LHAHS Chapter 536
"Another raid, you say?"
At the highest point of Eldon, an elf took his eyes off the observatory's telescope, his lips curling into a gentle smile.
The elf delivering the report flinched. "I apologize, Father. I will immediately lead a pursuit…"
"No need. They must have already disappeared into the underground." The elf with a serene expression shook his head as if it were of no consequence. "The underground city is still inaccessible?"
"Yes. An unidentified barrier continues to block the way."
"Hmm. No matter how I think about it, it's strange. A barrier that even the proud descendants of the stars in Eldon cannot break through? Just what has taken root down there?"
From atop the towering spire, he gazed down upon the vast expanse of Eldon. Even in the darkness of night, the city was bathed in brilliant light.
This bright city seemed to symbolize elven prosperity itself, but the man standing in the observatory, Ullein Conea, knew the truth. This prosperity had been built upon the trampled freedom, will, and future of others.
Of course, Ullein felt not the slightest trace of guilt over it.
Sacrifices are inevitable for the future and prosperity of our race. If those inferior beings understand they have been sacrificed for a noble cause, they too might find a sliver of honor in their lives.
The Nebula Pioneer, the Fairy Knight, and the Comet Mage. The three great heroes of elven history had left behind a legacy of equality for all, but in Eldon, that noble ideal had long since been forgotten.
Instead, it had transformed into precisely what they despised the most, yet no one in Eldon found it strange that not all were born equal, and those who could not wield the Stellar Magic bestowed by the great Nebula Pioneer were deemed inferior.
It is only natural for the superior to stand above the inferior.
Not all elves were noble. Believing this, Ullein had never enrolled in Seiren, and neither had the other members of the Conea family.
Rather than waste time at Seiren learning lesser magic, summoning arts, or crude aura techniques, they had focused solely on mastering Stellar Magic within Eldon.
They were a people who took their exceptional nature for granted.
That was the Conea family, and Ullein, their guildmaster, considered it all the more natural.
However, Ullein did differ slightly from the previous guildmasters of the Conea family.
"Father."
Beside the elf kneeling to deliver his report, another figure emerged, but unlike the first, this one was a pureblood elf. She had longer ears than the one kneeling, who could not even meet Ullein's gaze as he was merely a half-elf.
"Welcome, my daughter." Ullein greeted her with a warm smile.
His daughter, Raylin, lowered her head. As she did, for the briefest moment, her eyes flickered with disgust.
A typical reaction of the Pureblood Society upon seeing a half-elf, but Ullein rebuked her. "Raylin. Levean is your sibling."
"…I understand, Father, but I cannot accept it. That the purest blood of my father has been tainted with the wretched blood of other races!"
"From the Pureblood Society's perspective, I must seem like a heretic, but I believe this, those who wield Stellar Magic are all equal as mages. If we are to seek new possibilities, unity with other races is necessary."
"……"
"Most in the Pureblood Society may scorn me as a heretic blinded by desire… but I believe that without change, all things will inevitably rot away."
This was his creed and for the sake of that creed, he had taken to bed any woman who could wield Stellar Magic, regardless of race.
As a result, he had fathered countless half-elves and summoned them all to Eldon.
What he pursued was diversity. A foundation of Stellar Magic that could bloom from various perspectives. A truth unknown to the outside world.
A scandal carefully kept under wraps, yet, no one who knew dared speak of it and that was because of Ullein's genius.
He had never taken the title of hero, but he had dedicated his life to the study of Stellar Magic, advancing it beyond its previous limits.
Because of that influence, the Eldon Council never dared to expose his actions.
With no objections from within, the secret remained intact.
"I have fallen short of your expectations."
"I trust that one day, you will understand my vision, Raylin." Ullein smiled gently.
At a glance, he appeared to be a man who respected other races, but in truth, he regarded anyone who was not a Stellar Magic user as livestock. In some ways, he was even more twisted than the average member of the Pureblood Society.
"So? Has a new report come in?"
"…The Seiren students who visited Eldon today have disappeared. It seems they were likely kidnapped by dissidents."
"…A shame. To have such excellent students taken away."
"There is a possibility that the two of them harbored treacherous intentions."
"What do you mean?"
"Lunia El Lunda and Eiran Ersar. Despite being blessed by the stars at birth, those two students publicly oppose the ideals of the Pureblood Society."
"Lost souls, then."
"Yes."
"I found it odd when I heard that they had come to Eldon seeking knowledge."
"Hmm. And?"
"They may have entered Eldon under the pretense of studying, but in truth, they could have been colluding with the dissidents to overthrow this city." Raylin's eyes glowed with hostility. "As proof, take a look at these."
Raylin pulled two portraits from her coat. Drawn on them were two female Seiren students, one with white hair and the other with black.
"They're quite beautiful students. What about them?"
"They are Leo Plov and Chen Xia of Lumene."
A glint of interest flickered in Ullein's eyes. "So this is that Leo Plov, but I heard he was a man?"
"It seems he disguised himself to infiltrate."
"I see." Ullein nodded.
"Father, Leo Plov has long been at odds with the Pureblood Society. He must have entered Eldon with treacherous intent. He must be punished severely."
"This student conquered the world of the Pioneer, inherited Polyum, and was recognized by Lady Seiren herself as the successor to Cometes, was he not? Punishing him would go against their will."
"That is…" Raylin hesitated, unable to respond immediately.
Ullein chuckled at her silence. "Raylin. The descendants of the stars are all family. Differences in ideology merely mean they are lost souls."
"Father…"
"I shall meet Leo Plov personally."
Not only Raylin but also Levean, who had remained silent with his head bowed, lifted his gaze in shock.
"That means…?"
"Yes. The world is in chaos, so I can no longer devote myself solely to magical research."
It had been ten years since Ullein secluded himself in the observatory. During those ten years, he had immersed himself in the study of magic and refrained from engaging in external affairs.
Of course, he had not neglected his duties as the council chairman, but even so, officially leaving this place held great significance.
Raylin's face lit up with excitement. "You've made your decision!"
Ullein smiled gently. "If they meet me, even the lost children will find their way."
Raylin hesitated for a moment, then cautiously asked, "And if they refuse to stop wandering even after meeting you?"
Ullein responded with a serene smile. "Even the greatest figures make mistakes."
"What do you mean?"
"A wandering star naturally scatters into stardust. That is the way of the world."
"I-I think I'm going to throw up…"
"I-I can't eat anymore…"
"Ughhh…"
Chen Xia covered her mouth, while Eiran trembled, looking as if she was about to cry. Lunia, on the other hand, had thrown her head back against the chair, letting out a silent scream.
As for Rel, she had long since fled the house. At first, she had done her best to help, but she soon reached her limit.
"I-I have others to take care of…"
"Mmm, take care then."
"W-We too…!"
"Not you."
"W-Why not?"
"You're still growing."
Thus, the three girls failed to escape.
At last, when what had seemed like an endless feast had finally come to an end…
"Did you eat well? Should I make dessert? Do you want some?"
"N-No, thank you! We're really full!"
"I can't eat anymore!"
"L-Lady Velkia, you should rest too!"
"Really?" Velkia looked at them with disappointment.
The three girls frantically shook their heads.
Velkia brought over some tea and placed it in front of them. "Look forward to breakfast tomorrow."
Should we escape?
Is escaping from Lady Velkia even possible?
We need to summon Sir Leo, now!
The three girls screamed internally.
In the midst of it all, Eiran struggled to stand up. "Lady Velkia, it is an honor to meet you. My name is Eiran Ersar… I am your descendant."
"You are?"
"Yes."
"And you're friends with Xia?"
"Of course."
Velkia smiled in relief. "So, you two didn't become enemies. That's a relief."
Eiran bit her lip. "Lady Velkia."
"Call me Grandmother."
"N-No, I mean, calling you Grandmother is a bit…"
"Call. me. Grandmother."
Faced with Velkia's unwavering stance, Eiran hesitated before finally saying, "G-Grandmother…"
At that answer, Velkia smiled just as brightly as before. For the first time, genuine joy shone through her otherwise emotionless demeanor.
Eiran hesitated, then mustered the courage to ask, "…Why did you attack Grandfather?"
Lunia and Chen Xia flinched.
Velkia silently stared at Eiran. "That child was certainly upright, but he stood in my way."
"Grandfather respected you! That isn't a reason to cut him down…!"
"I have something I must do." Velkia said in an emotionless voice. "I must rid this world of all filth. Those who are unworthy have no reason to live in this world."
The three girls felt a chill run down their spines.
Velkia's voice held no anger. Nor was there hatred or sorrow. It was simply mechanical.
Eiran squeezed her eyes shut, and her fingertips trembled.
This isn't the Lady Velkia I know.
The Velkia she knew was gone. The one before her was merely a shade consumed by an overwhelming emptiness. Her words would never reach her.
The only one who could stop Velkia now was someone from her own era.
Sir Leo.
Eiran thought of Leo.
"You all are rather curious," Velkia suddenly said, tilting her head curiously. "The elves who use Stellar Magic wield something similar to Master Luna's magic, yet their foundation deviates significantly, but you…"
Velkia looked at Lunia and Eiran. "You're close to the fundamentals. As if you were personally taught by Master Luna."
Eiran and Lunia exchanged glances.
Chen Xia's eyes sparkled. "This seems like a good opportunity to tell her about Sir Leo."
"Leo? Who's that? A friend?"
"Yes. He's here with us in the city."
"Is he also malnourished?"
"…He's slender."
Velkia clicked her tongue. "Tsk, then he's malnourished. Kids should eat well."
"Haha…" Chen Xia gave an awkward laugh.
From the start, she did not hastily reveal Leo's existence to Velkia, and the same went for Lunia and Eiran.
Velkia was now an undead, a being that moved solely for its purpose, and that purpose was driven by deep-seated hatred. Though she seemed stable for now, in truth, her mind was highly unstable.
Moreover, one of the reasons Velkia had ended up like this was also because of the Great Heroes, especially Kyle.
What would happen if she were to hear that the Hero of the Beginning, Kyle, had reincarnated? It was impossible to predict her reaction. She might take it positively, but in the worst case, she could go on a rampage.
Expecting an undead to think rationally was impossible to begin with. Normally, undead were nothing more than monsters driven mad by their purpose. The only reason Velkia retained this much reason was because she was a hero of her caliber.
Velkia was like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment, but right now was a good opportunity.
The magic Leo had taught Lunia and Eiran was indeed magic that could not be learned in this era, and Velkia had seen right through it.
If she were to hear that the one who taught that magic was Leo?
She would have no choice but to grow curious about Sir Leo's identity.
If, at that moment, Leo revealed that he was the reincarnation of the Hero of the Beginning, Kyle… there was a high chance she would believe it.
Even if she didn't believe it outright, she would at least think, "Could it be…?"
Just seeing the magic those two use would be enough to know that only Sir Kyle or Lady Luna could have taught it.
Lunia and Eiran seemed to share Chen Xia's thoughts, nodding in agreement.
"Lady Velkia, there's something we need to tell you."
"What is it?"
"The one who taught us magic was the Hero of the Beginning, Sir Kyle."
"What?"
"He has reincarnated in the present era and has been teaching us Stellar Magic." Eiran said with a tense expression.
Velkia stared at Lunia and Eiran for a moment before saying, "Is that true?"
"Yes."
"Then show me the magic you learned."
The two girls roused their mana.
Fwoosh…! Wuuuuung…!
Flame Emperor, the magic Luna never managed to complete, and Animus' Blade, the last magic Luna left for her disciple. Both were magics that only those closest to Luna, the creator of Stellar Magic, could teach.
And in this world, there was only one person who fit that description—Leo.
"……" Velkia's eyes widened, but then she said, "I've never seen either of these before."
"Huh?"
"T-That can't be…"
Lunia and Eiran looked at her in shock.
Seeing their reactions, Velkia nodded to herself. "Looks like there's someone in this era pretending to be my master."
Fortunately, she didn't go berserk. However, her eyes harbored clear distrust toward Leo, whom she had never seen before.
Lunia and Eiran didn't know. Velkia had never seen Flame Emperor's formation because Luna had never shown her the incomplete spell. She didn't even know Animus' Blade existed because Luna had created it during her final campaign.
"Leo, was it?" Velkia stood up. "Xia, that's the name of that malnourished friend you mentioned, right?"
"U-Uh, Lady Velkia?"
"He dared to impersonate my master and deceive both mine and Bihar's descendants? Unforgivable."
The three girls realized that things had gone terribly wrong.
"I'll find him and teach him a lesson," Velkia growled as she stood up and left the house.
"W-Wait a moment!"
"Lady Velkia!"
"Please listen to us!"
The three of them panicked and tried to stop Velkia, but she had already stepped outside.
"W-What do we do?!"
Their faces turned deathly pale.