Leo[Pride] extended his hand toward Leo, his expression twisted with irritation.
Leo blinked, confusion clouding her eyes.
"What's wrong? Don't tell me you're shy to hold hands or something!?"
Leo[Pride] scoffed, voice sharp with annoyance.
"Uh…"
Leo hesitated, then slowly placed her trembling hand into his.
The moment their palms touched, light surged through her body. Wounds sealed, broken bones snapped back into place, blood vanished. Even the eye she thought she had lost—restored.
Leo gasped, eyes widening in disbelief.
The gangs fell into chaos, murmurs echoing like wildfire.
"Boss, what are you doing!?" Elizabeth stammered, her face pale.
Battler froze, jaw slack. "
Did the Boss… have some plan I don't know about?"
he thought, cold sweat trickling down his temple.
Leo[Pride] pushed Leo back. She staggered, stunned, her body completely healed.
"You…" she muttered in confusion.
"You think I didn't figure it out? That you're another me from a different timeline?"
Leo[Pride] smirked.
"Eh?! That means you knew!?" Leo shouted, eyes trembling in shock.
"Of course. The moment I saw you, I felt it—the same soul, the same curse gnawing at your body like mine." Leo[Pride] turned away casually, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Leo's stomach dropped. "Th-that means all that torture you ordered me to endure…?!"
"Hmph." Leo[Pride] closed his eyes, calm and cruel. "My pride was wounded, seeing another version of me so weak. That's why."
"Whaaat!? Man, you're a beast!!" Leo screamed in outrage, veins popping on her forehead.
"Hahaha! Call me whatever you like." Leo[Pride] laughed. Then his golden gaze slid to Battler.
Battler froze, heart stopping.
"You thought I didn't know, huh? That night you were whispering with Leo—I saw, I heard everything."
Leo[Pride] narrowed his eyes.
"U-um… y-you heard it all…?" Battler's voice cracked, his legs trembling as he instinctively backed away.
Elizabeth's face drained of color. Her lips quivered, words stuck in her throat. That girl I tortured… was really a version of the Boss…?
The gang broke into frantic whispers.
Leo turned to Leo[Pride], confused. "So you knew. Then… did Battler have some hidden goal with me?"
"Of course he did." Leo[Pride] chuckled darkly. "If I ever tried to kill you, he planned to take you and run. Isn't that right, my right hand—Thales Battler?"
All eyes snapped to Battler. His head lowered, his face pale like ash.
"…Yes, Boss. You're right." His voice cracked with guilt, sorrow dripping from every syllable.
"Huh!? But why, Battler!?" Leo shouted, disbelief twisting her face.
"Tch…" Battler clicked his tongue, eyes burning with frustration. "Because I wanted to use you. You… you can travel through timelines. That power—I wanted it."
"So all this time, that's why you treated me like this…" Leo whispered, disappointment heavy in her voice.
Elizabeth's jaw dropped. "That means—you knew this truth too, Battler!?"
The crowd erupted louder, questions flying.
"But how, Boss!? How did you know all of this!?" Battler cried in anguish.
"You are my right hand for a reason," Leo[Pride] replied coldly. "I know the desires of every member. And you… acted different. That was enough for me to be suspicious."
"N-no way… I can't be…" Battler's voice broke. He collapsed, knees hitting the dirt. His hope shattered, his head hung low.
Leo[Pride] glanced at Leo. "Leo Julius Eros. I'll speak with you later. For now, I need rest." He turned sharply. "Elizabeth. Come with me."
"Y-yes, my Boss!" Elizabeth stumbled after him, still pale with nerves.
Leo stared at their retreating figures, then turned her gaze back to Battler.
So he knew it all… and Battler… now it all makes sense.
She stepped closer, crouching to Battler's level, and gently touched his shoulder.
"Hey… why did you want me for that?"
"…Aren't you mad?" Battler muttered, shame thick in his trembling voice.
"I should be." Leo smirked faintly. "But I know pain. Now, I understand these feelings." Her golden eyes sharpened with conviction. "That's why I'm chasing my goal. To bring myself back. So tell me—what's your true goal?"
Battler slowly lifted his head, eyes meeting hers. "I… I don't think you'd help me."
"Hey, listen." Leo grinned, confidence radiating from her battered figure, soft smile on her face. "Now I am sure useless, but if I can get myself back—maybe I can help. So stand up. You're strong."
Her eyes glittered like gold under the cloudy sky. A confident smile on her face.
Battler's breath hitched, his eyes widening in shock. "…You really… haah—" He stopped himself, then exhaled and pushed to his feet.
"Fine. I'll tell you." Battler's lips curved into the faintest smile.
"Yes! Now you look perfect!!" Leo winked playfully, pointing a finger at him with a smug grin.