Once the Forest Wyrm was defeated, the remaining underlings scattered into the forest with panicked cries. The earlier chaotic scene slowly turned back to normal, with only the rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds breaking the silence.
Siegfried, while surveying the scene, sighed heavily. "Is everyone alright?"
"Yeah, we're fine," Heiter replied, resting his grip on the reins. "Good job on saving our skins."
"Well done, son," Himmel laughed heartily, patting his son on the back. "You've truly outdone yourself."
Hearing his father's compliment, Siegfried's chest puffed out with pride. However, his delight wavered when he noticed his mother staring off into the distance, lost in thought.
He waved his hand in front of her and asked, "Hey, Mom, are you okay?"
"Hm?" Frieren blinked, snapping back to reality. "Oh, I'm fine. Just thinking about something."
Siegfried's nerves kicked in. A scenario like this was something he had worried about, given his memories from his previous life that nobody knew yet.
"What are you thinking about, Mom? Is something bothering you?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
The pregnant elf shifted her gaze to the corpse of the fallen wyrm. "The Zoltraak you used... it's the dragon-killing kind, isn't it?"
"That's right," Siegfried confirmed. "I designed it to pierce through strong defenses such as dragon scales."
"I see..." Frieren mumbled, narrowing her eyes thoughtfully. "It seems it was more powerful than the demon-killing Zoltraak I had developed."
Feeling a bit down, she slumped her shoulders. However, Siegfried placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, offering a comforting smile.
"It's alright, Mom," he affirmed. "We'll experiment with magic spells together right after the Era Meteor event and the birth of my younger sibling."
Hearing his promise, Frieren's expression softened and she nodded. "That sounds like a plan. I look forward to it."
With the tension easing, the group resumed their journey. The carriage creaked forward, and the morning sun continued its ascent, casting a warm glow over the path ahead. They were a bit behind schedule, but with a little camaraderie, they made the journey feel worthwhile.
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Eventually, the party reached their destination, guided by Frieren's directions and the diligent efforts of Eisen and Siegfried, who had fended off potential threats along the way.
As they approached the selected spot, the landscape unfolded into a breathtaking view. The location appears as a natural theater, offering a clear view of the sky with rolling hills framing the horizon. Not only that, but the setting sun casts a golden hue over the scene, enhancing the anticipation for the Era Meteor event.
"Well, this is our stop," Siegfried said as he brought the carriage to a gentle stop and hopped down to help his parents out.
Himmel, stretching his limbs after the long journey, looked around with a satisfied grin. "This place is perfect, Siegfried. Good choice."
"Don't thank me, Dad," Siegfried replied with a grin. "We have Mom's impeccable preference in spots to praise for that."
Frieren, carefully stepping out of the carriage with a calm smile, scrutinized her surroundings and nodded approvingly. "Yes, this location will give us the most optimal view of the event."
As the sun continued its descent, the party began setting up their viewing spot. Himmel and Heiter worked together to put down a huge blanket and cushion for Frieren's comfort, while Siegfried ensured the horses were properly cared for and Eisen guaranteed the safety of the surrounding area.
Once everything was in place, everyone settled down on the grassy ground, waiting for the Era Meteor event to start. Frieren, resting her hand on her belly, shared a moment of silence with her family and friends. She observed as the golden light of the setting sun slowly turned into a soft twilight, radiating a mystical glimmer over the scene.
"How long are we going to wait?" Eisen asked, stroking his beard in impatience.
Heiter, adjusting his glasses, replied, "I suppose it'll be a little longer."
"Indeed," Frieren chimed in. "The event usually starts just after nightfall."
The dwarf grunted, shifting in his spot. "Well, it's already evening but I don't see any—"
""There!"" Siegfried and Himmel exclaimed, both excitedly pointing at the sky.
Looking at the direction where the father and son were suggesting, the others witnessed the sky starting to light up with an array of vibrant colors. The first hints of the Era Meteor event were manifesting—a cascade of brilliant streaks that painted the twilight in hues of crimson, gold, and violet.
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As the spectacle unfolded, everyone's eyes widened in awe. The sight was spectacular, with meteors blazing across the sky like celestial fireworks. The evening deepened, and the stars began to twinkle, adding to the magical atmosphere.
Himmel, soaking in the breathtaking view, spoke up. "Siegfried... Thank you for bringing us here to witness this event one more time."
"Dad, I already told you, there's no need to thank me," his son insisted, his gaze fixed on the sky. "It was Mom's idea for us to watch the event in this specific spot."
"No, Siegfried," Himmel chuckled and shook his head. " It's you who persuaded us to follow through with the plan, and you went above and beyond to ensure it happened, even though your mom was pregnant."
The half-elf boy's cheeks flushed slightly at his father's praise, retorting, "Well, I suppose it was a team effort then. I'm just glad we're all here together."
The meteors continued to streak across the sky, their luster lighting up the landscape. For a while, the group sat in silence, simply enjoying the sight. The magnificence of the event was something that transcended words—an experience to be felt and cherished.
Frieren, who had been watching quietly, eventually spoke up. "I wonder... if the next time we see an event like this, will it be with..."
Her voice trailed off, lost in thought. She rested her hand gently on her belly, feeling the faint movements of her unborn child.
Siegfried noticed the reflective look on his mother's face and asked, "What were you saying, Mom? Dad and Sir Heiter wouldn't be able to live that long to see the next one."
"I know that," Frieren acknowledged, turning her gaze towards her son. "I was just thinking about what the future holds for us elves."
"Like what?" Siegfried asked, pressing onward.
Looking back at the continuing spectacle, Frieren explained, "If we're fortunate, the next Era Meteor event might be witnessed by your sibling and perhaps even future generations."
The conversation was picked up by the others, their curiosity piqued by Frieren's reflections even though their focus was on the night's beauty.
"That was a thought worth savoring," Himmel remarked, voicing his sentiment. "Although this is the last event I will ever see, it is still worth watching with someone special."
"I agree," Heiter concurred, chuckling lightly. "We're creating memories that will be cherished, even if we won't be around for the next Era Meteor event."
Eisen, though not quite on the same page, responded, "I suppose those of us who could live longer will carry on the sentiment you two just said."
As the last meteors soared across the sky, the party shared a hearty laughter, showing how much they bonded together. Although Siegfried wasn't originally a member of the group, he was an honorary addition, given how he orchestrated the canon event of this story.
With the event concluded, the group began to pack up, their hearts lightened by the night's beauty and the shared moments of camaraderie. They moved on with a sense of fulfillment, knowing that this night would be a cherished memory for those with longer lifespans.
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[Siegfried's POV]
As I guided the horse-drawn carriage back home, I stopped just by the entrance of the Royal Capital as instructed by Sir Heiter and Sir Eisen. The city loomed ahead, its lights twinkling in the distance, a stark contrast to the serene night we'd just experienced.
"Are you two sure this is your stop?" I inquired, my voice tinged with hesitation. "I mean, you both could stay at our house till sunrise."
Heiter waved off the offer with a warm smile. "Thanks for the offer, Siegfried, but we've had our very own arrangements."
"Aye, the capital's inns are more than fair for a good night's sleep for us both," Eisen added in agreement. "We appreciate your hospitality, though."
"Alright," I relented, feeling slightly disappointed to see them go. "Well, stay safe out there."
As Sir Heiter and Sir Eisen got off the carriage, they exchanged final words of gratitude and farewell with my parents before making their way into the Royal Capital.
Once they were out of sight, I cracked the reins and urged the horse forward, continuing our journey with a steady pace. Moving away from the main road, I guided the carriage onto the quiet, winding path that led to our home.
Eventually, the familiar outline of our house came into view, its warm lights flickering through the windows, a welcoming sight after the lengthy journey. I pulled the carriage up to the front yard and helped my delicate parents out, their exhausted but satisfied expressions reflecting the day's events.
"Thank you for handling everything today, Siegfried," Mother expressed, her hand resting on my arm as she looked at me with a gentle smile. "It was a truly memorable experience."
Father, patting me on the back, added, "That's right. You did an outstanding job. I'm proud of you, son."
"It's no big deal, Dad," I replied with a shrug, even though a grin tugged at my lips. "Just glad we could make it a special day for everyone."
With that conveyed, I guided my parents towards our home, opening the door for them. Once inside, I helped Mother make her way to her room, carefully assisting her up the stairs. Then, I did the same for Father, ensuring they both were settled comfortably.
"Mom, Dad, Goodnight," I announced, peaking my head at their doorway.
The two of them waved tiredly in response. Seeing them settled, I made my way to my very own room, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction from the event's success.
As I plopped myself on the bed to rest, I couldn't help but reminisce on how this journey had brought us all closer. While closing my eyes, I could feel the weight of the day's experiences and the importance of cherishing the fleeting yet precious moments with family.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Several days later, it has begun.
Something is coming.