MTLNOVEL Chapter 2 - An Unprecedented Asset Has Been Released
An Unprecedented Asset Has Been Released
The rumor of Leon Meyer leaving the Ragion Kingdom quickly spread across the entire continent.
And the Empire was the first to catch wind of this rumor.
‘So you’re telling me that Leon, that monster, has left Ragion?’
‘It’s hard to believe, but yes.’
Mirkes, the Minister of Intelligence for the Empire, doubted the credibility of the intelligence he had just received.
Leon Meyer was once just an ordinary human who grew up in a peaceful family with no particular background.
After losing his hometown to demons who appeared after 30 years, Leon enlisted in the Border Knights of the Ragion Kingdom. The hell that bordered the demons’ stronghold.
The corrupt Ragion Kingdom used that place as a place of exile rather than for military purposes, so naturally, the quality of troops couldn’t have been excellent.
Yet that monster, starting with no foundation, rose to the position of Knight Commander in just 10 years and elevated the Border Knights to become the continent’s finest.
How could a mere knight order stop demon invasions? Even the Empire’s renowned Imperial Knights couldn’t accomplish such a feat.
The idea that such an achievement could come from a small nation on the frontier wasn’t even worth joking about.
While Leon’s personal combat ability was remarkably high, that wasn’t the most important thing.
Leon’s most fearsome aspect was his mysterious military tactics, a marvel that no one could achieve through individual strength alone.
Naturally, the Empire had made several attempts to recruit this unprecedented talent but
‘I appreciate the offer, but I cannot leave Ragion.’
‘Why not? If you come to the Empire, whatever you desire will be placed in your hands. You’re not meant to waste away in such a place.’
‘Because I love this country.’
They couldn’t persuade not only Leon but even his subordinates with any sweet temptations.
How could it be possible that such a Leon had left Ragion? It made no sense at all.
‘The Leon I know would never turn his back on his homeland. I can’t comprehend this.’
‘According to additional intelligence, the leadership of Ragion showed signs of wariness towards Leon. They say he was forced to retreat after they cut off supplies to the front lines.’
‘What?’
At these preposterous words, Mirkes was left speechless. How could they stab in the back someone who was already far too good for Ragion, let alone fail to take care of him.
If this wasn’t false information, the higher-ups in Ragion must all be complete idiots.
‘Is this information reliable?’
‘It has already been verified. They were apparently preparing to put him on trial, blaming him for the defeat. It seems they were wary of Leon’s rising status.’
‘Hah… what in the world is this.’
It was incomprehensible. Not only did they fail to reward such a great person, but they even engaged in dirty power struggles.
If Leon had any interest in such power games, he could have swallowed the entire Ragion Kingdom whole within three days.
To not only neglect him without any reward but to drive him away themselves – this went beyond mere incompetence.
However, their incompetence had brought an opportunity for the nations of the continent to recruit an unparalleled talent.
‘Provide whatever support is needed. Find Leon’s current whereabouts faster than any other nation.’
‘I shall obey.’
This wasn’t a question of whether it was possible or not.
The Empire had to secure Leon at any cost.
***
Fortunately for them, Leon’s footsteps were already heading towards the Empire.
Hadn’t the Empire once desperately sought him out? He thought they might at least create a suitable position for him if he went there now.
Of course, having rejected their goodwill when they came looking for him, he wouldn’t have room to complain even if they turned him away.
If I had known it would come to this, I should have just left for the Empire back then.
‘Perhaps I should have at least kept some travel money?’
Leon was somewhat regretting his choice. He had left without looking back, finally disgusted by the terrible disillusionment with the kingdom.
He had thrown away his wallet, revolted at the thought of using money received from such idiots, but as a result, he was now facing homelessness.
Though sleeping rough wouldn’t be an issue for someone who had never slept anywhere but in military tents during the demon war, he wasn’t in the mood for it today.
He couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at the thought that even those measly coins were the only reward for his dedication.
‘How pathetic. What madness drove me to live like that?’
While wallowing in self-pity, Leon noticed a group of thugs harassing a woman.
‘W-what do you want? Just go away!’
The woman’s voice was clearly trembling with fear, which only seemed to excite them more.
‘John, this woman’s telling us to get lost?’
‘That’s quite harsh, miss. I only wanted to help, and now you’re making me out to be the bad guy.’
With those words, the man called John moves to throw a punch at the woman.
It would be inhuman to just walk past something like this.
The moment the man swung his fist, Leon stepped between them in an instant.
To ordinary people, Leon seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, but the thugs were more focused on the fact that someone had intervened.
‘Who are you? Are you this woman’s boyfriend or something?’
‘Nothing that grand, I’m just not enough of a bastard to walk past this scene.’
‘You crazy bastard!’
John threw a surprise punch, but Leon easily blocked it by grabbing his wrist.
Thinking this should be enough, Leon applied some pressure to his grip, but
Crack.
‘Aaaaargh!!!!!’
The man’s wrist crumpled like a dried cornstalk.
‘Why did it break?’
It was only natural. Leon, who had lived on the frontlines since he was 14, had no sense of ordinary people’s durability.
He had only applied enough force to make a trained border knight’s hand tingle, but for an ordinary person, such force was nothing short of catastrophic.
Regardless of Leon’s confusion, the thugs realized they were in serious trouble.
Someone who could break a person like a toy without seeming to exert any effort was clearly a powerful opponent, far beyond what any number of local thugs could handle.
Leon was about to apologize for going too far, but
‘We’re sorry!!’
‘We’ll live honest lives from now on!! Please forgive us just this once!!’
The thugs, sensing a threat to their lives, bowed their heads first.
‘…Well, if you’re truly repentant, there’s nothing more to say. You can go now.’
‘Thank you!! Thank you!!’
‘We’ll spend the rest of our lives atoning!!’
The thugs quickly disappeared, taking John, who was clutching his wrist and wailing, with them.
Leon felt somewhat conflicted about the atmosphere that made him seem like the bad guy, but he focused on handling the immediate situation.
He turned to the woman he had just saved.
‘Are you hurt anywhere?’
‘Yes, yes! Thank you for saving me!’
The woman who had just witnessed Leon literally crumpling a man’s arm seemed a bit frightened, but she didn’t forget her manners in front of her savior.
‘Thank you so much. If it weren’t for you, I would have surely met a terrible fate.’
‘I just happened to be here. Anyone would have done the same in this situation.’
The woman shook her head at those words.
‘No, in these dangerous times, who would step up to help like this? Come to think of it, I haven’t properly introduced myself to my savior. My name is Anne.’
‘Anne, I’m Leon.’
‘Leon… that name sounds familiar. Are you perhaps someone famous?’
‘Probably not. I was merely a knight from the frontier, so my name wouldn’t have spread to a place like this.’
Leon, who had never once left the frontlines, thought his recognition wouldn’t be very high.
After being stuck in one place for 15 long years, how could he have made a name for himself?
Anyone who knew his true identity would have found this absurd, but Leon sincerely thought this way.
‘I see. I guess it must be someone else with a similar name.’
‘Then I’ll be taking my leave now. Take care.’
Anne stopped Leon as he was about to leave.
‘Um, wait a moment! I’d like to repay you somehow. Is there anything I could help you with?’
Leon thought this might be excessive kindness, but he felt it would be impolite to refuse her goodwill.
Hadn’t his father said the same thing – that it’s better to graciously accept others’ kindness?
‘If you insist, could I perhaps borrow some money? I’ll definitely pay it back, so please don’t worry.’
‘Money? What do you need it for?’
‘I’ve been looking for a place to stay, but I’m in a difficult situation without any money.’
Her face brightened at those words.
‘I don’t think you’ll need to borrow money.’
‘What do you mean…’
‘We run an inn. Since I’m indebted to you, and since you’re such a wonderful person, I’ll let you stay for free.’
Anne smiled brightly.