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Bermuda Chapter 46
🕑 Added 2024-04-09 13:14:26 +0000 UTCChapter 46
At Abraham's remark, everyone who had been chattering stopped talking and turned their heads. Hugo looked at Abraham, who was sitting right in front of him, with an expression as if he had heard something he shouldn't have. As everyone focused on him, Abraham continued to speak,
"You all probably know that there has been a problem with large-scale monsters appearing again recently on the Elder Millie Peninsula. That place has always needed subjugation, but both the Council and the military have been shifting responsibility to each other, knowing that it requires a lot of troops and time."
"Hmm..."
"Then, how about taking this opportunity, with Leonardo Blaine under the Council's jurisdiction, to subjugate that place? We can verify his abilities and have the Council achieve results before the military. I think it's beneficial in many ways."
The Elder Millie Peninsula was located in the southernmost part of the empire, in the southwest. Although it belonged to Raina Logia in terms of territory, it was essentially an abandoned land wedged between Raina Logia and Parren, which directly bordered Raina Logia.
The reason was that the area was a volcanic zone with high temperatures and humidity, formed by an underwater volcanic eruption, where monsters frequently appeared, making it impossible for ordinary people to live.
Although it remained as state-owned land due to the abundance of rare minerals, various raw materials, and profitable resources, it was a dangerous place where grave robbers illegally entered and lost their lives every year.
Regarding this region, the Imperial Army had been delaying, saying it was a matter within Raina Logia's territory and the Council should handle it, while the Council had been delaying, saying it was a matter of the border zone and the military should resolve it. They only kept pushing it back and forth, unable to lay a hand on it, so it remained like a burden for a long time.
In that regard, Abraham Langaster's proposal was quite groundbreaking. If they could subjugate that place using Leonardo Blaine, they could solve a heavy task that had been postponed while simultaneously elevating the Council's prestige.
"That's a good idea."
The council members seemed to be quite pleased with Abraham's proposal. Other officials also nodded in agreement.
On the other hand, Hugo remained silent. It was because he felt they were taking this issue too lightly.
Gladias Agrizendro, one of the Upper House members of the Council, observed Hugo's appearance and abruptly asked him,
"Commander Agrizendro, what are your thoughts?"
Hugo raised his head and looked at her. She had a seemingly gentle voice and smile, but the atmosphere itself was chilly and cold. Hugo felt her question's intention was so blatant that it was obvious, so he pondered for a moment before opening his mouth,
"I don't think Leonardo Blaine will comply so easily. Even if we include him in the subjugation team, it's uncertain whether we can control him."
Hugo's words were true. It was already a big deal just to bring him here, and now they wanted to subjugate a dangerous area using him, even though it was already risky to go there? It sounded like the optimal method, but in reality, it would only increase the danger. Hugo couldn't understand why Abraham had brought up such a suggestion in the first place.
As Hugo Agrizendro, who could be considered the strongest among the combat personnel, said that, those who had been excitedly talking became quiet again. And at that moment, as if refuting it, Abraham Langaster smiled and said to Hugo,
"You don't need to worry about that."
"...What do you mean?"
"You can go with him, can't you?"
Hugo felt like he had been hit in the back of the head by an ally. He looked at him with an expression that seemed to have a lot to say, but Abraham just kept smiling gently as if he didn't notice that gaze.
At that, Hugo suppressed his urge to argue as much as possible and politely asked,
"Didn't you tell me to come back quickly because I have a lot of work to handle?"
"This is one of those tasks."
"But Commander-in-Chief, my territory's affairs..."
"Commander, don't worry about that."
Gladias Agrizendro interrupted his words and stepped in. Her voice was still gentle, but there was a sense of dignity that shouldn't be defied.
"The Agrizendro Territory isn't a place that will crumble just because the Commander takes his eyes off it for a moment, is it?"
With her words, silence fell upon the hall.
Hugo felt uncomfortable with that atmosphere. It was even more so because he felt the thorns within those words.
Everyone in the conference hall, although not spoken out loud, would clearly understand the divided power structure of the empire's top ducal family, the Agrizendro.
As numerous pairs of eyes were all directed at him, waiting, Hugo felt the pressure that everyone present wanted him to say he would go.
Although his expression didn't change, he clenched his fists tightly. The ice that spread out from there slowly crept onto the table, which Loren blankly stared at beside him.
Hugo lowered his gaze, let out a small sigh, and then raised his head as if he had made a decision. Then, looking at the center of the council members' seats with a cold face, he said,
"I will go. To the peninsula, with Leonardo Blaine."
At that, the faces of the council members, including Gladias Agrizendro, brightened.
"You've made the right decision."
As soon as the answer was given, Hugo added,
"However, I have a condition."
***
Hugo, who had left the Grand Conference Hall, immediately headed to the underground prison where Leonardo was confined.
Although he was the one who had instructed to move him to the prison in case he acted out, as he went down, the air became heavier, and the unfavorable environment caught his eye, making him feel uneasy.
The guard guided Hugo through the maze-like intertwined doors to the prison where Leonardo was confined.
Soon, when they arrived in front of the last door, Hugo narrowed his brows upon seeing the cell number written on it. It was because he knew that one of the guys imprisoned here had come in three times for the same issue.
Leonardo must be in a very sensitive state right now, and since he had such a striking appearance, Hugo was worried that the other prisoners wouldn't have left him alone. However, contrary to his concerns, when he opened the door and entered, the interior was unexpectedly quiet.
Hugo dismissed the guard and strode to the innermost part of the corridor where Leonardo was confined.
Beyond the bars, Leonardo was sitting still with his head bowed, leaning against the wall. Seeing the thick mana restraining handcuffs on his wrists and the black choker wrapped around his white neck, which he had just learned the identity of, Hugo felt a little sorry for him, who seemed to lack energy.
In front of him, there was a meal that hadn't been touched, so Hugo concealed his agitation and spoke softly,
"I heard you haven't been eating."
"..."
"Leonardo, it's better not to be stubborn."
After a few words, he, who had been motionless all along, slowly raised his head.
The guy looked much more haggard, but nevertheless, the light in his eyes looking this way was still not extinguished. The golden eyes blazing like flames resembling him allowed a glimpse into his twisted state of mind.
Although he knew that his feelings toward him weren't good, Hugo, who had something to tell him, continued,
"Don't you want to get out of here?"
When asked the obvious, Leonardo didn't answer and instead furrowed his beautiful brows even more.
"You know about the Elder Millie Peninsula, right?"
"...Why is that?"
Through the cracks of his chapped lips, his hoarse voice flowed out.
"At the Grand Conference that just took place, it was decided to include you in the subjugation team for the peninsula."
At Hugo's words, Leonardo's eyebrows crumpled subtly. He seemed to be mulling over what he had just heard, then clicked his tongue as if he had heard something absurd and let out a snort. Then, he suddenly burst into laughter as if he had gone crazy.
Hugo knew well that the laughter wasn't because it was funny, but because it was absurd.
"Ah, why is nothing different from what I expected?"
Leonardo shook his head back and forth, then brushed up his golden hair and scoffed, instantly turning serious with a cold face. Then, glaring at Hugo with fierce eyes, he retorted one by one,
"At first, they told me to attend and register my personal information, then they suddenly captured me and extracted my mana, and now what? They're including me in the subjugation team? Hey, don't you think it's too brazen even if you think about it?"
At Leonardo's mocking words, Hugo didn't answer for a moment. Soon, sighing and looking at the floor, he raised his head again and spoke in a bitter tone,
"Yes, I understand. They're a brazen bunch. Them, and me too."
Unexpectedly, at Hugo's readily agreeing answer, Leonardo raised one eyebrow and gauged his intentions.
"But this is really the last time. If you want to get out of here, you have to follow the subjugation team to the peninsula and carry out the mission. That's the way for you to get out of here."
As it sounded like there was no choice in the first place, Leonardo instantly changed and charged toward Hugo as if he couldn't take it anymore. However, with a clang, the iron chain was pulled taut, and he couldn't advance any further.
The place he could reach was right in front of the bars. However, that distance was enough to feel what each other's expressions were like and what their breathing sounded like, with the bars in between.
Leonardo spoke in a highly agitated voice,
"You, do you really think I'll do as you guys want? Fine, just take me to the subjugation team. Once I get out of here, I'll kill everyone and run away."
His eyes were filled with crazed anger and madness. Hugo looked at him without any particular reaction, then shook his head.
"No, you won't do that."
"How do you know that!!"
As the enraged Leonardo shouted in excitement, his voice echoed loudly inside the prison. A hot energy spread around, threatening the person he was facing. However, seeing his appearance with bulging veins looking very precarious, Hugo continued calmly so as not to provoke him,
"A few days ago, the guy who used wood-attribute magic and confronted you in the middle of the Imperial Capital is Andreas Frederick, the commander of the 4th Battalion of our Council's Central Branch."
"..."
"His left arm was broken by your strike."
"So what? Did he become disabled?"
Leonardo sneered as if it wasn't a big deal. However, Hugo calmly replied,
"You know best that's not the case."
Comments
Matcha Latte 🌻
Why the council ppl are such dululu to expect Leo will want to let them use him 😕 They are so irritating and irrational 🤨
Katsura Kureha
Maybe not the killing part, but the running part should be on the table.
Marina0_0
I’m so angry. I can’t even explain the anger I’m feeling rn for Leo. I just wish he kill all of them and run away. But he won’t do that caz he’s kind. Haa…
Bernie Jay
This is so maddening, how they expect Leo to help. Like, really, why….?!?!?!
