Count Clayton stayed in Zero Crossing City for only one day before continuing south with his army, returning to the Imperial Capital to report to the Emperor and bringing the Empire the triumph of an expedition.
Beneath the towering, magnificent gates of the Imperial Capital, tens of thousands of citizens cheered the Imperial army's return.
Within the resplendent palace, His Majesty Emperor Flor and the assembled nobles received the victorious generals.
Volvo Columbus slowly descended and came before Count Clayton. He raised the Count's hand so that every noble could see it clearly.
"Let us welcome the Empire's hero!"
"Lord Leon Clayton, you are not merely the Empire's hero, but the hero of all humanity. Praise the Light! You defeated the Abyssal Invasion of the Norris Continent, drove away the Evil God, and returned the world to the embrace of Light!"
The nobles burst into cheers. Whether great nobles or lesser ones, grand dukes or lordships, all praised the glory borne by Count Clayton.
Count Clayton dropped to one knee before the Emperor and respectfully presented the command scepter of the Light Legion to him.
"This glory belongs to you. The war for Light achieved a triumphant victory under your will, my honored Your Majesty."
"Light is invincible."
The Emperor accepted the scepter, raised it high, and shouted, "Praise the Light!"
"Praise the Light!!!"
The nobles' cheers echoed the Emperor's joy. Every noble present raised their heads proudly. They had defeated the Church of Dawn time and again. On the Norris Continent, the Florian Empire's position as overlord had been firmly established, and it was gradually becoming the sole hegemon.
Returning to his throne, Columbus IV set down the scepter. The war was over, the Abyssal Invasion had been driven back, and the next phase had arrived.
The Light Legion