[: 3rd POV :]

The Human Continent had not known peace or celebration like this in years.

From the highest towers of Altherion to the farthest villages beyond the Silver Hills, bells tolled in harmony.

Every city and every land, and every border post flew banners of gold and white, the colors of the Empire of Humanity.

Streets were lined with petals, flags shimmered like rivers of sunlight, and songs praising the return of the lost prince echoed from dawn till dusk.

Rumors had spread faster than any courier or messenger could carry them.

The lost heir of Empress Melira, Daniel Valenhardf, the boy once whispered to be gone forever, had returned.

And not just returned.

He had saved hundreds of thousands of slaves, destroyed the Zero Organization in their very dens, and dismantled an evil that had terrorized the continents for decades.

The common folk called him ’The Prince of Saviour’.

Merchants sang his name.

Soldiers swore oaths upon it.

And children dreamed of the violey-eyed prince who had freed the helpless.

The capital had become a sea of light.

Massive white banners embroidered with the golden sigil hung from the palace towers.

Thousands filled the plazas, awaiting the moment their Empress would appear with her son.

Inside the Grand Throne Hall, preparations were already underway.

Columns of white marble towered high, engraved with runes of sanctity and glory.

Petals of silver lilies fell from the ceiling, a tradition reserved only for coronations and divine blessings.

The air itself trembled faintly with divine energy.

At the heart of it all stood Daniel, dressed in garments of deep obsidian silk and silver embroidery.

The armor beneath shimmered faintly with runic light, not as a symbol of power, but of his status.

He stood quietly, his eyes lifted toward the throne where his mother sat, the radiant Empress Melira, her golden crown glowing softly beneath the ethereal light.

Her gaze met his, and though her posture was that of a ruler, her heart was that of a mother who could barely contain her tears.

"...I’ve always dream of this day," she whispered to herself, almost inaudibly.

The chamberlain’s voice boomed across the vast hall.

"Presenting, His Highness, Daniel Valenhardt, son of Her Imperial Majesty Melira Valenhardt, savior of the people, and rightful heir to the Throne of the Human Empire!"

The doors opened.

The trumpets cried.

And as Daniel walked forward, the light of a thousand crystals followed him.

Each step echoed with meaning, from a boy who had once disappeared had now earned himself the dream he longed wish to have.

The nobles bowed, the knights knelt, and the rulers who had gathered from other continents stood in silent acknowledgment.

Xerath, Kaelgor, Sylthara, Sylvene, Caelira, and even Thrain, all were present, each wearing a faint smile of respect.

From the side, Rika whispered to Kiel, "I still can’t believe this is really happening..."

Kiel grinned.

"I told you he’d shake the world one day."

Caelira, standing beside them, clasped her hands together, eyes misty.

"I never thought that the boy we raised together one day would end up in this situation"

Manork chuckled softly.

"If he keeps rising like this, I’ll have to start calling him Your Majesty soon."

Erina, perched on Rika’s shoulders, flapped her small wings in excitement.

"Big Brother Daniel looks so cool!"

The Empress stood from her throne as her son approached.

Her gown, pure white trimmed with gold, swayed like moonlight.

When Daniel knelt before her, the world seemed to stop.

Her voice was soft yet resonant.

"My son... the blood of the Valenhardt flows within you"

"You carry not only the strength of our lineage but the heart that has saved our world"

" Rise, Daniel, for today, the Empire kneels not to power, but to the hope that you have brought."

Daniel looked up, his expression steady but filled with emotion.

"Mother... I am not the hero the people think I am. I only did what I had to."

Melira smiled through the tears gathering in her eyes.

"And that is why you are worthy."

She lifted the ceremonial crown, a circlet of silver entwined with crystalline dragon scales, glowing faintly with divine light.

The very crown once worn by the First Emperor, passed down through ages.

As she lowered it toward his head, her hands trembled.

"For years," she whispered, voice cracking, "I prayed that I would see you again. I would have traded my crown and my life just to hold you once more."

Her tears fell, one after another, glimmering like diamonds against the metal of the crown.

"And now... my wish have been answered."

When the crown touched his head, light burst forth.

Elements danced around the hall.

Ancient glyphs upon the marble walls glowed as if the heavens themselves acknowledged the ascension.

The chamberlain raised his staff and shouted.

"Long live His Highness, Prince Daniel Valenhardt, the Prince of Saviour!"

The hall erupted. The nobles roared.

"Long live the Prince!"

"Glory to the Empire!"

"Glory to the Prince of Saviour!"

Even the rulers from other continents joined in applause.

Kaelgor grinned broadly, clapping his massive hands.

"Now that’s a coronation worthy of a legend!"

Xerath chuckled.

"Hmph, makes me wonder if I should start polishing my own throne just to keep up."

Queen Lilith elbowed him.

"Please, dear. You barely polish your armor."

Sylthara Drakoria smiled proudly.

"The boy carries the aura of a king already"

Sylvene inclined her head gently, her voice like a soft bell.

"He has the blessing of the spirits as well. Truly...his fate is tremendous."

Thrain raised his golden mug.

"To the Prince of Saviour! May your reign forge an age of unity!"

Laughter followed, strong, joyous, alive.

As the cheers faded, Melira turned to face her son.

Tears still streaked her cheeks, but her smile was radiant.

"My son... my Daniel," she whispered. "I’m so proud of you."

He reached up and gently wiped her tears with his thumb.

"Don’t cry, Mother. This day is yours too. You’ve carried this Empire and its pain all alone. Let me share it now."

Her lips trembled, and for the first time ever since she had lost him, Melira pulled her son into her arms.

The Empress, ruler of the Human Continent — wept openly before her people, not as a sovereign, but as a mother who had found her child.

The entire hall watched in silence, their hearts stirred.

Rika wiped her eyes.

"How can she cry while looking so beautiful...?"

Kiel grinned softly.

"Even I’m tearing up, damn it."

"Language, Kiel," Queen Lilith muttered, smirking despite herself.

Sylthara whispered under her breath, "Even dragons envy such bonds."

When Melira finally released him, she took a deep breath and raised his hand for all to see.

"Behold your prince, not just my son, but the protector of humankind, the one who stands for those without power!"

Cheers followed once again.

Trumpets flared. Petals rained from above.

As the ceremony concluded, a feast was held in the Grand Hall.

Tables overflowed with dishes from every kingdom.

Musicians played, nobles mingled, and laughter filled the palace.

Daniel, still wearing the crown, sat beside his mother, surrounded by his friends and the rulers.

"Prince of Saviour, huh?" Kiel said with a smirk.

"I can’t tell if that sounds cool or heavy."

"It’s just a title," Daniel replied, sipping his drink.

"What matters is what I do with it."

"That’s what a real leader says,"

Kaelgor boomed with approval, slamming his mug down.

"If I had one more daughter, I’d have offered her to you on the spot!"

Sylthara raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Careful, Kaelgor. I already did that once. The line’s long."

Melira sighed.

"Can we please stop offering my son to people?"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Rika leaned toward Daniel.

"You know, you’ve really changed, Daniel. You used to smile less... now, it feels like the weight’s finally easing."

Daniel smiled faintly.

"Maybe it’s because I finally have people worth smiling for."

That single line made Rika’s heart flutter, and she quickly looked away to hide the redness in her face.

Caelira leaned forward, teasingly.

"Oh? That was smooth. You’ve learned from Kiel, haven’t you?"

"Hey!" Kiel protested. "Don’t drag me into your romantic assumptions!"

Manork laughed. "Well, the prince does have a way with words."

As the night deepened, fireworks illuminated the sky above.

Dragons soared among them, breathing streams of light across the horizon.

The entire world celebrated as one, soldiers dancing with merchants, nobles singing alongside commoners.

Various diversity were enjoying one moment with another.

From the balcony, Daniel and Melira stood together, overlooking the glowing capital.

"Do you hear them?" she asked softly. "Your people."

He nodded. "I do."

"They’re celebrating you."

He smiled faintly.

"No... they’re celebrating hope. That’s all I ever wanted to bring back."

She turned toward him, brushing a strand of hair from his face.

"And you did. You’ve done what even emperors before you could not."

He shook his head gently.

"Then let me go further. Let me build a world where no child has to go through what I did."

Melira’s eyes glistened.

"You speak like a ruler already."

He chuckled. "No. Just as your son."

The Empress laughed softly, resting her head briefly against his shoulder.

"Then let this mother dream a little longer."

Behind them, their friends watched, Kiel laughing, Rika smiling through tears, Caelira and Manork toasting with Sylthara and Kaelgor, Erina perched on Thrain’s shoulder squealing at every firework.

Sylvene stood a little apart, her gaze distant yet warm. "The threads of destiny are weaving tighter," she murmured.

"The world has its prince again, one who walks between light and oblivion."

As the final firework bloomed across the sky — a phoenix of golden light spreading its wings — the people of the Human Continent shouted as one.

"Long live Prince Daniel Valenhardt! The Prince of Saviour!"

And amidst the thunderous cheers, Daniel looked up at the night sky.

The golden fire reflected in his eyes, the eyes of a prince, a saviour, and a son who had come home at last.