Chapter 626

Book 1 Chapter 626

626.

The elven warriors gazed toward the Forest of Monsters, their eyes filled with apprehension.

Leo observed them without a word.

These particular elves carried a genuine sense of nobility.

It was the dawn of the Age of Calamity.

Despite having established the most formidable domain across the land, the elves crumbled defenselessly against the onslaught of Tartaros.

Every civilization suffered similarly, yet this vulnerability struck the elves with distinct severity.

‘Even in contemporary times, but far more so during that ancient era, they were a people defined by an immense sense of cultural superiority.’

Blessed with striking aesthetics that eclipsed other species, they regularly birthed exceptionally gifted practitioners of aura, sorcery, and the summoning arts across all their kind.

During this epoch, they were viewed as an elevated lineage, deeply respected by neighboring nations.

However, this reverence caused their immense self-worth to degrade into haughtiness and moral superiority, causing their society to decay internally.

When confronted with a catastrophe unlike any before, the incredibly potent High Elves discarded their historic honor, opting to trade the lives of their fellow brethren to preserve their own existence.

This horrific betrayal stemmed from a deeply ingrained supremacy mindset, a conviction that ordinary lives were meant to be foregone for the sake of elite entities.

Consequently, while the High Elves—the foundational lineage of their people—withered and broke apart rapidly, the greater elven population refused to surrender to despair.

Despite the pervasive corruption, the elven society of that timeframe still nurtured a massive world-sustaining tree.

The new growth flourishing at the highest branches retained true honor.

They sought to reclaim their ancestral territories.

And purge the dark affliction from existence.

These were the very individuals who had assembled here for this grand purpose.

Luna stood among those numerous rising figures.

“Lady Luna! Kindly remain in my shadow! I swear to shield you from harm!”

A young elven warrior declared, his expression grim.

‘This feels incredibly bizarre.’

Hearing the nearby troops refer to him as Luna made Leo chuckle under his breath.

“To ensure Lady Luna can cast spells without distraction, I, Hirian, shall serve as your shield!”

The young man announced, tightening his hold on his gleaming buckler.

“Hirian?”

“Ah, have you slipped up on my name once more?”

Hirian reacted with an template expression of exasperation.

Hirian.

This was a title Leo recognized.

Even amidst the chaos of the Age of Calamity, individuals of extraordinary prowess managed to etch their names into history.

Champions during this historical pocket carried far greater significance than the icons of modern times.

‘Primarily because legendary figures were exceedingly rare back then, unlike the current abundance.’

For their companions, such figures represented a fragile beacon of survival, allowing them to endure for one more sunrise.

During that period, Leo, labeled the ‘enduring champion’, and Lisinas, branded an idiot, were actively shunned.

Kyle was viewed as a cursed mortal whose allies invariably perished, while Lisinas, who deceived folk with empty promises of salvation, was treated like a malicious dragon.

Yet despite this treatment, Kyle and Lisinas were never entirely cut off.

Even though they were viewed as harbingers of doom, paradoxically, the engagements they joined frequently ended in triumph or yielded a remarkably high number of living soldiers.

Consequently, within Gardsron, Kyle and Lisinas were generally avoided in daily life, yet deeply respected whenever a conflict arose.

A similar reputation followed the rest, save for Arion, who had yet to make a major appearance on the front lines.

Luna during this timeframe had already earned fame as a masterful sorceress capable of reversing catastrophic situations through her devastating spellcasting.

In these days, Luna, alongside Akint, the rising commander of their people, stood as the ultimate beacons of elven salvation.

Dweno likewise stood out as a formidable dwarven combatant and smith, sought after by countless adventuring contingents.

Other figures acknowledged as champions possessed immense renown.

Though some of their identities faded across five millennia, accounts of their achievements persisted.

Leo recalled a handful of these legendary figures clearly.

‘This fellow, however, is a different story.’

Hirian did not bear the title of a champion.

Nor did he wield that level of power.

He was merely a commonplace elven soldier.

Leo only retained his memory due to Luna’s connection.

Once this clash concluded, Hirian would perish.

And he wasn’t alone.

‘The vast majority of the gathered elven force… will find their graves on this very ground.’

Following the confrontation within the Elven Forest.

While journeying back toward Gardsron through the thick woods, Luna constructed resting places for the brethren she had lost during the struggle.

These markers stood over plots where actual remains could not be recovered.

Even so, Luna held the identities of each fallen warrior in her heart, carefully carving monuments for every single one.

“It is quite witless, isn’t it? There was truly no obligation for them to gamble with their lives.”

As she traced out Hirian’s moniker, a profound grief washed over her… the young elven maiden, Luna, who still maintained an innocent air, offered a melancholic smile.

“Are you well-acquainted with him? You appear deeply affected, so he must have been an exceptional warrior.”

“No, not particularly. Our paths crossed for the first time during this deployment. His capabilities… he was a warrior who had no business being on a battlefield.”

Luna rose to her feet, bringing her palms together before speaking.

“It is not isolated to this single soldier. A vast number of the kin who perished this day were individuals who should never have stepped onto the front lines.”

They lacked the preparation required for active warfare.

Nevertheless, circumstances forced them to take up weaponry and resist Tartaros.

Simply because there were no alternative protectors available.

Observing Luna as she grieved for her people, Lisinas remarked.

“Regarding my proposition. What are your thoughts?”

“You intend for me to accompany your group, correct?”

Luna turned around to face Kyle and Lisinas.

Beneath the thick forest canopy, Luna’s gaze appeared slightly despondent.

Luna replied, her tone devoid of its former certainty.

“I am uncertain of your ultimate objective, but I have no desire to align myself with companions who will pass away before I do.”

Luna cast a brief glance toward the monuments.

Noticing her demeanor, Lisinas nudged Kyle in the spine.

“Are you going to address this?”

“Judging by her outlook, your perspective might carry more weight than mine.”

“Confounded reptile.”

Kyle, fully aware that he was expected to intervene because of his status as the enduring champion, muttered a quiet complaint before stepping toward Luna.

“Just how many souls have you watched perish ahead of you to make such a claim?”

“Excuse me?”

Luna’s expression grew sharp.

Lisinas shielded her face, whispering under her breath, ‘I intended for him to offer gentle solace. I am truly dense for relying on him.’

“What gives you the right to treat this so lightly?”

As Luna snarled and snapped at him, Kyle answered impassively.

“I am the enduring champion.”

Hearing Kyle’s retort, Luna hesitated.

Kyle offered a faint smirk, looking back at Luna.

“I share your aversion to forming bonds with those who will die ahead of me. As it happens, you appear to fit the criteria perfectly.”

“……”

Luna’s defensive posture melted away slightly as she looked into Kyle’s face.

She recognized a profound sorrow reflecting in Kyle’s gaze, one that ran even deeper than her own.

At the very least, his words were not driven by malice.

“What is your ultimate aim?”

“To bring down Erebus.”

“……”

For a brief moment, Luna looked utterly baffled.

“You plan to overthrow Erebus? Have you lost your mind? What could possibly possess you to contemplate such a feat?”

Luna stared at Kyle with genuine bewilderment, as though examining a bizarre phenomenon.

In response, Kyle scowled and shifted his gaze back to Lisinas.

However, Luna pondered the phrase ‘Bring down Erebus’, turning it over in her mind before declaring.

“Very well, so be it. Overthrowing Erebus! That is a milestone perfectly tailored to my scale! I approve. I shall join your ranks.”

Luna, her spirited nature fully restored, continued.

“Your name is Kyle, correct? I am Luna! My path is to gleam brilliantly like a beacon in the midnight heavens, so consider it a high privilege to count me among your circle!”

Starting from that moment, Luna made a solemn oath.

To ensure that no one else would perish in vain.

‘This warrior fought desperately to shield Luna until his final breath before losing his life, didn’t he?’

Leo shifted his gaze slightly.

Akint stood nearby, his features locked in a stern expression.

Every individual assembled on this field recognized the truth.

This engagement was entirely foolhardy.

Yet they possessed no alternative but to execute this reckless maneuver.

Hordes of adversaries were spilling out from the Elven Forest, a territory now claimed by the Monster Queen.

Should they delay any longer, the strategic stability of the entire region would disintegrate completely.

Even if reclamation proved impossible, they were required to deal a significant blow to the Monster Queen and her forces.

Failure to contain the Monster Queen at this junction would only quicken the world’s impending ruin.

The crisis had escalated to that critical degree.

The elven forces present had thrown themselves into this desperate clash to avert that outcome.

Right then.

Rumble-!

The earth trembled violently.

Flap-flap-flap-

The avian creatures residing within the canopy panicked, scattering into the open sky.

Those same creatures were instantly intercepted by the predators haunting the woods.

[Kyahahahahahahahahahahaha-]

A mocking, unsettling laughter reverberated through the air.

The elven soldiers pressed their hands over their ears to block out the sound.

[It appears you have marched here merely to perish, you worthless long-ears.]

Faced with the derisive voice, Akint bit down hard on his lower lip.

Hirian, who had previously maintained a facade of composure while instructing everyone to rely on him, gripped his buckler tightly.

“Lady Luna! Fall back immediately!”

At that instant, an elven female warrior bearing a blade sprinted over, her voice laced with panic.

The elven cohort understood clearly.

That Luna’s spellcasting represented their sole prospect of survival in this predicament.

Their duty was to hold the defensive line as long as possible so that Luna could invoke her sorcery undisturbed.

“Lady Luna! We shall offer our lives to ensure your safety!”

Hirian, shaking off his brief panic, collected himself and added urgently.

Ignoring the pleas of the surrounding soldiers, Leo remained perfectly still.

“Luna, this might sound difficult to accept, but place your faith in us. Focus entirely on your incantations while we…”

“I place my faith in you.”

Leo replied evenly.

“Akint. You… every soul gathered here is prepared to forfeit their existence to keep Luna safe. I recognize that truth better than anyone else.”

“Luna?”

To the bystanders, it felt as though Luna was speaking through an entirely foreign persona.

Unbothered by the bewildered looks around him, Leo fixed his gaze forward into the empty air.

[Capture Objective: Reenact the chronicle of glorious triumph. Eradicate as many elves as possible.]

Squeeze-!

Leo clenched his fist tightly.

This was distinct from the world of champions that Leo remembered.

The focal point here was not an individual savior, but an entire opposing force.

And it involved Shilathuna, bound to the most horrific, ill-fated tie.

Leo had unequivocally severed that dark bond.

Yet that act did not erase the historical events that had unfolded long ago.

‘This domain represents pure agony for Luna. It was a burden she was forced to bear until her final breath.’

Bidding farewell to a parental figure.

An ancestry drenched in carnage and grief, where countless individuals had to lay down their lives to safeguard her younger, unformed self.

Rumble-!

In the far distance, the Monster Queen came into view.

Leo stepped out to the front.

“Do not throw away your lives on my account.”

Leo announced, addressing the elves assembled for her defense.

“Your priority must be your own survival. Focus entirely on staying alive.”

“B-but the High Elves operated on that exact principle!”

“Their methodology was corrupt. Yet, prioritizing your own survival is not a sin. It is entirely innate to value one’s own existence.”

Leo stated clearly.

“I shall act as your shield. You need only focus on surviving. That is your current assignment.”

“B-but Lady Luna! In doing so, we become nothing but a liability to you!”

“It matters not, I have sustained this weight for an immense duration already.”

“……”

Hirian wore a baffled expression, staring at Leo who continued to utter incomprehensible statements.

Akint regarded Leo with a dark countenance and questioned.

“In that case, who stands to shield you?”

“……”

Leo met Akint’s gaze.

“I shall shield myself.”

“……”

Leo flashed a grin, noting Akint’s stunned reaction.

[Very well, which specimen shall I harvest first?]

Thud-!

Observing Shilathuna advance deliberately to sow panic, Leo lowered his stance.

‘Reenact the chronicle of triumph? Eradicate as many elves as possible?’

Leo directed his gaze upward.

‘Who dictated those terms?’

Even if he achieved success on this battlefield.

The past would remain unaltered.

Because written chronicles cannot be rewritten.

However…

‘As long as I function as the Hero of the Beginning, I refuse to tolerate the repetition of this tragic history before my eyes. Even if this domain is a mere fabrication.’

Crash-!

With a powerful bound, Leo launched himself toward Shilathuna like a projectile.

[What?]

Shilathuna paused momentarily in surprise.

Leo let out a cold sneer, locking eyes with Shilathuna.

“I arrived here with the sole intent of dismantling this reality anyway, did I not?”

Gooooooo-!

A colossal tempest of raw sorcery manifested around Leo’s hand.

This was an incantation completely alien to the chronicles of this specific era.

The definitive sorcery that Luna would develop ages into the future.

“Which means I am free to crush you without showing an ounce of restraint, doesn’t it?”

Leo smiled, a chilling expression crossing his face.

Shilathuna’s expression contorted as she sensed the unprecedented magical energy.

“You are the prey in this scenario, Monster Queen.”

The spell reached absolute completion within Leo’s grasp.

Star Magic – Finality.

Flash! Kwa-ga-ga-ga-ga-ga-gang-!

[Kieeek?!]

An extraordinary power that should not exist in this epoch slammed directly into Shilathuna.