LHAHS Chapter 514
Luna's mind went blank.
Velkia was resurrected as an undead?
She wanted to reject it as nonsense, but there was no falsehood in the contract the Lich King had shown.
In addition to being a mage, Luna was a summoner bound by a pact with a fairy, and she could feel it in her very bones that the contract was genuine.
She grit her teeth.
What in the world happened to you, Velkia?
Both spirits and wraiths were beings who remained in this world due to lingering attachments, but depending on what those attachments were, they either became spirits or wraiths.
Only those who succumbed to hatred and malice formed contracts with necromancers and fell into darkness, becoming wraiths.
Luna couldn't bring herself to believe that her student had become such an existence, yet cruelly enough, it was the truth.
Her fingertips trembled.
Why had her once-bright student ended up like this?
She wanted to go to her right this moment. She wanted to shake her awake, but…
I don't have much time left.
Luna clenched her teeth.
She had been hit by the Lich King's spell. Since she was already dead, she wouldn't die again, but she had taken severe damage and the time she could remain had been drastically shortened.
For a mere spirit, Luna had achieved a miracle by holding her ground against the Lich King, an opponent who vastly outmatched her and was further empowered by Erebos's blessing.
Besides… even if I fall here, Kyle is still here.
Even if she lost and vanished, just like 5000 years ago, Leo would take care of it. Luna had that kind of trust and certainty in him.
Still… I can't fall!
Luna knew. She knew what she represented in this era. She knew what her defeat would mean for future generations.
Being a symbol is such a pointless burden.
Luna coughed up blood and laughed bitterly. It was a symbol she had once wanted to be, but only now did she realize how heavy that weight truly was.
Damn it! What a hassle. All I get are weird followers. Why did I even want this?
She wanted to go back in time and kick her past self for being so foolish, but the reason she couldn't lose wasn't just because she was a Great Hero.
I can't push this onto him again.
Leo would take care of everything, but if that happened, how would it be any different from 5000 years ago?
5000 years ago, she had no choice but to pass on the burden, and she hated herself for it. She resented how she had found peace with it and closed her eyes.
I can't let it happen again!
Whoooosh—!
Luna smiled. "I am the Nebula Pioneer Luna. The companion of the Hero of the Beginning, Kyle, who saved the world."
Her confidence shone like a star, unwavering even in the deepest darkness.
That image alone gave courage to all the heroes nearby. The Nebula Pioneer herself was standing on the battlefield once more. For a moment, the sight of her bleeding had filled them with despair, but her voice gave them strength.
They fought against the endless horde with renewed determination.
Whoooosh—!
"▮▮▮…" Luna began chanting in runic language, and the air trembled in response to her voice.
The Lich King narrowed his eyes at the sight. "Your incantations were always the most terrifying at the moment of victory."
The magic of the Nebula Pioneer, which had turned impossible battles upside down time and time again, It was now manifesting before his eyes.
"But this time is different. There is no one to protect you, Nebula Pioneer."
Whoooosh—!
"You've worked hard to give the people hope, but it was meaningless in the end. Now, disappear."
Black flames shaped like a scythe surged from his hand, aiming for Luna's neck.
Kraaaaash—!
Before it could strike, though , Lunia blocked it.
The Lich King sneered at Lunia, who had shielded herself with white flames. "…You won't last until her incantation is complete."
"Shut up, you pile of bones! I will last, no matter what!" Lunia clenched her teeth, her red eyes burning with determination.
At the very least, I need to ensure Lady Luna can leave without regrets! I have to show her that I can be trusted! I have to increase my firepower!
Whoooosh—!
Lunia's eyes widened. Her body was covered in burns from her own flames, and she felt like her brain was boiling, but she didn't stop.
More! Even more!! I have to chase after the person I admire with everything I've got!
"AAAAAAAH!"
Fwoooosh—!
Even as her consciousness blurred, Lunia's flames only grew stronger.
"This is…" The Lich King's expression hardened at the sight of Lunia's flames.
At that moment, Luna's voice rang out exasperatedly. "My goodness, just who did my successor take after to be this reckless?"
The Lich King's face stiffened. "You finished the incantation already?"
"You lost for two reasons, you damn bag of bones." Luna smirked and raised the middle finger of her right hand. "First, you underestimated Lunia too much." She raised the middle finger of her left hand. "Second, you picked a fight with me. So, drop dead."
Whoooosh—!
A massive surge of mana erupted. The entire city was bathed in the light of the morning star.
Flash—!
Extinction's radiance shot upward, and the Lich King vanished.
Everyone in Lumeria City squeezed their eyes shut at the blinding light, and when they reopened them, they were greeted by the sight of the Lich King's army and the Blood Queen's forces crumbling into dust, scattering into the wind.
Lunia gaped in disbelief. "This is… Extinction?"
"It's Extinction, but a little different." Luna approached Lunia's side, grinning. "If Extinction annihilates everything, this one only destroys demons. You could call it an upgraded version of Extinction. This big sister was inspired by you and created this spell."
Luna reached out and patted Lunia's head, and Lunia blushed and averted her gaze slightly.
Suddenly, Luna grabbed Lunia's cheeks and made her look at her.
"Lady Luna?"
"…You overexerted yourself to put me at ease, didn't you? Thank you."
"Lady Luna…"
"But from now on, don't push yourself too hard. Even if you don't, you're more than worthy to be my successor."
"No, I still have a long way to go."
"No, from what I see, you're already someone deserving of being called a hero. So always hold your head high."
Luna smiled brightly. She completely acknowledged Lunia now.
[Would you like to record the story of a hero?]
"Huh…?" Luna let out a surprised gasp at the message that appeared before her eyes.
Whoooosh—!
The Lich King, who had escaped high into the sky to avoid Luna's spell, narrowed his eyes.
A new spell.
Both the casting speed and power exceeded his expectations.
She created a new spell based on Extinction!
Recalling the spell Luna had just used, the Lich King clicked his tongue.
Luna Luminance… and Lunia El Lunda… This is unexpected.
The Lich King frowned. His plan had not turned out the way he wanted at all. In this battle, he had overwhelmed Luna and taken no direct damage, but the losses were painful.
About thirty percent of my legion has been wiped out… and the Blood Queen along with her entire army is gone.
It was a devastating loss.
Just as the Lich King let out a heavy sigh, Warp Gates began opening all over Lumeria City.
Vmmm—!
With them, the students of Lumene started appearing.
"It's been a while, Lich King."
The Lich King sighed as he saw Mel standing before him. "Dragon Queen."
Crack—! Shatter! Crash—!
The air split open, and a fist emerged, followed by the rest of Leo's body.
Although Leo's body was covered in wounds, he held the disembodied head of the Mirror Queen in his grasp.
"This… this doesn't make sense! How can you be fine after killing all your comrades?! You weren't that kind of person!" the Mirror Queen screamed in despair.
Leo shrugged. "My friends wouldn't try to kill me in the first place."
Crunch—!
"Aaaaah!"
As Leo tightened his grip, cracks spread across the Mirror Queen's face.
Shatter—! Shhhhhh—!
The shattered fragments of the Mirror Queen scattered and vanished without a trace.
Leo's red eyes turned toward the Lich King. "You're next."
"I have already lost to Luna Luminance, Hero of the Beginning."
Leo's eyes darkened. He understood exactly what it meant for the Lich King to have been defeated by Luna.
"You should go say your goodbyes to her."
With a sneer, the Lich King turned into black smoke and disappeared.
…He's completely gone.
Leo let out a deep sigh. If he was determined to flee, there was no way to stop him.
[The Nebula Pioneer has recorded the story of a new hero.]
"What?" Leo's eyes widened at the message that appeared before him.
Flash—!
Lunia's eyes went wide as she saw what had appeared in Luna's hands.
"A page from the Hero Record?"
"Hmm? So this is the Hero Record?" Luna curiously examined the Hero Page she had recorded, turning it over and inspecting it. Then, with a grin, she handed it to Lunia. "Here you go."
"Huh?"
"This is your record, Lunia."
Lunia hurriedly received the Hero Page.
[Follower of the Nebula: Lunia El Lunda]
"Huh…?" Lunia's body trembled, and her eyes widened in shock. "I… I'm a hero?"
Luna smiled warmly.
"Did you record that?" Leo asked in bewilderment, landing behind Luna.
"Are you alright?" Luna greeted lightheartedly.
"Ah! Leo! No, wait! S-Sir Kyle? Sir Leo?" Lunia fumbled over how to address Leo.
"Why are you so flustered? This isn't like you."
"T-That's because! I mean…! Aaaah!" Lunia's vision spun before she quickly bent at the waist, her face bright red as she frantically apologized. "I-I deeply apologize for my rudeness up until now! Hero of the Beginning!"
Leo stared at her incredulously. "The others adapted just fine. You're oddly rigid about unnecessary things."
"Our Lunia is a diligent honor student, after all." Luna laughed as she walked behind Lunia, placing her hands on her shoulders. "Lunia, don't be so stiff. Just call him Old Man or Geezer."
Lunia's eyes spun in confusion. "W-What?! H-How could I say something like that…!"
Chuckling at Lunia's reaction, Luna walked up to Leo.
By now, Tartaros's forces had retreated. All throughout the streets, people cheered in celebration of their victory. Amazingly, despite the large-scale invasion of Tartaros, there were no casualties.
It was a true miracle.
"Everything's thanks to the Nebula Pioneer, Lady Luna!"
"Huh? The Nebula Pioneer?"
"Glory to the Nebula Pioneer, Lady Luna!"
"Lady Luna has returned?!"
Shocked voices rang out from all around.
"Looks like a lot of people wanted to see me." Luna smirked and struck a triumphant pose. Then, she turned to Leo, her voice turning grave as she said, "Kyle. Velkia… has become an undead."
"What?!"
"I'm leaving our disciple to you."
Leo's eyes widened.
Luna smiled bitterly. Then, looking up at Leo, she suddenly grabbed his collar and yanked him down.
"Ugh?!" Leo was caught off guard.
Lunia instinctively covered her mouth, eyes wide with shock.
After a brief pause, Luna let go of his collar and took a step back, grinning smugly. "How was it? I did way better than Lysinas, didn't I?"
Leo let out a short laugh. "…You did well."
"Of course~ I've practiced a lot, always imagining it." Puffing out her chest, Luna beamed. Then, pointing her finger at Leo, she confidently declared, "Kyle."
"…?"
"I love you."
"…!"
"I want to live in the same house as you, do all sorts of things together, have and raise kids with you, and spend my entire life with you." Luna folded her arms and tilted her chin up. "So, let's get married."
"……" Leo was utterly dumbfounded by the bombshell she just dropped. "I…"
"You don't need to answer." Luna smiled brightly at the flustered Leo and stepped back without hesitation. Then, with a carefree wave, she said, "See you next time."
She bid farewell as if they would meet again tomorrow.
Without a shred of regret, she turned and walked away. As she passed the frozen Lunia, she gave her a playful wink, then soared through the air and landed atop one of the ruined towers of Lumeria City.
"Ahem!" she cleared her throat.
At once, her voice, amplified by magic, resonated throughout the entire city.
"Ah! Lady Luna!"
"Ooooh! The Nebula Pioneer!"
"Huh? Wait a minute! Isn't that the exchange student from Seiren?"
"It really is! No way… was she actually Lady Luna?"
"Ah…!"
Gasps of shock erupted among the Lumene students.
As all eyes focused on Luna, she said, "I'll now tell you the real history, so listen carefully."
The moment she mentioned real history, everyone held their breath. History recounted directly from a Great Hero's mouth? Was there some hidden truth about the past that they didn't know about?
Luna's voice took on a chilling edge. "To those idiots who paired me with that old fossil Dweno, go fucking die. That never happened."
For a moment, everyone doubted their ears.
"As for Aaron? I only ever saw him as a cute little brother, nothing more!"
Luna's voice rose in volume.
"The one I liked was Kyle! So pass this down properly to the future generations! Huuup—!"
Luna took a deep breath.
"I! LOVE! KYLEEEEEEEEEEE!"
At this historic moment, right after creating a miracle, the message Luna delivered to the entire world was her confession to Kyle.
As everyone reeled in shock, Luna grinned in satisfaction. Turning toward Leo, she pulled down her lower eyelid with one hand, stuck out her tongue, and vanished into light.
"Haha… didn't she say she'd never confess first again, though?" Leo let out a hollow laugh, burying his face in his hands. "This damn nuisance of an elf…"