Book 1 Chapter 1034

Finding similarities between Leo and Lena was actually difficult even for Luna.

'Well, of course, as they are blood-related, their appearances are similar.'

That was all.

In terms of talent, he didn't resemble Leo either.

But there was one thing.

The fact that he doesn't give up is exactly like the hero of the beginning that Luna knows.

The reason Luna thought so was extremely simple.

'After coming to the past, this child must have experienced endless despair.'

Lena is not a hero.

A sprout that has just begun to bloom.

Moreover, it is uncertain whether the budding possibility will fully bloom.

'Perhaps she won't achieve the great deeds worthy of being a hero.'

It's common.

Those who disappear without fully realizing their potential.

And in that regard, Lena was more likely to disappear without fully blooming.

'This child undoubtedly possesses great talent, but it is not special.'

The most unfortunate aspect of a dying world is that the weak die first.

A world where even the strong, who should protect the weak, struggle to protect themselves.

If one doesn't have the talent for fighting, it's hard to survive.

As a result, those with outstanding talent naturally survived the era of disaster.

Luna, who lived through that era, saw countless talents on the front lines of the battlefield against Tartarus.

And compared to them, Lena's talent was not special.

Even compared to the students of the Lumen Academy of Knights in the current era, her talent was lacking.

It was only natural that she seemed so intimidated.

Even so, Lena never gave up in a desperate situation she couldn't handle.

The reason the seemingly immature Lena became mature at some point was because she experienced endlessly repeating loops.

'I don't know how many loops this child has experienced, but… it must have been an unbearable level.'

She is merely a young girl in her mid-teens.

This girl, who had never experienced hardship, had been fighting alone against a foolish dragon who sought to lead the world to ruin.

It would have been a brutal battle that would normally have led to mental breakdown and surrender.

But Lena did not give up.

Luna, after briefly looking at Lena, let out a small laugh.

'Well, even if I said something like that, it wouldn't reach her right now.'

There is nothing to say to someone who doesn't give up despite being frustrated with themselves.

No matter what others say, it won't be of any comfort.

'The one thing I'm sure of is that this child will eventually find an answer and move forward.'

Just as Kyle did, not anyone else.

Thinking so, Luna said.

[You don't have to resemble Kyle.]

"You don't have to resemble Leo?"

Young Luna had a bewildered expression.

Lena also looked confused, as if she didn't understand.

"My grandfather is practically the hero himself, why don't I have to resemble him?"

Although not publicly known, he is a hero who saved the world twice.

A being who is like the origin of all heroes.

The words "you don't have to resemble Leo" were incomprehensible to Lena.

[Yes. There's no particular need to resemble anyone.]

Luna turned her gaze towards the horizon.

Somewhere beyond that, Erebus would be.

5000 years ago.

Leo, as the last hero, vanquished Erebus and brought peace to the world.

And in the near future.

She will bring complete peace.

That's why Leo became the perfect hero himself.

But…

'In reality, Kyle doesn't think of himself as someone far from being a hero.'

Kyle's ideal hero is Lisinas.

Luna agreed with that thought.

That's why the Leo that people in the present and future know is not like Leo from Luna's perspective.

Leo's current actions are a mimicry of Lisinas.

'That scoundrel, acting perfectly like a leader.'

Luna chuckled, giggling.

Then, should all heroes resemble Lisinas?

'That's not it either.'

Ultimately, there is only one answer.

'If you can fight against evil. Anyone is a hero.'

There's no need to resemble anyone in particular.

[Ultimately, a hero is someone who doesn't give up.]

In that regard.

Lena was more heroic than anyone.

'Should I tell Lena that?'

Young Luna asked cautiously, and Luna shook her head.

[No, she has to realize it herself.]

Having said that much, Luna approached Lena.

And Luna reached out and stroked Lena's head.

Of course, Lena couldn't see Luna.

Even if she doesn't have special talent.

Even if she is wandering now.

[You will definitely become a hero in the future. I guarantee it.]

"Huh?"

At that moment.

Lena's eyes widened, and she rubbed them.

[Huh?]

Their eyes met for a moment.

"Did I… see wrong?"

Watching Lena mumble blankly, young Luna asked.

"See what?"

"Isn't the adult Luna in front of me?"

"How did you know?"

"I thought I saw you for a moment."

It was when Lena was flustered.

Leo climbed onto the rampart.

"We'll be moving in an hour, so get ready."

"Where are we going?"

Young Luna asked with a puzzled expression, and Leo said calmly.

"To God."

"What?"

***

'The best way to know what Erebus is thinking is to ask the one who knows him best.'

Among the ground dwellers, Leo would know Erebus the best.

From the era of disaster to the present.

He only researched to defeat Erebus.

However, there was someone in this world who knew Erebus better than Leo.

The gods of heaven, not the ground dwellers.

And currently, there is a former god on the ground.

'My ears are going to hurt, so I don't really want to meet him, but…'

Leo muttered, recalling Rian, and looked at the small city before him.

3000 years later.

It was the land where Lumeria City, which would become the center of the world, would be built, but its scale was so small compared to its future prosperity that it was pathetic.

'No. Is it more like a slightly large village?'

As he felt the passage of time between the past and the future anew, Luna, who was behind Leo, her eyes sparkled.

"It looks like a festival is being held."

"It is noisy."

"Aren't you going to watch?"

"I'm busy."

"We have to rest anyway, it's evening."

Unlike the future, this area was a wilderness, making the description "center of the world" seem meaningless.

As such, there were no warp gates that could lead directly.

"Do you want to play?"

"Yes. Yes."

Young Luna, with her eyes sparkling, clung to Leo's arm.

"Aing~"

Seeing young Luna act cute with a sweet voice, Leo let out a hollow laugh and nodded.

"We'll stay here for the night."

After all, to meet Rian, they had to go to the site where the Lumerun school would be built.

'I heard this area was originally full of monsters.'

Even now, with Lumeria City having reached prosperity, the monsters in Lumeria Lake have not been completely eradicated.

While some are maintained to train students, the ecosystem of monsters has been maintained despite Lumerun students actively hunting them every year.

Monsters become more ferocious at night.

Furthermore, they are now more savage due to the revival of fragments of Erebus.

If one rashly enters a monster den late at night, a great disturbance will occur.

'At least the daytime is quiet.'

For Leo, who needed to finish things as quietly as possible, moving at night was not a good option.

Thus, upon entering the city, the group immediately headed to a nearby inn.

"Today is a festival day, so there's only one room left."

At those words, Leo was about to leave the inn when the innkeeper said.

"Other inns will also have only one room left."

At those words, young Luna said.

"We're a family anyway, so let's share one room."

"Ho ho. You seem to be traveling as siblings. It's amazing in such a dangerous era."

At Luna's words, the innkeeper said as if it were strange.

"We're mercenaries."

Leo, who answered calmly, rented the inn room.

They went up to the second floor and entered the room.

It was a single room with only one bed.

Fortunately, the bed was quite wide, so it seemed like two people could sleep on it.

"You two sleep on the bed. I'll sleep on the floor."

"Yes, no need for that, let's go to the festival. Aren't you looking forward to it too, Lena?"

"Yes?! Ah… I mean…"

Lena hesitated and looked away.

"I want to investigate more about what happened to me earlier."

"What happened earlier?"

"Lena said she saw another version of herself in a spiritual state."

"What?"

"It might have been a mistake… but if it's true, I might have the talent of a summoner."

"It would have been better if she had magical talent."

[Indeed.]

Young Luna and adult Luna licked their lips.

"Anyway! You can always study! For now, let's make memories with grandpa while you're young!"

Young Luna pushed Lena's back.

"What kind of grandmother interferes with her granddaughter's studies?"

"Who's calling me a grandmother!"

"You."

Young Luna, glaring, repeatedly hit Leo's shoulder with her fists.

Leo, completely ignoring the young Luna, said.

"I can teach you some about summoning."

Saying that, Leo looked at Lena, who was rolling her eyes around, and said.

"So, enjoy yourself when it's time to enjoy."

Leo didn't stay in the city where the festival was being held solely to avoid the commotion from monster battles.

Leo also knew that his future granddaughter was carrying a harsh burden that was not fitting for her age.

Therefore, he wanted to help her relax to some extent.

At Leo's words, Lena cautiously asked.

"Can I play?"

"There's no reason why not."

At Leo's words, Lena's gaze turned to the street outside the window.

Her expression instantly changed to that of someone her age.

Seeing that, Leo burst into laughter.

'Even though she pretends to be mature, she's still a child.'

***

Crunch- Crunch-

Rhodea chewed cookies with a somewhat uncomfortable expression.

Before Rhodea sat Lumerun and Seirun, her companions and close friends.

"Oh my? Did the two of you fight?"

Annelie tilted her head.

Currently, Lumerun was looking at Seirun with a smile, while Seirun was avoiding Lumerun's gaze.

Watching them, Annelie glanced at Rhodea and secretly wore a mischievous smile.

'Aha? She's jealous?'

Annelie, who was quick-witted, had long noticed that Rhodea also had feelings for Lumerun.

'Actually, Seirun and Rhodea. Everyone knows except themselves.'

Annelie secretly clicked her tongue, looking at her friends who were smart but dull-witted.

'What's so good about that pervert.'

Annelie looked at her friends with a pitying expression and tilted her head.

'By the way, why is Lumerun looking at Seirun like she's going to devour her?'

"Is something wrong between you two?"

At that moment, Rhodea asked with a slightly sulky expression.

"Nothing is wrong."

"Yes."

Seirun agreed as Lumerun said with a smile.

"It's suspicious."

As Rhodea crossed her arms and narrowed her brow, there was a sudden impact.

Boom-!

The entire fortress shook.

Rhodea's complexion changed drastically.

Ding-! Ding-! Ding-!

Along with that, the alarm bell signaling danger throughout the fortress rang.

Annelie hurriedly looked out the window.

And seeing a giant demon far away, she shouted.

"Jörmungandr has attacked again!"

"Tch!"

Rhodea, Lumerun, and Seirun clicked their tongues and entered combat readiness.