Celeste, weeping uncontrollably, threw herself before Dath'Remar's bed and tightly grasped her father's withered, powerless hand. Andreas and the others were also filled with a deep sense of sorrow.
Turning to look at Dathnas, whose eyes were somewhat glazed, Andreas asked in a heavy voice, "What is the actual state of Dath'Remar's body? Is there any chance of recovery?"
Dathnas shook his head bitterly. "The royal arcane advisors, the head priests, and the alchemy masters have all seen him. My father's body has been overextended by years of heavy work. I'm afraid..."
Dath'Remar had long been overburdened by physical exhaustion. Over the last dozen years, he had frequently suffered from various illnesses; that he had managed to hold on until today was already a miracle.
What had allowed Dath'Remar to push forward with a broken body was the sheer obsession in his heart.
Having personally experienced the War of the Ancients and the thousand years of tragic discrimination faced by the Highborne, he simply wanted to find a new home for his people—a suitable home where they could thrive for eternity.
With the Sunwell as the foundation of the nation and the successful repelling of the forest trolls' attacks, Dath'Remar's tightly wound nerves finally relaxed.
But once that breath was released, the years of suppressed exhaustion and illness came crashing down like a tidal wave.
Dath'Remar himself was quite philosophical about his situation. He smiled and slowly stroked Celeste's head to comfort her. "Don't cry. To have achieved my dream within my lifetime makes me feel very happy already."
"Many people advised me to take care of my health, but I never listened. To have this ending can be considered my own doing."
"Cough, cough..."
Dath'Remar coughed lightly into his hand and continued, "Celeste, I have already arranged the path for your brother. He will inherit the title of Sunstrider after my death and continue to lead the Quel'dorei to gain a firm foothold in this wild land."
"But you are the one I am most worried about."
Dath'Remar leaned against the headboard, closing his eyes slightly to catch his breath. "The dead are gone and done with, but the family left behind must carry that sorrow and pain to continue living strongly."
"I know... it isn't easy."
Dath'Remar's wife had sunk into the sea along with the explosion of the Well of Eternity. He had never remarried in all these years, which spoke to the deep affection he held for her; he spoke these words from genuine experience.
Looking toward Andreas with a pointed gaze, Dath'Remar's lips twitched into a smile. "With Andreas helping to look after you, I am not worried about your safety. My concern is your lifelong happiness."
Celeste's body trembled. She lowered her head and sobbed softly, remaining silent.
Andreas felt Dath'Remar's meaningful stare and felt a wave of awkwardness in his heart.
Why are you looking at me, you old rogue...
Shandris nudged Andreas's waist with her elbow. "Don't let Dath'Remar leave with regrets. At least say something nice to reassure him."
Sigh~
Scratching his head, Andreas gave a silly smile and said, "Dath'Remar, don't worry. I will personally vet Celeste's future husband. I will absolutely not let some worthless nobody tarnish the Sunstrider name."
Dathnas rolled his eyes without giving him any face. Is he playing dumb or is he actually stupid?
Dath'Remar also wore an expression of speechlessness. "Andreas, can't you just let me leave in peace?"
"Cough~"
Shandris was helpless at her boyfriend's awkwardness. Although she was happy with his single-mindedness, Andreas's current position meant his words and actions represented more than just himself.
"Dath'Remar, Celeste has lived with us for many years. In my eyes, she is already a member of this family. You need not worry about her future; we will definitely take good care of her."
Dath'Remar looked back and forth between Andreas, who was staring at his own nose in silence, and the smiling Shandris. After a long time, he let out a long breath. "Very well, I believe you."
"Ah..."
The somewhat airheaded Leticia was a bit late to catch on. She suddenly slapped her palm in realization. "In other words, Celeste wants to move up a generation?"
Andreas shot a glare at the girl for bringing up the most awkward topic, his stiff face forcing out a smile.
"Heh heh~"
Dath'Remar looked up at the bed canopy with a sense of relief. "Celeste and Quel'Thalas... I will have to trouble you to look after them in the future."
...
Dath'Remar's final moments passed peacefully under the dedicated care of his children.
Three months later, the news that the first Sunstrider had passed away from overwork spread throughout Quel'Thalas. The High Elves went into national mourning.
According to Dath'Remar's final wish, Prince Dathnas and Princess Celeste personally supported the Sun King's coffin and placed Dath'Remar's body into the Sunwell.
Under the gaze of all the High Elves who came to bid him farewell, Dath'Remar's body dissolved into the Sunwell, transforming into countless arcane particles.
"I shall forever be one with the Sunwell and Quel'Thalas."
A shrine engraved with Dath'Remar's last words was situated on the small island now named Sunstrider Isle. The newly completed Fathrien Academy would make this island the starting point for countless young High Elves.
With the pre-arranged coronation ceremony complete, Dathnas Sunstrider officially took the throne under the support of numerous nobles, becoming the second Sun King of Quel'Thalas.
Andreas and Shandris were sent back to Astranaar by Elegos first to handle government affairs. Celeste, accompanied by her two companions, lived on Sunstrider Isle near her father's shrine for several years.
During this time, countless young sons of High Elf nobility came to get close to Celeste. Their intentions were obvious; they wanted to establish a deeper connection with the Sunstrider royal family.
Celeste politely rejected all suitors with a smile. her distant attitude clearly expressed her intentions.
Silvermoon City, still in its early stages of development, had many matters to handle. Dathnas, having just ascended the throne, could barely find time to reunite with his sister.
Years later, finally having found peace after the loss of her father, Celeste left Sunstrider Isle with a smile. Along with her two companions, she took a ship across the great ocean and returned to Kalimdor.
...
A few short years were not enough to cause any major changes in Astranaar, but Celeste and Leticia, upon returning home, witnessed a scene that surprised them.
Andreas, who was usually methodical in his work, appeared somewhat agitated. He was pacing restlessly, troubled by a sudden burst of happiness.
More than two thousand years had passed since Andreas transmigrated to Azeroth. He could proudly say that he had not wasted these two millennia.
However, as a descendant of Huaxia who valued the continuation of the family line, Andreas had always been desperate about the terrible fertility rate of the immortal Night Elves.
He and Shandris had long prepared themselves for the arrival of a new family member, even preparing for a grand wedding for that purpose.
Reality had disappointed them for over a thousand years, but the Goddess of Fortune had finally smiled upon them recently.
Leticia and the others watched Andreas spinning in circles at home like a fool, and it took quite a while before they realized what was happening.
"Pregnant?!"