After the conversation in the bathtub between Vicente, Layla and Lina, two days passed for their group as they continued on to the largest city in Snow Province.",

Vicente rested from his days of action over the past few weeks in the two provinces he had served, while taking the opportunity to help this city build more solid defenses.

But he had no intention of staying long, and this would be his last night there before he left for Scott Province the next morning.

Lauren meditated, while Layla and Lina escorted Vicente around the city.

...

On Vicente's last night in the capital of Snow Province, a grand dinner celebrating his return and his appointment as leader of the Blacksmiths' Association of Polaris Realm was being held in the association building!

All the remaining local leaders and the city's blacksmiths were gathered with Vicente in the grand ballroom of the association building, where a large banquet with many drinks was being served.

The local leaders had already taken turns speaking words of congratulations and thanks for Vicente's heroic deeds for the city and the kingdom, while he listened beside his two women.

When everyone had finished speaking, Vicente thanked them again, this time rising from his seat and taking the stage.

"Thank you for everyone's words and gestures. It's gratifying to share a moment like this with the warriors of the kingdom, even amid disaster.

It makes me feel there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. Our hard work and perseverance is not in vain!" He spoke with unwavering confidence, his voice resonating deeply within the hearts of everyone present.

"Let us remain steadfast, warriors of the kingdom! No matter how difficult our situation, no matter how difficult the damn vampires are, we will resist and fight back. One day... One day we'll take back these lands!"

The people there rose from their seats and shouted to support Vicente's words, their eyes shining as they saw the strongest person in the area so confident in fighting the monsters.

Many of them were afraid for their lives, cowards, so to speak. They would hardly have a heroic attitude when fighting on the battlefield. But even these men and women couldn't help but feel a strong desire to leave this ballroom and go to the battlefield to face the monsters.

Their desire seemed to burn in their hearts, and the mana in their bodies vibrated energetically, as if they were in the greatest moment of their lives.

"This man is the future of the magical community." Said an old Sovereign with clenched fists, feeling something he hadn't felt in centuries. "This is a man who can lead battalions on suicide missions. It would be an honor to fight under his command!"

"Yes, Venerable Vicente Fuller is a prominent leader, even though he is so young. Fighting alongside him would be worth the effort of a lifetime!"

"Venerable Fuller will still kill Demien Bloodthorne. Listen to what this old man is saying. We are witnessing the birth of the new monarch of the Polaris Realm!"

Several people of various ages spoke favorably of Vicente, feeling excited, confident, and eager to see the future unfold.

Layla and Lina clapped along with the others at their men's words, seeing in Vicente all the hope these people were crying out for in his words.

The two couldn't help but feel proud of him, to have fought and hunted pentagrams at his side and to be at his disposal to support and relax him.

"Sigh! Time has passed so quickly. I still remember when we were in Millfall." Layla commented to Lina as Vicente smiled and greeted several local Sovereigns.

"Look on the bright side, you were at his side much longer than I was," Lina said with a bitter smile.

"Not as long as I would have liked." Layla muttered, regretting it had taken her so long to start a relationship with him.

"Let's enjoy it while we can. Vicente's future is much longer and more fantastic than 'ordinary' people like us can imagine. If one of us is lucky, we might be able to conceive his children with us before he leaves."

Lina listened to Layla in silence and agreed wholeheartedly.

It might take a long time for Vicente to disappear from the continent, but just like the Magus, who disappeared when they reached this stage of cultivation, they assumed the same would happen to him!

'How much time do we have?' The princess closed her eyes and sighed.

...

After a night of celebration in Snow Province's largest city, Vicente woke up early as he and Lauren left the local blacksmith association building.

After saying goodbye to Lina and Layla and wishing the local leaders good luck, Vicente and his sister made their way to Scott Province, about two days away.

Metal City was close to the border between Scott Province and Snow Province, so just a few hours after leaving that city, the two 5th stage siblings would see the border between these two areas of the Seidel Kingdom.

Seeing the border area with several watchtowers and tracks, Vicente and Lauren soon found the Metal City in the woods of that part of Scott Province.

'Seeing' the Metal City where Nina was supposed to be, Lauren clenched her fists, back in the area after some 18 months since she had last been there.

Back then, she had been to Martell Village, home of the Fuller family, and had felt many strange emotions. But seeing Nina's new home and thinking of the little girl from Vicente's memories, she couldn't help but feel her heart beat faster.

Her mouth went dry while she showed Vicente a more agitated demeanor than usual.

Vicente ignored the way Lauren repeatedly tidied her hair and clothes before he slowed his flight speed and altitude.

"Don't be a cold snake with Nina, Lauren. Even if you felt nothing for her right now, try not to hurt her. Even though Nina is an adult, she's a sentimental girl." Vicente said just that before the two of them landed in front of the main entrance of Metal City.