While Barcus was looking at the disguised Leon, waiting for his response, a heated discussion was unfolding inside Leon's mind.
"What are we going to do?" the first voice asked. "Maybe we'll say I'm Batman? Like, I don't want to reveal my identity. I just want to live peacefully. This was all your idea!"
The second voice chuckled.
"Yeah, calling ourselves Batman would be pretty cool. I can already imagine us grabbing someone and yelling in a deep voice, 'Where's the detonator!'"
He closed his eyes as if picturing the scene but quickly opened them and continued:
"But seriously, I want us to reveal our identity. I understand you think fame will only bring problems, but trust me, for us, it'll bring more good than bad."
"I don't know…" muttered the first voice, scratching his head.
The second voice paused, thinking of how to convince the first. Suddenly, it was as if a light bulb lit up above his head.
"Leon," the second voice said slyly, "this will help us against Zola."
The first voice froze at the name. Zola was the worst person he had ever met—worse even than his sister. Grinding his teeth, he finally muttered:
"Fine. Have it your way."
With their debate settled, Leon turned his attention back to Barcus. He began wiping dirt from his face and then took off the green wig.
Barcus stared in shock.
"L-Leon?!" he exclaimed.
"Young master?!" cried the house servants.
Leon spread his arms wide, as if performing a magic trick.
"Tadaaa!" he declared proudly, grinning from ear to ear.
Around him, murmurs grew louder:
"Such a young man, and already so talented!"
"Finally, the Barfort house has a genius of its own!"
"This is incredible—he handled it all by himself!"
Some even speculated that Leon might become the future head of the house.
Barcus, though impressed, quickly remembered that he was still Leon's father.
With a stern look, he began walking toward his son. Leon noticed this and, expecting praise, closed his eyes. Instead, he felt a sharp smack on his head.
"Ouch!" Leon yelped. "Ow-ow-ow!"
Two voices cried out in unison, which made Barcus stop in surprise for a moment.
"What was that?" Barcus muttered, puzzled. But he quickly returned to scolding Leon.
"What do you think you're doing, old man?!" Leon snapped, rubbing his head.
"What do I think I'm doing?! What do you think you're doing?!" Barcus shouted back. "You had no business being in a place like that! You're still a child! If you'd died, I'd never have forgiven myself! And your mother—oh, she'd have torn me apart!"
"Sorry, Dad," Leon mumbled, lowering his head. "I just… couldn't help myself. I wanted to help too."
Barcus sighed deeply.
"Fine, it doesn't matter anymore," he said, placing a hand on Leon's head with a small smile. "But I'll admit it—you did well. Thanks to you, there were no casualties. And you handled it all on your own. As your father, I'm proud of you."
A cheer erupted behind him:
"Long live Master Leon!"
"Hip hip!"
"Hooray!"
"Hip hip!"
"Hooray!"
Leon grinned, joining the celebration as everyone cheered for him.
Two hours later
The ship finally docked at the port. News of their success had already reached the people, as Barcus had sent another ship ahead to deliver the message. The crowd greeted them with cheers of joy, their admiration for young Leon clear on their faces.
When Leon stepped onto the pier, he was immediately tackled by his brothers, Nyx and Colin. Nyx looked worried and full of concern, while Colin gazed at his older brother with wide eyes, as if staring at a hero.
A little further away, Leon's sisters, Finley and Jenna, stood pretending to be indifferent. But if one looked closely, it was obvious they'd been worried too.
The most striking figure, however, was Leon's mother, Lucy. She looked terrifying, as if shrouded in a dark aura. Her expression radiated anger.
"Oh no… we're dead!" the second voice yelled in Leon's mind.
"Run!" cried the first.
Without hesitation, Leon bolted.
"Get back here, young man!" Lucy shouted, chasing after him.
And so, the day ended with Leon receiving his punishment.