Editor : Amethyst00



‘We've kill her.’

Leo steadied his breathing and looked toward the place where Sillatna had vanished.

The end of a hateful, persistent fate.

One of the three greatest horrifying threat of Tartaros, whom even the Great Heroes had failed to subjugate time and again.

When the Subjugation Party gained the strength to stand against Erebos, the legion commanders began avoiding direct battles with the Great Heroes, turning instead to target other heroes.

Even though the Subjugation Party had grown stronger, their numbers were still only five. It was impossible to defend against the simultaneous assaults of legion commanders attacking from multiple fronts.

Judging that they could not defeat both Erebos and the legion commanders with the Subjugation Party’s power alone, they focused entirely on bringing down Erebos.

‘That was the best choice at the time.’

They couldn’t afford to divert power to the legion commanders while leaving the Great Calamity, Erebos, unchecked.

Taking a deep breath, Leo turned his head.

And before Leo returned from the Hero’s World—

He walked toward Kalian, who had stopped Sillatna.

Step— step—

His whole body screamed in pain.

But Leo didn’t care.

After a short while, Leo reached where Kalian stood and closed his eyes, letting out a long sigh.

Kalian was standing.

His body must have already reached its limit.

He was a man praised as a hero who bore the weight of an age, yet in the end, he was an old hero who had lived for a century.

Even with the dragon Rivein’s help, blocking Sillatna had been an achievement worthy of being called a miracle.

Using his sword as a cane, Kalian looked at Leo and smiled faintly.

“…As expected of the Great Hero. To think you have defeated the Monster Queen…”

Leo’s eyes dimmed.

The life of the Sword Saint who praised the Hero of the Beginning was slowly fading away.

He had burned even his life to block the Monster Queen.

“I didn’t do it alone.”

Leo turned his head back.

“Oh… Lady Luna…”

“…Who are these people?”

Luna asked carefully.

“They’re the ones who held Sillatna back before we arrived.”

“All we did was hold her back.”

Kalian bowed his head.

“With our strength, we could do nothing.”

Kalian’s eyes sank.

“If not for you… many heroes… many students would have died. I was lacking as one who bore responsibility for this age.”

Seeing Kalian blaming himself with trembling hands, Leo said,

“No, it was because you drained her strength by holding Sillatna back that I was able to hold her. Without you, I wouldn’t have lasted until Luna arrived.”

“You have the right to stand proud as a hero.”

Luna walked up to Kalian, took his trembling hand, and said firmly,

“So lift your head.”

At Luna’s words, Kalian raised his head and spoke.

“…Since I was young, I’ve admired you all. I wanted to protect the peace you passed down to us.”

Kalian’s voice trembled.

“As one who bears the weight of an age… to use one’s life for the next generation is natural… The words you’ve given me… are an honor far beyond what I deserve.”

The strength in his voice gradually faded.

“I have one request, Hero of the Beginning.”

Kalian gathered his last strength and looked at Leo.

“…Would you grant this old man a glimpse of hope?”

The Sword Saint revealed his earnest wish.

“You are… what is your relationship to Leo Plov?”

At that question, Leo took a deep breath.

Then he dispelled Luna’s magic.

Under the setting sun.

Seeing the Great Hero’s form change into that of a boy, Kalian’s eyes widened.

And then, as if relieved, he smiled brightly… and slowly closed his eyes.

As Luna gently received the falling Sword Saint, she whispered softly to the one who had met his end.

“…You’ve done well. May your story be remembered forever…”

Blessing the hero’s final moment, Luna laid Kalian down carefully and watched Leo’s back as he walked toward Rivein.

Rivein too was nearing his end.

With the sunset at his back, Leo looked down at Rivein and said,

“Don’t worry, follow after the Sword Saint.”

“…Yes.”

“The hero you chose was the greatest. Lysinas will surely be proud of you for honoring her will and choosing the finest hero.”

“That is… far too great an honor.”

Rivein smiled faintly and slowly closed his eyes.

Watching the two fallen heroes, Luna said,

“I’ve witnessed countless deaths… but I still can’t get used to it.”

Luna closed her eyes, pressed her hands together, and prayed for the two of them.

Leo silently watched that noble figure.

After a moment, Luna opened her eyes and smiled gently at Leo.

Her body began to shine faintly.

The end of the miracle was approaching.

Leo clenched his teeth.

“Lu… na.”

He called her name in a trembling voice.

“Shh.”

Luna placed her finger on her lips and whispered softly.

“Can’t you see me off with a smile? Like that time.”

Recalling Leo, who had once shown her the magic of blooming flowers, Luna smiled brightly.

“I'm sure we’ll meet again someday. Though I can’t promise that another me will still carry these memories…”

Luna gently closed her eyes.

“But we’ll meet again, definitely.”

Like friends who would meet again tomorrow,

Luna walked lightly toward Leo.

“So, Kyle.”

She reached out and caressed Leo’s cheek.

The light radiating from her body grew ever brighter.

“Don’t give up.”

Luna kissed Leo’s cheek.

“Because it was that unyielding side of you that I fell for.”

With a shy smile, Luna stepped back.

“We’ll surely… meet again.”

Hwaak–!

Luna’s body turned into particles of light and disappeared.

Feeling the warmth left on his cheek, Leo unconsciously brushed his right cheek.

Then, looking toward the place where Luna had vanished, he gave a bitter smile.

“…Would it have hurt to show it a little more?”

Before he knew it, the sun had set, and darkness had come.

Snow fell onto the battlefield, now cold and still.

And thus, the Battle of Seiren— which would become a page in history— came to an end.

bl

News of the Monster Queen’s subjugation shook the entire world.

The end of a calamity that had long threatened the world.

But what excited people even more was the ‘Reappearance of the Great Heroes.’

Luna, Poet of the Star— and Kyle, the Hero of the Beginning, whose recent existence had been proven.

When people first heard that the Great Heroes of the distant past had appeared in the present age, many could not believe it.

But once it was officially acknowledged by Lumene and Seiren, the world erupted.

The subjugation of the Monster Queen who had long terrorized the world—

And the reappearance of the Great Heroes.

It was, in every sense, a festival.

But the atmosphere in Lumene was somber.

At Lumene’s Erek Grand Training Hall,

all the students stood in black clothing.

In solemn silence, they placed flowers before the portrait of Kalian in the training hall.

It wasn’t just the students.

Many graduates from all over the world came to Lumene.

Some of them even shed tears.

Having long served as Lumene’s principal, he had been a guide and a goal for countless heroes.

The death of such a Sword Saint was enough to cause a massive stir.

After the offering of flowers was over and all mourned the Sword Saint—

Harrid stood before the microphone on the podium.

[A letter left by the principal during his lifetime has been found.]

All eyes turned to Harrid.

[As he wished for it to be read before everyone present, I will now read the principal’s final words.]

Holding the letter with his usual expressionless face, Harrid began to read.

[I had hoped this letter would never need to be made public, but it seems I must leave my final words in this way.

I can only pray that no student has lost their life in vain.

Do not grieve too deeply over this old man’s death.

For a hero, drawing one’s sword for the next generation is only natural.

I merely did what was natural.

Do not place great meaning upon my death.

I am but one man fading into history.

Move forward.

As I did.

As countless heroes before me did.

Always remember these words.

Surpass your limits.

Keep surpassing them, so that all who hear these words may become the great heroes who will lead the world.

I will believe in you.]

When the reading of Kalian’s letter ended,

the heroes gathered to pay their final respects to the departing Sword Saint, and the funeral concluded.

Thus, the era of the Sword Saint came to an end.

bl

Lumene’s Tower of Heroes.

In the principal’s office at its highest point, someone looked down upon the view of Lumene.

“…He was a man full of mischief. But still, a man worthy of respect.”

The man spoke in a heavy voice.

“Whenever I visited, he would always stand here, looking down at Lumene, as if watching over each student one by one.”

He let out a bitter sigh and turned around.

“But as he said in his will, we can’t keep mourning forever. We can’t leave the positions of principal and Vice principal empty.”

“I agree with that, Director.”

Harrid said calmly.

“Then who do you think is suitable for principal? Many have recommended you and Professor Sedgen as candidates.”

The hero known as the Infinity Speller—

Altec Zeron, head of the Zeron family and Director of Lumene— asked the two professors.

Harrid and Sedgen.

Neither of them had their names recorded in the Hero Record.

But as distinguished professors of Lumene who had produced countless heroes, they were highly respected.

Not only the current faculty but also many graduates would surely support either of them becoming the next principal.

However, Harrid and Sedgen both shook their heads.

“I am not fit to be principal, Director.”

“I'm in similar position as Harrid.”

“That’s unfortunate. I had hoped one of you would take the role.”

Altec looked disappointed.

“Then, may I entrust the selection of candidates to you both?”

Normally, the authority to appoint the principal lay with the Director.

But Altec intended to delegate that great authority to Harrid and Sedgen.

The two had served at Lumene since long before Altec became Director.

They were the men he trusted most— after Kalian himself.

“Understood. We’ll find a candidate.”

As Sedgen nodded, Altec nodded in return.

Then, he said seriously,

“Now, I’d like to discuss the departmental schedule with you both.”

At those words, Harrid let out a deep sigh, as if with a headache.

“…It’s hardly the time to wrap up departmental affairs.”

The Sword Saint was dead.

For now, people were still elated over the Monster Queen’s subjugation and the reappearance of the Great Heroes…

But soon they would realize—

just how great the Sword Saint’s absence truly was.

Of course, Tartaros too had lost the Monster Queen.

That would undoubtedly be a massive blow.

But the loss of the Sword Saint was equally devastating.

The peace of this era had been maintained largely by the immense deterrent force that was the Sword Saint.

It was a delicate balance.

And that balance had now collapsed.

No one could predict what provocations Tartaros might attempt.

“I hear Seiren’s internal movements are also uneasy.”

Seiren had completely halted all departmental operations.

“The true identity of that unknown legion commander remains unclear… but according to scholars researching ancient records, there’s a high chance it’s the ‘Poison King Zodiac.’”

Now that the Great Heroes had appeared—

There was no reason a legion commander of the past could not also reappear.

The question was— how had such a being appeared in the heart of Seiren?

“The Great Heroes… a legion commander of the past… there’s only one possibility. The Hero Record.”

At Sedgen’s words, Altec nodded.

“Indeed. And it’s highly probable that Seiren’s traitors summoned the ancient commander. Even Lumene once saw a legion commander reappear, one who had been defeated by the Sword Saint. And in fact…”

Altec spoke in a hardened voice.

“One of Lady Luna’s Hero Records has completely vanished.”

Hearing Altec’s words, Harrid and Sedgen wore grim expressions.

“That’s why I’m calling for a faculty meeting regarding this matter.”

“What’s the agenda?”

“To move the vacation period forward. We should send the students home for now and reorganize Lumene for whatever may come next.”