Chapter 337: A loyal man
"Tell me more about Karl and the warning that the guild issued for him? What’s all that about?" Leo asked curiously, as he slowly retrieved the weapons he had plundered from Reema, including her broken spear and placed it beside her one by one.
"There’s a huge purge ongoing within the universal government..... as you must already know, the Evil Cult has infiltrated our government quite deeply, so getting rid of their contacts is a priority." Reema began, as she gripped the short knives Leo had placed beside her and began stuffing them in her boots and around her utility belt.
"While purging one of the contacts, it was discovered that he had helped create a false identity for Karl... misidentifying him as a master level warrior and a mercenary with an impeccable record, when in reality he was a wanted Cult criminal.
The Black Serpents received an emergency message from the government informing us to immediately arrest or neutralize the criminal, however, it was already too late by then....
The rest of you had already entered the Time-Stilled world, and there was no way we could contact you.
So the Government instead issued an advisory for all new teams entering to be on the lookout for Karl, and to arrest him if possible—" Reema explained, as Leo nodded in understanding.
If the Cult contacts were being purged at such an alarming rate, then there was a possibility that he himself might be exposed for his connection to Muiyan Faye very soon.... However, he seemed to be safe for now.
’So long as I maintain ties with the cult while living under the roof of the righteous alliance, I’ll always be one slip away from exposure— or worse, capture.
Once this mission is done, I need to sever one side cleanly and for good,’ Leo thought, as the weight of the double allegiance finally settled in his chest.
The life of a double agent, he realized, was nothing more than a countdown masked in shadows, and he needed to get rid of such a life as soon as he was capable of it.
"Anyways, thanks a lot for saving us.... This expedition is much more dangerous than we initially anticipated it to be.
I personally do not have the courage to continue with this mission anymore.
And would rather turn back now, while I still can....." Reema said, as she twirled her silver pony in slight anxiety.
"That’s a sound choice Captain, I’d probably do the same if I were a sane man.... But unfortunately I’m me...." Leo replied casually, which caused Reema to chuckle.
"Of course the great Circuit Winner Leo Skyshard would press forward," Reema said, a soft flush rising to her cheeks as her expression eased into admiration. "I expected nothing less... especially after watching you kill a Transcendent with my own eyes."
She leaned back, her voice laced with genuine awe. "Do you know how rare that is? Warriors defeating someone a tier above them? You could count such stories on one hand and even fewer where a Grandmaster takes down a Transcendent."
Leo chuckled at the praise but shrugged it off. "It wasn’t a fair fight. I struck when he was at his weakest. If I’d missed my moment, I’d be dead for sure, right alongside you and Della."
"Still," Reema said, her eyes lingering on him with a deeper glint, "you’re no ordinary fighter..... Mr.Skyshard, and your hype is well deserved."
A playful smirk tugged at her lips as her tone shifted. "When I make it back out, I’ll write a book about all this, and you’ll be the main character in it. The mysterious assassin who slayed Karl Maxtern and saved me and Della from a certain death. Maybe I’ll even spice it up with an extra R18 ending sequence."
Leo arched a brow.
"I’ve heard fantasy sells better when there’s a bit of romance in the mix," she continued, biting her lip slightly, her voice dropping half a pitch. "And if we’re parting ways soon... maybe we could give the readers something memorable to remember the book’s end."
She loosened the front of her robes just enough to expose the curve of her chest, her gaze holding his as she leaned in. "Sixty days without a single fling. Della’s out cold. And you, Mr.Skyshard... you’re a temptation walking."
For a moment, Leo said nothing, his eyes drifting from her pale skin to the quiet hunger in her gaze.
Desire stirred in his chest. It had been years since he’d touched someone, and in a place frozen outside of time, the idea of indulging felt almost consequence-free.
Almost.
But even as his pulse quickened, his thoughts anchored him.
Amanda.
He could never betray her, even if they were apart, he could never let her down by being carried away.
*Sigh*
Leo exhaled softly, then shook his head.
"I’m flattered, Captain," he said gently. "And if things were different.... if I didn’t already love someone.... I’d never let a chance like this slip past me."
He smiled faintly, eyes firm but kind. "But I do. And I’m not the kind of man who betrays that."
Reema’s smile faltered, her hopeful spark dimming. For a beat, she looked away, adjusting her robes with a quiet sigh.
"Well... I’m disappointed, but I get it," she said, voice softer now. "She’s lucky. Not many men would say no, especially powerful and handsome men like yourself, when the girl is offering them a chance to do it without any consequences attached."
Leo didn’t respond, just met her eyes with a look of quiet respect.
"I hope you complete the mission, Leo," she said at last, her tone sincere. "And more than that... I hope you make it back to her safe and sound."
He gave her a nod and a small smile in return.
"And I hope you and Della make it home safely too. If fate permits it, I’ll see you around on planet Twin Fang"