The Extra's Rise

"Arthur, there must be a proper celebration banquet for this," King Valen insisted yet again, his regal bearing unable to hide the genuine gratitude in his voice. The Western Continent's monarch had been making this request with increasing urgency since I'd returned from the Savage Communion's stronghold. "After what you've accomplished—defeating the Second Calamity, ending the cult war, saving countless lives—the world needs to witness this moment properly."

I rubbed the back of my head, feeling the weight of ceremony settling around me like an uncomfortable cloak.

But now was different.

"Yes," I nodded, surprising everyone within earshot. "You're right. Two of the five major cults in the world have fallen. The Savage Communion, and now the Umbravale Covenant are both destroyed. We should celebrate accordingly."

Stella immediately perked up at my words, her dark eyes sparkling with the kind of excitement that only an eleven-year-old could manage. "Daddy, you really are the Second Hero now!" she said happily, practically bouncing on her toes. "Like, officially! With titles and everything!"

I reached down to pat her head gently, noting how Luna smiled at Stella's enthusiasm from her position beside us. "I suppose I am, little star. Though I'm not sure how I feel about the paperwork that probably comes with it."

"Oh, there will definitely be paperwork," Rose said with the kind of professional precision that made everyone wince slightly. "Diplomatic recognition, formal alliance structures, trade agreement modifications, security protocol updates... The administrative implications of your new status are considerable."

"Thanks for that encouraging thought," I replied dryly, though I caught Rachel's slight movement beside me—her shoulders touching my arm in a gesture that seemed casual but carried underlying tension.

King Valen nodded at my acceptance with a slight smile. "Excellent. I'll have the palace staff begin preparations immediately. This will be a celebration worthy of history."

He paused, his royal composure slipping just enough to show the father beneath the crown. "Thank you once again, Arthur. For saving the continent, for curing my daughter, for proving that heroes still exist in this world. You have my eternal gratitude, Second Hero."

The formal bow he offered carried weight that transcended mere ceremony—a king acknowledging someone whose individual power had reshaped the political landscape of an entire continent.

As Valen turned to leave, already calling for his advisors to begin organizing what would undoubtedly be the social event of the decade, I felt Rachel's tension more.

"Why are you worried?" I whispered to her, letting my words carry through carefully controlled mana directly to her ears.

"Not worried," she shook her head, though her sapphire eyes reflected something more complex than simple concern. "It's just... Father should have told me they were planning to invade the Umbravale Covenant. At least Lucifer should have called me about it."

Understanding dawned as I processed her words. While I'd been fighting Gideon, Lucifer had apparently launched his own campaign against the Northern Continent's cult. Another major victory happening simultaneously with mine, but one that Rachel—despite being both princess and Saintess of the North—had been excluded from.

"Did you want to fight for your continent?" I asked carefully, meeting her sparkling sapphire eyes and noting how the golden flecks within them seemed to intensify with her emotions.

She shook her head immediately. "No, you needed me here. They clearly didn't need me—Lucifer handled it perfectly on his own. It would have just been nice to be included in the discussion as their princess and Saintess. To know what was happening in my homeland while I was here supporting you."

The hurt beneath her words was subtle but real. Rachel had given up her role in her continent's affairs to support me, but being completely excluded from major decisions still stung. She'd chosen me over her duties, but that didn't mean she wanted to be treated as if those duties had never mattered.

"Well, you are my Saintess too, you know," I said with a smile that I hoped conveyed how much her support had meant. "And you saved me, Rachel. Not just you—all five of you did your part perfectly. Without any of you, the fight against Gideon would have been impossible."

"He's right," Cecilia interjected with characteristic bluntness, her crimson eyes reflecting satisfaction as she joined our conversation. "You think Arthur could have maintained his sanity through that level of power expenditure without your Purelight keeping him anchored? The man was channeling forces that should have torn him apart."

"The tactical support was equally crucial," Seraphina added with her typical analytical precision. "Individual power means nothing without proper coordination. Arthur's breakthrough was possible because we created the conditions that allowed it to happen."

Reika nodded with quiet certainty. "Each person contributed exactly what was needed. Perfect synergy achieved."

Rose, meanwhile, was already pulling out communication devices with the kind of efficient purpose that made everyone slightly nervous. "I should coordinate with the other continents about attendance. If this is going to be a proper celebration of cult defeats, we'll need representation from the Northern Continent as well. Lucifer and his companions should be recognized for their simultaneous victory."

"Good thinking," I agreed, then looked back at Rachel with gentle understanding. "You can coordinate with your father directly. Make sure the Northern Continent's achievements get proper recognition alongside ours."

The suggestion brightened her expression considerably. Being given a role in organizing the celebration would allow her to reconnect with her homeland's affairs while still maintaining her position here with me.

"That would be perfect," she said with genuine pleasure. "Lucifer will want to bring Deia and Seol-ah."

Jin, who had been observing our conversation with diplomatic attention, stepped forward with the kind of formal precision that marked important announcements. "If this celebration is going to have the scope you're discussing, there will be representatives from the Eastern and Southern continents and the Slatemark Empire as well. A gathering of this significance could serve multiple diplomatic purposes."

"You're thinking of it as a summit as well as a celebration," Rose observed with approval. "Efficient. We could address several ongoing international issues while everyone's gathered in one place."

"Just as long as nobody tries to turn my achievement celebration into a boring political conference," I said with mock warning. "I've earned the right to enjoy this without getting buried in treaty negotiations."

"Oh, don't worry," Kali said with the kind of savage grin that made everyone slightly nervous. "If the politicians get too tedious, we can always demonstrate exactly why continental-level celebrations are necessary. Nothing shuts up boring diplomatic speeches faster than a friendly reminder of what Radiant-rank power can accomplish."

"Please don't threaten the diplomats," Jin said with resigned patience. "We've spent years building these relationships."

"I'm not threatening anyone," Kali replied with mock innocence. "I'm just suggesting that actions speak louder than words. Isn't that right, Arthur?"

Before I could respond to what was clearly a rhetorical question designed to cause trouble, Luna interjected with amused wisdom. "Perhaps we should focus on making this a celebration people remember for positive reasons."

"Agreed," I said firmly, though I couldn't help but smile at the byplay between my friends. "This is about recognizing what we've accomplished together, not intimidating anyone."

As our group continued discussing the practical implications of what was shaping up to be a massive international gathering, I found myself looking around at the faces of everyone who mattered most to me. Stella bright with enthusiasm about the mathematical challenges involved. My five fiancées radiating satisfaction and relief at our shared victories. Jin and Kali showing the kind of relaxed confidence that came from knowing major threats had been permanently eliminated.

The ruins of the Savage Communion still smoldered in the distance, but they no longer represented active danger—just the debris of another problem solved through application of sufficient force and determination.

"You know," I said thoughtfully, "this really is going to be historic. Representatives from every continent, multiple Radiant-rank individuals, formal recognition of the cult defeats... The kind of gathering that gets written about in history books."

"The kind of gathering that shapes the next century of international relations," Rose added with the kind of analytical precision that made her invaluable for strategic planning.

"The kind of gathering that proves heroes still exist," Rachel said softly, her sapphire eyes reflecting pride that made my chest tighten with emotion.

The world was converging in the West for the celebration banquet.