The Kingdom of Aedirn had fallen, the Elf Kingdom was established, the Civil War had temporarily ceased, and the world seemed to have entered a brief, fragile period of peace.
After the Battle of Dol Blathanna, Wayne stayed in the Elf Palace within the valley for a month, basking in an almost surreal existence. He found himself in an emperor's life of luxury—except for his seemingly relentless role in the magical bloodline inheritance ritual. The palace's elven maids attended to his every need: washing, dressing, serving meals, and ensuring his comfort at all times.
To the elves of Dol Blathanna, Wayne was no longer just a hero or an ally. Many now addressed him as Prince Wayne or simply "Prince," indicating Francesca had confided in a few trusted individuals about his significant role in their kingdom's future.
Fortunately for Wayne, his remarkable physique allowed him to endure this demanding period. His strength and recovery rate far surpassed those of ordinary humans, enabling him to meet the requirements of the two powerful sorceresses—Francesca and Ada. Each magical blood inheritance ritual furthered their shared goal of preserving and enhancing the ancient bloodline, significantly accelerating the process of conceiving an heir.
Yet, this period wasn't merely about procreation. For Wayne and Francesca, it was a rare and precious time to set aside their respective burdens and simply be together. Their moments of closeness deepened their bond, leading to candid conversations about their lives, dreams, and even vulnerabilities.
Wayne was surprised to discover that Francesca, despite her centuries of wisdom and leadership, still harbored a youthful heart. Beneath her regal demeanor lay a woman with a girlish sense of wonder and humor.
Although the outside world was abuzz with news of the Elf Queen and her kingdom's sudden rise, none of it disturbed the tranquility within the valley. Together, Wayne and Francesca discussed the future of the elven race, with Francesca sharing the rich history of her people, secrets of the Aen Elle (the Alder Folk), and tales of the infamous Wild Hunt, a force of spectral riders feared across the Continent.
Meanwhile, Ada remained her usual composed and enigmatic self. As an Elf Sage, her focus extended far beyond the immediate prosperity of the elves. Though her power as a spellcaster ranked among the strongest in the known world, she rarely intervened in worldly affairs. Her primary responsibility was to safeguard the continuation of elven knowledge, magic, and the survival of their race.
In extreme circumstances, Ada was willing to take drastic measures to ensure the survival of the elves, especially when it involved preserving the Elder Blood. Known as Hen Ichaer, or the blood of the elders, this ancient lineage held unparalleled power, including the ability to manipulate time and space. It was rightly revered as the blood of royal lineage.
Had there been more male heirs bearing this precious bloodline, Ada might never have resorted to personally involving herself in these rituals. However, with the rarity of male inheritors, the Sage deemed it necessary to act.
While Ada's concentration of Elder Blood surpassed Francesca's, making her the most adept at wielding its powers, Francesca's youth and vitality made her more suited for bearing children. This dichotomy resulted in a pragmatic, albeit unusual, arrangement. Even if Ada bore Wayne's child, her plan was to adopt the offspring into Francesca's royal line to solidify the Elf Kingdom's stability and future.
Now that the Elf Kingdom had been formally established, Francesca anticipated that elves scattered across the Northern Kingdoms would seek to return to Dol Blathanna. With the kingdom's foundations laid, it seemed that their long-awaited resurgence was finally taking shape.
A month after his stay in Dol Blathanna, Wayne bid farewell to the Elf Palace. As he departed, he found himself in a rare state of introspection, feeling uncharacteristically serene—a sage-like calm after the storm of events.
Although a month of intense effort left Wayne physically unscathed, he found himself mentally weary of the routine for the first time. The constant focus on the rituals had begun to dull his spirits.
Fortunately, the agreement he had with Francesca and Ada allowed for only one month per year dedicated to the bloodline inheritance rituals. This arrangement gave him plenty of time to recover and refocus, preventing the strain from becoming overwhelming.
"Wayne, you've become far too complacent. Wasting an entire month like this—it's shameful," came a familiar, sharp voice.
Wayne turned to see Raani, the enigmatic and powerful demigod, making one of her rare appearances at the Order's stronghold. Her tone was as biting as ever.
"You've fallen behind on your magical studies because of this indulgence," she continued, her piercing gaze fixed on him. "And worse, your recklessness has made the power sealed within you more active than before."
Hearing this, Wayne's good mood dissipated instantly. The news about the resurgence of the dormant power within him cast a dark shadow over his thoughts.
For years, this infernal power—remnants of the Hell Demon King—had plagued him like a parasitic curse. It could neither be expelled nor absorbed and required constant sealing through the combined efforts of several deities. Its disruptive influence interfered with his ability to wield chaos magic, leaving him perpetually frustrated.
The problem wasn't just the sheer strength of the demonic power—it was the nature of its origin. This magic came from a realm far beyond the Continent, a higher plane of existence. Its potency far surpassed the chaotic magic of the Witcher world, rendering even the most learned sorcerers powerless to fully understand or neutralize it.
Raani, however, was no ordinary being. A natural demigod, her abilities eclipsed even the Lady of the Lake's. Over the years, as Wayne's ally and partner, she had devoted herself to studying the demonic energy in his body. If anyone in the world could find a solution, it was her.
"Raani," Wayne asked cautiously, "do you have any new insights into dealing with this power?"
Though Raani had assured him that, given enough time, his unique physiology would eventually adapt and absorb the demonic energy—likely in a decade or so—Wayne was not content to wait. He knew the world was on the brink of upheaval. The looming era of change demanded his full strength, and he couldn't afford to be hindered by the demon king's chaotic interference.
Over the years, many had joined in the effort to resolve his plight. The Lady of the Lake had provided wisdom from the temple, while Sil, who shared a similar entanglement with infernal magic, offered her perspective. But none had found a definitive answer.
Wayne hadn't expected much from Raani this time either. However, her response surprised him.
"I believe I may have found a solution," she said, her voice calm but resolute.
Wayne's eyes widened slightly. "You're serious?"
"I am," Raani replied, her gaze steady. "But it requires a leap of faith. Are you willing to put your trust in the Holy Light, Wayne?"