Chapter 56

The audience chamber for Shadows that was located in the Royal Palace.

It was currently filled with an air of oppression.

The six who were present during Leon’s training had been quiet for some time now.

They stood before Her Majesty with bowed heads, waiting for her to say something.

To the side of the room, the 15 Left Hands who guarded the interior of the Royal Palace, glared at the six Shadows who were bowing.

Hif, the leader of the Left Hands, was included in their ranks.

The queen sat in the far back and gazed at this scene.

“So, even in your own territory, you are unable to move in a satisfactory manner.”

They could not respond.

The initial plan had to be to show the difference in power and preserve the pride of the Left Hands.

Leon’s power was Shadow Crossing. And it was well suited for invasion. And even though it was their job to guard the outside and inside of the castle, they realized that they were unable to detect him.

They were now searching for magic that could detect shadows, but they weren’t sure if such a method existed.

Currently, there was nothing they could do.

It was humiliating, but he was stronger than them.

Her Majesty knew this quite well, and they had to accept it.

Still, they had wanted to use this opportunity to show their own power.

It was just supposed to be training, after all.

“It was his first time guarding this place. A place that you all know very well. And yet you could do nothing?”

It was because he asked them this so calmly that the meaning stabbed deeply in their hearts.

“…Yes.”

“You…”

“Wait!”

Hif interrupted.

Hif put a hand on his chin and thought. He was an important Left Hand that had served the royal family since the time of the previous king.

“We could increase their number?”

“Still…”

“Still?”

“I don’t think it will help…I’m sorry.”

“…Hmm.”

It would have been easy to criticize them for being weak. He could laugh at their lack of spirit.

However, Hif did not feel like doing that.

They had said that doubling the number of Left Hands that protected the outer compound would be meaningless.

And they were likely right.

“Is it just that Leon is so strong. Or is it…”

The queen spoke for the first time.

Everyone knew what she meant to say.

And they also knew that they could not allow her to think about it.

“This Shadow Crossing ability is what is special. It’s why he is worthy of complete absolution.”

They could not say that it was their own spinelessness.

“I see. Then perhaps the roles should be changed. I hear there are some capable Shadows in the countryside.”

Such words would likely come from her mouth.

While they were angry at being bested, he was special.

They had to say it.

“I see. That’s fine, then.”

That was the ending signal.

Hif waved his hand and Siluru and the other Left Hands stood up and left.

“I’m going to retire to my room for the day.”

“Certainly.”

Only the night guards stayed, as the other Left Hands exited the room.

Many of them breathed a sigh of relief.

“Hif.”

“Your Majesty!”

The queen called out to him from her room.

The answer was clear.

“Put him in it as well.”

“…”

It took a while for his ‘Yes, Your Majesty’ to reach her ears.

“I think he’ll rise in society very quickly…and so it should be done.”

“Certainly. As you wish, Your Majesty.”

After those words, he could tell by her breathing, that she had fallen asleep.

○

Only those with permission were allowed onto the Dragon Academy property.

Even supplies were first sent to the Royal Academy.

That’s how tight the security was. And there were very few people who didn’t have the Dragon Mark that were allowed to enter.

And it was one of these rare people, the blacksmith, Anis Quinto, that was lying prostrate.

As there was to be an expedition soon, she had visited the academy in order to repair the armor of the Dragon Masters. However, someone had suddenly appeared behind her and stuck a knife to her back.

As Anis boasted impressive ability in martial arts, being pushed to the ground so easily was most surprising indeed.

However, the words she heard immediately after were even more surprising.

“Didn’t I tell you that I would have no mercy if you ever showed your face to me again?”

As he was behind her, she could only hear his voice.

However, she could feel that her legs were shaking.

It was because it was just his voice, that the events returned so clearly to her mind.

But why was he here? The question came to her. But fear was stronger.

As soon as the knife came away, Anis instinctively dropped to the ground and put her head to the floor.

Anis was also Her Majesty’s Right Hand, and had the alias, ‘Foul Eater.’

She knew that she was better than most Shadows her own age.

However, that was all meaningless against this opponent.

She had wished to never see him again. And yet here they were.

Anis cursed her bad luck.

On the other hand, the dagger-wielding Leon, seemed a little confused over this event.

He had seen Foul Eater’s face among the craftsmen who were visiting, and decided to play a little trick on her when they were alone.

After all, Leon had already forgiven Foul Eater.

He had sworn in front of Her Majesty, and he wasn’t going to go against that.

As far as he was concerned, he had taken back the promise to kill her at their next meeting.

But it seemed that his little prank had been a little too effective.

“Well, what happens now…”

Leon sighed as he saw Foul Eater bowing without moving a muscle.

Foul Eater felt sweat run down her back as she waited for his next words.