While Caria and the baby were getting ready to sleep, the atmosphere inside the mansion had fallen into a warm and quiet calm, broken only by the distant crackling of torches and the soft murmurs of the maids leaving through the corridors. In contrast, Laret and Galen were heading toward the main exit to say their goodbyes, walking through the long stone hallways that reflected the night light with a dull glow.

  When they reached the carriage, Laret broke the silence.

  —How are things in Taratios? —he asked, crossing his arms as he watched Galen adjust his cloak.

  Galen let out a tired sigh before answering, as if the weight of the kingdom always traveled with him.

  —Nothing new, really. The major noble houses are keeping a neutral stance, and the high commanders are in charge of maintaining order in the cities and smaller towns… —he explained—. King Rowan has not stopped working on rebuilding and reinforcing large parts of the territory. He looked quite worn down; his greatest wish right now is to be close to his queen, who is pregnant.

  Laret nodded slowly, processing the information.

  —I see… —he murmured, thoughtful—. Hey, doesn’t it feel like there’s some kind of coordination behind all this? Queen Isadora, Freya, and Liora will all give birth soon. The new generation that will succeed the heroes seems to be moving along the same timeline —he added with a short laugh—. Curious.

  Galen showed a faint smile, filled with resignation and understanding.

  —We are living beings who belong to the nature of this world —he replied—. Our essence and feelings point to the same thing as all living beings: passing our legacy to the next generation. I suppose this coincidence exists because only a year ago the stability of the kingdom finally settled, and for the first time we could say: now we can rest.

  —You’re right… —Laret admitted, lowering his gaze for a moment—. I just hope the coming years can maintain this stability…

  Galen’s expression hardened slightly, and his voice lost its light tone.

  —You know our situation well —he said—. You can’t imagine how much it hurts me to have to pay more attention to the state of the kingdom than to my own child… I hope one day they can forgive us. In the coming years, I will be traveling frequently to the Holy Empire…

  Laret clicked his tongue, uncomfortable.

  —You really got one of the worst jobs…

  —What can you do? —Galen replied, shrugging—. The Empire would never release one of the most capable healers on the entire continent… —he smiled to the side—. Damn it… I’m just too good. I really like myself.

  —Are you starting already? —Laret replied, shaking his head.

  Already next to the carriage, Galen stopped before getting in. He turned one last time, with a different expression, more serious, as if there was something important he had not said yet.

  —We might come for a few months next year —he commented—. There is something I believe Freya would like to investigate…

  Laret raised an eyebrow.

  —You will be welcome. I will make sure your stay is pleasant for as long as you need —he said—. And what is it that Freya would want to investigate?

  Galen looked straight into his eyes.

  —Your son.

  Laret’s heart skipped a beat.

  —What?! My son?! What’s wrong with him?! Is something wrong?! —he exclaimed, stepping forward.

  Galen raised one hand to calm him.

  —Relax —he said firmly—. When I applied healing magic to Caria, I was able to perceive the perfectly balanced harmony of magical absorption your little one possesses. There is something about him that makes him special, and I am sure Freya will be able to figure it out.

  —What do you mean by magical absorption? —Laret insisted—. Hey, don’t leave yet, explain it properly. Wait!

  —Don’t be impatient —Galen replied as he closed the carriage window—. We’ll see each other next year.

  The carriage started moving and disappeared down the road, faintly lit by torches. Laret remained there for a few seconds, watching it depart, his brow furrowed and his mind full of questions.

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  —Anyway… —he murmured to himself—. My father will probably arrive tomorrow… I’ll finish the pending documents and prepare everything. It will be an important day.

  The next day, noises and cheers rose throughout the city like an unstoppable tide. Trumpets, shouts of joy, and the rhythmic sound of boots echoed against the walls: the great lord had returned with his soldiers after an extensive campaign of control and cleansing along the edges of the great Indomitable Forest.

  The streets were packed with people. Some waved cloths in the air, others lifted their children so they could see the warriors pass by. The air smelled of dust, steel, and exhaustion… but also of relief.

  Inside the mansion, everything was contained movement. The maids went back and forth, fixing details, straightening curtains, and polishing surfaces that were already spotless. Everyone was preparing to receive their lord and, above all, the main focus of that great moment: the newborn, ready to meet the great lord and grandfather who was returning victorious.

  —Tana, prepare my clothes… —Caria ordered with a firm voice.

  The woman turned immediately, surprised.

  —Are you sure, my lady? —she asked with concern—. It is still too soon for you to try to walk…

  Caria smiled with determination as she placed one hand on the edge of the bed.

  —Don’t worry. With the healing Galen performed on me yesterday, I feel very well —she replied—. We must receive our lord properly and, above all, allow him to see that the mother of his grandchild is strong enough to be present when he gives him his name.

  “Wow… from what I’m hearing, I’m clearly the grandson of a great lord from a powerful house. And the way they treat him… either he is a cruel and violent man, or he is a strong and respected lord who leads and protects his domain. Given the calm and confidence with which they speak about him, everything points to the second option.

  Now then, at this moment I’m just a baby. It’s clear that the tradition here is for the highest-ranking lord to be the one who gives names to new lives.”

  While Caria was being helped to dress by several maids, Tana took charge of changing the baby’s clothes. Her hands moved with expert care, adjusting the soft fabrics and arranging every fold, her smile growing wider with each movement.

  —This little and delicious candy will look beautiful in these clothes —she said, visibly excited—. As the main caretaker, I claim my right to pinch those well-dressed cheeks and cover this beautiful welcome child with kisses.

  “If there is a hell where sinners are constantly tortured, I think I would like to go there just to rest for a bit…

  I classify my new father, Laret, as an excessively carefree parent. It’s as if he is watching me being tortured… and doing absolutely nothing about it.”

  With all the preparations complete, they moved slowly through the main hallway of the mansion. The tall walls, decorated with tapestries, seemed to observe them in silence. Caria walked carefully, holding the baby in her arms, while Tana stayed by her side, attentive to every step she took.

  —Let’s go slowly, my lady… —Tana warned—. If anything happens, let me know and I’ll support you immediately.

  —Thank you, Tana —Caria replied softly—, but I’m fine. I have never felt this strong before. My little candy lump, you will finally meet your grandfather… —she whispered, looking at the baby—. Your grandfather is the great lord of these lands…

  “Upon hearing that, I tried to put on an expression of surprise and anticipation. It was the only way I had to encourage her to keep talking and get more information…”

  And it worked.

  The summary of this place would be the following: the great lord of these lands —my grandfather— is named Garbard. A lord of high renown and respect, loyal to his ideals and convictions, with a strong sense of honor and justice, and a protector of his people. Throughout his life, he has dedicated every effort to keeping the border city of Cautares as stable as possible.

  Cautares directly borders, along the entire kingdom, the Indomitable Forest. An impenetrable forest and, as its name suggests, a place impossible to conquer due to the enormous number of wild species and, above all, powerful creatures that inhabit its interior.

  Because of my mother’s pregnancy and the constant demands of maintenance and governance of both this city and the others, my parents took charge of administering the territory, while my grandfather ventured out alongside the finest knights to carry out a complete control of the borders, from one end to the other, to guarantee the safety of his people.

  That last part sounded far too simple and straightforward…

  Yeah, sure… very simple.

  It took him almost a year to complete that border control.

  I can’t imagine what it must have been like… fighting day and night against monsters that, from what I understand, some of them were almost the size of a house. That means that, as a future heir, at some point I will have to face creatures of that level… definitely not a peaceful life.

  When the large doors of the main hall of the mansion opened, the space revealed itself as wide and solemn, illuminated by the light entering through the front windows. The light-colored stone columns rose imposingly, and the house banners hung motionless, like silent witnesses to that moment.

  Standing in front of the doors, waiting with restrained patience, was Laret.

  —The maids told me… —he said as soon as he saw them appear—. Are you really alright?

  Caria took a few more steps forward, holding the baby securely in her arms, and looked at him with a firm smile.

  —Don’t worry, nothing is wrong —she replied—. I feel so full of energy that, right now, I could even stand in front of that damn vermin Cerva and face her without hesitation.

  Tana opened her eyes wide, scandalized, and immediately shook her head.

  —Oh my lady, please don’t think about those commanders of the demon lord —she said with concern—. Surely they are suffering the consequences of their own actions right now…

  “Wow… now they are mentioning things that are really interesting and that I have no idea how to ask about.

  Cerva? Commanders of the demon king…?

  What exactly happened in this world?

  Whatever it was, judging by the way they speak, my mother seems to be quite powerful and, from what I understand… did she face that Cerva in direct combat?”

  As they settled into position inside the hall, the atmosphere began to fill with expectation. From outside, voices could be heard growing closer, mixed with firm footsteps and the metallic sound of armor striking against itself.

  The murmur grew, accompanied by a steady rhythm that made the floor vibrate beneath their feet.

  Suddenly, the main doors of the mansion opened wide.

  A powerful voice, trained to impose itself even over the noise of a crowd, echoed from outside:

  —Everyone, the great lord Garbard has returned to his domain!