Chapter 143
Chapter Title: The Stench of Tartaros
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Luna's face flushed upon hearing Leo's encouragement.
Perhaps if it had been anyone else, such words wouldn't have reached her.
But Leo's words certainly did.
Because even though history had been twisted, the bond they had built long before that remained.
If they hadn't come from Akint, the man who had taught her magic and cared for her like a daughter, she might have dismissed them as empty platitudes.
*Should I be thanking this body's original owner?*
Leo chuckled to himself.
The eyes that had been clouded with darkness began to sparkle like stars.
Her drooping ears twitched and perked up.
A flush of life returning to her face, Luna wore a brightened expression.
"Right? You think so too, Teacher!"
Revitalized, Luna cleared her throat with an "Ahem!" and puffed out her chest.
*A being destined to become a shining star in the night sky.*
That was Luna's favorite phrase.
*Everyone used to tease her, calling it childish.*
And yet, Luna was never the least bit ashamed.
She would spout those words as if they were the most natural thing in the world.
And she really did become that.
Leo broke into a laugh as he watched Luna, her eyes shining like stars, regain her confidence.
Whether in her childhood or during the age of despair.
Luna was Luna.
Always an overconfident, bratty young lady.
A beautiful elf who proclaimed herself the best, and truly was.
Leo smiled, remembering his indomitable friend who always used to declare, like a mantra, that she would become a great mage.
*Yes, this is the you I know.*
That dejected look.
It doesn't suit you at all.
If Ar-on's back had been what guided Kyle.
Then Luna's incantations were what pushed him forward.
Recalling the distant past that had now become a memory, Leo rose to his feet.
"Shall we head to the party, then?"
"Yes!"
Now, it was time to set everything right.
*It's certain that Tartaros is in the World of Heroes.*
Leo clenched and unclenched his fist.
*If that's the case, there's only one conclusion.*
From my past life.
And a single conclusion that will never change.
*I will crush them.*
***
The Elf King's birthday was a holiday for the entire elven race.
On this night, all elves celebrated the king's birth.
On this day alone, acts normally considered sinful were forgiven.
It was also the one day when the dignity-valuing elves let go of everything.
And the city of the High Elves was no different.
Everyone enjoyed a time of indulgence in the streets.
The reason such revelry was permitted at night was because they believed the darkness would hide their sins.
But to those unaware of this fact, the elves' current behavior seemed nothing short of bizarre.
"The elves of the past were quite free-spirited."
Elena tilted her head as she watched from a back alley.
Watching them, Hadin narrowed his eyes.
"Considering how they were during the day, it didn't seem that way."
Though it had only been a short time, the elves of this era that Hadin had encountered seemed far more rigid and focused on etiquette than those of the present.
Merin, who had been hesitating during their conversation, spoke up.
"Um... t-today is His Majesty the Elf King's birthday."
"Oh?"
"I heard that for tonight only, they are granted the freedom of indulgence."
Even as a slave, she was a slave living in Barharun.
As such, she received a basic education in etiquette and culture.
Hearing Merin's explanation, Elena nodded in understanding.
"Anyway, you said you met Leo, right, Hadin?"
"Yes. It seems he's in the body of a teacher named Akint."
"A teacher, huh."
Elena's eyes narrowed slightly.
They had managed to escape the Barharun Academy.
The problem was what came next.
*We defeated a demon while getting Hadin out.*
From Elena and Hadin's perspective, they had only done what was necessary, but it wouldn't be seen that way by the elves.
Intruders had committed murder within Barharun. And on the Elf King's birthday, no less.
Amidst the crowd, they could see knights searching for someone, causing small commotions.
*They must be looking for us.*
Elena gently twirled the end of her hair.
*The Age of the Gods...*
An era of the past with almost no historical records remaining.
But it was well-known as the most peaceful of ages.
*There's no one particularly threatening.*
So far, none of the elves in Barharun posed a threat to Elena and Hadin.
*Right. This is an age of peace, and it's not like the Hero Record existed back then.*
Elena was a powerhouse in her own time, but finding a worthy opponent in this era would be even harder.
*But that doesn't mean we can act recklessly.*
Every era has its strongmen.
Especially in a city of this size, there could be someone stronger than her.
*And crucially, there's Tartaros.*
It was impossible to know how long Tartaros had been infiltrating this hero's dungeon.
But if they were willing to come directly to the underground prison to kill Hadin, it was highly likely they had infiltrated Barharun very deeply.
*There's no need to make an enemy of the entire city. For now, we should focus on quietly joining up with the other two...*
As Elena was thinking this, she glanced into the deeper part of the alley.
Hadin, who had been leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, unfolded them and stood up straight.
*Kigigigik- Kikikik- Kikikikikik-*
A bizarre, scraping laughter echoed.
"Merin."
"Yes?"
"Could you close your eyes for a moment?"
Elena smiled gently at the elf girl.
At her words, Merin closed her eyes.
*Fwoosh-!*
At the same time, a giant skeleton appeared behind Elena and swung a chipped greatsword at her.
*Clang-! Shink-!*
*Bwoooosh-!*
With a clang of metal, a silver glint of a sword flashed.
Hadin, who had drawn his sword in an instant, cleaved the skeleton in two, greatsword and all.
*Crumble-! Shaaaaa-!*
The skeleton collapsed to the ground and disintegrated into dust.
"It seems there's a necromancer about."
Elena wore an amused expression.
*Kadeuk- kadeuk-!*
*Kihihik! Kikik!*
As she spoke, a horde of undead poured out from the back alley.
"This city is truly one of extremes."
Hadin narrowed his eyes, his aura flaring to life.
"For the outside to be so glamorous while the inside is so rotten."
"Indeed. It's an interesting city."
Elena smiled faintly.
No one would willingly come into these filthy back alleys.
Which was why Tartaros could run rampant.
"Seeing how these undead found our exact location, it seems they can track us."
"Does that mean the entire city is in their grasp?"
Hadin clicked his tongue.
It meant they couldn't shake their pursuers even if they left the alley.
"In that case, we only have one option."
Elena gathered her mana.
"Let's take down the necromancer controlling this back alley."
"You're not going to regroup with Leo and Lunia? Won't that disrupt the mission?"
"You said Leo already met Lady Luna, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"Then let's leave the clearing of this world to our juniors."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"Even if he is the class representative, it won't be easy for a first-year to clear a World of Heroes. Besides, this isn't just any hero's world, it's Lady Luna's. We can't just leave it to a first-year..."
"Leo will probably do a better job than us. After all, he's already cleared another Great Hero's world."
"What?"
Hadin looked shocked at Elena's words.
"And... Leo is a little different from the other hero candidates."
"How is he different?"
"Hmm... It's hard to put into words."
Elena bit her index finger in thought for a moment, then let out a small laugh.
"Leo is someone who has the power to make the impossible possible."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean he's not just someone with the qualities of a hero."
Just half a year.
That was how long Leo had attended the hero academy.
In that time, Leo had fought his way through countless bloody battles.
And the things he had accomplished were all feats worthy of being called miracles.
"You see, Leo..."
Elena smiled warmly.
"He's someone born with the makings of a Great Hero."
***
World Tree Plaza.
Dazzling decorations and lavish food.
Expensive liquor.
A feast of gentle music.
It truly felt like a party for the chosen ones.
Amidst the party, Princess Sergia sat on a luxurious chair, taking deep breaths.
Countless elves came to greet the princess.
The star of tonight's party, Elf King Ergen, had not yet arrived.
That meant the first person to make an impression on was Princess Sergia.
While she was busy exchanging greetings with the elves.
Ether, who was assisting Sergia, wore a worried expression.
"Princess Sergia. You haven't looked well for a while."
"It's nothing, Sir Ether. I just felt a little dizzy."
Sergia—Lunia—forced a smile.
The scene she had witnessed in the audience chamber just a while ago still hadn't left her mind.
Erebos, fallen into a deep slumber.
Just coming face to face with such a being was enough to terrify Lunia.
She was lucky she hadn't screamed.
If she had screamed and that monster had woken up...
The mere thought was horrifying.
*No... it's more accurate to say I couldn't even scream.*
Lunia's hands trembled as she thought of Erebos.
*How... how on earth is that thing here? Because this is a past era? If so, why couldn't anyone else perceive it?*
A fake within the World of Heroes.
It might have been something that only she happened to see.
She could have thought that, but Lunia didn't believe it was a fake.
Her instincts as a living being were telling her.
That it was real, just like her.
Not an inhabitant of this false world.
But a monster from reality, just like herself.
*I'm scared.*
Lunia unconsciously wrapped her arms around herself.
Seeing her, Ether's expression grew even more concerned.
"Your Highness. You look very unwell. Please go inside and rest..."
Ether tried to lead Lunia toward the World Tree.
"N-no. I'm fine, Sir Ether."
Lunia desperately shook her head.
Her instincts screamed at her not to get any closer to Erebos.
She was struck anew by the greatness of the Great Heroes she had only ever admired.
How in the world had they fought against that monster?
*How did they defeat that monster?*
Was such a thing even possible?
Endless fear assailed Lunia.
She couldn't register who she was greeting or talking to.
She could only keep her gaze lowered, struggling to overcome her terror.
Just by facing the primordial evil, the elf girl's will had been broken.
As Lunia fought against her endless fear, a pair of small feet entered her field of vision.
The feet of a young girl.
"Um... I greet Your Highness, the Princess."
The owner of the feet knelt and bowed her head respectfully.
Her pale, silver hair, reminiscent of leaves, caught the eye.
Judging by her voice, she was around the same age... perhaps even younger.
That youthful voice certainly captured Lunia's attention.
It was a voice she had heard before.
No, perhaps a little younger than she remembered.
But she knew.
How could she ever forget?
That fleeting moment.
The protagonist of the fairy tale she had admired and loved the most.
How could she ever forget the voice of the great one she had wished every day to emulate, even just a little?
Lunia raised her head.
And she saw.
A beautiful girl with eyes that shone like stars.
The original hero, who was around her age.
"My name is Luna Rubinence."
The moment she came face to face with her childhood idol.
Lunia felt her fear vanish as if by magic.
***
*...How is that detestable wench here?*
Sid, the vice principal of Barharun, scowled as he watched the girl, Luna, greet the princess.
That girl surely hadn't been invited here.
So how could she possibly be here?
*Is this the work of those rats?*
Sid, who had been wearing a displeased expression, curled his lip into a sneer.
*This is actually perfect. A great chance to find the hidden rats...*
"You people never change. You're so good at scurrying around like rats, aren't you?"
Sid froze at the voice coming from behind him.
"What are you talking about, Teacher Akint?"
"Oh, playing dumb, are we? Tartaros."
Leo smiled coldly.
"...How did you know?"
Sid turned around, his face grim.
Looking at Sid, Leo let out a short, sharp laugh.
"If I didn't know you were here, maybe... but now that I do, you can't hide the smell."
"Smell?"
"Yes. A stench so foul it feels like my nose is rotting."
Leo's eyes flashed with killing intent.
"You'll have to pay the price for daring to pull your tricks in this world, won't you?"