Chapter 582 - Imperial (1/2)

The change was so abrupt that hardly anyone knew how they should react to the suddeness. In one moment devastating pressure was hanging over Earth, and in the next, it was as though it had been washed away by the warmth of a protector.

The life and death of the warriors who had just been valiantly riding the air ship were completely unknown. Many the only person who was aware of the answer to the question aside from the men themselves was Emperor Fawkes.

The hand slowly faded from the skies, but the voice of the Emperor didn't, hanging in the air for just a moment longer.

”… Leonel, you've avoided this old man for long enough, don't you think?”

These words lingered, reverberating through the minds of all those who heard it.

Leonel himself didn't move for a long while as though he couldn't hear the words of this grandfather of his at all. Instead, he had the same thought for the second time that day. In fact, this time, it reverberated in his mind with an even greater fervor.

'Is this what power is?'

Leonel suddenly felt a small hand slip into his. This time, it didn't wash away all the discomfort he was feeling, but at the very least, it gave him something to lean upon somewhat.

His gaze shifted from the skies to the petite young lady standing to his side. Something about her presence gave him the room he needed to breathe easier.

Leonel squeezed her hand lightly.

'Little Blackstar.'

At that moment, a shadow suddenly blazed a trail by Leonel's side. Before Pisces could react, she found a hole where her heart should have been.

The little mink flashed, appearing to stand on Leonel's shoulder with a beating heart in his hands.

It looked toward the shocked Pisces, its little paws digging into the dripping heart.

Pisces watched on in horror, her body visibly trembling.

”Why… Why me…”

She never thought that a small bout of jealousy would really lead to her death in this way. She had just wanted to grow stronger. Wasn't she allowed to want such a thing…?

Ironically, Leonel ended up adding his own strokes to the cruelty of this world.

Leonel and Aina rose into the skies, leaving over the horizon. But, from start to finish, Elorin didn't make a single move.

The other Slayer Legion members who hated Leonel's guts could only watch on in fury. But, after seeing the Emperor's prowess, and even hearing that he had specifically stepped out to protect Leonel… Which of them would truly dare to move at this point?

However, hidden within his pockets, Elorin's index finger continued to twitch, illusions of slicing the little mink in two replaying in his thoughts.