The days after Melinda's burial carried a different atmosphere across the world.

For the first time in months, there were no explosions lighting up the skies at night. No emergency broadcasts interrupting television programs. No terrified citizens rushing into underground shelters while praying that another air raid would not reach their city.

The war was over.

Truly over.

And slowly, humanity was beginning to breathe again.

Cities that had been damaged during the invasion were already undergoing reconstruction at astonishing speed. Across continents, governments coordinated relief programs together instead of competing with one another. Military alliances that had once existed only out of necessity during the war had evolved into something deeper.

Unity.

Real unity.

The kind humanity had never fully achieved before.

And standing at the center of this new era was one man.

Jayden Cole.

The President of Nortasia.

The Dominus.

The man who had warned the world, prepared the world, and ultimately fought to save it.

On that particular afternoon, millions upon millions of people gathered around giant screens, televisions, phones, and public broadcast stations as Jayden prepared to make the largest global speech in modern history.

The speech platform had been set at the rebuilt International Assembly Hall in Dominion City, which had already become symbolic after the war. Leaders from every surviving nation were present, seated in organized rows while cameras from every media organization in the world focused on the stage.

The atmosphere carried dignity and anticipation.

Outside the massive hall, crowds filled the streets endlessly.

Some waved the flags of their nations.

Others waved the newly designed banner representing the unified global alliance.

People cheered loudly the moment Jayden stepped onto the stage.

But unlike the roaring celebrations from before, today's atmosphere carried peace rather than desperation.

Jayden stood calmly behind the podium, dressed in a formal black suit with the insignia of Nortasia resting on his chest. His expression remained composed as he looked across the hall and then toward the cameras broadcasting him worldwide.

For several moments, the applause continued.

Then slowly, silence returned.

Jayden inhaled softly before speaking.

"Today," he began calmly, "humanity stands at the beginning of a new era."

His voice echoed throughout the massive hall.

"Not long ago, this world was divided by borders, power struggles, and fear. We lived separately. We fought separately. And when the Sovereign Protocols arrived, many believed humanity would fall separately as well."

The audience remained completely silent.

"But they were wrong."

His tone strengthened slightly.

"We survived because the people of this world chose unity over division. Nations that once distrusted each other stood side by side. Soldiers from different countries fought together. Scientists shared knowledge. Leaders cooperated. And ordinary people found courage in one another."

A wave of applause spread briefly through the crowd.

Jayden continued.

"The war showed us something important. Humanity is strongest when humanity stands together."

Across the world, citizens listened carefully.

Families sat in living rooms watching quietly.

Soldiers watched from military bases.

Workers stopped what they were doing just to hear him speak.

"The world is now free," Jayden declared firmly. "Free from the Sovereign Protocol threat. Free from fear. And for the first time in a very long time… peaceful."

Applause erupted again.

This time louder.

Longer.

Some people even stood to their feet.

Jayden allowed the reaction to settle before continuing.

"As part of this new beginning, several important changes have already taken place."

The giant screens behind him displayed images of different leaders.

"Icelandia has officially appointed its new President, Emmanuel Washington, following the war and the rebuilding of its national government."

The image of Emmanuel appeared behind him briefly as the audience applauded respectfully.

"And in Nestonia, the former Vice President has now assumed leadership responsibilities as President in order to guide the nation into recovery and stability."

Another round of applause followed.

Jayden's gaze swept calmly across the audience.

"But perhaps the greatest change of all," he said, "is that humanity will no longer move forward as divided nations struggling against one another."

The giant display shifted again.

This time revealing a new symbol.

A silver globe surrounded by interconnected rings.

"The world has now united under a single global alliance."

The audience leaned forward slightly.

"The United Nations."

The words echoed powerfully through the hall.

"No longer simply an organization for discussion," Jayden continued. "But a true union built upon cooperation, peace, reconstruction, and collective security."

Outside the hall, people cheered loudly.

In cities across the world, citizens celebrated the announcement.

The war had changed humanity forever.

And now the future itself felt different.

Jayden allowed a small pause before continuing.

"And after careful consideration, voting, and agreement among global leadership…"

Another image appeared behind him.

Royce Kingsley.

"…the position of Secretary General of the United Nations has officially been given to Royce Kingsley."

The reaction was immediate.

Applause thundered across the hall.

Royce himself, seated among the world leaders, looked genuinely surprised by the intensity of the reaction despite already knowing the outcome.

Jayden looked toward him calmly.

"I personally voted for him," he admitted openly. "Because when humanity needed help the most, he stood with us."

Royce lowered his head slightly in acknowledgment.

The applause continued for several moments before finally fading.

Jayden then rested both hands on the podium quietly.

"The future ahead of us will not be perfect," he said honestly. "There will still be difficulties. There will still be challenges. But humanity has already survived something that once seemed impossible."

His eyes hardened slightly with quiet determination.

"And because of that, I believe there is nothing this world cannot overcome together."

The hall erupted into applause once more.

Some leaders stood.

Then more followed.

Soon nearly the entire assembly had risen to their feet.

Outside the hall, crowds cheered wildly.

Across social media, broadcasts exploded with reactions.

Humanity had survived.

And now humanity was united.

The speech lasted much longer afterward, touching on reconstruction efforts, international cooperation, and the rebuilding of damaged regions across the world. But by the time Jayden finally stepped away from the podium, one thing had become undeniable.

The age of division was ending.

And the age of unity had begun.

Later that evening, the atmosphere inside the presidential villa felt warmer than it had in a very long time.

The tension that had once haunted the halls was gone.

Instead, laughter occasionally echoed through the large dining area where everyone had gathered together for dinner.

It was not a formal political dinner.

It was family.

Real family.

Jayden sat at the center of the long table while the others surrounded him naturally.

Camilia.

Harper.

Temi.

Charlotte.

Becky.

Paula.

Little Katie.

And Sabrina Jonah, his trusted assistant from the EC Group.

The dining hall itself was beautifully lit, with large glass walls overlooking the calm ocean surrounding the island. For once, there were no war updates interrupting conversations. No alarms. No emergencies.

Just peace.

Katie was especially energetic.

"So does this mean aliens won't attack anymore?" she asked while eating happily.

Temi laughed softly.

"We hope so."

Katie looked at Jayden immediately.

"You'll beat them again if they do, right?"

Everyone at the table smiled slightly.

Jayden shook his head faintly.

"I'd rather the world stays peaceful this time."

"That sounds boring," Katie complained.

Harper chuckled quietly while sipping her drink.

"Trust me, little one. Peace is never boring."

The conversations continued naturally afterward.

Charlotte discussed reconstruction projects happening across Nortasia.

Paula talked about how engineers worldwide were already requesting access to her mech suit technology for peaceful purposes rather than military use.

Even Sabrina looked far more relaxed than usual as she joined the discussions occasionally.

For the first time in what felt like forever, everyone simply enjoyed each other's presence.

Eventually, after dinner had nearly ended, Jayden slowly stood from his seat.

The room quieted slightly.

He looked around the table carefully.

At every single one of them.

And for a brief moment, emotion crossed his eyes again.

"You all played your part," he said quietly.

Nobody interrupted him.

"You stood beside me during the hardest moments of my life. During chaos. During war. During moments when everything could have collapsed."

His voice carried sincerity that immediately softened the atmosphere.

"I know I haven't always been easy to deal with."

Harper smirked faintly.

"That's an understatement."

A few soft laughs followed.

Even Jayden smiled slightly.

"But regardless…" he continued, "I'm grateful."

The room became quiet again.

"And I promise," he said firmly, "I'll repay every one of you handsomely."

Paula laughed lightly.

"You already made us rich."

"That's not enough," Jayden replied calmly.

Camilia simply watched him quietly.

And somehow, in that moment, she felt there was something unusual about the way he occasionally looked toward her tonight.

Something thoughtful.

Something deeper.

Hours later, the villa had mostly gone quiet.

Everyone had retired to their rooms after the long day.

Outside, the ocean breeze moved softly against the windows while moonlight illuminated parts of the island peacefully.

Camilia sat quietly inside her room, still awake.

She had changed into more comfortable clothing and was standing near the window, staring out toward the dark ocean while thinking about everything that had happened over the past months.

The war...The losses.

The victories.

How much their lives had changed.

A soft knock suddenly came from the door.

She blinked slightly.

"At this hour?"

Curious, she walked over and opened it.

Her eyes widened slightly.

"Jayden?"

He stood there quietly in casual dark clothing, his expression calm but strangely serious.

"Can I come in?" he asked softly.

Camilia nodded slowly.

"Of course."

Jayden stepped inside.

For several moments, neither of them spoke.

The atmosphere felt strangely heavy.

Then unexpectedly…

Jayden moved.

Before Camilia could even process what was happening, he slowly lowered himself onto one knee before her.

Her eyes widened completely.

"Jayden…?"

He looked up at her calmly.

For once, the unstoppable President of Nortasia looked almost nervous.

And then he reached into his pocket slowly.

Camilia's breath caught instantly.

Jayden looked directly into her eyes.

"Will you marry me, Camilia?"