Book 1 Chapter 211

211

"Defeated."

Leo took a deep breath and looked at the spot where Silatuna had vanished.

The terminus of a dreadful, persistent evil.

One of Tartaros's three most formidable threats, which even the great heroes had repeatedly failed to subjugate.

When the subjugation force gained the power to confront Erebus, the legion commanders avoided direct confrontations with the great heroes and began targeting other heroes.

Although the subjugation force had grown stronger, their number was still only five. It was impossible to simultaneously block the legion commanders' concurrent aerial attacks from multiple locations.

Judging that they couldn't defeat both Erebus and the legion commanders with just the subjugation force's power, they focused on defeating Erebus.

'At the time, that was the best option.'

They couldn't afford to allocate their full strength to the legion commanders while a massive disaster like Erebus remained.

Leo took a deep breath and turned his head.

And before Leo returned from the world of heroes.

He walked towards Kalian, who had stopped Silatuna.

Stomp- Stomp-

His whole body screamed in protest.

But Leo didn't care.

A moment later, Leo, who had reached Kalian, closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.

Kalian was standing.

His body must have already reached its limits.

Though he was praised as a hero who bore his era, he was ultimately an old hero who had lived for a century.

Even with the help of Rivern, the dragon, stopping Silatuna was an achievement worthy of being called a miracle.

Kalian, who was standing with his sword as a staff, smiled faintly as he looked at Leo.

"…Indeed, a great hero. To defeat the Monster Queen…"

Leo's eyes darkened.

The life of the Sword Saint, who praised the Hero of Beginnings, was slowly flickering out.

He had stopped the Monster Queen, burning even his own life away.

"I didn't do it alone."

Leo looked back.

"Oh… Luna-nim…"

"…Who are these people?"

Luna asked cautiously.

"These are the ones who stopped Silatuna before we arrived."

"All we did was hold on," Kalian said, bowing his head.

"With our power, we couldn't do anything."

Kalian's eyes sank.

"If it weren't for you… many heroes… many students would have died. As one who bears responsibility for an era, I was insufficient."

Seeing Kalian blame himself with trembling hands, Leo said,

"No, it's because you stopped Silatuna and wore her down that we were able to hold on. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to last until Luna arrived either."

"You have every right to be proud as a hero."

Luna approached Kalian, took his trembling hand, and spoke forcefully.

"So, lift your head."

Kalian, who lifted his head at Luna's words, said,

"…From a young age, I admired you all. I wanted to protect the peace you bestowed upon us…"

Kalian's voice trembled.

"As one who bears an era's burden… it is natural to use one's life for future generations… The words you have spoken to me… are an honor beyond my merit."

The strength gradually faded from his voice.

"I have one request, Hero of Beginnings."

Kalian squeezed out his last strength and looked at Leo.

"…To this old man… would you please show me hope?"

The Sword Saint revealed a fervent wish.

"What is your relationship with… Leo Plov?"

At that question, Leo took a deep breath.

And he dispelled Luna's magic.

Beneath the setting sun.

Kalian, who saw the great hero transform into a boy, opened his eyes wide.

Then he smiled brightly, as if relieved… and soon closed his eyes.

Luna, who carefully received the falling Sword Saint, whispered softly to him as he met his end.

"…You worked hard. May your story be remembered forever…"

Luna, who blessed the hero's final moments, carefully laid Kalian down and watched Leo's back as he approached Rivern.

Rivern, too, was nearing his end.

Leo, with the setting sun behind him, looked down at Rivern and said,

"Don't worry, follow the Sword Saint's lead."

"…Yes."

"The hero you chose was the best. Lysinas will be proud of you for upholding his will and choosing the best hero."

"That… is a very great honor."

Rivern, who managed a difficult smile, slowly closed his eyes.

Luna, looking at the two heroes who had passed away, said,

"I've witnessed the deaths of countless people… but I still don't get used to it."

Luna closed her eyes, clasped her hands, and prayed for the two of them.

Leo silently watched her noble posture.

A moment later, Luna opened her eyes and smiled faintly at Leo.

Luna's body began to glow faintly.

The end of the miracle was approaching.

Leo gritted his teeth.

"Lu…na."

He called Luna's name with a trembling voice.

"Shh."

Luna put a finger to her lips and whispered softly.

"Can't you send me off with a smile? Like that time."

Recalling Leo, who had once shown her the magic of making flowers bloom, Luna smiled brightly.

"We'll meet again someday. Of course, there's no guarantee that another me will keep this memory like now, but…"

Luna closed her eyes slightly.

"Still, we'll be able to meet again."

Like a friend they would meet again tomorrow.

Luna approached Leo with light footsteps.

"So, Kyle."

Luna reached out and stroked Leo's cheek.

The light emanating from Luna's body grew brighter and brighter.

"Please don't give up."

Luna kissed Leo's cheek.

"Because it was that amazing, never-giving-up side of you that I fell for."

Luna stepped back, smiling shyly.

"Certainly… we'll meet again."

Whoosh-!

Luna's body turned into particles of light and vanished.

Feeling the warmth remaining on his cheek, Leo unconsciously touched his right cheek.

Then he looked at the spot where Luna had disappeared and smiled bitterly.

"…Would it kill you to show a little emotion?"

Before he knew it, the sun had set, and darkness had fallen.

Snow fell on the coldly cooling battlefield.

Thus, the Battle of Seirune, which would adorn a page of history, came to an end.

***

News related to the subjugation of the Monster Queen shook the entire world.

The end of a disaster that had threatened the world for a long time.

What excited people even more was the 'Great Heroes'' return.

Luna, the progenitor of the Nebula.

And Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings, for whom evidence of his existence had recently been discovered.

When many first heard the news that great heroes from the distant past had appeared in the present world, they couldn't believe it.

But when Lumerne and Seirune officially acknowledged it, the world was abuzz.

The subjugation of the Monster Queen, who had threatened the world for many years.

And the appearance of the great heroes.

It literally became a festive atmosphere.

However, the atmosphere in Lumerne was somber.

Erech Grand Training Ground of Lumerne.

All the students were dressed in black and lined up.

In a solemn atmosphere, they laid flowers before Kalian's portrait in the Erech Grand Training Ground.

It wasn't just the students.

Numerous graduates from all over the world visited Lumerne.

Among them, some shed tears.

A great hero who had served as the principal of Lumerne for a long time and had been a guide and goal for many heroes.

The death of such a Sword Saint was enough to cause massive repercussions.

After the flower offerings concluded, and everyone mourned the Sword Saint.

Harland stood before the microphone on the platform.

-A letter left by the principal during his lifetime has been discovered.

Everyone's gaze turned to Harland.

-He wished for it to be read before everyone present, so I will read the principal's last words.

Harland, holding the letter with his characteristic expressionless face, began to read it.

[I wished this letter would never be made public, but I've ended up leaving my final words in this letter.

I sincerely hope that no student has tragically lost their life.

Do not grieve too deeply over this old man's death.

For a hero, drawing one's sword for future generations is natural.

I merely did what was natural.

Do not place great significance on my death.

I am just one person disappearing into history.

Move forward.

As I did.

As countless preceding heroes did.

Always remember these words.

Surpass your limits.

Continue to surpass them, and I wish that all who hear these words become great heroes who will lead the world.

I trust you all.]

The reading of Kalian's letter concluded.

Afterwards, the funeral ended with heroes gathering to pay their highest respects to the departing Sword Saint.

Thus, the era of the Sword Saint was coming to an end.

***

Lumerne Hero Tower.

Someone was looking down at the panoramic view of Lumerne from the principal's office at the very top.

"…He was a playful person. But still, he was a respectable one."

The man spoke with a heavy voice.

"Whenever I visited him, he would always look down at Lumerne from here. As if to watch each and every student."

The man let out a bitter sigh and turned around.

"But as per his last wishes, we cannot mourn forever. We cannot leave the principal and vice-principal positions of Lumerne vacant."

"I agree with that, Chairman."

Harland said calmly.

"Then, who do you think is suitable for the position of principal? Many people are recommending Professor Harland and Professor Sedjen as candidates."

The hero known as the Infinity Speller.

Altech Jereon, the head of the Jereon family and chairman of Lumerne, asked the two professors.

Harland and Sedjen.

The two were not individuals whose names were listed in the Hero Record.

However, they were highly renowned as distinguished professors of Lumerne who had nurtured countless heroes.

Not only the current professors of Lumerne but also numerous graduates would undoubtedly support one of them becoming principal.

But Harland and Sedjen shook their heads.

"I am not fit to be principal, Chairman."

"I, too, agree with Harland's opinion."

"That's troublesome. I had hoped one of you two would become principal."

Altech showed a regretful expression.

"Then, may I entrust the principal candidate selection to you two?"

Originally, the authority to appoint the principal lay with the chairman.

But Altech intended to entrust that immense authority to Harland and Sedjen.

The two professors had been involved in teaching even before Altech became chairman.

Therefore, Altech trusted and relied on them as much as he had Kalian.

"Understood. We will look for candidates."

As Sedjen nodded, Altech nodded.

And he said seriously,

"Then I would like to consult with you two regarding the academic schedule."

At his words, Harland let out a deep sigh, as if he had a headache.

"…This isn't a situation to finalize the academic schedule."

The Sword Saint had died.

Currently, people were excited about the subjugation of the Monster Queen and the appearance of the great heroes, but…

Soon they would realize.

How great the void left by the Sword Saint was.

Of course, Tartaros had also lost its Monster Queen.

That was certainly a massive blow.

But the Sword Saint's death was an equally immense loss.

It was no exaggeration to say that the peace of the current era had been maintained by the Sword Saint as a massive deterrent.

It was a situation where a literally precarious balance was in place.

The axis of that balance had collapsed.

Therefore, they couldn't know what provocations Tartaros would unleash.

"I understand that the internal movements in Seirune are also unusual."

All academic schedules in Seirune were currently on hold.

"The identity of that unknown legion commander is still unknown, but… it is highly likely to be a legion commander from the distant past. Scholars, after examining documents, have reached the conclusion that it might be 'Poison King Zerdiak'."

Great heroes have appeared.

There's no law saying that past legion commanders shouldn't appear in the present world.

If so, the problem was how that past legion commander appeared in the middle of Seirune.

"Great heroes… past legion commanders… after all, there's only one thing we can think of. The Hero Record."

Altech nodded at Sedjen's words.

"That's right. And it's highly likely that traitors within Seirune summoned the past legion commander. After all, a legion commander subjugated by the Sword Saint also appeared in Lumerne. And in fact…"

Altech said in a firm voice,

"It is said that one of Luna-nim's Hero Records has completely vanished."

Listening to Altech's words, Harland and Sedjen exchanged serious expressions.

"Therefore, I request a faculty meeting to be convened for this agenda."

"What is the agenda?"

"To bring forward the vacation. First, I believe we should send the students home, and Lumerne also needs to reorganize for future situations."