Chapter 431: Trouble Brewing
(Leo’s POV)
After spending some time quietly processing the Codex’s latest revelations, Leo finally rose to his feet and met Charles’s gaze.
His earlier anger dying down significantly once he understood the true intent behind the Monarch’s earlier brutality.
"Well... I’m not about to thank you for beating me within an inch of my death," Leo muttered, his voice dry, "but I guess I don’t hate you anymore."
Leo said, as Charles responded with the brightest smile a man like him could muster, a rare warmth stretching across his weathered face.
"I appreciate the pardon, boy. I’ve never liked being surrounded by people who hold grudges over small things."
He paused briefly, his tone turning just a shade more serious.
"A real warrior should save his hatred for causes that actually matter, not petty scraps like this."
Leo gave a quiet nod in agreement, then stepped forward and extended his hand.
*Clap*
Charles clasped it firmly, giving Leo a respectful nod before shifting gears.
"I’m guessing the Codex told you to begin your training in the realm of intent?" he asked, a knowing glint in his eye.
Leo blinked once, then nodded in affirmation.
"Good," Charles said, his smile returning.
"Our next goal is clear then. We need you to unlock the ability to observe killing intent in its thread form before your upcoming bout."
He let the words hang for a moment, before the corners of his lips curled into a broader grin, one that even he couldn’t contain.
"Because if you manage that... you won’t just be strong."
"You’ll become a nightmare for that Veyr boy to face. A problem that pure talent or strength alone can’t solve. A problem that can transcend tiers."
Leo couldn’t help but grin back, a flicker of anticipation rising in his chest.
"Well, I don’t know what you’ve planned for me, but I kind of have a hidden ace of my own.
Something that can help even the odds just slightly," Leo said, as he reached into his storage ring and brought out the rusted necklace he had retrieved from the Serpents vault.
"What is that piece of junk?" Charles asked, as Leo handed him the necklace, only for Charles’s eyes to widen in surprise when he realized what this truly was.
"Hooo—-" the monarch spoke excitedly, his pitch inflecting as he snickered and giggled like a child.
"Not bad son, learn how to properly wield this and you’ll probably give any Transcendent warrior a hard time at killing you," Charles said, handing the necklace back to Leo, as he mentally adjusted Leo’s training regimen to include artifact training.
—------------
(Meanwhile, nearby on the Juxta Military Base)
While Charles and Leo were reconciling near the far corner of the Juxta Military Base, an operative from the Black Serpents managed to secretly infiltrate the facility, disguised as just another Cult Soldier.
After the Black Serpents Guild put out a massive bounty on Leo’s head, there were thousands of assassins who were now actively chasing Leo, several of whom had managed to secretly infiltrate the Cult in their search to kill the boy.
At first, nobody was quite sure about his location and everyone remained scattered across several Cult controlled planets in their search for Leo, however, ever since the information about his bout against Aegon Veyr had been made public, news about him being secretly trained by Commander Charles on planet Juxta, slowly began to make rounds in the information market.
’Seems like the information I received was true.... Everywhere around me, all the soldiers here talk about is Commander Charles and the next Dragon Candidate ’Leo Skyshard’.’ The Assassin thought, as he silently scoffed at the Cult and their misplaced faith in a child who was barely a Grandmaster yet.
"You guys don’t get it! The Council Of Elders has probably booked this fight having knowledge that Leo will break through to the Transcendent realm in the next two months! There’s no way they will make two warriors with unequal tiers fight against one another!"
"Yes! I can bet all my life savings that this is the case. I’m sure we will receive news of Skyshard breaking through in a week or two–"
"Mannn! I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it, these candidates are what? 23-24 years of age? They’re too young to be Transcendent-tier warriors.
Both of them are special for sure!"
"No way! Aegon Veyr is so young? I had no idea—"
The Cult soldiers discussed while patrolling, as the assassin couldn’t help but feel sick listening to their conversations.
He wasn’t interested in their fandom or flattery. He wasn’t interested in whether Leo was talented, transcendent, or a divine miracle born under the right stars.
He was only interested in one thing—
The price on Leo Skyshard’s head.
And whether that head could be separated from its body before it rose beyond his reach.
*Step*
*Step*
Just then, a pair of Cult officers passed by, casually chatting between themselves without the faintest suspicion that a trained killer walked among them.
"I heard the Commander’s taking Leo to the main training hall tomorrow morning."
"Seriously? That’s perfect! I was hoping we’d get to watch some of his live sparring. I’ve heard he’s insane in motion... nothing like the footage on the internal net."
"Heh, yeah. Apparently half the base is planning to show up. Rumor is, the commander is going to be sparring with the boy personally, shit’s gonna be wild."
The assassin’s ears perked up, and a small smirk tugged at his lips beneath the mask hidden inside his collar.
So, tomorrow morning then.
That’s when the boy would be exposed. A perfect opportunity.
Not to strike, no. Not yet.
But to observe and to put a tracker spell on the boy that would make killing him down the line that much simpler.
’Once I put that tracker spell on you, it’s only a matter of time before I manage to catch you in a vulnerable position alone and take you out—’ The assassin thought, as he slit a finger across his throat, before disappearing into a dark alley nearby.