Clash with the Five Idiots(2)

Upon realizing who had sided with Angelica, the prince's group turned their intrigued gazes toward him.

"You must be Viscount Bartfort, right?" Greg spoke, slowly approaching Leon. His face was frozen in an expression he clearly thought was intimidating. "The one who's been making a name for himself with all his recent accomplishments?"

The rest of the prince's companions also studied Leon closely, while Jilk, on the other hand, looked at him with open hostility. The prince's eyes flickered with malice, and a smirk tugged at his lips before he spoke.

"And from what I hear, you've been hanging around Angelica quite a bit lately." His smirk twisted into something unpleasant. "I'm guessing it's because she's the duke's daughter, huh? But don't you think now is a terrible time to be vying for her favor? She did just challenge His Majesty's decision, after all."

Angelica, who still had Leon's hand resting atop her head, flinched. Her fingers clenched, crumpling the fabric of her dress, and she grit her teeth. Everything Jilk said was true… She lowered her head, bracing herself for the worst.

Noticing this, Leon calmly withdrew his hand. He turned his gaze toward the prince's group and said evenly,

"This is my decision."

Then, looking at Angelica, his voice softened.

"Do you accept me as your representative?"

Angelica's head snapped up instantly.

"I… I do!" she declared, looking him straight in the eyes.

"Good." Leon turned to the prince and his entourage. "Then let's settle the rules and the stakes. The loser grants the winner's request. Anjie, what do you want if you win?"

Angelica whirled to face Marie, her gaze burning with hatred.

"Stay away from His Highness. That's all I ask," she stated firmly, her voice like a blade cutting through the tense air.

The crowd erupted in hushed murmurs.

"Did you hear that?"

"How far she's fallen..."

The hall filled with whispers, the weight of their judgment pressing down with every passing second. Angelica clenched her eyes shut in frustration, but this time, she refused to look away.

Leon's gaze swept over the prince and his men as he spoke firmly,

"As for me, I want you to grant me a single favor in the future. Don't worry—I won't ask for much."

The prince, who had been holding himself back until now, suddenly snapped.

"You still don't understand who the real scoundrel here is!"

Leon simply smirked.

"Then hurry up and state your own terms already. I'll be waitingggg..."

But then—

Marie took a step forward, and her voice suddenly changed.

"I… If I win, please stop doing such awful things!" Her eyes glistened with tears, her voice trembling but resolute. "I believe it's wrong to use your family's influence to control others!"

A chill ran down Leon's spine.

Oh, for fuck's sake… My sister's putting on a whole damn performance. She was mocking Angelica just a moment ago, showing her true colors, and now she's playing the victim in front of everyone?

His mood soured instantly. He frowned at Marie, a wild thought flashing through his mind—

Maybe I should just knock her out while no one's looking?

But with a sigh, he forced himself to calm down. Now was not the time for that.

Leon took a step forward, addressing the entire hall.

"Let's decide on the format of this duel. How about a battle in power armor?"

A few snickers came from the prince's group. Then, Kris stepped forward, adjusting his glasses and looking down at Leon with contempt.

"Do you seriously believe you can defeat us?" His voice was cold, dripping with condescension. "This hardly even counts as a challenge. You're letting your recent victories go to your head."

Leon smirked and shook his head.

"Oh? Didn't your father teach you never to underestimate your opponents? Or did the Holy Sword decide you weren't worthy of its wisdom?"

A heavy silence fell over the hall.

The murmurs spread like wildfire:

"He just insulted the son of the Holy Sword!"

"Does he have a death wish...?"

Kris went pale, and at that moment, a faint crack echoed through the room—his glasses had developed a barely noticeable fracture. His hands trembled with rage.

Suddenly, Greg stepped forward, standing beside Kris. His gaze burned with fury as he slowly rolled up his sleeves, the muscles in his arms tensing.

"You think you can just walk away after saying that?" he growled, flexing deliberately to show off his strength.

Leon narrowed his eyes, about to respond—but he never got the chance.

Greg suddenly stumbled forward as someone shoved him aside.

Two massive figures loomed in front of Leon—Tony and Vito, the towering brothers whose sheer presence dwarfed even Greg's. Their eyes were cold, their bodies radiating a quiet menace.

Greg clicked his tongue in annoyance but, after assessing the situation, took a step back. He knew he had lost to the brothers when it came to sheer muscle.