The stadium went quiet, only to exploded in murmurs right after.
Let alone the vulgarity of his words and manners, the fact he spoke like that to one of the most knowledgeable and appreciated powerful man on their country was nothing short of pure stupidity.
Leandro narrowed his eyes, he had yet to hear the full report of what happened. His shadow guards hadn't arrived yet, all he knew was that Larissa arrived with Lazaro and some other people. The only thing he believed was that Lazaro helped Larissa to scape somehow. Ruining his plans and delaying the company's objective. And for that, he had to pay.
But still, as he eyes Lazaro pain came to his heart.
He cares for Larissa. He did not desire her to be unhappy. But the future of the family triumphs the individual, he wanted her to himself and the company's future. Inwardly, he decided to use the mind-numbing drug on Larissa, this way at least she won't be able to suffer through the research.
"Don't start provoking at will, this is not a trial for a street thug. You, Lazaro of superbia, stand accused of manslaughter, kidnapping, and putting sixteen people to danger for the sake of personal gain. Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Leandro said
Lazaro laughed. Leandro's intention was clear, with Gerald and other two or three directors plus companies showing interest on himself Leandro couldn't really put any crime on him without proof. He merely wants a precedent. As long as Leandro marks Lazaro as the guy who went to trial for those crimes, then other options to damage Lazaro will open later. This was nothing more than a show. But Why would Lazaro accept the role of a clown?
"Two incompetent subordinates of yours, those were the only people I killed." Without batting an eyelid to the surrounding bodyguards. Lazaro stated.
"SO you admit!" Leandro snorted.
"Of course! they were getting in the way. They wanted us to hunt the red crystals leftover reform the meteors and said he was going to present them to you then reward us."
Gerald on the sidelines almost swallowed his smile to curse. He agreed to protect Lazaro and he was going to do it, but now that Lazaro started telling his own story he has to agree regardless.
The stadium went silent. Those red meteor rocks were considered active essence of nature. It was common knowledge that kind of things were being sought out by Leandro to research on new technologies. It wouldn't be weird if that was the case.
Leandro looked at Gerald, who stood in silence, Following his gaze, the spectators all focused on Gerald as well. Lazaro's word laid with him as he was the authority in Lazaro's group. if he said it was a lie, then Lazaro would be executed on spot.
"Mr. Gerald, is what Lazaro told true?" Leandro asked, but to the well sighted a drop of ink is a word
Leandro was not asking if it was true or not. Leandro was giving a warning. Gerald was a novice director rising in power, to gain Leandro as an enemy while solidifying his foundations was a dumb move.
But Gerald looked at him with the most despise a politician could show. Enough to portrait his righteous anger while elegantly keeping his composture.
"I'm afraid it's all true, CEO Leandro." He said clearly.
Leandro paused, from the basic report he gathered from that boy Avila, Lazaro had no more value than a strong warrior or a professor, nothing uncommon. The world is full of them, so what made Gerald choose to offend someone like himself for Lazaro? Regardless of what it was, there and then Leandro understood that things weren't going his way.
He had to retreat and observe.
"Having to suddenly survive on the wild right after a disaster, is stressful to expect someone to maintain a normal rationale is asking too much I-"
"It doesn't matter If they went nuts from stress or if they had bad character, to begin with." Lazaro cut him off. "They were your subordinates, handpicked after examining character and abilities. then you empowered those men with guns and strength. The consequence of their action is your direct responsibility."
Even if it was questionable, the way the words were put, had to take a nod from most of the people present, even the ones on the favor of his company.
Gerald looked at Lazaro while rethinking his ideas, he expected Lazaro to be a mindless tyrant kind, and not someone willing to debate like this. He thought Lazaro would just leave everything up to him after receiving a bombardment of questions and accusations. And when he brushed everything off Lazaro would understand that he needed him. But after Lazaro showed no signs of being moved, rather, with numerous weaponized bodyguards and military Lazaro seemed more comfortable than ever.
Leandro's eyes did not even flinch. "It's true if they were committing mistakes than they should with no doubt be punished. But what gives you the right to kill two lives at will!?" He stated, and people supported, a civilian killing other is a murder.
A firm and steady woman's voice echoed from one of the highest VIP stands.
"By military law, the first Sargeant and above have the right to kill a liability to his unit being it whatever or whoever it is. Leandro was the one leading, although he's a civilian the situation was demanded it."
All eyes turned above. A woman with white as snow hair and blodd red eyes grinned down at them, showing her canine teeth. A heavy sword that seemed to be made entirely of a kind of tough metal leaned back on the side of the seat. It was riddled with bruises and cuts its color is brownish-red.
Amidst all the gazes, Her deep red met Lazaro's golden ones.
Lucas approached Lazaro and spoke in a low tone. "She's Svletana, the st-"
"Strongest of this world." Lazaro completed for him.
"...The strongest of humanity, yes." Lucas finished annoyed.
"Took a liking to him? Oh, who am I kidding, a thing like you it's only interest in beating or getting beaten." Masha, a mature thirty-nine years mature woman wearing a formal business suit with a long skirt, spoke beside the twenty-nine Svletana
"He's a beast," Svletana said while smirking and keeping her staring contest with Lazaro.
Surprise washed over Masha's face. 'To this girl, to call someone that...'
She looked back at Lazaro but saw nothing special. But instead of falling her will she chose to believe Svletana, 'After all, if I had good eyes I wouldn't have lost so many years of my life.' She thought while her gaze wandered to Gerald a few steps away from Lazaro.
"Call Sophia aunt, I want to hear everything about him," Svletana said licking her lips. the excitement on her blood was visible. "Are you very strong?" She mouthed those words, for some reason she felt Lazaro would be able to understand them.
Lazaro who was still facing Leandro smiled at her and waved carelessly 'She did not reach the peak of a race through luck, neither is she mindless or laid back as she seems.'
For the first time, he felt the will to spar in this world. But looking a Leandro still in front of him made him sigh.
Leandro felt he already failed enough on his objective with Svletana, interfering for Lazaro. Her will equaled the military stance too. it was a hopeless indearment.
"Enough, this is adjourned for today," Leandro said and looked to his attendant. "Go fetch Larissa and bring her to the mansion."
"She'll go to you when, and if she wants to, for now, she's resting in my bed. maybe she'll call you later," Lazaro said aloud.
"Mr. Lazaro your trial had not ended and is merely adjourned, are you sure you want to keep this childish behavior?" Leandro shot him a glare. Only the mentions of such things were enough for to him feel the rage right underneath his skin.
Soft steps came to from the stadium entrance. As the people emerged from the shadow, Lazaro smiled.