Chapter 419

419.

“There are many good shops in Lumeran.”

“Really! The cakes are all delicious!”

Airan, with a fork in her mouth, hugged her cheeks and smiled happily at Lunia’s words.

Seeing them, Luca, another representative from the 2nd year of Seirun, grinned.

“I wish our school could be like this.”

“Right. Right.”

Despite being one of the top three students in the 2nd year, Luca experienced being stripped of his class representative position from the first semester of the 2nd year due to the policies of the Pureblood Society.

However, as Seirun became normalized, he returned to the representative position.

Having been the inseparable trio since the 1st year, the three were currently exploring Lumeran together.

While the three were enjoying their time in Lumeran, Kal rushed over, panting.

“Hey, hey.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Your 1st-year junior! Lea Tinggel!”

“What about Lea?”

When Airan tilted her head and asked, Kal spoke hurriedly.

“She’s been caught by Professor Halind and dragged to his lab!”

“Professor Halind?”

“If it’s Halind, he’s one of the most famous professors in Lumeran.”

Halind and Sedgen. The two highly esteemed professors in Lumeran were naturally well-respected even among other races.

Thus, both Lunia and Airan knew of them.

“Why was Lea caught by him?”

As Lunia put down her teacup and asked, Kal replied.

“I have no idea. Maybe she caused a disturbance in the 1st-year classroom hallway!”

“Ah~ If it’s her, it wouldn’t be surprising. She sometimes has these unexplained rampages.”

“Lea definitely has some quirks.”

“Before, she wrote a bunch of names in red ink for Leo’s mentee. According to her, it was a curse or something.”

“Looks like she considers that kid named Luke as a rival.”

When Lunia mentioned this, Airan laughed while covering her mouth, and Luca shook his head.

“It’s kind of scary to just think of it as a rivalry.”

As Kal scratched his head, watching the calm representatives from Seirun, he said, “It seems like you guys have no grasp of how serious this situation is. Do you not know what kind of person Professor Halind is?”

“What kind of person?”

“He’s known as the Wall of Lumeran. The scariest professor in our school!”

At Kal’s explanation, Lunia rested her chin on her hand.

“If he’s a scary teacher, there are some at Seirun too.”

“Different levels! Levels! Seniors from 3rd, 4th, and 5th years, and even professors from Lumeran! Even seniors who graduated and appeared in the Hero Record tremble in front of Professor Halind!”

The reason Halind was feared was not just due to being called the Wall of Lumeran.

Before being the professor who expels the most students in Lumeran, Halind was simply a person who was terrifying.

Airan spoke anxiously.

“But Lea is a Seirun student, right? Even that scary guy would be lenient with students from other schools…”

“Lenient? That’s a word that doesn’t fit Professor Halind at all.”

As Kal muttered seriously, Iliana, who was passing by at the time, asked curiously, “What’s going on?”

“A unique experience is here.”

In her 1st year, Iliana had been dragged to Halind’s office just once for violating school rules.

While Kal also had committed several infractions, he managed to stay just within the lines because of his cleverness.

However, Iliana hadn’t been so fortunate; she had crossed the line just once.

“Hey, I heard a 1st-year from Seirun was dragged to Professor Halind’s office?”

“Ah.”

Iliana gasped.

Then, with a grin, she said, “If it were me, I would choose to bury my face in the plate and d*e rather than go to Professor Halind’s office.”

‘What on earth is happening to her?’

Lunia’s expression turned serious.

“What should we do?”

Airan said anxiously.

“Right now, all we can do is pray for her safe return.”

Seeing Kal, who was speaking seriously with his arms crossed, Lunia sighed deeply.

“Can you at least guide us to him?”

At that, Kal and Iliana looked evasive.

“Are you scared to go? Are you guys really hero candidates?”

“I’m not.”

“How could I not be scared?”

As Kal and Iliana spoke confidently, Lunia grabbed the back of Kal’s neck.

“Guide us.”

“Why me!”

Kal screamed as if it was unfair, but Lunia didn’t listen.

*

The Conference Hall.

A location known as the Hall of Dusk, situated on the upper levels of the Hero’s Tower in Lumeran.

The conference, held throughout generations in Lumeran, took place here.

On the middle wall of the conference hall, five portraits hung.

They were none other than the portraits of the Heroes of the Cataclysm.

Below them, statues were erected.

Aron holding a sword.

Dwenno with an axe.

Luna holding a staff.

Lissinas with a book.

And lastly, Kyle.

The statues of the greatest heroes who ended the Era of Catastrophe and brought a future to the world.

As kings and heroes entered the Hall of Dusk, they paid their respects to the portraits of the Heroes of the Cataclysm and the statues of the Great Heroes before taking their seats.

Beside Leo, who was attending the conference in his capacity as Student Council President, sat representatives from other schools as well.

As everyone settled into their seats, they gazed at the empty chair of the council president.

Thud- thud-

A short while later, Melina appeared in the Hall of Dusk.

Still wearing her veil, Melina looked like a small girl.

While she exuded a gentle atmosphere outwardly, her mere appearance overwhelmed all present.

Standing before the portraits of the Heroes of the Cataclysm and the statues of the Great Heroes, Melina clasped her hands and offered a moment of respect.

Then she sat in the honored seat and looked around.

“I would like to express my gratitude to you all who took the time from your busy public duties to gather here for the world.”

Everyone focused on Melina.

“The reason we are gathered here is simple. To discuss the recent unusual movements from Tartarus. Is there anyone here who wishes to speak on this matter?”

As soon as Melina finished speaking, a dark-skinned dwarf raised his hand.

“King Neberoum. Please speak.”

“First, may the great Dragon Lord bestow infinite blessings upon you.”

After bowing to Melina, King Neberoum opened his mouth.

“I would like to ask Principal Zephia of Azonia something.”

“What is it?”

“Recently, numerous Hero Hunters from Beastman descent have begun to appear in my kingdom. Our Neberoum Kingdom has attempted to eliminate those vile traitors.”

King Neberoum’s face turned fierce.

“However, the despicable traitors were strong and showed no signs of being subdued. So, I deployed the proud warriors of our kingdom, the Iron Fist 4th Division.”

As King Neberoum spoke, the conference hall began to murmur.

Neberoum was a country of dwarves, rich in mines.

As such, they could produce quality weapons and occupied a position representing one of the five kingdoms of their race.

The warrior group representing Neberoum was the ‘Iron Fist.’

“The 4th Division was annihilated.”

Gasps of shock erupted here and there.

King Neberoum’s eyes flared.

“And just before attending this meeting, I received the testimony of a survivor who barely regained consciousness. Even though it was not a full moon night, there were Beastmen using sign language!”

He glared at Zephia with wide eyes.

“Tell me, Zephia. I’ve heard that Azonia was already aware of this fact! But why! Why did you not make this public and lead our young talents to their doom!”

At King Neberoum’s outcry, Zephia closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“I apologize for not informing you of that fact, Your Majesty. However, Azonia also needed to ascertain the situation accurately.”

“To ascertain the situation! Was it not out of pride for Azonia that you kept it hidden! For 5000 years, what the Beastmen could not achieve was accomplished by mere traitors! Is it not shameful to hide that fact?”

“Be careful with your words! King Neberoum!”

The king of another Beastman kingdom raised his voice.

“King Neberoum speaks the truth! What right do you have to call for silence?”

“Truth? Are you all not hunted because you are weak? Are you really trying to tarnish the honor of the descendants of the hero with that?”

“What!”

Heated exchanges occurred between the agitated Beastmen and dwarves.

It was a sensitive issue.

For the Beastmen, it involved the prestige and honor of their entire race.

On the other hand, for the dwarves, it concerned their splendid talents being killed.

Once the fire ignited, it grew uncontrollably.

“Shh-!”

At that moment, a small voice was heard.

Though small, that one word carried an undeniable authority.

The arguing Beastmen and dwarves turned their attention to Melina.

“We did not gather here to fight or to assign blame.”

Melina looked towards the Beastmen.

“The actions of Azonia Academy, which knew of the facts but did not disclose them, are indeed regrettable. However, at the same time, I understand that such chaos can shake the entire Beastman population… And since it relates to the honor of the Beastmen… I can’t say it’s unfathomable.”

She then glanced at the dwarves.

“The loss of the promising Iron Fist warriors is a very mournful matter. I express my condolences. However, there is one unfortunate point as well. Hero Hunters are beings that hunt heroes or those of similar standing. Countless powerful heroes have lost their lives trapped in the devious traps of those despicable traitors.”

Melina’s voice held sorrow.

“However, there are those who can hunt those Hero Hunters.”

Melina directed her gaze to one corner of the conference hall.

The sole unique presence in this assembly.

The one who should be here yet seemed the most alien.

The Emperor of the Shadow Realm, Emperor Shau of the Shan Empire.

“The reason why the young Iron Fists lost their lives is… due to a lack of communication. It is, unfortunately, unavoidable.”

Melina looked around the hall.

“We are entangled in our own interests and the information we need can become our weaknesses against each other.”

A few people cleared their throats while avoiding Melina’s gaze.

“However, I believe it’s time to forget such things and cooperate.”

Melina spoke firmly.

“King Neberoum. Why did you not seek help from the Shan Empire?”

“……. We will solve our own issues. That is our pride.”

“That pride… I think it’s commendable. But is that all there is?”

At Melina’s words, King Neberoum lowered his head and fell silent.

“I know that many find it shameful to seek help from the Shadow. That should not be the case. Shadows exist on the same level as heroes.”

At that, one human spoke up.

“King Ruckit. Please speak.”

The king of the human kingdom located in the northern continent, King Ruckit, spoke.

“I understand what the Lord is saying. Shadows are indeed specialized beings in hunting Hero Hunters. However, they commit numerous unspeakable atrocities operating in the dark. They are a necessary evil.”

“Shadows are not evil.”

“I misspoke. However, regardless of what it is, receiving help from the Shadows is a disgrace for heroes.”

King Ruckit narrowed his eyes.

“They are thoroughly assistant to heroes. They can never be equal to heroes.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because they can never have their names in the Hero Record. They will never be recognized by the gods.”

As King Ruckit spoke, everyone held their breath and looked at Shau.

Amid this, Shau stood up.

“Just in time. I have something to show you regarding the Hero Record.”

“What is it?”

Shau looked at Melina.

When Melina nodded, Shau took a small box from his possession and approached the center of the Hall of Dusk.

He placed the box on a display table made of orichalcum in the center.

All eyes turned to it.

At that moment.

“Hero Record?”

Someone muttered in astonishment.

“That’s impossible! The Hero Records stored at each Hero Academy are not even this intact!”

“Is it fake?”

“But this power is definitely…!”

As everyone was astonished, Melina spoke.

“Emperor of Shan, what is that?”

“The Hero Record, the Book of Shadows.”