Book 1 Chapter 628

628.

"Hold on! Luna is still holding onto the Demon Queen!"

Akint shouted desperately.

It had been nearly half a day since the Demon Queen Silathuna had dragged Leo into the Curse of Severance.

After what seemed like a suicidal act.

Leo had been holding Silathuna for a long time.

'Was Luna's skill this much?'

Akint clenched his fist as he looked at the place where the Curse of Severance had unfolded.

Luna definitely had the power to defeat a Legion Commander.

But that was strictly her power as a mage.

It didn't apply when she had to fight a Legion Commander alone.

'Today's Luna was definitely strange.'

She hadn't smiled as usual, nor had she loudly boasted about trusting only her.

She had simply delivered her words with a calm demeanor.

'And that magic.'

The dazzling magic that had struck Silathuna flashed in Akint's mind.

A magic with immense power he had never seen before.

Akint knew of magic with a similar form.

'Teacher Akint! Look at this! Isn't it amazing?'

'Yes! It's truly amazing. Once this magic is perfected, the world will surely…'

'Yes! It will be filled with flower gardens! The magic that makes flowers bloom will be completed!'

'…You're not making magic to save the world?'

'Oh, that's just a secondary effect that will follow once the magic that makes flowers bloom is completed!'

Luna's magic array.

It was a brilliant magic that even he, who had researched magic his entire life, couldn't easily understand.

'Could it be that she completed it?'

He couldn't think of any other explanation.

'If there were companions who could protect Luna… perhaps there would be a possibility to end this terrible era.'

Luna was like a flower just beginning to bloom.

If there were people like Luna with infinite potential, there was hope for this era.

'She left my hands long ago.'

Recalling his disciple, Akint deployed magic as he gazed at the advancing army.

The army's assault was fierce.

The elves were like lamps in the wind before their onslaught.

A situation where they could collapse at any moment.

Yet, the elves tenaciously repelled the army.

Those gathered here were also skilled individuals betting their lives on the fate of the world.

Of course, there were some who didn't yet deserve to stand here.

But there were also many prodigies with power that wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them heroes.

Furthermore, the army currently lacked a commander.

Although Silathuna's confidants, gruesome and powerful demons, were rampaging, they couldn't control the entire army.

An army was like the limbs of its commander.

It only revealed its true worth when the commander was present.

'If Luna defeats Silathuna…! Winning this battle isn't a dream!'

With that thought, Akint gritted his teeth as he saw the approaching darkness from afar.

Night would soon arrive.

It was clear that the battle would become even more arduous once night fell.

Just then.

Crackle-!

The space in the air began to crack.

Akint's gaze turned there.

Crackle-! Snap-!

The space shattered, and a colossal monster emerged from it.

"The Demon Queen!"

"Oh… My God…"

Seeing the Demon Queen freed from the Curse of Severance, the elves' faces were momentarily painted with despair.

"The Queen has finally returned!"

"Victory will be with us!"

Conversely, the morale of the Demon Queen's army soared.

It was when Silathuna's army increased its ferocity.

[Ahahahahahaha-! I'm out! I'm finally free!]

Silathuna's desperate voice echoed.

Silathuna's appearance was somewhat strange.

Blood flowed all over her body, dripping to the ground like a waterfall.

As the blood fell to the ground, a potent poisonous fog spread around.

At first glance, it looked intimidating.

But conversely, it meant her body had been reduced to rags to be bleeding that much.

Her army began to stir at her pathetic appearance.

"Where's Luna?!"

Akint desperately searched for Leo's whereabouts.

And he saw him.

Leo, standing in the sky against the backdrop of the approaching night.

A bright light emanated from Leo's hand.

Star Magic - Requiem.

For a moment, the light pushed back the darkness.

At that moment, Silathuna's army clumped together like chunks of flesh and rose before Silathuna like a shield.

Leo's magic was momentarily blocked by the monster shield.

The shield made of the monster army vanished, but Silathuna remained unharmed.

[Darkness is coming! Your time is also up now!]

A look of elation appeared on Silathuna's face.

She had been trapped in the Curse of Severance she herself had cast, experiencing endless fear.

But the elf before her, who had inflicted such absolute terror, was now at her end.

She now possessed her army, and night was falling upon the world.

Now, it was the elf, not her, who would feel fear.

As Silathuna smiled with madness, her face contorted.

It was because Leo, who didn't even spare her a glance, was staring intently in one direction.

The direction from which the approaching darkness was coming as the sun set.

West.

[You ignore me until the end…!]

Enraged by Leo's attitude, Silathuna suddenly recalled something.

The place where the news of the defeat of her comrade and the strongest Legion Commander, the Gluttonous King, had arrived was the west.

[Could it be…!]

Flash-!

For a moment, a bright light burst forth from the west.

The light pushed back the darkness of the world.

Everyone looked towards the source of the light without realizing it.

[This is…!]

Among all the magic Leo knew, the strongest in terms of pure power was Luna's Requiem.

There was no magic that surpassed Requiem in power, versatility, or range.

However, there was one magic that boasted power comparable to, or even exceeding, Requiem under specific conditions.

A light-attribute magic that judged and annihilated evil beings.

"Punishment."

It was the unique magic of Lisinas, who had judged countless demons.

In the center of the light that burst from the west, a woman was visible.

Lisinas, a beautiful woman with black hair, briefly made eye contact with Leo.

Surprise and relief were etched on her face.

Lisinas smiled softly as she looked at Leo.

She nocked a light arrow to a bow made of light, aimed at Silathuna, and then released the string.

Flash-!

[Kiiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaah-!]

Silathuna's pained screams poured out.

In the original timeline, it was already a battle of deep defeat.

'But it's different now.'

History had changed.

Leo summoned his magic staff.

And he began to generate mana.

The power of magic is proportional to the casting time.

Even the same magic becomes increasingly powerful the longer the casting time.

The problem is that during a long chant, the mage becomes defenseless.

And Leo was currently in the middle of the battlefield.

Even if she had been directly hit by Lisinas's magic, the Demon Queen was still alive, and the army led by the Demon Queen was also intact.

[You hideous bitch! How dare you in front of me!]

Rumble-!

Silathuna raised her arm to crush Leo.

"Hideous? Are your eyes rotten?"

At that moment, a mocking laugh was heard, and a gray aura flashed.

Crackle-!

In an instant, the storm of sword energy that erupted shattered Silathuna's arm into tiny pieces, raining blood to the ground.

"To call an elf this beautiful hideous."

The one who used the gray aura then simultaneously used magic and spirits to set Silathuna ablaze.

Kaaagaaang! Fwaaaar-!

The fire magic and fire spirits blazed fiercely.

[Kiiiiiaaaaaak!]

Silathuna, letting out another pained scream, glared at the young man with gray hair with eyes full of hatred.

[All-class! Are you the hero who survived?!]

"Yes. It was a brief encounter, but it was unpleasant meeting you. Let's never meet again."

Kyle gave Silathuna the middle finger and turned back to Leo.

"Hey, pretty one. Finish it."

'…Did I really talk like that back then?'

Seeing Kyle gesturing with a strangely defiant voice, Leo's expression momentarily contorted.

"Tsk. Elves, really. So unlucky."

Seeing Leo frown, Kyle clicked his tongue, seemingly misunderstanding.

"Tsk."

Leo, who clicked his tongue at his past self, unleashed his magic.

"Requiem."

In the distant future, the magic that would become a symbol of despair for Tartarus unfolded once again at Leo's hands.

This time, it was different from the previous spells.

The magic with the maximum power Leo could muster exploded.

Kwoooogaaaaaagaaaaagaaaaang-

[Aaaaaaaaah! Goddddddddddddd!]

Silathuna's shriek echoed as she was directly hit by Requiem.

After a colossal mana storm, the Demon Queen's form vanished without a trace.

"…Crazy."

Kyle exclaimed in astonishment at the sight.

He seemed to have never imagined magic of such power.

Leo, squeezing out all his mana, swayed.

Thump-!

As Leo lost his balance and started to fall to the ground.

Someone grabbed Leo's hand.

"Are you okay?"

Lisinas supported Leo with a gentle smile.

"You are Luna, right?"

At the question, Leo nodded and then asked.

"Do you know the name Rodia?"

"Huh? Who's that?"

"…No. It's fine."

'…It seems Lisinas's memories in this world didn't carry over.'

Perhaps it was because it wasn't the world of heroes.

Lisinas said at Leo's words.

"Leave the rest to us, Kyle!"

At Lisinas's words, Kyle nodded and headed to the ground to confront the Demon Queen's army.

***

As night fell.

The outcome of the battle was the recapture of the Elven Forest.

It was an expected result.

'Unlike then, this time Silathuna was defeated by me.'

Leo looked down at his hands.

'In cases like this, I changed history by being alone in this world… What about worlds where demons have invaded?'

Knowing the future was a huge variable in itself.

As Leo was lost in thought about what was to come.

"Luna!"

"Lady Luna!"

The elves, led by Akint, rushed towards Leo.

Seeing them, Lisinas stepped forward with a gentle smile.

"You are Akint, aren't you? It's an honor to meet you. I am Lisinas. Thank you for leading us to this miraculous victory."

At Lisinas's words, Akint shook his head.

"No. Without you, we could not have won. Thank you very much for your support."

While Lisinas and Akint were talking.

"Lady Luna! Are you alright?"

Hirion ran up frantically.

Seeing Hirion, Leo said.

"You survived."

"Yes. Somehow…"

As Leo chuckled at the awkwardly smiling Hirion.

"Are you okay?"

Kyle approached Leo.

Seeing Kyle looking at him with a somehow defiant expression, Leo furrowed his brow for a moment.

'Was I really that displeased usually?'

Seeing himself from a third-person perspective, Leo felt an indescribable feeling.

"Elves, really. Does looking at me bother you?"

"That's not it."

Leo shook his head, feeling a strange sensation.

Seeing Leo like that, Kyle chuckled.

"If not, then what? Are you in love with me?"

"How dare you speak so disrespectfully to Lady Luna!"

Hirion retorted hotly.

Kyle simply gave a nonchalant expression at Hirion.

And Leo thought.

'There was a reason why Lisinas and Luna sometimes bickered with me.'

'I want to punch him.'

Leo's expression turned serious as he looked at his past self.

[Raid Failed: The world will collapse.]

Along with the message, light burst forth.

The light that burst out with the message blinded his vision.

When his vision recovered, he saw the scenery of the Flove territory.

Leo looked at the black piece of paper in his hand.

Whoosh-

The piece of paper turned into ashes and disappeared.

'Does the page also disappear as a consequence of the raid failing?'

Leo's expression turned serious as he watched the army's record turn completely to dust.

'I need to discuss it with Melina.'

Leo glanced aside.

'Well then, shall I go finish this?'

As he headed towards where Zorua's presence was felt, Leo suddenly felt a question.

'Even looking at myself, I was unpleasant, so why did those guys fall for me?'

It was a question that Lisinas and Luna would probably have answered with 'That's right.' if they had heard it.

629.

Rumble-!

The earth shook.

Zorua, clad in a stone armor that covered his entire body, charged towards Reina.

Fwoosh-!

Reina's sword moved gracefully.

Fwaaaar-!

Flames painted the air along the trajectory of the swung sword.

The dispersed flames were compressed and imbued into the blade for a moment.

The blade of the crimson-burning Flame Storm.

Reina's sharp gaze turned to Zorua, who was at her fingertips.

Slash-! Crack-!

With a heavy sound, Reina's sword bounced off Zorua without cutting him.

Gritting her teeth, Reina used the recoil to spin her body and evade Zorua's attack.

Kwoooogaaaaaaang-!

An immense shockwave echoed along the straight line Zorua had charged.

Reina gritted her teeth at the tingling sensation traveling up her right hand, which held her sword.

'It's broken.'

Her wrist was damaged from the previous collision.

[Hey! Reina Flove! It's really your limit now!]

Istha said urgently to Reina, who was gritting her teeth.

Reina's body was already covered in countless large and small wounds.

Many of her bone joints were also broken.

She was barely continuing the fight, desperately avoiding any fatal injuries that would stop her from moving.

She was forcibly moving her immobile body with fire.

But even that method of continuing the fight was no longer possible.

[If the body collapses, the mind collapses too! Soon my flames will consume you!]

Reina tightened her grip on her sword.

[You've done enough! You are more heroic than any hero I've ever seen!]

Istha was desperately trying to stop Reina.

[You've done your best!]

"No."

Reina forcibly pointed her sword at Zorua.

"I can still fight more."

She had already surpassed her limits several times.

Moreover, her opponent was already weakened from his battle with Leo.

Even so, the gap in power was evident.

There were certainly things in the world that couldn't be overcome by will alone.

Zorua before her was such an existence.

Reina could never defeat Zorua.

"There is something to pass on to posterity."

But Reina did not give up.

"Flames bloom most brilliantly in their final moments."

If she backed down here, her successors would die.

Reina glanced at Celia.

"I haven't been able to impart everything yet."

She had to at least pass on what she could.

With that thought, Reina ignited her will.

"So lend me your strength."

[Ugh! Stubborn girl! Then do as you please!]

Kwooooaaaah-!

The flames grew even stronger.

The firepower was so intense that Reina momentarily felt dizzy.

Reina focused even harder amidst the pain of her body burning.

'Just a little! Just hold on a little longer!'

"Annoying bitch!"

Zorua's voice, filled with killing intent, echoed.

If he had been able to maintain even a little composure, he might have ended the fight long ago using the various abilities he had stolen.

But being thoroughly toyed with by Leo and struggling even against Reina, whom he was certain was weaker, Zorua was gradually losing his reason.

Therefore, he chose the method of simply overwhelming her with brute force.

The difference in power was evident.

But Zorua, who prided himself on controlling his power, was merely being swayed by his own strength.

Zorua couldn't wield his abilities to their fullest extent.

It was the limit of someone who had stolen the power of others.

"This is the end!"

Rumble-!

Zorua, wrapping his body in an aura of earth, an element antagonistic to fire, charged towards Reina at tremendous speed.

A force imbued with immense physical power that would leave no trace even if it just grazed her.

Reina took a deep breath.

The heat intensified.

The pain of her entire body burning and the dizzying heat.

But Reina did not lose consciousness.

'Focus.'

She concentrated her flames into a single point.

'Track him with your eyes.'

Reina's red eyes caught Zorua.

'Don't retreat! Don't be afraid!'

She steadied herself.

'I can cut him. Forward… advance!'

Thump- Slash-!

As Reina stepped forward and swung her sword.

Swoosh-!

At that moment, Zorua, who had reached Reina's fingertips, was cut in two.

Thud- Fwah-!

Reina collapsed on the spot.

The flames that had enveloped Reina vanished.

Collapse-

Reina's body fell forward.

"Aunt!"

Celia ran up with a pale face.

Breathing faintly, Reina smiled with difficulty.

"I… succeeded in cutting him, it seems…"

"Yes."

Celia gritted her teeth and nodded.

"Celia, that sword just now… Don't forget it. Understand?"

"Of course."

Suppressing the tears that threatened to burst, Celia answered with strength.

Celia also knew well what Reina had tried to pass on to her.

"This woman… Until the end…"

A terrifying killing intent erupted from Zorua's body, killed once more by Reina.

"But this is truly the end! I'll turn you into a bloody mess!"

Shouting with a chilling voice, Zorua raised his hand.

As Celia raised her aura at the sight.

Flash-!

"…!"

Pure white light burst from behind Zorua.

"Huh?"

Zorua turned his head and exclaimed in astonishment.

There stood Leo, bathed in pure white light, as if dawn was breaking.

"Leo!"

Celia's face lit up.

"Aunt! It's Leo! Leo is finally…!"

Celia, who was about to support Reina, looked puzzled.

"Aunt?"

Reina was already staring blankly at Leo's figure.

Leo's figure, bathed in bright light, was familiar.

It overlapped with the appearance of someone in the brilliant sunlight that had appeared in the dark world long ago.

Reina unconsciously repeated the name.

"The Hero of Beginning…"

***

Leo's eyes twitched as he sped towards where Zorua's presence was felt.

He saw monsters using abilities.

Chelsea, who was fighting an ogre, saw Leo and her face lit up.

"Oppa Leo!"

"What is that?"

"I don't know the details! They're using abilities! They're highly intelligent too!"

"Really?"

He had a suspicion.

'The world of the legions.'

If you conquer the world of heroes, you are given power as a raid reward.

The world of legions should be the same.

'Are these traitors who conquered the world of legions?'

The raid reward seems to be the power of demons.

'It's more like a curse than a reward. Well, it suits the fate of traitors.'

With that thought, Leo looked at Jamua.

"Do you need help?"

At those words, Jamua curled his lips.

"Do I look like I need help? Hyaaaaaap!"

Bang-!

Jamua charged at the ogre and headbutted it directly.

The ogre, receiving immense impact, was sent flying.

"Chelsea!"

"Yes!"

"That's right! You're energetic! Just like the Knight Department!"

"I'm from the Magic Department!"

"You also take Knight Department classes!"

"I'm taking them as a minor as a Battle Mage!"

'No worries then.'

Seeing the two bickering but cooperating well, Leo turned his head elsewhere.

There, Rhys and Abad were overwhelming Gigantes.

In the air, Uta was slaughtering beasts.

The morale of others also rose with Leo's appearance.

The tide of the battlefield shifted with Leo's mere appearance.

Leo, who eventually arrived where Zorua was, unleashed his aura.

'He must have revived with the Necromancer King's authority and awakened his abilities anew?'

That newly awakened ability was the power to replenish his life force with stolen abilities.

'Killing him multiple times is bothersome. In that case…'

Leo's red eyes flashed.

'I will destroy the authority itself.'

The Necromancer King's authority was the power obtained with Erebus's favor.

The Necromancer King, who obtained a fragment of Erebus, gained greater authority than 5000 years ago.

But if that authority is based on Erebus's power…

'I can destroy it with pure power.'

Gray aura shimmered at the tip of Leo's sword.

The gray aura soon began to turn into pure white light.

Along with it, bright light burst forth as if dawn had arrived.

Pure Aura.

The power Leo obtained in this life after endless training.

Leo looked at Reina, who was confronting Zorua.

'She borrowed Istha's power…'

Leo let out a hollow laugh.

'Foolish.'

But it was typical of Reina.

Reina, who sometimes had childish aspects.

But…

'She is a respectable adult… and a respectable mother.'

Leo took a step forward.

Fwah-!

Leo, who instantly reached Zorua, said.

"Didn't I tell you?"

There was evident mockery in Leo's words.

"You're just letting the power you stole go to waste."

Leo smiled coldly and then cut down Zorua.

Swoosh-!

"Ugh!"

Zorua's body collapsed.

Leo lightly flicked his sword and sheathed it.

Stomp- Stomp-

And without sparing Zorua a glance, he walked towards Reina.

"Just! Just died once!"

At that moment, Zorua stood up, groaning.

Zorua had somehow taken on Reina's form.

But soon, his flesh began to melt away.

"What?"

Torua appeared from within.

"What is this…!"

No matter how many other forms he transformed into, that form soon melted away.

"Impossible! I'm going to die!"

Zorua's face turned pale as he understood the situation he was in.

"N-no! I was meant to become a perfect! A perfect being! I am the man who will become a god! And yet! To die so meaninglessly!"

Thud-!

"Aaaah!"

Zorua, who had turned into a skeleton, knelt down.

He fumbled with his face.

"I can't die like this…"

Whoosh-!

Zorua, who denied his own death, soon vanished into dust.

***

Stomp- Stomp-

Reina, supported by Celia, looked silently at Leo, who had walked up to her.

"Are you alright?"

At Leo's indifferent question, Reina smiled and nodded.

"Of course."

"That's good."

At Leo's toneless words, Reina pouted her lips.

And said petulantly.

"Aren't you going to tell me not to do that again?"

"If I said it, would Mother stop?"

Seeing Leo chuckle, Reina mumbled softly.

"Such a grumpy kid. Does he act like this to others too?"

"He tends to."

Celia smiled wryly.

Just then.

-Ahem! Lie down here!

Kiran appeared before Reina.

-Leo said! To somehow heal you, Auntie!

Fairies can use powerful healing magic.

-Lady Reina. My name is Elsi. Leo is very worried about you. Is there anything you need?

Peep- Peep-

Elsi and Fiorra, clinging to Reina, showed concerned reactions.

"…"

Reina let out a hollow laugh.

"He hasn't changed since he was young, has he?"

"In what way?"

"He acts indifferent and grumpy on the outside."

"That's right."

"But he takes great care of people behind the scenes?"

"Ah."

Celia nodded as if she understood.

Indeed, Leo had that side to him.

Reina clicked her tongue as she looked at Leo, who stood with his back turned in the distance.

"It's not because he's my son, but I bet there are many girls who are captivated by him."