After Elune's will faded, the heroes kneeling on one knee raised their heads. The first thing they saw was Dick holding a moon-colored scepter, a greatsword on his back, still wearing the armor he had forged for himself, though all its battle scars and bloodstains had been washed away.
The Paladin stood somewhat forlornly beside the lake. In a single instant, that searing light screen had completely transformed the terrain of the Conservatory of Life, turning the lake into a small, crescent-shaped pool. Everyone stood before him. No one spoke, and no one knew how to begin.
What had just happened had gone beyond everyone's capacity to comprehend, as wondrous as something that had happened in another world.
Dick took a step. As his left foot touched the ground, the entire Conservatory of Life shook as though struck by an earthquake. The hard ground cracked from the point where his foot landed, black fissures racing in every direction like little snakes. Rocks tumbled and shattered, and the noise startled everyone.
Including Dick himself.
He lifted his foot slightly, took a deep breath, then gently set it down again, looking somewhat awkward. But after repeatedly reining in his strength and stumbling through three steps, he quickly adapted to this sudden surge of power.
"You... you've gotten stronger again? Dick!"
The old dwarf Muradin stared at Dick standing before him and exclaimed, "You've even become the World Manager! Should I be calling you Your Majesty?"
"Yes, the World Manager."
The Paladin gave his familiar smile and scratched his head somewhat sheepishly before finally shrugging. "It was an accident, but I'm still the Dick you know, so let's forget about Your Majesty."
With that, Dick spread his arms to give Muradin a hug, but remembering what had just happened, he sheepishly drew them