Son of the Hero King

Sol looked up as the edges of his dimension began to recede from the world. While he had managed to devour the explosion of Hypnos in advance, the dimension was still affected by the ensuing might, causing the boundaries between the real world and his vision of an ideal reality to break.

Still, it mattered little in the current situation.

“Finally, the war is over.”

His silver hair swayed in the wind while his golden eyes twinkled. It was not the end. While they had gained victory this time, managing to hide most of the information regarding his powers and state, things were not yet resolved. The enemies would still wonder how the avatars died at this place.

At the very least it should buy us some time.

Sol did not know exactly how many of Adam’s children had woken up outside of Hypnos and Dawn. However, there was no doubt that they would all be extremely troublesome.

There is also the matter of the goddesses.

Sol caressed his hair. For his vessel to accommodate the power of Balance, he had been forced to give up almost all the divinity of Luxuria.

At the moment, only embers were left in his body but even those embers would soon be consumed and entirely replaced by the power of Balance. He had some insurance and was sure of the fact that Luxuria would still be on his side.

However, Invidia would undoubtedly use this to her advantage if she were to get wind of what was happening. After all, if Sol lost his Blessing, then he would also lose his legitimacy to the throne and the right for his family to rule over humanity.

What about Dawn? How should he face her now that he knew who she was? How about the forces of Chaos?

Sol groaned and closed his eyes. One problem was resolved but hundreds more seemed to be waiting for him.

“Sol!”

Surprise colored Sol’s face as someone jumped at him like a comet. The fact that someone managed to sneak up on him was more the surprise than anything else but when he looked down and saw who it was, a smile spread out on his previously astonished face.

“Isis… How are you?” Sol asked.

Isis ruffled her head against his chest before looking up, “I am alright. But what about you?”

There was a worried expression on her face and Sol realized that the source of her worries was the frown he had been sporting as he pondered the upcoming adversities.

The thought made him survey his surroundings. He could see Lilith, Lilin, Setsuna, Milia, as well as the four witches.

Outside of Setsuna and Lilith who had suffered very obvious and significant wounds during the fights, the others were also not in good shape by any means. Since they had been used as batteries, for a lack of a better word, for the monumental ritual, the strain on their bodies and even souls must have been substantial. Camelia, in particular, should have completely passed out by now, and yet… she was struggling to keep herself awake.

They were all exhausted but they were still looking at him, waiting for his words.

Realizing this, warmth spread in his heart and a hearty smile stretched his lips.

“It’s over. We won.” Sol realized that he had not been focusing on the right things. The past was already long gone and there was no way to affect it. The future was an ever-changing mystery, so there was no use in worrying about it.

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What mattered was the present. They had won a great victory against impossible odds and fought against their assigned fates. All of them survived and came out of it far stronger than before… together.

This was the greatest gift he could have received.

It was as if his words cut some intangible strings, holding everyone tight with tension, as everyone sagged in relief at his words. They had been worried a new enemy would come again but now they could rest.

They had so many questions they wanted to ask but none of them were in the right state of mind at the moment.

“Fuck, I want to sleep so bad now.”

Kali laughed as she slumped on the ground, showing none of her charisma as a revered witch. Even Persephone did not show her usual composed smile as she looked at the ground with longing. Lying down would be a supreme bliss right about now.

Setsuna had a complicated look on her face as she looked up at Sol. She could not explain the emotions she was feeling right now. After all, the one who changed her life forever was now dead.

The revenge she had chased after for more than ten years was now complete and yet time continued to move without a stop. The world would not wait for her and his death did not change anything.

A certain emptiness filled her heart but she did not dwell much on this feeling, or rather she was not allowed to as Lilin reached her with a sword in hand while wobbling.

“This sword has accomplished its duty.”

Setsuna received Ayame’s sword from Lilin’s hands and only then did reality start to settle in her mind.

“Mom… Dad…”

Tears gathered at the corner of her eyes and yet… they refused to fall. “You know there is nothing shameful in crying, right?” Lilin kneeled and put a hand on Setsuna’s shoulder.

This was the last straw as tears soon started to fall like a waterfall, prompting Lilin to give her best friend a tight hug. She needed it.

Next to Camelia who was listening to the scene in silence was Lilith, “It’s quite heartwarming, don’t you think?”

Camelia murmured, her eyes empty and Lilith chuckled, “Indeed.” Her laugh was forced, something Camelia did not miss.

“Seems like she escaped.”

“She was only an avatar.”

“Oh… well, you simply have to kill her the next time, right?”

“Your words are quite bloody for a saintess.”

“Ex saintess you mean— I have lost all my Blessing. There is no coming back this time. It’s a miracle I am still alive.”

“… Do you regret it?”

Camelia gave a toothy grin, her pearly white teeth flashing, as she looked in Sol's direction. If all the people around her were like bright stars in the sky, Sol was akin to an entire nebula, eclipsing everything in its presence.

Regret?

“What a stupid question. You act as if you wouldn’t have done the same.”

For once Lilith had nothing to say in retort. It was indeed a stupid question. A smile formed on her face as well and her gaze inevitably drifted towards Sol and the other girls. Lilin in particular caught her attention.

Lilith knew that she had made many mistakes in her life and she had many things she regretted. But, seeing Lilin all grown up now, she realized that all those mistakes were necessary to pave the road for her beloved daughter.

To the world, Lilin might be nothing but a clone and a homunculus like her but to Lilith, she would forever be her beloved daughter. And now… her daughter was ready to spread her wings and fly high up in the sky. This was indeed a beautiful day.

***

Out of all the participants in the fight, the only one who was only moderately tired was Ambrosia. She did spend some energy fighting Hypnos but it was nothing much.

This was why she was able to marvel at everything that had been accomplished in this place and all of this was done by one young man who was not even one hundredth her age.

Truly incredible.

Betting on Sol had been one of the best decisions in her long life and yet… she knew that it was too soon to rest. The trials that awaited them would be even more dangerous and even one mistake could end with them facing the goddesses and a group of demigods.

Yet strangely, she did not feel worried.

I have so many questions.

Ambrosia sighed. Curiosity filled her mind but she knew that asking too much right now would not be the right thing to do. Even so, there was one thing she needed to know.

“This is not the end, right?”

Sol hugged Isis and looked at everyone. The victory today would not have been possible without their help and the help of many more such as Nefertiti, Skuld, and the others. He refused to forget this fact and become engulfed in arrogance. He still had much to learn and much, much higher to reach for that.

New enemies would come and he would trample on them all. After all,

“No, this is not the end.” He laughed as his eyes became blue and his hair gold, the result of sealing his divinity.

Turning around, he spoke with a voice filled with confidence, “This is just the beginning.”