Chapter 15: Bear The Pain, Memory Retain, Or Be Consumed Where The Dark Reign (5).
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Sitting in his chair, Lucas read the reports in his hand deeply.
The number of wolves was increasing, neighboring villages were constantly being attacked, and squabbles between Black Sand Village and White Lake had become common lately.
"Not to mention that the Forgotten Flame Sect submitted a 'request' to visit some time ago. I've been using the monster tide as an excuse to delay the meeting, but that has its limits..."
His intentions behind this were profound.
Delaying them would give him time to understand and prepare a plan to exploit the situation and manipulate the conflict between the Red Frost Sect and the Forgotten Flame Sect.
Then, if he showed how dire his situation was, even if the Forgotten Flame Sect harbored ill intentions, they would have to supply him with troops to balance the scales against White Lake.
Calamity, as it is a curse, is also a blessing.
For there is no teacher that hones you better than the world's calamities.
The more chaos, the more variables we can use.
With monster packs increasing, it's better to draw as much support as possible, to weaken enemy and ally ranks, then join the followers of the Moonlight Academy.
What's lacking is the justification to prevent the Forgotten Flame from intervening.
Although central authority on the island is nearly non-existent, order still needs someone to guide it.
It could be said, there is no 100% decentralized authority in the world; everything has its core and foundation.
The Director of the Moonlight Academy is the supreme authority.
Because he possesses the legitimate power to be king.
In exchange for lands and authority, all settled powers pay taxes every two months to the Moonlight Academy.
Even if they don't declare allegiance to them, they must pay the tax.
By exploiting that loophole, he could join unhindered.
When you are weaker than your enemy, prolong the conflict; gaps will undoubtedly emerge.
The strong have more to lose than you in prolonged conflicts, so prolong the conflict. That's what Lucas did.
But Leon's arrival changed things.
Lucas estimated this youth's strength to be at the Third Moon, the level of a mid-tier sect leader.
It was as if the leader of the Forgotten Flame Sect was personally on his side!
There's a vast difference between being supported by an institution generally and being supported by the leader personally.
Of course, Leon had blackmailed and threatened him, which was intolerable.
But , so what?
For his goals, for his people, Lucas would rub his face in the dirt a thousand times.
The two had solidified their alliance agreement days ago, and had prepared their plans together.
Leon's first order was: [Monitor the situation daily. Don't miss any small detail. Guard movements, Senate decisions, trade routes, outer forests. Don't ignore any movements from White Lake.]
[What about the Forgotten Flame Sect? They are pressuring us heavily.]
[With the monster tide and the Hollow Moon Night approaching, they are exploiting our weakness to force acceptance. I expect they will obstruct hunting and exploration expeditions to pressure us further. The longer it takes, the more impatient they will become.]
Why would they become impatient?
According to the timeline, the real conflict would occur at the end of the Hollow Moon Night.
Why? Because the Hollow Moon Night causes weakening in Ego abilities and some enter hibernation, not to mention the frenzy of monsters.
Times had changed.
The monster tide was supposed to happen before that, but according to reports, it was almost certain to occur at the same time.
It was a race against time.
The monsters must be eliminated before nightfall, or else the unthinkable would happen.
Lucas immediately understood what Leon was getting at.
[If White Lake's forces are stronger than ours, they can use the conflict over the Moonlight Academy entrance exam seats, not to mention controlling public opinion in neighboring powers, by saying we are too weak to protect our followers; Thus, they can declare war on us, And with the Young Generation Tournament, they can gauge our forces without losses.]
The Young Generation Tournament was a competition where the 3 strongest villages in each region exchanged experiences. There were prizes and rankings.
The top 12 ranks could enter the academy entrance exams, not to mention receiving unconditional support from their villages.
This tradition existed to reassure the people that even after the Hollow Moon Night and the monster attack, they were still standing.
Leon's expression was solemn: [Exactly. The Forgotten Flame Sect gains nothing from this. That's why they are obstructing us, to make us depend on them and balance power, while keeping us under control. But things have changed. We can exploit them.]
[You mean?]
[Four days before the monster tide occurs, accept their invitation. Make it seem as if we have succumbed to their pressure.]
[...How old are you again?]
[18- ya? that bastard? I'm not old!]
[...Tsk, he caught me.]
[You son of a bitc— tch. I will take care of the children to make them strong enough to win. The rest remain in the village to support it.]
[...I think you've already chosen them.]
[Yes, but I need justification for that. And with chaos approaching, I need to cause a commotion.]
[Is this why you requested a meeting with the Academy Elder? Do you intend to attack from within?]
[Yes, and even if I say I will take the initiative—authority without legitimacy is worthless. It's better to give your authority more legitimacy than to waste resources and time struggling with the Senate. Let's prevent them from obstructing us.]
Provoking the Senate in this situation was foolish; forces must be united for survival.
Those with popular support hold the power.
[How will we do that?]
[Don't worry about that. I have a plan.]
Click!
The door opened, as a white-haired woman entered, interrupting Lucas's train of thought.
Sitting in a wheelchair, Thynia smiled at her husband with affection and love.
"Busy as usual?"
"Not much, just casually reading reports."
Saying that, Lucas stood up, approaching his wife.
"You can leave her to me now."
Saying that to the maid, who nodded obediently, Lucas stood behind the chair, pushing it inside.
"darling."
"Hmm?"
"This young man, Leon... is he, by any chance, related to you in some way?"
She was aware that this young man was not her husband's son.
Rumors of him having a son?
Thynia didn't worry, thinking White Lake had spread this rumor to tarnish Lucas's reputation and increase tension in his relationship with his family.
But Leon's arrival and his claim of being his son...
Either it was a plan of an unknown enemy, or Leon had exploited that rumor to enter the village.
"I've been thinking about it too."
Lucas answered, immersed in thought.
"At least for now, I'm sure he's not an enemy. In fact, I lean towards thinking he is related to me by blood."
The reason for their thinking?
"He has the same hair color as you, even the same eye color."
All that, not to mention the complicated background of Lucas's family.
Before their death, Lucas lived with his grandfather and grandmother.
They told him at some point that he had siblings, but their whereabouts were unknown.
Before they died, they gave him their farm and a map leading to the inheritance of a deceased Ego warrior.
"Hair and eye color aren't sufficient evidence. The problem isn't here..."
"my lord! There's a problem!"
A guard entered, his face covered in sweat.
"What is it?"
Lucas's expression was calm, while Thynia tilted her head.
"The— the young master Leon, he's in the Senate after causing chaos at the academy!"
"Tell me in detail."
After seeing Lucas's lukewarm reaction, a certain idea flashed in Thynia's mind.
Upon seeing Thynia eagerly demanding details, Lucas smiled lightly.
"As expected of you, sweetie..."
You were always quick-witted.
His eyes gleamed coldly, then he showed a harsh smile.
Let's end this bullshit.
Leon was standing in the square, surrounded by guards.
"Don't move! Any move will be seen as a challenge to Elder Carlos's authority!"
Leon laughed sarcastically: "So what? Even if I went on a rampage now and challenged that old man's authority, what would you do? Hehehe, just a guard, what can you do?"
"You!"
"Shut your bitch ass mouth."
Crack!
Tremendous pressure fell upon the guards, preventing them from moving.
Leon walked towards the guard under everyone's gaze.
Behind him, the bodies of Kevin and Theodore floated.
"What... what are you planning!"
When Leon stared at him coldly, the guard panicked.
[The Gray Moon Ego, Fourth Star: Black Shield!]
In one second, a black color covered his body, his red clothes became entirely black, even his face was covered by a black stone-like mask.
The Black Shield Ego was the specialty of Black Sand Village, and no one else in the world possessed it.
It could be said to be their heritage.
This Ego is extremely durable and versatile.
With proper energy control, one could cover their entire body or just parts; it could even be combined with other Egos for synergy.
The black color covered Leon's fist as well, but a red aura flowed from it unlike the Black Shield Ego, exactly as he had done when fighting Theodore and his group.
He quietly raised his fist...
Kwaang!
"Bwaaaaagh!"
He punched him in the stomach, burying his fist deep into his body, as if intending to pierce him.
Crack! Crack!
"heek! heek!"
The shield shattered and scattered, while the guard vomited blood as a violent reaction to its shattering, then simply lost consciousness.
"..."
Silence fell upon the place, as everyone felt a chill.
Shattering the Black Shield Ego with one punch?
Didn't that mean he was at least at the peak of the First Moon?
The guards weren't about to give up, but the gravity surrounding them prevented movement.
"Instead of wasting time on this bullshit, shouldn't you be checking on the condition of your young master? You foolish scoundrels."
Leon snorted coldly, then walked with the floating bodies of Kevin and Theodore behind him, towards the students in front of the inner academy entrance.
The students felt the air become heavy, and cold sweat dripped from their necks, as Leon stood before them.
As for Stella, Chae Nayun, and Luna, they stared at him with caution and hostility, while concern for Kevin and Theodore cloaked their expressions.
"No need for this worry, kids. You arrived before the time ran out. I acknowledge that. I won't do anything to you."
Of course, he wasn't about to tell them that the two-hour period was more than enough for them to arrive, not to mention that the gravitational pressure was merely double their body weight, so with time, they would get used to it.
Leon's intention wasn't just to train them; his plans were deeper.
I cast the bait, now just wait for the fish.
The bodies of the two floated towards the three girls, settling gently beside them.
He extended his hand, then a red aura flowed from his palm.
Instinctively, the girls covered Kevin and Theodore with their bodies, fearing something might happen.
"Kekeke, hahaha, you... "
Leon laughed contemptuously.
"Do you think that if I wanted to kill you, you could stop me?"
The girls felt terror, but did not budge from their spots.
Whoosh!
The red aura flowed from Leon's palm, then entered the bodies of Kevin and Theodore quickly, before anyone could move.
"This is enough to heal their injuries, but they need rest."
He didn't stop there; he moved his hand in the air, as if pulling something, then a small pouch appeared.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
With a gesture of his fingers, small black pills came out of the pouch, then floated before the students in an instant.
"What!"
"Eeek!"
Some got scared and tried to move away, but the pills followed them.
"If you don't want me to beat you, eat."
Luna said with a troubled expression: "Do we really have to? These pills look suspicious..."
"You moss."
"Yes?"
Leon smiled brightly: "Eat. Now."
"...Yes."
Damn it! Since it's like this, let's just do it!
Holding Kevin's hand, Luna quickly swallowed the black pill.
"Kyaaagh! It's bitter! It's not good at all!"
Tears flowed from her eyes, as she felt the bitterness on her tongue.
Leon stared with evil eyes at the others, smiling wickedly.
That terrifying look was enough for these poor souls; they immediately started eating.
"Bleeegh! Even an animal could prepare better food! What is this!"
"Eeegh! This damned devil has no mercy!"
With bitter expressions, the students cursed Leon.
"Son of a bitch, just wait..."
"Who said that!"
Leon showed a savage expression when he heard that.
The one who said that covered his mouth and hid among his friends.
"Say it again, I dare you! I double dare you! You shitty son of a bitch! You coward gay! Are you not a man? Come out!"
Leon stared around like a bloodthirsty demon.
Of course, no one came forward.
"Tsk."
He snorted angrily then returned to the guards.
"crazy beast."
After saying that, Stella observed the strange transformation in her body.
Strangely...
"I feel like my body has recovered?"
The fatigue vanished, physical injuries were regenerating, and even depleted energy was returning to its former state.
"What is this? My body feels strange..."
"I can move my arm! My beloved arm! My companion through life!"
It wasn't just Stella, but everyone.
After eating the black pills, they recovered from their injuries and exhaustion.
Stella didn't hesitate; she carried Kevin on her back.
"Nayun, Luna, carry Theo Sa-hyung and let's go to the medical hall."
There was much to think about, but priority lay here.
The two nodded, then carried Theodore and walked behind Stella.
The students, unaware of what to do, followed them.
Some stayed to watch.
"Now, after resolving the most important matters, come on, let's go."
Leon didn't immediately walk to the guards.
Instead, he untied the teachers, then said to the guards surrounding him, frozen in their places.
"What are you saying! You... bastard!"
"What am I saying? Didn't you come to take me to the Senate? Let's go. Now, after assaulting a guard, you have an excuse, right?"
With a thought from him, the pressure vanished from their bodies.
They didn't know what to do for a moment.
"What's with you? Come on, let's go."
He walked with light steps, smiling.
This reminds me of my childhood.
After killing his comrades on his first mission, Leon turned himself in to enter the Punishment Meadow.
Why?
Because, like now, he had his own plans.
In the past, he needed a place to train and protect himself against others.
Today, he needed to train others and protect them.
"It's truly ironic."
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"Have you heard? Leon defeated all the students alone!"
"Yes! My son came complaining to me that he was oppressed! Can you believe it? He says someone his age beat him and he wants his rights back! Hahaha! I took out my whip and hit him for this nonsense!"
"Children these days are too soft. Even my daughter said that Leon threatened to kill the parents. Is there a sane person in the world who would believe that?"
"Tsk, tsk, look at him, exuding dignity and awe. If they knew a little of the world's harshness, they'd understand: only the strong have the right to survive. This isn't a world where the weak survive."
"But he can't just do whatever he wants like this! This will be psychological trauma for them!"
"This is better than them being killed by monsters! Much better, woman! That logic won't save them!"
Walking under the gazes of men and women watching him, Leon's eyes wandered across the black walls surrounding the village.
Ego warriors roamed atop the walls, exchanging reports; some leaped outside quickly.
Most likely, these were detection masters, and some were going hunting.
At the village's massive gates, wagons loaded with goods entered, pulled by black skull-metal bulls, some pulled by metal-fur wolves, while Ego warriors on horses surrounded the wagons.
"Take the goods quickly to the supply treasury! The injured must be transported to the medical hall! Don't forget to submit reports to the Law Hall!"
There were some injured, their expressions bitter.
Leon's eyes gleamed coldly.
"The situation is worse than I thought. I must resolve this quickly and take the initiative to eliminate and annihilate them to absorb their resources."
Ever since this became my homeland, everything in it is mine.
The Evenus family, the people of Black Sand Village, their destinies, and their lives.
They are mine.
Whoever touches my property, I will kill them most horribly!
When he arrived at the Black Bamboo Building, Leon clasped his hands respectfully.
"I, Leon Evenus, have come as requested by the respected Elder Carlos!"
After a moment, the door opened by itself, behind it the elders standing in reverence.
"Enter. Guards, you may leave."
When he said that, Carlos's expression was not kind.
Guard Captain Timothy felt a chill; it seemed what happened in the square had reached the elder.
The guards retreated with bitter expressions.
Upon entering, the door closed behind Leon, and absolute silence dominated the place.
"Respected Elder, I believe I erred and overreacted earlier in my actions. Accept my apologies, I, the inexperienced youth."
Obviously, what Leon meant was the guard beating and the incident fighting his grandson.
Carlos wasn't about to waste the opportunity to make Leon pay for his deed.
But Leon didn't leave him room to speak; he quickly took out a pouch and presented it to him.
With a serious expression, he said: "Of course, I believe that apology without action is hypocrisy. So, please accept these Ego stones. They are 50 Ego stones, and I hope that Guard Timothy receives his dues from them, and the previous guard as well. I also ask that you convey my apologies to them."
"..."
Carlos stood silent for a moment, with an empty expression.
The elders looked at Leon, who extended the pouch towards Carlos.
How would this quick-tempered old man act?
Leon stared at Carlos with the same expression.
Silence continued.
Whoosh!
"Yohoho, such a respectful young man, how could this old man be angry at you after this? Never mind, never mind!"
Then Carlos hugged the pouch proudly, laughing.
"Oh, how noble of you, Elder! As for your grandson's matter, I wish to visit your house personally to apologize. Is that suitable?"
"Yes, no problem. We could even discuss your opinion on the guards. Perhaps they need some 'support'."
"Hahaha! You humble me with your modesty, Elder!"
The two laughed in a warm atmosphere.
"This cheeky bastard, I no longer have a reason to punish him after accepting his gift!"
"What a cunning old man. Instead of getting angry, he immediately offered to join his forces. This bastard isn't a fool."
But their minds were precisely calculating their steps, as they planned to take the initiative.
50 Ego stones for beating guards and fighting with his grandson? Of course Carlos would accept the gift!
50 Ego stones were enough to live luxuriously and even help with training for a long time.
Did Lucas give him this? For what reason?
Was it a message saying: Don't try, this young man is mine!
Observing the cold eyes of the elders, Leon laughed in his mind.
He had expected this reaction.
He thought to himself: "Exactly what I want."
"Respected Elders, I intend to visit all of you to offer my respect and apologies as well. Some of my comrades are under your wings. I hope you will accept my 'humble apologies' then."
Before the elders could intervene to complain about Carlos accepting a bribe—thus giving them a pretext to demand a share of these Ego stones—Leon bowed respectfully to the elders.
Thomas, Elder of the Taxation Hall, stroked his beard: "Hmm ~ I accept that, young man."
Victor's expression was dissociative, but he said: "Glad that the youth is just. Come, for we have good hospitality."
And the others hastened to accept.
As long as they could gain Lucas's "goodwill" through Leon, this upcoming meeting wouldn't become a conflict between the leader and the elders, but merely a misunderstanding.
This reduced the meeting's severity.
"I like that you agree, heroes. Let's enter, let's enter!"
Saying that, Pioro walked first, then the others followed.
Leon's eyes gleamed coldly: "Hehehe, cowardly fools. By meeting some of you and not others, won't you suspect that I'm biased towards someone? Now the seeds of doubt are slight, but after the monster tide ends, will you have time to rest?"
Then the seeds would grow, giving me maneuvering room against them.
Just because they accepted his visit.
Of course, Leon wouldn't relax his vigilance for this alone.
Even fools have their interests, and the weak have their ways.
The only fool is the one who thinks others are fools.
Inside, Lucas was sitting in the highest chair, resting his chin on his arm, his eyes bloodshot.
"We, the humble followers, greet the leader with reverence!"
The elders clasped their hands respectfully, lowering their heads.
As for Leon, he was kneeling on one knee, clasping his hand before his chest.
"This humble son greets the king with utmost reverence!"
[This impertinent one? Is he declaring his side from the beginning? Or is it just youthful fervor?]
[What exactly did the leader do to earn such young talent?]
[Whatever it is, we must exploit this rift he created to determine what kind of person he is.]
[If we are to use him, we must understand him.]
Leon noticed the fluctuation of energy in the air.
The elders used mental telepathy; the World's Call, while they spoke.
The World's Call is mental telepathy learned by those who master the Wall of Will.
As long as one gains a deeper understanding of energy control and their own mind, they can direct their thoughts through core energy and make them tangible to send to others' minds.
Through vocal and electrical frequencies emitted by the brain where energy is released, a communication field is created within a certain range, and through it people can communicate.
Only those who have breached the Wall of Will can create the field.
Those who haven't can receive telepathy and communicate by the will of the sender only.
Only an Ego warrior can receive telepathy.
The elders went to their seats, while Leon remained half-kneeling, waiting for Lucas's words.
"My son, raise your head."
He immediately complied with Lucas's words.
A group of papers floated before Lucas, then he read them in front of everyone.
"According to Jean's message sent while you had him tied up, you made your comrades crawl under pressure you emitted without a convincing reason. You tied up your teachers after damaging a table. And some students complained that you threatened to kill their families, and injured them on top of that. Is this true?"
Hitting the guard earlier?
That was Carlos's problem to deal with.
Their status was lower than this promising youth, and it would be foolish to antagonize him over mere guards.
"Unacceptable! This behavior is absolutely unacceptable!"
"If this youth acts with such freedom, how can people trust the Senate?"
"Explain yourself!"
The elders did not hesitate, as if the previous warmth was mere deception, demanding Leon harshly.
Pioro raised his hand, and the others fell silent.
"Don't scare him, he's just a youth."
The elders laughed in their minds.
Thus appears the dignity and reverence of elders.
"What nonsense is this? What I remember is that I gave my comrades opportunities to become stronger. And while it's true I overreacted when tying up the teachers, my reasons were noble. If I hadn't, they would have interfered, which would have slaughtered my comrades' will to develop! My charges wouldn't impose severe consequences anyway!"
And if it's true, so what? Without a clear charge, the consequences are minor and trivial.
It seemed to everyone that Leon said that.
"Moreover! Injury? The guards saw what I did; I healed everyone. I demand evidence to the contrary!"
Leon struck his hand on his chest, his eyes gleaming with the courage of a youth who fears no risks.
Leon had previously left the guards to watch everything, not just for domination.
But to make them witnesses to the healing of everyone.
Thus, the elders' mindsets would be directed towards his special pills.
With many injuries lately, these pills were highly valuable. Since Leon used them on the students, he surely had a surplus.
Of course, they had healing Egos and specialized Ego warriors, but that was costly and couldn't be used on a wide scale.
"What are the things you healed them with? No evidence confirms they aren't poisons. Hand them over quickly!"
After saying that, light gleamed in Carlos's eyes.
This was the real reason for making Leon come.
What does he possess, what is its origin, and how strong is he?
Everything else was mere pretext.
Leon looked at Lucas, and the latter nodded in agreement.
The elders didn't miss that gesture, their expressions deepening.
"This rascal, his loyalty to the leader is pure! No doubt, he's his trump card!"