Chapter 503

Book 1 Chapter 503

Startled—

Waking abruptly from her slumber, Luniah blinked against the light, quickly sitting upright to survey her surroundings.

The night before.

Overwhelmed and losing consciousness at that terrifying spectacle, Luniah had somehow eventually drifted off to sleep.

“Ugh…”

Uttering a soft groan, Luniah pulled herself from the bed and walked over to a corner of the room where a brief message had been left.

It was a note from Eyran, informing her that he was heading out to attend the lecture given by Rumerne.

‘Leona Cal… and that youngster named Chen Shia must have accompanied him to see Rumerne as well.’

If that were the case, the only one remaining here would be.

‘Lady Luna.’

Her mind a whirlwind of conflicting sentiments, Luniah exited the quarters and made her way down toward the ground floor.

In contrast to the chaotic night, the ground floor was peaceful, likely owing to the early morning hour.

Creak- creak-

With each step she took down the staircase, the familiar groaning of the aged wood reverberated through the air.

The moment she stepped onto the main floor.

“Ah…”

An involuntary breath escaped Luniah’s lips.

Sitting at the tavern’s tables, a handful of patrons were quietly eating breakfast.

Yet, what immediately commanded Luniah’s attention was an elf positioned right by the window.

Her pale silver tresses gleamed under the morning rays, and her amber eyes radiated a brilliant light.

It was precisely the majestic countenance of Luna, the grand progenitor of the Nebula, whom Luniah had always revered.

‘Just as I thought, what I witnessed yesterday must have been a trick of the mind!’

Breathing a sigh of relief, Luniah began to walk toward Luna.

Right then, Luna stared down into her cup and grumbled aloud.

“Ugh—seriously, this wine is just overpriced and tastes awful. What in the world did Lycinas and Dweno find so remarkable about this stuff?”

Observing Luna complain with the weary demeanor of a grueling laborer, Luniah tripped over her own feet and tumbled forward.

Thud-!

The dining patrons began to whisper among themselves, watching the striking, red-haired elf collapse awkwardly on her own so early in the morning.

“Check out that elf over there.”

“Looks like she hasn’t slept off last night’s drinks yet.”

“An elf hitting the booze in the morning… there goes my idealized view of their race.”

Luniah lifted her head, narrowing her eyes as she cast a fierce glare at the onlookers.

Intimidated by the look, the surrounding crowd hurriedly averted their gazes.

Inhaling deeply, Luniah stood up and walked the remaining distance to Luna.

Halting before Luna, Luniah straightened her attire, cleared her throat, and offered a formal greeting.

“It is an honor to meet you. I am called…”

“Yes, I’m aware. You’re Luniah, correct?”

Luna spoke without looking up, scribbling something down with a quill.

“Excuse me?”

“Twice within the champion’s realm. Actually, we encountered each other once, didn’t we?”

“You actually recollect that moment?”

“Of course. We stood side by side against Erebus, after all.”

Luniah’s expression turned to one of utter astonishment as she looked at Luna, who had finally set her book aside to offer a warm smile.

It was remarkable enough that Luna existed in this current era, but to perfectly retain memories from the champion’s realm was truly astounding!

Noticing Luniah’s stunned state, Luna rested her chin in her hand.

“Well? Word has it that you consider yourself my heir?”

“Pardon? Wh-what are you referring to?”

Luniah’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson.

“Leo shared the whole story with me.”

Luniah stood frozen in embarrassment, watching Luna break into a mischievous laugh.

It was undeniable that she aspired to follow in Luna’s footsteps.

Still, having been labeled a successor under circumstances Luna hadn’t even been privy to until now left Luniah feeling incredibly self-conscious.

‘Oh! Why on earth would he tell her that!’

As Luniah stood there nervously fidgeting, her mind racing with thoughts of Leo.

“It gives me peace of mind, knowing I have a successor of your caliber.”

Luniah’s eyes widened in surprise.

“You aren’t offended that I claim to be your successor?”

“Hmm? What reason would I have to be offended?”

“You hardly know anything about me, do you?”

“True. I don’t know you intimately.”

Luna offered a gentle smile.

“Even so, I recognize the core of who you are as an elf.”

“Pardon?”

A person’s true disposition is always mirrored in their internal mana.

To Luna’s discerning vision, Luniah resembled a pure, white blaze.

“You possess an honorable spirit and incredible capability. That is precisely how you managed to master the Fire Emperor, is it not?”

That fact alone was more than enough, Luna mused silently.

“It wasn’t a feat I achieved entirely on my own, you know? Lord Katariru provided immense guidance.”

“That ridiculous feather-head?”

“Fe-feather-head?”

Luniah looked completely dumbfounded, hearing Luna describe the exalted Phoenix King with such an outrageous moniker.

“I really ought to have plucked him and turned him into soup back then.”

After staring blankly at Luna as she clicked her tongue in annoyance, Luniah suddenly let out a joyful laugh.

“Hmm? What’s so funny?”

“Oh, nothing. Haha. I suppose… how should I put it? The way you seemed yesterday versus… your demeanor today… it’s vastly different from what I always envisioned.”

“The version of me in your mind. Tell me, what do the citizens of this age think I was like?”

“You were portrayed as exceptionally gorgeous, deeply compassionate, and completely flawless. The ultimate ideal of elven kind.”

“What? But that describes me perfectly, doesn’t it?”

Luna made the statement with absolute gravity.

Staring at her, Luniah debated exactly how she should respond.

She had a sneaking suspicion she might get smacked if she dared to disagree.

‘Is this what Ar went through?’

Luniah found herself thinking of her beast-kin companion, Ar.

Ar-eon, despite his timid nature, was entirely unlike the legendary figure the public idolized.

Yet, despite those quirks, Ar held him in high regard without a second thought.

‘I feel so foolish for losing my composure just from seeing Lady Luna yesterday.’

Taking a settling breath, Luniah met Luna’s gaze with clear, focused eyes.

“Changing the subject, Lady Luna. What exactly have you been working on all morning?”

“I’ve been crafting a new spell.”

“A spell?”

“Indeed! This era is absolutely fascinating!”

Luna spoke with genuine exhilaration in her voice.

“The arcane arts have progressed to a degree that is incomparable to five millennia ago! The possibilities are endless!”

In truth, Luna, who was posing as an exchange scholar at Rumerne, was supposed to be in class, but she had chosen to spend the day here analyzing arcane theories instead.

Luniah focused entirely, hanging on to every syllable Luna uttered.

Filled with reverence, she began exchanging theories on spellcraft with the legendary figure.

Pleased by Luniah’s keen interest, Luna kept the dialogue going with great enthusiasm.

As the two remained deeply engrossed in their academic debate.

The sun had already climbed past its peak.

After requesting some mid-day food, Luna leaned back against her seat, a soft smile gracing her lips.

“Chloe, and you as well, your perspectives on the arcane are truly remarkable!”

“I am incredibly honored to receive such praise from you.”

“Berkiya always despised hitting the books, so it was never easy to have these kinds of intellectual debates.”

Luniah offered a timid smile, watching Luna softly hum a melody to herself.

“You. Eyran, Chelsea, Chloe, Avard. And that girl Illiana as well. Watching all of you brings me immense joy. You are all bound to become extraordinary spellcasters. Though, that child Illiana does remind me a bit of Berkiya.”

Luna let her mind wander across the talented young mages she had encountered in this time period.

She had already engaged in lengthy conversations with the top second-year scholars from Rumerne.

And getting to know Luniah like this brought her genuine delight.

Luniah, whom Leo had deemed her true heir, also possessed boundless potential.

Merely observing her sparked new ideas for spellcraft.

“Ah~ I really have no desire to return.”

Hearing those words, Luniah’s shoulders stiffened slightly.

Slowly, she parted her lips to speak.

“Lady Luna.”

“Hmm?”

“Is there no way for you to remain in this present era?”

Luna’s eyes grew wide.

“It might be arrogant of me to suggest this, but… Lord Ar-eon successfully protected our world once again quite recently.”

The elimination of the remnants of Erebus.

An achievement the world had desperately desired for so long.

Because of that victory, the world had advanced a step closer to absolute redemption.

And through her dialogue with Luna, Luniah became entirely certain.

‘If Lady Luna chooses to stay in this timeline… the entire progression of magic will undergo a revolution.’

“Simply by having Lady Luna exist in this era, the salvation of our world will undoubtedly be secured.”

Luniah could easily perceive that the sorcery Luna was currently developing was an entirely unprecedented discipline.

That system, which fused Luna’s ancient wisdom with contemporary magical principles, was potent enough to send shivers down Luniah’s spine.

She understood it intuitively.

With Luna’s presence in this age, the arcane arts would experience an unprecedented leap forward.

And…

‘I want the chance to converse with Lady Luna for much longer.’

Luniah felt a deep pang of sorrow for Luna.

Even during their chat, Luna had smiled brightly while taking in the serene view outside the window.

The sight of countless citizens moving about their days on the vibrant walkway.

It was, by all accounts, a completely mundane, everyday sight, yet Luna stared at it with a look of pure wonderment, as though she were witnessing a miracle.

Observing that look, a realization dawned on Luniah.

‘This individual… has never actually gotten to enjoy life.’

She had sacrificed everything to preserve existence, yet she had never tasted the fruits of her labor.

This was a reality Luniah, who had only ever read of her idealized glory in historical texts, had never considered.

Long before she was an immortalized savior, she was simply a living soul.

“How fascinating.”

Luna smirked.

“Every person who discovered my true identity treated me with absolute awe. You are the very first to look at me with sorrow.”

“I-I deeply apologize.”

“There is no reason to apologize. It simply proves that you comprehend my heart quite well.”

Luna reached across the table, gently stroking Luniah’s vibrant red hair.

“Thank you.”

Luniah’s face warmed at the affectionate gesture.

“I am quite eager to see what sort of champion you will ultimately become.”

“My dream is to walk the path of Lady Luna.”

“As well you should!”

Luna chuckled softly before rising to her feet.

“Very well, then it’s time to head out with your older sister.”

“Head out?”

“Naturally. Shouldn’t we take part in the festivities?”

Luna took hold of Luniah’s wrist, pulling her upright, and confidently strode forward to push open the exit.

Following closely behind, Luniah couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

“Halt.”

The moment they stepped out of the tavern and advanced a short distance down the walkway, a contingent of elves blocked their path.

At the sight, Luna tilted her head in confusion, while Luniah’s expression hardened into a frown.

“The Pureblood Society.”

“Pureblood Society? What exactly is that?”

Luna inquired, tilting her head.

“They are radical elf supremacists.”

“Elf supremacists, you say…”

Luna’s eyebrows knit together at Luniah’s explanation.

“Similar to High Elves?”

“Every member of the Pureblood Society aligned with our cause has been wiped out.”

Atkhan, the Grand Duke of Dirges, delivered the report, causing the Necromancer King to rest his chin in his hand, releasing a slow breath.

“It appears they conducted a thorough investigation. As anticipated, Berkiya made her move.”

The Elven Pureblood Society.

Sometime before, due to the interventions of Leo, the vast majority of the elves allied with the Necromancer King had either perished or been stripped of their authority.

However, that did not mean their network was completely severed.

“Elves truly never alter their fundamental nature. Which makes them remarkably easy to exploit.”

Five millennia ago.

The machinations of the Necromancer King were precisely what triggered the downfall of a massive elven civilization during the Age of Calamity.

Most elves consumed by racial bias possess incredibly narrow vision.

Their supreme arrogance, convinced of their own ultimate superiority, fostered a rigid delusion that they could manipulate any variable.

Even if it meant dealing with the very power of Tartarus that would ultimately slit their throats.

Even with the total annihilation of the complicit Pureblood Society members, the Necromancer King remained entirely unfazed.

For he held absolute certainty that more elves seeking their dark influence would inevitably surface in due time.

The Grand Duke of Dirges bowed his head deeply before the Necromancer King.

“I confess I still fail to comprehend Lord Hell Kaiser’s true objective in awakening the Fairy Knight.”

Fairy Knight Berkiya.

She stood as the most formidable champion the Necromancer King Hell Kaiser had resurrected through his supreme dominion.

Yet even the Grand Duke of Dirges, who had functioned as the Necromancer King’s primary advisor for eons, found it impossible to decipher his strategy on this matter.

Regardless of how much the Necromancer King’s dominion had been amplified by the essence of Erebus, his ultimate capabilities still possessed boundaries.

Reanimating Berkiya into an undead thrall was a venture that demanded a catastrophic expenditure of energy.

Furthermore, upon her resurrection as an undead entity, Berkiya immediately shattered the shackles of the Necromancer King’s command.

“Had you chosen to awaken alternative Legion Commanders with that immense energy instead…”

“Had I chosen to revive my old brothers-in-arms, it would have undoubtedly provided immediate tactical benefits, I admit.”

The Necromancer King responded with absolute composure.

“But unfortunately, Tartarus suffered a decisive defeat at the hands of those legendary champions of old.”

During the Age of Calamity.

The battalions of Tartarus endured cataclysmic ruin due to the efforts of those great icons.

“Even if those old warriors were pulled from the grave, there is a high likelihood they would merely serve as stepping stones for the new generation trained by the surviving champions.”

“Yet the Fairy Knight is an entity far surpassing the champions of genesis. If she remains wild and decides to redirect her fury toward Tartarus…”

“Should that occur, the fallout would be catastrophic. However, Berkiya will never aim her weapon at Tartarus.”

“For what reason? I beg you to enlighten this ignorant servant.”

“Because the catalyst for her descent into absolute malice was never our doing.”

The Necromancer King allowed a dark grin to spread across his face.

“She will absolutely refuse to accommodate it. This current era.”

In many regards, the current civilization is far more corrupt and repulsive than the one from five thousand years ago.

Berkiya would never tolerate its existence.

Innumerable factions would face absolute annihilation by the rampaging Fairy Knight.

“But should she happen to cross paths with a living legend from her past…”

“His words will never penetrate her mind. The atrocities she has committed will deafen her entirely.”

Even the very Necromancer King who granted Berkiya new life cannot dictate her actions.

The opposing side faces the exact same dilemma.

Quite literally, an agent of absolute ruin that obliterates all in her path.

That was the current state of Berkiya.

“I wonder. What sort of look will that surviving champion possess when he bears witness to his corrupted apprentice?”

The Necromancer King’s lips contorted into a sinister smile.

“And what manner of expression will cross his face when he discovers that his own pupils turned their weapons upon one another.”