Book 1 Chapter 967

"Here it comes!" Kyle shouted urgently.

Erebos' unfocused eyes turned towards the three people in front of him.

Rumble-rumble-rumble!

Erebos' arm slowly rose.

KWA-AH! KWA-GA-GA-GA-GANG-!

Soon, a giant fist slammed into the ground.

An immense shockwave swept through.

Even though he couldn't use his powers and was driven only by instinct, he was still the evil god who could destroy the world.

Tap-!

Aron leaped onto the back of Erebos' hand as it struck the ground, and then—

Fwsh-!

He kicked off the ground and shot forward at incredible speed, riding Erebos' arm.

Woong-!

A massive golden aura burst forth from Brave, held in Aron's right hand.

The golden sword, now as large as a guillotine blade, emanated a chilling sharpness.

Aron gripped the sword with both hands and swung it.

Aron's sword swung precisely towards Erebos' neck.

In an instant, Erebos' colossal body vanished from sight.

"Tsk!"

Aron clicked his tongue and kicked the air.

KWA-AH-AH-AH-AH!

Erebos, who had appeared behind Aron, swung his hand.

To avoid being caught, Aron quickly escaped Erebos' range.

At that moment.

Kyle's gray aura targeted Erebos' back.

But Kyle's sword also cut through empty air.

"Damn it!"

The moment Kyle spat out a curse.

Fzzt-!

Pure white lightning flashed, and something snatched Kyle from the air.

Where Kyle had been, Erebos' attack had just passed.

"Albus? I didn't summon you! And why is Lishinas with you…"

"No time for explanations! Hold on tight!"

Lishinas grabbed Albus' reins and began to move rapidly.

Erebos tenaciously began to target Lishinas and Kyle.

Erebos, with only instinct left, reacted sensitively to the power of Kyle, who could be considered his natural enemy.

Despite Erebos' persistent attacks, Lishinas evaded them all by strengthening Albus' abilities.

Kyle, and even Albus, couldn't help but be impressed by Lishinas' skill in handling a divine beast.

"I guess Albus should have contracted with you after all."

"I can't even if I want to! Els! "

-Yes.

At Lishinas' call, Els grinned and entered Erebos' shadow.

In an instant, Erebos' movements stopped.

Using Els' power, they had momentarily restrained Erebos' movements.

Taking advantage of that fleeting moment, Aron charged forward.

Kyle and Dwenoh also targeted Erebos.

Golden blade and axe blade.

Kyle's gray sword severed Erebos' neck.

KWA-GA-GA-GAK-!

Black, muddy blood splattered everywhere.

It was Erebos' blood, a terrible, deadly poison that could take a life just by contact.

GRAAAAW-!

Erebos began to rage, scattering his blood in all directions.

Even an unquenchable flame is not without pain.

Moreover, one of those who had severed his neck possessed the power of purity that could destroy Erebos.

However, with their current strength, the great heroes were absolutely insufficient to defeat Erebos.

Therefore, while they could inflict pain, they could not subjugate him.

As Erebos began to engulf the surroundings in black flames, Els, who had been restraining Erebos' shadow, couldn't hold on and was flung out.

Dwenoh took out his shield and blocked the black flames.

Aron infused Postelitas with mana, protecting Lishinas and himself from the flames.

As for Aron, he pushed his hypersenses to the limit to glimpse the future.

'I can see the future, but it's hard to avoid!'

Aron gritted his teeth.

Although Aron's inner self was destined to be a hero, his physical strength was not.

That's why just seeing a fleeting future was enough to overwhelm him in responding to Erebos' attacks.

Aron looked at Erebos.

A desperate gap in power.

Yet, even so, Aron did not break.

'I've already lost too much to break. Even so.'

Aron readjusted his grip on his sword.

'There's still so much to protect!'

He couldn't retreat.

There was something he had to do for a new era.

If so, there was only one remaining option.

'Move forward!'

Aron charged forward, disregarding the overwhelming despair.

At first glance, it seemed like reckless courage.

But Aron knew.

'Luna is behind me! Future Kyle is there too!'

It was faith in his comrades.

***

Leo's Innocent magic is overlaid with Luna's End.

As Luna drew the magic circle, she couldn't help but be amazed again.

Through the fusion of magic, Leo's presence was felt more vividly.

Leo's mana was engraved on her entire body.

It was strange not to consider it a communion.

What Luna thought, Leo knew, and what Leo thought, Luna also knew.

It felt as if they had become one.

It was a level of synchronization that could not be achieved unless one person perfectly understood the other.

However, Luna did not perfectly understand Leo.

The Leo before her was the distant future of Kyle, whom Luna knew.

For Luna, who couldn't even properly understand the current Kyle, perfectly understanding the future Leo was nearly impossible.

In other words, it meant that Leo perfectly understood Luna.

From head to toe.

She felt as if everything in her heart was visible.

But Luna didn't dislike that feeling.

"It's strange."

"What is?"

"Kyle was looking straight at me."

For Luna, Kyle was not only a lover but also someone she couldn't understand.

While Luna moved forward, always believing in a bright future, Kyle was someone who viewed the future pessimistically.

More accurately, he didn't dream of the future.

So Luna wished Kyle would dream.

Whether it was a realistic dream that could be achieved or a vain dream that could not.

She wanted him to set a goal.

But Kyle didn't dream.

She thought that she and Kyle were fundamentally different.

Because she thought that, Luna believed Kyle couldn't understand her.

But that was not the case.

'Come to think of it, Kyle never denied my dreams.'

She realized anew.

Kyle hadn't failed to dream.

He simply hadn't dreamed.

Because dreaming would have been painful.

'Kyle must have dreamed a lot in the past.'

It was only after seeing the future Leo that she finally realized.

'Kyle and I weren't that different.'

Luna smiled brightly, forgetting the current situation.

He had been looking straight at her and understanding her perfectly.

"You could see where I was looking."

Magic and magic fused.

Controlling Luna's immense mana, Leo gripped his staff tightly.

Her body cried out in protest as it couldn't withstand the mana.

But Leo didn't care.

Finally, Leo uttered the incantation.

"Zero."

The mana of purity drove away the surrounding darkness.

A brilliant and beautiful light of purity.

So it looked ephemeral and hollow, but it was magic that illuminated hope.

Leo's magic struck Erebos.

KWA-GA-GA-GA-GA-!

Without even a scream, Erebos' body disintegrated.

It was merely a mass of power, so it could not be destroyed.

It was merely returned to its original place.

However.

'That alone is enough.'

This was the world of heroes.

Another possibility of a predetermined past.

It was another form of victory.

Finally, Erebos' body vanished without a trace.

At that moment.

Above the gray, ashen sky.

A blue sky appeared above the sky where Zero's light had soared.

With Erebos' defeat, Tartarus also began to retreat.

With Commander Hell Kaiser now dead,

They judged that if even Erebos was defeated, they could not destroy Reysar.

"We won."

As Leo muttered softly and staggered, Luna supported him.

And hugging him tightly, she said, "You worked hard, Leo."

[Arion's World. Chapter: Middle-Reysar's Demise Has Been Cleared.]

Leo couldn't help but smile at the message that appeared before his eyes.

Clearance complete.

This meant only one thing.

'Farewell.'

***

All the clearers looked at the clearance complete message.

The moment they saw it.

Everyone cheered.

They had changed history.

That fact was enough to bring the hero candidates overwhelming joy.

Thump-

"Ugh… Seriously. That was tough."

As Azonia collapsed onto the ground, Demian said.

"Maintain your dignity."

"Huh? You beat me up publicly, so there's no dignity left to maintain!"

Azonia grumbled.

The hero candidates began to return to their original worlds one by one.

At that time.

"…Azonia."

"Ah, Master!"

Azonia hurriedly stood up.

Looking at Azonia, Argon wordlessly handed him a sword.

"This is…?"

"It's the sword I used. It looks just like Schatten."

"…"

Azonia's eyes widened.

"I don't understand everything… but aren't you my disciple too?"

"…"

"I'm sorry for being a bad master."

"You are the best master."

"Thank you for saying so. So…"

Argon met Azonia's eyes clearly.

"Don't be tied down by me or the children anymore."

"…"

"Move forward. The children will want that too."

"…Yes."

As he answered, Azonia and Demian also returned to reality.

Argon, left alone, looked up at the blue sky pouring down brilliant sunlight.

Then he approached the great heroes below.

"How long are you going to do that?"

"Leo has completely exhausted his strength, so we have to nurse him like this."

Luna smiled sweetly and gave Leo a pillow with her lap.

Lishinas frowned at the sight.

Kyle said, "Luna. It doesn't suit you, so stop pretending to be nice."

At that, Luna got up from her spot and ran straight towards Kyle, punching him in the gut.

Leo, who had been lying down and hit his head on the floor, protested.

"Why are you throwing me away?"

"He's also you, isn't he? By the way, it must be nice. Pretty Luna is giving you a lap pillow."

As Lishinas teased, Leo said, "If you're jealous, give me one too."

"Don't make me laugh. What are you jealous… Hey! Get off!"

Lishinas frowned as she saw Leo place his head on her lap.

However, she didn't push Leo away.

She just scowled at Leo and then sighed deeply.

Luna and Kyle, who were chasing each other, didn't see the sight.

Watching the scene, Dwenoh stroked his beard and muttered.

"I've seen all sorts of things in my life."

To that, Aron said.

"It's strange."

"What is?"

"How did Kyle not know about Lishinas' and Luna's feelings?"

"…You didn't know either."

"If I were Kyle, I would have known."

"Hmm…"

"Yeah, it's definitely like that."

Leo scowled.

Lishinas snorted.

"He's just slow-witted."

"Ah. Kyle has a foolish side too."

Aron nodded.

Seeing that, Leo said.

"Do you guys know that?"

"What?"

"That guy was dating Lisa."

"What?!"

"What kind of talk is that?"

When Lisa's name, a member of Arhi, was mentioned, Lishinas and Dwenoh glared.

"We even promised to marry…"

"H-How do you know! No! How much do you know!"

Aron, with a flustered expression, clamped his hand over Leo's mouth.

"What? What's going on?"

Luna, returning after punishing Kyle, asked with a puzzled look. Lishinas said.

"Aron was dating Lisa."

"What?"

Luna showed a surprised expression, and Kyle, rubbing the spot where Luna had hit him, looked incredulous.

"You were doing everything you wanted, weren't you?"

"I-It's not now!"

"So you're dating in the future?"

"Ooh! I thought you were dense! Who confessed first? It must have been Lisa, right?"

"Th-that…"

"Gasp! You confessed first?"

Luna showed a surprised expression.

A commotion ensued.

Leo took a step back and watched the scene.

'Right… there were times like this too.'

It wasn't just dark and despairing times.

As Leo smiled faintly, *thump-thump*.

Argon approached from behind.

"What are you talking about so intently?"

"He's talking about Arion wooing a girl."

"What?"

"It's not true!"

At Leo's words, Arion retorted with a pained expression.

Argon, who had been wearing a bewildered expression, let out a hollow laugh.

"Yes. You're a man too. I was worried a lot, but that's good news."

Arion made a sad face.

Argon, laughing at his disciple, bowed his head towards Lishinas.

"Thank you, Lishinas. For saving Reysar."

"I only did what I was supposed to do."

Lishinas smiled faintly.

"Even so, thank you. And… you will save the world in the distant future."

Argon looked up at the blue sky.

The sky he thought he would never see again.

Argon, who had been looking at the sky in silence, looked back at the great heroes.

"…I may not be able to represent all the people of the world… but I wanted to convey this. Thank you."

Seeing Argon bow his head and express his deep gratitude, Lishinas waved her hand.

Leo, who had gotten up, approached Arion.

"Arion."

"Yes, Leo."

"You were amazing."

"You were amazing too, Leo."

At Leo's words, Arion smiled faintly.

"Are you leaving now?"

"…Yes."

Time was running out.

Leo and Arion could see it.

The world was cracking.

"We'll definitely meet again."

"…"

Saying so, Arion raised his fist.

Leo slowly looked at Lishinas, who was receiving thanks from Argon, Luna, Dwenoh, and finally Arion.

As always, meetings are short and farewells are long.

Because they cannot live in the same time frame.

The allotted time is short and insufficient to share reunions.

But.

'Smile.'

They couldn't say goodbye with sadness.

They had to show that, unlike the past, they could smile in the future.

Leo thought so and bumped fists with Arion.

*Thump-!*

Seeing Arion smile, Leo said.

"Arion."

"Yes? Why?"

"Don't smile like that. You look annoying."

"I think I look cool?"

At Arion's words, Leo let out a hollow laugh.

And with it, his vision turned white.