Book 1 Chapter 854

854.

Fairy Land.

The fairies' homeland and sanctuary.

However, the current Fairy Land was recreated 5,000 years ago.

The original Fairy Land was located in Elsalvekia, one of the elven nations.

"As much as time has passed… there are no fairies born in the old Fairy Land, except for one."

The one fairy Kiya spoke of was Shiloh.

"Do you know what the old Fairy Land was like?"

Lil asked, showing her curiosity.

Records related to the old Fairy Land were almost non-existent in the lower world.

This was because they were ancient records, difficult to find even in the Hero Records.

"Regarding the old Fairy Land, His Majesty rarely spoke of it, so I don't know much."

"That's a pity."

Lil expressed deep regret.

Among the rare records of the old Fairy Land found in literature, the most impressive was that at the time, Fairy Land was not only a home for fairies but also for countless spirits.

"Actually, His Majesty probably doesn't have many memories either. The Age of Calamity began right after His Majesty was born, and he soon had to leave the old sanctuary."

"And then you immediately formed a pact with Lady Luna, right?"

"That's right."

Kiya nodded at Chen Xia's words.

Eliza, who was listening to the conversation, expressed regret.

"Speaking of old stories, I heard that thanks to the World Tree, old summoners found it relatively easy to make contracts with fairies… I'm envious."

"The World Tree… I'd like to see it at least once."

Lil nodded at Eliza's murmuring.

The World Tree.

It was a tree from the Age of Gods, which no longer exists.

And the branches of the World Tree were a medium for summoning fairies.

However, since it was an item unobtainable in the current era, one had to go to Fairy Land to make a pact with a fairy.

"So? Leo Oppa is in Fairy Land right now?"

In front of the Rumern Warp Gate.

All the members of the mission, activated by Kal under his authority as acting student council president, had gathered.

Lil, the party leader, stepped forward.

"First, I will explain the situation."

Lil placed Kiya, the fairy on her shoulder, on her palm and held her forward.

"This young lady Kiya here is the Fairy Princess. She is the younger sister of Kirian, with whom my brother made a pact."

At Lil's introduction, Kiya elegantly greeted them, lifting the hem of her dress.

"She must be similar to Kirian, being the main character of the incident."

"That statement! I cannot tolerate it!"

Kiya bristled at Chen Xia's words.

Despite her reaction, Chen Xia merely smiled brightly.

"According to young lady Kiya, the Fairy King's lifespan is not much left. So, by the Fairy King's command, she came to Rumern to bring my brother to Fairy Land."

"Isn't Leo Oppa in Fairy Land right now?"

"Yes. My brother is in Fairy Land. According to Kal's deduction, Professor Mel is also thought to be with him."

There were no students who didn't know Mel's identity now.

The King of Beginnings and the Silent Dragon headed for Fairy Land.

And from Fairy Land, the Fairy Princess had been dispatched even earlier to summon Leo.

That meant only one thing.

"…A strange situation has occurred in Fairy Land."

"Yes. Kal concluded that."

Chen Xia and Chelsea's faces became serious.

The two of them, including Kal, knew not only Mel's identity but also Leo's.

The Hero of Beginnings.

'Did Leo Oppa move because he was worried about a friend?'

That might be the case.

But Chelsea knew.

How strong Leo's trust in his old comrades was.

The Fairy King Shiloh was a comrade who had overcome the Age of Calamity with Leo.

Although they were not in a pact, they had a bond of trust forged by fighting with their lives on the line.

'If paths had diverged with this fairy, he would have moved not because of the Fairy King's death, but because something unusual happened in Fairy Land.'

Chelsea recalled Leo's expression changing slightly when they all went to the Flobe family estate on the last day of summer vacation, upon hearing the story from the spirit Melina sent.

At the time, she didn't think much of it, but thinking about it now, it was strange.

'He must have heard about the anomaly in Fairy Land then.'

The anomaly in Fairy Land meant there was something capable of moving even Leo.

And Chelsea could guess what it was.

'A fragment of Erebus.'

It was at that moment, as Chelsea's face hardened with that thought.

"Hmm."

Lil stroked his chin.

"It seems Kal, Chelsea, and… there are facts about my brother that I don't know."

Lil subtly glanced at Chen Xia.

"And it seems Xia knows."

"Huh?"

Chelsea wore a slightly flustered expression.

Lil smiled faintly at Chelsea.

While Kal and Chen Xia maintained their poker faces, Chelsea's emotions were clearly visible on her face.

And Lil had read that.

"I… that is."

As Chelsea hesitated, Lil said.

"I have no intention of prying. If my brother hasn't told me, he must have thought the time wasn't right yet. And I suppose the three of you didn't hear it from him either."

"Well, we found out by chance."

Kal shrugged.

Lil nodded, looking at Kal.

"What is it?"

Eliza narrowed her eyes and asked Kal, who winked one eye.

"Secret."

Eliza frowned at the answer.

But Eliza also didn't press further.

"Anyway, the members here are those Kal gathered to support my brother."

At Lil's explanation, Chen Xia surveyed the members and nodded.

"Looking at it this way, they're definitely members specialized for this mission."

She was once again impressed by Kal's discernment.

"So?"

Eliza brushed her hair back.

"Why did Leo Flobe go to Fairy Land? You'll explain the reason before we leave, right?"

At Eliza's question, Kal crossed his arms and adopted a serious expression.

"This is just my guess, but… isn't it strange that the Fairy King hasn't left Fairy Land for 5,000 years?"

"…?"

Everyone looked puzzled at Kal's sudden words.

And after a moment.

They nodded.

Thinking about it, it was indeed strange.

The Fairy King had not appeared even during the great incident 3,000 years ago, known as the recurrence of calamity.

"I think… there might be a fragment of Erebus in Fairy Land."

At those words, everyone's faces hardened.

"What?"

Even Kiya looked surprised.

"In case of an emergency… we might have to support Leo against Erebus."

Kal said that and looked at Chelsea and Eliza.

"I put you two in the party for that reason. We might need backup."

Chelsea and Eliza were students who, beyond third year, ranked among the fastest in all of Rumern.

Of course, the title of Rumern's fastest naturally belonged to Illiana, but Illiana's personality was too belligerent for this mission.

Fast speed and evasive maneuverability.

And the two, who could cope with various situations, were suitable for this situation.

"Senior Lil and Xia can perfectly support Leo if an emergency occurs."

Kal wore a serious expression.

"Your lives might be at risk. Anyone who wants to back out, do so now."

"There's no one here to back out, so don't ask unnecessary questions."

Eliza snickered and said.

At that, Chelsea tilted her head.

"Eliza. I thought you'd ponder a bit."

"What do you take me for?"

"I've decided to support Leo Oppa for life. And Xia…"

"I am Young Master Leo's shadow for life."

Chen Xia smiled brightly at Chelsea's words.

"As for Senior Lil…"

"As a disciple, how can I turn away from my brother confronting a great evil!"

Lil said firmly, her eyes wide open!

Chelsea, taking her gaze from Lil, looked at Kal.

"Kal, despite how he looks, is loyal."

"What do you mean, 'despite how he looks'? What do you mean by that?"

Kal grumbled.

"Eliza, you don't particularly like Leo Oppa, do you?"

"Hmph. I have no feelings of liking, but I have no feelings of disliking either."

Eliza snorted.

"I merely desire the same world that Leo Flobe desires."

The world Leo desired.

A world where Erebus was completely vanquished.

When she first heard that goal in her first year, she secretly scoffed.

But seeing Leo actually moving to achieve it, her thoughts changed.

At first, he was an annoying classmate.

Later, a goal to overcome.

Now…

'Like it or not, he's a leader. That man.'

As someone who aspired to be a hero, who hadn't dreamed of the world Leo spoke of?

"That man's dream is worth risking one's life for, for anyone who dreams of being a hero."

Everyone showed expressions of agreement with Eliza's words.

'And…'

She was also worried about Kal, who threw himself into a potentially life-threatening situation without hesitation.

Just as Eliza snorted, glancing at Kal.

"Wow~ Love is truly great."

"Huh? Why suddenly love?"

Chelsea tilted her head at Chen Xia's words.

Eliza glared at Chen Xia as if to devour her.

"Alright, alright. Enough chatter. Let's quickly go to the Northern-Central Forest of Illusions where Fairy Land is! Senior Lil. You go through the Warp Gate first!"

"Me?"

"Yes! You're the party leader!"

"Hmm. That's right."

Lil was the first to enter the Warp Gate.

"Alright! Chelsea! You're next! The party's sub-leader."

"Me?"

"Yes. You can support Leo best among us, right? So, sub-leader."

"Hehe. Kal really knows a thing or two."

Chelsea, in a good mood, also entered the Warp Gate.

Kal glanced back.

As soon as Lil and Chelsea disappeared, Eliza pounced on Chen Xia.

"Kya~ Kal. Please stop young lady Eliza."

Chen Xia shrieked and ran, while Eliza, her face flushed red, huffed and puffed, chasing Chen Xia.

Watching them, Kal scratched his cheek.

'I've noticed this before, but… Eliza is completely Chen Xia's toy.'

***

"This time, I will definitely find the key."

Melina entered the entrance to Fairy Land with a stern expression.

Leo silently followed behind her.

While Melina searched for the key within the illusion, Leo had to deal with the realistic illusions that appeared.

'…How much longer can Shiloh hold out?'

Leo was lost in thought.

He pretended to be calm so Melina wouldn't worry.

But Shiloh's death was enough to shake Leo.

Leo closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

'Longing for the past…'

Recalling Shiloh's unconscious inner self, Leo slowly exhaled and opened his eyes.

"…?"

And he paused at the scene unfolding before him.

Where Leo was, was not the Forest of Illusions with lush trees.

It was the middle of a main street bustling with countless people.

Darkness filled the faces of the people.

But deep despair was not yet visible.

Leo unconsciously looked up at the sky.

A lush sky.

He surveyed the city scenery again.

Unfamiliar.

But somehow, a familiar street.

A scene he had forgotten in the depths of his memory.

Leo looked down at his hands.

A boy's hands, not yet an adult.

They were a rough warrior's hands.

Extremely rough, immature, scarred hands of a greenhorn.

Leo had never had such injuries on his hands in his entire life.

It couldn't be helped.

Leo had been a great hero since birth.

"This is…"

As Leo wore a bewildered expression.

"Kyle!"

A clear voice was heard.

Leo turned his head, drawn by that voice.

As expected, a face from the depths of his memory.

Leo repeated the name of that human girl.

"Rasha…"

It was none other than Leo, no, Kyle's first comrade.