Chapter 26
“Why did you do it, Leon Luster?” Derisa’s voice was firm, her sharp gaze fixed on him.
Leon met her stare, his expression unreadable. “I’ve done many things in my life… You’ll have to be more specific.”
“You stood against a Demonic Wolf,” she said, her tone edged with suspicion. “It slaughtered ten Royal Guards—highly trained warriors—without hesitation. And yet, you faced it, barehanded. Why?”
A slow, almost amused smile crossed Leon’s lips. “Because running wouldn’t have saved me. That thing would’ve caught up after finishing off the rest of the kids. I chose to fight instead of dying a coward death.”
—
One Hour Earlier – The Forest
“Take this sword.” Dana tossed a blade toward Leon, her expression grim. “Today, you either run—or get eaten.” With that, she stepped out of the wagon.
Leon caught the sword, his heart pounding, as he hurried after her. The moment he emerged, he saw seven Royal Guards surrounding the massive beast. Another guard, slightly apart from the group, was hunched over, whispering urgently into a glowing crystal.
Leon edged closer.
“We need backup, ma’am! There are too many wolves—”
The crystal crackled, and a firm yet distant voice responded. “I’ll be there in exactly five minutes. Keep the children safe—they are our future.”
“Understood, ma’am.” The guard smashed the crystal against the ground, drawing his sword.
Leon clenched his jaw.
Five minutes. I just have to survive for 300 seconds.
He glanced at the Demonic Wolf, its glowing red eyes locked onto its prey.
‘If I run, it’ll chase me. And I can’t die before I’ve fucked all the MILFs—
I am not going down that easily.’
A steely determination settled over him as he gripped the sword.
—
Back to the Present…
Derisa studied him for a long moment before nodding. “You’ve proven yourself. A real man, even at your young age. Most would have fled without hesitation. Yet you stood your ground, despite your wounds.”
She straightened her back. “You have earned the favor of a knight. Ask for anything within my power, and I shall grant it.”
Leon barely paused before answering. “A kiss—lip to lip, for one minute.”
Swish.
Before the words fully left his mouth, Derisa’s sword was at his throat. The metal gleamed, her eyes burning with silent fury.
“Well… That escalated quickly,” Leon said, smirking despite himself.
Derisa’s expression remained rigid. “You mock a knight’s honor, boy?”
“I’m only asking for what you promised,” he countered, his smile unwavering. “You said you’d grant anything within your power. A kiss is hardly beyond your abilities.”
Derisa’s grip tightened on the hilt of her sword, her knuckles white. Then, abruptly, she sheathed it, her face turning red.
“I am much older than you,” she muttered, refusing to meet his gaze. “I can’t grant that request. Choose something else.”
Leon tilted his head. “Tell me… How much weight does a Royal Knight’s word carry?”
Derisa frowned. “More than their life.”
Leon’s smile widened. “So… will you break yours?”