novelraw Chapter 150 : Chapter 150
Chapter 150 : Chapter 150
Chapter 150. Epilogue (Complete)
Five years had passed since Frank annihilated the primordial being Primus and made his triumphant return from Reubungwo.
The world had regained stability at a surprisingly fast pace, and especially here in Lumen Fortis.
No, Frank's territory, now elevated to the 'Grand Duchy of Elberez', was undergoing dazzling
development day by day.
Rude, who had become the Chancellor and Duke assisting Frank, the new Grand Duke, was still in charge of the Sage’s Castle and the surrounding villages where he had first settled.
However, he was spending far more time on his main pursuits, insect research and recipe development, than on the rigid duties of a chancellor.
"Khaha, perfect! This is definitely going to be a huge hit."
In his laboratory-cum-kitchen, Rude burst into a satisfied laugh, holding a freshly completed, piping hot new dish.
In his hand was a 'Grilled Tarantula on a Skewer'.
The spider, the size of an adult's palm, was grilled to a delectable golden brown, boasting a mouth-watering appearance.
Crispy on the outside and moist on the inside.
It was perfectly cooked.
On his lab table, a variety of bizarre insect dishes were already lined up, such as fried longhorn beetle larvae, maggot-aged cheese, and midge pancakes.
His insect cuisine was no longer just a simple delicacy.
It had long established itself as a famous product representing the Grand Duchy of Elberez and the best specialty to attract tourists.
The entire village had been transformed into an insect theme park, with inns shaped like giant beehives and shops decorated with the horns of Dynastinae beetles.
The residents here also freely roamed the streets wearing insect-wing-shaped hats or clothes with antennae decorations, as if they were used to it.
"Bring in the tasting panel."
As Rude exclaimed triumphantly, the tasting panel, who had been waiting anxiously outside the lab, rushed in.
Their eyes sparkled with a mixture of anticipation and slight fear for Rude's new dish.
Rude confidently handed out the tarantula skewers to them one by one.
Some hesitated for a moment, but those who had already experienced a new world through Rude's other insect dishes bravely took a skewer and took a bite.
Munch, munch.
A moment later.
As if by promise, their eyes widened at the same time.
"Th-this is!!"
"Goodness, how can it be so delicious."
"The spider legs... are as soft and sweet as the finest crab meat!"
"A taste so good you wouldn't even notice if someone died while eating it."
Praise poured in from all directions.
Rude watched their reactions with a satisfied smile.
Huhu, as expected, his sense of taste and cooking skills were not wrong.
He was deeply grateful for this unexpected wealth and fame he had gained thanks to Frank.
And for this peaceful era where he could fully display his talents.
He reveled in happiness, imagining the more amazing and new insect dishes he would develop in the future.
***
Botan, a remote island located at the southernmost tip of the fallen former Durani Empire after the war with Primus.
At the entrance of an ancient ruin located in the deepest part of the jungle there, two figures stood.
One was a female knight with dazzling blond hair and blue eyes, Adel Pendragon, and the other was a loyal knight who silently protected her side, Alvarez.
Five years had already passed since Primus was defeated.
Her father, Frank, had opened a new era as the Grand Duke of the Grand Duchy of Elberez, and her younger sisters were each doing their part in their respective positions.
But Adel, instead of staying by her father's side, chose to wander the continent with Alvarez, exploring forgotten ruins and seeking out the strong for duels to train herself.
Alvarez looked at the old wooden necklace around Adel's neck, the 'Tears of the Sea God', and said.
"Thanks to that necklace, we were able to cross the dangerous waters safely."
"Yes."
Adel replied briefly, staring at the dark entrance of the ruin.
"But don't let your guard down, Alvarez. We haven't even gone inside yet."
Alvarez smirked and drew his sword.
His eyes overflowed with confidence.
"Of course. But with the skills of the two of us, we should be able to conquer an ancient ruin of this level without much difficulty."
"Get a grip. The habit of being conceited is the worst."
Adel lightly chided his confidence and took the first step into the ruin.
Adel, who wanted to step out of her father's shadow and face the world with only her own strength.
Alvarez followed behind her with a reassuring smile.
The new adventure of the two was just beginning.
***
Around the time Adel and Alvarez were exploring the ruins of a distant southern island.
The city that was once the capital of the Durani Empire was regaining its vitality in a completely different way.
After the sudden death of the old emperor, the empire had effectively collapsed, but ironically, the city was prospering much more than before.
At the center of it were Iris, who had established herself as the new master, and the Unseen Ones she led.
They did not call themselves emperor or king, but many revered Iris like a queen and regained stability under her order.
Perhaps for that reason?
Some even called this place the 'Republic of Durani'.
What was important was that the city had shed its past closed atmosphere and was transforming into one of the most active commercial centers on the continent.
Iris was spending her days as busy as a bee at the center of that change.
She issued instructions from her office, reviewing mountains of documents and trade ledgers.
"Are the price negotiations for the new magic ore from the Northern Union finished?"
"Yes, Young Lady. We have concluded the contract on the most favorable terms possible."
"Good. Then, immediately contact the Grand Duchy of Elberez and the Eastern Merchant Guild and put it up for bidding. We should be able to get at least twice as much."
At her instructions, the Unseen Ones, who were once assassins, now moved with perfect discipline as competent merchants or administrators.
They no longer held blood-stained daggers in their hands, but abacuses and contracts, and were pouring all their efforts into accumulating the wealth of the giant merchant guild led by Iris.
Also, the vast funds they earned were being used to rebuild various parts of the empire that had been reduced to ashes.
At that moment, Number 1 quietly entered her office and offered her tea.
He was still expressionless, but a faint smile was present in his eyes as he looked at Iris.
"Please take a break. You'll collapse at this rate."
"I'm fine."
Iris replied briefly and focused on her documents again.
Number 1 looked at her for a moment and asked in a mischievous tone.
"Is it alright for you to be here, leaving Grand Duke Frank's side?"
But Iris replied without taking her eyes off the documents, without a single movement.
"Hmph. Nagging. I like it better here. It suits my aptitude perfectly."
Her words were sincere.
Instead of fierce dungeon conquests or complicated politics, she was feeling a greater sense of accomplishment by fully utilizing her abilities here.
"How is the development of the new trade route in the southern desert region going? Don't delay, and urge them to report the results as soon as possible."
Iris immersed herself in her work again.
She was moving and changing the world in her own way.
Different from her father or her sister.
On a path that was entirely her own.
***
Rarc Village, once a remote backwater in the Benedict Kingdom.
But now, no one called it that.
Lumen Fortis, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Elberez.
That name was more familiar to many.
Happy laughter never ceased in the reception room of the Grand Ducal Palace, where the warm sunlight shone.
Though I was now spending busy days as the Grand Duke, at this time, I forgot all my worries and was just enjoying the joy of being an ordinary grandfather.
"Haha! Our little puppy, you've made a new toy again."
On my lap, my three-year-old grandson Fran was showing off a strangely shaped wooden block he seemed to have just assembled, putting on a cute act.
Whether it was because he took after his mother and was already showing a talent for magic engineering, he would often create bizarre but plausible results.
While I was engrossed in Fran's cute act.
Noemi entered the reception room, clicking her tongue.
A smile that said she couldn't be helped was on her face.
"Fran, you were bothering grandpa again. Come to mommy now."
"What's so bothersome. It's not bothersome at all."
I shielded my grandson and retorted to Noemi's words.
Next, Douglas Junior, who followed Noemi, apologized to me with an awkward face.
He had now grown into a dashing young knight, but he still seemed a little hesitant in front of me.
"I'm sorry, Father-in-law. I should have watched Fran better, but..."
"Haha, it's fine. That's how children are."
I chuckled and tried to hand Fran, who was focused on his toy again, to the two of them.
But Fran, as if something was wrong, refused to be held by his parents and suddenly ran behind me and shouted.
"Wow! Grandma!"
There, Anonymous and Isabel were sitting side by side, drinking warm tea and watching us.
They simultaneously opened their arms towards Fran and replied in an affectionate voice.
"Oochy coochy coo, our pretty grandson. Come here."
"Oh my, our little puppy. Shall we give grandma a hug?"
Fran seemed to contemplate which grandmother to go to first for a moment, but then he ran to the middle and was hugged by both of them in turn.
I quietly watched the utterly peaceful and happy scene.
I don't know what the people of the world might think, but after the war with Primus ended, I officially married both Anonymous and Isabel.
A Grand Duke who took the Queen of Dragons and the Saintess of the continent as his wives at the same time.
It would probably be an unprecedented event.
But the five of us, no, now six including Fran, had formed a happy family in our own way, regardless of the world's gaze.
I slowly got up and approached the large window of the reception room.
Outside the window, the world I had dreamed of was unfolding.
Five years ago, after defeating Primus, I declared the founding of the Grand Duchy of Elberez.
And I made it a land of harmony where all races existing in this world, such as humans, dragons, demons, demon tribe, elves, and dwarves, could live together without discrimination.
At first, there were big and small conflicts and misunderstandings, but as time passed, they gradually came to understand and respect each other, becoming true neighbors.
On the street outside the window, a dwarf blacksmith was smiling brightly as he made a custom-made bow that was a perfect fit for an elf archer, and by the square fountain, human children and young dragon children were playing tag together without any reservation.
On the terrace of an open-air cafe, a vampire scholar was leisurely reading a book under the warm sunlight, and at the table next to him, a human merchant was engaged in a heated bargain with a demon merchant.
All those peaceful and vibrant scenes.
That was the true 'fantasy' I had wanted to achieve since coming to this world.
I smiled, feeling a warm happiness welling up deep in my chest.
It had been a long and difficult journey.
But at the end of it, I was finally able to create the world I wanted.
There was nothing more I could wish for.
I took in the peaceful scenery outside the window and whispered quietly.
'I'm glad. And thank you, my world.'
Now, all the stories are over.
But here in the Grand Duchy of Elberez, a new story, to be created together by numerous races, was just about to begin.
The End