"This… this is…"
Bais's cracked lips trembled.
He had once seen the forest citadels of the elves from afar, and glimpsed the towering stone fortresses of the orcs.
But no city—no matter how grand—had ever struck him so deeply, so directly, to the core of his soul.
"Human brother, welcome home!"
Reize's warm voice rang out.
"I… am I dreaming? Is this truly a human stronghold?"
"This isn't a dream. You're home."
"Home…?"
Bais repeated the word as if afraid it might vanish the moment he spoke it. Tears streamed down his weathered face.
He had never imagined that, in a universe where humans were treated like vermin, he would ever hear those words.
"Yes—home!"
A guard supported him, guiding him toward the radiant, rune-lit city gates.
"This is Dalton—our city, built by humans!"
"It's the sanctuary established for us by President Leo! From this day forward, no alien race will ever again trample the dignity of mankind!"
