Chapter 536

536.

“Was there another attack?”

At the highest point of Eldon.

An elf, who had taken his eyes off the telescope at the observatory, smiled gently.

The elf reporting the situation flinched at the response.

“I apologize, Father. I will pursue them immediately…”

“That’s enough. By now, they must have hidden underground.”

The elf with a gentle demeanor shook his head as if it were nothing significant.

“Is it still not possible to enter the underground city?”

“Yes. An unidentified barrier still blocks the way.”

“Hmm. No matter how much I think about it, it’s strange. A barrier that even the proud descendants of the Stars of Eldon cannot breach? What could possibly be occupying that underground?”

He gazed down at the vast Eldon from atop the tall tower.

Despite the dark night, the entire city was filled with bright light.

This bright city seemed to symbolize the prosperity of the elves.

But the man watching from the observatory, Urein Konea, knew.

This prosperity was built upon the oppression of someone else’s freedom, will, and future.

Of course, Urein felt not a shred of guilt about such matters.

“For the future and prosperity of the race, sacrifices are unavoidable. If the inferior beings know they are part of a great cause, they too will derive some glory from their lives.”

The progenitor of the star clouds.

The Fairy Knight.

The Comet Wizard.

The great heroes referred to as the trio of the elves conveyed the message that all beings are equal to future generations.

Yet, in Eldon, that noble ideal had long been forgotten.

Instead, it had become a distorted form that they loathed the most.

But no one in Eldon found that strange.

From birth, beings are not equal.

Those who cannot master the magic of the Stars left by the great progenitor are inferior beings.

“It is only natural for the superior to stand above the inferior.”

Not all elves are noble.

Because he thought this way, Urein did not enroll in Seirun.

Not only Urein but others from the Konea family felt the same.

It was considered a waste of time to attend Seirun to learn inferior magic, summoning, and other trivialities when merely learning the magic of the Stars was already overwhelming.

Thus, they solely focused on mastering the magic of the Stars within Eldon.

Those who take special things for granted.

That is the Konea family, and Urein, as its head, saw it as even more granted.

However, Urein had some differences from previous heads of the Konea family.

“Father.”

Another elf appeared beside the one kneeling and reporting.

However, this one was slightly different from the first.

To be exact, she was a pure elf.

Her ears were longer than the one kneeling before her, who could not meet his gaze.

She was none other than a half-elf.

“Welcome, my daughter.”

With a smile, Urein warmly welcomed his daughter.

His daughter, Leirin, bowed her head slightly.

As she did, a momentary feeling of disgust flashed in her eyes.

A typical reaction of the Pureblood Society upon seeing half-elves.

But Urein admonished her.

“Leirin. Rebean is your sibling.”

“I… understand, Father. But I cannot tolerate it. The fact that your pure bl**d flows in the veins of the lowly other race!”

“From the perspective of the Pureblood Society, I would be regarded as a heretic. However, I believe this. All users of the magic of the Stars are equal wizards. For new possibilities, cooperation with other races is also necessary.”

“……”

“While most of the Pureblood Society may view me as a heretic blinded by desire… I believe that without change, things will eventually rot.”

He regarded this belief as a conviction.

And for the sake of that conviction, he took any woman capable of using the magic of the Stars to his bed, regardless of her race.

As a result, he fathered countless half-elves and called them all to Eldon.

What he pursued was diversity.

A foundation for the magic of the Stars blooming from various values.

A fact unknown to the outside world.

A secret treated with utmost confidentiality.

But anyone who knew it dared not speak.

That was due to the genius of the current council head of Eldon, Urein.

He had not ascended to the position of a hero.

But he had devoted his entire life to researching the magic of the Stars and advancing it.

Because of his influence, the Eldon Council did not publicize his actions.

With no discussions within the council, that secret was maintained.

“My intentions were lacking.”

“I believe that one day you will understand my intentions, Leirin.”

Urein smiled gently.

At a glance, it seemed like he respected other races.

However, he regarded all beings besides the users of the magic of the Stars as livestock.

In some ways, he was closer to a twisted madness than the usual Pureblood Society.

“So? Is there any new report?”

“…Today, students from Seirun who visited Eldon have disappeared. It seems they have been kidnapped by a suspicious group.”

“…That’s unfortunate. Such excellent students have been captured.”

“Perhaps the two of them may possess ill intentions.”

“What do you mean?”

“Lunia El Rundah and Eiran Eresar. These two students, although born under the blessing of the stars, oppose the intentions of the Pureblood Society.”

“Lost souls, are they?”

“Yes.”

“I had doubts when I heard their purpose was to seek learning in Eldon.”

“Hmm, and?”

“I suspect they may have come here to collaborate with those inciting unrest within Eldon to overthrow it.”

A hint of hostility gleamed in Leirin’s eyes.

“For example, take a look at this.”

Leirin produced two portraits from her arms.

They depicted the portraits of two Seirun female students, one with white hair and the other with black hair.

“They’re beautiful students. What about them?”

“They are Leo Flove and Chen Sia from Lumeran.”

Urein’s eyes showed a spark of interest.

“This is that Leo Flove, right? But I heard he was a boy?”

“It seems he disguised himself to infiltrate.”

“Indeed.”

Urein nodded thoughtfully.

“Father, Leo Flove has been opposing the Pureblood Society. He must have entered Eldon with ill intent. He should be severely punished.”

“This student is someone who has conquered the world of the progenitor, succeeded Polium, and even earned the recognition of Lord Seirun, inheriting the title of Cometes, isn’t he? Punishing him would go against the intentions of the two of you, wouldn’t it?”

“That’s….”

Seeing Leirin hesitate to answer, Urein smiled gently.

“Leirin, all descendants of the stars are family. Those with different intentions are merely lost.”

“Father….”

“I shall meet Leo Flove personally.”

At those words, both Leirin and even Rebean, who had been bowing his head and unable to interject, looked up with wide eyes.

“What do you mean…?”

“Yes. With the world in turmoil, I can no longer solely focus on my magical research.”

It had been ten years since Urein began to hide in this observatory.

During those ten years, he had dedicated himself to magic research and had not involved himself in external affairs.

Of course, it was not that he neglected his duties as council head, but it was still a significant matter for him to officially leave this place.

Leirin’s expression brightened.

“You’ve made a decision!”

Urein smiled at Leirin’s words.

“If I meet them, even the lost children will find their way.”

At those words, Leirin hesitated, then cautiously asked.

“What if they do not stop wandering even after meeting you, Father?”

Urein smiled gently in response.

“Even the greatest heroes make mistakes.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“A wandering star naturally scatters its starlight; it is the way of nature.”

*

“I feel like I’m going to throw up….”

“I can’t… can’t eat anymore…”

“Ughhhhh.”

Chen Sia held her mouth shut, while Eiran trembled as if she were about to cry.

In Luna’s case, she leaned back in her chair and threw her head back, screaming.

As for Rell, she had long since left the house.

At first, she had tried her best to help, but soon reached her limit.

‘I need to take care of others…’

‘Okay, take care.’

‘B-but we…!’

‘You can’t.’

‘Why not?’

‘You’re in your growth period.’

Thus, the three girls failed to escape.

The endless feast of food seemed to have finally come to an end.

“Did you eat enough? Shall I make dessert? Do you want some?”

“I’m really okay! I’m so full!”

“I really can’t eat anymore!”

“Berkiya should rest too!”

“Really?”

Seeing the three people shaking their heads frantically, Berkiya looked disappointed.

She then brewed tea and set it in front of the three.

“Look forward to breakfast tomorrow, too.”

‘Should I escape?’

‘Is it possible to escape from Berkiya?’

‘I think I need to call Leo.’

The three girls screamed inwardly.

Amidst this, Eiran struggled to stand up.

“Lady Berkiya, it’s an honor to meet you like this. My name is Eiran Eresar… I am a descendant of Lady Berkiya.”

“You?”

“Yes.”

“My descendant, and you are friends with Sia?”

“Of course.”

At that answer, Berkiya smiled brightly.

“Thank goodness you haven’t become enemies.”

Seeing Berkiya relieved, Eiran bit her lip hard.

“Lady Berkiya.”

“Call me grandmother.”

“No, I mean, calling you grandmother…”

“Call me grandmother.”

Seeing the firm Berkiya, Eiran hesitated, then responded.

“Grandmother.”

In response, Berkiya smiled brightly just like before.

A joy radiated from her, which had previously seemed so dry.

Watching this, Eiran hesitated and finally asked.

“Why… did you attack grandfather?”

At that question, Luna and Chen Sia shuddered.

Berkiya silently gazed at Eiran.

“That child was truly a good child. But he stood in my way.”

“Grandfather respected you! That doesn’t give reason to k*ll him…!”

“I have things I must do.”

Berkiya replied in an emotionless voice.

“I must eliminate all the garbage that pollutes this world. Those who are unworthy have no reason to live in this world.”

At those words, the three girls felt a chill run down their spines.

Berkiya’s voice carried no anger.

Nor was there hatred or sorrow.

It was simply a mechanical tone.

‘This isn’t the Berkiya I know.’

Eiran shut her eyes tightly.

Her fingertips trembled.

The Berkiya she knew was no longer there.

The Berkiya in front of her was a person swept away by profound emptiness.

Her voice would not reach.

Only someone who lived in the same era as her could stop Berkiya.

‘Leo…’

Eiran thought of Leo.

At that moment, Berkiya spoke.

“By the way, you are slightly intriguing.”

Berkiya tilted her head.

“The elves who use the magic of the stars have deviated fundamentally from Master Luna’s magic, yet you…”

Berkiya looked at Luna and Eiran.

“You are close to the fundamentals. It’s as if you learned magic directly from Master Luna.”

At those words, Eiran and Luna exchanged glances.

Chen Sia’s eyes sparkled.

“I think this is a good opportunity to tell you about Leo.”

“Leo? Who is that? Is he a friend?”

“Yes. He’s currently in our city with us.”

“Is he skinny too?”

“…He’s slender.”

“He must be. Children should eat well.”

Tsk— As Berkiya clicked her tongue, Chen Sia awkwardly smiled.

Chen Sia had refrained from informing Berkiya about Leo’s existence too hastily.

Luna and Eiran felt similarly.

Currently, Berkiya was undead.

A being that moved solely for a purpose, underlined by intense hatred.

Though she appeared stable, her mental state was actually very unstable.

Moreover, one of the reasons Berkiya had become this way was due to the Great Hero.

Particularly regarding Kyle, there were tangled emotions involved.

What kind of reaction would she have if she heard that the Hero of Beginning, Kyle, had been reincarnated?

It was uncertain what her reaction would be.

She could display a positive response, but in the worst case, she might go on a rampage.

Hoping for a normal thought process from the undead was fundamentally a folly.

It’s only because a hero like Berkiya maintained this level of rationality, as undead are originally monstrous beings driven mad by their purposes.

In essence, Berkiya was a ticking bomb, ready to explode.

However, now was a good opportunity.

The magic Leo had taught Luna and Eiran was the essence itself.

Berkiya saw through this fact.

It was a magic that could not be learned in this age.

If the one who taught that magic was Leo, then?

“Of course, she would be curious about the identity of Lord Leo.”

What if Leo revealed himself to be the reincarnation of the Hero of Beginning, Kyle?

The probability of her believing it was high.

Even if she didn’t believe completely, she would certainly feel a twinge of hope. Just by observing the two’s magic, she would realize that it could only be taught by Kyle or Luna.

It seemed that Eiran’s words resonated with Luna and Eiran, as they nodded in agreement.

Cautiously, they spoke.

“Lady Berkiya, there is something we need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“The one who taught us magic is the Hero of Beginning, Kyle.”

“What?”

“He has reincarnated into this world and has taught us the magic of the stars.”

Eiran said with a tense expression.

At those words, Berkiya stared intently at Luna and Eiran and then said,

“Is that true?”

“Yes.”

“Then can you show me the magic that you learned?”

Upon that request, both of them summoned their mana.

Whoosh—!

Bzzz—!

The magic that Luna could never complete, the Flame Emperor.

The last magic left for Luna’s disciple, the Animus Sword.

Both magical formations were only teachable by those who were users of the magic of the stars close to Luna.

And there was only one such person in the world: Leo.

“……”

Berkiya’s eyes widened.

Then she spoke.

“These are two spells I’ve never seen before.”

“What?”

“There’s no way!”

Luna and Eiran looked at each other in bewilderment.

Seeing their reactions, Berkiya nodded.

“Perhaps there’s someone impersonating my Master in this era.”

Fortunately, a tragic incident such as a rampage did not occur.

But in her eyes was a clear distrust directed at Leo, whom she had never seen before.

Luna and Eiran were unaware.

That in the case of the White Flame, Luna had never shown Berkiya the incantation due to its incomplete nature.

And that Animus Sword was created by Luna during her last expedition, which Berkiya was completely unaware of.

“You said Leo, right?”

Berkiya rose from her seat.

“Sia, is that the same slender friend you mentioned?”

“Um… Well, Lady Berkiya?”

“How dare he impersonate my Master and deceive the descendants of mine and Bihara? I cannot forgive it.”

The three girls felt the situation had taken a serious turn for the worse.

“I will find him and teach him a lesson.”

Grumbling, Berkiya left the house.

“Wait a moment!”

“Lady Berkiya!”

“Please listen to us!”

The three girls gasped as they tried to hold Berkiya back, but she swiftly exited through the door.

“What do we do?!”

The faces of the three girls turned pale.