While walking down a hallway, Leo saw a man walking toward him from an opposite direction.
"You are? I don't recall ever seeing you before." The man acted curious and rubbed his chin as he approached Leo. Then he suddenly realized something and straightened up. "Ah, I was rude to not introduce myself first. I am Cao Cao of the Hero's Faction, pleased to meet you." Cao Cao extended his hand to Leo for a greeting handshake.
Leo is looking at Cao Cao and realizes this man perhaps can be useful for his endeavors.
"I am Leonis Ashford. You could say that I am the personal caretaker of Lady Ophis. At least that's what Vali and the others called me as." Leo accepted the handshake and smiled back at Cao Cao.
"A personal caretaker, you said?" An odd expression appeared on Cao Cao's face as he stared at Leo.
Leo noticed the strange stare he received and it's nothing but good. He mentally opens Cao Cao's profile and imagines his surprise when he sees Cao Cao's thoughts.
[Current Thoughts: He sees you as an obstacle in his and Rizevim's plan to steal and control Ophis' power.]
The handshake lasted a little too long before Cao Cao retracted his hand.
"I see. I never heard of Her Excellency to have a personal caretaker. It must have happened quite recently. That's why I hadn't heard of this news before." Cao Cao maintained his smile which didn't take any effort before he bid Leo a farewell in a hurry.
Leo glanced at Cao Cao's figure disappearing into the hallway before he noted Cao Cao is very dangerous. Not just in strength but also his double faced personality. If he didn't have the ability to see people's thoughts, he might think Cao Cao was just trying to be polite and greet new members.
Leo once again reminded that his enemies are the entire organization with only a small exception being Vali's team since their goal isn't Ophis' power and a true ally he can trust.
His first plan was to simply make Ophis grant him authority to manage Khaos Brigade on her behalf. But Leo doubts those old fossils will listen to him. It wouldn't even be a surprise if they wanted to take him out. But they wouldn't dare trying to assassinate him because Ophis is his backer and no one will dare to challenge her unless they have a death wish.
Leo simply lacks the qualifications to order the members which consists of Super Devils like Rizevim, Gods like Loki. That's why he worked hard to increase his strength.
His goal to reform Khaos Brigade became more and more impossible the more he learned about the organization.
Thankfully, Leo has some knowledge about the plot although not as complete as he wanted it to be. But enough to be useful for his endeavors.
But before he can get anything started, he must first have the strength to back up his words or else, everything he said would be nothing but empty words.
The problem is, for him to gain strength. He must find girls and raise their affection.
"Sigh… Why can't I just get a normal System."
At least he has the Hunter's Dream which allows him to gain strength without the help of his System.
[...]
———
"You need my help to settle down on Earth?" Kuroka was surprised when Leo suddenly found her and made a request.
But after a moment of thought, what he is doing is quite logical. Even though he had worked hard to grow stronger, sparring with Bikou and occasionally Arthur. He is still quite weak once they stop holding back from just using physical strength.
"Well, I understand your reason to move out of here… But where will you stay? Especially when Lady Ophis will definitely follow you." Kuroka wonders.
"Hmn, I guess it's Kuoh Town. There is the only place I can think of where I can stay safely from the rest of the Khaos Brigade." Leo suggested but his reason is more than that.
Kuoh Town is the central area of the plot and staying there means most of the strong enemies and main characters will visit. A perfect place for him to grow his strength.
"Kuoh Town?" A glint flashes through Kuroka's eyes as she is contemplating the request.
"Alright. But I also have a request."
"What is it?" He knew that he was asking a favor from Kuroka. So, he is also willing to repay it as long as it's not unreasonable.
"Once in a while, let me crash at your place." Kuroka said excitedly.
"That's all?" Leo looked surprised at her request. No, that's not even a request really.
"Of course, I am indebted to you since my arrival and have been imposing a lot on you. My door is always welcome to you." Leo bowed slightly and thanked Kuroka.
"Nyahaha. You sound so formal. We are friends right? Friends help each other, so it is only natural for me to help you." Kuroka taps Leo's shoulder while laughing.
"Of course." Leo also smiled.
'It's the first time for me to have a genuine friend.' He said to himself.
———
Two days later, Leo in his new apartment is taking out the furniture he snagged from the Khaos Brigade's base since he didn't have money to buy new one for his new home.
He is emptying his inventory before moving the furniture and appliances to its appropriate places.
While he was moving furniture, he entered Mittelt's room to take out her stuff when he noticed her staring out her window into the city absent-mindedly.
"Are you thinking about your friends?" Leo approached her and asked while also staring out the window.
"Eh! Oh, Leo. You surprised me." Mittelt jumped when Leo suddenly talked to her.
"You had been staring out the window and didn't even notice me entering your room. I was worried."
Mittelt blushed shyly when Leo said he was worried about her and quickly hid her face.
"A-Ah, it's nothing. I just…" She didn't finish her words before Leo suddenly patted her head when he noticed she was shaking. Clearly is not okay while pretending she is.
"It's alright. No need to force yourself. Go join Ophis in the living room. Once I'm done, I will make lunch."
"Mhm." Mittelt nods before obediently leaving the room to join Ophis as he stares out the window and looks at the Victorian styled private school in the distance.
He is also conflicted. It's clear Mittelt harbors resentment towards the Devil's that killed her friends. What if he has to do it to complete her conquest route?
Can he do it? Can he really condemn the innocent for the sake of gaining power?
"Haah… What am I even thinking about." Leo wipes his face and gets back to placing down the furniture or he might not be on time to cook lunch.
—————
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