Book 1 Chapter 584
584.
Fwoosh-
“What is that?!”
Lunnia’s eyes widened as she saw black flames outside the window of the Tower of Heroes.
At the same time, Ayran’s bewildered voice was heard.
“Lunnia! Your appearance…?!”
“Huh? You too?”
“What? Ah!”
Lunnia and Ayran, who had been in the forms of Seilun and Azonia, had returned to their original appearances.
They weren’t the only ones.
Driana had also returned to her original form.
Lunnia, who had a flustered expression, shivered and shook her shoulders.
“It’s like before…”
“Before, you say?”
“When we defeated Erebus’s fragment in Luna’s world! It’s the same as then!”
This had happened before when they tackled Luna’s world during their first year.
Erebus’s rampage had caused their possessions to be released, returning them to their original forms.
“The people manifested within the hero’s world cannot perceive the existence of that monster!”
Lunnia placed her feet on the windowsill.
“We have to stop it! Otherwise, this world will collapse!”
Fwoosh-!
Without hesitation, Lunnia jumped from the windowsill, and wings of flame spread from her back.
It was magic that manifested the wings of a Phoenix.
Seeing this, Driana leaped and climbed onto Lunnia’s back.
“Aren’t you going to move?!”
“How petty! Give me a ride!”
“What do you think I am!”
“A model equipped with a ride function.”
“Do you want to die?!”
“Lunnia! It’s more important to stop those flames right now!”
Ayran flew to Lunnia’s side and said urgently.
Lunnia, grinding her teeth, flapped her wings.
Fwoosh-!
The wings of flame created by magic traced an arc and flew towards the flames of disaster.
Upon arriving near Erebus, Lunnia dropped Driana from her back.
Driana also obediently dismounted Lunnia.
Now alone, Lunnia’s hair turned pure white.
Grooooooan-!
Crimson flames transformed into pure white.
The flames of the Phoenix King, which purify worlds.
Fwoosh-!
Vivid crimson flames ignited from Lunnia’s outstretched hands.
The forbidden magic of the Lund family.
The sacred flames that burn the impure by making oneself the fuel became one with the white flames.
‘Consecration.’
As Lunnia raised her hands, a giant flame blazed fiercely.
Lunnia’s flames had become as large as the flames of disaster.
The flames of consecration engulfed the black flames.
Fwoosh-!
The pure white flames that swallowed the black flames subsided for a moment.
The black flames disappeared without a trace.
At that moment.
The pure white flames rapidly contracted.
Seeing this, Lunnia flinched and wrapped herself in her Phoenix wings.
CRASH-!
In the blink of an eye, the flames that had shrunk to the size of a fist erupted in a massive explosion.
At the same time, the black flames tore apart Lunnia’s flames.
“Tch!”
Lunnia clicked her tongue and quickly distanced herself from the black flames.
Grooooooan-!
The black flames pursued Lunnia.
To shake off the pursuit of the black flames, Lunnia rapidly ascended into the sky.
Grooooooooan-!
The black flames persistently narrowed the distance between them and Lunnia.
‘It’s getting hard to dodge!’
As Lunnia gritted her teeth and prepared for Erebus’s attack.
Fwoosh-!
Someone snatched Lunnia and pulled her away.
“Chelsea Lewalin!”
“Hold on tight!”
Chelsea, who was wrapped in wind, manipulated the surrounding air.
Chelsea’s body accelerated rapidly.
The distance from the black flames widened.
For a moment, a wall of black flames surged in front of Chelsea.
Chelsea slowed down and flew in a different direction.
As the distance was once again narrowed in an instant, the black flames split into several branches and pressed down on Chelsea and Lunnia.
Chelsea, tracking the trajectories of the black flames that were trying to ensnare her from multiple directions with her eyes, maximized her maneuverability.
Fwoosh-!
“Ugh?!”
Lunnia unconsciously hugged Chelsea tightly.
Chelsea dodged all of Erebus’s complex attacks and headed towards the ground.
Whoosh-!
Chelsea moved rapidly at a height that was almost touching the ground.
The black flames tenaciously pursued Chelsea from behind.
“Idiot cat!”
Chelsea shouted urgently.
Suddenly, Ar stood where Chelsea was heading.
Ar, who had made a gesture, stared straight at Erebus’s flames with his blue eyes.
In his hand was a broken sword.
Braver.
The sword left by Arion to Ar.
Golden aura formed at the tip of the sword.
A faint golden aura flowed from Ar’s body as well.
Thump-!
Ar gripped the sword with both hands.
“HAAAAAAAAAH!”
Ar let out a battle cry.
Flash-! CRASH-!
As he swung the sword, enormous golden sword strikes poured out.
‘Arion’s sword?!’
Lunnia’s eyes widened, as if reminded of Arion by the sword strikes.
Chelsea quickly dodged the sword strikes, and the pursuing black flames were swept up in the sword strikes.
CRASH-!
The sword strikes, which left scars on the ground, also blew away the pillar of black flames.
‘That Ar… when did he become so….’
Lunnia was surprised.
It wasn’t just Lunnia.
All the conquerors, stunned by the overwhelming sight, looked at Ar with surprised eyes.
“When did that idiot cat get so strong?”
As an Azonia student exclaimed in shock, Lewen calmly said.
“It’s no wonder, considering how much that idiot cat trains.”
Since receiving Braver from Arion, Ar had pushed himself even harder.
Ar had always admired Arion and wanted to be like him.
But after meeting Arion in person and being recognized as his successor, his goal became even clearer.
It wasn’t simply wanting to be like Arion.
He had to become like Arion.
He had to become like him and put the worried hero at ease.
That was the goal Ar had embraced, and to achieve it, Ar struggled madly.
Whooooosh-!
Ar’s white hair fluttered in the wind.
Seeing him, Chelsea mumbled blankly.
“Arion…”
It was exactly as she said.
Ar’s appearance now clearly reminded them of Arion.
It seemed to be Chelsea’s sentiment alone, as no one refuted her words.
It was then.
Ar’s ears perked up.
Then, he crossed his arms, tilted his chin up, and wore a smug expression.
“Heh heh!”
“Arion, I’m sorry. I thought that idiot cat resembled you.”
Chelsea sincerely apologized to Arion.
Fwoosh-!
The black flames ignited once more.
Seeing this, Driana muttered.
“It doesn’t seem as strong as the Erebus fragment we met during summer vacation.”
“Of course. The one we fought last time was one of the six pieces Erebus was split into by the hero of the beginning. But this is just a fragment that broke off from that piece. It’s unbelievable that it’s this strong.”
Lunnia clenched her fist.
“Even so, it’s still a monster.”
“Can we… can we really face it with just our strength?”
Ayran asked with a worried expression.
As she said that, Lunnia bit her lip.
“We can’t help it.”
Ar said, glaring at the black flames.
“We can’t rely on people who aren’t here. We have to do this ourselves.”
Stomp- Stomp-
Ar answered resolutely and advanced towards the black flames.
“If we wish for help, we’ll always remain in the same place.”
Thud-
“I can’t be treated like a child forever. To become their equal. To follow in their footsteps.”
Many eyes were cast on Ar’s back.
“We have to overcome it with our own strength.”
Ar was looking at the backs of two people walking far away.
One was the back of the hero he admired endlessly.
And the other was…
‘Black Rabbit.’
Ar’s back gave courage to those who watched him.
Seeing him, Chelsea murmured.
“You really looked like Arion just now.”
“Ahem!”
“As expected, you’re just an idiot cat.”
As Chelsea clicked her tongue.
“Kal? Where is Kal?”
Eliza asked Ayran.
At her words, Ayran’s eyes widened.
“Um… Kal-nim is having a private conversation with Rodia-nim… He’ll be here shortly.”
“It will definitely be problematic if that guy isn’t here.”
Lunnia frowned and muttered.
“It’s a little reassuring when he takes charge of the command.”
“Commanding Kal Thomas?”
At Lunnia’s words, Seilun, as well as Azonia and Demian students, began to murmur.
“Indeed, Kal’s ability to read the flow of battle and issue commands is remarkable.”
Abad nodded in agreement.
“It’s not wrong. We received significant help from Kal when we fought Erebus’s fragment in Dwenho’s world. I hope he arrives soon.”
Meanwhile, at that time, Kal was.
Fwoosh-!
“Kyaaaaaaaak!”
Kal shrieked and hid behind Rodia.
“Don’t run away!”
“You can say that because Lady Rodia can’t see those black flames! They’re terrifying!”
“That’s why you need to see them clearly! Ack! I got burned! Hurry and come out and tell me where these damn flames are!”
“If I go out now, I’ll die!”
“Am I your shield?!”
“You said you’d be my shield!”
He was going to find Lumern with Rodia, who couldn’t see the black flames.
***
Flash-!
A flash of light flashed.
“Kiiiaaaaaaaak!”
“Hey, can you be a little quieter? Your scream is hurting my ears.”
As Iliana screamed, Elena, who was cradled like a princess in Iliana’s arms, calmly said.
“How can I not scream! Erebus’s flames are burning right in front of me… Kiiiaaaak!”
“Erebus is scary, but I don’t seem to be. Shall I inflict a terrible fate upon you?”
“Eek!”
Iliana shrieked at Elena’s threat.
The reason Iliana was approaching Erebus while holding Elena was simple.
It was to help Kyle, who was single-handedly stopping Erebus.
“Why me!”
“Because you’re the fastest.”
Elena smiled brightly.
Looking at Elena like that, Iliana regretted her earlier self.
‘I’m the fastest here. Raise your hand.’
‘Hmph. I am Iliana Laden, faster than Chelsea, Duran, and Eliza, all renowned for their speed in the second year. How may I assist you, Senior?’
‘Oh my, how reliable. I appoint you as my mount.’
‘Yes?’
‘Can you take me close to Erebus?’
Elena needed two things.
Time to concentrate fully on her magic incantation.
And a knight with the mobility to move at high speed while protecting her during that time.
Iliana was the perfect fit.
Elena took out her staff from her embrace.
As she began the incantation, a massive storm of mana erupted.
Iliana, holding Elena in her arms, shivered.
‘I knew you were amazing, but.’
As a magic swordsman, Iliana knew how monstrous a mage Elena Zerone was.
But this…
‘Just by mana alone, it surpasses that of ordinary mage class heroes, doesn’t it?’
As Iliana swallowed dryly.
Fwoosh-!
The black flames reacted to Elena’s mana and attacked.
Seeing this, Iliana drew her sword.
Flash-!
An aura of light split the black flames.
Iliana, who was dodging Erebus’s attacks at tremendous speed, shivered.
‘It’s going to be hard to dodge like this!’
Iliana bit her lip.
The black flames’ target shifted from Kyle to Elena due to the unimaginable wave of mana.
At that fleeting moment, there was no room to escape.
Iliana’s body moved with cold precision.
Fwoosh-!
She forcefully threw Elena, whom she was holding, out of the attack range.
Elena, who had safely escaped the black flames’ range, unleashed her magic.
‘What about me now?’
Iliana smiled wryly.
She had sent Elena, the person she needed to protect, to safety, but she herself was the problem.
‘Please, just don’t die…!’
As Iliana squeezed her eyes shut.
Flash-!
Fwoosh-!
A gray aura bisected the black flames.
Flutter-!
A black cloak wrapped around Iliana’s body.
“Ah?”
Iliana exclaimed in a daze, opened her eyes, and looked up.
At the moment the black flames were targeting Elena, a gap was created, and Kyle slipped in.
Glance-
Kyle looked down at Iliana.
Kyle tapped Iliana’s forehead with his finger as she opened her mouth to speak and said.
“Who said to give up easily?”
At his words, Iliana’s face, who had forgotten the situation, turned red as if it would burst.
Kyle, who released Iliana from his embrace, rushed towards the black flames that had been directly hit by Elena’s magic.
Elena approached Iliana.
“Are you okay?”
“So… cool… It’s bad for my heart… I’m going to be a fan of Kyle-nim starting today. Haaak… Haaak…”
Iliana, who had collapsed on the spot, muttered, forgetting the situation.
“Snap out of it. He’s already taken.”
“B-but I like him…!”
“What a sinful human. Him too.”
Elena clicked her tongue.