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Chapter 17: “The Hero Returns Without Smiling”

Rikuya

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Drums thundered through the northern capital.

Snow fell like blessings as the gates of Varka Fortress opened wide.

And Rikuya—the man known only as The Wolf of the North—rode through them in silence.

His armor gleamed under morning light. His face was stoic, unreadable. Behind him rode Kael, Serika, and a legion of survivors who owed their lives to his blade.

> The people screamed his name.

> “Rikuya! Hero of the North!”

“Savior of the border!”

“The Wolf! The Wolf! The Wolf!”

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A feast was held that night.

Golden wine. Roasted elk. Fireworks blooming in the sky like war made beautiful.

Serika stood beside him, dressed in silver cloth, her hair braided in the warrior’s knot of honor.

Kael raised a toast.

> “To the general who brought peace!”

Rikuya stood, gave a slight nod, and sat down again.

> He didn’t speak a single word.

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But outside the walls of celebration, a messenger mounted his horse.

In his satchel: sealed scrolls bearing Rikuya’s crest.

> One scroll headed to the Royal Capital.

Addressed to Yume’s court.

Not a letter from Rikuya.

But a military report.

> Her name wasn’t written anywhere.

> But he knew she would see it.

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In the palace, two weeks later…

Yume stood on the balcony as the announcement rang through the courtyards.

> “General Rikuya of the North has been named High Commander of the Realm.”

> “He is to be summoned to the Capital for royal decoration.”

> “The Crown wishes his presence.”

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Yume’s fingers clutched the railing.

He was coming back.

> After three years.

After no words.

After silence.

He would walk these halls again.

And she would have to face him.

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