Chapter 504

Chapter 504

Luna stood with her arms crossed, casting a sideways glance at the elves blocking their path.

Observing Luna’s defiant stance and slightly tilted head, Lunia flinched.

‘Come to think of it, Lady Luna…’

Her mind drifted back to the events that had unfolded in Luna’s realm a while ago.

Barhalrun.

The metropolis of the high elves.

In that place, Lunia had conquered the domain while playing the part of an elven princess.

‘The demeanor of the high elves back then was quite identical to how the Pureblood Society acts now.’

Furthermore, Lunia vividly recollected the manner in which those high elves had treated Luna during that period.

Afterward, when she crossed over into Dweno’s world, Lunia managed to read historical accounts detailing the downfall of the elves during the Age of Calamity.

Because of that knowledge, she could comprehend the reasons behind Luna’s current reaction.

“Is there an issue?”

Lunia strode forward, confronting the members of the Pureblood Society.

Her distinct crimson eyes gleamed with a chilly light.

Even in contemporary elven society, the reputation of the Pureblood Society was far from stellar.

Lunia herself had never held a favorable view of them, which explained her unwelcoming demeanor.

Nevertheless, she was fully aware that numerous elves remained deeply entrenched in pureblood dogmas.

This allowed Lunia to surmise precisely why they were obstructing their way.

“Lunia El Lundia. You represent the future of Seirun and stand as a candidate for student council president. Have you neglected the obligation to uphold your dignity at all times?”

‘Just as I thought, they came merely to spout ridiculous claims.’

Lunia released a weary, irritated sigh.

“Another display of disrespect.”

“I am acutely aware of my position as the student council president of Seirun. Furthermore, I have done absolutely nothing that could be viewed as a stain on my reputation, have I?”

“The mere fact that you are strolling unescorted through such a squalid alleyway compromises the honor of all elves.”

Lunia glanced up at the sky, muttering under her breath, ‘Good grief, this is driving me insane.’

“You must refrain from using such crude expressions. To begin with, why are you mingling with such a low-born elf?”

The leading elf of the Pureblood Society knit his brows, directing his gaze toward Luna.

“Word has it that there is an individual on this very street who wanders about in a drunken stupor, bringing dishonor to the elven race.”

“And who might that be, exactly?”

When Luna, arms still crossed, inquired with a note of faint intrigue, the faces of the Pureblood Society elves contorted with irritation.

“Is it not you?”

“Oh, was it?”

A subtle smile appeared on Luna’s lips.

“What an absolute embarrassment to our kind.”

“Lunia El Lundia. Shaming yourself by keeping company with an elf of that sort. Do you feel no disgrace?”

“Do you feel no shame before the legacy of the Progenitor?”

An expression of utter disbelief washed over Lunia’s face.

‘Of all things, they are invoking the Progenitor of the Nebula right in front of her!’

They were mentioning the progenitor directly to the Progenitor of the Nebula herself.

And to make matters worse, they were insulting Luna to her face!

Lunia shifted uneasily, casting a worried look at Luna.

Yet, Luna appeared somewhat amused, finding the current turn of events rather novel.

“What fault lies with Lunia now? In fact, the Progenitor of the Nebula would likely look upon this Lunia with much greater favor, you know?”

Giggling softly, Luna reached out and drew Lunia close into her embrace.

“Oh?!”

Her face buried against Luna, Lunia’s eyes widened in surprise as she shifted her gaze upward to look at the woman holding her.

Luna peered down at the startled Lunia and gave a playful wink.

Held somewhat awkwardly in Luna’s arms, Lunia let out a soft breath.

‘It feels remarkably like a mother’s embrace.’

Enveloped in that warmth and sensing a profound ease, Lunia found herself thinking.

‘But despite everything, she truly is extraordinary.’

The realization surfaced within her quite naturally.

“How dare you presumptuously interpret the intentions of the Progenitor?”

“This is turning out to be quite amusing.”

Luna beamed cheerfully, looking at the elf who persistently argued against her by utilizing her own title.

“Lunia El Lundia. By associating with a mere human like Leo Flov, your circle of acquaintances will only become increasingly degraded.”

However, upon hearing those subsequent words, the bright smile vanished from Luna’s face.

Still held in Luna’s arms, Lunia sensed the sudden shift in the air and felt a wave of bewilderment.

“What did you say about Leo?”

Step—

Releasing Lunia from her hold, Luna moved a step forward.

“He is a common thief who shamelessly plundered a treasure belonging to the elves.”

“Moreover, he carries himself as though he were personally chosen by the Progenitor.”

“A despicable human who acquired renown by grossly distorting his actual deeds.”

The members of the Pureblood Society poured out slander against Leo.

They showed zero compunction about degrading others.

‘Naturally, for individuals of this sort, actual facts hold no weight. They care only for what conforms to their beliefs.’

The corners of Luna’s mouth twitched upward.

She was thoroughly and exhaustingly acquainted with this breed of elf.

Yet, familiarity did not mitigate her simmering rage.

‘Most of all, degrading Kyle is something I will never tolerate.’

“Who do you think you are slandering with those words right now…!”

With a fierce expression, Lunia was on the verge of lunging at the Pureblood Society members, but her movements halted when she glimpsed Luna’s countenance.

Luna’s face, which had remained entirely unbothered when the insults were directed at herself, had transformed into something as freezing as ice.

The moment Lunia hesitated.

Luna extended her arm.

Grab—!

“Ack?!”

The elf standing at the very front suddenly clutched at his throat.

His physical form lifted into the air and was violently dragged directly before Luna.

“Cough, choght…!”

“What is the meaning of this!”

“You dare launch an assault against us!”

Infuriated, the surrounding elves prepared to channel their magic.

At that precise instant, Luna gave a casual flick of the fingers of her free hand.

Clack—!

Whoosh—!

A faint gust of wind swept through.

“No way…!”

“W-what is happening!”

“The magic isn’t manifesting?!”

The Pureblood Society elves were struck with sheer terror.

They were utterly incapable of invoking star magic.

It wasn’t merely a failure to cast the spell.

The fundamental star mana required to execute star magic had completely vanished from their grasp.

“You shall never wield star magic again for the rest of your days.”

Luna stated the fact indifferently, as if it were a trivial matter.

“What ridiculous nonsense!”

The elf currently pinned by Luna’s mana shrieked in absolute rage.

“If we were discussing ordinary sorcery, it would indeed be nonsense. However, when it comes to star magic, it is entirely feasible. After all, the star magic you possess is fundamentally flawed.”

The current framework for star magic was the system Seirun had bequeathed to succeeding generations.

To be sure, even that diminished version yielded formidable power.

Nevertheless, it possessed a fatal imperfection; because it originated as Luna’s exclusive magic, the version Seirun passed down could never be anything more than a rudimentary imitation.

Furthermore, even that imitation had not been thoroughly finalized.

Had Seirun been granted just a bit more time, it would have achieved perfection, but regrettably, the Comet Mage ran out of time.

“You are aware that whenever you employ magic via a specific formula, an invisible path is carved into your physical form, correct? It acts as the conduit through which your mana travels. I have completely severed that conduit.”

“That cannot be…!”

“Indeed. For anyone else, it would be impossible. But for me, it is simple.”

“What are you implying?!”

“Because I am the one who originally conceived this magic.”

Luna offered a sweet, menacing smile.

The remaining Pureblood Society elves clamored, demanding to know what she meant by those words.

Conversely, the face of the elf dangling in Luna’s grip drained of all color.

Just because their beliefs were warped did not mean they lacked intellect or awareness.

The reality of the situation finally dawned on him.

“P-Progenitor…?”

Having dispelled her perception-cloaking magic, Luna grinned with a chilling cruelty.

“I am not particularly merciful or soft-hearted, despite what the legends claim. When someone irritates me, I find it necessary to strike back to satisfy myself.”

With a completely blank expression, Luna cast the Pureblood Society elf aside.

“Oof!”

Tumbling across the ground, he desperately pressed his forehead against the dirt.

“P-Progenitor of the Nebula! I beg for your clemency regarding the slander I uttered against you!”

Watching him shake and cry out in sheer panic, the accompanying Pureblood Society members finally realized that a disaster had befallen them.

“I did not create this sorcery for individuals of your caliber to master. And I most certainly never authorized you to use this power to segregate elves into tiers.”

Luna spoke with freezing detachment.

“Furthermore. Insulting him is something I absolutely will not overlook.”

Luna turned her back to them.

“You will never lay claim to star magic again.”

“P-Progenitor!”

Luna let out a sharp snort and snapped her fingers once more.

With that motion, their figures froze in place.

“What did you do to them?”

Lunia quickly hurried to Luna’s side, inquiring about their state.

“I simply wiped their memories of everything that occurred up to this moment.”

Lunia cast a startled glance backward at Luna, who had provided the response as if it were of no consequence.

True to her words, the Pureblood Society members who had instigated the confrontation were now peering around in utter bewilderment, unable to grasp what had just transpired.

Despite the magnitude of the altercation, the immediate area remained profoundly quiet.

Luna had thoroughly isolated the space utilizing her magic.

“You are truly incredible.”

“Lisinas or Dweno would certainly give me a piece of their mind if they found out. Though, it’s not as if either of them is around at the moment anyway.”

A wistful smile touched Luna’s lips.

Observing this, Lunia showed an expression filled with regret.

“I apologize for forcing you to witness such a disagreeable display.”

“It has nothing to do with you personally. I am well aware that this sort of behavior is simply an inherent trait of the elven race.”

Luna gave a casual shrug, dismissing the matter entirely.

“Well, seeing as my spirits have been dampened slightly, why don’t we find a way to lift our moods?”

“Right! Where would you like to go first?”

“When it comes to altering one’s mood, parting with money is invariably the finest remedy.”

The destination Luna and Lunia selected was Kuraju Street.

In keeping with the grand atmosphere of the Twilight Festival, Kuraju Street was teeming with life, basking in vibrant commercial prosperity.

Improvised bidding blocks were operating dynamically all along the thoroughfare.

Visitors, swept up in the celebratory mood, eagerly partook in the bidding to secure fine keepsakes.

In addition to the commerce and auctions, vibrant street performances were occurring everywhere.

Luna, remaining true to her habits today, sampled the local alcohol sold along the wayside.

Cradling a vessel of liquor in one hand while surveying the lively avenue, Luna eventually arrived at a section where public narrators gathered.

Among the tales being spun, accounts detailing the grand champions were by far the most prevalent.

“Right then! Moving on! Who was the gentleman who captured the heart of the Progenitor of the Nebula, Luna?!”

Upon hearing that loud query, Lunia instantly sharpened her focus.

“It was none other than the legendary God of Blacksmiths! Dweno!”

At that declaration, Lunia burst into a fit of giggles and checked Luna’s reaction.

Luna’s expression had turned thoroughly lethal.

Lunia hastily clamped a hand over her mouth, keeping her eyes on Luna’s dark countenance.

“How were things between you and Lord Dweno?”

“You mentioned previously that you encountered Dweno in the flesh?”

“Correct. I crossed paths with him within the realm of the champions.”

“He made a request for you to pose as a nude subject for him, didn’t he?”

“…He did.”

“Do you honestly believe I could harbor feelings for a degenerate like that?!”

Lunia rubbed her cheek gently, watching Luna, whose features were twisted in intense disgust.

“In that case, were there truly no legendary champions who shared a mutual romance?”

“None. There were no actual couples. Though, naturally, there were individuals who harbored unrequited feelings for others.”

“I-Is that so?”

Lunia’s eyes grew wide with curiosity.

“Indubitably.”

“W-Who exactly held feelings for whom?”

Lunia took a nervous breath, pressing for details.

Luna, who had been observing Lunia’s intense curiosity, finished off the remaining contents of her cup, offered a gentle smile, and remarked,

“Kyle was in love with me.”

“Pardon?”

“He loved me with an immense passion.”

Luna nonchalantly uttered a claim that would have undoubtedly prompted Leo to kick her in the shins had he been present to hear it.

“Ah—,” Luna pressed a hand to her forehead, sighing dramatically as if overwhelmed by the memory.

“You cannot imagine how fiercely he adored and pursued me. He constantly gazed in my direction with smoldering eyes, you see?”

“…When I encountered him personally, he struck me as a rather detached individual, so that comes as quite a shock.”

Lunia thought back to Kyle, the Hero of the Beginning, whom she had encountered briefly within Dweno’s domain.

Her impression of him had been rather understated.

Luna looked directly at Lunia and instructed,

“Precisely. He was exactly that sort of man. Nonetheless, it remains a fact that Kyle was infatuated with me. Furthermore, you must keep this completely confidential. Most particularly from that fellow Leo.”

“Ah, understood. But why must it be concealed from Leo specifically…?”

“Because a secret is meant to be a secret.”

Luna offered a mischievous grin, pressing her index finger against her own lips.

As Lunia nodded in utter confusion at that gesture, Luna suddenly grabbed a few random pedestrians passing by and proclaimed,

“Did you hear?! Kyle, the Hero of the Beginning, was utterly smitten with Luna, the Progenitor of the Nebula!”

Lunia adopted a very flat expression, witnessing Luna maintain a deadpan face while behaving precisely like an intoxicated troublemaker.

‘It doesn’t exactly seem like she’s treating it as much of a secret, does it?’

“Step right up, everyone! Allow me to present a mystical elixir! It goes by the name of the Love Potion!”

Luna narrowed her gaze at the mention of a highly familiar object echoing from a nearby street bidding block, while Lunia looked on with a completely blank expression.

Any individual possessing even a basic understanding of magic would recognize the sheer absurdity of a love potion.

Predictably, mock jeers and scoffs echoed from the surrounding crowd, prompting the vendor to call out,

“While we are restricted from revealing the precise origin of this concoction, why not purchase it just this once as a gamble! Who can say, perhaps genuine affection might truly blossom because of it?”

Despite the heckling, the merchant shamelessly pressed on with his sales pitch.

In truth, such preposterous items frequently made an appearance at these types of public biddings.

Given that it was a festive period, whimsical items were regularly showcased to entertain the crowds.

The love potion currently up for bid was housed within an exquisitely crafted vial.

The amber fluid, shimmering with a mesmerizing hue, appeared quite valuable if only used as a decorative piece.

With the liquid itself resembling a miniature work of art, several young couples caught up in the romance of the festival displayed genuine curiosity and began entering bids.

“They really are peddling all manner of oddities.”

Just as Lunia let out a skeptical chuckle, Luna spoke up.

“That specific elixir.”

“Yes?”

“It bears a striking resemblance to a draft brewed by a particular degenerate I know. Let’s place a bid and acquire it to verify.”

“Ah, very well.”

With a look of sheer bewilderment, Lunia joined the bidding process.

Luna let out a quiet, idle chuckle, her eyes fixed firmly on the love potion.

‘Surely, it couldn’t actually be his.’