"I don't hate you, Troy. You look like a very kind person, but... I can't... I just can't." Leal shook his head while looking at me with distress in his eyes. "Don't ruin everyone's life just because you feel like it."
While shivering, he slowly moved toward me and raised his fists.
"I don't think you can still fight. It's over."
He spat blood and stared at me. "I can still fight."
His body got more devastated than I thought, but at least he can still stand up.
I exhaled. "Look, don't worry, I won't ruin anyone's life. I don't know what you people think about the people of my tribe, but I'm not like them. Don't go on judging someone based on your judgment or whatever. Besides, I'm not doing this shit because I just felt like it, well maybe a little bit, but most of it is because I have a goal in mind that makes the difference."
He chuckled, but his voice was filled with ache. "Are you saying that you have a goal for this place?"
I paused briefly, felt the sun's heat touching my skin, and nodded.
"I want to make a safe place where every race can live together in harmony, without fear, without discrimination, just unity."
He suddenly stopped walking toward me while his eyes were shivering. "A place where all races can live in harmony? A safe place for every race? Aren't you a little naive?"
"Naive? Maybe I am. I have very little knowledge of this world; I only know that I can't do it alone. That's why I need you to help me to build that place I am yearning for. Let's find out how far my naivety can take me together."
For a few seconds, he remained silent while staring at me with his mouth wide-open. "Tell me, how certain you are that you will never ruin this place? And when the time comes, how sure you are that you can protect..." He shook his head. "That you can... protect everyone dear to us?"
I see now. A place where the ones who have no place to go. This place is what it is, even for Leal. He's not this cynical just to protect himself, and he wants to protect something or someone incredibly dear to him that he cannot afford to lose.
Getting stripped of power means he could no longer protect it, just like he did while in power.
"You want to protect something, but for some reason, I'm certain that it's not just simply the town alone that something is far more important to you." I breathed out. "Don't worry, I'll help you protect it, whatever it is. I felt like I was here because of that sole purpose."
"Is that a promise?"
Wow, that's quick.
"Yes."
It's not that big of a deal, I think.
He paused for a few seconds and nodded. "I just want you to know you can no longer take it back."
I nodded. "I will protect whatever it is, in return, help me achieve my goal."
Out of a sudden, a puzzling smile emerged on his face. "Then, you've got yourself a deal."
Ahm, what happened to his desperate and reluctant face earlier?
He raised his hand for the crowd to see. "I admit my defeat."
The crowd roared on his signal; simultaneously, all the combat butlers and maids scattered around the area clapped their hands with smiles on their faces.
From the platform, I saw two people jump down inside the arena and run towards us.
The next thing I felt was Leo's arms on my shoulder. "You did it, boss! You really did kick his sorry ass!"
I shrugged. "I just managed."
I shifted my eyes to Xin standing on Leo's back while carrying Rafaela, who immediately went down to hug my waist.
"Congratulations, big bro Troy."
I chuckled and patted her head. "Thanks."
Xin didn't say anything; rather, he just nodded at me, and in response, I nodded back.
"Oy, Leal, how does it feel to kiss the ground?"
Leal shrugged. "I can't tell, but it's still less painful than getting knocked out by my own skill."
Leo tilted his head. "Speaking of, I know a loss is a loss, but it's still jarring to me why you didn't use your trump card against him?"
Trump card? Does he still have something he's hiding?
[Noticed: No Skill can hide from me]
Oh…
"Hmph, why would I? You know how dangerous he could be once he managed to copy my advanced class skills. He already has your advanced class skill and will become far more dangerous if he manages to copy mine."
He still has!
[Notice: It's an advance class skill you cannot use yet at your current level]
I see.
"Oy, are you saying my skill is weaker than yours?"
Leal shook his head. "Perhaps it is, but that's not what my point is. I'm trying to say he's already that strong after acquiring your strongest skill. Imagine him with my advanced class skill. He would be unstoppable, and that's the last thing I want to happen, especially since we still don't know what path he's trying to take. Besides, whether I use it or not, I will lose anyway."
Leo scratched the back of his head. "You know, Leal, sometimes I really don't get what's running inside that mind of yours."
Leal didn't answer; he shifted his gaze and dwelled his eyes on a certain person that's also one of the members of his mercenaries currently scattered throughout the area with an expression of relief on his a little bit dirty but still good-looking face.
For a person who just lost his governance, he looks so relieved.
After some time, he started walking away from the arena while we watched him.
He stopped. "Don't get me wrong, I still don't trust you. And if ever I feel that you're not worthy of my trust or the leadership you earned, I'll deal with you myself." He looked back. "However, you have my word. I will help you achieve your goal; in return, don't forget our deal."
I smiled. "Sure, but you haven't told me yet who the person you want me to protect is."
"What?" Leo's chuckle sounded next to me. "Protect who? Don't tell me the manipulative and cynical Leal has a soft side on someone. That would be crazy!"
On the other hand, Xin didn't even flinch.
Leal's eyes instantly narrowed, and he walked away from us.
"Oy, oy! Don't just leave like that, Leal!" Leo shouted while chasing after him.
"Leave me alone, or I'll destroy you!"
Two down, one more to go.
And probably the strongest of all the faction leaders. The shadow fairy, Raiden.