Chapter 490

Chapter 490

A vibrant profusion of blossoms blanketed the entirety of the settlement.

Though a crisp autumnal atmosphere had enveloped the area just days prior, the landscape had shifted so dramatically it felt as though spring had suddenly arrived.

True to Chen Xia’s description, the hamlet was quite secluded, yet it boasted an expansive lodge perfectly suited for a vacation retreat.

“Wow, the entire detached suite is ours to use?” Eiran marveled, her voice filled with delight as they were guided to their lodgings.

Securing the private annex granted them exclusive access to an attached courtyard, which featured a quaint, charming pond.

“This is incredibly scenic,” Eiran remarked, clearly enchanted by the Eastern-style architecture of the residence—a rare architectural style within Elf territories.

Stepping out into the courtyard, her gaze sparkled as she observed the decorative fish swimming in the water. She began softly whistling a melody while gathering a variety of the vibrant blossoms growing nearby.

Seated on the veranda edge that overlooked the courtyard, Chen Xia leaned her chin against her palm, observing the girl’s pure and carefree actions.

“Eiran truly is a lovely girl.”

“Why do you speak as though you’ve lived through lifetimes of experience? You are both peers.”

“…Young Master Leo, you speak to us as if you’re our elder, yet you happen to be the youngest among us, don’t you?” Chen Xia squinted, casting a playful glare toward Leo as he took a seat nearby.

“Regardless, it is a magnificent sight. This landscape.”

Withered foliage dotted the earth below. Quite literally, the elements of spring and autumn existed simultaneously in one space.

‘An elf maiden amidst a field of blossoms… what a picturesque view.’ Chen Xia smiled warmly, keeping her chin propped in her hand as she watched Eiran.

Then, her gaze shifted back to Leo.

“…”

Leo sat rigidly, his arms folded across his chest as he stared vacantly at the rafters above.

Noticing his tense posture, Chen Xia let out a soft breath and rose to her feet. Moving behind Leo, she knelt down and placed both hands on his shoulders, beginning to knead the muscles.

“What brought this on so suddenly?” Leo asked, tilting his head backward to meet Chen Xia’s gaze.

Chen Xia offered a gentle smile, looking down at his face.

“Just offering a massage. How does it feel? Are you experiencing some relief?”

“Excellent skill.” Leo nodded, acknowledging the soothing pressure of Chen Xia’s touch on his upper back. Then, a look of curiosity crossed his face. “But what is the reason for this?”

“I simply suspected that Young Master Leo might be carrying the weight of another arduous burden…” Chen Xia explained quietly, continuing to work out the tension in his shoulders. “I was startled when you abruptly proposed that we travel to view the blossoms, but it also brought me a sense of comfort. I believed that Young Master Leo was finally allowing himself a moment of leisure.”

“I maintain an adequate amount of rest regularly.”

“That is not the type of rest I am referring to,” Chen Xia countered, a faint pout evident in her tone. “I mean a total reprieve, one where you put aside all your cares. Ever since your enrollment, Young Master Leo, you have been continuously swept up in monumental crises, haven’t you? Even during this current holiday, the circumstances haven’t exactly permitted true tranquility.”

Leo felt a sudden tightness in Chen Xia’s small fingers.

“Has it not always been this way?”

“Perhaps. I suppose I simply never considered a reprieve to be necessary.”

“It may seem that way, but I consider it vital.” Chen Xia’s fingers resumed their soothing, rhythmic motions against his back. “Reflecting on your expression, you guided us to this location with a specific intent, correct?”

“That is accurate.”

“I shall refrain from pressuring you for details.” Chen Xia lowered herself to sit directly beside him, tilting her head up to look at Leo.

Leo returned her gaze.

“Even so, please allow yourself to discard your obligations for this single day and truly unwind. After all, this location serves as a sanctuary where members of the Shadows journey to rejuvenate their spirits and bodies when exhausted.”

“I see. I did note that despite the low population of this village, the infrastructure is remarkably grand and the lodgings are exceptionally well-maintained for a simple scenic spot. So that explains it.”

“Indeed. For all its modesty, this place holds deep historical pride and lineage. It is the very location where Lady Bihar established her secluded retreat long ago.”

“Bihar?”

As Leo expressed a flicker of astonishment, Chen Xia smiled warmly and returned to kneading his shoulders.

“Lord Leo! Chen Xia! Please observe this!”

At that moment, Eiran called out from the courtyard, a radiant grin illuminating her face.

When they shifted their attention toward her, they saw Eiran gathering the fabric of her dress with both hands. Because she had changed into casual attire, the skirt was quite voluminous, and she had filled it with an abundance of plucked blossoms as if utilizing a basket.

“Is this not absolutely exquisite?!”

“It truly is,” Chen Xia agreed, her smile bright.

“Just as you advised, I shall indulge in a thorough rest today, so you should head out and enjoy yourself as well,” Leo said.

“Oh? But the massage remains unfinished.”

“Thanks to your efforts, I feel completely rejuvenated,” Leo replied with a soft laugh.

“Young Master Leo, would you care to join our activities?”

“Indeed! Lord Leo! Come partake in the fun with us!”

“Me, gathering flowers?”

Faced with Leo’s detached response, the two maidens turned back toward the courtyard without further delay.

‘Regardless of circumstances, youths remain youths.’ Leo chuckled softly under his breath, observing the pair as they took delight in the blossoms like any ordinary girls of their age group.

‘Rest.’

Five millennia ago.

That concept had been entirely foreign to Leo from the very instant he clasped the hand of Lisinas. It wasn’t a reality unique to him, either; his companions undoubtedly shared the same existence.

‘In those days, none of us possessed the luxury to cast aside our burdens and rest peacefully.’

The pattern persisted even following his rebirth. He had conducted his new life solely focused on the ultimate elimination of Erebus. His physical form never faltered, nor did his mental fortitude waver. He regulated his condition with absolute precision to ensure he was always operating at his peak.

Yet, as Chen Xia observed, he had never truly permitted his spirit to relax. There remained far too many unresolved dilemmas tangled in his thoughts.

‘This region was a frequent destination for Bihar. Furthermore, just moments prior, utilizing spirit magic allowed me to glimpse a recollection belonging to an unidentifiable source.’

Leo systematically reviewed the indicators.

‘Additionally, the statice, a species that should have vanished from this world eras ago, is blooming in abundance. Somewhere within this vicinity lies the final resting place of Luna, which Lisinas and I constructed, alongside… my own memorial, which Berkhia recovered and established on my behalf.’

Leo reached out and caught a stray petal that had drifted through the grand threshold connecting the room to the courtyard.

‘This specific blossom must possess a link to the flower Lisinas bestowed upon Berkhia on the eve of our final campaign.’

The sheer volume of interlocking mysteries weighed heavily on his mind.

‘Could the Necrolord have reanimated Bihar as an undead entity?’

The image of his former pupil, who had been unable to release her deep-seated malice toward humanity, crossed his mind. However, he promptly dismissed the notion.

‘No. As Chen Xia suggested, I will simply focus on enjoying a peaceful respite for the remainder of this day.’

He caught sight of Chen Xia weaving a floral crown, while Eiran clapped her hands and giggled joyfully at the sight. Leo’s expression softened into a mild smile as he watched the two girls lose themselves in their play.

‘In an unexpected turn of events, this has transformed into a genuine leisure retreat.’

Immersed in the steaming waters of the hot spring, Leo gazed blankly upward at the expanse above. The evening sky was densely packed with celestial bodies, appearing so vibrant they seemed on the verge of cascading downward.

“When observing her capabilities, Chen Xia truly is remarkable. I mean, she is absolutely exceptional.”

“Hehe—I appreciate the kind words.”

The vibrant conversation of the two maidens drifted over from the opposite side of the dividing partition.

“Young Master Leo, what are your thoughts? The experience is quite wonderful, is it not?”

“It is.”

“Lord Leo, the celestial view tonight is spectacular.”

“Completely agree.” Leo provided a relaxed, steady affirmation to their chatter.

On the other side of the divider, Chen Xia puckered her lips, lowering her face until her mouth touched the surface of the water. Eiran, meanwhile, remained captivated by the stars.

“Do you not think Young Master Leo is acting a bit excessive?”

“In what manner?” Eiran tilted her head, noting the slight irritation in her companion’s voice.

“We are in an outdoor bathhouse, with two attractive women cleansing themselves just inches away on the other side of a partition. Yet he remains entirely unaffected.”

Hearing this, Eiran offered a slightly forced smile.

“Not even a hint of self-consciousness. He behaves precisely like a detached, elderly gentleman.”

Eiran scratched her cheek lightly, watching Chen Xia grumble in a tone that mixed annoyance with a strange sort of grievance. Combined with how they had been dismissed as mere children earlier, Chen Xia felt a touch slighted by Leo’s continuous indifference.

‘In truth, Lord Leo is far from a child.’

Regardless of his youthful physical vessel, his internal consciousness was that of a mature individual. And he wasn’t just any ordinary adult; he was a legendary savior from five thousand years in the past. Furthermore, he was the revered mentor to Berkhia and Bihar, the ancient patriarchs who established both her own and Chen Xia’s ancestral lineages.

‘It is hardly astonishing that he perceives us as mere youngsters.’

Eiran submerged her lips beneath the water’s surface, exhaling a soft breath.

Bubble, bubble—

Through the rising pockets of air, Chen Xia spoke up once more.

“We happen to be his elders in this lifetime, you know.”

“Th-that is… technically accurate?” Eiran offered an uncertain smile, watching Chen Xia suddenly assert her status as the senior companion.

“Are you not curious to hear Young Master Leo lose his composure for once?”

“How would you manage that?”

Chen Xia offered a mischievous wink and called out loudly, “Young Master Leo! Since we have journeyed here for recreation, why don’t we share the bath? I would be glad to assist in scrubbing your back!”

At Chen Xia’s startling and provocative proposition, Eiran gasped, her jaw dropping open in sheer shock. It was a bold statement thrown out solely because Chen Xia assumed Leo wouldn’t be fazed by anything less scandalous.

“Shall we proceed then?”

Splash—!

Yet Leo remained entirely unruffled. The distinct sound of a body exiting the water echoed from the other side, followed by deliberate footsteps drawing nearer to the partition wall.

Slosh – Slosh –

“Would you two prefer to cross over to this side? Or should I make my way over to yours?”

Chen Xia was instantly thrown into a panic by Leo’s completely unbothered counter-offer.

“Huh? Ah! Th-that is! No, it was merely a jest… It-it is quite fine, I am currently alone… No, no! I was simply playing a practical joke! I only intended to tease Young Master Leo a bit…”

Chen Xia, who typically remained unflappable under any circumstance, was utterly unraveled. Her complexion flushed a deep crimson as she stuttered out her frantic clarification.

“Refrain from executing such pranks in the future.”

From across the divider, Leo’s mildly amused voice drifted over, followed by the sound of another heavy splash as he re-entered the water.

‘Ugh… I was completely outmaneuvered. He truly refuses to be bested.’ Chen Xia dunked her entire face into the thermal water to conceal her burning cheeks.

“Ah, what a missed opportunity.”

“Huh?”

Startled by Eiran’s sudden remark, Chen Xia snapped her head up. Catching Chen Xia’s dumbfounded expression, Eiran flinched slightly and rushed to offer an explanation.

“I—I recall reading in a text that within human society, there exists a tradition where men and women who aren’t related bathe collectively while traveling! I—I simply viewed it as a chance to experience their customs firsthand. I figured it was a worthwhile educational opportunity…”

“What exactly do you imagine human culture to be? No such scandalous custom exists. Furthermore, what manner of literature are you reading that contains such concepts? Unless it is some highly bizarre fiction, such details would never…”

Eiran swiftly averted her gaze, refusing to make eye contact. Watching her react, Chen Xia murmured to herself in disbelief.

‘She appears entirely proper, yet her literary preferences are dangerously eccentric.’

Goooooooh—!

The entire horizon was consumed by obsidian flames. A colossal, ancient malice discharged torrents of fire that threatened to incinerate the world.

Boom—! Flash—!

A brilliant, golden radiance erupted upward into the heavens, appearing to slice through the overcast sky. A warrior with silver hair gripped his blade tightly and surged forward, his gaze gleaming with fierce intensity.

“K—Kyle! You cannot face it solitary!” Luna cried out in pure desperation, calling after Kyle.

“Luna, attending to your shoulder must take precedence. Kyle will secure us the necessary time, so utilize this interval quickly,” Lisinas urged, rushing to Luna’s side.

Luna ground her teeth together, focusing her energy on mending the severe puncture wound marking her right shoulder.

Slash—!

Simultaneously, a blade strike capable of cleaving reality itself descended upon Erebus.

Whoosh—!

The radiant golden aura sliced cleanly through the towering entity that continued to spew dark flames. Kyle’s silver eyes locked instantly with the deep crimson gaze of Erebus mid-air.

Erebus rumbled in a low, resonant tone.

Erebus openly mocked the unyielding determination burning within Kyle’s eyes.

Clench—!

Erebus seized the golden energy that had impaled his physical form. Tearing it free from his flesh, he hoisted his opposite hand into the air.

Fwoosh—!

A great blade forged from black fire materialized instantly. Witnessing this, Kyle raised the weapon gripped firmly in his own hands.

Flash—! Crrrraaaash—! Fwoosh—!

The burning blade swung by Erebus crashed down violently upon Kyle.

Crrrraaaash—!

The very ground beneath Kyle’s feet fractured and disintegrated completely. In comparison to the massive sword of Erebus, Kyle’s form appeared minuscule. He seemed incredibly vulnerable, as though he might be utterly obliterated at any given second.

Even so, Kyle’s silver gaze remained entirely devoid of hopelessness. If anything, his eyes blazed with an even more volatile, lethal intent.

Fwoosh—!

From the dark blade of Erebus, waves of absolute annihilation poured forth like a devastating tide. The black fire raged with a ferocity that threatened to reduce Kyle to cinders instantly.

The hand Kyle used to hold his weapon was entirely engulfed by the dark conflagration. His features twisted in agonizing torment.

Witnessing the sight, Luna shrieked, “We cannot afford to waste time on these injuries!”

Grasping her staff tightly, Luna charged directly into the fray.

Thump—!

Leo bolted upright to a sitting position.

“A dream?”

Leo’s chest was heaving with an intensity that was entirely uncharacteristic for him. His entire frame was drenched in a cold perspiration. The sequence had been so staggeringly vivid it felt like absolute reality.

Taking a measured, deep breath, Leo mentally reconstructed the details of the vision he had just witnessed.

‘The third engagement of our final campaign.’

It was precisely the catastrophic conflict during which Luna lost her life.

‘How bizarre. To experience a recollection of that event with such shocking clarity.’

The sensation was so potent it felt as though he had physically occupied that violent war zone just moments prior.

The instant Leo extended his right hand downward to assist himself in rising—

“Gah?!”

An intense, burning agony flared through his right shoulder, causing his limb to give out completely.

Splash—!

As Leo collapsed back down, he realized the bedding beneath him was thoroughly saturated.

‘Is this blood?’

Detecting the sharp, metallic odor of blood in the air, Leo pressed his left hand against his right shoulder. He distinctly felt the presence of a deep gash.

Yet, the injury mended itself almost instantly, vanishing entirely as though it had never existed in the first place. The agonizing sensation dissolved along with it. Only the significant volume of blood pooling on the bedding served as proof that he had suffered a genuine wound mere seconds ago.

Leo was left completely bewildered.

“What exactly is the meaning of this?”