Chapter 115: Make Sure You’re Loyal Too Me

Leo, Mariana, and Viora sat around the fire drinking as the green-haired girl looked at him. ’’Do you want to see the Titans that roam the border of the Elven Empire?’’ she asked, with a twinkle in her amber eyes.

He nodded, prompting Mariana to describe the eerie Titans that roamed the Northern Duskwood and the border of the Elven Empire. She spoke of towering giants, colossal insect-like creatures, and massive dinosaur-like monsters that dominated the landscape.

The two of them listened intently, Leo’s fascination growing with each one. The thought of fighting them sparked excitement within him. These creatures would make excellent sources of experience.

Following that, the trio continued to drink and eat while Mariana continued showing them monsters until growing tired. Viora glanced at him with a worried expression before warning, ’’Ensure you keep your eyes on her Leo, Richard isn’t what he seems and is a wicked man who is acting food because of you.’’

The orange-haired woman went to stand up, but he grabbed her hand while replying, ’’Stay with me tonight. I noticed the guards watching you with strange expressions.’’

When Viora saw this, she nodded in agreement before sitting back down and whispering, ’’They are making me feel uncomfortable. I lost my two guards to an ambush at the beginning of our journey.’’

’’I will store your goods in my Item Box, and you two will stay with me,’’ Leo answered, which made the young woman beam.

[Viora Duskvale - 8>14%]

Following that, he put the sleeping Mariana in his tent while the two of them continued to drink. Viora got close to him just as his senses warned him about an incoming attack causing him to cast Mana Barrier.

Spells from the adventurers bombarded the shield, their impact echoing through the camp. The orange-haired woman let out a startled yelp. Leo’s expression darkened, his voice sharp and commanding as he spoke. ’’Get in the tent and don’t come out until I return.’’

Seconds later, he turned toward Richard and his guards, who were pointing their magic at him as if they could do something. Leo chuckled when seeing this before questioning with a knowing smirk, ’’Didn’t take you long to drop the facade, eh? It was Mariana who forced to you move.’’

The older man’s expression twisted with anger, though his smile grew wider, a chilling contrast to his simmering rage. His voice dripped with menace as he continued, ’’Now that you’ve attacked me, I’m going to kill each of you, take your goods, and offer them to Viora before taking your daughter as my woman.’’

The men watching felt a chill run down their spines, their confidence faltering as they swallowed hard, fear obvious in their eyes. Leo dashed forward just as the guard commander tried to block him.

Leo acted swiftly, casting California Smash as his fist crashed into the barrier. The shield shattered within seconds under the immense force, and the commander’s arm broke with a sickening snap.

The sound of fracturing bones filled the air, but Leo didn’t pause. He backhanded the man, and the resulting clap echoed like thunder as the commander’s body was hurled through the camp, leaving destruction in its wake.

’Oh, he’s a rag doll, it seems? Maybe I’m too strong for humans now?’ he mused with a surprised expression.

Without missing a beat, Leo continued his ferocious assault, his heavy punches reverberating through the air like a war drum. Amid the chaos, Richard attempted to flee, but his escape was short-lived.

Leo knocked out Mariana’s father with a single slap, leaving the remaining guards frozen in shock. Their hesitation was short-lived, as he moved with extreme speed, striking them down one by one.

His overwhelming power left no room for resistance, and soon the battered group of guards dropped their weapons and surrendered. Now, a dozen men and women knelt before him, prostrating themselves, their faces a mix of fear and resignation as they awaited his next move.

’’Now you damn idiots have submitted. I won’t kill anyone, but just know you’ll be serving me until I see fit to release you,’’ Leo declared. ’’Now you’ll guard Viora Holgate. Half of her company belongs to me, which means you’re defending my interests.’’

An older woman jumped up with glowing green eyes. ’’We’ll be happy to aid you, hero. None of us wanted to attack you, but Richard bribed our leaders.’’

’’I know, but this is a new start,’’ Leo replied while taking out a pouch of gold coins and throwing them at the woman. ’’Take this and pay everyone who agrees to work with us. If any of it goes missing, I’ll kill you.’’

She nodded in agreement before introducing herself, ’’I’m Yvanna Shadowthorn, second in command to the Silent Watcher Guild.’’

’’Make sure you’re loyal to me, Yvanna, and you will go places when my plans fall into place,’’ Leo warned.

Following that, Viora and Mariana rushed over to him with concerned expressions. The orange-haired merchant asked in a shocked voice, ’’What happened here?’’

’’Richard tried to attack me when he felt threatened over Mariana,’’ Leo answered while watching the soldiers getting to work.

Mathias and the other adventurers approached. When Leo saw them, his eyes narrowed, causing the older man to raise his hands. ’’I mean you no harm, hero. We were going to warn you, but that scum had us trapped in a mana contract.’’

When Mariana heard this, her gaze hardened, and she glared at her unconscious father with unrestrained hatred. Her voice trembled with anger as she spoke, ’’Why would he feel threatened? He was selling me like cattle. What kind of parent does that?’’

Leo nodded while comforting the beautiful girl, his expression serious but laced with disdain. ’’He thought he could trap me by using you,’’ he explained. ’’But when he realized you liked me, his plans fell apart. That’s what happens when someone thinks they’re hot shit but aren’t.’’

Following that, Mathias requested something that shocked everyone. ’’My Lord, can we join the Silent Watchers to serve you? I have a feeling that you’re going places, so I and my soldiers want to be involved.’’

’’Okay, talk to Yvanna. She will tell you where you and your adventurers will fit in,’’ Leo responded before returning to the tent after casting another Mana Barrier around the camp.

Seconds later, he noticed dozens of monsters standing just outside of the shield, which annoyed him. Leo quickly started casting Fireballs and Thunderbolts into the swarm of creatures that decimated them.

When the surviving Dark Ones saw this, they fled into the night. This made him laugh, but he stopped as Mariana and Viora joined him by the fire. The green-haired girl commented in a worried voice, ’’I’m sorry for what my father did. I understand if you want to stop talking to me.’’

Leo reached out and gently pulled Mariana into a comforting hug. Her cheeks instantly flushed a deep shade of red, the unexpected gesture leaving her speechless. Nearby, Viora watched the scene unfold, a playful smile lighting up her face.

’’She’s absolutely adorable,’’ she teased, her laughter filling the air. ’’Make sure you take good care of her, Mr. Hero. Mari is someone special, especially with all the knowledge she’s gathered.’’

’’I will, don’t worry,’’ he answered before turning to Mariana. ’’I can take you to my Monster Domain so you can study them?’’

When the green-haired girl heard this, her eyes widened in surprise, but excitement quickly took over. Without hesitation, she eagerly agreed. The three of them rose to their feet as he opened a portal to the Domain.

They stepped through; the two girls followed closely behind, curiosity etched on their faces. Seconds later, they appeared a few feet from the treehouse but inside the treeline, causing Mariana to look around in shock.

’’Why does it feel so primal?’’ she asked with glowing amber eyes.

’’Because it is,’’ Leo answered before summoning the Blood Ants, who appeared a few minutes later.

Viora grabbed onto his arm with a yelp which made him laugh before he explained, ’’These are called Blood Ants. I’m letting them grow whole, hiding out in the Domain.’’

Mariana approached the Blood Ants, her glowing grey eyes intently studying their movements and forms with an almost hypnotic focus. Leo stepped forward, his voice cold and authoritative as he issued a firm order to the monster. ’’Do not harm her, and make sure the other creatures know. If anything happens to her, I’ll kill you all.’’

[Miriana Holgate - 16>18%]

When the ants heard this, they bowed in his direction before he spoke to the green-haired girl, ’’You can explore this place until we reach the fortress, that’s when you’ll prob meet my other girls who will start appearing in the treehouse.’’

She looked nervously at his words, but Leo reassured her, ’’They are lovely. I’m sure the harem will welcome you, Mari.’’

’’Thank you,’’ Mariana said warmly, her voice filled with gratitude as she rushed toward Leo.

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read