Chapter 536

Book 1 Chapter 536

“Was there another infiltration?”

At the apex of Eldon.

Stepping away from the telescope inside the star-gazing observatory, an elf offered a gentle smile.

In response to his reaction, the reporting elf shivered slightly.

“Forgive me, Father. I shall pursue them at once and—”

“There is no need. They have likely already retreated into the subterranean depths.”

The mild-mannered elf shook his head, dismissing the matter as trivial.

“Are you still unable to access the subterranean city?”

“Correct. A mysterious ward continues to obstruct our path.”

“Hmm. Regardless of how I analyze it, this is peculiar. A ward that cannot be breached even by Eldon’s illustrious descendants of the stars. What exactly has taken root beneath this soil?”

From the pinnacle of the soaring tower, he gazed down at the sprawling expanse of Eldon.

Despite the deep midnight shroud, the entire metropolis beamed with radiant illumination.

This glowing city appeared to signify the prosperity of the elven race.

Yet, the man observing from the spire, Uleyn Cornea, was well aware of the truth.

He knew that this very wealth was constructed upon the subjugation of another’s liberty, volition, and destiny.

Naturally, Uleyn harbored no remorse regarding this reality.

‘For the advancement and triumph of our race, sacrifices are mandatory. If those lesser entities comprehended that they were giving their lives for a grand purpose, they would find some meaning in their existence.’

The Progenitor of the Nebula.

The Fairy Knight.

The Comet Mage.

These legendary paragons, revered as the three greatest figures of the elves, had transmitted a doctrine to subsequent generations stating that all living things are born equal.

In Eldon, however, that virtuous philosophy had been abandoned long ago.

Instead, it had transformed into the exact distorted paradigm they originally detested.

Yet, no resident of Eldon found this contradiction unusual.

Equality at birth was a myth to them.

Those incapable of mastering the stellar sorcery bequeathed by the grand Progenitor of the Nebula were deemed inferior.

‘It is only proper for the superior to dominate the inferior.’

Not every elf belonged to nobility.

With this conviction, Uleyn had chosen not to matriculate into Seirun.

This sentiment was shared across the entire Cornea family.

They viewed enrolling in Seirun—where one was forced to study lesser magic, summoning arts, or aura manipulations—as an inefficient use of time, given that mastering stellar sorcery alone demanded an entire lifetime.

Consequently, they dedicated themselves solely to the pursuit of star magic within the borders of Eldon.

They were a lineage that treated the extraordinary as mere baseline expectation.

Such was the nature of the Cornea family, and Uleyn, as the patriarch of the Corneas, epitomized this mindset completely.

Nevertheless, Uleyn possessed a trait that set him apart from the previous leaders of the Cornea family.

“Father.”

A new figure materialized beside the kneeling elf who was delivering the report.

However, this individual differed fundamentally from the first reporter.

To be precise, she was a pure-blooded elf.

Her ears were longer than those of the kneeling figure, who dared not raise his eyes.

The one bowing flat against the floor was none other than a half-elf.

“Welcome, my daughter.”

With a warm smile, Uleyn offered a cordial greeting.

His daughter, Laylin, bowed her head in respect.

As she did so, a brief flash of revulsion crossed her features.

It was the customary response of the Pureblood Council when encountering a half-elf.

Uleyn, however, quietly reprimanded her behavior.

“Laylin. Rebean is your younger brother.”

“…I am aware, Father. Yet I cannot tolerate it. The reality that the bloodline of my father, who possesses the ultimate pure lineage, flows within the veins of an inferior species!”

“To the members of the Pureblood Council, I am undoubtedly a heretic. However, my perspective differs: all practitioners of star magic are equal sorcerers. To unlock novel potentials, blending with other bloodlines is imperative.”

“…”

“The majority of the Pureblood Council likely perceives me as a degenerate blinded by carnal desires… but I am convinced that without transformation, stagnant water will eventually decay.”

He viewed this as an absolute conviction.

To fulfill this doctrine, he would couple with any woman capable of wielding star magic, irrespective of her heritage.

As a consequence, he sired a vast number of half-elves, relocating every single one to Eldon.

His ultimate pursuit was diversity.

He believed it was the bedrock upon which star magic could thrive through varied perspectives.

This reality remained concealed from the populace.

It was a classified matter guarded with absolute confidentiality.

Yet, none who discovered the truth dared to voice a grievance.

This compliance was commanded entirely by the unparalleled brilliance of Uleyn, the current leader of Eldon’s council.

He had not ascended to the status of an absolute hero.

Even so, he had committed his existence to decoding and elevating the principles of star magic.

Due to his profound authority, the Eldon Council refrained from exposing his private conduct.

Because no internal opposition arose, the mystery remained secure.

“My understanding was flawed.”

“I trust you will grasp my objectives in due time, Laylin.”

Uleyn maintained his gentle countenance.

At a glance, he seemed to harbor reverence for different races.

In truth, however, he viewed anyone who wasn’t a star mage as mere cattle.

In a sense, his worldview aligned with a warped fanaticism far deeper than that of the standard Pureblood Council.

“Moving on, do you have a fresh update?”

“…The Seirun students who arrived in Eldon today have vanished. It appears they were taken by a subversive faction.”

“…How unfortunate. For such exceptional pupils to be captured.”

“It is entirely possible that those two harbored treacherous intents from the start.”

“What leads you to that conclusion?”

“Lunia El Lundoa and Eiran Ersar. Those two pupils, despite possessing the sacred inheritance of the stars, actively defy the mandates of the Pureblood Council.”

“They are renegades, then.”

“Precisely.”

“I harbored suspicions when they claimed their visit was motivated purely by a desire for academic enrichment in Eldon.”

“Mm. Proceed.”

“They likely infiltrated this domain to align with the dissidents causing strife within Eldon, aiming to destabilize our society.”

A sharp malice glittered in Laylin’s gaze.

“As evidence, please examine these.”

Laylin produced a pair of sketches from her attire.

The drawings depicted two female students from Seirun, one featuring alabaster hair and the other dark tresses.

“They are quite striking. What of them?”

“They are individuals identified as Leo Flobe of Lumern and Chen Shia.”

A sudden gleam sparked within Uleyn’s eyes.

“So this is the renowned Leo Flobe. Yet, I was under the impression that he was male?”

“It appears he adopted a disguise to conduct his espionage.”

“I see.”

Uleyn nodded slowly in comprehension.

“Father, Leo Flobe is a figure who has consistently opposed the Pureblood Council. His infiltration of Eldon must be driven by malicious intent. He deserves a severe sentence.”

“Is this not the very pupil who successfully mastered the Progenitor’s World, claimed Polyum, gained the validation of Seirun-nim, and even inherited Cometes? Executing a harsh punishment against him would directly counter the intentions of those two figures, would it not?”

“That is…”

Observing Laylin falter in her reply, Uleyn offered another mild smile.

“Laylin. All scions of the stars are akin to a single family. Possessing diverging philosophies is merely a temporary deviation.”

“Father…”

“I shall grant Leo Flobe an audience myself.”

Upon hearing this declaration, both Laylin and Rebean—who had remained silent with his gaze cast downward—snapped their heads up in astonishment.

“Do you intend to…?”

“Indeed. The outer territories are spiraling into turbulence, meaning I can no longer confine myself solely to esoteric research.”

A decade had passed since Uleyn commenced his isolated existence inside this observatory.

Throughout those ten years, he focused entirely on magical theory, fully withdrawing from public affairs.

While he had not abandoned his administrative role as council leader, his formal departure from this sanctuary carried immense political weight.

An expression of fervor washed over Laylin’s face.

“You have finally realized your ambitions!”

Responding to Laylin’s enthusiasm, Uleyn smiled softly.

“Once they stand before me, even the wayward children will return to the proper path.”

Laylin hesitated slightly before inquiring tentatively.

“What course shall we take if they persist in their defiance even after encountering you, Father?”

To this, Uleyn merely offered a peaceful smile.

“Even legendary figures are prone to missteps.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“A stray star dissolving into fundamental starlight is simply the natural course of the cosmos.”

“I… I feel as though I’m going to be sick…”

“No more… I cannot force down another bite…”

“Urrrgh.”

Chen Shia clasped her hand over her mouth, while Eiran shivered, her expression on the verge of tears.

Lunia, meanwhile, slumped backward into her seat with her head tilted toward the ceiling, groaning aloud.

Rel had fled the residence long ago.

Though she had initially attempted to assist her companions, she quickly succumbed to her own limits.

‘I—I must tend to the others…’

‘Very well, you may depart.’

‘U-Us as well…!’

‘Not you three.’

‘Why? Why must we remain?’

‘You are all still in your formative years, are you not?’

Consequently, the trio of girls missed their chance to flee.

The ceaseless torrent of dishes had, after what felt like an eternity, drawn to a close.

“Have you eaten your fill? Would you care for some confections? Shall I prepare a dessert?”

“N-No, thank you! We are entirely stuffed!”

“I physically cannot consume anything else!”

“B-Berquia-nim, you ought to take a rest as well!”

“Is that so?”

Berquia displayed a hint of disappointment upon witnessing the three girls shaking their heads in sheer desperation.

Nevertheless, she steeped a fresh pot of tea and distributed it among them.

“Make sure you look forward to tomorrow’s breakfast.”

‘Should we attempt a breakout?’

‘Is it even feasible to evade Berquia-nim?’

‘We must contact Leo.’

The three girls shrieked in inward panic.

Amidst the silent chaos, Eiran forced herself to stand upright.

“Berquia-nim. It is a profound privilege to stand before you, Berquia-nim. My name is Eiran Ersar… I am a direct descendant of your lineage.”

“Are you truly?”

“Yes.”

“You share my blood, and you are companions with Shia?”

“That is correct.”

Hearing her confirmation, Berquia offered a radiant smile.

“You have not turned against one another; that brings me comfort.”

Eiran compressed her lips into a tight line as she noted Berquia’s relieved demeanor.

“Berquia-nim.”

“Address me as Grandmother.”

“Pardon? To call Berquia-nim ‘Grandmother’ feels…”

“Address me as Grandmother.”

Faced with Berquia’s unyielding stance, Eiran hesitated briefly before speaking.

“Grandmother.”

At that word, Berquia beamed once more, radiating the same warmth as earlier.

A distinct sense of happiness emanated from her usually stoic and hollow presence.

Observing this shift, Eiran steeled her resolve and asked haltingly.

“…Why… did you launch an assault against Grandfather?”

The question caused Lunia and Chen Shia to freeze instantly.

Berquia maintained a silent gaze fixed upon Eiran.

“Undoubtedly, that youth possessed righteousness. However, he obstructed my objective.”

“Grandfather held immense reverence for Berquia-nim! Is that why you chose to end his life…!”

“I have a directive to fulfill.”

Berquia replied, her voice entirely devoid of sentiment.

“I am required to purge the filth that contaminates this realm. Those lacking merit possess no entitlement to exist within this world.”

Her statement sent a profound shiver down the spines of the three girls.

There was no trace of malice in Berquia’s tone.

Neither anger nor grief accompanied her words.

It was a cold, mechanical delivery.

‘This does not align with the Berquia-nim of legend.’

Eiran squeezed her eyelids shut.

Her hands shook uncontrollably.

The historic figure she respected had vanished.

The entity standing before her was merely a shell hollowed out by a catastrophic void.

No words of hers would ever penetrate that state.

Only an individual who had existed alongside her in that ancient epoch could hope to halt Berquia.

‘Leo-nim.’

Eiran’s thoughts immediately drifted to Leo.

Then, Berquia broke the silence.

“On another note, the two of you possess a peculiar quality.”

Berquia tilted her head inquisitively.

“The elves who employ star magic demonstrated traits reminiscent of Master Luna’s sorcery, yet they were fundamentally distinct. However, the pair of you…”

Berquia shifted her focus to Lunia and Eiran.

“You reside remarkably close to the source. It is almost as though you received instructions directly from Master Luna.”

Upon hearing this, Eiran and Lunia exchanged a startled look.

Chen Shia’s expression brightened instantly.

‘This presents the perfect opening to introduce Leo-nim.’

“Leo? To whom are you referring? A companion?”

“Yes. He is currently residing alongside us within this very settlement.”

“Is he also of a frail build?”

“…He is quite slender.”

“He must be undernourished. Youth require proper sustenance.”

Chen Shia offered a strained chuckle as she watched Berquia click her tongue in disapproval.

Chen Shia had refrained from carelessly revealing Leo’s identity to Berquia.

Lunia and Eiran had exercised identical caution.

The Berquia before them was an undead.

A creature driven solely by its overriding mission, a directive fueled by a deep-seated resentment.

Though she appeared composed at present, her psychological state was highly volatile.

Furthermore, one of the primary catalysts for Berquia’s current condition was another legendary figure.

Particularly regarding Kyle, she harbored a highly intricate web of conflicting sentiments.

Under such conditions, what would occur if she learned that Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings, had been reborn into this era?

Her response was entirely unpredictable.

While she might react favorably, there remained a catastrophic possibility that she could lapse into an uncontrollable frenzy.

It was foolish to expect rational cognition from an undead entity in the first place.

It was solely due to Berquia’s extraordinary caliber as a hero that she preserved this degree of intellect; under normal circumstances, the undead were monsters governed by mindless obsessions.

Berquia was akin to a volatile explosive that could detonate without warning.

Yet, the current scenario provided an ideal window.

The sorcery Leo had imparted to Lunia and Eiran represented the absolute core of the original principles.

Berquia had discerned this reality immediately.

It was an art that could not possibly be acquired in the contemporary era.

What if they disclosed that the architect behind that magic was Leo?

‘She would naturally become intrigued by Young Master Leo’s true background.’

If they chose that moment to announce that Leo was the reincarnation of Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings…

The likelihood of her accepting the truth was substantial.

‘Even if skepticism remains, she will at least ponder the possibility. Simply by evaluating their sorcery, she will instantly recognize it as an art that only Kyle-nim and Luna-nim could have transmitted.’

Mirroring Chen Shia’s line of reasoning, Lunia and Eiran nodded in silent agreement.

They spoke up with measured caution.

“Berquia-nim, the truth is, there is an important detail we must share with you.”

“What might that be?”

“The individual who instructed us in this sorcery is Kyle-nim, the Hero of Beginnings.”

“What did you say?”

“He has returned to life in this contemporary era and provided us with our training in star magic.”

Eiran delivered the words, her posture rigid with tension.

Berquia fixed a piercing gaze upon Lunia and Eiran before inquiring.

“Is this statement accurate?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, will you demonstrate the sorcery you claim to have acquired?”

Prompted by her request, the two girls unleashed their internal energy.

Whirrrr—!

Voom—!

The incomplete legacy of Luna, the Emperor of Flames, known as White Flame.

The final technique Luna bestowed upon her pupil, the Animagus Sword.

Both manifestations were arts that only a practitioner deeply connected to Luna could ever pass down.

Within the current world, only a single individual fit that description: Leo.

“…”

Berquia’s eyes expanded in recognition.

She then spoke.

“Neither of these formulas matches anything I have witnessed before.”

“What?”

“T-That cannot be right?”

Lunia and Eiran looked at each other in utter bewilderment.

Observing their distress, Berquia nodded firmly.

“It appears an impostor is claiming the identity of Master Luna in this age.”

Fortunately, she did not succumb to a destructive frenzy.

However, her gaze burned with an unmistakable skepticism directed toward the unknown Leo.

Lunia and Eiran lacked a crucial piece of information.

Regarding White Flame, it was an unfinished spell whose structural formula Luna had never disclosed to Berquia.

As for the Animagus Sword, it was a technique Luna developed during her ultimate campaign, meaning Berquia was entirely oblivious to its creation.

“You stated his name is Leo, correct?”

Berquia rose to her feet.

“Shia, he is that slender companion you described earlier, yes?”

“Ah… well, Berquia-nim?”

“How dare he utilize Master Luna’s identity to deceive my own descendant and the descendant of Vihar? This insolence cannot be overlooked.”

The three girls instantly realized the situation had careened completely off course.

“I shall locate him and deliver his punishment.”

Berquia uttered a low menace before exiting the dwelling.

“W-Wait a moment!”

“Berquia-nim!”

“Please hear us out!”

The trio panicked, scrambling to obstruct Berquia, but she had already crossed the threshold.

“W-What are we going to do?!”

The faces of the three girls drained of all color.