The Daughter of Cursed Steel Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Behind the Celebration

Read chapter 2 of The Daughter of Cursed Steel by Ashfell on NovelPedia.

Chapter 2: Behind the Celebration After the long, hard-fought battle, the army marched back to the capital in triumph. Though the soldiers and heroes were battered, bruised, and looked as if they had been dragged through hell itself, they still held themselves upright as they passed beneath the city gates with their banners raised high. The moment the gates opened and the army stepped inside, the streets erupted with cheers. Citizens shouted, cried, and celebrated in relief at the news of the Demon Lord’s defeat. The sound of victory rolled through the capital like thunder as flowers were thrown from windows above and voices called out praise to the heroes who had returned alive. Without slowing, the army marched straight through the grand procession and made its way toward the castle at the heart of the city, where the king and his advisors stood waiting to receive the hero and his party. Once Logan and his party finally reached the king, Logan stepped forward and lowered himself to one knee before the throne. His armor was scarred from battle, stained with blood and ash, yet he still carried himself with the dignity expected of the world’s summoned hero. "We have returned, my king," he said. "The Demon Lord is no more." At those words, the king’s face lit with satisfaction. A bright, pleased smile spread across his features as murmurs rippled through the gathered court. "Good," the king declared. "Summoned hero from another world, you have done us a great honor. Tonight, we will hold a grand banquet in celebration of your victory and in honor of your deeds. Go now, rest and recover until the banquet begins." He then lifted a hand as though delivering a final blessing. "And tomorrow, all preparations should be complete for your return to your own world." The moment the king said that, Logan’s grip tightened, then his eyes shifted instinctively to the right. His face remained calm, but beneath that practiced obedience, his heart was beating heavily in his chest. There, standing beside the royal court, was Princess Sophie. She was already looking directly at him. A faint, knowing smile touched her lips before she gave him the slightest wink. Logan immediately looked away and lowered his gaze back toward the floor before anyone could read too much in his expression. The king, either unaware or choosing to ignore it, continued speaking. "Now, heroes, you may rise. This will be your last night in this world, Hero Logan. So go, say your farewells to those you must, and prepare yourselves for tonight’s celebration, for this will be your final day in our world." Logan kept his expression carefully controlled as he answered, "Thank you, Your Majesty." Outwardly, he sounded every bit the obedient hero they expected him to be. With that, he and the others rose, turned, and began to leave the king’s chamber. Once the massive chamber doors closed behind Logan and the others, the king remained seated upon his throne for a moment in silence before turning his gaze toward the gathered nobles and advisors. "You may all leave and make your own preparations for tonight’s celebration," he said calmly. "This concludes today’s session." At once, the court began to disperse. Nobles bowed their heads, and attendants quietly filtered out of the throne room, their polished shoes echoing across the stone floor as the grand chamber slowly emptied. Only once the room had fallen nearly silent did the king’s expression begin to change. The warm, celebratory look he had worn for the heroes vanished entirely. His face hardened. He turned his head toward the figure standing faithfully at the base of the throne, his personal guard who had remained behind. "Send the Shadows to keep an eye on the hero," the king said in a low, cold voice. "We need to make sure he does not do anything foolish before he is sent home. We cannot risk angering the goddess again because of what happened in the distant past." The personal guard lowered his head immediately. "Yes, Your