Book 1 Chapter 565

565.

“Leo Plov?”

“Yes.”

“But Leo Plov is a student just like you, isn't he? Of course, he became a hero before you did. How can someone who is your equal be qualified to evaluate your qualities?”

“He is perfectly qualified. And who says we're equal?”

From the first time Arr saw him, he felt a strong competitive spirit towards Leo.

The fighting spirit to want to contend with the strong is a very natural instinct for beastmen.

Arr had only seen one beastman in his life who did not possess such an instinct.

‘It's ironic that it's Lord Arron.’

Arron, the strongest warrior revered by all beastmen.

Arr's admiration for Arron, who was unbelievably timid but, precisely because of that, possessed greater courage than anyone else.

Arr recalled another object of his admiration.

‘My heart pounds when I think of the Black Rabbit.’

It was a strange feeling, similar to when he thought of Arron, yet slightly different.

He still harbors a strong competitive spirit towards Leo.

But he didn't consider him a rival.

‘Certainly, he felt that way at first.’

But Arr was no fool.

He already sensed the gap between himself and Leo.

If Arr viewed Leo as an opponent to overcome, he would never be able to move forward.

‘This is the one I need to overcome.’

Arr glanced at the red-haired elf beside him.

Lunia El Lundar.

The rival Arr had to overcome.

For Arr, Leo was not a competitor.

He was a goal.

‘A goal to catch up to, both as a hero… and as a strong individual. Yes, just like…’

Someone's back came to Arr's mind.

That dependable back, which made his heart tremble and gave him courage just by looking at it.

‘Lord Arron.’

He didn't know why.

But Arr's intuition was telling him something.

‘At least to me, the Black Rabbit is equal to Lord Arron.’

One day, the moment would come when they would stand shoulder to shoulder.

Until then, no, even when that time came, Leo was the only leader Arr had acknowledged in his entire life.

Liden was surprised by Arr's words.

‘Just what kind of person is Leo Plov?’

From his perspective, Lunia and Arr were special.

Lunia had ascended to the position of successor to the Progenitor of the Nebula by acquiring the alias [The One Who Chases the Nebula].

‘Arr Tune is the same. Although she hasn't yet received a title as a hero… she previously inherited Braver from the Brave One who descended to the current world.’

It was clear that in the near future, she would receive a title proving her to be the successor of the Brave One.

‘For such individuals to recognize Leo Plov as their leader.’

The surprised Liden's eyes sparkled.

“I absolutely want to meet Leo Plov!”

“What do you plan to do after meeting him?”

“I want to become his guide.”

“What?”

“Of course, my desire to become your guide remains unchanged.”

Liden smiled gently.

“Throughout generations, great heroes who achieved significant feats always had dragons as their partners by their side. Of course, I might be lacking a lot right now. But I will do my best to become a partner accepted by you in the future.”

At those words, Lunia made a bewildered expression.

‘He wants to become Leo's guide?’

Not only Melina, the current Dragon Lord, but even Rodia, the Dragon of Genesis, cannot be his guide.

Because Leo's guide is Lichinas, the King of Wisdom.

But what?

‘What kind of face will Leo make if he hears this story?’

“He seems like an annoying guy, what should we do?”

Arr whispered softly into Lunia's ear.

“He says his wish is to meet Leo, so why don't we let him?”

Lunia made an unenthusiastic expression.

“Once he meets him, he'll figure it out and leave on his own.”

***

The Dragon Lord's audience chamber.

Melina looked up at the beautiful black dragon painted on the ceiling.

The pride and glory of all dragons in this world.

He was Lichinas, the great dragon hero, the King of Wisdom.

Melina closed her eyes, clasped her hands, and prayed.

‘Oh, great King of Wisdom. Your friend and the Hero of Genesis, who saved the world with you, is once again trying to walk a difficult path. Please, as his guide, watch over his journey. And please give this inadequate me the strength to be of even a little help on the path he walks.’

Melina herself knew that such a prayer was meaningless.

Prayers would not reach Lichinas, who was already dead.

Even if they did reach him, she couldn't gain strength.

This was merely a prayer she had offered for 100 years to compose herself.

Melina's hands trembled slightly as she thought about what was to come.

‘Soon, a massive battle for the world's survival will begin. And in that battle, the struggle against Erebos will be unavoidable.’

Melina bit her lip without realizing it.

100 years ago, Melina challenged the final chapter of the World of Genesis with the heroes she had chosen, and the result was tragic.

Only one person returned with their life.

Even that one passed away not long after.

Those who died during the conquest of the final chapter couldn't even leave proper last words.

That Melina alone could return intact was literally a miracle.

‘I'm sorry, Melina. Due to our shortcomings, we're leaving you with a heavy burden. But… I believe you will challenge again. That you will defeat that great evil.’

Those were the last words of Ludvie, the elven magic swordsman who had survived with her.

Melina clenched her hands.

‘Ludvie, Hallock, Demen, Tiel… you all were not lacking. The one who was lacking was foolish me.’

An elven magic swordsman and a dwarf warrior.

A beastman sorcerer.

And a human spirit user.

100 years ago, they were heroes who commanded the era, and after the advent of disaster, they were counted among the greatest heroes.

However, they had no choice but to close their eyes without fully blossoming their potential.

‘Because of me…’

Melina had been special since childhood.

She was so talented that she was called the second coming of Rodia, the Dragon of Genesis.

But that talent made Melina arrogant, and it ultimately led to the tragic result of losing all her friends, who were more precious than anyone else.

It was because of that incident that she became so cautious as to be called the Dragon of Silence.

The Dragon of Silence was not Melena's original alias.

Rather, it was closer to a derogatory term for Melina, who, despite ascending to the position of Lord, had done nothing for 100 years.

To avoid creating the same situation as her friends, whose potential had to be buried due to her arrogance, Melina willingly accepted that derogatory term.

The crushing defeat 100 years ago still lingered in Melina's memory, reminding her of the fear of Erebos.

Although she succeeded in subduing the third fragment of Erebos that had resurrected recently, it was not something she had done herself.

‘It was merely relying on Lord Leo and Lord Arron.’

Erebos was still a terror that made Melina tremble.

‘But I can't be trapped by failure forever.’

Melina clenched her teeth, grasping her trembling hands.

‘Because it's a promise to everyone.’

Even if it was just to apologize to her friends who were driven to death because of her.

‘I must devote everything I have to defeat Erebos.’

Knock-knock-

A soft knock broke Melina's reverie.

Melina, who had instantly returned to her Lord's demeanor, sat in the audience chamber.

“Come in.”

The one who opened the door and entered was a girl with blonde hair and golden eyes, Enkinias.

As Melina's successor, she was also the dragon who had assisted Leo since summer vacation.

She had temporarily returned now that Leo was coming to Dragonia.

“En, what brings you here at this hour?”

Seeing Melina smile gently, En bowed her head and spoke.

“It seems that students from Wisdom have made contact with the hero candidates who are visiting Dragonia this time.”

Wisdom.

After the end of the Age of Disaster.

It was an educational institution created by dragons to carry on the legacy of Lichinas, the King of Wisdom.

Just as most of the countless heroes who left their names in the world came from hero academies, the dragons who led those heroes to great feats also all came from Wisdom.

Not only the great Dragon of Genesis, but Melina herself also studied at Wisdom.

“That will be a good opportunity for the students of Wisdom. It won't be easy for them to meet hero candidates while still in student status.”

Guides select heroes and lead them to great achievements.

Partners who help heroes and show them the way.

As such, meeting the hero candidates would undoubtedly be a good learning experience for the students of Wisdom.

Melina, who had been smiling gently, read a hint of concern on Enkinias's face and tilted her head.

“Is something bothering you?”

“Ah, yes. The Wisdom students who went to meet the hero candidates this time are exceptionally talented students. However, as much as they are talented, they have strong pride and are still emotionally immature in many ways.”

“Ah. I understand what you're worried about.”

Dragons are the strongest race.

As such, they had strong pride in their race.

‘To put it nicely, they have high self-esteem, and to put it badly, they are arrogant. Just like I used to be.’

“En, you were like that too, weren't you, back then?”

Enkinias blushed, seeing Melina chuckle.

“Th-that's a memory I want to forget.”

“It's okay. I was like that too. Children are naturally immature, and everyone has at least one memory they want to forget.”

“I can't imagine that.”

“Everyone says that. All dragons who don't know the world are arrogant. But that also means that they become humble once they learn about the world.”

Melina knew.

That humility was Lichinas's greatest virtue.

“During the Age of Gods, dragons were… even more honorable and noble beings than they are now.”

The honor of being a proxy for the gods.

That made the dragon race arrogant.

During the Age of Gods, there were even instances where nations were destroyed simply for insulting a dragon.

“We back then were beyond arrogant; we were insolent. We took it for granted that we reigned over other races. Something was definitely twisted.”

Among such dragons, Lichinas was special.

In a world that mocked him as foolish, Lichinas humbled himself and continuously spoke of hope.

He didn't lose his smile and reached out his hand to the Hero of Genesis, who scoffed at and disdained him.

That virtue saved the world.

“A guide is not simply someone who leads heroes.”

Melina said firmly.

“Certainly, there are times when guides stand before heroes and give commands.”

Just as Lichinas, the King of Wisdom, and Rodia, the Dragon of Genesis, were the leaders of the Great Heroes and the Heroes of Genesis.

“But they must not always be in a high position. They must also know how to serve the hero from the lowest place, sometimes lead from the very front, and sometimes follow from behind. And they must support the hero so they don't fall.”

“That's a very difficult task.”

“Yes, it's a very difficult and hard task. But remember. Even during the Age of Gods, our ancestors merely reigned as guardians, and that's why they brought about a world crisis.”

They considered themselves only the strongest race and did not believe in the potential of other races.

They merely reigned and commanded.

It was clearly the fault of everyone in the world that they faced the Age of Disaster.

All races failed to harmonize and resolve internal conflicts, thus walking the path of self-destruction.

“Lord Lichinas said that our race is born with great power because we have a role to play for the world.”

Lichinas made that the pride and belief of their race.

‘Because there was such a Lichinas, I didn't give up until the very end.’

Melina smiled faintly, recalling what Leo had told her previously.

“Remember that. That's what a leader is.”

“Yes. But even so, should we just let the Wisdom students be rude to Lord Leo?”

“It will be a good experience for those children. Although they might suffer a bit of a harsh fate.”

Enkinias, who had learned of Leo's true identity through Melina, sighed and changed the subject.

“By the way, it's strange.”

“Hm?”

“Lord Lichinas commanded, served, led, followed, and supported Lord Kyle, didn't he?”

“Yes. Lord Kyle probably treated Lord Lichinas the same way.”

“An ideal relationship of trust… it's like a married couple.”

“I've never thought of it that way, but it certainly is. Although, of course, that would never have happened.”

As Melina made a slightly regretful expression, Enkinias also nodded.

“Because Lord Kyle has Lady Luna.”

The heroic tales of the great heroes are the most famous and popular stories in the world.

That's why, even now, thousands of years later, fairy tales and novels related to the great heroes are still pouring out.

Popularity across all times, places, and races.

And the story the world was most focused on recently was about the relationship between Kyle and Luna.

The great incident where the Progenitor of the Nebula, who appeared in the current world, declared her love for Kyle while countless people watched.

Thanks to that unprecedented and groundbreaking declaration in history, novels related to Kyle and Luna are still pouring out even now.

“Lord Lichinas and Lord Kyle. I thought those two were also a very good match. But since he's in a relationship with Lady Luna…”

“Have you ever asked him about that?”

“I couldn't ask because I thought it would be difficult for him.”

Melina gave a bitter smile.

The world now considered it an established fact that the two were in a romantic relationship.

Given that a figure as significant as Luna, the Progenitor of the Nebula, had descended to the current world and made such a bold declaration, it was, in a way, natural.

Melina, who had never heard stories about Lichinas or Luna from Leo, also thought the same.

“Next time, could you please ask him about Lady Luna?”

Seeing Enkinias ask with sparkling eyes and an excited face, Mel considered it for a moment, then nodded.

“I'll ask him carefully. First, shall we go meet the Wisdom students?”

“You said meeting the hero candidates would be a good experience. Are you planning to intervene?”

“Yes. A good experience is good, but it shouldn't become a trauma.”

“Ah.”

Enkinias nodded and followed behind Melina.