The hall was filled with nobles elegantly dressed, shining glass of wine, trinkets and shining jewelries, the atmosphere was filled with celebration of the banquet
"Hermes!" a towering statured man with red hair called he was putting on a red suit of decorations of an army, Hermes who was standing with some other nobles excused himself
"My oh my… Uncle Seth" Hermes called in response to the red haired man, they close the distance between them Seth pulled Hermes into a hug
"My boy… I heard about your wife, I'm sorry for your loss" he consoled whispering in his ear
"thank you Uncle Seth " Hermes replied with a smile
"Have you seen your father ?" Uncle Seth asked
"I just left His Majesty's chamber a short while ago," Hermes answered.
Before anyone could speak further, the royal herald stepped forward, his voice cutting through the music.
"His Royal Highness, the Supreme Lord of Kaigareth, Gerald Kaigareth von Dal—has arrived."
The proclamation echoed through the hall as the music fell silent.
Everyone bowed their heads in awe as the emperor entered the banquet hall. The trumpet bellows rang out, and all stood perfectly still. The enchanted sword of the Oblivion Lord was presented before him, and at the simple raising of the emperor's hand, the entire hall fell into silence.
"raise your heads." Emperor Gerald ordered as they raised their heads
"Today, we stand gathered to celebrate and to mark the victorious return of the War God, and the end of the four-year war against the Oblivion Lord," the emperor declared, addressing the reason for the joyous celebration. Across the city—and throughout the empire—his words were projected for all to hear.
"Hermes," the emperor called.
Hermes stepped forward and went down on his right knee. The emperor then adorned him with the Medal of First-Degree Eminence.
"Rise, Hermes Kaigareth von Dal," the emperor said.
Hermes rose gracefully, saluting the emperor by placing his right fist upon his chest and standing at attention.
"As of today, I officially name you Hermes Kaigareth von Dal, the Eastern War God," the emperor proclaimed.
Across the empire, cheers erupted as the announcement was heard.
"I humbly accept this title from you, Your Royal Highness," Hermes replied.
Then Emperor Gerald summoned his mana, lifting the enchanted sword of the Oblivion Lord into the air before solemnly presenting it to Hermes.
"As of today, the right to the Oblivion Sword is yours. Wield it as you deem fit," the emperor said.
Bound by his will, the blade hovered before Hermes, suspended in the air by a silent tide of mana. Hermes reached out, grasped the sword as the emperor released his hold, and bowed his head in solemn acceptance.
"in your name I will continue to fight to make the empire a safe place." Hermes said as he raised the sword, raising his head he sheath the sword and everyone clapped and rejoiced.
The emperor raised his hand and everywhere went silent
"This day shall be remembered for generations to come. Let the banquet begin," Emperor Gerald declared.
Across the empire, celebrations erupted as the date was forever recorded in history as The Day of Sovereign Dawn, marking the birth of a new era of freedom.
After two week had passed since the banquet on a Mondak morning, Hermes Von Dal at his manor called for a house hold meeting with everyone in the manor. Everyone assembled at eh main house hall, at the landing of the twin winged stairs was the Kaigareth flag and the eastern war god emblem hanging.
Everyone was not surprised by the sudden call of a meeting, all Hermes' family members sat while every other person stood. The door flunged open and Hermes walked into the hall and walked up to the stairs and stood at the landing then he cleared his throat and eyes were dead of emotions he looked around, only the serving hands, Iris and children, and Lily and her children who were still mourning clothes.
Hermes let out a soft sigh and eyes located Phil who was dressed in mourning clothes too
"today I have called this meeting."
"I want to honor the life of my wife, my unborn child and the fallen soldiers who passed on." Hermes said.
"according to our traditions we were supposed to do this two weeks after the last rite."
"But due to the banquet at Royal Capital it was shifted to today." He finished and everyone was silent.
"A minute of silence, in honor of the fallen," Hermes said.
The hall fell quiet at once. Only the faint tapping of Beretta's shoe disturbed the stillness. Hermes glanced in her direction; she merely rolled her eyes.
When the minute passed, the silence was finally broken.
"Now as for the topic of the day." Hermes said
"we are going to have a change of duties as though the war has ended we are now back to watching the ocean surrounding us the eastern continent." Hermes said
"let me help you with that darling." Lily said as she raised her hand
"my elite team I have been training while you were away are on standby watching the ocean." She finished
"I recommend you let your armies take a rest while my squadron take temporary charge over the sea." She added and Hermes thought for a minute and nodded.
"alright, you are reliable as ever." Hermes commended
"we have dealings with the northern continent; Azelikan they are needing escorts and I want to send an emissary to negotiate with them concerning the gold and Sulphur supply we need to balance the economy of the empire." Hermes explained
"send me my lord." Iris said
"I have a family member coming along with the northern envoy."
"send me in your place, you need all the rest you can get." Iris said with a smile
"thank you Iris." Hermes thanked her
"we will continue like always, so that concludes the meeting this month." Hermes said and he dismissed everyone.
"Bereta Von Dal!!" Hermes called with authority in his voice
"come to my chambers now." Hermes demanded as he left to his chambers.
"what does he want." Beretta thought to herself as she followed him to his chambers, she stood at the door and was about to knock.
"come in." Hermes said before she could knock and the door opened by themselves, she held onto her pendant as she went into the chamber.
"Hermes you called, what can I do for you." She asked as she stood afar looking at Hermes who was looking up at two portraits.
"come here, come my darling." He said turning his head to her with a smile and he focused back to the portrait.
"come say hi to mother." He said and he expression softened as she had a relief
"It seems he only wishes to speak of his mother," she thought to herself as she strode gracefully across the vast chamber toward Hermes.
As she drew near, her gaze lifted—and beside the empress's portrait hung another, bearing a face she knew all too well… and despised above all others.
"Felicia…?" she whispered.
Her teeth clenched, her fist tightened at her side, and anger darkened her expression.
"Beretta—" Hermes called.
The sharp edge in his voice carried an anger so cold it sent fear crawling beneath her skin.
"Y-yes, darling…" she replied, forcing a smile. Her heart thundered in her chest as she swallowed hard, struggling to keep her composure while dread coiled in her stomach.
"Do you by any chance know about Felicia's death?" he blurted out, his words sharp and blunt.
"Perish the thought, my dear… I would never… stoop so low as to take someone's life," she replied, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke.
"It hurts me too…" she added, her eyes downcast.
"I heard the poison turned the baby into… a… sludge of blood," she continued, her gaze flicking toward him. At her words, Hermes' eyes narrowed, glowing with barely restrained anger—she had said too much.
"I am truly sorry for your loss, dear…" she whispered again, her voice catching in sorrow.
"Alright… I believe you," Hermes said at last. He let out a heavy sigh and gently pulled her close, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
"I'm sorry I let my emotions get the better of me," he murmured. She broke down, tears flowing freely, and clung to him tightly, holding on as if the world might crumble without his presence.
"I'm sorry I suspected you," Hermes said softly, his voice filled with genuine remorse. He gently released her from the hug, helped her sit beside the bed, and tenderly wiped away her tears.
After spending some quiet moments together, it was time for her to leave. As she moved toward the door, she turned back with a gentle smile.
"I'm leaving now, darling," she said.
"If you need anything, just send for me. I'll be there faster than you can imagine," she added, her smile warm and reassuring.
Hermes returned the smile, a quiet comfort passing between them as she was about to stepped out.
"Beretta," Hermes called again, his voice calm yet carrying an edge that made the air itself seem heavier.
"If by chance I found out you were involved in Felicia's death…" he continued, and suddenly a menacing aura radiated from him. The energy was dark and oppressive, pressing down on the room like an invisible weight. It was as if gravity itself had doubled, and the air grew thick, almost sickening—Beretta felt her stomach churn under the sheer intensity.
For a moment, she struggled to maintain her composure, caught in the overwhelming presence of his magical power. Then, Hermes tilted his head slightly, a soft smile appearing on his face.
"I don't know what I would—or could—do," he said, and just like that, the pressure vanished, leaving the room light and calm once more.
"Thank you for today, Beretta," he added warmly, the dark aura replaced entirely by his usual composed presence.
As she left and closed the door behind her, Beretta let out a trembling sigh. She placed her right hand over her chest; her heart was racing, the lingering weight of what she had experienced in Hermes' chamber still pressing on her.
She moved quickly down the hallway, her steps hurried yet carefully measured. Though her legs shook beneath her, she strutted with controlled grace, masking her fear and unease from the maids who were tending to the corridor. Each step was an effort to maintain composure.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, she nearly collided with Tiara Von Dal, Hermes' second wife and a close friend.
"Beretta!" Tiara called, her eyes wide with worry, sensing that something was amiss. Beretta faltered, her legs giving way under the residual tension, and she stumbled into Tiara's arms.
"Are you okay?" Tiara asked as she supported Beretta and they walked out to the court yard where the was enough ventilation, they say at a chair by the tables and Beretta looked like she was feeling better.
"What happened?" Tiara asked, holding Beretta's hands tightly, her eyes filled with concern.
"It's nothing much…" Beretta replied, biting her lip nervously. "Hermes is just so angry about the death of that… wench."
"Was that the immense pressure of his anger?" Tiara asked cautiously.
"That's not even it…" Beretta said, her eyes trembling with terror. "That was just a fragment."
She took a shaky breath. "He… he is so loving, but he can also be terrifying. He is the light that has a dark side."
"So… what do we do?" Tiara asked, worry threading her voice.
"We find a way to keep him steady…" Beretta replied, her gaze distant. "…even while his most beloved wife is gone." She paused. "Shifting his focus…"
"I don't know what to do, or how to go about it," Tiara admitted, her voice quiet with unease.