LHAHS Chapter 542
Lunia took a deep breath and stepped forward.
The gazes of the Templars descending from the sky immediately locked onto her, a strikingly beautiful girl with fiery red hair and eyes that looked as if they could ignite at any moment.
Despite standing before an overwhelming number of Templars, she showed no signs of intimidation. Instead, she exuded an overwhelming presence.
The woman at the forefront, Raylin Conea, narrowed her eyes.
So this girl is Lunia El Lunda.
Five thousand years had passed since the end of the Age of Calamity. The Nebula Pioneer, Luna Luminance, was not just an elven Great Hero who saved the world.
Countless elves followed the Pioneer's will and inscribed their names into the Hero Record.
Through five thousand years of history, countless wise and noble heroes had followed in her footsteps, but among that vast history, those who had received titles related to the stars were so few they could be counted on one hand.
And yet… the girl before her bore the glorious title of the "Follower of the Nebula."
This was no mere title. It was obvious to anyone with a shred of intelligence who the word "Nebula" in Lunia's hero title referred to.
That meant she had been officially recognized as Luna's successor.
For an elf, could there be any greater honor?
"You are Lunia El Lunda, correct?" Raylin asked.
"And if I am?" Lunia smirked, her expression cocky.
Raylin's eyes twitched at the unmistakable hostility in Lunia's gaze, but she still said, "My name is Raylin Conea. I am the leader of Eldon's Templars."
"Oh, right," Lunia replied in an entirely unwelcoming tone.
"Lunia El Lunda, I can sense it. The hostility in your eyes toward me, no, toward Eldon itself." Raylin narrowed her eyes. "I understand that you have ascended to the rank of hero, and that you have been granted a most esteemed title."
"Hah!" Lunia let out a small laugh.
Raylin's face contorted slightly. "That is all the more reason you must set an example, Lunia El Lunda."
The Knights Templar was the name given to the knightly orders under each elven council. They were composed of only the greatest elites from each elven nation, and as a Templar leader, Raylin's strength and status were by no means insignificant.
Not too long ago, I might have cared.
However, the current Lunia had no reason to concern herself with that.
"I've seen what's happening beneath Eldon," she sneered coldly, her glare piercing into Raylin.
It wasn't just hostility, it was sheer disgust.
Until recently, Lunia would never have revealed her true emotions so openly, but now, she had no hesitation in showing her contempt.
It wasn't because she held a position as high as an elven council leader, being the student council president of Seiren.
It wasn't even because she had been personally acknowledged as Luna's successor.
It's because I saw it.
She remembered someone who had never compromised with injustice. Someone who never turned away from the world's cruelty and put everything on the line to uphold her beliefs. Someone who never once considered her sacrifices as such.
Luna Luminance.
This was the world Luna had entrusted to the future, and not just her.
Velkia had carried on that will, dedicating her very life to the world.
Another thousand years later, Seiren had overcome the return of calamity to establish a new foundation for the world.
It had all led to this moment.
The world is still unjust.
There were still those being consumed by its unfairness.
If those great figures were to see this tragedy, they might even regret sacrificing everything to save the world.
That was why she couldn't compromise.
If there were those who trampled upon what the Great Heroes had protected, then shouldn't there also be those who would punish them?
It was the duty of those living in the world their predecessors had fought to protect.
We have to prove it.
That the world was worth saving. That their sacrifices were not in vain.
Isn't that right, Leo?
Lunia's gaze lingered on Leo, who was facing Velkia.
Back when she parted ways with Luna, she had sworn over and over that she would never disgrace that departing figure.
Looking back at Raylin, Lunia smiled and said, "You're right. I'll set an example… for those who are worthy. But… I don't see how you qualify."
"……" Raylin's face contorted as she stared into Lunia's unwavering red eyes. "This world truly is unfair. How is it that someone like you, someone who mingles with half-breeds and lesser races, was given such an undeserved title? How could someone like you enjoy such an undeserved honor?!"
"I'm so sick of hearing that nonsense. And now you're even getting jealous?" Lunia folded her arms and scoffed in disbelief at Raylin's outrage. "Is your brain just for decoration?"
"What?"
"Try using it for once." Lunia tapped her temple repeatedly, frowning. "Do you really not understand why I was given the title of the Follower of the Nebula and why Lady Luna favors me? Are you seriously that dumb? How did you even become a Templar leader? Is there something wrong with the brains of Eldon's council? Oh! Looking at how you act, I guess your heads really are broken."
"How dare you spew such blasphemy?!" Raylin's face turned red with fury.
Eiran, who had been watching from behind, gaped in shock.
Lunia… she's really starting to show her true nature.
Lunia had never held back when inside Seiren, but in public settings, she usually exercised restraint.
However, now, she wasn't holding back at all.
This was Lunia with no pretense.
Is this really okay?
Eiran felt a bit uneasy about what might happen next.
"That's because I'm better than you!" Lunia's eyes blazed as she pointed at herself. "I got the title of the Follower of the Nebula! I was recognized by Lady Luna! I became her successor! And it's all because I'm better than you pathetic lot!"
"You have no shame! To declare yourself Lady Luna's successor with your own mouth! Know your place!" Raylin shouted, unable to accept it.
Lunia, in response, openly sneered. "Have you even met Lady Luna?"
"……"
"Have you ever fought together with Lady Luna? Have you ever learned magic directly from her?" Lunia openly sneered at Raylin, who was unable to answer. "I guarantee you, the kind of people Lady Luna hates most in this world are exactly the ones like you, the Pureblood Society."
"Enough! I cannot listen to this any longer! You will pay for your reckless words!"
"That's perfect." Lunia extended her right hand.
Flash…!
With a burst of radiant light, a staff materialized in Lunia's grasp.
Raylin's expression hardened upon seeing it. "…Cometes."
Boom…!
Lunia slammed the staff into the ground.
Whoosh!
Crimson flames erupted from her body.
Ooooooooh…!
The deep red fire soon shifted into a brilliant white blaze.
"I was planning to make you pay for your crimes too."
"You think you can stand against Eldon's Templars alone? Arrogant fool."
"Not as arrogant as you lot."
Schwing…!
"Lunia isn't alone." Eiran stepped in front of Lunia, drawing her sword and shield. "As long as I'm here, no one will lay a finger on her."
"You insolent brats." Raylin's face twisted in anger.
"Lunia, Eiran," Chen Xia called in a firm voice. "Sorry, but… can I leave this to you?"
"What's going on?" Eiran looked slightly confused.
"I need to go now." Chen Xia tightened her grip on the dagger in her hand and turned to look at Leo. "To Sir Leo… and Lady Velkia."
Leo extended his hand. The sword embedded in Ullein's barrier wrenched free and flew back into Leo's grasp.
Ullein chuckled, "I fail to understand. Is what I said truly so infuriating?" He turned his gaze to Velkia. "That woman is certainly a great hero. The disciple of the Pioneer, the one who rebuilt the world and passed it on to future generations… a figure worthy of admiration."
Ullein then looked away from Velkia and smiled faintly. "But that is all she is. She may have been the disciple of the Pioneer, but she never learned Stellar Magic. She may have dedicated herself to the world, but now, she is merely a pitiful soul being toyed with by the Lich King's schemes."
"……" Leo silently stared at Ullein.
"As an elf, she is a hero worthy of respect, but whether she is worthy of honor is another matter."
Leo closed his eyes.
"Rather than being angry, wouldn't it be better to be grateful for this meeting?" Ullein smiled as if he paid no mind to Leo's emotions. "Leo Plov, the one who walks the Path of the Nebula. I have long wished to learn from you."
Leo opened his eyes, only to see that Ullein's gaze was full of goodwill.
It disgusted him.
"I was under the impression that the Pureblood Society despised me," he remarked sarcastically.
Ullein laughed, "I am indeed a member of the Pureblood Society and a believer in pure bloodlines… but I am not like most of them. Their ideology does not align with mine."
Spreading his arms, he continued, "Those who walk the Path of the Nebula are all equals. Unfortunately, the Pureblood Society clings to the misguided belief that only elves hold value. That is not in line with Lady Luna's will. So, I have decided to change my perspective. I believe that the Conea family must also change."
His eyes shimmered like stars. "Those who wield Stellar Magic are the chosen ones. Gathering their magic, passing it down to future generations, and advancing Stellar Magic further, this, I believe, is the true path for those who carry on the will of the nebula. That is why I seek mages of diverse ideologies and abilities."
"Enough nonsense. Get to the point. What do you want from me?" Leo snarled irritably, glaring at Ullein.
Ullein replied with a gentle smile, "I wish for your sacred blood to be passed down to the Conea family."
"What?"
"I have many daughters. I would like you to bestow your blessing upon one of them."
"……" Leo stared at Ullein in disbelief.
"There is no obligation to take responsibility for any life that may be conceived from your blessing." Ullein said with a face so pure it was unsettling. "If you have any particular preferences, do not hesitate to say so. Fortunately, my daughters come from various racial lineages. They are all quite beautiful as well."
As if he were proposing something entirely natural, Ullein continued, "If you wish, I could even offer you all of my daughters. It is often said that heroes are lustful, is it not? I do not find such words offensive. In fact, it is only natural. Is it not also a path for the world's prosperity? The birth of numerous exceptional descendants would surely be a blessing for our family as well."
Leo let out a hollow laugh. He realized something. This elf standing before him was a type of pureblood supremacist he had never encountered before, but he understood exactly what kind of person Ullein was.
There was no lie in his words when he said he had fathered children with many different races and was willing to offer his daughters to Leo.
More importantly, there was no twisted desire lurking in his heart. He genuinely believed that producing superior bloodline mages was the only thing that mattered.
A mage who saw everything as mere tools in the pursuit of magic.
"Fucking lunatic," he growled.
Despite the insult, Ullein simply smiled. "That is understandable. To those who have yet to experience the greatness of possibility, I may indeed seem like a madman." He extended his hand. "In that sense, allow me to show you boundless possibility."
Wooong—
A magic circle materialized above his palm.
Woooong…!
Ullein's mana surged.
Leo's eyes twitched. An overwhelming amount of mana emanated from Ullein, but it wasn't merely the sheer quantity that stood out.
He's clearly surpassed his own limits. As if he's borrowing mana from another source…
The moment that thought crossed his mind, Leo's gaze snapped downward.
"You bastard."
A grinding sound escaped from Leo's clenched teeth.
Oooooooooh…!
The spell Extinction was complete.
Ullein's eyes shifted to Velkia. "First, allow me to rescue this pitiful soul who dares to resist."
Flash…!
A massive burst of light engulfed Velkia.
At the same time, a wave of sword aura shot toward Ullein.
Kwagagagagagagagak…!
Faced with an unexpected attack, Ullein swiftly used teleportation magic to evade Leo's strike. The Extinction spell, now left without a target, exploded before it could reach Velkia.
Velkia was caught in the explosion and sent flying. Even if she had been directly struck by Extinction, it wouldn't have been enough to bring her down, but an attack of this magnitude was bound to deal some damage.
Leo would never allow that. He would never allow this man to harm Velkia.
Ullein, seemingly unable to comprehend, asked, "I understand that you respect Lady Velkia, but she is nothing more than a mere undead. She is a target that should be eradicated alongside me. Could you explain why you are doing this?"
"You said you had many daughters, right?"
"Yes."
"What if I said I was going to kill them?"
"I would ask for a reason," Ullein replied with a benevolent smile. "And if the reason was justified, I would accept it."
Leo's voice turned ice-cold. "Then there's no way you'll ever understand the reason why I'm going to kill you."