When I woke up that morning, I had the feeling that time had passed far too quickly.
It felt like we had arrived at the hot springs city only yesterday. And yet, it was already the day of our departure.
The past few days had been peaceful.
No battles.
No monsters.
No crises involving kingdoms.
No troubling news from the north.
Just ordinary days.
Days that, somehow, had become special.
I sat on the bed for a few minutes, watching the sunlight stream through the window.
The sounds of the city could already be heard outside.
Merchants opening their shops.
Carriages rolling through the streets.
People beginning another ordinary day.
It was a simple routine.
But that was precisely what gave it value.
I got up, packed my belongings, and left the room.
In the inn's main hall, I found some of the girls already awake.
Lyannis was finishing breakfast.
Vespera was drinking tea while watching the movement outside through the window.
Liriel was talking with her assistant.
Before long, the others began to appear.
Even Elara had woken up relatively early.
Which made Scarlett look at her suspiciously.
"Are you sick?"
Elara blinked a few times.
"Why?"
"Because you woke up early."
"That doesn't mean anything."
"It means a lot."
The exchange made several people laugh.
Including me.
After breakfast, we started organizing our luggage.
It didn't take long.
After all, we hadn't brought that many things.
As I finished packing my belongings, I took one last look around the room.
It felt strange.
We had only stayed there for a few days.
Yet it already felt somewhat familiar.
Perhaps because those days had been important.
Perhaps because they had been some of the most peaceful moments we had experienced in months.
When we went down to the main lobby, the innkeeper greeted us with a smile.
"I hope you enjoyed your stay."
"We enjoyed it very much."
I replied.
"I'm happy to hear that."
He seemed genuinely pleased.
After exchanging a few farewell words, we left the inn.
The city was bustling.
But not as much as it had been during the festival.
Life had returned to normal.
The streets were filled with residents going about their work.
Children ran along the sidewalks.
Merchants called out to customers.
Everything seemed exactly as it should.
We headed toward the city's main gate.
However, before we even reached it, we noticed that some people were already waiting for us.
They were residents.
Merchants.
Adventurers.
City officials.
People we had met during our stay.
Some raised a hand in greeting.
Others wished us a safe journey.
Some thanked us for visiting.
It caught me by surprise.
I hadn't expected anything like that.
An elderly woman smiled as we passed.
"Come back whenever you like."
A merchant also approached us.
"Next time, stay a little longer."
Another man laughed.
"And try not to break any tournament equipment."
Immediately, I heard laughter behind me.
Scarlett seized the opportunity.
"Indeed."
"That was quite an impressive achievement."
I sighed.
"You're never going to let me forget that, are you?"
"No."
Several voices answered at once.
That drew even more laughter.
We continued walking.
As we got closer to the city gates, more people came to say goodbye.
It wasn't anything extravagant.
But it was sincere.
And that made it all the more meaningful.
When we finally reached the main gate area, we found someone I had expected to see.
The city's lord.
He was accompanied by several guards and officials.
As soon as we approached, he smiled.
"Hero Takumi."
"My Lord."
I greeted him.
He quickly looked over the group.
"I see your journey is coming to an end."
"Unfortunately."
I replied.
"It was a wonderful stay."
The man seemed pleased.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it."
He then looked back at the city behind him.
"This city welcomes many travelers."
"But it isn't every day that we have the honor of hosting people who helped save the world."
I shook my head.
"We only did what had to be done."
"Even so."
He replied.
"Not everyone could have done it."
I didn't press the matter.
I had already learned that arguing about such things rarely changed people's minds.
The lord thanked us once again for our visit.
He spoke about how successful the tournament had been.
How happy the townspeople had been to have us there.
And how the stories of that week would probably be told for a long time.
After that, he presented each member of our group with a small souvenir.
Nothing extravagant.
Just handcrafted items made by local residents.
Simple gifts.
But made with care.
We thanked him sincerely.
As I watched, I noticed that Liriel's assistant also seemed pleased.
She held the gift she had received while looking at the city.
Perhaps she was thinking the same thing I was.
Those days had been important.
When it was finally time to leave, the carriages were already prepared.
We boarded them slowly.
Before getting in, I took one last look at the city.
The streets.
The buildings.
The people.
The hot springs in the distance.
The place had truly left a good impression.
Then I heard Elara's voice.
"Are you saying goodbye to the city, or are you overthinking again?"
I looked at her.
"Maybe both."
"Definitely both."
Scarlett replied.
I ignored the comment.
Which naturally made her laugh.
A short while later, the carriages began to move.
The journey back to Vailor had begun.
As we left the gates behind, many people were still waving.
Some children ran alongside the road for a short distance before turning back.
Others simply watched.
Little by little, the city grew farther away.
The buildings became smaller.
The sounds faded.
Until only the roads and the natural scenery remained.
For a while, no one said much.
Perhaps because we were all taking in the final moments of that journey.
Liriel's assistant watched the scenery through the window.
"It was fun."
She said.
Liriel smiled.
"It was."
"More than I expected."
That seemed like quite an admission coming from her.
The others agreed.
Even Vespera, who normally spoke very little, admitted that she had enjoyed the trip a great deal.
So had I.
Perhaps precisely because nothing major had happened.
No battles.
No danger.
No crises.
It had simply been a peaceful journey.
And that was rare.
As the road slowly stretched out before us, I began thinking about everything that had happened since Vaelthor's defeat.
The war had ended.
The kingdoms were at peace.
The demon armies remained strangely quiet.
For now.
But I knew it wouldn't last forever.
Sooner or later, something would happen.
Sooner or later, the Demon King would make his move.
Yet, for the first time in a long while, that thought didn't bring me anxiety.
Because those days had reminded me exactly what I was fighting for.
For the people.
For the kingdoms.
For the simple moments.
For ordinary lives.
For peace.
I looked at my companions.
They were chatting quietly.
Some admired the scenery.
Others simply relaxed during the journey.
And I realized that this group had become an important part of my life.
Far more important than any title.
Far more important than any reward.
The carriage continued along the road as the sun shone overhead.
The hot springs city had already disappeared beyond the horizon.
But the memories of those days would remain with us for a long time.
Because some journeys are not important because of the places we visit.
Nor because of grand events.
Sometimes they are important simply because they remind us of what truly has value.
And as we traveled toward Vailor, carrying with us peaceful memories, laughter, and new moments shared together, I had the feeling that those days of peace had prepared us for whatever lay ahead.
Even if that future was still hidden beyond the horizon.