Kill Him… [LEON]

Back to the dream.

Same world under the skies and as usual Noel was waiting.

Noel with a sweet smile “Welcome back”

Leon, “Yeah, I am back again”

Leon in his own thoughts admires how lovely Noel was. The reason was yet unknown but it didn’t change the fact that she had helped him. So, he decided not to tell Noel about everything as it would just worry her.

In a normal flow of conversation, Leon and Noel decided to do some more quests.

They went to the town, had breakfast, and headed towards the guild.

Leon brings out an interesting topic, “I want to improve my abilities, what’s the fast method?”

Leon asks Noel “I don’t know actually, you train from childhood to become good at something but I guess artifacts and equipment also play a big role”

“Artifacts?” This piques Leon’s interest

“Hmm? Yeah, artifacts can make you stronger but it’s very rare and cannot be found that easily. If you want to train then I can help you with it. I am proficient in swordsmanship as well so I can train you to be a proficient warrior. Though I’m a very strict teacher just to let you know.” Noel teases with a grin.

“Hehe, Hope you go a little easy on me”

“But why do you want to suddenly raise your skills? Any specific reason?”

“Nothing special just thought that I need to become stronger”

In a flow of conversation, they enter the guild and begin to look at the quests on the notice board.

Due to this being something regular, now even the folks of the guild are not wary of Noel of the noble lineage but they were curious about the boy who was always with her.

Noel and Leon decide on a monster-hunting quest.

Extermination of a goblin horde which was sighted near a specific area of the forest.

They headed towards the forest.

On the way, Leon wondered something about Noel she was always kind of happy when she was traveling with him. Was it because she was attracted to him? That cannot be entirely possible without any reason at all. She would always be like she was repaying him for something which was also impossible.

He was in a little confusion but didn’t give it much thought about it. He just thought she might have her own reasons but Noel herself was someone that had piqued Leon's interest. His attachment was increasing gradually and he was certainly attracted towards her.

After a search in the forest, they finally found a group of goblins wandering here and there. There are 5 of them. Green-skinned small stature, ugly looking, and holding clubs.

Noel instructs Leon as usual. She said that she would take on 3 of them as Leon to handle 2 on his own. She will also support after she finishes. She also instructs on handling the sword as she taught before.

“Keep your stance balanced. Don’t swing wildly, control your movements. Predict theirs. Watch their footing. And most importantly…”

She met his gaze, her tone serious.

“Don’t hesitate.”

Leon exhaled.

Right.

This was his second battle. His first time fighting a direwolf had been nerve-wracking, but now…

Now, he was ready.

“Hyaah…” He charges toward two of the goblins.

Noel had engaged with the remaining 3.

Leon swings his sword. It collides with the goblin’s club, and due to the difference in strength, the goblin is pushed back.

The second goblin screeched and rushed him from the side.

Leon barely dodged in time, twisting his body to evade the incoming blow. The club swung past him, grazing the air where his ribs had been just a second ago.

He retaliated.

He drove his sword forward, slashing at the goblin’s exposed side. The creature shrieked as it staggered back.

But it wasn’t dead.

The first goblin roared, lunging at him again. Leon braced himself, lifting his sword just in time to parry the strike. After a long exchange of blows, he finally manages to kill one goblin.

A few feet away, Noel was already finishing off her targets. Two of them had already fallen. The last one was barely clinging to life.

Leon only caught a glimpse of her in action, but even that was enough to leave an impression.

She’s strong.

But now wasn’t the time to admire her.

His battle wasn’t over.

There was still one goblin left.

And it was about to charge.

The goblin lunged.

A feral screech tore through the air as its club swung downward, aiming straight for Leon’s skull.

Leon moved. Not to block. Not to strike.

But to hesitate.

For the briefest moment, something in his mind paused, a flicker of something unexplainable. His instincts told him to swing, to cut the creature down, but a thought whispered otherwise.

Instead, he dodged at the last second, barely twisting his body out of harm’s way.

Pain. A sharp thwack against his side.

He stumbled back, gritting his teeth. The club had grazed his ribs, leaving a dull ache behind.

Why?

Why hadn’t he attacked?

Noel had already finished her opponents and glanced at Leon’s situation.

Upon seeing Leon being hit by the goblin, she was shocked. She was furious.

With a swift chant, she creates an ice spike and strikes the goblin, it hits right into the forehead and kills the goblin.

Noel is worried. She furiously Grabs Leon’s collar and confronts him.

“How can you be this careless? Why didn’t you swing the sword? You had every chance there” With a slight tear in her eyes, Noel questions him.

Leon is a little taken aback by Noel’s reaction. “It was nothing that big, I just wanted to have a near-death experience”

“What are you? A masochist?” She yells.

Leon couldn’t say anything except sorry in that situation. “I’m really sorry, I made you worry without realizing what I was doing”

After a short argument, they headed towards the estate.

Noel’s worry towards him made the affection towards Noel more and more for Leon. A slight blush in Leon’s face as they walk towards the mansion.

They reached the mansion.

“Leon, come with me for a moment.” Noel grabs Leon’s hand and takes him somewhere.

A little taken back by Noel’s sudden approach, a visible blush in Leon’s face.

They went to the training ground of knights of the estate.

Knights were relentlessly training to improve their strength. Coordinate and discipline movements. Leon was amazed by the sight.

Then there stood a tall middle-aged man with silver hair and a beard.

Upon looking, he was guiding the soldiers. He sees Noel coming towards him.

“Leon, I guess you have not met him yet. He is the one in charge of our soldiers and my uncle by relationship”

Leon thought that he was a little intimidating and instinctively bowed and greeted, “Hello, Sir.”

“Hoh, unusual way of greeting for a stranger. Anyway, what do you want, my beloved niece.”

Noel frowned.

And then...with a deadly calm voice, she said something that sent chills down Leon’s spine.

“Uncle… Kill him.”