Chapter 429: Benefits or Kinship (2/2)

Leonel nodded. ”Painting me as a child who's in over my head is a good strategy. Maybe you could have used some of that intelligence before you were captured by Magus Aliard, or at the very least, you could have used some of your family's so-called great hidden strength.”

Matteus froze, a hint of rage flashing within his eyes. He had never done anything too wrongful to this child, he didn't know why he was being so hostile.

In fact, originally, the red haired man was supposed to take the forefront and speak. Matteus took over this job to hopefully blunt Leonel's potential aggressiveness. But, what he had never expected was for it all to be meaningless. Leonel acted as though he didn't even recognize him.

As expected, the expressions of the court ministers somewhat changed.

It was only at that moment that they remembered that it had been Leonel who killed that traitor. In fact, Arthur hadn't recognized Matteus before because he was a puppet under Pope Margrave's control back then, but now that he thought about it, this was indeed that man…

In an instant, all the bravado that Matteus had brought forth seemed to crumble. First impressions were everything… if the representation of this Adurna family couldn't even protect his own life without Leonel's interference, then how powerful could they really be?

Mordred's eyes widened. Back then, she had been the one to fight the puppets the Adurna family members had become. She had almost forgotten this completely. Compared to Leonel's overwhelming strength back then, they were… just average.

Of course, that might have been due to the Margrave's puppeteering taking away their strength. But, the fact that Margrave could enslave them at all spoke volumes.

”The situation is very simple.” Leonel continued with a steady voice. ”Even if everything they said is true, you will still fall before the Fourth Dimension Descends. They're only trying to prey on your ignorance.

”The 'hidden' families might have higher Dimensional beings, but none of them can come to help you. Entering a lower Dimensional world from a higher is very difficult. And, even if you manage to accomplish it, you will be forced to deal with all sorts of restrictions. If you aren't a native of the world you descend to, the restrictions are even fiercer.

”So, at this very moment, these hidden families can only send out strength on the level of them.” Leonel swept a glance over the four. ”At least, on any sort of large scale.

”Yet, they've said themselves that they don't rely on 'technology', which means that unlike The Empire, they don't have a method of bridging this gap in strength.

”But sure… If you want to hand over all your secrets in exchange for protection that won't last more than a week, please have at it.”

Leonel's voice plainly concluded before starting up again as though he had forgotten something amusing.

”Oh, and a reminder that I already comprehend everything about your magic system, more than even most in this room, actually. So, you should ask yourselves whether you trust someone who wants something out of you more, or if you'll take the word of someone who's only here to help a friend.”

Leonel swept a pointed glance over Arthur. His meaning couldn't have been more clear.

Will you choose 'benefits' again this time? Or will you choose kinship?