Book 1 Chapter 854

854.

Fairy Land.

The home and sanctuary of fairies.

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

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

"As time has passed… other than one person, there are no fairies born in the old Fairy Land."

The one fairy Kiyya mentioned was Silord.

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

Lil asked, showing curiosity.

There were almost no records related to the old Fairy Land remaining in the mortal realm.

This was because they were ancient records, so difficult to find that even the Hero Records barely contained them.

"I don't know much about the old Fairy Land because Father rarely spoke of it."

"That's a shame."

Lil expressed deep disappointment.

Among the rare records of the old Fairy Land, the most impressive was that it was not only a domain of fairies but also a home to countless spirits.

"Actually, Father might not remember much either. The Age of Calamity began shortly after he was born, and they had to leave the old sanctuary soon after."

"And you immediately made a pact with Luna, right?"

"That's right."

Kiyya nodded at Chen Sia's words.

Eliza, who had been listening to the conversation, expressed regret.

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

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

Lil nodded at Eliza's muttering.

The World Tree.

A tree from the age of gods that no longer exists.

And the branches of the World Tree were a medium through which fairies could be summoned.

However, as it was unobtainable in the current era, one had to go to Fairy Land to form a pact with a fairy.

"So? Is Leo oppa in Fairy Land now?"

In front of the Lumern Warp Gate.

The members of the mission activated by Karl, as the acting student council president, had all gathered.

Lil, the party leader, stepped forward.

"First, I will explain the situation."

Lil placed Kiyya, the fairy perched on her shoulder, on her palm and extended it forward.

"Kiyya here is the Fairy Princess. She is the younger sister of Kirian, with whom my brother formed a pact."

At Lil's introduction, Kiyya elegantly bowed by lifting the hem of her dress.

"As the person at the center of the incident, she must be similar to Kirian."

"That remark! I cannot tolerate it!"

Kiyya bristled at Chen Sia's words.

Despite her reaction, Chen Sia merely smiled brightly.

"According to Kiyya, the Fairy King's lifespan is nearing its end. So, following the Fairy King's orders, she came to Lumern to bring my brother to Fairy Land."

"Isn't Leo oppa already in Fairy Land?"

"Yes. My brother is in Fairy Land. According to Karl's deduction, Professor Mel is likely with him."

Now, there was no student who didn't know Mel's true identity.

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

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

That meant only one thing.

"…An anomaly has occurred in Fairy Land."

"Yes. That's what Karl judged."

Chen Sia and Chelsea's faces became grim.

Including Karl, the two of them knew not only Mel's identity but also Leo's.

The Hero of Beginnings.

'Did Leo oppa move because he was worried about his friend?'

It was possible.

But Chelsea knew.

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

Fairy King Silord was a comrade with whom Leo had overcome the Age of Calamity.

Although they were not in a pact relationship, they had trust built from fighting with their lives on the line.

'If this fairy's path had diverged, he would have moved not because of the Fairy King's death, but because of an anomaly in Fairy Land.'

Chelsea recalled Leo's expression changing slightly when she heard the spirit's story sent by Melina during their visit to the Plov family's estate on the last day of summer vacation.

At the time, she had dismissed it as nothing, but looking back now, it was strange.

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

The anomaly in Fairy Land meant that there was something that could make even Leo move.

And Chelsea could guess what it was.

'A fragment of Erebus.'

Just as her thoughts reached that point, Chelsea's face stiffened.

"Hmm."

Lil stroked his chin.

"It seems that Karl, Chelsea, and… "

Lil subtly glanced at Chen Sia.

"Sia seems to know facts about my brother that I don't."

"Yes?"

Chelsea showed a slightly flustered expression.

Seeing Chelsea like that, Lil smiled.

Karl and Chen Sia maintained their poker faces, but Chelsea's emotions were clearly displayed on her face.

Lil had read it.

"I… um…"

Sensing the situation, Lil said,

"I have no intention of interrogating you. If my brother didn't tell you, it probably means the time isn't right yet. I doubt the three of you were told by my brother either."

"Well, we found out by chance."

Karl shrugged.

Seeing Karl like that, Lil nodded.

"What is it?"

Eliza asked Karl with half-closed eyes, and Karl winked at her.

"A secret."

Eliza scowled at his answer.

However, Eliza did not press further.

"In any case, the members here were gathered by Karl to support my brother."

At Lil's explanation, Chen Sia examined the members and nodded.

"Looking at them now, they are indeed a team specialized for this mission."

She marveled at Karl's foresight once again.

"So?"

Eliza swept her hair back.

"Why did Leo Plov go to Fairy Land? You will explain the reason before we leave, won't you?"

To Eliza's question, Karl crossed his arms and adopted a serious expression.

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

"……?"

Everyone looked puzzled by Karl's sudden remark.

And after a moment.

They nodded.

Come to think of it, it was definitely strange.

The Fairy King had not appeared even during the great event 3,000 years ago, which was called the second coming of calamity.

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

At those words, everyone's faces stiffened.

"What?"

Even Kiyya looked surprised.

"In case of an emergency… we might have to support Leo, who is confronting Erebus."

Saying so, Karl looked at Chelsea and Eliza.

"I included the two of you in the party members for that reason. We might need support."

Chelsea and Eliza, who were in their third year, were among the top students in terms of speed throughout Lumern.

Of course, the title of Lumern's fastest naturally belonged to Iliana, but Iliana was too aggressive for this mission.

Fast speed and evasive maneuverability.

And the two of them, who could handle various situations, were suitable for this situation.

"Lil-senpai and Sia can perfectly support Leo if an emergency occurs."

Karl said with a serious expression.

"This could be a life-threatening situation. Those who wish to back out, do so now."

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

Eliza said with a smirk.

Chelsea tilted her head at that.

"Eliza. I thought you might hesitate a bit."

"What do you take me for?"

"I thought I would support Leo oppa's back for my entire life, and Sia…"

"I am Leo-doryeong's shadow for my entire life."

Chen Sia smiled at Chelsea's words.

"Lil-senpai, then…"

"As a disciple, how can I turn my back on my brother who is facing great evil!"

Lil said sternly, his eyes wide open.

Chelsea averted her gaze from Lil and looked at Karl.

"Karl, despite how he looks, has loyalty."

"What do you mean 'despite how he looks'?"

Karl grumbled.

"Eliza, you don't exactly like Leo oppa, do you?"

"Hmph. I don't like him, but I don't hate him either."

Eliza snorted.

"I just wish for the world Leo Plov wants."

The world Leo wanted.

A world where Erebus was completely eradicated.

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

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

At first, a classmate who caught her eye.

Then, a goal to overcome.

Now…

'Whether I like it or not, he's a leader. That human is.'

Who among those who dreamed of becoming heroes hadn't dreamed of the world Leo spoke of?

"His dream is worth risking one's life for any hero who dreams."

Everyone nodded in agreement at Eliza's words.

'And…'

She worried about Karl, who would throw himself into a life-threatening situation without hesitation.

Glancing at Karl, Eliza snorted.

"Wow~ Love is great."

"Huh? What love all of a sudden?"

Chen Sia asked, tilting her head.

Eliza glared at Chen Sia as if she wanted to devour her.

"Alright, alright, enough chit-chat. Let's hurry to the Whispering Forest in the northern central region where Fairy Land is! Lil-senpai, please go through the warp gate first!"

"Me?"

"Yes! You're the party leader!"

"Hmm. That's right."

Lil entered the warp gate first.

"Now! Chelsea! You're next! The party's deputy leader."

"Me?"

"Yes. You can best support Leo among us! So you're the deputy leader."

"Heh heh. As expected, Karl knows what he's doing."

Chelsea, cheered up, also entered the warp gate.

Karl glanced back.

As soon as Lil and Chelsea disappeared, Eliza lunged at Chen Sia.

"Eek~ Karl-kun, please stop Eliza-yang."

Chen Sia exclaimed and ran away, while Eliza, her face red, chased Chen Sia, grunting.

Watching them, Karl scratched his cheek.

'I've felt this before… Eliza is completely a toy to Sia.'

***

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

Melina entered the entrance of Fairy Land with a determined expression.

Leo silently followed behind Melina.

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

'…How much longer can Silord hold on?'

Leo fell into thought.

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

However, Silord's death was enough to shake Leo.

Closing his eyes, Leo took a deep breath.

'Longing for the past…'

Recalling Silord's subconscious, Leo slowly exhaled and opened his eyes.

"……?"

And he froze at the scene unfolding before him.

Where Leo was was not the Whispering Forest with dense trees.

It was in the middle of a street where countless people were coming and going.

Darkness filled the faces of the people.

However, a deep sense of despair was not yet visible.

Leo unconsciously looked up at the sky.

A dense sky.

He looked around the city again.

Unfamiliar.

But strangely familiar streets.

A landscape forgotten in the depths of memory.

Leo looked down at his hands.

The hands of a boy who had not yet become an adult.

They were the hands of a rough warrior.

The hands of a clumsy novice covered in scars, utterly rough.

Leo had never had scars like this on his hands in his life.

It couldn't be helped.

Leo had been a great hero since birth.

"This is…"

As Leo showed a bewildered expression.

"Kyle!"

A clear voice was heard.

Leo turned his head, drawn by the voice.

Indeed, a face from the depths of memory.

Leo repeated the girl's name.

"Lasha…"

It was Leo, or rather, Kyle's first companion.