Chapter 526

526.

The domain Leo entered was a living chronicle of history.

An ancient era was displaying itself via the Akasha Records.

The freezing northern territory of the continent.

It was, quite literally, a barren wilderness.

Leo stood amidst this environment, quietly observing the elves as they labored to cultivate the soil.

“This is…”

Leo’s fists tightened tightly while taking in the panorama in front of him.

These ruins had once been the ultimate monument to absolute hopelessness.

Yet now, a transformation was occurring.

A glimmer of hope was emerging from the wreckage.

The northern continent—the ancestral territory of the elves that Leo remembered—had ultimately achieved a magnificent level of civilization, despite its punishing climate.

Five millennia.

Throughout that immense span of time, the elves had beautifully transformed their new territory.

And the very origin of that monumental effort was the exact tableau playing out before his eyes.

The darkness was fading, and a new dawn was breaking.

How massive was the toll paid to achieve this single moment?

How many souls had put their lives on the line?

What he was witnessing was the reality of the world following the downfall of Erebus.

‘A period dedicated to advancing toward tomorrow.’

“Hey, that is completely the wrong method!”

Swoosh—!

A figure darted right past Leo.

A recognizable tone, a recognizable posture from behind.

It matched the final recollections he held of her perfectly.

‘No, has she grown even more mature?’

There was no remaining sign of the naive child Leo once knew.

The haughty, dependent attitude she displayed only when interacting with her mentors had vanished entirely.

“You need to handle it precisely like this!”

She now carried herself with an air of dignity, and because of that, she commanded immediate confidence.

Berkia utilized her might to realign a massive structural pillar of the building.

Her somewhat bold and confident demeanor carried a distinct resemblance to Luna.

“Ah! My deepest thanks, Lady Berkia.”

“Think nothing of it, it is only natural for me to help, isn’t it?”

She offered a casual wave of her hand to the individual who was offering a warm smile and thanking her.

‘Did she always possess that quality?’

This was an entirely unfamiliar facet of the Berkia Leo remembered.

A multitude of elves placed their reliance on Berkia and emulated her path.

Within that collective devotion, a faint impression of Lisinas could be detected.

“Lady Berkia~”

“Please come and play with us!”

At that exact moment, a group of young elf children gathered eagerly around Berkia.

“I am quite occupied at the moment, whatever shall I do?”

When Berkia offered a slightly flustered grin, the children’s ears slumped in disappointment.

“But perhaps we can play for just a brief moment?”

“Hooray!”

‘Did she always have a fondness for children?’

This particular trait mirrored the nature of Arion.

Once she finished playing with the youngsters, Berkia immediately returned to her obligations.

She silently executed her responsibilities and fostered deep trust among the people.

Moved by her unyielding, ironclad determination, the elves found a renewal of their own strength.

Her current demeanor faintly echoed the essence of Dweno.

“…”

“This territory has improved substantially, has it not?”

“Vihar?”

Hearing the voice originating from behind her, Berkia’s expression instantly turned cheerful.

“Greetings! How fare things in the east?”

“We are managing reasonably well over there.”

Vihar offered a subtle smile.

“It appears you still choose not to show your face before the populace.”

Vihar shut his eyes, processing the question from Berkia, who spoke with a tone of mild disappointment.

“Because a multitude of turncoats still remain. I believe that I, a man whose hands are stained with blood on a daily basis, am a poor fit for the light of the current era.”

Back during the devastating Age of Calamity.

Kyle and Vihar had systematically eliminated an uncountable number of traitors.

Subversives within one’s own ranks are far more perilous than external threats.

Creatures that actively rotted away human hope emerged incessantly, resembling a spreading sickness.

And once the world had been preserved from ruin.

They proceeded to enjoy luxurious lives as though no crimes had ever been committed.

They concealed their transgressions and lived without an ounce of shame.

“…We emerged victorious, did we not? Peace has already settled over the land. Vihar, is it not a waste of your existence to relentlessly track down and capture such individuals until your dying breath?”

“No, I absolute refuse to permit it.”

Vihar gave a cold grin.

“Whose supreme sacrifice allows us to draw breath today? How dare those monsters shamelessly relish in this tranquility?”

The emotion buried deep within his gaze was pure, unadulterated loathing and lethal intent.

“They are required to pay their debt in full.”

“Vihar…”

“They must remain fully aware that I am permanently observing them from within the shadows.”

In the same manner as the moon hanging in the midnight sky.

“They must experience the absolute terror of never knowing precisely when their hour will arrive.”

Vihar possessed zero desire to halt his crusade.

Observing Vihar fixed in this mindset, Berkia’s lips parted slightly.

“I…”

In reality, Berkia harbored sentiments that perfectly aligned with Vihar’s.

She likewise desired to completely wipe out those who had tainted this reality—no, those who would inevitably taint it once more in the future.

“You must preserve your current path, Berkia.”

“…”

“You and I are cut from different cloth.”

Vihar offered a gentle smile.

She was meant to illuminate the land like the radiant sun.

Berkia was precisely that sort of figure.

“There is no reason for you to tread into the dark underbelly of this world. You have no need to familiarize yourself with corruption. You simply need to remain exactly as you are.”

“Vihar, you must realize this. The world is not entirely comprised of filth.”

Vihar let out a poignant, bitter smile.

“I have never been particularly skilled at seeing that side of things.”

“…”

Vihar shifted and rose from where he sat.

“Let us refuse to yield within our respective domains. Exactly as Master modeled for us.”

“…Agreed.”

“Shall we journey to the burial grounds next week?”

“Let us do so.”

They shared a bright moment of laughter before transitioning back to their routine duties.

Observing the pair, Leo murmured under his breath.

“They have truly matured significantly.”

These were dimensions of his pupils that Leo had never been privy to before.

His students, who had developed so immensely, were now forging their independent journeys.

Whether that meant walking in a radiant world or venturing into a profound chasm.

They pressed forward along the trajectories they had personally chosen.

They were cultivating the world passed down by their predecessors through their own unique methods.

They were surrendering every ounce of their being to reconstruct the shattered world.

‘Precisely as we once did.’

During his prior incarnation, he had merely maintained a simple faith that each of them would navigate their existences successfully.

Consequently, he had never truly pondered the exact manner in which they would grow.

They were dependable youths, so they would undoubtedly fare well.

He had merely held that basic assumption.

Yet encountering them in this fashion now filled him with a bizarre sensation.

These unfamiliar traits of his beloved disciples.

Is this the precise emotion that resides within a parent’s heart?

“They have truly… grown up quite a bit.”

The wheel of time spun forward.

Leo bore witness to the entirety of Berkia’s life by remaining at her flank.

She successfully resurrected the domain of the elves.

She never displayed a moment of reluctance when it came to sacrificing her well-being for the greater good.

She exerted every effort to ensure the world, which had finally recaptured its illumination, could gleam with even greater brilliance.

And then…

GooOOOooOOOOOO-!

The terrifying legions of Tartarus materialized before her vision.

Following the successful suppression of Erebus, Tartarus, which had preserved its core strength up until this juncture, launched a fresh invasion to completely obliterate the world.

For the populations who were only just beginning to piece their civilization back together, this was nothing short of an absolute apocalypse.

Subversives who had lain low across various regions of the globe actively demolished their own sanctuaries.

The delicate hope they had painstakingly nurtured was violently trampled and incinerated.

Following the downfall of Erebus.

Over the course of several years, the forces of Tartarus—having fully mended the injuries inflicted upon them by the legendary champions and amplified their numbers—had become an overwhelming threat.

An immense number of legendary figures had already perished during the grueling Age of Calamity.

The great champions of old were completely gone.

All that remained were green, inexperienced warriors who possessed raw heroic traits.

They were severely lacking in both raw power and actual battlefield experience.

Nevertheless.

“This continent is our rightful sanctuary!”

The ancient champions had fully anticipated such a dire predicament and had intentionally left a legacy of hope behind.

“However! We have done nothing but inherit their gifts!”

Berkia, standing at the absolute vanguard of the forces, cried out.

“Now the burden falls upon us to defend this world passed down by our mentors!”

The despair-ridden new generation of warriors gazed up at Berkia, who stood resolutely at the front line.

Those brought up in the light who are forced to exist within darkness naturally yearn for illumination.

Yet perhaps those brought up in darkness who have caught a glimpse of the light yearn for it with even greater intensity.

“We are obligated to safeguard it and transmit it to the future! Precisely as they did for us!”

In the ultimate face of hopelessness, Berkia utterly refused to surrender.

Exactly as her masters had done before her.

“Everyone!”

Berkia bellowed with absolute conviction.

“Let us engage in battle!”

“WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!”

Berkia secured a staggering, miraculous triumph on that battlefield, completely halting Tartarus’s capacity to launch another offensive for the following two millennia.

“Exquisite. Absolutely magnificent!”

Berkia beamed with joy, gazing down at her infant resting within the cradle.

Observing Berkia’s expression, Mide spoke up.

“Whose offspring is he, exactly?”

“My boy!”

Ahem! Berkia, proudly expanding her chest, offered a fleeting glimpse of the exact personality Leo recollected from his past life.

It was a particular demeanor she reserved solely for Mide, her cherished life partner.

“Is he not my flesh and blood as well?”

“Indeed. However, he clearly inherited a greater portion of my traits.”

Leo remained seated off to one side, leaning his jaw against his hand, quietly watching the interaction.

‘She appears truly content.’

In this space, Leo functioned merely as a phantom observer, entirely incapable of altering the unfolding narrative.

Even so, Leo could vividly perceive the deep undercurrents of Berkia’s internal feelings.

And yet…

Leo’s facial expression was not entirely unclouded.

“Ah, has the hour truly grown this late already?”

Berkia scrambled out of her seat with haste.

Watching her sudden movement, Mide spoke with a tone of urgency.

“Berkia.”

“Yes?”

“Do you not believe it is finally time for you to step down?”

“…”

Berkia, who had risen so abruptly, turned her gaze toward Mide.

“Tranquility has finally settled over the lands once more. We cannot know for certain… but the world must have reclaimed a fair portion of its state from before the Age of Calamity. I am convinced global peace has been successfully re-established. You have already accomplished an unbelievable amount, have you not? Is it not finally time to simply appreciate your life?”

“…”

Berkia closed her eyelids and offered a soft, tranquil smile.

“Yes, without a doubt. The world has undeniably recaptured its radiant light.”

Civilization had already entered a state of thriving prosperity.

It was immensely radiant and beautiful in its current state.

The deep wounds inflicted by the catastrophic Age of Calamity had nearly vanished from view.

“Yet I am certain there is still more I can contribute to this world.”

In this particular epoch, Berkia had ascended to a status of reverence equal to the ancient champions of legend.

She spearheaded the entire reconstruction of civilization.

She single-handedly rescued a reality that was teetering on the edge of total annihilation.

Naturally, it was not an objective Berkia had realized entirely by herself.

And yet…

‘It was uniquely achievable because Berkia was present.’

Leo gazed unblinkingly at his student.

“My desire is to forge a world that is vaster and more luminous.”

Berkia rested both of her palms against her midsection, smiling tenderly.

“Exactly as the legendary heroes… as my beloved masters modeled. I wish to hand down an even more radiant illumination to my firstborn… and to our second child who will soon join us… to all those who will populate the future. I am capable of pushing myself further. Rest easy, Mide. Remember, I am Berkia.”

Berkia, closing one eye in a playful wink that mirrored her master’s old habit, spoke with supreme self-assurance before exiting the chamber.

“…”

Leo silently pushed away from his seat and trailed behind her.

“Berkia…”

Right before crossing past Mide, who was muttering Berkia’s name with an expression full of anxiety.

Leo halted his steps for a brief heartbeat and whispered.

“My gratitude to you.”

Thank you for remaining steadfastly by my student’s side.

It was an expression of appreciation that could never actually reach the man’s ears.

Nevertheless, he felt an absolute compulsion to voice it.

Because if Mide had not been there to support her, Berkia would have shattered under the strain a long time ago.

Leo exited the chamber.

He fixed his gaze upon Berkia’s back as she paced down the long hallway.

Those delicate, slender shoulders were currently supporting the entire weight of the world.

Naturally, Lisinas and the alternative legendary champions had borne that exact burden as well.

And yet…

‘The situation is vastly different from our era.’

The sheer pressure of a reality on the brink of total destruction is fundamentally distinct from the pressure of a reality that has reclaimed its peace and expanded exponentially.

And that expanding world was currently weighing down heavily upon Berkia.

CRASH—!

“How can you dare to prioritize nothing but the selfish gains of the dwarves!”

“That statement is utterly absurd coming from avaricious humans!”

“What insolence did you just utter!”

A grand council meeting.

An assembly of global rulers gathered to debate the impending destiny of the world.

During its initial inception, it was far from an arena where individuals screamed over one another.

For the grand rebuilding of civilization.

And for collective thriving, they had diligently carried out their sacred duties.

However, as these various leaders accumulated immense authority, the gathering degenerated into a battlefield where they bickered endlessly over personal advantages.

Even individuals who had originally possessed virtuous intentions transformed completely upon tasting true authority.

Furthermore, a vast number of participants who had earned absolutely nothing, but had simply been gifted their hereditary titles, were now visible at the table.

“…”

Berkia, occupying the seat of prominence at the head of the long table, exhaled a profound sigh.

‘Everything has degraded.’

Berkia simply found herself entirely unable to comprehend individuals who chased their personal cravings to the absolute detriment of global unity.

The contemporary era was one where institutional power had completely vanished, only to firmly root itself once more.

Those who had never truly witnessed raw power before and lacked a proper understanding of it were entirely intoxicated by its sheer influence.

Indeed, she was incapable of understanding them.

Because her spirit remained entirely uncorrupted.

“Cease this at once.”

Berkia commanded in a low, quiet tone.

The ensuing tragedy might well have been an entirely unavoidable conclusion.

“I shall step in to arbitrate.”

The sheer influence of the pure-hearted Berkia was monumental, and her judgment remained perfectly unbiased.

It was also far too unblemished.

To those individuals who were completely blinded by personal greed, Berkia had evolved into an irritating barrier blocking their ambitions.

Perhaps it was entirely predictable that wretched, venomous hostility would eventually be aimed directly at Berkia.

‘We can no longer tolerate a reality where the Fairy Knight single-handedly commands the destiny of the world according to her own whims!’

An open conflict erupted.

Berkia was left completely paralyzed with horror.

How could open warfare break out between the allied factions?

A war, when they had stood shoulder-to-shoulder against absolute annihilation a mere handful of decades prior!

For Berkia, who had never personally experienced internal warfare, nothing could possibly deliver a more devastating emotional shock.

In a desperate bid to halt the violence, Berkia scrambled to the front lines without delay.

She terminated the entire conflict through her sole, overwhelming intervention.

The absolute worst imaginable scenario was successfully averted.

Even so, a staggering number of lives were lost in the process.

Thump— thump—

Treading beneath the brilliant luminescence of the stars, Berkia turned her gaze up toward the heavens with a sorrowful smile.

“…The burden is immense, Master Luna.”

Berkia, freezing in place while staring into the infinite night sky, delivered a sharp slap to both of her own cheeks.

“Master Kyle would have surely reprimanded me severely for displaying such frailty. Correct! Let us pull ourselves back together. Let us focus entirely on how to permanently prevent this conflict from re-igniting.”

Berkia squeezed her fists tight, filled with renewed resolution, and conjured a dimensional warp gate to transport herself back to her estate.

FWOOSH—!

An inferno engulfing her entire estate was the sight that welcomed her return.

And positioned directly amidst the flames was.

“Salutations. It truly has been quite some time.”

The terrifying monarch of aberrations, Shilathuna, flashing a deeply unsettling grin while waving her hand in greeting.