Several waves of multicolored light slowly descended from high in the sky.
The moment the colorful magic touched the ground, a huge and mysterious magic array slowly emerged from the earth.
The magic array gradually spread across the open land, tightly trapping Hermes, who stood motionless.
All around, countless mages were chanting spells, their voices echoing through the air like mist.
Strange-colored waves of magic burst from their hands and twisted together in the air, forming thick ropes of magic power.
They intertwined and tangled with each other, and in the blink of an eye, they had woven into a rough yet vast magical net.
It spread out from above Hermes's head and slowly closed in.
The moment the magical net condensed into shape, it became a sturdy cage, firmly imprisoning Hermes inside.
His hands and feet were locked by shackles made of magic power, tightly connected to the four corners of the cage.
As the magic power in the hands of countless mages circulated, the prison made of magic power began to slowly rise into the air.
Dust flew everywhere as it passed straight through the heavy clouds and flew toward the sky.
Haim Horn and Rachel watched as the mages took Hermes away, then turned around and expressed their gratitude to Viktor,
"Thank you for your hard work, Councillor Viktor."
"If it weren't for your plan, it would have been difficult for us to capture this fugitive who had been hiding among humans for so long."
Hermes, the god whom the great mages called the "fugitive," had always been the target they constantly sought to drive away.
The great mages had once come up with many ways to force Hermes to leave the human world,
but after countless attempts, even until the great mage left this world, they had still failed to achieve this goal.
After all, this god was simply too cunning.
Now, with Viktor's assistance, the Mage Council had finally succeeded in capturing Hermes.
In a sense, this also fulfilled the great mage's unfulfilled wish.
Except...
Haim Horn turned his head toward this land covered in dust.
After this fierce battle, the enormous imperial capital had been destroyed beyond recognition.
The ruins and broken walls of the buildings had been worn down until they were almost bare.
The once-prosperous streets had become impossible to navigate, covered by heavy dust.
Only the palace radiating golden light still stood, quietly protecting this land and the people living upon it.
Haim Horn's gaze swept across the ruins around him before he turned around and bowed deeply to the Emperor of the Empire, Aubrey Sol, who stood to the side, "At the same time, our Mage Council would also like to express our sincere gratitude to you."
"Your Majesty Aubrey Sol."
He knew that without the emperor's support, this operation could not have succeeded.
The price of this battle, however, was the destruction of the entire imperial capital.
"The other residents of the imperial capital have already been safely evacuated. Our Mage Council will also do everything in our power to repair the buildings and residences in the imperial capital."
"Furthermore, as Councillor Viktor said, the Casidra Chamber of Commerce will also provide the corresponding compensation."
Naturally, the Casidra Chamber of Commerce was the happiest about Hermes being captured.
They no longer had to worry about their wealth being taken away by Hermes.
They could conduct their business with peace of mind, continue attracting wealth from all over the world, and make their money bags even fatter.
So the Casidra Chamber of Commerce would certainly be willing to provide compensation.
Although rebuilding an imperial capital would cost a great deal, they could still distinguish between losing part of their wealth and losing everything they had.
At this moment, His Majesty Aubrey gently shook his head and smiled.
He put his hands behind his back, his slightly bent body appearing even more imposing under the sunlight.
The surrounding residents gradually fell silent.
Their eyes were filled with reverence and awe as they silently watched this great emperor.
This incident would make the royal family's prestige even deeper in the hearts of the people.
The Emperor of the Empire, who had not acted for a long time, had once again displayed his power before the people of the Empire.
And this time, he had even directly defeated a god... with a single strike.
Once the news spread, it would surely cause huge waves throughout the world and shock everyone, once again, Aubrey had established his invincible stature through his own strength.
And as for Aubrey, what he was most relieved about was precisely this.
Now that everything had settled, Aubrey could finally abdicate without worry.
Except...
His gaze turned toward the towering palace on the steps.
The palace bathed in golden sunlight shone brilliantly, as if its light could pierce through the clouds and reach the sky.
For the first time, a trace of worry arose in the heart of this man who controlled everything in the Empire.
Plans could never keep up with changes, and he could not be certain that after he left, his descendants would be able to protect the prosperity of the Empire.
But at least, while Aubrey was in power, he had already paved the way for everything that would follow.
Afterward, he took a deep breath, raised one fist, and slowly lifted it higher.
He did not make a sound.
Yet at that moment, everyone looking at Aubrey, whether noble or commoner, all raised their fists with great excitement, slowly lifting them above their heads.
The next second, the entire imperial capital resounded with the fiery roars of everyone's boiling blood.
"The Empire, immortal!!!"
This enormous voice was shouted together by every resident present.
Like the roar of a giant lion, it tore through the sky and echoed among the clouds.
Seeing this scene, Haim Horn could not help teasing Rachel beside him, "Aren't you also an imperial citizen? Why aren't you as excited as them?"
Hearing this, Rachel pushed up the frame of his glasses, gazing at the countless solemn residents present before slowly replying, "The Empire gives its residents corresponding protection. Naturally, the residents must give the Empire their strength and faith in return."
Since its establishment, the Empire had gradually grown stronger.
Even now, the Empire remained one of the world's top powers, a great nation stronger than the other countries.
It was precisely because every Emperor of the Empire was the strongest person in the country.
In the Empire, the emperor was not merely a dictator who stood high above everyone else and only issued orders from above.
He was also a symbol of protection.
No matter when, he would step forward and shield every resident from all difficulties and disasters.
Therefore, every resident of this Empire possessed an incredibly strong sense of unity.
A powerful sense of pride had always echoed in their hearts.
"However, now..."
The two mages looked at each other, and both could clearly feel the regret in the other's eyes.
Aubrey had intimidated everyone with his own power, but the price he had to pay was his lifespan.
That earth-shattering attack was not something Aubrey could casually unleash.
Although on the surface it looked as though Aubrey had merely clenched his fist, the vital energy and blood consumed by that power were terrifying.
His already weak and nearly exhausted lifespan had now suffered another blow.
How long he could live was difficult to say.
These imperial residents could not see it clearly yet, but the two mages could see it at a glance.
Aubrey's vital energy and blood were no longer as abundant as before.
The most important thing for a warrior was their own vital energy and blood. Every time they released their power, they would wear down their life, which was precisely why warriors tended to have short lifespans.
Now, Aubrey had to calm down and recuperate.
It really fulfilled that saying.
The only thing that could defeat Aubrey was his lifespan.
"A power even the gods fear..."
Rachel could not help murmuring in admiration.
Aubrey had done everything he needed to do.
As an emperor, when the Empire was in crisis, he had bravely faced the gods and resolutely opposed every threat.
As a father, he had cleared away every obstacle for his beloved daughter Auréliane to succeed him.
And now, the god had been captured.
Aubrey had once again displayed that awe-inspiring supreme power to the entire world.
Everything Aubrey had done was undoubtedly worth it.
Yet the two mages could not help sighing, "But the price is still too great."
Haim Horn's expression grew increasingly heavy.
Rachel's brows also tightened involuntarily as he let out a deep sigh.
Because of this battle, what the Empire had lost prematurely was probably not only their Emperor Aubrey.
There was also one more person.
They turned their heads toward the distance, toward Viktor, who had long since left the crowd and was standing before the Supreme Heavenly Gate.
All they could do was helplessly watch as Cocotte, her eyes filled with tears, wrapped both arms around Viktor.
They watched helplessly as Cocotte clung to Viktor, unwilling to let him leave.
"Viktor! Can't you stay...?"
"I promise I'll work hard from now on. I promise I'll never slack off again, okay?!"
Cocotte's face was covered in tears as she begged in a choked voice, her nose red.
But Viktor merely stood there quietly, like a statue, his empty gaze fixed straight ahead.
He seemed deaf to everything around him.
At this moment, a crisp and hurried sound of horse hooves came from the distance, growing clearer and clearer in everyone's ears.
Vega, standing on Viktor's shoulder, slowly raised her head. Seemingly sensing something, she turned her gaze behind them.
Not far away, a female knight dressed in silver-white armor was riding a fine horse at full speed.
Brilliant sunlight fell upon her, and her silver cold-iron armor swept through the air, kicking up a trail of fine white dust, like light ice crystals flowing through the air.
The silver horse swept through the crowd like a phantom. Gwen tightly gripped the reins, and after the horse gave a neigh, it came to an elegant stop.
She removed her helmet, her long silver hair flying upward before gently falling behind her shoulders.
"Viktor."
Hearing this voice, Viktor reacted and slightly turned his face.
But he still did not look back, merely standing where he was, his eyes calm.
At this moment, the sound of the wind swept through, and light silver stars seemed to detach themselves from Gwen's armor and silver hair, drifting through the air.
The breeze curled back, carrying the clear silver stars across the land, leaving only their voices as they gradually surrounded the two of them.
"I promised you. I fulfilled your request."
The gentle breeze sweeping across the land also lifted Gwen's silver hair, like a brilliant galaxy spreading through the air and drifting behind her.
"So I also ask you to grant me one request."
Golden light reflected on Gwen's face, casting a faint golden hue over it.
Her clear eyes, carrying a golden light, radiated a gentle yet resolute gaze.
"When you come back..."
"let's get married."