Chapter 542

Lunia took a deep breath and stepped forward.

The Templars descending from the sky turned their gazes toward her.

A beautiful girl with red hair and eyes that seemed ready to erupt in flames at any moment.

Even with countless Templars before her, she showed no sign of intimidation.

Instead, she exuded an overwhelming presence.

Watching her, the woman leading the group, Raylin Konea, narrowed her eyes.

'So this is Lunia El Lunda.'

Five thousand years had passed since the Era of Calamity ended.

Luna Lubinence, the Founder of the Nebula.

She was not merely the Great Hero of the Elves who had saved the world.

'Countless Elves inscribed their names in the Hero Record in accordance with the Founder's will.'

Throughout five thousand years of history, numerous intellectuals and noble Heroes had followed in her footsteps.

However, across that vast span of history, those who received titles associated with the stars could be counted on one hand.

'And yet...'

The girl before her had received the glorious title The One Who Chases the Nebula.

It was no ordinary title.

Unless one was a fool, anyone could tell who the 'Nebula' in Lunia's Hero title referred to.

It meant that she had officially been recognized as Luna's successor.

For an Elf, could there be any greater honor?

“You are Lunia El Lunda, correct?”

“What of it?”

Lunia wore a crooked expression.

Raylin's eyes twitched at the sight.

She could feel clear hostility radiating from Lunia.

“My name is Raylin Konea. I am the Templar Commander of Eldon.”

“Ah, okay.”

Lunia's unfriendly response made Raylin speak again.

“Lunia El Lunda, I can sense the animosity in your gaze toward me... no, toward Eldon itself.”

Raylin's voice was dignified.

“I know you have attained the rank of Hero and received a grand title.”

At those words, Lunia let out a short, derisive laugh.

Raylin's face contorted slightly at her attitude.

“All the more reason for you to set an example, Lunia El Lunda.”

Templars.

It was the name given to the council knights who served each Elven council.

As only the finest elites from each Elven nation could join their ranks, the power and status of a Templar Commander were by no means insignificant.

'I might have cared until a short while ago.'

But the current Lunia did not give a damn about such things.

“I saw what was happening beneath Eldon.”

Lunia glared at Raylin with a cold, mocking sneer.

It was more than simple hostility.

She regarded the woman before her with pure loathing.

Until recently, Lunia would never have exposed her true feelings so recklessly.

Now, however, she displayed her hostility without hesitation.

It was not because she was the Student Council President of Seiren, a position no less prestigious than that of an Elven Council Chair.

Still less was it because Luna had personally recognized her as a successor.

'Because I saw it.'

She remembered someone who had refused to compromise with what was wrong.

Someone who never turned a blind eye to the world's injustices and upheld her convictions while risking everything.

Luna had never considered any of it a sacrifice.

This was the world Luna had passed down to future generations.

And it was not only Luna.

There was Velkia, who inherited that will and devoted her entire life to the world.

Thousands of years later, there was Seiren, who overcame the Return of the Calamity and placed the world upon a firm foundation.

That legacy had continued down to Lunia's generation.

'The world is still unjust.'

Some had been consumed by that injustice.

Perhaps even the great figures of the past would regret sacrificing everything to save the world if they witnessed this atrocity.

That was precisely why she could not compromise.

If there were people who trampled upon what the Great Heroes had protected, should there not also be someone to punish them?

It was an obligation borne by those who lived in the world their great predecessors had protected and passed down.

'We have to prove it.'

That the world had been worth saving.

That their sacrifices had not been in vain.

'Right, Leo?'

Lunia's gaze lingered on Leo as he confronted Velkia.

When she parted from Luna, she had vowed time and again never to bring shame upon that steadfast back.

Lunia turned back to Raylin.

“Setting an example is reserved for those worth setting one for.”

Lunia smiled thinly.

“I don't think you people have that kind of worth.”

“...”

Raylin's lips twisted at Lunia's words.

“The world truly is unjust. How could someone like you, who associates with half-breeds and other inferior races, receive such an undeserved title?”

Raylin's face contorted as she stared into Lunia's unwavering red eyes.

“Why are you allowed to bask in such unmerited glory?!”

“I'm sick of that pathetic, nonsensical logic. Now you're even displaying your pathetic jealousy?”

Seeing Raylin's fury, Lunia crossed her arms and laughed incredulously.

“Is that thing on your neck merely decoration?”

“What?”

“Try thinking for once.”

Lunia tapped her temple and scowled.

“You don't understand why I received the title The One Who Chases the Nebula or why Luna-nim favors me? Are you truly that stupid? How did you even become a Templar Commander? Is something wrong with the Eldon Council's heads? Ah! Judging by the way you act, their brains must be broken.”

“How dare you utter such profanity!”

Raylin's face turned red, then blue.

Watching from behind, Eiran stared with her mouth agape.

'It seems Lunia-nim is revealing more and more of her true nature.'

Within Seiren, Lunia never hesitated to show her true self.

However, she usually restrained herself as much as possible in public.

Now, there was no sign of that restraint.

This was Lunia without the facade.

'Will this really be all right?'

Just as Eiran began to worry about the future—

“Because I'm better than you!”

Lunia pointed at herself, her eyes wide.

“I received the title The One Who Chases the Nebula! Luna-nim favors me! And I became Luna-nim's successor! All because I'm better than you people!”

“Have you no shame? To call yourself Luna-nim's successor with your own mouth! Know your place!”

Raylin shouted as though she could not accept it, and Lunia openly sneered.

“Have you ever even met Luna-nim?”

“...”

“Have you ever fought Luna-nim? Have you ever learned Magic directly from her?”

Raylin could not answer, and Lunia openly mocked her.

“I can guarantee you this. The people Luna-nim would hate most in this world are members of the Pureblood Society and people like you.”

“Eek! I've heard enough! I will make you pay for running your mouth so recklessly!”

“Good.”

Lunia extended her right hand.

Flash—!

A brilliant light erupted, and a staff appeared in Lunia's hand.

Raylin's face stiffened when she saw it.

“Cometes.”

Thump—!

Lunia slammed the staff against the ground.

Whoosh—!

Red flames erupted from her body.

Rumble—!

The crimson flames soon transformed into White Flame.

“I was planning to make you answer for your crimes as well.”

“You think you can stop the Templars of Eldon alone? How arrogant.”

“Not as arrogant as you.”

“Lunia-nim isn't alone.”

Shing—!

Eiran drew her sword and shield and stood before Lunia.

“Because I'm here. As long as I stand here, you won't be able to touch a single hair on Lunia-nim's head.”

“You insolent brats.”

Raylin's face twisted.

“Lunia-nim, Eiran-nim.”

Chen Xia called out to them in a firm voice.

“I'm sorry... but can I leave this to you?”

“What's wrong?”

Eiran looked bewildered.

“I have to go now.”

Chen Xia gripped the dagger tightly and looked toward Leo.

“To Leo-nim... and Velkia-nim.”

===

Leo reached out his hand.

The sword lodged in Ulein's barrier pulled free and returned to his hand.

Ulein laughed at the sight.

“I don't understand. Was what I said truly enough to anger you?”

Ulein looked at Velkia.

“She is unquestionably a great Hero. The Founder's disciple, the one who rebuilt the world and passed it down to posterity... a person worthy of reverence.”

Ulein looked away from Velkia.

“But that is all.”

He smiled thinly.

“She may be the Founder's disciple, but she failed to learn Star Magic. She certainly devoted herself to the world, but now she is merely a pitiful soul being toyed with by the Death King's schemes.”

Leo stared at Ulein without a word.

“To an Elf, she is a Hero worthy of reverence. But I question whether she deserves respect.”

At those words, Leo closed his eyes.

“Instead, why not be grateful for this meeting?”

Ulein laughed, utterly unconcerned by Leo's emotions.

“Leo Plov, great One Who Walks the Path of the Nebula. I wished to receive your teachings.”

Leo opened his eyes.

Ulein's gaze was filled with goodwill.

“I was under the impression that the Pureblood Society hated me.”

Ulein laughed.

“I belong to the Pureblood Society and advocate the Pureblood Doctrine... but I am not typical of its members. Their ideology does not align with mine.”

He spread his arms.

“All who walk the path of the Nebula are equal. Unfortunately, the Pureblood Society holds the mistaken belief that only Elves possess value. That does not accord with Luna-nim's will. So I decided to change my way of thinking. I believed the Konea family should change as well.”

His eyes sparkled like stars.

“All who use Star Magic are chosen. Gathering their Magic, passing it down to posterity, and further advancing Star Magic—is that not the true mindset of one who inherits the will of the Nebula? That is why I seek Stellar Mages with diverse beliefs and abilities.”

“Enough nonsense. Get to the point. What do you want from me?”

Ulein smiled brightly at Leo's irritated question.

“Allow your holy blood to dwell within the Konea family.”

“What?”

“I have many daughters. I hope you will bestow your grace upon them.”

“...”

Leo stared at Ulein, dumbfounded.

“Even if new lives are born through your grace, you will have no obligations toward them.”

Ulein's expression was almost innocent.

“If you have a particular preference, do not hesitate to tell me. Fortunately, I have many daughters who carry the blood of various races. They are all exceptionally beautiful as well.”

Ulein continued as though what he proposed were only natural.

“If you wish, I can give you all my daughters. They say Heroes are lecherous, do they not? I do not object to that saying. Rather, it is the natural order. A special individual should leave behind many descendants. Is that not another path pursued for the sake of the world? It would certainly be a blessing for our family as well.”

Leo let out a hollow laugh.

The Elf before him was a kind of purebloodist he had never encountered before.

And Leo now understood exactly what sort of person Ulein was.

Ulein had not lied about fathering children with women of various races, nor about offering Leo all the daughters born from those unions.

There was no twisted desire lurking in the depths of his heart either.

There was only a single-minded obsession with creating Mages of superior lineage.

He was a Mage who treated everything as a tool for the advancement of Magic.

“You crazy bastard.”

Even at those words, Ulein smiled thinly.

“Perhaps. To someone who has yet to experience the greatness of possibility, I may appear to be a madman.”

With that, Ulein extended his hand.

Hummmm—

A magic circle rose above his palm.

Hummmm—!

Ulein's Magic Power intensified.

Leo's eyes twitched as he watched.

An immense amount of Magic Power radiated from Ulein.

It was not simply a matter of quantity.

'He has clearly transcended his own limits. It's as if he's borrowing Magic Power from others...'

The moment that thought occurred to him, Leo fixed his gaze upon the ground.

“You son of a...”

The words ground out between Leo's teeth.

Rumble—!

The magic circle for [End] was completed.

Ulein's gaze turned toward Velkia.

“First, I shall save this pitiful soul who continues to resist.”

Flash—!

A massive light engulfed Velkia.

At that moment—

Boom—!

Leo's sword energy flew toward Ulein.

Caught off guard by the unexpected attack, Ulein hurriedly used Spatial Movement Magic to evade Leo's strike.

[End], having lost its target, exploded before reaching Velkia.

The blast sent Velkia flying far into the distance.

Even if she had been struck directly by [End], Velkia would not have been defeated.

However, an attack of that magnitude would inevitably have injured her.

Leo could never allow that.

He would not allow the person before him to harm Velkia.

Ulein asked as though he genuinely did not understand.

“I know you respect Velkia-nim. But she is merely an ordinary Undead—a target I must destroy as well. Can you explain why you are acting this way?”

“You said you have many daughters, didn't you?”

“Yes.”

“What would you do if I said I was going to kill them?”

“I would ask you why.”

Ulein wore a benevolent smile.

“And if you had a justifiable reason, I would accept it.”

“Then you'll never understand.”

Leo's voice was cold.

“The reason I'm going to kill you.”

***