"Ohhhhhhhh~~!" xN
The cheers of hundreds of people filled the arena.
"It's really lively."
Leon sat in the stands with his legs crossed.
Looking down at the people in the arena, he was now at the site of the [Goddess' trial].
With his noble status as the prince of Palettia, as the most important guest present, he had been granted the best seat.
Since this was an annual event, the crowd's voices were loud, and the people living in the Holy Land were, for the most part, followers of the Holy Religion.
Though ironically, they didn't even know what they truly believed in. After all, the Holy Religion itself was just a superficial branch of the Cult of Diablos, just as the Mitsugoshi Company was part of Night Raid.
[Yes, this is truly troublesome. To be enemies with the largest religious organization in the world, or something like that. Compared to money and hope, these people—who know nothing yet still have faith—are the hardest to deal with.]
Leon sighed.
If necessary, he could only crush the faith of these people. Whether they could endure it or not wasn't his concern. If he was wrong, that was their problem.
"I didn't expect to see Your Highness Leon here."
"Nor I. It's been some time, Your Highness."
Pleasant female voices came from both sides of Leon.
Although he was the highest-ranking guest, he was not the only one.
Coincidentally, the ones beside him were all familiar faces.
On his left sat the red-haired knight Iris Midgar, and on his right, Princess Rose Oriana.
And the silver-haired elf Beta had been invited as a famous novelist.
Once again, Leon was surrounded by flowers.
The male spectators in the audience occasionally cast envious glances. It was indeed a luxury to be surrounded by so many noble and beautiful women.
"Well, long time no see, Princess Iris, Princess Rose, and the novelist Bet— ahem, let me correct myself, Natsume."
Leon smiled and greeted the three girls.
Iris asked nervously, a little hesitant.
"By the way, Your Highness, how has my sister been lately? She hasn't caused any trouble in your kingdom, has she? If so, I apologize. Anyway, I'm very sorry."
"Ah, no, she hasn't caused any trouble. She's been very well-behaved."
"That's good, thank goodness."
Iris immediately let out a sigh of relief. She understood well her sister's inner mischief, but was often bullied by Alexia.
She still didn't know that Alexia had joined the very Night Raid she was tracking.
Moreover, her strength had grown tremendously during this time, and she was now on the same level as Iris.
But indeed, she had been behaving better.
But only when she was with Leon.
After all, when any woman faces the man she likes—especially in her first love—even if she acts like a wild cat on ordinary days, she will immediately turn into a most obedient kitten.
"Does Your Highness plan to participate?"
"No."
"Really? But this is a good opportunity. If you can summon the memories of ancestral warriors, not only would you have good opponents to train against, but your reputation would also grow if you win."
Iris said she would be participating.
For her, this was a good chance to promote Midgar's prestige. As the first princess of Midgar, she always carried heavy responsibilities.
Though Leon bore the same weight, his talent was so overwhelming that the heavy burden weighing on Iris was as light as paper for him.
"Princess Iris, do you think I need to rely on such petty means for promotion?" Leon shrugged and asked.
"Ah, right… you really don't."
Iris scratched her head in embarrassment, wondering how she could forget what kind of ferocious man was sitting beside her.
He had conquered a Dragon King, slain an evil dragon, and destroyed a country on his own.
Dragon Tamer, Dragon Slayer, and Country Destroyer.
These titles alone were frightening, yet Leon held all three.
This man had no need for such trivial means to demonstrate his military power. His reputation was already known across the world.
"Your Highness, if there's a chance next time, please come as a guest to my kingdom."
Beside her, Rose also extended an invitation. She was a bit disappointed to hear that Leon wouldn't participate.
She thought to herself that this time, she wouldn't be able to witness the splendid sword skills he had honed over ten years.
"Sure, I'll go."
Leon nodded as he spoke.
He would definitely go.
But not just for a visit.
For conquest.
[By the way, that girl is pitiful. She doesn't even know her kingdom has already been corroded by the Cult. Well, ignorance can be bliss.]
"Natsume-sensei, is something wrong?"
"Huh? No, I'm fine, please don't worry."
On the other side, a certain silver-haired elf sat very far away from Leon.
Under normal circumstances, Beta would definitely take the closest seat and even want to sit on Leon's lap.
But yesterday, she had been given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
She still hadn't fully recovered.
And the moment her eyes closed, Beta's mind subconsciously recalled the perfect figure she had seen at the hot springs.
Her dream last night had been of Leon's sculpted abdomen. When she woke up during the day, she realized her nose was bleeding and her pillow soaked with drool.
[Wow! Perfect, so perfect. I wanted to charm Master, but in the end, I was the one charmed.]
[Damn it! Why did I faint so quickly back then! That was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Maybe I could've… Wait a minute! If I had suggested scrubbing his back, I might have gotten to other places too…]
[After all, accidents can happen… even more extreme ones… lower ones…]
Beta choked, her brain unable to stop producing perverted fantasies.
"Pfft~!"
The silver-haired elf's nose turned into a crimson fountain.
"Whoa?! Natsume-sensei is having a nosebleed!"
"Hey! What's with that bloody halo?!"
Iris and Rose were startled.
"What is that idiot doing…?"
The corners of Leon's eyes twitched for reasons unknown.
Beta's nosebleed almost caused a commotion, but thankfully it stopped in the end—provided she stopped daydreaming.
Leon sighed. Outwardly, she was a stunning beauty, but inside, she was an utter fool.
--
At the same time.
"Welcome to the Holy Land of Lindwurm. I am Archbishop Jack Nelson, and I will be overseeing this [Goddess' Judgment]."
On the high platform of the arena, a bald man surrounded by many knights and priests made the opening declaration.
The moment they saw this man, Leon and Beta narrowed their eyes simultaneously, hiding the killing intent within them.
This man was ostensibly an archbishop of the Holy Religion.
But in truth, he was a member of the Cult of Diablos.
He had murdered the previous archbishop and replaced him. He was one of the Twelve Knights of the Cult of Diablos—an enemy of Night Raid.
---
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."