A week had passed, and Leo sat under the shade of a massive tree, observing the bustling camp. His eyes lingered on the wolf-like kids confined in the cage nearby.
"It's been a week," he murmured, his words flowing smoothly in the language he had painstakingly learned over the past few days.
He glanced toward the golden knight, who stood at the center of the camp, barking orders.
"They've been searching endlessly," Leo said quietly.
"Claiming they're here to negotiate with the wolf clan."
His gaze drifted back to the cage, where the younger wolf-child clung to the unconscious elder.
"Negotiations, huh?" His tone was laced with sarcasm.
"They say it's to stop overhunting because it's affecting the empire's meat supply."
Leo scoffed, shaking his head.
"What a load of crap."
He leaned back against the tree, letting out a heavy sigh.
"They're not here to talk. That much is obvious."
His eyes narrowed as he added, "And those kids… they're just pawns in whatever twisted game this is."
Leo leaned back against the tree, his eyes scanning the camp, sharp with suspicion.
"Meat shortage?" he muttered under his breath, voice laced with skepticism.
He shook his head slightly.
"I haven't been here long, but I've seen enough to know that's a lie. The markets are full, the hunters are thriving… there's no shortage anywhere near the empire."
His gaze shifted toward the dense forest beyond the camp.
"And even if there was, who in their right mind would come this deep just to hunt? There's plenty closer to civilization."
Leo's attention returned to the cage holding the wolf-like kids. Their small frames were huddled together, silent and afraid.
"And what's the point of keeping them locked up if we're still out here searching?"
His eyes narrowed slightly as they locked onto the golden knight, standing at the center of the camp.
"Shouldn't their people be coming to us by now?"
Leo studied the knight for a moment, his smirk barely visible.
"That guy… 18th Square Commander or whatever they call him. He's the only one here who knows the truth."
He chuckled softly to himself, a humorless sound.
"The rest of them? Just pawns. Running around without the faintest clue what they're actually doing here."
Leo leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees as he stared at the scene.
"Whatever their real goal is… it's got nothing to do with meat."
Leo leaned back against the tree, watching the scene unfold with sharp eyes.
"The wolf clan isn't showing up for one of two reasons," he muttered under his breath.
"Either they don't care about their own, or they're smart enough to see this for what it is—a trap."
His gaze shifted to one of the knights approaching the cage, holding a bowl of food.
The knight crouched down and placed the bowl just out of reach of the younger captive.
Leo watched as the smaller figure stretched its hand toward the bowl, only to be stopped by the older one, who shook its head protectively.
"A week," Leo whispered, his tone hard.
"A whole week without food, and they're still holding on."
The knight, oblivious to the suffering he was causing, picked up another uneaten bowl nearby and carried it toward the golden-armored commander.
Leo tilted his head slightly, his attention piqued as the knight spoke to the commander.
The knight's voice carried a note of concern, but it was quickly overshadowed by the commander's sharp retort.
The commander's expression was cold, his tone icy as he dismissed the knight with a wave of his hand.
The knight hesitated, his shoulders sagging under the weight of the scolding, before finally turning and walking toward a log near Leo.
Leo's gaze remained fixed on the cage, his voice calm but deliberate as he asked,
"You do realize they'll starve to death at this rate, right?"
The knight, sitting nearby, turned to him with a scowl.
"They're beastmen," the knight replied curtly. "They can survive weeks without food."
Leo's lips curled into a faint, humorless smile.
"Is that what he told you?" he asked, his tone casual but laced with an edge.
The knight froze, his annoyance melting into surprise. He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. Instead, he looked away, his eyes dropping to the ground, unable to meet Leo's gaze.
Leo glanced at the knight and asked casually,
"What's your name?"
The knight scoffed, glaring at him.
"Why would you care about that now?"
Leo let out a slow sigh, standing up as he brushed the dust off his hands.
"Fine. Forget I asked," he muttered, turning to walk toward the cage.
The knight's eyes narrowed as he called after him,
"Where are you going?"
Leo didn't break stride, throwing his reply over his shoulder,
"Since when do you care what I do?"
The knight's face twisted in frustration, his hand gripping his sword hilt before releasing it with a sigh.
"You... arrogant brat," he growled under his breath.
Watching Leo disappear toward the cage, he slumped back against the log and muttered,
Leo walked toward the cage, but just as he was about to reach it, the cold tip of a blade pressed against his neck.
The commander's voice came from behind, sharp and commanding.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Leo didn't flinch, keeping his pace steady. He replied, his voice calm but firm.
"Do you honestly believe you can negotiate with them if those kids die?"
The commander tightened his grip on the sword and sneered.
"And what exactly do you plan to do about it?"
Leo's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't look back. He spoke, his words deliberate.
"I'm telling you, I can help."
The commander's sword dug into his neck a little deeper.
"Do you think they'll actually listen to you?"
Leo stopped for a moment, then turned his head just enough to look at him over his shoulder.
"Do you have a better idea?"
The commander paused, weighing the words. His eyes remained hard, but after a long moment, he pulled the sword back, letting out an irritated sigh.
"Do whatever you want," he muttered, his voice laced with frustration.
Leo gave a small nod and continued walking toward the cage, the commander's eyes following him warily.
As Leo approached the cage, two knights stepped forward, crossing their spears in front of him without a word.
He stopped, raising an eyebrow in silent question.
The commander behind him gave a small nod.
The knights hesitated but then lowered their spears, stepping aside to let him through.
Leo walked forward without a glance at them, stopping just outside the small cage.
The older one inside immediately growled, stepping protectively in front of the smaller figure.
Leo stood still, staring at them with unblinking intensity.
"Fiery, aren't you?" he murmured, his voice calm and almost amused.
The growling didn't stop. If anything, it grew louder, more menacing.
Leo's smirk deepened. He crouched down slowly, his eyes never leaving them.
His gaze traced over the details—the long cascade of violet hair, the razor-sharp claws that flexed in warning, the wolf-like ears pinned back in hostility.
His eyes lingered on the tail curling protectively around the smaller one, who clung to the older figure like a lifeline.
For a moment, Leo just stared, mesmerized.
"How fascinating," he said softly, almost as though speaking to himself.
Leo grabbed the bowl of food, lifting it as he glanced at the two inside the cage.
"You know," he began, his voice calm but firm, "starving yourself isn't exactly the smartest way to survive."
He crouched down, sliding the bowl slowly through the gap in the bars. His movements were deliberate, almost cautious, as if handling a frightened animal.
The older one, however, had no intention of letting him get close without a fight.
With a feral growl, they lunged forward, their sharp teeth sinking into Leo's hand.
The knights watching the scene tensed, their hands instinctively moving to their weapons.
Leo winced, a sharp breath escaping his lips, but he didn't pull away or lash out.
Instead, he let out a low, almost annoyed grunt.
"Seriously?" he muttered, looking at the older one biting him like their life depended on it.
Rather than reacting with anger, Leo raised his free hand slowly, reaching out to his head.
He gently patted him, his touch light and unthreatening.
"It's okay," he said, his voice soft yet steady.
"You don't have to fight anymore."
The older one's eyes widened in surprise, their grip loosening as they jumped back, retreating into the cage.
They crouched low, their sharp claws still visible, but now they seemed more confused than aggressive.
Leo let out a small exhale, cradling his injured hand as he sat back.
"Not exactly the warmest welcome," he said, more to himself than anyone else.
"But hey, at least you're paying attention now."
Leo sighed, pulling his hand back and wrapping it with a strip of cloth from his pocket.
"I know you despise us," he began, his voice soft but steady.
"But starving yourself won't change anything," he continued, his eyes narrowing slightly. "It won't help you or your clan."
He looked at the older one, a hint of sympathy flickering in his gaze.
"And I doubt your clan would be thrilled to see you die like this."
The older one's fierce expression wavered, uncertainty creeping into his features.
Leo sighed softly, his lips curling into a small smile.
"I can tell your clan cares deeply for you," he said, nodding. "That's why they're waiting. They're just biding their time, looking for the right moment."
He paused, his eyes growing more serious.
"But if you keep this up... you're just wasting their patience."
His gaze shifted to the younger one, who was huddled behind the older sibling, eyes wide with fear.
"And your little sister, too," he added.
The older one's eyes widened in shock, and for a moment, they looked like they might say something, but Leo's words stopped them.
"Don't be so shocked," Leo muttered with a soft chuckle. "It's obvious. The way she watches you, the way you protect her... It's clear as day."
Leo straightened, his expression shifting to something gentler.
"Eat," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "You'll need your strength when the time comes."
With a final glance, Leo turned to leave, his footsteps steady but slow. The siblings remained silent, their eyes following him as he walked away, the weight of his words hanging in the air.