"Happy anniversary, my Dear." Amber's sweet voice woke me up moments before she kissed me. "Or maybe you prefer a happy birthday?"

I grabbed her by her waist as I pulled her and kissed her back. Her lips were soft and passionate. I sleepily focused and saw her emerald eyes looking at me with happy sparks dancing in them.

"It's been only a year?" I dropped on my pillow with a warm smile.

"It is..." She chuckled in glee as she hugged her naked body to mine. "And tomorrow, one year ago, you changed my life completely..."

I simply smiled at my memories. "So many things had happened..."

"Indeed..." Amber laughed when many other delicate hands grabbed me.

The morning was very intense and satisfying...

•••

In hindsight, I should have suspected that my wives organised some celebrations. They chose this day to be celebrated as the founding day of Arcadia. Many foreign guests arrived for the ceremony, among them were Guad Darius Metaka with his wife Blanka, Vettalia, Theresa and Victor Iceleon, Prince Islur Tawal Ebrus with his entourage and many nobles local and foreign alike. Among them were Sonia Illumia, the last survivor of Skalga, and Felicity Makerman, daughter of Lord Godrick Makerman, who represented the survivors from Natika. They had become good friends and managed to recover, especially Sonia, after their traumatic events in the not-so-distant past. They had changed as well, and not only them, but all people who proudly call themselves Arcadians now. The once frail and weak people were gone, replaced by powerful and confident figures who knew their worth. Their loyalty was unquestionable and unwavering.

"My King?" Irene addressed me with a warm smile and slightly hushed voice. "What bothers you?"

She wore a magnificent dress, made of indescribably intricate white lace and the smoothest silk our Master Crafters could provide. All of my wives were so stunning that it was breathtaking.

"Nothing, my beautiful Queen..." I smiled at her. "I just considered our people's history and couldn't help but marvel at how, despite everything, we managed to build a nation."

"And how impressive it is." Aoi smiled and cast an affectionate gaze over the crowd at the grand banquet hall. "Although... I believe that most of them expect you to give a speech."

"Righttt..." Oh, how wonderful. A speech I'm not prepared to give...

•••

Everything was strange and new for Maia but, thanks to Wes, she managed to brave this new world. It was wonderful and scary at the same time. Each day brought new wonders, frustrations, and, in a sense, horrors. It was almost like her former life happened somewhere else, nightmares, where she and the rest of Vestargo's slaves were simmered in some sort of wicked existence, waiting to be butchered. Thankfully and miraculously it ended. It was hard to measure time in the unchanging and cursed forest but, according to the World's Words, she was eighteen years old. Eighteen years of living in one of Vestargo's slaughterhouses seemed unreal right now. When the Arcadians arrived and set them free, she wasn't ready for it. No one was. Many of her friends had huge problems adjusting to the new reality as they found themselves in the wider Arcadian society.

After all, all their lives they were only taught how to be the best wives they could be. In hindsight, it was a cruel joke now that they knew what happened to the slave girls taken by the Vespids. They met with Lady Sonia Illumia whose grim and graphic testimony shattered any delusions they still had. Except the village elders who, even now, refused to completely dismiss their twisted and sick image of Vestargo. It was too late for them to accept that all their lives had been filled with lies and it was particularly hard for them to accept that they sent countless girls to their deaths. But Maia slowly adjusted. Mostly thanks to Wes who was there when she called for him. He arrived once again, as he first promised her that day when he healed her and broke her free. She was... Happy. That discovery scared her slightly.

She wasn't sure if she was allowed to be happy. But... Near him, she was truly happy. She kept that to herself but, when he was near, she couldn't focus on her lessons and, when separate, counted the moments until she could spend time with him. The more time she spent with him, however, the more intriguing he became. He was different from the other Guardsmen and, while she couldn't name how, she simply knew it. The Guardsmen of the First and Second Arcadian Regiments were dashing and brave, it was true, but even they looked at him with a respect she didn't understand. He didn't smile as much as others and Maia just knew there was darkness inside him. It was the darkness of a man who had seen too much evil and, perhaps, someone who regretted committing evil themselves. However... She wasn't afraid of him.

With each passing day, Maia found herself drawn closer and closer to him. For each failure in her education, he offered advice. For every frustration, he offered his soft smile. His calmness helped her focus and try time and time again until she, finally, understood most of her lessons. Then, she understood that she loved him. Of course, as oblivious as every other freed slave she had met, she told him about her feelings. It was the first time she saw him panic. He tried to downplay her feelings, trying to tell her it was just a momentary infatuation. However, she wasn't going to be convinced. She talked with many of her friends who shared similar thoughts about the men who saved them. All their lives, they were prepared and trained to be wives. So why not marry someone they loved? The answer was obvious for them. She was pretty sure he liked her as well, so she became stubborn...

"Who is that?!" Maia asked her husband, her eyes round in shock.

"The Emperor..." Wes whispered in reply. "Basically everything we have in Arcadia is thanks to him. Hell... Even the fact that Arcadia exists is thanks to him."

"His aura is incredible..." She nervously fixed her light red dress.

Clothes... It was another thing Arcadians insisted were important to wear. But, in this, she didn't struggle as she fell in love with the wonderful and practical clothes immediately. Wes spoiled her with many beautiful clothes and she had so many of them, she nearly filled the entire room in their big house. They lived in Avalon, the capital of Arcadia and, according to everyone, the greatest city of the continent.

"I'm surprised you noticed, but that's true. He is most likely the strongest warrior in the world."

Wes smiled proudly in a way she started to understand. He was proud to serve that man. However, this time, she gave him an incredulous look. That was a bold claim that even she wouldn't swallow lightly.

"He certainly isn't as strong as the Dungeon Scions." Maia opposed as politely as she could. She didn't want to offend anyone, especially someone she owed thanks to for being saved.

Wes simply laughed in unbridled amusement.

"Oh, trust me, he is far stronger than any Scion. He personally fought a few Scions and easily overpowered them. He isn't a Human like me, Maia." He explained without even lowering his voice. No one at their table cared about their discussion.

"Then... Who is he?" She asked with slightly raised eyebrows.

"Who is Vestargo?" He asked instead.

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She trembled slightly and turned her gaze towards the distant cursed forest. "One of the Dungeons."

"Who do you think can fight and win against a Dungeon?" He continued in amusement.

"I... I don't know... No Mortal could do it." She clenched her fists on her dress and lowered her gaze. Suddenly she gasped and looked at her husband in disbelief. "Is he a Scion?"

"He is the Righteous Dungeon, my Dear. We are his people and he is protecting us with all his might." Wes corrected her with a soft smile. "Many times, Arcadia has been attacked and he has always defeated our enemies."

"But..." She suddenly felt fear as she watched the man who was giving a speech.

"He doesn't kill people, Maia." Wes' words calmed her down even though she was unable to say what she was afraid of. "Thousands of people delve within his hunting grounds each day. This is the only payment he really needs from us, Maia. We pay fair taxes and explore the Dungeons in his service... Trust me, my Dear. We are lucky to call ourselves Arcadians."

"But if he is so powerful, then why are you one of his Guards?" She tilted her head, desperately trying to process his words.

"We don't protect him." Wes shook his head with an amused smile and pointed towards the unbelievably beautiful women near the Emperor. "The Moonshadow Company protects our Empresses whenever they decide to go outside Avalon."

She looked at ten women and switched her gaze to Wes a few times. "Do THEY need your protection?"

He laughed and, this time, he masked his laugh as a cough. "Of course not. All of them are incredibly powerful and one of them is a Goddess. However, this is a part of politics, my Darling, and, trust me, we were chosen to do what we do by Lord Theon Avalon himself."

She puffed her cheeks on hearing these complicated things but released them the moment he told her he was asked to do his job by someone like the Emperor. Even she understood that you don't refuse people like him... Or maybe not? Things were different in Arcadia. She looked at Theon Avalon who smiled brightly during his speech.

"...and thanks to Lavender and the Dryads, Arcadia has enough food to help our allies during these times of need!" He said and everyone clapped their hands. The mentioned Empress smiled as she slightly inclined her head. "The first NATO task force returned successfully from its first mission. It managed to cleanse the Cursed Lands and mapped the remote and inhospitable Northern Forest! They returned with what we believe is a wreck from the Dark Empire. We also obtained more Balantican ships to study. We will invite you all, our Dear allies, to help unravel the secrets they hold. But... Not everything that happened during this last year was that good."

He looked at everyone with an affectionate smile.

"Arcadia's mettle was tested too many times on too many battlefields. We have always asked for peace but oftentimes we were answered with hatred, disdain, and scorn. Arcadia stands against all odds thanks to you, my People!" He slightly bowed his head towards the table occupied by his Generals, Admirals, and the most important commanders, who stood up in unison and raised their cups and glasses in a toast.

"For the fallen!" Lord General Blair said, and everyone, even the Emperor and his wives, downed their drinks. Maia followed suit and decided to ask Wes about the meaning of this custom later.

"Glory to the Heroes!" Admiral Sparrow said as she put her glass on the table.

"Honour to their memory!" The Emperor said with pride and pain in his voice. Hearing his voice, she believed, in an instant, that he meant it.

Everyone was silent for a moment, and Maia realised that the mood in the room had changed. The Emperor looked toward the part of the banquet hall occupied by them and many other people she recognised as former Vestargo's slaves. His bright blue eyes darkened for a moment.

"As you all know we are at war with Vestargo of the Ancient Forest." The Emperor's voice was calm and serious. "Despite the undeniable might of Arcadia, we are facing an enemy unlike any earlier. Each day brings a new discovery but I won't lie to you. We aren't any closer to victory than we were when the war broke out. I won't sweet-talk and offer banalities that 'each day we are closer to victory' because I can't be sure of it. But we are standing strong and finding new allies where we weren't expecting them. The people of the province of Navel, the people freed from Vestargo's slavery, and, last but not least, the freed Dungeons. Simon of the Skybound Fortress Dungeon, O'llina of Starfall Fortress Dungeon, and Vanlin of the Fireclad Castle Dungeon are now actively fighting Vestargo and his cursed bugs. We will fight together against our cruel enemy and I will spare no effort or weapon to see him defeated. For the sake of Arcadia, nations of NATO, and the entire Aderon if not Nilmerthis, we have to defeat Vestargo because just containing him won't be enough."

Maia started clapping her hands with everyone else. She wasn't concerned anymore if he was a Dungeon. Like her husband, Maia started to believe that Theon Avalon was someone worth following.

"I wanted to repeat a promise I made seemingly so long ago... I will protect all who pledge themselves to me and I will destroy all who make themselves my enemy. That promise extends over you, my Dear allies, as well. Together we stand, divided we fall." It was hard to argue with someone whose eyes quite literally glowed with overflowing mana. But Maia saw him not as the imposing and powerful figure that he, undoubtedly, was, but as a trustworthy protector. Surprisingly, for a moment, he looked straight at her, and his smile froze. "I would like to promise to save and bring to Arcadia all the people Vestargo enslaved but, I'm afraid, it would be easier said than done. Our enemy is an ancient and powerful monster, one that disregards life and doesn't care about people. Nonetheless, we will try to save everyone we can. It isn't going to be easy or quick. The Ancient Forest is vast and full of dangers. It will take years, decades, or even centuries, but I will destroy Vestargo."

This wasn't the passion of someone convincing others toward his ideas with his voice. Rather, his tone was apologetic and informative. Maia realised she was still clenching her hands nervously when a horrifying realisation dawned upon her. She and all the people in her village were lucky to be saved so quickly. She felt a cold lump forming in her throat and felt tears in her eyes. She was relieved that she was free but, at the same time, she wished all Vestargo slaves were free as well. But that wasn't going to happen soon enough. Many of them will die before help could arrive...

"Maia?" Wes put his hand on her tightly clenched hands and she immediately relaxed, and tears poured down her cheeks.

"It's nothing, Wes..." She shook her head and tried to smile. "You are right... We are lucky... Lucky survivors from that green hell..."

•••

Hope watched the Emperor with diligence and awe. She also watched a few freed slave girls who had, unknowingly, married a few people important enough to be invited to this more private ceremony. They were fairly easy to spot since they wore puzzled expressions among the celebrating masses. As for her, she felt awkward. During the last two months, she had transitioned from a scared and oblivious girl into a competent and very self-aware secretary of the Second Empress. She envied the freedom that the Squirrelkins received but, on the other hand, the High Elves were aware of the dangers waiting exclusively for them outside Arcadia. Most of her people were swiftly swallowed by the bottomless bureaucracy of the Church of Eriar and the Empire alike. While she couldn't complain about it, the High Elves certainly had less time on their hands compared to the Squirrelkin girls who seemed to blossom.

The High Elf girl watched as one of the Squirrelkin girls talked with her husband. Her name was Maia, if Hope remembered correctly, and her husband was Private Wes of the Moonshadow Company. The young man held a rank as misleading as it could be. He was only technically a Private but the fact that he belonged to the most elite Mortal formation in Arcadia meant there were very few people who could give him orders. But that wasn't why Hope was jealous. It was that Maia was already happily married while she... wasn't that lucky. She didn't know if it was because of her circumstances as the secretary of Empress Irene or, simply, because she was less attractive than she thought. Anyway, despite meeting a lot of charming young men, she wasn't courted by any of them. It was frustrating for her since many of the High Elf girls were already married to the soldiers from the elite First Arcadian Regiment.

Hope sighed slightly and looked at Captain Xavier. By the order of Empress Irene, he was her bodyguard. While she didn't understand why she needed a bodyguard, she wasn't in any position to argue with her Lady. Sometimes Hope suspected it was his fault that no one dared to ask her out. He was tall, handsome, and quickly climbed the promotion ladder. However, until recently, she had no idea why he was so sad and grim. Any mention of Vestargo's bugs awakened a hatred and darkness inside him. Hope could swear that, given a chance, he would throw himself into the thickest battle so as to kill as many of them as possible. Lately, she had learned why and silently forgave him. Her name was Lilly... She was the adopted daughter of the Emperor and one of the reasons why there would be no forgiveness for Vestargo. She died during Vestargo's attack on Westwood during the opening acts of this war... And she had been his fiancée.

While Lilly was killed, thus being spared the fate of the women in Vestargo's slavery, Hope understood very well the pain of losing someone important...

"...I want you all to have hope for the brighter days that will come." The Emperor's voice cut through her musings and she looked at the powerful man whose will was enough to stop Vestargo the Vile. "I believe that one day we will enjoy our hard-fought peace, happiness, and prosperity. Thank you, for putting your faith in me and helping me build Arcadia!"

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