Chapter 542
Chapter Title: Unacceptable
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542.
Lunia took a deep breath and walked forward.
The gazes of the Templars descending from the sky fell upon her.
A beautiful girl with fiery red hair and eyes that seemed ready to ignite at any moment.
Even facing countless Templars, she showed no sign of intimidation.
Instead, she exuded an overwhelming presence.
Watching her, the woman at the lead, Reylin Konea, narrowed her eyes.
*So this is the girl, Lunia El Lundua.*
Five thousand years had passed since the end of the Age of Calamity.
The progenitor of the nebula, Luna Rubinence.
She was not merely the Great Hero of the elves who had saved the world.
*Countless elves followed the progenitor's will and inscribed their names in the Hero Record.*
Throughout five thousand years of history, countless intelligent and noble heroes had followed in her footsteps.
Yet, in all that vast history, those who received titles related to the stars were few enough to be counted on one hand.
*And yet...*
The girl before her had received the glorious title, ‘Follower of the Nebula.’
This was no simple title.
Anyone who wasn't a fool could understand who the word ‘Nebula’ in Lunia's heroic title referred to.
It meant she was, quite literally, officially recognized as Luna's successor.
For an elf, could there be a more glorious title?
“You are Lunia El Lundua, correct?”
“And?”
Lunia wore a crooked expression.
Seeing this, Reylin's eye twitched.
It was because she could feel clear hostility from Lunia.
“My name is Reylin Konea. I am the captain of Eldon's Templars.”
“Oh, okay.”
Looking at Lunia, who answered with a less-than-friendly tone, Reylin spoke.
“Lunia El Lundua, it seems I can feel animosity in your gaze… no, toward all of us from Eldon.”
Reylin said in a dignified voice.
“I am aware that you have attained the status of a hero. And that you have received a grand title.”
At those words, Lunia let out a scoff.
Her attitude caused Reylin's face to twist slightly.
“All the more reason you should be setting an example, Lunia El Lundua.”
Templar.
That was the name of the knightly order belonging to each elven council.
As a group composed of only the top elites from each elven nation, the captain of the Templars held a position of considerable power and status.
*A little while ago, I might have been concerned.*
But the Lunia of today couldn't care less about such things.
“I saw what’s happening in Eldon’s underground.”
Lunia sneered coldly, glaring at Reylin.
It wasn't simple hostility.
She stared at the person before her with utter disgust.
The Lunia of the past would not have been able to reveal her inner thoughts so recklessly.
But now, she displayed her animosity without hesitation.
It wasn't because Lunia was the student council president of Seirun, a position rivaling the council heads of the elven nations.
Nor was it because she was the successor directly acknowledged by Luna.
*Because I saw it.*
The image of one who never compromised with injustice came to mind.
The image of one who never turned a blind eye to the world's irrationality, who staked everything to uphold their convictions.
And Luna, who never considered it a sacrifice.
This was the world that Luna had passed down to future generations.
And it wasn't just Luna.
There was Verkia, who inherited that will and dedicated his entire life to the world.
And thousands of years after him, there was Seirun, who overcame the second coming of calamity and put the world on solid ground.
And so it continued, down to her own generation.
*The world is still irrational.*
Some were even swallowed by that irrationality.
Perhaps even the great heroes of the past would regret dedicating their all to save the world if they saw this tragic state.
That was why she could not compromise.
If there were those who trampled upon what the great heroes had protected.
Should there not also be those who punished them?
It was a duty one must fulfill if they lived in the world that their great predecessors had protected and passed down.
*We have to prove it.*
That the world was worth saving.
That your sacrifices were not in vain.
*Right, Leo?*
Lunia’s gaze lingered on Leo, who was confronting Verkia.
When she parted with Luna, she had sworn to herself time and again that she would never be ashamed of that back.
Lunia looked at Reylin and said.
“Examples are for people who are worthy of them.”
Lunia smiled brightly.
“I don’t think you’re worthy of that, though.”
“…”
Hearing Lunia’s words, Reylin’s lips twisted.
“The world is truly unfair. How could someone like you, who associates with half-breeds and other inferior races, obtain a title so far beyond your station?”
Reylin’s face contorted as she stared into Lunia’s unwavering red eyes.
“Why do you get to enjoy such undeserved glory!”
“I'm so sick of that ridiculous logic of yours. And now you're adding strange jealousy to the mix?”
Lunia, crossing her arms, let out a disbelieving laugh at Reylin’s display of anger.
“Is that thing on your head just for decoration?”
“What?”
“Try thinking for a moment.”
Lunia poked her temple, her face scrunching up.
“Do you really not know why I earned the title 'Follower of the Nebula' and gained Lady Luna's favor? Are you really that stupid? How did you even become a Templar captain? Is there something wrong with the heads of the Eldon Council? Ah! Seeing how you act, your brains must be broken.”
“How dare you speak such nonsense!”
Reylin’s face flushed red with anger.
Watching from behind, Eiran’s mouth fell open.
*Miss Lunia, it seems you’re showing more and more of your true self.*
Within Seirun, Lunia was known to let her true nature show without restraint.
But in public settings, she did her best to hold back.
Now, however, there was none of that.
A Lunia who wasn't putting on an act.
*Will this really be okay?*
Just as Eiran was starting to worry about the future.
“Because I'm just that good!”
Lunia’s eyes widened as she pointed a thumb at herself.
“The reason I earned the title 'Follower of the Nebula'! The reason Lady Luna favors me! The reason I became her successor! Isn't it all because I'm better than all of you!”
“You have no shame! To call yourself Lady Luna's successor with your own mouth! Know your place!”
As Reylin shouted, unable to tolerate it, Lunia openly scoffed at her.
“Have you ever met Lady Luna?”
“…”
“Have you ever fought with Lady Luna? Have you ever learned magic directly from her?”
As Reylin stood speechless, Lunia sneered.
“I can guarantee it. The kind of people Lady Luna would hate most in this world are the Pureblood Society, people just like you.”
“Hmph! I can’t listen to any more of this! I will make you pay the price for your reckless words!”
“That sounds great.”
Lunia extended her right hand.
Flash—!
With a brilliant flash of light, a staff materialized in Lunia’s hand.
Seeing it, Reylin’s face hardened.
“Cometes.”
Thud—!
Lunia slammed the staff in her hand onto the ground.
Fwoosh!
Red flames erupted from Lunia’s body.
Whoooosh—!
The crimson flames soon transformed into a white inferno.
“Because I was also planning to make you all pay the price for the sins you’ve committed.”
“You intend to stop Eldon’s Templars by yourself? How arrogant.”
“More than you?”
“Miss Lunia is not alone.”
Shing—!
Drawing her sword and shield, Eiran stepped in front of Lunia.
“You have me. As long as I am here, you will not lay a single finger on Miss Lunia.”
“You insolent brats.”
Reylin’s face contorted in a snarl.
“Miss Lunia, Miss Eiran.”
Chen Xia called out to the two in a strained voice.
“I’m sorry, but… can I leave this to you?”
“What’s wrong?”
Eiran looked slightly bewildered.
“I have to go now.”
Chen Xia gripped the dagger in her hand tightly and looked at Leo.
“To Young Master Leo… and Lord Verkia.”
***
Leo extended his hand.
The sword embedded in Ulein’s barrier pulled free and returned to Leo’s grasp.
Watching this, Ulein smiled.
“I don't understand. Were my words so infuriating?”
Ulein looked at Verkia.
“That man is certainly a great hero. The progenitor's disciple, who rebuilt the world and passed it down to future generations... He is someone who deserves reverence.”
Ulein’s gaze shifted away from Verkia.
“But that is all.”
Ulein smiled pleasantly.
“He may be the progenitor's disciple, but he never learned star magic. He certainly dedicated himself to the world, but now he is just a pitiful soul being manipulated by the Necro King.”
Leo watched Ulein in silence.
“He is a hero that any elf should admire. But whether he should be respected now is questionable.”
At those words, Leo closed his eyes.
“Rather than that, why not be grateful for this meeting?”
Ulein smiled, paying no mind to Leo’s feelings.
“Leo Flove, you who walk the path of the great nebula. I have wished to learn from you.”
At those words, Leo opened his eyes.
Ulein’s eyes were filled with goodwill.
“I was under the impression the Pureblood Society hated me.”
At that, Ulein laughed.
“I am a member of the Pureblood Society, and I am a pureblood supremacist… but I am not like the others. Their ideology does not align with mine.”
He spread his arms wide.
“All who walk the path of the nebula are equal. But regrettably, the Pureblood Society holds the mistaken belief that only elves have value. That does not align with Lady Luna's will. So, I decided to change my way of thinking. I thought the Konea family needed to change as well.”
His eyes twinkled like stars.
“All who use star magic are the chosen ones. To gather their magic, pass it down to future generations, and advance star magic itself. Is that not the true mindset of one who inherits the will of the nebula? That is why I desire star mages of diverse ideologies and powers.”
“Cut the crap and get to the point. What do you want from me?”
Ulein smiled pleasantly at Leo’s irritated question.
“Please allow your sacred blood to grace the Konea family.”
“What?”
“I have many daughters. Please bestow your grace upon them.”
“…”
Leo stared at Ulein with a slightly dumbfounded expression.
“Even if a new life is born from your grace, you will not need to fulfill any obligations.”
Ulein spoke with an expression that seemed almost pure.
“If you have a certain preference, please do not be shy and tell me. Fortunately, I have many daughters who have inherited the blood of various races. They are all exceptionally beautiful as well.”
As if it were the most righteous thing in the world, Ulein continued.
“If you wish, I can give you all of my daughters. They say heroes are libertines, do they not? I do not dislike that saying. Rather, it is the natural order of things. For a special individual to leave behind many descendants. Is that not also a way to serve the world? It would certainly be a blessing for our family as well.”
Leo let out a hollow laugh.
He realized the elf before him was a type of pureblood supremacist he had never seen before.
And he realized what kind of man he was.
There was no lie in his words about having children with various races and offering all the resulting daughters.
Moreover, there was no twisted desire deep within his heart.
Only the single-minded goal of creating superior mages.
A mage who treated everything as a tool for the sake of magic.
“You lunatic.”
Even at that, Ulein simply smiled pleasantly.
“That may be so. To those who have not yet experienced the greatness of potential, I may seem like a madman.”
With those words, Ulein extended his hand.
“In that sense, I shall show you that infinite potential.”
Woooong—
A magic circle materialized above Ulein’s palm.
Whoosh—!
Ulein’s mana began to swell.
Leo’s eyes twitched as he watched.
An immense amount of mana was radiating from Ulein.
It wasn't just a matter of sheer volume.
*He's clearly surpassed his own limits. It's as if he's borrowing mana from others…*
The moment he thought that, Leo fixed his gaze on the ground.
“This bastard.”
A grinding sound came from Leo’s teeth.
Whoooooosh—!
The Terminus magic circle was complete.
Ulein’s gaze turned to Verkia.
“First, I shall save this pitiful, rebellious soul.”
Flash—!
A massive pillar of light descended upon Verkia.
At that moment.
Craaaaaack—!
Leo's sword aura tore through the air toward Ulein.
Caught by the unexpected attack, Ulein quickly used a spatial movement spell to evade Leo’s strike.
The now-unaimed Terminus missed Verkia and exploded.
Caught in the blast, Verkia was sent flying.
Even if he had been hit by the Terminus, Verkia would not have been defeated.
But a Terminus of this magnitude would have inevitably caused damage.
Leo could never allow that.
He wouldn't let this man harm Verkia.
Ulein asked, as if he couldn't understand.
“I understand that you respect Lord Verkia. But that is merely an undead. An enemy we should defeat together. Could you please explain your reasoning to me?”
“You said you have many daughters?”
“Yes.”
“What would you do if I said I was going to kill your daughters?”
“I would ask for your reason.”
Ulein said with a benevolent smile.
“And if the reason was valid, I would accept it.”
“Then you’ll never understand.”
Leo said coldly.
“The reason I'm going to kill you.”