The eminence of a true king

"Even without combat talent, my mind has always been my best weapon… and I can still cook amazing things."

That's what Gamma said, her eyes gleaming. Leon could imagine how excited she was to carry out this mission.

---

As he walked along the road under the night sky, Leon nibbled on a piece of freshly made chocolate. His eyes lit up with delight.

"Hmm… Gamma really went overboard with her talent. I bet she dumped too many points into IQ. This is better than most gourmet desserts."

He laughed to himself, shaking his head.

"I'm still amazed how she managed to recreate the taste just from the recipe I remembered from my past life..."

Bang!

Leon paused, savoring another bite. "Yeah… perfect."

With that sharp mind, Gamma didn't need to be a fighter. He knew that. Nobody was perfect — and he accepted her weaknesses with grace. But there was one thing he would never accept: frauds.

"Hmm?"

His steps came to a halt.

"I've finally found them."

Leon's eyes narrowed. His relaxed expression turned sharp and intimidating. The hilt of his magic sword appeared in his right hand, summoned with a slight flick of his fingers.

"An alley… about twelve hundred meters ahead. Five targets. Hostile aura."

His gaze pierced the darkness as if he could see through the night itself.

"These worms are using the name of Night Raid to commit crimes? Pathetic."

He scoffed coldly.

"Trying to tarnish the name of my organization…? Let's see if they're still smiling when I show up."

Leon vanished from the road with a sharp crackle of magical energy.

---

Meanwhile, in a dark alley…

"No… stay away! Ronye, are you okay?!"

"I… can't move, Tiese… please, run."

"You think I'm gonna leave you here to die?! Shut up and stay with me!"

Tiese Shtolienen and Ronye Arabel, two magical swordswomen from the Academy, were cornered. Skilled as they were, they were out of their league.

Before them stood a human monster.

A Berserker, [Awakened Type 3]. A malformed experiment of the Cult of Diablos. A being that knew only pain and violence.

Ronye was injured, blood dripping from her arm. Tiese, red-haired and trembling, still held her sword firmly.

"You… what the hell are you?!"

Five masked figures surrounded them in silence.

"We are the Night Raid," they said in unison, their voices empty and emotionless.

"That's… all you can say?" Tiese tried to laugh, but fear gripped her.

Her body shook, but she didn't back down. Like a cornered cat before predators — even defeated, it shows its fangs.

"I don't know what this 'Night Raid' is you're pretending to be… But if you touch Ronye, I swear you'll pay for it."

The false Night Raid members said nothing. They closed in like wolves.

"Ti… Tiese, run… now."

"Shut up, Ronye! Don't tell me to run!"

"It's not too late. Go, even if it's just you… Please…"

Ronye tried to stand, pressing her wound, but her legs failed. Still, she raised her sword with her other hand, ready to die fighting.

There was no way out.

Surrounded. No reinforcements. No hope.

Back-to-back, the two girls stood trembling, hearts racing.

Why is this happening?

We were just training… Why now?

It's so unfair… We didn't do anything. And still… they're going to kill us.

Tears streamed from their eyes.

"Someone… please… someone save us…"

The blade came down with brutal force, slicing through the air toward Tiese's neck.

Her eyes widened. Her body tried to react, but it was too late.

Someone… save me…

Her plea made no sound. It was a scream deep within her soul.

And then… the world stopped.

"Sinners who have defiled the name of Night Raid…"

"Pay for your sins with your filthy blood."

Three bodies dropped before the voice even faded. Blood splattered on the cold alley floor, and the impostors' swords fell with a dull clatter.

Tiese and Ronye barely understood what had happened.

A shadow loomed before them.

The man wore a dark coat and a thaumaturge's mask obscuring his face. His presence was overwhelming — yet reassuring. The sword in his hand dripped blood, and the light around his body seemed to crush the very air.

The silence broke with a low, firm voice.

"You two. You're hurt."

Ronye swallowed hard. "W-who… who are you?"

He didn't answer immediately. He simply knelt before them, pressing his hands on their wounds with steady precision.

A gentle, warm yet powerful energy flowed through their bodies, closing cuts and healing bruises within seconds.

Tiese blinked, surprised. "You… used healing magic?"

"It's nothing special. Stay calm."

The man stood with a smooth motion, his gaze sweeping the dark alleys. The mask hid his expression, but his voice held unshakable authority.

"This place isn't safe for you. Leave immediately."

"Wait… are you going to fight them alone?!" Ronye hesitated, glancing at the fallen bodies and the approaching footsteps. "There's too many…"

He slowly turned his head toward her. Even through the mask, they felt the weight of his gaze.

"Numbers don't matter."

Tiese nearly lost her breath at those words.

He continued, in a slightly gentler tone, though still firm:

"Go home. And if anyone asks, say you were saved by someone… who doesn't wish to be found."

The two stood still for a second, processing his words. A brief silence passed until Ronye nodded firmly.

"Thank you… for everything…"

"Really. Thank you…" Tiese added, bowing respectfully.

He said nothing.

He simply turned his back to them.

The girls ran off, relieved, vanishing through the gap he had created.

But for the enemies… the nightmare had only just begun.

Two masked men remained, tense and hesitating.

Then, two figures leapt from the shadows — swift, lethal, feline-like.

"Are we late, Master?"

"You rushed ahead this time…"

Nyu and Shino landed side by side, clad in tight tactical suits, their eyes sharp and deadly. The two cultists lunged desperately, trying to take advantage — but in a blink…

"GUAAAAH!"

"AAAAARGH!"

Their arms snapped at grotesque angles, bones cracking like dry branches.

"The weak always fight when they should kneel," said Shino, calmly wiping her short blade.

Nyu stomped on one of the men's hands, heel crunching down with a dull thud.

"Shino, Nyu, I'll leave the rest to you."

Leon gave the masked cultists one last glance before walking away.

"Do whatever you want with them."

"As you command," the two replied in unison, turning to the remaining enemies with cold smiles.

"Don't expect mercy," murmured Shino.

"We're not as kind as he is," Nyu added.

The two moved — and the alley was filled with screams of agony.

Leon ignored it all, unfazed. Silent.

And just as he had appeared… he vanished.

(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."