"Welcome back, Heroes," Emperor Philip greeted us with a broad smile as we emerged from the portal. His expression was incongruous given our recent failure, suggesting either a practiced facade or a different understanding of the situation.
Despite his welcoming demeanor, I couldn't ignore the satisfied look on his face. It was the look of a man who had Cleary indulged in pleasures during our absence, fucking her hard. My suspicions were confirmed when I spotted Nancy standing a bit away from him, yet close enough to spark curiosity and whispers among us.
Liphiel, ever the responsible leader, stepped forward. "We have failed, Your Majesty. Please accept our apologies."
Philip's smile faltered, an awkward tension seeping into his posture. "It's not a complete failure, Lady Liphiel. The demons have left our territory. That, in itself, is a victory."
