Although Su's assessment of Leo seemed exaggerated, everyone knew the reality was likely even more absurd than what he described.
Everyone had felt the aura Leo unleashed just now.
The reason Griseo, who in a sense had the weakest 'presence' among them, had collapsed wasn't because Leo attacked her first. It was because that intense aura directly knocked her unconscious, unable to bear it.
While the others weren't knocked out like Griseo, they were all affected to some degree.
Leo being able to take down everyone present in five seconds was partly because he was strong enough and the Flame-Chaser memories weren't in peak condition, but the terrifyingly oppressive aura he unleashed due to the boundless hatred he'd touched upon merging his personalities was also a major factor.
Honestly, Elysia, who was the first to be attacked and knocked to the ground, felt no resentment toward Leo.
On the contrary, she felt truly sorry for him.
Although Elysia was a memory, she possessed all of Elysia's memories up to her death.
During her time as a warrior of Fire Moth, Elysia had seen many, many people who had lost everything to the Honkai.
Some of these people managed to move on and walk back toward the 'light.'
But such people were, in the end, a minority.
The Honkai's attacks were indiscriminate. Many people lost their families, friends, and lovers because of it.
If these victims, who had lost their loved ones, couldn't adjust their mental state in time, it was very likely they would be consumed by the hatred in their hearts and become extremists.
But, among all the hateful people Elysia had ever met, Leo was definitely the most unique.
His boundless hatred was simply shocking, as if he had vented all his long-held resentment in one go.
Many people held hatred in their hearts, but few could turn that hatred into a tangible, physical impact.
Elysia, who had planned to give that power to Leo after leaving the Elysian Realm, was now a little hesitant.
Although she already trusted Leo's character and had sensed that parts of his heart were indeed very positive, but...
This power was very important.
And Leo's mental state was so terrible that Elysia didn't dare to hand over the power carelessly.
Sigh, this can't go on.
Since he said he needs us to help him in the outside world, then...
—*After we get outside and I fully understand what kind of person he is, I'll have a good talk with him.*
.....
World Serpent Base. Elysian Realm Exit.
At the exit of the Elysian Realm, the administrator, Gray Serpent, stared at Rin, who had returned to the exit one step ahead of him, and truly didn't dare to move a muscle.
The current Rin was different from the her of 50,000 years ago who resented humanity. But Rin, having failed to stop Leo from acting recklessly, was now in a very bad mood.
Although she had no intention of venting her anger on Gray Serpent, the problem was—Gray Serpent didn't know that.
In Gray Serpent's eyes, Rin was a god of death. And right now, this god of death, who was a natural counter to them Gray Serpents, was in a bad mood. Under these circumstances, he really didn't dare make any move, fearing he would provoke Rin's already unstable emotions into an even more radical state.
"Hey, I'm talking to you."
Rin looked at the silent Gray Serpent and asked.
"Where's Kevin? Is he really that comfortable letting me wander around your base?"
"But of course."
Although his thoughts were a mess, Gray Serpent maintained a courteous demeanor, speaking to Rin in his unpleasant mechanical voice.
"The Lord's vision is far greater than mine. He trusts that Lord Bishop Leo Ash and Miss Rin would not wreak havoc in an ally's base."
"Hoh, is that so..."
Rin, who had already seen through Gray Serpent's lie, narrowed her eyes and said.
"Kevin really has raised a good dog."
"Debasing yourself while praising Kevin... you do it so naturally. I can tell you've rehearsed this in your mind quite a bit, haven't you?"
Hearing Rin's words, Gray Serpent felt he should really shut up.
Although he truly respected their Lord from the bottom of his heart, what Rin said was also objective fact.
Only now did Gray Serpent realize that Rin, who had the appearance of a young girl, was not only the god of death who led to humanity's doom back then, but also an old being who had lived for 50,000 years.
Even if she was locked in the sealing black box created by Dr. Mei for most of that time, 50,000 years was enough for her mind to mature.
The current Rin was smarter than she was back then. If Gray Serpent didn't know that Su, that damned 'traitor,' was also on humanity's side and definitely wouldn't let Rin and Leo do whatever they wanted, the pressure on Gray Serpent would probably be even greater.
In truth, Rin had already secretly 'corrupted' the Gray Serpent before her.
It was just that now, Rin, who already possessed two portions of the Herrscher of Corruption's power, had successfully condensed a second Herrscher of Corruption Core.
For Rin, who held two Authorities of Corruption, corrupting others and reading their thoughts without them noticing was truly as simple as breathing.
It was precisely because of this that Rin, who could browse Gray Serpent's recent memories, didn't feel too bored while waiting for Leo.
After Gray Serpent 'sweated bullets' for a few minutes, he and Rin finally saw Leo.
But the moment she saw Leo, Rin instantly gave up on browsing Gray Serpent's memories.
"Hey, Leo..."
Rin frowned slightly, wanting to say something to her companion.
But before she could finish, Leo took out the thirteen Otto-made Soulium bodies he had prepared long ago.
"Rin, I'm counting on you for the follow-up liaison work."
"Although most of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers can be trusted, there are a few troublesome ones among them... Please keep a close eye on them for me."
"Alright, alright, I know."
Rin said impatiently, listening to Leo's words.
"If their original bodies were here, I might find it a bit tricky."
"But they are all just people revived using Soulium bodies. Under these circumstances, no one can stir up any trouble."
"You, on the other hand..."
"Help me tell everyone I have to go somewhere. The rest of the follow-up work, just leave it to Mr. Su."
After saying this, Leo ignored Rin, who had opened her mouth again, and used the Quantum Teleportation System to leave from right in front of her and Gray Serpent.
"Hey!"
Watching him actually leave without a second word, Rin stomped her foot in annoyance, then turned to Gray Serpent with a grim expression.
Gray Serpent, who had nothing to do with this, hesitated for only a second before immediately knowing what he had to do.
"Miss Rin, please wait a moment. We at World Serpent will do our utmost to locate Lord Bishop Leo Ash."
"...Hmph. You learn fast."
Seeing Gray Serpent act so cowardly, Rin suppressed the anxiety in her heart and immediately took out her communicator, preparing to contact the others at Schicksal HQ.
But, remembering what Leo had just said, Rin suddenly realized that if Leo was going back to HQ, he wouldn't have needed her to 'tell everyone' for him.
What the hell? Why, at this specific moment, does he look like he's in a panic to get to some important place?
He's been busy these past two months, but it's not like he had *no* time...
Damn it. Now I have to wait for that group from the Elysian Realm to come out and adapt to their Soulium bodies before I can find out from them what happened to Leo.
That guy. He's always so reckless.
This time, when he gets back...
Thinking of this, Rin suddenly felt a bit awkward.
She wanted to lecture Leo.
The problem was, if lectures worked on Leo, his family, friends, and lovers wouldn't be so worried.
This is so annoying!
What happens to him is none of my business!
He bottles everything up and makes me guess, guess, guess—guess my ass!
He can just be a charging-forward-riddle-man for all I care! He can go die outside!
This time, I really can't be bothered to care about what he wants to do!!!
...
Shenzhou. A certain city.
Arriving at the doorstep of his real-world home via the Quantum Teleportation System, Leo looked at the door in front of him and just felt... a bit...
Scared.
Just moments ago, he had desperately wanted to return home. But now that he was standing at his own front door, Leo suddenly found that he wasn't nearly as strong as he thought.
After merging his two personalities, just looking at the door in front of him made Leo feel the memories washing over him, almost tearing his heart apart.
I... Why did I come here?
This place... this place is already...
"Well, what should I say?"
Suddenly hearing a familiar voice come from inside the house, Leo tensed and took a step back.
"My, I've finally been waiting for this day."
Inside Leo's home, Rita, who had somehow gotten there, opened the door and smiled at the Leo before her.
"Since you've returned to your doorstep, then..."
"Why are you still standing there foolishly?"
......