Chapter 2: Behind the Celebration

Chapter 2: Behind the Celebration

After the long, hard-fought battle, the army marched back to the capital in triumph.

Though the soldiers and heroes were battered, bruised, and looked as if they had been dragged through hell itself, they still held themselves upright as they passed beneath the city gates with their banners raised high.

The moment the gates opened and the army stepped inside, the streets erupted with cheers.

Citizens shouted, cried, and celebrated in relief at the news of the Demon Lord’s defeat. The sound of victory rolled through the capital like thunder as flowers were thrown from windows above and voices called out praise to the heroes who had returned alive.

Without slowing, the army marched straight through the grand procession and made its way toward the castle at the heart of the city, where the king and his advisors stood waiting to receive the hero and his party.

Once Logan and his party finally reached the king, Logan stepped forward and lowered himself to one knee before the throne.

His armor was scarred from battle, stained with blood and ash, yet he still carried himself with the dignity expected of the world’s summoned hero.

"We have returned, my king," he said. "The Demon Lord is no more."

At those words, the king’s face lit with satisfaction.

A bright, pleased smile spread across his features as murmurs rippled through the gathered court.

"Good," the king declared. "Summoned hero from another world, you have done us a great honor. Tonight, we will hold a grand banquet in celebration of your victory and in honor of your deeds. Go now, rest and recover until the banquet begins."

He then lifted a hand as though delivering a final blessing.

"And tomorrow, all preparations should be complete for your return to your own world."

The moment the king said that, Logan’s grip tightened, then his eyes shifted instinctively to the right.

His face remained calm, but beneath that practiced obedience, his heart was beating heavily in his chest.

There, standing beside the royal court, was Princess Sophie.

She was already looking directly at him.

A faint, knowing smile touched her lips before she gave him the slightest wink.

Logan immediately looked away and lowered his gaze back toward the floor before anyone could read too much in his expression.

The king, either unaware or choosing to ignore it, continued speaking.

"Now, heroes, you may rise. This will be your last night in this world, Hero Logan. So go, say your farewells to those you must, and prepare yourselves for tonight’s celebration, for this will be your final day in our world."

Logan kept his expression carefully controlled as he answered,

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Outwardly, he sounded every bit the obedient hero they expected him to be.

With that, he and the others rose, turned, and began to leave the king’s chamber.

Once the massive chamber doors closed behind Logan and the others, the king remained seated upon his throne for a moment in silence before turning his gaze toward the gathered nobles and advisors.

"You may all leave and make your own preparations for tonight’s celebration," he said calmly. "This concludes today’s session."

At once, the court began to disperse.

Nobles bowed their heads, and attendants quietly filtered out of the throne room, their polished shoes echoing across the stone floor as the grand chamber slowly emptied.

Only once the room had fallen nearly silent did the king’s expression begin to change.

The warm, celebratory look he had worn for the heroes vanished entirely.

His face hardened.

He turned his head toward the figure standing faithfully at the base of the throne, his personal guard who had remained behind.

"Send the Shadows to keep an eye on the hero," the king said in a low, cold voice. "We need to make sure he does not do anything foolish before he is sent home. We cannot risk angering the goddess again because of what happened in the distant past."

The personal guard lowered his head immediately.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will send them out at once."

"Good."

The king rose from his throne and adjusted the robes draped over his shoulders.

Without another word, he turned and made his way through the private doorway hidden behind the throne, disappearing into the passage that led to his personal chambers.

Later that night, the celebration was in full swing.

Noble music echoed throughout the grand hall as an orchestra played elegant songs beneath the golden glow of chandeliers.

Nobles danced across the polished floor in flowing gowns and decorated uniforms while long banquet tables overflowed with roasted meats, fruit, bread, pastries, and gleaming glasses of wine.

Laughter filled the air as heroes and nobles alike mingled freely, exchanging stories of battle, boasting of victory, and speaking with noble daughters and anyone else eager to stand beside the warriors who had helped save the world.

To everyone inside, it was a night of joy.

But the hero was nowhere to be found.

Far from the warmth of the celebration, out on one of the castle’s moonlit balconies, Logan sat alone with one arm resting against the stone railing.

A half-filled glass of wine hung loosely in his hand as he stared out over the capital below.

From where he sat, he could see the city glowing beneath the night sky.

Lanterns flickered along the streets, windows shone with warm light, and distant cheers still drifted up from the celebrations taking place all across the capital.

Everything looked peaceful.

For this one brief moment, the world looked as though it had finally been saved.

And yet Logan wore no smile.

The city below looked more peaceful than Earth had ever felt to him, and that alone made the thought of being sent back feel like a slow tightening around his chest.

While everyone else celebrated, he sat alone in silence, his face shadowed by the night as his thoughts drifted quietly through the dark.

Then a soft voice broke the stillness.

A figure of angelic beauty stepped out onto the balcony behind him and moved to the railing at his side, leaning against it with an easy smile.

"I knew I’d find you out here," she said. "Sorry it took so long. It took me a while to get away from all the annoying nobles."

Leaning against the railing beside Logan was Princess Sophie.

Her sapphire-blue eyes were fixed on him with a softness she only ever showed when they were alone.

Moonlight spilled across her golden hair, giving her an almost ethereal beauty as she stood there beside him, far removed from the noise and false smiles of the banquet hall.

She looked at him for a moment before speaking again.

"Cheer up," she said softly. "If everything goes well after tonight, you’ll finally be able to disappear."

Then her expression turned more serious.

"Now hold out your hand."

Logan did as she asked.

Carefully, Sophie reached up and removed the golden hair clip from her hair.

The ornament was delicate and elegant, woven with tiny magical jewels that shimmered faintly even in the dark.

She placed it gently into Logan’s palm along with a folded piece of paper.

The moment it touched his hand, he felt the magic flowing through it.

His eyes widened slightly as he looked up at her.

"You finished it?"

Sophie smiled, though there was exhaustion hidden behind it.

"Yes," she said. "I was able to get it finished just in time. It was so hard sneaking around behind my father’s back to get this made, but with this, you should be able to disappear and meet up with Rina."

Her voice softened further as she looked out toward the city below.

"And after everything calms down and returns to normal... I’ll disappear too and join both of you."

For the first time that night, Logan’s expression eased.

Not because the fear had disappeared, but because for the first time since entering the capital, the plan no longer felt impossible.

Then Sophie leaned closer and pressed a gentle kiss against his lips.

It was brief, but warm enough to silence the weight hanging over him, even if only for a moment.

When she pulled back, she gave him one last small smile.

"Now I should get back before anyone notices."

She straightened, turned toward the party, then paused just long enough to glance back at him one final time before walking back toward the celebration.

Logan remained there for a moment, staring down at the enchanted clip in his hand.

Then, with the faintest smile finally touching his face, he lifted the glass and drained the last of his wine.

A few moments later, he turned and headed back inside.