The great walls of the capital loomed in the distaanding tall like an unshakable guardian of civilization. White stone gleamed uhe midday sun, the banners of the kingdom fluttering in the gentle breeze. Each banner bore the crest of victory—proof that the Demon King's reign had e st. The roads leading to the city were bustling with life, filled with travelers, merts, and on folk, all drawn by the rumors of the returning heroes.

  Alen—still adjusting to the reality of being Himmel—walked alongside Frieren, Eisen, aer, blending into the lively crowd. Their journey had ended, but for him, something new was only beginning.

  “The Hero’s Party has returned.”

  It felt strahe castle spires rose into view, and every step forward carried an eerie sense of déjà vu.

  Alen wasn’t just reliving a moment from Himmel’s past—he was rewriting history.

  The Mage System flickered faintly in his vision, a quiet remihat his sed ce had e with far more than just a new life.

  ---

  The capital gates swung open with a deep, resonant creak. At that moment, the city erupted into celebration.

  Children lihe streets, tossing flower petals into the air, their bright ughter blending with the cheers of the crowd. Shopkeepers momentarily abaheir stalls, standing on tiptoe just to catch a glimpse of the legendary heroes who had saved them all from destru.

  Eisen grunted softly, adjusting the heavy double-headed axe on his back. "Didn't expect this much fanfare."

  Heiter smirked, waving casually to the people. "Of course they'd celebrate. We did just stop the end of the world."

  Frieren remained indifferent, her emerald eyes sing the surroundings with detached curiosity. Her long elven ears twitched slightly at the overwhelming noise, but she said nothing.

  The group was led through the main streets toward the t pace ahead, where the King awaited them upon his throhe royal chamber was vast, illuminated by golden deliers and adorned with murals depig the kingdom's victories.

  As the four heroes k before the King, his aging eyes shimmered with gratitude.

  "The kingdom owes you a debt it ever repay," he decred, his voice filled with siy. "Himmel, Frieren, Eiseer—your names will be remembered feions to e."

  Alehe King’s gaze and bowed his head respectfully. "We simply did what had to be done, Your Majesty."

  The King chuckled. "Even so, no victory should go unrewarded."

  Court attendants approached, carrying chests filled with gold, ented tris, and rare artifacts. One by ohey presehe rewards to each member of the party.

  [System Notification: Rare Item Acquired – Elven Cloak of Mana Regeion.]

  Alen’s eyes flickered toward the floating message before quickly dismissing it, careful not to let aion show.

  ‘So, even the King’s rewards trigger the system… Iing.’

  Without iing the cloak, he silently stored it in his iory. There would be time to check it ter.

  Eisen, holding a hefty pouch of gold, raised an eyebrow. "Looks like I won’t o work for a while."

  Heiter chuckled, shaking his pouch pyfully. "I’ll donate mio the church. Maybe it’s finally time for me to retire."

  Frieren, oher hand, tucked her pouto her robe with little more than a gnce.

  Alen watched her and smirked. "You really don’t care about gold, do you?"

  She bli him before answering ftly, "It has no use to me."

  Prideful, aloof, and pletely unbothered—just as he expected.

  ---

  As evening desded, the city came alive with the glow of nterns and the distant crackle of fireworks. The streets overflowed with revelers, musis pyed lively tunes, and taverns burst with ughter and overflowing drinks.

  Atop the city's grand nate, the Hero’s Party gathered uhe night sky, looking down at the joyous celebration below. A cool breeze swept across the open space, carrying the distant hum of festival songs.

  Eisen leaned on the railing, his massive frame barely shifting against the wind. "It’s strange. Feels like just yesterday we were out there fighting for our lives."

  Heiter took a sip of his drihe priest was drinking alcohol again. Himmel chuckled at the thought.

  "Heiter," Himmel smirked. "You do realize priests shouldn’t drink, right?"

  The old priest ughed. "Ah, what the Goddess doesn’t see won’t hurt her."

  Eisen sighed. "And to think, just a week ago, Frieren almost got eaten by a mimic."

  At that, Frieren’s ears twitched ever so slightly. She looked away, her fareadable.

  Himmel couldn't help but grin.

  "You wouldn't be ughing if you were the one is mouth," she muttered, crossing her arms.

  The versation tinued, filled with memories of past adventures—of dangers narrowly avoided, of nights spent uhe stars, of tless battles fought together.

  Himmel listened quietly, a strange warmth filling his chest.

  This wasn’t his past, a… it felt like his.

  Then, just as expected, the first streak of silver light cut across the sky.

  A meteor shower.

  Himmel's breath hitched slightly. This was it—the moment Himmel spoke his line.

  He turoward Frieren, watg as her gaze locked onto the celestial dispy.

  "Beautiful, isn't it?" he asked softly.

  She didn’t answer immediately. Then, after a long pause, she nodded. "Yes."

  Without thinking, Alen reached out aly ruffled her hair.

  Her body tensed. "Don’t touch my head."

  He smirked. "I know. I just couldn’t help it."

  A perfect recreation of Himmel’s as.

  But this time, somethi different.

  ---

  The sun cast a warm glow over the city gates as the Hero’s Party gathered one final time.

  Frieren adjusted her robe, her staff resting against her shoulder. "I’ll be searg for spells," she said simply. "I’ll be gone for a while."

  Eisen slung his axe over his back. "I’ll return to my vilge. Time to rest these old bones."

  Heiter smiled gently. "The church is waiting for me. I suppose I’ll finally embrace retirement."

  A quiet uanding passed between them.

  Alen—standing as Himmel—khis was the turning point.

  A lump formed in his throat. This was it. He had only known them for a short time, but… they were the first people he had in this world.

  Yet, just as in the anime, Frieren didn’t look back.

  Instead, she simply said, "See you again."

  Then, without another word, she turned and walked away.

  Eisen aer watched her go before exging a knowing gnce. "You think she’ll e back?"

  Heiter chuckled. "Of course. It’s Frieren."

  And just like that, they too departed, leaving Alen alone.

  A heavy sileretched around him.

  He exhaled slowly, turning his gaze northward—toward the unknown.

  [System Quest: Begin Your Journey as a Mage.]

  A smirk pyed on his lips.

  "Time to get started."

  And with that, Himmel took his first step forward.

  ---