After eating, Leon and Ren went to the palace. Ren had informed the manager of the dungeon that Leon had completed his mission, so Leon was expecting that he wouldn't lose too much time in there. Again, the guards didn't escort them, but when they arrived at the meeting hall, they saw the same faces.
Although some advisors didn't look happy at all, Seiji was acting as if he hadn't done anything before. Meanwhile, Makoto seemed quite pleased. Ren kneeled like before, but this time Leon only bowed, and that action alone enraged the advisors, with the exception of Seiji. It looked like he put some sense in his head while the others threw it away theirs.
"I'm back Your majesty," Leon said. "To inform you that I completed my first part of the deal."
"Yes, I heard of it; you have my deepest thanks, Leon," Makoto smiled. "I'm quite surprised; you cleared the dungeons quite fast. Regardless, thanks to your help, my country will be able to obtain various monsters parts daily from now. Indirectly, you saved many lives. However, it won't be easy… can you share with us the strategy to defeat the bosses of the dungeons?"
"Of course," Leon nodded.
Leon gave a detailed explanation of his battle against the bosses, but he omitted a few important details, like the skills he used or how he used it. In the end, Leon only shared information about how the monsters died. There was no point in revealing his skills when it was impossible for a single person to replicated the same actions. Makoto and his subordinates would have to find a way to do that considering their skills.
"I see, thanks for sharing that kind of information. Your transport to North America is already ready," Makoto said. "To be honest, I wasn't expecting much of you. It is hard to expect something from a person that you barely know, but actions speak louder than words, and with that, you have proven yourself to be trustworthy. As a token of my gratitude and also as an apology, I want to give you something."
Suddenly, Makoto got up and started to walk toward Leon and Ren while carrying a black box of the size of a soccer ball. Ren got tense, and the advisors made unbelievably complicated expressions. It looked like the emperor himself, giving gifts was a big deal.
"For your hard work, I will give you this magic box called inventory," Makoto put the box in Leon's hands. "I heard you got interested in it, the space inside is nearly unlimited and time inside doesn't pass. So, we filled it with provisions. It should help on your journey."
Although Leon didn't notice a single time, he was being watched the whole time. Ren wouldn't be a fool to spread that information, so it was safe to assume that one of Makoto's spies kept an eye on him the whole time. Leon made a mental note to find a way to discover that kind of thing… Regardless, even though Leon really wanted something so convenient, he couldn't accept it.
"I, once again, thank you, Leon," Makoto offered a handshake. "I hope that you can help me find justice for the death of my son. I also wish you luck on your search for your family."
"… I am thankful for your kindness," Leon accepted the handshake and then put the magic box in Makoto's hands. "But I cannot accept this. Isn't this a memento of your son? You shouldn't give this to a stranger."
"… Are you refusing my gift?" Makoto frowned.
"No, I heard that this belongs to your daughter," Leon said. "You cannot use something that is not yours as a gift."
The mood of the room got tense. Although Makoto didn't seem particularly angry, it looked like he was quite confused by being lectured by Leon.
"You can rest assured knowing that Yuki didn't refuse my idea for a second after knowing what I would do with the magic box," Makoto explained. "Although it is indeed a memento from my son, I'm sure he won't complain whenever he is."
"I doubt that anyone could refuse one of your ideas. Your Majesty," Leon chuckled. "If my father were the most influential person in the country, I wouldn't have many choices but to comply with his ideas. Much less in the world in this situation… I know that Your Majesty is trying to create an amicable relationship by using that as a gift, but it is not necessary. After just two weeks of work, Your Majesty is giving me the means to return home after four years... you are giving me something I didn't manage to find after four years… there is not present better than that."
"Is that so… in that case, I will thank you for your generosity." Makoto nodded. "I guess everything has a different value to different people. When you come back, I will present you with something suitable."
"Understood…" Leon nodded and then smirked. "However, if Your Majesty really wants to give me that magic box, I can accept if you convince your daughter to give to me. I will never refuse the gift of a beautiful lady like her."
"Is that so… but aren't you aiming for something else as well?" Makoto showed a cold smile.
"Not at all!" Leon laughed nervously. "I was just joking, you know. Don't take my words too seriously."
"If you say so… Well, even if you had something in mind by approaching my daughter," Makoto rubbed his chin. "It wouldn't bother me. I already said to all people of Japan that anyone could propose to her… but to do that, the person interested will have to save the world seven times, and in the end, the final answer is in her hands."
"Your Majesty has high standards…" Leon frowned. "Although I'm not nearly as important as you, If one day I have a daughter, I will say the same thing to her boyfriends."
After that, Leon and Makoto laughed loudly.