lost since the fall of the ancient Arcane Civilization.

And for that task, Caron had chosen Shiker.

"I can count on you for this, can't I?" Caron asked softly.

Shiker's lips curled into a faint smile and answered, "It's a task I would've asked for myself."

"Good," Caron said, leaning back slightly. "I have plenty to deal with on the continent, so I'll be leaving this place to you. If you need any resources for reconstruction, just send a list to the Duchy. I'll see that you get them. Ah—but don't expect it for free. Understood?"

The Demon Realm wasn't as vast as the continent, but it was by no means small. In fact, by certain measures, it was even larger than the empire itself.

"With you here, Lord Shiker, I can leave without worry," Caron said.

"...Can you really trust me that much?" Shiker asked quietly.

Caron smiled and replied, "I've regained a few of Rael Leston's memories."

In Rael Leston's memories, there was also information about Shiker. He was a proud soldier and the final guardian.

Although the timeline had been distorted by Void, it was precisely because of that distortion that Shiker had survived until now.

"Rael Leston's memories..." Shiker repeated.

"Well, it just sort of happened that way," Caron said.

"So, are you giving me orders as Rael Leston, then?" Shiker asked.

"Of course not," Caron answered.

"I understand," Shiker said, then he stood and suddenly dropped to one knee before Caron.

"My king," Shiker declared solemnly, "I will carry out the order you have given me, even if it costs my life."

"Ah... There's no need to go that far," Caron said, startled. "But... Yes, there is one thing I want you to remember."

Caron helped Shiker rise, then his tone turned serious. "Remember the end of your civilization—the brilliance that perished. Don't ever let that tragedy repeat itself. Do you understand?"

"I will never forget," Shiker said firmly.

"That's enough for me," Caron replied with a small smile.

If the demonkin ever lost their way again, he wouldn't care much. He would simply deliver judgment himself. But deep down, he didn't believe they would be foolish enough to make the same mistake twice.

Caron smiled, then extended his hand. Shiker clasped it tightly, a quiet resolve in his eyes.

"Thank you for giving us the chance to atone," Shiker said.

"I'll be counting on you," Caron replied.

"My great king," Shiker began, bowing his head, "I shall live up to your expectations."

"Take your time," Caron said gently. "There's no need to rush."

And with Shiker's appointment as the regent, all affairs in the Demon Realm had finally come to an end.

Caron turned his gaze out the window. The sky no longer burned gray. Only a vast, endless blue stretched before him.

It's finally over,

he thought.

The expedition had ended. The time had come to return to the continent.

Halo,

keep watching from above. Honestly, everything that happens next is on you now,

Caron thought with a wry smile.

He was supposed to have died here, but it was Halo who had twisted that fate. So whatever happened next was Halo's fault.

Anyway, none of this is my responsibility,

Caron thought dryly.

He smiled to himself, glancing toward the heavens—toward the friend who was surely watching from beyond.

At last, the Mad Dog who had won his freedom turned his eyes back toward the continent.

...And for someone out there, that was the beginning of another misfortune.