Chapter 120: A Moment of Triumph
The war was over.
For the first time in what felt like an eternity, the Vanguard could breathe.
The battlefield lay silent, a graveyard of shattered steel and broken banners. The air, once thick with the stench of blood and mana, now carried only the faint whispers of the fallen.
Xelthar was gone.
Its capital, razed to the ground by the combined might of Emperor Adrian Eldoria, Grand Duke Alistair Veyrin, and Duke Ragnor Grimthorne.
Their mission was complete.
And now—
They could finally return home.
Kael stood at the highest point of the ruined fortress, gazing over the remains of Krevos.
The wind was cold against his skin, carrying with it the echoes of the battle.
He wasn't sure how long he stood there before Rheon's voice cut through the quiet.
"You're thinking too much again."
Kael glanced to the side, watching as his brother approached, his red-bladed katana resting lazily on his shoulder.
"Hard not to," Kael admitted.
Rheon sighed. "I get it. A war like this changes everything."
Kael exhaled, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. "We've been fighting for so long… I don't even know what to do with peace."
Rheon smirked. "Easy. You drink. You sleep. You celebrate. Then you wake up and train because you're a battle junkie like the rest of us."
Kael huffed a quiet laugh. "Sounds simple."
"It is." Rheon's expression softened. "Enjoy it while you can."
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Then—
A familiar, booming voice rang through the ruins.
"Oi, Veyrin bastards!"
Kael and Rheon turned just as Magnus Grimthorne stomped toward them, his massive battle-axe slung across his back.
"You two brooding again?" Magnus grinned. "That's no way to celebrate a damn war!"
Kael shook his head. "I take it you're here to drag us to the victory feast?"
Magnus smirked. "Damn right. We've got barrels of the finest ale from Eldoria waiting for us. Even Elira is drinking tonight."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Elira drinks?"
"Only when she wants to shut Rheon up," Magnus chuckled. "Come on. The others are waiting."
Rheon clapped a hand on Kael's shoulder. "See? Time to stop thinking and start drinking."
Kael exhaled.
For the first time in years—
He allowed himself to relax.
The makeshift campfires burned bright against the night, casting long shadows across the ruined fortress.
Soldiers—both nobles and commoners—sat side by side, laughing, drinking, and singing old war songs.
The Vanguard, finally free from duty, gathered around their own fire.
Lucian leaned back against a log, his golden eyes reflecting the flames. "Strange, isn't it?"
"What is?" Selene asked, sipping from a silver goblet.
Lucian tilted his head. "No battle. No strategy. Just… quiet."
Cassian grinned, raising his cup. "Then we're doing something wrong. Let's fix that—TO SURVIVAL!"
Darius snorted. "That's the weakest toast I've ever heard."
"Fine," Cassian said, standing dramatically. "TO THE VANGUARD! TO THE STRONGEST WARRIORS IN ELDORIA!"
The others groaned.
"Sit down, Cassian," Mira muttered. "You're embarrassing yourself."
"Let him have his moment," Rael said, smirking. "It's the only time he'll ever get to be dramatic without getting stabbed for it."
Cassian gasped, placing a hand over his heart. "You wound me."
Evelyne raised an eyebrow. "I can fix that if you want."
Laughter rang out among them.
For the first time since their academy days—
It felt like they were just students again.
No war.
No death.
Just friends.
Kael watched as his older sister sat near the edge of the firelight, quietly sipping from a silver flask.
Rheon was beside her, annoying her endlessly.
"Come on, Elira," Rheon grinned. "You survived a war. That's worth at least three drinks."
Elira sighed, taking another slow sip. "I don't drink to excess."
Rheon smirked. "No, but you're drinking. That's progress."
Magnus sat beside them, throwing an arm around Rheon's shoulder. "You should've seen her on the battlefield, Kael. Tore through Xelthar's knights like a damn storm."
Kael smirked. "Of course she did. She's a Veyrin."
Elira scoffed but didn't deny it.
For once, she let herself enjoy the praise.
As the night stretched on and the fires dimmed, a royal messenger approached.
Kael, still seated with the Vanguard, looked up as the messenger knelt before him.
"A message from Emperor Adrian Eldoria," the man said, voice steady.
Kael took the letter, breaking the royal seal.
The words were simple.
"Return to the capital. A grand feast will be held in your honor."
Kael sighed.
Lucian smirked. "Did you really think they'd let us rest forever?"
Kael shook his head. "Not a chance."
The war was over.
But their legend was just beginning.