"Mother Aestra, the army has returned," Nymeria informed as she entered Aestra's chamber.

Aestra was sitting cross-legged on the floor, a warm white aura radiating from her body.

"They are warriors who have come from a battle worthy of being sung as myths," Aestra said, opening her deep black eyes. "Let us welcome their return with enthusiasm."

Aestra rose to her feet and left the chamber with Nymeria, arriving at the Heaven's First Step.

The whole mountain was decorated with beautiful, colorful flowers. Each building was clad in silken strips, and the path was covered with rose petals.

Aestra, Lunaria, and Nymeria stood at the front, their eyes fixed on the platform before them where the warriors would arrive after teleporting from the ground.

"Where are Taranis and Ume?" Aestra asked, realizing their absence.

"They are sleeping," Nymeria informed.

"It's been three days," Aestra sighed, facepalming. "Well, given their exhaustion, it's understandable."

Lunaria turned to Nymeria and asked, "Aren't you tired as well? You should have rested with them."

"No, Mother. On the contrary, I have been feeling very energetic since I woke up."

Lunaria pulled her closer and whispered, "Idiot, get a hint. Those two have been sleeping together for three days straight. You will be left behind if you do not make a move."

"Oho, Lunaria, do not put dirty thoughts into my Nymeria's mind," Aestra teased with a smirk.

"Yes, Mother, stop saying stupid things!" Nymeria hissed, pouting.

"Hmph, I'm only saying it for your own good," Lunaria retorted. "Or you will spend your life taking care of Taranis and Lady Gumiho's children."

"I-I don't mind taking care of Sister Ume's children. S-she will also take care of my children," Nymeria murmured in a low tone, looking downward.

"My baby, to have children, you need to—"

"I know, Mother, I know!" Nymeria snapped, her face blushing. "I'm not a child."

While Aestra and Lunaria were teasing Nymeria, a pillar of blinding light erupted from the array platform before them.

The light slowly vanished, revealing the brave warriors of Bane's army standing upright on the large platform.

Only about sixty thousand soldiers had returned, sixty percent of the forces. The war had ended with its cost, but it was not the occasion to grieve their deaths.

The proper way to mourn them was by celebrating their victory to the fullest.

The moment the warriors arrived, fireworks erupted in the sky, melodious instruments rang, and the beautiful maidens of the Flowerbane Sect took the stage in ecstatic dance.

"Long live the Hundred Sky Mountains!"

"Long live the Hundred Sky Mountains!"

"Long live the Hundred Sky Mountains!"

The citizens roared in cheerful welcome. After a long time, it felt like happiness had returned to the Hundred Sky Mountains.

A sudden wave of cold wind emerged from the platform where the army stood, reaching the path where Aestra, Lunaria, and Nymeria were.

"G-greetings, Father," Nymeria said in an awkward tone as Aurelion arrived before them. "How have you be—"

Before Nymeria could finish her words, Aurelion pulled her into his embrace.

"F-father?"

It was the first time Aurelion had hugged her. She had been prepared to be scolded by him, but this action took her completely off guard.

"Thank heavens," Aurelion whispered in a broken tone.

"Forgive me for making you worry, Father," Nymeria replied, resting her face against his chest.

"Thank heavens... thank heavens... thank heavens..." Aurelion murmured continuously, holding her tightly.

A moment later, Doran came sprinting forward.

"Elder Sister, you know how scared I was," he cried, holding her from the other side.

"You have grown stronger, Doran," Nymeria said, patting his head.

Aestra left the Snowbane family to their reunion and moved forward toward the platform.

"I'm grateful for your service to the Hundred Sky Mountains, brave warriors," Aestra said with a gentle smile. "A grand feast of seven days has been prepared for all of you on Heaven's Sovereign Peak. Enjoy your rest to the fullest."

Aestra expected the warriors to erupt in joy upon hearing of the feast, but surprisingly, none of them reacted.

'Are they not satisfied with just a feast?' she thought inwardly.

She was about to speak again when the soldiers slowly began moving aside, revealing an elderly man with grey hair standing at the center.

The moment Aestra's eyes fell upon the man, a heavy gasp escaped her lips. Her limbs trembled, her queenly presence began to falter, and tears formed in her eyes.

Voltrex, the elderly man, moved forward, stopping before her.

"You have become even more beautiful, my love," Voltrex murmured, gently wiping the tear from Aestra's eyes.

"A-and you have grown old," Aestra mumbled, trying to force a smile, but helplessly breaking into tears.

"Wh-where have you b-been all these years, idiot?" Aestra muttered, punching Voltrex's chest. There was no strength behind her fist.

"It's the last time. I'm never leaving your side again," Voltrex said, kissing Aestra on the forehead.

The moment he did was the moment the warriors, who had been silent till now, finally erupted in joy.

---

"How long are you two intending to sleep?" Nymeria's soft whining entered my ears. "You two are leaving me alone again. I'm jealous."

My eyes slowly opened, finding Nymeria lying beside me, poking my cheeks with her index finger. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

On my other side, Ume was sleeping, her face resting on my chest, her hand on my stomach, and one leg draped over mine.

"So beautiful," I murmured, looking at Nymeria's ethereal face with a warm smile.

"Flirting as soon as you wake up," Nymeria said with a frown.

"I'm just stating the truth," I replied, kissing her head.

"You always want to have the last word, huh," she muttered, placing her face on my right chest.

"Weren't you here to wake us?"

"What? You don't like it when I embrace you?"

"I never said th—"

"Hmph, shut your mouth and let me rest."

"..."

"Why aren't you saying anything?" she asked, irritation laced in her voice.

"You just told me to stay sil—"

"Stop arguing with me. Are you looking for a fight or what?" she hissed, pinching my cheeks.

"Why are you angry, little hamster? What have I done now?" I asked with a sigh.

"That's the problem," she murmured in a mosquito-like tone. "You haven't done anything with me yet."

Oh dear. Did I just hear that correctly? I gasped inwardly.

Before I could speak, she immediately blurted,

"The army has returned. Our fathers are asking for yours and Sister Ume's presence."

She jumped off the bed and left the room with quick steps, her cheeks puffed red.