Chapter 115 A Wonderful News
Alex and Astrid descended from the peak of the Throat of the World. As they made their way down the vast snowy mountain, they stopped midway at the ancient monastery of High Hrothgar.
The Greybeards soon approached them, led by Arngeir. The old master greeted them with a calm but warm expression.
"Ah, the Alduin Slayer. At last, your destiny has been fulfilled, Dragonborn. This is truly good newswe should celebrate it."
Astrid glanced at him before replying,
"But shouldn't we inform the others about this first?"
Arngeir stroked his beard thoughtfully before answering.
"Hmm… I believe that would be a poor decision. The more widely this news spreads, the more likely it is that conflict will arise again. It would be better for you to keep this matter quiet and only share the news with someone you truly trustsomeone who desires peace."
Alex nodded in agreement.
"Ah, that makes sense. You truly are wise, Arngeir."
Arngeir chuckled softly and shook his head.
"Hahaha… Alex, you exaggerate my words. I simply wish for bloodshed to be delayed as long as possibleor, if the gods are kind, prevented entirely."
Astrid then spoke again, her expression tinged with faint sadness.
"But… I don't know how long such news can remain hidden."
Arngeir slowly nodded.
"Indeed. Even if you do not announce it yourselves, your return alone may cause rumors to spread. In time, people may come to believe that Alduin has already been defeated."
Arngeir then gently shifted the conversation.
"Now, now. We can think about such complicated matters later. For now, it is time to celebrate the fall of Alduin."
Alex smiled before opening his system inventory and pulling out various food supplies.
"Well then. Since the supplies in High Hrothgar are limited, and we don't want to become a burden, I'll provide all the food."
Arngeir looked at the strange inventory system Alex had just used and showed a slight hint of surprise. However, he did not question it. After all, he knew that the land of Skyrim still held countless mysteries.
Soon, Alex and the others began preparing the food inside the great stone hall of High Hrothgar. The quiet monastery, usually filled with nothing but the whisper of mountain winds and the distant chanting of the Greybeards, slowly came alive with an unusual warmth.
Alex pulled out baskets of ingredients, roasted meats, fresh bread, fruits, and bottles of drink from his mysterious inventory. The sight alone was enough to make the hall feel less like a solemn sanctuary and more like the beginning of a joyful feast.
Together, they arranged the dishes along the long, wide stone benches that stretched across the hall. Soon the once-bare tables were filled with foodsteaming platters of meat, warm loaves of bread, bowls of soup, and cups ready to be filled.
When everything was ready, they all sat down.
For once, the silent halls of High Hrothgar were filled with the simple sounds of people enjoying a meal togetherthe clink of cups, the quiet laughter, and the comfortable murmur of conversation.
As they ate, Astrid began telling the story of their journey.
The Greybeards listened with deep attention, their aged eyes calm yet curious as Astrid recounted how she and Alex had faced Alduin, the terrible World-Eater.
Her voice carried through the hall as she described the fierce battle that shook the skies, the power of the Dragonborn, and the moment they were drawn into the legendary realm of Sovngarde.
She spoke of the golden skies that stretched endlessly across the afterlife, the majestic halls where the souls of ancient heroes gathered, and the powerful spirits who welcomed them as warriors worthy of standing among legends.
At times, even the usually composed Arngeir allowed a faint smile to appear as he listened.
Astrid described the final confrontationthe moment when the heroes of Sovngarde and the Dragonborn stood together to bring down the World-Eater once and for all. Her words painted such vivid images that it almost felt as if the ancient hall itself could see the battle unfolding in the golden skies.
By the time the story ended, the atmosphere in the hall had grown light and cheerful. Though the Greybeards were not men who laughed loudly, there was a rare sense of joy and peace in the room.
For a short time, the weight of prophecy, dragons, and war seemed far away.
Eventually, the meal came to an end. The dishes were cleared, and the warmth of the gathering slowly faded back into the quiet dignity of the monastery.
Alex and Astrid stood and offered their farewells to the Greybeards before preparing to leave.
Stepping outside, the cold mountain air greeted them once more as they began their journey down from High Hrothgar.
The path was long and winding, cutting through the towering peaks of the mountain. Snow crunched beneath their boots as they descended slowly from the sacred heights.
It took nearly an entire day of travel before the distant plains opened before themand far ahead, the familiar walls of Whiterun finally came into view.
By the time they arrived at the great gates of the city, a guard stepped forward and looked at them with curiosity.
"Ah, Dragonborn… did you succeed in defeating Alduin?"
Astrid nodded calmly.
"That's right. But if possible, we ask that you keep this information secret for the time being."
The guard looked confused by her request. Before he could ask further, Alex spoke.
"If your families still want to live peacefully and avoid being dragged into the civil war that could erupt at any moment… it would be better for you to keep your mouths shut, wouldn't it?"
The guard swallowed nervously after hearing Alex's words, realizing that what he said made sense.
"…Very well. If that is the case, I will keep silent. But I cannot hide such news from the Jarl."
Alex patted the guard on the shoulder reassuringly.
"Don't worry. Astrid and I will personally deliver the news to Balgruuf the Greater."
With that settled, the two of them finally entered Whiterun.
As they walked through the city streets, Astrid's expression turned slightly worried.
"Are you sure Balgruuf will keep this news a secret?"
Alex smiled calmly.
"Relax. Balgruuf is a wise man. He will make the right decision and won't reveal this news carelessly."
Alex and Astrid then hurried toward the residence of Balgruuf the Greater at Dragonsreach.
As they entered the great hall, they immediately noticed Lucia playing with a young boy nearby. The moment Lucia saw Alex and Astrid, her face lit up with overwhelming joy.
"PAPA!! MAMA!!"
She ran toward them and threw her arms around both of them in a tight hug.
The boy who had been playing with Lucia slowly approached them as well. He looked shy and a little nervous.
"So… you two are Lucia's parents, huh?"
He lowered his head awkwardly, clearly embarrassed, occasionally sneaking glances toward Astrid.
"Umm… I'm sorry for how rude I acted before. I didn't mean it like that. I think I judged you too quickly."
Lucia looked at him and smiled brightly.
"Dad, Mom, this is Nelkir. He play with me while you were away finishing your mission. He's a good boy."
Alex let out a small laugh, though he quickly held it back.
"Well then, nice to meet you, Nelkir. And thank you for keeping Lucia company so she wouldn't feel lonely."
Astrid, however, stared at the boy with a slightly fierce expression.
"Oh? So this cheeky kid has been hanging around Lucia, huh?"
Lucia quickly stepped in front of Nelkir, clearly trying to protect him.
"Mom! Don't be like that! He's my friend!"
Astrid let out a long breath and tried to calm herself.
"Huff… fine. But if you ever do anything to Lucia, you'll have to deal with me, kid."
Nelkir looked at Astrid's intimidating expression and quickly hid behind Lucia.
"Lucia… your mom is really scary."
Before the moment could continue any further, Balgruuf the Greater entered the throne room of Dragonsreach, having heard the commotion.
"Ah, Astrid and Alex. Have you succeeded? I'm very glad to see you both."
Alex's expression turned serious as he stepped forward.
"Jarl, I hope that the news of our success in defeating Alduin can be kept secret for the time being."
Balgruuf looked puzzled for a moment, but then he quickly understood what Alex meant.
"Hm… I see. You're right. If such news spreads, it could easily ignite the war again."
Alex and Astrid visibly relaxed, relieved that Balgruuf had immediately grasped the meaning behind their request.
Balgruuf the Greater nodded thoughtfully.
"Very well. I also need time to strengthen the defenses of my Whiterun."
Then he shifted the topic with a lighter tone.
"But before all that, how about we celebrate first, hmm? You must be quite tired after traveling all the way here."
Alex and Astrid exchanged smiles.
"Alright then," Alex said. "Let's have another feast."
Balgruuf the Greater blinked in confusion, clearly surprised by Alex's words.
"Another feast? So I'm not the first one to celebrate your victory?"
Alex chuckled softly and shook his head.
"No, my lord. The celebration already began at High Hrothgar. The Greybeards themselves insisted on holding a feast after Alduin was defeated."
For a brief moment Balgruuf stared at them in disbelief, as if imagining the usually solemn monks of the mountain hosting a celebration.
Then he suddenly burst into booming laughter that echoed across the great hall of Dragonsreach.
"Hah! Those old men! Even though they're practically standing at the gates of Sovngarde already, they still know how to light up the mood!"
He shook his head in amusement, clearly entertained by the thought.
"But that is truly wonderful news," Balgruuf continued, his voice carrying a note of genuine relief. "The World-Eater is gone… the skies of Skyrim are safe again. This is a victory worthy of more than one celebration!"
Without wasting any time, Balgruuf ordered a feast to be prepared within Dragonsreach. Servants hurried through the great hall, bringing out platters of roasted meat, freshly baked bread, wheels of cheese, bowls of stew, and bottles of mead and wine.
Before long, the long tables of the palace were filled with food and drink.
The atmosphere grew lively as those present gathered together. Cups of mead were raised, laughter echoed through the hall, and the tension that had weighed heavily on everyone for so long seemed to fade away, even if only for the night.
However, Balgruuf remained cautious.
Despite the joyful occasion, he made sure the celebration remained small and private. Only the people he trusted mosthis loyal guards, close advisors, and a handful of dependable allieswere invited to join the feast.
It was a celebration of an incredible victory, but it was also carefully controlled.
For now, the news that Alduinthe legendary World-Eaterhad been defeated by the Dragonborn would remain a secret within the walls of Whiterun.