Book 1 Chapter 542
Lunias took a deep breath and stepped forward.
The gazes of the Templars descending from the sky fell upon Lunias.
A beautiful girl with fiery red hair and eyes, as if about to ignite at any moment.
She showed no sign of being intimidated, even in front of countless Templars.
Rather, she exuded an overwhelming presence.
Watching her, the woman at the forefront, Raylin Konea, narrowed her eyes.
‘So, this is Lunias El Lundia.’
Five thousand years had passed since the Age of Calamity ended.
Luna Rubinence, the progenitor of the constellations.
She was not merely an elf hero who saved the world.
‘Countless elves have had their names inscribed in the Hero Record, following the will of the Progenitor.’
Throughout five thousand years of history, countless intellects and noble heroes had followed in her footsteps.
However, in that vast history, very few were granted titles related to the stars.
‘And yet….’
The girl before her was granted the glorious title of ‘Chaser of the Constellations.’
This was no mere title.
Anyone with a modicum of sense could tell who the ‘constellation’ in Lunias’s heroic title referred to.
It literally meant she was officially recognized as Luna’s successor.
For an elf, what could be a more glorious title than this?
“You are Lunias El Lundia, correct?”
“And so?”
Lunias wore a crooked expression.
Raylin’s eyes twitched at the sight.
She could feel undeniable hostility emanating from Lunias.
“My name is Raylin Konea. I am the Captain of the Elden Templars.”
“Ah, yes.”
Seeing Lunias’s unenthusiastic reply, Raylin spoke.
“Lunias El Lundia, I sense a hostility in your gaze directed towards me… no, towards our Elden.”
Raylin spoke with a dignified voice.
“I am aware that you have achieved the status of a hero. And that you have received a remarkable title.”
At those words, Lunias let out a snort.
Raylin’s face contorted slightly at her attitude.
“The more so, the more you should set an example, Lunias El Lundia.”
Templars.
It was the name of the council knights belonging to each elven council.
As a group comprised of only the top elites from each elven nation, the position of a Templar Captain was by no means insignificant.
‘If it were just a short while ago, I would have been concerned.’
But Lunias now paid no mind to such things.
“I have seen what is happening beneath Elden.”
Lunias sneered coldly and glared at Raylin.
It was not mere hostility.
She glared at the person before her, filled with loathing.
A short while ago, Lunias would not have been able to openly reveal her true feelings.
But now, she openly displayed her animosity without hesitation.
This was not because Lunias was the student council president of Seirun, a position comparable to that of the council leaders of elven nations.
It was certainly not because she was directly recognized as Luna’s successor.
‘Because I saw that.’
She remembered seeing a person who did not compromise with what was wrong.
A person who never turned a blind eye to the world’s injustices and pursued their convictions with everything they had.
And Luna, who never considered it a sacrifice.
This was the world Luna had bequeathed to future generations.
It wasn’t just Luna.
There was Berchia, who had dedicated her entire life to the world, carrying on that will.
Then, after thousands of years, Seirun had emerged, overcoming the resurgence of calamity and solidifying the world.
And so it continued, reaching her generation.
‘The world is still unjust.’
There were those swallowed by that injustice.
Perhaps even the great heroes, if they saw such a tragedy, might regret having saved the world with everything they had.
That was why she could not compromise.
If there were those who trampled on what the great heroes had protected.
Shouldn’t there be those who punished such people?
It was a duty that must be fulfilled if one lived in the world protected and passed down by the great ancestors.
‘We must prove it.’
That the world was worth saving.
That their sacrifices were never in vain.
‘Right? Leo?’
Lunias’s gaze rested on Leo, who was confronting Berchia.
When she parted ways with Luna, she had vowed to herself countless times not to be ashamed of that back.
Lunias, looking at Raylin, said,
“One shows an example to those who are worth setting an example for.”
Lunias smiled brightly.
“I don’t think you are worthy of that.”
“……”
Raylin’s lips twisted at Lunias’s words.
“Indeed, the world is unjust. How could someone like you, consorting with mongrels and other lowly races, have obtained such an unmerited title?”
Looking into Lunias’s unwavering red eyes, Raylin’s face contorted.
“Why are you enjoying such undeserved glory!”
“I’m sick of that ridiculous, nonsensical logic. And now you’re even jealous?”
Seeing Raylin’s rage, Lunias crossed her arms and let out a disbelieving chuckle.
“Is what’s on your head just for decoration?”
“What?”
“Think, for a change.”
Lunias poked her temples and scrunched up her face.
“Don’t you know why I got the title of Chaser of the Constellations and why Luna-nim favors me? You’re truly stupid, aren’t you? What happened to the Templar Captain? Are the Elden council members deficient in their brains? Ah! Judging by your actions, your heads are indeed broken.”
“How dare you utter such blasphemy!”
Raylin’s face turned red with anger.
Eiran, watching from behind, gaped in disbelief.
‘Lady Lunias is showing more of her true nature, isn’t she?’
Within Seirun, Lunias was unreserved in revealing her true self.
However, in public settings, she restrained herself as much as possible.
An unpretentious Lunias like this.
‘Will it really be okay?’
Just as Eiran was worrying about the future.
“Because I’m superior!”
Lunias glared and pointed to herself.
“The reason I received the title of Chaser of the Constellations! The reason Luna-nim favors me! The reason I became Luna’s successor! It’s all because I’m better than all of you!”
“You have no shame! To claim yourself as Luna’s successor with your own mouth! Know your place!”
Seeing Raylin shout as if she could not tolerate it, Lunias openly scoffed.
“Have you met Luna-nim?”
“……”
“Have you fought with Luna-nim? Have you learned magic directly from Luna-nim?”
Seeing Raylin unable to answer, Lunias openly mocked her.
“I can guarantee this. The type of people Luna-nim hates the most in the world are pureblood supremacists like you.”
“Enough! I can’t listen to this anymore! You will pay for your reckless words!”
“That would be good.”
Lunias extended her right hand.
Flash-!
With a bright light, a staff appeared in Lunias’s hand.
Seeing that, Raylin’s face hardened.
“Cometes.”
Thump-!
Lunias slammed the staff in her hand onto the ground.
Fwoosh-!
Red flames erupted from Lunias’s body.
ROOOOAR-!
The scarlet flames soon turned into white flames.
“I intend to make you pay for your sins as well.”
“You intend to stop the Elden Templars alone? How arrogant.”
“Are we any less so than you?”
“Lady Lunias is not alone.”
Swish-!
Eiran drew her sword and shield and stood before Lunias.
“Because I am here. As long as I am here, you cannot lay a single hair on Lady Lunias.”
“These insolent brats.”
Raylin’s face contorted.
“Lady Lunias, Lady Eiran.”
Chen Xia called out to the two with a firm voice.
“I’m sorry, but… can you leave this to me?”
“What is it?”
Eiran asked with a slightly bewildered expression.
“I have to go now.”
Chen Xia gripped the dagger in her hand tightly and looked at Leo.
“To young master Leo… and to Lady Berchia.”
***
Leo reached out his hand.
Then, the sword embedded in Ulein’s barrier was pulled out and returned to Leo’s hand.
Watching this, Ulein laughed.
“I don’t understand. Is what I said so infuriating?”
Ulein looked at Berchia.
“Surely, she is a great hero. A disciple of the Progenitor who rebuilt the world and passed it down to future generations… a person worthy of respect.”
Ulein’s gaze shifted away from Berchia.
“But that is all.”
Ulein smiled faintly.
“Although she is a disciple of the Progenitor, she did not learn the magic of the stars. Although she dedicated herself to the world, she is now merely a pitiful soul manipulated by the necromancer.”
Leo looked at Ulein without a word.
“As elves, she is a hero to be respected. But whether she is to be honored is questionable.”
At those words, Leo closed his eyes.
“Instead, how about being thankful for this encounter?”
Ulein smiled, showing no concern for Leo’s emotions.
“Leo Flob, walker of the path of the great constellations. I wished to learn from you.”
At those words, Leo opened his eyes.
Ulein’s eyes were full of goodwill.
“I know the pureblood faction hated me.”
At those words, Ulein laughed.
“I am a member of the pureblood faction and a purebloodist… but not a typical one. Their ideology does not align with mine.”
He spread his arms wide.
“All who walk the path of the constellations are equal. But alas, the pureblood faction holds the misguided belief that only elves have value. That is not in accordance with Luna-nim’s will. Therefore, I have decided to change my thinking. I have also decided that the Konea family must change.”
His eyes sparkled like stars.
“Those who wield the magic of the stars are all chosen ones. Gathering their magic and passing it on to future generations, and advancing the magic of the stars. Isn’t that the mindset of someone truly inheriting the will of the constellations? Therefore, I desire star mages with diverse ideologies and powers.”
“Stop the nonsense and get to the point. What do you want from me?”
Seeing Leo’s annoyed question, Ulein smiled faintly.
“Allow your sacred blood to grace the Konea family.”
“What?”
“I have many daughters. I ask that you bestow your grace upon them.”
“……”
Leo looked at Ulein with a slightly dazed expression.
“Even if a new life is born through your grace, there is no need to fulfill any obligations.”
Ulein spoke with an almost innocent face.
“If you have any preferences, do not be shy to tell me. Fortunately, I have many daughters of mixed blood from various races. And all of them are exceptionally beautiful.”
Ulein continued as if it were the right thing to do.
“If you wish, I can even give you all of my daughters. Are not heroes said to be lustful? I do not dislike that saying. Rather, it is a natural order. A special being leaving many descendants. Isn’t that also a path for the world? It would undoubtedly be a blessing to our family.”
Leo let out a hollow laugh.
Leo realized that the elf before him was a type of purebloodist he had never encountered before.
And he also realized what kind of person he was.
He had had children with various races, and there was no falsehood in his words about giving all his daughters away.
Furthermore, there was no twisted desire deep within his heart.
It was simply the desire to create mages of superior bloodlines.
A mage who treated everything as a tool for magic.
“You’re crazy.”
Even at those words, Ulein smiled faintly.
“It may seem so. Those who have not yet experienced the greatness of potential may see me as a madman.”
Saying that, Ulein reached out his hand.
Woong-
A magic circle appeared on Ulein’s palm.
Woong-!
Ulein’s mana began to grow stronger.
Leo’s eyes twitched as he watched.
He felt an immense power emanating from Ulein.
It was not simply a matter of the quantity of mana being vast.
‘He has clearly surpassed his limits. It’s as if he’s borrowing mana from someone else…’
The moment he thought that, Leo’s gaze fixed on the ground.
“This damn bastard.”
A grinding sound came from Leo’s lips.
ROOOAR-!
The magic circle of the end was completed.
Ulein’s gaze turned towards Berchia.
“First, I will save that pitiful soul who resists.”
Flash-!
A blinding light enveloped Berchia.
At that moment.
KWA-GA-GA-GA-GA-GA-!
Leo’s sword energy flew towards Ulein.
Caught off guard, Ulein quickly used teleportation magic to dodge Leo’s attack.
The end, having lost its target, exploded without reaching Berchia.
Berchia, caught in the explosion, was flung far away.
Even if she had been swept up by the end, Berchia would not have been defeated.
However, an explosion of this magnitude would have been unavoidable.
Leo could never allow it.
For the person before him to harm Berchia.
Ulein asked with incomprehensible confusion.
“I understand that you respect Lady Berchia. But she is merely a common undead. A target we should defeat together. Can you explain to me why you are doing this?”
“You said you have many daughters?”
“Yes.”
“What would you do if I said I would kill your daughter?”
“I would ask for the reason.”
Ulein said with a merciful smile.
“And if there is a valid reason, I will understand.”
“Then you will never understand.”
Leo said coldly.
“The reason I am going to kill you.”