Book 1 Chapter 948

948.

Leo let out a bitter smile at that unwavering answer.

'Just like Luna, it's a Luna-like answer.'

He knew the reason why she wouldn't change it without even asking.

It wasn't simply because it meant sacrificing her current companions.

"I'll regret it too. I want to change it. But."

Luna's eyes shone as clearly as stars.

"Whatever the outcome, it's a result I made with my best effort."

Luna was an elf who cherished every single moment.

She didn't continue to research magic, never losing her passion even in a dying world, simply because she liked magic.

It was because she believed that the efforts diligently accumulated in this very moment could positively change the future.

And the result obtained through such best efforts,

Whether lucky or unlucky,

Has meaning in any form.

Because she thought that way, for Luna, there was nothing as meaningless as regretting and trying to change the past.

Luna was an elf who believed it was more right to invest the time that would be spent on such things into a better future.

Especially if it meant sacrificing current companions for that past.

"Well, that's just how I see it. Everyone thinks differently."

Luna smiled brightly and looked at Lisinas.

"Lisinas, what do you think?"

Lisinas pondered deeply at Luna's question.

"It's difficult."

Lisinas muttered briefly and looked at Leo's red eyes.

"Your name was Leo, right? Though I've only met you for a short time, I can generally guess what kind of person you are."

Lisinas smiled faintly.

"You seem like the type of person who doesn't regret the past much. Like someone I know."

Lisinas's discerning eye pierced through many things by looking into Leo's eyes.

And she immediately realized that Leo resembled Kyle when they met.

'His personality seems brighter than Kyle's, though.'

"For someone like you to be conflicted because of the past, I think there must be several reasons."

"…"

"If it's simply for self-satisfaction, I wouldn't recommend changing the past. However."

"However?"

"If it's for you to become a better person than your past self. And if you're trying to change the past for that reason. Then I'd say go for it."

Lisinas noticed that Leo was struggling.

That's why she gave this advice.

Leo let out a hollow laugh after hearing Lisinas's words.

'As expected, she's unnecessarily quick-witted.'

The Kyle of the past had practically abandoned Leysar.

Kyle knew.

That if things continued as they were, Leysar would soon collapse.

Of course, it collapsed even faster than Kyle expected.

So he fundamentally blocked any attempts to do something in Gardshrone.

Gardshrone, which had suffered great damage from the invasion of Giant King Gias, had no capacity at the time.

To survive, the rotten flesh had to be cut out.

A decision someone had to make.

Even so, if Kyle at that time had been just a little less ruthless.

He might have saved quite a few people.

That remained as Kyle's regret and burden of heart from that era.

Of course, Kyle bore countless regrets and burdens during the Age of Calamity.

Nevertheless, this particular incident occupied a large corner of his heart because of Arion.

Because Arion, who lost his master in this incident, grieved over it until his death.

'To become a better me, huh…'

Leo made a resolution.

To end this battle without losing anyone.

Not losing anyone included Leo's own life.

His previous life had been a more desperate one than anyone else's.

Having lost countless things, he eventually stopped cherishing his own life.

But in the end, he lost everything, and his life, which he thought was worthless, was lost after saving the world.

He had lived as if there was no future, but only after dying and coming back to life did he realize the preciousness of the future.

And he also realized the preciousness of himself.

Leo closed his eyes.

Even if he saved Leysar a hundred times in the world of heroes, the past would not change.

But at least his old friend, who was destined to remain in this era,

Arion, would be happier than anyone.

He would be able to relieve his burden of heart.

'If so, saving Leysar is worth it.'

Companions who were more precious than his own life.

Friends who were now as precious as his own life.

'I won't let Erebus take anything else.'

Leo opened his eyes.

And looked at Lisinas.

'You're still the same, showing me the way I need to go, then and now.'

"It seems you've made up your mind."

Luna admired Leo as she looked at him.

Then she clenched her fist as if to cheer him on.

"Whatever it is, I hope it's a choice you won't regret."

Luna had said she wouldn't let him change the past, but that was Luna's own decision.

A magician is a being who must pursue various possibilities from various perspectives.

Luna respected Leo's decision.

And gave him a push.

Leo smiled, looking at his friends who led him and pushed him forward.

***

When they arrived home, Kyle was sitting on a chair outside the house.

"Lisinas? Are you okay now?"

"Yeah. More importantly, why are you out here?"

"The kids seemed to be playing well together. And I'm not a big fan of noise."

Kyle had given them space because Berkhia and Bihal seemed excited for once.

"Anyway, who's that guy?"

"He's a friend of those children. We met him along the way and brought him here."

Leo muttered inwardly, looking at his past self who was staring at him with slanted eyes.

'I felt it before, but looking at it from a third-person perspective, my old self did look like a jerk.'

"He has arrogant eyes."

Kyle also seemed to have similar thoughts about his future self, openly expressing his inner feelings.

"Lisinas. I need to see you."

"Okay. Leo, you go inside and meet your friends."

Lisinas smiled broadly and pushed Leo's back.

Just as Kyle and Lisinas stepped out onto the street in front of the house.

"Take this!"

"Gah!?"

Luna, who had been hiding in the alley, ran out and drop-kicked Kyle in the side.

"Phew! That felt good."

As Luna dusted her hands with a refreshed look, Kyle sprang up and pulled Luna's ear.

"What do you think you're doing, you damn ear-prick?"

"Ow ow ow ow! Let go! Let go!"

Luna fiercely swung her fist at Kyle.

Of course, as Kyle dodged Luna's attacks and pulled her ear harder.

"Kyle."

"Huh?"

Wham-!

Lisinas elbowed Kyle in the temple.

"Hoo."

Lisinas also wore a refreshed expression.

Leo looked at the scene and resolved again.

'Definitely, let's not reveal that I'm Kyle.'

It seemed that would be beneficial for his well-being.

Lisinas grabbed Kyle by the scruff of his neck and dragged him away.

Meanwhile, Leo entered his old house.

"Huh? Leo?"

"Sir Leo?"

"Ah, Chairman!"

Karl, who had been wearing a troubled expression, widened his eyes when he spotted Leo.

Eiran and Perena also looked surprised to see Leo.

Meanwhile.

Leo quickly looked around the house.

Berkhia and Bihal were at opposite ends of the living room.

Berkhia was hugging Eiran from behind, and Bihal had Perena by her side.

"What's going on here?"

"Hmm. Is it Lady Lisinas's faction and Lady Luna's faction?"

As Karl answered with an awkward laugh, Berkhia spoke.

"You're their friend too, right? Then decide. Who is more suitable for Master Kyle, Lady Lisinas or Lady Luna?"

At Berkhia's words, Leo looked at Eiran.

"Well, since I'm an elf, of course…"

"Uh-huh."

"Lady Lisinas is more suitable. Perena. Don't you think so too?"

"Yes. Well… I think so."

"I'm neutral, for your information."

Karl smiled brightly.

Berkhia grumbled with a sharp voice, looking at Karl.

"Bat."

"Flap flap."

"Ugh - you're annoying."

Berkhia snapped at Karl, who was acting slyly.

Since Karl had formed a friendship with Berkhia during Gias's invasion, he would joke around and play along well.

Berkhia glared at Karl once, then approached Leo.

"Anyway, you choose too! What! Although Master Luna is way too good for Master Kyle!"

Berkhia lifted her chin with a triumphant look.

Leo unhesitatingly smacked Berkhia's head.

"Ow! What are you doing!"

"Who is too good for whom?"

"Ow ow ow ow!"

Leo pulled Berkhia's ear with his fingers.

Berkhia struggled and tried to bite him, but Leo easily dodged.

"Sir, Sir Leo!"

Eiran hastily restrained Leo.

Berkhia, who had barely escaped Leo's grasp, hid behind Eiran's back and glared at Leo.

Bihal muttered as she watched Leo.

"There's another person like Master."

Bihal, who was muttering with a curious expression, suddenly made eye contact with Leo.

Then, startled, Bihal unconsciously averted her gaze.

'Indeed, it's Leo. Even while hiding his identity, he perfectly subdues the two of them.'

Karl muttered inwardly.

"Karl."

"Huh?"

"Let's talk outside for a bit."

"Huh? Okay."

Karl nodded.

Berkhia stuck out her tongue at Leo's retreating back.

Of course, she then made eye contact with Leo and this time had her tongue caught.

Bihal muttered, watching Berkhia being punished.

"He really is like Master…"

***

"Arion! Let's all look for Agon together!"

Ar said, her eyes sparkling.

"Huh? You'll help me find Master?"

"Of course! Just trust me!"

Ar punched her chest with a thump, as if to say, 'Trust me!'

"Thank you!"

Arion smiled brightly and took Ar's hand.

"Hoo! Hoo!"

Ar's eyes widened, and then she began to breathe heavily.

Arion quickly let go of Ar's hand.

"Arionyaaaaaak!?"

"Okay, okay, that's enough. Don't scare this person any more."

As Ar tried to lunge forward, Azonia intervened, grabbing Ar by the scruff of her neck and pulling her back.

Arion muttered blankly, looking at Azonia.

"You're cool."

"Don't act like you're infatuated with me, you damn wolf. I have someone I like."

"The person you like is Arion, right!"

"What nonsense are you spouting, you stupid cat! Didn't you hear me?!"

"Aaah! But! All beastmen! Like Arionyaaaaaak!"

Arion, who had been unconsciously laughing as she watched Ar being punished by Azonia for babbling as she pleased, suddenly felt a throbbing pain in her head.

'Ugh?! What is this?'

She clutched her head, closing and opening her eyes.

'Here is…'

Arion looked around.

'Leysar…? Why am I here…? Ah, to meet Master Agon.'

Her consciousness blurred, then returned.

'These beastmen…? Is this the first time I've seen them…? Or have I met them before…?'

Arion looked at Azonia and Ar.

'The cat beastman… Was her name Ar?'

Arion's eyes widened at that thought.

'Ah…'

Memories began to vividly resurface.

'Here is…'

Arion looked up at the sky.

And understood the situation.

'It's the past.'