Angelica(3)

Leon struck the old stone wall with great force, instantly sending a massive cloud of dust swirling through the air. The dust settled on everyone, making both him and the girls near him cough as they struggled to breathe in even a bit of clean air.

"Cough, cough... Alright, ladies, let's keep moving," he said after clearing his throat. He turned to his companions, Angelica and Olivia, who had been covering their ears and squeezing their eyes shut moments ago. Finally, they dared to relax. They nodded, wiping the dust from their faces, and followed him.

When they entered the hidden part of the dungeon, they were met with a sight that made the girls freeze in place, their mouths agape in amazement. This section of the dungeon was vastly different from everything they had seen before. While the rest of the path resembled a damp cave with uneven walls, this place was entirely different. It radiated the grandeur of ancient Greece. Rows of pristine white columns supported marble-like arches. The ceilings were adorned with intricate carvings, and the floor was laid with stone tiles that gleamed as though they had been polished recently. Everything around them exuded an air of majesty and luxury.

"E-everything here looks... so expensive…" Olivia whispered, her wide eyes filled with a mixture of fear and awe as she stared at the interior.

"I never would've thought a dungeon could look this beautiful! It's... it's breathtaking!" Angelica exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement. A wide smile spread across her face, one that hadn't left since they arrived.

Leon glanced at her briefly and smirked to himself. Looks like she's already forgotten what just happened. Honestly, that's for the best.

"Well, that's good," he murmured quietly before refocusing on the path ahead.

But just as he took a step forward, mysterious figures began emerging from behind the columns. Seven of them. Each was clad in massive suits of armor that glinted under the light of the magical torches illuminating the hall. They wielded weapons—swords, spears, and shields—but not a single sound came from their metallic bodies.

"A-are those... people?" Olivia asked in a hushed voice, staring at the strange figures with a hint of confusion.

"No, people couldn't survive down here," Angelica interjected, studying the newly appeared beings intently. "Which means they must be... monsters?" She turned her gaze to Leon, seeking confirmation.

"Yep. You're absolutely correct, Lady Angelica," he replied calmly, his eyes locked on the figures that were slowly advancing toward them.

Hearing his words, Angelica's smile grew even wider. Her eyes burned with curiosity and excitement; once again, she was witnessing something entirely new, something she'd never seen before.

But her thoughts were interrupted by Leon's voice:

"Lady Angelica, you're skilled with a rifle, aren't you?" he asked, removing the weapon from his back and holding it out to her.

Angelica looked at him and gave a reserved nod.

"Yes, I've been trained in various weapons since childhood. I believe I can handle it," she said confidently, taking the rifle and preparing for battle.

Leon nodded in approval before turning back to the armored figures and drawing his katana.

Before Leon could reach the enemies, Angelica opened fire first, aiming for the heads of several opponents. The bullets couldn't penetrate their armor but managed to disorient them, causing the figures to stagger. Leon didn't waste the opportunity. His katana flashed through the air, and in a single swift motion, he cut down two enemies standing in his way. He then engaged in a fierce battle with the rest.

Despite being outnumbered, Leon steadily pushed them back, taking them down one by one. Each of his strikes was precise, and his movements were so calculated it seemed as if he could predict the enemies' every action.

As each foe was defeated, their bodies vanished, leaving behind only brightly glowing gemstones that fell to the ground.

"Phew, that's that," Leon exhaled, sheathing his katana.

He turned to look at the girls, who had been watching the fight from a short distance. Their faces were filled with astonishment and admiration.

"Le... Leon, you're surprisingly strong," Olivia finally said, her voice trembling slightly but carrying genuine awe.

Leon, slightly embarrassed but trying not to show it, nodded.

"Well, I owe it all to my father," he said, glancing at Olivia with a faint smile. A thought crossed his mind: Yeah, I've trained with the sword more than Chris, and his father is the Holy Sword. Not to mention, I've got tons of experience—that's undeniable.

Angelica raised an eyebrow and added:

"The rumors about you were wrong."

Leon looked at her with mild curiosity.

"What rumors, Lady Angelica?"

She frowned slightly, though her tone held interest:

"They said that without your armor or your ship, you're useless. Honestly, I always doubted those rumors, but I never imagined you were this strong."

Hearing her words, Leon straightened his posture, taking a deep, proud breath. His chest seemed to puff out as a spark of self-satisfaction lit up in his eyes. With a slight smirk, he drew his katana again and began performing various tricks, showing off his mastery. The blade shimmered as it carved intricate arcs and mesmerizing patterns through the air.

Meanwhile, Luxion, who had been observing the spectacle in stealth mode, commented dryly:

"Showing off, master?"

"Of course," Leon replied without even trying to hide his smugness.