Back at the beach, the battlefield fell eerily silent. The once-relentless undead army, which had seed unstoppable, suddenly collapsed where they stood. Their glowing eyes dimd, their twisted forms crumbled into ash, and the oppressive aura that had plagued the battlefield dissipated into nothingness, all in an instant.
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the coalition forces as they cautiously lowered their weapons.
"They're… gone," one soldier whispered, his voice trembling.
"The head, their leader, is dead!" Rynne announced confidently, her voice carrying over the stunned crowd. "We've won!"
A roar of celebration erupted among the coalition army. Warriors who had been monts from despair now raised their fists in victory, their cheers echoing across the beach.
…
Back in the immortal king's territory, the other Lords approached Lance, Ithil offering him his cloak to cover his nakedness.
Without wasting further ti, Lance rushed to where the remains of the immortal king was, confirming himself properly that the enemy had been defeated.
From his knowledge, he had expected the immortal king to be so sort of lich, and so to still be alive, but perhaps sothing was different this ti, and he truly was dead.
The others waited as he soon returned, questions poured over him with astonishnt and awe.
Aldric sighed, looking at the destroyed castle behind them. "If you could do this anyti, why didn't you just do this to begin with? Would have saved us all ti." He said.
Lance laughed at first, but he understood what they all ant. But there was no way he could do that, after all, he had not mastered using the techniques Kaelthara taught him, so he would also cause damage to those around him. "Besides, that's just dull, isn't it? For you, that is."
"Hah…" Aelyndra sighed, transforming to her human form as she looked at the castle. "What do we do now? Is this all?"
Looking at the castle, it was clear, there was no way they would leave just like that. "While we go through and loot this castle, Ithil and Veyrath will scan for signs of life in this land. They're the only ones who can do an in-depth job in that regards." Lance said, o which everyone agreed. As for the wyvern king, he waited outside while the others got to work, after all, there was no point in any of what they were up to, that he could help.
An hour later, they were done with everything.
Surprisingly, they found no living thing all through the land. The land itself, while large, couldn't be compared to the territory of a single race back in their continent. It was a total of approximately 561,000 square kilotres.
As for the results of looting the castle, or at least what was left of it, there was almost nothing of value, except for a few old books that must have belonged to the immortal king, perhaps a diary, or maybe spell or research book. Whatever it was, it was left to Veyrath, the demon lord, as the one most fitting of such knowledge.
While others feared he could be corrupted by it, the knowledge that he was under Lance and closest in proximity to him gave them all peace of mind, enough that they encouraged him to pry into its secrets.
For the ti being, they decided to leave and discuss matters concerning the island another ti in future, returning to their army, victorious.
…
Their return brought a lot of happiness, their battered clothes and armour testant of their battle with an incredible force, though they themselves appeared perfectly fine as Lance had healed them all. Lance's appearance was the most surprising, after all, all he had on was a royal cloak adorned with different stones and sigils. The design itself looked elven, so anyone could tell where it got it from.
Though they initially ca to the conclusion that he had been battered the most as probably the weakest, after the tale of all that went down spread around, Lance beca the sole hero of the entire continent, even those of other races now placing him on a pedestal.
Rynne was almost gloating when she ca to a realization. "Then, how did you survive the final attack?"
"Hm? I just healed myself."
"…"
"…"
"…"
Everyone listening was speechless… no way healing magic was that overpowered, if not, healers would be a thousand tis more important than they were, even though they already were very important.
…
The coalition's army had gathered the remains of the fallen fighters, their comrades who had given their lives in the war against the undead. A vast burial site was prepared on a nearby hill overlooking the ocean, the late evening sky painted in a golden art over the somber scene.
Thousands of soldiers, from every race, stood together in silence. Lance, standing at the forefront with the other leaders was urged by Aldric to be the one to speak as he stepped forward to address them.
Lance's voice, though calm, carried the weight of the battle and the losses they had endured.
Looking at those gathered, he drew in breath. "We stand here today not just as victors, but as survivors of a battle that demanded everything from us. We have faced an enemy unlike any other, an enemy that sought to strip us of our lands, our lives, our future, and our unity. Yet here we stand, together."
His gaze swept over the crowd, pausing briefly on the faces of the injured and the grieving.
"We honor those who fought alongside us, who gave their lives so that we could stand here today. They were not just soldiers and warriors, they were brothers, sisters, friends, and heroes. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten."
Lance paused, allowing the gravity of his words to settle.
"This victory is not just ours, it belongs to them. And in their mory, we will forge a future that ensures their sacrifice was not in vain. We are stronger, not because of our differences, but because of our unity!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, the warriors inspired and moved by Lance's words, so holding back tears while others let them roll.
Aelyndra, now in her human form, stood beside Lance, her golden eyes glowing faintly in the firelight after the burial. "Your speech was perfect," she said softly. "You brought them together."
Lance offered a faint smile. "It's what they needed. After everything, they deserve a mont to heal."
Rynne approached, a mug beer in hand. "Co on, Lance. Even you need to loosen up. You just saved the world."
A light laugh escaped Lance as he accepted the drink. "I suppose I can allow myself that."
…
The following day, as the sun dipped below the horizon, the coalition gathered for a grand celebration. A vast bonfire was lit in the center of the camp, its flas reaching toward the stars. Tables overflowed with food and drink from every race sharing in victory.
Laughter and music filled the air as soldiers from all backgrounds mingled freely in rare camaraderie.
The celebration lasted until dawn, a night of unity and rembrance that would be rembered for generations. Despite their differences, the races stood as one, bound by a shared victory and the leadership of a man who had earned their respect.
As the first light of day broke over the horizon, the coalition prepared to return to their holands. But they did so with a renewed sense of purpose, knowing they had forged bonds that would endure beyond the battlefield.
…
In the aftermath of their hard-won victory, the coalition leaders gathered one final ti. They convened in the remains of the temporary war council tent, overlooking the ocean that had borne the undead invasion. The air was still heavy with the scent of battle, but a newfound respect lingered among the leaders.
Lance stood at the head of the table, flanked by Aelyndra and Aldric. Around him sat the main leaders of the allied races, Throrin Stonehelm, Ithil Calharis, and Veyrath.
Aldric spoke first, his voice steady and resolute. "This war was a reminder that none of us are untouchable. The undead ca for us all, and had we stood divided, we would have been consud."
Throrin nodded, his arms crossed. "Aye. And we'd be fools to think this is the last threat we'll face. If the Ancient Kingdom could rise, who's to say what else is lurking out there?"
Ithil's gaze shifted to Lance. "The monster kingdom proved its strength in this war, and more importantly, its leadership. Lance, your actions saved us all. I propose that we unite formally, not just in tis of crisis, but as a standing alliance."
Murmurs of agreent swept calmly.
The Demon Lord leaned forward, his crimson eyes gleaming. "For centuries, the monster races have been viewed as outcasts, unworthy of trust or respect. But after what we've accomplished here, none can deny our place among the great powers of this world."
Lance surveyed the room, his calm deanor masking the weight of the mont. "If we are to survive the future, we must act as one. Not just in defense, but in building a world where such threats cannot take root. This alliance will not just protect our lands, it will shape them."
The leaders exchanged solemn nods, their agreent centing a new era of cooperation.
…
While the leaders forged a path forward, Lia and Mira alongside the healers from other races, worked tirelessly.
In a large makeshift infirmary, Mira worked efficiency, a wave of healing energy flowing from her, nding any hat ca in contact with it. Her magic surprised all who witnessed it, especially other healers, not because they hadn't seen healing magic that could accomplish such wide range healing, but because it was normally wielded either by an exceptionally talented healer, or one blessed and favoured by the god of brilliance worshiped by the humans.
"Take it slow," Lia said gently "You'll exhaust yourself."
As the last of the injured were treated, the coalition prepared to return to their hos. Soldiers packed their gear, leaders exchanged final words, and the bonds ford during the war were strengthened with promises of future cooperation.
Aldric clasped Lance's hand firmly. "You've earned even more of my respect, Lance. Perhaps I can have children now, knowing you are around. If ever you need my aid, you have it."
"That is… rather unexpected comnt, I'm not offering to be any child's foster parent, so please don't make such comnts." Lance laughed, Aldric following suit.
Throrin grunted, offering a rare smile. "You have my support and aid also. Honestly, is not because you're not as ugly as this old man, I'd have thought you were his son and you leading beasts was orchestrated by him to increase his influence."
Listening to Throrin, Aldric snorted, looking away. "Would I even need my own army to take down your entire country? This child of yesterday has grown bold."
Everyone was quite lost in that conversation, but the interaction from both of them showed that they had a prior relationship, and it wasn't one between enemies.
Ithil inclined his head slightly, sowhere between a nod and a bow, his fine hair catching the light. "Our people will rember this day, Lance. And they will rember you. May we all maintain this alliance for generations to co."
The Demon Lord gave Lance a knowing look. "Well, we always known your worth. It's ti the rest of the world acknowledged it too. If only you'd consider-" Before he finished, Lance cut him off, knowing he was about to talk about his sister.
With that, the allied forces departed, their banners and armies returning to their respective lands. The beach that had been a battleground was now a symbol of unity, a monunt of such.
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