Chapter 536
Chapter Title: An Impostor Hero
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536.
“Another attack, you say?”
At the highest point in Eldon.
An elf, pulling his eye away from the telescope in the observatory, smiled gently.
At his reaction, the elf delivering the report flinched.
“My apologies, Father. I will pursue them at once—”
“There’s no need. They’ve likely already vanished underground.”
The elf with the gentle demeanor shook his head as if it were nothing.
“Are we still unable to enter the underground city?”
“Yes. An unidentified barrier is still blocking the way.”
“Hmm. It’s strange, no matter how I think about it. A barrier that not even Eldon’s proud Descendants of the Stars can penetrate. What on earth has taken root in this underground?”
From atop the towering structure, he looked down upon the vast expanse of Eldon.
Despite the dark of night, the entire city was filled with a brilliant light.
This radiant city seemed to symbolize the prosperity of the elves.
But the man looking down from the observatory, Ullein Konea, knew the truth.
He knew that this prosperity was built by trampling on the freedom, will, and future of others.
Of course, Ullein felt not a shred of guilt about it.
‘Sacrifice is inevitable for the future and prosperity of our race. If those inferior beings knew they were being sacrificed for a greater cause, they might find some glory in their lives.’
The Founder of the Nebula.
The Fairy Knight.
The Comet Sorcerer.
The great heroes known as the three paragons of the elves had passed down the belief that all were equal.
But here in Eldon, that noble ideal had long been forgotten.
Instead, it had become a twisted form of what they had despised most.
Yet no one in Eldon found it strange.
They were not equal from birth.
Those who could not master the star magic left behind by the great Founder of the Nebula were inferior.
‘It is only natural for the superior to stand above the inferior.’
Not all elves were noble.
That was why Ullein had not even enrolled in Seirun.
It was the same for the other members of the Konea family.
They considered it a waste of time to go to Seirun, where they would have to learn other low-class magic, summoning, or miscellaneous skills like aura, when they could be dedicating all their time to learning star magic.
And so, they had devoted themselves solely to mastering star magic within Eldon.
Those who took the special for granted.
That was the Konea family, and as its head, Ullein took it for granted more than anyone.
But Ullein was slightly different from the previous heads of the Konea family.
“Father.”
Another figure appeared beside the elf who was kneeling to give his report.
But this one was slightly different from the first.
To be precise, this was a pure elf.
Longer ears than the one who couldn't meet his gaze while kneeling.
The one prostrating on the floor was none other than a half-elf.
“Welcome, my daughter.”
Ullein greeted his daughter with a warm smile.
His daughter, Rayrin, bowed her head once.
As she did, a flicker of disgust crossed her eyes.
It was the typical reaction of the Pure-Blood Society upon seeing a half-elf.
But Ullein admonished her for it.
“Rayrin. Levean is your brother.”
“...I am aware, Father. But I cannot accept it. The fact that your blood, the purest of all, has been tainted by the blood of an inferior race!”
“From the Pure-Blood Society’s perspective, I am surely a heretic. But this is how I see it: all users of star magic are equal sorcerers. To find new possibilities, harmony with other races is necessary.”
“…”
“Most of the Pure-Blood Society may see me as a heretic blinded by lust… but I believe that without change, we will eventually rot.”
He considered it his conviction.
And for the sake of that conviction, he had taken to bed with women of any race, so long as they could use star magic.
As a result, he had fathered countless half-elves and summoned them all to Eldon.
What he sought was diversity.
A foundation for star magic to blossom from diverse values.
It was a fact not known to the public.
A disgrace treated as a strict secret.
But no one who knew the truth dared to speak of it.
That was because of the genius of the current chairman of the Eldon council, Ullein.
He had not ascended to the rank of a hero.
But he had dedicated his entire life to the study of star magic and had advanced it.
Because of his influence, the Eldon council did not publicize his actions.
With no one speaking up from within, the secret was kept.
“My intentions were shortsighted.”
“I believe you too will one day understand my will, Rayrin.”
Ullein smiled gently.
At a glance, it seemed as if he respected other races.
But he considered anyone other than a star magic user to be livestock.
In a way, his madness was even more twisted than that of a typical member of the Pure-Blood Society.
“So? Has a new report come in?”
“...The Seirun students who visited Eldon today have disappeared. It seems they were abducted by the hostile group.”
“…A regrettable turn of events. For such excellent students to be captured.”
“It’s possible the two of them harbor hostile intentions.”
“What do you mean?”
“Lunia El Lundua and Eiran Ersar. Despite being born with the blessing of the stars, these two students oppose the will of the Pure-Blood Society.”
“Wandering souls, I see.”
“Yes.”
“I found it questionable that the purpose of their visit was to seek learning in Eldon.”
“Mm-hm. And so?”
“They may have come here with the intent to overthrow Eldon by collaborating with the agitators within.”
Hostility flared in Rayrin’s eyes.
“As proof, please look at this.”
Rayrin took two portraits from her sleeve.
They depicted female students from Seirun, one with white hair and one with black.
“They are beautiful students. What of them?”
“They are Leo Flove and Chen Xia of Lumerne.”
A flicker of interest appeared in Ullein’s eyes.
“So this is that Leo Flove. But I heard he was a man?”
“It seems he infiltrated in disguise.”
“I see.”
Ullein nodded in understanding.
“Father, Leo Flove is one who has opposed the Pure-Blood Society. He must have infiltrated Eldon with hostile intentions. He must be severely punished.”
“Isn’t this the student who conquered the Founder’s World, inherited Pollium, and even received Seirun’s acknowledgment to inherit Cometes? Punishing him would go against the will of those two, would it not?”
“That is…”
Seeing Rayrin unable to answer hastily, Ullein smiled.
“Rayrin. The Descendants of the Stars are all like family. Those with different wills are simply wandering.”
“Father…”
“I shall meet with Leo Flove myself.”
At those words, not only Rayrin but also Levean, who had been bowing his head without daring to join the conversation, raised his head with wide eyes.
“By that, you mean…?”
“Yes. The world is in turmoil, so it seems I can no longer devote myself solely to magic research.”
It had been ten years since Ullein had secluded himself in this observatory.
For those ten years, he had researched magic and had not involved himself in external affairs.
Of course, he hadn't neglected his duties as council chairman, but even so, his officially leaving this place held great significance.
Rayrin’s face flushed with excitement.
“You have achieved your goal!”
At Rayrin’s words, Ullein smiled faintly.
“If they meet with me, even the wandering children will find their way.”
Rayrin paused at his words, then asked cautiously.
“What if they do not stop wandering even after meeting you, Father?”
Ullein smiled gently at her question.
“Even the greatest of heroes make mistakes.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“It is the natural order for a wandering star to scatter into starlight.”
***
“I-I think I’m gonna be sick…”
“I-I can’t eat anymore…”
“Ughhhh.”
Chen Xia covered her mouth, and Eiran was trembling with a face on the verge of tears.
Lunia was leaning back in her chair, head thrown back as she let out a silent scream.
As for Rell, he had left the house long ago.
He had tried his best to help at first but soon reached his limit.
‘I-I have to go look after the others…’
‘Okay, off you go.’
‘W-We should too…!’
‘Not you two.’
‘Wh-Why?’
‘You’re both still growing.’
And so, the three girls failed to escape.
The seemingly endless feast of food had finally come to an end.
“Did you eat well? Should I make dessert? Do you want some?”
“N-No, thank you! I’m really full!”
“I can’t eat another bite!”
“L-Lady Verkia, you need to rest too!”
“Really?”
Seeing the three frantically shake their heads, Verkia looked disappointed.
She then brewed some tea and placed it before them.
“Look forward to breakfast tomorrow.”
‘Should we escape?’
‘Is it even possible to escape from Lady Verkia?’
‘I think we need to call Leo.’
The three girls screamed internally.
Amidst the chaos, Eiran struggled to her feet.
“Lady Verkia. It’s an honor to meet you like this. My name is Eiran Ersar… I am your descendant.”
“You are?”
“Yes.”
“You’re my descendant, and you’re friends with Xia?”
“Of course.”
Verkia beamed at her answer.
“So you two didn’t become enemies. What a relief.”
Watching the relieved Verkia, Eiran bit her lip hard.
“Lady Verkia.”
“Call me Grandma.”
“No, I mean, calling you Grandma is…”
“Call me Grandma.”
Faced with Verkia’s firm insistence, Eiran hesitated before speaking.
“Grandma.”
Verkia’s smile was as bright as before.
Joy emanated from her, who had been so expressionless.
Watching her, the hesitant Eiran finally managed to ask.
“…Why… did you attack Grandpa?”
At her question, Lunia and Chen Xia flinched.
Verkia looked at Eiran without a word.
“He was certainly an upright child. But he stood in my way.”
“Grandpa admired you, Lady Verkia! Was that a reason to cut him down…!”
“I have something I must do.”
Verkia spoke in an emotionless voice.
“I must eliminate all the trash defiling this world. Those who are unworthy have no reason to live in this world.”
A chill ran down the spines of the three girls.
There was no anger in Verkia’s voice.
Nor was there hatred or sadness.
It was merely a mechanical tone.
‘This isn’t the Lady Verkia I know.’
Eiran squeezed her eyes shut.
Her fingertips trembled.
The Verkia she knew was gone.
The Verkia before her was merely a person swept away by a terrible emptiness.
Her voice would not reach her.
The only one who could stop Verkia would be someone who had lived in the same era as her.
‘Sir Leo.’
Eiran thought of Leo.
Just then, Verkia spoke.
“By the way, you all are a little strange.”
Verkia tilted her head.
“The star magic used by elves was similar to Master Luna’s, but it had strayed far from its foundation. But you two…”
Verkia looked at Lunia and Eiran.
“You are close to the foundation. It’s as if you learned magic directly from Master Luna herself.”
At those words, Eiran and Lunia looked at each other.
Chen Xia’s eyes lit up.
“I think this is a good opportunity to tell you about Sir Leo.”
“Leo? Who’s that? A friend?”
“Yes. He’s here in the city with us right now.”
“Is he skinny too?”
“…He’s slim.”
“So he’s skinny. Kids these days need to eat properly.”
As Verkia clicked her tongue, Chen Xia gave an awkward laugh.
Chen Xia hadn't rashly revealed Leo’s existence to Verkia.
The same went for Lunia and Eiran.
The current Verkia was an undead.
A being that moved only for her purpose, a purpose rooted in profound hatred.
She was stable now, but her mental state was in fact highly volatile.
And one of the reasons Verkia had become this way was the Great Hero.
Her feelings regarding Kyle, in particular, were complicated.
In such a situation, what would happen if she heard that Kyle, the Hero of the Beginning, had been reincarnated?
Her reaction was impossible to predict.
It could be positive, but in the worst-case scenario, she could go on a rampage.
It was foolish to expect normal reasoning from an undead in the first place.
A hero of Verkia’s caliber was able to maintain this much rationality, but originally, the undead were monsters that ran wild, driven mad by their purpose.
Verkia was a ticking time bomb.
But now was a good opportunity.
The magic Leo had taught Lunia and Eiran was the foundation itself.
Verkia had seen right through it.
It was magic that couldn't be learned in this era.
What if they said the one who taught them this magic was Leo?
‘She’d have no choice but to be curious about Young Master Leo’s identity.’
And then, what if they revealed that Leo was the reincarnation of Kyle, the Hero of the Beginning?
The probability that she would believe them was high.
‘Even if she doesn’t believe it, she’ll at least feel a sense of ‘what if?’ Just by looking at their magic, she’ll know immediately that it’s something only Sir Kyle and Lady Luna could have taught.’
At Chen Xia’s words, Lunia and Eiran seemed to have the same thought and nodded.
Then, they spoke cautiously.
“Lady Verkia, there’s actually something we need to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“The one who taught us magic was Sir Kyle, the Hero of the Beginning.”
“What?”
“He was reincarnated in this era and taught us star magic.”
Eiran said, her expression tense.
Verkia stared intently at Lunia and Eiran, then spoke.
“Is that true?”
“Yes.”
“Then show me this magic you’ve learned.”
At her words, the two summoned their mana.
Fwoosh—!
Vwooom—!
The Emperor’s Flame, a magic that Luna had never completed.
The Sword of Animus, the last magic Luna had left for her disciple.
Both were spells that could only be taught by a user of star magic who had been close to Luna.
And in this world, there was only one such person: Leo.
“…”
Verkia’s eyes widened.
Then she said.
“I’ve never seen either of those spells before.”
“What?”
“Th-That can’t be!”
Lunia and Eiran wore expressions of bewilderment.
Watching them, Verkia nodded.
“It seems there’s an impostor in this era, posing as my master.”
Thankfully, a disaster like her going on a rampage didn't occur.
But in her eyes, there was a clear distrust for the Leo she had never even met.
Lunia and Eiran didn't know.
They didn't know that the White Flame was an incomplete magic, and Luna had never shown Verkia its formula.
They didn't know that the Sword of Animus was a magic Luna had created during her final expedition, so Verkia was completely unaware of its existence.
“Leo, you said?”
Verkia rose from her seat.
“Xia, he’s that skinny friend you mentioned, right?”
“Um… that is, Lady Verkia?”
“How dare he impersonate my master to deceive my descendant and Bihar's? Unforgivable.”
The three of them felt that things had gone horribly, horribly wrong.
“I’ll find him and punish him.”
Verkia left the house, growling under her breath.
“W-Wait a moment!”
“Lady Verkia!”
“Please listen to what we have to say!”
The three of them frantically tried to stop Verkia, but she was already out the door.
“Wh-What do we do!”
The faces of the three girls turned deathly pale.