Book 1 Chapter 860

860.

Archi.

The language of dragons, bearing the name of beginnings.

This word was incredibly special in the world.

Because it was the name of the party that had subjugated Erebus.

A name more prideful than anything else.

Lysinas, the King of Wisdom.

Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings.

Luna, the Progenitor of the Nebula.

Arion, the Dragonic Hero.

Dweno, the Divine Blacksmith.

The innocent history of each race, whose origins were unknown.

However, if one were to pick the greatest among them in that history, it was clear that they were the Great Heroes.

Their existence, having achieved feats that even gods could not, was truly a new beginning.

"But Archi didn't just have Great Heroes."

The Hero Records, now torn into countless fragments.

The first chapter of the Hero Records began with the records of the Great Heroes.

However, heroes from earlier eras, unrecorded in the Hero Records, undoubtedly existed.

They too belonged to Archi and fought for the world.

Though forgotten by history.

They were also great heroes who sacrificed their lives for a new beginning.

And it wasn't just heroes.

There were also summoned beasts that strived to save the world alongside summoners.

The Phoenix King Katariyu, who made a pact with Lysinas, and the five great spirits except for darkness.

The Pegasus King and the great spirit of darkness, who made a pact with Kyle.

And…

"Me, who made a pact with Luna."

Silrod recalled.

Many who went to the battlefield with him.

After the Great Heroes ushered in a new beginning.

Countless ages passed…

"Now, I am the only one left."

Berkia and Bihar had also departed the world.

The fact that the endings of their lives, the last members of Archi, were not happy brought tears to Silrod's eyes.

However, Silrod could not witness their final moments.

As the last Archi.

To Silrod, this world was special.

Perhaps it was so for everyone.

The world is the foundation upon which people live.

It is irreplaceable and more precious than anything.

However, this emotion is also something that only those who have lost their world can understand.

Countless heroes, unrecorded and forgotten in the Hero Records, to reclaim this world.

"I must remember their stories and pass them on to future generations."

It was also his duty.

But… Silrod could not pass on the stories of the heroes to future generations.

This was because he discovered the seed of a black flame that would burn this world once again.

A fragment of Erebus.

To suppress that fragment, Silrod built the Fairy Land there.

Leaving behind his former home, he newly established his base here.

And he rarely left the Fairy Land.

Except for the brief summons of Seirun, the comet mage called Luna's successor, and Kyle.

The new Fairy Land was a powerful seal that bound Erebus for Silrod, and also a prison that confined him.

After the age of calamity ended.

To witness the beautifully flourishing world with his own eyes was one of Silrod's earnest dreams.

Because it was a promise with Luna, his only sworn ally.

But.

Silrod spent most of the 5000 years here.

Only the stories from the outside, told by the fairies, were Silrod's only link to the outside world.

Stories of the newly changed world.

Hearing about the birth of heroes who stake themselves to protect the world, like Archi of the past, brought Silrod great happiness.

And…

His end was now approaching.

Nothing is infinite.

It only feels that way.

5000 years.

He had lived too long.

"I forced myself to endure."

Gritting his teeth.

As the last Archi.

For the flourishing world he had not seen.

The young fairy king…

No, the now-aged fairy king sacrificed his life.

A miraculous reunion with his long-lost friend… Kyle, made Silrod's stagnant time flow again.

"…I did enough."

Silrod mumbled blankly within the illusion magic he created.

This illusion was… one of the moments Silrod could never forget.

The walls of Gardesron.

A crimson sky.

The moment of desperately waiting for those who had departed.

*Whoooosh-*

As always, the deathly wind, like the lament of the wind spirits, blew.

A night of ruin, where not even stars could be seen.

"…The masters will return soon, right?"

"Let's believe it. They can definitely defeat Erebus. Right? Silrod-nim."

The conversation between Berckia and Bihar on the walls of Gardesron.

And he was in the middle of it.

"…"

However, Silrod did not reply.

In any case, this was a long-past past and an illusion.

On the walls of Gardesron, people looked eastward.

It was the time for the gray sky to arrive… a sky they had grown accustomed to.

At that moment…

"Kkuh?!"

"My, my eyes…!"

People cried out in terror and squeezed their eyes shut.

"An attack!"

"Sound the alarm! Tartarus's great offensive begins!"

Screams erupted from the walls.

Berkia and Bihar also moved in a hurry.

"…"

Only Silrod calmly gazed at the bright light.

At that time, he too thought this light was the beginning of Tartarus's all-out assault.

But it wasn't.

"The sun."

What came with it was the brightening dawn and the sky regaining its original color.

"…"

Everyone's mouths hung open.

The dawn that signaled the end of the age of calamity had arrived.

Everyone in Gardesron shed tears.

"…"

Sitting on the walls, Silrod gazed at the brilliant sun.

Amidst everyone's joy.

Someone spoke.

-You regret it. Your fleeting life.

"I have no regrets, Erebus."

-Re… is that so? Does anyone acknowledge the fact that you, a specter of the age of calamity, dedicated 5000 years of your life to the world?

"Kyle does."

-He is merely a remnant of the past.

"…"

Silrod turned around.

-Without enjoying the peace you have regained, you have lived your entire life in a prison.

Silrod looked at Erebus with a blank expression.

-And you will disappear without leaving anything behind. Just like those you sent away.

"Many will remember me after I vanish."

-What meaning does that have? You couldn't enjoy anything while you were alive.

*Fwoosh-*

The illusion began to burn.

Erebus was reviving.

It was encroaching on his magic and trying to break the seal.

*Roar-!*

Powerful fairy magic surged from Silrod's body.

"You cannot escape, flame of calamity."

-I will give you one piece of advice. Old and shabby fairy.

"…"

-Spend the little remaining time you have for yourself.

Erebus sneered.

-If you don't want to end your life filled with regrets.

*Roar-!*

Silrod clenched his fist.

The power of the seal bound Erebus's fragment.

*Grrr! Fwoosh-!*

The black flames, not fully suppressed, leaked out and burned the illusion.

Seeing those flames, Silrod closed his eyes.

'…Yes.'

He bit his lip slightly.

'My life… may be full of regrets.'

Without denying Erebus's words, Silrod opened his eyes.

'It may have been fleeting.'

He looked around.

He could not see the future in this illusion.

That meant… the moment he missed the most and was happiest was in the past.

That moment…

Though it was the age of calamity, he was undeniably happy.

Childhood memories burned away by Erebus's flames.

The end of a long life was approaching.

***

Melina, flying towards the eastern continent at tremendous speed, narrowed her eyes.

[Everyone, be careful.]

"What?"

At the same time, a giant scythe flew towards Melina's neck.

*Slic-*

Melina generated magic.

*Ka-boom-!*

A powerful shield formed around Melina.

"Huh? Is this because you're the Dragon Lord? You're not ordinary!"

A voice laced with amusement could be heard.

Melina polymorphed and returned to her original form.

"Demon?"

Karl, floating in the air with flight magic, opened his eyes wide.

The one with her arms crossed was a small girl.

"How can a demon be here?"

"Why? Is this a place I shouldn't be? Dragon Lord?"

The demon sneered.

"Is that also an illusion?"

Chelsea asked, tilting her head, and Melina shook her head.

"No. That one is real."

"How do you know that?"

Chelsea asked, her eyes widening, and Melina said calmly.

"This illusion is the future, after we completely triumphed over Tartarus."

At that, Chelsea and Karl's eyes widened.

"Erebus is completely annihilated, and all the commanders of Tartarus have been defeated. Yet, that person is a commander."

"A commander? Was there a commander with that appearance?"

"I've never seen one either. Judging by the power I feel… it seems to be a recently created commander."

At that, the commander grinned.

"That's right. My name is Seneor. Commander of Suffering."

'There's a difference in power compared to the previous commanders.'

"…You consumed the former commander."

"Oh? Is this because you're a descendant of the King of Wisdom? Your insight is remarkable."

Seneor stroked his chin.

"A new generation commander… like you all."

Melina smiled and looked at Chelsea and Karl.

Seeing that, the commander scoffed.

"Even if I'm young, comparing me to suckling infants is an insult."

"Oh my? We have someone preparing for a new beginning here?"

"Someone preparing for a new beginning?"

Seneor's eyes lit up as he looked at Karl.

"Oho? He's quite my type, brother."

"Haha."

Karl scratched his head with an embarrassed look.

Chelsea looked at Karl with a look of pity.

"Hey, I like your face. Can I have just your head? So I can cut it off and add it to my collection."

Seneor laughed, brandishing his giant scythe.

"You're lucky, Karl. You've become popular since becoming a hero."

"I could do without this kind of popularity."

Chelsea said with a smile, and Karl shook his head.

After looking at Seneor for a moment, Melina spoke.

"Chelsea-ssi."

"Yes."

"Go alone. Karl and I will handle the demons."

Chelsea's eyes widened.

"Fetch Leo-nim!"

"Yes!"

Chelsea nodded and flew away.

"I knew you'd send him away?"

Seneor grinned and swung his scythe towards Chelsea.

At that moment.

Chelsea deployed magic.

"Hot Wind."

Chelsea's unique magic, a field magic that exerted influence on the surrounding space.

Chelsea, who deployed the magic instantly without warning, dodged Seneor's attack with incredible speed and flew away.

"Wh, wow, that's fast?"

Karl's jaw dropped.

Melina was also surprised by the incomprehensible speed that surpassed imagination.

"Ah."

At that moment, Seneor's body trembled.

Seneor's lips twisted as he looked at Chelsea's back, whom he had missed.

"Magnificent. Truly magnificent!"

Seneor's face was filled with ecstasy.

"What would it feel like if that beautiful face were stained with blood?!"

Karl, watching that sight, clicked his tongue.

"I thought commanders were scary, but you look like some kind of psycho pervert."

"Even so, you shouldn't let your guard down, student Karl."

Melina said calmly.

"Consuming the former commander means… even if he's immature, his power is real."