The afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the bustling Airship District as Mixarnt stood amidst a gathering of knights, generals, and royalty. The air was thick with both excitement and bittersweet farewells. King Arnold, ever the concerned younger brother, turned to Arthur with a hopeful yet resigned expression.
"Brother, are you sure you don't want to use a Supreme Teleportation Scroll?" Arnold asked, gesturing to the opulent scroll in his hand. Around them, rows of knights stood at attention, ensuring security for the royal send-off.
Arthur laughed heartily, ruffling his own hair. "Hahaha! No way! I'm an adventurer now, and sightseeing is half the fun!"
Arnold sighed, though his smile remained warm. "You're the same as always—carefree and wild of heart." His voice softened. "Are you really sure you don't want the throne back? I would gladly—"
"Arnold," Arthur interrupted, clapping his brother on the shoulder. "My beloved younger brother. My time as king ended years ago. Aetherlight is in your hands now—and I couldn't be prouder of what you've built." His grin turned playful. "Honestly, I don't miss the crown at all. So don't try to dump that responsibility back on me again, hahaha!"
Nearby, Alyssia clutched the hem of her dress, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Mixarnt… I…" Her voice trembled. The thought of not seeing him again—not knowing when they'd reunite—twisted her heart.
Mixarnt turned to her, his usual grin softening. "Come on, Aly. Don't cry. I always keep my promises, right?"
Before Alyssia could respond, Elyssia stepped forward, her lips quirking into a playful smirk. "Make sure you come back to Naeva, or I'll hunt you down and freeze you to death." Then, without hesitation—and to the shock of onlookers—she leaned in and kissed him tenderly. Unlike before, when she'd held back, this time she poured her affection into it, uncaring of the audience.
Mika, standing nearby, crossed her arms with a grin. "Hey, Mixarnt, make sure to visit Caspade too. The guild misses you."
Lancelot, ever the stoic guardian, nodded. "I'll be escorting the princesses back to Naeva."
Percival grinned, flanked by Kay, Gawain, Lamorak, Borris, and Gerald. "And we're coming to ensure their safety too, and to establish an alliance with Naeva."
Arthur burst out laughing at the diligent younger generation, until his jaw literally dropped. His eyes bulged as he spotted his old friends, the legendary former generals, each holding their own travel bags without a single servant in sight.
"Wait, WHAT?!" he spluttered, voice cracking. "You're ALL coming?!"
Xavier hefted his pack with a grunt. "Damn right we are."
Lusaric adjusted his sword belt with a smirk. "Someone's gotta keep you out of trouble."
Leoric tossed Arthur an extra bedroll. "Try not to whine about your back pain this time."
Theron already had a map unfurled. "I'm choosing the taverns of Naeva first."
Rosalinda, the troublemaker of the group in their younger days, flashed a wicked grin as she dumped a heavy bag into Arthur's arms. "Thought you could escape retirement alone, old dog? We're seeing the world through your eyes for once."
Arthur looked between them all, mouth opening and closing like a fish, before groaning: "...I'm never getting peace again, am I?"
Nearby, a flustered Rosalind approached Mixarnt, cheeks pink. "G-General Althea approved my leave," she stammered, fingers twisting in her cloak. "I'll be... um. Traveling with Grandmother for a while. She says it's... good experience." The last word came out in a squeak as Rosalinda winked to Rosalind.
Mixarnt smiled gently. "Guess I won't see you for a while, huh?"
Rosalind's face warmed. 'Now that I've accepted my feelings...' She thought as she touched the empty spot on her blouse where her rose badge used to be, the last gift from her late parents. She'd given it to Mixarnt as a sign she'd moved on, and he'd promised to return it when she needed comfort.
"I'll wait for you," she said softly, laughing a little to hide her nerves. She knows that when she returns back, Mixarnt will no longer be in Aetherlight.
Mixarnt grinned. "Definitely! We'll share all our stories when we meet again!"
Alyssia blinked. "Wait... are you two together?" She pointed at Rosalind's red cheeks.
Mixarnt tilted his head. "Huh? No—well, I did promise to give back her rose badge someday. The one from her parents."
Rosalind covered her face. 'He's so clueless!' she said internally before looking at Alyssia. "P-Princess, I'll explain later! Just know... I'm your friend first." She took Alyssia's hands. "I want us to be close."
Alyssia's sadness faded. She squeezed Rosalind's hands. "Me too. Especially if you're important to this dummy." She smirked and giggled at Mixarnt, who just scratched his head, confused.
With final waves and shouted goodbyes, the group boarded the airship. Mixarnt remained on the dock, hand raised in farewell as the vessel ascended. He stood there long after the others had left, watching, smiling until the ship became nothing more than a distant speck against the clouds.
His usual carefree grin never wavered, yet his eyes held something deeper now. The weight of promises made, to return a precious badge, to share stories, to meet again, rested comfortably on his shoulders as he turned at last to face his next adventure.
[END OF AETHER KNIGHT TRIALS ARC]