Chapter 509

Roar-!

“Aaaah!”

“The demon race is here!”

“The forces of Tartaros have broken through!”

“Hurry, seek assistance from Lumeren…!”

Screams rang out across the avenues.

The scene was absolute chaos.

“Hey! Pull yourself together!”

“They’ve lost consciousness! They won’t wake up!”

“Bring the injured over this way!”

Wounded citizens lay sprawled in every direction.

“Eljennie, the Queen of Blood, has launched an assault!”

“Anyone capable of fighting, move to the frontline!”

“Hold back the army!”

“Get the civilians to safety!”

Intelligence regarding the origin of the devastation rippled across the metropolis.

Those possessing combat capabilities rushed toward the fray.

Those unable to fight fled toward secure zones.

Observing from a distance, Lunia exhaled deeply.

She then positioned herself in front of Eljennie, the Queen of Blood, who was radiating an ominous, oppressive pressure.

A beast warrior approached Lunia’s side.

“The student council president of Seirun.”

Lunia cast a look at the speaker.

He appeared to be in his early thirties, possessing the robust, powerful physique characteristic of a beast warrior.

“Who asks?”

Prompted by Lunia, the warrior identified himself.

“I am Gale. Does that ring a bell?”

“Stormblade.”

Lunia voiced his moniker.

Gale, the Stormblade.

He was an individual who had begun earning a formidable reputation as a young champion among the beast warriors.

Despite his youth, he was a battle-hardened defender, having survived innumerable clashes against Tartaros—a trajectory typical for a combat-loving beast warrior.

As he addressed her, Lunia looked skeptical.

“What is your point?”

“Wouldn’t pulling back be the wiser choice?”

Gale gestured toward the rear with a nod of his chin.

“I am well aware of your capabilities through reports. However, this particular clash remains far too demanding for someone who is merely a second-year academy student.”

Gale was not projecting disdain toward Lunia.

Strictly speaking, Lunia was still just a second-year student at the Hero Academy.

‘Even holding the title of student council president, she isn’t Leo Flove. That anomaly.’

Leo had already claimed the presidency during his first year and had recently secured a place on the Hero Records.

Lunia, however, was a different story.

In Gale’s estimation, Lunia’s appointment as Seirun’s student council president was largely a strategic response to the intense rivalry between Lumeren and Seirun.

‘Seirun was simply investing in the future of Lunia El Lundia.’

Lunia’s name was already recognized across lands.

It was an undeniable certainty that she would eventually become the champion representing the elven race in the days ahead.

Gale concluded that she had been granted the presidency early to lay the groundwork for that impending era.

Gale was not alone in this assessment; the other defenders who had arrived to confront Eljennie nodded their heads in silent concurrence.

Just as Lunia opened her mouth to address them.

Rumble! Whoosh-!

Deep crimson flames erupted violently from Eljennie’s form.

The surrounding champions shuddered at the sight.

“Fall back, everyone!”

“Spellcasters and summoners, erect a defensive wall to block Eljennie’s fire!”

The defenders deployed with flawless coordination.

Though the majority of the warriors present were encountering a Legion Commander for the first time, their execution was incredibly precise.

No matter how celebrated a figure listed on the Hero Records might be, engaging a Legion Commander was a rare event.

Furthermore, surviving such an encounter was an immense challenge.

Because of this, those who clashed with Legion Commanders made sure to document their experiences.

Warriors deployed to the Tartaros front lines memorized every detail regarding Legion Commanders recorded by preceding champions to prepare for crisis scenarios.

The defenders present were intimately familiar with Eljennie’s aggressive patterns.

Save for one individual.

Gale’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“What are you doing! Lunia El Lundia!”

While the rest braced for Eljennie’s onslaught, Lunia was stepping directly toward the enemy.

As the onlookers internalised this as a suicidal move, Lunia drew a deep breath and channeled her inner energy.

Hum-!

A luminous magic circle manifested upon Lunia’s palm.

Lunia gripped the matrix and unleashed its power.

Blaze-!

Incandescent fire erupted above her hand.

“Holy Flame.”

This was the legacy fire inherited through the generations of the Lundia family.

The consecrated fire of the Lundia lineage, which had purged corruption since ancient times.

‘The unyielding determination of the Lundia family to cleanse wickedness, even at the cost of consuming their own flesh.’

For that reason, the Holy Flame was classified as a prohibited art.

Within the Lundia family—and indeed among all fires commanded by the elven race—it held the supreme destructive capability, yet it carried equal peril.

Throughout the extensive lineage of the Lundia house, no practitioner had ever achieved absolute mastery over the Holy Flame.

‘Until this moment.’

A subtle smile touched Lunia’s lips.

Fiery red embers enveloped Lunia, shaping into wings of pure flame.

Lunia’s locks shifted to a striking snow-white and drifted upward.

Lina, Lunia’s bound soul companion, merged into the fire and entered her body.

Roar-!

The inferno surrounding Lunia blazed with even greater intensity.

At last, Lunia finalized her incantation.

“Flame Emperor.”

The grand convergence of Lundia’s fire, the Phoenix’s fire, and the astral fire of Luna.

Three distinct blazes roared around Lunia’s form.

Crash-!

Lunia thrust her hand out toward the approaching tide of crimson fire.

Boom-!

Conflagration clashed against conflagration, throwing up a massive column of fire.

Lunia tightened her fist, having successfully neutralized Eljennie’s offensive.

‘Is merely neutralizing it the limit of my strength!’

Lunia clenched her jaw.

What would happen if Leo were the one standing here?

‘He would have completely dominated it.’

Lunia exhaled, visualizing his still distant silhouette.

“How could this be…!”

“Does this battlefield still seem beyond my reach?”

Gale, who wore a stunned expression as he watched her, crossed his arms and let his expression harden.

“How did you manage that?”

“I simply blocked it. My fire is a manifestation granted by Lady Luna. It is unacceptable for it to fall short against a Legion Commander’s flame.”

Lunia spoke as though it required no effort.

Yet, this achievement was by no means simple.

‘…It was a moment of breakthrough.’

The turning point had occurred during the summer training camp.

Being selected by the Dragon Lord had filled Lunia with anticipation.

However, during the conflict with Erebus, Lunia had found herself completely powerless.

She had trembled with frustration at her own inability to assist, forced to watch from the sidelines.

Ar had shared that exact sentiment.

‘Following that camp, that ridiculous cat and that eccentric dwarf pushed themselves to new heights.’

As the bearer of a great champion’s legacy, she could not remain content with her limitations and threw herself entirely into mastery.

This current power was the fruition of that dedication.

‘Realizing it now, everything fell into Leo’s design.’

The methodology of permitting the phoenix to reside within her own vessel was directly derived from observing how Leo guided Fiora.

‘Along with the manipulation of the flames.’

Lunia squeezed her hand into a fist.

Understanding had finally come to her.

‘It was because Leo truly was a monumental hero.’

With that realization came the understanding of the perspective from which he had been observing her.

‘I intended to tread the path Leo walked.’

The individual she had designated as her ultimate destination in life.

‘That resolve remains unchanged to this day.’

Regardless of Leo’s hidden origins, Lunia was determined to follow his lead.

‘To do that, I must attain greater strength.’

Merely deflecting a single strike from a Legion Commander was insufficient.

‘I have to forge ahead!’

The surrounding warriors looked upon Lunia with stunned expressions.

Gale let out a bewildered laugh.

“First Leo Flove… and now you. Lumeren and Seirun are truly remarkable in this generation, aren’t they? The juniors from Azonia will need to redouble their efforts.”

“Ar Tune is just as formidable as I am.”

“What?”

“If you grow complacent simply because you’ve entered the Hero Records, we will overtake you in no time, won’t we?”

Lunia offered a smirk.

Gale smirked back, meeting Lunia’s gaze.

“Hold on now. Unlike those older veterans, I’m still a capable warrior in my thirties. I can’t allow myself to be surpassed by juniors who are still so far behind me!”

“That conceited brat.”

A few nearby champions shot irritated looks at Gale.

The heavy, suffocating mood lifted momentarily.

“Allow me to properly state my name. I am Gale Ernedi, known as the Stormblade. I will secure our rear position.”

Following Gale’s lead, the remaining defenders introduced themselves to Lunia.

It was an explicit acknowledgment that they no longer viewed Lunia as an inexperienced youth out of her depth, but as a peer on the battlefield.

Lunia drew a deep breath, facing them.

“I am Lunia El Lundia. Let us fight well together.”

Rumble-!

Once more, the dark crimson flames swelled.

The decisive engagement between the champions and the Legion Commander commenced.

The avenues were alive with celebration.

A multitude of races raised their voices in triumphant cheers.

The scale of the festivity surpassed anything seen before.

There was no trace of anxiety or dread.

On this particular day, all hardships were cast aside.

It could not be otherwise.

“For today marks the era of total liberation.”

Lisinas offered a radiant smile.

“The absolute eradication of the Primordial Evil, the Flame of Destruction.”

Lisinas gazed at Leo with immense pride.

“This is the day you finally fulfilled the profound desire you carried for so long. We have assembled today to honor your triumph.”

Leo stood centered within the celebratory march.

“…”

Leo quietly observed the surrounding spectacle.

Acclaiming the adoration and blessings of the vast crowds, Leo arrived at the main square of Lumeria City.

Luna, Arion, and Dweno were waiting there.

Leo, looking upon them, questioned.

“Why are you all… present in this period?”

In response to Leo’s words, Dweno folded his arms.

“You are speaking nonsense. Did we not all undergo rebirth together? For the purpose of eradicating the Primordial Evil that we left for future generations to face.”

“Indeed, that is true. And because of that, we have finally secured lasting serenity!”

Arion broke into a joyful grin.

Leo kept his gaze fixed intently upon Luna.

“What? What is it you are staring at?”

Luna, looking irritated with her arms crossed, sharply turned her face away, prompting Dweno to click his tongue and murmur quietly, ‘As unyielding as ever.’

Luna’s eyes sparked with irritation.

Amidst this exchange, Lisinas spoke up.

“It is a profound blessing. To have the opportunity to be reborn together in this future era.”

“…”

“It is a gift. That we are permitted to inhabit this world as one.”

Leo directed his gaze upward toward the sky.

“Do you hold the same view, Kyle?”

Leo lowered his eyelids.

‘This is a deception.’

Such was the treacherous nature of the fabrications crafted by the Mirror Queen.

Even with the cognitive awareness that it was an illusion, breaking free remained an immense struggle.

Before long, one would lose sight of the falsehood and become consumed by it.

Despite the pull, Leo did not succumb to the false reality.

The version of him preserved in the Mirror Queen’s memories was entirely distinct from the person he was today.

The Kyle of that bygone era was an individual incapable of truly perceiving hope.

Yet…

This particular fabrication struck deep into his core.

‘How frequently had that thought crossed my mind?’

Upon discovering his rebirth as Leo Flove.

Leo had pondered.

‘If I have been granted another life, perhaps the others have been as well.’

Ultimately, however, he was the sole individual returned to this world.

‘How magnificent it would have been had they also returned.’

It was a yearning that could never be realized.

The vision displayed before him was dangerously alluring.

“…”

Consequent to this, Leo turned his back to the scene.

“Kyle?”

Lisinas called out, her eyes filled with confusion.

Yet Leo stepped away without a single glance back.

He extended his arm out into the vacant space before him.

Grip! Shatter-!

A visible fracture manifested in the empty air.

“Ah?!”

A sharp gasp of agony sounded.

“How… why?”

Kaneshi’s face was painted with complete bewilderment.

“This construct… it represents your deepest aspiration, does it not? Why reject it?”

“Because it is a reality that can never exist.”

Leo’s response was cold.

Kaneshi’s expression contorted.

“Within this domain, you would know no torment. You could meet your end in complete tranquility, so why do you insist on returning to purgatory?”

“There is something ahead I wish to witness.”

Leo smirked.

“I am eager to see the heights those individuals will reach.”

His thoughts drifted to the aspiring champions sharing this current era with him.

The youths he had recognized and whose trajectories he had guided.

The future allies with whom he had shared laughter and companionship.

Leo desired to watch their destinies unfold.

“I want to see what sort of figures they will become.”

Leo smiled softly.

“And there is an additional reason.”

Clench-!

Leo’s grip tightened around Kaneshi’s neck.

As a result, further fractures rippled across Kaneshi’s form.

“My objective in destroying Erebus is not merely the salvation of this world.”

Swish-!

Leo hauled Kaneshi close to his countenance.

“You are mistaken. You are not the sole entities driven by hatred.”

Leo’s gaze blazed with a fierce desire for retribution.

“Erebus, who slaughtered my companions, and the entirety of Tartaros. I will dismantle you all because I will find no peace until you are utterly wiped from existence.”

His inner self might well be reduced to cinders.

Yet even within those ashes, remnants of value remained.

Not for the sake of the populace.

Certainly not for some grand ideology.

This was retribution for what had been stolen.

Flash-

A spark ignited within Leo’s core.

Snap-!

The simulated reality split open.

Crash-!

The domain dissolved into total obscurity, resembling a shattered mirror.

Leo cast a look at the dissolving illusion, then stepped into the void without a shred of hesitation, whispering to himself.

“The time for me to rest in peace is still a long way off.”

Past the obscurity.

Though hidden from view, the destination Leo walked toward was an absolute reality.