Guiding Furina to the Fist Duel Arena inside the Fortress of Meropide, Leo acted as an impromptu tour guide, introducing the structure and layout of the underwater prison-city as they walked.
Along the way, inmates and guards alike turned to stare, dumbfounded. The sight of Furina, the Hydro Archon herself, walking beside Leo was too surreal. Some prisoners wanted to rush forward to bow, but the guards swiftly held them back.
Furina glanced at the austere architecture around her. Her mood flickered between curiosity and faint melancholy.
"How did you meet Wriothesley?" she asked suddenly. "From the way you two speak, it sounds like you've known each other for years."
Leo answered without hesitation.
"A few years ago. He was chasing a fugitive near the coast. I happened to be swimming there and helped him catch the criminal. That's how we met."
"Oh~?" Furina dragged out her voice, the drawn-out note tickling Leo's ears.
At the arena, the person in charge froze when he saw Furina and Leo step in. His jaw nearly hit the ground.
Am I dreaming? That's…the Hydro Archon. And Leo?
He vaguely remembered last year, when Wriothesley arranged for Leo to fight in the arena. Anyone who defeated him would be rewarded with privileges—sentence reductions, positions, or influence. Dozens had challenged him. Many were beaten half to death, some left crippled.
Later, word spread that most of those punished were the ringleaders of a planned riot. The message was clear: they deserved it. Still, Leo's sheer combat power left a lasting impression. Few mercenaries could last more than a few rounds against him.
And now, he was back.
"Lady Furina, Master Leo," the official stammered with a forced smile. "Do you… have any instructions for the Fist Duel Arena today?"
"The Duke asked me to spar here," Leo replied flatly. "So, prepare the ring. Anyone who defeats me can earn a position, sentence reduction, or special privilege."
Without further explanation, Leo led Furina to a resting area, poured her a glass of Fonta, and sat down. Strangely, the drinks here in Meropide always tasted richer than the ones outside.
Furina accepted the cup and then noticed Leo loosening his uniform and preparing for the fight. Resting her chin on her hand, she blinked mischievously.
"Well~ This is the first time I've seen you take action since becoming my bodyguard."
Leo grinned. It was true. In the past two years, his post had been almost uneventful.
"Lady Furina, let me show you my strength. I've grown much stronger since then!"
He smiled like a child eager for praise, his expression pure and bright. Furina narrowed her eyes, lips curling upward.
"That depends on your performance."
Without another word, Leo vaulted onto the stage. His demeanor shifted instantly—from cheerful and sunny to cold and imposing.
The Vision at his hip did not glow. He wasn't using elemental power—only raw skill. In his hand, he conjured a long black sword, its hilt inlaid with golden accents. Driving it into the ground, he declared:
"To force me to use my weapon, the wager is 10,000 credits. As for forcing me to unleash elemental power—go ask the Duke to name your price."
A burly man jumped onto the stage, clearly impatient. He was new to the Fortress, and hadn't yet heard the stories of Leo. To him, Leo was just a bodyguard—not in the same league as a mercenary hardened by years of bloodshed.
Furina sat elegantly in the front row, chin in hand, her gaze fixed on Leo. Two years ago, when he was still inexperienced, he could already hold his ground against Clorinde. Even in defeat, it proved his talent. Since then, he had only grown stronger.
The mercenary charged recklessly without even drawing his weapon. Leo sighed, almost pitying him.
Pivot. Lift. Whip kick.
The movement was smooth, lightning-fast. The man felt as if his chest had been struck by a steel beam. He was flung backward into the wall with a sickening thud.
Leo exhaled calmly.
"Next. New rule: forcing me to use my weapon costs 100,000 credits."
The audience erupted in nervous murmurs. Who would pay that just to get beaten?
Still, where there's money, there are fools. Another challenger leapt forward with a blade, aiming for Leo's throat. His form was wild and desperate, but his speed was laughable.
One swift kick, same as before, and the swordsman was sent crashing into the wall.
From her seat, Furina clapped gleefully.
"Bravo, bravo! Keep going!"
Dozens more came and went, most dispatched in a single blow. None lasted long enough to make him draw his sword. Soon, challengers hesitated, trembling at the sidelines.
But they couldn't refuse forever. The arena's overseer pressed them forward nervously. With the Hydro Archon watching, no one dared ruin her entertainment.
When the stage finally grew quiet, Leo turned toward Furina. Their eyes met for a moment, an unspoken exchange. She was radiant with excitement, her gestures as animated as when she performed on the stage of the Opera Epiclese.
"Leo, I'll fight you."
The entire arena went silent.
The speaker was none other than the Duke of Meropide, Wriothesley.
He climbed onto the stage, tightening a pair of boxing gloves, his body wreathed in pale-blue Cryo energy. His Vision gleamed faintly.
Leo drew the black sword from the ground, raising it in a ready stance. His own Vision glowed with matching Cryo light.
From the stands, Furina leapt to her feet, cheering with both arms raised.
The duel of ice was about to begin.