"Set a small goal of conquering Sumeru within a month and a half, and I'll let her celebrate her birthday."
Leon said something that left both Lumine and Apep stunned. How could conquering a kingdom sound so simple to this man?
Leon let out a small sigh as well—it seemed he was about to begin another grand harvest of kingdoms!
Renner in the Warrior Kingdom, the Kingdom of Britannia, and now Sumeru, along with the art nation of Oriana, which was already ripe for conquest.
Four great kingdoms, all at once, would soon fall into his hands!
Adding them to the already subdued Magic Kingdom, the Knight Kingdom, and the smaller nation he had conquered earlier…
In just a single year, Leon would conquer nine countries!!!
Such feats of conquest were simply astonishing.
One could say he was an unprecedented conqueror—none before, and none after.
"Still, though I truly wish to crush them with brute force, the aftermath once the pleasure is over would be too severe. It's better if I proceed step by step, slowly."
Leon glanced toward Shouki not far away, speaking with faint regret.
"Your Highness, did you misunderstand the phrase 'go slowly, step by step'?"
The corners of Lumine's lips twitched as she couldn't help but complain inwardly.
A month and a half! That was only forty-five days!
How could conquering an entire kingdom in such a short time be considered "slow" or "step by step"? Your Highness, what exactly do you think the word slow means?
Leon shrugged indifferently.
"Too fast? I think it's quite ordinary."
"…"
Lumine was speechless.
If it had been anyone else, she would have assumed they were spouting nonsense or joking.
But with this prince… Lumine felt an inexplicable confidence.
After all, this man already had a criminal record.
Though she didn't know about the Knight Kingdom, she was well aware of the Lawrence family. In only four days, Leon had destroyed that corrupt noble house that had poisoned Mondstadt for centuries.
And afterward, he also conquered three small nations.
Thinking about it that way…
Perhaps conquering Sumeru in forty-five days really wasn't such a big deal.
"But please, come help me. I'm a bit short on personnel right now. Other plans are reaching a critical stage. We'll have to wait until they're settled before I can deploy more forces toward Sumeru."
"For the sake of the Lesser Lord Kusanali, I have no choice but to do this!"
Lumine immediately nodded in agreement.
She had originally wanted to help Nahida anyway. If she could also help Leon at the same time, the young girl who had just begun to develop feelings found herself even more motivated.
"Good. My people will arrive in about three days. Until then, you two can continue moving around in Sumeru."
Leon smiled, patting Lumine's head as he spoke.
After hearing her recount Sumeru's story, he felt deep sympathy for the poor little queen.
She had clearly wanted nothing more than to dedicate herself to her people, yet in the end, she was imprisoned by those very same people and betrayed by her own kingdom.
Even her birthday was forbidden from being celebrated.
Leon's own birthday was always celebrated in magnificent grandeur, with the entire kingdom sending blessings.
The stark contrast made Leon pity the little queen all the more.
"The people of this kingdom are truly obsessed with self-interest to the extreme. From this day on, I shall show them what a true king really is!"
Leon declared with overwhelming momentum.
In truth, if his goal was merely to rescue Nahida, he could mount Shouko right now and no one would be able to stop him.
But the consequences would be immense.
Without justification, his actions would be seen as the crime of abducting another kingdom's queen. His current worldwide reputation would be ruined instantly. Many who secretly feared him would seize the chance to smear his name.
And such behavior went against Leon's original intent.
Because that would only be an intrusion.
But his will… was conquest.
"The Shadows currently available… should be Zeta and Gamma. Of course, that's still too few, so we'll have to send some operatives from outside the courtyard as well.
Yelan and Yor can also be deployed, while the surrounding area can be handled too. Asuna or Alice can make diplomatic preparations in the meantime."
Several plans quickly took shape in Leon's mind. He had always been skilled at working on both the surface and in the shadows, leaving no chance for his enemies.
"What is it, Apep?"
Noticing Apep's thoughtful gaze, Leon tilted his head and asked.
"To me, humans have only existed for a fleeting moment, yet arrogantly claim to be the rulers of this land. It infuriates me. After all, I am the original ruler of Sumeru.
But if it is you—the first human ever to defeat me—if you truly succeed, then I am willing to acknowledge you as the new king of Sumeru."
Though Apep's tone remained arrogant, her words carried recognition.
Leon blinked in surprise, then gave a faint smile.
"Truly… thank you for your recognition."
"Hmph~ don't mention it."
"By the way, Apep, you should become my companion, like Dvalin."
"Ah… huh?"
Apep blinked in shock.
She had already explained she bore a forbidden curse that could drive her mad at any time.
Yet Leon had still invited her.
Truthfully, Apep felt very happy.
She thought to herself that this boy was far better than those of her own kind, who had always excluded her and never let her join their games.
The dragoness failed to realize that this treatment was the result of her own venomous tongue and arrogant nature.
"Could it really be possible… but my curse…"
"Once I free that little queen, she will be able to fulfill her promise and come heal you. And she will need to remain with me for her own safety. Otherwise, who could possibly control your rage?"
An enraged Dragon King was far too terrifying, and only Leon had the strength to act as her safeguard.
After a few seconds of thought, Apep reluctantly agreed.
"Ahem, since you put it that way, fine—I'll agree."
"Good. Then it's settled."
"But since I must trouble you to take care of me, I won't be stingy. Consider this my token of thanks."
Apep said, then growled.
She bestowed upon the Black Prince her pure, uncontaminated, and immensely precious Grass Elemental power.
"This is?!"
"From this moment on, you may wield Dragon King–level Grass Elemental power. In addition, you will also gain part of my recovery and adaptability."
Apep declared generously.
Leon focused carefully on his new power and instantly felt all aspects of himself strengthen immensely.
He had once received such a gift before—Dvalin had given him the "Eye of the Wind King" and the "Power of the Dragon."
Wind-elemental power at Dragon King level, along with the aura that suppressed all creation.
But this time, Apep's gift of Dragon King Grass power seemed even more generous. One could only say that every tsundere was secretly soft-hearted. They always claimed they didn't care, yet in truth, they cared the most.
"Apep, I will definitely help the queen of Sumeru resolve your curse."
"Hmph~ I'll be waiting."
"Haha, when the time comes, you should also attend the Festival of the Goddess of Flowers. Ah… I nearly forgot."
Leon suddenly froze mid-sentence.
Lumine and Apep looked at him with concern.
"Hmm? What is it, Your Highness?"
"What's wrong with you all of a sudden?"
"Emmm, it's nothing. It just suddenly occurred to me… that my birthday is also a month and a half from now. Which, coincidentally, is the very same day as Sumeru's queen…"
Leon scratched his head. Wasn't that quite the coincidence?
Lumine and Apep froze in shock at his words.
"What did you say?!" ×2
---
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."