A month had passed since the battle against the Second General of the demons. Time, which had once seemed to move far too quickly between confrontations and decisions that could change everything, now flowed at a gentler pace. For the first time in a long while, there was no immediate urgency. Even so, I couldn't completely ignore the feeling that this was only an interval.
That early afternoon, I was in the training field behind the mansion. The grass was already marked by repeated footsteps, and the air carried the dry sound of a blade cutting through space. I wasn't training with extreme intensity, but with precision. Every movement was calculated, every stance adjusted. I was seeking control, not brute strength.
I sensed a presence approaching even before I heard the voice.
"You're still training?" Scarlett asked.
I glanced to the side. She was standing with her arms crossed, watching attentively.
"It's just maintenance," I replied. "If I stop completely, I start losing my rhythm."
She gave a faint smile.
"You talk as if you'd get weaker overnight."
Before I could answer, Rai'kanna approached from the garden side with soft footsteps.
"I agree with her," she said. "You've already proven your strength. You don't need to act as if everything is going to fall apart at any moment."
I lowered the sword slowly and took a deep breath.
"It's not about proving," I said. "It's about maintaining."
Elara was leaning near the mansion entrance, calmly cleaning her blade.
"He's not wrong," she said without looking up. "If you stop, you fall behind."
"You two are exactly alike," Liriel commented, sitting on the steps with her chin resting on her hand. "You live as if the world could collapse at any second."
"I'd rather that than be caught off guard," I replied.
Lyannis appeared shortly afterward, carrying several organized documents.
"Speaking of not being caught off guard," she said, raising one of the papers. "You still have lands to manage."
I let out a small sigh.
"I know."
"It doesn't seem like it," she replied seriously. "These reports are piling up."
I took the papers and started flipping through them. They were records of production, revenue, and maintenance from the regions under my control. Even with capable administrators, there were still decisions that needed my approval.
"I'll take care of it today," I said.
Vespera, who had been leaning against the wall beside the door and silently observing until then, spoke in a calm tone.
"You don't have to do everything alone."
"I know," I replied, closing the documents. "But even so, there are some things I prefer to monitor closely."
The rest of the afternoon was divided between simple tasks. I reviewed reports, organized pending decisions, and signed authorizations. Lyannis stayed by my side for most of it, making sure I didn't ignore anything important. She was precise, direct, and rarely let anything slip by.
After that, we decided to go on a mission. It wasn't anything major, just a request from a nearby village dealing with minor creatures coming from the surrounding forests. Nothing that truly posed a threat to us, but it was still good practice.
We headed out together. Walking with the group without the pressure of a war felt different. The conversations were lighter, the atmosphere more relaxed.
"So this counts as a serious mission?" Liriel asked, looking around.
"It counts as practice," I replied.
"Too much practice," Scarlett commented. "These creatures can't even get close."
Indeed, it didn't take long. Once we arrived, we dealt with the situation quickly. Simple, coordinated movements. There was no real resistance. Within minutes, everything was resolved.
"Is it over?" Rai'kanna asked, looking around.
"It's over," I replied.
"That was... easy," she commented.
"Not every fight needs to be difficult," Vespera said quietly.
We returned before sunset. The mansion seemed even more peaceful at that hour, with the sunlight slowly fading and illuminating the garden.
After dinner, the atmosphere became lighter. Casual conversations, occasional laughter. Nothing heavy, nothing urgent. It felt strange in a way. I was used to constant tension.
Later, I went to the balcony of my room. The sky was clear, the stars visible. I rested my hands on the railing and watched in silence.
A month of peace.
It was good... but also dangerous.
Not because of what was happening, but because of what might come.
I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling the cold wind pass by.
"You're overthinking again," I heard Elara's voice.
I looked to the side. She was leaning against the wall, watching me.
"Maybe," I replied.
"Nothing is happening right now," she said. "Enjoy it while you can."
I remained silent for a few seconds.
"I'm trying," I said.
She gave a slight nod and left without saying anything else.
I turned my gaze back to the horizon. As peaceful as everything was, I knew it wouldn't last forever. There were still greater things moving... even if they weren't visible right now.
Even so, that night, for the first time in a long time, I allowed my mind to slow down.
And even if it was only for a moment, that was enough.
The world was at peace.
For now.