The World Is Mine For The Taking-Chapter 1181: Epilogue 22 - An End And A New Beginning (2)

Chapter 1181: Epilogue 22 - An End And A New Beginning (2)

I made my way toward the stables, where my wyvern was kept.

The structure was large, reinforced with thick beams and stone to accommodate his size. The air there was warmer, heavier, carrying the scent of hay, meat, and a creature far from ordinary.

Draken was inside.

As expected, he was sleeping.

Curled comfortably in his space, massive body rising and falling with slow, steady breaths. When I wasn’t riding him, this was how he spent most of his time. He was sleeping, eating, and doing very little else.

Given his size, his diet was exactly what one would expect. I regularly bought meat for him, enough to satisfy both his hunger and his temperament. Since becoming mine, he had grown noticeably healthier.

And heavier.

"Draken, wake up," I called.

One large eye cracked open, followed by a low snort that clearly expressed his annoyance at being disturbed.

"It’s time to eat," I said calmly.

That changed everything.

I brought out the meat I had prepared, and the moment he realized what it was, his mood shifted completely. He let out another snort. This one unmistakably pleased.

I couldn’t help but think it was strange that I could tell the difference between his irritated snort and his happy one.

But maybe that wasn’t strange at all.

Maybe it was just because we had been together for quite some time now.

While I was feeding him, carefully holding the bucket steady as Draken lowered his head, I suddenly felt a presence behind me. Not hostile. Not rushed. Just... there. When I turned around, I realized who it was immediately.

It was the Queen of Milham.

"It certainly is rare to see a wyvern nowadays," she said, her voice calm and composed, carrying neither surprise nor accusation—just quiet observation.

Compared to the princess, the queen carried herself with far more restraint. Every movement she made felt deliberate, polished by years of experience and responsibility. There was grace in the way she stood, in the way she watched, and even in the way she spoke. Still, despite that difference, it was obvious they were one and the same at their core.

They looked almost identical. Their facial features mirrored each other so closely that it was impossible not to notice. Even with the nearly twenty-year age gap between them, they could easily be mistaken for sisters rather than mother and daughter.

If you saw them standing side by side, it would feel natural to assume they were siblings. No one would question it. No one would think twice about it.

"Your Majesty," I said, lowering my head into a respectful bow.

It wasn’t even something I had to think about. Since I was technically working under her authority, showing respect felt natural—expected, even.

"You really didn’t have to do that," she said gently. "The bowing, I mean. It’s just the two of us here, isn’t it?"

Her tone wasn’t scolding. If anything, it sounded almost amused.

"But... I don’t think I could avoid it," I replied honestly. "You’re someone with far greater authority than me. Bowing just feels like the right thing to do."

When I said that, she smiled—but not brightly. It was a small, wry smile, the kind that carried both understanding and resignation.

"Well," she said, "I suppose I won’t argue with that."

She paused briefly, then shifted the topic.

"May I ask you something?" she continued.

"Of course," I said. "What is it?"

"Do you believe the Commander truly intends to send the heroes back to their original world once their mission here is finished?"

The question landed heavier than I expected.

I hadn’t really considered it—not seriously, at least.

"I... haven’t thought about it like that," I admitted quietly.

If the heroes couldn’t return to where they came from, then what did that mean for me? Was everything I had done so far meaningless? Was I chasing something that didn’t even exist?

No.

I shook that thought away internally. I didn’t know whether the Commander truly had the power to do something like that—to send people back across worlds—but I couldn’t believe everything was pointless. At least, I didn’t want to.

"I believe the Commander is doing everything she can to ensure that power remains in her hands," the Queen said, her voice lowering slightly. "His Majesty hasn’t been acting like himself. It’s as if someone else is pulling the strings."

She looked at me then, her gaze sharp but not unkind.

"Have you ever heard the Commander mention anything related to this? Anything at all?"

I searched my memory, but nothing surfaced.

"No," I said after a moment. "I haven’t heard her say anything like that."

"I see," she replied softly.

She exhaled, slow and controlled.

"I truly hope nothing is happening behind the scenes," she continued. "But even the ministers feel... off. They don’t act like themselves anymore. It’s becoming difficult to ignore."

Given the situation, her concern made sense. Anyone in her position would be worried.

"Well then," she said after a brief silence, "I suppose I should leave you to your work."

She turned away and walked off, her steps measured, her posture still dignified even as she disappeared from view.

Her words lingered long after she was gone.

***

After I finished feeding Draken, making sure he was settled and calm, I made my way back toward the courtyard where the heroes usually trained.

When I got there, the heroes were resting.

It looked like they were preparing for their mental evaluations instead. The incident in the village had left its mark, and it was clear that today wasn’t about physical strength.

As I looked around, my eyes landed on Leon. He was already here.

He was standing near Princess Myrcella, talking with her, his expression relaxed—almost warm. Several doctors stood nearby, listening carefully, occasionally taking notes.

Leon was smiling.

Seeing that smile stirred something in me. I wanted to approach him, to say something—anything—but I stopped myself.

There was no real reason for me to interrupt them.

I would just be getting in the way.

So I didn’t.

I turned away quietly and continued walking, leaving them behind.

***

Kaori’s POV

After training, I leaned back and took a long drink of water, my arms aching slightly. When I looked over, I saw Ayaka collapsed nearby, breathing heavily and groaning in pure exhaustion.

"You’ve really gotten ridiculously strong, Kaori," she said, barely catching her breath. "At this point, I don’t think I can even hope to beat you anymore."

"I don’t think that’s true," I replied. "If you keep training, I’m sure you’ll get there."

Earlier, we had sparred repeatedly. Not once had Ayaka managed to defeat me. She pushed herself hard—too hard—and now it showed.

Even though she had far more experience with the sword, I had somehow managed to surpass her.

"I really think you should train under Princess Myrcella," I added. "She’s an incredible instructor."

Ayaka laughed weakly, then smirked.

"Oh, speaking of Princess Myrcella," she said, "isn’t she with her lover right now?"

Oh.

Right.

Today was the scheduled psychological evaluation following what happened in the village. Princess Myrcella had asked her boyfriend to help with it.

He was the same person who saved me from the bandits back then.

I still hadn’t thanked him properly.

I really should.