The northern wall of the fortress withstood the impact, but the remainder collapsed beyond recognition.
Maxi shivered when he saw the scene.
The ground shook as the city collapsed, the deafening destruction echoing across the mountains.
As the last paladins escaped the city, the walls crumbled.
Blue flares erupted from the battlements, followed by a series of explosions that sent rocks flying across the hill.
Maxi watched, his face covered by his sleeve, as the city disappeared in a cloud of dust.
“We must leave now,” Riftan’s voice said from behind her.
She turned to see the White Dragons in position alongside Wedon's forces.
Her eyes immediately fell on her husband, whose head rose above the rest.
Even his warhorse seemed to dominate the others.
After inspecting his men, Riftan gave the signal for the army to move, and the soldiers began to march in perfect order.
Maxi glanced over his shoulder one last time as he followed.
The walls were now just ruins, whipped by the arid wind.
She watched as sand currents blew over the desolate city before turning away.
The war was over.
Relief and a strange sadness washed over her.
How many had they buried there?
As Maxi walked across the field where fierce battles had taken place, she prayed for the eternal rest of the men who lay in unmarked graves.
Then, slowly but surely, they left the plains stained with blood and nightmares behind.
The journey back was uneventful.
They found no monsters emerging from hibernation, and the soldiers had no complaints despite dwindling rations.
Without a doubt, the mountain of spoils was a great consolation.
Generous rewards awaited the soldiers, and knights who had rendered distinguished service during the war would be bestowed with titles and lands.
The troops were so full of expectations that they showed no signs of tiredness.
Without realizing it, they marched out of Pamela Plateau and arrived at Eth Lene Castle much earlier than expected.
A radiant smile lit up Maxi's face as she gazed up the gray slopes of Eth Lene, then up at the towering ridges on the sides, thickly covered in pine trees.
It had been so long since she had seen so much vegetation.
Joy sang in his heart.
Finally, they were out of that realm of rocks and ice and back into the world of humans.
Rem grumbled in fatigue.
Maxi patted the mare's neck and encouraged her along the winding stream, following the riders who were fueling their horses further down.
Now that they were in safer territory, the soldiers seemed much more relaxed.
They chatted animatedly, threw away their heavy helmets and armor in the wagons, inflating the number of monsters they had slaughtered as they walked.
Some even whistled as they marched, a pulse in their step.
Cheered enthusiastically, the coalition army passed through the city gate.
Maxi scanned the crowded streets, brushing aside flower petals thrown by Eth Lene's exuberant residents.
Well-dressed women scattered even more petals along the sides of the road, and men sang lively songs praising the heroes' bravery.
The crowd was much larger than the one that had seen them leave.
“Please don’t tell me that we will have the same reception in every city we pass through”, grumbled Anette, watching the crowd applauding with an uncomfortable expression.
Maxi smiled wryly.
"As long as we are traveling with the knights...
I fear so.
The knights of the White Dragons, Bolosé and the Temple are heroes of the Seven Kingdoms."
Shaking her head, Anette mumbled softly.
The coalition army left the square and headed towards Castle Aren.
The Royal Knights of Bolosé entered first, followed by the Royal Knights of Wedon, the White Dragons, the Knights of the Temple, and the Knights of Phil Aaron.
The army of over twenty thousand had been reduced to around fifteen thousand, half of whom decided to seek accommodation in the city's inns and monasteries.
This allowed the rest to stay in the castle, and although there were five people to a room, they were more than happy to be spared another night sleeping in tents.
After silently watching the servants take the soldiers to various parts of the castle, Maxi unloaded her belongings from Rem's saddle.Anette watched her for a while before abruptly asking, “What are you going to do?”
Maxi turned around in confusion.
“About what?”
"Where are you going to sleep.
Are you going to stay in our room again?"
Maxi's face flushed and she looked away.
She didn't know how to respond.
Although he wanted to be with Riftan, he feared another rejection.
She hadn't had a chance to talk to him properly since their ridiculous fight, and she was completely tired of him closing his heart to her every time he thought they were closer.
After staring grimly at the ground, Maxi forced a smile.
"O-Of course.
I'm… a mage from the Tower.
I can't expect preferential treatment."
“I thought it was right for you to stay with us during the war when you led the mages,” Anette said, frowning, “but is that necessary now?”
“That’s… for me to decide.”
Anette said nothing as she watched Maxi, then shook her head with a sigh.
"Fine.
Do as you please."
With that, she took her luggage from the saddle and slung it over her shoulder.
She handed her horse to a waiting servant before calling Maxi.
"Come on, let's get settled in.
We should see Master Calto as soon as we pack up our things."
It was then that a voice resounded from behind.
“She won’t go with you.”
Maxi turned around in surprise.
Riftan took his bag from her shoulder and hung it on his own.
“My wife will stay with me.”
Conflicting emotions of joy and anger battled within her.
While his gaze made her heart beat faster, the fact that he was calmly asserting his marital rights now, after ignoring her for so long, ignited a feeling of defiance.
She stiffened the arm he was holding, for a moment wanting to rip him from her grasp.
Still, this was an opportunity to repair their relationship, and she didn't want to ruin it out of pride.
After all, hadn't she expected him to approach her first?
Composing herself, Maxi turned to Anette.
“I-I apologize for changing my mind, but I think… I will stay with my husband after all.”
At her words, she felt Riftan's grip relax slightly.
Was he nervous that she would reject him?
She was carefully studying his impassive face when she heard Anette say, “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”
Riftan seemed offended by the question, and he gave Anette a reproachful look.
“Is there any reason why my wife shouldn’t come with me?”
Anette's lips twitched slightly.
Seeing that her friend was about to retort with an observation of her own, Maxi intervened.
"Riftan is right.
I'll be fine...
so don't worry about me."
Anette's eyes roamed Maxi's face, searching, before shrugging and following the other mages.
When they were gone, Maxi looked up at Riftan.
His face betrayed no emotion as he said, “Let’s go.”
Looping his arm around her shoulders, he pulled her close and began to lead her towards the main castle.
She smelled his distinctive masculine scent.
He wouldn't have had the opportunity to wash properly during the long journey, so how the hell did he smell so good?
It always seemed to smell like leather and a slight musk around it.
They were now at the training camps.
Riftan called as they approached Sejuleu Aren, who was instructing his servants at the side.
“I will stay in the same room as last time.”
Sejuleu nodded warmly.
"As you prefer.
The servants will bring food and water for your bath shortly." With a mischievous smile, he added, "I asked to heat the sauna.
Will you join me?"
“No,” Riftan replied sharply, then began to lead Maxi away.
Maxi felt her pulse quicken, and heard Sejuleu's mischievous laugh echo as they approached the stairs.
"Oh, what a shame to be deprived of the pleasure of your company.
I suppose I should take this opportunity to become friends with our dear Sir Kuahel."
Maxi peered over his shoulder in time to see Sejuleu put his arm around the tense cleric in a friendly gesture.
Kuahel promptly twisted his offending arm.
As she continued to watch the two with wide eyes, Riftan led her inside the main castle.