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## **Chapter 1058: The Boy from the Battlefield**
"You've always been full of mysteries."
Ever since they entered the academy, Leo's actions had surpassed what was possible through overwhelming talent alone.
"Even just now, you recognized the power of that demon instantly," Wareden remarked, staring straight into Leo's eyes. "Leo Flove... who are you, really?"
At the question, Leo let out a short, dry laugh. "If I said I was hiding my identity, would it change anything?"
"No. You are simply you," Wareden replied with a sigh. "If you don't want to say, then don't. I have no intention of prying."
Leo smiled at the response. "The day will come when I'll tell you."
Leo had no intention of leaving a record in history stating he was the Hero of the Beginning. However, he didn't plan on keeping it a secret from those closest to him forever.
*'Besides, there are already a few who know,'* Leo thought, briefly recalling those privy to his secret.
"For now, leave the matter regarding that demon to me," Leo said, standing up. "I'll look into it."
If Atkan had truly regained his Authority, it was no small matter. That alone would exponentially increase the power of the Death Legion. As he headed toward the door to contact Melina, Leo paused.
"Oh, and if you don't have a place to stay, why not stay here? You said you're participating in the Coliseum anyway."
"Then I shall accept your hospitality."
"It's no big deal." Leo shrugged and stepped out of the room.
Wareden stared silently at the door Leo had exited through, muttering softly, "'The day will come when I'll tell you,' huh..."
He had theorized about Leo's identity countless times, but the more he thought, the more complicated it became. Eventually, Wareden sat back on the bed.
"The time will come when I'll find out."
Just as he told Leo, the identity didn't matter. Whatever the truth was, the fact that Leo Flove was the goal of his life remained unchanged.
---
An endless expanse of sand.
A desolate desert landscape.
And the dead, swarming like a tidal wave.
The desert sands were being stained with blood. Amidst the despair, a beautiful woman appeared, radiating flames like the sun. In the middle of that battlefield, her presence was hope itself.
That sun-like woman discovered a boy on the front lines. He was far too young to be standing on such a gruesome battlefield. Even if the nation's survival was at stake, there were countless adults behind him who should have been sacrificed before throwing a child to the front.
Looking at the boy swept up in such absurdity, the woman's expression clouded.
*'I'll help you!'*
But the boy spoke with a burning will. Even in a situation where fleeing would have been natural, he sought to repay his debt for his life. The sight made the woman chuckle.
*'You'll help me? Hehe. What a brave little kid.'*
The woman helped the boy up—a child who possessed a cute appearance despite his fierce resolve—and gave him a wink.
*'But I'm okay for now. If you grow up to be a cool man later, will you help me then?'*
The meeting with that steadfast boy, who refused to yield despite his age, became a pleasant memory for her.
Nishella, the woman who had once looked forward to that boy's growth, woke up from her dream.
"A strange ceiling..."
—*Is seeing a strange ceiling something new for you?*
"Don't nag me. I'm reflecting on my actions."
—*Nishella. You say that every time. And then you repeat the same mistake, don't you?*
The eyes of Nishella's Covenanter, Phoenix Gantrion, narrowed.
—*Are you truly reflecting?*
Under the Phoenix's suspicious gaze, Nishella looked away and grumbled, "That damn alcohol is the enemy."
—*So? Do you remember what happened last night?*
"..."
At Gantrion's question, the events of last night came back vividly. Nishella buried her face in her hands.
*'Usually, when I drink this much, I have no memory of it, so why is it so clear this time?!'*
Nishella's shoulders trembled with overwhelming shame.
*'Showing such a pathetic side in front of Leo Flove, Ar Tune... and Chelsea Lwallin... I can deal with that!'*
If the vassals of Tursia or the members of the Twilight Guild heard that, they would have screamed in protest. Nishella was the symbol of both Tursia and Twilight; the tarnishing of her image was directly linked to the honor of her family and guild.
However, since she had caused trouble due to drinking more than once or twice, Nishella was prepared to endure the embarrassment. But Wareden was different.
*'Wareden Tyden was that little kid from back then?'*
Though she had never met Wareden personally, Nishella had been watching him for a long time. Before being the head of one of the Three Great Families of Lumern or the Master of the Twilight Guild, she was a Lumern alumna who had been inwardly cheering for the appearance of such an incredible junior.
But she never imagined he would be the boy she had saved long ago. Sitting with her knees pulled to her chest, Nishella whispered, "That kid... grew up to be like that?"
Even though a lot of time had passed, the memory was quite clear.
*'I thought he might become someone great... but I didn't think he'd grow up like that.'*
There was almost nothing left of his childhood self. Still...
"He grew up quite handsome. My eyes for people never fail me."
Just as she let out a little "Pfft" of a laugh...
"Who did? Wareden?"
"Gah?!"
Nishella jumped in fright at the voice coming from beside her.
"Y-you almost gave me a heart attack! Chelsea Lwallin, why are you here?!"
"That's a bit hurtful. We're the ones who brought the drunk Lady Nishella back to her room."
"That's right!" Ar added, raising a hand from the corner of the room.
Nishella stammered and looked at Gantrion. "You just let these kids stay in my room?"
—*They said their hotel was quite far, so I told them to stay. It didn't seem right to heartlessly kick them out after they helped carry you. Besides, isn't the room spacious?*
"Still! It's embarrassing to face them in the morning after acting like that!"
As Nishella shouted with a flushed face, Gantrion's eyes narrowed.
—*Embarrassed? My Covenanter, it is quite surprising to learn that you even know the meaning of shame.*
Nishella gnashed her teeth at the Phoenix's cold remark. She then sighed deeply, looking at Ar and Chelsea.
"I have one favor to ask of you two."
"What is it?"
"Please, never tell Elena or Hark about my drunken antics."
"But those two seniors already know you have a drinking habit..."
"They don't know."
"..."
"They would definitely tease me, so I've done everything in my power to keep it from their ears."
Chelsea, who had heard a bit about the relationship between Nishella and the two seniors from Ar, nodded. "But anyway..."
"Yes?"
"What is your real relationship with Wareden?" Chelsea asked with an intrigued face. "I've never seen Wareden look so flustered before."
At the question, Nishella gave a small smirk. "I saved him when he was a kid."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Maybe... I'm something like Wareden Tyden's first love?"
"Whoa!"
Chelsea marveled as Nishella wore a smug expression. Gantrion, watching the scene silently, spoke up coldly.
—*If it's a first love, then it's a terrible tragedy. Given the state he saw you in.*
With that one sentence, Nishella's mood plummeted into the abyss.
---
Leo and Wareden, arriving at the restaurant for breakfast, found the other three already eating. Upon spotting Wareden with Leo, Nishella quietly tried to slip away. Both Leo and Wareden pretended not to notice her.
"Leo! Wareden! Good mor—Hiek?!"
As Chelsea was greeting them, she jumped. Her tail was acting up again. While Chelsea grabbed her tail and glared at it, Leo took a seat.
"I will head out first to find the Great Spirit of Wind," Wareden said.
"What about breakfast?"
"What I had earlier was enough."
Leo recalled Wareden eating preserved rations earlier that morning.
"Alright then. Use the lodgings comfortably."
Leo handed over a room key. As Wareden was about to leave, Chelsea asked, "Wareden! Is it true Lady Nishella is your first love?"
Chelsea's eyes sparkled mischievously.
"She is. Is there a problem?"
Contrary to the expectation that he might be flustered, Wareden admitted it flatly. Chelsea looked a bit awkward at the blunt response.
"No problem, just..."
"I heard the story from Leo Flove. Focus on your training today, Chelsea Lwallin. It would be a disgrace to the school if you're eliminated early."
"Hmph. You'd better be prepared if we meet in the Coliseum!"
Wareden gave a small smirk at her response and left the hotel. Once he was gone, Nishella, who had been watching from a distance, slunk back to the table.
"What? He's not eating with us?"
"He said he already ate."
"Tsk. I was going to buy him something delicious because of our past connection."
"You ran away the moment you saw him."
"I didn't run away. I just remembered I had urgent business."
Nishella answered shamelessly. Looking at her, Leo remarked, "By the way, Wareden did say Lady Nishella was his first love."
"Pffft! *Cough, cough!*"
Nishella, who was eating, choked and started coughing. After barely calming down, she frowned. "Who said that?!"
"He did," Ar replied.
Nishella's mouth hung open. Watching her, Leo suddenly asked, "Come to think of it, Lady Nishella, you are also a Covenanter of the Great Spirit of Wind, aren't you?"
"That's right." Nishella sighed softly. "Actually, the reason I came to this City of Water was because of Syleton."
"Is something wrong?"
"No. It's just that lately, that jerk hasn't been responding to my calls at all." Nishella frowned. "Well, it's not like he always came just because I summoned him, but he used to at least answer. But for the past few months, there's been nothing. I came here to see if there was some kind of problem."
Chelsea's eyes lit up. "Then you can look for him with Wareden! Wareden is looking for Syleton too!"
Nishella's face went dead serious. "No."
Seeing her reaction, Leo said, "You don't have to be that embarrassed. He knows now that past memories aren't always beautiful."
"Leo Flove."
"Yes?"
"You have a bad personality, don't you?"
"Yes."
"Right. I knew it from the moment you said you were putting Elena and Hark to work."
Nishella sighed deeply, realizing Leo had been subtly teasing her and enjoying her reactions.
After breakfast, Nishella headed into the city to find Syleton. Leo, Chelsea, and Ar waited for Driana's group.
That's when Ar asked, "By the way, Black Rabbit. You said you'd tell us the story of Lord Arion yesterday. Can't you tell us now?"
At Ar's words, Chelsea also looked at Leo with curious eyes.
"Shall I?"
Leo nodded and began to recall the past.
"Long ago, this land was the stronghold of the Death King."
---
Direct Translation From Google 👇🏻
"You've always been strange."
Leo's actions since entering school were impossible to achieve with just overwhelming talent.
"Even now, you have immediately recognized the power of that demon."
Warden looked straight into Leo's face and asked.
"Leo Plov, what on earth are you?"
Leo chuckled at that question.
"If I say I'm hiding my identity, will anything change?"
"No. You are just you."
Warren sighed as he answered like that.
"If you don't want to talk, don't. I don't intend to pry."
Leo said in response to Warden's reply.
"Someday the day will come when I will tell you."
Leo had no intention of leaving a mark on history as the hero of the beginning.
But I had no intention of keeping that fact a secret from those around me.
'There are some guys I already know.'
Leo said, briefly thinking of those who knew his secret.
"Leave the matter of that demon tribe to me for now."
Leo stood up from his seat.
"I'll look into it."
If Art Khan really regained his powers, it would be no ordinary thing.
That alone would have dramatically increased the power of the Command Corps.
Leo said as he went outside to communicate with Melina.
"Oh, and if you don't have anywhere to stay, how about staying here? You're going to the Colosseum anyway."
"Then I will take care of it."
"It's my fault."
Leo shrugged and left the room.
Warden, who had been silently staring at the door Leo had left through, muttered softly.
"There will come a day when I can tell you...."
I've thought about Leo's identity countless times.
But the more I did that, the more complicated my head became.
Soon, Warden sat down on the bed and muttered.
"The time will come when you will know."
As I told Leo, identity isn't important.
Whatever happens, the fact that Leo Plov is his life's goal will remain unchanged.
***
A land of endless sand.
A desolate desert landscape.
And the dead come rushing in like a wave of anger.
The desert sands were stained with blood.
In the midst of despair, a beautiful woman appeared, emitting flames like the sun.
Her presence on the battlefield was hope itself.
The woman who was like the sun discovered a boy on the front lines of the battlefield.
A boy too young to stand on such a brutal battlefield.
Even though the fate of the country was at stake, there were countless adults behind him who could not be thrown to the front lines.
The woman's face clouded over as she watched the young boy caught up in the absurdity.
'I'll help you!'
But the boy spoke with burning determination.
In a situation where it wouldn't be strange to want to run away, I tried to somehow repay my life debt.
The woman laughed at that sight.
"You'll help me? Hehe. What a brave little boy."
The woman who woke up the boy, who had a cute appearance despite his strong will, winked and said.
"But it's okay for now. If you happen to grow up to be a great man, will you help me then?"
Meeting the boy who was strong and unyielding even at a young age became a pleasant memory for her.
Nicella, a woman who had been expecting her son to grow up to be a wonderful man, woke up from her dream.
"What an unfamiliar ceiling...."
-Is it only been a day or two since you've seen an unfamiliar ceiling?
"Don't say anything too harshly. I'm reflecting on my actions."
"Nishella, you always say that. And don't you keep making the same mistakes?
The eyes of Phoenix Gantrion, Nishella's pledge, narrowed.
-Are you really reflecting on your actions?
Nicella grumbled, averting her gaze from Phoenix's suspicious gaze.
"That damn alcohol is the devil."
-So? Do you remember what happened last night?
"...."
Gantryon's question brought back vivid memories of yesterday.
Nishella covered her face with both hands.
'If I drink this much, there are many days when I don't remember, but why is it so clear this time?'
Nicella's shoulders trembled with the shame that was washing over her.
'Leo Plovna Artun… … and the embarrassment he caused in front of Chelsea Llewallin… … well, that's it!'
If the vassals of Turcia or the Twilight Guild officials had heard this, I think they would have screamed that it was absolutely not true.
Nicella is a symbolic figure of Turcia and Twilight.
Her tarnished image will soon be directly linked to the honor of her family and guild.
But since she had been involved in more than one accident because of alcohol, Nichella was willing to shoulder the embarrassment.
But it wasn't Warden.
'Waredon Tiden was that kid back then?'
Although she had never met Warden in person, Nishella had been keeping an eye on him for a long time.
This is because, before becoming the head of the three major Lumerun families and the master of the Twilight Guild, he was secretly cheering for the emergence of a great junior as a graduate of Lumerun.
But he never imagined that he would be the boy he had saved so long ago.
Nicella sat with her knees pulled together and muttered softly.
"That kid… grew up like that?"
Even though quite a long time had passed, the memories of that time were quite vivid.
'I thought he might become a big shot... but I never thought he would grow up to be like that.'
Almost nothing of its old appearance remained.
still....
"You've grown up quite nicely. I'm sure your eyes are clear."
It was a time when I burst out laughing.
"Who is it? Warren?"
"Huh?!"
Nishella was startled by the voice coming from beside her.
"Hey, I thought your heart was going to burst! Chelsea Llewallin, why are you here?"
"It's sad to hear that. We were the ones who brought that drunken Nishel to your room."
"that's right!"
Ardo, who was on one side of the room, raised his hand and said.
Looking at the two, Nishella opened her mouth and spoke to Gantrion.
"You just let these kids you just met stay in my room?"
-I told him the hotel I was staying at was quite far away, so I told him to stay there. They even helped me find a room and helped me out, so I didn't think they were being rude enough to kick me out. Isn't the room already spacious?
"No matter what, it's still like that! You made such a fool of yourself, and I'm embarrassed to even look at your face in the morning!"
Gantrion's eyes narrowed as he watched Nishella shouting with a red face.
-Awful? Oathbreaker, it's quite surprising that you know shame.
Nishella's teeth chattered at Phoenix's harsh words.
Then he looked at Arwa and Chelsea and sighed deeply.
"I have a favor to ask of you."
"What is it?"
"Would you please never tell Elena and Hark that I got drunk and got into trouble?"
"The two seniors knew that Nishella had a drinking habit...."
"I don't know."
"...."
"I knew they were just going to tease me, so I did my best to keep them from reaching their ears."
Chelsea nodded after hearing a brief story about Nicella and the two seniors from Ar.
"But."
"huh?"
"What is your relationship with the real Warden?"
Chelsea asked with an excited look on her face.
"I've never seen Warren so flustered."
Nichella chuckled at Chelsea's question.
"I saved that kid when he was little."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Maybe it's something like Warden Tiden's first love?"
"and!"
Chelsea looked at Nichella with a proud expression.
Gantryon, who had been silently watching the scene, spoke coldly.
-If it was your first love, it would be a truly terrible tragedy. To see you like that.
At those words, Nicella's mood plummeted into the abyss.
***
Leo and Warden, who came to the restaurant for breakfast, came down first and found three people eating.
Nishella spotted Warden with Leo and quietly left.
Leo and Warden both pretended not to see Nicella.
"Oppa Leo! Warden! Good ah... hic?!"
Chelsea, who was greeting, jumped.
The tail is causing trouble again.
While Chelsea was glaring at him, holding onto his own tail.
Leo sat down.
"I will go find the Great Spirit of the Wind first."
"What about morning?"
"That was enough."
Leo remembered Warden eating preserved food in the morning.
"Okay, then. Feel free to use the accommodations."
Leo handed me a room key.
As Warden, who had received it, was about to leave, Chelsea asked.
"Warren! You said your first love was Nishella?"
Chelsea said with a teasing twinkle in her eye.
"Is that so? Is there a problem?"
But contrary to expectations that he might be a little embarrassed, Warden meekly admitted the truth.
Chelsea looked embarrassed at that reaction.
"There won't be any problem."
"I heard from Leo Plov. Focus on training today, Chelsea Llewallin. If you drop out early, you'll be a disgrace to the school."
"Huh. If we ever meet at the Colosseum, you better be prepared."
After hearing that answer, Warden chuckled and left the hotel.
Then, Nicella, who had been watching the situation from afar, approached quietly.
"What? Aren't you going to eat together?"
"He ate first."
"Tsk. Because of our past relationship, this older sister was going to buy me something delicious."
"You ran away as soon as you saw me."
"I didn't run away. I just remembered something urgent."
Nicella answered shamelessly.
Leo said, looking at Nicella like that.
"Come to think of it, I heard that Wareden's first love was Nishella."
"Ugh! Gulp! Gulp!"
Nishella, who was eating, heard a noise and started coughing.
After barely calming down, he wrote an impression.
"Who said that?!"
"It's me."
Nishella's mouth twitched at Ar's answer.
Leo, who was smiling while looking at Nicella like that, suddenly said.
"Come to think of it, Miss Nishella was also a pledger of the Great Spirit of the Wind, wasn't she?"
"that's right."
Nicella sighed softly.
"Actually, the reason I came to this water city was because of Sileton."
"What's going on?"
"No. That kid hasn't responded to my calls at all recently."
Nicella was impressed.
"Well, I wasn't the type to always respond to summons. But I did respond. But you haven't responded in the past few months? That's why I came to see you in person, wondering if there was a problem."
Chelsea's eyes sparkled at those words.
"Then we can look for it together with Wareden! Wareden is also looking for Silleton!"
At those words, Nicella's face became serious.
"no."
Leo said, looking at Nicella like that.
"You don't have to be so embarrassed. He knows now that old memories aren't always pretty."
"Leo Plov."
"yes?"
"Do you have a bad personality?"
"yes."
"Yeah. I knew it when you said you were going to use Elena and Hark."
Nicella sighed deeply as she watched Leo, who had been secretly teasing her and enjoying her reactions, since earlier.
After breakfast, Nicella went out into the city to find Sileton.
Leo, Chelsea, and Ar waited for Driana and her group.
Then Arga asked.
"By the way, Black Rabbit. You said you'd tell Aron-nim the story yesterday. Can't you do it now?"
At Ar's words, Chelsea also looked at Leo with curious eyes.
"I wonder?"
Leo nodded and recalled the past.
"In the old days, this land was the home of the King of the Four Guardians."