Book 1 Chapter 502

502.

Piiiiing! Pop! Pop!

"Whoooaah!"

Fireworks soared high into the sky, and cheers erupted from all directions.

What it signified was the beginning of the Twilight Festival.

Countless people on the streets smiled brightly.

Lumeria City, the center of the world, was always vibrant, but today it was even more full of life.

Many races, usually seen sporadically, walked the streets.

The Twilight Festival is easily misunderstood to be a festival solely honoring Lumerne due to its name, but in fact, it is not just for Lumerne.

Statues of the heroes of creation are erected throughout Lumeria City.

And adorning the central plaza were none other than the statues of the Great Heroes.

Countless crowds visiting Lumeria City laid flowers before the Great Heroes.

This year, especially, there were many offerings to Arion.

Last summer.

The impact of Arion appearing in the present world and subjugating a fragment of Erebus was significant.

Children on the streets ran around dressed as Great Heroes and wearing masks.

"It's like Gadslon,"

Luna muttered, standing idly on the street.

Indeed, the sight of a city where countless races coexisted gave off the atmosphere of Gadslon.

"Of course, fundamentally, it's different."

The festival itself was peace.

There was no anxiety, and everyone wore bright expressions.

Luna closed her eyes.

'This is the world we saved.'

Her heart felt a pang.

She had realized saving the world before.

But seeing the countless crowds on the street smiling happily, a corner of her heart felt warm.

It was literally moving.

Just then.

Thump!

A child who had been running around without looking bumped into Luna.

"Ouch!"

"Are you alright?"

Luna's eyes widened as she helped the boy who had bumped into her and fallen.

"Yes. I'm fine. I'm sorry…"

The boy, who was getting up holding Luna's hand, saw Luna's face and exclaimed, 'Wow!'

"It's an older sister who looks like Lady Luna."

"Your older sister looks like Lady Luna?"

"Yes! She's super pretty!"

"An honest little one, aren't you?"

Luna smiled broadly and helped the child up.

Then, as she dusted off the child, she noticed his hand was scraped and healed it with magic.

"Amazing! You're a mage, older sister!"

"Because I resemble Lady Luna."

"But older sister. Did you drink alcohol? I smell alcohol."

"Mm, I had a little."

Luna smiled gently.

"Here's a question."

Luna said with a serious face.

"Who is the greatest Great Hero among the Great Heroes?"

"Lord Dwenno!"

The boy clenched his fist and his eyes sparkled.

"Lord Dwenno is the one who created the divine artifacts that the Great Heroes use! Our family is a blacksmith family! That's why I think Lord Dwenno is the greatest Great Hero!"

Indeed, the boy's costume was Dwenno's costume.

And behind his back was a Dwenno mask.

Luna smiled brightly and said,

"Nope. You're wrong. The greatest Great Hero is Lady Luna."

"Aw."

The boy gave a look of disbelief.

"Not 'Aw'. 'Aw'. Dwenno was a perverted and eccentric dwarf."

"How do you know that, older sister?"

"Because I'm Luna."

"Older sister, you're drunk, aren't you?"

"In that sense, that mask is confiscated. Your older sister will buy you a Luna mask instead."

Luna tried to snatch Dwenno's mask.

In response, the boy stepped back with a frightened expression.

"What are you doing to the child, you drunkard?"

"Early education is important! It's absurd to let that young, innocent sprout admire such a perverted old man!"

"Don't crush the child's dreams."

"Reality is harsh! Children need to know what they need to know! No! That old man isn't even a respectable figure in the first place!"

Luna roared.

Then people's gazes naturally focused on the two.

The boy, who had been staring blankly, waved his hand.

"Goodbye, pretty older sister who looks like Lady Luna! Have a good date with your boyfriend!"

The boy smiled brightly and disappeared into the crowd.

"Did you find Lu-nim?"

Just then, Chen Xia and Eiran rushed over, flustered.

The two had been together and were very surprised to see Luna suddenly disappear.

"As you can see."

Leo grabbed Luna by the scruff of her neck and made her stand upright.

Chen Xia said, looking at Luna like that,

"Lady Luna, it seems you're very drunk. Perhaps you should stop drinking now."

"I'm fine."

Luna shrugged.

Indeed, looking at her face alone, she seemed perfectly fine.

If it weren't for the strong smell of alcohol around her, one wouldn't even imagine she had been drinking.

However, her actions lacked restraint and were boisterous.

It was precisely the behavior of a drunk person.

As soon as the festival began, Luna freely guzzled alcohol she bought from street vendors.

And only high-proof spirits.

Since Luna was a heavy drinker to begin with, she was like a fish in water at the festival.

"Mister! One more here!"

When Luna asked the vendor for another drink, the vendor chuckled and handed her a glass.

"Elf lady! How spirited!"

"Kyahaha~ This is living!"

Eiran said, looking worriedly at Luna, who was happily drinking with gusto.

"Um, is she going to be okay like that?"

"Once she gets going, no one can stop her."

Leo clicked his tongue.

Then he pulled out a map from his pocket and said,

"First, let's go to the accommodation Kal said he booked."

For the Twilight Festival, Kal had already booked accommodations.

Kal's connections extended not only within the school but also outside of it, so he boasted that he had secured a good place.

"Hey. We need to move now."

"Just a little more to drink."

Despite Leo's words, Luna showed no intention of moving.

Unable to watch any longer, Leo approached Luna, put his arm around her waist, and tucked her under his arm like a bundle.

But as if accustomed to Leo's behavior, Luna held a glass in each hand and continued to drink.

Chen Xia mumbled, watching the scene.

"I knew she was eccentric… but she's amazing."

The true appearance of the Great Hero she had admired since childhood was both familiar and, at the same time, bewildering.

Chen Xia looked sideways with a slightly worried expression.

For Eiran, a naive elf, Luna's drunken state might be shocking.

When she turned her head, Eiran, with her hands clasped together, smiled brightly.

"Lady Luna… you are truly beautiful."

'That?'

The sight of her dangling from Leo, being dragged along, was far from beautiful.

'Well, Miss Eiran has a somewhat unique taste.'

Chen Xia accepted this, took Eiran's hand, and followed behind Leo.

***

A little later.

The place Leo and his party arrived at was a combination of a pub and an inn.

Chen Xia tilted her head, seeing it.

"Is this really the right place?"

"It is?"

Leo mumbled, looking at the pub's name.

Kal had said he booked a good accommodation, but this place was far from what Chen Xia or Eiran would consider good.

Just then.

"Oh! You're here! You've arrived!"

The pub door opened, and Kal rushed out with a welcoming face.

"Come on! Don't just stand there!"

Kal, with his uniquely sly smile, led the group to the back of the pub.

"Is this the 'good accommodation' you were talking about?"

"Yeah. I rented the entire top floor! And it's free!"

Kal winked one eye and gave a thumbs-up.

"Well, actually, it's a place I helped out before. I was able to rent it because of that connection. But there's a condition."

"Condition?"

"Yes. Leo, the student council president of Lumerne, will work as a waiter for one day!"

True to his words, Kal was wearing a waiter's uniform.

Chen Xia furrowed her brows, looking at Kal.

"Are you saying you'll make Young Master Leo work as a waiter now?"

Chen Xia's eyes turned cold.

Kal flinched, seeing Chen Xia like that.

Kal knew that Chen Xia served Leo like a master.

Naturally, she wouldn't be pleased to hear that Leo would be made to work as a waiter.

"Not only the lodging fee… but they said food and drinks are free. I thought it would be a good memory…"

"Alcohol is free?"

Just then, Luna, who was off to the side, her eyes gleamed.

"Let's do it."

"What? Lady Luna, working as a server?"

Eiran was utterly bewildered.

To make the greatest hero of the elf race work as a server!

What an outrageous act!

"Who cares! The alcohol is free! Leo! You'll do it too, right?"

But Luna didn't mind.

At Luna's words, Leo let out a small laugh.

"That sounds interesting."

"Ohh!!"

Kal cheered loudly.

"Since both of you said yes, there's no problem, right?"

Kal grinned, looking at Chen Xia and Eiran.

The two girls, who usually smiled a lot, stared intently at Kal.

"Why, why are you like that?"

"Kal."

"You'll incur divine punishment."

Kal flinched, seeing the two staring at him with narrowed eyes.

***

Step-step-

It was night, but Lumeria City's streets were still bustling with energy, as befitted a festival. A red-haired elf was walking down the street.

As the beautiful elf passed by, the crowd parted.

They instinctively made way for the charisma the elf exuded.

The elf, Lunia, walking nonchalantly through the gap, snorted.

The presence emanating from her intense red hair and eyes had grown even stronger.

'I should have come with Eiran originally.'

Lunia expressed her regret inwardly.

She envied her friend who had gone to Lumerne as an exchange student first.

Of course, Seyrune, being a hero academy like Lumerne, was not lacking in learning.

But still, Lunia envied her friend.

'Eiran must have always been with Leo, right?'

Leo Flob was in Lumerne.

And Lunia wanted to show Leo her changed appearance after the vacation and in such a short time.

It hadn't been a long time, but Lunia had definitely grown stronger.

She had formed a contract with the Phoenix, which she had so yearned for.

In addition, the magic Leo had taught her, the Flame Emperor, had also been further enhanced.

She wanted to show him her changed self as soon as possible.

She was sure she had taken a step closer to Leo Flob.

But unfortunately, she only now had time after handing over the student council president position.

'I originally intended to come in the morning.'

Lunia clicked her tongue.

Something unexpected happened at school today.

News spread throughout the school that Rune, the acting principal, had collapsed.

Initially, the school was in an uproar, but the commotion ended when Rune himself announced that it was nothing serious.

'He said he'd be fine after a few days of rest, but Lord Rune's face was dark.'

Though he didn't show it, Rune's face was serious.

Feeling an uneasy sensation, Lunia stopped walking.

'First, I should tell Eiran.'

She thought Eiran should know, as it concerned her grandfather.

So Lunia entered an alley.

'Kal said he definitely booked accommodation around here, didn't he?'

As it was the Twilight Festival, crowds were everywhere.

Many elves who disliked going to human cities were also seen there.

It was while Lunia was looking for the address.

"Tsk. Wearing a human server's uniform and serving humans."

"It's a disgrace to elves."

"Moreover, getting drunk and making a scene in an alley. As fellow elves, we're ashamed."

From a distance, she heard elves grumbling.

'Those kinds of elves are everywhere.'

A type who, due to excessive racial pride, despise their own kind who don't meet their standards.

Lunia clicked her tongue.

They were elves she didn't particularly like.

It was when Lunia was looking for the accommodation.

"Ugh! Uweeek!"

She heard retching from somewhere.

Passersby chuckled as they went through the alley.

Lunia, inadvertently looking towards the sound, let out a hollow laugh.

There, an elf in a waitress uniform was holding onto a wall and throwing up.

"Uweeeeeeek!"

'That's certainly embarrassing for a fellow elf.'

Lunia felt a sudden awkwardness.

It was as she was about to turn away from the elf, who was bringing such shame to their race, and leave.

"Are you alright?"

An elf with a familiar face rushed out of the alley.

'Eiran?'

Lunia's eyes widened, and she approached Eiran.

Eiran hurriedly patted the elf's back.

"Eiran… Ugh… Thank you… Uweeeeeeek!"

The elf didn't stop, even while expressing her gratitude.

"Eiran, what are you doing there…"

"Lady Luna. Perhaps you should refrain from drinking any more…"

"What?!"

Hearing Eiran's words, Lunia let out a horrified gasp.

Eiran, with wide eyes, spotted Lunia and smiled brightly.

"Miss Lunia!"

"What? Luni… Aeeeek?!"

Luna also turned her head, then looked back at the ground.

Lunia's face stiffened as she confirmed that face.

"Yes. It's a dream. A dream. Yes, I'm dreaming."

Lunia denied reality.

'Right. Would Lady Luna be in reality? Would a miracle like during the time of Lord Arion happen so easily? Yes. It's a dream. A bad nightmare. It doesn't make sense for Lady Luna to be throwing up like that in the first place. Yes. Let's wake up from this sleep.'

The Luna Lunia knew was a beautiful, pure, and benevolent elf.

Of course, a flawless elf, even cute with a somewhat eccentric side.

It was when Luna was desperately trying to ignore reality.

"Unfortunately, it is reality."

Leo, who had appeared in the alley, said calmly.

"This is Luna's true self."

"Liar!"

Lunia, shocked, shook her head.

"You become an adult by seeing a lot of dirty things."

"No!"

"Congratulations on becoming an adult."

"If this is what being an adult is, I don't want to be an adult!"

Lunia, who was desperately denying reality, swayed.

Eiran, startled, supported Lunia.

Leo patted Luna's back instead of Eiran and said,

"You're bringing complete shame to our race. Are you satisfied breaking a child's illusion?"

"What?"

"Never mind, continue what you were doing."

At his words, Luna looked back at the ground.

Patting Luna's back, Leo muttered,

"You're acting so shamelessly, having seen everything there is to see, that I couldn't have noticed, could I?"

"What? What did you just…?"

"Nothing, just talking to myself."