(The Surprise Banquet Grounds, Leo's POV)

Leo stepped out from between the dim trees lining the path that connected his isolated mansion to the valley, his boots crunching softly against the gravel as he followed the faint glow of mana orbs that drifted toward the camp like guiding fireflies.

A faint breeze brushed against his face, carrying with it distant murmurs, soft laughter, warm aromas of wine and roasted spice, and the unmistakable hum of mana instruments playing a celebratory

tune.

It took him only a moment to realize what he was walking into.

Rows of tents.

Decorations.

Lantern lights floating in the air like silver moons.

And dozens of familiar faces waiting for him.

His steps halted for half a second, surprise flickering openly across his face before instinct buried it beneath a calm, unreadable smile.

His expression softened into something warm, affectionate, practiced, the kind of gentle mask he had not worn in years.

"A surprise banquet...?" he whispered under his breath, letting the shock vanish into the night as he resumed his walk with slow, steady strides.

As he entered the largest tent by following the red carpet, the conversations inside fell silent for a brief breath before erupting into cheers.

"Congratulations, my Lord!"

"Welcome back, uncle!"

"A million straight wins! Simply Lovely."

Leo answered the voices with a smile that looked genuine enough to fool most of the people in the room, yet Chaosbringer, standing near the dessert table, stiffened immediately, sensing the false note behind it.

Amanda reached him first, her eyes shimmering with warmth as she stepped forward, and without hesitation, he leaned in and kissed her softly on the forehead, his hand trailing briefly along her cheek as though reassuring himself she was real.

She smiled, radiant, relieved, the exhaustion she had carried for years melting away at the sight of him.

"You look absolutely stunning dear."

He complimented before turning towards Luke, who approached him with the enthusiasm of an older brother who had waited far too long for this moment.

"Ayy, look at you! A million wins? That's not shabby at all."

Luke said, laughing lightly as he reached out and placed a hand on Leo's shoulder, before squeezing it firmly in a show of affection.

*Squeeze*

Unfortunately for him, his fingers did not sink into Leo's muscles. They did not even move.

As it felt like squeezing polished stone instead.

"What the...?" Luke muttered, his eyes widening with playful disbelief. "You feel like a human statue. There is nothing to squeeze here."

Leo chuckled softly, placing his own hand on Luke's shoulder with a gentleness that contrasted sharply with the unforgiving hardness of his physique.

"It has been a while, brother," he said quietly. "I hope you have been well."

Luke smiled, his expression softening at the familiar warmth behind Leo's words.

Behind them, the others cheered, raising glasses in celebration, though Leo's eyes slid briefly toward Chaosbringer, catching the Seventh Elder watching him with an overly bright smile that was just a little too hopeful and a little too tense.

Leo's gaze narrowed ever so slightly.

A cautious side-eye.

Just enough to warn.

Just enough to remind.

As Chaosbringer immediately straightened his back, his smile becoming painfully polite as Leo turned away.

As with that, the banquet truly began.

One by one, each of the guests approached him and presented him

with a small gift, their faces warm with admiration as they apologized for not being able to bring something better because of the short notice they had been given for this gathering.

"I am sorry, my Lord, this was all I could prepare..."

"We did not have much time, so please forgive us..."

"I wish I had brought something more fitting..."

Yet Leo accepted every offering with the same quiet grace, his polite smile never slipping even once, as though the act of receiving gratitude from these people warmed him more than any gift they could have carried in their hands.

A carved crystal token.

A small vial of Essence Whiskey.

A folded charm of goodluck.

A handwritten note from a young soldier whose father Leo had once saved.

Little tokens, humble offerings, each presented with a nervous bow.

Leo thanked them all patiently, offering soft words in return, as he listened to each person as they spoke their well-wishes, before then asking about their families, their health, their training, and responding with the gentleness of a leader who wanted to reassure them that the Shadow Dragon standing before them was still human.

To anyone watching, he seemed relaxed, almost cheerful, his posture

open and calm as he made small talk with his subordinates and family alike, every nod and every smile perfectly measured, perfectly

composed, perfectly normal.

Yet beneath it all, behind the pleasant expression and the easy laughter, his thoughts churned like a storm he could not dispel.

His future.

His timeline.

His impossible task.

His family's safety.

His upcoming ascent or doom.

Every fear clung to the back of his mind like a shadow that refused to disperse, but he buried it all completely, offering those around him nothing but the brightest version of himself that he could muster.

"What is it, Lord Father? Why are you so tense?

The Lord Father I know would have drunk a barrel of wine by now if

he were truly happy.

But the fact that you have only drunk a couple glasses tells me that this celebration is not something you have your mind on." Dumpy said softly, as of all the guests gathered here, he became the only one to notice the fears clouding Leo's mind.

"It's nothing significant, Dumpy. I'll tell you about it tomorrow.

My worries for now are endless, and the only time I will be able to truly celebrate is when we have re-conquered everything we once

lost.

But until then, let's try and be happy.

For even moments like these are worth living."

Leo replied, as Dumpy nodded in understanding, before replacing his

own barrel of alcohol with plain water.

As for him, if his Lord Father was not celebrating, neither would he.