Leon had successfully subjugated the trespassers. Even he was surprised at how quickly he had done it, but he was sure that if Nasir had fought like he had nothing to lose, then the battle would have been nothing short of ruinous.
However, Leon was still quite happy. He had defeated an A rank being, fair and square. The replica of him that had been the boss of the the fiftieth floor had been a Pseudo A rank being, and not the legitimate thing, but Nasir really was A rank.
Not only that, but he was also genuinely surprised to have stumbled upon Lance. Although he did not know who the other boys were, he guessed that they were friends with the blond boy. As for the two men that had attacked him, it was easy enough to tell they were regular guards. His interest was focused on Nasir at the moment, though.
“So, you are Lance’s aide.” Leon surmised from his guesses, and the reactions of the boys. Nasir refused to react to Leon’s words, though, even if he had already been found out.
“Enough with the silence. I already know who you are.” Leon sighed and shook his head, but he did not continue questioning them. He did not rush back on the way to Fort White, so the journey back took a bit longer than getting there.
When they arrived at the walls of the town, Leon found that it was under full lockdown. The humans soldiers and the White Millipedes had taken up defensive positions around the walls. Bows are drawn and swords were held at the ready.
“Rakon, Eric!” Leon called for his two confidants that represented the humans and millipedes. The two soon arrived before him as he passed the town’s gates.
“My Lord.” They greeted in the same beat.
“Take these ones to the cellars.” Leon gestured at the twin brothers, the coachmen, and Nasir. “Keep your eyes on this one. He is A rank.” He warned them about Nasir and turned around to walk away.
“What about the blond one?” Eric asked with wide eyes. He was surprised that Leon had been able to capture an A rank fighter.
“He will come with me.” Leon turned around and gestured with his finger to Lance, who followed him with a begrudging sigh. Lance did not even want to try and struggle. He knew it was pointless, so he was only just hoping that he could reason with Leon.
Leon led the way to the mansion close to the center of the town, which he had chosen as his residence. It was a massive place, second only to the temple in the center of the town, and but its beauty was on par with the temple thanks to the special care of the White Millipedes.
“This place belongs to you?” When they arrived at the mansion, Lance stared up at it with a slack jaw and could not help asking.
“Yes. As I said before, this is my territory.” Leon confirmed it and led him inside. When they stepped into the main building in the large compound, the bindings around Lance’s wrists fell away. The boy was taken aback and rubbed his wrists with a curious look on his face.
“You released me?”
“You are too weak to pose a threat to me, so I don’t see why I should keep you chained up.” Leon replied without looking back.
Those words evidently pissed Lance off because his face immediately twisted into a scowl. But he could not refute that statement because it was true. Instead, he decided to ask something else.
“Does Elena know you are an Undead?” He asked, filled with curiosity.
“Yes, she does.” Leon nodded and walked into a large room. It was supposed to be a meeting room, but there was a distinct lack of any form of decorations or anything of the sort. “Sit down.” Leon motioned to one of the chairs and took his seat. As there was nothing he could do, Lance did the same and looked at Leon curiously.
“What do you want with us? If you wanted to kill us, you would have already done so.” The blond boy asked.
“You are right. I could have killed you all when I handled the A rank, but I do not want to kill you. Instead, I am willing to spare your life for information.” Leon said coldly.
Lance felt a chill run down his back as he was fixated upon by Leon’s aura. The Unholy energy that permeated through Leon’s bones surged out and locked around Lance’s neck.
“W-what kind of information?” Lance’s legs went soft. The possibility of pissing Leon off and dying still remained even though Leon said that he did not want to kill them. If he could not get the information he wanted, then he could just kill them.
Lance was familiar with ruthlessness. His father was a very ruthless and unforgiving man who did anything to achieve his goals. Sometimes, Lance could hear the screams of those who pissed off his father echoing through the halls of the castle. It was something that had been ingrained in his mind. Although Leon was not acting like his father at the moment, who knew if he would change his attitude at the drop of a hat?
“What are you doing here?” Leon asked and let off on the pressure a bit, allowing Lance to catch his breath.
“I-I came here to meet up with Elena…” Lance spoke slowly.
“Just that?” Leon tilted his head and leaned forward.
“Y-yes.” Lance nodded. He had told his father that he wanted to see the world a bit, and his father, not caring for his son at all, had agreed at once. He did not worry about an heir, as he had many children. Lance was just one of them, and was not even in the race for the patriarchal position after Ashtar. What he really wanted to do was meet Elena, figure out life, and warn her about the impending invasion of the Demons so she would not be involved.