When the mourning period for the fallen expedition finally ended, the capital of the empire once again came alive with a grand event.
"How long has it even been since the funeral, and we're already holding such a spectacle?" Caron muttered.
"Well, it is dazzling, isn't it, my dear?" Revelio asked with a smile.
"You two are practically dripping sweetness," Caron teased. "So when are you tying the knot? If you're going to, do it soon—before Leo becomes the next head of the house."
Caron downed a glass of champagne handed to him by an attendant, then let his gaze wander through the garden.
The Imperial Garden had never looked more magnificent. Vibrant flowers bloomed in full color, and the subtle glow of enchanted lights made the entire place shimmer like a dream. It was an event that outshone even the most extravagant ceremonies—utterly incomparable to a somber funeral.
And, of course, it was the wedding of Emperor Revelio and Leon of the Ducal Family of Leston.
As Caron watched the festivities unfold, he recalled the day Revelio himself had come all the way to Azureocean Castle.
It was the day the emperor—victorious from war and crowned as the greatest ruler in imperial history—had knelt before the acting Duke of the Ducal Family of Leston.
"I have no excuse, sir! Please forgive this unworthy son-in-law!" Revelio pleaded.
"Y-Your Majesty, what are you saying all of a sudden? W-We haven't even had a wedding yet—'son-in-law' seems a bit premature—" Dales stuttered in confusion.
"Father, I'm pregnant," Leon interrupted.
"Wh-What?! Cough—guh!" Dales choked on his words.
Revelio had almost gotten himself beaten up to death that day by the acting head of the Ducal Family of Leston.
The emperor of the empire and the lady of one of the empire's most powerful houses had caused quite the scandal. Such a thing had never happened before—neither within the imperial family nor the ducal family.
But really, there was nothing they could do. They were already engaged, so the only solution was to rush the marriage.
The citizens, however, couldn't have been happier.
Romance novels dramatizing Revelio and Leon's fated love story were flying off the shelves. Though Leon's pregnancy hadn't been publicly announced, the sudden haste of the ceremony had told the people everything they needed to know.
"The emperor truly is a saintly ruler, to bring home his empress so swiftly!"
"They were engaged to begin with, weren't they?"
"I heard the empress might already be—"
"Shhh! The Mad Dog's behind you. Don't start trouble here!"
Rumors had spread among the nobility like wildfire, yet no one dared speak openly. Or rather, no one could.
Revelio's popularity had soared higher than any emperor before him. He had strengthened the empire's economy, abolished oppressive laws, and even led a victorious expedition into the demonic frontier. His prestige was unshakable; his authority, absolute.
Gone were the days of the puppet emperors who came before him. With the powerful Ducal Family of Leston now backing him as in-laws, Revelio had become untouchable. This wedding was more than a union—it was a declaration of dominance. The only house that could rival the emperor's power was now bound to him in blood.
As the nobles whispered among themselves and cast glances toward the delegation of the Ducal Family of Leston, Caron slipped a whiskey from his pocket and took a long swig.
"Champagne's too soft," he muttered. "Whiskey's the real drink."
"Dad, you'll ruin your stomach drinking like that," Aqua said beside him.
Caron smiled and replied, "See? Only my Aqua ever worries about me."
"You got beaten up by the Saintess last time you drank without using mana, remember?" Aqua scolded. "Do you know how upset she was afterward?"
"Now you even nag me," Caron sighed, laughing. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair.
Aqua looked adorable in her azure dress—one Caron had personally tailored for her to wear at Leon's wedding.
"How do you feel, seeing your aunt get married?" Caron asked.
"Hmm..." Aqua tilted her head. "I think... I wish I had a mom, too."
"You're getting bold these days," Caron said with a blink, caught off guard. He then turned to Leo and asked, "Leo, did you teach her to say that?"
"W-What? Of course not!" Leo said.
Originally, Caron had planned to take Aqua and his old comrades on a world journey, but that plan had to be postponed, all because of this wedding.
The itinerary had already been set.
After stopping by the Holy Kingdom, Caron would travel to the Southern Great Forest, then board a ship bound for the Eastern Great Forest. The region, once devastated by the Demon King of Sloth, was said to be recovering at an astonishing pace thanks to the World Tree's blessing.
From there, he planned to meet with the beastkin residing in the forest, pass through the Sultanate, and finally return to the empire.
"But where did Seria go?" Leo asked, looking around. "She was here just a moment ago."
"She's performing the wedding blessing in place of the Pope," Caron replied. "She went to change into her ceremonial robes."
"She's coming on the trip with us, right?" Leo asked.
"She'll come as far as the Holy Kingdom," Caron said with a shrug. "Apparently, there's something she has to take care of afterward."
He smiled faintly. It would be a good journey—his first true taste of freedom since he was born.
"Caron," a voice called.
Caron turned toward the familiar voice and replied, "Oh, Adina."
Adina, the daughter of the beastkin's great chieftain, smiled warmly at him.
"You look better these days," she said. "I guess I'd say the fire in your eyes has cooled a little?"
"Yeah?" Caron asked with a short laugh.
"To be honest, you used to scare me," Adina said. "You always looked like you were being chased by something—and that aura of yours... It was murderous."
"Was I really that bad?" Caron asked.
"Of course you were!" Adina answered, half laughing, half exasperated. "When your eyes went wild, I didn't even want to stand near you. You looked as if you'd slice someone's throat if they brushed your shoulder the wrong way."
Caron chuckled and reached over to ruffle Aqua's hair. Then he said, "Aqua, it seems like you're the only one on my side."
"I think you look a lot happier now too, Dad," Aqua said brightly.
"...Is that so?" Caron murmured.
There was no one left to take revenge on. The Demon Kings were dead, and his vengeance against the Norang family was already underway. Rumor had it that con artists had devoured nearly a third of Count Norang's secret fortune. By the time he returned from his travels, that revenge would be complete as well.
Caron smiled faintly and nodded, then said, "Maybe it's finally time I learned to live a little easier. But what am I supposed to do now?"
"Start by doing nothing," Adina said firmly. "Take a break. Just... Live like a slacker for a while, please? I'm begging you."
"A man shouldn't be idle forever," Caron said with a grin. "Wouldn't my parents disapprove?"
"Come on," Adina said, rolling her eyes. "Do you really think they'd care?"
As they talked, Mason, who was serving as master of ceremonies, walked slowly to the front.
"Esteemed guests," he said, raising his voice over the crowd. "Thank you all for coming. We will now begin the ceremony."
Revelio appeared first, stepping onto the crimson carpet with a solemn expression. He usually carried an easy, confident air, but today his face was taut with tension—an unfamiliar look for him. Still, he carried himself with the dignity of an emperor.
Caron began to clap, and soon the rest of the guests followed his lead.
"When I get back from the trip, my niece or nephew will already be born, huh?" he said with a grin.
"It seems that way," Leo replied.
"When it's close to Leon's due date, you'd better let me know right away," Caron said. "I want to see my niece or nephew. Oh, and I'll have to buy a mountain of gifts on the way back."
"Gifts?" Leo asked.
"It's my first niece or nephew, so of course I have to get a load of gifts. Make sure you work hard too, Leo," Caron answered.
Leo coughed into his hand, looking embarrassed, just as the groom's entrance had ended.
And now, the bride's procession began.
"Wow," someone whispered.
"...She's beautiful," another murmured.
As Leon entered, all conversation faded into quiet admiration. Dressed in a pure white gown, she looked radiant—even Caron couldn't help but be struck by her beauty.
"So this is what people mean when they say clothes make the person," Leo said under his breath.
"Then maybe you should try wearing a dress, Leo," Caron teased.
"You'll regret that," Leo said with a mock glare.
It was a precious moment—the people Caron cared for most were stepping into a new life. He didn't want to waste this peaceful time that Halo had given him, so he engraved every detail of the scene into his memory.
"The Grand Saintess of the Holy Kingdom will now bless the couple," Mason announced.
Seria appeared, dressed in deep blue ceremonial robes that shimmered like starlight. Her usual vestments were pure white, but this outfit had been specially crafted for Leon's wedding.
Smiling gently, she clasped her hands together and spoke to the bride and groom. "May the Light bless the union of your fates."
The moment her words fell, dozens of radiant beams poured from the heavens, bathing Revelio and Leon in celestial light.
It was dazzling—sacred, no less.
A collective gasp swept through the guests.
"Ohh..."
"...Dear Light!"
Even Revelio and Leon smiled with pure happiness, their faces glowing in the brilliance.
"It's good," Caron said quietly, taking a slow breath as he watched the scene unfold before him.
A new, peaceful chapter had begun.
***
Right after the wedding, the capital burst into celebration.
Citizens flooded the streets to honor the emperor's marriage, their laughter and cheers echoing through the city. There were no more enemies threatening the continent—only peace and joy that flowed freely among the people.
Once the ceremony and festivities came to an end, Caron immediately began preparing for his journey.
Soon, he was standing at Azureocean Castle's train station.
"I wish you and Father could come with us," Caron said wistfully.
"You know how busy your father is," his mother, Sara, replied with a gentle smile. "Let's go together another time, just us. Alright, Caron?"
Caron smiled warmly at his mother, then said, "Sure. Next time, we should bring Grandfather and Grandmother too. I've actually got a few islands down south. There's a villa built on one of them—it'd be a perfect place to relax."
"You own islands?" Sara asked in shock.
"The Queen insisted on giving them to me as a gift. I couldn't really refuse," Caron said with a grin.
"That's a wonderful idea. I've always wanted to see the southern seas," Sara said.
"Then it's settled," Caron said.
There was no one left in the world to order him around. Everyone only wished for him to rest. Despite his reputation for causing chaos wherever he went, Caron had spent his life running without pause—and those close to him couldn't help but worry.
"I'll leave him in your care," Sara said kindly to Caron's companions.
Kerra thumped a hand against his chest and said proudly, "You can count on us, ma'am! We'll take good care of him."
"Please trust us," Ugo added.
"Don't forget me, too!" Beatrice chimed in with a smile.
Sara looked at them with a pleased expression. Then, turning to Seria beside her, she said softly, "Saintess, please visit Azureocean Castle often. Caron might seem a little stiff, but he really likes you."
"Mother, please don't say things that could be misunderstood..." Caron began, but Seria cut in smoothly.
"Of course. Don't worry—I'll visit often," Seria said, taking Sara's hands gently.
Sara's face lit up with contentment, then she said, "Then we'll see each other again soon."
"Ahem," Fayle interjected, clearing his throat. "It's about time we let them go. The train's running late as it is."
He looked at Caron with an awkward smile, then said, "Have a safe trip—and try not to cause too much trouble."
"I'll check in on our family business while I'm at it," Caron said casually.
"...Just don't destroy it," Fayle muttered.
"Come on, am I the kind of guy who smashes everything he sees? Trust me, Father," Caron said with a grin.
"I'd rather not," Fayle sighed. "But since it's a good day, I'll let that pass."
No one understood his son better than Fayle did.
After exchanging light farewells, Caron took Aqua's hand and stepped onto the train.
Their journey would take them through the southern kingdoms and onward to the Holy Kingdom. They planned to stay overnight in the border city of Reben before crossing into the Holy Kingdom itself.
Leo would join them later at the Eastern Great Forest, where he was traveling to the Plains of Rest to gain permission for his own marriage.
As the train began to move, Caron gazed out the window. He thought, It's reminding me of the past.
Caron remembered the day he had once boarded a train from here to the capital—the day a bomb had exploded aboard.
All the nobles involved in that plot had since been executed for treason.
"Well, at least this time Seria's with us," he said suddenly.
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?" Seria asked, blinking.
"If someone tried to blow up the train again, you could stop it with your foresight, right?" Caron replied.
"...You do realize how concerning that line of thought is, don't you?" Seria asked.
"Just saying—it's always smart to assume the worst. That way, nothing can surprise you," Caron continued.
Beatrice snorted, then said lightly, "Maybe it's time we fix that way of thinking."
"Why?" Caron asked.
"Because the places we're going aren't hell anymore," Beatrice replied softly. "It's time we started thinking like ordinary people again."
"She's right, Commander," Ugo agreed.
"Ordinary thinking, huh... That's probably the hardest thing in the world," Caron murmured.
Then he turned to Aqua, who smiled brightly and said, "I'll help you!"
"...All right, Aqua. I'll count on you," Caron said with a smile.
Whoosh.
The engine roared to life, rumbling through the air.
"Well, I guess it'll work out somehow," Caron said with a shrug.
It was a freedom he'd never once known in any of his three lives. Still, he felt certain things would be alright.
It would've been even better if Halo were here, Caron thought wistfully.
That one thing weighed on him, but he would learn to adapt, someday.
"Who wants jerky?" Caron asked suddenly.
"Stop eating jerky already," Seria scolded him.
"Ooh, Commander, I'll take a piece!" Kerra said.
"Me too!" Ugo chimed in.
"Dad, me too!" Aqua cried.
And so, the Mad Dog set off once again on a long, long journey.