The streets of Lysvein had never been this lively before.
Banners of blue and gold fluttered from every rooftop, enchanted lanterns floated in the air, and the scent of roasted meats and sweet pastries filled the cobblestone roads. Laughter echoed from every corner, children dashed through the crowds, and musicians strummed melodies that made even the old and weary tap their feet.
Tonight was no ordinary celebration—this was Lysvein's First Kingdom Festival, a moment that marked its survival against all odds. And the reason for it all?
A certain overpowered outsider.
Kairos stood at the balcony of the castle, overlooking the sea of people below. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he took in the scene.
Just a few weeks ago, this place was teetering on the edge of collapse… and now, they're throwing a festival in my name?
It was almost ridiculous. But he wasn't complaining.
"Sir Kairos, the preparations have been completed," said a nervous-looking attendant behind him. "The king is awaiting your presence."
Kairos turned, cracking his neck. "Right. Guess I can't hide up here forever."
Not that he disliked celebrations—he just wasn't used to being the main event.
The royal plaza had been transformed into a grand festival square, where a massive ornate stage had been set up. Thousands of citizens crowded around, cheering as a small boy stepped forward.
King Orpheus.
Despite his young age, the twelve-year-old ruler held himself with surprising confidence. He raised a hand, and the cheers gradually died down.
"My people!" His voice, enhanced by a magical artifact, rang clear over the plaza. "Tonight, we celebrate not just survival—but the birth of a new future! A future that would not be possible… without one man!"
The crowd erupted in thunderous applause.
Kairos sighed. Here we go.
QUEST COMPLETED: DEFENDER OF LYSVEIN
Lysvein has survived its first true crisis. The people see you as their guardian and hero.
Reputation with Lysvein: EXALTED
New Title Earned: Protector of the Rising Kingdom
Kairos stepped forward as the crowd's cheers reached a deafening peak.
Orpheus grinned at him. "Sir Kairos, please, say a few words."
Kairos blinked. Me? Give a speech?
He wasn't the type for grand speeches, but… looking at the hopeful eyes of the people, he figured he could say something.
He took a breath. Then, raising Aetherfang, his newly forged blade, he spoke:
"I'm not gonna lie. When I first came here, I thought this place was doomed."
A wave of awkward laughter rippled through the crowd.
"But I also saw something else—people who refused to give up. A king who, despite his age, didn't run from his duty. And warriors who stood their ground, even when the odds were against them."
His gaze swept over the crowd. "Lysvein isn't just surviving anymore. We're getting stronger. And if anyone out there thinks they can still trample over us?" His smirk widened. "Let them try."
The roar of the people shook the entire plaza.
REPUTATION UPDATE: LYSVEIN'S FAITH IN YOU IS UNBREAKABLE
Your name will be sung for generations. New Passive Buff: Kingmaker's Charisma (+20% Influence over Kingdom Affairs).
Orpheus beamed. "Then let the festival begin!"
The festival truly kicked into full swing.
Kairos found himself dragged into the crowd, handed a skewer of grilled wyvern meat, and pushed toward a game stall where kids challenged him to a magical archery contest (which he purposefully lost to a six-year-old girl, much to her delight).
Somehow, he even ended up arm-wrestling the captain of the city guard (who lost instantly).
Music and dance swept through the streets, with performers showing off magic-infused fire dances and illusion spells. Even Kairos, who preferred battles over ballroom dances, found himself dragged onto the dance floor by the nobility.
And standing at the edge of it all, arms crossed, watching with a bemused expression—
Was Seraphina Drakos.
Kairos slipped away from the noblewomen who had tried to corner him for a second dance and found himself face to face with the Dragon Knight herself.
Seraphina, in contrast to her usual armored appearance, was dressed in a dark crimson festival robe, her silver hair loosely tied, allowing strands to fall over her piercing golden eyes.
"You look miserable," she noted, smirking.
Kairos chuckled. "Not a fan of noble parties?"
She scoffed. "I prefer battlefields. But this…" Her gaze swept across the festival. "It's… not bad."
Kairos raised a brow. "Not bad?"
"…Fine. It's impressive." She sighed. "Lysvein was supposed to fall. Everyone thought it would. And yet… here it is."
She turned to him, her golden eyes searching. "You really changed everything, didn't you?"
Kairos shrugged. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
She hesitated. Then, with an almost reluctant huff, she extended a hand.
"One dance," she said flatly. "For diplomacy."
Kairos blinked. Then grinned. "Diplomacy, huh?"
"Take it or leave it."
He took her hand.
Seraphina was a warrior, not a noble, so she didn't dance like one.
Instead, she moved with the sharp, controlled precision of a swordswoman—a partner who could match every step, every twist and turn, as if she were dueling rather than dancing.
Kairos adapted instantly, treating it like a sparring match, stepping in sync with her flawless movements.
The crowd noticed.
Whispers spread, watching the Dragon Knight and the Hero of Lysvein move together in perfect rhythm.
When the music ended, Seraphina stepped back, her expression unreadable.
"…Not bad," she admitted.
Kairos smirked. "I could say the same about you."
She glanced away, crossing her arms. "Don't get used to it."
As the night wore on, Kairos found himself standing at the castle walls once more, gazing out at the city.
Lysvein had changed.
No longer just a fragile kingdom waiting to be crushed—but a rising power that even the Draconian Empire had started to acknowledge.
And he wasn't done yet.
Kairos clenched his fist. This is just the beginning.
Because soon, the world would realize—
Lysvein wasn't just surviving. It was about to become unstoppable.