章 34: Chapter 34: General Leon's Might

"Looks like I have no other choice."

As Gideon faced the overwhelming power of General Leon, he realized the gravity of his dire situation. Desperation drove him to a grim and ancient solution: absorbing the blood of the fallen using forbidden demon incantations. This act of dark magic from demons was his last-ditch effort to gain the strength he needed to confront Leon.

Despite his initial reluctance, Gideon had long ago abandoned his moral compass in the pursuit of power. His ambition to rise above his peers had led him to make a pact with demons, a choice he had never truly wanted but felt forced into by his own limitations.

He had been at a bottleneck in his quest for greater strength, having exhausted all potential to increase his level. The demons had offered him a shortcut to transcendence, but it came at the cost of betraying his own kind. Gideon, driven by his insatiable hunger for power, had agreed without hesitation. Now, facing the imminent threat from General Leon, he sought to demonize himself to bridge the gap between his current state and the power he desperately needed.

General Leon, observing Gideon's futile attempt, shook his head in disappointment. "You will never learn, Mongrel. A traitor will always be a traitor," he remarked with a tone of finality.

Gideon's lips curled into a sneer, his resolve unwavering. "General Leon, power is all that matters to me. Nothing else. No one can stop me," he declared, his voice filled with defiance. As he spoke, his body began to expand, his form becoming more monstrous and intimidating. But before he could complete his transformation, General Leon interrupted with one single skill.

[ Absolute Freeze (SS) ]

General Leon activated his skill silently with icy determination.

"No..!" Gideon's defiant roar was abruptly silenced as his massive form was encased in a block of ice. The transformation was instantaneous and brutal. Gideon's cries of anger and betrayal echoed as he was frozen, his once fearsome presence now reduced to a mere ice statue.

The massive Devil Ape, who had once been a symbol of terror, was now a silent testament to Leon's overwhelming power.

With Gideon neutralized, General Leon turned his attention to the demons that had been wreaking havoc. His eyes, cold and unyielding, surveyed the chaos around him. He raised his hand to the sky, his next move precise and devastating.

"Icicle Arrows (S)!"

Leon commanded raising his hand, and immediately hundreds of razor-sharp icicle shards materialized in the air. They descended with deadly accuracy, each one aimed at the demons. The icicles pierced through their forms, turning them into frozen statues at a molecular level.

The destructive skill was executed with such efficiency that within moments, the demons were reduced to nothing more than shards of ice, their bodies shattered into dust. Not even their blood regenerative ability was able save them.

The auction hall fell into stunned silence. The magnitude of Leon's power was nothing short of awe-inspiring. He had decimated an entire army of demons while remaining in the same spot. The clan leaders, previously caught up in their own troubles, now approached General Leon with deep respect and gratitude.

"G-General Leon, thank you for your help," they said in unison, their voices full of awe and reverence. "Without you, we would have been doomed."

General Leon acknowledged their gratitude with a nod. "Why didn't your city lord come to assist? Had he been here, I might not have had to intervene personally." he said with doubtful expression.

The clan leaders shared uneasy looks, their uncertainty evident. "City Lord Longus mentioned he had urgent matters to attend to elsewhere," one of them responded cautiously. "At least, that's what he told us," another chimed in, though their hesitation suggested lingering doubts.

"I see," Leon replied, his expression unreadable.

"General Leon," Aria's father spoke up, his voice filled with an ingratiating tone. "If you are free, would you please like to come to our humble home for some rest?"

"Aiya, this sly fox!"

The other clan leaders looked on with a mix of envy and frustration. They whispered among themselves, grumbling about the overt flattery and regretting their own missed opportunity to extend an invitation first.

General Leon considered the offer with a thoughtful expression before agreeing. "Sure, I would be pleased to visit your establishment."

"Yes!" The members of the Silvermoon clan were visibly relieved and excited, knowing that such a visit could significantly elevate their status. The prospect of receiving valuable treasures from one of Arkanis's three great Generals was also a tantalizing thought.

Alger Silvermoon, eager to facilitate the visit, smiled and motioned towards the exit. "After you, General."

As Leon prepared to leave, his gaze fell upon Ethan, who was standing somewhat apart beside Aria. The general's eyes narrowed with interest.

"Wait! Can you take that boy along?" Leon commanded, his voice firm as he pointed directly at Ethan.

Alger Silvermoon's eyes followed Leon's gaze, his expression shifting from surprise to confusion. He saw Ethan, the same commoner boy from earlier, standing next to Aria. Alger's initial reaction was one of indignation; he wanted to separate them immediately. However, Leon's clear interest in Ethan caused him to pause.

"What could be so special about that boy?" Alger Silvermoon wondered, his mind racing with questions. "Why is General Leon interested in him?"

Suppressing his irritation, Alger called out, "Aria, come here. And bring that boy with you. We're going home." His tone was firm, leaving little room for argument.

Aria, slightly perplexed, gently took Ethan's arm and guided him forward. "Hey, Ethan, it looks like my father wants you to come along. Let's go," she said, her cheeks flushing slightly as she led him towards her father. She was unaware that her father's displeasure was all too evident by their close contacts.

Ethan felt the warmth from Aria's strong yet smooth skin. This was the first time they held hand, although unconsciously.

Ethan approached cautiously, his nerves on edge as he faced the powerful figures surrounding him. All of them radiated an aura that was hard to miss.

As he looked at General Leon up close, he was surprised by the sheer handsomeness of the man before him. Even the term 'male god' seemed inadequate to describe his striking presence. Any ordinary woman would start drooling, if they look at him from up close.

By instinct he looked at Aria, who seemed to charmed as well, but not too much.

The difference between Leon's imposing presence and the young man (dude guy) he had spoken with earlier was really striking.

Before he could greet anyone, Aria's father spoke with an impatient tone, "Let's go." He did not even looked Ethan in the eye, his demeanor cold and unwelcoming.

Aria, sensing Ethan's discomfort, said, "Please ignore my father's rudeness. He has some prejudices against commoners. But he doesn't mean any harm."

Ethan nodded understandingly. "I know."

With that, the group departed, leaving the frozen statue of Gideon behind.

The tale of the battle and General Leon's intervention quickly spread through the city, causing a wave of excitement and curiosity. The people buzzed with anticipation, eager to catch a glimpse of the legendary Ice Guardian and learn more about the dramatic events that had unfolded.

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Elias_Nightwalker

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章 35: Chapter 35: Invitation To a Gathering

With a mix of apprehension and curiosity, Ethan followed Aria's father, Aria, and the other clan members through the streets of Arcadia City. They were riding in a luxurious carriage drawn by two majestic lions, their powerful strides making the journey remarkably smooth.

Inside the carriage, Ethan was seated beside Aria at the back, while her uncle and another unfamiliar member of the Silvermoon clan occupied the front.

Aria's uncle, a man with a stern face and a hint of arrogance, glanced at Ethan with a smirk of irony. He had previously warned Ethan to keep his distance from Aria, but now found himself in the uncomfortable position of sharing a carriage with the very person he had cautioned against.

"Uncle, why do you look so displeased?" Aria asked, her gaze shifting from her uncle to Ethan and back again.

"It's nothing," her uncle replied with a dismissive shrug. He was clearly frustrated but couldn't voice his true feelings, especially with General Leon's presence looming large over the occasion. His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden realization of how ironic it was that Ethan was now so close, despite his earlier admonitions.

As the carriage continued its journey, the passing landscape captured Ethan's attention. The view outside was a picturesque blend of rolling hills, majestic mountains, and sprawling fields. Arcadia City was unlike any modern city he had known.

The ancient structures and natural beauty created an otherworldly charm, making it feel like a timeless realm. For a fleeting moment, Ethan was reminded of his own lack of a permanent home in this world, but he quickly brushed aside the thought. His focus was on the unfolding beautiful scenarios.

When the carriage arrived at the Silvermoon mansion, Ethan was awestruck by its grandeur. The mansion, designed in an elegant European style, stood majestically beside a tranquil lake, surrounded by meticulously tended gardens and smaller structures likely housing servants and guards.

The mansion's size was imposing; Ethan had to tilt his head to take in the entire view, with a large bell prominently displayed high above.

A servant, a middle-aged maid with a curious glint in her eyes, led Ethan to a spacious guest room. The room was adorned with rich fabrics and luxurious furnishings, but Ethan's mind was preoccupied with the purpose of his visit. He wasn't entirely sure why General Leon had requested his presence, but given the general's stature and recent events, he felt obliged to comply.

"Dear guest, this is your resting room," the maid said with a bow, opening the door to reveal the opulent accommodations. "Please make yourself comfortable. If you need anything, just call for me."

"Thank you," Ethan replied, nodding as he stepped into the room.

The room was lavishly decorated, with a large, comfortable bed that seemed to invite him to rest. Ethan wasted no time in settling down, quickly drifting off to sleep after a long and exhausting day.

---

A few hours later, Ethan was stirred from his slumber by the maid's persistent calling.

"Dear guest, please wake up! Master is calling for you. Dear guest!"

Ethan yawned and rubbed his eyes, gradually coming back to consciousness. "Coming," he mumbled, pushing himself out of bed. His head felt heavy from sleep, and he felt the urgent need to freshen up.

After dressing in his usual hunter attire—leather and furs suited for movement but somewhat plain for the occasion—Ethan stepped out of the room and inquired about the location of the bathing facilities.

"There is a bathroom nearby. Please follow me," the maid responded promptly, leading him down a series of corridors.

Ethan followed her to a beautifully appointed bathing room. After a quick but refreshing bath, he emerged feeling revitalized, his black hair now slightly disheveled but giving him a rugged charm. Despite the improvement in his appearance, his attire still felt out of place in the opulent environment. His hunter's clothing, though practical, contrasted sharply with the noble setting.

The maid, noticing Ethan's attire, hesitated before suggesting, "Perhaps you would like to change into something more suitable for the occasion. We have some fine clothing available."

Ethan, feeling somewhat indifferent, shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, but I'll pass. I'm not too concerned with appearances right now."

The maid, slightly exasperated but understanding, led Ethan to the grand hall where the clan members and General Leon were gathered. As the door creaked open, Ethan and the maid entered, drawing immediate attention from the assembled crowd.

The hall was filled with nearly a hundred young clan members standing in neat rows before a series of thrones. General Leon occupied the central throne, exuding an air of authority and grace. The elders and Aria's father were seated beside him, their thrones slightly set back to show respect for the guest of honor.

The moment Ethan entered, the noise in the room died down, and all eyes were drawn to him. The sudden silence heightened the scrutiny from the assembled nobles. Ethan felt a wave of self-consciousness as the gaze of the powerful figures, including the legendary General Leon, settled on him.

Aria's father, who was seated near General Leon, looked slightly impatient.

"Hey boy, come here quick. At least don't be late at such occasion," he called out, his tone full of annoyance.

Aria, sensing Ethan's discomfort, quickly added, "Please don't mind my father's demeanor. He can be a bit direct, but he means well."

Ethan nodded, trying to mask his nervousness. As he approached, he felt the weight of the room's gaze even more acutely. General Leon's presence was imposing, a dimensional difference to the young man he had spoken to earlier. The irony of his situation was not lost on Ethan; here he was, a mere commoner, standing before some of the most powerful figures in Arcadia.

As Ethan reached the front, General Leon's piercing ocean blue eyes met his. The general gave him a slight nod, acknowledging Ethan's presence with a hint of recognition.

"Ethan, I appreciate you coming here," General Leon said in a calm, measured tone. "Please, join us."

Ethan bowed slightly, trying to maintain his composure. "Thank you, General Leon. I'm honored to be here." It felt really strange to be polite to the young man he knew so soon. It was really Ironic.

The elders and other clan members watched in silence as Ethan took his place among the gathered nobles. The atmosphere was a mix of formality and curiosity. The clan members whispered among themselves, their eyes occasionally darting towards Ethan and then back to General Leon.

As the gathering resumed its conversation, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider in this grand assembly. Yet, he knew he had to remain composed and respectful, especially in the presence of such distinguished individuals.

With a final glance around the room, Ethan settled into the background, his thoughts racing about what might come next. The sense of awe and the weight of expectations were palpable, and he could only hope that his presence would not be a source of discomfort or trouble for anyone.

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