Chapter 353: War Priestess

After the meeting, Leon lingered until evening before returning to Eternal Night City with Miguel.

As they approached the gate, Miguel glanced around. "Wow. It has just been a few months and we’ve already come this far."

Leon paused, seemingly reflecting on the observation.

"Yeah... if someone told me I’d be here getting ready to evolve in my own city, I’d probably refer them to a psychiatric hospital."

Boisterous laughter erupted from Miguel, his broad shoulders shaking. "That’s cruel, honestly."

He grinned a little, then patted Leon’s back. "Well, we’re already where we are. Let’s focus on the future."

Leon nodded with a serious expression. "Yeah. You should stop slacking off and evolve too. Richard is close already, I can tell."

Miguel’s grin vanished. "Hmph! I can’t lose to that young boy. I’m his senior, after all. Heh."

Leon ignored him and entered the city quietly. He quickly made his way through the city, pausing at the construction site where the new school was being built. Even in such a situation, humanity couldn’t lose its foundation.

He remembered the Vaelari—their school, their library, their restaurants. He had noted every important structure, and was determined to make them in his world too.

’But first, we should survive Phase Two.’

As he headed to the villa, he caught the sound of a spat happening in the backyard. Curious, he went to check.

There, Marie was fighting against two people—Emily and Nicolas. The two Tier One Evolvers were strong in their own right, but were being effortlessly suppressed.

Leon’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the auburn-haired woman. She looked... sharper, and her muscles seemed more defined.

In fact, Leon could feel a wave of pressure being radiated from her. The urge to spar with her rose within him, but he quickly suppressed it. He didn’t want to shatter his subordinate’s confidence this early.

Soon, Nicolas and Emily got tired and stopped the spar. None of them had used their Class skills, as they wouldn’t have helped much.

Marie’s Class skills would have probably made things worse.

They finally noticed him, and Marie’s face brightened.

"Leon!"

She didn’t even notice that she had slipped and called him by his name. She walked straight up to him and gave him a tight hug.

Leon winced a little. "I know you’ve grown stronger. No need to crush me."

He turned to Emily and Nicolas, causing the two to bow.

"Greetings, City Lord."

Leon rolled his eyes. "No need to be so formal. How are you two doing?"

"I’m fine," Emily said with a smile while Nicolas simply nodded.

Leon nodded. "Alright. Ah... and my regards to your sugar pie, Emily."

The lady blushed a little, but still nodded.

Leon turned around and began walking toward the building. Marie naturally followed him, her enthusiastic energy was now more reserved, but still present at the edges of her voice.

"So... who’s the first?"

Leon blinked, glanced at her, then answered. "A ghost. She’s right behind you."

Marie flinched, wheeling around in shock. "Where?!"

Leon smiled thinly. "Where? I just told you she’s a ghost. How do you expect to see her?"

Pursing her lips, she punched his arm and asked, "You’re not teasing me, are you? It’s not funny."

Leon hummed. "I’m not teasing. I’m merely telling you the truth."

Marie searched his face for any hint that he was joking, but found none. Her jaw clenched.

"How... how is she a ghost? Did she die when the apocalypse started or what?"

Leon glanced at Thyra who was thoroughly amused, then shook his head. "She almost died, yes. But she’s not from this world. And although she looks human, she’s not."

Marie’s jaw dropped. The information was too much for her to handle. Sure, she could handle the possibility of a ghost. Probably a person’s ability allowed them to do that, but aliens...?

Leon could practically see the question marks growing above her head and laughed a little. "Forget it. When Gwen returns, she’ll explain the situation to you properly."

Although she still wanted to know, Marie decided to keep her curiosity in check for now. Perhaps... if Gwen explained it, it’d make sense to her. Probably.

She wasn’t very confident about that, though.

They entered the building and headed to the balcony as usual. Nora was probably somewhere playing with Cassie and Fel.

"So... you agree?" he asked, turning to face her.

Marie lowered her gaze, then nodded resolutely. "It’s a little crazy, considering that your first woman is an alien ghost, but... I accept. As long as we can keep being happy, what more would I ask for?"

Leon’s heart warmed at her words, and he instinctively wrapped his arms around her. He simply pressed her head against his chest, holding her in his embrace.

"It’s alright. We’ll survive, and we’ll remain happy. I’ll ensure that."

Marie smiled against his chest, humming.

Then, a few seconds later, Leon released her. "I’ll be evolving today. So... will you guard me?"

Marie smiled and winked at him. "Anything for my man."

Leon felt a little smug hearing that, but his lips simply twitched.

’Ah... don’t let it get to your head.’

Marie watched him look beside him, then back at her. "Uh... Thyra says to tell you ’Hi’."

Marie blinked in surprise, her eyes darting around before she remembered that she couldn’t see a ghost.

"Um... hi too."

Leon smiled awkwardly, then headed back inside. "Alright, let’s go. I should start now so I can make it to dinner tomorrow."

Marie followed behind him, pondering something in her mind.

"Leon... since I’m the second and the gh—Thyra is the first, will Gwen be the third?"

Leon paused, realizing he actually hadn’t addressed that. He instinctively wanted to deny it, but knowing himself and what he would do with the beloved granddaughter of Donald Thompson, he realized there was no need to lie.

"If she agrees... then yes."

Marie’s eyes narrowed. "What about Fel and Cassie, then? Emily? Selene? Anna? Who else?"

Leon turned around to face her, mortified. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa... hold your horses. You want me to take the entire city?"

Marie crossed her arms defensively, unconsciously pushing her heavy breasts higher.

Leon’s gaze dropped to them for a moment before he got serious again. Or more like he told himself to be serious.

"Of course not." She pouted. "I just don’t want you to become a womanizer."

Leon sighed. "As magnanimous, generous, nice, kind, benevolent, caring, and loving as I am, and with the big heart I have, I can’t accommodate too many people."

He stepped closer to her, leaning forward until his nose brushed hers.

"I’m not collecting trophies. I’m only loving the people I love who are willing to love me back."