Chapter 613

Book 1 Chapter 613

613.

In the dead of night.

Chelsea stared toward the Tongkon royal palace with a deeply troubled gaze.

Even though considerable time had slipped away, no word had arrived from Leo and Celia.

‘They did mention that the passage of hours can fluctuate inside the Spirit Realm.’

Roughly twelve hours had gone by since Leo first entered the grand palace.

Yet, a sense of dread gripped Chelsea.

It was not because she feared for Leo’s safety.

Regardless of what others believed, he was Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings.

Even if an enemy had breached the Spirit Realm, Leo was bound to overcome the obstacle.

The real source of her distress was the disturbing update that had reached her from Lodren.

‘Who could possibly commit such an atrocity?’

Chelsea bit down on her lip.

The unsettling reports detailed Torua falling into a state of unconsciousness and Reina being forcefully taken away.

Chelsea dreaded how Leo would react once he discovered what had occurred.

‘How could a crisis like this unfold right in the heart of Gerdinger territory?’

The location where Torua fell was a known battleground swarming with insurgents.

But the circumstances surrounding Reina were entirely different.

She had been taken from a city renowned for a level of safety that rivaled the imperial capital itself.

It was a massive security breach occurring right in Peion.

Furthermore, the perpetrator’s specific target was Reina.

She no longer held a direct lineage title within the Gerdinger family, nor was she an influential political figure.

She was merely the matriarch of a noble household situated in a far-flung province.

There was only a single defining trait that made Reina unique.

She was Leo’s mother.

It required very little effort to deduce exactly who the culprits were aiming for by taking Reina.

‘Could it be political traitors?’

Chelsea’s mind immediately went to the Hero Hunters.

‘Or perhaps an adversary lurking within their own ranks?’

It was precisely as Chelsea tightened her fist in frustration.

Shhhhhh-

A chilling winter breeze swept through the air.

In that instant, Chelsea’s focus sharpened intensely.

Whoosh-!

Unsheathing her magical staff, Chelsea whirled around and rapidly intoned an incantation.

Razor-sharp vortexes of wind swirled violently around the figure stepping toward her.

“Wow, Chloe too. Are you truly just students on the verge of entering your third year?”

The intruder cried out in surprise.

“Anyas Beggs?”

She was the offspring of the Northern Magic Tower Lord. While Chelsea had no personal relationship with her, she had spotted her on a few previous occasions.

Chelsea felt a wave of confusion wash over her upon seeing the half-elf Anyas.

She was an individual who had absolutely no reason to be in this place.

Observing Chelsea’s guarded stance, Anyas spoke up.

“I traveled here to pass along a vital report to Lord Leo. However, since he isn’t around at the moment, I will share it with you instead.”

“Why would you reveal this to me?”

“Because Lord Leo gave explicit instructions to convey the message to Miss Lwallyn if he happened to be away.”

Anyas’s eyes crinkled with a knowing smile.

Staring at Anyas’s expression, a specific memory flashed through Chelsea’s mind.

‘My aunt?’

The prominent chief librarian managing the Imperial Magic Archive, who also happened to be the younger sibling of the reigning Lwallyn patriarch.

Cherna Lwallyn.

Naturally, that role served as her public facade; in truth, she was the mastermind commanding the covert operations of the Lwallyn family.

To put it plainly, she functioned as Lwallyn’s shadow.

Chelsea remained unaware of that hidden reality.

Even so, for some inexplicable reason, she sensed a distinct aura radiating from Anyas that strongly mirrored her aunt’s presence.

Shaking off the brief distraction of Cherna, Chelsea pressed for answers.

“What exactly is the information?”

“It concerns the identity of the culprit who kidnapped Lady Reina, as well as the faction backing the plot.”

“Tell me who it is.”

Chelsea’s expression grew rigid and stern.

Fixing her gaze on Chelsea, Anyas delivered the news.

“The perpetrator is the Hero Slayer. Furthermore, the individuals suspected of acting as accomplices in this scheme are……”

Anyas broke off mid-sentence, letting out a heavy breath.

“The Gerdinger Elder Council.”

Upon hearing those names, Chelsea’s eyes dilated in sheer shock.

Right at that moment.

Rummmble-

The foundations of the royal palace commenced a violent shuddering.

Both Chelsea and Anyas, their eyes wide with alarm, snapped their heads toward the vibrating palace structure.

Whoosh-!

Leo nimbly evaded the flickering azure waves of fire dancing right before his eyes.

‘The sheer might of the Spirit of Purification.’

Celia had unquestionably undergone a massive upgrade in every physical attribute.

This applied not only to the destructive heat of her pyre, but to her raw power and agility as well.

Crash-!

The moment Celia slammed her blade against the earth, a colossal wave of blistering fire surged across the chamber.

Leo slipped past the inferno effortlessly before voicing his assessment.

“The problem is, brute strength is the only thing you’ve gained.”

In stark contrast to her physical enhancement, her swordsmanship skills had actively deteriorated.

It was an expected outcome.

What motivation would an ethereal spirit have to perfect refined blade techniques?

It was nothing more than basic weapon swinging.

“To be frank, you are performing far below the level of the true Celia.”

Whoosh-

Maintaining a completely stoic countenance, Leo ducked beneath Celia’s sword as it swung horizontally toward his neck.

And then…

Thump-!

“Gasp?!”

He drove a powerful uppercut straight into Celia’s midsection.

Whishhhh!”>Kwa-ga-ga-gang-!

Celia went airborne, hurtling backward until she collided heavily against the stone wall of the palace.

Nevertheless, shielded by her Spirit Armored state, she appeared to take no critical damage and rapidly bounced back to her feet.

Her elegant crimson gown began radiating an even more intense torrent of heat.

Watching Celia charge back toward him while unleashing an even grander blaze than before, Leo clenched and relaxed his hands.

He then brought his fist crashing down directly on the crown of Celia’s head.

Kwa-ga-ga-gang!

Celia was driven forcefully straight into the floorboards.

Without wasting a second, Leo planted his boot firmly onto Celia’s upper back.

Crash-!

Celia’s frame shattered right through the flooring, plunging straight into the sub-level beneath them.

Witnessing the brutal display, Laruel looked visibly panicked.

“-L-Lord Leo. Even taking the circumstances into account, aren’t your strikes against a compromised, unconscious Celia a bit too merciless?”

In response to Laruel’s frantic questioning, Leo replied in an unbothered tone.

“You think this is too merciless?”

“-Huh?”

“I certainly never trained either of you to yield command of your own physical forms so easily.”

Leo cast a thoroughly dissatisfied glare down at Celia.

Ever since their initial encounter, Celia had undergone rigorous physical conditioning under Leo’s supervision.

Granted, he hadn’t formally instructed her in high-level swordsmanship or the intricacies of aura control.

However, when it came to tactical combat experience, sheer bodily endurance, and psychological fortitude, he had given it his all.

He had guided her path ensuring she would never falter in any fundamental discipline.

From Leo’s perspective, it was entirely intolerable that Celia, despite achieving the rank of a Great Spirit, had blacked out and surrendered her physical vessel to another entity.

“See? Your mental resolve is entirely lacking!”

“-Th-that is a situation where mere mental resolve can’t really change the outcome…”

Before Laruel could utter another word of protest, Leo dropped down to the lower level, landing right in front of the fallen Celia.

He scowled as he observed her slowly pushing herself back up.

“This is unacceptable. It appears my past instructional methods were far too soft on her.”

Hearing those words, Celia’s fingers, which had just begun gripping the hilt of her blade, stiffened in mid-motion.

“Going forward, I’ll have to ensure your regimen is significantly more unforgiving, won’t I?”

Celia’s entire frame began to tremble with rage.

“Don’t… make… me laugh!”

Eruptions of raw aura exploded outward from Celia’s form.

The deep crimson fires of the Gerdinger line forcefully repelled the invading azure flames.

Whoosh-!

Even the exquisite, high-tier spirit blade and her majestic gown were systematically overwhelmed by Celia’s personal flames.

“When exactly have you ever been soft during my training! You constantly pushed me to the brink of death with your twisted methods! And now what? You plan to make it even more agonizing? Are you even a human being?!”

Celia pointed an accusing finger directly at Leo’s face, screaming at the top of her lungs.

“Excellent, you’ve finally regained your senses.”

Leo stood with his arms crossed, responding in his usual detached manner.

“The mere fact that you allowed your body to be hijacked serves as absolute confirmation of your current deficiencies. To forge an unbreakable spirit, subject-matter discipline via harsh conditioning remains the ultimate remedy.”

“Do you have any idea that you sound exactly like a stubborn, ancient relic sometimes?!”

Celia stomped her foot forcefully against the ground, her face flushed with utter exasperation.

Glancing over at her, Leo casually interjected.

“By the way.”

“What!”

“Put some clothes on.”

“……?”

Confused by the remark, Celia lowered her gaze to inspect herself.

In an instant, her pale complexion flushed a deep, vivid scarlet.

“W-what in the world is thissss!”

Watching Celia instantly wrap her arms around herself and drop into a protective squat, Leo remarked flatly.

“It appears that spiritual gown completely incinerated whatever undergarments you had on.”

“That perverted phantom! I am going to destroy it!”

Shaking his head at Celia, who was currently radiating an intense desire to murder while glaring into space, Leo materialized a fresh set of garments from his storage subspace. He tossed them her way and promptly turned his back.

Celia hurriedly scrambled into the clothing, releasing a massive sigh of relief once she was covered.

“Setting that aside. What are we supposed to do regarding the Spirit of Purification?”

Noticing the anxiety written across Celia’s features, Leo countered.

“Is that really something you need to stress over?”

“Huh?”

Just as Celia adopted a thoroughly puzzled expression.

Rumble-rumble-rumble-rumble-

Without warning, the entire royal palace began vibrating with extreme violence.

The sudden shift left Celia looking entirely frantic.

“What is happening?!”

“The structural integrity of the Spirit Realm is giving way.”

This environment was far more than a simple royal court; it was a localized dimension bound directly to Istar, the Spirit of Purification.

Should an entity like Istar abruptly forfeit her sovereignty over the territory, the structural reality would tear itself apart.

“Oh no, what’s the plan? Shouldn’t we be running for the exit?”

“Given that this is a localized Spirit Realm, trying to flee would actually prove far more complicated. It’s better if you stay put.”

“Stay put?! Are you insane? What happens if we are buried alive under the debris!”

“It’s nothing more than a localized structural collapse, nothing to make a fuss about.”

“This massive royal palace is turning to dust, and you’re calling it ‘nothing to make a fuss about’?!”

Leo casually pulled up a intact chair from a corner of the collapsing space, seating himself as though he couldn’t comprehend her panic.

“An impact of this caliber isn’t going to claim your life.”

“That’s not the point! What if we end up brutally mangled anyway!”

“What was the purpose of all that training I put you through? If you’re going to get critically crippled by a simple building collapse, then it just proves your prior physical conditioning was lacking, doesn’t it?”

“You! Seriously, you are unbelievable!”

Kwa-ga-ga-ga-gang-!

Her face entirely drained of color from absolute terror, Celia shrieked at the top of her lungs.

A moment later, the Tongkon royal palace collapsed entirely into ruin.

“What in the world happened here?!”

Abad, who had sprinted to the scene with maximum urgency, stared blankly at the pulverized remains of the royal palace with a look of utter disbelief.

Oddly enough, despite the catastrophic destruction of the massive central building, the surrounding city structures remained entirely untouched.

It was an incredibly precise event; only the royal court itself had been neatly reduced to rubble.

Thud- thud-

A sudden movement shifted the debris pile in the center of the wreckage.

Kwa-ga-ga-gak-!

“Unbelievable!”

Celia emerged from the mountain of broken stone, her expression a mix of fury and exhaustion.

“When a massive building starts coming down, the normal human response is to figure out a way to get out! What kind of lunatic just sits there and lets himself get crushed under tons of rock just because it won’t kill him!”

“Celia! Are you unharmed?”

“I’m perfectly fine……”

Celia stuttered slightly, caught off guard as Abad rushed forward to grab her shoulders, frantically inspecting her from head to toe for injuries.

Abad let out a massive, heartfelt sigh of relief.

“Thank goodness you are safe.”

Though the pair had shared a long history together, Celia felt a wave of awkwardness and averted her eyes, having never witnessed Abad look so genuinely terrified for her welfare before.

“Don’t worry. I don’t have a single scratch on me.”

“Where is big brother Leo?”

Chelsea sprinted over to join them, her voice filled with panic.

“If you’re looking for Leo……”

“He is positioned right over there.”

The individual providing the answer was none other than Anyas.

“Who are you?”

“Anyas Beggs?”

The abrupt introduction of the half-elf left Celia blinking in confusion, while Abad looked entirely perplexed by her presence.

Anyas offered the duo a light smirk before gesturing toward Leo, who was currently sitting cross-legged at the absolute peak of the collapsed mountain of debris. She whispered softly under her breath.

“It bears a striking resemblance to a throne.”

Leo’s silhouette, resting serenely amidst the devastation, radiated a suffocating and terrifying sense of absolute authority.

Meanwhile, within Leo’s field of vision, he could see Istar. She had been thoroughly overpowered by the supreme fire spirits and was currently forced onto her knees in the middle of the ruins.

Elsi stood directly before her.

Alsia bowed low to the ground in front of Elsi, declaring with absolute reverence.

-Our brand new sovereign.

-Master.

Every single fire spirit residing within Istar’s former dominion was currently prostrating themselves before Elsi.

Observing the impossible phenomenon unfold, Laruel’s jaw dropped in absolute shock.

-This is madness… The Great Spirit of Darkness actively subjugating and commanding the entities of flame…

How could such a reality even exist?

Gazing up at the awe-inspiring spectacle, a faint chuckle escaped Leo’s lips.

“Come to think of it, I recall coming across ancient records mentioning that an entity capable of this once walked the earth during the mythical era.”

The most elevated spirit to ever exist.

A legendary sovereign that held total dominion over every single spiritual classification.

A title completely erased from the memory of the current generation.

“The Spirit King.”

Bathed in the silver glow of the moon, Elsi’s current presence perfectly mirrored the legends from five millennia ago.

‘She assumed total command of the Necrolord’s forces and single-handedly turned the tides of an unwinnable war to secure victory.’

Regrettably, as a direct consequence of expending such a cataclysmic amount of her life force, Elsi had ultimately vanished from the world.

Leo, who had been quietly evaluating Elsi, pushed himself up from his makeshift seat.

It was at that exact split second.

“Big brother Leo!”

Chelsea bounded up the rocky slope toward him, her facial expression completely twisted with absolute panic.

“Lady Reina! Lady Reina has been forcefully abducted by an enemy!”

The moment those words left her lips, every ounce of warmth and emotion instantly drained from Leo’s face.

Grooooooan-

Thud-

As Chelsea tried to take another step closer to Leo, her knees suddenly buckled beneath her weight, and she dropped heavily to the ground without even understanding why.

It wasn’t an isolated reaction.

Every single living being within the immediate vicinity found themselves gasping for oxygen.

Shwaaa-

A sudden gale swept through the moonlit night, sending his stark white hair whipping violently across his face.

An incredibly lethal, terrifying crimson light ignited within Leo’s eyes.

“Repeat what you just said.”