Chapter 278

A throbbing sound penetrated Leonardo's ears. The sound gradually quickened until it soon spread into a pulsation that shook his entire body.

Leonardo unconsciously parted his lips and then closed them. His gaze shifted to over the general's shoulder and then returned. The general, observing his eyes, leaned his upper body closer as if trying to sway his heart and continued speaking:

"I know my words must be very confusing. But since I don't know when we'll meet again, this is my only chance to tell you."

"..."

"I heard you disappeared after leaving the imperial army. It must have been very difficult for you. Given the sentiment in Raina Logia, once you're branded... you'd have to live quietly without room to breathe or a place to lean on. But if you come to us, the King of Parren will welcome you with open arms. He will help you in every way possible so that you can come over secretly, covertly."

The general whispered enticingly in a gentle but clear voice. However, Leonardo flinched and took a step back as he listened.

"I..."

He struggled to open his mouth but soon became speechless. The word "defection," heard at a completely unexpected timing, exponentially increased his heart rate.

Moreover, the Council's large army was waiting beyond this point. His golden eyes swept around anxiously, checking for eyes and ears. The general caressed his hand and added with a regretful expression:

"Leonardo, don't worry. I don't mean to move right now. Just think about it carefully, you're still young. Don't you want to live a new life? In Parren, Leonardo Blaine is regarded almost like a goddess's priest. You are Parren's national hero and light. Everyone will sincerely welcome you."

"...That's not the issue. Do you even know what you're saying right now?"

"...I know very well. I just... want to tell you that sometimes if you look around a little, you might see a path. What seemed like an impenetrable wall might actually be a door that's been closed for a long time, or perhaps an escape route that's already open but hidden by prejudice."

The general continued trying to persuade Leonardo. He rubbed along the lines of his palm with his thumb, fidgeting as if trying to relieve tension.

"It might feel impossible to leave the empire you've been part of, but in fact, it's not that difficult. The place you first set foot in might be Raina Logia, but at the end of your life, Parren could exist. And..."

The general paused and then added with a low sigh:

"You're originally from Bermuda, aren't you?"

The golden eyes that had been clouded with anxiety suddenly lifted. Although his gaze was cold, the general paid no heed.

"I mean you don't need to be bound to one country. Especially if it's a country that has abandoned you."

It was quite rude for someone who wasn't from Bermuda to talk about another's origin. However, knowing that the general was sincerely concerned about him rather than having other intentions, Leonardo softened his gaze instead of glaring at him. The general delivered his final blow:

"Don't leave your future in others' hands. Life is something you carve out for yourself."

At that moment, Leonardo's eyelashes trembled slightly. His gaze wavered along with his complicated thoughts. It wasn't so much that he was moved by the other's words, but rather that they overlapped with a voice he had heard not long ago.

His gaze naturally shifted towards Hugo, who would be waiting for him in the distance. Hugo was standing with his arms crossed, looking this way, but his head was half-turned as if talking to Cordelia right beside him.

His inaudible voice hummed and lingered in Leonardo's ears. Leonardo recalled that scene once again.

'Glory to your future.'

The refreshingly smiling eyes were drawn before him once more. Just then, Hugo turned his head and looked this way.

***

"Your Excellency. If Blaine wanted to leave the empire, what would you intend to do?"

About three minutes ago, Cordelia's sudden question immediately captured Hugo's attention, who had been alternately watching Leonardo and the clock. Cordelia's expression was very calm for someone who had brought up such a radical topic.

Hugo, furrowing his brow as he looked down at her, carefully checked if there was anyone who might overhear their conversation while surveying the surroundings. Finally, judging it safe, he asked back with a face that suggested he had heard something he shouldn't have:

"What do you mean?"

"I mean exactly what I said. Since Parren received great help from Blaine during their War of Independence, I don't think it would be strange if they saw his current exile as an opportunity."

Hugo narrowed his eyes and coldly asked back:

"Are you defending their actions of pursuing Leonardo as justified?"

"Ah, no. I'm not defending it... I simply meant that from the perspective of national interest, there's enough room for such a possibility."

"..."

"Moreover, if not Parren but another country were to offer benefits and request naturalization, wouldn't it be natural for someone in Blaine's position to be swayed? So... if, I mean if. If he wished to defect to another country, I'm asking what Your Excellency would do with him."

Cordelia asked as carefully as possible while emphasizing the word "if." However, Hugo, listening to her, momentarily wondered if she had suffered a head injury during the battle. She seemed to have been viewing him as excessively generous from before. Hugo uncrossed his arms and answered in a cold voice, as if it wasn't even worth considering:

"Defection of an S-grade mage from the empire is impossible. It's unthinkable."

"..."

"The moment he crosses to another country, he'd have to live a life of being pursued forever. I don't think he would make such a judgment now when freedom is right before his eyes. He's quick-witted and good at calculating gains and losses. The 'if' you speak of won't occur."

Hugo firmly cut off the possibility. In fact, his words were somewhat distant from the values he usually held.

'There is never 0 or 100 in probability.' This was what Hugo often added when telling his subordinates not to let their guard down. So, even knowing there was a discrepancy in his words, Hugo cleanly dismissed Cordelia's question as impossible.

He wasn't curious about what answer she wanted to hear, nor did he have any intention of giving room for it. She too must know the fate of an S-grade mage who defected from the empire.

The empire, in other words, the imperial family, was extremely averse to national power leaking to other countries. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they held the creed of eliminating what they couldn't possess, so the moment Leonardo chose to defect, he, who served the Emperor, would have to stop him with all his might.

"..."

Knowing this reality better than anyone, Hugo became quite afraid of a situation he couldn't control arising.

If he didn't know what kind of person Leonardo was and what beliefs he held, there would have been no hesitation at all. But now that he knew the pitiful person named Leonardo Blaine, Hugo wasn't sure if he could dare to stop him if he longed for freedom in another country.

That's why such a thing must not happen even more. Even if it made him appear selfish, he hoped Leonardo would return to his side obediently. He didn't want to face a situation that would further crack his beliefs.

Hugo, rubbing his tightly closed lips, harshly averted his gaze from Cordelia. Her gaze clung to his profile, but he deliberately ignored it and looked straight ahead. At that moment, Hugo's eyes widened. Leonardo, half-hidden by silver armor, was staring this way.

But the atmosphere was somehow strange. The distance between them was unnecessarily close. Moreover, Leonardo's eyes seemed somewhat sorrowful, as if asking for help. A vein subtly protruded on Hugo's jaw.

"That bastard..."

Hugo, misunderstanding that Leonardo was feeling uncomfortable, gritted his teeth and took a big step forward to immediately separate the two. However, just then, Leonardo hurriedly stretched out his hand as if to say don't come, shaking his head vigorously. In tandem, the Parren general who had been standing with his back turned also glanced behind.

Forced to stop in his tracks by the sudden signal, Hugo observed the actions of the two while assessing the situation. Leonardo, who shook his head clearly once more, signaled Hugo with his eyes as if to say don't come.

Because of this, Hugo could only stand there blankly. His military boots seemed rooted to the ground. Along with this, his anxious gaze also remained fixed on Leonardo. Leonardo, avoiding that gaze, bowed his head deeply.

***

As if about to make a decision, the golden eyes that had been lowered for a moment swept the innocent ground. To the general, Leonardo's action of stopping the Commander seemed like a positive signal. Perhaps because of this, he relaxed his expression and waited silently for his decision with a gentle smile.

In that moment, various faces and countless responsibilities weighing on his shoulders flashed through Leonardo's mind. Perhaps if he had heard the same story in the past, he might have confronted the other person encouraging defection, no matter how close a friend they were.

But now the situation was different. Whether he knew Leonardo's circumstances well and deliberately pretended not to, or whether he was persuading him to betray the country he had once devoted himself to protecting, those things weren't important.

There was no reason to react sensitively to someone warm who welcomed his fallen honor. He wasn't so hasty as to misinterpret the kindness of a friend trying to understand his tattered self.

Leonardo took a deep breath, trying to calm his pounding heartbeat. Then he slowly raised his head and met the general's eyes. The other's proposal was extremely sweet and tempting, but coincidentally, it had never once managed to shake him until now.

Leonardo smiled faintly and said:

"Thank you. For offering to help me."

The general, who had been gauging his intentions, smiled brightly at the low and careful voice. Because Leonardo had gripped his held hands tightly, the general thought he had accepted his intention to help.

However, Leonardo, who soon smiled bitterly, added without hesitation:

"But—"

The general, who had been about to welcome him prematurely, hesitated. At the same time, Leonardo turned his head towards the man who would be waiting for him.

Agrizendro was standing blankly on the vast dirt ground, looking only at him. Behind him stood Major Hareth, her knights, the Council's commanders, and numerous members appearing like dots, all lined up looking this way.

Leonardo carefully scanned their figures with his eyes while shielding the sunlight pouring down under the clear sky with his hand. Now as before, those he wanted to protect existed here. So there was no way he could easily abandon this place.

There might come a day when he would regret this moment. Nevertheless, Leonardo turned his head and met the general's eyes. Then, with a bright smile, he murmured:

"This country still needs me."