Book 1 Chapter 542

542.

Lunia took a deep breath and walked forward.

The gazes of the Templars descending from the sky to the ground reached Lunia.

A beautiful girl with red hair and eyes that seemed ready to ignite at any moment.

She showed no sign of being intimidated, even with countless Templars before her.

Instead, she exuded an overwhelming presence.

Watching her, the woman at the front, Layrin Conea, narrowed her eyes.

'Is this girl indeed Lunia El Lundoa?'

5000 years had passed since the Age of Calamity ended.

Luna Rubinance, the progenitor of the Nebula.

She was not merely a great elven hero who saved the world.

'Countless elves inscribed their names in the Hero Record according to the progenitor's will.'

Over 5000 years of history, countless intelligent and noble heroes followed in her footsteps.

But in that vast history, those who received titles related to stars were few and far between.

'But…'

The girl before her received the glorious title of 'One Who Chases the Nebula'.

This was no mere title.

Anyone who wasn't a fool could understand what the word 'Nebula' in Lunia's hero title referred to.

It literally meant she was officially recognized as Luna's successor.

For elves, could there be a more glorious appellation than this?

"You are Lunia El Lundoa, right?"

"And if I am?"

Lunia made a twisted expression.

Layrin's eyes twitched at the sight.

Because she felt clear hostility from Lunia.

"My name is Layrin Conea. I am the captain of the Eldun Templars."

"Ah, yes."

Layrin spoke, watching Lunia reply in an ungracious voice.

"Lunia El Lundoa, it seems I perceive hostility toward me… no, toward our Eldun, in your gaze."

Layrin said in a dignified voice.

"I know you have achieved the status of a hero. And that you have received a great title."

At those words, Lunia let out a faint laugh.

Layrin's face distorted slightly at her attitude.

"All the more reason you should set an example, Lunia El Lundoa."

Templar.

It was the name of the council knights belonging to each elven council.

As a group comprising only the most elite from each elven nation, a Templar captain's power and status were by no means low.

'If it had been until recently, I would have been concerned.'

But now, Lunia didn't care about such things.

"I saw what was happening beneath Eldun."

Lunia sneered coldly and glared at Layrin.

It wasn't mere hostility.

She glared at the one before her with disgust.

Lunia from not long ago would not have dared to reveal her true feelings.

But now, she openly displayed her animosity without hesitation.

It wasn't because Lunia was the student council president of Seyrun, a position no less esteemed than the elven national council leaders.

And it certainly wasn't because she was a successor directly recognized by Luna.

'Because I saw that sight.'

The image of not compromising with what was wrong came to mind.

The image of her never turning a blind eye to the world's absurdities, staking everything she had to uphold her beliefs.

And Luna, who never considered it a sacrifice.

This was the world Luna bequeathed to future generations.

And not just Luna.

There was Belkia, who inherited that will and dedicated her very life to the world.

Thousands of years later, there was Seyrun, who overcame the return of calamity and set the world on solid ground.

It continued like that until it reached her generation.

'The world is still absurd.'

There are those swallowed by that absurdity.

Perhaps even the great figures, if they saw such tragedies, might regret having sacrificed everything to save the world.

That's why she couldn't compromise.

If there were those who trampled upon what the great heroes protected.

Shouldn't there also be those who punish such people?

It was a duty that must be fulfilled if one lived in the world protected and bequeathed by great ancestors.

'We must prove it.'

That the world was worth saving.

That their sacrifices were never in vain.

'Right? Leo?'

Lunia's gaze rested on Leo, who was confronting Belkia.

When she parted ways with Luna, she vowed to herself countless times that she would never be ashamed of that figure.

Lunia, looking at Layrin, said,

"An example is only shown to those worthy of seeing it."

Lunia smiled faintly.

"I don't think you are worthy of that."

"…"

Layrin's mouth twisted upon hearing Lunia's words.

"Indeed, the world is absurd. How could you, who consorts with mongrels and other inferior races, obtain such an undeserved title?"

Layrin's face twisted as she looked at Lunia's unwavering red eyes.

"Why do you enjoy such unmerited glory!"

"I'm sick of that illogical nonsense. And now you're even acting strangely jealous?"

Lunia crossed her arms and let out an incredulous laugh, watching Layrin display her anger.

"Is what's on your head just decoration?"

"What?"

"Try to think."

Lunia poked her temple and scrunched up her face.

"You don't know why I got the title 'One Who Chases the Nebula' and why Lady Luna dotes on me? Are you really that stupid? How did you become a Templar captain? Do those Eldun Council members have defects in their heads? Ah! Looking at how you act, your brains must be broken."

"How dare you utter such outrageous remarks!"

Layrin's face turned red and then blue.

Eiran, watching from behind, stood with her mouth agape.

'Miss Lunia, it seems you're showing your true colors more and more.'

Within Seyrun, Lunia freely expressed her true nature.

But in public places, she tried her best to restrain herself.

Yet now, there was none of that at all.

Lunia, not pretending.

'Will it really be alright?'

It was when Eiran was slightly worried about the future.

"Because I'm superior!"

Lunia pointed to herself with her hand, her eyes wide open.

"The reason I received the title 'One Who Chases the Nebula'! The reason Lady Luna dotes on me! The reason I became Lady Luna's successor! Isn't it all because I'm superior to all of you!"

"You have no shame! To claim to be Lady Luna's successor with your own mouth! Know your place!"

Lunia openly scoffed at Layrin, who shouted as if she couldn't tolerate it.

"Have you ever met Lady Luna?"

"…"

"Have you fought with Lady Luna? Have you learned magic directly from Lady Luna?"

Lunia openly scoffed at Layrin, who couldn't answer.

"I guarantee it. The people Lady Luna would hate the most in the world are the Pureblood Society, people like you."

"Ugh! I can't listen to this anymore! I'll make you pay the price for speaking so carelessly!"

"That works out well."

Lunia extended her right hand.

Flash-!

With a bright light, a staff appeared in Lunia's hand.

Layrin's face hardened at the sight.

"Cometes."

Thump-!

Lunia thrust the staff she held into the ground.

Whoosh-!

Red flames surged from Lunia's body.

Goooooooh-!

The crimson flames soon transformed into white flames.

"Because I also intend to make you pay the price for the sins you've committed."

"You intend to stop Eldun's Templars alone? How arrogant and insolent."

"Are you any better?"

"Miss Lunia isn't alone."

Clang-!

Eiran, drawing her sword and shield, stood before Lunia.

"Because I am here. As long as I'm here, not a single hair on Miss Lunia's head can be touched."

"These impertinent brats."

Layrin's face twisted.

"Miss Lunia, Miss Eiran."

Chen Xia called out to the two in a firm voice.

"I'm sorry… but could I leave this here?"

"What's wrong?"

Eiran looked somewhat perplexed.

"I have to go now."

Chen Xia gripped the dagger in her hand tightly and looked at Leo.

"To Young Master Leo and… Lady Belkia."

***

Leo extended his hand.

Then, the sword stuck in Ulayne's barrier was pulled out and returned to Leo's hand.

Ulayne smiled at the sight.

"I don't understand. Is what I said really cause for such anger?"

Ulayne looked at Belkia.

"Surely that person is a great hero. A disciple of the progenitor and one who rebuilt the world and passed it on to future generations… a person who deserves respect."

Ulayne averted his gaze from Belkia.

"But that's all."

Ulayne smiled faintly.

"Although a disciple of the progenitor, she didn't learn star magic. She clearly devoted herself to the world, but now she is merely a pitiful soul manipulated by the Necromancer King."

Leo silently looked at Ulayne.

"She is a hero an elf should respect. But whether she deserves reverence is questionable."

At those words, Leo closed his eyes.

"How about being grateful for this encounter instead?"

Ulayne smiled, not caring in the least about Leo's emotions.

"Leo Flobe, walker of the great Nebula's path. I wished to gain wisdom from you."

At those words, Leo opened his eyes.

Ulayne's eyes were full of goodwill.

"I understand the Pureblood Society disliked me."

Ulayne smiled at that.

"I am affiliated with the Pureblood Society, and I am a pureblood supremacist… but I am not the usual kind of Pureblood Society member. Their ideology doesn't align with mine. "

He spread his arms.

"All who walk the path of the Nebula are equal. But regrettably, the Pureblood Society holds the mistaken ideology that only elves are valuable. That doesn't align with Lady Luna's will. So I decided to change my mind. I thought the Conea family should change too."

His eyes sparkled like stars.

"All who use star magic are chosen ones. To gather their magic into one, transmit it to future generations, and advance star magic. Isn't that the mindset of one who truly inherits the will of the Nebula? That's why I desire star mages with diverse ideologies and powers."

"Stop the nonsense and get to the point. What do you want from me?"

Ulayne smiled faintly, watching Leo ask irritably.

"Please let your sacred blood reside in the Conea family."

"What?"

"I have many daughters. Please bestow your grace upon them."

"…"

Leo stared at Ulayne with a somewhat dumbfounded expression.

"Even if new life is born through your grace, there is no need to fulfill any obligations."

Ulayne said with a face that even looked innocent.

"If you have any preferences, please don't be shy to tell me. Fortunately, I have many daughters of mixed races. All of them are outstanding in appearance."

Ulayne continued speaking as if it were the right thing to do.

"If you wish, I can give you all my daughters. Don't they say heroes are lecherous? I don't dislike that saying. Rather, it's a natural order. A special individual leaves many descendants. Isn't that also a path for the world? It would certainly be a blessing for our family."

Leo let out a hollow laugh.

Leo realized that the elf before him was a type of pureblood supremacist he had never encountered before.

And he also realized what kind of person he was.

There was no lie in his words that he had children with various races and would give all the daughters obtained through them.

Moreover, there were no twisted desires deep in his heart.

Only that one desire to create excellent bloodline mages.

A mage who treated everything as a tool for the sake of magic.

"You're crazy."

Even at that, Ulayne smiled faintly.

"That may be. Those who haven't yet experienced the greatness of possibility might see me as a madman."

Saying so, Ulayne extended his hand.

"In that sense, I will show you infinite possibilities."

Woo-oong-

A magic circle appeared on Ulayne's palm.

Woo-oong-!

Ulayne's magic power grew stronger.

Leo's eyes twitched as he watched it.

An enormous amount of magic power was felt from Ulayne.

It wasn't just a vast quantity of magic power.

'He clearly surpassed his limits. As if borrowing magic power from another…'

At that thought, Leo fixed his gaze on the ground.

"This bastard."

A grinding sound came from Leo's mouth.

Gooooooh-!

The magic circle of Terminus was completed.

Ulayne's gaze turned towards Belkia.

"First, I will save this pitiful soul who resists."

Flash-!

A massive light struck Belkia.

At that moment.

Kwa-ga-ga-ga-ga-ga-gak-!

Leo's sword energy flew towards Ulayne.

Surprised by the unexpected attack, Ulayne quickly used spatial transfer magic to evade Leo's attack.

And the Terminus, having lost its target, exploded without reaching Belkia.

Belkia, caught in the explosion, was flung far away.

Even if she had been engulfed by Terminus, Belkia would not have been harmed or incapacitated.

But with this much power from Terminus, an impact would have been inevitable.

Leo absolutely could not tolerate it.

The one before him harming Belkia.

Ulayne asked, as if unable to understand.

"I know you respect Lady Belkia. But she is merely an undead. She is an object that should be defeated with me. Could 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 daughters?"

"I would ask for the reason."

Ulayne said with a benevolent smile.

"And if there is a reasonable cause, I will be convinced."

"Then you will never understand."

Leo said coldly.

"The reason I intend to kill you."