The golden-haired girl in front of Kaguya was none other than Leone.
"What are you doing here?" Leone asked, her face full of surprise as she looked at the silver-haired girl before her. She had intervened because she saw a girl in trouble, but she hadn't expected it to be Kaguya.
"I'm just traveling," Kaguya lied casually.
"Oh, I see," Leone nodded.
Hey, I was just making that up, and you actually believe it?
"Seriously, you believe that?" Kaguya said, exasperated.
"If it were anyone else, I wouldn't believe it," Leone laughed. "But if it's you, I believe it. Nothing you do would surprise me."
"Are you trusting me, or mocking me?" Kaguya raised an eyebrow.
"Why would I mock you? Haha," Leone laughed, wrapping an arm around Kaguya's shoulder and whispering with a mischievous grin, "Who was that guy? Your old flame?"
Kaguya's mouth twitched slightly. "Do you think he looks like one?"
Leone glanced up and down at the young man. "Nah, there's no way someone like that could be your match."
"There you go," Kaguya said.
"Hey, you two, enough!" the young man shouted angrily.
Leone and Kaguya hadn't bothered to lower their voices, so the young man naturally heard everything. At first, he thought they were just whispering sweet nothings, but when he realized they were talking about him like that, he was furious.
In the meantime, the sound of chaotic footsteps filled the air as a squad of soldiers marched in. Clad in armor and wielding sharp swords, they surrounded the two girls. Archers stood on the perimeter, their arrows gleaming coldly.
Tension filled the air, the atmosphere thick with the threat of violence.
"Ladies, you'd better surrender now," the young man said, his confidence bolstered by the arrival of the soldiers. He looked at the two girls with smug satisfaction, as if they were already his. "It'll save you some pain."
"The more powerless someone is, the more they overestimate themselves. Does he really think he can do anything to us?" Kaguya sighed, a bit exasperated.
"Not everyone is like you," Leone laughed. "A freak, I mean. Oh, I meant strong."
Kaguya's mouth twitched again. "You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
"I didn't say anything," Leone chuckled, patting her shoulder. "Don't be so petty."
"That's enough!" The young man, having been ignored for too long, exploded in anger. "Arrest these two bitches! I'll personally teach them a lesson and show them what happens when you anger a powerful gentleman." As he spoke, his face twisted into a sinister smile, his gaze burning into the silver-haired girl as if he wanted to devour her whole.
"Disgusting, like a maggot in a toilet," Kaguya wrinkled her brow, her clear eyes showing a look of revulsion. She even waved her hand, as if trying to dispel an invisible stench.
"Hey, hey, isn't it unbecoming for someone of your noble status to say something so vulgar?" Leone looked at Kaguya in surprise, not expecting such crude words from the delicate beauty in front of her.
"You speak to people in the manner they deserve," Kaguya shrugged. "Would you be polite to a thug?"
"No," Leone clenched her fists, her voice cold. "I'd punch him."
"There you go," Kaguya spread her hands, pointing to the young man. "Do you want to deal with this guy, or should I?"
"I'll handle it," Leone cracked her knuckles, making a crisp sound, and smiled brightly. "How could I let someone as noble as you dirty your hands? I'll clean up this trash."
The young man, hearing their blatant disregard, looked like he was about to explode. His face was so dark it seemed like it could drip water, and his eyes burned with fury. "What are you idiots waiting for? Get them!"
"Yes, sir!"
The soldiers gripped their swords and advanced on Kaguya and Leone.
Leone snorted, a glint flashing in her eyes as she clenched her fists. A soft golden light began to emanate from her waist. Bathed in the golden light, Leone's short blonde hair suddenly grew long, reaching down to her waist, while her hands transformed into furry beast-like claws.
"You trash, I'll take care of you," Leone said, her lips curving into an excited smile.
As soon as she finished speaking, Leone stomped the ground, launching herself forward with a tremendous force. She shot into the group of soldiers like a golden flash, moving with the speed of an arrow.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
"Ahhhh!"
Leone tore through the soldiers like a lion among sheep. Her fist smashed into a soldier's shield, leaving a deep dent, and the soldier was sent flying as if hit by a train.
Some soldiers tried to sneak up behind her, swinging their swords at her back, hoping to catch her off guard.
But it was as if Leone had eyes on the back of her head. She spun around with a graceful twist of her body and kicked the soldier squarely in the chest. His chest armor caved in, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
Swords clashed, fists flew.
Under Leone's overwhelming assault, the well-trained soldiers fell apart, utterly unable to fight back. They were like helpless lambs. Any injuries Leone sustained were quickly healed by her powerful regenerative ability. Aside from a few bloodstains, there was no sign that she had been hurt at all.
The difference between those with Imperial Arms and those without was stark. In front of someone with an Imperial Arm, ordinary people stood no chance. The gap in power was as vast as the sky and the earth.
Of course, this wasn't always the case. Some people were strong even without Imperial Arms, like Esdeath. But clearly, these soldiers were not in that league.
While Kaguya was watching Leone's performance with growing disinterest, a few figures quietly approached her from behind. They pulled out a large sack and attempted to throw it over her head.