Peaceful Life System: I only need to live peacefully-Chapter 195: Resolution

The last motes of golden light from the paladins’ teleportation faded. An unnerving silence settled over the valley. The duel was over. The immediate threat was gone. But the tension remained.

Riku stood in the center of the field, staring at the empty space where the paladins had been. He looked at the group from Dreadspire on one side. He looked at his friends from Elowen on the other. His simple plan for a quiet life felt like a distant, foolish dream.

This world is so much bigger than the game, he thought, a wave of weariness washing over him. In EverRealm, there was no Solari Empire. No Darklord. It was just one kingdom. Simple.

Now, everyone keeps showing up at my doorstep to disrupt my peace.

A blue panel shimmered in his mind.

[Your current location has become a focal point for major external conflicts.]

You don’t say, Riku thought sarcastically.

[If you wish to learn more about the world’s new threats, consider exploring beyond the current kingdom,] the System continued. [The path of the Adventurer is recommended for proactive information gathering.]

An adventurer? Riku thought. The idea held a certain appeal. To see the world, to uncover its secrets on his own terms.

He looked back at his friends. He saw Lila’s worried face. He saw Lysaria’s quiet strength. He saw Sherry’s reluctant loyalty. He saw Barou, Gregor, Arnold, Rennan.

He shook his head. I can’t.

This is my world now, he thought, his resolve hardening. These are my people. I can’t leave them to face the storms alone.

The silhouette of the Shadow King wavered. It dissolved like smoke, revealing his normal form. He stumbled slightly, a wave of exhaustion washing over him. The avatar was powerful, but it took a toll.

"Riku!"

Lila was the first to reach him. She grabbed his arm, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and relief. "Are you alright? You used a lot of your strength. How are you feeling?"

Having witnessed the Grand Maximus take control over Riku once, Lila always wanted Riku to not use his powers, as it risked a relapse. So she could not help but get worried.

Lysaria was right behind her, her face pale. "That power... it was not of the Light. What was that?"

Sherry was last. She stopped a few paces away, her arms crossed, but her usual cynical smirk was gone. It was replaced by a look of profound, unsettling awe. "Riku... that was so strong!! Even in our kingdom, you would be one of the strongest!! Possibly even more powerful than the Darklords themselves."

Before Riku could answer, the group from Dreadspire approached. Rudolf and the Violet Emissary walked at the front. Their expressions were no longer hostile or wary. They were filled with a deep, cautious respect.

"Master Riku," Rudolf began, his voice formal. He gave a slight, respectful bow. "We have witnessed your... capabilities. It is clear you are no mere mage."

The Violet Emissary nodded in agreement. Her gaze was sharp, analytical. "The power you radiate is on par with the highest echelons of the Northern Empire. Yet you are from the south. You wield both Light and a form of Shadow Art I have never seen."

She looked him directly in the eye. "Who are you, really?"

Riku met her gaze. He offered a faint, tired smile. "I am the caretaker of this village," he said, his answer deliberately vague. "That is all you need to know."

Lord Falco, however, after the recent ordeal, was in a hurry to leave. He gestured to his Head Mage. "Vexia. Prepare the portal. We are leaving."

"Wait," Riku said.

Everyone turned to him.

He looked at Lord Falco. Then his gaze shifted to Marci, who was still staring at him, her expression a whirlwind of confusion and fear.

"You came all this way for my attendant’s secrets," Riku said, his voice calm. "The real secrets are not with him. They are in this village."

Falco frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"You are a collector of rare and interesting things," Riku continued, appealing directly to the man’s core motivation. "Stay for a day. See for yourself how we have achieved this prosperity in the middle of a famine. Perhaps you will learn something more valuable than a few trinkets."

He then looked at Marci. "You believe kindness is a weakness," he said, his voice softening slightly. "You swore an oath to be cruel because you believe it is the only way to be strong."

He gestured to the bustling, peaceful village behind him. "Stay and see what kindness has built here. See what trust and cooperation can achieve. Then you can decide for yourself if your vow was the right one."

Marci stared at him, speechless. His words were a direct challenge to the bitter promise she had just made.

Lord Falco looked from Riku to his daughter. He was intrigued. The promise of new secrets, of understanding the source of this impossible prosperity, was a powerful lure. It was a chance to turn a humiliating defeat into a profitable discovery.

"Fine," Falco grumbled, trying to sound as if he were the one in control. "We will stay. For one day. To... observe your methods."

Riku smiled. "Excellent. Barou, would you show our guests to the new guest lodges?"

"Of course," the chief said, stepping forward.

Riku led the now-combined group into Elowen proper. As they walked through the village square, Falco and Marci stopped dead.

They stared at the two structures rising side-by-side at the far end of the village. One was the elegant, sunstone Church of Light. The other was the imposing, black obsidian Temple of Shadows. Workers from both faiths moved between them, sharing tools and supplies.

"What is this?" Falco asked, his voice a disbelieving whisper. "A temple to the Shadows... next to a church of the Light? This is madness! They should be at war!"

Marci’s eyes were wide with shock. This sight defied every political and religious law she had ever known.

Riku stopped beside them. He looked at the two structures, then back at his shocked guests.

"Coexistence," he said simply. "It’s an Elowen specialty."