The eminence of a true king

Top floor of the Mitsugoshi Trading Chamber.

"So, Gamma... what was so urgent that you called me here?"

Leon lazily settled into a throne, with a noble yet relaxed posture, as he examined the papers in his hands without lifting his gaze.

On them were portraits of two girls.

After expressing his desire to gather information on Shirley and Faruzan, the intelligence network of his organization, disguised as students at the academy, quickly took action and collected everything directly from the student files.

Leon had always thought they were just more of the usual geniuses.

But he never expected those two girls to have such remarkable pasts to match their talents. That, in fact, piqued his curiosity.

Before he could decide how to approach them, a message from Shino urgently summoned him to the Mitsugoshi Trading Chamber.

"Master... the remaining forces of the cult in Midgar have started moving," Gamma said, her voice filled with tension. "They are committing crimes in our name, pretending to be members of the Night Raid."

"Tsk."

Leon simply clicked his tongue, irritated, and Gamma immediately lowered her head, trembling.

"I've sent people to investigate, but... I apologize, Master. We haven't been able to find any concrete clues about their whereabouts or plans."

"Don't worry, Gamma," Leon replied calmly and with an air of superiority. "It's just the last struggle of a defeated fool. I'll take care of it later."

"...Forgive me, Master."

Gamma's face appeared even darker.

She knew, better than anyone, that no matter how hard she tried, she would never surpass the overwhelming wisdom of her master.

Even if ten geniuses worked together, they still wouldn't be a match for him.

He was the only one who, with just a handful of crumbs of information, could uncover the truth that all others would be incapable of seeing.

Gamma clenched her fists, consumed by guilt.

"...I'm sorry, my Master."

"Hm? What's wrong now, Gamma?"

"About the failure to recover the cult's relics... It was an unacceptable failure on my part as commander and one of the seven shadows. I am ready to accept any punishment you deem appropriate."

Without waiting for a response, Gamma knelt before Leon, her body trembling slightly.

She silently cursed her own incompetence. That night should have been a perfect victory for her Master. A failure, no matter how small, was unforgivable.

Leon let out a small sigh, resting his face in one of his hands.

"Punish you, Gamma? Hmph... Honestly, I hadn't even thought about that. Mistakes happen."

But the guilt inside her was too deep to disappear with kind words.

"I'm so sorry, so sorry..."

"You really love to dramatize everything, don't you?" Leon smiled wickedly. "Since you're insisting so much... then come here, Gamma."

Gamma raised her face, tears shining in her blue eyes.

But instead of standing, the proud queen of business began to crawl toward him, her graceful and submissive movements contrasting with the dignity she exuded before the rest of the world.

If she couldn't find redemption through her Master's punishment, she would never forgive herself.

Leon watched her with intense eyes. Her face, as stunning as a black tulip under the moonlight, seemed even more mesmerizing at that moment.

With delicate care, Leon stroked Gamma's cheek with the tips of his fingers, as if engraving every trace of her repentant expression in his memory.

"Gamma... each of you in the Night Raid is a precious treasure to me," he said softly. "Punishing you is something that pains me too. But if that's what you want..."

He leaned in closer, his voice sounding like a whispered promise.

"...then I will grant your wish."

"Master..." Gamma murmured, almost in a moan.

Leon raised his hand.

"Everyone turn around, close your eyes, cover your ears... and only turn back after a minute."

"As ordered, Master!"

The other girls present, all subordinates of Gamma, obeyed without hesitation, quickly turning around, covering their ears, and reciting random numbers to block out any sound.

They knew: witnessing such a punishment would be an even greater dishonor to their commander.

"Gamma, turn and lean a bit forward."

Gamma then slightly turned, raising an eyebrow, ready.

The woman who commanded millions with her business empire now completely surrendered to the will of her Master.

Leon raised his hand once more, and without mercy, he brought it down.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Each crack echoed through the hall.

"Hmm~!" Gamma bit her lip hard, trying to contain the sounds that threatened to escape, her cheeks flushed with shame and pleasure.

The sound of the punishment, the muffled sighs, and the charged atmosphere filled the room like a silent music dedicated only to the Master and his faithful treasurer.

The girls in the hall, still blushing, slowly turned back after completing the silent counting in their hearts.

None of them dared to face Gamma directly, one of the respected seven shadows of the Night, now kneeling, embarrassed, with her face intensely red.

"That was your punishment," Leon declared with a faint smile, shaking the hand that still tingled.

Gamma, gracefully fallen to the floor, nodded in silence, her eyes shining with determination... and something else.

(Was that punishment... or... A reward...?) she wondered.

"The relics and ancient trinkets are still at the academy with Sherry Barnett and Faruzan, ready to be retrieved at any time," she said, trying to regain her composure. "But the priority now is the cult remnants causing trouble. I will inform you as soon as we capture some."

"Hmm, I'm ready to act at any time," Leon said, casually crossing his legs on the throne.

Gamma straightened up quickly. "Please, master, allow me to participate in the investigation—!"

"That's not necessary," Leon cut her off, shaking his finger in front of her as though reprimanding a naughty child. "I have a... much more suitable candidate for certain tasks of torture like these."

At the thought, a malicious smile crossed Leon's lips.

Esdeath...

He wondered how that sadistic queen was faring in the army. He still remembered the [Torture Talent] he detected in her, and her thirst for domination.

Perhaps it had been reckless to put her in command of troops? On second thought, perhaps the soldiers were more... enthusiastic than they should have been on the battlefield.

"Tch, better leave it," Leon murmured, bringing a hand to his forehead, resigned. "Maybe later I'll introduce Esdeath to Yelan... An S and an M together. They should make a lovely pair."

Shaking the thought away, Leon lazily stretched in his throne.

"I'm on break anyway. I don't feel like returning now. Gamma, prepare something for us to eat."

"Yes, Sir! I will immediately organize a banquet prepared by the best chefs in Midgar!" Gamma responded energetically.

Leon waved carelessly. "I'll leave it to you. And you'll eat with me too."

"Eh?! B-But... I..."

Gamma froze, panicking. She wanted to protest that she wasn't worthy after her failure, but hesitated, looking down with a flushed face.

"Don't refuse," Leon said with a lazy, provocative smile. "Consider it an additional punishment. Having lunch with a beautiful woman improves any man's appetite, you know?"

Gamma's heart raced. She lowered her eyes, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"If... if that's what Master desires... This subordinate will surpass her limits," she said, her voice low and full of submission.

And so, the two enjoyed a luxurious lunch together. Leon remained relaxed, taking a brief nap on a bed prepared by Gamma after eating, while Gamma discreetly rested beside him, respecting his rest.

Time passed, and evening began to fall.

Leon, although tempted to stay the night there, knew he needed to return to the village.

Noelle and Euphilia were waiting for him at home, and, knowing how they were, they would likely stay awake all night if he didn't return.

Before he left, Gamma approached, bowing respectfully.

"Master, please accept this."

She handed him a large bag.

"Hm?"

Gamma smiled shyly. "These are new products recently developed: new chocolate flavors, milk tea sachets, cola sodas... and other similar snacks."

Leon raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"...Gamma, you're really something."

Despite giving only vague ideas about preparation methods, he hadn't expected them to replicate so many modern delights with such precision.

"Oh, by the way," Leon said, a playful smile crossing his lips. "There's a food I want to eat, but it doesn't exist in this world yet. Can you make it for me, Gamma?"

Gamma didn't hesitate for a second. She straightened her body, pressed her hand against her chest, and declared, her eyes shining with devotion:

"Whatever it is, even if this food doesn't exist in this world, I will create it, even if I have to bet my life on it! All to see the Master happy!"

Leon laughed quietly, pleased with the response.

"Excellent," he murmured, approaching Gamma and gently stroking her head. "If you manage it, Gamma... I'll pamper you a lot." He whispered near her ear while gently blowing on it.

For a moment, Gamma was completely breathless. Her already flushed face became even redder, and she felt she might faint from emotion at any moment.

At that moment, in her heart, she solemnly swore:

"No matter what happens... I will succeed!"

(End of chapter)

"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."

So I want to let you know that I didn't post anything yesterday because something very annoying happened with a friend of mine. Do you know what an annoying situation is? Multiply that by ten times. Anyway, I had to spend a lot of time helping her and I didn't have time for anything else.