The World Is Mine For The Taking

Chapter 524 - 84 - Johanne’s Wedding (1)

"Now, who might you be?" the Sword Saint asked, his sharp gaze fixed on me as soon as the guard departed.

"I’m Leon, Sir," I replied, bowing modestly. It wasn’t a grand gesture, just the kind of bow any capable man could muster. "Just Leon. I don’t have a surname."

"Really?" His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied me. "It’s rather unusual for someone without a family name to bow like that. Most of your station wouldn’t even know the faintest hint of etiquette, yet you do."

Apparently, my modest bow carried enough grace to make him wonder if I was the son of some noble.

"I just learned from the academy, Sir," I said evenly.

"The Academy does teach etiquette. Seems you’re taking your lessons well enough," he mused before his tone shifted slightly. "What’s your class? Since you’re a friend of Johanne’s, I’d imagine you’d at least be in the Gold Class."

"No, Sir," I answered honestly. "I’m actually in the Bronze Class. I’m skillless, you see."

His eyes widened ever so slightly at my admission, a reaction that didn’t escape my notice. The others who had been listening in were visibly shocked. A Bronze Class student with no unique abilities—just a worthless nobody in their eyes.

"My son has a keen eye for strength," the Sword Saint remarked. "So I assume that even without a skill, you must possess some talent with the sword."

"I can use a sword well enough, Sir," I admitted. Denying it would serve no purpose.

"I see..."@@@@

Before the conversation could continue, a voice rang out.

"Leon!"

A man, about my age, emerged from the crowd, his face lighting up when he saw me. Though he presented as male, I knew the truth. She was a woman—changed by the very man in front of me, the Sword Saint, likely to fulfill his desire for a male heir. Even Johanne, unaware of her true gender, believed herself to have been born this way.

"You’re finally here! I’m glad you made it," Johanne said, her smile genuine.

"Yes, thank you for inviting me, Johanne," I replied warmly.

Johanne’s gaze shifted to her father, still smiling. "Father, this is—"

"We’ve already introduced ourselves," the Sword Saint interrupted. "Though I haven’t introduced myself yet. I assume you already know who I am, but for formality’s sake, I’m Duke Carl Fior Whitlock. I am the Duke of Whitlock Duchy and, as many call me, the Sword Saint."

"Well, I wanted a trusted friend to attend my special day," Johanne said, glancing at me with a smile.

"Fufufu," the Princess chuckled softly. "I never would’ve thought the two of you had grown so close. It seems your friendship blossomed without my knowing."

Johanne nodded, his smile widening. "We’ve been talking a lot lately, and after the King’s Game, I can confidently say Leon is my best friend now."

It was honestly sweet of Johanne to say that. I’d never thought he’d consider me a friend, let alone his best friend.

"Now then, I shall check on the bride. If you’ll excuse me, Johanne and Leon," Myrcella said with a polite bow before walking away.

Angelica stood off to the side, her wary gaze fixed on me. Of course, she was suspicious. She knew me as the one who not only defeated her in combat but also brought down the Eclipse. If that wasn’t enough, she might have seen me take down the dragon summoned by Sesillian. Even so, she wasn’t making a move to fight me. She knew it’d be pointless, and judging by the exchange I’d just had with the Princess, Angelica likely realized I wasn’t here to harm anyone. That didn’t mean she’d let go of her suspicion.

"I’m really thankful you came, Leon," Johanne said, his tone genuinely warm.

"Well, my best friend invited me. How could I not come?" I replied, giving him a grin.

Johanne smiled back, his expression so infectious it pulled a smile from me too.

***

Angelica’s POV

I wasn’t wrong.

That man... He was the owner of Leonamon. The one who destroyed the Eclipse—a powerful cult I’d once been brainwashed and forced to serve. It was him. The man who utterly defeated me, making me taste the bitter humiliation of true defeat for the first time. He brought me to my knees without breaking a sweat and made me eat dirt like it was my place.

And now, Her Highness the Princess was speaking with that same man.

I couldn’t feel any malice radiating from him earlier, and though it was clear he recognized me, he didn’t seem inclined to attack. Still, it was impossible for someone like him to be entirely without malice, wasn’t it? I couldn’t be certain he wouldn’t harm the Princess.

I had to warn her. Find exclusive stories on novelhall.Côm

"Princess," I said, my voice low but firm. "I don’t think you should trust that man so easily."

"And why is that, Angelica?"

"I know him," I said, keeping my tone steady. "He’s the one who took down the Eclipse. I refuse to believe he’s some meager, skillless nobody. I know he’s a powerful man—and also the owner of Leonamon. He’s dangerous. I strongly advise you to keep your distance from him as much as possible."