Ard and Eva broke into a light jog toward the five figures approaching them. Bedryt stepped forward and placed a hand on both Ard and Eva’s shoulders.

"Leave the rest to us now," Bedryt said.

"Yep... take it easy. We’re not going to let that thing up there destroy the world," Luca said casually.

"You don’t need to worry," Gigi added, now in her adult form.

Then Ard and Eva looked at the two men standing behind Bedryt, Luca, and Gigi.

"Ah... I’m Qoaldrioq. Have you forgotten me? Ashton? Esmeralda?" Qoaldrioq asked.

Ard and Eva’s memories flashed back to 3,000 years ago when they visited the elf village and met the elven elder. That elder was Qoaldrioq, who had sent Elidyr—who was probably about their age now—to go on an adventure with them in their quest to seal Malekh at the gates of hell.

"Greetings, Elder," Ard and Eva said, acknowledging Qoaldrioq.

"Greetings, Ashton... Esmeralda... I’m glad you’re doing well," Qoaldrioq replied with a smile.

"Wait... you’re also the face that appeared in the sacred tree, right?" Ard asked.

"That’s right, I am that tree. Now, allow me to speak with Pyria for a moment," Qoaldrioq said.

Qoaldrioq walked over to Pyria, who was still standing by Irwin’s body, and led her a short distance away. Pyria looked incredibly respectful toward him. Suddenly, someone grabbed Ard and Eva’s shoulders. They turned and were startled to see the large, ashen-skinned man with red eyes and a thick beard staring at them.

"Um," Ard muttered.

"Zorax—the one you sealed 3,000 years ago and again just recently. Have you forgotten already?" Zorax asked.

"N-no," Eva said, stunned.

"Relax, I’m not looking to settle any scores with you. In fact, I’m glad to see you again, because you’re the only beings who could ever fight me on equal ground... it’s a shame we won’t see each other again after this, so this is the right time to say goodbye," Zorax replied with a smile.

"Oh... alright. Thank you for the compliment, but what do you mean we won’t see each other again?" Ard asked, confused.

At Ard’s question, Zorax looked over at Bedryt, Lucathan, and Githiess. Then, the three of them turned and gathered around Ard and Eva.

"The five of us are leaving this world forever to return to where we belong. This is the right time for us to go," Gigi said.

"Even though it’s sad, we have to part ways. I enjoyed adventuring with you and, of course... I love you both," Luca replied.

"Me too. Thank you," Gigi added.

Ard and Eva looked at each other, then turned to Bedryt, who remained silent but was wearing a smile.

"What is the meaning of this, Dragon God?" Eva asked, bewildered.

Bedryt walked over to Ard and Eva, then placed his hands on both of their shoulders.

"My purpose in sending you to Earth was for this day. Now that Ophelia and Malekh have been reunited through you, there is no reason for us to remain in this world. We are returning to our own place, a realm separate from yours, though we can still watch over you. So, as the Dragon God and representing the four other dragons, I bequeath this world to you," Bedryt said.

"Huh," Ard and Eva gasped in shock.

"After we leave, magic will no longer exist in this world... just like on Earth, right? Build this world according to your own will, because you are human, yet also something more—and clearly, you are no longer Ordione," said Qoaldrioq, rejoining the group.

"Think of it as a transition, from the age of magic to a non-magic age," Zorax added.

As they listened, Ard and Eva felt a wave of sadness wash over them, like the loss of their own parents. Seeing the expressions on their faces, Luca and Gigi stepped forward, taking turns embracing Ard and Eva. Afterward,

"Goodbye, but this isn’t a final parting. One day, we will surely meet again," the adult Gigi said with a smile.

"That’s right. We are indeed leaving this world forever, but this is not an end; it’s a beginning. So there’s no need to feel like you’re alone. We can watch and keep seeing you," the adult Luca added.

"They’re right. We are at peace now because we can return to our true home, and we feel at ease leaving the world in your hands. I am certain you will build this world into something beautiful for the future," Qoaldrioq said.

"Yeah... I’m not great with emotional words, but I believe in you and I’m proud of you. So, be proud of yourselves," Zorax said.

"Alright, it looks like it’s time. Let’s go," Bedryt prompted.

Luca, Gigi, Qoaldrioq, and Zorax nodded, then each of them gave Ard and Eva one last hug. After that, they took to the sky, heading toward the glowing black sphere that was drawing closer, looking as if it were about to swallow the world. "Groaaaaaar!" The roar of dragons echoed across every corner of the world as the five of them returned to their dragon forms, the entire sky covered by their massive bodies.

Ard and Eva could see a tree that looked tiny atop Qoaldrioq’s massive head; his body appeared to be a blend of a dragon and a deer, with antlers that looked like tree branches. There was also a black dragon—resembling Irwin’s, which was Zorax—but of a truly immense scale.

Lucathan became a blue dragon that looked like a sea serpent, only with arms. Meanwhile, Githiess looked like a giant bird with a dragon’s body and a long tail. Bedryt was like a long, white oriental dragon with a beard. The five dragons lunged toward the black sun without hesitation. They roared once more, and "blaaaam!" the black sun in the sky exploded, creating a light so blindingly bright that Ard, Eva, and the others had to shield their eyes with their arms. That brilliant light enveloped the world for five minutes—a sign that the world had entered a brand new age.

***

Meanwhile, at the same time in the Victorian-era city within Le Rein Infernal, Lugerna was hanging laundry when she suddenly looked up, her hands freezing mid-air as she held the cloth. She stood there, lost in thought, when a light resembling a firefly drifted toward her. The firefly transformed into the figure of little Gigi, who leaned in and kissed her cheek before the light vanished. Lugerna was stunned; she touched her cheek, and without realizing it, tears began to flow.

"What is it, honey?" Bromir asked, seemingly sensing something as well.

Lugerna turned to see her husband peeking out from the back door with their two children. she quickly wiped her tears and smiled.

"It’s nothing... I just got some water in my eye," Lugerna said.

"Alright then. If you’re tired, make sure to rest," Bromir said.

"I will... don’t worry," Lugerna replied.

Bromir went back inside with the two children. Lugerna looked up at the sky and smiled.

"You fought so hard, Gigi... goodbye, and no matter what, you will always be my child, until we meet again one day," Lugerna said in her heart.

***

After the light faded, Ard and Eva opened their eyes. The sky was clear once again and everything had gone silent. Ard looked at Exgrandal in his hand; he lifted it to examine the blade. Exgrandal had turned into an ordinary sword, but suddenly,

"Caaaaw!"

"Kieeek!"

Ace the garuda and Greta the griffin appeared on their own in their small forms. Ace flew in front of Ard and Greta flew in front of Eva. Both of their faces looked cheerful yet sad, as if they were saying goodbye to their masters. Ard, realizing what was happening, smiled and held out his arm so Ace could perch on it. When Ace landed, Ard gently stroked the bottom of his beak.

"Thank you, Ace. You’ve helped me all this time. I’ll definitely miss you. Goodbye," Ard said, smiling at his familiar.

"Caaaaw!"

Ace flapped his wings and bowed his head. Then, slowly, his body dissolved into light dust that drifted toward the sky. Ard turned to see Greta also dissolving in Eva’s arms. The two of them embraced one another and watched the glowing dust continue to float upward. Then they looked toward their friends; all of their familiars were turning into light dust after saying their final goodbyes to their respective masters. With the disappearance of the familiars, it meant magic truly no longer existed in the world. Ard looked at Eva beside him; her eyes were still puffy, though she had stopped crying.

"It’s time for us to go home and build a new empire," Ard said.

"Yes... I know. Let’s go home, my husband," Eva replied, wrapping her arm around Ard’s waist.

They walked over to their friends and embraced one another once again. Their faces were filled with immense relief that the world had not ended, but also with deep sadness because their familiars had vanished with the disappearance of magic. Afterward, they gathered together to carry Irwin’s body back to the city of Vernice for burial. The war was over, and the age of magic had reached its end, with the Liberta Empire serving as the starting point for a brand new era.