Chapter 531

Book 1 Chapter 531

531.

Lunia observed Leo, who was seated across from her, with an anxious gaze.

Eiran tipped the teapot, filling Lunia’s cup with black tea while wearing a bewildered look.

“Lunia, do you feel sick?”

“What? No, I am perfectly fine. What makes you ask?”

“You look incredibly tense. And you appear to be sweating cold drops.”

“Oh, that?”

Lunia forced a strained grin and stole a quick look at Leo.

The moment her gaze collided with Leo’s, she winced and instantly averted her eyes downward.

Observing this interaction, Chen Shia, positioned right next to Leo, blinked her wide eyes repeatedly before letting out a soft chuckle.

“I always assumed Lunia was a wild spirit, but she turns out to be quite the disciplined pupil.”

“A wild spirit? What exactly do you mean by that?”

As Lunia lifted her gaze to confront Chen Shia, Eiran tapped his chin, staring up at the ceiling in brief contemplation before offering a bright smirk.

“Instead of a wild spirit, she behaves more like a ruffian.”

“Excuse me? How am I a ruffian?!”

“Hmm… perhaps a problematic juvenile instead?”

Chen Shia cocked her head to the side, and Eiran’s smile widened as if he entirely concurred.

“You two!”

Slamming her fist down, Lunia leaped to her feet in indignation, but her eyes locked with Leo’s once more. She shuddered and immediately dropped back into her chair.

“I—I apologize for raising my voice… Ah, no! Please forgive me.”

After stammering those words, she cast a wary glance around the space and muttered under her breath.

“…orry.”

Watching her display, Eiran drifted closer to Chen Shia and spoke in a low whisper.

“Why is Lunia walking on such eggshells?”

“Could it be due to how disrespectfully she behaved toward Lord Leo up until recently?”

“Ah, that explains it.”

“…”

Lunia clamped her eyelids shut in frustration.

She undeniably carried a sense of remorse for letting her naturally abrasive temperament dictate how she treated Leo in the past.

However, there was an even greater grievance occupying her mind.

‘You two are the ones who are bizarrely nonchalant!’

Lunia shrieked in the silence of her thoughts.

This was no ordinary individual; this was the Great Hero himself.

Specifically, the Hero of Beginnings, the sole survivor who ultimately brought about the downfall of Erebus!

‘Anyone would be completely overwhelmed in his presence!’

Yet, every single student from Lumern who was privy to Leo’s true background seemed entirely unphased.

‘What kind of mental training do they put those Lumern students through? Did Eiran catch that same virus?’

Truth be told, ever since his recent stint at Lumern as a visiting scholar, his demeanor had shifted slightly.

Noticing the bewildered look Lunia was casting toward Eiran, Leo finally spoke up.

“Eiran, Lunia. There is a matter we need to discuss.”

“What is the matter, Lord Leo?”

Eiran, resting in the seat beside Lunia, blinked in confusion.

Lunia, reading the sudden gravity in Leo’s demeanor, deduced the topic and murmured almost instinctively.

“Leo. Do you happen to know the identity of the assailant who struck down the principal?”

The moment Lunia posed the question with a rigid expression, Eiran’s countenance shifted violently.

“Is this the truth?”

Lunia shifted her gaze toward Eiran with a hint of trepidation.

Considering the bonds involved, Eiran’s fury was entirely justified.

Even so, she had never before witnessed him speak with such an icy, detached tone.

While Lunia reeled from this unfamiliar side of him, Eiran’s gaze grew incredibly sharp.

“Tell me who the assailant is.”

He radiated a murderous aura that felt sharp enough to slice through solid matter at any second.

Observing this volatility, Leo closed his eyelids and drew a deep breath.

“Young Master Leo.”

Chen Shia spoke up, her voice laced with apprehension.

Leo unsealed his eyes, turned his head toward Chen Shia, and offered a reassuring grin.

“Do not worry.”

He understood exactly what was causing her anxiety.

Chen Shia was well aware of the situation. She knew precisely what Berkhia signified to Eiran.

‘Which is precisely why avoiding the truth is not an option.’

Initially, Leo had struggled with the decision of whether to reveal the reality to Eiran.

However, Rune had offered counsel to the conflicted Leo.

‘Eiran carries the bloodline and legacy of the Ersar house.’

Those words served as a reminder that Eiran possessed an absolute right to the full narrative, and that his spirit was resilient enough not to fracture under the weight of it.

Had Leo not been present, Rune would have undoubtedly conveyed the account to Eiran himself.

“Lunia’s deduction is correct, Eiran. I am aware of who attacked and brought down your ancestor.”

“State the name.”

An ominous light flickered within Eiran’s eyes.

Lunia’s gaze similarly turned frosty.

Fixing his attention on the two elves, Leo parted his lips.

“Berkhia.”

Hearing that name uttered so abruptly, both Eiran and Lunia froze in absolute bewilderment.

Facing their stunned silence, Leo drove the point home.

“The individual responsible for this tragedy is my former pupil… and Eiran, your forebear, Berkhia.”

Eiran’s features froze solid.

Within moments, the color completely drained from his face.

Witnessing this reaction, Leo announced his next move.

“When night falls, I intend to set out to track down Berkhia.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Shia chimed in.

“Is it truly possible to locate Lord Berkhia across the massive expanse of this northern territory?”

Leo shifted his gaze to Chen Shia, noting the faint traces of dread in her tone, and replied.

“I have managed to deduce the path Berkhia took.”

Her eyes widened slightly at his declaration.

Yet, realization quickly set in.

Prior to arriving at the estate of the Ersar family, Leo and Chen Shia had personally inspected the location where the assault occurred.

The site was brimming with subtle indicators.

For someone of Leo’s caliber, extracting a clear trajectory of Berkhia’s movements from those remnants would be secondary nature.

‘After all, Young Master Leo reigns as the foundational Shadow.’

The path of a Shadow demanded unparalleled proficiency in tracking.

It was impossible for Leo to fall short in that regard.

Chen Shia was fully aware that Leo operated on a plane far beyond her own capabilities when it came to such arts.

“I will not demand that you accompany me. The peril is immense.”

Hearing Leo’s caution, Lunia spoke up, her voice dropping into a somber, deliberate register.

“Leo, is it beyond your power to best Lord Berkhia?”

“I cannot guarantee a victory. Had I retained the full strength of my era as Kyle, the outcome might be different, but regarding sheer raw might, Berkhia has climbed far past my current limitations.”

Leo provided the assessment without a hint of exaggeration.

“Furthermore, the Berkhia of today will not be swayed by my voice. You would be risking your very existence.”

To this, Chen Shia responded firmly.

“Regardless of your warnings, I will remain by Young Master Leo’s side. All the more so if the destination is fraught with death.”

“Count me in as well, Lady Luna must be consumed with anxiety regarding Lord Berkhia.”

Lunia stated her resolve with an unyielding tone.

“I cannot certain of my utility, but I am determined to assist in bringing Lord Berkhia back to his senses.”

Leo listened to their declarations, gave a solitary nod, and then redirected his attention toward Eiran.

“I…”

Eiran’s mouth twitched silently.

Keeping his gaze cast downward, Eiran forced a steady voice from his throat.

“I must confront Lord Berkhia.”

The grand persona of Berkhia that he had marveled at within the Hero Record flashed through his mind.

He fought against accepting the reality.

That the legendary Berkhia had fallen to the state of an undead?

That he was now driven entirely by malice and vengeance?

Yet, he was painfully aware that Leo was incapable of fabrication regarding such matters.

The revelation was shattering.

Even so, he refused to shield his eyes from the truth.

“I intend to look him in the eye and speak with him.”

He possessed no clarity on what words they would exchange.

The sheer gravity of the shock left his mind utterly paralyzed.

The turmoil was so profound that he couldn’t even articulate his own motives for wanting this confrontation.

He simply felt a primal urge that the man had to be halted at all costs.

Eiran bit down hard on his lower lip.

Looking upon the three young women, Leo concluded the meeting.

“Our departure begins the moment our gear is secured.”

With those final words, Leo stepped away from the chamber.

Enveloped in an atmosphere far weightier than anything they had previously known, the three young women tightened their jaws.

They knew without a doubt that a grueling tribulation lay ahead.

An entire week slipped away while Leo and his companions pursued the trail of Berkhia.

Leo guided their advance by picking up on the faint, lingering residue of mana that matched his memories.

However, as the seventh day drew to a close, even those phantom traces evaporated completely.

Whoosh!

Amidst a forest battered by a raging blizzard, Leo exhaled a heavy breath.

“How frustrating.”

Even with Leo’s legendary tracking abilities, it was impossible to resurrect a trail that had ceased to exist.

“It appears we must pitch camp in these woods for the night.”

“Agreed.”

Leo gave a nod of concurrence to Chen Shia’s suggestion.

The hour had grown late.

Pushing further through the storm would yield no benefits.

The group moved efficiently to set up their shelter.

Lunia retrieved an expansive tent from her spatial storage artifact.

Deep within the northern territory—a realm defined by eternal winter—the bitter cold manifests much earlier and harsher than anywhere else.

That drop in temperature was merciless.

Even for capable individuals training to become heroes, enduring a night exposed to a blizzard was a severe test of survival.

Because of this, the curriculum at Sayrun placed immense emphasis on mastering survival camping right from the inaugural semester.

Stepping inside the structured shelter, Chen Shia muttered with a hint of amazement.

“No matter how many times I witness it, it remains bizarre. To see elves, who carry such an elegant reputation, display such effortless proficiency in roughing it outdoors.”

“What did you envision instead? That we summon a palace via sorcery every single time we find ourselves outdoors?”

“Precisely. I figured Sayrun would demand nothing less.”

Lunia let out a weary sigh, observing Chen Shia nodding along with absolute earnestness.

“This gives me a very clear picture of how the rest of the academic world perceives us.”

Clicking her tongue in mild amusement, Lunia shed her outer coat in a corner of the enclosure.

Whoosh!

The moment Lunia channeled her inner energy, the interior of the shelter transformed, becoming comfortably warm.

The accommodations were quite generous, ensuring that four individuals could rest inside without feeling cramped.

Lunia unfolded a circular table from her spatial pocket, positioning it squarely in the middle of the space before addressing the group.

“Everyone, please assemble here for a moment.”

Prompted by her call, Leo, Chen Shia, and Eiran closed the distance and gathered around.

Lunia spread a detailed chart of the northern lands across the circular surface and began her analysis.

“To begin, this marks the trajectory we have charted over the past week.”

Every single movement made during the seven days since departing from Elsalbekia was meticulously plotted on the map.

“His movements appear entirely erratic.”

“That is because his mental state is completely fractured.”

When looking at the compiled route they had used to track Berkhia, it truly resembled the path of someone wandering without rhyme or reason.

Lunia nodded in agreement with Leo’s assessment.

“Precisely. Lord Berkhia lacks any understanding of the contemporary world. Furthermore, he has steered entirely clear of any contact with the local populace.”

They had crossed paths with various settlements throughout their week-long hunt.

Yet, the consensus in every village was identical: no travelers had passed through.

“This is merely my own deduction, but regardless of his transition into an undead, Lord Berkhia remains who he is at his core. He is not a monster who would slaughter innocents without cause. Therefore, his focus must be locked entirely onto his specific targets.”

Lunia fixed her ruby-colored eyes onto the parchment.

“If that holds true, there is a massive likelihood that his path converges here.”

Lunia pressed her finger against a specific coordinate on the chart.

Situated a short distance from their current refuge lay a compact city-state recognized as ‘Eldon.’

Staring at the indicated point, Chen Shia remarked.

“That location serves as the primary stronghold for the Pureblood Council within the northern lands.”

“Correct.”

Lunia’s brow furrowed.

Eldon was a society thoroughly steeped in pureblood ideology, extending from the governing council down to the common citizenry.

To frame it favorably, they possessed immense cultural devotion; to view it realistically, they were archetypal elves who maintained an incredibly rigid, isolationist stance.

It was for this very reason that Lunia harbored a strong distaste for traveling to that region.

“As such, my proposal is that we redirect our search toward this territory. What are your thoughts on this?”

Lunia inquired with a measured tone, keeping a close eye on Leo’s expression to gauge his approval.

Listening to her breakdown, Leo offered a nod of agreement.

It was a sharp, logical conclusion that could only be reached by someone like Lunia, who thoroughly understood the intricate political dynamics of the northern lands.

“An astute deduction. Well done.”

A subtle smile graced Lunia’s lips at the praise.

Their objective had been solidified.

The group proceeded to coordinate their strategy for infiltration once they arrived at Eldon.

Throughout the entirety of the tactical planning, however, Eiran remained entirely detached, staring blankly into space.

Both Lunia and Chen Shia cast anxious glances toward him.

“Eiran, are you truly holding up alright?”

“Yes. Do not worry about me.”

Eiran offered a response that sounded hollow and exhausted.

He had remained trapped in this despondent state for the entire week.

Keeping his gaze anchored to the ground, Eiran bit down firmly on his lip.

Whoooosh!

The muffled roar of the tempest outside penetrated the fabric of the shelter.

The interior was cast in complete darkness.

The midnight hour was dominated by a savage snowstorm, ensuring that not a single ray of light illuminated the inside of the tent.

Despite the pitch-black environment, Leo remained awake within his bedroll, his eyelids unsealed.

Even stripped of light, Leo could perfectly discern the contours of the blade gripped in his palm.

‘Vihar.’

The object resting securely in his grasp was none other than the signature dagger belonging to Vihar.

‘What method can I possibly use to force that stubborn fool to yield?’

Enveloped by the absolute blackness, he directed a silent question toward another one of his past pupils—a query that could never receive an answer.

‘And is it even possible for you to grant forgiveness to Berkhia?’

Vihar’s existence had been cut short as a direct consequence of a wound suffered during the conflict involving Berkhia.

Vihar had met a sudden demise during the height of Berkhia’s loss of control.

She, too, had closed her eyes permanently before she could fully pass down her true intentions and guidance to her offspring.

Had Vihar managed to survive even a fraction longer, the destiny of her lineage might have taken a radically different course.

What internal conflicts plagued Vihar as her consciousness faded?

‘She must have harbored deep resentment toward Berkhia.’

Just as he prepared to close his eyes tightly and tighten his hold on the weapon.

Whoosh— crunch— crunch—

Leo’s exceptionally sharp senses picked up the faint compression of snow outside.

Shhh! Whoooosh!

The tent flap was peeled back with immense care, letting in a brief, violent gust of the freezing tempest.

Rustle— rustle—

The nocturnal visitor stepped into the enclosure, closing the distance to Leo with incredibly hesitant movements.

Moments later, the silence was broken by a fragile, trembling voice.

“Lord Leo… are you awake?”

It was Eiran who had navigated through the dead of night to seek out Leo’s private quarters.

“Are you unable to rest?”

“Yes.”

While Eiran, Lunia, and Chen Shia occupied a shared dwelling, Leo maintained a separate, smaller shelter to himself.

It was a standard arrangement to ensure privacy for personal hygiene and changing attire.

Peering through the shroud of darkness, Leo evaluated Eiran.

His garments were damp, indicating he had faced the brutal elements clad only in his nightwear despite the freezing temperatures.

Furthermore, his frame was visibly shuddering from the intense drop in temperature.

“Give me a moment, I will prepare some hot tea to warm you up.”

“There is no need for tea.”

Eiran countered in a shaky whisper, shaking his head side to side.

“I simply.”

Eiran took a final step closer, narrowing the space between them.

“Would it be permissible for me to remain by your side tonight, Lord Leo?”