Tellaron O’Vallie possessed the physique befitting someone called the Great Chieftain.
His limbs were thick, his muscles substantial, and the fiery gleam in his eyes shone like a sun rising in the sky.
So Phantos wasn’t the only one in his tribe with an enormous build... I didn’t expect someone comparable to him.
It wasn’t only that his outer appearance—his muscles and massive frame—resembled Phantos.
The energy Tellaron radiated was undeniably powerful even from Ludger’s perspective.
Considering that the Great Chieftain’s seat was occupied only by an exceptional warrior, this much was natural.
Judging by strength alone, Tellaron had long since stepped beyond the level of a Master, and now seemed to aim even further past that boundary.
But... he’s older than I thought.
Age had clearly caught up with him. Rather than growing stronger, he seemed to be barely holding onto a strength already beginning to wane.
He was different from Lutus Wardot, who remained overwhelmingly powerful even after surpassing the limits of age.
Since he’s Iona’s father, I thought he’d be fairly young. But that wasn’t the case.
Tellaron was far older than expected.
Judging by Iona’s age, he was closer to her grandfather’s generation rather than her father’s.
She must have been born when he was already well along in years—perhaps an unexpected late child.
Phantos. For someone who loves fighting strong beings so much... I guess he never got to fight the Great Chieftain.
Which made sense. Wanting something didn’t make it possible.
Back then Phantos had left the tribe and wandered as a vagabond.
How could someone like that challenge the united Beastkin Federation’s Great Chieftain?
Even if he turned up on a whim, he would have been thrown out at the front door.
In other words, wanting to fight him wasn’t enough to make it happen.
Knowing Phantos, he might have tried to ambush the chieftain when he was alone...
But a person of that status would never travel anywhere without escorts.
Well, that was long ago. He wouldn’t pay attention to something like that now.
It sounded harsh to say such a thing about the Great Chieftain, the strongest warrior of the tribes—but that was simply reality.
Right now, Phantos was one of the strongest beings on the entire continent, beyond just the beastkin.
To find someone comparable, you could count the candidates on one hand.
Someone like that no longer cared for “polished warriors.”
Only beings who were transcendent from birth—like the Elemental Lords—caught his interest now.
Anyway, Ludger answered the Great Chieftain Tellaron O’Vallie, who had asked him a question.
“I was wandering to meet an old disciple, and I happened to hear news that led me here.”
“An old disciple. Hoho. You mean my son-in-law.”
Tellaron’s voice overflowed with fondness when he mentioned Leo.
One might expect him to strongly oppose his daughter marrying a child of another race, but it seemed to be the opposite.
Ludger recalled the beastkin who had picked a fight with him earlier and ended up lying in the training grounds.
He, too, had been the Great Chieftain’s son—and if that was one of the more promising ones...
Tellaron must have had his share of headaches when it came to raising his children.
“I expected someone fairly impressive since you’re my son-in-law’s teacher, but meeting you in person changes things.”
Tellaron fixed Ludger with a deep, clear gaze—the gaze of one who had lived long and seen much.
It was obvious he recognized the power Ludger was deliberately concealing from others.
As expected... a Great Chieftain is still a Great Chieftain.
He hadn’t risen to the seat through brute strength alone.
Strength was simply the minimum requirement.
What he truly needed was the wisdom to lead the tribes into the correct future.
His intimidating physique and lion-like impression were only surface-level traits.
Tellaron’s greatest strength was the insight that pierced directly through others.
“You flatter me.”
Ludger smiled mildly—neither affirming nor rejecting the compliment.
At this subtle response, Tellaron’s eyes glimmered with understanding.
With that single reaction, he realized Ludger no longer wished to discuss such matters.
And beyond that, he understood Ludger had no desire to reveal the full extent of his power.
Possessing an unexpectedly keen intuition for someone of his appearance, Tellaron laughed heartily.
“Well then, this old man won’t stand in the way of your reunion with your disciple. Iona, go on. You’re busy with wedding preparations—you can’t waste time here.”
“Yes, Father.”
Iona bowed and stepped back.
Ludger and Aidan naturally followed her through the tent, emerging into the open yard behind it.
It was a scenic place where the vast plains could be seen at a glance.
“It’s been a while, Teacher.”
“Yes, Iona. Have you been well?”
Iona, too, had changed greatly since he last saw her.
Her hair, once a short bob, now reached her shoulders.
Before, she had been silent and slightly awkward—her presence somewhat rough around the edges.
But now she was different.
Perhaps it was due to preparing for her succession as the next Great Chieftain—she had matured remarkably, her aura calm and centered.
Her expression was still emotionless, but that was only on the surface.
Her eyes were filled with genuine happiness at seeing Ludger again.
“I heard from Aidan on the way here—you two are getting married? Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
Iona bowed her head deeply at his congratulations.
Then Leo asked:
“Teacher, how long are you planning to stay here?”
Leo looked at him with a subtly earnest expression.
Ludger wondered why he seemed that way—and immediately understood.
Leo still carried a debt of gratitude.
When the Liberation Army had nearly forced him into obedience, it was Ludger who saved him.
But before he could properly express gratitude, Ludger had been abducted by the Demon King and severely injured.
Then he left Seorn, and Leo never saw him again.
For Leo, that unresolved debt had remained a heavy burden.
He had half given up on ever meeting Ludger again—
only for Ludger to reappear right before his wedding to Iona.
If Ludger stayed even a little, Leo wanted to treat him with the utmost hospitality.
“I hadn’t planned to stay long—just wanted to check if you were all doing well...”
Seeing Leo’s eyes, Ludger added:
“But since I have no urgent business, I suppose I could stay for a few days.”
Leo’s face brightened instantly.
Beside him Aidan also burst into excitement, shaking Leo’s shoulder.
“That’s great, Leo! Teacher’s staying!”
“Hey—hey! Stop shaking me, idiot! I’m getting dizzy!”
Leo tried to act annoyed, but he couldn’t hide the smile tugging at his lips.
Seeing his former students grown yet still enjoying their time together, Ludger felt strangely proud.
And with that feeling came a slight pang of regret.
He wished he could have watched the children he first taught grow and graduate with his own eyes.
That’s too much to ask for.
It was all in the past, and no one understood better than Ludger that clinging to the past served no [N O V E L I G H T] purpose.
So he decided simply to enjoy this moment.
After all, that was what his former students deserved.
“So when exactly is the wedding?”
“Tomorrow. Today is like the pre-ceremony festival.”
“A pre-ceremony... That was a beastkin tradition, wasn’t it?”
“Yes. People from all over the continent will start arriving this evening. We have to prepare to receive them. It’ll get busy once the sun starts setting.”
Iona had been acknowledged by the current Great Chieftain, Tellaron, as the next chieftain.
And she was marrying a human—not even another beastkin.
Even those uninterested in beastkin affairs would consider it headline-worthy news.
Only a few guests would come to offer congratulations—
but those few were influential figures on a continental scale.
People who would be the first to stand on the bridge between humans and beastkin.
For Leo, forging connections with them was essential.
And the same was true for the Beastkin Federation.
In the past, the beastkin would have fiercely rejected such a thing. But now they, too, were ready to accept change.
Thus no one could view this event negatively—it was a valuable opportunity for the tribe as well.
“Ahh, so that’s why there were so many people today.”
Aidan nodded belatedly as realization dawned.
“By the way, Aidan—so when are you and Taishy getting married?”
Leo seized the moment.
Ludger didn’t react with surprise—he already knew they were in a relationship.
He glanced at Taishy. She tried to act nonchalant, but she was clearly awaiting Aidan’s answer with quiet expectation.
Ludger sighed inwardly.
If they were in front of a crowd, Aidan could laugh it off.
But surrounded only by people who knew them, evasion was difficult.
This was a moment that required sincerity.
Aidan, you’d better answer properly.
Of course Aidan was dating Taishy, and as Leo said, marriage was not far off.
But planning for “someday” and giving a specific date were two very different things.
“Well... I never really thought of a specific date for marriage.”
Aidan chose to face it head-on.
Given the atmosphere, honesty was the only choice.
“I know I’ll have to someday, but right now... there are still things I want to do first.”
“You said you wanted to become an adventurer.”
Leo nodded, understanding his situation.
Aidan was now an adventurer.
Their work was simple:
wandering the world in search of ruins and relics.
They never stayed in one place—which made marriage difficult.
A profession where one naturally neglected family.
And even in this age of scientific advancement and an expanded human domain,
the world remained full of mysterious and dangerous places.
The Kasarr Basin, where Mystic Night was held, was one such lethal zone.
There were countless such places scattered across the world.
No matter how talented Aidan was, a single misstep could mean death.
“...So you really can’t avoid that dangerous work?”
“Leo, you know how much I’ve wanted this.”
At Aidan’s words, Leo sighed and nodded.
He had known for years that Aidan’s determination could never be broken.
Once Aidan decided something, persuasion never worked.
And beyond that, Leo sincerely wanted to support his friend’s dream.
“I’m sorry, Taishy.”
Aidan apologized with a seriousness unusual for him.
Ludger thought Taishy would be hurt—but surprisingly, she remained calm.
“What? I knew you’d answer like that.”
Indeed, she had expected such an answer. So she wasn’t shocked.
“I fell for that stupidly stubborn and frustratingly earnest part of you.”
And she said it with complete composure.
Aidan couldn’t help but burst into a bright smile.
“Thank you, Taishy! But I promise—I won’t make you wait too long.”
“Idiot, of course you won’t. If you take even a little too long, I’d drag you by the collar straight to the wedding hall.”
Watching the two harmonious couples, Leo muttered:
“Mmh... maybe I shouldn’t have asked.”
“No. I think you picked just the right moment.”
Iona soothed him gently.
Then the two soon-to-be-married couples turned to Ludger.
“Come to think of it, Teacher Ludger... you’re still single, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“We might be marrying unusually early compared to others our age... but have you ever thought about marriage?”
Marriage.
Ludger rolled the word around his mouth.
The thought of marrying someone... felt strangely unfamiliar.
Until now, he had lived far too busily to form romantic ties.
But now?
He was no longer pursued by anyone.
No longer bound by anything.
He had the freedom to live as he wished.
He could marry, form a household—live like everyone else.
Realizing that gave him a peculiar feeling.
“I’ve never seriously thought about it.”
“Oh... really?”
“Yes. But I suppose it’s something I should think about.”
“I see. By the way—did you hear? Among the guests coming today, there are people you know.”
“People I know?”
“Professor Selina.”
The moment Leo said her name, Ludger recalled the image of a woman—
A fellow Seorn instructor with hair like bright spring petals, a warm smile blossoming on her lips.
He had expected to meet her again upon returning to Seorn.
But instead—
She was coming here.