If it weren't for the fact that Rossweise was standing right beside Leon, Rebecca would have rushed forward to hug her Captain—and probably given him a few solid punches for good measure.
He had shown up at the very moment the pressure on her was at its peak. If he had been any later, the main dish at his welcome party would have been "Rebecca's Roasted Rage."
After a quick greeting, Walker stepped forward to address the room. "Maria and I were patrolling the outer district when we ran into Captain Leon. We managed to sneak them both in without being detected."
Rebecca blinked her large, expressive eyes in surprise. "That's... quite a coincidence, isn't it?"
Walker chuckled. "It really was. The Captain practically dropped out of a tree right in front of us. He scared both me and Maria half to death."
Rebecca stared at Leon, completely bewildered. "Why were you up in a tree?"
"Well... it's a long story," Leon replied, glancing sideways at Rossweise. He certainly wasn't going to explain that her sister-in-law had wanted to relive one of their more... passionate memories from their past in that exact spot.
Rebecca waved a hand, dismissing the oddity. "Alright, never mind that. Let's get down to business."
She moved to stand beside Leon and addressed the members gathered in the hall. She calmly explained the situation that had just unfolded, detailing everyone's concerns and frustrations.
Leon listened intently, then gave a firm nod and patted Rebecca's shoulder. "You've done well. I'll take it from here."
Hearing those words, Rebecca felt an immediate wave of relief wash over her. Whether in the fierce battles of the past with the Dragon Slayer Corps or during recent crises, whenever Leon said, "Leave it to me," he always brought a profound sense of calm and security to those around him.
Leon turned his gaze toward the hall, his eyes moving slowly over every face until they locked onto the troublemaker who had stirred up the discontent.
The man flinched under his stare.
Just minutes ago, he had arrogantly challenged Rebecca, questioning Leon's very existence and dismissing him as a myth. Now, standing face-to-face with the man he had doubted, he couldn't even muster the courage to meet Leon's eyes.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Leon took slow, measured steps toward him.
As a super-soldier trained to slaughter dragons, Leon naturally carried an aura that ordinary people found overwhelming.
From the back of the room, Nacho frowned with concern. "He's not planning to use intimidation, is he?" he muttered. "That will only make things worse."
Having worked for the royal family for years, Nacho understood the delicate nature of leadership. While Leon was the symbolic leader of the Lionheart Society, he was still a stranger to most of these members. Their knowledge of him came from old stories and the accounts of Tiger and Rebecca. If Leon now acted completely contrary to their image of him—using force to assert dominance—it could shatter the society's unity.
A calm, reassuring voice answered Nacho's concerns. The silver-haired woman who had entered with Leon spoke softly. "Relax. He knows how to handle this."
Nacho looked over and did a double-take. Isn't she... the Silver Dragon Queen?!
His instinct was to exclaim in surprise, but he caught himself. Rossweise simply crossed her arms and watched Leon with a serene, confident expression, utterly unperturbed.
Leon stopped directly in front of the troublemaker—the man who had relentlessly badgered Rebecca and fueled the group's impatience.
In a large military organization, such types weren't uncommon. If this had been the Dragon Slayer Corps, Leon would have dealt with him swiftly, using the fear of his fists rather than the power of his words.
But the Lionheart Society was different. This group had formed around him, built on the trust and hard work of his mentor and Rebecca. He could not betray their efforts or the faith of those who believed in him.
Leon locked eyes with the man in silence, his gaze steady and unwavering. Standing much taller, Leon's mere presence exuded a powerful, intimidating pressure.
The surrounding members held their breath, too stunned to speak.
"Is this... going to turn into a fight?" someone whispered.
"If it does, what chance do you think Rachel, a cook, has against the Empire's strongest dragon slayer?"
"...Good point."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, most convinced that Leon would resolve the matter with his typical force, delivering a harsh lesson.
Just as they braced for a confrontation, Leon finally broke the silence.
"What's your name?" His voice was steady and firm, devoid of accusation, yet carrying undeniable weight.
"R-Rachel..." the man stammered.
Leon paused, thinking for a moment. "You once supplied the Empire's Dragon Slayer Corps with ready-made meals, didn't you?"
Rachel's eyes widened in shock. "How... how did you know?"
How do I know? Leon thought. You were the only supplier in the entire Empire who consistently left out eggplants and carrots from the rations.
But Leon's memory of Rachel wasn't solely about vegetables; he made a habit of remembering the names and faces of everyone he encountered. It was a practice Rossweise had encouraged, teaching him that a leader remembering his subordinates' names could mean a great deal to them.
True enough, when Rachel realized that Leon remembered him, a mere cook from years ago, his expression softened. He let out a heavy sigh, a mix of shame and remorse washing over him.
With his impatience subdued, Rachel's judgment and clarity returned.
"You know, your family's meals were always a highlight in the Dragon Slayer Corps. I was a big fan," Leon remarked.
Rachel lowered his head. "What good did that do, Captain Leon..."
"How so?"
Wiping his face with his hand, Rachel sighed again, his voice thick with bitterness. "Three years ago, the Empire wanted to buy my family's restaurant. I refused, so they sent thugs to intimidate us every day. Customers were too scared to come, and our business suffered terribly."
"In the end, I had no choice but to sell my father's restaurant to the Empire. I thought they'd at least run it honestly, but they only wanted the location. Out front, it's still a restaurant, but in secret, they're running all kinds of illegal operations there."
"The Empire ruined our family's reputation. My brother tried to confront them, asking that we be allowed to work as cooks if nothing else, to preserve our family's honor."
"But he was thrown in jail... and we haven't heard from him since."
"Captain Leon... I lost my temper earlier, and I said things I regret. I'm sorry." He bowed his head deeply in a formal apology.
Leon gave a nearly imperceptible nod. He had made the right call.
"The Lionheart Society is growing," Leon began, placing a hand on Rachel's shoulder. "With so many people, different views are bound to arise, leading to some conflict. It's normal."
"I understand your feelings," he continued, meeting Rachel's eyes. "Don't worry. Now that I'm here, I will help you find your brother."
Then, raising his voice to address the entire room, Leon's gaze swept over the crowd. "And I will help each one of you. Every injustice you have endured, every humiliation you have suffered—I will make sure the Empire pays for them all!"
As he finished, the room fell completely silent for a moment, and then thunderous applause erupted through the hall. The members cheered his name, their voices united in support for their leader.
Nacho watched, both surprised and impressed. "He was my colleague back in the Dragon Slayer Corps, but we barely interacted. All I knew of him was that he was a brute, skilled in battle but lacking in diplomacy. The royals never thought highly of him."
Now, watching Leon command the respect and loyalty of the Lionheart Society, Nacho saw a man with the presence of a true leader. "In just a few years, he's grown this shrewd. To call him a qualified leader... isn't an exaggeration at all."
Rebecca, bursting with pride, straightened up and nudged Rossweise. "Of course! Look who his wife is!"
Nacho snorted. "You sound like you're boasting about your own wife with all that pride."
Rossweise chuckled softly, covering her mouth. "I didn't teach him much. Most of what he knows, he learned on his own. He's a very fast learner."
That was only partly true. Leon was indeed a quick study, but Rossweise had taught him more than she let on. She said this because she felt it was her duty to ensure her husband was seen in the best light by his followers. After all, her man was here to lead, and she would do her part to make sure he looked the part.
Of course, she wasn't doing this for free. Once everything was settled... she fully intended to collect a generous reward from Leon.