Chapter 208

208

Leo raised his hand toward Zerdiaq, who was trying to cross through the rift into the present world.

Uuung-!

Powerful gray mana swept through the air.

A massive magic circle had been formed, and Leo completed his incantation.

“Gate of Light.”

A silver-green flash illuminated the area as a beam of light struck the defenseless Zerdiaq.

Fwoosh! Koooonng-!

But then, dark flames emerged from behind Zerdiaq, swallowing Leo’s magic whole.

Seeing this, Leo’s face stiffened.

‘Erebus’ flames!’

“d*mn!”

Leo cursed and bent his knees.

Dook! Bang!

He pushed off the ground, his body flying toward Zerdiaq like a b*llet.

Ziiing!

Leo’s sword was now enveloped in grey aura.

Koooonng-!

Leo’s sword strike aimed for Zerdiaq, but once again the flames blocked his attack.

‘It’s certain now. This flame definitely has a will of its own!’

And it had one purpose:

To bring forth Erebus’ loyal servant into this world.

‘I have to stop it!’

In an era called the Age of Peace, such tranquility was maintained by a delicate balance. The existence of many heroes kept this balance in check, but the slightest upset could destroy it entirely.

But even with the absence of Erebus, Tartarus’ forces were still formidable.

Especially the Demon King, Giant King, and Demon Queen – the three Legion Commanders and the legions they commanded. They were monsters capable of matching even the Hero Academy’s full strength.

Should another Legion Commander, one of comparable power to these three, return to the present world, the prolonged peace was sure to come to an end.

Leo’s crimson eyes flickered. He clenched his teeth and burned with magic power.

A brilliant white light emitted from Leo’s hand – an exclusive magic of Kyle’s given by the founder of Star Cloud, Luna, to the Hero of Beginning.

“Innocent.”

Hwaak-!

The power of purity enveloped Leo’s hand, which he threw toward the dark flames.

Hwaak-!

In an instant, the black flames scattered.

But they quickly roared stronger than before.

‘Stronger than the fragment of Erebus I encountered in Luna’s realm. Could this be remnants of an even greater power?’

Leo gritted his teeth and prepared to unleash an even stronger power.

Huuk-!

Suddenly, the flames began to clump together.

Recognizing the danger, Leo’s face hardened.

‘It’s going to explode…!’

Understanding the danger, Leo quickly deployed his mana and aura.

Kwaang-!

With a thunderous explosion that seemed to tear the eardrums, a massive shockwave struck Leo.

Kong-!

“d*mn it!”

Leo cursed as he was slammed into the ground.

Hwaaarrr-!

As if mocking Leo, the dark flames burned fiercely.

Then they subsided.

Ching-!

Something shattered, and Zerdiaq escaped into the present world. A calamitous force had breached the boundary of the past.

Leo stood up from his spot. The landscape of Seirun could be seen through the great rift, beyond which the world of the past lay.

‘Silatuna!’

The view of Seirun below was nothing but despair.

‘I have to hurry to stop them…!’

Duksek-!

As Leo was about to leap into action, he stiffened at the force pulling on his robes from behind.

Long silver hair and star-like golden eyes.

The beautiful elf was staring intently into Leo’s crimson eyes.

“Where did Zerdiaq go?”

“Luna.”

Leo clenched his teeth.

His dear friend, a companion he thought about every single day.

What could he tell her?

How do you explain that this world is a false one, and that Zerdiaq has passed into the present?

Leo knew full well that his friend, who always dreamed of a splendid future and believed he would be there with her in her bright visions, would never forgive him if he told her the truth.

So he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

‘This world is false… and you are already dead.’

The fact that you are but a remnant of the past that has faded away is something I, Leo, can never tell Luna.

While looking at Leo’s distorted face, Luna silently released her grip.

And she smiled.

“Again… you’re making that face.”

Luna took a step closer and reached out a hand.

“Strange.”

Luna’s hand touched Leo’s cheek.

“Your face is different… you’re not the Kai I know, but somehow you don’t feel foreign.”

Leo’s crimson eyes grew wide.

As he stared at his own face reflected in those crimson eyes, Luna smiled.

“It’s been a while, Kai… no, Leo.”

“You… remember what happened back then?”

“No. I had forgotten it all. But the moment I saw you, I remembered. You gave me hope and strength when I was in despair?”

Luna smiled softly.

“I was told I would be called the Founder of Star Cloud in the future.”

Luna closed her eyes slightly.

“Seeing your face now, I understand. In the future… I will d*e, won’t I?”

Leo swallowed hard.

With her golden eyes reopened, Luna gazed at Leo.

“Answer me one thing.”

“What?”

“Erebus… did you manage to defeat him?”

“…Yeah.”

“My d*ath wasn’t in vain?”

“Yes.”

Seeing Leo’s tear-filled face answering her question, Luna smiled brightly.

“Well then, that’s all that matters.”

The legendary Great Hero… accepted her unchanging fate with calm resignation as if to say that she’s content that her d*ath was not in vain.

She wore such a beautiful smile.

“But danger hasn’t disappeared completely, right? Isn’t that so, Kai?”

“That’s correct.”

“Where did that guy go?”

“…To the future, 5000 years from now.”

“5000 years…”

Luna blinked her large eyes and scratched her head.

“The future is so distant, I can’t even grasp the time. What kind of era will it be?”

“…An era of peace. Erebus is sealed.”

“If so, then how did you come here? Were the people we met back then also from the future?”

“…In the future, there’s something called Hero Record.”

Leo briefly explained the Hero Record.

“Hoo! Really! The gods did leave some decent things behind?”

Mmm, nodding her head thoughtfully, Luna laughed softly.

“Still, I hear that all the elves and other mages praise me as great. I always knew it would turn out this way. I always knew I would be great!”

Putting her arms akimbo, Luna ha-ha-ha’d confidently and then covered her mouth as she burst into light laughter.

“But you’re forgotten? Ho ho! Only you? You’ve saved the world?! That’s ridiculous! Ho ho ho ho!”

“Does it make you laugh?”

Leo chuckled.

She would quickly become arrogant and condescending…

What expression would people have if they saw her like this?

“But this isn’t the time to laugh or chat.”

Luna nodded her head.

“Then let’s go, Kai.”

“What? Where to?”

Luna looked at Leo with an exasperated expression.

“Where to? To the future, of course.”

“…You can’t come.”

Leo looked up at the rift in the sky.

Zerdiaq most likely crossed over into the present world due to Erebus’ power, but Luna is completely contained within the Hero’s Realm.

Additionally, Luna’s realm hasn’t even been fully explored yet.

It would be unthinkable for Luna to go outside of her world.

Leo was certain of it.

After all… Luna didn’t seem to see the massive rift in the sky.

She couldn’t even see the present world beyond it.

This proved that Luna was a character fully confined to the story of the past.

Upon hearing Leo’s words, Luna looked up at the sky.

“Indeed, all I see is a gloomy sky.”

Chirik-!

A crack appeared on Luna’s body.

Seeing it, Leo’s face hardened.

It wasn’t just Luna’s body; the entire world was slowly fracturing.

Hwarul-!

Between the cracks, black flames flickered.

“But this world won’t last much longer.”

As the master of this world, Luna instinctively felt her world wouldn’t last much longer.

‘Is the world itself collapsing due to the shock? Is the Hero Record system breaking down?’

Leo clenched his teeth.

“Kai.”

Luna looked directly at Leo.

“I can’t let my sacrifice be in vain. It’s such a waste, isn’t it? So unfair.”

“…”

“If the spirit of the past went 5000 years into the future, then I’ll chase after and kick that spirit’s a**.”

Luna’s golden eyes flickered.

“I will save the cute descendants who revere me in the future! I’m the Founder of Star Cloud after all!”

“…Not that cute.”

“Anyway!”

At this, Luna clapped her hands together and said:

“Let’s pray hard to the gods, then!”

“…You always cursed at the gods so recklessly before, and now you’ll pray seriously?”

“Great gods, have mercy. Please grant me the ability to go 5000 years into the future and annihilate the ugly Zerdiaq.”

Ignoring Leo’s words completely, Luna started praying.

With an incredibly serious expression, Luna pleaded and pleaded.

“Send me! Send me 5000 years into the future! You incompetent gods.”

A deep sigh escaped from Leo as he looked at her use of offensive terms that would likely make the gods reconsider even if they wanted to help.

Leo glanced down at his wrist.

The Polyum that granted Leo strength came into his view.

‘Gods…’

The miracles granted by the gods that allowed Leo to wield the power of the past.

Leo reverted his Polyum to its original form.

Luna widened her eyes at the sight of a different Polyum.

Leo handed the Polyum to Luna, who took it.

The instant she received it, Luna’s eyes sparkled like stars.

The cracks on her body also began to fade.

“Ahhh…”

Looking up at the sky, Luna exclaimed in surprise.

“So this is the future.”

Luna wore an expression of amazement as she grinned.

“With this, I can tear apart that ugly lizard.”

With a belligerent smile, Luna spoke to Kai.

“Let’s go, Kai! We’re going to the future to drive out those Tartarus bastards!”

“You’re full of energy.”

Leo burst into laughter as he looked at Luna, whose eyes were shining brightly.

“Before that!”

Luna pointed the Polyum at Leo, and his body was enveloped by Luna’s mana.

The bright light dissipated, and Leo looked down at himself.

“Hmm! Now it finally feels like it’s starting to sink in.”

Luna nodded her head.

By now, Leo had transformed into the appearance of Kai.

The same appearance Luna remembered.

“To be honest, I prefer the handsome young man look, but I think this form fits you best, Kai.”

Luna smiled and poked Leo’s side.

“Don’t be disrespectful! Act your age, Kai!”

After saying that, Luna lifted her body into the air.

“The Founder of Star Cloud, Lady Luna, is departing!”

“…You seem to like the nickname.”

Leo chuckled and followed after Luna using the Fly magic.

“By the way…”

“Hmm?”

“Lissinas liked you, apparently.”

“What?”

Luna widened her eyes.

“Really? I had absolutely no idea!”

Seeing Luna’s expression of disbelief, Leo nodded his head.

‘So, it wasn’t just me who thought Lissinas was showing no signs of interest.’

Thinking this, Leo stared intently at Luna.

“Why?”

“You’re not like that in the peaceful future?”

“So, not at all?”

“Obviously not.”

Seeing Leo burst into laughter, Luna nodded her head.

“Well then, let’s go.”

With that, Luna flew towards the hole Zerdiaq had opened.

Still staring at her back, Luna muttered to herself.

“How is it that despite dying and being revived, he’s still like this? Such a foolish fool.”

*

Keeoooorrr-!

Bennett’s magic struck at Zerdiaq’s neck.

Bennett, along with Alby, Ellen, and Chade, were pouring all their efforts into stopping the wildly berserk Zerdiaq.

Facing the demon who had lost his mind, these four heroes displayed remarkable prowess.

But they were unable to deal enough damage to subdue Zerdiaq.

Watching this, Lunia gritted her teeth.

“Father… Principal.”

Hwarurur-!

Fierce flames enveloped Lunia’s body.

These were the Phoenix’s flames that could consume even herself.

Still, Lunia did not stop, despite the burns all over her body.

“Lunia-san!”

At that moment, Eiran hurried over.

“It’s dangerous to go further! You need to step back and treat your burns for a while…!”

“I can… I can do more!”

“No, you can’t! Any further and your life will be in danger!”

Eiran pleaded with Lunia, tears welling up in her eyes.

Lunia seemed about to turn herself into ashes.

“I can still keep fighting…”

“Wouldn’t it be better to listen to your friend?”

At the voice coming from behind, Lunia started in surprise.

It was a voice she knew all too well.

A voice she would never, ever forget.

‘It’s impossible. It can’t be.’

Luna’s body trembled.

“You were always reckless, even back then, weren’t you?”

Leo might have scolded her if he’d heard that, although he wasn’t around at the moment.

Lunia turned her head.

Eiran gazed at her with her mouth open.

There stood a stunning elf, grasping two Polyums.

Eiran rubbed her eyes.

But the figure before her didn’t disappear.

“Lu… Luna-sama?”

“Yep.”

Luna smiled gently.

“You’ve worked hard.”

Releasing the Polyums from her hands, Luna reached out and patted Lunia and Eiran on their heads.

“Leave the rest to your older sister.”

Luna turned her eyes toward Zerdiaq.

“A spirit from the past will be handled by those who belong to the past.”

Before their very eyes, the long-slumbering legend now revealed herself.