Bang!!
As expected, the moment she charged forward, Argana was shot back down at an even faster speed.
She had long since reached Level 6 and was renowned among her peers as one of the strongest Amazons of her rank. Her confidence was not unfounded.
But the opponent she now faced… was Leon.
Leon's power had reached the absolute peak of Level 6—his strength in his normal state alone stood at the summit of that level. Not to mention, his combat skills were unmatched, spanning both ancient and modern eras.
So, when Argana lunged at him, she didn't even get the chance to launch an attack before Leon's foot connected with her midsection—sending her hurtling straight down.
Bang!
Argana crashed into the deck with a heavy thud.
Leon hadn't even used his full strength. If he had kicked with his true power, the result wouldn't have been just a simple impact.
The deck of the sailboat would have caved in, possibly tearing a hole through the ship itself and sinking the entire vessel.
The scene stunned every Amazon present on the ship. Even Bache, another Level 6 warrior, wasn't exempt from the shock.
As Argana's sister, Bache was well aware of her strength—slightly stronger than her own, in fact. And yet Argana had been knocked down without even a chance to fight back. She couldn't even land a single blow.
After several seconds of stunned silence, the Amazons on the ship snapped out of their daze. They swiftly entered a high-level alert state, their sharp instincts kicking in. One word from Bache, and they would all leap into action without hesitation.
The Amazons remained on guard, muscles taut, weapons ready. Yet Leon didn't spare them a single glance.
He had no interest in them.
He was here for Tione and Tiona.
Though he could dive into the lake himself, it was far less efficient than simply acting from above.
Besides, who knew what Argana and Bache would do upon seeing Tione and Tiona?
If the two sisters were still in the water and the Amazons made a move, they would be at a disadvantage.
Leon would not allow that to happen.
Because Tione was his woman.
Leon's eyes drifted downward, focusing on the lake's surface.
Bache and the others noticed the shift in his gaze and exchanged puzzled glances. They followed his line of sight, trying to discern what had caught his attention.
The next second, the water stirred.
A giant, python-sized monster burst forth from the lake, its gaping maw aimed directly at the ship.
The unexpected attack startled the Amazons. Bache reacted instantly—without hesitation, she leapt into the air, sword flashing.
Slash!
A sharp gleam of steel split the air, and the monstrous plant was severed cleanly in half, its writhing body crashing back into the lake.
And then, two familiar heads emerged from the water.
"Ah! Leon? Why are you here?"
As soon as they surfaced, Tione and Tiona scanned for the monster—only to raise their heads and spot Leon floating in the air. Their expressions were laced with surprise and delight.
Leon gave a calm nod and extended his hand. With a gentle motion, he manipulated the light element, forming a massive glowing palm that reached down toward the lake.
Despite its size, Tione and Tiona didn't react with alarm. They didn't believe—couldn't believe—that Leon would ever hurt them.
So, they let him lift them with the radiant hand of light.
Soaked from head to toe, the two stood together atop the warm, glowing platform as it carried them upward toward Leon.
"Leon!!!"
The moment they got close, Tione couldn't resist—she leapt forward, throwing herself into his arms.
Leon didn't refuse. He caught her effortlessly, though the impact left his body as soaked as hers.
"Hey, Leon~ Why are you here?" Tione nestled against him with a mock pout, her tone teasing and playful as she looked up into his eyes.
"Turn around," Leon replied coolly, nodding toward the ship. "You'll understand."
Tione blinked, puzzled, and turned her head to look in the direction he indicated.
But before she could make out the details, Tiona's voice rang out behind her.
"Tione—it's Bache and Argana!!!"
The words struck like lightning.
Tione froze, her body stiffening as she quickly turned toward the deck.
There—lined up across the deck—were over twenty Amazonesses. But her gaze locked instantly onto two familiar figures: Argana and Bache. Their former combat instructors. The ones who had trained her and Tiona in their youth.
"Argana?! Why are you here?!" Tione's expression hardened as she shouted from above.
Argana had just climbed out from the ship's cabin. But she didn't even spare Tione a glance.
Her piercing purple eyes were fixed solely on Leon.
"Hey, elf! What's your name?" She called up, her voice bold and brash.
"Don't ignore me, Argana!" Tione's voice sharpened with anger. "Why are you here?! Answer me!!"
But Argana brushed her off with a smile, clearly uninterested. "Tione, I'm not here for you. Don't waste my time."
She gave her sister a sidelong glance, then turned her attention fully to Leon once more—her lips curling into a hungry smirk.
"Elf. Tell me your name."
"Argana!!!" Tione's fury could no longer be contained.
Not only had Argana ignored her again but now she was openly flirting with Leon?!
Leon is mine. He carries my mark. No one, especially not her—is allowed to touch him!
With a roar of rage, Tione jumped from Leon's light hand and landed heavily on the deck.
Bang!
Without hesitation, she lunged straight at Argana.
Argana met her charge head-on, and the two clashed instantly.
On the other side, the moment Tiona landed, Bache dashed forward, engaging her in combat.
Just like that, two pairs of Amazoness sisters collided—fighting ferociously atop the deck.
The remaining Amazonesses didn't move. They merely formed a circle around the combatants, their eyes fixed warily on Leon. Though they were on high alert, none dared attack—not without a clear order.
Leon remained hovering in the air, watching the duels unfold.
He didn't move. Didn't speak. He had no intention of interfering.
Earlier, when Tione and Tiona were in the lake, they were at a disadvantage. That's why he had stepped in—to even the odds.
Now that they were on equal footing, he had no objection to the fights breaking out.
In fact, none of the four combatants were going all out. Not yet.
On the deck, Argana laughed as she exchanged blows with Tione.
"Tione, is that elf up there your man?"
"Too bad. I've taken a liking to him too."
"Once I've beaten you, I'll take him for myself!"
Tione's eyes blazed with fury. "Snatch Leon? Keep dreaming! You're out of your mind!!"
Her strikes grew fiercer with each word.
Meanwhile, Bache and Tiona fought in near silence—swift, focused, and relentless.
Their battle lacked the taunts, but the intent behind each attack was just as intense. It wasn't a duel to the death—not yet.
But then, a new presence emerged from the cabin.
The moment they saw her, all four fighters stopped. They retreated from each other instinctively.
A small figure, masked and cloaked, stepped into view.
Kali.
Tione's expression twisted in rage as her eyes locked onto the short goddess.
"Kali…" She spat, her voice low and trembling with fury.