Book 1 Chapter 505
505.
Flowers filled the streets.
Leo walked through the street, where countless flower petals fluttered in tune with the festive atmosphere, lost in thought.
‘Worries about Berkia.’
If Luna herself thought her lingering attachment was Berkia, then that must be it.
On the other hand, it also felt very much like Luna.
‘Arion and I… and Luna too. We all knew Berkia’s potential well.’
It was obvious without deep thought that he would grow into a great magic swordsman.
‘That’s why Arion and I didn’t worry much about Berkia when we set off on our last journey. But Luna was different.’
He recalled Luna, who looked back at Berkia until the very end.
She must have been worried.
A worry separate from his strength.
‘Being strong doesn’t mean your spirit won’t break.’
Unlike Luna, Leo thought his disciple would navigate things well.
‘Rather than Berkia, I was more worried about Bihar.’
It wasn't that Bihar was better than Berkia, specifically.
It was purely because of Bihar's past.
‘Anyway, for now, I can't think of a way to resolve Luna's lingering attachment.’
Thinking that, Leo glanced at Eiran walking ahead.
‘When the festival ends, should I go to Elsalvekia?’
He recalled the Ersar family he had visited in his first year.
Berkia's traces would surely remain there.
Wouldn't Luna be relieved if she saw those traces?
‘…I don’t know.’
Leo clenched his fist.
He pretended to be calm, but in fact, Leo’s mind was also complex.
Before, when Arion disappeared after subjugating Erebus.
Leo had wished Arion would remain in this era.
He had wished Arion would enjoy the peaceful world he himself had created.
But Arion chose to return to his original place.
It was the same now.
Leo wished Luna would stay in this era as long as possible.
It was purely out of concern for a comrade who had endured the Age of Calamity together with him.
“What are you thinking so hard about?”
“Something about Luna.”
“Ah.”
Kal let out a small exclamation.
“You said she’s in a spiritual body state right now?”
“That’s right.”
“Then do you need to worry? It’s not an immediate problem. I think we can slowly think about serious matters later.”
Kal also knew that it wasn’t good for a spiritual body to linger for too long.
But he said nonchalantly,
“I think you and Lady Luna should enjoy life a bit more.”
“You’re a good guy, Kal.”
“Kyah~ To be praised by the person who saved the world, I don’t know what to do with myself.”
Leo chuckled, watching Kal act slyly.
“Oh! Speaking of which, let’s stop by Kurazh Street! I need to check if the auction item I submitted has been sold.”
At his words, Leo, Eiran, and Chen Sia nodded.
Kal, who had gone to the bustling Kurazh Street to see the auction manager, headed off to receive the settlement money.
During that time, Leo, Eiran, and Chen Sia decided to sightsee Kurazh Street.
It was then.
“Listen to the thrilling heroic tales of great heroes.”
Storytellers and bards were touting their services to passersby.
It was such a familiar sight that Leo was about to pass by with a slight smile when.
“Today, I will tell you about a secret in history. It is the story of Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings.”
Someone was telling a story in a familiar voice.
Perhaps because word spread that it was an interesting story, the area around was bustling with people.
“There was a woman who loved Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings. She was the hope and bright light of the dark Age of Calamity. She was Lysinus, the King of Wisdom.”
The storyteller spoke in a mournful voice.
“But the Hero of Beginnings actually had another person he loved. She was Luna, the progenitor of the Nebula, an elf like a beautiful, pure, benevolent, and noble flower.”
Due to the beautiful voice and groundbreaking setting, the area around the storyteller was packed with an audience.
“Young Master Leo, Lady Luna seems to be very drunk.”
Chen Sia said cautiously.
Just as she said, several empty liquor bottles lay scattered around Luna, who was telling the story.
“My goodness. To think that Sir Leo loved Lady Luna.”
Eiran covered her mouth, flustered.
Leo squinted his eyes and stared at Luna.
Regardless, Luna excitedly continued her story.
Luna’s story was incredibly immersive.
She spoke as if she had actually witnessed those times.
It was natural, as she was actually there at the time.
Everything was true, except for the relationship between Luna and Kyle.
“The final moment arrived. ‘Luna. Don’t die! You said you’d love me when this fight ends! You left a mark of love on this cheek!’, ‘I’m sorry, Kyle. I don’t think I can keep that promise.’”
‘…She remembers me confessing to her, doesn’t she?’
Luna had clearly said before that she had no memory of coming out of the Hero’s World.
But as soon as he heard the story of kissing her cheek, he knew instantly.
Leo gave a cold smile and pushed through the crowd, approaching Luna.
“Kyle smiled sadly! Even Lysinus, for that moment, at the death of Luna whom she had hated… Eek?!”
As the story reached its climax, Luna screamed.
She had suddenly made eye contact with Leo, who had come to the very front of the crowd.
Leo said,
“Drag that one over here.”
At his words, Chen Sia approached Luna without hesitation.
But Eiran faltered.
Dragging Luna, the progenitor of the Nebula, for an elf, was itself a great disrespect.
“It’s alright. I give you permission.”
However, hearing Leo’s words, she soon made up her mind and approached Luna.
Luna, held by both arms, was dragged by Chen Sia and Eiran as if being taken into custody.
“W-wait! You two! How can you do this to me after I’ve cherished you so much?! Especially Eiran! You…!”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“Grr! See! It’s useless no matter how nice I am! Let go! Let go of me! You dogs of Leo!”
Luna yelled.
“What? What is this situation?”
Kal, who had returned after receiving the settlement money and meeting Lunia, who was waiting to pick up her items there, couldn’t help but look blankly at Chen Sia and Eiran dragging Luna away.
***
After Leo’s group reunited with Luna’s group, they enjoyed the festival.
During that time, Luna didn’t say a word to Leo.
Having sobered up, Luna was so embarrassed by her outrageous behavior that she wouldn’t even look at Leo.
Leo also didn’t bother to provoke the embarrassed Luna.
He just looked at her with a subtly displeased smile.
‘Should I smack him once!’
Luna clenched her fist, tendons bulging, and screamed inwardly.
There were many shops run by Rumeln students throughout Rumeria City.
Among them was a makeshift cafe.
“Oh? It looks like a cafe run by third-year seniors?”
“It does.”
Kal and Chen Sia’s eyes widened as they looked at their school seniors.
As it was a cafe run by hero candidates, it was bustling with customers.
This was possible because the Twilight Festival was a kind of school festival for Rumeln students as well.
“Oh!”
Then a welcoming voice was heard.
“Brother!”
All eyes in the shop turned to one spot.
The reason was simple.
A beautiful female student had called a male student ‘Brother’.
Kal and Chen Sia also looked dumbfounded.
“Don’t you have any shame, Senior Lil?”
At Leo’s words, Lil’s face turned red.
It was definitely not because she felt ashamed of the title.
“Brother. Please speak comfortably even in front of others.”
It was simply because Leo, whom she had decided to serve as her master, was speaking to her respectfully.
‘If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to just call me master?’
While Leo sighed inwardly, Lil took the order and went back.
“What? Since when did Senior Lil call you ‘Brother’?”
“It just happened.”
Leo said indifferently, resting his chin on his hand.
The sun was gradually setting.
The makeshift cafe was located in the central plaza of Rumeria City, so the stage where performances were held to celebrate the Twilight Festival in the plaza was visible at a glance.
On the stage, famous orchestras and bards were singing.
“The atmosphere is nice.”
Luna muttered, resting her chin on her hand.
Then the Rumeln music club went up onto the stage.
In the center stood a familiar girl.
“It’s Chelsea.”
Kal exclaimed.
The music club had prepared not only a musical performance but also a celebratory performance.
Soon, instruments began to play, and Chelsea started to sing.
“-♬”
Closing her eyes, in a beautiful voice, from the Hero of Creation to the Great Hero.
It was a song of gratitude to those who strove to save this world.
Everyone wore a blank expression at Chelsea’s singing.
Soon after the song ended, Chelsea smiled brightly, and people all over the plaza applauded.
Luna smiled, looking at that scene.
“Dazzling.”
Before they knew it, the sunset was painting the sky.
But to Luna, this scene was as dazzling as sunlight.
Leo, who had been silently watching her, let out a deep sigh inwardly.
***
After sunset, the group first returned to their lodging.
It was to organize the numerous items they had bought while sightseeing the festival.
Luna, who came into her room, arranged her belongings.
Most of them were magic-related items.
Luna looked at the grimoires she was writing, placed in one corner of the room.
They contained magic she had created after seeing the mages whom she considered to be from the future.
Luna, who was smiling softly, pulled out a bottle.
“By the way, it really resembles that vulgar potion.”
It was when Luna tilted her head.
Knock-knock-
“Come in.”
When she answered the knock, Leo opened the door and entered.
At that, Luna flinched and turned her head away.
“Hey. You remember confessing to me, don’t you?”
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
As Luna’s face crumpled, Leo curled up the corners of his mouth.
“Don’t pretend you don’t know. I know you remember when we defeated Zerdiac in the Hero’s World.”
Thinking she was caught, Luna looked indignant, then let out a snort.
“Yes! I remember! What are you going to do about it?!”
“Why did you lie and say you didn’t?”
“Because you were too calm, and it annoyed me!”
Luna yelled out.
Leo frowned, looking at such a Luna.
“And what was that story earlier? Because of that, the rumor that I loved you is spreading all over the street!”
“That’s great!”
“You could have just told the truth, why spread false rumors?!”
“I’ll make it seem like it’s true! I’ll brainwash the other kids too! That you used to like me!”
“You tomboy.”
“I confessed to you, holding back my embarrassment! How can you be so calm?!”
“I can be calm. If I had shown my feelings from the start, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“Ah! This is frustrating! Then how did you know Lysinus liked you?! She showed even less signs than I did!”
Actually, she did show signs, but Luna simply hadn’t noticed at all.
“I found out by reading the letter she left behind.”
“So, you didn’t know while she was alive?”
“Yes.”
“Ah! Seriously! Why did I fall for such an idiot! And why did she like this idiot?!”
Leo chuckled, watching Luna stomp her feet and throw a tantrum.
“The one who falls in love loses.”
“If you utter another word, I’ll kill you.”
Luna growled.
“I confessed to you with a kiss on the cheek! Give me back my confession!”
“Talk sense. And what’s the big deal about kissing a cheek?”
“It is a big deal! Lysinus could never do something like that!”
“Couldn't? She even put her tongue in my mouth.”
Crack-!
Luna, utterly surprised, unconsciously exerted force.
Accordingly, the bottle she was holding shattered as if bursting.
Naturally, the contents inside splattered everywhere, and Luna was covered in it.
Luna, too shocked, gasped.
Then she rushed at Leo, grabbed him by the collar, and shook him wildly.
“When! Exactly when?!”
“When I saw her in the Hero’s World before.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! The quiet Lysinus would never do such a thing! You forced yourself on her, didn’t you! That’s it, isn’t it!”
“Not at all.”
“She was a complete lewd dragon then!”
“Perhaps you’re too innocent?”
Leo teased Luna.
Luna, thoroughly infuriated, grabbed Leo’s collar even tighter and shook him.
As the two of them thrashed about in such close proximity, they suddenly felt something strange.
Zrrk-
A sound of something melting.
“Wait, why are my clothes like this?”
“Don’t change the subject!”
When Leo noticed the unusual feeling and spoke, Luna, whose ears had turned red, glared at him.
“Hey, wait. What was that thing you just broke?”
“I bought some perverted potion that some old geezer made, called a love potion or something, at the auction house.”
“What?”
Leo looked unusually flustered.
He quickly pushed Luna away.
Drip-drip-
Luna also realized something was wrong and looked down at her body.
And she gasped in horror, seeing her clothes slowly melting away.
“What! Why is this actually happening?!”
“That Kal fellow…”
Luna screamed, and Leo, realizing the culprit, clicked his tongue.
In the end, Leo and Luna were both in their birth suits.
“Inventing such a potion! I’ll kill that perverted old geezer!”
“He’s already dead.”
“I’ll kill him twice!”
Luna’s enraged voice echoed.