Chapter 535

Book 1 Chapter 535

“Minions of the Pureblood Council!”

“Unpardonable!”

Runia grimaced, glaring at the surrounding elves who were tightening their cordon around her while shouting.

“Now then.”

A prominent vein throbbed on Runia’s forehead.

“Who do you think you are.”

She unleashed a fiercely swung, clenched fist.

“Calling purebloods?!”

Thwack!

“Gah?!”

An elf making a direct charge at Runia took a heavy blow to the jaw and collapsed instantly.

Simultaneously, the surrounding knights unsheathed their blades and closed the distance.

Runia let out a dismissive snort at the sight and flicked her fingers.

Click!

Whoosh!

The elves rushing inward to restrain Runia flinched and retreated in surprise.

Runia narrowed her gaze as she evaluated them.

‘There is no lethal intent.’

Though her opponents bore undeniable animosity toward her, they harbored no desire to take a life.

Had they intended to kill, Runia would not have settled for a mere display of intimidation.

‘Even so.’

Runia’s eyes sharpened.

‘These individuals are not mages.’

It was highly unusual.

An entrance into this Elder required mastery over star magic.

Yet, non-mages were present in this very location.

Furthermore, they openly displayed intense hostility toward the Pureblood Council.

‘What exactly is occurring here?’

Just as Runia knit her brows in contemplation, Eiran executed a sweep of her blade.

A gentle draft drifted from the softly swung weapon.

Before long, however, that wind transformed into a violent snowstorm, enveloping their assailants.

“Fall back!”

“A-A magic swordsman!”

A panicked exclamation echoed through the fray.

“Blast it!”

“To possess such mastery at such a tender age!”

“C-Could the Pureblood Council truly be this overwhelming…!”

“Do not falter! Even if we are captured like this, execution awaits us anyway! Our lives do not matter! Think of the others counting on our return!”

Amidst the desperate outcries rising from various sides, a woman’s voice urgently spurred them onward.

“What sort of people are counting on you?”

“Gasp!”

The elven knight gasped, discovering Eiran had already closed the distance directly before her, and instinctively lashed out with her blade.

Clang!

Eiran intercepted the rapid strike, let out a soft exclamation of ‘Hoit!’, and turned the blade aside.

Utilizing the momentum in her wrist, she momentarily deflected her opponent’s weapon.

Faced with an unexpectedly brutal display of physical force, the elven knight lost her grip on the hilt.

“Urgh!”

The elven knight desperately channeled her internal mana and began incanting a spell.

‘Wind-attribute star magic.’

Eiran caught the chant and instantly discerned both the nature and the radius of the impending spell.

Crackle, rumble!

A tempest erupted.

Eiran swiftly repositioned herself outside the effective range of the magic.

Capitalizing on that brief window, the knight reclaimed her dropped weapon and assumed a defensive stance.

Eiran’s eyes widened upon observing her opponent’s preparatory form.

“You… Where did you acquire that technique?”

The knight shouted back over Eiran’s bewildered inquiry.

“Hmph! Are you astonished that renegades can wield star magic?!”

“No, that is not quite what I meant…”

“You may believe you are serving a righteous cause! But there is absolutely no justice in what you do!”

“Listen…”

“Brace yourself!”

“Ugh.”

Realizing her adversary had no intention of engaging in dialogue, Eiran frowned and shrugged her shoulders slightly.

Yet moments later, she spoke up resolutely,

“Could you explain the reason you launched an assault on this location?”

“Because our people are starving to death!”

At those words, Eiran’s eyes widened slightly, and she shifted her gaze.

She scanned the storage facility they had targeted before turning her attention back to the knight.

Given that all elves possessed striking features, she too was remarkably attractive.

However, a sword scar marked her cheek.

That detail alone made it evident that she was a seasoned warrior who had experienced active combat.

Unflinching determination was etched into her tightly set lips.

An unyielding sense of conviction and duty shone within her wide-open eyes.

‘She speaks the truth.’

The realization was immediate.

And Eiran was well aware.

That the Pureblood Council these individuals stood against was deeply corrupted.

In a domain where those incapable of mastering star magic were forbidden from setting foot.

These people, who could not manage rudimentary spells, let alone star magic, had raided the council like a pack of thieves.

And all for the sole purpose of procuring sustenance.

Eiran knew.

That the world she strove to protect was far from entirely pristine.

Consequently, observing them made her realize they must be enduring hardships beyond her imagination.

‘Most importantly… that stance is highly reminiscent of the swordsmanship preserved within the Ersar lineage.’

That connection was the true source of Eiran’s astonishment upon confronting the knight.

Could such a resemblance truly be a mere coincidence?

“Miss Runia!”

“What is it?”

“Let us yield.”

“What?!”

Runia’s eyes widened in sheer disbelief at Eiran’s suggestion.

Hearing this, the elves encircling Runia and Eiran also displayed expressions of profound shock.

“You…”

While the knight stared at Eiran with bewildered eyes, Eiran drove her blade directly into the earth.

“We do not belong to the Pureblood Council.”

Eiran stated, maintaining direct eye contact with the knight.

“Nor do we hail from this city. We are pupils from Seirun.”

“Pupils from Seirun?”

“That academy for the aristocracy?”

‘Aristocracy?’

Runia knit her brows, observing the whispering elves.

“We are fully aware of the facts—the authentic nature of the Pureblood Council and the degradation within this city. Therefore, will you not share your story with us?”

Eiran spoke with an unshakeable poise.

“The reason driving you to resort to these measures.”

At those words, Runia ran a hand through her hair aggressively.

Letting out a heavy sigh, she moved to stand beside Eiran and crossed her arms.

“W-What is our course of action?”

“…We have already squandered too much time. Let us take these two and retreat from this area.”

The elves nodded in agreement with her assessment.

They formed a perimeter around Runia and Eiran, maintaining a vigilant stance.

Eiran directed a question toward the knight walking along her flank,

“The martial style you displayed a moment ago, who imparted it to you? It seems as though you have only recently acquired it.”

“…I was instructed quite recently by an individual who is currently aiding our cause.”

“…”

Eiran’s expression darkened slightly upon receiving the knight’s response.

‘Perhaps… that person is located exactly where these people are heading.’

BOOM!

Leo narrowed his eyes as the sound of a detonation reverberated from the direction of the Council Palace.

‘Runia and Eiran ought to be in that vicinity at this moment, correct?’

He noted the entire settlement growing chaotic following the impact of the explosion.

‘It is likely wisest to cease operations for the day.’

Leo triggered his heightened perceptions to locate Chen Shia.

Leo’s brow twitched; he had anticipated her to be a considerable distance away given how recently they had parted company.

He could not detect Chen Shia’s presence whatsoever.

Leo expanded the boundaries of his awareness even further.

Despite the effort, Chen Shia’s presence remained entirely untraceable.

If Chen Shia had deliberately suppressed her aura, even Leo utilizing his heightened perceptions would find it challenging to isolate her from a distance.

However, Chen Shia had no reason to conceal her presence.

‘She could not have traveled far within such a brief window, making it highly probable that someone has abducted her.’

Chen Shia was by no means lacking in strength.

By Leo’s calculations, she was bound to attain sufficient power to be recognized as a champion in the foreseeable future.

Securing such an individual without generating a sound would pose a severe challenge even for champions.

‘He possesses the capability.’

Berkhia, the very target Leo and Chen Shia were currently trailing.

She would be entirely capable of extracting Chen Shia while evading Leo’s tracking senses.

‘If Berkhia is indeed responsible, what is the motive?’

What reason would she have to apprehend Chen Shia?

Due to her human heritage?

Or perhaps…

‘Did she identify her as a scion of Bihar?’

From the moment Chen Shia uncovered Leo’s authentic background, she had been acquiring the martial forms and aura cultivation methods utilized by Bihar under Leo’s tutelage.

Berkhia would have identified that lineage immediately.

‘First, I must regroup with Runia and Eiran.’

Leo made his way back toward their quarters.

Runia and Eiran scanned their surroundings with visible astonishment.

“Where precisely are we located?”

“As is evident, we are beneath the surface.”

“Ah, no. I grasp that aspect… but for what reason does a subterranean settlement like this exist beneath Eldun?”

Runia questioned with urgency.

The knight exhaled a weary breath in response to Runia’s inquiry.

“You are both well aware that Eldun represents the premier magical domain of the elves.”

“Yes.”

“And you likewise understand precisely why Eldun managed to ascend as the premier magical domain, correct?”

“Because this territory is infused with the power of the stars.”

“Precisely.”

The knight let out a profound sigh.

“Allow me to introduce myself first. I am called Rell Cornea.”

“Cornea? Do you belong to the Cornea lineage?”

“The Cornea family, renowned for their obstinacy?”

“Miss Runia.”

An astonished Eiran admonished Runia’s blunt observation.

However, Rell merely offered a melancholic smile.

“It is quite alright, as it contains truth. Furthermore, I possess no particular allegiance to my lineage. I was viewed as a failure by the family from the very beginning regardless.”

The Cornea family.

An illustrious lineage wielding immense authority within the top five echelons of the elven race.

Having provided the leader of the Eldun Council across multiple generations, they were celebrated as practitioners of star magic rivaled only by the Tingel family.

The factor that allowed them to secure prestige on par with Seirun’s Tingel family.

Stemmed entirely from the distinctive properties of ‘Eldun’, the territory where they established their domain.

The ground upon which Eldun rested was saturated with potent stellar energy.

A millennium ago.

A celestial body impacted this region, and inevitably, the stellar energy diffused throughout the earth.

The foundation of star magic relied on stellar mana.

Naturally, this environment fostered the rise of numerous star mages, causing star magic to undergo swift advancements.

Consequently, the Pureblood Council naturally established its dominance.

To be born as chosen individuals within a sanctified domain.

Such concepts must have sounded incredibly alluring to the pureblood ideologues.

“Yet contrary to common belief, the stellar energy animating this territory was exhausted a long time ago.”

“What? But is Tingel not currently fostering numerous star mages?”

“Indeed. Because the stellar energy continues to circulate through this territory.”

“What? What are you implying…?”

“It persists due to that structure.”

Rell indicated, with an expression of profound aversion, a spire ascending from the core of the subterranean settlement.

That structure was completely enveloped in diverse magical matrices.

“That is…”

“Every individual inhabiting this subterranean settlement is incapable of utilizing star magic.”

Rell’s expression contorted.

“And that spire drains their vitality, forcing the stellar energy to circulate throughout Eldun exactly as it did in the past.”

Runia and Eiran stared in absolute horror at the revelation, which far surpassed their darkest assumptions.

“…Initially, lawbreakers were confined within this space.”

“Ah…”

Runia recollected a piece of information and looked startled.

At one point, Eldun actively integrated lawbreakers within elven civilization.

“Before long, however, that measure proved insufficient. Consequently, the Eldun Council devised a strategy. They chose to establish a social tier completely hidden from the external world.”

Rell’s features twisted in profound revulsion.

“Those who lack the inherent talent to wield star magic… are to be sequestered beneath the earth and reduced to resources to generate stellar energy.”

Runia felt her thoughts turning entirely blank.

What sort of reaction would Luna have displayed upon witnessing this reality?

Eiran likewise lost her color, her hands trembling visibly.

“Did the idea of dismantling this regime never occur to you?”

Runia pressed urgently, causing Rell to bite her lip.

“The elves relegated to this place seemingly came to terms with their existence. Because they became accustomed to this environment from their earliest years. Moreover, they wanted for nothing regarding daily necessities. They simply possessed no awareness of the world outside.”

Rell’s expression turned somber.

To remain satisfied with their immediate reality.

From their own viewpoint, they might have experienced a degree of contentment.

Yet from Rell’s viewpoint, it represented a tragic existence where they could not even direct their own destinies and every facet was dictated.

“Recently, however, as provisions grew scarce, the climate here began to turn volatile.”

“Could the scarcity of provisions stem from the fact that the Pureblood Council’s authority within elven civilization has diminished?”

“Precisely.”

The northern continent comprised a frozen domain.

As a consequence, the bulk of its sustenance required importation from external sources.

Originally, given the immense authority of the Pureblood Council, they could leverage that influence to direct substantial provisions toward Eldun.

Nonetheless, with the recent erosion of the Pureblood Council’s standing, securing sustenance became an arduous task.

In Rell’s situation, she had uncovered the existence of this settlement long ago, experienced profound shock, and severed ties with her lineage.

She then chose to enter this place of her own volition to tend to the inhabitants, she explained.

“How… How could they inflict such treatment upon their own people…!”

Fierce resentment ignited within Eiran’s eyes.

“If you are enduring a scarcity of provisions, is escape from this location not an option?”

“A ward is maintained over the subterranean settlement. Those who have not achieved mastery over star magic are incapable of passing outside.”

“Yet the individuals who went to secure provisions moments ago were unable to utilize star magic, correct?”

“In that regard, a recent arrival who stumbled upon this subterranean settlement assisted us in bypassing the restriction.”

“A recent arrival who uncovered the subterranean settlement?”

“Yes. We are currently proceeding to the residence where that individual is staying. At present, that person oversees this entire settlement.”

Runia looked entirely perplexed by Rell’s explanation.

‘Arrived within the settlement recently and assumed oversight of the place?’

While she pondered the matter, Rell arrived before a structure.

She proceeded to knock.

“Enter.”

Rell unlatched the door and stepped inside upon hearing the vocal acknowledgment from within.

The moment they crossed the threshold of the modest dwelling, a common room came into view.

Upon witnessing the scene within the common room, Runia and Eiran stood frozen in sheer disbelief.

Rell likewise appeared thoroughly bewildered.

Upon the surface of the table, a spectacle presented itself that seemed entirely out of place for a subterranean settlement reportedly suffering from a lack of sustenance.

Dishes completely blanketed the table, piled high with highly appetizing food.

And Chen Shia, seated at one side of the arrangement, was frantically packing the food before her into her mouth, her hands shaking visibly.

“Ru-Runia? Eiran?”

Chen Shia’s eyes widened considerably as she called out to the arriving pair.

“H-Help me…”

“Who has arrived?”

A striking woman bearing an unreadable expression emerged into the common room, carrying a vessel in her hands.

Runia and Eiran’s eyes widened instantly upon beholding the woman.

“You must be the companions Shia spoke of?”

Berkhia offered a subtle smile.

“Instructor… what is the meaning of this…?”

As Rell spoke to Berkhia with visible care, Berkhia answered,

“Ah, the grandchild of my acquaintance…? She is present, but she appeared to have been poorly nourished, looking far too slight, so I was preparing some sustenance for her. Shia, you must finish every portion, understood?”

“I cannot possibly consume it all…”

“One should not be overly selective with food.”

Chen Shia’s complexion turned entirely pale.

Berkhia’s attention soon migrated toward Runia and Eiran.

“You two appear rather slight as well, do you not?”

The two young women experienced an inexplicable wave of dread upon hearing her unexpectedly hospitable remarks.