NOVEL WEB Chapter 728: Kingdom Building
"Ugh…" A low groan escaped Nox's lips as consciousness returned. His eyelids felt heavy, but he forced them open. At first, his vision was blurry—he could make out a wooden ceiling and dancing shadows cast by lantern light. The familiar scent of herbal antiseptic and old wood told him he was indoors, likely a room in Vermilion's capital where he had been recovering.
For a moment, everything was quiet. Then he heard a gasp, and a figure leaned over him.
"Nox? Nox!" a voice cried.
As his vision cleared, he saw Serena's face above him, smiling widely. Beside her, Akira was already on her feet, calling out the door, "He's awake! Everyone, Nox is awake!"
Footsteps rushed from outside, and within seconds a crowd burst into the room. Nyx practically pushed past the others. Jack was right behind, grinning ear to ear. Aina, his mother, rushed to his side and knelt, gently placing a hand on his forehead as if checking for a fever.
In the doorway, Wendy stood with her hands clasped to her chest, eyes red-rimmed but shining with relief. Even Eve and Zarek lingered in the back.
Nox tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness made him sway. "Easy there!" Jack exclaimed, quickly moving to support him. Despite the words, his tone was light and joyous. "You gave us all a real scare."
"How long… was I out?" Nox mumbled in a weak voice.
"Six days," Nyx said softly, placing a pillow behind him so he could lean comfortably. She was trying to sound composed, but her hands shook slightly with emotion. "Nearly a week, brother."
Nox managed a weak chuckle. "I've had worse naps," he joked, recalling a previous time he had collapsed and frightened them. Wendy had mentioned something about Snowhelm before he blacked out—indeed, during that incident, he had been unconscious for a short while after pushing himself too far.
Aina brushed his hair from his forehead. Her eyes glistened as she inspected her son. "You had us so worried. Thank the heavens… thank the Beast Gods you're alright."
At that, he couldn't help but smile. If only his mother knew just how much they had to thank the Beast Goddess specifically. He gently reached up and squeezed her hand. "Sorry, Mom. I didn't mean to make you worry."
She laughed softly, wiping at her eyes. "You always say that after scaring me half to death. I might start getting used to it," she teased, though everyone could hear the relief beneath her words.
"Do you feel any pain? Any dizziness?" she asked moments later.
"Just a little dizzy, and thirsty," Nox admitted. His body felt weak, like he'd run for miles without rest. Limit Breaker's after-effects were no joke—his HP might be restored thanks to potions and healing, but the exhaustion and muscle pain lingered.
Akira was already prepared. The Valkyrie knelt and held a cup of fresh water to his lips. "Here, drink slowly."
The water tasted like nectar. He hadn't realized how parched he was until the cool liquid eased his dry throat. He let out a content sigh after a few sips. "Thank you," he said, offering her a grateful look.
She smiled, a faint blush on her cheeks. "Of course."
For a moment, the room was filled with laughter and light chatter as everyone expressed their happiness.
But amidst the joy, Nox noticed something. A sadness lingered in some eyes—especially Wendy's—and a few smiles looked forced. He knew not everything was alright.
His mind quickly flickered to the battle's end. He remembered Noir's cruelty, the way the Demon Prince had callously fired at Celine… and Wendy's painful scream echoing just before he blacked out. A heavy stone of dread dropped into his stomach.
It felt as if the world slowed. Celine. The kindest soul in their Barony, the woman who was like an aunt and mentor to him—who bandaged his scrapes as a child and scolded him softly whenever he skipped sleep to train.
Tears he didn't realize were forming slid down his face. "I… I should've been faster," he choked out. "I should have protected her… If only—" His voice died in his throat.
Wendy broke free of Serena's hold and rushed to his bedside. She fell to her knees and bowed her head, guilt plain on her face. "It's all my fault. She died because of me. If I hadn't been so weak—if I hadn't frozen up—"
In an instant, Nox ignored his own weakness and leaned forward, wrapping her in a tight embrace. She sobbed into his chest, her tears soaking his clothes.
"No, Wendy. It wasn't your fault," he said fiercely, his voice shaking. "Celine made a choice—a heroic, selfless choice. None of the blame is on you, do you hear me?"
"But—but I—"
He gently lifted her chin so she looked at him. His own tears fell onto her cheeks. "Listen to me. Celine loved you more than anything. She did what any mother would do—she protected her child. We must honor her sacrifice. She wouldn't want us to drown in guilt and sorrow."
Wendy sniffled, trying to control her breathing. She searched his eyes, finding sincerity and shared pain there. After a long moment, she nodded.
Nox drew her into another hug, and over her shoulder, he saw the others. Serena wiped away tears. Akira and Nyx held each other's hands tightly, their faces a mix of sadness and empathy. Aina silently cried, one hand covering her mouth. Even Eve looked down, her usual cold expression softened with respect for the fallen healer.
A heavy silence fell as they mourned together. Only the distant sounds of construction and activity outside reminded them that the world was still moving on beyond this grief.
Some time later, Nox stood up from the bed he had been lying on for the past six days. There were a lot of things to take care of now that the war had officially ended.
The first was beginning the construction of the Cromwell Kingdom