The World Is Mine For The Taking

I didn't think she'd still choose to become a man—even after learning the truth.Even after having everything laid bare before her eyes.

That her body, her soul... her very existence was truly that of a woman.

And yet... she still clung to the identity she'd once held.

But maybe—just maybe—I could understand it.

If I'd lived my whole life believing I was a man, grew up with that reality ingrained into every fiber of my being, only to be told one day that everything I knew about myself was a lie... what life would I choose then?

I guess... the one that matched the person I had always thought I was.

"Hmm..." Dorothea tilted her head slightly, her sharp eyes narrowing as she studied her. "Let me ask you this—why do you still want to change back into a man, even though you now know the truth? That you were never one to begin with. What's going on in that head of yours?"

Her words were blunt, her tone casual, but it carried weight.

It was the kind of question that demanded an answer.

Because from any rational standpoint, it made no sense.

Johanne had been told the truth that she was biologically a woman. So why cling to a male identity that was, in the end, a fabrication?

"I just..." her voice trembled ever so slightly as her gaze dropped to the floor. "I need to understand something first. I want to know what motivated my father to do this to me. I have a theory. Well, a guess... but I need to hear the reason from his own mouth. And also..." she turned, locking eyes with Tris, "...I still have a responsibility. As a husband. As a man. I made a vow to my wife, and I can't just toss that aside—even if I now know I'm a woman."

There was a strange quiet that settled in the room.Her reasoning sounded logical—honorable even.

But to me... it felt off.Like she was saying the right words for everyone else's sake, but not her own.

There was this gnawing sense that she was sacrificing something of herself... for the sake of others.

Something this monumental shouldn't be rushed.

And yet here she was, making a choice already.

It caught me off guard—more than I expected.

Tris looked at her too.

Her expression mirrored my own conflicted thoughts.

She looked like she wasn't sure what to make of her "husband's" decision—but she didn't say anything to object.

"Well, I guess that's fine then," Dorothea said with a light shrug, waving her hand dismissively. "I just hope you won't end up throwing blame at me later. I've already got enough on my plate, and I don't need another person acting like I'm the villain in their story."

She gave a bitter chuckle.

"I mean, yeah, I used to mess around with this power for fun. Made a bit of mischief, did some questionable things. But I've changed. Really. I don't like being hated or hunted. I'm just someone who got paid a sum of money to do a job. That's all. I hope you don't take offense."

"I won't," Johanne said softly, her eyes calm and certain. "This is my father's doing. Not yours. You only acted on his command, so it's not right for me to hold it against you."

Dorothea paused for a moment—then smiled faintly.

"Glad to hear it," she said. "Well then, I suppose that wraps things up. You kids should get going. I've got a mountain of business waiting on me."

And with that, we turned to leave.

No more words were exchanged.

Only silence followed us as we stepped out.

We were walking back toward Academy City.

The streets of Pleasure City were coming alive with color and sound, like an orchestra tuning before a grand performance.

The sun was nearly gone, its golden light fading into violet and crimson hues across the horizon.

Night had begun to spread its wings.And with it, the real face of this city emerged.

The women from the pleasure houses were already flooding the streets with them draped in silk and lace, painted in alluring colors, their eyes gleaming like jewels under the lantern light.

They moved like liquid, smooth and seductive, casting flirtatious glances at passing travelers.

"Hey there, sweetheart. Spend the night with us, won't you? We'll take good care of you… more than you can imagine."

"We're fine with women too, by the way," another added with a sly smile. "Honestly, no one knows how to make a woman feel good better than another woman."

"We've got discounts going on tonight. First hour comes with a free massage, no strings attached. A few silvers, and we'll be yours for the whole night. Let us soothe your mind, your body, whatever you're aching for."

They weren't holding back.

Each word was honeyed, designed to tempt and seduce.

And from the looks of it, business was booming.

Some even approached us directly, their hands lightly brushing against our arms, their voices soft and sweet.

We declined them politely.Smiling, nodding, and walking past.

But I couldn't help but recognize a few faces among the crowd.

Familiar faces.

Faces I had once seen up close, under candlelight, naked and breathless.

Yeah, I'd fucked a few of them before.

Paid them in gold too.

So of course I remembered.

Back then, I looked different.

Not drastically, but enough.

Still, I pulled my hood up just a little—to be safe.

"Leon, are you covering your face because you've been paying prostitutes for their services?" Tris asked with a teasing smirk.

"That's impossible," Johanne said quickly, laughing awkwardly. "R-Right? I mean, as cadets of the Academy, we're absolutely forbidden to associate with prostitutes—or use their services. That's in the rulebook."

She wasn't wrong.

The thought reminded me of when Shredica once blackmailed me with a photo with me walking into a brothel with no disguise and no shame.

It was a rough start between us.

But looking back, I think we actually ended up as... pretty good friends.

"Is that so?" Tris raised a brow. "Well, considering it's Leon... I wouldn't be too surprised if he dipped into that sort of thing once or twice."

"I won't deny it," I replied with a smirk. "But I'm not saying it's true either."

"You're always vague. You love riddles, don't you?"

"Riddles give me a headache. So, no—I don't," I replied dryly.

We continued strolling through the neon-lit streets, laughing softly between ourselves.The city pulsed with life, its pleasures laid bare to all who passed.

But then—

"Ahhhhhhhhh!!"

"Kyaaaaaaaa!!"

Shrill screams pierced the air, sudden and sharp.

The atmosphere shifted in an instant, the casual chatter and seductive whispers swallowed up by fear.

The three of us immediately looked at each other—

And without hesitation, we broke into a sprint toward the source of the screams.

When we got there…

Bandits.

"Kyaaa...! H-Help!"

There were a lot of them—grabbing prostitutes by the elbows, yanking them roughly toward the waiting carriage like they were sacks of meat.

Some of the pleasure house guards were already dead, their bodies lying sprawled across the cobblestones in pools of blood.

"Come on, quit resisting already! You struggle like this, and I swear I'll slit your fucking throat!" one of the bandits barked, yanking a girl harder. "Don't act like this is anything new—you're just gonna be our playthings! How's that any different from your shitty job now?!"

Disgusting.

"I'm going to help them out for a bit," Johanne said, his voice steady as he slid his sword free from its scabbard with a sharp hiss of steel.

I didn't have a weapon on me. Normally, I'd use Ayuru—but she's a Cursed Sword. Showing her here wasn't something I wanted to do.

So instead, I decided to fight with my fists.

And with that, we dashed straight into the swarm of bandits.

The moment we got close, the bastards snapped to attention, drawing blades and getting into position like they thought they had a chance.

But, well... you can guess what happened next.

Johanne was the heir of the Sword Saint, after all.

And me? I don't like boasting—but I'm damn strong, too.

It didn't take long.

Limbs were sliced clean off, screams ripped through the night air, and blood painted the ground like crimson rain.

They didn't stand a chance. We tore through them—ruthless and fast.They were dead before they could even regret it.

After the last one fell, I walked over to the woman who had been getting dragged. She was shaking, her clothes torn slightly at the sleeve, but alive. I helped her up gently.

Johanne was already moving, slashing through ropes and releasing the other girls who'd been taken.

There was one bandit I didn't kill.I made sure of that.

Instead, I shattered both his feet—stomped them until bone cracked and folded.

He wouldn't be walking anytime soon. I even doubted he would be able to walk at all.

He whimpered, tears in his eyes. "N-No... please don't kill me..."

"Cut the crap," I said, crouching to meet his eye. My voice was low."Start talking. How the fuck did bandits manage to get into Pleasure City?"