Book 1 Chapter 514

514

Luna's mind went blank.

'Berchia revived as an undead?'

She tried to dismiss it as nonsense.

But there was no lie in the contract the Lich King showed.

Even before Luna was a mage, she was a summoner who had made a pact with a fairy, so she knew deep down that the content was not false.

Luna gritted her teeth.

'What the hell happened, Berchia?'

Both spirits and specters are beings with lingering attachments to this world.

However, they are divided into spirits and specters depending on the nature of their lingering attachments.

Those who become corrupted by hatred and malice towards the world make a contract with a necromancer.

Luna did not want to believe that her disciple had fallen to such a state.

But cruelly, it was true.

Luna's fingertips trembled.

Why did her disciple, who was once so bright, become like that?

She wanted to go find her, even now.

She wanted to bring her back to her senses.

But…

'I don't have much time left.'

Luna gritted her teeth.

She had been hit by the Lich King's magic.

She was already dead, so she wouldn't die again.

But she had taken a significant blow.

Instead, the time she could remain was drastically reduced.

For Luna, merely a spirit, to fight the Lich King, who had Erebus's blessing, despite such an overwhelming power difference, was truly a miraculous achievement.

'And… even if I lose here, there's Kyle.'

Even if she were to be defeated and disappear here, Leo would resolve it, just like 5000 years ago.

Luna had such faith and conviction.

'Still… I cannot fall!'

Luna knew.

What kind of being she was in this era.

What kind of impact her defeat would have on future generations.

'A symbol is unnecessarily heavy.'

Luna coughed up blood and smiled bitterly.

It was a symbol she had longed to become.

Only now did she realize how great that weight was.

'Damn it! It's just annoying. Weird followers appear. I wanted it for nothing.'

Thinking she wanted to kick the butt of her immature past self, Luna clicked her tongue.

But she couldn't lose not just because she was a great hero.

'I can't pass it on again.'

Leo would solve everything.

But if that happened, what would be different from 5000 years ago?

5000 years ago.

She hated herself for being forced to pass on the burden she carried.

She resented herself for being satisfied and closing her eyes back then.

'I cannot repeat that again!'

Gooooooh-!

"I am Luna, the progenitor of the Nebula. A companion of Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings who saved the world."

Luna smiled.

She radiated confidence that seemed to shine brightly like a star in any darkness and would never be broken.

That appearance was the progenitor of the Nebula herself, who encouraged everyone on the battlefield.

"-."

Luna began chanting runes.

Those who despaired at the sight of Luna bleeding gained courage from her voice.

They bravely faced the endlessly surging legion.

Gooooooh-!

The atmosphere trembled, reacting to Luna's voice.

Seeing this, the Lich King narrowed his eyes.

"Your spell, heard at the moment of victory, was what I feared most."

The magic of the Progenitor of the Nebula, which had overturned impossible battlefields countless times.

It was being manifested now.

"But then and now are different. There is no one to protect you, Progenitor of the Nebula."

Gooooooh-!

"You've suffered much trying to instill futile hope. Now, vanish."

Black flames poured from his hand and surged upwards.

Just as the flames of Erebus, shaped like a scythe, were about to strike Luna's neck.

Kwa-ga-ga-ga-gang-!

Lunia blocked Luna's path.

"…You won't be able to hold out until the spell is complete."

The Lich King scoffed at Lunia, who blocked him with white flames.

"Don't make me laugh! You dog-bone! I'll hold out no matter what!"

Lunia said, her glowing red eyes raised.

'At the very least! So that Lady Luna can depart with peace of mind!'

Lunia gritted her teeth.

'I have to show a little bit of trustworthiness!'

Gooooooh-!

The flames burned Lunia, their master.

Burns began to appear all over her body.

'Increase the firepower!'

Lunia's eyes widened.

Her brain felt like it was cooking, but she didn't stop.

'More! More!!'

Hwa-reu-reu-reu-reuk-!

'Follow the person I admired with all my might!'

"Aaaaaaaah-!"

Kwaaaah-!

Even as her mind grew hazy, Lunia's flames grew stronger.

"This is…"

The moment the Lich King's face hardened at Lunia's unusual flames.

"Good heavens, who could my successor possibly resemble to be so ignorant?"

Luna's voice was heard, as if she couldn't stop herself.

Seeing this, the Lich King's face hardened.

"You've already finished chanting?"

"There are two reasons you lost, you damn dog-bone."

Luna scoffed at the Lich King and raised her right middle finger.

"First, you underestimated Lunia too much."

When she finished speaking, Luna raised her left middle finger.

"Second, you challenged me. So, drop dead."

Gooooooh-!

An ominous magical power swirled.

The entire city was enveloped in starlight.

Flash-!

The light of the end soared.

At that moment, the Lich King's form disappeared.

Everyone in Lumeria City tightly closed their eyes.

And the moment they opened their eyes.

Saaaaaaah-!

The Lich King's legion and the Blood Queen's legion began to scatter into dust.

Lunia opened her mouth and mumbled.

"Is this… the End?"

"It's the End, but a slightly different magic."

Luna approached Lunia.

"If the End is magic that annihilates everything, this is magic that annihilates only demons. You could call it an upgrade of the End."

Luna smiled faintly.

"This is magic created by your older sister, who was inspired by you."

Luna reached out and patted Lunia's head.

At that, Lunia blushed and slightly averted her gaze.

Luna grabbed Lunia's cheek and made her look at her.

"Lady Luna?"

"…You pushed yourself to reassure me, didn't you? Thank you."

"Lady Luna…"

"But you mustn't overexert yourself next time. You're already perfectly capable as my successor without needing to."

"No, I still have many shortcomings."

"No, in my eyes, you are already a person worthy of being called a hero. So you should always be proud."

Luna completely acknowledged Lunia.

The moment Luna smiled brightly.

[Would you like to record the hero's story?]

"Uh…?"

Luna gasped at the message that appeared before her eyes.

***

Whoosh-!

The Lich King, who had escaped high into the sky, avoiding Luna's magic, narrowed his eyes.

'New magic.'

Both the casting speed and the power were beyond what he had imagined.

'It seems she created new magic based on the End.'

Recalling the magic Luna had used just moments ago, the Lich King clicked his tongue.

'Luna Rubinance is like that… and Lunia El Rundia is also like that. Unexpected.'

The Lich King clicked his tongue, thinking that many things had gone wrong.

In this battle, the Lich King had overwhelmed Luna.

As such, there was no direct damage to him.

However, the losses were painful.

'About 30% of my legion was annihilated… The Blood Queen and her entire legion are gone.'

This was a painful loss.

The moment the Lich King groaned.

Ziiing-!

Suddenly, warp gates began to open all over Lumeria City.

Along with them, Lumerne students began to appear.

"Long time no see, Lich King."

"Dragon Lord."

The Lich King sighed as he saw Mel appear before him.

At that moment.

Crack-!

Space shattered in mid-air, and a fist appeared.

Crack-crack-crack! Crunch-!

Breaking through space, Leo appeared.

His entire body was covered in wounds.

And what he held in his hand was the Mirror Queen, with only her face remaining.

"No, no. How can you be unharmed after killing all your comrades! You weren't that kind of person!"

Seeing the Mirror Queen scream, Leo said.

"Because my friends would never try to kill me."

Crunch-!

"Aaaaaah!"

As Leo's grip tightened, cracks began to spread across the Mirror Queen's face.

Clang-!

Saaaaaaah-!

The fragments of the shattered Mirror Queen scattered and disappeared without a trace.

Leo's red eyes turned to the Lich King.

"You're next."

"I have already been defeated by Luna Rubinance, Hero of Beginnings."

At those words, Leo's eyes sank.

Because he knew the meaning of the Lich King's words that he had been defeated by Luna.

"Why don't you go say goodbye to her?"

The Lich King scoffed, then turned into black smoke and vanished.

'…He's completely gone.'

If he was determined to escape, he couldn't be caught.

It was when Leo let out a deep sigh.

[The Progenitor of the Nebula has recorded the story of a new hero.]

"What?"

Leo's eyes widened at the message that appeared before him.

***

Flash-!

Lunia's eyes widened at what was generated in Luna's hand.

"A page from the Hero's Record?"

"Hmm? So this is the Hero's Record?"

Luna examined the Hero's Record she had recorded with curiosity, then smiled faintly and handed it to Lunia.

"Here."

"Yes?"

"This is your record, Lunia."

Lunia hastily took the Hero's Record.

[One who chases the Nebula: Lunia El Rundia]

"Ah…"

Lunia's body trembled.

"I… a hero?"

It was then that Luna smiled gently, watching the surprised Lunia.

"Did you record it?"

"Welcome, are you okay?"

Luna greeted Leo, who had landed behind her, with a light tone.

"Ah! Leo! Ah, no! K-Kyle-nim? Leo-nim?"

Lunia fumbled, unable to decide on Leo's title.

"That's not like you."

"Th-that is! I mean…! Aaaah!"

Lunia's eyes spun, and then she bowed deeply.

"I, I apologize for my rudeness until now! Hero of Beginnings!"

Leo gave an incredulous look, seeing Lunia apologize with a bright red face.

"The other kids adapted well. Your way of thinking is stiff in unnecessary areas."

"Our Lunia is a diligent honor student, that's why."

Luna chuckled, went behind Lunia, and placed her hands on both shoulders, saying.

"Lunia, don't be so stiff. Just call him old man or geezer."

"What?! H-how can I say such a thing…!"

Lunia's eyes spun around.

Luna, who had been giggling at Lunia, approached Leo.

Unbeknownst to them, Tartarus's legion had retreated.

People cheered in joy of victory all over the streets.

Surprisingly, despite Tartarus's massive invasion, miraculously not a single person had died.

"All of this is thanks to Lady Luna, the Progenitor of the Nebula!"

"Huh? Progenitor of the Nebula?"

"Long live Lady Luna, the Progenitor of the Nebula!"

"Lady Luna has returned?!"

Voices of astonishment erupted from everywhere.

Luna looked at them and puffed out her chest with a 'Hmph-!'

"It seems many people want to see me."

Luna, full of pride, said to Leo.

"Kyle. Berchia… became an undead."

"What?!"

"Please take care of our disciple."

Luna smiled bitterly, looking at Leo whose eyes were wide open.

Then she looked up at Leo, grabbed him by the collar, and pulled him down.

"Oops?!"

Leo was flustered.

Lunia, without realizing it, covered her mouth and her eyes widened.

After a moment, Luna, who had released his collar, took a step back.

"How was it? Much better than Lysinas, right?"

Leo let out a hollow laugh, looking at Luna grinning widely.

"…You're good."

"Of course~ I practiced a lot, always imagining it."

Luna puffed out her chest and smiled brightly.

Then she pointed at Leo with her finger and spoke confidently.

"Kyle."

"…?"

"I love you."

"…!"

"I want to live in the same house with you, do all sorts of things. I want to have and raise your children and spend my whole life with you."

Thump-! Luna folded her arms, lifted her chin, and said.

"So, marry me."

"…"

Leo wore a dumbfounded expression at the explosive declaration.

"I…"

"No answer needed."

Luna smiled gently at the flustered Leo and retreated without lingering.

And she smiled brightly, waving her hand.

"See you next time."

Giving a casual farewell as if they would meet again tomorrow, Luna walked away without regret.

And as she passed the frozen Lunia, she gave her a wink.

She flew to one of the ruined towers in Lumeria City and landed.

"Ahem!"

Luna cleared her throat.

Then, Luna's voice echoed throughout Lumeria City via amplification magic.

"Ah! Lady Luna!"

"Ohhh! Progenitor of the Nebula!"

"Huh? Wait a minute! Isn't that a Seyrun exchange student?"

"It's really her? Could that person really have been Lady Luna?"

"Ah…!"

Voices of astonishment burst out among the Lumerne students.

Everyone watched as Luna opened her mouth.

"From now on, I will tell you the true history, so listen carefully."

At the words "true history," everyone held their breath.

The true history coming from the mouth of a great hero?

Was there a story of hidden history?

"Those bastards who ship me and that old geezer Dweyno. Go die. That kind of thing never happened."

Luna said in an eerie voice.

At that moment, everyone doubted their ears.

"Arion? I don't have any particular feelings for him other than him being a cute younger brother!"

Luna raised her voice.

"The one I loved was Kyle! So make sure to tell future generations clearly! *Hoo-up*!"

Luna took a deep breath.

"I! Love Kyyyyle!"

At this moment, which would be etched in history forever.

In this miraculous scene, the message Luna conveyed to the whole world was a confession of love for Kyle.

While everyone was aghast at the situation, which far surpassed imagination, Luna wore a satisfied expression.

Then she turned her gaze towards Leo, who stood with his mouth agape, pulled down the skin under one eye with a hand, stuck out her tongue in a "bleh-!" gesture, and then vanished into light.

"Haha… She said she'd never confess first again."

Leo could only cover his face and let out a hollow laugh.

"That damn bothersome elf really…"