[: 1st POV :]

"Who am I...?"

The words slipped out softly, barely audible, almost lost in the air.

Under the hood, my expression tightened. I could feel the weight of every memory pressing down on me, the ache of two lives.

*Well... I guess I’m just a boy who was born as a slave"

I thought bitterly, my fingers curling slightly.

"A boy who met a few people he came to call family... and maybe now... I’m just trying to find home"

Even as I stood among nobles and rulers, all their gazes fixed on me, my mind drifted far away, to a world and a life that felt like a dream.

Before I was reincarnated, I was nothing more than a broken body tied to a bed.

Every day, I’d stare at the ceiling, wishing for strength, praying for freedom, watching the people I loved cry over what I’d become.

I was alive... but I wasn’t living.

At some point, I even wish to god to give me death.

And it was granted and then I died... without ever feeling what it meant to truly be free.

The System gave me a chance, a second life.

I thought that would change everything.

I thought I’d finally be free.

A faint, bitter chuckle echoed inside my mind.

But instead, I was born into chains again.

It felt like I was in the same situation in different circumstances.

A slave, without a name and without a voice.

The world decided what I was before I could even speak.

But at those moments, there were Caelira, Rika, Kiel, Manork who stood by my side with warm smiles and gentle hands.

If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have survived. I owe them everything.

When my bloodline and physique awakened, everything changed.

I lost them but at the same time, I saved them.

On the other hand, I was cast into that cursed land, the Forbidden Continent where nothing lived long enough to breathe twice.*

For years, I fought alone.

Every monster, every Gate, every horror that stood before me, I destroyed them all.

And when it was all over... I finally had freedom.

But even as that word formed in my thoughts, it felt hollow.

Getting out from the Forbidden Continent, I had gained freedom, but that was only for a moment...

Only for a fleeting breath before I decided to erase every single trace of the Zero Organization from this world.

Every lab, fortress and every wretched whisper that bore their insignia, I turned them all to ash.

I remember the screams, the flames, the endless nights drenched in the scent of iron and smoke.

There was no mercy left in me by then... only resolve.

They took everything from me.

So I took everything from them.

And now... it’s over.

All of it.

The monsters, the corruption, the chains that bound this world, they’ve all fallen.

I’ve fulfilled everything I set out to do.

But as I stand here, watching people laugh, smile, and celebrate beneath the shimmering lights of this hall... I realize how tired I really am.

I just want to rest.

Not the eternal kind, just the kind where I can finally breathe without worrying about what needs to die next.

Where I can wake up and not feel the weight of a thousand battles pressing on my chest.

I want to reunite with my mother...with them.

To finally be Daniel, not the weapon, not the savior, not the harbinger of some prophecy—but a son and a person.

Hunting monsters and chasing the shadows of the Zero Organization... it’s drained me.

I’ve seen too much blood, too much fear, too many faces fade into dust.

Maybe it’s childish to wish for something so simple, to grow up surrounded by love, to laugh, to learn, to just live.

But for me, that’s everything.

I just want a home.

A place to return to where I could just relax and laze around.

The System gave me everything, the strength to conquer, to protect, to survive.

And I’m grateful for it.

Truly.

But I needed a rest and for now... I just want to see her.

To see my mother again.

[: 3rd POV :]

As the boy’s quiet words faded into the heavy air, a tense silence filled the grand hall.

All eyes remained fixed on the mysterious figure standing beside the Empress.

The flickering chandeliers above reflected off the polished marble floor, casting golden light on his dark robe that concealed everything, his face, his form, even his presence.

Then, slowly, he raised his hands toward the hood.

With a soft movement, the fabric fell away — revealing a young man with sharp yet gentle features, violet eyes glowing faintly under the hall’s light.

His face was calm, but there was something indescribable behind those eyes, exhaustion, loneliness... and peace.

For a heartbeat, no one moved.

And then.

"Daniel!!"

The cry came from behind the rulers’ seats, raw, emotional, and disbelieving.

It wasn’t just one voice.

Several others followed almost instantly, overlapping, trembling with shock and joy.

"Daniel!?"

"It’s really him!?"

The crowd erupted in confused murmurs as the sound of that name spread like wildfire through the hall.

That name was more than just a person’s name.

It was a symbol of hope, a legend whispered across every continent.

Daniel, the one who had saved slaves from the Zero Organization.

Daniel, the one who had destroyed dozens of Zero’s Organization Bases.

And now... he was standing right there.

The nobles whispered among themselves in disbelief.

"The Hero Daniel...?"

"That can’t be...he look so young!"

But before anyone else could move, a blur of emerald and gold rushed forward.

"Daniel!!"

Caelira, the Elf Empress, crossed the hall with tears streaming down her cheeks.

Her crown slipped slightly from her head, her composure breaking completely as she threw her arms around him.

Her embrace was desperate, trembling, warm, overflowing with relief that no words could express.

Daniel stood still for a moment, taken aback, before slowly returning the hug.

"D-Daniel... is that really you!?"

Caelira’s voice shook with disbelief as her fingers brushed his face, tracing the faint lines that years of hardship had carved into him.

"I... I’m not dreaming, am I? Please tell me this isn’t another illusion..."

Daniel’s gaze softened, his eyes misting faintly as he whispered,

"It’s me, Caelira... It’s really me."

The Elf Empress broke into quiet sobs, clutching him even tighter, as if afraid that if she let go, he would disappear again.

Behind her, Rika covered her mouth with trembling hands, tears welling in her eyes.

She touched his hands and gently wrapped her hand around.

"Daniel...i-it’s really you!" She soobed with tears choking her throat.

Kiel on the other hand just punched his shoulder with tears streaming down his eyes.

"Daniel... you idiot...you made us worried" he muttered, a weak laugh breaking through his choked throat.

Manork was just standing nearby with his hands gently placed on his shoulder.

"Daniel...it’s good to see that you are back..." As usual, he didn’t say too much, but behind his words contains emotions that couldn’t explain in words.

Even Lilith, the Demon Queen, who rarely showed emotion, lowered her head, hiding a faint tear that escaped her crimson eye.

The other rulers watched in stunned silence, even the stoic Dwarf King’s expression softened.

And up on the throne, Melira stood frozen.

Her breath hitched, her heart trembled violently, and her lips parted as if to call out to him...but no sound came out.

The world around her blurred.

The passive skills that had allowed her to tell that her sound was alive was now beating loudly.

The music had long stopped.

The nobles had fallen silent.

All she could see was the boy she had yearned to hold for years, the one she had prayed to see again, standing there, alive...

Her son.

Daniel.

Caelira refused to let go of him, her arms wrapped tightly around his shoulders as if she feared that any second, he would vanish again like a fading dream.

Her body trembled uncontrollably, her tears soaking into his robe.

"D-Daniel... you have no idea how much we’ve missed you," she whispered, voice breaking with every syllable.

"We searched every corner of the world, every continent... and still couldn’t find you"

"For years, we thought..." Her voice cracked.

"We thought you were gone..."

"If it weren’t for the Spirit Empress...then we wouldn’t know that you were alive..."

Rika, standing beside her, pressed a hand over her mouth as tears streamed freely down her face.

"It’s really you... It’s really you..."

She whispered over and over, her small frame shaking as memories of the past, the tiny boy she once cared for, the one she fed and protected, flashed through her mind.

"You’ve grown so much... so strong..." she said between sobs.

"If only you knew how guilty I felt every day after we were separated. I should have protected you better."

Daniel smiled faintly, his violet eyes softening as he looked at each of them.

"Rika, Caelira... you don’t have to blame yourselves,"

He said gently, his voice calm yet heavy with emotion.

"None of it was your fault. If anything, I should be thanking you... all of you gave me strength when I had nothing."

Kiel stepped forward, his usual confident demeanor replaced by something fragile and uncertain.

"You idiot," he muttered with a forced laugh, though his voice trembled.

"Do you know how worried we were? You just disappeared after that damn awakening... and now you show up here out of nowhere?"

Daniel chuckled softly, reaching out to pat Kiel’s shoulder.

"It’s good to see you too, Kiel. Still loud as ever."

Kiel blinked rapidly, trying and failing to suppress the tears in his eyes.

"Tch. Don’t think you can make me cry that easily, you bastard."

Behind them, Manork let out a low sigh, his gruff voice carrying warmth that words couldn’t express.

"You’ve done well, kid. We heard about what you did... the monsters, the Zero Organization, the chaos you brought upon them."

His eyes gleamed with pride.

"You’ve grown into a fine young man."

Daniel lowered his head slightly, his tone humble.

"I just did what I had to do. I didn’t want anyone else to suffer like we did."

For a moment, none of them spoke, only the faint sound of quiet sniffles and the distant hum of magic crystals lighting the hall.

Caelira wiped her tears, forcing a trembling smile as she looked past Daniel toward the throne.

"Daniel...we have so many things we want to ask you, but..."

She hesitated, her voice softening, "there’s someone here you should meet."

Daniel blinked, tilting his head slightly, pretending to be confused.

"Someone?" he asked, his voice calm but carrying a subtle tremor, though he already knew what would happen.

Caelira nodded gently, her eyes glimmering with emotion.

"Yes. Someone who’s been waiting for you longer than any of us."

Rika placed a hand on her chest, trying to steady her breathing as she spoke.

"Daniel... you deserve to know the truth. You’ve always wondered who your parents were, haven’t you?"

Daniel paused, lowering his gaze. "...I have," he murmured softly.

Caelira took a small step back, giving him space.

Her voice trembled, yet carried an unmistakable reverence as she turned her eyes toward Mira.

"Then... don’t be surprised, Daniel. Your mother..."

She swallowed, then continued firmly, "Your mother is the Empress herself."

Her words struck the hall like thunder.

Gasps rippled through the crowd as nobles exchanged shocked glances.

Even the musicians froze mid-motion, their instruments falling silent once more.

"W-What...? The Empress’s son...?"

"The Hero Daniel... is her child!?"

"No way...!"

Jivian, still standing near the shattered remnants of his pride, widened his eyes in disbelief, his lips parting in silent horror.

Meanwhile, Daniel stood still, his expression carefully composed, though inside, his heart trembled with a thousand emotions.

He slowly lifted his gaze toward Melira, where she stood frozen, her hands trembling at her sides, tears starting form in her eyes.

"...My mother," Daniel whispered softly, his voice almost lost in the stunned silence. "The Empress...?"

He smiled faintly, not with surprise, but with a deep, aching warmth that only he could understand.

’Finally,’ he thought.

’After all this time... I can call you Mother.’