Chapter 207: The Final Moment

Chapter 207: The Final Moment

When the ancient, ornate palace appeared before him, Luk knew he had reached his destination.

Although he had already glimpsed it with Future Sight, the real thing was still overwhelmingly impressive.

Even the royal palace of the capital might not be more splendid. As he walked through the vast, seemingly endless garden, Luk marveled at the grandeur.

Typically, elves don't depend much on material conditions. They can live comfortably in luxurious, ornate houses or simple, temporary rooms, and even build a wooden cabin in the forest with magic to live a carefree life.

But Selia, the strongest survivor from the Mythic Age, displayed her power and arrogance through her residence. Having truly lived through countless ages and experienced a myriad of events, she was a living monument of her time.

Luk pushed open the heavy door, and the path to the throne was illuminated by magical light. Selia’s small body was casually lounging on the throne, with an immense, unimaginable sea of spell books behind her.

He bowed slightly to the ancient elf.

"Selia, I am Luk, Flilian’s disciple."

Selia sat up a bit straighter, appearing somewhat nonchalant.

"Why call me 'madaam'? You don’t seem like the type to use honorifics."

Luk replied calmly, "Because I have a request."

"I like your honesty," Selia said, rising from the throne and walking barefoot to stand before Luk. "We’ve met before, haven’t we, not long ago?"

"About 140 years ago, I used Future Sight to briefly meet your gaze."

Selia studied him for a moment, then smiled with a hint of mischief. "You’re strong, and I like that. Tell me, what is your favorite magic?"

Clearly, her attitude would be determined by his answer.

Luk lowered his eyes. He knew Selia was passionate about combat and viewed magic as a tool.

"To me, magic is a valuable discipline, with no particular likes or dislikes."

Selia’s smile widened, and she listened to his next words.

"If I must choose, it would be the magic that summons a meteor shower."

He didn’t want to lie. With his strength, Selia, who admired power, wouldn’t refuse to help him, and his goal would be achieved.

"Again, a spectacle magic."

As expected, Selia lost most of her interest, stretching lazily and returning to her throne.

"Fine, tell me your request."

Luk took out the small book that he and Flilian had partially filled, and Selia gave it a quick glance, her expression becoming more serious.

"The magic of the Seven Collapse Sages is one of the few not in my collection, but theoretically, it’s unlearnable."

"I learned it, though it’s incomplete."

"True, a magic that shouldn’t be learned by anyone outside the Great Demon Clans was learned by you, even if it’s incomplete."

Selia’s brow furrowed. She lightly tapped the book, and it disintegrated into fragments that fell to the ground. Flames rose from the fragments, slowly turning them to ash.

"Let me give you a piece of advice: don’t continue down this path."

"And if I insist?"

Selia: "Do you know why I don’t act to eliminate the demon clans?"

Luk thought for a moment. "Because demon magic is fascinating. If the demon clans were extinct, you wouldn’t see or analyze new, interesting magic."

"True. Humans are the same. Peaceful, comfortable lives erode willpower, stifle imagination, and kill the drive to progress. The presence of demons stimulates the creation of more excellent mages."

"Exactly. Even though the demons destroyed the elf villages, and I could annihilate them, I’ve never considered it."

Selia sat up straight, looking down at Luk from a superior position.

"The higher you stand, the farther you see. I’ve long transcended the ordinary perspective. Race, faction, and hatred mean nothing. What matters is that events unfold according to my will."

"The stronger you are, the more fearless you become. The stronger you are, the less bound by constraints. You must get what you want, and if angered, you’ll topple the chessboard without a second thought."

"Go back. Everything is as it should be."

"This is the second time I’ve heard that."

The most ancient elf, closest to the omniscient goddess, the Southern Hero who sees through past and future, Luk believed that if Schurat and he were on the same side, he would hear it a third time.

"My answer won’t change. I refuse."

Selia fell silent, her expression growing cold. The sea of spell books behind her began to churn, and several thick notebooks flew out, landing in front of Luk.

"Since you’re so persistent, research it yourself from now on. Don’t ask Flilian for help anymore."

Luk carefully collected the books Selia had given him and bowed from a distance.

"Thank you for your generosity."

He bowed again, turned, and left, disappearing through the door.

Watching her disciple leave so decisively, Selia's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.

"He doesn't seem like a fool. The hints I gave were quite obvious; he should have guessed something. Why is he still so stubborn?"

After a long moment, she sighed.

"This situation is getting serious. Should I find a place to lie low for a while..."

...

The northern kingdoms were in a state of intense conflict.

After confirming the death of the Southern Hero due to the curse of the Great Demon Clan's Final Saint, Tod, the adventurers' morale plummeted, leading to a series of devastating defeats. Panic and despair spread like wildfire.

In this critical moment, the team led by the Hero, Simel, made a remarkable comeback, decimating the demonic forces in their path and achieving impressive victories.

Simel's strength stood out even among other heroes, and the monk, Heita, performed the most complex goddess magic from the holy scriptures with ease.

Most surprising was the previously unknown elf mage, Fyllian. Her Demon Slaying Magic was a special attack designed to counter demons, with powerful effects that ignored defenses and penetrated through, earning her the title "Fyllian the Reaper."

When the renowned warrior, Aize, joined the team, their reputation soared even higher. The team's frequent acts of kindness, such as helping those in need and clearing out nearby monsters, won them the admiration of the people. Many now believed this team could end the reign of the Demon King and bring peace.

After a grueling battle, the hero team gathered around a campfire.

Initially, there were many conflicts among the team members, but as they adapted and worked together, they developed strong bonds.

To celebrate Simel's twenty-fifth birthday, Aize prepared a massive warrior burger steak for everyone.

During the post-battle debrief, Simel recalled Fyllian's performance and couldn't help but ask.

"Fyllian, your Demon Slaying Magic is really powerful. Did you specifically research it to counter demons?"

Fyllian, who was eating the burger steak, paused, swallowed, and then replied.

"No, Luk taught it to me the night before we set out. According to him, it's based on a magic created by a corrupt sage from the Great Demon Clan..."

As she spoke, Fyllian's expression turned thoughtful, "I haven't told Luk about my investigation yet."

Simel, remembering the interrupted conversation when they left, asked, "What were you investigating?"

"Nothing much."

Fyllian frowned, seeming hesitant, but finally shook her head and didn't elaborate, "I'll tell him when I get back. It shouldn't take long."

Heita, who was drinking, chuckled drunkenly, "After all, the Demon King's castle is right in front of us."

...

The next morning, at the Demon King's castle.

Holding the holy scriptures, Heita's voice was laced with confusion, "This place is emptier than I imagined. Shouldn't the Demon King's castle be the gathering place for the most powerful demons?"

Throughout their journey, they had encountered only a few young demon generals and one average-strength Great Demon.

Fyllian, holding her staff, spoke calmly, "This place was destroyed over a hundred years ago. The Seven Fallen Sages and several famous Great Demons were already dead, and the new generation hasn't fully grown yet."

Their journey had been surprisingly smooth.

Aize's body trembled, "Who did it?"

As a dwarf, he had seen the full strength of the demons in his youth, and they were much more powerful then.

"It must have been Mr. Luk."

Simel, gripping her sword, scanned the surroundings cautiously, remaining vigilant even without seeing any demons.

Passing through several open doors, they arrived at the deepest room.

"How do we open this?"

Faced with an impenetrable door that was immune to attacks, Simel was at a loss.

"I'm not sure. Luk also stopped here."

Fyllian thought for a moment, "If it's opened from the inside, it should be possible."

As she spoke, the door shook and emitted a dull sound, slowly opening.

A powerful magical aura emanated from the room, and the figure on the throne slowly raised its head, crimson eyes piercing the four of them.

"Such strength!"

Everyone prepared for both attack and defense, not questioning why the door had opened on its own.

"Demons cannot have emotions. The emotions I possess are a punishment, trapping me in this narrow space and torturing me."

"But this punishment is also a weakness. If I can overcome my fear of death, I can open the door."

"Shirahart will fulfill my wish."

The Demon King descended from the throne, the metal of his armor clinking, and the black sword in his hand glowed with an eerie light.

"I won't just sit here and wait to die. Come on, brave heroes!"

...

As a bustling trade city, Balum was always lively during the day. After receiving Selia's notes, Luk finally relaxed a bit and took the rare opportunity to stroll through the city.

Compared to over two hundred years ago, the city had become even more prosperous, with merchants and traders constantly flowing in and out, and many more shops lining the streets. He purchased a large amount of supplies, filling his space-folding suitcase to the brim before finally stopping.

In front of the central fountain, his own statue had been removed and replaced by an unfamiliar middle-aged man, who seemed to be the current city lord. The streets he remembered had become almost unrecognizable, but Luk no longer disliked this feeling. Change was a natural part of life.

As the sky grew darker, the bustling streets gradually quieted down. After returning to his mansion, Luk packed his belongings and bid farewell to the current head of the Campbell family.

The current head held this living fossil in high regard, trying his best to retain him and repeatedly asking if there was anything he had failed to provide.

"You've taken excellent care of me, but I have other matters to attend to."

Luk calmly declined. The moment he completed his past tasks, he could no longer see the future. From the actions of the Southern Hero and Selia, he knew that the future might not be favorable, so staying away from people was the best course of action.

Luk left the mansion with his suitcase, walking through the streets paved with red bricks and cement, passing through increasingly quiet and rundown alleys, and finally reaching a desolate field covered in weeds and thorns, enclosed by a magical barrier.

He took out his sandalwood wand, and the weeds withered instantly, revealing a field of blooming flowers and the tombstone hidden deep within.

Gently touching the tombstone and removing the moss, Luk spoke softly.

"The final completion will take place here."

He cast a shielding spell to cover the long-abandoned area, took out the magical notebook Selia had given him, and began absorbing the knowledge, embarking on a solitary journey of magical completion.

...

The heroes who successfully defeated the demon king returned to the capital to receive the king's rewards. The names of the Hero Simmel, the Cleric Hetta, the Warrior Aizer, and the Mage Flienne echoed across the entire continent, and statues of the four were being cast in various regions.

The capital was brightly lit at night, and an unprecedented grand banquet was held. The hero team gathered together, joking about the unreliable moments of their journey, and everyone couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Simmel sighed a bit, "Though it was full of terrible things, it was great to go on this adventure with you all. I'm glad for this journey."

Flienne unintentionally threw cold water on the sentiment, "Though it was a short journey."

Simmel didn't argue, his expression growing a bit complicated.

"Yes, though it was a short journey."

Countless meteors streaked across the sky, the incredible sight capturing everyone's attention and easing the melancholy.

Hetta remarked, "A half-century meteor shower, indeed a fitting opening for peace."

"Of course, that magic was designed to match this scene."

Simmel pursed his lips, the flame in his heart slowly extinguishing.

Flienne, after watching for a while, commented, "It's hard to see clearly from the city."

"Others are feeling sentimental, show some sensitivity."

"Next time then."

Faced with the stunned looks of her teammates, Flienne lowered her head and spoke casually.

"Five decades from now, I know a place where the meteor shower will look even more beautiful. I'll take you there."

The two humans and the soon-to-be-elderly dwarf exchanged glances, feeling a bit helpless. They truly struggled to understand the concept of fifty years in an elf's mind.

...

The time for parting arrived, and Flienne, carrying her suitcase, bid farewell to her teammates.

"What do you plan to do next?"

"There's an annoying person who wants me to visit her, and I might have to stay there for a while."

Receiving a message from her master, whom she hadn't heard from in centuries, Flienne's face crumpled, unsure of Selia's intentions.

"In any case, I'll come out to see the meteors with you in fifty years."

With that, she waved to them and left without looking back.

Watching the elf's figure grow smaller, Hetta poked Simmel.

"Are you sure you won't chase after her?"

Simmel's handsome face showed a bitter smile, "Hetta, would you fall in love with a terminal patient who only has a few days to live?"

"I'm a cleric, I don't indulge in women," Hetta replied.

Silent Aizer suddenly spoke up, "But you're a wine-drinking, meat-eating monk."

Hetta and the others couldn't help but laugh. Once the laughter subsided, Simmel gently shook his head.

"This is for the best."

He looked in the direction Flienne had left and repeated, "This is for the best."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end