Chapter 540

540.

Berkiya was on her way back to Luna’s house after having dinner at Kyle’s place, as she usually did.

Whooooooosh—

Berkiya, who had shut her eyes due to the sudden gust of wind, opened them in an instant.

“…?”

Berkiya, finding a beautiful woman standing before her, stood there with her mouth agape.

“Lord Lissinas?”

“Hello, Berkiya.”

Lissinas smiled and approached Berkiya.

Berkiya didn’t know how to react at the sight of Lissinas.

King of Wisdom, Lissinas.

The great dragon called the hope of the present world.

Even though Berkiya was a disciple of Lissinas’ companions—Kyle, Luna, and Aron—Lissinas’ presence was still daunting.

Lissinas then spoke while looking at the flustered Berkiya.

“Coming back from Kyle’s place, right?”

“Yes. But how did you know I visited Kyle master?”

“I’ve heard you’ve been going to Kyle’s place quite often lately.”

Berkiya blinked her big eyes several times as she looked up at Lissinas.

“Berkiya, what do you think of Kyle’s house?”

This question put Berkiya in deep thought.

Seeing her intensely pondering, Lissinas was slightly surprised.

‘She seems unusually mature for her age, likely due to the hardships endured growing up in the Era of Catastrophe.’

Lissinas felt a pang of bitterness.

The generation that has been unfortunate since birth…

Knowing this made her mouth dry with unease.

A short while later, Berkiya answered in her usual expressionless manner.

“A dining room.”

“…”

“No? A great restaurant?”

“I see.”

‘So she’s really Kyle and Luna’s disciple, huh?’

Lissinas warmly smiled at the unexpected answer that defied expectations.

Of course, she’s also a disciple of Aron, but Lissinas preferred not to group Aron with the other two.

‘Aron is kind and pure, an entirely normal individual.’

‘The only rational one between a messy character, an eccentric, and a pervert.’

‘Small and a bit timid, but what’s wrong with that?’

If Aron knew what she was thinking, he would surely wave it off and defend his friends.

Other thoughts?

‘Scamming lizard, what is that supposed to mean?’

‘You black-hearted dragon!’

‘There’s nothing your sinister-look doesn’t say.’

Just at the thought of her friends hurling insults, her head began to throb.

Lissinas sighed inwardly and slightly bent her knees to meet Berkiya’s eyes.

“Berkiya.”

“Yes.”

“How long do you plan to keep eating at Kyle’s house?”

“Continuously.”

“Even if Luna’s cooking improves?”

“Hmm.”

At this, Berkiya tilted her head curiously and asked,

“To what extent?”

“To a delicious level.”

“Seems impossible.”

A flicker of disbelief appeared in Berkiya’s eyes.

“Teacher Kyle said that the cooking of you, Lady Lissinas, and Lady Luna was cursed.”

‘That guy really…!’

Lissinas, with her eyes twitching, said:

“But if Luna’s cooking becomes as good as Kyle’s, what will you do?”

“I’ll eat with Lady Luna.”

Berkiya answered without hesitation.

Luna always took care of Berkiya.

Naturally, Berkiya could only choose Luna.

“It doesn’t seem like Teacher Kyle would miss me anyway.”

Berkiya muttered slightly, with a disgruntled tone.

Kyle currently treated Berkiya, who constantly appeared at his house every day, as if she were little more than a food parasite.

“That infuriating fellow, I already know what he’s up to.”

Lissinas let out a small sigh.

“If Luna’s cooking becomes as good as Kyle’s, will you continue eating at Kyle’s house?”

“Why?”

“Because Kyle might feel less lonely that way.”

“But he doesn’t seem lonely at all.”

Berkiya tilted her head in confusion.

Seeing Berkiya’s puzzled look, Lissinas gave a bitter smile.

“Yes, Kyle likely won’t feel lonely. People without regret tend to be like that.”

Lissinas straightened her knees and looked towards Kyle’s house.

“Still, I believe it would be better for him if you were around.”

On hearing this, Berkiya pondered for a moment before speaking.

“If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to get married?”

“What?”

“If they marry, he wouldn’t feel as lonely.”

At this, Lissinas showed a slightly flustered expression and awkwardly smiled.

“That might be good. But that can only happen after everything is settled…”

“If Teacher Kyle marries Teacher Luna, it would be perfect.”

“That’s inappropriate talk,” Lissinas frowned.

But Berkiya, unaware of the change in her tone, innocently spoke.

“Though it’s not to my liking, they do seem fitting for each other.”

“…?”

This kid feels strangely dangerous.

With this thought, Lissinas spoke.

“But wouldn’t that be a waste for Luna?”

“That’s indeed true. Truly, the King of Wisdom.”

Berkiya expressed admiration and deeply pondered the issue.

Seeing her, Lissinas smiled gently.

‘Did I do something unnecessary?’

Regrets always come too late.

“When will Teachers Luna and Aron return?”

Berkiya hummed a little tune.

After the Great Heroes set out for their expedition, Berkiya could finally complete the tasks assigned by Kyle perfectly.

Now she could once again learn magic and swordsmanship from Luna and Aron, which delighted her.

‘I won’t need to learn from Teacher Kyle for a while.’

The grueling training had been tiresome, and she didn’t want to go through it again.

However, Berkiya couldn’t shake off a slight feeling of regret.

While reminiscing about Kyle, Berkiya shook her head.

Still, the joy of learning again from Luna and Aron outweighed everything.

‘I want to get stronger quickly so I can stand on the battlefield alongside my teachers.’

Berkiya knew that stepping onto the battlefield meant risking one’s life.

Despite feeling fear, she wanted to be more helpful to her teachers even more.

Berkiya considered them benefactors before they were teachers.

‘Although when I say things like this, Teachers Luna and Aron wouldn’t like it.’

Berkiya pouted slightly.

She held tightly onto the magic book Luna had left behind and walked through the central hall of the Gardstron Castle.

‘If only they would return quickly.’

At that moment, commotion started in the castle hall.

‘They’ve returned!’

Berkiya hurriedly ran towards the source of the noise.

Running down the hall towards the warp gate, she heard loud voices from around the corner.

“Teachers! You’ve… returned…!”

With a bright smile, she turned the corner.

“Healer! We need a healer quickly!”

“Lord Dwenno has been severely injured!”

“I’m fine, so treat Aron and the injured first.”

“Yes!”

“Luna! Kyle’s injuries are severe! Cast the healing spell quickly!”

“Hold on! Lissinas, this one is more urgent! Aron, snap out of it!”

“Lissinas, I’m fine, treat Aron first.”

“But…!”

“Go help that idiot over there, I can go to the infirmary by myself!”

“Alright, don’t push yourself!”

“You idiot! That’s not courage, that’s recklessness!”

The people present turned pale and were fully focused on treating the returning heroes, who were severely injured.

Countless healers swarmed around the wounded.

Aron’s injuries were especially horrific.

Berkiya’s face turned pale.

Gripping the magic book tightly, Berkiya hid behind the corner.

A horde of healers ran down the hallway.

“Lord Kyle! Please get treated quickly!”

“I’m fine, treat the others first. I’ll go to the infirmary myself.”

Kyle calmly walked out of the warp gate. Clearly, his injuries weren’t life-threatening.

He had only stepped forward to the frontlines in order to save Aron, who had recklessly charged ahead.

Compared to Aron and the other heroes, Kyle was in relatively better shape.

Squelch— Squelch—

Sounds of footfalls drenched with bl**d could be heard.

Thud!

“Ugh! Dammit.”

Kyle, who had bent his knees, cursed.

His condition was far from light.

His hands were trembling.

Then he sensed someone watching and lifted his head.

“K, Kyle teacher…”

“Is that you Berkiya?”

Kyle, with a wry smile, looked at the big magic book Berkiya held tightly.

Then he chuckled.

“Did you finish your assignment?”

“Yes…”

“…You were quick. Well done.”

Berkia’s eyes widened.

It was a rare moment of plain compliment from Kyle, who rarely if ever, praised.

Kyle tried to straighten but stumbled.

“Teacher! Let me support you!”

Berkiya dropped the magic book and quickly helped Kyle.

Kyle didn’t refuse—he was much worse off.

“Healer! Healer quickly, Kyle teacher is…!”

“Berkiya.”

Kyle quietly called Berkiya, whose face had turned pale as she tried to find a healer.

Berkiya looked up and met Kyle’s gray eyes.

These eyes weren’t as bleak as usual.

There was grief in them, sorrow, and…

“Get stronger. Get strong enough to… stand with us on the battlefield.”

Kyle understood her desire to step onto the battlefield to relieve the burden on her teachers.

And there was a sense of self-loathing there.

Loathing for himself for asking his young disciple to step onto the battlefield.

Luna and Aron.

They differed from Kyle.

Both Luna and Aron hoped their disciple could live in peace.

They taught Berkiya so she could have the ability to protect herself, but not because they wanted a comrade to fight with them.

Kyle, however, was different.

In this era…

Berkiya would inevitably step onto the battlefield.

It was the destiny of a disciple born in an era without peace.

That was heartbreaking and disheartening.

On the other hand, Kyle also understood her desire to step up onto the battlefield alongside her teachers to chase after them.

Because this is the era where she had no choice.

Then…

‘There shouldn’t be weakness that relies on others.’

That was why Kyle had been harsh toward Berkiya.

Because none of them knew when they’d perish.

They wanted the disciple, who would have to fight regardless of their existence, to achieve independence as soon as possible.

Now, she understood.

The strictness of Kyle, who refused to indulge her slightest tantrum.

Berkiya looked at Kyle with scared eyes.

She feared that Kyle might disappear at any moment.

“Please let me help you get to the infirmary.”

Looking at Kyle, who seemed to have turned back to his usual emotionless self, Berkiya gritted her teeth.

“…Alright.”

Berkiya silently supported Kyle as they headed to the infirmary.

Even as he sustained severe injuries and was supported by her, there was still immense strength radiating from Kyle.

A force that made her feel like she could lean on him.

But Berkiya put that thought aside.

‘If I had a father, would it feel like this?’

With such thoughts, Berkiya continued walking.

*

Gooohhhoooohh—!

Leo looked at Berkiya, who was deeply bowed her head.

That era, that innocent girl was no longer there.

Now, she had survived countless battles, saved the world, led it, and eventually grown disenchanted. Only the disciple remained.

Swish—

Berkiya stood upright.

Her movements now carried the sole instinct of the undead—burning hatred for the living.

‘I could only teach you how to stand alone back then, in that harsh era.’

Step—Step—

Leo stepped forward toward Berkiya.

But times have changed.

There’s no need for her to shoulder everything and endure alone anymore.

‘That’s the era we ended. You don’t have to live the way we had to just because of us.’

There were other ways of living she could’ve been taught but weren’t.

That’s why…

“I’ll teach you how to rely on others now.”

And…

Leo stopped and turned around.

“Watch and learn.”

In a quiet voice, Leo addressed the front.

“This… ”

Leo bent his knees.

“is the fight of those who lived in that time.”

BOOM—!

Leo dashed at Berkiya with a powerful leap.