Editor : Amethyst00



[To all honored guests in the audience, please evacuate quickly to the interior of the Seiren campus! Repeating once again! To all honored guests in the audience, please evacuate quickly to the interior of the Seiren campus……]

An urgent voice echoed throughout the school.

Those who had come to Seiren to watch the Lumeiren Competition hurriedly evacuated into Seiren’s main building under the students’ guidance.

“How foolish, Monster Queen.”

Before the Monster Queen arrived, the first to speak among the heroes and guild members of the Hero Guild who had gathered there was none other than Boreas.

A man who actively led Seiren on the frontlines against Tartaros.

Although his name had not yet been inscribed in the Hero Record, his skills were said to rival those of active heroes.

“It’s an unprecedented situation, but rather, it works to our favor.”

Boreas spoke powerfully as he looked around the hall.

“This is the Hero Academy Seiren. Even if it’s a Legion Commander, this is not a place such one can dare to invade. For her to step in here on her own feet, it’s a blessing for us. Isn’t it?”

Boreas curled his lips into a grin.

“Crisis is opportunity! Let us subjugate the Monster Queen Sillatna here today!”

Though the Hero Academy was not particularly renowned for its strength due to its name, beyond students and instructors, the academy possessed many hidden powers.

When combined, the total stationed force of the academy was powerful enough to wage war against the world itself.

Moreover, heroes had been summoned in preparation for Tartaros’s provocation.

Boreas’s words brimmed with confidence, and several others nodded in agreement.

“If she's an ordinary legion commander, perhaps. But… our opponent is the Monster Queen Sillatna herself.”

Then Jean of the Undine Knights on the Lumene side spoke.

“If we recklessly attempt to subjugate her, we might be the ones annihilated instead.”

“My, my. To show fear even with this much power on our side, that's hardly fitting of one whose name is in the Hero Record.”

At the rude remark, Jean frowned, and Nerzia spoke coldly.

“Boreas. Is now the time to sow discord with such words?”

“My apologies.”

Boreas deeply bowed his head to Nerzia, who sighed at the sight.

Watching this, Jean shook his head inwardly.

‘That’s why these racial supremacist bastards…’

Familiar with such elves, Jean knew ignoring them was best.

Then, Seiren’s principal, Benneth, opened his mouth.

“It’s true our current power is formidable. However, our opponent is a legion commander that has existed since before the Age of Calamity.”

Benneth, his expression as unreadable as ever, surveyed the assembly.

“Such beings cannot be understood by our common sense. Our goal should not be to subjugate, but to repel the Monster Queen.”

“I agree with Benneth.”

Nerzia nodded, and several elf heroes showed discontent, but none dared to oppose the words of the principal and vice-principal of Seiren.

“What are your thoughts, Kalian?”

Benneth asked Kalian.

Everyone held their breath and turned toward him.

Sword Saint Kalian.

The strongest hero of the current age, the one who had slain a legion commander.

“I too agree with you.”

At Kalian’s words, Benneth nodded.

“Then, let us divide the duties.”

At Benneth’s words, one elf hero raised his hand.

“Principal, then who will face the Monster Queen Sillatna…?”

“Sillatna will be blocked by me and the heroes I select.”

Kalian spoke calmly.

“The rest of you, hold back Sillatna’s legion.’”

bl

“First and second years, fall back to the rear!”

“We’ll fight too!”

“Don’t talk nonsense! Does this look like a game to you? This is real combat! Don’t act tough.Prepare to support from the rear!”

Professors from Lumene and Seiren teachers quickly led the students.

“Associate Professor Sena! Leo’s nowhere to be seen!”

Then Carl shouted urgently.

At those words, Sena’s face showed alarm.

“Student Leo?”

“Yes! No matter where we look, we can’t find him!”

Class 5 students stomped anxiously, panic on their faces.

“What should we do…”

“If it’s Leo Plov, don’t worry.”

“Vice-principal?”

At Rivein’s sudden appearance, Sena widened her eyes.

Class 5 students asked him,

“Vice-principal! Do you know where Leo-oppa went?”

“I’ve given him a mission. He’ll soon join where the first-years are, so don’t worry.”

“Ah.”

“That’s a relief.”

The students of Class 5 exhaled in relief.

“Associate Professor Sena, lead Class 5.”

“Ah, yes!”

After calming the students, Rivein turned his gaze toward the audience seats where Leo had disappeared earlier.

‘…I don’t know the reason, but Leo Plov is definitely in the Hero's World right now.’

When Leo had vanished before his eyes, the phenomenon was unmistakably identical to entering the Hero’s World.

Taking a deep breath, Rivein looked up at the sky.

The downpour continued.

But the ominous sigil of the Monster Queen that had appeared in the sky was gone.

‘She must have already descended to the surface.’

And surely, she was summoning her legions to slowly march upon Seiren.

‘What are you scheming, Tartaros…’

bl

Outside the towering walls of Seiren. The Lumene–Seiren Hero Alliance stood assembled.

“I agree with establishing an outer defense line here, but… what’s the plan?”

Elven hero Lubeche Taygra asked with a puzzled expression, and Ellen Lunda replied calmly.

“Just watch.”

The one taking charge of the defense line construction was Sedgen.

Step— step—

Sedgen walked forward alone holding his staff.

When he stopped a good distance from Seiren’s wall, several elves frowned curiously.

Tak—!

Kugugugugugugung—!

Sedgen struck the ground with the tip of his staff.

The earth began to shake, and a massive wall rose up.

Kugugugugugu—!

“……!”

Many elves widened their eyes, stunned at the sight of Sedgen instantly raising such a high wall.

“Professor Sedgen’s [Alchemic Wall] is still as incredible as ever.”

From the back, Chade Lewellin spoke while holding his staff. Ain nodded.

“Professor Sedgen and Professor Harrid. Had they both served on the frontlines instead of teaching, their names would have long been in the Hero Record.”

Though not combat-oriented, Sedgen’s alchemy possessed overwhelming power that powerful enough to alter the tide of battle itself.

Once the wall was complete, mages swiftly imbued it with reinforcement and defense magic.

In moments, a new fortress stood, ready for the demon army’s assault.

Sitting upon the wall, Kalian asked Harrid,

“Professor Harrid, is communication with the outside still cut off?”

“Yes.”

“Tch. They’ve prepared thoroughly.”

[Teleportation] was also impossible.

Support from outside had been completely severed.

But the eyes of the Hero Alliance burned with determination.

Everyone here knew.

No matter how dreadful the Monster Queen’s legion, that had existed from the Age of Calamity. A single legion could never overcome the combined might of Lumene and Seiren’s heroes.

As the heroes waited for the Monster Queen—

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The ground began to tremble.

At the front appeared a division of Gigantes.

And atop the largest one’s head sat a woman upon a grotesque throne of flesh.

All who saw her swallowed dryly.

‘The Monster Queen, Sillatna.’

Thud—!

The demon army led by the Gigantes halted their march.

At a great distance, the Hero Alliance and the Monster Queen’s army faced off.

Swaaahhh—

The rain still showed no sign of stopping as Sillatna sat with her legs crossed on her throne and spoke.

“Greetings, you insect-like vermin.”

Sillatna’s eerie voice echoed throughout Seiren.

Her voice reached not only the Hero Alliance on the defense line but also the civilians and the underclassmen waiting inside.

“My name is Sillatna, faithful servant of the Great Calamity Erebos.”

Her voice alone carried a power that instilled terror in all who heard it.

“I have descended personally to hunt you all. Consider it as an honor…”

“Shut up! You filthy demon bastard!”

Boreas shouted.

“How dare you intrude here! This is Seiren! Today we’ll subjugate you and avenge the our ancestor’s grudge—ghhk!”

“What an insolent worm.”

Gwoooohh—!

Crimson-black demonic mana enveloped Boreas’s body.

Those nearby frantically tried to dispel it to save him.

Boreas also raised his resistance to fight back against Sillatna’s power.

But he could not resist the Queen’s curse.

“Who said you could interrupt me?”

Without even sparing him a glance, Sillatna sneered.

“So what if you conquered a few Hero's Worlds? You think that makes you a great hero?”

“Kh…khaak—!”

Boreas gasped, suffocating.

As his body began to swell—

Whoosh—!

His body was engulfed in crimson flame.

Thud!

“Hahh—! Hhhk—! Th-thank… you, Ellen-nim.”

Ellen, who had summoned the phoenix’s flame, burned away Sillatna’s power.

Barely saved, Boreas bowed his head.

“Don’t provoke the enemy recklessly.”

Ellen warned coldly.

Boreas lowered his head deeply.

“You're so noisy, Monster Queen.”

“Sword Saint.”

Kalian stepped forward, and Sillatna narrowed her eyes.

“You received my gift well?”

“Yes. Because of your rude little gift, I had quite the trouble.”

At her taunting tone, Kalian chuckled.

“In the end, though, your planted spies within the academy were all eradicated. How fortunate that you’re such a brute, Monster Queen. If it were the Lich King or the Giant King, they wouldn’t have made such a sloppy scheme.”

At his amused laughter, Sillatna’s smile twisted with killing intent.

“You damned old man.”

“So you invaded Seiren to vent your frustration?”

“And if I did?”

“Then, it's all the better for us.”

Kalian smiled as he released his killing intent.

Gwooooo—!

The killing intent of the Sword Saint was so immense even the heroes around him flinched.

Grrr? Keeek?

The Monster Queen’s army began to stir.

“Your infamous name as the most dreadful will become nothing but a ‘legend’ today.”

At those words, Sillatna burst into insane laughter.

Kukukukukukuku—

Her laughter alone shook Sedgen’s newly raised fortress wall.

The Hero Alliance trembled at her overwhelming might.

Sillatna’s mad laughter stopped abruptly.

“Such lofty dreams.”

She raised her hand.

“I’m bored of talking. Shall we begin?”

At that, Kalian drew his sword.

“Let’s see you struggle, just as your so-called Great Heroes once did.”

Sillatna flicked her fingers.

Grrrrooooarrrr!

Thud—! Thud—! Thud—!

The Monster Queen’s army charged in unison.

“Prepare for battle.”

At Kalian’s low voice, the Hero Alliance gripped their weapons.

“Attack!”

At Kalian’s shout, the mages’ spells filled the sky.

Kwagagagang—!

Brilliant magic rained upon the ground.

Countless demons exploded under the barrage.

The demons’ dark magic struck the wall, detonating upon impact.

Watching the scene, Sillatna rested her chin on her hand and laughed.

“It’s about time.”

bl

Swaaahhh—

Rain fell.

Realizing it, Leo opened his eyes.

“…Black rain…?”

He muttered blankly.

The black rain, one of the symbol of the Age of Calamity.

‘Right, I entered the Hero's World.’

Recognizing that, Leo realized he was lying flat and quickly rose.

He looked around.

The surroundings were ruins.

A shattered fortress—familiar.

‘The Battle of Zodiac.’

Poison King Zodiac.

A legion commander who wielded terrifying poison.

Among those slain by the Great Heroes, he was the most dangerous one.

The battle where Zodiac was subjugated called the Battle of Zodiac.

‘History says the other Great Heroes faced his army while Luna alone slew him, but…’

The truth was different.

‘Luna and I fought together to defeat him.’

Recalling that time, Leo surveyed the area.

‘This must be the Hero Record I touched back then. So it was from this time. But why did it activate now?’

He frowned.

‘And… why isn’t there any fighting?’

In the battle with Zodiac, Kyle and Luna had fought without rest.

This place was the fortress where Zodiac was slain.

If so, fierce combat should be raging now.

But there was no sign of battle anywhere.

‘What’s going on? Did those Tartaros bastards tampered with this world too?’

In Luna’s world earlier, history had clearly been altered.

This could be the same.

‘Unlike Lumene, which purged all traitors, Seiren still has some left. If so, those Tartaros bastards might have invaded Luna’s world again…’

“You…?”

While Leo was lost in thought, a startled voice called out.

He turned quickly

And there stood an elf woman, her face strikingly familiar.

Not the girl he’d seen before, but her mature form.

Seeing her looking at him in surprise, Leo unconsciously spoke her name.

“Luna.”

Instinctively calling her name, Leo hesitated.

From Luna’s perspective, it must feel like a stranger had suddenly called her by name.

But contrary to his worry, Luna smiled and answered.

“Yes, Kyle.”