Editor : Amethyst00



An elf walking through the alleyways of Davienne wrinkled her delicate brow.

"What a vulgar city."

Her narrowed eyes took in the sight of the commoners' district—home to the everyday folk of Davienne.

"I don't know how much time has passed… but these slaves show no sign of progress. Disgusting."

As if she couldn't bear to breathe the same air.

It was just then that Enisilia let out an irritated smile.

"So, you've awakened from your eternal slumber, Enisilia."

A voice called out from behind. At the sound, Enisilia lowered the handkerchief she had pressed against her nose.

She turned gracefully and offered a greeting to the pale blue-skinned man and woman who stood before her.

"My respects to the Third Saint and the Fire Priestess."

"You are still as beautiful as ever."

"Surely it is only by the grace of the great goddess that I've been allowed to keep it."

Enisilia returned the compliment with a radiant smile.

"Enisilia, do you know why you were roused from your long sleep?"

"I believe it was to once again spread the will of the goddess throughout the world."

"That is correct. But there is another task for you."

"What is it?"

"Do you know what the people of this land call this era?"

"I'm afraid I do not. I only awoke recently, and—"

"They call it the Age of Heroes."

"…The Age of Heroes?"

Enisilia's expression twisted curiously.

"Yes. The foolish gods of the heavens have vanished from the mortal realm. Now, so-called 'heroes'—those recognized by those very gods—are leading the age."

"How arrogant. How could such ignorant mortals believe they are fit to lead the world?"

"Exactly. That's why the people of the surface have lost their way."

It was the Third Saint—Phlegethon—who spoke.

"Enisilia, the ignorant people of the surface need a guiding light. We'll begin with the humans."

"They must be taught what a true hero really is."

The Fire Priestess, Phyry, curled her lips into a smirk.

"Show them just how empty and laughable the ones they call 'heroes' truly are."

"I shall honor your will. But tell me, are any of these supposed heroes here in this city?"

"No. None here. But this city is the capital of this nation. If we 'cleanse' the filth, they'll surely come."

"Yes… I imagine they will."

Enisilia smiled darkly, her mana rising like a tide.

"I had to deal with that so-called Second Prince anyway."

Whooooom—

Her destructive magic swelled around her.

"Might as well clean up this whole wretched place while I'm at it."

FLASH! CRAKAKAKAKAKOOM—!

A storm of indiscriminate magical bombardment.

"KYAAAAAAAH!"

"M-Magic! She's using magic!"

"Help! Somebody help!"

In an instant, the streets were plunged into chaos.

"What a vulgar noise."

With a frown of distaste, Enisilia began firing her magic at will.

A massacre. A wave of unchecked, merciless terror.

Enisilia moved forward, her face emotionless.

Step. Step.

"Uwaaaaaaaaah!"

Before her knelt a small boy, crying over the lifeless bodies of his parents.

"…How noisy. Slave."

Vmmmmmm—!

Just as destructive mana surged at Enisilia's fingertips—

Whoooosh—!

A rapier wreathed in flames sliced toward her throat.

The sudden strike forced Enisilia to retract her magic and throw up a barrier.

KRAAAANG—!

The flaming aura of the blade slammed into Enisilia's shield with tremendous force.

A blow backed by raw power.

Enisilia's golden eyes turned to the one who had swung the blade—Celia.

"Oh?"

The sudden appearance of the beautiful young girl brought a glimmer of intrigue to Enisilia's eyes.

In that brief moment, Chen Xia swiftly scooped up the crying boy and retreated.

"I never let go of what I set my sights on."

With a curled smirk, Enisilia swept her palm outward.

In response, the very ground beneath Chen Xia surged like a living thing, reaching to ensnare her.

But Chen Xia danced away with flowing grace, stepping through the attack with an aura step as fluid as water.

Once she was safely out of range, Celia raised her voice toward the sky.

"Now!"

At her cue, Chloe—soaring overhead with a Fly spell—completed her magic.

"Ice Blast."

A spherical burst of condensed cold magic hurtled toward Enisilia.

Fwooooosh—!

At the same time, Celia pushed her flaming aura to its limit, pressing hard against Enisilia to pin her in place.

Taking advantage of that momentary hesitation, Celia created distance between them in a flash.

Boom—!

With an aura step, she launched herself backward, explosions igniting beneath her soles to propel her.

WHOOOSH! KRAKAKAKOOM—!

And then, the Ice Blast detonated directly in front of Enisilia, unleashing a massive storm of frost.

CRRRRKKKKK—!

The icy explosion didn't scatter outward. It concentrated—compressing its full force around Enisilia alone.

Saaaah—!

For a heartbeat, everything vanished behind a screen of shimmering frost.

Crack. Crrk.

Through the mist of ice, Enisilia emerged—smiling.

"Incredible… Just human girls, and yet this level of power?"

Her eyes narrowed, the golden irises glowing with interest.

"I see now. So you are the ones they call 'heroes' in this era. Impressive."

At that moment, other students from Seiren Academy arrived on the scene.

"An elf?!"

"What the hell is that crazy lady?!"

Eiran's eyes widened in disbelief, while Lunia covered her face with her hands.

"Oh? So these are the elves of the current age?"

Enisilia's smile grew sharper as she noticed the students of Seiren.

"Kneel and offer your worship. I am Enisilia—the first Queen of the Elves."

She lifted her chin proudly as she spoke. Eiran's expression shifted in shock.

"Wait—Enisilia? Isn't that the ancient hero who inspired the Queen piece in chess?!"

"But why would a hero from the ancient era suddenly show up in our time… committing terrorist attacks? There's no mention of her anywhere in the Hero Record!"

Among the legendary figures inscribed in the Hero Record, the oldest heroes date back only to the Age of Calamity—the age of the Great Heroes.

There were no records of any heroes from before that era.

As Lunia furrowed her brow, Enisilia spoke.

"By the grace of the great goddess of Frozen Death, Nyx, I awakened after sleeping within the Eternal Ice."

"Frozen Death? Nyx? Eternal ice? What does all that mean?"

"What is she, some cousin of Erebos the Flame of Calamity or something?"

Lunia, clearly irritated, spoke up after Eiran's puzzled muttering.

Enisilia's eyes flashed coldly.

FLASH—! BOOM!

A huge explosion erupted where Lunia stood.

Fwoosh—!

When the smoke cleared, Eiran stood with her shield raised, glaring icily at Enisilia.

"What was that supposed to be?"

"How dare you compare the goddess Nyx to such a grotesque creature…That's a sin worthy of death! And you—why do you defend that blasphemous red-haired girl!?"

Enraged, Enisilia shouted. Lunia clicked her tongue at her.

"So now that the Pureblood Association is gone, you've fallen into some weird cult? Elves really are hopeless."

"Lunia, that's a racist comment."

"Who cares? I'm an elf. So what's the problem?"

Lunia crossed her arms and sneered.

Enisilia's gaze sharpened.

"You little brat. I'll tear you to pieces!"

FLASH!

A golden light burst from Enisilia's hand.

At that moment—

Whoosh! Boom!

A deep red flame burst from Lunia's hand and clashed with the golden light, creating a massive explosion.

"Tear me apart? Who's tearing who apart?"

Lunia's lips curved up.

"With that level of skill, me?"

At Lunia's obvious mockery, Enisilia's face hardened.

What is this girl?

She didn't look like an old elf.

But just now, the power she revealed—was overwhelming.

"You… what are you?"

"My name is Lunia El Lunda."

Whsssh—

Lunia's crimson hair fluttered in the wind.

"The Chaser of the Star."

Enisilia, overwhelmed by her presence, unconsciously stepped back.

"She really just said her name and title together."

"Kinda cringey, isn't it?"

"I'm a little jealous. That she has a name she can announce like that."

"So? Would you do that if you became a hero?"

"No way. I'd be too embarrassed."

Celia, Chloe, and Chen Xia whispered among themselves.

At their words, Lunia's shoulders flinched, her ears twitching nonstop.

"Lunia! That was awesome! Looks like the practice paid off!"

Eiran shouted from behind with an excited voice.

"…She even practiced it?"

"Lunia has a surprisingly cute side."

"Even though she acts like a total thug."

Lunia blushed as the Lumene students whispered again.

"You little—!"

Just as Lunia snapped—

FLASH—!

A golden pillar of light fell from the sky, and through it, figures of various races descended.

"…What are those?"

Lunia scowled. Enisilia spoke.

"It is only natural for a queen like me to be protected."

An elf, a human, a beastkin, and a dwarf.

All of them men, clad in dazzling golden armor.

Looking at the brilliant warriors, Chloe murmured.

"She called herself a queen… So if she's the Queen piece… then those would be King, Knight, Bishop, and Rook?"

Celia nodded.

"Sounds likely."

"Do you think they're really heroes from the ancient era?"

"Wouldn't Leo-doryeong know?"

Chen Xia asked, and Eiran replied.

"How are we supposed to ask Leo right now? And besides—ancient heroes or whatever—do we really need to go asking Leo Plov for help to deal with this?"

Crack, crack. Lunia cracked her knuckles.

"We can handle it ourselves."

With a sneer, Lunia grinned.

bl

"Beautiful girls indeed. If the goddess Nyx saw them, she might offer them eternity. They possess rare souls."

"But their hearts are impure. As they are now, they are not worthy to receive grace."

Atop a tall building overlooking the battlefield.

At Phlegethon's words, the Fire Priestess Phyry shook her head.

"Yes. That is why they must first come to know the goddess. Worship her. Learn devotion…"

"In this era, the only ones worshiping such dirty, twisted deities are traitors and filth."

Phlegethon and Phyry flinched and turned their heads sharply.

Sitting cross-legged between them was Leo Plov, resting his chin in one hand, watching the battle below.

"…Who are you?"

"Leo Plov."

"Leo Plov? The blasphemer who assassinated the Second Priestess?"

"That's me."

Leo gave a light smile and looked up at Phlegethon, who stood to his right.

Phlegethon sneered down at him.

"I've heard you are called the Nameless Hero. The foolish gods give great titles to those who accomplish their will. And yet, it seems you were never granted one."

"I don't care. Titles given by gods mean nothing to me."

Despite the mockery, Leo's voice remained flat.

"I'm only interested in one thing—eliminating the fragments of Erebos that were brought back."

"Mind your words. She is not a fragment of Erebos—she is the goddess of Frozen Death."

"I know. Nyx, or whatever. Just a loser who lost to Erebos and faded into history."

At Leo's words, Phlegethon and Phyry's eyes filled with killing intent.

"You've lost all fear, human."

"To speak such blasphemy against a god is a grave sin!"

The two radiated murderous intent like a storm. But Leo didn't move. He simply sat in silence.

Seeing him like that, Phyry twisted her lips in scorn.

"So you've frozen in fear? It's already too late for regret—"

"You think I'm afraid of the likes of you?"

Leo cut her off in a low voice.

"Found you, you damned devils."

Step. Step.

A chilling voice rang out as someone placed their hands on the backs of Phlegethon and Phyry's heads.

The pressure was so heavy that they froze, unable to react.

BOOM—! KRAKAKAKAKAKANG!

Lysinas slammed both their heads into the rooftop.

The shockwave was enough to collapse the entire building.

Floating midair with magic, Leo calmly watched the debris fall.

Amid the ruins, Lysinas stood, her face twisted in fury as she looked down at Phlegethon and Phyry, now crushed underfoot.

Even Leo had only seen Lysinas this angry a handful of times.

The Wise Queen's eyes glinted cold and sharp.

"Choose."

Lysinas ground his teeth.

"Do you want to die ripped apart… or be crushed into paste?"