Max had never been this tired.

The carriage rolled slowly along the road leading to Eldoria Castle while the group watched the walls in the distance.

They had taken longer than expected to return.

Not because they had found more summoned beings.

But because Moonlight had discovered a lost little girl crying in the middle of the forest.

And nobody had been able to tell her no when she asked to help.

Now, after escorting the child back to her family in a small village, they were finally returning.

Neros sighed.

"I hope the wedding is still happening."

Seraphine smiled.

"If not, I know a princess who’ll turn you into a frog for being late."

"That would be an abuse of power."

Neros replied.

Moonlight laughed from her seat.

Max smiled.

Everything had worked out.

And in just a few hours...

He would be getting married.

***

The moment they passed through the castle gates, Max separated from the group.

He didn’t even stop by his room.

Nor the dining hall.

Nor anywhere else.

He went straight to Elanor’s room.

He wanted to have breakfast with her by the fountain one last time before they officially became husband and wife.

He knocked on the door.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

He waited.

And the door opened.

Max blinked.

"Dorian."

The elf smiled.

"Max."

"What are you doing here?"

Dorian raised an eyebrow.

"I wasn’t expecting you. You should have arrived yesterday. We were worried."

Max crossed his arms.

"What are you doing in my fiancée’s room?"

The elf’s grin widened.

"Verifying some news."

"What news?"

Dorian opened the door wider.

"I think it’s better if she tells you herself."

Max stepped inside and froze.

Elanor was lying on the bed.

She looked exhausted.

Probably from spending days organizing the wedding.

There were papers everywhere.

Dresses.

Lists.

Decorations.

And an absurd amount of food.

Max looked around.

"What’s going on?"

Elanor smiled, her eyes shining.

"I’m fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

The princess placed a hand on her stomach.

Then she said:

"We’re going to be parents."

Max stood completely still, processing the words.

And then...

Tears appeared before he could stop them.

Elanor started crying too, though she was smiling.

Max quickly sat beside her.

He took her hand.

And kissed it.

"Really?"

"Yes."

She answered.

"Dorian just confirmed it."

Max let out a small laugh.

A shaky laugh.

Disbelieving.

Happy.

Slowly, he placed a hand on Elanor’s stomach.

He didn’t know what to say.

He simply smiled.

"We’re going to be good parents."

He whispered.

"I promise."

Elanor nodded.

"I know."

Dorian watched from the doorway.

Smiling.

"I think this is the moment I leave you two alone."

He started opening the door.

But someone was standing on the other side.

"Why are you crying?"

Moonlight peeked her head inside.

"Did something happen?"

Max laughed.

Then held out a hand.

"Come here."

Moon hurried inside.

"What happened?"

Max hugged her.

And smiled.

"You’re going to be a big sister."

Moonlight’s eyes became enormous.

"What?"

"Elanor is pregnant."

The little girl let out a scream of happiness.

Then threw herself at both of them.

Her wings started moving so fast it looked like she might take off.

"I’m going to have a little brother!"

"Or a little sister!"

Elanor corrected.

Moonlight’s smile grew even wider.

And she hugged them both with all her strength.

***

Later.

At the stables.

Seraphine was stroking Raptor’s head.

"It was nice meeting you."

The velociraptor let out a cheerful chirp.

It seemed to understand perfectly.

Seraphine smiled.

"I guess this is goodbye."

"Actually, not yet."

The mage turned around.

Max had just arrived.

"Huh?"

"First we need to keep a promise."

Moonlight appeared behind him with a huge grin.

And a shining silver suit of armor.

"I’m going to ride into the wedding on Raptor!"

The dinosaur let out a happy cry.

Seraphine burst out laughing.

"That would make me very happy."

"Thank you, teacher."

At that moment another person appeared.

Chloe.

"I hope I’m invited too."

Max smiled.

"Of course. We can say our goodbyes after the wedding."

Chloe nodded slowly.

Wearing a calm smile.

***

The next day.

The big moment arrived.

The wedding.

The grand royal hall was completely full.

Rows upon rows of occupied seats.

White and gold decorations.

Flowers.

Candles.

Music.

And standing at the altar...

Max.

Dressed in the finest suit he had ever worn in his life, made by the great tailor Sophie.

He took a deep breath.

And looked at the guests.

Gawain was there.

Alongside all of his wives.

Frida, Abby, and Sophie stood nearby.

Don sat beside Arwen.

Bertha occupied a corner.

Accompanied by Bim and Bam.

Lamia and Abel had come as well. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Dressed like elegant mobsters, as always.

The dwarf Varis stood with Dante’s former wives.

Now his own wives.

Thara wore her usual serious expression.

Though she was clearly happy.

Moonlight was near the altar.

Riding Raptor.

Wearing her silver armor.

Prouder than ever.

The King was crying.

And Chloe was laughing while trying to wipe away his tears.

Seraphine and Neros were holding hands.

She looked incredibly excited.

He was watching every corner of the hall.

As if expecting an invasion.

Even Eldarion was there.

The same elf Max had saved during his first royal dinner.

Accompanied by his entire family.

Even the bear-man who sold owlbear meat sandwiches had been invited.

Max smiled.

It was impossible not to.

Then the doors opened.

And Elanor appeared.

The entire hall fell silent.

Her white dress was beautiful.

The golden corset shimmered softly.

And the veil covered most of her face.

The princess walked slowly.

Nervous.

But happy.

Max felt his heart pounding.

I can’t believe I’m actually living this.

Elanor reached him.

Max extended his hand.

And gently lifted the veil.

The princess smiled.

"Hello, Max."

Max smiled too.

"Hello, Ela."

Dorian was the one officiating the ceremony.

Dressed completely in white.

He looked like some sort of priest.

Though he was still Dorian.

Which took away quite a bit of the solemnity.

After several minutes.

The moment arrived.

"Princess Elanor,"

said the elf.

"Do you accept Hero Max as your husband?"

Elanor smiled.

And answered without hesitation.

"I do."

Dorian nodded.

Then looked at Max.

"Hero Max, do you accept Princess Elanor as your wife?"

Max looked at the woman standing before him.

And smiled.

"I do."

Dorian raised both hands.

"Then..."

He grinned.

"You may kiss the bride."

Max didn’t waste a second.

He wrapped an arm around Elanor’s waist.

Pulled her closer.

And kissed her.

Applause filled the hall.

Moonlight screamed with happiness.

Gawain did too.

Though nobody was entirely sure what he yelled.

And for a moment.

Everything was perfect.

***

Hours later.

The celebration continued.

But there was one final task.

An important one.

Chloe and Raptor stood before the group.

Everyone was watching them.

Even the King.

Who was crying again.

Thara finished drawing the seals.

And looked up.

"Ready?"

Chloe smiled.

"Yes."

Raptor let out a cheerful chirp.

Max nodded.

"Thank you for everything."

Light began surrounding them.

The King cried even harder.

"My pet!"

Chloe burst out laughing.

"Goodbye, old man. Thanks for letting me see this wonderful world."

And she disappeared.

Raptor was next.

Moonlight ran forward and hugged him first.

The velociraptor rubbed his head against her.

Then he disappeared as well.

The white light rose into the sky.

And vanished.

Then.

A window appeared before Max.

[Main Quest: Completed]

[You saved Eldoria from being reset.]

Max smiled.

But at that moment...

His body began to glow.

"Max?"

Elanor asked.

Dorian rushed toward him.

And placed both hands against his chest.

Green magic flowed through the young man’s body.

But the elf frowned.

"I don’t understand what’s happening."

Seraphine tried to analyze him as well.

"I’ve never seen anything like this."

The light intensified.

And the world disappeared.

***

Max opened his eyes.

And found himself in an endless void.

Lines of code floated everywhere.

Atlas stood before him.

And so did the boy.

The same one as before.

"Who is he?"

Max asked.

Atlas smiled.

"The entire system."

The boy laughed.

"I hope I don’t regret letting you stay."

Max tilted his head.

"Thank you."

The boy shrugged.

"I guess."

Atlas extended a hand.

"It’s time."

Max looked at her hand.

And took it.

The moment he did.

Atlas began to transform.

Her body became lines of code.

Thousands of them.

Millions.

Slowly disappearing.

"Atlas..."

She smiled.

"I told you we’d find a solution."

The lines continued scattering.

Until nothing remained.

A window appeared.

["SSS-Rank Ability Lost"]

Max looked at the message.

And smiled.

"Thank you, Atlas."

Yggdrasil began walking away.

"Enjoy your life in this world."

He said.

"Max."

And everything vanished.

***

He returned to the royal courtyard.

The light faded.

And Elanor was the first to hug him.

"What happened?"

She asked.

Dorian was still confused.

Seraphine too.

Max looked at them.

And smiled.

"I just secured my place in this world."

"For good."

Elanor started crying again.

And hugged him even tighter.

Max closed his eyes.

And smiled.

At last.

It was over.

***

Far away.

In another world.

A hospital room sat in silence.

Machines.

Tubes.

Monitors.

And a young man connected to all of them.

He had been in a coma for a long time.

A strange energy flowed through his body.

Lines of code moved beneath his skin.

His fingers twitched.

His eyelids trembled.

And finally...

He opened his eyes.

His pupils glowed.

Filled with luminous code.

A woman slept beside the bed.

She jolted awake.

Noticing the movement.

She looked up.

And immediately burst into tears.

"Max?"

She whispered.

The young man looked at her.

Tears appearing in his own eyes.

And answered softly:

"Mom..."

The woman threw herself into his arms.

Crying uncontrollably.

Unable to believe it.

As she hugged him.

Atlas looked upon the human world for the first time.

And smiled.

’Have a good life, Max.’

She thought.

’Hero of Eldoria.’

The woman continued holding her.

And Atlas closed her eyes.

’Take care of everyone...’

The End.