Chapter 153: Leon's Choice and Return to the Hall of Glory
Across from Leon, Miranda observed him as he fell into contemplation, choosing not to disturb his thoughts. She sipped her coffee, closing her eyes momentarily, her expression appearing refreshed.
Having conveyed what Leon needed to know, Miranda felt a sense of relief that her task of informing him was complete. Her remaining duty was to accompany him on his journey to defeat the evil god.
After four minutes of reflection, Leon finally emerged from his thoughts, returning his gaze to Miranda with a gentle smile.
"Thank you for sharing everything with me, Miranda," Leon expressed genuinely.
If it weren't for Miranda, Leon would have remained unaware that beneath the apparent tranquility of their world, aside from the impending war between humanity and the Demon Race, there lurked a dark history and an ominous threat looming in the future.
Moreover, discovering the truth behind the 7,000-year war, orchestrated as a deception against the Evil God, and learning about the stories of Demon Emperor Amon Crimson and the True Hero of Mankind, Luminus Troya, left Leon with a profound sense of insignificance and ignorance.
Miranda rested her chin on her palm, offering Leon a smile as she gently shook her head.
"You're welcome, Master. It's my duty to provide you with guidance and share all knowledge," she said softly.
Her expression then shifted slightly to one of seriousness as she posed the question, "So, Master, what is your decision after learning the entire truth? Have you already embraced your destiny as 'the fated one' and your mission to save the world?"
As she posed the question, Miranda couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness creeping in.
Despite having divulged all to Leon, there lingered uncertainty about whether he would accept his destiny as 'the fated one' and undertake the mission to vanquish the evil god.
In the worst-case scenario of his refusal, she would be powerless to compel him, rendering futile the plans orchestrated by Demon Emperor Amon Crimson and the Hero of Mankind, Luminus Troya, over the span of more than 7,000 years.
With these unsettling thoughts swirling in her mind, Miranda's nervousness intensified, prompting her to hastily adjust her posture as she cast an anxious glance toward him.
Listening to Miranda's question, Leon fell silent, his expression gradually growing serious, which only heightened Miranda's anxiety.
After a few tense moments, a gentle smile slowly bloomed on Leon's lips.
"Of course, I have accepted, and I am ready to take on the duty," Leon replied with a slight nod.
His words prompted Miranda to sigh in relief as she patted her huge, bumpy chest.
"It's a good thing you accepted; otherwise, I wouldn't have known what to do," Miranda confessed, pursing her lips with worry.
Leon chuckled at her anxious expression. He had noticed her nervousness when she asked the question and couldn't resist teasing her by maintaining his serious demeanor for a moment.
With a gentle laugh, Leon waved his hand and said in a soothing tone, "You're overthinking it, Miranda. Even without you asking, I would have been ready to assume the identity of 'the fated one' and carry that heavy duty on my shoulders."
Deep down, he realized that refusing would be both futile and pointless.
The Evil God, the formidable enemy he was destined to face, threatened the peace of the entire world and the safety of those he cherished—Liliana, his three little daughters, Arshley, Luna, and others he couldn't bear to lose.
So, instead of running away, it was better to face the challenge head-on.
I, Leon Kruger, the most powerful and handsome sword hero in the world, was never afraid of a challenge, even if it was an incredibly powerful evil god!
With this renewed spirit, Leon felt his body relax with ease.
Miranda nodded enthusiastically at Leon's confident words.
"As expected of my master—so brave!" Miranda giggled, her eyes sparkling with admiration, causing Leon to blush slightly.
With a slight cough, Leon quickly changed the topic. "Ahem! By the way, what's the next step?"
Miranda quickly regained her composure, returning to her calm and graceful expression.
"Your next move is to draw the Great Sword of Chaos from the altar," Miranda said casually.
Leon raised an eyebrow at her words, ready to ask a question, when Miranda suddenly snapped her fingers.
*Snap!*
Suddenly, their surroundings shifted; once a serene garden adorned with blooming flowers, they now found themselves in a vast hall lined with various paintings and towering statues bowing their heads toward the hall's end.
As Leon beheld the hall, his expression froze in shock, and he muttered, "The Hall of Glory..."
He was somewhat surprised to find himself here again, in a place he had initially dismissed as a mere dream.
The statues of the Demon Emperor, the paintings adorning the dining hall, and the overwhelming sense of loneliness remained vivid in his memory.
"Master, come, follow me," Miranda said softly as she rose from her seat, instantly rousing Leon from his reverie.
With a slight nod, Leon rose to his feet, and the two began to walk side by side down the hallway.
Leon's gaze wandered as he walked, his admiration evident as he beheld the majestic statues of the Demon Emperors.
Observing his expression, Miranda smiled slightly and asked curiously, "Master, haven't you already been to this hall before? Why does your expression suggest it's your first time here?"
"I'm just amazed by these statues," Leon confessed lightly.
It was just that a sudden thought crossed his mind, causing him to swiftly glance at Miranda beside him.
"By the way, I wanted to ask you something," Leon said.
"Hm?" Miranda looked at him curiously.
Leon hesitated for a moment before finally asking, "Was it you who brought me to this hall at that time?"
At this, Miranda blinked a few times before giggling and confessing, "Did you finally figure it out?"
"I just had a hunch, and it seems I was correct," he replied with a chuckle, shrugging his shoulders.
Miranda smiled as she explained, "I was the one who brought you here, and the blue butterfly that guided you was under my control."
Her expression turned into a pout as she continued, "But when you reached the altar where the Great Sword of Chaos was lodged, you didn't retrieve it. In fact, I had already called out to you at that point, which means I should have been able to communicate with you and explain everything earlier."
Listening to this, Leon frowned, casting her a puzzled glance as he processed her words.
"So, were those voices calling me actually you?" Leon asked hesitantly, recalling the moment at the altar when he heard the voices urging him to withdraw the sword lodged in its center.
So, was it Miranda's voice?
Curiously, he looked at her, awaiting her response.
"Yes, it was me, Master," Miranda admitted. "In that moment, I was overwhelmed with joy at meeting you, causing me to lose control."
Miranda's face flushed red as she confessed, eliciting a chuckle from Leon.
Though somewhat surprised by her admission, Leon wasn't overly taken aback.
After all, having heard the truth about the real 7,000-year history, this little surprise didn't affect him much.
With a slight shake of his head and a sigh, Leon clarified, "I'm sorry, Miranda. It's not that I didn't want to draw the Great Sword of Chaos, but there was a mysterious white-haired middle-aged man with a white blindfold over his eyes who prevented me from doing so."
"He said that it wasn't time yet, and you should have seen it too, right?"
Upon hearing this, Miranda's brows furrowed in confusion as she regarded him with a puzzled expression.
"The mysterious white-haired middle-aged man with a white blindfold covering his eyes? Why didn't I see him back then?" Miranda asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Leon's expression hardened, and he came to a sudden stop, fixing Miranda with a disbelieving stare.
"Eh?"