Book 1 Chapter 527
527.
Whoosh! Crackle! Crackle! Boom!
The mansion was burning.
The surroundings were literally a sea of fire.
“Aaaahhhhh!”
Amidst it, Berkia wept aloud, holding in her arms the person she loved more than anyone and the child born from their union.
Leo approached Berkia and knelt on one knee.
He reached out to touch Berkia’s shoulder.
But Leo’s hand passed through Berkia futilely.
As a mere observer in this world, there was nothing Leo could do.
“I’m sorry.”
Shaking his shoulders, he offered an apology that couldn’t reach.
It wasn’t Berkia’s fault, who had striven to create a brighter world.
Nor was it Leo’s fault.
But…
That the saved world wasn’t so bright.
That a world free of darkness wasn’t so beautiful.
If only he had told them these things beforehand, could this have been prevented?
If only he hadn't thought, ‘A bright child doesn't need to know the world's filth,’ so complacently.
Could this tragedy have been avoided?
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
With his head bowed, Leo wept silently.
***
The attack of Shilatulna, the Queen of Monsters.
Consequently, Fairy Knight Berkia lost her family.
Everyone was furious.
They were enraged by Tartaros’s actions, harming the family of a great hero.
But Shilatulna fled from the spot where she faced Berkia.
She was not an opponent to fight and win against.
The Queen of Monsters merely wanted to ‘vent her anger’.
Countless processions of mourning followed.
Because of this incident, Berkia retired.
Many lamented when the disciple of a great hero and a hero who had led this world stepped down from the front lines.
They pleaded with her not to leave and to continue leading them.
However, Berkia was too exhausted.
“I don’t think I can exert power for the world anymore.”
With a tired smile, Berkia vanished from public view.
Someone grieved.
And someone else rejoiced.
***
“Long time no see.”
“Yes, long time no see.”
Ten years had passed since the terrible incident.
Bihar visited her friend’s house for the first time in a while.
In a room in the mansion.
Berkia gently poked the cheek of her second child, who was asleep in a small bed.
Berkia’s sleeping daughter stirred.
Looking down at her, Berkia smiled softly.
“That child has grown a lot too.”
“Yes. She summoned a spirit recently? I’m not skilled in summoning magic, so I’m at a loss as to how to teach her.”
Berkia smiled joyfully.
Bihar, who had been watching Berkia, opened her mouth.
“Shall we talk?”
*Swoosh-*
At her words, Berkia sat up.
And nodded her head.
The two moved to the mansion’s library.
The high-flying moonlight illuminated the library.
Seeing it, Berkia said,
“You’ve changed a lot.”
“Hm?”
“Before, Bihar’s eyes were dark… but now they are shining.”
“Ah…”
“It’s good to see.”
Berkia spoke sincerely.
“It seems you’ve found something in this world.”
At her words, Bihar said,
“Are you… okay?”
Berkia’s gaze fell.
“For the past ten years, wars have been incessant. After you retired, conflicts of interest broke out all over the world.”
They aimed weapons at each other and fought.
“But recently, wars have visibly diminished.”
The main perpetrators of the wars were all brutally killed by someone.
As if someone was delivering judgment.
“Berkia, ten years ago, after that incident, you told me, ‘Don’t look for the culprit,’ didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
Ten years ago.
The attack of Shilatulna, the Queen of Monsters.
At that time, Berkia lost her beloved partner and child.
The one who killed the two was the Queen of Monsters.
But normally, the Queen of Monsters would not have dared to invade Berkia’s territory.
Berkia’s power already surpassed that of a Legion Commander.
Even the vicious Queen of Monsters, who had destroyed the world since the Age of Calamity, was merely prey before Berkia's sword.
Not only the Queen of Monsters, but no existence from Tartaros dared to invade Berkia’s territory.
Even if they had invaded, they couldn’t have escaped Berkia’s senses.
“It would have been impossible unless there was a traitor within.”
Bihar said in a heavy voice.
Looking at Bihar, Berkia said,
“I needed to wait until Benny grew up.”
Berkia closed her eyes, remembering her daughter, who was in her womb at the time.
“Because I thought if I crossed the boundary, I would surely not be able to return.”
“You didn’t need to cross the boundary. That was my—!”
“No, Bihar.”
Berkia opened her eyes and looked at Bihar.
“That was my job.”
“…”
“They didn’t betray the world. They just wanted to lead the world as they wished, and they just wanted me to step down.”
Berkia smiled faintly.
“So it’s my job.”
“Okay, I understand. But… even if your anger hasn’t subsided… haven’t all those who committed crimes already been executed?”
Bihar’s voice trembled.
“But why did you execute even unrelated people?”
The wars that had been incessant for ten years.
Those wars stopped overnight.
Many who had suffered from the wars breathed a sigh of relief.
But conversely, there were also places where screams poured out.
The powerful figures who instigated the wars.
Those who casually regarded the lives of others for their own greed.
Initially, executions were carried out on those who deserved to die.
But gradually, the blade lost its mercy.
Someone delivered judgment to those who committed crimes.
And Bihar knew all too well that the one delivering that judgment was her friend before her eyes.
It’s true that crimes must be judged.
‘But this method is wrong.’
At Bihar’s words, Berkia turned her body and said,
“For ten years, I’ve thought. What went wrong? I clearly did my best. My masters… the great heroes… I was more diligent than anyone in cultivating the world they left us correctly.”
Berkia’s eyes darkened.
“Why did it turn out like this?”
Berkia’s voice became eerie.
“And I realized. That it’s not only those who betrayed the world in the darkness who are eating away at this world. That not only traitors are those who deserve to die.”
Berkia’s eyes shone chillingly.
“Those who shouldn’t live are also in the light.”
Bihar gasped at the murderous intent in that voice.
“Countless people sacrificed themselves for the sake of this era.”
“Ber… kia.”
“So in this era, only the righteous should live. All the worthless ones…”
“Berkia!”
Bihar grabbed Berkia’s shoulders and shouted.
“I understand how you feel! There will certainly be those who eat away at this world! But… but…”
Berkia’s current thoughts were excessive.
Not only was it completely unlike her, but she would eventually go out of control.
“You must accept this too. The masters… the great heroes must have saved the world, taking everything into account. So… let’s stop. You shouldn’t do that. Especially you…”
Seeing Bihar speak with tears, Berkia bowed her head deeply.
Her slender shoulders trembled, then she heaved a breath.
“Why…? Why? Why?! Why!!! Why can’t I?! Master Lisinas! Master Dweno! Master Arion! Master Luna! Master Kyle! Those who should have enjoyed this peace more than anyone passed away without enjoying anything! But why do those trashy things live by eating away at the world they left behind? Who do they think they are to enjoy all that? Why do I have to watch it!? Why?! Why!”
Berkia, burning with hatred, shook off Bihar’s hands.
It wasn't simple anger.
Berkia simply could not tolerate it.
Kyle and Luna, who were like her parents.
Those who acted shamelessly while living under the sacrifice of the great heroes who were like family.
An injustice was happening, where they mocked and trampled upon those who lived diligently every day.
That was an insult to the great heroes.
It was an act of trampling upon the sacrifices of the great heroes.
‘Ah.’
Bihar’s face distorted as if about to cry.
She, who had lived only in the darkness even after the world was saved, saw light in that darkness.
Conversely, Berkia found darkness in the light.
And that darkness was too deep, far too deep.
The hatred that arose in her heart due to the incident ten years ago grew larger and larger, snowballing.
Bihar clenched her lips and fists.
‘I have to stop her.’
If left as she was, Berkia would go out of control.
She would never be able to return to her original self.
“I will… stop you.”
“You know best! The ugliness of this world! You understand! So why are you stopping me?!”
The hatred and anger that began to pour out like a burst dam were directed at Bihar.
As if she couldn’t understand her friend trying to stop her.
There was a clash between the two.
The battle ended in Berkia’s victory.
And…
Bihar died from the aftereffects of this battle.
***
“…”
The memory shown by the Akashic Record ended, and Leo opened his eyes.
Lian sat slumped on the floor, silently carving a jewel.
“…She was sick.”
“You realized.”
*Click-*
Lian, who placed Bihar’s statue on the floor, looked up at Leo.
“Bihar was already a mess because of her illness. Even if she hadn’t fought Berkia, she would have died soon.”
“Yes.”
Leo wore a somber expression.
Lian placed Berkia’s statue next to Bihar’s.
“Berkia didn’t live long either. She also didn’t have much time left.”
“…”
“Still, she carried out countless judgments. In conclusion, she was right. Her judgments led the world in the right direction.”
“But Berkia herself died miserably.”
“Yes, she died engulfed in darkness. Unfortunately.”
Lian flicked Berkia’s statue with her finger.
*Thud!*
“She was a great hero. But the world broke her.”
Lian looked up at Leo.
“Lord Leo. This is not a request because you are Berkia’s master. I ask you as one who has watched the life of a great hero who bore the weight of the world.”
Lian stood up and bowed her head.
“Please grant her peace.”
As the administrator of the Hero Record, Lian also understood that Berkia had become an undead and was rampaging.
At Lian’s words, Leo approached Lian and knelt.
And placed his hand on the fallen statue of Berkia.
“Who am I to grant that kid peace? I need to make her come to her senses, whether by smacking her on the head or kicking her in the butt.”
“Even Lord Leo’s words won’t reach her.”
Lian said in a flustered voice.
Berkia knew that her choice was wrong.
But she simply couldn’t tolerate it.
The anger directed at those who caused the death of her loved ones.
The hatred directed at those who trampled on the sacrifices of the great heroes.
The guilt of causing the death of a close friend who was taught by the same master.
These things held Berkia back, who had already crossed an unforgivable line.
She was plunged into a darkness too deep to be saved.
“It doesn’t matter if my words don’t reach her. I told you.”
Leo carefully set Berkia’s statue upright.
“It’s the master’s duty to correct the mistakes of a disciple.”
“…Are you not disappointed in Berkia?”
“I had plenty of disappointment when I was teaching her.”
Leo chuckled.
“And.”
Leo stood up and smiled gently.
“Even if I’m disappointed, she’s my disciple and like my daughter. Isn’t it natural to hold a fallen child’s hand and help them up?”
At his appearance, Lian stood dumbfounded with her mouth open.
‘Ah, indeed, this person is…’
“I’ve saved the world, so why wouldn’t I be able to save one arrogant elf?”
‘He’s definitely greater than the Creator.’