Jack strode across the crowded dam crest, his footsteps echoing on the polished pavement. The dam staff and contractors turned to him with smiles of appreciation — some nodding, others clasping their hands over their chests in genuine admiration.

  The wind howled against his skin, his silver-white hair billowing mesmerisingly. His red eyes swept across the gathered people. The dam, once a site of crisis, had become a marvel — a breathtaking structure crafted with arcane power, its Roman-style architecture standing as a testament to magic and ingenuity.

  At its heart stood the final touch of divinity — a statue of the goddess, sculpted in amber with a metallic hue, towering over ten metres tall at the midpoint of the kilometre-long dam. Her hair, though stone, flowed hypnotically, as if alive.

  Jack’s gaze sharpened.

  "Wait…" He narrowed his eyes at the statue. "Is she holding a… butterfly? Is that Aurelia?!" he exclaimed, turning to the princess beside him.

  Aurelia scowled, her arms crossing tighter. "What?" she hissed.

  The statue was regal and elegant, her presence amplified by a mature, well-proportioned bust — breathtakingly beautiful. Jack studied it, then turned to Aurelia, whose petite frame was in stark contrast to the statue’s grandeur.

  Feeling his lingering gaze, a blush crept up her cheeks.

  “Pervert!” she snapped, covering her chest.

  Behind her, Triss chuckled, cupping her lips, as demure as ever.

  Jack smirked. "False advertisement…" he muttered.

  “What did you just say?!” Aurelia barked, stomping her foot like an offended child.

  “Come on, guys. Magistrate Petra wants to speak with us,” Lunice interjected, tapping them on the shoulders.

  With that, the group moved through the crowd, heading to the far side of the dam.

  “He’s a hero!” a tradesman bellowed to his coworkers before breaking into applause.

  Clap! Clap! Clap!

  The crowd erupted into cheers, their hands clapping together in a rhythmic chorus, showering Jack with genuine commendation.

  Jack felt his throat tighten. He rubbed the back of his head, eyes downcast.

  “Thank you, guys… But really, it was all of us who helped save the town,” he said modestly.

  A gentle touch pressed against his lower back.

  "My love, you deserve this," Lupus whispered in his ear.

  Her words struck him.

  Jack found himself smiling — not out of habit, but with pride. For the first time, he stood tall, shoulders squared.

  How could a debris collector become a hero?

  It’s not my job that defines me. It’s what I do and what I stand for.

  At a short distance, a group of familiar faces stood by.

  David, the obese man who had transported Triss and her Virgo mages to the dam. Beside him, Rhok stood at attention, back straight, shoulders squared, his imposing frame clad in knight’s armour.

  Jack exhaled in relief seeing them unharmed.

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  The two seemed caught in conversation, unaware of Jack approaching.

  "Rhok, you’re safe," Jack greeted, tapping lightly on the knight’s shoulder.

  Rhok spun and nodded, offering a faint smile. "Jack."

  Jack smirked. “Not even a scratch? Seriously?”

  The gold knight gestured toward the river downstream. “My Armatus is parked over there. Out of juice, but repairable.” He pointed with his thumb.

  Jack grimaced. “Mine’s… unsalvageable. I bypassed the engine and overclocked the last bit of energy.”

  Rhok raised a brow. “You bypassed the limiter?” His voice rasped in surprise.

  Jack nodded, feeling smart and dumb at the same time.

  David interjected with his usual grin. “Don’t worry, Jackie! We’re just glad you’re safe!”

  Jack turned to him, gratitude flashing in his red eyes. “Thanks for getting the Novitcius of Virgo here. I owe you a big one.”

  David crossed his arms, standing tall with pride. “Let’s call it even, my good man!”

  The two burst into laughter, their voices filling the air. Even Rhok let out a rare chuckle.

  Behind them, a strange figure loomed — a towering man with wolf-like features, his presence sticking out like a sore thumb.

  “A wolf Animori?” Jack muttered, raising a brow. “Not something you see every day.” He noted to himself.

  Even more surprising, another Armatus knight sat beside him, arms folded, leaning against the dam’s fence.

  Canis, seemingly unaware of the attention, hummed a strange melody, his voice carrying an odd euphoric energy.

  "A wolf walks a lonely road… Yaaaaadaaaaaaaa~"

  Aurelia stood before him, hugging herself, frustration painting her expression.

  “Sir Lunarius Canis! Take it down! That statue looks nothing like me!” she pleaded, her red eyes brimming with desperation.

  Canis remained unmoved, a knowing smile on his lips.

  “Princess of the Sun, this statue is more than a mere reflection of your form — it is a tribute to the moment you saved the people.”

  “It is not carved in stone to capture your likeness alone, but to embody the truth of who you are — your courage, your selflessness.”

  "When the people gaze upon it, they will not only see your beauty but remember the light you brought into their lives. This statue stands as a symbol, a legacy, a reminder that nobility such as yours is not a myth, but a reality.”

  His words carried weight, but to Aurelia, they still sounded like flowery nonsense.

  She sighed in frustration.

  “But it still doesn’t look like me!”

  Canis chuckled, admiring his work. “Perhaps not in your eyes, but to those who witnessed today… this is how they will always see you.”

  She glanced at her guardian for support, but he merely shrugged.

  Slouching in defeat, she realised there was no changing his mind.

  Before Rhok and Jack, a young man scrambled forward, bowing apologetically.

  "My name is Steve! I'm just a Copper! Cleaning Armatus is my duty! I’m sorry for attacking the city—"

  Ahem!

  Rhok cut him off in a playful tone, barely suppressing a grin.

  “At ease.”

  Steve flinched, then saluted instinctively, as if it were second nature.

  “Sir, yes, sir!”

  Rhok chuckled. “Relax, we’re no longer soldiers of Dunkelheit.”

  “Yes, sir!” Steve sniffled, wiping his eyes.

  Canis eventually pushed himself up with his hammer, extending a hand toward Jack.

  “What a day, huh?”

  Jack hesitated before reluctantly shaking his large hand.

  "Yeah… I'm Jack Squire."

  Canis grinned. “Oh, I know who you are. Everyone here talks about you.” He paused, then lowered his voice. “I’m Lunarius Canis… um… Wolfgang.”

  A snort erupted behind them.

  “Sir Canis Wolfgang?!” Lupus repeated, amused by his obvious name.

  She spun toward Frain. “Canis Wolfgang!”

  “Hehehe~” Frain giggled mischievously.

  Canis exhaled sharply. “Lupus Hoffmann, huh? A rabbit Wildren named ‘Wolf’? That’s rich.” His rebuttal had no effect on the chuckling ladies. It was two against one.

  ***

  Eventually, Magistrate Petra and Ludwig made their rounds, personally thanking each of them.

  The air buzzed with joy and celebration.

  Petra reminded everyone of today’s victory, emphasising that not a single life had been lost, before announcing that a grand feast would be held the following week in the city.

  The crowd erupted into cheers, their morale soaring.

  Lives had been saved. The dam was restored.

  And for the first time in a long while, hope had returned.