Chapter 527
Chapter Title: A Teacher's Duty
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Whoosh! Crackle! Crackle! Ruumble!
The manor was ablaze.
The surroundings were, quite literally, a sea of fire.
“Aaaaaaaah!”
Within it, Berchia clutched the person she had loved more than anyone and the child born between them, weeping her heart out.
Leo approached the grieving Berchia and knelt on one knee.
He reached out, intending to place a hand on her shoulder.
But Leo’s hand passed futilely through Berchia.
As a mere observer in this world, there was nothing Leo could do for her.
“I’m sorry.”
His shoulders trembled as he offered an apology that would never reach her.
It wasn't Berchia’s fault, who had strived to create a brighter world.
And it certainly wasn't Leo's fault either.
But…
That the saved world was not so bright after all.
That a world rid of darkness was not so beautiful.
If only he had told her such things beforehand, could this have been prevented?
If only he hadn't held the naive thought, ‘A bright child doesn't need to know the filth of the world.’
Could this tragedy have been avoided?
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”
With his head bowed, Leo wept in silence.
***
The assault by the Monster Queen, Sillatuna.
The Fairy Knight Berchia, who lost her family as a result.
Everyone was enraged.
They were furious at Tartaros for harming the family of a great hero.
But Sillatuna fled the moment she confronted Berchia.
She was not an opponent to be fought and won against.
The Monster Queen had simply wanted to ‘vent her frustration.’
Countless processions of mourners followed.
As a result of this incident, Berchia retired.
When the hero who was the Great Hero's disciple and had led this world stepped down from the front lines, many lamented.
They clung to her, begging her not to go and to continue leading them.
But Berchia was too exhausted.
“I don’t think I can muster the strength for the world anymore.”
With a weary smile, Berchia thus vanished from the public eye.
Some were saddened.
And others were glad.
***
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes, it has.”
A decade had passed since that horrific incident.
Bihar was visiting his old friend's home for the first time in a long while.
A room in the manor.
Berchia gently poked the cheek of her second child, who was asleep in a small bed.
Berchia’s sleeping daughter stirred.
Looking down at her, Berchia wore a soft smile.
“She’s grown so much.”
“Yes. She recently summoned a spirit, you know? I'm not talented with summoning, so I'm at a loss as to how to teach her.”
Berchia smiled cheerfully.
Watching her, Bihar opened his mouth.
“Can we talk for a bit?”
Slowly…
At his words, Berchia rose to her feet.
And she nodded.
The two moved to the manor’s study.
The high moon cast its light into the room.
Looking at it, Berchia spoke.
“You’ve changed a lot.”
“Hmm?”
“Before, Bihar, your eyes were dark… but now, they’re shining.”
“Ah…”
“It’s good to see.”
Berchia spoke with sincerity.
“It seems you’ve found something in this world.”
To that, Bihar replied.
“Are you… okay?”
Berchia’s gaze fell.
“For the past ten years, wars have been ceaseless. After you retired, conflicts over interests erupted all over the world.”
They pointed their weapons at each other and fought.
“But recently, the wars have noticeably subsided.”
The main instigators of the wars had all been brutally slaughtered by someone.
As if a judge were delivering a verdict.
“Berchia, ten years ago, after that incident, you told me not to look for the culprit.”
“Yes.”
Ten years ago.
The assault by the Monster Queen, Sillatuna.
Back then, Berchia lost her beloved partner and child.
The one who killed them was the Monster Queen.
But normally, the Monster Queen would not have dared to invade Berchia’s domain.
Berchia's power already surpassed that of a legion commander.
Even for the heinous Monster Queen, who had been destroying the world since the Age of Calamity, she was nothing more than prey before Berchia’s sword.
Not just the Monster Queen, but no existence from Tartaros would have dared to trespass into Berchia's territory.
And even if they had, they could not have escaped Berchia’s senses.
“It was an impossible feat unless there was a traitor on the inside.”
Bihar said in a heavy voice.
Looking at him, Berchia spoke.
“I needed to wait until Veni grew up.”
Berchia closed her eyes, thinking of the daughter she had carried in her womb at the time.
“Because I knew if I crossed that line, I would surely never return.”
“You didn't have to cross that line. I could have…!”
“No, Bihar.”
Berchia opened her eyes and looked at him.
“That was my job.”
“…”
“They didn't betray the world. They just wanted me to step aside so they could lead the world as they pleased.”
Berchia gave a slight smile.
“So, it's my job.”
“Fine, I understand. But… your anger may not have subsided, but… you've already executed all those who committed the crimes, haven't you?”
Bihar’s voice trembled.
“So why did you execute innocent people too?”
The endless wars of the past decade.
Those wars came to a halt in a single day.
Many who had groaned under the weight of war could finally breathe.
But in contrast, screams erupted from other places.
The powerful figures who instigated the wars.
Those who thought nothing of others’ lives for their own greed.
At first, executions were carried out on those who deserved to die.
But gradually, the blade lost its mercy.
Someone passed judgment on those who sinned.
And Bihar knew all too well that the one passing judgment was the friend standing before him.
It was right to judge sin.
‘But this method is wrong.’
At Bihar’s words, Berchia turned away and said.
“I’ve been thinking for ten years. What went wrong. I’m sure I did my best. I worked harder than anyone to properly cultivate the world our masters… the Great Heroes, passed down to us.”
Berchia’s eyes darkened.
“I wondered why it turned out this way.”
Her voice grew grim.
“And I realized. It’s not just the traitors in the dark who are eating away at this world. It’s not just the traitors who deserve to die.”
Berchia’s eyes gleamed chillingly.
“There are those who shouldn't be alive, even in the light.”
The killing intent in her voice made Bihar gasp.
“Countless people sacrificed themselves for this era.”
“Ber… chia.”
“So, only the righteous should live in this era. The worthless ones should all…”
“Berchia!”
Bihar grabbed Berchia’s shoulders and shouted.
“I understand how you feel! I’m sure there are those who are corrupting this world! But… but…”
Berchia’s current thinking was too extreme.
Not only was it completely unlike her, but she would eventually run rampant.
“We have to accept this too. Our master… the Great Heroes must have taken all this into account when they saved the world. So… let’s stop. You shouldn’t do this. Especially you…”
Seeing Bihar speak through tears, Berchia hung her head low.
Her slender shoulders trembled, and soon, she was gasping for breath.
“Why…? Why? Why?! Why!!! Why can’t I!? Lord Lisinas! Lord Dweno! Master Ar-on! Master Luna! Master Kyle! They, who should have enjoyed this peace more than anyone, passed away without enjoying anything! So why do those trash-like beings get to live, gnawing away at the world they left behind? Who do they think they are, enjoying all of it? Why do I have to watch that happen!? Why?! Why!”
Burning with hatred, Berchia shook off Bihar’s hands.
It wasn’t simple anger.
Berchia simply could not tolerate it.
That they lived so shamelessly on the sacrifices of Kyle and Luna, who were like parents to her.
Of the Great Heroes, who were like her family.
An injustice where those who lived each day to the fullest were mocked and trampled upon.
It was an insult to the Great Heroes.
An act that trampled on their sacrifices.
‘Ah.’
Bihar’s face twisted as if he were about to cry.
He, who had lived only in darkness even after the world was saved, had seen a light in that darkness.
Conversely, Berchia had found darkness in the light.
And that darkness was far, far too deep.
The hatred born from the incident ten years ago had spiraled, growing ever larger.
Bihar clenched his fists, biting his lip.
‘I have to stop her.’
If he let her continue, Berchia would run rampant.
She would never be able to return to her former self.
“I… will stop you.”
“You know it best! The ugliness of this world! You understand! So why are you stopping me!”
The hatred and anger, which had begun to pour out like a bursting dam, were directed at Bihar.
As if she couldn't understand why her friend was stopping her.
A clash erupted between the two.
The fight ended in Berchia’s victory.
And…
Bihar died from the aftereffects of this battle.
***
“…”
The memory shown by the Akasha Record ended, and Leo opened his eyes.
Rian was sitting sprawled on the floor, silently carving a gemstone.
“…It was an illness.”
“You’ve realized.”
Clink.
Rian placed Bihar’s statuette on the floor and looked up at Leo.
“Bihar was already a wreck because of his illness. Even if he hadn't fought Berchia, he would have died soon anyway.”
“I see.”
Leo wore a troubled expression.
Rian placed Berchia's statuette next to Bihar's.
“Berchia didn't live much longer either. Her lifespan was also running out.”
“…”
“Still, she delivered countless judgments. In the end, she was right. Her judgments led the world in the right direction.”
“But Berchia herself died miserably.”
“Yes, she died submerged in darkness. Unfortunately.”
Rian flicked Berchia’s statuette over with his finger.
Thud!
“She was a great hero. But the world broke her.”
Rian looked up at Leo.
“Lord Leo. This is not a request I make because you were Berchia's teacher. As one who has watched over the life of a great hero who shouldered the world, I ask you this.”
Rian rose from his seat and bowed his head deeply.
“Please grant her peace.”
As the administrator of the Hero Record, Rian was aware that Berchia was now rampaging as an undead.
At his words, Leo went over to Rian and knelt.
He placed his hand on the fallen statuette of Berchia.
“Who am I to grant that girl peace? Whether I have to smack her on the head or kick her in the butt, I have to make her come to her senses.”
“Even your words will not reach her, Lord Leo.”
Rian said in a flustered voice.
Berchia knew her choices were wrong.
But she couldn't bear it.
The rage directed at those who caused the death of her loved ones.
The hatred for those who trampled on the sacrifices of the Great Heroes.
The guilt of causing the death of a dear friend who studied under the same master.
Having already crossed an uncrossable line, Berchia’s ankles were shackled.
She was submerged in a darkness too deep for salvation.
“It doesn’t matter if my words don’t reach her. I told you.”
Leo set Berchia’s statuette upright.
“It’s a teacher’s duty to correct a student’s mistakes.”
“…Are you not disappointed in Berchia?”
“I was plenty disappointed while I was teaching her.”
Leo let out a chuckle.
“Besides.”
Standing up, Leo smiled gently.
“Even if I am disappointed, she's my student and like a daughter to me. It's only natural to take a fallen child by the hand and help them up, isn't it?”
At the sight, Rian’s mouth fell open in a daze.
‘Ah, as expected of him.’
“I’ve saved the world before. You think I can’t save one impudent elf?”
‘He is surely greater than the creator.’