The massive gates of Base 101 closed behind the returning army.
RUMBLE...
RUMBLE...
A deafening cheer erupted throughout the kingdom.
"THE COMMANDER HAS RETURNED!"
"LONG LIVE BASE 101!"
"LONG LIVE THE SILVER KINGDOM!"
Citizens poured into the streets.
Children ran beside the marching soldiers.
Merchants closed their shops.
Blacksmiths left their forges.
Farmers removed their hats in respect.
For the first time...
Everyone saw the army that had defended their home.
Not just warriors...
Heroes.
---
At the head of the procession...
Sam walked calmly through the capital.
Emerald Soul Reaver rested at his side.
Behind him marched Ben, Kael, Runa, Leon, Mira, Zora, George, and Master Doran.
Following them...
The Goblin Warlord King led the Goblin Army in perfect formation.
Beside it floated the Goblin Archmage.
Towering over everyone...
The Mana Crystal Golem walked behind the procession like a moving mountain.
Each step shook the streets.
Yet every citizen smiled instead of panicking.
The children waved excitedly.
"The Guardian!"
"It's protecting us!"
"It's one of ours!"
The giant lowered its head slightly as it passed.
---
George looked around proudly.
"Our city has grown..."
Master Doran nodded.
"And it'll grow even faster."
---
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Kingdom morale has reached an unprecedented level.
Citizen loyalty increasing.
Recruitment efficiency increasing.
Kingdom prosperity increasing.
Sam smiled.
"This victory belongs to everyone."
---
The procession finally stopped before the Commander's Manor.
Ben turned toward the assembled army.
"VANGUARD!"
Thousands of soldiers stood perfectly straight.
Ben's voice carried across the capital.
"Today..."
"You proved yourselves worthy of calling this place home."
A roar answered him.
---
Kael stepped beside him.
"Spear Corps!"
His soldiers struck the butts of their spears against the stone.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
"We fight..."
"So our people never have to."
"YES, GENERAL!"
---
Runa raised Windpiercer toward the sky.
The Archer Corps mirrored her perfectly.
"Our arrows..."
"...will always protect this kingdom."
Thousands of bows lifted together.
---
Leon quietly stepped forward.
The Shadow Scouts appeared around him as if materializing from thin air.
No one had seen them arrive.
"Our duty..."
"...is to eliminate every threat before it reaches our people."
The scouts disappeared once more.
The gathered citizens gasped.
---
Mira looked over the assembled soldiers.
Many still carried fresh scars.
Some leaned on one another after the exhausting battle.
She smiled softly.
"Healers."
Hundreds of Medical Corps members stepped forward.
"No celebration begins..."
"...until everyone is treated."
Golden healing circles illuminated the plaza.
Wounds closed.
Broken bones mended.
Exhausted soldiers finally relaxed.
Several civilians applauded.
---
Sam watched Mira directing her corps.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Medical Corps efficiency has increased significantly.
Leadership growth detected.
Sam glanced toward Mira.
"...She's getting close."
---
Not far away...
Zora stood surrounded by members of the Mage Corps.
Each one eagerly questioned the Goblin Archmage about the battle.
The ancient undead calmly demonstrated mana control.
Blue and emerald mana flowed together above its staff.
Every mage watched in fascination.
Zora smiled.
"So that's how you manipulated the battlefield..."
The Goblin Archmage gave a slow nod.
"Magic..."
"...is understanding."
"...Not force."
Those words settled deep within every mage present.
Inside her mind...
Her System quietly spoke.
Leadership growth acknowledged.
Arcane comprehension increasing.
Zora paused.
"...Interesting."
---
Meanwhile...
George and Master Doran stood beside Emerald Soul Reaver.
Neither had spoken for several minutes.
George finally broke the silence.
"...Do you feel it?"
Doran nodded.
"I do."
"The sword..."
"...is still evolving."
George blinked.
"It can evolve again?"
The old blacksmith slowly smiled.
"I believe..."
"...we've only witnessed its first awakening."
His gaze drifted toward the towering Mana Crystal Golem standing guard near the northern gate.
"The world is changing."
"So must we."
---
Inside the Commander's Manor...
Sam gathered his captains around the great crystal map.
The room quickly fell silent.
Rex projected a glowing countdown above the table.
EMERALD WILDLANDS EXPEDITION
Time Remaining: 18 Days
No one spoke.
Sam finally broke the silence.
"We're not leaving immediately."
Several officers looked surprised.
He continued.
"We already possess two Guardian Keys."
"We're ahead of everyone else."
"Our priority is no longer expansion."
His eyes moved around the room.
"It's preparation."
"We'll strengthen Base 101."
"We'll strengthen ourselves."
"When the expedition begins..."
"...the Silver Kingdom will be ready."
Every captain nodded.
Outside...
The sounds of rebuilding echoed throughout the kingdom.
The victory celebration had already ended.
A new chapter had begun.
The Kingdom Survival Arc.
And while the Silver Kingdom grew stronger...
Far across Eastern Aetherra...
Three other Commanders had already begun searching for the remaining Guardian Keys.