The skies over Esverita were clear, as if the universe itself celebrated this pivotal moment. The royal square, recently steeped in tension and bloodshed, was now alive with citizens gathered to witness the coronation of King Claudius.
Catherine stood at the forefront alongside Thomas, Virginia, and Pierre. Nearby, Jeanne and Pharnaces II observed the crowd calmly, their expressions serene as they took in the enthusiasm around them. In the center of the square, Prince Claudius stood on a grand stage, clad in the regal attire of a king. Though traces of fatigue lingered on his face, his gaze had changed—firmer and filled with confidence.
"Who would've thought he'd come this far?" Thomas murmured, arms crossed.
Catherine glanced at him. "Circumstances demanded it. Sometimes, leadership isn't chosen—it's thrust upon you by necessity."
Jeanne nodded slightly. "At least now the kingdom has a clear direction. Esverita needed someone to unite its people."
Onstage, a royal advisor began the coronation ceremony in a loud, clear voice. He announced to all of Esverita that Claudius, the second son of the royal family, had been chosen as the new king to restore the kingdom's honor and stability.
Claudius stepped forward, standing before the gathered nobles. With the royal sword handed to him by Lord Barthold, he raised it high.
"I, Claudius, vow to lead Esverita with wisdom, justice, and courage. Today marks the beginning of our kingdom's restoration!"
Cheers erupted from the crowd, echoing throughout the square.
Pierre, standing beside Catherine, gave a small smile. "He's far more resolute than when we first met him."
Virginia added, smiling, "The people clearly support him. That's a good sign."
Yet behind the festive atmosphere, there was sorrow. Following the coronation, a somber funeral was held for Prince Cailus, whose body had been discovered beneath Mephisa's Church—a site now sealed off by Claudius' order as the source of Esverita's troubles.
The funeral was a quiet affair. Though now a king, Claudius couldn't hide his tears as he stood before his brother's coffin. Nina stood beside him, offering silent strength.
"He was a brother I always admired," Claudius said, his voice trembling as he delivered a short eulogy. "Though fate separated us in a cruel way, I vow to continue his hopes for a peaceful and prosperous kingdom."
Catherine watched the ceremony with a neutral expression, though relief stirred within her. Their mission was finally complete, at least for now.
"I don't know what lies ahead," she murmured softly to herself, "but this is a good start."
"Leadership isn't an easy burden," Jeanne said, breaking the silence. "But Claudius has a good heart. That's enough for now."
When the funeral concluded, the city of Esverita—so recently marred by chaos—began showing signs of recovery. Buildings were being repaired, and citizens worked together to clear the debris.
Catherine glanced at the sky, where the sun dipped toward the west. "I think we all need a long rest after this," she said, flashing a small smile at her team.
Thomas nodded. "Agreed. But I wouldn't mind if our next mission is a little quieter."
Everyone chuckled lightly, exhaustion evident in their faces. This day marked a new beginning for Esverita, and they had become part of its history.
As Catherine's team left the cemetery grounds, a system screen appeared before them. The translucent blue light floated in front of Catherine, Thomas, Pierre, and Virginia, as well as Jeanne and Pharnaces II.
[Congratulations! Quest: Resolve Esverita's Internal Conflict, completed.]
[Rewards: Moondrops 400, Base Gold 9000, Storybook of Heroes 200.]
Catherine paused for a moment, her eyes fixed on the screen. Taking a deep breath, she felt a weight lift from her shoulders.
"Finally," she muttered quietly.
"This is enough," Thomas said with a relieved tone. He glanced at Virginia, who gave a faint smile as she read the notification. "I think we can all rest now."
"If only this system gave extra bonuses for hard work," Pierre quipped, lightening the mood.
Despite the banter, a familiar, gentle voice echoed in the minds of Catherine, Thomas, Pierre, and Virginia. Their navigator spoke, its tone relieved, as though it, too, had borne a heavy burden.
"Well done. You've resolved Esverita's internal crisis at last. I can't predict what's ahead, but for now... enjoy this small victory."
Virginia glanced at Catherine, as if seeking confirmation that she'd heard the same message. Catherine gave a small nod, signaling her agreement.
Jeanne and Pharnaces II also read the system screens in front of them. With his calm demeanor, Pharnaces gave a slight smile. "It seems I no longer have to worry about unresolved claims."
Jeanne looked at the screen with a hint of emotion. "So, it was really just a matter of waiting for Claudius to ascend the throne. This mission felt different... heavier."
Pharnaces nodded. "That's because this wasn't just a combat mission. We had to navigate politics, internal conflict, and uncertainty. It's not the kind of mission we're used to."
Thomas, overhearing their conversation, stepped closer. "Sometimes, these missions are more complicated than facing an enemy on the battlefield. But maybe that's why the result feels more meaningful."
Virginia chimed in gently, "What matters is that we helped Claudius begin his journey. Whatever happens next, it's his path to take."
Catherine glanced toward the palace, now visible in the distance. Though Esverita wasn't fully restored, there was a palpable sense of optimism in the air. Citizens were working together to repair the damage, and now they had a new leader to guide them toward a brighter future.
"But," Pierre suddenly spoke, "does anyone else find it strange how... organized this all feels? Like every part of this mission was deliberately set up to reach this point?"
Catherine rolled her eyes. "That's just how the system works. Everything is designed to test us, ensuring we make the right choices. Don't overthink it."
Jeanne offered a small smile. "Catherine's right. If we keep questioning everything, we'll never be able to enjoy our victories."
They continued their journey back to the city, their pace relaxed, the tension of the past days finally easing. The late afternoon sun painted the sky in golden hues, and despite their exhaustion, Catherine felt a quiet sense of satisfaction.
Their steps came to a halt as Lord Barthold approached them in the palace square, dressed neatly, his stride confident. Nina followed behind him with a gentle smile, though her eyes betrayed the exhaustion of the recent days.
Barthold raised a hand in a respectful gesture. "I cannot express how grateful I am for everything you've done for this kingdom. You didn't just save Claudius—you've given new hope to the people of Esverita."
Thomas glanced at Catherine, silently urging her to respond. Before she could speak, Barthold continued, "And as I promised a few days ago, I will reward each of you. Tell me, what do you desire?"
Thomas, rarely one to speak up, took the opportunity. "If it's possible, I'd just like supplies—food for our next journey. Nothing excessive, just enough to keep us going."
Barthold paused briefly, surprised by the simplicity of the request, before smiling broadly. "Of course. I'll ensure you receive ample provisions. Esverita owes you a great debt." He gave a slight bow and signaled to an aide to prepare the supplies immediately.
Nina stepped forward, her voice filled with emotion. "I also want to thank you. Without you, I don't know what would've happened to Claudius... or this kingdom." She bowed respectfully, then met each of their gazes.
Catherine crossed her arms, trying to suppress a small smile. "We were just doing our job, Nina. Besides, this wasn't solely our responsibility—it was everyone's, including yours."
Before Nina could reply, the sound of heavy footsteps approached from behind. King Claudius, now dressed in a simple yet dignified royal robe, appeared. Though his face still looked pale, evidence of his ongoing recovery, his eyes were resolute.
Claudius stopped before them and bowed deeply. "I, Claudius, King of Esverita, thank you for everything you've done. Words cannot adequately express my gratitude. I know that without you, I wouldn't be standing here today."
Jeanne, standing beside Catherine, offered a small smile. "You have incredible people behind you, Your Majesty. And I believe that with them by your side, Esverita will rise stronger than ever."
Claudius nodded, though a faint trace of uncertainty lingered on his face. He glanced at Nina, who gave him a supportive nod, before continuing. "I will not forget your service. If there's anything I can do to repay you, don't hesitate to ask."
Catherine gave a faint smile. "We'll see. For now, we're content knowing Esverita is on the right path."
After a brief conversation, Barthold returned to announce that the supplies were being prepared. He expressed his gratitude once more before departing with Claudius and Nina, leaving the group with a sense of warmth and fulfillment.
Catherine looked at her companions. "I think we can finally get some real rest."
Thomas chuckled softly. "And I hope the next problem we face doesn't involve a kingdom on the brink of collapse."
They all laughed lightly, savoring the peaceful moment after a long, arduous journey in the Kingdom of Esverita.
***