When all the officers had finally placed their papers into the bucket, Leon decided to add a few parting words.
"Well then, gentlemen, my work here is done. I'll personally deliver these documents to the Duchess, and from there—she'll make the final decision. It was a pleasure chatting with you, gentlemen," he said with a slight smirk, confidently walking around the table and shaking each officer's hand in turn.
Flattered by his words, the officers responded with broad, satisfied smiles. Some even straightened their backs, as if they were standing before the supreme commander himself.
Leon lifted the bucket full of papers and headed toward the door. Everything was going perfectly—he was just about to make his exit when the double doors suddenly burst open with a loud bang.
Standing in the doorway was a girl with eyes as red as rubies, a perpetually stern expression—and, well… rather modest curves. She was instantly recognizable.
It was Duchess Gertrude Fanoss herself.
Beside her stood Vandel—the legendary Black Knight, the man even generals preferred not to joke with.
Both of their gazes locked straight onto Leon.
A heavy silence fell over the room.
"Ah—Duchess Gertrude!" one of the officers behind Leon blurted out quickly. "We were just talking about you! And by the way, your man here did a truly outstanding job!"
"Yes, yes!" another chimed in immediately, like a chorus of parrots. "A real professional!"
Leon, still standing there with the bucket in his hands, felt sweat begin to trickle down his back.
Wasn't she supposed to arrive an hour later?! he thought in panic.
At that moment, a calm voice echoed in his ear—Luxion's.
"I wanted to warn you, Master, but your little masquerade was so… entertaining that I decided to simply watch. I must admit—it was quite the spectacle. You truly have talent. Had you been born during the war between the Old and New Humans, you would have surely led us to victory."
"Shut up, Luxion," Leon hissed through his teeth. "Now's not the time for lectures."
Meanwhile, Gertrude gave him a soft, polite smile, looking straight at him.
For a brief moment, Leon felt a flicker of hope. Maybe it's not that bad? Maybe she hasn't figured anything out?
But then the duchess narrowed her eyes and, in a perfectly calm voice, said:
"…Who the f**k are you supposed to be?"
The silence in the hall became tangible. Even the ceiling fan seemed to stop spinning.
Vandel stepped forward, shielding Gertrude with his body. His armor rattled softly as he moved.
"Oh, f**k it…" Leon muttered, realizing diplomacy had just gone up in smoke.
He lunged forward, striking first.
Vandel, though caught off guard, instantly crossed his arms in front of his face to block the blow.
Leon crashed into his guard with such force that the air in the room quivered.
But instead of continuing the fight, Leon flashed a predatory grin.
From his sleeve, a small metallic cylinder suddenly flicked into view—and he pressed it straight against Vandel's helmet.
A sharp pssssh! filled the air as a thick white gas burst out.
"What the—" was all Vandel managed to say before his eyes began to glaze over. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor with a heavy clang.
Leon raised his arm triumphantly and declared:
"Behold the power of Cleare! She who couldn't care less about the Geneva Convention!"
Kicking Vandel's body aside, Leon turned toward the stunned Gertrude. She stood frozen, unable to believe what she'd just witnessed—someone had just taken down her personal bodyguard, right before her eyes, and with that level of audacity.
"You—what are you—" she started, but Leon was already in front of her.
He grabbed her by the waist, threw her over his shoulder, and, still holding the bucket in his other hand, bolted toward the exit without a second's hesitation.
The people Leon left behind didn't even immediately grasp what had just happened. For a few seconds, they simply stood in shock, staring at the open doors and the empty space where the duchess and the strange "ally" had stood only moments ago.
Vandel—the Black Knight—was the first to come to. He groaned, got to one knee, using his sword for support, and with his vision still swimming, slowly pushed himself up.
"Alarm! The duchess has been kidnapped!!!" Garret roared so loudly that his voice echoed through the entire building.
That one shout was enough to throw everyone into motion.
"The duchess has been kidnapped!"
"Catch them!"
"Seal the exits!"
Panic and chaos swept through the complex. Within seconds, the news had spread everywhere, and dozens of people were already rushing toward the main exit—the same one Leon had just disappeared through.
---
Meanwhile, Leon himself, still carrying Gertrude over his shoulder, was sprinting down the corridor. The girl squirmed and thrashed with all her strength, desperately trying to break free.
"Put me down this instant! You—you'll regret it if you don't! Ah!.." she suddenly yelped as Leon gave her a firm slap on Ass.
"Quit it!" he barked. "You're not getting loose anyway. And quiet down! I've got enough to worry about already. Your threats don't scare me."
He quickened his pace, careful not to slip on the polished marble floor. Only one thought circled in his head: Damn it, this went completely off script.
Originally, Leon had planned to wait until the duchess arrived on the island, discreetly isolate her entourage, stage a small mock skirmish to 'crush' the principality's forces, and capture a few officers for interrogation.
The plan had been clear, elegant, and even a little theatrical.
Now? Total chaos.
Instead of a clean operation, he was literally running through the halls with the duchess slung over his shoulder—and behind him, probably half the garrison was already in pursuit! Brilliant, Leon. Absolutely brilliant.
"Damn it, Gertrude," he muttered through clenched teeth as he leapt over a step, "I mean, I'm glad you're so light, but come on! This is ridiculous! Eat something once in a while—or better yet, drink some milk. Might help that chest of yours catch up a bit, improve your balance."
The duchess, flustered by the sudden insult, started kicking even harder.
"Sh-shut up, you idiot!" she hissed, feeling her face burn bright red.
Leon only chuckled, not slowing down in the slightest.
(Hope u liked chapter next one will be published later than usual bcs im now at my job)