Such an outpouring of faith, raw and powerful, pulsed like a heartbeat, fueling the tangible force in the atmosphere. In that moment, the crowd’s fervent cries teemed with an energy strong enough to amplify Divine Force exponentially.
But Vlad, again releasing a steady pulse of aura, raised his arms to bring back silence. "This success doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to all of us!"
His words erupted like thunder. The hush now settled in an even deeper wave, reaching the ears of every man, woman, and child across the capital. Vlad’s gaze traversed the mass of faces, seeing weariness, exhilaration, sorrow, and euphoria all intermingled.
"We all worked until our bodies couldn’t bear any more. Tens of thousands sacrificed their lives so the world could be safe, making them the greatest heroes of Terra. This victory belongs not to me but to the Xaos Civilization!"
Those gathered, whether already devout or more cautious about faith, felt a renewed purpose burn inside them. The notion of striving as one—far beyond the deeds of a single "God-King"—sparked recognition in their expressions. Their efforts mattered. Their sacrifices, no matter how great or small, had changed history.
A single child’s voice rang out above the crowd, bearing a conviction seldom heard in one so young. "For the Xaos Civilization!"
His rallying cry instantaneously kindled a domino effect. From every direction, countless others echoed him.
"For the Xaos Civilization!"
"For the Xaos Civilization!"
"For the Xaos Civilization!"
The shouts reverberated through streets and alleys, bursting from the throats of people who’d spent months, even years, braced against the threat of annihilation.
Vlad stood there, letting their emotion peak, a warm smile softening the grim set of his features. He recognized that this was the kind of unity they needed: faith not solely in him, but in themselves and the shared destiny they had forged. Only when their voices quieted somewhat did he continue.
"Return to your homes. Allow yourselves to rest—you’ve more than earned it. Soon, our fallen brothers and sisters will come back to us, and we’ll give them a funeral worthy of heroes."
In a synchronized gesture, millions of people bowed their heads in acknowledgment. Then, as if an unspoken signal had been given, they began dispersing to the city’s outer, middle, and inner rings. Warriors, factory workers, and everyday civilians all parted ways, still caught between amazement and gladness.
It was the first time in over a year that they dared set down their burdens so completely, no longer calculating how many hours of rest they might squeeze in before returning to the front lines or rejoining the war effort. Now, a calm hush fell over Xaos City, a hush reminiscent of a slumbering beast that had finally run out of battles.
Vlad felt a shift at his side. Freya stood close, quietly observing the peaceful exodus of the populace. She glanced at him, the corners of her lips curving into a gentle smile.
"Fafnir, remain in the sky," Vlad said, projecting his voice so the enormous draconic figure overhead could hear him clearly. "Use the A.I. Chip to scan the houses and watch how people behave. You’ll see their nature and conduct in their most intimate moments."
The giant creature dipped his massive head in a nod. Having formed an alliance with Vlad, Fafnir needed to deepen his understanding of human nature to hone his understanding of the ample emotional spectrum. Fafnir extended his mental link to Overlord’s A.I. Chip network in silence, letting the scanning begin. Vlad offered a faint smile, certain that this act would help the newly born Depravita of Envy gain insight into the complexities of human life.
With that settled, Vlad turned to Freya. Before she could react, he looped an arm around her waist. The two of them rose swiftly, heading for the heights of the Xaos Tower, where Vlad’s personal quarters lay.
The room was modest by royal standards—simply a broad bed, a small shelf of trinkets, and a couple of chairs near a shuttered window. Vlad stepped inside with Freya at his side, letting the door swing shut.
"I’ve been waiting for this for years," Vlad murmured. In the next breath, he simply collapsed backward, a deep sigh escaping his lips. The faint lines of worry across his brow eased, and a tiny, contented smile curved his mouth as he enjoyed the softness of the bed.
Freya found herself smiling at the sight. With a soft chuckle, she slid onto the bed next to him, resting her head against his shoulder. It felt surreal—months earlier, they’d had no space in their thoughts for simple pleasures like a bed to share. Now, the city lay quiet, the Leviathans vanquished, and a future of rebuilding stretched before them.
Both drifted off within moments, lulled by the hush that reigned over a city freed from terror. The pair might have possessed the might to shatter mountains or ascend into the highest heavens; but just then, they were two weary souls, grateful for a chance to claim a normal life—even for a short while.
For the following few days, they allowed themselves the luxury of truly resting. Morning light found them rising late for simple breakfasts, while afternoons disappeared in gentle strolls through the calmer neighborhoods of Xaos City. Adopting disguises granted them anonymity, letting them mingle with vendors, children, and laborers without fuss. They dined at unassuming food stalls, tasting recipes that had sprouted up during the war to feed hungry troops and factory workers. They met eyes with parents relieved that their sons and daughters would no longer deploy to battle. The city did not feel jubilant yet—a long season of grief still hung in the air—but a spark of quiet optimism flickered in every street corner.
This tranquil interlude, however, could not last. One evening, from a perch atop the tower, Vlad spotted long caravans returning to the city: the human army that had fought far from home, accompanied by wagons upon wagons of carefully prepared coffins.